Chapter 15 : The King's Duel 3

After an intense clash, Namor, failing to strike a deal, swiftly retreated, readying for the ensuing onslaught.

Following brief head-to-head exchanges, his inferior strength left him somewhat despondent, his hands numb, and the grip on his trident quivering.

Acknowledging his disadvantage, he couldn't persist in direct combat. Promptly leveraging his speed advantage, he initiated a hit-and-run strategy, sporadically launching energy blasts using the trident from a distance.

These energy blasts packed a punch equivalent to rocket launchers, bearing significant impact.

Though Arthur's trident possessed a similar capability, having acquired it recently, mastery remained elusive.

Facing Namor's ranged assault, Arthur evaded or parried with the trident but struggled to completely dodge. Absorbing these energy blasts through the trident caused discomfort, lacking lethal force but proving decidedly unpleasant.

"Namor, capable as you are, do you lack the mettle for close combat?" Arthur taunted.

Namor dismissed lightly, "This is a royal face-off, not child's play. Surrender now, and your life can be spared."

A hot-tempered monarch, Namor remained astute, leveraging strengths while exploiting enemy vulnerabilities, inherently a skilled combatant.

A daring move.

Arthur felt somewhat helpless, summoning water currents as weapons to attack Namor with the trident.

As per old wisdom, only magic can vanquish magic.

While yet to harness the energy blast's potential, the [Neptune Trident] could channel oceanic power.

The surging water coalesced into a spiraling column, surging upwards towards Namor with suction force.

"Futile."

Capitalizing on the moment, Arthur surged forward with incredible speed, transforming into a phantom, yet Namor deflected the trident, piercing Arthur's chest like a cannonball.

Namor wielded the trident, blocking Arthur's advance. The force propelled Arthur upwards, finally shattering the ice.

"Wow~"

Bursting out of the ice, they plummeted towards Gaudun, slowing their momentum after a fifty-meter fall.

Only Arthur could land while Namor used small wings on his feet to remain airborne.

Namor's ankle fins resembled child's shoe adornments, an unscientific propulsion method for flight. However, in Marvel's world of diverse powers, Arthur refrained from raising objections.

Observing Namor's aerial prowess, Arthur recognized that Sea King Arthur's triumph over Ocean Lord didn't apply to Namor.

Namor's superior overall strength and authentic trident granted him control over water, energy blasts, and lightning.

Moreover, Namor's aerial and aquatic mobility offered unparalleled advantages, denying Arthur similar advantages.

Unless Arthur could drag Namor ashore, depriving him of oxygen until hypoxia set in, their struggle remained futile.

Namor, a hybrid being, adhered to Marvel's premise: an hour away from water weakened him, prolonged land exposure leading to mania, depression, and mood swings. A week devoid of water proved fatal.

Was this world's Namor exempt from such limitations?

Unaware of Arthur's thoughts, Namor hovered mid-air, firing energy rays downward using the trident.

Arthur activated divine power within the trident, erecting an energy shield to deflect the attack. Though the shield held, the ice beneath shattered.

"Rise!"

Arthur commanded the sea, steadying himself, conjuring a waterspout towards Namor in mid-air, effortlessly evaded.

Descendeding, Namor's trident struck with tremendous force.

Arthur parried briefly but lacked time to manipulate the water flow. Weightless, Namor's kick sent Arthur hurtling a hundred meters, colliding with an iceberg, causing severe abdominal cramps and fracturing half the iceberg.

Stepping away from the icy debris, Arthur witnessed Namor mid-air, trident aloft, amid darkening skies, thundering and lightning.

"Boom!"

Thunder reverberated as a colossal red-white lightning bolt streaked down.

Arthur dodged but was struck, electric currents coursing through, resisted by the trident and golden battle suit. Nevertheless, Arthur screamed in agony, hair sizzling into smoke.

"It appears I can't overpower you, but do not exploit me for lacking magic!" Arthur lamented.

"Boom~"

The dark clouds churned, another lightning bolt struck, compelling Arthur to passively defend with an energy shield.

Namor transformed from a warrior to a mage, relentlessly bombarding the drifting glacier.

"Each has their domain, and yours isn't Atlantis."

Namor's oxygen intake might be minimal. His demeanor mirrored a hot-blooded adolescent. Shifting to magical attacks, he unleashed his prowess.

Arthur resisted, changing tactics, diving into the sea.

"Your recklessness in Atlantis demands a price."

Namor plunged after Arthur, manipulating nearby sharks to assail Arthur.

"Easy, I'm not that enthusiastic, okay?"

Golden light emanated from Arthur's eyes, transforming the swarming sharks into docile creatures.

"You command marine life as well. Looks like he truly succeeded. Now, kneel, and your surrender will be accepted."

Namor, observing the striking resemblance in abilities, found himself ensnared in Arthur's ruse, swiftly falling prey to Arthur's close-quarter strike.

"The dignity of a monarch must not be tarnished! Even devoid of magic, I stand invincible, as Arthur, in this realm!"