Chaos Myriad Army

When Sakrael's axe collided with Little Barney's shield, the Royal Guard prisoners' reaction took Tales completely by surprise.

Little Barney charged ahead, using his sword and shield without any fancy moves to block the angle of Sakrael's attack and stop the latter from striking at Belleti and Bri.

But the others...

"Fall back, Semir!"

Amid the rushing wind of axes and flashes of steel, Little Barney blocked one of Sakrael's strikes and shoved aside the axe haft that followed, while roaring at Semir, who was trying to approach the battlefield:

"I'll take the first round!"

"Nai, cover me!"

At Little Barney's roar, Nai pushed through the crowd and joined the battle.

But instead of swarming forward, the rest of the Royal Guard did something completely out of character and moved away from the battlefield:

Naki and Bri forcefully dragged Tales to the left, pressing him against the wall.

Little Barney and Nai were the only two standing on the battlefield—or rather, Little Barney alone was facing Sakrael head-on. As he weathered Sakrael's attacks, sometimes swift and nimble, sometimes as violent as a storm, he appeared somewhat clumsy.

Nai, who should have been supporting him, stood rigidly in the distance. He held a dagger and a dart in his hands, watching the two combatants intently without moving an inch.

What?

Tales did not understand.

Whoosh!

Sakrael remained calm as he suddenly swung his arm sideways. Using his superior position, he forced aside Little Barney's shield, and the axe blade scraped toward the latter's neck!

Clang!

Little Barney grunted and spun, colliding with Sakrael.

The two separated at once, each avoiding the other's next strike. But Little Barney was clearly at a disadvantage—there was a wound on his right arm.

Watching the battle, Tales, who could make neither head nor tail of