The tip of the sword was pressed against his brow.
The cold touch froze Eris in place.
She didn't move.
Because she knew very well that if Randolph wanted to, that sword would pierce her head in the next moment.
The outcome is decided.
Rudeus's voice faded.
Randolph did not continue.
He sheathed his longsword and returned it to its original position.
"Thank you for your kind offer."
Eris did not answer.
She simply lowered her head, gripping the two swords tightly in her hands.
A few seconds later, she slowly exhaled.
"... I lost."
This was the first time she had so readily admitted defeat.
There was no argument.
There was no objection.
They didn't make any excuses.
Because in this battle, she lost completely.
She was on the offensive from beginning to end.
He kept accelerating, kept unleashing the secrets of the Magic Sword Style, and kept trying to overwhelm his opponent with even greater power.
In the end, however, she was easily cornered by Randolph.
More importantly--
She didn't even really see how many cards the other party was hiding.
Eris raised her head and looked at the man in the distance who still had a calm expression.
"If Rudeus hadn't called a halt just now..."
"I am already dead."
Randolph did not deny it.
"That's right."
Eris fell silent.
She looked down at her hands.
His palms trembled slightly from holding the sword for so long.
In the past, she always believed that as long as her sword was fast and heavy enough, it could cut through anything.
But today, she finally understood something.
Swordsmanship is never simply a matter of strength.
Speed, judgment, distance, rhythm, stamina, magic power, and even the opponent's personality and fighting habits can all determine the outcome.
The truly strong are not those who possess more power.
Rather, it's about knowing when to use power.
I still have a long way to go...
Eris said softly.
Rudeus walked to her side.
"Knowing where you're lacking is already progress."
Eris looked up.
Rudeus.
"Um?"
I want to become stronger.
This time, there was no anxiety in her eyes.
Only unprecedented determination.
Rudeus smiled.
"Then let's start learning again from today."
Learn to observe, learn to wait, learn to control your power.
Eris paused for a moment.
Rudeus patted her on the shoulder.
Eris nodded thoughtfully.
She lost this battle.
But they also gained something more precious than victory.
--direction.
After the battle, everyone returned to the inn.
Inside the room.
Roxy was still replaying the battle in her mind.
"That Magic Absorption Stone..."
She couldn't help but say it.
"It can actually Magic Devouring attacks directly."
"To be precise, it cancels out the magic power in the attack."
Rudeus corrected.
"And it's not without its costs."
Roxy immediately became interested.
"What's the meaning?"
"That thing must consume a corresponding amount of magic power for every unit of magic power it absorbs."
Rudeus leaned back in his chair.
"So Randolph was acting so relaxed just now because he was deliberately misleading Eris."
"If Eris keeps unleashing her magic sword techniques, she'll likely be the first to run out of magic power."
Roxy suddenly realized.
"I see..."
She turned to look at Eris.
Eris had already sheathed her sword and was sitting there quietly.
There was no shouting or yelling, which was unusual.
They didn't clamor for another match.
Roxy couldn't help but smile.
It seems this battle has indeed had a significant impact on her.
Rudeus did not continue the discussion about Randolph.
Instead, he looked at the crowd.
"Next, we're changing our destination."
All eyes turned to them at the same time.
"Change destination?"
"That's right."
Rudeus nodded.
" King Dragon Kingdom."
The room fell silent immediately.
What are we going to the King Dragon Kingdom for?
Roxy asked.
"Find the king."
Rudeus's tone was calm, but there was no hint of a joke in it.
"After the Fittoa Region Teleport Incident, the missing people were not only those we knew."
"Even now, a large number of people remain missing."
" The Begaritt Continent is so vast; searching with just a few of us is far too inefficient."
He reached out and tapped lightly on the table.
" The King Dragon Kingdom possesses a vast intelligence network, a commercial system, and adventurer organizations."
"If we could get the king to issue an order and send people to assist in the search, the efficiency of finding the missing persons could be increased by at least an order of magnitude."
This is not simply a matter of strength.
It's a resource issue.
An individual's sphere of influence is ultimately limited.
The same applies to ten people or a hundred people.
However, a country's transportation network, caravans, adventurers, guilds, and intelligence channels can quickly expand the search area.
This is also the real reason why Rudeus decided to go to the King Dragon Kingdom.
"So..."
Roxy pondered for a moment.
"You intend to go see the king in person?"
"Right."
Rudeus nodded.
"And the sooner the better."
"So much time has passed since the Teleport Incident."
"The longer it drags on, the lower the chances of those missing people surviving."
Everyone realized the seriousness of the situation.
Eris did not object.
"Then let's go."
She clenched her fists.
"It would be good if we could find one more person."
Rudeus nodded.
We'll depart tomorrow morning.
The next morning.
The sky was just beginning to lighten.
Rudeus then left the restaurant with Randolph and the others.
Instead of continuing on foot, they headed directly to the port.
The King Dragon Kingdom is vast.
Even if the journey goes smoothly, traveling in the usual way will still take a lot of time.
Rudeus happened to encounter a caravan at the port that was heading to Vebon, the capital of the King Dragon Kingdom.
When the caravan leader learned that the person in front of him was the recently famous " Primordial God, he was visibly stunned.
"You... you are Primordial God Impact?"
"Um."
Rudeus nodded.
The next moment.
The businessman's initial restraint instantly turned into enthusiasm.
Haha! I never expected to see you here!
"I heard that you saved a large number of humans in the Demon Continent and also repelled powerful demons?"
"It was just something I did on the spur of the moment."
Rudeus smiled.
The merchant waved his hands repeatedly.
"This can't be considered a casual effort!"
In the eyes of businessmen, a powerful figure who can influence the situation on the continent is the most worthwhile person to befriend.
What's more, the opponent is none other than " Primordial God," currently the most legendary game on the mainland.
"Since you're also planning to go to Vebon, why don't you join our caravan?"
Rudeus had intended to inquire about the fees.
The businessman, however, patted his chest and said:
"Free!"
"It's an honor for us to ride in our caravan!"
Rudeus was slightly taken aback.
"In that case, I shall accept your offer."
Haha, please come in, everyone!
The businessman's eyes were almost squinting from smiling.
Rudeus did not refuse again.
Thus, the group successfully boarded the caravan.
After several days of travel, they finally arrived at Vebon, the capital of the King Dragon Kingdom.
Vebon, the most prosperous city in the King Dragon Kingdom.
The towering city walls resemble a giant dragon coiled on the earth.
In front of the city gate, carriages and horses flowed in an endless stream.
Merchants, adventurers, nobles, and commoners came and went in an endless stream.
Compared to the cities on the Demon Continent, the order here is clearly much more complete.
The caravan slowly made its way towards the city gate.
However, just as they were about to enter the city...
"Stop!"
The guards raised their hands to stop the caravan.
The businessman quickly got out of the car.
"What's wrong?"
The guards glanced at the convoy.
"Routine inspection."
Everyone must register their identity.
Rudeus did not stop him.
Soon, it was their turn.
The guard looked at Rudeus.
"Name."
Rudeus Greyrat.
The guard frowned.
" Rudeus Greyrat?"
This name...
Why does this sound so familiar?
The next moment.
His pupils suddenly contracted.
"You... you are Rudeus, the Primordial God?"
Rudeus nodded helplessly.
"If there isn't a second Primordial God Impact, then it's me~"
The guard scrutinized Rudeus again, his expression instantly changing.
Please wait!
He immediately turned around and whispered a few words to his companion beside him.
The guard also looked shocked.
He then immediately took out a carrier pigeon.
"Call out!"
The carrier pigeon took flight and quickly flew towards the royal city.
Another guard rushed to Rudeus's side.
" Primordial God Impact, please wait a moment."
His Majesty the King has long heard of your deeds.
He has always wanted to invite you to the palace.
"His Majesty must be very pleased to learn that you have come to Vebon in person."
Rudeus raised an eyebrow slightly.
Things went much more smoothly than I had imagined.
He had even prepared a speech for his audience with the king.
result...
Before I could even speak, the other person had already extended an invitation.
"Then I shall respectfully accept your offer."
Rudeus laughed.
"Very good."
The guards visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
"The royal carriage should arrive soon."
really.
Just a few tens of minutes later.
The sound of horses' hooves could be heard in the distance.
A richly decorated carriage slowly approached.
The car body is inlaid with gold patterns, and the emblem of the King Dragon Kingdom shines brightly in the sunlight.
The carriage stopped.
The car door opened.
A middle-aged man with a refined and scholarly demeanor slowly walked down.
He was dressed in proper aristocratic attire, with a gentle smile on his face.
"Which one of you is Primordial God Impact?"
Rudeus took a step forward.
"I am."
The middle-aged man bowed slightly.
"Hello."
"I am an envoy from the King Dragon Kingdom."
"By order of His Majesty the King, I have come here to welcome you."
He gestured for him to proceed.
His Majesty is already waiting at the palace.
Rudeus glanced at the crowd behind him.
He then nodded.
"Then, I'll trouble you to lead the way."
"It's my pleasure."
The group boarded the carriage one after another.
The car doors closed slowly.
The next moment.
The carriage began to head towards the palace.
Rudeus leaned against the car window, watching the buildings on both sides of the street recede into the distance.
The bustling prosperity of Vebon is laid out before you.
But his gaze gradually deepened.
There's probably a lot to do this time.
The carriage continued its journey.
In the distance, the towering royal palace gradually came into view.
Rudeus slowly sat up straight.
"Next..."
"It all depends on how far the king of the King Dragon Kingdom is willing to go."
The wheels are rolling.
They headed deeper into the palace.