Chapter 5 - Clash

The crowd, already in stunned silence, watched with wide-eyed apprehension. The weight of the moment pressed heavily on everyone present, from the high-ranking nobles to the humblest servants. The guards, still struggling under the crushing weight of Kieran's oppressive aura, could do little more than kneel, gasping for breath.

With a sudden, explosive movement, Kieran dashed forward, his speed a blur to the onlookers.

William, anticipating the attack, braced himself, his sword swinging in a swift vertical arc to meet Kieran's charge.

The two blades collided with a force that sent shockwaves through the room, the sheer power of their clash creating a thunderous vibration in the air.

The ornate chandeliers overhead swayed dangerously, as if the very foundations of the mansion were quaking under the might of their confrontation.

"Huh?" Kieran grunted, momentarily surprised as he felt himself pushed back by the impact. He quickly refocused, his eyes narrowing as he took in the faint glow emanating from William's sword.

"An artifact," Kieran muttered, a smirk curling his lips into a menacing grin. "Do you think a mere artifact can protect you?"

Without hesitation, Kieran launched another attack, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision.

William met the strike head-on, the enchanted blade once again glowing as it absorbed and countered the force of Kieran's assault. The room reverberated with the clash, the sound of steel on steel ringing through the air, reverberating through the high ceilings.

Despite the temporary advantage granted by the artifact, it quickly became clear that the gap in their abilities was vast. Kieran, a seasoned warrior hardened by countless battles on the empire's borders, began to exert his true strength. Each swing of his sword was more powerful, and more controlled, driving William back with every strike.

William's face tightened with concentration, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead as he struggled to hold his ground. He had recently awakened and was still coming to terms with his newfound abilities. The artifact he wielded gave him a fleeting edge, but it was no match for Kieran's raw power and battle-honed skills.

Kieran's smirk widened as he pressed his advantage, his movements swift and unyielding. The gap between them was evident to all who watched. The experienced general, with his years of combat, was far superior to the newly awakened marquis. It was like watching a seasoned predator toy with its prey, each strike of Kieran's sword forcing William to retreat, his defenses weakening with every blow.

The nobles watched in a mix of horror and fascination. Whispers and gasps rippled through the crowd, the realization of Kieran's superior strength dawning on them. Some began to wonder if the young marquis could hold his own, while others feared the chaos that might ensue if Kieran continued unchecked.

As the fight intensified, the mansion began to succumb to the relentless blows. Pieces of the ornate ceiling cracked and fell, the chandeliers swaying perilously before crashing to the ground. The walls, adorned with priceless tapestries and paintings, started to crumble under the onslaught. Dust and debris filled the air, creating a chaotic scene as the guests, once enraptured by the spectacle, now scrambled to escape the collapsing building.

Panic spread like wildfire among the gathered noblemen and women. Their elegant gowns and tailored suits became a hindrance as they stumbled over fallen debris, desperate to avoid being buried alive. Servants and guards tried to direct the crowd, but the chaos was overwhelming, and the once orderly party dissolved into a frantic rush for the exits.

Amidst the chaos, the battle continued. Kieran's relentless assault drove William back, his fierce determination and battlefield experience proving too much for the young marquis. Each strike from Kieran's sword was like a hammer blow, forcing William to retreat, his defenses crumbling under the onslaught.

Finally, with a powerful thrust, Kieran disarmed William. The enchanted sword flew from William's grasp, clattering across the floor and coming to rest against the crumbling wall.

William staggered, losing his footing on the debris-strewn floor. He fell heavily, his regal robe quickly staining red from a deep wound on his shoulder, matching the crimson of his hair. Blood seeped through his fingers as he clutched at the injury, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

"Oops, the fight ended," Spark observed with a hint of amusement, watching the scene unfold with a detached curiosity.

As the building continued to shudder and crack around them, Spark turned to Zhao Shi and Yuna, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the panic around them. "Let's get out of here before this whole thing collapses on us."

Without waiting for a response, Spark began to make his way toward the nearest exit, his steps sure and unhurried. Zhao Shi and Yuna quickly followed, weaving through the panicked crowd with practiced ease. Spark's composed exit stood in sharp contrast to the frenzied flight of the other guests, his calm almost otherworldly amidst the chaos.

As they made their way out of the crumbling mansion, Zhao Shi glanced back at the scene behind them. Kieran stood over the fallen marquis, his expression a mix of triumph and barely restrained rage. The noblemen who had once toasted and flattered William now fled in terror, their loyalties shifting as quickly as the wind.

Outside, the clear night sky was a stark contrast to the turmoil within the mansion. The moon shone down serenely, illuminating the scene of noblemen and women spilling out into the gardens and courtyards, their elegant attire a sharp reminder of the world they had left behind.

Zhao Shi took a deep breath, the cool air a welcome relief from the dust and chaos. As they regrouped in the safety of the garden, Spark turned to the two with a wry smile. "Well, that was certainly more excitement than I anticipated for the evening."

Yuna shook her head, a faint smile playing on her lips despite the gravity of the situation. "You are enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Hey, don't look at me like I'm some devil who loves to see others suffer," Spark said, his grin betraying the amusement in his eyes. Despite the chaos they had just witnessed, he couldn't hide his enjoyment of the unexpected turn of events.

As they moved further into the garden, seeking a safe distance from the crumbling mansion, a new group caught their attention. A group of men in pristine white robes arrived at the mansion's entrance, their presence exuding an aura of authority and power.

"Oh, here they are," Spark remarked, watching the group of white-robed men step into the chaos with calm precision.

"They are..." Zhao Shi's voice trailed off as he sensed the formidable energy radiating from the group.

"They are the ascendants from the Duke Red's family," Spark explained. "The real show is about to begin."

The Red family, one of the four pillars of the empire, commanded respect and fear across the continent. They maintained a powerful force of ascendants, warriors who had mastered the art of harnessing the energy of the world.

These white-robed men were part of that elite force, entrusted with the safety of their family members and the enforcement of their will.

In the complex web of noble politics and power struggles, the presence of such ascendants was a common safeguard. Each powerful family ensured their heirs were well-protected by these hidden guards, ready to intervene at a moment's notice to preserve their honor and safety.

The white-robed men moved with disciplined purpose, their leader at the forefront. He surveyed the chaos with a calm, assessing gaze, his aura of authority unmistakable.

As they advanced into the mansion, the air around them seemed to hum with suppressed energy, a testament to their power and readiness to act.

The arrival of these ascendants signified a dramatic shift in the dynamics of the situation. It was no longer a simple altercation between a powerful general and a noble heir; it was about to escalate into a confrontation involving the might of one of the empire's most influential families.

As the white-robed ascendants entered the mansion, the crowd outside fell silent, their attention riveted on the unfolding scene.

Inside, Kieran's advance was halted as he sensed the arrival of a new, formidable presence. The general paused, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the newcomers, aware that the balance of power was about to shift dramatically.

William, still clutching his wounded shoulder, looked up with a mix of relief and defiance.

"Apprehend him!"