CHAPTER 51: CH 51: ALL FOR OUR LORD - PART 3

Despite her companion being knocked out cold, Lucian’s instincts screamed that the cloaked woman was the real threat.

He steadied his gun on her and said coldly.

"Don’t move. If you do, your companion won’t live to see the morning."

But the woman didn’t so much as flinch. Instead, her figure blurred, moving far faster than Lucian expected.

She’s fast!

In the blink of an eye, she was between Lucian and the unconscious servant, her cloak billowing as her blade hovered threateningly by her side.

She didn’t hesitate—her boot lashed out and kicked her companion’s ribs hard.

"Wake up, Louise! If you disgrace me again by falling so easily, I’ll end you myself!"

Her voice was sharp, carrying over the storm.

But Louise didn’t stir. He remained sprawled in the mud, breathing steadily under the effects of the sleeping dust.

The woman’s brows furrowed, her cold expression cracking into frustration.

"Tch... useless." Her grip tightened on her sword, the glow of killing intent spilling from her body.

Lucian’s lips curled faintly. "Perfect."

He lunged.

His attack was merciless, his small frame darting in with far more force than his body should’ve been able to muster. Sparks flew as his weapon clashed against her blade.

Clang!

The woman’s eyes widened a fraction.

’He’s just a child... yet his strength rivals mine?’

She pushed back, her strikes sharp and clean—but her focus slipped, just for a moment. Somewhere in her heart, she couldn’t fully register this boy as a true opponent.

That hesitation cost her.

Lucian swept low, twisting his body, and her footing was suddenly gone. She toppled, hitting the ground hard as the storm howled above them.

By the time she looked up, the muzzle of Lucian’s gun was already pressed to her face. His eyes were calm, deadly serious.

"Talk. What are you doing here? What’s your purpose?"

Lucian ordered.

The woman stared up at him, unblinking. Then, slowly, her lips curved into a small, cold smile.

"I came on behalf of my lord. He wishes to offer you a contract. Safety... in exchange for your yield."

She answered without shame.

Lucian’s eyes hardened.

"I don’t need your deal. And I won’t let you crawl back to your master and tattle, either."

At that, the woman chuckled softly. Her defiance didn’t waver even with a weapon pointed at her.

"Unfortunately for you, child... you don’t have a choice."

Her body began to glow.

Light burst forth, blinding and merciless, flooding the valley with an intensity that pierced even through the storm.

Lucian hissed, squinting against it, his gun hand faltering as his vision seared white.

And in that single moment of disorientation—

Shhhk!

She was free.

By the time the light faded, the woman was already back on her feet, her blade gleaming with reflected sparks.

Lucian’s vision stung from the sudden burst of light, but his instincts carried him.

The moment he felt her blade whistle through the air, he dropped low, rolling across the muddy ground. Steel carved through where his head had been a heartbeat ago.

’She’s not holding back anymore.’

The woman’s movements were fluid, every strike sharp and merciless.

Her cloak tore as she spun, revealing her true figure—a slender body, deceptively delicate, but packed with raw strength and speed.

Her blade descended again, and the earth cracked beneath the pressure of her swing.

Lucian darted to the side, his gun firing point-blank.

Bang! Bang!

The bullets whistled past, forcing her to twist mid-strike. Sparks flared as she deflected one shot with her sword, but the second grazed her shoulder.

Blood splattered across the storm-soaked dirt.

Her cold mask wavered, replaced by a sharp glare.

"You... actually wounded me?"

Lucian sneered.

"You think being older makes you invincible?"

She lunged again, faster this time, her glowing aura intensifying. Their weapons clashed, ringing through the valley.

The force of her strikes rattled Lucian’s arms, threatening to rip the gun from his hands. Yet, he didn’t falter.

Every time she pressed forward, he countered with a burst of speed or a perfectly timed feint.

His small body slipped through gaps her arrogance created, landing shallow cuts along her cloak and forcing her into defense.

But the woman was no novice. She adjusted quickly, her expression turning solemn. The playful disdain in her eyes vanished. She began treating him as an equal.

Their clash reached a fever pitch. Blades of light and gunfire tore the ground apart. The storm seemed to echo their battle, lightning flashing with every strike.

Finally, her blade slammed against his gun at close range, locking them together. Her cold breath brushed his face as she growled.

"You’re dangerous, child. Too dangerous."

Lucian met her gaze unflinchingly.

"Then you should’ve killed me the moment you arrived."

A faint smile touched her lips.

"Perhaps I will. But not tonight."

Her glowing aura surged again, forcing Lucian back with a blast of light. When the brilliance cleared, she was already retreating, her unconscious servant slung over her shoulder.

Lucian lowered his gun, chest heaving. His eyes narrowed as the storm swallowed her figure.

His chest rose and fell as the storm winds whipped around him. His gun trembled slightly in his grip—not from fear, but from the surge of instinct clawing at his mind.

’If I let her go... she’ll tell her master. The valley, Mira, Jamie, Luna... all of them will be hunted. For the sake of my debt repayment, I cannot allow that to happen.’

His eyes sharpened. He couldn’t afford mercy.

Lucian adjusted his aim, his gun locking onto the glowing figure carrying her servant. He steadied his breathing, finger curling over the trigger.

His instincts screamed louder than reason:

’Kill them now. End it before it begins.’

The woman, though retreating, felt it too. Her steps faltered, and her glowing aura flared defensively. She knew he was about to pull the trigger.

"How dare you-!?"

She hissed, turning her body to shield her unconscious companion.

Lucian exhaled, eyes cold.

"Dare? No. I have to."

The system’s voice whispered in his head, cold and sharp:

[Threat level critical. Elimination recommended.]

His finger twitched. For an instant, time froze between hunter and prey.

Lucian’s decision would decide whether peace in the valley continued—or if war arrived at their doorstep tonight.