He fell for it! Now is my chance!
Alaric took an abrupt turn which caused the punch to miss him by a few inches.
Bang!
The giant’s fist created a deep hole in the battle platform.
After successfully evading, Alaric swung his swords.
Whoosh!
Kksshhkk!!
The giant’s muscular arm was cut off!
It was a feint! He intentionally aimed for my legs, but his real target was my dominant arm!
The giant was stunned.
Alaric wanted to end the battle with another strike, but the giant managed to block his swords by using his left arm which was wrapped in chains.
Clang!
Alaric was surprised by his quick reaction.
A normal person would have collapsed or panicked after having their arm cut off, but the giant remained calm.
At this moment, the giant suddenly pushed him off with a low grunt which sent Alaric into the air.
To stabilize himself, Alaric spun in midair.
As soon as he landed, he made a quick dash forward while moving from side to side, showing off his amazing footwork.
I need to end this quickly! I think my broken ribs are poking my insides.
The feeling made him uncomfortable, but he gritted his teeth and gathered half of his remaining mana to perform another sword move.
It wasn’t like the fancy sword techniques used by the nobles in the capital. It was just a plain downward slash that used his spinning motion to release a more powerful force.
However, the spectators viewed it differently.
It was a move so graceful that it filled their hearts with shock.
They were utterly flabbergasted by his swordsmanship.
The giant had no time to react, but he managed to gather mana into his left arm to deliver a strong blow.
The moment Alaric’s sword struck the giant’s fist, the former felt a fierce resistance.
If this was an ordinary sword, that might have worked, but unfortunately, one of my swords is a bit special.
Alaric imbued more mana into his arms, making his muscles bulge and his veins protrude.
In that instant, his sword sliced through the giant’s fist, splitting it in half before stabbing into the man’s chest.
The giant staggered, but there was no pain in his eyes, only regret.
Alaric was familiar with this expression since it was something that he always saw whenever he looked at himself in the mirror.
Why is he giving me that kind of look?
Without mana to stop his bleeding, the giant fell to his knees as blood gushed out from his wounds.
Alaric approached him, looking a bit bothered by the giant’s gaze.
“Do you have any last words?” He muttered while trying to remove the uneasy feeling rising within his chest.
The giant raised his head and stared at him. “M-My daughter…”
His deep voice drifted into Alaric’s ears.
“H-He took my daughter…and used me as a scapegoat… I-I took the b-blame for all…the sins he had committed f-for the sake… of my daughter’s safety… P-Please… save h-“
Cough!
The giant emitted a gurgling sound after coughing a mouthful of blood.
Alaric frowned upon hearing his words.
“What are you talking about?”
The giant’s face was pale and it looked like he was about to collapse at any moment.
“L-Liam… he killed all those women. I-It wasn’t me…”
The giant’s eyes dimmed after uttering those words. His body swayed to the side and fell with a heavy ‘thud’.
Alaric immediately rushed to his side. “Your daughter, I will find her.” He whispered to the dying man.
He sympathized with this giant.
From the words he had spoken, he could tell that he must have been a victim of Liam’s manipulation.
The giant looked like he wanted to say something, but only incomprehensible words mixed with gurgling sounds came out of his mouth.
Even so, Alaric seemed to have understood it. “I understand. I will end your suffering.”
It was too late to save this man. He had already lost too much blood.
The giant stared at the blue sky.
I’m sorry, my beloved daughter. Your father is useless.
With a complicated expression on his face, Alaric stabbed the man’s heart.
Kksshhkk!
The light in the giant’s eyes faded.
___
Mission complete!
You received 150 Battle Points, 30 EXP, 5 Stat Points
___
The cyan screen notified him of his victory, but there was no joy in Alaric’s eyes.
Oh, Aru… Did I do the right thing?
“The sacred duel ends with Alaric’s victory!” Bishop Anton announced.
The warriors of House Silversword cheered in excitement. Well, except for one person.
The battle was so intense that they were on their toes the whole time.
“I knew it! Lord Alaric is invincible among Knights!” Aldrin exclaimed.
“He really made us worry…” Henry shook his head with a relieved sigh.
“Quickly go and check Lord Alaric’s condition!” Warrick barked.
“Yes, sir!”
While they were celebrating Alaric’s victory, one man was cursing internally.
Fuck! Fuck! How did that bastard win against that giant?! This is impossible!
Charles’s face was incredibly gloomy.
At this moment, Alaric was still staring at the giant’s corpse when he felt a hand tapping on his shoulder.
Hm?
He turned his head and saw the bishop giving him a comforting smile.
“Don’t blame yourself over this. It wasn’t your fault.” The old man muttered as he turned his gaze to the giant.
“What a pitiful man. He was wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. He was labeled as a lunatic addicted to killing when in truth, he was just a father trying to protect his daughter.”
Bishop Anton shook his head and brought his palms together.
“Oh, Aru! Please guide this man’s soul into your merciful embrace.”
Alaric also prayed for the giant’s soul.
I will fulfill my promise. I will find your daughter.
“My lord, are you alright?” Aldrin’s voice echoed from behind.
Alaric turned around and stared at him with a calm gaze. “I’m fine.”
Aldrin gulped.
For some reason, he felt that Alaric looked terrifying at this moment.