Inside the hall, nobles noticed the "knight" stumbling in—
covered in blood.
Before anyone could question it—
Swish!
Darius's blade flashed.
A noble's head rolled across the marble.
Screams burst through the hall.
"KYAAAAAAA!"
"RUN!"
"HELP!"
"NO ONE LEAVES," Calus growled as he stepped in behind his brother, blade dragging across the floor.
"Everyone here… dies."
Edric immediately pulled out his sword.
"Everyone, stay back!"
Calus's eyes locked onto Aldwin.
There. That's him.
The former high-ranked adventurer… Aldwin.
If he gets his sword, we're in trouble.
Take him out first.
Calus charged, blade raised like a falling guillotine.
Rowan's heart jumped.
Should I act? No… If I do something reckless, I'll reveal too much. But if Aldwin gets overwhelmed—
Calus swung down with monstrous force.
Rowan he conceal his presence.
No sound.
No movement visible.
He simply… disappeared from where he was standing.
Calus's blade missed.
He blinked in confusion.
Where—?
A split second later Aldwin ducked, pivoted, and twisted his body with veteran instinct—
then slammed a spinning back kick into Calus's jaw.
Crack!
Calus flew back several steps, blood spraying from his mouth as his boots dragged against the marble.
The crowd stared wide-eyed.
None of them realized Rowan had moved first—
disrupting Calus's strike for a fraction of a second, giving Aldwin the opening to counter.
No one except Calus himself.
Something… dodged my attack with insane speed.
Something fast… too fast.
But he refocused on Aldwin.
He lifted his sword again.
Aldwin muttered under his breath, scanning the hall.
"Wasn't wrong with me just now… It looks like he isn't here. Good. Maybe Rowan's with his mother. I should've gone to check before something like this happened."
He steadied his breathing.
How do I counter this?
He had no sword. But anything could become a weapon if needed.
Across the hall, Calus locked eyes with him. Their gazes clashed like drawn blades.
Calus smirked. I knew this man would be trouble. I wanted to take him out from the start. He has no weapon… but I do. And when it comes to strength, I'm unmatched. I'll cut him down.
Calus charged.
Aldwin kicked the dining table—wood cracked loudly as one of the legs snapped off. He caught the broken leg mid-fall, gripping it like a makeshift club, and raised it just in time.
Calus swung.
Aldwin parried.
Another swing.
Another parry.
Wood slammed against steel again and again as he forced Calus back.
Aldwin leapt away, landing lightly despite his size.
The crowd froze, staring in awe.
"He's incredible…"
"Well, he was one of the strongest adventurers in the kingdom."
"He still has it in him!"
Darius scoffed loudly. "What are you people saying? No one is leaving!"
He slammed the door shut and dragged another massive dining table across it, blocking any escape. The nobles gasped as he lifted it with terrifying ease.
Darius grabbed his gigantic blade and stepped forward to help Calus attack Aldwin—
But Edric moved between them.
"Not so fast," Edric said firmly. "You'll be facing me."
"Oh! Sir Edric!" two noble ladies squealed, clapping excitedly.
Edric shot them an annoyed glance. "What are you two doing? Stay back!"
Darius snorted. "Look at this—just some spoiled brats playing hero. Move aside if you want to live. I won't spare you."
"I won't spare you either," Edric replied without flinching. "And now I remember you two…"
He pointed his sword directly at them.
"The adventurers who kill for money. The infamous assassin twins."
Darius smirked. "Heh. So you have heard of us."
Edric narrowed his eyes, raising his blade as he paced slowly around Darius.
"I've read your records," Edric said coldly. "I wanted to track you down myself. But most of the knights sent after you… you slaughtered."
His voice sharpened.
"Today, you'll pay for your sins. Say your prayers."
Darius chuckled darkly.
"Prayers? Hah. How funny. You think you understand anything? You don't know a damn thing."
His smirk widened.
"It's YOU who's going to die here tonight."
"We'll see about that," Edric growled. "Before I take your head, tell me something."
He tightened his grip on the hilt.
"Why this path? You were once a respected adventurer. Clean record. Good pay. Why throw it away?"
Darius shrugged lazily, as if the answer was obvious.
"It's simple. Very simple."
His smile turned twisted.
"It's easier to kill humans for money… than to hunt monsters that can tear you in half."