Mage's Profound Truths

Chapter 39: Taking Action (Part One)

“Swish.”

A terrifying light radiated from the greatsword in Quiro’s hand as it came slashing straight at Old Wilson’s head.

Although Old Wilson was deeply shocked, he quickly regained his composure. Gripping his greatsword with both hands, he let out a low roar. In that instant, a crimson flame burst forth from the blade, growing larger and larger, blazing fiercely and radiating scorching heat.

“Sword of Light!”

“Flame s***h!”

The two collided head-on. Their greatswords clashed as waves of flame and white light intertwined, emitting bursts of strange noises.

“Bang.”

The flame on Old Wilson’s sword was clearly no match for the white light on Quiro’s blade. However, both were forced a few steps back—remarkably, the clash ended in a draw.

“A Level Three Light Swordsman!”

Old Wilson squinted slightly. From the earlier exchange, he had already grasped the opponent’s strength—it was a Level Three Light Swordsman. The opponent clearly surpassed him in elemental control.

“What power! A mere Level Two Flame Swordsman shouldn’t possess this kind of raw strength!”

Quiro was also stunned in his heart. His expression grew increasingly serious—gone was his earlier arrogance. He could tell that although Old Wilson was only a Level Two Flame Swordsman, he could still match him in battle. The terrifying strength bursting from Old Wilson’s burly frame could not be underestimated.

“Quiro, looks like you can’t handle him alone, huh? Hahaha, Angus was right—we shouldn’t have underestimated him. Anyone who can survive the ‘Slaughterhouse’ surely has something special!”

Another golden-masked man approached Old Wilson and slowly drew his greatsword—it was more than clear what he intended.

“Another Level Three Light Swordsman!”

While closely examining the two men, Old Wilson was already thinking of countermeasures.

“Kill!”

Quiro and Relo, two Level Three Light Swordsmen, launched a joint assault on Old Wilson. Instantly, the area around them was cleared into a relatively quiet space—no one dared get close. Anyone nearby would risk being harmed by stray light or fire elements.

Though besieged by two Level Three Light Swordsmen, Old Wilson held his ground and didn’t fall behind at all. His extraordinary talent endowed him with seemingly endless power. Thus, even as a Level Two Flame Swordsman, he could rival peak Level Three Elemental Swordsmen.

The longer Quiro and Relo fought, the more grim their expressions became. The two had been confident they could easily slay Wilson—but now, they were struggling, unable to overpower him.

“What a monster—how is his body so strong?”

Helpless, the two looked toward Angus, who was watching the battle from afar.

Angus, the last of the golden-masked trio, had been observing Old Wilson the whole time. He watched the man like a giant swinging his massive sword, unafraid even when facing two Level Three Light Swordsmen.

In terms of sheer strength, neither Quiro nor Relo dared to meet Old Wilson head-on—otherwise, they risked being blown away by his near-monstrous power.

“It seems even His Excellency the Bishop underestimated Wilson... To think such a powerful man exists in a small place like Blackwater City…”

Angus murmured quietly, then slowly drew the greatsword from his back.

“Swish.”

A mass of dazzling white light, far stronger than both Quillow and Relo, radiated from the greatsword.

Angus gripped the greatsword with both hands and quickly moved toward Old Wilson, preparing to join the battle.

"Three third-level Light Swordsmen… and more than fifty first- and second-level Light Swordsmen… These are definitely not ordinary bandits, but guards of the Church!"

At this moment, Merlin was still safe. Protected by Pula and many knights within the territory, he was still able to leisurely observe the battlefield.

Old Wilson's strength far exceeded Merlin's expectations. The formidable Old Wilson, like a war god descended, could rely on sheer strength alone to contend with two powerful third-level Light Swordsmen. This was truly astonishing.

Back when Merlin had not yet fully grasped the power of spells, he had struggled just to deal with a mere "Lorraine," also a third-level Elemental Swordsman, and had nearly died at his hands.

So he could deeply understand just how powerful those third-level Elemental Swordsmen were.

"Young Master Merlin, please go into the castle first. We will defend it with our lives!"

Commander Pula had quietly arrived in front of Merlin, drawing his greatsword and staring intently at a group of bandits ahead.

A group of bandits had already targeted the castle and were charging directly toward it. Leading them were two second-level Light Swordsmen. Pula had come forward with the determination to die defending it.

"Come on! I didn’t die on the 'slaughterfield'—what can a few measly bandits do to me?"

Pula’s tone carried a hint of madness. His greatsword also emitted traces of flame, though far weaker than Old Wilson’s. He was merely a first-level Flame Swordsman. Facing hundreds of bandits ahead, along with two second-level Light Swordsmen, the few dozen knights guarding Merlin stood no chance.

"Young Master Merlin, don’t worry. Yagus will definitely protect you."

The one closest to Merlin was a young knight named Yagus, about sixteen or seventeen years old, who had escorted him here.

Yagus looked extremely solemn. A trace of determination had already appeared on his young face. Merlin believed that if danger came, he would step forward without hesitation to protect him.

"Yagus, you will definitely become a great knight!"

A faint smile appeared on Merlin’s face, as if he did not feel the urgency of the moment at all. Then, he swung off his horse and walked directly toward Pula.

“Uncle Pula.”

“Hm? Young Master Merlin? Why haven’t you gone back to the castle? It’s dangerous here…”

Before Pula could finish his sentence, Merlin lightly shook his head and said calmly, “Uncle Pula, gather the remaining knights and fall back to protect the castle. As for these bandits…”

After speaking, Merlin calmly gazed at the approaching bandits.

“Whoosh.”

Two fist-sized fireballs appeared in front of Merlin without any warning, floating quietly in the air and emitting an aura that made hearts tremble.

"As for these bandits… leave them to me!"

Pula was still dazed, Merlin’s voice still echoing in his ears.

Merlin extended his pale hands and gently pointed forward. Instantly, the two fireballs floating before him shot out with a howl toward the charging bandits.