Oscar stood like an insurmountable wall on the other side of the battlefield. The familiar calm, decisive, and formidable enemy exuded an air of invincibility, as if he were the most solid fortress on the field. Arthur's heartbeat quickened. He knew this duel was not just a clash between two armies but a fated battle between him and Oscar.
"Do you want to end it all?" Arthur murmured softly, fire burning in his eyes.
Without another word, Arthur's steed galloped forward, his sword flashing like lightning, an overwhelming force charging toward Oscar. Oscar met the oncoming assault with unwavering resolve, his eyes showing no sign of hesitation, his demeanor as solid as steel.
"You are not worthy to lecture me," Oscar said coolly, raising his own sword to meet Arthur's strike.
The swords clashed, and the sound of steel meeting steel was like thunder, the shockwave almost throwing them off balance. Arthur felt a deep pain in his chest, each heartbeat seeming to strike him like a hammer. But he did not retreat. He knew that at this moment, he could not falter.
Oscar's sword was sharp and swift, each strike seeming to slice through the air itself. Every block Arthur made took immense strength, and his muscles began to show signs of fatigue. But his resolve kept him moving forward.
"Do you think you can change anything?" Oscar sneered, his voice cold. "I've been on this battlefield long enough to know how to end it all."
Arthur's heart skipped a beat. Oscar's words struck him deeply, like a heavy blow. He knew Oscar spoke the truth. The merciless nature of the battlefield broke anyone's spirit. Every struggle, every fight, was for an unpredictable outcome. But Arthur had no regrets. His gaze hardened, and he gripped his sword tighter.
"I will fight for my beliefs, even if it means death. I will not retreat," Arthur said in a low, yet powerful voice.
These words ignited the fire within him, and his sword exploded with fiery determination. He lunged forward, aiming directly for Oscar's heart. Oscar's eyes briefly flashed with surprise, but he quickly responded, blocking the strike with his sword.
The two of them continued to clash fiercely, their swords dancing through the air, creating a symphony of wind and steel. Arthur's every strike was filled with killing intent; he wanted to end it all, to secure the final victory for his forces. Oscar, like an unmoving iceberg, remained calm, using precise swordplay to deflect Arthur's onslaught.
Their swords collided again and again, ringing out with a metallic clang. The shockwaves from the strikes made the surrounding air tremble. Arthur's heart was filled with fury and pain, but his eyes still burned with an undying flame.
Finally, during one of his attacks, Arthur's sword slammed into Oscar's armor, sparks flying. Oscar's defense wavered just enough for Arthur to seize the opportunity, his blade piercing through the defense and heading for Oscar's abdomen.
However, Oscar reacted quickly. He withdrew just in time, using his sword to catch Arthur's blade, twisting it away, and deflecting the attack. Immediately after, Oscar launched a fierce counterattack, his sword cutting toward Arthur's shoulder.
Arthur swiftly spun, narrowly avoiding the fatal blow, but still felt the sharp pain of the cut on his shoulder. Pain surged through him, but he gritted his teeth, holding back the agony, his eyes showing no sign of retreat.
At that critical moment, from the city walls, Matul's sharpshooter Yuri Karlsson saw an opening. He released an arrow, which flew swiftly and accurately, striking Oscar in the shoulder. The arrow hit its mark, and Oscar was thrown from his steed, crashing heavily to the ground. The battlefield erupted in chaos, the shouts of soldiers blending into a deafening roar. However, in that instant, it felt like time stood still for the forces of Leon. The news of the general's fall quickly spread, causing a slight hesitation among the soldiers.
"General!" Deputy commanders Erik Loyer and Damon Hawk rushed to protect Oscar's fallen form. They shouted orders, urging their men to form a defensive circle to shield Oscar from Arthur's advancing forces.
Arthur quickly noticed Oscar's injury and immediately spurred his steed forward, aiming to wipe out the enemy's core commander. His cavalry followed closely behind, cutting through the Leon lines like a sharp dagger. Arthur's sword swung with deadly precision, taking down several Leon soldiers, but there were still a few steps left before reaching Oscar.
Oscar, struggling through the pain, pushed himself up from the ground. His vision blurred with blood, but he remained calm, directing his forces to continue the assault.
"General, we need to move quickly!" Damon said in a low voice, using his shield to block Arthur's forces. Erik commanded the soldiers to form a spearwall, trying to stop the cavalry's charge.
Arthur, seeing Oscar surrounded by layers of soldiers, felt a surge of urgency. He swung his sword with all his might, trying to break through. He could almost see Oscar's retreating figure, but the general's guard tightly surrounded him, blocking his path. With a furious shout, Arthur swung his sword, but could not break through the shielded defense.
Finally, with Erik Loyer and Damon Hawk's help, Oscar was escorted to a safer area behind the lines, and the Leon soldiers quickly formed a barrier to prevent Arthur's forces from pursuing further.