Chapter 560: Imperial Style

“So that means the skills taught at Tower of Eradication can be divided into eight categories?” Thales wondered, squinting.

Wya had told him before that there were infinite martial arts legacies at Tower of Eradication.

“Not really,” Mallos replied firmly, “Eight Arteries of Eradication obviously represent eight different types of concepts and styles, but just like the Power of Eradication, even the practitioners of the same sub-faction will differ vastly. There are even many elites who do not restrict themselves to any Artery and train in the skills of different sub-factions simultaneously, allowing these skills to complement each other.”,

Thales recalled the pupils of Tower of Eradication that he had encountered.

“And so, for centuries after the Battle of Eradication, the legacy of the Tower of Eradication disseminated throughout the world through its students. Through teaching and mutual learning, they weeded out and abandoned defective concepts, and developed and preserved new and better ideas.”

In the Training Field, Ness’ sword move was direct and lethal, forcing Toledo into a miserable state.

Mallos nodded in approval of the sword move, and continued narrating, “Ness came from a small family in Blade Edge Hill. In the Bloody Year, they moved to Central Territory to escape the war, then sent Ness to train at Tower of Eradication a few years later.

“As you can see, his sword skills are typical of the Flash sub-faction. This branch believes that speed is the key. They focus on pace and time, swiftness and efficacy, often ending the battle promptly and finishing the task with one strike.”

The prince nodded, but felt that something was amiss.

“By the way, a long time ago, your uncle, ‘The Sword of Reversing Light’ Prince Horace, was a student of this sub-faction too.”

Thales was shocked and immediately thought of the story about his second uncle.

The former second prince who was known for his bravery, but was trapped under The Fortress, and died at Rayman Pass.

Maybe because he was no longer interrupted by the duke, Mallos reverted to his usual relaxed state, sat down contentedly and started commentating on the duel, “Ness’ Power of Eradication is called ‘Reincarnation of Sunbeams’, and has always had speed—the element most valued by the ‘Flash’ sub-faction—as its forte.”

In front of them, Toledo ran out of room to evade and was finally forced to block his opponent’s formidable strike, causing him to lose his balance and retreat continuously.

Ness did not take advantage of this ‘win’, but instead calmly took a step back. He formed a new sword stance and changed his style, as if intending to demonstrate everything he had ever learned to his superiors.

Mallos looked at the immature yet vigorous Ness.

“He’s talented and spirited. Apart from majoring in the ‘Flash’ sword style, he has also studied the skills of the ‘Storm’ and ‘Sin of Death’ branches, assimilating the strength and lethal power of the latter two.

“That was how the Vanguard Ness of today came to be: his sword is fast as a lightning flash, his moves are flowing and as powerful as snowstorms. Once he gets a good strike over his opponent, it is clear who will prevail.”

Thales frowned. He discovered through hell’s senses that a golden light shone within Ness, like a sun.

“Coupled with an unrestrained style and intelligent creativity, Ness’ offensive strength is not second to that of the attack and defense faction; the intricacy of his moves are not weaker than that of the martial arts faction; his lethal efficiency is no less than that of the practical and modern faction, considered to be at the pinnacle of the supra class, and even a class above most top supra class practitioners.

“If it’s a competition purely based on offense, he would still be able to hold his own against some supreme class elites.”

Thales was slightly taken aback.

At least now he knew where Ness’ youthful vigor and confidence came from.

“Rumor has it that, before dropping out and returning home, he arrogantly defeated every student in his year from the ‘Flash’ branch, and proudly gave up a recommendation spot in seed selection—you have to understand, that itself is a recognition of strength.”

That’s why he was recruited by the Royal Guards who normally reject candidates from Tower of Eradication, as an exception.

Mallos sighed. “In terms of one-to-one combat, there probably aren’t many at Mindis Hall that can handle him.”

The watchman crossed his arms and continued to watch his subordinates duel ceaselessly, but his brows furrowed. “What’s rare is, Ness has an ally that most elites could only wish for—time.

“He is extremely young and still improving; his future is limitless.”

‘There will be a day when he attains supreme class status.’

At this thought, Mallos shook his head almost imperceptibly.

‘It’s just, what a shame…’

Thales stared at Ness’ youthful face and his superb skills that did not match his age.

He wondered in astonishment, ‘Is he even twenty?’

Before him, Ness’ attack thrived again!

Toledo embarrassingly evaded another lethal sword move, with the machete almost falling out of his hand.

‘So, the Temple Disciples of history, the Swordsmen of Eradication of today…’

Looking at the battle that unfolded before his eyes, Thales’ train of thought halted.

Finally, he realized what was amiss.

“But if the core message of the Flash sub-faction is to end the battle as soon as possible and finish the job with one strike,” Thales turned around with a doubtful look on his face, “Then why is it that, until now…

“Toledo hasn’t lost yet?”

Upon hearing these words, Mallos glanced at Thales and the edges of his lips curled upwards.

Grinningly.

But Thales, who had known him for long enough, knew the answer once he noticed this detail.

“Enough of this demonstration,” Mallos turned around and commanded loudly, “Toledo!”

As soon as his name was called, Toledo’s retreating footsteps halted abruptly!

Bam.

In that moment, Thales sensed the Sin of Hell’s River stir within him.

Toledo’s body remained still, but his aura changed!

Slash!

He took a strike with his machete.

An ordinary strike.

His movement was elegant, his posture was solemn.

The strike met Ness’ powerful sword move head-on!

Ness’ expression changed.

Clang!

Both their bodies swayed at the collision of the machete and the sword!

Absorbing the full impact of Ness’ strike, Toledo groaned.

But this time, even though he was at a disadvantage, he did not back down.

Instead, it was Ness’ attack that staggered, as if it was met with an iron plate. He had to retreat and refrain his momentum before he gradually formed his next strike.

Thales was amazed as he began to reevaluate Ness’ opponent.

He knew that Toledo was from the Command Division and is Mallos’ most trusted subordinate—it seems there’s a good reason for that after all.

“Toledo was born in Eternal Star City and raised in Central Territory.”

Mallos continued calmly, “Three generations ago, they had yet to change their family name and were a prominent member of the Seven Jadestar Attendants. Descending from the second son of the ‘Blade of Elimination’ Tardin family, their ancestors even included a royal princess. They are considered to be part of the upper-crust of nobles.

Tardin.

The mention of this familiar family name set Thales’ train of thought in motion again.

“Thus, when Toledo was young, he had the opportunity to be a knight apprentice and serve one of the strongest elites of the former royal guards—Lord Calard Tony, training under him and receiving instructions from him. Even though it wasn’t for long, but he benefitted immensely from this experience…”

Former royal guard, Calard Tony.

This seemingly familiar name caught Thales’ attention.

In the Training Field, Ness, whose offense was interrupted, seemed slightly flustered.

He gritted his teeth and strode forward. The Power of Eradication shone bright again as he initiated a powerful and dynamic sword move in a tenth of a second!

Mallos was still speaking, “…He built a solid foundation and comprehensive awareness. His moves are steady and his defense is flawless.”

By blocking the strike with a horizontal machete and taking a few impressive strides, he managed to transform Ness’ lethal sword move into a blunt force and ingeniously negate it.

And even impeded the pathway of his opponent’s next strike.

Metals clashed and Ness was again thwarted.

Toledo stayed rooted where he was and did not counterattack.

Thales learnt much just from observing his strides and how he managed to stay calm when faced with a swift attack.

“If there’s anyone in the Star Lake Guards that can restrain Ness by relying on moves and style alone, that’s Toledo—before being transferred to Mindis Hall, he was one of the most reliable military couriers in the Command Division.”

Mallos said ruefully, “The wish is not for extraordinary merit, but rather trying to avoid failure. Although what Toledo learnt from him was merely the tip of the iceberg of his defensive skills and not enough to recreate the ruthless attacks of the ‘Thousand-Blade Knight’, but that was sufficient.”

Thousand-Blade Knight.

“Thousand-Blade?” Thales queried, “What kind of nickname is that?”

Maybe because he felt that he had lost face in front of the prince, Ness executed a swift sword move in rage!

But Thales could see that: because Ness was unsettled and in a rush to attack, the pursuit of absolute speed had reduced the power of his move slightly.

After managing to endure the initial phase of attacks, Toledo grew accustomed to his opponent and was able to defend impeccably and more easily.

“Thousand-Blade,” Mallos started, a hint of nostalgia in his tone, “From what Captain Adrian told me, a long time ago, when Lord Tony was escorting Prince Horace to the Tower of Eradication, he encountered the ‘Gray Sword Guard’, who was then also in his prime, and later became renowned.”

‘Tower of Eradication, Gray Sword Guard,’ Thales pondered. He had heard Wya mention this moniker before.

“How they fought, who won, no one knows.”

The watchman’s gaze turned keen. “But after that encounter, the personal sentiments and remarks of the Gray Sword Guard spread from the Tower of Eradication back to Constellation.”

Thales noted that Mallos, with a respectful attitude and solemn posture, uttered something that was unusual both in terms of grammar and wording.

“Since ancient times, swords cannot escape the Sheath.

“So is it wrong to seal a thousand blades?”

After he said those words, Mallos was deep in thought. Whereas Thales frowned.

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‘Cannot escape the Sheath.

‘Seal a thousand blades?’

Thales employed his knowledge of grammar of the various languages that he had been learning for the past few months.

‘The Sheath should be…a metaphor for Tony.

‘And the warriors of the world…are likened to swords?

‘So Tony is like a sheath that seals a thousand blades and subjugates countless masters with unimaginable methods?’

Thales scratched his head in puzzlement.

‘If so, Tony should be the ‘Sheath Knight’, why is he the ‘Thousand-Blade Knight’?

‘Damned that Gray Sword Guard, does he have to be so literary with his compliments?

‘And end up confusing everyone, leading them to make up a random nickname for Tony?’

Thales shook his head and brushed off those trivial thoughts. “So the forte of Toledo’s moves and style is defense and is particularly able to subdue the ‘Flash’ sword style?

“And is another one of the styles of the Eight Arteries of Eradication?”

Mallos’s gaze shifted at this question.

In the field, after a few unsuccessful attacks, Ness grew restless. He was forced to retreat a few steps to take a break. Sweat was dripping from his face.

Toledo, on the other hand, grew calmer. He even had the time to make an inviting gesture by brandishing his sword, showing some resemblance to Mallos’ sardonic look.

“Since you are familiar with the ancient books, Your Highness.”

The watchman stared fixedly at Thales. “Do you then know, in the thousands of years of its glorious history, what is the Temple of Knights’ strongest adversary, its biggest threat, its most inevitable battle?”

Thales shuddered a little, not because of the question, but because he sensed that:

Mallos, gaze blazing, was extremely serious in that moment.

Almost unlike that superficially courteous, composed and innocent, but actually disdainful, two-faced and snarky, his most hated personal guard captain.

Thales turned his attention to the briefly separated and resting opponents.

The strongest adversary of the Temple…

He knew that it was Calamity that finally brought down the Temple of Knights.

But…

In the Training Field, Ness and Toledo faced each other with their swords raised. Their gazes met and for a moment, all they could see was their opponent, almost forgetting that the prince was still spectating.

They reaccumulated the momentum to duel in preparation for the next confrontation.

Under Mallos’ weighty stare, Thales put on a serious face and slowly uttered, “The Empire.”

The watchman’s pupils narrowed.

In that moment, neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere was muted by this phrase.

Until Ness yelled as he commenced another attack!

Amidst the clanging of metal against metal, Thales took a deep breath and went on, “Indeed, thousands of years ago, in order to quell chaos and restore peace, many ranger knights came together under the flag of Great Emperor Camelot Karlose and followed him into battles and expeditions, expanding the territory.

“And consequently forging the strong foundations of the Ancient Empire.”

Thales suddenly recalled the debate between Putray and Kentvida about the Empire and Northland in Kaslan’s tavern a long time ago.

So much had changed.

The prince returned to reality. “But once the territories were united and peace was achieved, these ranger knights who were highly-skilled in martial arts, arrogant and originally scattered across the lands…

“As well as the dignified Temple of Knights that was regarded as the spiritual homeland by tens of millions, that had the ability to rally the support of the masses, that was armed and independent…”

Thales’ tone was somewhat chilling, “Replaced the original enemy and opponents and became the discordant voice in the boundless prosperous world.

“And was viewed as a glaring threat by those in power in the courts of the Ancient Empire.”

Mallos switched his focus back to the battle in the field—Ness’ had not made any breakthroughs in his attacks, but Toledo did not seem to have the upper-hand either—but his gaze gradually froze.

Thales thought about the stories he had read before and sighed. “In history, the fate of the Temple of Knights has corresponded with the rise and fall of the Empire.

“Under the pressure of royal power and military conquest, they suffered repeatedly and collapsed several times.

“But every time, sparks stubbornly remained and, when the Empire underwent civil strife, they rebuilt and thrived again.”

Thales let out a sigh. “Therefore, the biggest adversary of the ancient Temple of Knights, is none other than…” he stared at Mallos, “the Empire itself.”

Mallos similarly turned towards Thales and looked at him with an inscrutable gaze.

After staring at him for a while, the watchman finally nodded.

He acknowledged the prince’s answer.

Clang!

Ness and Toledo were again locked in another fierce clash!

They both swayed and each took a few steps back, panting.

There was fury in Ness’ eyes; the fight seemed to have stoked real anger in him.

“But what you didn’t know was…” Mallos said in a deep voice as he turned his attention back towards the battle, “At the same time, under the Pegasus Throne, the legionaries directly under the Emperor experienced continuous expeditions and endless wars to quell rebellions. They emulated the army and guards, and emphasized collectivity and discipline.”

Directly under the Emperor, legionaries.

Thales frowned.

The watchman’s gaze became more incisive. “Hence, under their utmost loyalty to the Emperor, their worship of the Empire, their absolute obedience to the army…

“And amid the Pegasus Throne’s expectations and their covert struggles against their competitors…

“They developed a unique martial arts style that is vastly different from that of the Temple of Knights.”

Thales was slightly dumbstruck.

Mallos stared at Toledo’s machete. “Just and gentle, dignified and elegant, upright and generous, assertive and strong, restrained and dutiful, simple and solemn, tenacious and bold.”

The watchman’s words carried an indescribable power which inadvertently made Thales sit up straight.

“With the official recognition and support of the Empire, the school of thought of these legionaries developed quickly. It was widespread and universally emulated for a period of time.

“Finally becoming Empire orthodoxy, on par with the acclaimed Temple Disciples and not inferior in any aspect.”

‘On par with the Temple of Knights…’ Thales’ ruminated the meaning of these words, and reappraised the dueling pair.

There was a change in Ness’ gaze as he swung his sword and his Power of Eradication accumulated like never before for the next attack.

Toledo held his machete horizontally and converged his momentum. August as a mountain, he was prepared to counter all possibilities.

The dynamism of their confrontation elevated.

“And so a thousand years passed…” Mallos’ words were calm, but embodied a trace of indescribable emotion, “The rise and fall of the Temple cycled between destruction and restoration; the rise and fall of the Empire oscillated between decay and revival.”

He looked up towards the dull sky and seemed somewhat disheartened. “And the development and changes to martial arts and superpowers—amid the ebb and flow of these two prominent schools of thought as well as the battles between countless talented warriors and capable swordsmen—fluctuated and flourished. There were tournaments and duels, no shortage of wars and quests, and occasionally private clashes.”

Mallos went on passively, “That was the fabled, most glorious and brilliant golden age of knights.”

Golden age.

Thales did not speak, seemingly also mulling over the weight that these words carried.

Inexplicably, Thales recalled his time at Blade Fangs Camp and the listless look of the owner of ‘My Home’ Tavern, Tampa when he talked about “the age of mercenaries”.

“Until the Battle of Eradication…changed everything.”

Mallos closed his eyes and exhaled gently. “The Temple was destroyed and the Empire fell.”

In the field, Ness’ accumulated attacks peaked. Following a fleeting stride forward, a sword beam could be seen reflecting from his strike!

Toledo growled and similarly took a step forward, ready to confront force with force!

In that moment.

“Enough!” Mallos bellowed, “That’s enough!”

Ding!

The two weapons—Ness’ long sword and Toledo’s machete—crossed in mid-air.

With Mallos’ command, the momentum of the blades dissipated and both fell to the ground weakly.

The dueling pair faced each other from an arm’s length apart.

“Go rest,” the watchman softly.

After a few seconds, with their stirred aggressions giving way to their conformity to orders, they exhaled in unison, stowed their weapons and bowed to the prince.

Thales applauded them solemnly and saluted them respectfully in return.

“As such, the sparks of knowledge left by the Temple of Knights were vested in the Tower of Eradication, and through tumultuous times, have been passed on until today.”

Mallos was slightly distracted by the sight of Ness’ back, but his gaze quickly refocused on Thales.

“And the Iron Blood sword style of the Empire, accompanying the flag of the King of Renaissance, accompanying the descendants of what remained of the Empire’s army, rose again in the new kingdom.”

The watchman stared at Thales.

“The martial art of knights, having its roots since the Empire and of supreme orthodoxy, has been passed down through the legacy of knights and court training in Constellation. It recounts the majesty of the throne and the prosperity of the army of yesteryears.

“Toledo and ‘Thousand-Blade Knight’ are representatives of the style.”

Thales noticed Mallos’ gravitas and nodded slowly.

“For centuries, generation after generation of Constellation masters have painstakingly studied and poured their heart into teaching the style, in hopes that this ancient legacy can advance in the hands of future generations and keep up with the pulse of the times.

“And the sword stances and sword styles that you have been practicing incessantly for the past few month, including the demanding ‘Seventeen Swords of the Knights’, are part of that.”

Thales thought about his training in the past few months that contrasted with that in the Northland and suddenly understood.

Mallos exhaled. His stern expression faded and he slowly reverted to his usual breezy demeanor.

“Today, this equally long-established martial art faction which is diametrically opposed but on par with the Tower of Eradication…

“Corresponds to the ‘Temple’, and is termed by rigorous scholars as—”

In that moment, the watchman’s voice grew faint as he murmured, “Imperial Style.”