Chapter47-Even Among Diamond-Tiers, There are Differences
47 Chapter47-Even Among Diamond-Tiers, There are Differences
Owen glanced back to see a group clad in splendid armor, each wielding a sharp longsword - the guardian team.
"What's this?" he inquired.
Finn nodded slightly towards the guardian team.
"My personal troops, all thirty of them."
The thirty members of the guardian team were each robust and imposing, their aura formidable. The leader's eyes held a bloody ferocity, clearly those of a man who had taken lives. This was an elite guard.
Owen wasn't surprised. It would have been odd for a prince to journey to the secret realm without his private soldiers.
"I'm actually curious why you didn't call upon more helpers, just summoning me."
Finn's lips curled into a smile as he responded casually, "Mr. Owen, each of my guardian team members is diamond-tier, but do you think they could withstand even a few moves against you?"
Owen swept his gaze over the guardian team and chuckled, "Just one move. With only one move, they would all fall at my hands."
As his words fell, Owen distinctly felt the change in the guardian team's demeanor. Even the normally stoic leader glanced at Owen, a glint of fierceness in his eyes.
They were all elites, all prodigies. Being chosen by the prince was an honor. Now, to be so belittled by an outsider, naturally, they felt indignant.
Finn seemed unsurprised, merely spreading his hands as he said, "You see, Mr. Owen. Entering the secret realm isn't about numbers. I believe that you alone can help me achieve my goal."
Owen did not respond. At that moment, a voice arose from within the guardian team:
"My lord, I cannot accept this!"
Finn's expression turned icy as he coldly regarded the source of the voice.
The leader of the guardian team's face shifted slightly as he bellowed, "Who is it? Step forward now!"
Without hesitation, the man stood up. 16:58 n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
His features were resolute and determined, his brows revealing firmness and decisiveness. He wore a suit of well-crafted armor, adorned with silver metallic decorations that shimmered coldly.
Clasping a longsword in his hand, its blade was exceptionally sharp, and the hilt was engraved with mysterious runes, clearly an arcanergy weapon. Each of his steps was steady and powerful, exuding a calm but forceful presence. His aura was strong, like a majestic and ferocious beast.
Owen nodded internally, acknowledging him as a true talent. Only a genius could serve as the prince's personal guard in the richly endowed Kingdom of Laine.
His eyes deep and sharp, he stood firm and called out, "Reporting to my lord, Charlie is not convinced."
The leader, witnessing this defiant act, felt his heart clenching. He hurriedly interjected, "Your Highness, Charlie didn't mean it. He has been in the guardian team for less than three months. He's still somewhat unfamiliar with the rules."
Finn's eyes narrowed, exuding an intense authority, "So, you mean to say it's your failure in teaching?"
The leader immediately bowed his head, "Please punish me, Your Highness."
Finn didn't continue to reprimand the leader but instead turned towards Charlie, "Apologize to Mr. Owen, and then get out of the guardian team. You're not needed for this mission."
Charlie's pupils contracted sharply, his hand trembling as it gripped the sword hilt. He never anticipated that Finn would protect Owen to this extent - this detestable outsider.
Owen, looking at Charlie, shook his head slightly and said, "Let it be. It's normal for them to be uncomfortable with me since they are fed by you. But to ensure things go smoothly hereafter, how about I show them a bit of my strength?"
Finn, frowning, said awkwardly, "This... I mean no disrespect, sir, but isn't this a bit much?"
Owen rubbed his wrist, responding coldly, "To avoid such situations in the secret realm, I think it's better if I make a move."
He walked up to Charlie and said expressionlessly, "If you can make me move even a step, consider it your victory."
"How arrogant!" Smoke seemed to billow from Charlie's seven orifices as he unsheathed his sword with a 'clang.' He strode forward, charging at Owen, his sword tracing a silver arc through the air.
Owen stood his ground, a faint smile on his face, unshaken. As Charlie's sword thrust towards him, he swiftly sidestepped, easily dodging the blow.
Charlie's brows furrowed slightly. He swung his sword again, but Owen was quicker. His fist, like lightning, struck out and hit the guardian team member squarely in the chest.
A tremendous force instantly surged into Charlie's body, making him feel as if he had been struck by a mountain, unable to withstand the impact.
He was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground. Struggling to rise, a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.
His eyes filled with surprise and reluctance, Charlie hadn't anticipated that his swordsmanship would be no match for Owen's fist technique.
Not even a single punch!
The members of the guardian team stood with their mouths agape, their eyes as wide as lanterns.
"So strong, was that just a simple, unadorned punch?"
"My God, where did this monster come from?"
"Charlie ranks in the top three in combat technique among us, and yet he couldn't withstand a single punch from him."
"The timing of that punch was perfect, as if he saw right through Charlie in an instant. Such combat instinct, decades of training might not even achieve that effect."
"That kind of fist technique is not something a diamond-tier could execute, could he be a master-tier?"
"Nonsense, His Majesty restricted the levels this time, master-tier couldn't even be here."
"We can only say that even among diamond-tiers, there are disparities."
"Indeed, there's a reason why he stands by His Highness's side."
The leader, evidently more astute, walked over to Charlie and pressed his head down, "Apologize to Mr. Owen quickly."
Charlie hurriedly bowed his head, saying sheepishly, "Mr. Owen, I was wrong."
Owen waved his hand slightly, not minding at all, "Alright, I didn't intend to do anything to you, nor am I here to take your place. I just wanted to show you that for this secret realm's competition, you can listen and obey."
"Don't act up just because I'm an outsider. I won't make things difficult for anyone. I hope we can all work together to help the Second Prince accomplish his mission."
"Yes!" This time, the members of the guardian team all shouted in unison.
Finn's eyes narrowed slightly, thinking to himself, "Owen, the saint of dragons, truly has a knack for winning people over. Thankfully, he's not my enemy... but my brothers are going to have a tough time."
Diana, observing the scene, mused in her heart, "Owen is the saint of dragons after all. The dragon race's combat techniques far surpass those of humans."
"How could the guardian team possibly win? But the Owen now, he's so imposing, decisive, and efficient. He's completely different from the Owen of the past..."
Seeing the guardian team convinced, Finn snorted coldly, "Charlie, rejoin the team and be thankful to Mr. Owen. If it weren't for his intercession, you would have been kicked out by now."
Owen's response to Charlie's challenge was, in essence, protecting him. If Owen had not responded, Charlie would have certainly been expelled from the guardian team. Finn was clear about these internal dynamics.
Charlie nodded vigorously, "Thank you, Your Highness, and thank you, Mr. Owen."
"Mr. Owen, shall we set off?" Finn turned to Owen.
"Let's go."
Finn gave a knowing look to the leader of the guardian team.
The leader, understanding immediately, bellowed, "Set forth, to Dreamscape Valley!"
Owen and Finn walked side by side towards Dreamscape Valley.
"Do you know what kind of help your brothers and younger brother have enlisted?"
Finn pondered for a moment, "Hmm, I'm not quite sure about Oliver. But as for my elder brother, I know he'll definitely bring his paladin guardian team."
"Ah?" Owen furrowed his brows. "Guardian team? Isn't yours also a guardian team?"
Finn's eyes revealed a hint of envy as he glanced at his own guardian team, "The guardian teams of us other princes are selected from the royal guards. Though they're all diamond-tier and talented, they're much weaker compared to the paladin guardian team."
"Oh? Tell me more."
"Firstly, the selection of the paladin guardian team's members is incredibly stringent, one in ten thousand. Their individual strength far surpasses that of the members in mine and Oliver's guardian teams."
"Secondly, they have all followed my elder brother into battle, their hands steeped in blood, killing without blinking an eye."
"Finally, they have a battle formation that, when combined, can defeat a master-tier warrior."
Owen's expression remained unchanged, "Sounds like you don't stand a chance."
Finn squeezed out a smile, "Isn't that why I have you, sir?"
"You trust me that much?"
"Sir, Finn trusts you unconditionally."
Owen, now intrigued, studied Finn's face, "Why do you trust me so much?"
Finn glanced at Diana, who was admiring the scenery, "Did you know that you and the lady saint were classmates?"
"What about it?"
"Are you aware that lady saint became a diamond-tier magus in just a month and a half?"
"What?" Owen was astonished. It had taken him almost a year to become a diamond-tier warrior. The progression to magus was even more challenging. Despite being blessed by the stars, it took him nearly two years to reach gold-tier.
Diana, unassuming and discreet, turned out to be a diamond-tier magus, and she achieved it in just a month and a half. What level was she at now? Could she be a master-tier?
Finn put his finger to his lips, signaling Owen to lower his voice, "Are you surprised, sir?"
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