Chapter 134: Showdown with the Lion Princess
Amidst the river, a duel was poised to unfold between Zhang Fan and Princess Léonmichelle, separated only by the coursing waters peppered with numerous singular logs. This challenging landscape was Biscotti Republic's second line of defense. Zhang Fan's side was bolstered by two arrow towers, each manned by twelve archers. Though their offensive prowess was minimal, they served their role in disruption well.
"Release the arrows!" At the command of the captain atop the tower, the archers nocked and loosed their arrows. The Florinel world archers lived up to their reputation, sending a deluge of arrows, launching a hundred arrows in a mere five seconds – a display of remarkable efficiency and skill.
To everyone's surprise, Princess Léonmichelle conjured a purple spear, spinning it rapidly like a whirlwind, deflecting the incoming arrows effortlessly.
She then infused her emblem's power into the spear, launching it with ferocious force towards the arrow towers. If things proceeded as anticipated, the towers would not withstand the assault.
At that moment, a golden column of light appeared, striking and deflecting Léonmichelle's spear, much to the relief of the soldiers.
"It's you!" Léonmichelle recognized Zhang Fan's intervention, her eyes narrowing in interest. "Well done, Hero. I invite you to make your move," she said.
Acknowledging the challenge, Zhang Fan leapt onto a log, gesturing to the Lion Princess to engage in a duel.
"Interesting, Hero. What's your name?" Léonmichelle appeared pleased with Zhang Fan's formality. She dismounted her steed and, armed with her weapon, leapt onto a log opposite him, ready for a face-off.
"My name is Zhang Fan. It's an honor to meet you," Zhang Fan replied with a slight smile, fully alert in the presence of the Lion Princess.
"Excellent!" Léonmichelle, armed with a battle axe and shield, was the epitome of offensive and defensive balance. Zhang Fan knew he needed a tactical edge to prevail against such an adversary.
"Hold on, Princess Léonmichelle is too formidable. Let's confront her together. This is a battlefield, not a place for chivalrous duels!" Eclair suddenly joined the fray, leaping onto a log and drawing her twin daggers, preparing to attack Léonmichelle.
"A wise choice. But be careful, Captain Eclair," Zhang Fan nodded in agreement. Eclair's assistance would indeed facilitate the battle against such a formidable opponent.
"Address me as 'Your Highness'!" Léonmichelle, unfazed by the number of adversaries, prepared for battle.
However, she underestimated Zhang Fan, a far from ordinary opponent.
As Léonmichelle leapt high, initiating a 1v2 battle, Eclair tactically took on the role of a supporting attacker, while Zhang Fan wielded his emblem-transformed sword, lunging towards Léonmichelle in the air.
Ordinarily, Zhang Fan couldn't leap so high, but with the power of the Florinel – magical elements beneath his feet – propelling him, he made the aerial assault look effortless.
"Well met!" Léonmichelle, delighted by Zhang Fan's approach, managed to block his sword strikes with her shield. Just as her axe was about to strike Zhang Fan, Eclair intervened. The supporting attack was a ruse; Eclair was the true aggressor!
Eclair's attack was swift, but Léonmichelle's reaction was equally rapid. She redirected her axe from Zhang Fan to Eclair. Despite the 1v2 disadvantage, especially with Zhang Fan as one of her opponents, Léonmichelle held her ground.
"Take this!" Zhang Fan, not limited to a single weapon, summoned his Flame Magnum revolver with his free hand, unleashing six bullets at breathtaking speed towards Léonmichelle.
These were not ordinary bullets but fire bullets infused with Zhang Fan's Qi. The Magnum, enhanced with fire crystals, now had the capability to shoot fire bullets. Being a bronze-tier weapon, its special ability was to fire magical bullets endlessly, as long as Zhang Fan's Qi reserves held out.
In the Florinel world, while guns and cannons existed, their primitive design – powerful yet slow to reload – limited their popularity and development.
Unacquainted with handguns, Léonmichelle was caught off guard by the Magnum's formidable power, conceding a slight disadvantage.
Despite the fire bullets' potency, they couldn't penetrate Léonmichelle's emblem shield. In a critical moment, a pale green shield enveloped her, draining her strength significantly.
"Now's our chance! Emblem Technique – Sky Rend: Cross Strike!" Eclair, seizing the opportunity as everyone
regained their footing, unleashed a cross-shaped energy wave, glowing with a faint blue light, towards Léonmichelle.
"Naïve!" Léonmichelle was not easily defeated. She gathered her strength, releasing a green claw-like emblem from her left hand.
"Emblem Technique – Lion King: Claw Shatter!"
The collision of Cross Strike and Claw Shatter resulted in a massive energy explosion. However, defeating the Lion Princess was not as simple as that.