The Arsilo Family's Angel’s Twelve Movements swordsmanship dominated the Old Continent.
Before the rise of the Robin Family, the Arsilo Family was already known as the foremost swordsman family of the Old Continent.
Even though the Robin Family subsequently produced more than ten peerless swordsmen, including Saroses Robin, who aided Emperor Axel in establishing the Fars Empire, and Zimourman Axel Robin, a legendary figure of unparalleled renown, the Arsilo Family never fell behind. They boasted several equally exceptional swordsmen who could rival these legends.
Angel’s Twelve Movements is a swordsmanship technique that can be endlessly refined. Even among the Arsilo vampires, few could comprehend the Sixth Movement before the age of fifty. Those who managed to do so often became Sword Saints.
Of course, this is also partly due to the longevity of the blood race.
Charlot Mecklenburg had never thought his ability to continually grasp new sword techniques was particularly remarkable. He had always considered it a natural progression.
But this ability...
Was far from normal.
Hughes was not like Charlot. Before attending Tübingen University, Hughes had already become a knight and had trained in the Blood Furnace and Golden Requiem techniques for over a decade—much longer than Charlot had spent practicing Blood Glory. Even when they dueled in the Dreamworld and Hughes had daily guidance from Saint-rank mentors, he still could not outmatch Charlot.
Charlot thought Hughes was incredibly strong, extremely powerful.
Hughes thought Charlot was terrifying, utterly monstrous, a freak of nature.
At this moment, it was Zolman’s turn to feel that terror.
Before his duel with Charlot, Zolman assumed that a mere low-rank Transcendent could be killed in no more than five moves. After exchanging blows with Charlot, he revised his estimate to ten moves.
But after fifty exchanges, Zolman finally understood why Hughes couldn’t defeat Charlot, why Charlot was able to slay Jonan, and why his reputation was so resounding. This man was an unparalleled genius in the art of swordsmanship.
Zolman, who prided himself on having achieved five Knight Proofs and mastered the art of spear combat, found that no matter how ferocious his attacks—akin to a storm—they were all deftly neutralized by Charlot’s exquisite swordsmanship.
As Zolman began pressing Charlot into a disadvantage, he was horrified to realize Charlot’s swordsmanship had suddenly improved again. His Stardust Battle Energy now carried a new dissolving power.
Zolman roared in disbelief: “Have you gazed upon an Evil God?”
“How can one improve their swordsmanship during battle?”
Charlot had been feeling smug about his breakthrough when Zolman’s words abruptly revealed his "greatest secret." Instantly, a murderous intent arose in Charlot’s heart as he thought: He can’t be allowed to live.
“Even if I must reveal the secret trump card meant for Hughes.”
“Letting people learn about Charlot Mecklenburg’s past would at most prevent me from dating Annie. But letting anyone discover I once summoned an Evil God is a crime punishable by death.”
Zolman had no idea his words had sealed not only Charlot’s secret but also his own fate.
Charlot’s sword light entwined with Zolman’s Knight’s Lance. Zolman rejoiced, thinking that his combat energy far surpassed Charlot’s Blood Glory. This direct confrontation would crush Charlot within moments. He immediately activated Flame Combat Energy, pouring his immense reserves into the clash.
Charlot, straining to hold his ground, secretly activated Flame Dragon’s Hand.
A hand of pure bloodfire emerged stealthily from Charlot’s collar, pulling out an Anti-Space Long-Range Rifle. Another flaming hand skillfully loaded an anti-magic armor-piercing round. Using Charlot’s body as cover, the two bloodfire hands worked together to aim the barrel under his cloak and swiftly pulled the trigger.
Zolman never expected such a bizarre technique.
His lower body was blasted to pieces by the shot.
With one swift motion, Charlot’s sword slashed across Zolman’s throat, ending the high-rank Transcendent’s life.
Charlot hesitated for a moment but ultimately refrained from devouring Zolman’s life essence. He needed to keep his Blood Glory pure as he prepared to condense his blood core.
Lord Leo had once said that the earlier one condensed their blood core, the longer their lifespan would be. Although it was early for Charlot to begin this process as a mid-tier Transcendent, starting sooner was always better.
Besides, Charlot had a certain sense of pride. Secretly absorbing life essence was one thing, but doing so publicly in front of tens of thousands was distasteful.
Shaking the blood off Blood Rose, Charlot picked up Zolman’s Knight’s Lance and said coolly: “Some secrets the living cannot know. Rest in peace.”
A thunderous cheer erupted from the walls of Mostar Castle.
Lady Nancella remained silent for a moment before raising a battle cry and charging onto the battlefield.
The West Wind Knight Order followed suit without hesitation, launching an assault.
What had started as a duel had now exploded into a full-scale war.
Charlot hadn’t anticipated such a turn of events. He was still too inexperienced to fully grasp the brutal realities of war.
But he didn’t hesitate long, diving into the fray with Blood Rose in one hand and Zolman’s Knight’s Lance in the other. His exceptional skills allowed him to move through the chaos unimpeded, his sword and spear felling sixteen or seventeen enemies in an instant.
Charlot’s first thought after entering the battle was to locate Hughes. Yet no matter where he looked, he couldn’t find his old rival. Frustrated, he called out to Dubin Alger, who was charging onto the field: “Have you seen Hughes?”
Dubin shook his head but suddenly remembered Belisa’s earlier plea for help. He shouted back: “The Duchess’s maid suspected someone might attack Mostar Castle during the commotion. Anastasia has already led troops there!”
A chill ran through Charlot. He turned his gaze to the castle walls, packed with onlookers. Even without a strategist’s mind, he knew Mostar Castle was now undefended—a perfect opportunity for an assault.
Hughes was undoubtedly a competent commander. If he wasn’t on the battlefield, he was surely attacking Mostar Castle.
Charlot didn’t know much about the internal workings of the South Seraph restorationists, but he guessed that Hughes had used Zolman’s duel as a distraction to draw everyone out of the castle.
“What could be more important than capturing Mostar Castle?”
Cursing under his breath, Charlot muttered: “Damn it! Hughes tricked us. This wasn’t about the duel at all—it was a ploy to lure the defenders out and seize the castle.”
What Charlot didn’t know was that Hughes hadn’t planned this in advance. The opportunity to strike Mostar Castle had been a spur-of-the-moment decision upon seeing the distracted crowd on the battlements.
But regardless, the situation had become dire.
Charlot, now embroiled in a fierce battle with the South Seraph restorationists at the foot of the castle, couldn’t spare any forces to defend Mostar Castle. He quickly assessed the situation and decided his best option was to crush the restorationist forces here before Hughes could take the castle.
If he could defeat the South Seraph troops before Mostar Castle fell, there might still be a chance to turn the tide.