The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

Chapter 423: “That’s Enough of a Warm-Up.”

For Shien, Harvis wasn’t a formidable opponent.

At least, compared to the enemies Shien had faced before, Harvis definitely couldn’t pose much of a threat.

In Shien’s view, since the Empire’s replica Holy Sword was inherited by Capeline, it meant that this prince should be weaker than her.

Since even Capeline wasn’t his match, and couldn’t even force him to unseal the Holy Sword, then dealing with this prince, even without using magic, shouldn’t be too difficult.

However, when Harvis drew his eye-catching broadsword, Shien realized that he might have been too presumptuous.

“Besides Capeline, I’ve never drawn this sword against someone of my age. Viscount Buztout, please be careful, lest I be unable to hold back.”

Harvis still had a gentle smile on his face, but his aura changed.

He became sharp, exuding a keen edge.

Shien then understood that Harvis wasn’t an opponent to be trifled with.

Perhaps his potential was indeed inferior to Capeline’s, but without considering their Unique Skills and the replica Holy Sword, this person was definitely no weaker than Capeline, and might even be stronger.

Because this prince’s level had already reached eighty, and he had also learned a series of high-level skills.

Level six [Magic Sword] skill.

Level six [Body Enhancement] skill.

Level seven [Flashing Sword] skill.

Level seven [Lightning Magic] skill.

Shien saw several skills between levels six and seven, making him realize that Harvis’s strength was definitely not to be underestimated.

Moreover, he might also be hiding some unknown Unique Skill, otherwise he wouldn’t be exuding such a sharp aura. Shien’s gaze turned serious.

“A level eighty descendant of the Hero?” Shien murmured. “Well, it’s worth taking seriously.”

Saying so, Shien raised his Holy Sword and pointed it at Harvis.

Harvis narrowed his eyes and, without any further nonsense, also raised his broadsword, pointing it at Shien.

“Hum…”

The air trembled slightly as magic power burned around Shien and Harvis like flames.

The surrounding cheers gradually subsided, turning into silence.

Everyone held their breath, looking at the two figures facing each other on the stage.

Shien and Harvis also stared at each other, one calm and composed, the other with a smile on his face. They didn’t look like opponents about to duel, but like old friends catching up, without any tension.

On the open-air balcony of the palace, Ancil and the others also watched this scene in silence.

Lucy glanced at Harvis, then at Shien, pursed her lips, and suddenly picked up a small pebble from the ground, tossing it towards the center of the stage.

The pebble flew through the air.

“Crack!”

With a crisp sound, the pebble landed between Shien and Harvis.

At this moment…

“Bang!”

“Bang!”

Two heavy footsteps rang out simultaneously as the two figures dashed towards each other like gusts of wind.

“Clang—!”

The next moment, the Holy Sword and the broadsword collided heavily above where the pebble had fallen, creating a resounding clang like a bell.

Shien and Harvis clashed at an astonishing speed, their weapons locked together.

The sudden clang startled the audience around the stage, causing them to exclaim and scream.

“Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang…!”

At the same time, Shien and Harvis erupted, unleashing countless sword strikes at each other. The Holy Sword and the broadsword continuously clashed, creating flashes of sword light and sparks with every collision.

The two fiercely exchanged blows in the center of the stage, attacking and defending at an incredible speed, hundreds of exchanges in an instant, causing the air to ripple.

However, this intense exchange didn’t last long.

“Clang!”

A heavy sound of steel clashing against steel suddenly rang out amidst the continuous clanging.

The flashes of sword light disappeared.

The countless exchanges ended.

The audience around the stage widened their eyes.

They saw that on the stage, Shien had deflected Harvis’s broadsword, stopping his attack and causing Harvis’s body to lean back, exposing a large opening.

“What!?”

Wolram couldn’t help but exclaim.

“His Highness’s sword was deflected?”

Rockto was also surprised.

In the blink of an eye, the first round of their duel ended with Shien’s victory.

“Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time I’ve faced the [Flashing Sword] technique, so I know very well that it’s all offense and no defense, a high-speed, high-attack sword skill that completely abandons defense.”

Shien smiled at Harvis, whose expression had changed slightly, then suddenly slashed down with his Holy Sword like a bolt of lightning.

“Clang!”

A clear ringing sound echoed above the stage.

Shien’s slash cut through the air, accompanied by the ringing sound.

Unfortunately, this strike missed.

At the critical moment, Harvis stomped his foot on the ground and retreated rapidly in mid-air, dodging the attack aimed at his chest.

Shien raised an eyebrow and, without hesitation, pressed his attack, the Holy Sword in his hand transforming into a flurry of sword strikes, enveloping Harvis.

“Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang…!”

The crisp sounds of metal clashing echoed again, vibrating everyone’s eardrums.

Harvis retreated while wielding his broadsword, his movements powerful yet graceful, as if he wasn’t holding a heavy broadsword, but a light willow branch, deflecting Shien’s relentless attacks.

However, this situation, instead of making Harvis happy, made his expression change repeatedly.

Because, just as Shien had said, the [Flashing Sword] technique he used wasn’t a defensive skill, but a sword skill for swift and fierce attacks.

Since it was an offensive sword skill, Harvis, now on the defensive, would likely be overwhelmed soon.

When that happened, he would be in danger.

“Ha!”

Harvis no longer held back and used the [Body Enhancement] skill, his muscles bulging, greatly increasing his physical abilities.

“[Magic Sword]!”

At the same time, Harvis unhesitatingly used the [Magic Sword] skill, causing a crimson light to shine on his broadsword, transforming into a blade of magic power.

“Clang!”

Harvis’s [Magic Sword], like a red lightning bolt, clashed against Shien’s incoming Holy Sword, creating another resounding clang.

“Bang!”

With a muffled sound, Shien and Harvis were both pushed back by the impact, creating some distance between them.

“Phew…”

Harvis breathed a sigh of relief, but he stared intently at Shien, a serious look in his eyes.

“Using [Magic Sword] so soon?”

Shien shook the hand he had used to clash with Harvis, as if it was still stinging from the impact of [Magic Sword], but there was a playful smile on his face.

The audience watched this scene in a daze, staring at the two figures facing each other again, and began to exchange glances.

“Ooooooh—!”

The next moment, cheers erupted.

It was too exciting!

“Hey, hey, hey, is this for real?”

“What… what just happened?”

“Is this their true strength?”

“That Shien Buztout is actually so strong…?”

“Oh my god…”

The nobles watching the duel changed their expressions, unable to believe what they had just seen.

Not only them, but even those related to Shien and Harvis were shocked by this intense exchange.

“So… so powerful…”

Lia’s face was full of shock.

“Those two young men have some skills.”

Ancil was also somewhat surprised.

Aldia, Rockto, and Charl, the three knights, had different reactions. One was expressionless, one slightly surprised, and the other, like the others, stared with wide eyes.

“No way…?” Wolram murmured, as if in disbelief. “That viscount actually blocked His Highness’s [Flashing Sword]?”

“So… so strong…” Cold sweat dripped from Edel’s forehead.

The less than half-minute fierce exchange between Shien and Harvis completely ignited the atmosphere.

Only the two on stage, one still calm and composed, the other’s expression turning serious, were completely different from their initial confrontation.

“I see. So, this is your true strength?” Harvis said, “Single-handedly subjugating the [Assassination Branch]… it seems that rumor wasn’t unfounded.”

Harvis had glimpsed a small part of Shien’s power.

“Don’t be too surprised, Your Highness. It’s just that I’ve faced [Flashing Sword] before.”

Shien seemed unconcerned.

“So, you’ve met Capeline before?” Harvis looked deeply at Shien, as if trying to see through his secrets. “And you even fought her once. I’m curious, who won?”

Shien didn’t answer this question.

“Are you trying to stall for time?”

Shien taunted.

“Of course not.” Harvis shrugged and stood up. “The real battle is about to begin.”

“Indeed.” Shien agreed as the audience looked on in surprise. “That’s enough of a warm-up.”

That’s right.

The intense exchange just now was just a warm-up.

At least, for Shien, it was.