The five from Windrock City were completely unprepared for the scene awaiting them. Cass had anticipated their arrival and deliberately lured them here. Judging by the setup, it seemed he intended to kill them right at this spot.
Though Leon was confident in their strength, believing Stan Town’s forces could never match their five, the feeling of walking into a trap still sparked an ominous unease in his heart. His gaze turned cold as he looked at the young man and woman who had led them here. “So, you were in league with Cass all along.”
“Mr. Leon, allow me to introduce myself properly,” Ye Chui said, his finger resting on his iPad magic book, a smile on his face. “I’m Ye Chui, the leader of the Random Magic Guild. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Debbie, beaming with pride, added, “And I’m Debbie, the deputy leader of the Random Magic Guild. Are you shocked or what?”
Their faces practically screamed, “Surprised? Unexpected?”
But the five just stared, dumbfounded.
What the hell? The guild leader and deputy they’d been describing with such adoration and worship were themselves?
They were utterly shocked by this narcissism.
Ye Chui and Debbie nodded, satisfied. Yep, they were definitely shocked.
“We were worried Cass had some powerful allies, but if it’s just you two, we can relax,” Kiraen, the water magic instructor, said with a cold laugh. Ye Chui had shown his magic instructor skills, but with a white-covered magic book, at his age, he probably couldn’t even handle one of their spells. All nine elements? Pure nonsense.
“Is that so?” Ye Chui replied with a smile.
“Cass, what’s the meaning of this?” Leon shouted coldly. “We’re Lord Kevin’s personal guards. Why did you bring us here? And where’s Terry?”
“Terry? You mean Tumu. He’s dead,” Cass said, turning his head slightly, his voice cold and commanding.
Leon’s face darkened. Cass knowing Tumu’s name meant the shadow swordsman’s identity was exposed, and clearly, Lord Kevin’s plan to kill Cass had been revealed as well. The reason for Cass’s hostility was now crystal clear.
Leon dropped all pretence, sneering, “I didn’t expect you, after three years of playing the pathetic dog, to still have such spine, Cass. Since it’s come to this, no more words are needed. Today, you die. That’s Lord Kevin’s order.”
“Hmm, why is Lord Kevin so eager to kill me?” Cass asked.
“Because Miss Windsor is getting married. The Fourth Prince, visiting Windrock City, has proposed, and she’s accepted. They’ll wed in a month. Lord Kevin doesn’t want anyone disrupting this grand wedding, so you need to die quickly,” Leon declared loudly, he and his four companions readying for battle.
Windsor, who had a past with Cass, was to marry the Fourth Prince. To avoid complications, Cass had to be dealt with swiftly. That was why these five from Windrock City had come to Stan Town.
“Windsor is marrying the Fourth Prince?” Cass paused, stunned.
Debbie, who was preparing to summon with her key, froze as well, muttering, “The Fourth Prince? That little fat pig?”
“Miss Windsor is very fond of the Fourth Prince. Her feelings for you are long gone,” Leon said mockingly. “Who do you think you are to deserve someone as noble as Miss Windsor?”
Cass turned fully, his expression grave and resolute. “I don’t believe Windsor is that kind of person. This must be Lord Kevin forcing her.”
Leon snorted. “So what? You’re dead today.”
The atmosphere around Emperor’s Slash Cliff grew tense.
Leon’s gaze swept over Old Merlin, then to Resha, the nun standing nearby, puzzled. “You’re a church nun. Why are you here?”
The Fourth Prince and Windsor’s wedding had the church’s blessing, tied to complex interests. The church shouldn’t oppose their union, so seeing Resha here confused Leon.
“I’m just here to watch the show. Don’t mind me,” Resha said, waving with a smile, pressing down her skirt against the wind. Her eyes flicked to Ye Chui, and she sighed, “Little brother sure loves to stir up trouble. I don’t really want to see him commit such a grave sin.”
Leon’s expression brightened. Resha’s words suggested she wasn’t siding with Ye Chui’s group.
But then she turned to Leon and the others, adding, “So, after you’re dead, I’ll make sure to perform your rites properly. You can go in peace.”
Leon’s anger flared, his breathing growing heavy.
His gaze shifted to Green, standing beside Resha.
Green looked nervous but was ready to deliver a righteous speech, something about how, despite his modest strength, the guild’s affairs were his own, and he’d fight to the death if needed, proving his resolve.
But Leon’s eyes lingered on him only briefly before moving on.
Green’s mouth opened, then closed. “…”
“Looks like it’s going to be a bloody battle today,” Leon said coldly, drawing his longsword with a swoosh, his armour clanking. His body moved like a tiger unleashed, leaving deep footprints in the brown earth. With a gust of wind and dust, Leon’s sword technique slashed toward Cass, standing at the cliff’s edge.
“Cass, three years ago, we fought, but Lord Kevin stopped us before we could finish. Today, let’s settle this,” Leon’s shout echoed in all directions.
Camilla, Koyt, Kiraen, and Kom sprang into action, casting spells and summoning spirits. But as they moved, a pale blue spatial wall suddenly descended before them. The three magic instructors’ spells—[Water Dragon Drill], [Sand of Death], and [Wind Blade Barrage]—were all blocked by the powerful spatial defence spell.
Old Merlin stood at a distance, one hand extended toward them, smiling. “Your opponent isn’t Cass.”
Ye Chui stepped forward, waving at the three magic instructors with a grin. “You seemed to look down on me as guild leader earlier. Let me teach you a lesson.”
Debbie smiled at Camilla, the summoner dressed as a swordswoman. “Summoner versus summoner, eh?”
Leon’s longsword reached Cass. Cass gripped the greatsword embedded in the rock, lifting it single-handedly. Clang! Their swords clashed, sparking and ringing with a deafening screech.
Both were senior swordsmen, one a former renowned mercenary leader, the other Lord Kevin’s elite guard. Three years ago, they were evenly matched. Now, their swords clashed several times in an instant, seemingly still equal.
But as Ye Chui faced the three magic instructors and Debbie approached Camilla, a scream rang out. “Ah!” When the others turned, they saw an arm soaring into the air, still gripping a longsword.
It was Leon’s arm.
The battle had barely begun, yet it ended abruptly.
In just a few exchanges, Cass’s greatsword had severed Leon’s sword-wielding arm.
“This is impossible… Tumu said you were finished. How could you be stronger than three years ago?” Leon, his face full of shock, bled profusely from his severed arm, yet seemed to forget to tend to it.
“Because I’ve rediscovered my purpose,” Cass said, holding his greatsword single-handedly, placing it at Leon’s throat.
Fear gripped Leon. He clutched his bleeding arm, shouting in panic, “What are you doing? You can’t kill me. I’m Lord Kevin’s personal guard. If you kill me, you’ll be completely at odds with him, with no room for negotiation.”
“Does it matter?” Cass sneered, lowering his greatsword to his side and stepping back.
Leon’s desperate expression relaxed.
But then Cass raised a leg, kicking Leon squarely in the chest, roaring, “Remember, I’m the Storm Swordmaster who cuts through tornadoes!”
With a scream, Leon was sent tumbling into the deep, bottomless chasm of Emperor’s Slash Cliff.
