Chapter 351: Second Round

"I don’t think that’s necessary," Aron scoffed. He sidestepped the sweeping edge of the Grip of the Vast Wave, his scabbard flicking upward. After a few feints, it came to rest on Sera’s shoulder. "Lady, you’ve lost."

"So long as I’m still breathing, that’s impossible!" The Barbarian switched her greatsword from a slash to a swat, but this Raymond Aron’s combat experience was far greater than hers. He had already anticipated Sera’s limited repertoire and deflected the blow with ease.

"Your companions are already at their limit, and you’re still hiding your strength?" The Half-Elf shot a dissatisfied glance at the Tiffling he was trading blows with. "What are you waiting for?"

Quest blinked, narrowly dodging the other man’s roundhouse kick. "Hey now, my friend, you can’t just accuse people like that. I’m giving it my all just to keep this a draw!"

His explanation clearly failed to convince his opponent, earning him only a cold snort in reply.

"I think that’s enough," Raymond Aron’s words, laced with the power of Command Magic, compelled Sera to finally stand still. "I believe we have our conclusion."

"I’m afraid the Archbishop’s hopes will be dashed. The party rumored to have conquered the Delusional Land lacks the strength to aid our Holy War."

"Hold on, Old Lei!" While Ron and his group weren’t displeased with this outcome—in fact, they’d prefer these disciples of order not come bothering them every other day—the Priest was not having it. She pointed a finger at the panting Andre. "Can’t you see? This kid is clearly not a real member of their team! I don’t even know how he managed to become a Paladin!"

"If he hadn’t disrupted their teamwork, there’s no way we would have won so easily!"

With that, the Priest looked to Ron as if for confirmation. "Lord, I’m not wrong, am I?"

"Regrettably," Ron shrugged, "Andre is one of us. I suppose we truly cannot compare to you..."

"Oh, give it a rest, Lord," the Half-Elf snorted again. "You can’t fool us—at least, not with acting this bad. I haven’t even drawn my weapon, yet he can supposedly fight me to a standstill?"

"Could you guys *be* any more fake?!"

"Or maybe this really is the extent of their strength," the Big-bearded Dwarf said, tossing the spear back to Andre and stroking his beard. "It’s just a large swamp, after all. It’s already unexpected for its conquerors to be this skilled."

From beneath his thick beard, a pair of deep brown eyes sized up Ron. ’Still, there are at least two or three noteworthy people in their party.’

"I agree with your assessment," Aron said with a slight nod. "So, that makes it two votes to two. Lord, what are your thoughts on this outcome?"

"What’s there to think about!" Sera said, shaking out her hand and glaring frustratedly at the Chief Judge. "Ron, they’re looking down on us! I’m going to teach that guy a proper lesson!"

The Barbarian held out her hand. Ron knew what she wanted. After a moment’s hesitation, he took out the Mind Gem and placed it in her palm. "Since our guests haven’t had their fill, and the day is still young, I don’t mind another round."

"Need a break?"

"Are you asking *us*?" Pergrande’s eyes widened as she stared at Ron. "That should be our line!"

"Watch out. We’re getting serious now!"

The Priest kicked her Magic Staff up from the ground, the weapon whistling through the air. "Old Lei, what’s the call?"

"It’s true I haven’t really stretched my muscles since retiring from the battlefield," Aron said, drawing his Longsword. Though the blade gleamed like ice, a heavy stench of blood still drifted through the air. "My Lord, you’ll have to forgive me!"

"You can apologize after you win! Aive!" Sera roared. She leaped into the air, her blade cleaving down with terrifying force!

"Your opponent is me!" The Dwarf dashed forward, catching Sera’s strike on his shield. He unfurled a flail of some unknown material from his hip, which snaked toward the Barbarian’s legs. Quest was once again trading blows with the other Martial Monk, while Aron now faced both Aive and Andre.

The light of Magic and Divine Magic flashed across the combatants. After the initial probing was over, Ron and Victoria both stopped holding back. A barrage of spells enveloped their companions, shoring up their battle line.

But Ron quickly realized that just pinning down those three wasn’t enough!

"My turn!" Seeing that no one could interfere with Ron’s Casting, Pergrande strode forward, swinging her staff. Victoria raised her Kite Shield to intercept, but after just a few exchanges, she found herself breathless under the weight of the impossibly heavy staff.

"This thing is filled with lead! How could that wooden shield of yours possibly stop me?" Pergrande batted away a Scorching Beam-infused arrow from Ron, then reversed her grip on her staff and slammed it into Victoria, knocking her back several steps. "Get out of my way!"

"Aegis of Faith!" Victoria grunted as she retreated, but her spell finished casting. A large Ghost Guardian materialized in front of Pergrande, blocking her path. At the same time, a pink glow shot from Ron’s empty bow, enveloping Pergrande. "Mind Control!"

"You plan to match my strength?" Pergrande laughed, looking at the Arcane Magic glowing around her. "Let’s see how you compare to a demon!"

"One touch is all I need." To Pergrande’s astonishment, the Ron who had been standing rooted to the spot began to fade, while another Ron appeared behind the Dwarf!

"Big Beard, behind you!"

"Lord, you shouldn’t have revealed yourself!" The Dwarf blocked Sera’s overhead chop with his shield, his flail whipping backward as if it had eyes, aiming straight for Ron’s face. "Thinking you can pincer me with just two people—ARGH!"

"You fell for it, Big Beard!" As the Grip of the Vast Wave struck the shield, a stunning psychic shockwave erupted from the blade. Though the physical blow was blocked, the Dwarf felt as if another greatsword had just cleaved deep into his very soul!

"Fear Slash! You—" His spirit shaken and his guard faltering, the Dwarf was struck by an arrow from Ron’s surprise attack. Injured in the shoulder, he staggered back-to-back with Pergrande, barely fending off the subsequent attacks. "You’re a Paladin, too?!"

’A Barbarian from the Northern Lands? A Conquest Oath?’

"I’m not telling you!" Sera sneered, pressing her attack. "Eat my blade!"