Chapter 218: Escape in the Chaos

Gray watched the scene unfold, his attention shifting between William and Jooquin.

’Well... I think it’s time.’

With Jooquin now focusing his attention entirely on William, Gray began moving away from the battlefield.

Luna immediately noticed his intention.

Her eyes widened, and she tried to shout for help.

Gray reacted before she could make a sound, covering her mouth once again.

"Quiet."

He activated Phantom Cloak.

His body gradually faded from view, and Luna disappeared along with him. Gray was surprised to discover that the cloak’s concealment extended to whatever he was touching, allowing him to hide her presence as well.

’That’s convenient.’

With both of them concealed, Gray slipped away from the battlefield without attracting attention.

The sounds of clashing weapons and shouting gradually grew distant.

Even if the knights somehow managed to defeat the pirates, the survivors would likely be exhausted and weakened. That alone would make them much easier to deal with.

Of course, the pirates seemed more likely to emerge victorious, especially with Jooquin’s overwhelming strength. But Gray had no intention of waiting around to find out.

Luna, however, had other ideas.

She began struggling violently in his grasp, clearly attempting to escape. Gray could feel her trying to gather mana, and her movements were becoming increasingly troublesome.

’Seriously? Can’t you just stay quiet for a moment?’

Growing irritated, Gray released a small amount of his power and struck her with a controlled burst of energy.

Luna’s body went limp.

She had lost consciousness, at least temporarily.

Gray let out a quiet sigh.

"Much better."

He continued moving deeper into the forest, carrying the unconscious mage away from the battlefield.

Meanwhile, William had already launched his next attack.

His golden aura surged around him, and he charged toward Jooquin with his sword raised. The brilliant light of his Fifth Stage power illuminated the battlefield as his blade descended with overwhelming force.

Jooquin’s expression sharpened.

"Oh?"

He raised his curved sword and met William’s attack head-on.

CLANG!

The collision sent sparks flying into the night.

For the first time since their confrontation began, Jooquin’s feet shifted slightly under the force of William’s strike.

Jooquin’s grin widened as he felt the force behind William’s strike.

Instead of being pushed back, he began releasing his own aura.

A crimson glow erupted from his body, rapidly spreading across the battlefield. Unlike William’s radiant golden aura, Jooquin’s presence was oppressive and sinister. It carried an overwhelming killing intent that made the surrounding pirates instinctively step away.

The air seemed to grow heavier.

William’s expression changed as he felt the murderous pressure pressing against him.

Behind Jooquin, the crimson aura began to take shape.

A gigantic skull emerged from the swirling energy, its hollow eye sockets glowing ominously. Its jaw opened as though it were silently laughing at the knights standing before it.

William felt a chill run down his spine.

’What is this aura...?’

It wasn’t merely intimidating. The sheer killing intent contained within it seemed to threaten anyone who dared approach.

Jooquin noticed William’s reaction and laughed.

"What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you’re frightened already?"

He raised his curved sword, allowing the crimson aura to coil around its blade.

"Since you’ve shown me your strength, I suppose I should introduce myself properly."

His grin grew wider.

"I am Jooquin, the Skull Cruiser!"

The massive skull behind him seemed to open its mouth even wider, its terrifying presence spreading across the battlefield.

"Remember that title well, knight. It’s the name given to the man who has sent countless fools to their graves!"

William gritted his teeth and held his sword firmly.

He had already realized that Jooquin was far more dangerous than he had initially imagined.

And now, the pirate captain was finally showing him the full extent of his power.

But, William refused to back down.

Despite the oppressive killing intent surrounding him, he steadied his breathing and raised his sword. The golden aura enveloping his body grew brighter, gathering along the blade.

"Your title means nothing to me!"

He stepped forward, his eyes filled with determination.

"I am William, a knight serving the Marquis! As long as I still stand, I will fulfill my duty!"

His sword suddenly flashed.

"Golden Crossblade!"

William’s blade swept forward in a powerful cross-shaped strike, the golden energy cutting through the night.

Jooquin barely moved.

With a casual flick of his curved sword, he intercepted the attack.

CLANG!

The golden energy scattered like sparks.

"That’s it?"

Jooquin looked almost disappointed.

"I’ve killed countless knights like you. All of them had the same expression on their faces, too. That foolish determination... that belief that their duty somehow makes them special."

His grin widened.

"And yet, they all died the same way."

William’s expression twisted with anger.

"Shut your mouth!"

He attacked again.

His sword moved rapidly, unleashing a series of powerful slashes infused with golden aura. Each strike was aimed at a vital point, and his technique was far more refined than that of an ordinary knight.

But Jooquin continued to deflect them with astonishing ease.

The pirate captain barely needed to adjust his stance. He simply redirected William’s attacks, occasionally stepping aside to let a blade pass harmlessly by.

"Still trying?"

Jooquin chuckled.

"You’re making this rather boring."

William gritted his teeth and launched another attack.

This time, Jooquin finally moved.

His curved sword swept forward in a smooth, almost effortless motion.

"Skullbreaker."

The crimson aura surrounding his blade condensed into a terrifying arc.

William’s eyes widened as he attempted to block.

BOOM!

The impact shattered his defensive stance.

His sword was knocked aside, and the crimson slash tore through his armor, leaving a deep wound across his body. Blood splashed onto the ground as he staggered backward.

"Ugh...!"

William fell to one knee, struggling to remain conscious.

Several surviving mages immediately rushed toward him.

"Captain William!"

They began chanting, their hands glowing with brilliant white light.

"Holy Magic: Healing Light!"

The sacred energy flowed into William’s wounds, slowing the bleeding and gradually restoring his strength.

Jooquin clicked his tongue.

"Tsk. You’re still trying to save him?"

He raised his curved sword and pointed it toward the mages.

"How annoying."

The crimson aura around him surged once more.

"Do you really think I’ll let you heal him?"

William staggered to his feet as the healing magic finished closing his wounds. Although his armor was damaged and his body still ached, he immediately raised his sword and stepped forward.

"Your opponent is me!"

Jooquin burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha! Very well! I’ll kill you first, then deal with the rest of them!"

He raised his curved sword, the crimson aura swirling around its blade.

"And that beloved mage of yours? I’ll make sure she dies as well."

William’s expression darkened.

Before he could respond, Jooquin suddenly lunged forward.

His curved sword swept through the air, leaving behind a crimson trail. William hurriedly raised his weapon to block, but the impact sent him stumbling backward.

’This guy...’

William’s eyes widened.

’He deliberately held back his strength when fighting the sea serpent!’

The realization made his heart sink. Jooquin had been hiding much of his true power during the earlier battle, and now William was facing the full extent of it.

Jooquin’s grin grew wider.

"What’s wrong? You’ve become awfully quiet!"

He continued pressing forward, his attacks growing more relentless. William desperately tried to defend himself, but each strike forced him farther back.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

William’s golden aura flickered as he struggled to keep up. He attempted to counterattack whenever an opening appeared, but Jooquin effortlessly redirected his blade and retaliated.

Another slash struck William’s armor.

Then another.

Blood began soaking through the damaged plates.

William gritted his teeth and swung his sword with everything he had.

"RAAAAH!"

But Jooquin simply tilted his body aside.

In the same motion, his curved sword flashed.

William barely saw the movement.

A clean slash passed through his right arm.

For a brief moment, he felt nothing.

Then—

"AAAAAGH!"

His right hand, still gripping his sword, fell to the ground.

Blood sprayed from the severed limb as William stumbled backward, clutching the stump with his remaining hand. His face twisted in agony, and his knees nearly buckled beneath him.

Jooquin stood before him, smiling broadly.

"Hahaha! And there it is!"

He casually shook the blood from his blade.

"Looks like this is the end for you."

Turning toward his crew, he raised his voice.

"Finish off the remaining knights! Don’t leave anyone alive!"

A pirate nearby glanced toward the severely wounded William.

"What about him, Captain?"

Jooquin looked down at the knight, who was still struggling to remain conscious amid the blood pooling beneath him.

"Leave him."

He turned away, seemingly losing interest.

"He’s already finished. He’ll die on his own soon enough."