Chapter 22: The Dark Armor’s Return

Naya’s eyes were brimming with tears as she collapsed to her knees beside Leon. “I’m sorry! I’ve tried so many times!”

Stripped of Aio’s power, she was reduced to a helpless young girl.

“It’s alright,” Leon assured her, though a trickle of blood escaped the corner of his mouth. ‘The dagger was poisoned!?’

This was an unprecedented crisis, yet Leon couldn’t let Naya know about the poison. It would serve no purpose other than to deepen her self-reproach.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a fast-acting, fatal toxin. Leon felt a dull numbness and a persistent ache. ‘It seemed the Scissor Man had intended to slowly torture him, never expecting to be instantly defeated.’

Their swords clashed once more, locking in a stalemate.

“My foolish apprentice,” Vanessa declared with gravitas, “if you wish to conquer Irlando, you should bring more seasoned and powerful companions. A mere girl like this will only hinder your aspirations.” ‘She truly worried too much.’

Leon’s master’s words pierced Naya’s heart like a sharp dagger. It wasn’t the first time she had heard such a sentiment, but now, more than ever, it highlighted her perceived uselessness.

“I like her by my side; what concern is it of yours?” Leon retorted, pushing Vanessa’s sword away with all his might. “Besides, Naya is the best support I’ve ever encountered. If she hadn’t just healed those five people, things wouldn’t be like this now!”

Leon’s words offered a measure of comfort to Naya. Yet, even so, she couldn’t forgive herself for putting him in such peril by saving others.

Vanessa thrust her sword towards his shoulder. He parried, blocking with his own blade, and sparks flew where the steel met. Even by forcefully meeting the attack, he could only deflect her blow slightly.

It was too swift to defend against! Leon twisted his body with lightning reflexes, and Vanessa’s sword grazed past him.

The next instant, their blades collided again, then parried, then clashed once more! Four consecutive strikes, yet neither managed to land a decisive blow.

But Vanessa could still move faster! What followed was a flurry of identical slashes from both of them, culminating in a final, dizzying exchange.

How many times did they strike each other? Naya couldn’t even discern it through the blur.

“If your foot hadn’t been injured, it wouldn’t have come to this, would it?” Vanessa remarked, clutching a bleeding gash on her collarbone. Leon, meanwhile, was bleeding from at least three different spots on his body.

The poison was taking effect with every passing minute. Leon leaned on his sword, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Naya tried to use her healing spell, but Aio still didn’t respond!

This time, she truly despaired. What use was a healer who couldn’t heal? She couldn’t even wield a sword.

In desperation, Naya could only shield Leon with her own body. Vanessa’s gaze sharpened. “Do you intend to take a sword for my foolish apprentice?”

“Get behind me,” Leon commanded, pulling her back with a swift motion. Naya could only stare at him, utterly bewildered.

“Why?” Leon asked Vanessa, his voice thick with blood. “Why would a villain like you choose to save me back then?”

Vanessa fell silent for a moment.

“Consider it my last shred of conscience,” she replied flatly.

“Very well, then…” Leon gripped his Light Roar Sword. Ever since the battle against the Dark Armor, the blade had been stained black by dark flames.

“I’m sorry, Naya.”

“!?”

“You once told me that good metal absorbs substances beneficial to it. These past few days, I’ve discovered how to use it.”

Burning black flames spread from the sword’s edge, engulfing Leon’s entire body.

Before Naya’s terrified eyes, he transformed into the Dark Armor!

“What in the world is this??” An expression of indescribable astonishment appeared on Vanessa’s face.

The Dark Armor charged forward with incomprehensible speed, landing a punch squarely on Vanessa’s face! Just as she reacted, another fist struck the other side of her face!

It was agonizing—she tumbled several times across the ground, and as she tried to rise, another punch knocked her down again!

What was happening? Before Vanessa could even comprehend the situation, she was unilaterally pummeled by the Dark Armor.

In desperation, she drew her Dragon-Slaying Greatsword and unleashed the Greatsword Skill: Aurora!

The greatsword swept forth with destructive power, even collapsing a nearby house! As the thick smoke cleared, the Dark Armor stood firm, its arms crossed, having withstood all the attacks!

This time, it was Vanessa’s turn to be astonished. The Dark Armor rushed forward, punching her arm joint—*crack!*—it dislocated with a crisp sound!

Her greatsword flew from her grasp. Immediately after, the Dark Armor seized her other hand, twisting it behind her back with force—and that joint also came loose!

Vanessa fell helplessly to the ground, but the Dark Armor’s final strike, aimed at her face, suddenly halted.

“Why aren’t you finishing it?” Vanessa whispered, her gaze fixed on the fist hovering before her eyes. “Kill me, and you’ll be the strongest swordsman on the continent.”

The Dark Armor ignored her, turning instead to walk towards Naya.

“Are… are you Leon?” Naya watched in terror as the Dark Armor approached her step by step, the fear of the Dark Armor, which had somewhat faded, now completely overwhelming her mind and body again.

“No…! Don’t… come closer…”

“It’s me, Naya…”

Naya heard Leon’s voice, and the armor covering his body slowly evaporated. Tears in her eyes, Naya leaned against him.

“I… I thought you were being controlled by the Dark Armor…!” She collapsed into Leon’s chest.

“I’m sorry for bringing back bad memories,” Leon said wearily. “If my opponent hadn’t been Master, I would never have used it in my life.”

“No, I should be the one apologizing…” She gently wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. Every trace of his exhaustion, every wound, every drop of blood pained her, filling her with deep self-reproach. “I couldn’t heal you when you needed it most.”

“It’s alright, it’s not your fault.”

“I… I can’t forgive myself.”

Finally, Leon addressed his master. “I advise you to turn yourself in.”

“When did you master this power?” she asked. “Take my sword. All that I am now must be inherited by you.”

“There’s no need,” Leon replied, his back to her as he walked away in the opposite direction.

“Everything I was meant to inherit, you already taught me three years ago. And from now on, I will take care of Liuli. I will atone for the harm you caused her.”

Vanessa let out a cold laugh, a hint of sorrow lacing her voice.