To the knight, utilizing everything in one’s disposal is needed to attain victory.

Many years ago…

Inside the alleyway of Lune, leaning their backs on the moss-covered walls, were two cloaked boys. They put up the hood to cover their faces; had under their clothing broken water pipes for weapons.

‘You should go back,’ one of them said. ‘He’s my brother, and you have nothing to do with this.’

‘He’s your brother,’ the other said. ‘You have someone to return to; I don’t. If anyone should go back, it’s you, Kadas.’

‘… As if you’re able to do this alone.’

‘Same to you.’

Kadas let out a short laugh under his breath. He held a fist out. ‘I appreciate the help, Dunnford.’

‘Don’t mention it.’ Dunnford bumped the fist with his.

‘… Will she pass through here?’ Kadas asked. They had been on stand-by there for a while.

‘She will.’ Dunnford was certain. ‘She goes through the alleyway once a week.’

‘Why though?’

‘Doesn’t matter. What matters is that she will—and that we will rob her.’

These two boys were orphans who had been abandoned inside the alleyway of Lune. To survive, they had no choice but to resort to thieving. As of late, their thievery had been more frequent, and that had gained them some attention—which made thieving more difficult.

They had a reason to steal more.

‘… You’re right, doesn’t matter.’ Kadas nodded.

Tap… Tap…

Footsteps echoed through the alleyway.

‘Pretend as if we’re walking through the alleyway,’ Dunnford reminded their plans to Kadas. ‘Act as if you need to tie your shoe and fall behind. We’ll attack from both sides, front and back.’

‘I hear you.’

Dunnford and Kadas began walking.

Afar, in the long; straight section of the alleyway, they could see the woman, their target. She had long white hair and wore a pristine white sanctum’s uniform. The emblem on her shoulder which bore a whale symbol would fetch a good price when sold; and the two swords beside her waist: one long and one short, would be good replacement weapons for further thieving.

As planned, Kadas pretended to tie his shoe and fell behind.

When Dunnford passed by the woman, he felt a shiver coursing through the back of his spine. His instinct was telling him that she was dangerous. However, this danger was expected by him—and he couldn’t back down from this one.

Dunnford turned and took out his broken pipe, holding the makeshift weapon with one hand.

At his cue, Kadas stood up and took out his broken pipe from under his cloak too.

‘Leave your things behind,’ Dunnford threatened the woman. ‘You can then get away unharmed.’

The woman glanced over her shoulder, with pity expressed in her stare. ‘You boys shouldn’t be thieving…’

‘We’re not here to talk. Drop the emblem and the swords,’ Dunnford stated his demands.

‘That bravery should be used for something other than thieving.’

Something about her words enraged them. Someone like her wouldn’t know what it was like living inside the alleyway. Wouldn’t know what it was like living near with Death. However, the two boys didn’t let their emotions take hold of them, for they had an important reason for their now frequent thievery.

‘That was your last warning,’ Dunnford declared.

Both Dunnford and Kadas, at the same time, charged toward the woman from two sides: front and back. Though they were still children, they had advantage in numbers against just one adult. This strategy had been executed many times before; and it had never failed.

Beat her and steal her things. Simple.

Except…

The next thing they knew, Dunnford and Kadas were both looking toward the same clear blue sky, backs on the wet ground, and unable to stand up. The woman didn’t even unsheathe her swords to beat them.

‘Crude,’ she remarked. ‘But I could see why both your fighting styles can work against others.’

Their fate was now entirely up to the woman’s decision. If she chose to hand them to the guards, then they would be punished and imprisoned for a long period of time.

Dunnford could still fight. He could still struggle, though not by physical means.

‘His brother…’ Dunnford uttered, ‘is sick… He needs money for his medicine… and I take advantage of it and dragged him into this… He’s a victim. Just take me and leave him behind.’

Half of it was the truth. Kadas’ brother was indeed sick; and money was required to purchase medicine. However, the part where he claimed to have manipulated Kadas into thievery was a lie. After all, they had decided on this thieving spree together.

If they were both to be imprisoned, no one could take care of Kadas’ sick brother. Hence, at the very least, Dunnford needed to keep fighting so that Kadas wouldn’t be kept away from his brother.

‘Lies…’ Kadas said. He was in the same page with Dunnford: that only one of them should be taken away. But he disagreed on the who. ‘I’m the one who dragged him… for my brother… He’s my victim.’

At this, Dunnford felt a surge of panic. He worried that what Kadas said would get them both imprisoned.

Unexpectedly, after the woman had heard them, she shed a tear.

‘Look at you both,’ she said, her voice slightly wavering. ‘You both grew up in a bad environment; and yet you’re both sacrificing yourself to save the other. I’ve seen and heard enough. You’re both coming with me to the sanctum, the sick brother included.’

Dunnford couldn’t tell whether being forced into the sanctum was a bad thing. However, that meant they weren’t going to be handed to the guards and possibly be imprisoned for their crimes.

When the wave of relief hit Dunnford, his consciousness began to slip.

This was his first of many losses against Ignes.

Someone he couldn’t defeat.

***

Dunnford’s opponent, Haze the spear-wielder, was someone who could defeat Ignes.

Standing in the growing rain, where the winds blew even stronger, Dunnford had failed to defeat Haze there and then when the opportunity had arisen. On this battlefield, two snake monsters still roamed. He could hear the monsters’ destruction along with the screams of pains from the sword worshippers.

Had Dunnford defeated Haze, he could have killed the monsters easily.

I’ve failed, Dunnford thought, but I must continue.

At least, his failure wasn’t a complete failure. Dunnford did manage to inflict a cut on Haze’s upper left arm. That should affect the speed of his thrusts.

‘Let’s do this,’ Haze said.

The spear-wielder stepped in, closing the distance, and unleashed a barrage of thrusts.

Just as Dunnford had expected, his thrusts had indeed gone slower because of the wound he had inflicted. Much slower that, from a distance, Dunnford could see the attacks and evade them with his footwork.

It’s not over yet.

Unlike before, the thrusts had seemingly gotten more precise, more accurate. Each thrust was aimed at Dunnford’s vitals, and the tip of the spear only appeared to be more lethal.

His experience was warning him that speed wasn’t everything. Preciseness could overcome speed; and one of those thrusts could still hit him.

‘SHAA!!’

The raindrops shook when the monster hissed.

In the corner of Dunnford’s eye, he could see Wald, one of the Hawk squad’s members, about to be rushed by the monster.

In a battle against a formidable opponent such as Haze, Dunnford couldn’t afford to be distracted. However, he knew for certain that if he did nothing to help Wald, the man would die. Would victory indeed be victory if the monster killed everyone while he was occupied in his fight?

Winning the fight isn’t the top priority, winning the battle is.

Dunnford stepped back, gaining distance from Haze; and essentially gaining time.

He gathered wind Elemental Magic onto the blade of his sword and swung toward the monster. A blade of wind traveled toward the creature, hitting the scales, and derailing its rush from Wald.

‘You’re not strong enough to avert your attention from me, Dunnford,’ Haze said.

Dunnford realized that Haze had closed the distance; and ready to thrust his spear. There was no time for Dunnford to determine where exactly was Haze aiming his thrust onto. One thing for certain however, if he was stunned and chose to do nothing, that spear thrust would hit.

Thus, not being able to escape with footwork, Dunnford swayed his body to the left.

Haze had aimed his thrust on Dunnford’s head; and because of the sway, Dunnford had escaped death. However, it was with a cost. Haze’s spear, infused with mana, had bypassed Dunnford’s invulnerability, and claimed his good right ear.

He could see the spear-wielder moving his lips, but Dunnford couldn’t hear him.

I have to keep track of the monsters and the spear-wielder to win this battle. Dunnford gritted his teeth to suppress the pain. But that’s not possible…

It was then that Dunnford saw a figure entering the scene.

His eyes widened at the sight.

He knew…

I can focus on my opponent.

***

Wald rested his back on a building’s wall.

He had miraculously avoided the large reptile’s fangs and managed to land an attack between its scales. His sword had been soaked with the monster’s blood; he had succeeded in inflicting damage, a stab. However, the monster’s tail which passed by had hit him.

Wald couldn’t find the strength to stand.

He wished that he could take down one of the monsters, because he believed that if only one monster remained, Brig and the rest of the Hawk squad would be able to deal with the remaining one monster.

Wald coughed blood and made a smile full of sorrow. ‘Ha… I’m pathetic… A small wound was all I could inflict…’

The monster’s sharp ellipse pupil was directed toward him. It sensed that Wald was still alive and seemed to be targeting him.

‘I guess this is it…’

He was about to close his eyes and accept his fate, but someone stood beside him.

She was a young swordswoman with violet hair and amethyst eyes.

‘So the hiss isn’t from my imagination…’ she remarked, placing one hand on her shoulder.