Garlan to the Rescue!

The chase persisted as the king kept pursuing me across the area. I could not let the king catch me! If I got caught, it would have been over!

As he reappeared from the air, his expression was highly focused, with a slight smile on his lips. He found enjoyment in chasing me.

“This is pathetic, Satori! Oh, how you have fallen,” King Endo declared. ”I will have my vengeance. You already had your time to shine. I will not allow you to steal mine!”

I sprinted away from him, looking over my shoulder towards the crowd. His attacks continued to slice my body up. I was grateful for Mr. Satori’s durability, but I wasn't sure how much more my body could endure before it gave out.

When I looked forward, King Endo stood patiently as if he waited for me to notice him. He lunged towards me the instant our eyes locked, charging his swing.

This time, he moved more quickly, and the air felt heavier than usual. He must be gathering all his energy for this final attack, intending to settle the fight with it.

As he soared through the air, I could hear the sound barrier shatter, his incredible speed generating an intense air backlash.

“Brace yourself, Satori! This attack will finish you,” warned King Endo.

He was right. I could not protect myself against any of Endo’s attacks. It was impossible to run away from him. I glanced over at Anojin, who was resting in the distance.

Hinabe was almost finished with the healing process. Even if the crusader were fully healed, I doubted he would have made it in time. Hinabe, please hurry!

…

At the same time, across the battlefield…

After splitting up with the prince, Garlan headed towards the crusader. He stood behind Hinabe, watching her heal him. He focused his attention on Anojin, observing his condition. “Young man. I heard you can block attacks.”

Anojin replied. “Yeah. That’s my role as a crusader.”

“Are you able to return to the battle at your current state?” Garlan inquired.

“If you want me to go back to protect that fake hero, you must have the wrong person,” the crusader clarified. “I’d rather die than protect that idiot!”

Hinabe interjected in the conversation, her eyes filled with sadness. She begged, “Anojin, you have to save Takumi. If you don’t, he might die… Please.”

Anojin’s eyes fluttered with love. “I’ll do anything for you, Miss Hinabe. Your wish is my command.”

A subtle smile rose from Hinabe. Garlan awkwardly stood there, sweat dripping along his face. “What an interesting pair of individuals.” He said to himself.

…

Back towards the battle…

The king would not give me time to breathe! I hated to say it, but I needed Anojin’s ability. Forget being the hero, I needed a hero to save me right now!

“Time to say your goodbyes!” Endo smirked, increasing his momentum.

His blades drew closer to me, just a couple of feet away. I stood there, holding back my fear. I had no choice but to accept my fate…

Before the king landed his strike, two familiar bodies appeared in front of me, shielding me. “Ease up, Mr. Satori. You need to pull yourself together.”

“Just as I expected from a wannabe hero. Ha, you look like you’re going to poop your pants.”

My eyebrows rose to the top of my forehead, surprised by the sudden appearances. “Garlan! And Anojin.”

Garlan and Anojin turned their backs on me and faced the oncoming attack. Anojin took his defensive stance as he wielded his shield. Garlan stood beside the crusader while calmly rolling his sleeves up. He held a regular sword from the nearby table.

“Seems like the crusader has returned. Their healer must have done a good job.” The king narrowed his vision, confused at Garlan’s behavior. “Garlan, what is the meaning of this?”

“Nothing personal, my king.” Garlan calmly responded, showing his utmost respect toward royalty. “I’m solely following orders from the prince.”

The king muttered to himself, “Orders from Kaito, ay?”

King Endo couldn’t stop his momentum. He lunged towards Anojin with the final attack. Anojin stood tall, shifting his energy into his feet to support himself. He gritted his teeth, trying to wake himself up.

With seconds left before his blade clashed with his shield, the crusader shouted the name of his spell. “Block!”

…

Bang!

The clash of their blade and shield clanked, the shockwave threatening everyone around them. The powerful energy created between the two dented the ground, creating debris beneath their feet. Standing behind Anojin protected me and Garlan from the gust of wind.

King Endo leaned into Anojin’s shield, trying to break through. Unfortunately for him, Anojin held his position unfazed. Soon after blocking the deadly threat, the weight of the air surrounding them lightened.

King Endo strategically stepped back, trying to recuperate his energy. The aftereffects of his training eventually caught up with him. He lightly panted, leaning back as he rested his blades on his shoulders.

Anojin cockily mocked Endo, “Ha, your puny attack is no match for the best crusader you have seen!”

Although his ego was inflated, the drawback from the spell crept up on him, paralyzing his body.

Garlan stood behind the crusader, impressed by his power. “Your display of a crusader is outstanding. I underestimated you.”

Anojin overheard the bodyguard’s comment and confidently smirked, boosting his ego.

“Don’t flatter him too much.” I pointed out. “He’s only good for a block daily.”

The crusader’s nerves ticked, his vein popping out of his neck. “What did you say! I just saved you, you better be grateful!”

“Oh, Understood,” Garlan replied over the crusader to me, as if ignoring him.

“Hey, are you listening to me?!” Anojin angrily raised his voice towards me. I did not want to argue with him, so I filtered him out of my ear.

As I muted the crusader, I curiously asked Garlan. “By the way, Garlan, why are you guys here?”

“I was simply following the prince’s orders.” He began explaining to me how they arrived on time. After speaking with Anojin, he carried the crusader over here.

“I see. But how did you get here so fast?”

The bodyguard proudly chuckled as if I had told a joke. “Ha, I may look older, but I’m still here in spirit.”

While we conversed, Anojin’s body dropped to the floor. We looked on towards the tired king, who dragged his body into an offensive stance.

Endo gazed behind us, towards the Tri-Carver on the back wall. While he stared, suddenly he noticed Prince Kaito at the bottom of the wall. Prince Kaito ran up the small staircase that led to the storage weapon and arrived at the display.

It wasn’t long until the king caught on to his younger brother’s plan.

“The Tri-Carver! What are you doing, Kaito!” “The king turned his fist into a ball, trying to hold his anger. “I can’t allow him to reach the weapon!”

After resting for a moment, the king reentered the battle. He charged forward, sprinting towards us. Oh crap, Anojin couldn’t move anymore. I needed to pick him up so he could block the king’s next attack.

However, King Endo mysteriously ran past us. Where was he heading? I turned my head back in the direction the king was heading. I squinted my vision toward the back wall and stumbled on Prince Kaito. That’s when I realized I wasn’t the king’s target anymore… it was Kaito!

The king soared in the air as if he were flying. Garlan noticed the king’s change of target and acted. In a split second, Garlan jumped in the king’s way, preventing him from reaching the prince.

Garlan pleaded with the king. “My king, please stop this. I don’t want to have to fight you.”

“Move out of my way, Garlan!” the king urged, showing empathy.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that. I work for the prince, before you. I must follow his orders and protect him at all costs.”

Endo began to lose his composure. Everything was crumbling around him, and he had no way to control the battle anymore. Garlan refused to move out of the way.

“This is your last warning, Garlan. I don’t want to hurt the man who trained me,” threatened King Endo.

Garlan responded, raising his sword. “We will see. Let’s see how well… my student performs.”

With neither one letting the other have their way, an inevitable battle would soon start. But this time, it was student versus master.

…