Imperial Crown.

Chapter 259 It hurts, it hurts too much!
Many thanks to the reader dad [Fish Questioned by Water] for the 2 rewards!

Many thanks to the reader dad [Meteor Falls] for the 2 rewards!

……

The colossus began to dissolve, turning into a silvery steam-like mist that continued to rise, and blood was flowing under Eric.

There was silence.

The spectators had seen many battles and had seen death, but such a direct, tragic death that lasted until the end still brought a huge impact.

In particular, Eric is also the representative of the Griffith Family, the organizer of this conference!

"The winner..." Ingra's voice was a little distorted. He forced himself to cheer up and raised his voice: "The winner——"

But at this moment, a low cry of surprise came from the audience seats.

The maids who were shuttling around the sidelines delivering drinks, the iron trays in their hands began to vibrate and shift toward the center of the field, with the drinks and food on them falling all over the ground!
"What are you doing? Is Eric your lover? He..."

Some people were complaining, but they stopped immediately because Eric's body was undergoing amazing changes inside the field!

The original steel giant-like image gradually melted away, revealing the original azure color of the misty iron armor. However, the steel fighting spirit that was steaming like clouds did not dissipate, but began to condense behind Eric. There was no human outline, but instead a clear shadow of armor!
On the ground, iron filings mixed in the soil floated into the air.

“Wu, Wuhun——!?”

Someone shouted in surprise. The arena suddenly became lively and the nobles talked among themselves.

Viscount John, who was about to leave, stopped, turned around, and looked at Eric with eyes full of emotion.

As someone who has been through it, he knows how difficult it is to awaken the martial soul. The body, fighting spirit, and spirit must all reach the most perfect and extreme state before there is a possibility of awakening.

In the history of imperial wars, there are many precedents of awakening martial spirits in battle.

But once you’re over 40 and your body starts to weaken, this possibility drops drastically.

There is even a proverb that has been passed down from ancient times: If you don’t reach the fourth level by the age of 40, your life will be hopeless!

This is why Judra's father, Angel, tried to reach the fourth level several times but failed each time. It was because he was too old and he was never able to complete the awakening of his martial soul.

And Eric is 43 years old.

Could it be that he was going to take this opportunity to awaken his martial soul?

No, it won't.

If Eric's determination had even the slightest flaw or fluke, real death would be waiting for him.

"Okay..." Viscount John showed a relieved smile on his face.

At a time when morals are becoming increasingly corrupt, it is always enough to make people happy when a nobleman with chivalrous spirit survives death and makes a breakthrough.

"ah--"

A scream was heard, and a tray in the hands of a maid suddenly flew out of her hands uncontrollably, all the way towards Eric. When it was three meters away from him, it suddenly turned into iron powder all over the sky.

Not only her, all the iron plates in the entire arena were flying around.

The necklaces and earrings of the noble ladies began to pull at their owners, and the weapons on the waists of the knights present almost vibrated at the same time!

If the knights hadn't held it down, it would have already flown out of the scabbard!

The sound of metal resonated and began to echo in the arena.

Gul'dan's face was solemn, because even the hand holding the rapier began to feel a little tired, and the blade was shaking and buzzing, and it seemed to slip out of his hand!

Eric's body floated into the air, he slowly raised his head, and his legs slowly stretched straight.

All around him was a cloud of shattered steel debris!

The helmet on the ground flew into the air and covered his head, with a blue magic light flashing suddenly.

The shadow behind him suddenly rushed forward and landed on his body. A silver light suddenly flashed, and the azure armor slowly turned into a gray metallic color. The texture became thicker and simpler, but the overall shape did not change at all.

At this moment, the vibration in the field suddenly intensified. Some knights and nobles who had not yet become extraordinary could no longer hold the swords at their waists, and shuttled to Eric's side amid waves of breaking air sounds.

Dozens of sharp swords circled above Eric's head, shining coldly in the mist of fighting spirit, as if guarding him or submitting to him.

At this moment, Eric seemed to be the king of all steel!
Eric slowly opened his eyes and gently clenched his fists. The surging power flowed through his body and turned into a roar that rushed out of his throat!
"war!"

The metal in the field was vibrating, and finally quieted down at this moment.

"Wuhun... How is it possible for this guy!?" Gul'dan's brows twitched wildly, but he also knew that this was no longer the time to underestimate the enemy. He swung the sword in his hand horizontally, which turned into streaks of fire, weaving a large green net and rushing straight towards Eric!

The war is on again!

Eric flipped his wrist and swung it forward like a conductor. The colorful swords surrounding his head were connected together like a swimming dragon, and rushed towards the fire net with the humming sound of steel!
The sharp swords soaked in iron fighting spirit were like swimming fish. Some of them pierced fiercely at the intersection of the fire net, exploding into balls of thick iron slurry, while others passed through the gaps in the fire net. Even though they were roasted red hot, they still did not forget to kill Gul'dan!
Gul'dan frowned, swung his rapier to smash the flying sword, and began to weave the second act of the big net!

There were clearly only two people fighting, but it looked like there were thousands of troops. The collision of fire and iron produced gunpowder smoke, and the hot temperature spread, reflecting in everyone's pupils.

This is no longer a simple arena, but more like a battlefield where two armies are fighting!

This scene caused cheers to rise again in the arena.

"It's so wonderful and exciting! This ticket is damn worth it!"

"Martial Soul Awakening, I never thought I would be able to witness the awakening of a martial soul in this lifetime!"

"My sword! Oh, I bought it with 7 gold coins!!!"

The audience was watching the excitement, but only the two people in the arena knew the hardships involved.

After awakening his martial soul, Eric's application of iron fighting spirit reached a higher level, and the quality of his fighting spirit also changed by leaps and bounds. Every time Gul'dan tried to intercept a flying sword, he would feel his hands shaking, and he had to use 5% more strength than usual to hold it steadily!
However, Eric was always able to strike at the key and weak points where Gul'dan released his fire net, so the two could be said to be evenly matched.

In terms of consumption, Gul'dan even consumes more.

But the difference between the two lies in their fighting spirit!

Gul'dan is level 8, stars, and Eric has just entered level . Even though his martial soul awakening allowed him to replenish some fighting spirit, it is still a drop in the bucket. Now his fighting spirit has reached the bottom!

This is true.

Eric realized that he had little fighting spirit left, so he threw out his last sword and followed it, rushing forward as if sliding!
The sharp sword cut a hole in the oncoming fire net, and Eric rushed out under the scorching flames, facing him was a line of fire sword that Gul'dan had planned long ago!
Eric swung the sword in his hand and slashed it. This time the sword was still of the original size, but it split the line of fire in half like a knife chopping a bamboo pole!
Eric raised his head and their eyes met, almost sparking sparks.

Although the situation is at a stalemate, Gul'dan is still confident of victory. As long as Eric can't get close to him, he can use his strong fighting spirit to toy with him to death!

Eric suddenly raised his left hand and pointed it at Gul'dan.

With the iron fighting spirit surging in his palm, Gul'dan felt a huge force coming from his chest, as if the armor was carrying him forward!

This is the power of steel fighting spirit after it awakens, and it can master and utilize all metals!
In just two seconds, Gul'dan was dragged in front of Eric!
Gul'dan was horrified and no longer held back. He infused the sword in his hand with fighting spirit to eliminate Eric's influence and stabbed straight into his throat!

The armor at Eric's throat suddenly became denser and brighter. The mirror shield was activated again. The iron fighting spirit dispersed the green flames on the sword and rolled back. The twisting force twisted the rapier into a twist, and then it suddenly broke into several pieces!
Eric raised the sword in his right hand and rushed straight towards Gul'dan's shoulder. Gul'dan roared, flames surged on his body, and he grabbed the sword with both hands, flames spewing from his palms. Then he twisted his hands, and the sword was torn in half like soft cheese!

Eric decisively threw away his sword and hit Gul'dan on the shoulder with his right fist. Gul'dan roared in pain, and his fist, wrapped in flames, hit Eric's chest with a bang!
Two third-level knights with awakened martial spirits started fighting each other using the most primitive weapon of the human race - fists!
Ding bang, ding bang, ding bang!!

Flames and steel intertwined, and balls of iron slurry splashed out, hotter and more heroic than blood!

"Beat him, beat him!!!"

"Gul'dan, come on! I bet 20 gold coins on you!"

"Hit his balls, hit his balls!!!"

In the box, Montreal and Raven had stopped talking and just stared at the field, their breathing was somewhat nervous and rapid.

They all knew that at this point in the battle, it was no longer a contest of who had more fighting spirit, but a pure contest of wills.

Whoever can grit his teeth and fight to the last moment will win!
"Come on, come on!" Thor shouted in the stands, even though his voice was hoarse and he knew his father couldn't hear him. The noisy noises on the sidelines made Gul'dan dizzy and he wanted to shout and order those damn guys to stop shouting!
But he couldn't, and he didn't have the time!
Eric's fists were so heavy that they were almost inhuman. His strength was so great that every time he hit his body, even with the protection of armor, the shock wave still made his blood boil. What was even more terrifying was that the armor on his body gradually began to deform!

The armor on Eric's body was still as smooth as new, and even though it was wrapped in flames and baked red, it did not deform at all.

Gul'dan was also wearing second-level armor, so there was not much difference in essence. The only difference was the fighting spirit between the two!
The iron fighting spirit is simply born for fighting.

But Gul’dan’s fire fighting spirit is not bad either!

Fight with all your strength, then fight! Iron and steel fighting spirit cannot protect against heat. Now we have to see whether Eric will be roasted first or he will be canned first!
boom--

Eric punched Gul'dan in the chest. The steel rubbed against each other, causing sparks to fly. Under the influence of the raised ridges on his gauntlet, the armor on Gul'dan's chest burst into a magical light, and then suddenly sank!

The plate armor squeezed his ribs, and Gul'dan, who was already excited, suddenly spit out blood and even his breathing stopped.

pain!It hurts so much!
Eric was not surprised at all. It was not only because he had awakened his martial soul, but also because after each breakthrough, the Baron would strengthen him with magic cores!

Now his physical strength has far surpassed that of an ordinary third-level knight. Even when facing a monster of the same level, his physical strength is not at all inferior!
His fighting spirit and combat skills are not as good as Gul'dan, but this body strengthened by the Baron is his trump card weapon!
Raising his hand to block Gul'dan's attacking fist, Eric exhaled and spoke, then put his right hand under his ribs and rushed out like a crossbow -

when!
The fist landed on Gul'dan's abdomen, and the armor shattered instantly. The fist pressed against Gul'dan's abdomen with the armor fragments, smashing hard on his stomach!
The originally hard abdominal muscles suddenly became soft, and a gurgling sound of internal organs deforming was heard. Under the visor, Gul'dan's face began to distort, and he opened his mouth and spat out breakfast mixed with blood. The whole person was knocked back by the force of the blow.

However, before he landed on the ground, Eric raised his left hand, and a strong suction force came, and Gul'dan flew towards Eric again like a bird blown by the wind.

In mid-air, Gul'dan raised his right hand high: "I—I give up!!!"

This punch almost broke his spine through his stomach. If he was hit two more times, he would really die here! !
Eric grabbed Gul'dan, his martial spirit disappeared, and his steps staggered.

"The winner of this competition is Eric Dyson, representing the Griffith family!!!"

"We won!!!" Thor hugged his tearful mother and lifted his sister up high: "We won!!!"

In the box, Raven heaved a sigh of relief and looked at Montreal: "Thank you, Brother Gul'dan, for showing mercy."

"In the final analysis, Eric is still a tough guy. You can't ignore your training of him, otherwise he won't be able to survive until his martial spirit awakens." Although Montreal felt a little regretful, his son did not suffer a fatal injury, and the one who lost to his son-in-law, so he was not angry:

"From then on, the Griffith family really rose again!"

"You're exaggerating," Raven said modestly, "I'll have to rely on you more in the future."

"Haha, let's stop flattering each other here." Montreal stood up with a smile: "Let's get ready to present the awards."

"It's a pity that Anthony is not here, otherwise, I would really like to admire his face!"

Of course, Raven couldn't join him in cursing: "Come to think of it, Earl Tyrone left, and Earl Jonah also went to Mon'en City, but where is Archbishop Thomas?"

"I received an urgent letter this morning. It seems that he has important official business to deal with." Montreal said, "But I won't miss the award ceremony. Let's go and wait for him."

After emergency treatment, the award ceremony officially began.

Eric was seriously injured, more than half of his blood was lost, and his body was half-cooked. If it weren't for Archbishop Thomas's help, he would not have been able to get out of bed for a month. Although his external injuries have been healed, his face is still pale.

In comparison, Gul'dan was better off, with only five broken ribs and a slight fracture in his thigh. Now, with the help of Thomas' personal magic, he can walk very fast.

Originally, the third place should have belonged to Akeri, but Anthony left in anger and Akeri also withdrew from the competition, so there was no need to compete, and Shanjif from the Slater family was promoted to third place.

However, it was fortunate that Anthony left, otherwise God knows how angry he would be when he saw the prize he took out, "Hate of Hyperion", fall into the hands of the Fox family.

Raven obtained a year's exemption from tithes, which was a great thing for him. This way, he could save at least 3 to 4 gold coins this year alone.

During the conversation, Raven and Montreal asked Thomas about the content of the urgent letter he received, but he changed the subject.

After the award ceremony, Eric's portrait was hung in the duel arena, followed by the usual grand reception to celebrate the successful conclusion of the competition.

Most of the topics revolved around the results of the game. The nobles gathered around Raven and Montreal, toasting and congratulating them, creating a harmonious scene.

To Raven, he praised Eric for his bravery and fortitude; to Montreal, he praised Gul'dan for his noble demeanor.

"Baron Raven, congratulations." As soon as a group of nobles were sent away, Viscount John walked up to Raven with a glass of wine in his hand and said exactly the same words as Montreal: "From today on, the Griffith family has truly risen again!"

Facing John, Raven had a different attitude: "It's not that easy. One or two strong men can't change the overall situation. In the end, the nobles still have to decide the outcome on the battlefield."

"Haha, but now, people are most afraid of these two strong men." Viscount John has nothing else to ask for. He is of high enough status and seniority, so he has no scruples when speaking: "I have heard many people say, 'The Griffith family are all crazy. You can cooperate with them, but don't mess with them!'"

"Is there such a thing?" Raven was stunned. He had never heard of this before.

John chuckled, "Yes, your family's representatives, with Weston in front and Eric in the back, are acting more desperate than the other. Plus, you dared to charge into the bloody highlands with more than 100 people. Who wouldn't be afraid?"

"Besides, the affairs of Versacine and Seleva have spread quietly."

At the beginning, Raven upheld justice for Lady Doreen and arranged for Eric to fight on the spot in Wessam's castle. Afterwards, he killed all the war horses in Wessam's stables and piled their heads in the castle hall as a warning.

On the Seleva side, Simon was sent out directly, bypassing Seleva himself and beating up the three sons of Knight Witte under his command, almost crippling them.

This is a naked display of muscle.

At that time, Eric was only at the second level and Simon was only at the first level.

Now, one of these two is at the third level, and the other is at the second level. The former has also awakened his martial spirit. If they really set their minds to causing trouble, few families in the entire Nord Province will be able to withstand it.

As for the equal threat to Raven - launching a sneak attack on a third-level wizard's home, no one would come up with such an unreliable idea, even if they were kicked in the head by a donkey.

And don't forget, Nancy is also a third-level magician.

With Viscount John's reminder, Raven began to secretly observe the performance of the nobles at the party, and the results he obtained also confirmed Viscount John's statement.

In the past, although most nobles showed respect to the members of the Griffith family on the surface, they could not hide their arrogance and condescension in their bones.

But now, when they met the extraordinary people of the Griffith family, their attitude became extremely humble and polite, and even towards the waiters of the Griffith family, they behaved more aristocratically.

The cocktail party ended in a lively manner, and over the next few days, the nobles began to leave Eagle Territory one after another.

On September 9, Montreal set out to return to Hovey City with Gul'dan, who had basically recovered from his injuries.

After sending Montreal and others out of Goldshire, Raven and Nancy said goodbye to Montreal.

After this separation, they might not see each other again for the whole year. Nancy realized this, so her eyes were red and her voice was choked with sobs, even though she didn't cry on her wedding day.

Gul'dan rode up to Eric and said, "I underestimated you last time. Next time I will not lose to you!"

Eric smiled and replied, "Lord Gul'dan has superb combat skills and powerful fighting spirit. I was just taking advantage of him."

Gul'dan felt even more frustrated as he learned almost everything from Raven, taking advantage of the situation.

"Let's go, Gul'dan!" Montreal called from a distance.

Gul'dan glanced at Eric and rode back.

Nancy led the team back to Eagle Castle. She was a little tired and went back to her room to rest. Raven was about to catch up when he suddenly saw Fiona standing at the door, staring into the distance.

"What are you looking at?" Raven asked.

"Just now, there seemed to be someone there." Fiona pointed to a row of carriages in front: "I saw him in the arena before, but he disappeared in the blink of an eye."

Raven looked in the direction of her finger, but saw nothing: "Maybe he is a servant of some noble family."

After saying that, Raven turned around and went back into the castle.

Fiona nodded, observed for a while, and indeed found nothing, then turned and left.

"This girl has a really sharp sense." A figure in a gray robe appeared behind the carriage, and said in a hoarse voice:
"It seems that I have to be more careful... so as not to ruin the Holy Church's cause!"

……

(End of this chapter)