Blue soul flames flickered wildly as an overwhelming pressure spread across the battlefield.
Sam stood at the front.
Beside him...
The Goblin Chief lowered his stance, gripping his weapon with both hands.
The Goblin Mage raised its staff as mana gathered around the crystal at its tip.
Across from them...
Garron smiled.
"So..."
"This is your army."
Sam nodded.
"My first soldiers."
Garron rested his greatsword on his shoulder.
"Then let me see how well a Commander leads."
The duel resumed.
"Go!"
The Goblin Chief charged first.
Its feet pounded against the stone arena.
Just before reaching Garron...
It swung with all its strength.
BOOM!
Garron blocked the attack with one hand.
The impact echoed throughout the arena.
Before Garron could counter—
"Fireball!"
The Goblin Mage completed its spell.
A blazing sphere of fire streaked toward the Sword General.
It exploded on impact.
BOOOOOOM!
Flames engulfed the battlefield.
Sam vanished.
Shadow Step!
He emerged inside the smoke.
"Vertical Instant Slash!"
A blade of compressed mana shot toward Garron's chest.
The smoke suddenly exploded outward.
Garron stepped through the flames.
His armor was blackened...
But untouched.
He swung.
The Goblin Chief barely managed to raise its weapon.
CRACK!
The Chief was thrown across the arena, crashing into a stone pillar.
"Chief!"
Sam rushed forward.
"Attack Chain!"
His sword became a blur.
One strike.
Two.
Five.
Ten.
Every attack flowed into the next without pause.
Garron met every strike with perfect precision.
Steel collided again and again.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
The Goblin Mage raised its staff once more.
"Fire Missiles!"
Six blazing missiles curved through the air from different directions.
Garron looked up.
A grin spread across his face.
"Better."
He spun.
His greatsword created a violent shockwave.
BOOOOOOM!
The missiles exploded before reaching him.
The shockwave blasted across the arena.
Sam crossed his arms to shield himself.
Even so...
He was forced backward several steps.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Combat analysis complete.
Sam's eyes narrowed.
"What did you find?"
His strength exceeds yours.
His speed is comparable to yours.
His experience greatly surpasses yours.
Sam smiled.
"So..."
"I can't beat him head-on."
Correct.
A second message appeared.
Searching for weakness...
...
...
Weakness found.
Sam's eyes sharpened.
"Where?"
His swordsmanship is flawless.
His defense is flawless.
His strength is overwhelming.
However...
He is fighting alone.
Sam looked at the Goblin Chief, who was already climbing back to its feet despite the heavy blow.
Then at the Goblin Mage, preparing another spell.
A slow smile spread across his face.
"I understand."
Garron pointed his greatsword toward Sam.
"Why are you smiling?"
Sam lowered his stance.
"Because I finally realized..."
"...this trial isn't testing who the better swordsman is."
"It's testing whether I'm worthy to lead."
The Goblin Chief returned to his side.
The Goblin Mage stood behind them.
For the first time since the battle began...
The three moved as one.
Garron's soul flames burned brighter.
A proud smile appeared beneath his helmet.
"Excellent..."
"Now you've begun to understand."
He raised his greatsword high above his head.
"Come then, Commander."
"Show me the strength of those who fight for one another."
The decisive clash was about to begin.