Chương 56: Fighting Side by Side

After only one exchange, Isabella sensed the absolute difference in strength between the two sides.

Seeing Harald catching up, his claws flying straight for her head, she dared not take the blow head-on and quickly ducked.

Harald's attack landed on the wall, leaving several finger-thick claw marks on the hard rock.

Isabella seized the opportunity to roll to the side, then stood up and drew her sword horizontally, aiming at Harald's abdomen before unleashing the Holy Slash!

But just before she struck, Harald turned slightly and took the blow with her harder back. Although she was still injured and bleeding, the wound was much shallower.

Seeing this, Isabella became a little anxious.

She subconsciously used even more force, trying to expand her gains, unaware that this moment of greed would plunge her into danger.

It turns out that in Butcher form, Harald's joints are no longer restricted like those of a normal person, so he can rotate his upper body 180 degrees without moving his lower body and directly attack Isabella behind him!

"die!"

Accompanied by that beast-like roar, Isabella was terrified and could only hastily defend herself.

But because of her incorrect posture, she couldn't withstand the enormous force and immediately lost her balance, falling to the ground.

She looked up at Harald, who was grinning broadly, revealing a mouthful of fangs. Her pupils dilated, and her face instantly turned pale...

"die!!!"

Boom!

Just as Harald confidently lowered his claws, and Isabella knew she would be seriously injured even if she didn't die, Richard struck!

He first cast a Vajra Shield on Isabella, then charged forward, unleashing a flurry of attacks while simultaneously using his entire body as a cannonball, slamming his sword into Harald before he was himself!

"roar!"

Harald's skin deflected Richard's blade, but the impact still caused him to stumble, halting his half-prepared attack. Then...

He let out a few low growls, then abandoned Isabella, who was within his grasp, and fixed his eyes on Richard!

Richard, on the contrary, felt a sense of relief.

That's exactly what I wanted – for you to have your eye on me!

Just now, he had been trying to help Isabella, but Harald in Butcher form had terrifyingly high magic resistance, and all his charm and laugh spells were ineffective.

Since he didn't have much magic left, he was hesitant to gamble with Silverlight Sharp Words.

Then he remembered that in the stories sung by bards, the followers of the god of slaughter often fell into a state of irrationality due to his great power.

So he changed his approach, no longer using control magic, but instead using the most direct method to make the other party focus on him, thus giving Isabella a chance to catch her breath!

On the ground, Isabella also realized Richard's thoughts.

She was momentarily stunned.

As a paladin, she traveled from the Empire to Phoenix City, during which time she served as a vanguard for spellcasters on several occasions.

But this is the first time I've ever seen a spellcaster proactively step forward and selflessly throw themselves into the enemy when they themselves encounter danger...

Her already pounding heart started beating even faster.

Then, instinctively, he shouted to Richard:

"I'm fine, let's go!"

Richard merely gave her a playful wink, then turned to Harald and said:

"Dude, has anyone ever told you that you look a bit like a cockroach? You know, reddish-brown, big and round, the kind that crumbles into a puddle when you step on it?"

He used harsh words, which, although they did not cause any harm, further increased the level of hatred.

Harald could not contain himself and roared as he walked toward him.

Richard swallowed hard, and then...

He turned and ran!

Just kidding, with his skinny arms and legs, he has no interest in going head-to-head with a monster that's over two meters tall!

next to.

Harald's four remaining confidants had already stood up and were supporting each other as they surveyed the battlefield. Seeing Richard run away after his provocation, they all burst into laughter.

"Hmph, so he's just a coward!"

"You think you can outrun Lord Harald?"

"Long live the Lord! Tear him to pieces!"

"etc……"

Why did he run this way?

"Hiss, something's not right!"

... Yes, that was Richard's plan.

He knew very well that attracting Harald's attention was not difficult, but surviving after gaining attention was very difficult. So from the beginning, he did not think about playing cat and mouse with the other party, but rather about leading the other party to the cult!

After all, a person who lacks rationality cannot distinguish between friend and foe at all times. It's better when they are far away, but when they are close, who cares about so much?

Even a normal recruit might forget to check on his comrades when he gets into battle, let alone a monster whose brain and helmet are fused together?

You want to kill me, the poet? Ha! Then you might as well kill your own people too!

"stop!"

"Don't come any closer!"

On the other side, the four people also realized Richard's intention. Some threw their swords, some cast spells, and they tried frantically to stop him.

Richard, however, smiled and took out his magical gadget.

That is, the remaining smoke grenade from before!

Pfft!

With the sound of the leather bag being pierced, thick smoke immediately billowed out, enveloping Richard and the four cultists.

"roar!"

Harald, who was chasing Richard, saw this and, without thinking—or rather, without the ability to think—dive into the smoke.

"what!"

"Lord Harald! It's me, no... ah!"

"My legs!"

In an instant, screams echoed from within the smoke.

As for Richard?

Relying on his animal instincts and lucky talent, he won big in this game of divination and emerged from the smoke crouching low.

Looking back at the blood mist that was faintly visible in the smoke, he couldn't help but let out a long breath.

It was only then that he realized his back was soaked with sweat.

That was really damn dangerous.

But it worked at least. This should hold out for a while, right?

Just as Richard was thinking this, the smoke was blown away by the strong wind of the battle.

Harald stood still, while his four confidants... no, he should be called more than forty confidants, fell evenly into the water and remained motionless.

Richard's eye twitched.

I know you're good at killing, but is it really necessary to be this efficient?

Damn it, what should I do next...?

"Thank you so much for earlier. I really owe you more and more favors."

Suddenly, a familiar female voice rang in my ears.

But Isabella rallied and stood beside Richard, and then... she even winked at him, returning the wink.

She said, "I'm a warrior, not good at saying anything too sentimental. Anyway, leave the rest to me. It's a disgrace for a paladin to let a poet face the enemy directly."

Richard smiled slightly, raised his hands, and shielded Isabella in front of him: "Then I'll have to write a sarcastic poem just for you~" At this moment, the poet and the paladin reorganized their lines, feeling each other's presence. They were no longer afraid and faced Harald with their heads held high.

"die!"

Harald also opened his blood-red maw, ready to rush to this final duel.

But then...

"Does anyone need help?"

Grace poked her head out from the doorway.

The game is now over.