Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 588 Breakthrough
The running "Ska" seemed oblivious to everything and continued charging forward, as if determined to fight to the death.

"If you're so stubborn, then I'll have no choice but to take your head to report back."

The leader waved his hand to give the order, and the soldiers guarding the city gate, regardless of their inner thoughts, obeyed and stood ready for battle.

'So what if you're strong and experienced? When the big tree falls, you're nothing more than dust to be buried with it.'

As Angelo's trusted henchman, Luke has always disliked Ska. Factional strife is certainly a factor, but is this the second reason?

It can only be said that jealousy and envy of talent are indeed human nature.

Now that the other party is down on their luck, how can we not kick them when they're down?
As for whether he, Ska, was wrongly accused?

Is it important?

In the blink of an eye, the two sides were only a few steps apart. The front guards stood tall with shields, while Luke himself leaned forward with his body low, like a fully drawn bow or a venomous snake poised to strike.

He gripped his longsword tightly, pointing it forward like a drawn bow, or the fangs of a viper.

With superior numbers and the opponent already injured, how could they possibly lose?

Sorry, it seems like we really can't win...

The guards sensed something was wrong as soon as they made contact with the enemy. The mere shield wall was no match for them. As they got closer, the enemy suddenly accelerated and charged. A heavy stomp on the shield caused the shield-bearer to fall backward, creating a gap in the formation.

"Ska" took the opportunity to leap into the air, maneuvering and parrying the attacks of the crowd in mid-air where there was nowhere to gain leverage, and was completely unharmed amidst the flashing swords and shadows.

Just as it was falling, the lurking venomous snake finally bared its fangs.

As arrogant as ever, does he think I don't exist?

Luke sneered inwardly, the unpleasant memories of his past encounters flooding his mind, and he clenched his teeth as he thrust his longsword three times faster.

"That mad dog Luke is both stupid and ferocious. He's capable, but he's also snobbish and has vicious teeth."

Not far from the city gate, two figures appeared out of nowhere from the throng of onlookers. Dressed as ordinary adventurers, they were talking in hushed tones:

"After this unexpected turn of events, this guy probably thinks he's climbed up a high branch and is now strutting around like a madman."

"Why rush things? Just wait and see what the future holds."

The camera pans back to the battlefield, where Luke's sharp sword strikes straight at "Scar's" waist. This spot is not only where the armor connects, but also the fulcrum for all aerial maneuvers, making it unavoidable.

What happened next made him doubt his own eyes. His sure-fire sword strike was neutralized by his opponent with a mere spin, his movements as light and graceful as the elf rangers of the woodlands.

Are you even human?!
He's even wearing full armor!

There was no time for him to continue his resentment. "Ska" twisted his waist and landed, then spun around and unleashed a slash that struck Luke with a cold light amidst his bloodshot eyes and horrified expression.

Swift as the wind, fast as thunder, this is truly unavoidable.

Luke stood there, waiting until the other party passed him and, with the ferocity of a tiger among sheep, beat the guards into a bunch of bear goblins crawling all over the ground before collapsing to his knees in despair.

From the right chest to the left abdomen, the armor was split open from the front, revealing a crimson slit. Blood flowed from the wound, dripping to the ground and soaking into the earth below the knees.

Thankfully, I'm still alive. Goddess of Fortune is watching.

Luke's hands trembled as he reached for the pouch at his waist containing healing bandages. He turned his head to check on Scar's whereabouts and, seeing that the other party had no intention of returning to eliminate him, ordered his subordinates, whose injuries were less severe, to remove their armor and bandage him.

As for the wanted individuals, have they already broken through the blockade and reached the Wanlong Bridge entrance?
This is no longer something he can control.

"Useless trash, stop him!"

"Don't let that thief get away!" Two figures rushed over. They were of different heights, one tall and one short, and their voices were that of a man and a woman with very strange accents.

It was the man in black who had escaped the crowd.

Luke's heart, which had just settled, jumped again as he nervously looked at the two people rushing towards him.

He had already experienced Ska's prowess firsthand, but how powerful must the other party be to relentlessly pursue and kill him?
However, nothing happened; the men in black completely ignored them and didn't linger for even a moment.

Its speed surpassed that of a galloping horse, and it finally intercepted its target on the winding dragon bridge.

"Quick, hurry up and follow them."

Seeing that the two sides were already engaged in close combat, Luke, who had just finished bandaging his wounds and hadn't even had time to put on his armor, hurriedly gathered the remaining guards who were still able to move and prepared to catch up.

"Captain, none of these are things we can handle..."

One of the bodyguards, who was known for his keen observation and resourcefulness, spoke cautiously in a low voice.

"Do I look foolish enough to make enemies of both of them?"

Luke stood up and glared at his little brother, half-coercing and half-urging everyone to join the pursuit.

"The traitor who murdered the Grand Duke escaped right under our noses. Neither of us can escape responsibility."

“Those two are powerful figures invited by Lord Angelo. As long as we capture the traitor Ska, our ambush will also be a great achievement.”

With both sticks and promises, the remaining soldiers were half-believing and half-doubting, but had no choice but to muster their courage and follow.

They moved slowly and deliberately, each of them taking three steps back. Luke was extremely anxious and waved his arm to urge everyone forward to speed up, but he himself stubbornly stayed in the center of the group.

Everyone knows the difference between teaching me and teaching me; who would accept that?
They dragged themselves closer to the battlefield; the battle was drawing to a close.

The man in black held a strange weapon with a scroll-like hilt, a straight blade, and a curved tip. The entire weapon was deep black, but it faintly emitted a ghostly blue light.

It appears to be a weapon from Karatu?
The man wore a mask to conceal his face, but his attacks were swift and fierce, each strike aimed at vital points, forcing "Ska" to retreat steadily, barely managing to hold on by relying on his agile footwork.

The woman beside him held two daggers, moving forward and backward, probing the enemy.

"They are really amazing. I feel like I am no longer worthy of the name Ska."

The two commentators who were in the crowd earlier had somehow reappeared on the banks of the Chongsa River, watching the spectacle unfold on the bridge.

"You're joking. Murphyrin is just imitating your swordsmanship. As for Yunero, he was one of the top sword masters in the plane he was born in."

“Your comforting words are not very convincing. I have been practicing for decades, and he has learned almost everything in just one night.”

"That's just how unreasonable magic-like superpowers are, you'll get used to it."

As the two discussed, the spectacular performance by several sword-fighting artists on the bridge came to an end.

"Ska" fought against the enemy for several rounds, but eventually, his defenses failed him. Just as he was desperately parrying a tricky slash from the black knife, the female assassin closed in and struck his side with two daggers.

In the nick of time, "Ska" turned around and used his left hand to snatch the dagger, but was still stabbed in the abdomen.

Seemingly provoked, "Ska" simply used his bare hands to lock the double blades in place with his abdomen, and before his opponent could withdraw his hand, he pierced through his left rib with a single sword.

It turned out that both sides suffered heavy losses.

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