The clamor of falling stones had subsided in Dragonspire Village, as all the boulders were shattered by the green-robed swordsman. Yet, the villagers were too exhausted to focus on the ongoing battle.
"Lord Kazuki, Dragonspire Village is in ruins. What's wrong?" Draven hurried into the manor, only to find Kazuki standing in a daze, trembling. Kazuki soon snapped out of it and rushed towards the warehouse. Draven followed, sensing the urgency.
"Smash!" Before Kazuki could arrive, the debris trapping Haruto, Renji, and Kenji was cleared. Haruto emerged from the rubble as Kazuki, voice trembling, asked, "Uncle Haruto, what happened?"
Haruto explained, "I managed to block some rubble, but one piece still hit young master Renji. I don't think it was too severe."
Renji, despite being covered in blood and visibly weak, managed a faint smile. "I'm fine. Just a cut on my head and some blood loss."
Kazuki's eyes filled with tears as he saw Renji's condition. Haruto wrapped Renji's head with gauze, assuring Kazuki, "Renji's in good health, just needs to recover. He'll be fine with some rest and nourishment."
Kazuki sighed in relief but soon turned his attention to the eastern sky, where a massive earthen giant, over ten meters tall, was battling the green-robed swordsman. The clash of their blows resonated like thunder, showcasing the giant's immense power, surpassing even the previous boulders.
Renji, though injured, watched in awe. "This giant must have been summoned by the gray-robed mage," he deduced.
Kazuki, concerned, asked, "How are you feeling, Renji?"
Renji responded with a weak smile, "I'm alright. Just a bit dizzy."
Haruto warned, "If you lose too much blood, it could be dangerous."
Kazuki addressed Draven, "How bad is the village's condition?"
Draven grimly replied, "The damage is severe. People have died, and many are injured. The disaster struck too suddenly for everyone to take cover."
Kazuki, observing the devastation, noted, "Saint-level combatants wield immense power. The destruction we've seen is just a fraction of their potential."
Kazuki recognized the spell the gray-robed mage had cast: "The legendary earth-style incantation of the tenth rank, 'Guardian of the Realm'. It's one of the most formidable offensive spells known."
Renji, inspired by the battle, eagerly anticipated the magical testing event in autumn. Kazuki instructed Draven to assist with inspecting the villagers and asked Haruto to ensure Renji's safety and recovery.
Haruto agreed, and Kazuki, seeing Renji's fascination with the battle, smiled. "Even injured, you still want to watch. Thankfully, the Saint-level mage's spell means this fight is nearing its end."
Unbeknownst to anyone, Renji's Celestial Dragon Ring, stained by his blood, absorbed the blood and began to emit a faint light, though it was hidden beneath his clothes.