Volume 1: «Preparation»
Chapter 36: «Gryphon Eyes (Part 3)»
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The knights synchronously took their positions, and prepared to attack Einar from different directions. Their teamwork seemed coordinated and honed, all moving swiftly and fluidly, intuitively sensing each other's actions.
— Three to one! — Orion shouted, moving toward the relaxed Einar, readying his practice sword for the stabbing.
Hearing his command, two more knights followed him, flanking the enemy from different sides. Perhaps the amateurs would have thought it more advantageous to attack Einar all together at once. The problem is that a maximum of five men would still be able to do it comfortably, and that under certain conditions.
A strong enemy is best attacked in succession and one at a time, but quickly and sharply, so as not to give a chance to counterattack. If you rush the crowd on the demigod of fire, it is quite possible to die with the whole squad from a single attack on the area.
In this case, Orion's plan is to attack first in a small group and force Einar into an inconvenient position. If successful, the rest of the knights will follow, looking for points and angles to hit the enemy's weaknesses.
The knights did not hold out much hope for the success of this combat scheme, it was rather the only real opportunity to show an effective attack, all other tactics were much worse... Generally, it was foolish to expect to win against a demigod, even if there were a hundred knights here. A demigod, especially a fire, only needs to use the energy of a divine spark over a large area and any tactic would immediately turn into garbage...
The only thing that pleased the knights of the special squad was that Einar obviously had no intention of killing them. Most likely, he wouldn't even use fire energy...
— Good tactic, too bad it won't help them anyway," Ilmira said as she watched Orion try to stab Einar with his training sword.
As if to confirm her words, the next moment something happened that none of the knights expected. Instead of ducking or blocking the blow, Einar moved like a supple snake to retaliate... The man dodged the sword closely, twisting to the side, and then abruptly shortened his distance with Orion.
The plan would have been for Einar to dodge, falling back or to one of the two sides, where the other two knights were already waiting for him. After that, the initiative would have gone to the attackers...
But that was not what he did at all, instead the man ducked forward, making minimal movements... And then with his prosthetic left hand, he grabbed Orion by the clothes on the side of his back. Taking a strong stance, and a moment later threw the head of the squad of knights toward one of the two knights who were trying to outflank him from the side.
— Minus two, now it's a one-on-one fight," Aaron said with a nod.
Thus, with a minimum of effort, Einar was able to turn a three-to-one disadvantage into a regular duel. When Orion collided with his comrade, causing them both to roll a couple of meters, the remaining knight froze in place, unsure of what to do.
Obviously, attacking Einar alone is a lost cause, and there is simply no chance of a productive confrontation. However, there is no place to wait for help for a while, since the rest of the knights are still quite far away and unable to help him.
In addition, the opponent was not going to stand by and wait to be attacked, instead he decided to take the initiative in his own hands, and while there is an opportunity, take the lone knight out of the equation.
— Father, stop doing nonsense," Aaron said loudly, just before Einar kicked the lone knight left alone.
He could have seen the duel through to the end, but even in the beginning, with only a couple of moves, Einar had clearly demonstrated the difference in experience and fighting mindset between him and the knights. It's no surprise, since that's what Aaron's father specializes in during battles. Unlike Bradomir, who often takes on brute strength and power, Einar fights using a cold mind, tactics, and calculation.
He is neither as fast nor as exaggeratedly powerful, so he makes up for it with precision and combat cunning. Also, with his slender and graceful build, Einar is also very flexible, good at dodging, and using unorthodox moves in combat that stump an opponent who doesn't know how to react properly.
— Why is it nonsense, it's called training," Einar replied, lowering his leg to strike.
— It's too soon for the boys to be undergoing such training," Aaron brushed him off. — You'd better come with me, and I'll show you something interesting...
— Hmm, did you make it? — There was a shred of doubt in Einar's voice.
— Of course, who do you think I am," the son smiled. — Not everything is smooth, of course, but on the whole, the plan succeeded...
— Okay, you guys can go now," Aaron's father announced, and then he turned his gaze toward Orion. — I think you should come with us...
— Okay," he said as he got up from the ground and shook off the snow from his clothes. — Next time, please don't throw me around like that...
Einar paid no attention to the words of the head of the squad of knights, and dimensionally headed towards Aaron and Ilmira.
— A little later, we can arrange a duel, dear," said Ilmira with a bright smile. — Just like in the good old days, and now you can't dodge the fact that you've become disabled.
— Not that, dear, I'm not used to prosthetics yet. I don't think that's such a good idea," Einar froze in place, judging by his facial expression, he didn't like his wife's idea at all.
However, he can be understood, the man is a skilled and powerful fire demigod, but despite that, his wife is still stronger. In addition, Ilmira is a lightning demigod, which gives her a huge advantage in a duel. And let's not forget who her father is...
Bradomir raised Ilmira alone, the only one who helped him was the steward Earl... So it's not hard to guess who they ended up raising...
On Aorzorun, strength is at the head of the clan, but even so, despite the fact that the head of the clan can rarely but a woman, in this case, still the way of society is closest to the patriarchal... Women are protected, so they are less likely to participate in battles, and because of this it is harder for them to become famous and earn battle feats... In general, men end up being stronger than women...
This stereotype does not apply to the Bach clan, though, as Ilmira will give many men a head start in combat. Before Balthazar awakened the divine spark, Bradomir was seriously considering making his daughter the head of the clan...
— Time is of the essence. Come along, Aaron said angrily, he wanted to show off his creation as soon as possible...
— Right, let's go," Einar nodded accordingly, glad that he could, at least for the time being, avoid a fight with his wife.