Arnacia's body was quivering lightly. Back on Earth, people spent lots of money on healthcare, all to avoid pain. She wasn't used to any kind of pain. Right now, her face was heated, her throat was dry, lungs choked and stomach burnt. Even her mental shook, as the Lost Artifact wasn't enough to tempt Aciano. She saw the short sword lift to tap on her shoulder.
'This move…'
***
Aciano stood on white tiles, blood slowly flowed up to his metal boots. The high ceiling of the cathedral hall had witnessed the chaotic fight. He breathed heavily as he lifted his short sword. In front of him, a young man bathed in blood was on his knees. They were surrounded by wooden benches that were scattered like rag dolls (a few wooden benches were halfway through the glass windows).
"You die in my hands," Aciano spoke through his metal mask. His body was covered in a grand golden armor that had many dents but was yet to be pierced.
In contrast, the young man was calm. If not for his injuries, it would be impossible to tell he battled Aciano for more than 40 rounds. He shook his head and a gentle smile emerged on his handsome face.
"This is how Alucards fight," the young man said. There were traces of mockery in his tone. The drowsing gas had made this fight difficult for him.
Aciano's heart shuddered for a bit. During the entire battle, this was the first time he heard the young man speak. In fact, he suspected that this was the first time the young man took a breath after entering the cathedral.
"Shame," Alucard lifted his short sword and tapped on the young man's shoulder.
"Hahaha!" the young man burst into laughter. "It seems like the rumors were true. You measure the distance even though this sword is all that you ever use."
***
Arnacia's eyes were half closed, but her focus resumed. Aciano had placed his short sword on her shoulder. She pretended to sway backward. The acting was pathetic, but with her injuries, it looked plausible enough.
Aciano frowned and exerted pressure on his sword. The maid was straight on her knees again. He tapped once and just as he lifted the sword; the maid swayed again.
"The Lost Artifact," he said, and Arnacia slowly opened her eyes. A smirk appeared on his face and he was about to swing when a loud voice interrupted him. He looked back for a brief moment.
"STOP!" Silver Knight Rose roared.
"Tsk," Aciano swung his short sword at Arnacia's throat!
Even before Rose saw the action, she had stopped. Her one foot was extended ahead and her body turned to pull out the sword at her back. It was drawn in a perfect arc.
Whirl! The long sword left her hand and cut through the air as it rotated wildly towards the cloaked person.
An overwhelming sense of crisis buzzed in Aciano's mind just as the sword slipped through the female Knight's hands. It was a longsword to boot! He hurriedly swung his short sword at Arnacia's throat. He did not miss! Blood flowed down the maid's throat and she fell forward.
Next, he turned to face the incoming longsword. There was very little time to analyze the trajectory. He wasn't sure of which way to dodge. The spinning blade possessed an enormous threat. Plus, there was Snowmoon by his feet! The safest way was to face it head on.
Lucky for him, it was only a Silver Knight, and the force was seemingly not something he couldn't face. He tightened the grip around his sword and swung with all this might. Rose gaped at the sight of the two swords clashing.
The difference in lengths of the two swords was huge.
It was a clash of a short sword swung with one hand vs a longsword with unbearable might. And yet the longsword came to a brief halt when it met Aciano's sword. It was pushed back! With a puff, it fell on the green ground.
Aciano breathed heavily through his mask for a few moments. He wasn't afraid to go all out for a few breaths. Even if there were multiple Knights lying in ambush, this battlefield belonged to him.
It was a scary sight to see. Fainted maids were scattered like rag dolls all around the place. Specifically, two maids were lying around Aciano's feet. Isabelle seemed to sleep peacefully, but Arnacia's condition was worse. Blood flowed down her throat.
During the moments when Aciano and Rose's sword clashed, a minor change occurred. For the top, it looked like Arnacia was on her knees with her head touching the ground. But now, she was holding her frock close to her nose. She took multiple breaths through the drenched cloth.
"Punch his mask, poison is in the air!" she said as soon as she could.
Aciano's eyes widened a little and he saw Rose immediately rushed towards him. If he turned back to kill the maid, then the Silver Knight would be on him. The ferocity of the longsword was definitely higher than the level of a Silver Knight. He made up his mind to end the battle before more uncertain variables arise.
The advantages were stacked in his favor. He had a sword, while the Silver Knight did not. The plan was simple: he was going to dodge the punch and directly thrust the sword through his opponent's heart. A mere silver armor couldn't stop his full powered thrust. And if there were other Knights lurking, then it would affect their morale greatly.
"You are not experienced enough," he mocked Rose, hoping to disrupt her flow. This showed his deep battle experience. Complete dominance!
The Silver Knight's punch was already close to his face. He waited for the last second. Rose was sure that her fist would land. This was the moment Aciano moved to dodge. But his feet were suddenly held by the cursed maid!
Duuf! Rose's muscles visibly bulged as she landed the strongest punch of her life. Her bare fists immediately snapped the metal mask as pieces of it flew in the air.
Acinao lost his footing and had to jump away to regain balance. Dust fell from the half metal plate hanging on his face. He snorted and immediately ripped the mask.
"You must be from Queen Afeefa's faction." Acinao probed for more information. "Do you think she can casually interfere in the matter of us Alucards?"
"Silver Knight Rose, pick up your sword," Arnacia whispered, hoping only Rose would hear it. Her head was touching the ground, and she made no suspicious moments.
But Rose directly looked at Arnacia and then at Aciano. She barely managed to not look at her own sword. This fight was too difficult for her! No reinforcements would arrive and she was unsure when the poison would start affecting her body. Time was limited and there was only one thing she could do.
Fight!