Damien's breathing stagnated as he watched the hulking monstrosity move closer to Devrok.
In front of the Stone Hearted Knight, Devrok looked as fragile as an ant—an insignificant existence that could be crushed without even being noticed.
"Oh! Stone Hearted Knight, I challenge you to a righteous duel…"
Devrok bellowed, his words as heavy as iron, resonating across the battlefield. The muscles in his arm rippled beneath the strain of the greatsword in his grip.
In the next moment, he followed the ancient ritual—raising the sword above his head and performing a deep, solemn bow, a time-honored sign of respect shared between true sword practitioners.
The Stone Hearted Knight's hollow, dark eyes flickered with something strange and distant—as if Devrok's gesture had stirred up a memory long buried beneath layers of blood and time.
Almost instinctively, the Knight mirrored Devrok's movements, lowering his massive form into a stiff but unmistakable bow.
The soldiers who had moved away from the battlefield to ensure their safety gasped in shock at the knight's eerily human behavior.
"Oh heavens... this giant monster actually knows how to bow?"
"I thought it was just a mindless killing machine—nothing more than a murder hobo with a sword."
Even Damien silently agreed. The sight in front of him had defied his expectations.
He had always considered these monsters to be simple, brutal engines of destruction, devoid of emotion or thought. But now...
To be honest, he hadn't believed that Devrok stood a chance in this fight. Damien himself was an awakened Iron rank warrior, and even he could feel his soul tremble under the oppressive aura of the Stone Hearted Knight. As for Devrok, who hadn't even awakened yet—it should have been impossible for someone like him to even stand straight in front of such pressure, let alone fight.
His hand was already twitching, ready to summon his gun and unleash a barrage of bullets the moment things looked bad.
For now, he didn't want Devrok to die.
As Damien stood lost in his thoughts, the duel between Devrok and the Stone Hearted Knight began.
The Knight's colossal steps landed like hammers upon the earth, every movement of its body a show of its terrifying strength and weight.
Yet despite its overwhelming power, it didn't use brute force to suppress Devrok. Instead, it seemed to meet him in pure swordplay.
Their blades moved through the air like dancers on a stage—an elegant yet deadly performance that caused even the soldiers to hold their breaths.
The Knight's sword, as large as its massive body, swept through the air like a falling mountain. Every time it clashed against Devrok's blade, the shockwaves shook the earth beneath their feet.
And yet, Devrok held firm.
Though his body was dwarfed by the knight's, and his sword looked like a twig in comparison, he moved with uncanny precision. Every parry, every twist, every counterattack flowed like water through stone.
Even the onlookers, hardened warriors though they were, felt their jaws slacken.
Devrok's swordsmanship didn't resemble the rigid training of a noble-born. It was something far more primal, more refined, more alive.
Sword Dao Prodigy.
Those four words etched themselves into the minds of every soldier who watched the battle unfold.
"So beautiful…"
"Prince Devrok's swordplay... it's like watching the world itself breathe through his blade."
"Prince is probably only a step away from touching the Sword Way..."
Even Damien was mesmerized. Though he had grown up with Devrok, this was the first time he had ever seen him fight like this.
The tide slowly began to turn. The Stone Hearted Knight, despite its monstrous strength, began to retreat under Devrok's relentless sword.
It looked as though Devrok was going to win.
Then the Knight's posture suddenly shifted. Its calm demeanor vanished, and an ominous aura exploded from its body.
The stone heart embedded in its chest flared with a sinister glow, casting eerie shadows across the battlefield.
"Not good..."
Devrok's calm expression finally changed.
"Everyone attack! The knight has lost its sanity!"
Hearing his command, the soldiers moved with urgency. Massive ropes, thick as an adult man's wrist, were hurled toward the Knight in an attempt to restrain it.
The other ends of the ropes were tied to powerful warhorses that instantly galloped in opposite directions, pulling the knight's limbs apart and slowing its frenzied movements.
"Just a few more minutes... just a few more seconds even..."
Devrok bit his lip hard enough to draw blood. He had been so close to winning. If the knight had remained rational for just a bit longer...
But life had never been that kind to him.
Grinding his teeth, he switched to the backup plan.
His gaze involuntarily shifted toward Damien.
If there was anyone who could deliver the finishing blow, it was him.
Feeling the heat of Devrok's gaze, Damien gave a subtle nod.
After watching the duel for so long, his mana had partially recovered. He was ready to act.
Damien quickly reached behind to reload his crossbows—but froze.
His expression darkened.
He had run out of arrows.
Only four remained, already loaded on the twin crossbows.
Thud!
Before he could consider another plan, the Stone Hearted Knight crashed to the ground with a roar that shook the trees, still struggling against its bindings.
"Strike the stone heart! It's the only place it can be harmed!"
Devrok shouted, revealing the creature's sole weakness. He knew the anatomy of the monster like the back of his hand.
Without hesitation, Damien pulled both triggers.
Two streaks of black light cut through the air, followed by two more.
All four arrows buried themselves deep into the glowing heart.
Surprisingly, the heart trembled under the impact. Though it was hard as iron, Damien's accuracy had clearly done some damage.
"Excellent!"
Devrok roared in praise. Even the soldiers were stunned by Damien's precision and speed.
A few of them even felt a wave of envy rise in their hearts.
King Roosevelt... truly blessed. One son was a master of the sword, the other a prodigy of the bow.
But Damien didn't share their awe.
His face was grim.
He had run out of arrows—and the monster was still alive.
"I have to use this chance while it's vulnerable…"
Damien discarded the crossbow and jumped down from his horse.
The Iron-infused power coursing through his body gave him the speed and grace of a wild beast.
In only a few strides, he was atop the monster's massive chest.
"Die!"
Damien roared as he raised his dagger, channeling every last ounce of strength into one final blow, aiming straight for the glowing heart embedded deep within the monster's chest.