"Walter Orthright... How pleasant to see you here. I had hoped that you would have perished in the tragedy that happened in Albatross. But I suppose I am once again disappointed," Tyranus said.
Walter stood with Honor at the ready and smiled at Tyranus.
"You have no idea the things I've seen. The true power that the Black Ooze wields. Tyranus, stop this at once and aid us!" Walter said.
"No. I don't intend to help anyone but myself. The power of the Black Ooze will be mine. You are but an obstacle!"
Walter turned to us and frowned.
"This man is beyond saving. Mizik, Isabella, give me the order and I shall execute him," he said.
"Walter, can you take him?" I asked.
Walter glanced at Tyranus and shook his head with a sad smile.
"I can buy time for the two of you to escape. But I will be giving my life for it. I am sorry...that is all I can do at this point," he said.
Damn it all...
"Guards, please ensure that no one leaves here. I will handle Walter myself," Tyranus said.
"Then it's a duel!" Walter said. "GIGA CRASH!!!!" Walter slammed his sword into the ground where Tyranus had been standing and cratered it.
Tyranus dodged the attack and aimed straight for Walter's throat.
"LIGHT LEGACY!" Walter said. He was cloaked in light and deflected the blow from Tyranus.
Walter swung his sword up and exchanged thunderous blows with Tyranus.
Each strike sent a powerful shockwave that shook the ground.
Unfortunately...Tyranus was much faster.
"PUNISHING STAB!" Tyranus stabbed at Walter several times with Justice before falling back because of Walter's wide and powerful swings.
"You're quite good, Tyranus! Perhaps I should be a bit more serious!" Walter said.
Tyranus darted quickly in and out of Walter's range and managed to land several deep cuts on him.
Walter stepped back and readied his sword.
"STEEL BERSERKER!!!" Walter called out.
Walter was cloaked in a magic field and once again began clashing blows with Tyranus.
Both of their attacks moved so quickly that I couldn't keep up with my eyes.
MY DAD FOUGHT THIS GUY TO A DRAW!?
Walter brought his sword down and split the staircase in two with a mighty crash.
"You bastard. VANDALIZING OUR HOME IS A SIN!" Tyranus screamed.
Tyranus shot forward and slashed Walter several times before kicking him hard in the chest and sending him back.
Walter landed on his feet and readied Honor. As he did, Tyranus rushed towards him. Justice slammed into the flat of Honor and Walter prepared to attack.
"DRAGON'S FEROCITY!" Walter said.
He slashed at Tyranus rapidly with Honor before landing a hit directly on Justice. Tyranus was sent flying back into the destroyed stairs.
"BLOOD PRICE!"
"LIGHT LEGACY!"
Tyranus was instantly upon Walter. He began rapidly slashing him from several angles.
As the strikes repeatedly cut Walter, he swung his sword in a wide arc to force Tyranus back.
"Have you had enough, old man? You seem to be bleeding! Am I not stronger than Ulysses?" Tyranus said mockingly.
"Hah...I have to admit you are. Although, he was far more honorable than you," Walter said.
"Walter! Tyranus is the one that sent my father to Lorelei! He's the one that sent him to die!!!" I shouted.
Walter gritted his teeth and glared angrily at Tyranus.
"You...DISHONORABLE BASTARD!!!" He shouted angrily.
"Oh, please. It's not like I killed him myself. However, I will finish what he failed to do, Albatross filth!"
After he spoke, Tyranus attacked again. Rapidly slashing at Walter as he made efforts to dodge and block.
Eventually, Walter began to slow down and swung his sword down to force Tyranus back again.
Walter stabbed Honor onto the floor to hold himself up.
He was panting hard.
"Walter! Are you alright!?" I called out to him.
"No, Mizik... I'm old. 100 is my level limit... I know I can't win this fight...but I want to show you something... Something important," he said.
"What...?" I said.
"You see, Mizik...each sword is capable of multiple forms. Once you reach level 100, you can release it by reading the runes on the blade once. After that, you can release it freely."
"And he didn't even know that!? What a fool!" Tyranus said.
"I will demonstrate. Mizik, Isabella, you must run away. Live on...and one day, you'll release the true power of your swords!"
You say that like we have the option to run!!!
Walter raised his sword so that it stood straight up.
"I know I've already done this...but allow me to show them. Please. Allow me this, Honor...my old friend... Allow the Overseer to bear witness..." Walter said sadly.
I could see him bleeding profusely from several places.
"HEAR MY CALL! HONOR! HE THAT RESPECTS THINE ENEMY IS THE HONORABLE ONE!!!" Walter shouted mightily.
The blade glowed brightly and changed shape.
It became a massive battle-ax.
"You crazy old bastard! That thing will collapse our beautiful mansion!" Tyranus shouted angrily.
"I don't care about your home. I CARE ABOUT PROTECTING THOSE THAT I LOVE!" Walter shouted.
He brought the ax down and crashed it into the ground.
The entire mansion shook violently and we were all brought to our knees. All except Tyranus, who had jumped out of the way before the impact.
Walter swung the ax swiftly and skillfully around at Tyranus.
Tyranus no longer made any attempt to parry and catch the powerful attacks.
Cassandra seemed to be watching Tyranus very carefully as the fight reached its climax. Arvild looked on in terror.
Tyranus continued to strike at Walter whenever he had the opportunity to do so and eventually Walter retreated back to us.
He seemed to have a renewed vigor and steeled himself for a long battle.
At the same time, I started looking around at the guards.
I didn't want to leave Walter here, but we were doomed to lose this battle from the start... We had no hope of winning and our best option was to retreat.
Unfortunately, the guards seemed ready to strike us as soon as we moved...
Suddenly as I looked around, Tyranus spoke.
"Are you quite finished, old man?" Tyranus said angrily. "I think you've caused enough damage to our lovely home. Perhaps now it's time for you to-"
"DIE, YOU LYING BASTARD!!! ARCANE BALLISTA!!!"
Suddenly a bolt of magic flew past Tyranus and cut him off. The bolt flew straight at an unsuspecting Walter and impaled him through the chest.
Walter coughed up blood and fell backwards.
Behind Tyranus, I could see Cassandra with an outstretched hand and an confused look on her face
"Wait...I missed...? How could I miss!?" She said.
Tyranus looked furious.
"YOU DAMN WENCH! YOU DARE TO DISRESPECT THE SANCTITY OF A DUEL!?" Tyranus yelled. He turned away from us and approached Cassandra.
At the same time...
"WALTER!!!" Isabella screamed as she caught him.
"Mizik! Heal him! Please!!!" She shouted.
I tried to place Vengence on the wound, but it impacted Honor.
Walter shook his head at me and smiled.
"Walter! What the hell are you doing!?" I asked hysterically.
"Mizik...my lord... I know I don't have long left... Listen to me..." He said in a hoarse whisper.
I leaned in close.
"Walter! Why!? Please don't die!!! You're all we have left!!!" Isabella wailed.
"My lady... Do not shed your precious tears for my sake... It has been an honor to serve you... You've grown so beautiful...so strong... To see you hold Bravery...I couldn't be prouder... Mizik, you must take my place as her guardian... End my life. Kill me with your own hand," he said.
"Walter...I could never-"
"Mizik! Without my power, you will die here! End my life...and take my strength. I entrust Honor to you, Overseer...and also, my lady Isabella. It was a pleasure getting to know...such a wonderful young man... Thank you for making Isabella happy. I could never ask you for anything else..."
I fought as hard as I could to hold back the tears to no avail... I cried and gritted my teeth. Isabella wailed and cried on Walter's chest.
"Please...before they take notice... Let my strength guide you to victory..." Walter said.
I hesitantly placed a hand over his heart.
Isabella looked on in despair.
I...I really have to do this...don't I...? Damn it all...I don't want to...but...
I looked at Tyranus while he was still yelling at Cassandra.
I didn't have any time.
"I'm sorry, Isabella... Please forgive me. Arcane Ballista..." I managed.
A bolt of magic shot Walter in the heart.
And then he was gone.
[Until we meet again...Honor. I shall avenge your wielder.]
A message showed up on my status menu.
{You have slain one of the Thirteen Legendary Magic Swordsmen. You have slain: Walter Orthright, Wielder of 'Honor'}
{Calculating exp value based on enemy strength...}
{Exp gained: 20,500,000}
{Level up×50!}
I felt a deep sadness in my heart as my power surged. Isabella was wailing in sadness over Walter's corpse.
I was now level 120. And by default, so was Isabella.
She kept weeping over his body and I grabbed Honor. It reverted back into its normal form and now rested in its sheath.
I placed the sword in my inventory and then stood up.
Walter...I will never forget you. And I promise I will protect Isabella for as long as I live.