Leo vs. The Iron Shadow

Leo continued following Evander to a distant place for their battle until they arrived at an old castle surrounded by ruins.

"Hehe... Welcome to my favorite place," Evander laughed loudly and turned to Leo, pointing his finger at him with excitement, "Now, duel me, Archduke!"

Leo stood at a distance, holding his sword steadily, and said seriously, "Alright, let's begin... Iron Shadow."

A silver aura appeared around Evander as he held a massive spiked iron ball attached to a long iron chain. He began swinging it in the air and directed it swiftly towards Leo. Leo easily dodged it, causing the ball to hit one of the ruins, turning it into dust.

"If that ball hits me, I'd be dead," Leo thought to himself as he watched the ball in amazement.

"Hehe, you won't escape me that easily," Evander pulled the ball back with even greater speed, swinging it around Leo. 

Leo moved nimbly, trying to avoid the ball's strikes. He raised his hand to summon ice spikes from the ground, freezing the ball while he rushed towards Evander with his sword. Evander grabbed the chain and pulled it forcefully, breaking the ice and freeing the ball. It clashed with the sword, causing Leo to be thrown back and the sword to shatter into pieces. Evander laughed loudly and raised the ball again, directing it towards Leo.

"You're fast, but can you keep up with me?" Evander said as he launched another strike.

Leo narrowly avoided the blow and quickly shifted to the side, then jumped up, attempting to attack from a new angle. While in the air, he released a series of ice blades towards Evander, but the latter easily deflected them with his iron ball.

"Those little tricks won't work on me!" Evander shouted, then leaped towards Leo, trying to hit him with the iron ball in mid-air.

With incredible speed, Leo twisted in the air, dodging the blow and releasing a wave of ice to cover the ground, making Evander's movements more difficult.

When they landed, the silver aura around Evander grew stronger, giving him additional power. He continued to swing the ball at a tremendous speed, trying to restrict Leo's movements.

"This is the end!" Evander shouted as he delivered a powerful strike towards Leo.

But Leo was ready. He used the ice-covered ground to slide quickly towards Evander, using his ice sword to cut the iron chain. Evander stopped laughing and began to retreat as Leo advanced steadily towards him.

"It's over, Evander. This is the end for you," Leo said seriously. Ice pillars emerged from the ground, freezing the lower part of Evander's armor. His helmet flew off, revealing a bearded man in his fifties with orange hair and eyes, smiling happily. "Haha, no one has ever removed my helmet before. You're truly impressive, Archduke," he said with admiration.

A bright crimson beam from the other side caught Leo's attention, and he turned to see a massive crimson vortex in the distance within the forest.

"It seems Her Highness has started fighting seriously," Evander said excitedly while watching the vortex.

"It's time for me to have some fun as well." His aura glowed brighter, and he moved his hands forcefully, breaking the ice around him. His armor disassembled into pieces, gathering around his fists. "Iron Shadow Art, Fists of Destruction," forming metallic fists around his hands. A spiked iron ball symbol appeared on his left shoulder.

He charged towards Leo and struck the ground beneath him powerfully, causing it to shatter into pieces that flew high into the air. Leo was lifted by the impact as well. "His strength has increased tenfold. He must be using Metal Sera," Leo thought in amazement as he watched Evander. While in the air, Evander leaped towards him, delivering a deadly blow. Leo quickly formed a solid ice shield for protection. Evander's strike shattered the shield into fragments, causing Leo to fall violently to the ground, creating a crater from the impact.

"Ugh," Leo coughed up blood as he struggled to breathe and tried to stand. "I need to get away quickly before he crushes me here." 

Evander rushed towards him, delivering a crushing blow.

"Inhale... Exhale..." Leo's crystal aura glowed, forming a tough ice shield. Evander's fist collided with the shield, breaking it with difficulty. A mist formed, pierced by sharp ice blades after the shield broke, attacking Evander, who quickly jumped back. "His shield's strength has increased. What happened to him?" Evander thought deeply while carefully observing the mist. Leo emerged from the mist at high speed, a crystal-shaped mark glowing on the back of his right hand. Evander took a defensive stance as Leo charged at him with an ice sword. The battle intensified, with Leo's movements becoming heavier on Evander. They continued their clash for a long time, with attacks and defenses.

"The Queen's presence disappeared!" Evander felt Nuwara's Sera vanish, weakening his defense for a moment.

"This is my chance!" Leo quickly changed the direction of his sword, disrupting Evander's defense. His eyes glowed as he took a deep breath. "Ice Breath," releasing a chilling breath that froze Evander's feet. "Problem! I can't free myself in time," Evander struggled to free himself, but Leo had already reached him. "This is your end," Leo shouted as he raised his hand. Sharp ice pillars emerged from the ground, piercing Evander's chest.

"Ugh," Evander coughed up blood while stuck in the ice. The mark gradually disappeared, and the metallic fists disintegrated. Leo collapsed to his knees after his mark vanished and his endurance wore out.

"Haha... You've defeated me, man. I'm glad I fought someone as strong as you," Evander smiled as he looked at Leo on the ground.

Leo panted heavily, then suddenly smiled, saying, "You... You were a fierce opponent. Defeating you was extremely challenging."

Evander's eyes glowed upon hearing his words. He looked towards the sunset sky one last time, a look of nostalgia on his face.

"I've finally been defeated by someone strong... just as I wished."

"... my friend," Evander said to himself.

He slowly closed his eyes, maintaining his smile, and died peacefully as the rays of the setting sun reflected on him. Leo struggled to his feet, looking at him one last time before turning back to the formation. He walked slowly due to his condition, leaning on trees and ruins. "I need to return quickly and lend a hand," he thought anxiously as he continued on his way.