Rock shards flew everywhere in a cacophony of rumble and collision as Lucius'' pupils constricted. Things were looking grim. But at least he bought enough time for his next spell.


    A barrage of earth arrows shot from the barrier, aiming to riddle Gaston''s body like cheese.


    Unfortunately, Lucius seriously underestimated Gaston''s determination and ruthlessness... towards himself.


    "RHAAAAA!" With a ferocious roar of defiance, he dashed through the barrage, enduring the stinging agony of feeling his muscles punctured.


    Despite the purple mist covering him, helping to mitigate the damage, blood gushed everywhere. Undeterred, he deflected the most threatening projectiles, ignoring the others.


    The noise of his boots colliding with the ground reverberated as he closed in on Lucius'' shell.


    With resolve hardened, he gritted his teeth, stopping the red liquid from pouring down his mouth as it did with the countless holes in his body... and from his left eye.


    Despite the crippling loss, he had reached his goal. He stood before his target.


    He mustered every ounce of strength he still had, causing his arms to bulge. Serpent-like veins crisscrossed his biceps as he unleashed a devastating offensive.


    Terrifying sounds echoed in the hall as the billowing fog epassed the barrier, turning the sturdy rocks into sand. The remaining spikes crumbled under the sheer power of his glinting guandao, leaving Lucius'' body vulnerable and exposed.


    Caught off guard by Gaston''s crazy decision to ignore his attack and blitz him, Lucius'' eyes erged in panic. ''I''m still not done casting!'' He screamed inwardly, an icy shiver running down his spine.


    Finally seeing his enemy out of his shell, Gaston''s remaining eye glinted, and his demonic smile broadened. Then, with a swift, calcted strike, he shed down to sever his father in two halves.


    CLANG


    A metallic collision resounded, grating the two''s ears as a bent wand flew in the distance.


    As ast effort, Lucius unexpectedly used his magic tool to parry while jumping backwards the next second, doing everything he could to reduce the dreadful strike''s power.


    ''Shit, shit, shit.'' Lucius'' heart almost leapt out of his chest. Without his tier-two custom-made wand''s enhancement to reduce his casting time and amplify his spells'' power, death would soon knock on his door. He knew it. It was an undeniable fact.


    His proud figure shifted, his shoulders slumped, and his determined eyes lost their glow as he watched Gaston retrieve his guandao with a mocking smile. In a second, he would deliver the coup de grace, but he could do nothing to stop him...


    Suddenly, as everything seemed lost, an armored middle-aged man appeared out of nowhere and shot in front of him.


    CLANG


    A terrifying noise echoed again, followed by a shock wave sting their hair backwards as the man blocked the descending guandao with his double-edged longsword.


    Upon seeing his familiar face, Lucius'' eyes came to life again, their glow reviving as they narrowed dangerously. His face contorted in anger, and his arms shook.


    "I ordered you to protect my family! How dare you disobey my orders and endanger them? Answer Max!" He roared, his rage-filled voice cutting through the night.


    "They are in good hands. Smith will escort and protect them. Considering the gravity of the situation, I rushed back to help you, my lord," answered Max, eyeing the bastard''s abundantly bleeding body with a wary frown. No matter what Lucius said, he hadensured his orders would be carried out before returning. Even if punishment awaited him, he would never regret choosing loyalty over his life!


    Upon hearing they weren''t left to fend for themselves on the roads, Lucius drew a deep breath of relief. After all, who knew what could happen to two women and a child?


    Although still angry that Max ignored his orders, with his help, they could turn the tides of the battle and maybe triumph over that nightmarish son of his.


    "Annoying dog, the only reward you''ll get for your loyalty is an early grave right next to his!" Gaston spat, a frustrated grimace distorting his face. If looks could kill, Max would have died a hundred times already.


    For the first time, his devilish smile disappeared from his face. The burden of his vitality being drained by the grimoire grew in intensity as he felt his strength waning dangerously.


    His blue eyes lit up with a calctive light as he evaluated his options in a second. Time slowed momentarily as scenarios shed in his mind. He exhaled a stream of stall air and clenched the cursed tome,manding it to increase its power output.


    His body shook as he felt the strain on his vitality increase ordingly.


    Clenching his teeth tightly, he charged at Max. Every fiber of his body tensed as he swung his guandao horizontally, using his signature move for theirst sh.


    "Fool, I''m the one who taught you how to wield weapons!" Max snorted in disdain over the ridiculous choice. Despite the incredible speed and power packed in the move, it wasrge and left many openings before the swing.


    Knowing how to counter it, the knight dashed towards Gaston, aiming to cut one of his arms before he could swing his guandao.


    s, was Gaston''s scheming mind merely for show?


    He patiently awaited his adversary''s move, letting him think he figured out the perfect timing to counter.


    As the sword closed on his arm, he suddenly let go of his weapon, crouched low, and propelled himself towards Max''s legs, tackling him to the ground.


    Astonished by the unpredictable shift in strategy, Max''s eyes widened as he felt the vile energy lick his skin like a sharp-wed beast tasting its food before digging in.


    Unfortunately, Gaston sat on his chest, immobilising his center of gravity in a split second. With his left foot, he pressed Max''s sword-holding hand. Then, his fingers came to life as he gripped the knight''s face tightly, shoving the purple energy down his throat.


    Gradually, the Max''s bulky physique began to wither. His bulging and veiny muscles thinned by the second under Lucius'' terrified eyes.


    Without his magic wand, the baron''s spell wasn''t ready yet! Like most mages, he never went out of his way to improve his mana control, resulting in slow casting speed.


    Unable to rely on spells and seeing Max''s agonising grimace and pleading eyes, he chose the next best option. Fear dancing in his eyes, he grabbed the long sword from his hand and swung it with all his strength at Gaston''s left arm.


    Blood gushed as a limb flew, drawing a red arc in the air before falling to the ground.


    Strangely unaffected by the pain, Gaston raised his head and looked Lucius in the eyes.


    The intensity of the wordless confrontation weighed on his heart as he gazed at the bastard in disbelief, finally understanding the true terror his son could incarnate.


    His body was pierced in dozens of different ces, seeping a continuous stream of bright blood. His left eye was punctured, and his left arm was chopped off. Yet, despite the extensive wounds and harrowing pain he must have been enduring, his creepy smile returned to his face.


    "I win!"


    Gaston dered, his triumphant tone reverberating against the calmness of the night as he released his hand.


    A dull thud followed as Max''s rotten head fell to the ground.