Fierce Battle

The Wind Serpent snapped at empty air.

It had nearly succeeded. If Rhode hadn't suddenly appeared behind her, it would have.

"Mr. Rhode?"

Lize, who had narrowly escaped death, looked up and only then realized in surprise that Rhode was standing behind her and she was leaning against him. Perhaps it was because she was so badly shaken, but at that moment, the girl felt limp all over, unable to muster the slightest strength. She instinctively tried to stand, but her legs gave way, and she sank back down instead.

"Lize!"

Seeing that Lize had escaped with her life, Carter breathed a sigh of relief. But soon, he tensed up again. The Wind Serpent that had missed its target had turned around, spread its wings, and raised its head, preparing to attack again. Damn it! He gripped his twin swords and ran toward them, hoping he could make it in time—but no matter how he looked at it, he wouldn't get there fast enough.

As the girl looked at the Wind Serpent again, she couldn't help holding her breath. She wanted to do something, but didn't know what. As a Spirit Master, she didn't need to use weapons, and she wasn't carrying any. So what was she supposed to do now?

"Leave it to me."

Just as Lize was panicking, Rhode's voice reached her ears. Then she saw him take half a step forward, putting himself between her and the Wind Serpent.

Was he planning to fight this Wind Serpent with his bare hands?

As Lize wondered, she saw Rhode extend his right hand. Only then did she notice the complex, ornate magic circle shining with bright, clear magical light on the back of his hand. Lines spread out from it, extending to each of his fingers, and a translucent object resembling a card slowly appeared in the center of his palm.

Then Rhode gripped it in reverse.

A dazzling white light suddenly appeared.

The invisible magic power broke the seal and became a tangible shock wave that swept outward. The Wind Serpent bore the brunt of it, shrieking as it beat its wings, struggling to keep its balance in the violent currents. But before it could do anything else, a blinding flash burst out of the shock wave and struck its body hard, sending it flying.

"Phew..."

Rhode let out a quiet breath. The dazzling radiance had now faded, replaced by an exquisitely crafted, pure-white long sword in his right hand. He swung the Stardust Sword, and specks of light drifted slowly from its blade, forming a mesmerizing scene.

He didn't notice that everyone else was completely stunned. Lize sat dumbfounded on the ground, staring in disbelief at the man before her. Carter had slowed his pace as well, his gaze fixed on Rhode in astonishment. He had already sensed that Rhode wasn't an ordinary person, but he had never imagined he could be so "extraordinary."

Though she was still sitting on the ground, Lize couldn't help admiring the flawless white sword. Ancient patterns were engraved on its slender blade, which gave off a faint glow. Even the tiny flecks of light surrounding it were clearly visible to the naked eye, beautiful as a dream. The folded wings on the hilt were especially exquisite; every feather was rendered in clear detail. Women weren't usually interested in weapons, but this sword was far beyond the realm of weaponry. It could even be called a work of art.

Lize was simply admiring it, but Carter's gaze was rather different.

As an experienced adventurer, Carter could swear he had never seen anything so bizarre. In fact, he had been stunned the moment Rhode summoned his weapon. He had seen some mages summon things before, but they usually used objects like crystals and had to chant all sorts of strange incantations before bringing forth a few hideous monsters. That was nothing unusual. But a weapon? He had never seen anything like it.

Though he still didn't know what the object in Rhode's hand was, Carter knew very well that ordinary people couldn't use a magical weapon like this. Anyone qualified to wield one had to be someone of noble and exceptional status. Seeing the lifelike wings on the hilt, Carter couldn't help frowning. He knew perfectly well that angels were a highly esteemed race on this continent. Most of them held prominent positions or served as the backbone of important organizations. Take Lydia Paffield Mila Franlica, ruler of the Moon Principality, who had ascended to power three years ago. She was a Seraph. Though he still didn't know this young man's true identity, the sword alone made it clear that he must have some connection to that noble race.

These thoughts flashed through Carter's mind, and by then he had reached them.

"Are you all right?"

"I-I'm fine."

Lize's little face was still pale. It wasn't because she was a coward. Given what had just happened, if Rhode hadn't pulled her back from behind, she would certainly have died. The terror of barely escaping the Reaper's scythe wasn't something an ordinary person could understand.

After confirming that Lize wasn't injured, Carter immediately turned his attention to Rhode.

"Mr. Rhode, are you all right?"

Rhode shook his head to show that he was fine. The left side of his body still hurt a little when he moved, but it wouldn't affect him much in battle. Instead, he was more concerned about something else.

"What are you planning to do?"

The Wind Serpents around them were growing more numerous. Although the Airship was moving at full speed, it still hadn't managed to shake off most of their pursuers. Their situation wasn't improving; it was getting worse.

"We're planning to get out of their territory. Until then, we'll just have to keep holding on."

If they'd been on land, Carter might have had other options. But they were in the air, and apart from this plan, he had no good way of dealing with the situation.

But as soon as Carter finished speaking, the young man in front of him frowned.

"We won't make it in time, Mr. Carter."

"Oh?"

"Wind Serpents have an absolute advantage on the plains. Even if you speed up, we won't be able to get away before the Airship falls apart."

"Really?"

Carter wasn't stupid. He had made that decision because he wasn't familiar with the area. As soon as he heard Rhode explain, he immediately understood how serious the situation was.

"Then what should we do?"

"Descend at once."

Rhode answered almost without hesitation, then pointed to the side.

"Then we'll charge in there."

Carter followed the direction of Rhode's finger and stared in surprise.

"You mean we should charge into the Dusk Forest?"

"To get away from the Wind Serpents' harassment, that's our only option. And..."

As he spoke, Rhode glanced around.

"We're running out of time."

The situation was indeed getting worse.

The Wind Serpents were dangerous not only because of their fangs; their corrosive venom was just as deadly. They were small and slender, and if a frontal attack failed, they would immediately switch targets. Quite a few Wind Serpents had already smashed the windows and crawled into the cabin from below, and the passengers had no way to fend them off. The cramped interior limited the Wind Serpents' agility, but that did nothing to reduce the threat they posed. As a result, the cabin was already a complete mess. The billowing smoke pouring from several holes made it clear how bad things were!

Carter didn't hesitate any longer and immediately turned to leave. Rhode gripped the Star Trace and blocked the opening ahead.

"Hiss!!"

A Wind Serpent flew in from the right, mouth wide open as it attacked Rhode. But the instant it lunged, Rhode slid diagonally to the left. At the same time, the white long sword in his hand swept upward, striking the Wind Serpent squarely on the chin. He knocked it flying and blocked the venom it had hastily spat out. Rhode then spun around and swung the silver-white blade through the air in a flash, driving it precisely into the wing of another Wind Serpent trying to ambush him from behind. As it lost its balance, he struck it again, ending the poor serpent's life.

But the Wind Serpents' assault didn't stop. The smell of blood had clearly stirred them up. Just as Rhode pulled his sword from the dead Wind Serpent, dozens of them lunged at him. They piled over one another, looking from a distance like a green cloud—or the gaping maw of some unknown monster, ready to swallow its prey whole in an instant.

"Mr. Rhode!"

After dispelling the poison from another mercenary, Lize turned around. When she saw what was happening, she couldn't help crying out in alarm.

Streams of acid shot out like a torrential downpour, surging toward Rhode. If that acid rain hit him, he would probably be crippled for life, if not killed.

But just then, Rhode suddenly leapt backward.

The foul-smelling acid grazed past him and dripped onto the deck. It dissolved into wisps of smoke, eating little holes into the surface. Yet almost at the same moment, the swarm of Wind Serpents had rushed right up to Rhode. In the next instant, they would tear apart this dangerous, detestable man before them.

An ordinary person would have been so terrified by this sight that their legs would have given way. But Rhode remained perfectly calm. Faced with the monsters lunging at him, intent on tearing him limb from limb, he did just one thing: raised his sword in his right hand and thrust forward.

Shatter Blade, activate.

White blades of light erupted among the Wind Serpents, splitting from one into two, then two into four. Several sharp blades shot forward, piercing one Wind Serpent after another. The powerful currents they stirred up swept over the creatures like invisible hands, mercilessly tearing apart those lucky enough to escape the blades. In an instant, the green cloud was ripped apart by dazzling light, leaving behind only scattered bits of flesh and blood.

Everyone held their breath.