Suddenly, Reinhard seized the moment during a sword block to swiftly create distance, his eyes fixed warily on Graham.
*Hum~*
The Dragon Sword trembled violently, and what worried Reinhard even more was that the blade of the Dragon Sword, Reid, was now covered in countless chips and cracks. He felt that if the battle continued, the sword would surely be destroyed!
"Brother Graham, you are the strongest opponent I have ever faced. What method did you use to reduce the Dragon Sword to this state?"
The Sword Saint looked at him with admiration, seemingly unconcerned about the sword's condition.
The Dragon Sword was an heirloom passed down through generations of Sword Saints, usable only by them, and it could repair itself automatically. Therefore, he wasn't worried.
However, even after repair, it wouldn't be as sharp as before. At the very least, its effectiveness against Graham would diminish over time.
Under the effect of the 'Mystic Eyes of Death Perception', Graham had severed the lines of death surrounding the Dragon Sword. As a result, the sword, unable to absorb magical energy, was inevitably left battered and scarred.
However, the 'points of death' were difficult to strike. It seemed the Dragon Sword had a consciousness of its own, and Reinhard, with his perception-based Divine Protection, instinctively sensed the danger and deliberately avoided the attacks.
Graham rolled his eyes, "Why would you think I'd reveal my trump card to you?"
This Sword Saint was truly an idiot. Why would he reveal his cheat abilities to his opponent?
"Haha, fair point."
Reinhard laughed awkwardly but didn't take offense.
Even he had countless techniques and Divine Protections at his disposal, far more than he could ever use. He certainly wouldn't reveal his own abilities to his opponent.
"Then let's continue. Be careful. If that Dragon Sword of yours shatters, don't blame me."
"Of course not!"
Reinhard laughed heartily, gripping the Dragon Sword as his eyes sharpened.
*Whoosh!* *Whoosh!* *Whoosh!*
Several sword beams shot out at lightning speed, hurtling toward Graham!
It seemed he was afraid the Dragon Sword might truly break, so he resorted to long-range attacks.
After all, Graham's abilities were too bizarre. Reinhard could even feel the Dragon Sword crying...
"Hah, naive. Didn't you already try this? This move is useless against me!"
Graham smiled faintly, his blue-purple eyes glowing with a deep, eerie light. With a flick of his dagger, he effortlessly dispelled the sword beams.
As long as the Sword Saint's techniques were composed of magical energy, they posed no threat to him!
And yet, Reinhard's sword beams required magical energy to enhance them, a blessing from the world.
Every time he gathered sword energy, magical energy would automatically flow into his body, increasing the density of the beams.
This was precisely the factor that allowed Graham to counter him.
However, without using magical energy, the power of the sword beams would be significantly reduced.
Just as the battle between the two reached its peak, a nimble figure suddenly leaped out from the ruins of the house. Wielding a curved blade and wearing a seductive smile, she slashed horizontally toward Emilia's stomach!
*Thud!*
Emilia froze, only to see Graham suddenly appear in front of her, taking the blow in her place, "Graham-san!"
Reinhard too temporarily halted the fight, unleashing a barrage of sword beams that enveloped the attacker, Elsa, the Bowel Hunter.
This was of course intentional on Graham's part. He had known all along that Elsa wasn't dead, or rather, that she could revive even after death.
The wound was shallow and wouldn't cause him much harm. What mattered was that 'taking' the blow for Emilia would benefit his future plans!
Moreover, he had no intention of continuing the fight with Reinhard. Overusing the Mystic Eyes would have consequences he didn't want to face. And with the house destroyed, the Perpetrator and Victim domain couldn't be activated. He wasn't foolish enough to go all out against an opponent who could revive!
Reinhard had the 'Divine Protection of the Phoenix', which allowed him to revive at full strength even if killed. He was truly OdLaguna's favorite son...
*Thud!*
Just as Reinhard was about to check on Graham's condition, he was stunned to see the Bowel Hunter whom he had just killed reappear and quickly flee!
With Felt's matter being the top priority, he suppressed the urge to chase after her.
"Brother Graham, are you alright?" Reinhard's expression was sincere, showing genuine concern for Graham.
In truth, he was worried that if something happened to Graham, Felt would be even more reluctant to participate in the Royal Selection.
"Graham-san, how are you?" Felt's eyes were red as she crouched over him, her face filled with concern.
If she hadn't been so stubbornly trying to avoid the Royal Selection, Graham would not have been injured fighting the Sword Saint.
"I'm fine, but it seems I've lost today. Sorry, Felt..." Graham's face was pale, his voice weak. Then, his eyes rolled back, and he passed out.
"It's okay! In my eyes, you've already won! Reinhard, I'll go with you to that Astrea family, but on one condition... you use the best medicine and fully heal Old Man Rom and Graham!"
Felt's gaze was firm, her red eyes exuding an intangible charisma that left the red-haired Sword Saint momentarily stunned.
'This is perhaps the demeanor of the former royal family...' Reinhard smiled and nodded, "As you wish, Felt Ojousama. Let's go."
Reinhard then turned to Emilia saying, "Emilia Ojousama, please allow Brother Graham to come with me to the Astrea family for treatment."
"No! Reinhard-dono, my mansion is not far from here. Let Graham-san go there instead. Besides, he was injured because of me!"
Emilia's expression was resolute, leaving Reinhard conflicted as he glanced at Felt.
"Then let's do it this way. You must make sure he recovers, okay Emilia Onee-san?"
Hearing Felt address her as 'Onee-san', Emilia was momentarily stunned before breaking into a warm smile, "Don't worry! I will!"
"Then let's go, Felt Ojousama."
Felt nodded, then suddenly ran over and kissed Graham on the cheek. Her face flushed, she returned to Old Man Rom's side, signaling Reinhard to carry the old man who had been her lifelong companion.
"Uh..."
Reinhard let out a bitter laugh. He had won the duel but lost the princess's heart.
Now, he even had to act as a porter, carrying a giant old man back...
But, oh well. The goal had been achieved.
With all five Dragon Maidens gathered, the Kingdom of Lugunica was saved!
The Sword Saint, after all, prioritized righteousness and was destined to remain a hero of justice...