Adopted Soldier

Lyner who has been in the Southern Union for a few days now was about to embark on the most difficult part of this quest of his, leaving the Southern Union with Anita. Entering and leaving the Southern Union by himself was easy, but doing that with Anita at hand was practically impossible.

Knowing all this Lyner couldn't help but feel extremely excited. He who had been bored beyond compare, waiting for a glorious death that might never come, finally feels like he did in the past. When he killed the b*stard that destroyed his unit, he still felt shackled. When he gained power to the point of absurdity he felt even more restricted. The only time he truly felt free was the time, when he was still trying to become strong, while looking for a glorious death.

He had forgotten this feeling of letting go, and doing whatever he wanted. Lyner had a plan to get out of the country and force the Southern Union to give him Anita, but to be able to do this plan, he needed his biggest opponent in the Southern Union not to interfere. This was Arthur Glory the Strongest Saint, and also the oldest living SS rank merc.

...

At this very moment on top of a pyramid like structure in some sort of religious ruin of the Southern Union, stood Arthur Glory who was in a deep meditative state. Lyner was surprise to see an old man who is said to be at least a hundred and fifty standing on top of a single point using only one toe to stand upright.

Sensing his presence the old man opened his eyes and looked at Lyner. After a quick look at Lyner, Arthur jumped down from his position at a height forty feet. The moment he landed there was no sound it was as if he was as light as a feather.

Seeing this one move of his made Lyner extremely excited. Even though age has robbed him of his past strength, Arthur had replaced it with extreme skill.

"Why are you here young one? Why did you come to visit this old man?"

"I'm sure you know why I'm here old man. Still if you want to hear it straight from my mouth, I'll tell you. I want to make Anita my wife, and in order to do that I need you not to interfere with my plans."

Arthur smiled hearing how direct Lyner was. Looking at the boy in front of him, actually reminded him of his youth, back when he was as reckless as this.

"I'm sorry young one, I do know of you and the little girl's feelings, but same as me she is a symbol of the Southern Union, as you are the symbol of Berdonia. If it is for my nation, and its people then sacrificing a love like yours is something I'm sorry to do, but will do."

Lyner smiled his ever vicious smile and started doing some stretching exercises.

"I knew you would say that o Guardian of the Southern Union. If talking doesn't work then I just need to make you submit with power." When Lyner said this his bloodlust rose, and as he was about to take a stance, he lifted his left arm and grabbed something.

With a speed that rivaled his own, Arthur instantly closed the gap between him and Lyner and was about to deliver a decisive blow, unfortunately Lyner was able to react and caught his left arm.

"Oh, you truly are strong young one, but-" Lyner who caught Arthur's left hand, felt a wrinkly old hand touching his lower abdomen. It was at that moment he felt extreme danger, and let go of Arthur's hand, he then felt a massive force pass through his lower abdomen blowing him away.

"You're still inexperienced." That was one of Arthur's ultimate moves, zero impact. As long as he is able to touch an opponent using his arms or legs for about two seconds he could send a massive shockwave through their body. This move was the accumulation of all his years of training. Arthur thinking he had won the battle was about to leave, but then his sense an immense pressure from behind him.

"Hahahaha! What was that old man! That was awesome!" Lyner who was blown several meters away stood up with little to no damage at all, only his clothes were a bit tattered. Arthur was truly surprised to see Lyner stand up after that move that was equivalent of being hit by a large truck.

"You seem surprised old man. I can pretty much guess what you're thinking, how did I survive unscathed? The answer is simple I evaded, the moment I sense danger from your attack I let go of your hand and jumped backwards, evading and absorbing most of the impact. Still that technique you used was interesting, did it go something like this."

Lyner placed his open right palm on a nearby statue, he then twisted all of his joints at the exact same time, and the statue he placed his open palm on crumbled into dust. Seeing that move made Arthur shiver, the accumulation of all his years of training was copied just like that. The old man couldn't help but laugh at the man in front of him.

"That was splendid young one! I now understand why you gained the nickname the monster of the battlefield. I'm sure all the opponents you face only knew despair as they faced a monster such as you."

Lyner smiled at the old man and answered. "You're one to talk old man, aren't you a monster same as me." When Lyner said this, his left cheek was cut and in his hands were stones that he had caught. While the old man was speaking a while ago, he was also attacking Lyner by throwing stones by picking it up with his toes. Lyner was able to catch most of them but was unable to detect one and it was able to bypass his defense.

"Actually in my eyes, aren't you more of a monster than me. Being as old as you and still be so strong." Arthur hearing what Lyner said laughed heartily.

"You're mistaken young one, I no longer have the same strength that I used to have. Being this old my bones and muscles have long deteriorated. Still I might not have the strength that I used to have, but in exchange I gained technique that could rival that strength." Arthur then took a stance, seeing this made Lyner even more excited.

"Very well old man, show me the extent of this so called technique that you have. In exchange I will show you the reason why I'm called the monster of the battlefield." After saying this, Lyner threw away the hidden guns he had on his body, and even the sword he hid on his back. All he was going to use for this battle were the throwing knives that had strings attached to them.

"Arthur Glory SS rank merc, ready for battle."

"Lyner SS rank merc, ready for battle."

The moment they announced their names the tension in the area increased, and treating that as a signal the two charged at each other.. The battle between two of the known strongest alive had begun.