Chapter 573 "Consciousness" and "Reason"

Once again, the wind swept across the lawn.

It had only been a minute since the last gust of wind passed through here.

In other words, Fang Li and Wilhelm's intense clash of sword edges had only begun just a minute ago.

However, in this one minute, Fang Li and Wilhelm had no idea how many swords they had swung, or how many times they had clashed.

If one took a careful look around the area then they would understand the situation.

In the area where Fang Li and Wilhelm had just clashed, within a three-meter diameter of the lawn, scattered sword marks were visible.

Apart from the sword marks, not a single blade of grass on the lawn had been harmed.

It was easy to imagine just how high the level of sword-edge combat between Fang Li and Wilhelm was.

In this situation, Wilhelm honestly expressed his evaluation.

"Truly splendid technique, worthy of reaching the realm of the Demon God."

While Wilhelm spoke these words, his ability to keep up with Fang Li's sword movements proved that his own skills were equally exceptional.

After all, Fang Li's Combined Attributes had increased by a whopping 100 points after he obtained the title of "Royal Knight," even when wielding a sword.

Though it had just been a warm-up bout, Wilhelm might not have been holding back either.

"So that's how it is, this is the Sword of the 'Sword Demon'?"

Fang Li murmured, and shortly afterward, he actually relaxed his stance, slowly returning his Knight's sword to the scabbard at his waist.

Wilhelm couldn't help but be slightly surprised, asking, "Are we not continuing? You didn't seem fully satisfied with the level of our bout just now, did you?"

"Indeed, that was just a warm-up," Fang Li replied with a slight smile towards Wilhelm, saying, "Although it was just a warm-up, it should be enough for you, Wilhelm San."

A single phrase that contained unfathomable mystery, yet it silenced Wilhelm.

Shortly afterward, Wilhelm sighed and spoke.

"It seems that not only your skills, but your intellect is also extremely remarkable."

With that said, Wilhelm's sharp sword aura and imposing manner gradually dissipated as he sheathed his Knight's sword.

At this moment, the renowned 'Sword Demon' reverted to being an old steward of the Karsten family. He bowed slightly to Fang Li and spoke.

"I apologize for taking up your valuable time."

To this, Fang Li simply shook his head and replied.

"It's for both our sakes."

Leaving behind these words, Fang Li turned and left directly.

Watching Fang Li's gradually receding figure, Wilhelm couldn't help but have a strange feeling in his heart.

A feeling that the other person's hair had turned bright red, and the Knight's sword at their waist had become the famous Dragon Sword.

And that figure, to Wilhelm, was familiar to the peak.

No.

It should be said that for everyone in the Kingdom of Lugnica, that figure was as familiar as it could be.

After all, it was the silhouette of the strongest 'Sword Saint' on the continent.

In that moment, Wilhelm even had the illusion of seeing the Knight within the Knight.

"Ah—!"

Wilhelm suddenly woke up, shaking his head vigorously.

At this point, Fang Li had already left.

Only Wilhelm remained, staring blankly in the direction Fang Li disappeared, and after a long time, he let out a sigh.

"I really have grown old..."

...

Night fell quietly.

In the upper-level study of the Karsten family mansion, Crusch seemed to be diligently working on paperwork, fully focused on her task.

"Sigh..."

Beside her, Ferris yawned boredly, appearing quite disinterested.

Then, there was a knock on the door.

"Excuse me." Wilhelm entered from outside, bowing respectfully to Crusch.

Upon seeing Wilhelm, both Crusch and Ferris perked up, one raising her head and the other dispelling the sleepiness from his face.

"You are here already, Old Man Wil!" Ferris greeted Wilhelm.

"Thank you for your trouble," Crusch nodded at Wilhelm, getting straight to the point.

"How was it?"

It was an inquiry without a subject and was met with Wilhelm's unwavering response.

"He is a very formidable individual."

--- 'Formidable'.

Who this evaluation was directed towards needed no explanation.

Not to mention, this kind of evaluation was not new to that person.

However, for Crusch and Ferris, this evaluation was somewhat surprising.

"Formidable?" Ferris said incredulously, "To the extent that even Old Man Wil finds it formidable?"

"...In my case, it's more like admiration than fear," Wilhelm replied after a moment of silence, "After all, meeting someone like him is a first for me."

"Is that so?" Crusch closed her eyes, and when she reopened them, her gaze was directly focused on Wilhelm, asking, "In your opinion, what admirable qualities does Knight Fang Li possess?"

Wilhelm didn't answer immediately, instead, he lowered his gaze slightly, carefully considering his words.

Then, Wilhelm spoke.

"Crusch-Sama, you should know how important 'Conviction' and 'Purpose' are to us, right?"

"Of course," Crusch replied without hesitation, "Without conviction, one cannot continue to advance. Without purpose, one cannot continue to fight. Our swords house such souls, shining brightly in our hands."

"Exactly," Wilhelm nodded, saying, "It's because of our conviction and purpose that we continue to fight, wielding our swords until we reach our ideal state, fulfilling our desires. Until then, we will never stop, only moving forward continuously."

With that said, Wilhelm suddenly changed the topic, his tone becoming serious.

"However, that person is different."

One sentence left Crusch and Ferris stunned.

Then, Ferris hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Old Man Wil, are you saying that person lacks the conviction and purpose for battle?"

"That's impossible," Crusch immediately dismissed, saying, "If someone truly lacks the conviction and purpose for battle, how could they reach such a level? How could they command dragons with their will?"

Perhaps only Wilhelm and Ferris knew.

They knew why Crusch was so concerned about Fang Li.

The reason was because of that extremely important presence in the Kingdom of Lugnica.

--- 'Dragon'.

...

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