CHAPTER 23: 5TH MOVE—THE KING’S ADVANCE

The Knights suddenly turned into an uproar when they heard that Duke Cassian wanted to show Nyxrael the 5th move—The King’s Advance.

"He’s all yours." James waved his hand casually.

"Thank you, My Lord." Nyxrael bowed deeply, expressing his gratitude since James delayed the journey because of him.

Cassian’s sharp gaze fell upon Nyxrael with a calm expression. The murmurs from the knights faded, leaving only the faint sound of wind brushing across the training field.

"Words won’t teach you this move," Cassian said with a smile. "The best way to learn The King’s Advance is to experience it yourself."

Nyxrael nodded firmly. "Understood."

Cassian gave a faint smile before unsheathing his sword. "Don’t hold back. Meet me head-on."

He took a single step forward—a simple one, yet the air itself trembled. The faint golden aura surrounding his body rippled like a rising tide as he deliberately suppressed his strength, lowering it to Nyxrael’s level. Still, even if he restrained his strength, his presence was overwhelming.

"Remember this," Cassian began, his voice calm amidst the tension. "The King’s Advance is not about speed alone, nor brute strength. It’s about momentum, about claiming the battlefield one step at a time. Each strike declares authority, each movement forces the opponent to yield."

Then, he moved.

His sword flashed forward, it wasn’t wide or extravagant, but a firm one. Nyxrael raised his blade to block, only to feel his stance pushed back half a step by the sheer weight of Cassian’s advance.

Cassian said as their blades met. "The first strike is to establish dominance. You must make your opponent understand that they stand before a king."

The next step came immediately, flowing into another attack. Cassian’s blade swept sideways, fast yet perfectly measured, each motion forcing Nyxrael to retreat.

Sparks flew as steel clashed, each impact carrying an unyielding rhythm, as if Cassian’s advance dictated the flow of the fight.

"Every step," Cassian continued mid-combat, his tone almost instructional, "is a decree. Each swing... is an order that your enemy cannot ignore."

Nyxrael gritted his teeth, parrying desperately, but every time he tried to counter, Cassian’s next strike came faster, heavier, and smoother. His movements were not reckless but regal, as each blow layered upon the last, the momentum building like a storm that could not be halted.

Cassian’s sword became a force of nature that pressed forward, cutting through the air in a seamless chain of thrusts and arcs. Nyxrael’s feet dragged across the dirt, leaving deep marks as he tried to maintain his footing.

Then, Cassian’s aura surged. His sword came down one final time in a decisive strike, stopping just an inch before Nyxrael’s shoulder.

The ground beneath them cracked from the remaining force, and the air rang with silence.

Cassian withdrew his sword and exhaled slowly. "That," he said, sheathing the blade, "is the fifth move—the King’s Advance. Each motion pushes your foe back until there’s nowhere left to run. It embodies the will to rule, to dominate the field until only your authority remains."

Nyxrael breathed heavily, then lowered his sword and bowed deeply. "Thank you for the lesson, Duke Cassian. I... think I understand it now. It’s not just about strength—it’s about commanding the flow of battle."

Cassian nodded with a faint, approving smile. "Good. When you master it, your every move will make the enemies falter."

The surrounding knights, who had held their breath the entire time, finally erupted into awed murmurs. Even the ground seemed to hum with the echo of Cassian’s movements as if it was a testament to the King’s Advance, the move that defined the might of House Steelheart.

James chuckled softly as he watched with Elara in his arms. "Dad always makes it look so effortless."

Elara giggled. "Because he’s the strongest!"

James thought to himself. ’I wonder how long it’ll take him to master that move...’

A few moments later, James took out the Eclipsera and handed it to his father. "We’ll be heading out now."

"Goodbye, Dad!" Elara waved energetically.

"Wait a moment." Cassian spoke before calling out a few names. "Corvin, Hadric, Alden, Rowen."

Four people instantly appeared beside Cassian like a shadow and reported to him.

"You four will accompany them," Cassian ordered firmly. "If anything happens, contact me immediately and ensure their safety above all else."

"Dad, isn’t this a little overkill?" James smiled bitterly.

Cassian shook his head and said. "It’s better to be safe rather than sorry."

"Alright, alright." James shook his head helplessly.

Afterward, James and the others departed for real this time.

The moment they left, Cassian waved his hand. "Halden, call everyone back except those stationed at the border."

He then glanced at the knights in the surroundings and shouted. "From this moment onward, we enter the stage of war! Minimize training and switch to live combat drills. Knight Captains and above must be ready to move at any time!"

The knights erupted into an uproar for a brief moment before everyone dispersed, leaving only Halden behind.

"Halden, call Gareth too. I will leave for a bit." Cassian said.

Halden knitted his eyebrows and asked. "What about the border?"

"I’ll visit Blackfang Mountain first. Then, I’ll pay the Bloodborne family a visit." Cassian replied as he vanished into thin air.

...

Inside the carriage, Elara said excitedly while sitting on James’s lap. "Brother James, what are we going to do later? Let’s go to the beach and eat a lot of seafood! Don’t forget about the night market near Uncle Edmund’s city! And also—"

James instantly took out a lollipop that he had already prepared beforehand and stuffed it into Elara’s mouth, as he’d had enough of her chattering.

"Alright, alright. We’ll do all that later." James smiled as he patted her head.

Then, he picked her up and put her on the floor. "Elara, why don’t you play with Uncle Corvin for a bit? I need to think about something."

Corvin’s face instantly became solemn for a second before immediately smiling when Elara turned her body and walked toward him.

"Uncle Corvin," Elara asked innocently as she climbed into his lap, "Dad said Brother James’s knight is as strong as you, Uncle Halden, and Uncle Gareth! So... who’s the strongest and who’s the weakest among the four of you?"

Corvin’s face instantly darkened, facing such a question even though he had expected this the moment James handed Elara to him.