Gamble

Because of Magnus's decision to move his upper body forward, his dagger hit the armour of Magnus. However, the outcome of this scenario was completely different to what Magnus had expected. His seemingly indestructible armour was nearly pierced by the dagger this person was holding. 

Although the dagger couldn't penetrate deeply onto his armour, still it left a noticeable mark on his seemingly indestructible armour. And because of this unexpected turn of events, Magnus's heart skipped a beat for split seconds. 

Immediately he then hacked his blade like heavy-sword towards the hooded individual; trying to chop his head off in one single attempt. However just like before the hooded individual reacted quickly and immediately put some distance away from him. It was as if this hooded individual knew exactly how he'd move. 

Even though his reaction speed wasn't faster than him, like a slippery eel, he once again evaded Magnus's sword. 

By reacting early, he was somehow minimising the time he needed to evade Magnus's attack. 

But Magnus who right now was in an enraged state wasn't willing to let go of this individual either. Thus, even after the individual put off some distance from him, he hacked his sword furiously towards him without any rest. 

However, unlike before, he didn't hack blindly. After encountering this man's attack head on, he simply couldn't afford to attack carelessly. Somehow this man's dagger could pierce through his seemingly indestructible armour.

Although it didn't do much damage to him but if he repeatedly assaulted him at one single spot continuously who knows if his dagger wouldn't penetrate his heart. 

The hooded individual however was getting extremely anxious. Not only was he facing this abomination of a man, he also had to stay guard against those who were rapidly closing onto him. Those attackers weren't his only worries, he also was running out of time. 

"Deadly Nightshade's poison?!" Magnus while casting a glance at the dying figure of his son realised that his son was poisoned. 

Deadly Nightshade is a rare flower which normally grows in high altitude places, under extreme cold temperature. And it's believed that the reason why it is so poisonous is because of the repeated assault of the snow monsters found in those places. To prevent itself from being eaten, it just developed lethal poison that would immobilise the monster coming in contact with it. 

However, the effect of its poison isn't omnipotent either. With a Grand healer's healing or healing from a major artifact or with adequate cure, it could be cured. But Magnus was no healer let alone a grand healer. He was a knight, to be more precise he was a Dragon Knight.

In empire which they were currently residing, the knights on the basis of magical prowess, mastery of spells, magical knowledge, ability to control one's aura and on the basis of application of one's knowledge and skills in real time combat was classified into 7 categories; Aspirant, Squire, Partial Knights, Knights, Knight commander, High Knight and Grand Knight. 

However, these terms were only applied to knights without any bloodline power. For those with bloodline power different terms was used; for example, for Magnus who possessed the bloodline power of dragon which enhanced his physical abilities and also his affinity with fire magic was granted the title of Dragon Knight. 

Luckily though, right now he had a healing artifact with him at this moment. Artifacts were rather rare and not many people had the luxury to possess one. But Magnus who was a duke, his situation was different. And what he carried with him was a high-ranking major artifact. 

Magical artifacts were mostly categorized into four categories; lesser artifacts, major artifacts, legendary artifacts and divine artifacts according to their magical power and uses. Those artifacts were further sub-divided into three categories low-ranking, middle-ranking and high-ranking. Let alone major class difference, even the sub-class difference had a huge impact on the quality of the artifact. 

Noticing that jade coloured bracelet like item in Magnus's hand which was radiating with vitality, his pupils constricted as he caught onto Magnus's intention, "Vitality bracelet…." 

That bracelet although it couldn't nullify the effect of poison, it could still stall for time and prevent the imminent death of the user by helping the user to regain his/her vitality. Which meant it could stall the death of the boy who right now was slowly dying from the effect of Deadly Nightshade's poison. 

However, although it could prevent the imminent death of the miserable boy, it couldn't salvage him from the pain he was suffering due to the effect of the poison. All along until he receives adequate treatment, he'd suffer from unimaginable pain.

Magnus being the father of this child didn't want this to happen, however, right now he had no choice but to let his son suffer at the cost of extending his life for some while. 

Catching the whiff of Magnus's intention, his heartrate spiked as he started panicking. Even if he couldn't kill him, as long as he died before the end of the ritual, he could complete the ritual. But now because of Magnus's intervention even that wasn't going to happen. 

Because of the delay, even the light radiating from the altar was dimming. And along with the dimming of the light, he could vividly feel the fluctuations of the energy gathered around the altar. 

This scenarios in turn made him even more anxious. 

He was well aware that he shouldn't panic. And he was well aware that he should remain cool-headed. However, watching his only opportunity which he had been preparing for so long slipping right from his palm, he couldn't help but feel frustrated and enraged. 

Thus, out of desperation, while taking everything under consideration, he decided to take a gamble.

Betting his life on the line, he charged towards Magnus in a state of frenzy. Magnus who was a bit distracted by his son, immediately sensed danger. 

Immediately he rose his guard as he became alerted by the hooded individual's frenzied attack. As the individual fearlessly rushed forward, he thrusted his sword.

Stab!!

"Urgh...."