8mi Chapter 525: [Event] [Elven Utopian War] [64] John VS Grukel
Chapter 525: [Event] [Elven Utopian War] [64] John VS Grukel
Chapter 525: [Event] [Elven Utopian War] [64] John VS Grukel
The Dolphian Capital
The scars of Kamarel's assault still lingered on the Dolphian Capital, even weeks after his defeat at the hands of John Tarmias. Though attacks had continued since then, none had truly threatened the heart of the city. The capital stood strong, bolstered by John's leadership. Commanding the army was a role John had taken quite to hear to win over Reiner's agreement for Amelia's hand, much to the irritation of the city's noble class. But their complaints were stifled by two immovable forces: Reiner Dolphis, who had personally entrusted John with command, and the Queen herself, whose support silenced dissent. Begrudgingly, the nobles could do little but watch as John orchestrated the city's defenses.
Just as it seemed they had weathered the greatest threa, a new threat emerged.
The enemy was not as youthful or brash as Kamarel, but he was twice as vexing. Standing outside the gates of the Dolphian Capital, John found himself glaring at the new enemy.
John's sword sliced through another high elf knight before his gaze locked onto the older man at the rear of the battlefield.
"How long are you going to hide like a coward?!"
Grukel let out a low chuckle. "You expect an old man to fight? Is this how the young measure strength these days?"
"You're the bastard attacking us. You'll take responsibility whether you like it or not!" John spat, as he pointed his gleaming red sword toward Grukel. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a dark red orb of fire that crackled ominously before surging toward Grukel.
"Lord Grukel!" One of Grukel's men cried out.
Grukel didn't flinch. His men scattered, clearing a path as the orb roared toward him. Calmly, he raised his cane, and with a flick, a glowing mana circle materialized in front of him. The barrier shimmered with unique patterns as it intercepted the fireball.
-BOOM!
The explosion rocked the battlefield, sending waves of heat into the air. When the smoke cleared, Grukel stood there unscathed behind his shield of mana.
"I may be an old man but I've fought more battles than you've lived in years. Your mother was not even born when I first held a sword."
John snorted. "If you're that old, then it's time to give your life for the next generation!"
Without another word, John rushed forward.
John's blade shimmered red.
Whether Grukel was an old man or not didn't matter to John-this was war, and Grukel was a threat, one willing to lay waste to Dolphis.
"It's Tarmias!"
"That bastard killed Lord Kamarel! Kill him!"
John barely acknowledged the cries. Raising his hand, he summoned a series of mana circles above him, each one glowing dark red.
In the next instant, a barrage of dark crimson spikes erupted from them, each one laced with curses, hurtling toward the advancing High Elf knights.
-BOOM!
-SPURT!
The spikes tore through the ranks deadlu, cutting down the knights before they could even reach him. Blood sprayed onto the battlefield, and the lifeless bodies of his attackers crumpled to the ground. John didn't break his rush at all, his focus fixed on Grukel.@@@@
As he closed the distance, just a few meters remained between them. John crouched low before kicking off the ground with explosive force, accelerating toward his target. In a flash, he appeared beside Grukel, and swung his sword.
-BOOM!
His sword collided with an invisible wall of mana that materialized just in time, unleashing a violent gust of wind. John was flung back, his body skidding across the ground as the wind tore into his armor.
"Ugh!" He groaned, grimacing as he felt sharp pain in his arms. The armor had been shredded, and blood seeped from fresh wounds on his skin. He glanced down at the injuries, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. The mana protecting Grukel was quite familiar as well. "Are you Kamarel's father or something?" John asked narrowing his eyes.
Grukel smiled faintly. "Kamarel was my grandson. And as for my son-his father-your father killed him."
John's expression hardened. "Right, Kamarel mentioned that before I killed him," he said, his voice cold, almost mocking.
"You're as arrogant as your father, boy," Grukel said, his grip tightening on his cane. "But your father was stronger. And far wiser."
The air shifted suddenly as an enormous mana circle materialized behind Grukel, its seven glowing layers brimming with potent mana.
(
"Really?" John groaned before trying to dodge but then he noticed the Dolphian Knights still positioned behind him, oblivious to the danger.
With a scowl, he stopped his retreat, planting his feet firmly. He raised his blade high, releasing a surge of dark red curse. A glowing curse circle sprang to life..
Then he saw it a massive figure of a female, emerging from Grukel's spell. It was made entirely of water, shimmering as if sculpted from liquid crystal. The sight of it made John curse under his breath.
"Damn it..."
The watery figure shot forward, bearing down on his cursed barrier.
Grukel hadn't taken them seriously.
"How...?" Grukel muttered
Then it struck him, the realization dawning.
"I couldn't feel his curses? Impossible..."
How could this be?
A seasoned warrior like himself, a man who had faced countless foes, unable to detect such a
critical threat? True, he had limited experience battling curse-wielders, but this was... "It's over, old man!"
John's voice shattered Grukel's thoughts, and when he looked up, John was already closing in.
Yet, a cold smile spread across Grukel's face, the kind that sent a chill crawling down John's
spine.
(
In a flash, Grukel's foot tapped the ground, and watery whips shot forth, snaking through the air with terrifying precision. They coiled around John, their fluid strength locking him in place
within a second. When he struggled and struck at the bindings, the whips only pushed him back, slamming him into a prison of water. "You're still too naive, boy," Grukel said with a chuckle.
But before the strike could land, a different flow of water erupted between them, shielding
John with a force that stopped Grukel in his tracks.
"What-?!" Grukel recoiled, stumbling backward as the protective water twisted and churned, taking on a dark greenish hue. It wasn't just water anymore-it was infused with an overwhelming mana pressure that made the air around heavy.
The swirling barrier closed in on Grukel, trapping him within its currents. A shiver ran down
his spine as he instinctively looked up, meeting the piercing gaze of bottle-green eyes.
Those eyes weren't John's. They belonged to someone else entirely.
"Are you okay, John?!"
John turned, his brow furrowing. "Amelia?! What are you doing here?!"
"I-I was worried about you!"
"It's dangerous! I said!" John snapped, frustrated to see her here.
"I know how to defend myself, you know!"
The two of them fell into an exasperated back-and-forth as they bickered.
Meanwhile, Grukel let out a ragged sigh. His knees buckled, and he collapsed, his body drained of mana. He had burned through far too much mana-not in this fight alone, but in
his desperate efforts to protect his people and the knights he had trained with such care and
devotion. Grukel's weary gaze lingered on Amelia.
"So, this is Deborah Dolphis's Vessel," he muttered under his breath. "So young... It's a pity.
If only I could have ended her life before that monster returns." A faint, hollow chuckle escaped his lips.
He could have at least done something for Sancta Vedelia's or the world's sake even.
Slowly, his head tilted upward, his eyes tracing the darkening hues of the evening sky. "Was it fate?" He whispered hoarsely. "Was my family always destined to die at the hands of the Tarmias? Such cruel design..." His voice faltered, and he closed his eyes briefly.
"I apologize, Your Majesty. I have failed you."
He had served Durathiel faithfully because he was certain he was the man who could save
Utopia and he was still certain. No one could beat Durathiel from Grukel's perspective. It was
just a shame he wouldn't be there alive to witness it.
The faint sound of approaching footsteps pulled him from his thoughts. Grukel opened his eyes, just in time to see John striding toward him, sword in hand. Grukel chuckled weakly, a faint smile curving his lips as he watched John draw closer. There
was no anger or fear in his eyes, only a deep, resigned acceptance.
"I wish you good luck, Your Majesty."