"--I'll do it."
Unexpectedly, Arsene, the weakest fighter among the three, stepped forward without hesitation.
He strode forward and fixed his gaze on the Earl of Orleans.
Golden radiance gradually ignited in his pupils--the resonance of the Equilibrium Path.
Iver watched Arsene with interest.
He had no idea what Arsene had thought of, or what resolve he had made, to dare fight a Fifth Level Child of the Moon head-on, on the latter's home ground. Arsene had never been good at fighting... He was only good at running away.
The Earl of Orleans clearly knew Arsene's background as well.
"Really..."
Before the Earl could finish speaking, his entire body vanished in an instant.
The next moment, he teleported directly in front of Arsene.
He raised his cane and viciously struck Arsene across the face!
--Clang!
The sound was crisp, like wooden sticks striking each other.
Arsene had no time to draw his sword. He could only grip the short sword's hilt in reverse and raise his left arm, using the scabbard to defend.
The scabbard was struck so hard by the cane that it nearly flew from his hand, revealing a flash of cold light.
The Earl gripped his cane with one hand and pressed down mercilessly, his face expressionless. "Have I ever drunk your blood?"
In an instant, Arsene abruptly released his left hand.
The next strike came at once, knocking the short sword away.
At the same time, a light as brilliant as daylight burst from Arsene's open left palm, making the Earl squint. Arsene himself swept his cloak around his body and transformed into nothingness.
At that moment, the short sword Sarastro, which had been knocked away, finally left its scabbard--
A howling illusion surged toward them like a tsunami.
Everyone was dazed for only an instant.