"Aren't there a bit too many people?"
Bernahl looked at the bustling scene outside Stormveil Castle and couldn't help but comment.
Tarnes looked over and saw Fili and Kili waving and cheering for him along with the Dwarves who had come with them.
While responding to the Dwarves, he answered Bernahl's words: "It's indeed beyond my expectations. It feels like everyone in the Golden Tree territory has come, except for the patrolling soldiers."
Bernahl also noticed Fili and Kili, who were obviously shorter than the people around them: "Are they the 'Dwarves' you mentioned? The students you're entrusting to me are among them?"
Tarnes said: "Yes, see those two with the shortest beards at the front—one with golden hair and one with black hair standing together. That's them."
Bernahl raised an eyebrow: "Indeed it's them. The aura they exude is different from other Dwarves, not to mention their rather outstanding appearance. It's just a pity they're so short."
Tarnes shrugged: "Don't underestimate Dwarves. Though they're small, their strength exceeds your imagination, and they have excellent control over their body balance. They may seem short but are actually very agile. More importantly, they're truly stubborn and will surprise you in certain ways."
Bernahl didn't continue the topic of Dwarves but looked toward the Elves standing opposite them: "Those long-eared ones are Elves? Their appearance is very pleasing to the eye—I can barely distinguish between male and female."
Tarnes pursed his lips: "Don't feel bad—I'm the same. I never know their true gender until Elves speak, since they love keeping long hair and dressing themselves very elegantly and exquisitely."
Bernahl stopped, while Tarnes continued forward a few steps before turning to face Bernahl.
The watching crowd consciously retreated several steps, leaving enough sparring space for the two.
Bernahl gently gripped his sword hilt. The blade trembled slightly as he easily lifted the knight's greatsword—which would be difficult for a normal person to wield with both hands—single-handedly, pointing the tip at Tarnes.
Tarnes also stood firmly, adjusting his posture with ease. An identical knight's greatsword was raised single-handedly, its tip touching Bernahl's raised blade.
They seemed to reach some silent agreement, almost synchronously retreating four sword-lengths apart.
The crowd, which had been making various noises and discussions, gradually quieted down because the two in the center emanated a silent, oppressive aura. Some felt that if they spoke, the knight's greatswords in Tarnes' and Bernahl's hands would come slashing toward them.
This oppressive feeling forced the surrounding spectators to retreat again and again, yet they never felt they had reached a safe distance.
The Dwarves and Elves were no exception, retreating with the crowd, but Fili and Kili remained.
Because Nepheli Loux had told these two Dwarf princes that the imposing silver-armored warrior facing Tarnes was their future combat instructor.
This made Fili and Kili unwilling to leave a weak impression during their first meeting with Bernahl.
Moreover, Tarnes was already their teacher, so even just to cheer for Tarnes, Fili and Kili didn't want to retreat.
So the Dwarves' stubborn nature surged up—even though Fili and Kili's legs trembled violently, they didn't retreat a single step.
"Heh, I admit your assessment of Dwarves wasn't wrong. These two princes' performance indeed exceeds my expectations. Even though their bodies are sending signals of fear and they're too nervous to speak, they still refuse to retreat. From their appearance, they seem to want to cheer you on?" Bernahl said to Tarnes.
Tarnes' gaze was rarely serious. Though he had defeated Bernahl eight times before, a Recusant was still a Recusant—this wouldn't change because he had beaten him.
Hearing Bernahl's pre-battle banter, Tarnes also grinned: "Since I'm also their teacher, isn't it normal for them to stay and cheer for me?"
Bernahl narrowed his eyes: "Then this 'latecomer' must properly demonstrate his strength to let my future students know which of their two teachers is strongest."
At this moment, on the walls above Stormveil's main gate, two Banished Knights who had finished patrolling and rushed here upon hearing the news watched the confrontation between Tarnes and Bernahl with gleaming eyes.
This was an extremely rare battle between an Elden Lord and a Recusant—the Banished Knights didn't want to miss it.
Nepheli Loux, as the only person present unaffected by Tarnes and Bernahl's oppressive aura, also remained in place, then stood in front of Fili and Kili, finally allowing the two Dwarves' tense bodies to relax.
Fili and Kili breathed heavily, cold sweat continuously beading on their foreheads.
"Thank you, Lord Nepheli Loux," Fili thanked her.
Kili asked breathlessly, fear mixed with excitement in his eyes: "Is this Teacher Tarnes' true strength? Just standing there makes me feel like an insurmountable mountain—if I approached, I'd be frozen by the cold wind from the peak."
Nepheli Loux simply nodded calmly, then looked at both and asked loudly: "Do you need me to referee?"
Tarnes had no objections and directly agreed.
Bernahl also nodded to Nepheli Loux: "Of course. Having the respected new Storm Lord witness this duel between Tarnes and me—nothing could be more honorable."
With both parties' permission, Nepheli Loux said: "Given your strength, determining a complete victor would inevitably result in casualties. Therefore, let's see who first knocks the knight's greatsword from the other's hand. Whoever loses their sword will be judged the loser. Agreed?"
Tarnes answered without hesitation: "As a warrior, losing one's weapon is equivalent to losing one's life. I agree."
Bernahl also concurred: "I agree with Tarnes' view. Having your weapon knocked away by an enemy is no different from offering your neck for execution."
Nepheli Loux nodded and drew her battle-axe from her waist. Golden lightning crackled as it gathered on the axe blade: "Then let the thunder's fall serve as the starting signal."
Tarnes and Bernahl both nodded, then focused all their attention on each other and Nepheli Loux.
Fili and Kili instinctively held their breath. As Dwarves, the brothers could estimate the weight of the knight's greatswords in Tarnes' and Bernahl's hands.
They were already imagining what pleasant sounds these two knight's greatswords would make when they collided in a few seconds, and what kind of sparks would fly.
Teacher Tarnes and this Mr. Bernahl—they wondered what kind of spectacular battle these two equally skilled swordsmen would provide.
With such thoughts, Fili and Kili strained to widen their eyes, afraid of missing any detail of their exchange.
"BOOM!"
Nepheli Loux swung her battle axe downward. Golden lightning dragged an afterimage through the air, but the thunder's roar reached people's ears before the afterimage appeared.
It began!
Fili pressed his lips tightly together while Kili excitedly clenched his fists.
Would Teacher Tarnes strike first, or would Mr. Bernahl move first?
The Dwarf brothers watched the two not far apart in the field with their respective expectations.
Then their eyes widened, and the spectators not far behind them also opened their mouths slightly, showing surprised expressions.
Because the clash of sword against sword, skill against skill that they had imagined didn't occur, nor did they hear the collision of metal against metal or the war cries of man against man.
The instant Nepheli Loux swung her axe and produced thunder, Tarnes and Bernahl didn't charge with raised swords. As if by agreement, they simultaneously bent down and knelt on one knee.
Prayers!
Just as others were at a loss for how to express their emotions at this tragicomic scene, Fili and Kili suddenly understood.
The two were performing prayers—bending down on one knee was the posture required for casting prayers.
Golden radiance simultaneously lit up from both their hands, then spread throughout their bodies.
Meanwhile, the Golden Tree serving as a backdrop became even brighter, its branches swaying as golden light fell.
Golden Vow—one of the prayers of Golden Tree faith that slightly enhances all the user's physical attributes. This was a prayer with a long history, passed down from the knights of Leyndell, the Royal Capital.
Then both stood up and exchanged glances. Just as the spectators thought they would finally charge at each other with raised swords, they tacitly crouched down again.
Continuing prayers.
The Golden Tree's radiance became even brighter, meaning the prayers Tarnes and Bernahl were now casting were of a higher tier than before.
Golden Protection—providing considerable defense to the user.
When Tarnes and Bernahl stood up again, rich golden radiance covered their bodies, armor, and weapons.
Having fought Bernahl eight times, Tarnes understood him too well—Bernahl always did this before fighting him.
If Tarnes held not a knight's greatsword but a heavier weapon, he wouldn't cast prayers alongside Bernahl but would charge directly.
Otherwise, rushing forward would result in the just-finished-praying Bernahl using his Beast Champion armor to tank a sword strike, then landing a counterattack.
Bernahl's silver-gray pupils reflected golden light as he said with some surprise: "You actually didn't throw away your sword this time and pull out a staff."
"After all, I occasionally want to try... !?"
Tarnes was about to say he wanted a head-on confrontation with Bernahl this time, but before he could finish, Bernahl suddenly performed what looked like a New Year's greeting sword technique, slamming his knight's greatsword into the ground.
This seemingly ridiculous action made Tarnes swallow his unfinished words and quickly sidestep.
"——!"
The ground between Tarnes and Bernahl silently cracked as invisible blades cut two wounds in the earth, making Tarnes' expression more serious.
Ash of War: Vacuum Slice
This very strike made Fili and Kili cry out in shock—they couldn't believe this was a combat technique humans could use.
The Elves behind them also looked at each other speechlessly upon seeing this scene.
Melsin, who had learned magic, thoughtfully asked the Elven siblings Kelson and Erin beside him: "You two have been immersed in swordsmanship for hundreds of years in Rivendell. Did you see that human's movements clearly?"
Kelson and his sister Erin exchanged glances, both seeing the tremor in each other's pupils.
The former was silent for a moment before nodding: "I'm not sure what I saw was real, Mr. Melsin. Precisely because Erin and I saw it clearly, it feels so dreamlike. That silver-armored warrior seemed to raise his sword and strike down, and in that instant, the air around the blade suddenly disappeared, becoming those two invisible blades."
Erin also spoke to supplement her brother's words: "As for more details, my brother and I can't discern them. Perhaps we should ask Lord Tarnes, who precisely dodged that attack."
Kelson hesitated for a few seconds before finally saying with a bitter smile: "I think the question we should ask is whether Tarnes and his homeland compatriots are truly humans as we understand them. We've witnessed human heroes fighting valiantly, but to unleash such terrifying strikes..."
He didn't finish his words, but Melsin and Erin understood Kelson's meaning.
Erin suddenly thought of something, blinking her beautiful eyes: "Ah, speaking of which, I remember Tarnes always calls his compatriots 'Golden People.'"
"Golden People," Melsin repeated, then looked up at the twin Golden Trees emanating bright radiance within Stormveil Castle, smiling faintly: "What a fitting name for them."
Kelson then let out a short exclamation: "Look quickly!"
In the field, Bernahl had already taken advantage of Tarnes dodging his vacuum slice to close in.
About ten meters of distance was no different from standing face-to-face for both parties.
Ash of War: Quickstep
Even wearing heavy Beast Champion armor, Bernahl's form moved like a phantom to Tarnes' side. His right foot heavily struck the ground as his waist powered a body twist for a return slash, his knight's greatsword emanating cold sharpness, aimed directly at Tarnes.
Ash of War: Spinning Slash
An agile swordsman could rotate their body greatly to strike enemies unexpectedly.
"CLANG!"
But the sensation Bernahl expected of his knight's greatsword hitting Tarnes' waist didn't come. Instead, the recoil transmitted through the blade nearly made him lose his grip on the hilt and almost caused Bernahl to lose control of his body balance.
Tarnes' somewhat displeased voice rang out: "Your Beast Champion armor is really heavy—this still couldn't make you fall on your ass."
Bernahl nimbly jumped back a step, just avoiding Tarnes' following sword edge, making Tarnes click his tongue.
He looked at Tarnes' other hand not gripping the sword and smiled: "I see. No wonder I nearly lost my weapon just now. Instead of using those strange magics, you're using the techniques I taught you against me. This truly surprises me."
A small, round, silver metal shield had appeared in Tarnes' other hand at some point. It was precisely this seemingly unremarkable small shield that had perfectly blocked Bernahl's surprise attack at the critical moment.
Ash of War: Parry
Tarnes' eyes burned with fighting spirit. This close-combat exchange made him feel his heart beating with long-missed intensity.
He grinned happily: "I'm not an idiot. You saw through my magic patterns in all eight of our fights. If I couldn't think of a way to counter that, I'd have to question the value of your Recusant title."
If Tarnes had chosen to use magic just now, he would definitely have been hit by Bernahl's surprise Vacuum Slice.
Bernahl also saw the fighting spirit in Tarnes' eyes and couldn't help saying: "You battle maniac."
Tarnes replied without courtesy: "You dare call me a maniac? You're laughing wildly yourself, Bernahl."
Bernahl was slightly stunned, instinctively touching his mouth, then gripping his knight's greatsword tightly. When he looked up again, he wore the exact same expression as Tarnes.
While raising his sword and using quickstep to rapidly approach again, he shouted: "That's because I can finally catch you—this guy who likes running around everywhere throwing magic—and give you a good beating!"
Sword met sword once more.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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