"Crack!"
Toword's black short sword struck against the transparent armor, only to be deflected back by a layer of air membrane.
"A defensive secret technique!" A sharp gleam flashed in Toword's eyes.
Great Knights possessed many types of secret techniques, but most were designed to enhance specific abilities, providing terrifying boosts.
Toword's own secret technique, for instance, was one that specifically increased movement speed—it could make him move at twice his original pace!
And in his judgment, what Wilin was using was a secret technique specialized for boosting defense.
"Idiot! Once your secret technique wears off, you'll be at my mercy!" A vicious grin spread across Toword's face.
But at that moment, Wilin moved!
Fast! Wilin's speed was extraordinary, the transparent armor on his body frictioning against the air, producing a piercing whistle.
And in Toword's eyes, all he could see were faint afterimages!
"It's… it's a double-enhancement secret technique!" Toword exclaimed in disbelief, greed gleaming in his eyes.
Such a secret technique had to be extremely advanced—something that existed only in legends. Even during all his time in the Augustus Family, he had never seen one.
But Toword had no time to think further. Wilin had already charged up to him, raising his Cross Sword to slash down with devastating force.
"Block!" Toword leaped backward while swinging his short sword.
Bang! The two weapons clashed, and Toword's short sword was sent flying from his grip.
"He's even got a strength enhancement! Triple! A triple-enhancement secret technique!!!" Toword's mind couldn't keep up. He had at least heard legends of double-enhancement secret techniques, but a triple-enhancement one—especially at the Great Knight level—didn't even exist in legends!
But Wilin clearly had no desire to explain anything to him.
He lunged forward, his Cross Sword sweeping past Toword's head.
Pfft! The scarred, vicious face suddenly flew upward, and from the neck erupted a blood fountain nearly a meter high.
"Jenny! Are you okay?!"
Wilin dismissed the transparent armor around him and hurried to Jenny's side.
"I… I'm fine!" Jenny answered instinctively, then saw Wilin collapse before her like a heap of limp mud.
Though the Cross Star was a secret technique taught by Leilin—its power far surpassing other Great Knight secret techniques—it still shared the common trait of all secret techniques!
Having activated his secret technique, Wilin had fallen into a state of extreme weakness. He could barely lift his hands; only his mouth and eyes still moved with any effort.
"You… why are you so foolish? This clearly had nothing to do with you…" Jenny sobbed, tears once again streaming uncontrollably from her eyes.
"Cough cough… it's fine!" Wilin tried his best to look spirited, but even that was beyond him.
"I've made up my mind. Let's go to Lord Leilin together! He'll definitely be able to protect you!" He voiced the plan in his heart.
"…We can't do that!" But Jenny answered him with a bitter smile.
"Wilin! Can't you see from everything that's happened? Lord Leilin has already given up on me!" Jenny said with a pained smile. "You should go back! With Lord Leilin's protection, Lucas wouldn't dare do anything to you…"
"No!" Wilin's face flushed red. "I won't leave you even if it kills me!"
"Wilin!" Jenny knelt down in an emotional rush, and the two kissed passionately.
After a long and intense kiss, something seemed to click in Wilin's mind. "Let's go! To the Central Region! To the Dark Elf Empire! To the Dark Lands! Anywhere—as long as it's away from here, somewhere no one can find us, where we can live happily together!!!"
"Okay!"
Jenny's firm voice answered him.
The two looked at each other, bright smiles spreading across their faces.
…
"Oh! It seems Wilin has truly left for good?"
Leilin surveyed the exceptionally tidy room and the letter on the desk, a playful smile forming on his face.
Wilin, to him, had merely been a pet raised during his period of recuperation and recovery.
Now that he had returned to his normal path, he no longer had the time or inclination to dally with pets. Letting him leave was perhaps the best outcome.
Moreover, Wilin held little use for him. Even if he were modified into a Brand Swordsman, having only first-level strength would hardly provide Leilin with any significant help.
"Still, this is the first time I've shown such kindness. I hope you can pass down the Cross Sword Technique in the Dark Extremity Region—don't let the reputation of my Farell Family tarnish…"
A profoundly inscrutable light flickered through the depths of Leilin's eyes.