Chapter 451: 417 watching it become ruins
Based on appearances alone, there was no doubt that the individual was the type to draw attention.
With a robust physique and an imposing aura, his facial features were as sharp as if chiseled by a knife, resembling a rock that had withstood the beating of the waves—resolute and austere. Especially those eyes, piercing as if they could transfix an enemy with a glance, causing anyone who met his gaze to feel intimidated and subconsciously look away.
From such a man emanated an aura of terror, like that of a steel beast, clashing with Reiger’s violently unleashed aura, both holding their ground, neither able to best the other.
Within the Meipros family, there was undoubtedly only one who could do this.
"Marquis Revin Meipros... Is that correct?"
Reiger spoke with an indifferent tone.
"It is I."
The resolute and stern man replied succinctly.
He was one of the mere six Sword Saints of the past in the Kingdom of Ginas, the lord of this domain, known as the Border Guardian Sword Saint—Revin Meipros.
Knowing that the person before him was indeed the one he was meant to see, and that the individual was a Sword Saint with far more experience than himself, Reiger showed no sign of changing his demeanor.
"I have come as invited."
He took the invitation from his chest and pinched it, causing bursts of lightning to flicker between his fingers, wrapping around the letter and hurling it towards Revin.
His gesture was light, gentle—even casual, as if he were simply tossing it without any force. But when the lightning-wrapped invitation was thrown, it transformed into a bolt of lightning, tearing through the air with astonishing speed, hurtling toward Revin.
The spectacle suggested that if struck by that bolt, even a seasoned and battle-hardened swordsman would suffer grievous injuries in an instant.
However, faced with this surging bolt, Revin’s expression remained austere.
He swiftly extended his hand, and the terrifying aura emanating from his body gathered in that hand, turning into a dark glow that darkened his hand completely.
"Bang!"
The incoming bolt struck Revin’s hand, eliciting a sound akin to thunder.
But Revin caught it, his figure unshaken, his expression unchanged. He steadily grasped the lightning bolt in his hand, squeezed it firmly, extinguishing the flashing lightning, and revealed the letter within.
"Your method of accepting an invitation is indeed violent," Revin remarked calmly. "You barge in riding a carriage and release your aura without restraint to oppress my people. Young people today really are arrogant, devoid of the slightest sense of awe or politeness."
In response, Reiger spoke with equal calm, "Sorry, I’m not very good at empty courtesies. Since this visit is to call you to account, there’s no need for pleasantries. I doubt you truly wanted me to attend your family’s banquet amiably, did you, Marquis Meipros?"
Such direct words caused everyone present, including Axel and the Diego brothers, to hold their breath.
They realized that the visitor meant ill.
Their house might have provoked a Sword Saint.
"Call me to account?" Revin looked at Reiger with a cold glare. "Interesting, I haven’t even taken action, and you’re the one who has brought up such talk. It seems today’s family banquet indeed cannot proceed."
With that said, Revin turned his head to look beside Reiger and asked, "Are you also here to call me to account, Nipede?"
The man standing beside, Nipede, instantly bore an even more troubled expression.
"Don’t look at me like that, Lord Revin," Nipede shook his head. "Although I may understand why Sir Brilliant has done this, it’s inappropriate for me to get involved in a matter between you two. So please, treat me as a mere observer."
Indeed, Nipede had conceded.
Realizing he could not prevent the conflict, Nipede figured the only thing he could do was observe, without intervening in the affair between the two Sword Saints.
Unfortunately, a clash between two Sword Saints could be extremely detrimental, and if he, a well-known master of magic, were to get involved, the situation would become even more complicated and harder to resolve.
In such a case, it was better to clarify his position—to not take sides—so he might be able to intervene promptly and prevent the conflict from escalating into a serious incident.
"You’re as evasive as ever."
Upon realizing that Nipede was not on Reiger’s side, Revin’s expression relaxed, and then he remarked ambiguously.
"Ever since a long time ago, you have always been like this, unwilling to stake a clear position. Whether it’s the royal family’s entreaty or the nobility’s invitation, you push them away if you can. It’s for this reason you remain a mere master to this day, without even a hint of nobility to your name."
Upon hearing Revin’s evaluation of himself, Nipede could only respond with a bitter smile.
Then, Revin shifted his gaze to Liz, who stood on the other side of Reiger.
Observing the young girl, Revin’s eyes slightly shimmered, then he promptly withdrew his attention from her and looked back at Reiger.
"Since you’re so eager to bring up the matter, I’ll ask you here," Revin said bluntly. "What sort of explanation do you plan to give me?"
These words made Reiger reveal a smile.
It was not a friendly smile.
That cold and detached smile not only caused Revin’s face to darken but also made Nipede and the others involuntarily gasp.
"Explanation?"
Reiger began speaking slowly while gently clenching his fist.
In the hand he was tightening, a knife suddenly appeared.
All present were immediately drawn to the blade.
For on the jet-black straight sword lay red lines outlining divine patterns, and it radiated an astounding high temperature.
It was indeed Reiger’s exclusive Sun Wheel Blade—the Fool.
Reiger had actually drawn his true sidearm.
And this only represented one thing.
"I don’t think I need to explain myself to the Marquis, and by the look of it, Marquis Meipros, you obviously don’t think you owe me an explanation either, right?"
Reiger’s voice slowly echoed in the air.
"Since that’s the case, let’s get straight to the point."
"Let me see for myself the brilliant moves of the Border Guardian Sword Saint who has defended the borders of the Kingdom of Ginath and kept the armies of the War Country Rebru at bay."
"I hope, Marquis, that your skills are as strong as your attitude."
"Otherwise..."
Reiger lifted the blade and pointed to the location.
"Prepare to watch this residence turn into ruins."
This was a transparent declaration of war.
This was unmistakably clear hostility.
Kazi, Axel, Diego and others all widened their eyes, watching Reiger in disbelief.
Even Liz and Nipede looked utterly astonished, seemingly unable to anticipate that Reiger would be so direct and bold.
"......"
Revin did not immediately respond, but stared intently at Reiger, his sharp eyes not showing anger, but a coldness as if looking at a dead man.
The aura around Revin grew stronger and more terrifying by the moment, causing the hall to tremble and the entire residence to quake.
"Fine."
Finally, Revin’s voice resounded.
"Since you’re looking for death, I will oblige."
With that sentence, the oppressive tension in the air seemed to turn into a storm, sweeping through every corner of the scene.
As the aura-turned-lethal intent around Reiger and Revin steadily increased, everyone present, including Liz, Nipede, and the Kazi brothers, subconsciously realized something.
The skies of Bessaré would likely change this time.
......
The battle between Reiger and Revin became inevitable.
But neither of them made their move immediately.
It wasn’t that they were apprehensive, but because they simply couldn’t make full use of their skills within the Meipros family’s premises.
The Meipros family’s abode was equipped with numerous magical defense mechanisms and countermeasures, creating a robust protective system to ensure safety in any crisis.
If Reiger and Revin were to fight within the Meipros family’s home, the extent of the collateral damage on people and property was uncertain, and the family’s defensive measures would undoubtedly interfere with their duel.
Furthermore, Revin did not want his impenetrable home to suffer unnecessary losses, so the two eventually left the Meipros family’s residence to choose another battlefield.
This new battlefield was not far from the Meipros residence—in fact, it was right next to it.
Since the Meipros family were not only the Border Marquis but also led and trained the army of the Kingdom of Ginath, a vast and solid training ground specifically designed for training, exercising, drilling, and sparring had been constructed near the main Meipros estate.
To ensure safety and functionality, a tactical-level protective barrier was installed in the training ground, which could handle wide-scale magical attacks for practice purposes, making it nearly impossible to shake the ground as long as one did not hit the barrier with tactical-level spells.
Thus, this training ground naturally became the prime venue for a duel between two Sword Saints.
Once the barrier was activated, not only would the repercussions of their clash be contained within a certain area, but also any outsiders wishing to peek or meddle would be prevented, thereby thwarting the dirty tactics of those from foreign lands who had received the news and harbored malicious intent.
"Swoosh!"
Reiger’s figure appeared in the center of the area as if he had teleported instantaneously.
"Boom!"
Revin’s figure descended from the sky like a meteorite, crashing hard onto the ground.
Standing apart from each other, their gazes locked, the aura and killing intent they exuded surpassed what had been present at the Meipros home, intensifying instead of diminishing.
The sky suddenly turned dark and heavy, signaling to everyone that a storm was coming.