The Healing Solaris Cleric-Chapter 257: Master of Swordsmanship (5)

In the royal palace's training ground, where the Ironblood Knights and Guardian Knights were glaring at each other and growling, Bach discreetly whispered to Kai, who was getting ready in a corner.

"Listen carefully. The name of the guy you provoked is Paval. He's the commander of the Guardian Knights."

"I heard that earlier. Honestly, it's a bit surprising. Judging by his actions, he seems like someone who's only good at political scheming."

"The position of Guardian Knight Commander isn't something you can attain through political scheming alone. As much as I hate to admit it, it's better to assume his skill level is similar to mine."

Kai glanced at Bach and asked, "Is he stronger than you?"

"I'm much stronger, of course."

Bach’s answer shot out instantly, without passing through a single neuron in his brain.

Just as Kai was about to admire the confidence, Bach added quietly, "Though, we've never actually fought to the point we settled the matter..."

Kai silently stared at Bach with an unimpressed look, who was gazing off into the distance.

Then he asked again, "But since the Guardian Knights are specialized in defense, wouldn’t it actually make things easier?"

"Who said that they're specialized in defense?"

"Huh? Well..."

Kai peeked out and observed the Guardian Knights. The solid, shiny, round shields in their hands were resting on the ground like staffs.

"They're holding shields, aren't they? Even if they’re also carrying swords."

"You, like many others, are under a major misconception. There's not much time, so I'll explain briefly. As you know, the Royal Knights consist of two divisions."

The two divisions were, of course, the Ironblood and the Guardian Knights.

"The Ironblood Knights I lead prioritize the safety of His Majesty above all else. However, fundamentally, we are His Majesty's sword."

"Sword?"

"Yes. With the firm belief that the best defense is offense, we exist to eliminate all obstacles that stand in His Majesty's way."

"Then the Guardian Knights must be His Majesty's shield."

"Right. And their destructive power is by no means lacking. In emergencies, their mission includes breaking through enemy encirclements to escort His Majesty to safety. So don't underestimate them."

In other words, their spearheads were by no means dull against the Ironblood Knights. However, gossipers often depicted the Guardian Knights as turtle-like, overly specialized in defense.

No wonder the Ironblood and Guardian Knights don’t get along.

Their skills were similar, and only their assigned roles differed, yet the contrast in how people treated them was bound to cause anger.

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Not that it justifies them picking a fight with me.

Kai looked at Paval, who was warming up, and asked Bach, "Does he have any weaknesses?"

"Did you find any weaknesses when sparring with me?"

"Dang it. That's a very fancy way of saying no."

"It's not that he doesn’t have any. It’s just that your current skills won’t allow you to find them. But don’t worry too much."

"How can I not worry?"

"Because when sparring with Paval, you don’t have to rely solely on swordsmanship."

"Oh?"

Kai blinked at the unexpected advice.

That’s true.

The reason he had only used swordsmanship while sparring with Bach was purely his own choice, but sparring with Paval wasn’t about learning swordsmanship.

It’s no different from a fight.

That meant there was no reason for him to unnecessarily take risks by refraining from using other techniques.

Kai grinned. "Is that really okay?"

"It is."

As Kai and Bach exchanged mischievous smiles, Paval shouted, "Hey, what’s taking so damn long? Are you forging your own equipment or what?"

“Why does King Beoruk keep such a foul-tempered man as the Commander of the Guardian Knights?"

"No matter how foul his temper, his loyalty to His Majesty is genuine. And he’s skilled, too." Shaking his head, Bach lightly pushed Kai's back. "Go. From now on, it’s entirely up to you."

In the upcoming sparring match, there was nothing more Bach could do for him. As he had said, from now on, it was entirely a path Kai would have to navigate on his own. It was not something anyone else could walk in his place.

"I’ll be back," Kai responded.

Paval boldly welcomed Kai as he walked to the center of the training ground. "Finally showing up, huh? What a sluggish worm you are."

"Apologies for being late. I thought you’d take your time, considering how often people call you a turtle, but you’re surprisingly quick."

"What? A turtle?"

The word turtle, which Paval hated more than anything, caused steam to practically rise from his head in anger. It was as if Paval had used Supernova, with how much steam was radiating from him.

"Do you think you’ll get away with saying that in front of me?"

"I apologize if I’ve offended you."

"Hey, don’t get cocky just because you’ve got a hunting dog to back you up, kid."

Kai furrowed his brows. The one who provoked him was Kai, yet Paval insulted innocent Bach by calling him a hunting dog.

"I'll take care of that myself, so you don't need to worry about it, watchdog."

Watchdog. At first glance, it sounded respectable, but when broken down, it referred to a dog guarding a house or gate. A nickname that perfectly suited the Commander of the Guardian Knights, who protected King Beoruk.

"...Alright. If you have more to say, say it now. Hm? While you still have the chance to move that clever mouth of yours."

Paval’s gaze gleamed with murderous intent.

Good. It’s easier for me if he’s like that.

Nothing was simpler to deal with than someone who had lost their composure. That was why Bach was so difficult—he always maintained a calmness like a still lake.

Regardless of his combat skills, at least he’s easy to provoke.

As Kai smiled in satisfaction and drew his longsword, Paval beckoned with his fingers. "Come at me. If you last five minutes against me, I’ll consider you to have passed the test."

"And if I last ten minutes?"

"I’ll acknowledge it as your victory."

"Then what if I bring you down before then?"

"Hah. You think you can take me down?" Paval snorted and growled, clashing his shield and sword together.

Then, turning around, he declared, "Let me make this clear right now! If my knee so much as touches the ground for even a moment, I, Paval, will admit defeat and call that adventurer my teacher!"

"Hah." Bach, standing at a distance, smiled as if amused.

Noticing this, Paval grinned in return. "You’re insane. This is no time for you to be smiling."

"Well, you never know until you face it, right?"

"With a trash can, you don’t need to open it to know it’s full of garbage."

"Keep your eyes forward."

"What?"

Paval frowned and looked straight ahead. What came into his view was the tip of a sharp blade, inches from his face!

"Argh!"

Clang!

Paval hurriedly raised the shield on his left arm to deflect Kai’s sudden strike.

"How dishonorable! A knight without chivalry in the Royal Knights?!"

"Ugh, that’s why I said I wasn’t joining," Kai replied as if annoyed, and leaped backward.

"Don’t think you can escape me. I’ll chase you to the ends of the continent if I have to."

With a slightly dangerous-sounding declaration, Paval charged like a ferocious beast.

I’ll beat him until he begs for mercy.

Of course, he had no intention of sparing him. After all, an adventurer could simply revive even if killed. If he killed him now, it would serve as a clear warning to Bach as well.

Paval’s sword cut through the air. As Bach had said, it was a precise thrust, fully deserving to be considered on par with his skill level.

"What?"

However, Kai had spent the past twelve days sparring with Bach. He was even the one who had managed to make Bach use the word persistent.

With exactly one hand length, no more, no less—Kai perfectly controlled his movements, and dodged Paval’s attack.

"Wh-what is that efficient movement...!"

"It must be beginner’s luck. Logically speaking, there’s no way anyone could avoid the Commander’s strike by just a hand's length."

The Guardian Knights were shaken. Meanwhile, the Ironblood Knights watched with satisfied smiles.

"Ha, that’s Kai for you. Impressive as always."

"I knew it ever since I saw that guy fighting like a madman in the Bir Plains."

"A promising tree is different from the seedling stage—this guy used to hunt down the remnants of the Church of Muldine, covered in blood."

The camaraderie of those who had fought together on the battlefield was exceptional! Of course, Paval ignored all such reactions around him. Once the sparring had begun, he focused all his attention solely on Kai.

"Hmph. Your movements are decent. You know how to move efficiently. I’ll give you twenty-five points."

"Out of ten, right?"

"Idiot. Out of a hundred!" Paval snapped in anger at Kai’s question and launched his next attack.

This time, it wasn’t his sword that flew—it was his shield.

Attacking with a shield?

Kai was surprised, but with a light step, he once again moved out of the attack range. Once again, it was by a hand’s length.

“It seems that earlier movement wasn’t just a fluke.”

Despite his consecutive attacks missing, Paval smirked.

He’s smiling? Even in this situation?

Just as Kai felt something was off and furrowed his brow, Bach shouted, “Watch out!”

A circular wave of condensed aura burst from Paval’s shield, grazing past Kai and cutting his hair. Had Bach’s warning been a moment later or Kai’s reflexes any slower, it could have been a fatal blow.

Coating a shield with aura? That’s absurd...!

Aura was a unique technique usable only to those of master rank. Knowing that Paval was on par with Bach, Kai had been cautious enough, but he had never imagined aura would emerge from a shield rather than a sword.

I was too careless.

If he had faced Bach in a real duel, he would never have been this complacent from the start. However, it wasn’t too late yet.

Kai’s eyes gleamed as he muttered, “Bless, Solaris Armor, Solaris Blessing, Haste.”

Now loaded with all kinds of buffs, Kai’s movements became noticeably better.

“Oh, so you did have a trump card? I’ll give you thirty-five points.”

“Supernova.”

From there, his movements became explosively faster. Yet, Paval still let out a faint chuckle. No matter how much faster Kai had become, it was laughable to him. In fact, the speed Kai was showing now was something even Paval's subordinates could easily achieve.

“Supernova? That’s quite effective. I’ll give it forty-five points.”

“Solar Field.”

From Kai’s position, a golden ripple spread across the training ground floor. At the same time, the smirk that had lingered on Paval’s lips began to fade.

“... Sixty points.”

“Summon Holy Sword.”

Ding!

[You have equipped all three Apostles’ relics.]

[Set Effect: The Path of the Apostle has been activated.]

[All stats increased by +100.]

[+30% in effects of all skills consuming Holy Power.]

[-30% Holy Power consumption for all skills.]

[The effects of Bless have increased.]

[The effects of Supernova have increased.]

[The effects of Haste have increased.]

.

.

.

Paval’s face no longer held even the faintest trace of a smile. His expression had completely hardened at some point.

“Why aren’t you giving a score?” Kai slightly chuckled as he glanced at Paval, whose wide eyes were fixed on him.

Through Kai’s lips, the name of his final skill slipped out. “Use Descent skill, Shimizu of Guardianship.”

—Oh my, how unexpectedly admirable of you.

The Empress of the Battlefield, smiling warmly, once again descended into Kai.