Chapter 546: Infinite Martial Training

"Come on! Champion of the Lady!"

"Oh!"

In the swamp of Mousilon, before the shattered tomb, under everyone's gaze, Ryan faced off against Landuin after the battle with the Chaos Greater Daemon.

Landuin was very tall, over two meters, towering above Ryan, who was nearly 1.9 meters tall. He was powerfully built, but his speed was astonishing.

The first Duke of Mousilon, the Knight of the Lake, sidestepped twice and then charged at Ryan, leaving a blur under the gloomy sky, his black and yellow fleur-de-lis cape swirling in the air.

In the blink of an eye, Landuin was in front of Ryan.

Ryan wore a serious expression. The wounds from his previous battle with the Tzeentch Greater Daemon, Carlos, still throbbed, but as the Lady's chosen champion, he knew there could be no excuses at this moment.

As Landuin said, to prove his worthiness to be the Duke of Mousilon, he had to defeat him.

So, let's do this!

Ryan raised the Vengeance Goddess and swung it horizontally.

"Clang!" Knights Do Not Die Unarmed clashed with the Vengeance Goddess, sparking a shower of sparks. Unlike Ryan's hand-and-a-half sword, Landuin's sword was shorter, its blade adorned with intricate High Elf patterns, with waves of energy flowing back and forth, creating magical ripples in the air.

"Clang!" One strike was parried, and Landuin immediately pulled back. The first Duke of Mousilon's moves were grand and sweeping. He lifted his sword skyward and then slashed down at Ryan, who blocked the blow, causing another burst of sparks.

Landuin's immense strength could overpower a common dragon, but Ryan was no ordinary man. He stubbornly parried Landuin's fierce attack, even though this mighty strike could have slain a troll, it couldn't make Ryan retreat!

"Hmph!" Landuin's handsome face showed no expression, only a slight lift of the corner of his eye. He stepped back, then thrust his sword upward, the formidable blade slicing through the air.

"Clang!" Ryan initially prepared to block upwards, but with the attack coming from below, he had to adjust his defense quickly, barely managing to block it.

Landuin's assault was incredibly fast. No sooner had Ryan parried the thrust than the first Duke of Mousilon twirled his blade in mid-air, sweeping a shadowy arc.

Ryan was finally forced to dodge sideways, narrowly avoiding the strike.

"What's the matter, Champion of the Lady?" The Knight of the Lake taunted. "You can't win this duel by constantly dodging and blocking! If you don't aim to defeat me, you're destined for a disgraceful failure."

"..." Ryan remained silent, gripping the Vengeance Goddess tightly and observing Landuin's movements.

This battle was unfair from the start.

Landuin was at the peak of the Saint rank, almost demigod-like, and his every strike could slay formidable foes and beasts. He clearly knew Ryan and was familiar with his swordsmanship, whereas Ryan knew nothing about Landuin's techniques.

But still, this was not an excuse for Ryan's failure!

Charging recklessly now would be foolish. Ryan knew he had to steady himself before attempting a counterattack.

"Clang!"

"Clang!"

The sound of clashing steel rang continuously, as intense as a rainstorm. Before Landuin's tomb, in the swamp of Mousilon, the great champion duel had begun. The legendary hero, the first Duke of Mousilon, the great Knight of the Lake Landuin, faced the Lady's chosen champion, Count of Glamorgan, the devout Ryan Malcador!

Landuin displayed all the battle techniques he had honed throughout his life. His will, skill, and physical prowess were at their peak. Through decades of combat, Landuin had perfected his techniques and experience, merging them into an overpowering style of the Knight of the Lake. His relentless attacks left Ryan struggling for breath.

But Ryan's strength was also formidable. Psychic lightning crackled around him, containing explosive energy. Bolts of lightning erupted around him as he thrust, swept, struck, and parried with the Vengeance Goddess. His movements were smooth and decisive. Ryan's swordsmanship was not about speed or force, but a balance of strength and finesse. The Vengeance Goddess maintained a special rhythm, parrying Landuin's attacks.

Even so, Ryan was firmly suppressed. The onlookers only saw Landuin's relentless assault while Ryan was constantly on the defensive. The sounds of clashing steel and roars echoed louder and louder.

This divine-like duel captivated the audience, especially the Grail Knights, who watched with admiration and respect.

Was this Landuin's power? Was this why Ryan could become the Lady's chosen champion?!

"If not for their swords being divine artifacts, the weapons would have been ruined by now," Belegar, King of the Angrund clan, muttered while watching from his oath stone. "Well, I hope Brother Ryan wins."

Sorceress Teresa, watching Ryan struggle, was anxious and helpless, stomping her feet in frustration. Mud splattered on her leather boots, but she didn't care. She suddenly hated her weakness, unable to help Ryan in this duel.

All she could do was squeeze to the front and watch the fight.

"Ugh! Hah!" Landuin retracted his sword, briefly gathering strength, then charged forward, Knights Do Not Die Unarmed descending from the air.

As he moved, a rift tore through the space called "the mortal world," revealing the true, twisted reality of the material realm before the spectators.

On the other side of this collapsed space was the terrifying realm of Chaos, crawling with chaotic entities and countless hidden mysteries. In the face of the terrifying Chaos storm, mortals were as insignificant as the smallest specks of dust.

This was Landuin's power!

"So strong, truly strong!" The Red Dragon Duke Berchmond was entranced by the duel. He turned to François. "This is Landuin's power! This is the might of the Knight of the Lake. After a thousand years, I'm fortunate to witness such a duel. It's a blessing for everyone!"

François, with a knowing smile, gripped the hilt of his unicorn sword. The warrior's blood was boiling, but he remained rational. "Clearly, Sir Landuin intends not just for Ryan to defeat him."

"He's teaching," Berchmond agreed, nodding. "Clearly, Sir Landuin wants your son-in-law to learn something."

"Let's see if Ryan can grasp it," the two Saint-rank dukes exchanged their thoughts. Nearby, the Green Knight watched the duel intently, his expression hidden behind his helmet, but his trembling hands betrayed his excitement.

Thunderous booms echoed as Ryan, despite blocking the strike, was sent flying, rolling in the mud but quickly getting up.

In less than a heartbeat, Landuin was upon him again, and the clash between Vengeance Goddess and Knights Do Not Die Unarmed continued. "Come on, Ryan Malcador! Show your strength! Defeat me!"

"As you wish!" Ryan roared, his slashes forming a whirlwind of blades.

Landuin laughed heartily, the sadness momentarily leaving him. "This is the battle I want!"

Knights Do Not Die Unarmed swept through the air, cutting through Vengeance Goddess's attack. Landuin swung again, tearing apart the veil of reality. Unable to withstand the blow, Ryan was forced to retreat.

The fierce wind swept across the swamp, dirty water splashing several meters high. Looking at Ryan's predicament, Landuin finally spoke, "A warrior's combat power depends on three factors."

"First, physical strength. Second, awareness and skill. Third, experience."

Ryan nodded, both circling each other, maintaining a distance of about five paces.

"Therefore, for a legendary warrior, his prime years are between forty and eighty. During this period, a person's physical strength, awareness, and skills are at their peak. Once past this stage, experience continues to accumulate, but physical strength, skills, and awareness start to decline, and knights can no longer fight as they once did."

"Indeed," Ryan nodded, beginning to understand.

"But that applies to mortals," Landuin smiled, sidestepping. "You and I are different. We are the Lady's Grail Knights. The sacred Grail she bestowed upon us changed everything. We are extremely difficult to tire, and unless we reach the end of our lifespan, our bodies remain at their peak."

"Thus, I gained the most precious opportunity. I spent decades, a lifetime, absorbing various combat experiences and greedily acquiring numerous skills, finally merging my mind, skills, and body into one."

"I call it 'Infinite Martial Training.'"

"Ryan Malcador, feel this power well!" Landuin attacked again. "If your mind is confused, you are doomed to fail!"

"I understand!" Ryan shouted back. "Hesitation leads to defeat!"

"Good! Come again!"

"Ohhh!"

The battle resumed, with the two Saint-rank Grail Grand Knights showcasing an exceptionally thrilling champion duel.

Blades clashed, lightning flashed and thunder roared. Landuin's attacks were relentless, never ceasing. Infinite Martial Training had merged his entire being into one, allowing him to exert one hundred percent of his combat power in any state.

Ryan displayed all his combat skills, channeling every bit of psychic energy he could, yet could only barely fend off Landuin's torrential assault.

The sound of clashing steel had been echoing for three hours without pause, and the battle continued.

But during the duel, Ryan could feel his spirit, will, and strength gradually merging under Landuin's relentless attacks.

The Grey Knight Primarch had new insights. Beyond the duel, the world seemed clear, as

 if only he and Landuin existed. Their intense battle continued, the sound of clashing steel unending.

Ryan could feel his body changing through the prolonged fight. Under Landuin's stormy, grand attacks, his mind finally calmed completely.

His mind, body, and consciousness began to merge under the immense pressure. As he parried Landuin's attacks, he also observed his opponent's movements.

Drawing back, striking, side attack, horizontal slash, vertical chop, spin.

Landuin's attacks began to become predictable to Ryan.

Two slashes, a sweep, a side strike, then a double thrust, ending with a stab!

Ryan suddenly saw his chance. His thoughts whirled, a mental storm enveloping his consciousness. Almost instinctively, he realized this was an opportunity to turn the tide!

His blood began to flow rapidly. The power from his internal organs flowed into his limbs. Every thought perfectly responded to his body's movements, his entire being coordinated. Ryan felt it now.

This was Infinite Martial Training?

Ryan's thoughts immediately translated into action. After two blade clashes, Landuin's sweep forced Ryan back, followed by a side attack. Ryan, prepared, moved the Vengeance Goddess to his left cheek, blocking Landuin's blade mere centimeters from his face.

The immense force caused Ryan to lose balance. Landuin quickly retreated to gather strength, then charged forward, Knights Do Not Die Unarmed forming a cross in the air, tearing reality. At the peak of the Saint-rank, nearing godhood, Landuin displayed his full power. Ryan, unbalanced, was forced to retreat.

Then, Landuin held his sword below his chest, the sharp tip thrusting towards Ryan.

Now!

Ryan's mind raced, merging mind, skill, and body in an instant. The Lady's chosen champion's body adjusted miraculously during his retreat.

In a blink, Ryan sidestepped the thrust, raising the Vengeance Goddess. Instead of using the blade, he struck Landuin's shoulder with the guard!

"Ugh!" The Knight of the Lake staggered, trying to change his move and block.

Ryan gave him no chance. The Vengeance Goddess traced a perfect arc across Landuin's chest.

Blood spurted.

Landuin's breastplate was cut open, the blade tearing through flesh. The first Duke of Mousilon groaned in pain.

He was injured.

The onlookers gasped in astonishment.

"By the Lady! What did I just see?!"

"Landuin! The Knight of the Lake is wounded!"

"Ryan... injured Landuin?!"

"Impossible!"

"Boom!" Silver psychic energy erupted from Ryan, accompanied by pale blue flames surging from his body.

Having grasped Infinite Martial Training, Ryan advanced.

He advanced to the mid-level of the Saint rank.

From this day forward, Ryan was a mid-level Saint-rank Grail Knight, only thirty-three years old!

The Lady's chosen champion felt his growing power, ready to end this duel.

"Hah! Ahhhhh!" Landuin roared with overwhelming heroism. The Knight of the Lake, the first Duke of Mousilon, one of the first twelve Grail Knights, stomped the ground, his aura surging, the earth trembling, the swamp shaking. Ryan was thrown back.

"Indeed, true strength can only be comprehended through relentless training and duels!" Landuin laughed heartily, his warrior's blood pumping. "My blood is boiling!"

The Knight of the Lake reached into his tomb, pulling out a nearly four-meter-long lance inscribed with elven runes, the shaft shining like moonlit water. It was the sacred lance bestowed upon Landuin by the Lady – Unbroken Light of the Lake.

The Knight of the Lake wielded both sword and lance, his chest wound bleeding, but he didn't care. Landuin's handsome face relaxed, singing an ancient Bretonnian ballad. The fear of life and death was absent; instead, a sense of nobility and honor filled his being.

That was humility, honesty, compassion, valor, justice, sacrifice, honor, and soul.

He was the Knight of the Lake, the first Duke of Mousilon, the greatest of the first Grail Knights, Landuin!

"I'm coming, Ryan Malcador!"

"Ohhhh!!"

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