As Erich stepped forward, the barbarians cracked their knuckles as if mocking him. Erich studied each of their faces.
'Most of them are still young barbarians. I doubt they've ever even fought the Watch.'
These were young, hot-blooded barbarians who imagined a future where they would one day sweep the battlefield and eliminate the mbers, just like the warriors of their tribe.
Of course, even such barbarians would be difficult to handle unless one was a reasonably seasoned mber.
The problem, however, was that what they now faced was not a 'reasonably seasoned mber'.
[Did you really think you could just waltz onto our land and walk out unscathed?]
[... I thought I'd told you we ca here for peaceful purposes?]
[We know nothing of that. Peace only exists as long as people like you never set foot here.]
They exchanged strange looks as they spoke, as if giving each other a signal to attack Erich.
However, Ungrim, who was mixed in among them, simply curled his lips into a grin from behind them.
Erich had several options.
One, to subdue them instantly. Of course, there was also the choice to do so without killing or injuring them.
Usually, if soone ca here in peace, the sensible response would be to lightly discipline them....
'No, I need to show Ungrim sothing that will interest him.'
Erich didn't know which era Ungrim belonged to.
He also didn't know if Ungrim knew of Kaladia's Fla, but considering the ti period, there was a high chance he did.
So, Erich's decision was...
― Fwoooosh!-
[W-what?!]
[What is this?!]
Flas shot up around Erich.
The wavy aura solidified into tangible fire, and in an instant, shattered the fighting spirit of the young barbarians.
Flas erupted from a human body.
Having neither seen nor even imagined such a sight, the barbarians instinctively stepped back.
Furthermore, the heat radiating in all directions was unbearable to face—their faces were soon drenched in cold sweat.
[W-wait!]
[Isn't it a little late for regrets?]
Erich slowly lifted the corners of his lips in a smile, then fixed his gaze on Ungrim, as if to ask, "What are you going to do now?"
'... If Ungrim is as I've analyzed him.'
Erich clenched his fist and raised it toward the young barbarians.
In synchrony, intense flas spread out in all directions.
The roiling fire, as if about to engulf them at any mont, looked extrely threatening.
Perhaps the barbarians thought Erich's actions were just intimidation.
None of them got up from their spots, since shedding blood in the midst of enemy ranks was basically suicide.
What they didn't know, however, was that sotis in the world, there were n who would commit such suicidal acts without hesitation.
― Screeeeech!-
Erich swung his fist.
The surrounding flas shot toward the barbarians.
In that instant, even those who had been watching with interest had their faces turn pale with shock.
[W-wait!]
Even the watch that had sent these n in to teach Erich a lesson shouted in panic. But by then, it was too late.
And then—
― Boom!-
Soone leaped in among them and blocked the fire head-on.
Like a boulder splitting a river, a barbarian man parted the flas and, standing in Erich's inferno, swiftly swung his hand.
― Whooom!-
An unbelievable scene unfolded, one nobody would believe a human capable of.
The air pressure from that barbarian's swing blasted Erich's fire up into the sky.
The shockwave, which scattered in every direction like an explosion in the air, was chilling to witness.
Even though the fire had blackened the surroundings, the barbarian with flowing red hair remained completely unhard amid the lingering traces of scorched earth.
But Erich was not surprised, as he could predict this man's response, and he spoke.
[You must be Ungrim.]
[... Indeed, Balmung wasn't exaggerating when he called you a match for himself.]
Ungrim flashed Erich a chilling smile, his fangs revealed between his lips.
'As expected, Ungrim cares for his kin.'
Even if Ungrim seed cold-blooded, he truly cherished the barbarians, the descendants of his comrades.
Erich understood that well even before he regressed.
On the battlefield, the way a commander treats and moves his subordinates reveals his true feelings for them.
Therefore, as soon as Erich realized Ungrim had sent the others to test him, he decided to use the situation to get Ungrim to step up himself.
By displaying a 'fire' that would interest Ungrim, and simultaneously forcing a situation where Ungrim had to protect the others.
Erich slowly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and addressed him.
[Relax. I didn't co here to fight. Balmung probably gave you a rough explanation, right?]
[No, he told nothing.]
[... What?]
Erich's eyes narrowed.
Balmung had barely spent any ti in Ungrim's tent, so Erich assud he'd given him only a brief, concise ssage.
But, judging by the sight of Balmung panting as he hurriedly rejoined from the rear, it seed he hadn't had the chance to say anything at all.
Ungrim spoke next.
[I suppose I should listen? There must be a reason why my enemy ca so deep into my camp. The only thing that matters now is what kind of man that enemy is.]
[U-Ungrim, the guy is a comm—]
Balmung fumbled, but Ungrim swiftly put a finger to his lips, motioning for him to keep quiet.
But it was already too late—even the word 'commander' had been uttered, so there was no way Ungrim didn't know who Erich was.
Shaking his head in mild disappointnt, Erich said,
[I was planning to take the ti to explain everything... Balmung, you just ruined my fun.]
[S-sorry.]
[Don't be. I already knew their commander was bold. He's just the perfect candidate to be here. Now then, the next question is...]
Ungrim's wild gaze was fixed on Erich, a mix of curiosity, hatred, and sothing complicated between them flickered in his eyes.
'... Damn. He ans to fight.'
Erich's body tensed.
In an instant, Ungrim closed the gap, and his fist appeared right in front of Erich's nose.
― Boom!-
Erich's reaction was quick.
He didn't have ti to draw his sword, so he simply raised his hand and blocked Ungrim's punch.
The air rang with a powerful sonic boom.
'My bones are shaking.'
Both Erich's and Ungrim's arms trembled as they pressed their strength against each other.
Even so, Erich was relieved that his arm hadn't broken from the first blow.
That's how heavy Ungrim's punch was.
[... Remarkable. How did you block this barehanded?]
[Well... like this!]
― Bam!-
Erich's body rose as he forcefully landed a kick to Ungrim's chest. It felt like kicking a giant boulder.
Ungrim, having taken the kick, slid backward.
He, too, seed surprised that Erich could generate this much power with sheer physical strength.
Erich's group, as well as Ungrim's subordinates, all broke out in cold sweat.
The thought that soone could treat their leader this way was shocking.
Above all, these were n who, in their respective factions, were regarded as insurmountable mountains.
To see two such figures fighting evenly was surreal.
Erich brushed off his crumpled cloak and spoke toward Ungrim.
[I didn't co here to duel to the death. You said you hadn't heard, so listen—]
[Wait.]
Ungrim abruptly cut him off, straightening his shoulders.
The sculpted muscles visible beneath his fur cloak glead like marble.
[The fact that you ca here ans you had sothing with which to persuade . Isn't that right?]
[And if I did?]
[Then I'll give you ti to persuade —until you die, that is.]
No sooner had Ungrim finished speaking than he lunged at Erich.
In fact, given his agility and speed, 'teleported' might be a better word.
'Fast...!'
― Boom!-
This ti, Erich managed to draw his sword and clashed with Ungrim's fist.
Even filled with aura, the divine sword Dragon Fang was nearly bent. If it were an ordinary sword, it would have shattered.
"... Huff!"
Erich steadied his breath as he exchanged blows with Ungrim. Each clash of sword and fist rang in the ears of everyone nearby.
― Bam! Bam!-
[Get back!]
"Damn it, what on earth...!"
Erich's sword grazed Ungrim's ear. The sharp aura left behind a faint trail of fla where it passed.
It seed like a simple slash, but Ungrim's eyes darted quickly—the missed sword aura had caused a massive explosion.
― Boom!-
But even that wasn't enough to slice through Ungrim's body.
The sheer size of his physique alone was able to block a sword imbued with aura.
'... He seems even stronger than before.'
Now, Erich was much stronger than before his regression.
And Ungrim should have been much weaker than when they'd first t, given the earlier tiline.
Yet Ungrim was fighting the current, much more powerful Erich, without being outmatched at all... which suggested another possibility.
'... Ungrim got stronger too?'
If anything, Ungrim felt even stronger than he had at his pri.
'Sothing I changed... must have affected Ungrim as well.'
Erich's regression had had endless consequences.
He'd disrupted the plans of the dead much sooner than expected and had threatened the survival of the entire northern barbarian region.
Given that, it wasn't strange if Ungrim felt more threatened and beca stronger in response.
Just then, a powerful shockwave skimd past Erich's side.
He couldn't see it clearly, but sothing wavering zipped past his flank and crashed into a distant mound.
― Boom!-
A tempest followed, whipping the air violently. Even Erich felt a chill at such a terrifying sight.
― Bam!-
Again, Erich and Ungrim crashed together, pushing at each other with brute strength.
Erich spoke through his exertion.
[... Crazy bastard, can you really make explosions with just the shockwave of your fists?]
[... With that strange fire and your aura mastery, you're among the top swordsn I've ever faced.]
[Back when you were with the Watch?]
Ungrim's face hardened.
Apparently, it was an unexpected question.
But he pressed the attack, and Erich, catching those heavy blows, continued.
[I understand your sense of betrayal. You must have been horrified to see your comrades' descendants treated that way.]
[So you claim not to have known?]
[... Yes!]
― Boom!-
Erich mustered his strength and pushed Ungrim away.
But Ungrim's body was so heavy, like a boulder, that he wouldn't budge fully.
Erich could barely get his words out under the barrage of attacks.
[It's not our fault. We didn't know, and behind all that trickery is a familiar na.]
[Tiberius, you an?]
Ungrim grinned. Erich was surprised that he had so quickly guessed the na Tiberius.
But he had no ti to look shocked as Ungrim's attacks grew fiercer.
Soon, as if delivering a heated argunt, Ungrim shouted as he attacked.
[You say it's a misunderstanding, but within that you still look down on and my kin. Why did you think I wouldn't notice?]
[... Because I thought, if you knew, you'd have put things right.]
[And was that sothing I could fix? Do you believe Tiberius could have pulled all that off alone?]
[What do you an?]
Erich shot back as he quickly drew a line to Ungrim's left, flas flaring up to block his approach.
Both paused for a breath; they glared at each other for a split second. Then Ungrim replied.
[I admit it. I only learned the truth recently. But what I've co to know even more deeply is that a handful of Watchn joined in the sche for their own benefit.]
[... Of course. Things disappear from history not because of one person, but by collective will.]
[So can you really claim you're blaless? Is there any guarantee this won't happen again soday, even if it's not this ti?]
[I'll guarantee it.]
[You?]
Ungrim scoffed in the middle of their furious fight, quickly widening the distance as he retorted sharply.
[You think you're soone with that kind of authority?]
[... Hmm.]
Erich gauged Ungrim's deanor. At this rate, the matter might have to be settled with life on the line.
Even Mikhail was gripping his sword, sensing persuasion might not work.
'It's a sha to let go. Ungrim has beco even stronger than before.'
There wasn't much ti to think, but Erich fully understood Ungrim's point.
To bring the barbarians back under the Empire's influence couldn't be done by an ordinary man's power.
In other words, if Erich could prove that he was no ordinary man, he might be able to convince Ungrim.
Erich quietly lifted the corner of his mouth. Coincidentally, Erich was anything but ordinary.
He possessed strength anyone would acknowledge, and in addition, he was the incarnation of Incensus.
Slowly, light began to gather in Erich's hand. He was about to prove that Erich's promise was as good as the will of the Empire itself.
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