The courtyard of the castle was a chaotic scene, the air heavy with tension. Cristianos stood before the panicked crowd, his glowing green greatsword shimmering like the cresting waves of a stormy sea.
His lips twisted into a smirk as he raised the blade high, summoning a torrent of water that surged toward Lord Lyverin with deadly intent.
Lyverin screamed, cowering behind Schneizal, but before the wave could reach him, Youth leapt forward. His spear met the wave with a powerful strike to the ground, sending water splashing harmlessly away.
Cristianos chuckled darkly. "You really gonna go againts me again Youth?"
Youth's crimson eye glowed fiercely beneath his eyepatch. Without hesitation, he unleashed his Grade 3 form, his body radiating crimson energy as he leveled his spear at Cristianos.
From the crowd, Sequana turned to Vriede and Schneizal.
"We need to free our friends first!"
"I'm on it!" Vriede replied, her wolf-like ears twitching as she darted toward the prison cells where Algos, Gondikas, and Clarence were held.
Schneizal stayed behind, shielding Lyverin as the cowardly lord whimpered in fear.
"Listen, you arrogant bastard," Schneizal growled, gripping Lyverin's arm.
"You want to live, right? You still want to rule this beautiful place? Then act like its ruler!"
"I-I can't…" Lyverin stammered, trembling. "I just—"
Schneizal shook him roughly.
"Come on, look around you! Do you want this chaos to happen forever if that prick takes over? These people need someone to lead them!"
Lyverin hesitated, his tear-streaked face scanning the terrified crowd. Slowly, he wiped his face and stood taller, his expression shifting to one of reluctant determination.
Meanwhile, Youth and Cristianos clashed in a ferocious battle. Cristianos slammed his sword into the ground, summoning another wave of water that surged toward Youth. In response, Youth drove his spear into the earth, creating a shockwave that dispersed the attack.
Cristianos seized the opening, charging forward with his blade poised for a powerful strike. Youth managed to block it just in time, the clash of their weapons sending ripples of energy through the air. The battle of Grade 3s was relentless, each strike faster and more powerful than the last.
In the heat of the fight, Youth gritted his teeth.
"Damn… this guy is something else. I need to overcome him!"
"Revolform, GUST!" Youth shouted, his body enveloped in a surge of blue energy. His appearance shifted, the X-shaped mark on his mask glowing bright blue, and his spear radiated a brilliant light.
Cristianos's eyes gleamed with interest.
"That gem… it really is impressive, isn't it?"
The two warriors charged at each other, their movements a blur of speed and power. Each strike created shockwaves that rocked the battlefield, leaving the crowd to cower in fear.
Lyverin stepped forward, his voice shaking but loud enough to reach the panicked masses.
"My people! Please, calm yourselves! My friends and I will protect you at all costs. Move away from the battlefield!"
Just as the crowd began to shift, a group of marines emerged from the castle gates, weapons drawn.
"Kill the lord!" one marine shouted, raising his rifle.
Sequana's eyes widened in alarm.
"What?!"
Schneizal stood protectively in front of Lyverin, muttering.
"Looks like that prick has some loyalists after all."
Lyverin whimpered again, but Sequana acted quickly, creating a shimmering barrier to block the incoming bullets. More marines poured in, their attacks relentless.
The lord's royal knights joined the fray, clashing swords with the marines. One knight shouted desperately.
"My lord, there are too many of them!" before being struck down.
As the marines pressed forward, a deafening metallic screech filled the air. A tank rolled into view, its cannon swiveling toward the group.
"OPEN FIRE!" one of the marines yelled.
Before the cannon could fire, a flash of light streaked across the battlefield. The tank's barrel fell away in two clean halves, and behind it stood Thavas, his sword gleaming.
Sequana and Schneizal stared in shock.
"what?"
Thavas turned to them, his calm voice cutting through the chaos.
"Knock out as many marines as you can. Do not kill them."
Behind him, the Marine Commandos charged into battle with precision and purpose.
"ROGER!" they shouted in unison.
Thavas nodded to Schneizal.
"Protect the people and the lord. We'll handle the rest."
Schneizel gave a wry grin.
"Got it."
Sequana opens his grimoire . "Let's do this."
At the same time, Vriede reached the cells holding Algos, Gondikas, and Clarence.
"About time you showed up!" Gondikas shouted as she shattered the lock with her claws.
Algos stepped out, flexing his shoulders.
"What's going on out there?"
"Cristianos's marines have gone rogue," Vriede replied.
"We need your help."
Clarence nodded, his expression resolute.
"Let's move."
The three joined the fray, their combined might turning the tide of the battle.
On the battlefield, Cristianos and Youth's duel reached its peak. Cristianos swung his greatsword with relentless force, while Youth countered with the agility and power of his Revolform.
"Give it up, boy!" Cristianos snarled.
Youth's voice was steady but defiant. "Not a chance!"
As the crowd watched in awe and terror, the battle for Stoicheia raged on.