Serie Arrives Just in Time

Although he didn't hold back his praise, Rivale's actions were anything but hesitant, his punches carrying an aura of merciless annihilation.

The first contact was inevitable, but fortunately, the Blood Pillar that Galan released first had a slight effect, hindering Rivale's vision and movement to some extent.

Perhaps due to the malleability of the Blood Pillar, the Blood Pillar that Galan condensed, after wrapping around Rivale's arm, unconsciously shifted to the other side. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Galan braced himself against the hilt of his sword and forcefully twisted his body to dissipate the remaining power of the punch.

A barely perceptible look of surprise crossed Rivale's face. For some reason, there was a slight delay at the moment he threw his punch, and his current punch was being guided by an inexplicable force. It was definitely not because of the pillar of Blood Pillar, but another indescribable force.

What secrets does this human being still hiding?

At this distance, I should have been able to see through all his disguises and concealments, but just now I still couldn't see through his true nature. My Mana couldn't penetrate his body at all, as if... this guy was completely isolated from the world.

Was it because Serie had installed some kind of concealment measure on him?

Rivale couldn't understand it, and unusually, a look of hesitation appeared in his eyes.

Should I really kill this human? Perhaps there's something interesting hidden within him. Although it was supposed to be a drain on my energy, my body was inevitably affected to some extent.

Galan could feel the pressure, like a steel hammer, pouring down like a tidal wave, forcing him to grit his teeth and endure it.

His boots dug two deep furrows into the soil beneath his feet, a testament to the terrifying residual force of that punch.

It's truly a terrible thing; to actually be targeted by Rivale...

At this moment, Galan would have preferred that the burly man standing in front of him to this terrifying Demons uncle.

I'm really going to be in trouble. I managed to block this attack, but what about the next one, and the one after that?

He kept calling out Serie's name in his mind, hoping for a miracle. If she had returned, he was sure that the [Telepathic Magic] could reach her.

Judging from the current situation, this guy is planning to do something reckless while Serie is away.

Or rather, as long as Serie isn't around, no one can stop him from running rampant.

Serie told me not long ago... about you being around here...

"So?"

"So, do you think she was trying to lure you out?"

"What? Do you think I'm afraid of her?"

Galan calmed himself down and said composedly, "Serie said that ever since you lost to her in the last duel, you haven't appeared in front of her again. Perhaps... you really are afraid of her? After all, the Demons values their own lives the most."

Rivale just looked at Galan without saying a word.

The red cape behind him fluttered in the wind like a waving flag.

"Perhaps you're right. If it weren't for the Demon King Lord last time, I probably would have died at her hands. But even so, if you think you can scare me away with just these two sentences, you're seriously underestimating me."

Rivale spoke, his tone now sounding colder than before, as if Galan's words had struck a nerve, and he was unusually displeased.

Could it be that I'm really afraid of dying?

If I hadn't been worried about that, I probably would have rushed into the city yesterday without hesitation to challenge Serie to a duel, right?

"Let's cut to the chase... Since you like knives, I'll play with one too."

With that, he ignored Galan and manipulated his own Mana to condense a long sword that looked exactly like the one in Galan's hand.

Rivale's stance as he wielded the longsword resembled that of a Master of Swordsmanship, suggesting he possessed considerable skill with the weapon.

"Aren't you afraid that Serie will come looking for you?"

"More than that, I care about whether you can give me a truly exhilarating experience in battle. Besides, you definitely have some other secrets about you, which intrigues me greatly."

Having said that, he didn't hesitate any longer, and charged towards Galan with his long sword.

Having learned from previous encounters and battles, Galan quickly adapted to the current combat situation after processing all the information.

Although he inevitably fell into a disadvantageous position, he had indeed withstood Rivale's fierce offensive. "What a madman!"

"You've improved very quickly. To be able to figure out my attack patterns in such a short time, you can already be considered one of the top warriors I've ever seen."

Should I thank you for such a kind word?

"This isn't flattery, it's the truth. Even among the Demons, your strength as a warrior is definitely among the top. It's just a pity you ran into me."

As he finished speaking, an even more powerful aura than before erupted forth.

Rivale is serious this time!

The moment Galan realized this, he swiftly lunged backward, an attack he knew he could never stop.

The other side has figured out my previous methods, so they won't work anymore.

But if he were to take a direct hit like that, he would surely die.

"Run!"

Looking at the two women, Galan, who were still standing behind him, wanting to rush up and help, Garland felt a sense of powerlessness.

If only I could be stronger, stronger than Rivale, strong enough to protect those I want to protect. Familiar Mana enveloped the area at this moment, its astonishing density like the prelude to a torrential downpour.

As a figure descended from the sky, bare feet lightly touching the ground, the hem of a white robe flowing smoothly alongside long, golden hair, a voice that brought Galan a sense of peace appeared in his ears. "You're really useless. Didn't I tell you before? If you can't beat Rivale, even if you wanted to, you'd need to cultivate enough Mana to apply the [Blood Manipulation Magic] to the gate first."

The person who arrived was none other than Serie.

Her face was gloomy at this moment, especially after seeing Rivale smiling in front of her, which made her even more displeased.

You! Want to die, huh?