"Clarent Blood Arthur!!"
In that very instant, Mordred and Noelle condensed all of their magical power into the blades they wielded. The swords, once solid and heavy, began to emit an intense radiance, transforming into true sabers of magical light. The length of the blades extended violently, reaching dozens of meters, as if two columns of energy were tearing through space itself.
It was almost like witnessing a forty-meter-long sword.
This was the final stage of their power.
Both had reached their limits, and now all that remained was to pour everything they had into a single decisive strike—no retreat, no reserves—ending the battle once and for all.
"AHHHHHH!!"
"AAAAAAAAAH!!"
Two beams of light shot toward the sky.
On one side, crimson lightning—violent and destructive—crackled like a living storm.
On the other, the golden light of the Geo element—heavy, stable, and relentless like a mountain.
And then—
COLLISION.
"Hey… hey… are you two really using your ultimate moves like that? At least pay attention to your surroundings!"
Leon raised an eyebrow slightly, glancing at the environment around them. The impact of that magical power had already begun to crack the ground and shake nearby structures, as if space itself were being compressed.
Without hesitation, he raised his hand, causing a subtle distortion to ripple through the air with his spatial magic.
In an instant, the battlefield was isolated from the rest of the world, as if it had been cut out of reality. No matter how destructive the clash between those two became, everything would remain contained within that arena.
Meanwhile, the battle finally reached its climax.
"AHHHHHHH!!"
Mordred roared again, forcing even more power into her blade. The crimson lightning intensified, becoming fiercer, wilder, and more destructive.
Gradually, Noelle's golden light began to recede.
The difference in power was starting to show.
After all, Mordred's weapon was no ordinary one.
The sword in her hands—the Brilliantly Shining Royal Sword, Clarent—held a value equal to or even greater than the legendary golden Sword of Promised Victory, Caliburn.
BOOM—!!
The crimson lightning shattered the resistance of the Geo element.
A massive explosion engulfed the battlefield, raising a dense curtain of dust and magical energy.
"She won…?"
Morgan held her breath, tense.
But Leon simply shook his head.
"I don't know. With this much smoke… it's too early to tell."
The rule of smoke.
If you can't see… it's not over yet.
In the next instant, a figure burst out from the cloud of dust.
It was Mordred.
Her armor had been completely destroyed, reduced to fragments. Only her red battle outfit remained, leaving much of her body exposed—like a wild warrior or an amazon.
Her smile was fierce.
She had abandoned both sword and armor.
Now, she relied solely on her own body.
Without waiting for the dust to settle, Mordred charged straight toward Noelle, guided purely by instinct.
Before the knight could react—
"Got you!"
A fist emerged from the smoke.
Stopping… just inches away from Noelle's face.
As the dust finally cleared, the scene became clear.
Mordred stood right before her.
If that blow had landed, there would have been no defense.
"…Yes. I lost."
Noelle lowered her head slightly, accepting the outcome with calm composure.
"Ha—! I won!"
Mordred collapsed onto the ground immediately afterward, spreading her arms and laughing loudly as she breathed heavily. Her entire body ached, but the smile on her face never faded.
That was pure satisfaction.
Despite her rebellious and impulsive nature, Mordred was, without a doubt, a true knight.
A simple, straightforward person, honest with her own feelings.
"Clap, clap, clap…"
Applause echoed.
Leon walked forward slowly, applauding without hesitation.
"That was a magnificent battle."
"So, Your Highness… do you acknowledge my strength now?"
"Of course."
Leon smiled faintly.
"You are an even stronger knight than I expected, Sir Mordred."
Noelle also approached.
Unlike many others, she showed no resentment or frustration. Still, there was a faint weight in her gaze.
"I'm sorry for disappointing you, Your Highness…"
She bowed deeply and remained that way, not lifting her head.
Leon let out a soft sigh… and placed his hand on her head.
"You didn't disappoint me, Noelle."
"…"
"This outcome is normal. This kind of battle… was never your specialty. In fact, I'd say I'm extremely satisfied with your growth."
"But… I lost…"
"Losing is part of the process. There's no one who never loses."
He paused… then smiled with a hint of arrogance.
"Except, of course, me."
The difference between Noelle and Mordred wasn't talent.
It was experience.
Noelle was strong—absurdly strong—but she was still young.
Her daily life consisted of serving Leon, handling household duties, and occasionally dealing with monsters.
She had never truly been on a battlefield against humans.
Mordred, on the other hand, had grown up in one.
And that made all the difference in a fight.
"I understand… so that's how it is…"
Noelle nodded slowly, absorbing every word.
"Then I'll train in that direction—"
"No."
Leon interrupted immediately.
"You won't."
Noelle blinked in surprise.
"Why…?"
Leon looked straight at her.
His tone was serious.
"Because that's not your responsibility."
"…"
"I don't want you to walk that path."
He raised his hand… gently touching her face.
"I want you to remain who you are. Pure. Kind. Unshakable… but not stained by blood."
To many, those words might sound naive.
But Leon knew that Noelle's strength didn't come only from her defense.
It came from her essence.
And if she were tainted by blood and war, something fundamental would be lost.
"And you don't need to do that."
He spoke firmly.
"You are my shield."
"…"
"Don't take on the role of the sword. Killing… is the responsibility of others."
"But… I want to do more for you…"
"You already do more than enough."
Leon smiled.
"You prepare my tea, organize everything around me, take care of me, protect me… you already do everything, Noelle."
He gently brushed the dust from her face.
His eyes were calm and sincere.
"You are important exactly as you are."
Noelle stood frozen.
Her face slowly began to blush.
"Your Highness…"
Her mind… simply shut down.
The knight who, just moments ago, had faced a brutal battle without hesitation, now could barely stand.
Her heart pounded wildly as her head burned.
This man was far too dangerous.
(End of Chapter)