The battle within the Veridan estate was swift and violent. The shadows that cloaked the night had only grown deeper since the first alarm, and now the air buzzed with the sound of steel clashing against steel. The elite guards—men Lukas had personally trained—were locked in a deadly struggle with the assassins sent to kill him. However, it was clear that these assassins were not ordinary opponents.
Lukas's elite troops, though skilled and disciplined, were outmatched by the assassins' higher cultivation levels. The assassins moved with eerie precision, their every strike faster and more devastating than the guards anticipated. Despite their rigorous training, the guards were being pushed to their limits, their movements slowing under the relentless assault. Lukas could see the cracks forming in their defense.
"This isn't working," Lukas muttered under his breath, his mind racing. His troops needed more power. They weren't prepared to handle enemies of this caliber. The assassins' cultivation levels were beyond what his guards could handle, and even with the tactical discipline they had developed, brute power was winning.
---
Zane fought nearby, his twin short swords gleaming in the moonlight as he parried and struck back at one of the assassins. His movements were fluid, honed from years of combat. He was at Level 4 of Ether Awakening, his enhanced reflexes allowing him to keep pace with his opponent. But even Zane, with all his skills, was struggling to land decisive blows. The assassins were simply faster, their cultivation pushing them beyond the limits of normal combat.
"Damn it!" Zane cursed as he narrowly dodged a strike aimed at his throat. "These guys are no joke!"
Lukas, his mind sharp with the influence of the system, assessed the battlefield. Marcus was holding his own, his movements powerful and commanding. At Level 7 of Ether Awakening, Marcus's strength and combat experience were undeniable, and his swordsmanship was precise and deadly. With a single swing, he cleaved through the defenses of one of the assassins, but even he was being pushed to the edge.
"These assassins…" Marcus grunted as he parried another strike. "Their cultivation… It's higher than any normal opponent we've faced."
Lukas could sense it too. The assassins' movements weren't just refined—they were bolstered by higher-level cultivation techniques. The assassins were at Level 6 of Ether Awakening, and though they were skilled, it was their cultivation that gave them the upper hand.
---
Lukas turned his attention to the assassin coming toward him. He felt the surge of energy from the system, the familiar hum of his Ether Shield encasing him in a protective barrier. He was now at Level 6 of Ether Awakening, and the system had granted him Enhanced Reflexes and Combat Insight, skills that allowed him to predict his enemy's movements.
The assassin moved quickly, their blade aimed at Lukas's chest, but Lukas was faster. His saber flashed in the moonlight as he deflected the strike with ease, his Combat Insight kicking in just as the assassin prepared a second strike. Lukas stepped to the side, his movements fluid, and struck back with a vicious counter.
The assassin staggered, surprised by Lukas's speed and precision. "You're not as weak as they said," the assassin hissed, but Lukas didn't respond. He moved again, this time faster, his saber cutting through the assassin's defenses. With a final, decisive blow, Lukas struck the assassin down.
But as he looked around, it was clear that the battle was still far from over. The elite guards were struggling, and though they were holding their ground, they wouldn't last much longer. Lukas's heart sank as he realized that, despite all their training, his men weren't prepared for this level of combat.
"Zane! Marcus!" Lukas called out, his voice steady but urgent. "We need to finish this."
Zane nodded, his eyes narrowing as he focused on his opponent. With a renewed sense of determination, Zane launched into a series of strikes, his twin short swords cutting through the assassin's defenses. Marcus, with his higher level of cultivation, dispatched his opponent with a powerful downward strike, his experience and strength overpowering the assassin's speed.
The tide began to turn as Lukas, Marcus, and Zane worked together to eliminate the remaining assassins. It was a brutal and exhausting fight, but eventually, the assassins lay dead at their feet. The elite guards, though battered and bruised, stood victorious, but Lukas knew that victory had come at a cost.
---
As the dust settled, Lukas surveyed the battlefield, his mind already turning to the next step. His men had fought bravely, but the assassins' higher cultivation levels had nearly overwhelmed them. If they had faced more opponents like this, the outcome might have been different.
"These assassins were stronger than anything we've faced," Lukas said, his voice grim. "Our men aren't ready for enemies like this."
Marcus, still catching his breath, nodded in agreement. "They were too strong. We need more than just training to keep up with enemies like this."
Lukas's mind raced. His men needed more power, and there was only one way to ensure that—cultivation. He had already begun creating pills to boost his own cultivation, but now it was clear that his entire elite force needed the same.
"I'll start working on the pills," Lukas said, determination in his voice. "We need to boost their cultivation, fast."
Zane, leaning against a pillar, smirked. "Looks like the alchemist in you is about to get busy again."
Lukas grinned, but it was a grim smile. He knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but it was necessary. His men needed to be stronger, and he would make sure they got there.
---
Meanwhile, in the Royal Court
While Lukas was making preparations for his next move, the Advisor and Prime Minister Helien were working to regain control in the court. The advisor, who had remained largely in the shadows, was far from defeated. Her cunning and intelligence made her a formidable opponent, and she had powerful connections.
The prime minister, too, had his own plans. Though he and the advisor were aligned for now, both sought power for themselves. Lord Helien was smart and ruthless, and his attacks on the Veridan household were part of a broader plan to cripple the noble houses and ensure his dominance.
But now, both the advisor and the prime minister were growing wary of Lukas. His influence was growing, and his victories on the battlefield had made him a rising star in Valeria. The king, too, was beginning to see Lukas as a threat.
---
As the advisor and the prime minister plotted their next move, Lukas returned to his chambers, his mind focused on the future. He knew the battle was far from over, and with the forces aligned against him, he needed to stay ahead.
But one thing was clear—the assassins who had attacked him before were not just sent by the advisor, the prime minister should be in on it as well.