Chapter 48: Trial IV

The appearance of the heavily armored man had thrown the entire battlefield into chaos.

The knights were struggling to hold their positions, while the masked attackers continued pressing forward. Several merchant wagons had already been damaged, and the horses were becoming increasingly restless.

However, just as the armored man was about to advance, another figure suddenly appeared.

"HAHAHA! How disappointing! I had them perfectly cornered, yet they still managed to put up this much resistance!"

A loud voice echoed through the battlefield.

Everyone turned toward its source.

A man wearing silver armor emerged from behind the merchant wagons. He carried a long sword at his waist, and his armor bore the same golden emblem as the other knights.

The moment the middle-aged knight saw him, his expression changed.

"Captain!"

The newcomer was none other than the Tier 3 Guard Captain mentioned in the trial description.

He had finally made his appearance.

The Guard Captain casually walked forward, looking at the surrounding attackers with an amused expression.

"So, you scoundrels are the ones responsible for this ambush?"

He glanced at the heavily armored man.

"Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused us? If I let you escape, not only will I lose my reputation, but I’ll also have to listen to endless complaints from the merchant group’s representatives."

He sighed dramatically before smiling.

"I was having my beauty sleep yet you fools disturbed me."

"for this you will all die"

His words were accompanied by a sudden release of mana.

A powerful aura spread across the battlefield.

Several nearby knights immediately felt relieved.

With their Tier 3 Guard Captain finally making an appearance, the situation seemed to have turned in their favor.

Even the masked attackers hesitated for a moment.

However, the heavily armored man merely laughed.

"HAHAHA! A Tier 3 expert? Is that supposed to frighten me?"

The Guard Captain tilted his head.

"Oh? You seem rather confident."

He unsheathed his sword.

A powerful mana fluctuation gathered around its blade.

Although he was only a Low-Tier Tier 3 expert, his aura was considerably stronger than that of the other knights. Judging by its intensity, he was already approaching the peak of his current rank.

Liam watched the exchange with interest.

’So that’s the Guard Captain.’

He had been wondering when the man would appear.

However, something about the situation still bothered him.

’The timing is a little too convenient.’

He glanced at the surrounding forest before returning his attention to the two men.

Meanwhile, Miriel leaned slightly toward him.

"Is he strong?"

"He’s reasonably strong," Liam replied casually.

Miriel looked at the Guard Captain again.

"He’s Tier 3, after all."

"That doesn’t automatically make someone strong."

Miriel gave him an odd look but decided not to argue.

The Guard Captain took another step forward.

"Come on, then. Let’s see what you’re capable of."

The heavily armored man grinned.

"Gladly!"

He raised his enormous battle-axe and released his aura.

BOOM!

The ground beneath his feet cracked as a powerful surge of energy erupted from his body.

The surrounding knights were visibly shocked.

"That aura..."

"He’s also a Tier 3 expert!"

The Guard Captain’s smile faded slightly.

The armored man laughed.

"Surprised? Did you really think I’d come here without making proper preparations?"

He tightened his grip on the battle-axe.

"I’m a Low-Tier Tier 3 expert, just like you. The difference is that I’m much closer to the Mid rank!"

The Guard Captain narrowed his eyes.

"Is that so?"

He adjusted his stance.

"Then let’s see whether your strength matches your confidence."

The two men moved simultaneously.

BOOM!

Their weapons collided, producing a tremendous shockwave.

The nearby knights were forced to retreat several steps.

Liam watched the exchange without much interest.

’He’s certainly stronger than the others.’

His gaze followed the battle-axe as it swung through the air.

’But against me...’

A faint smile appeared on his face.

’He’s not particularly impressive.’

Even without using his full power, Liam could tell that the difference between them was enormous.

The armored man might be approaching the mid-Tier Tier 3, but that didn’t mean much when compared to someone like him.

He casually glanced toward Miriel.

"Keep watching. This might be useful experience for you."

Miriel nodded and focused on the battle.

Meanwhile, the two Tier 3 experts continued exchanging blows.

The Guard Captain’s swordsmanship was considerably more refined, while his opponent relied on overwhelming physical strength.

For a while, neither side gained a decisive advantage.

However, Liam soon noticed something.

The Guard Captain was gradually being pushed backward.

’Oh?’

He narrowed his eyes.

Despite possessing better technique, the Guard Captain was struggling to withstand the battle-axe’s tremendous force.

The armored man noticed this as well.

"HAHAHA! Is that all you’ve got?"

He suddenly raised his weapon high.

"Then die!"

A massive wave of energy gathered around the axe before descending toward the Guard Captain.

The latter immediately raised his sword to defend himself.

BOOOOOOM!

A cloud of dust spread across the battlefield.

Several knights held their breath.

When the dust finally settled, the Guard Captain was standing with his sword raised, but his armor had cracked in several places.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

The armored man grinned.

"What’s wrong? Where did all that confidence go?"

The Guard Captain wiped the blood from his mouth.

His expression had become considerably more serious.

Liam watched quietly.

’Interesting. The Guard Captain is weaker than I expected.’

He had initially thought the man would be able to hold his own, considering the title assigned to him by the scenario.

However, it seemed the enemy leader was indeed closer to the peak of Low-Tier Tier 3.

’At this rate, he’ll lose.’

Liam glanced toward the caravan.

He still wasn’t entirely sure what the actual objective of this ambush was.

And more importantly...

’If the original Guard Captain was killed here, then this battle might be the key event behind the merchant group’s disappearance.’

A faint smile appeared on Liam’s face.

’Well, let’s see how much longer this little performance lasts.’