One of the bravest knights of Blackstone Territory had fallen just like that?
Who exactly was this wandering swordsman?
The crowd was silent, everyone stunned by the prowess Alex had displayed. Leylo stood at the edge of the throng, having observed the entire battle. He nodded inwardly; this Alex certainly had the skills to back up his talk. His swordsmanship was exquisite, especially his "Fast Sword" style paired with agile footwork, making his offensive both rapid and fierce—a massive advantage in one-on-one combat.
During the fight with Thor, Alex had only used power equivalent to the Knight level, choosing not to suppress Thor with his superior status as an Earth Knight.
"Ed," Leylo spoke.
"My Lord," Ed responded.
"You go give it a try."
Ed nodded, took a long spear from a nearby weapon rack, inhaled deeply, and pushed through the crowd into the circle.
"Ed of Blackstone, here to seek guidance!" Ed held the spear with the tip pointing diagonally toward the ground, his expression solemn.
"Please," Alex replied, maintaining his calm demeanor.
Ed's eyes sharpened. He thrust the spear forward suddenly, the tip darting out like a venomous snake's tongue straight for Alex's face. The spear's advantage lay in its reach; Ed immediately played to his weapon's strength, attempting to keep Alex controlled within his strike range.
Alex remained unruffled. With a subtle shift in his footwork, he easily evaded the spearhead. Simultaneously, his longsword flickered, blooming into a sword-flower that sliced toward Ed's wrist. His movements were incredibly fast; between the flash of the blade, he had already completed a defensive counterattack.
Ed hurriedly retracted his spear to parry. Clang! The shaft and blade collided, producing an ear-grating screech of grinding metal. Ed felt a massive force travel up the spear, leaving his palm slightly numb. He was internally shocked; this man was not only fast but possessed significant strength as well.
The two traded blows, spear shadows and sword light crisscrossing the field. Ed's spear technique was steady and seasoned, every move disciplined and structured. The spear seemed to come alive in his hands—at times like a flood dragon emerging from the sea, at others like a spiritual snake coiling, creating an impenetrable defense around him.
However, Alex's fast sword was more lethal. His strikes lacked any redundant or flashy movements; every thrust sought ultimate speed and precision. He consistently found openings in the gaps of Ed's spear forms, forcing Ed into a frantic scramble.
"Such a fast sword!" "Captain Ed seems to be struggling too!"
The onlookers were dazzled, gasping in amazement. They had never seen such a rapid and sharp style of swordsmanship.
Leylo saw it clearly. Ed's spear style was broad and heavy, emphasizing momentum and pressure—extremely powerful in one-versus-many scenarios or battlefield charges. But in a one-on-one duel against an opponent like Alex, who specialized in speed and technique, he was at a disadvantage. Alex's strikes were highly condensed; not a single movement was wasted, and his power was perfectly calibrated—enough to break Ed's defense without wasting stamina.
This man is a natural-born swordsman, Leylo thought.
The battle lasted about fifteen minutes. Fine beads of sweat appeared on Ed's forehead, and his breathing grew ragged. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't regain the initiative. Suddenly, Alex caught a moment where Ed's spear form had overextended. Moving like a blur—almost as if teleporting—Alex appeared on Ed's left flank and thrust his sword like a bolt of lightning.
Danger bells rang in Ed's mind. He tried to pull back his spear to block, but it was too late. He felt a chill against his left ribs; the tip of Alex's sword was resting against his leather armor.
"You lose," Alex said, withdrawing his sword and stepping back.
Ed looked down at the clear mark on his ribs. He gave a bitter laugh, stowed his spear, and cupped his hands toward Alex. "Your swordsmanship is supreme. I admit defeat."
Alex nodded slightly in acknowledgment. His gaze swept over the hushed Blackstone knights. "Does anyone else wish to offer guidance?"
The square was silent. No one dared step forward. If even Captain Ed had lost, going up would just be inviting humiliation.
Leylo saw that the time was right. This Alex was a rare talent. While his fast sword might be slightly less effective for a frontline charge, he would be an absolute ace in small-scale skirmishes and duels. He stepped out from the crowd and approached the ring.
"This must be Master Alex," Leylo said with a smile.
Alex turned his gaze toward Leylo, his eyes flickering. "That is I. And you are?"
"The Lord of Blackstone, Leylo."
Alex's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He sheathed his sword and bowed slightly. "Greetings, My Lord."
"Your swordsmanship is exquisite; it has truly opened my eyes," Leylo praised. "I wonder what brings you to Blackstone? Did you intend to defeat all my knights and leave me without face?"
"I wouldn't dare!" Alex replied. "I travel the world and heard the knights of Blackstone were valiant. My hands grew itchy for a match, so I set up this ring. I had no intention of embarrassing Your Lordship."
Leylo laughed inwardly. This guy was certainly composed. "You flatter us. Though my knights are brave, they are a step behind a master such as yourself." Leylo shifted his tone to one of regret. "It's a pity. Blackstone is currently in need of talent. If we had a man of your caliber to help us, we would never have to worry about the territory's prosperity."
Leylo had provided the perfect opening. Alex looked moved. His mission was to find a chance to pledge loyalty, and Leylo's proactive recruitment was exactly what he wanted. However, he didn't agree immediately, instead hesitating for a moment.
"I am honored by the Lord's high opinion, but I am used to wandering—"
Leylo smiled and interrupted him. "There is no need for modesty. A hero's origin matters not; so long as there is true skill, Blackstone's gates are always open. Furthermore, I believe a hawk like yourself needs a sky where you can soar freely." He paused, his tone becoming sincere. "Your sword is sharp and swift; you are a rare warrior. If you are willing to join us, I offer you the position of Vice-Commander of the Blackstone Knight Battalion. What say you?"
Vice-Commander! Alex was startled. He thought Leylo would at most offer a standard squad leader position. He took a deep breath, knelt on one knee, and pressed his right hand to his chest.
"Alex is willing to serve Lord Leylo with all my strength!"
Leylo smiled with satisfaction and personally stepped forward to help Alex up. "Excellent! With Alex's help, it is as if we have grown wings!"
"Thank you, My Lord!"
The surrounding knights were surprised, but they quickly offered their congratulations. Their respect for the strong was genuine, and having such a powerhouse join their ranks was undeniably good for Blackstone.