Chapter 14 : Magic vs Sword !

Léo narrowed his eyes, his expression turning deadly serious. The mages attacked immediately, unleashing a barrage of elemental magic that shattered everything in its path.

" Hard Strike ! "

A single forward slash ! The shockwave shattered the incoming magic, catching the mages off guard. They stared at his sword, it was no ordinary blade. Léo glanced briefly at Priscilla, but there was no time to comfort her.

He tightened his grip on the sword and leapt. It was a simple jump, yet he soared high into the air. He spun his sword like a tornado, once the first arc was complete, the momentum carried him further, generating a massive gust of wind.

Objects flew wildly around the room. Priscilla instinctively held on to keep from being swept away. Her mind was still struggling to process the situation.

Léo, what is he doing here ? And them ? What is happening ?

The gale forced the mages back, but they were already weaving their next spells. The Prince of Alburg landed and tore off a bracelet. Dila might be the greatest in magic, but Alburg was no slouch himself.

CRACK !

He shattered the bracelet, and a protective spell formed a shield around both him and Priscilla.

" Are you alright ? He asked. "

That look in his eyes, that concern. It was real, undeniably so. The bewildered young woman reached out to touch his cheek.

These are genuine emotions ! He isn't unfeeling... .

It was reassuring to confirm this, yet the answer to his question caught in her throat. Her body still felt hot and aroused, she was still wet between her legs, but she bit her lip to hold back.

She looked up.

" Yes, I'm fine... . "

" Sorry... . "

An apology, and for a moment, a smile hidden behind a warrior’s mask. He raised his hand and touched her cheek, wiping away a tear. His touch was gentle, yet his other hand, resting on his sword, seemed to be gripping the hilt with immense force... .

He was furious.

How dare they make my wife cry ?

All around them, mages were battering the barrier, which was growing thinner by the second. It was only a matter of time before it broke. Léo adjusted the blanket over her, ensuring it covered her body more modestly.

" Watch ! Watch what your fiancé can do. All right ? "

" Mm-hmm... . "

She nodded softly. As he turned, Priscilla saw a man as solid as a rock. There seemed to be no chink in his confidence. Her eyes sparkled with admiration.

She didn't bother pulling up the blanket when it slipped down again; she had eyes only for him.

The barrier shattered, and the mages unleashed everything they had. The sword in Léo’s hands seemed to glow, and then... .

SLAAAAASHH !

... he struck once and instantly appeared behind the mages. They all collapsed to the ground. A single blow to take them all out... . No blood, just a clean cut. It was incredible. Léo gazed into the distance.

" Come out of your hiding place ! "

" Oh, so you spotted me ? "

Stepping out from behind a tree was... Théo. The Prince of Dila. Priscilla was shocked. This wasn't just a random act, the more she thought about it, the more it seemed like a calculated scheme.

Thank goodness I didn't join Dila... what would have become of me ?

Théo stepped forward, floating gently on the wind.

" You could have just pretended nothing was wrong. She wasn't far from... . "

" DON'T TALK ABOUT MY WIFE LIKE THAT !! "

" Tsk, what a pain in the neck ! "

The wind gusted and bore down on Léo. He tried his best to defend himself, but the wind was powerful. He was forced back step by step, resisting bravely.

" The problem with guys like you is that you don't know your place ! "

Along with the wind, a powerful magical wave surged forth. Léo didn't know where it was headed or what it was. Suddenly, a splitting headache overwhelmed him. He felt his mind rapidly eroding.

Even without knowing what it was... he had to resist it !

And all the while, he was blocking the wind attacks. It was truly incredible, worthy of a soldier, a battlefield general.

Priscilla could see him suffering. He was struggling to hold on.

This is all my fault, isn't it ? The fragment, the negotiations, the war... . The fragment is inside me ?!

For a moment, her thoughts cleared. She grasped exactly what might need to be done. Shivers ran down her spine. To be used like this... .

He mustn't lose ! If the King said the fragment had changed hands, then Dila knows it too... .

It was all her fault !

" YOU CAN DO IT, LÉO ! "

A cry from the heart. The man who had been wavering and faltering suddenly felt a surge of clarity. His mind, on the verge of being consumed, grew powerful.

" AAAAAAHHHHHH !! "

The hypnosis spell shattered.

" Damn it ! Théo cursed. "

The wind formed massive green tornadoes that rained down everywhere at once. He might as well destroy everything !

The sword in Léo's hand glowed brilliantly. His entire body became an extension of the blade, the two had become one !

" Strike... of the King ! "

He brought his weapon down just as the tornadoes crashed toward him.

BBBBBOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM !!

A massive explosion followed. Priscilla squeezed her eyes shut, but... nothing happened. Just a deafening crash that nearly shattered her eardrums. When she opened her eyes, that entire section of the castle was gone, leaving only half the room where they stood.

Léo stood there, his body even larger than before. He had reached a new level in that instant. As for his opponent... he lay on the ground, far away.

" How is this possible ? Without powers ? Without magic ? "

Léo stepped toward him.

" I’ll make sure you never lay a hand on anyone again. "

He raised his sword and... .

" NOOO !! "

...brought it down.