Strongest Among the Heavens
Chapter 173: Ksenia Cleans Up House I

Chapter 173: Ksenia Cleans Up House I

The village of Kilhainman was a shell of its former shell. The armed forces of Ireland had left entirely to chase after the battle in Clontarf. Even players that arrived late headed over to the main event. Soldiers were peppered throughout the village, though at a tenth of the previous scale. The villagers remained huddled inside, their nerves sensitive to the activities outside.

For now, there was stillness. Within the throne room of the small-sized castle, stationed next to the High King Brian Boru, were Ksenia Stárová and Nikolai Aleksandrovich Ivanov, numbers 46 and 47 respectively under Spectre 3 of the Sapphire Order.

The stereotype that martial artists were quiet was inaccurate. Across the throne room, members of the Justice Sect talked nonstop. Their disregard for the enemy was palpable.

’Is it arrogance or lack of care?’ Ksenia asked herself, arms behind her. She checked herself out. ’Then again, I’m not too worried either. I asked King Frode for training and he gave it to me. I asked for a strict training regime and he gave me that too. I put all my blood, sweat, and tears into who I am now.’

[ Status: Ksenia Stárová

Class: Intermediate Martial Artist

Level: 22

HP: 335

HP/Minute: 18

MP: 335

MP/Minute: 39.75

Attack: 83

Defence: 123

Attributes

Strength: 48

Resilience: 73

Agility: 93

Deftness: 65

Vitality: 36

Magical Might: 43

Magical Mending: 40

Distributive Points: 0 ]

"Are you ready?" Nikolai asked.

"You’re still assuming they will be here," Ksenia pointed out.

"Oh, they will. I know I would."

There was a knock on the closed throne room doors. Following that, bells began ringing. Bong—! Bong—! Bong—! The ten fighters of the Justice Sect got ready. All wearing white hanfus that glimmered with magical power. Even though technically they were not suited for combat, Ksenia found herself wanting to wear one anyway. It wasn’t like her white waist-cape was much better.

"They are here." High King Brian Boru remained in his seat, undisturbed. "Go meet them in combat."

"Our job is to protect you, Your Highness," Nikolai stated. "We will fight here till our final breaths."

"That is not the issue. You people are better suited to fighting in the courtyard, not here. In a close space such as this, you will be limited."

Nikolai exchanged looks with Ksenia, who shrugged. "He’s right," she said. "If a mage comes, then we’ll be at a disadvantage. They could stay at the front and start blasting without us being able to do a damn thing."

Nikolai stared at the High King. "I hope you don’t intend to die here, King."

"I have dreams to fulfill. I will not die yet."

Nikolai grinned. "Good."

They got going after that. The castle courtyard was indeed wide enough to facilitate battle. The outer walls of the castle hadn’t been infiltrated yet, though tension coiled in their muscles as they heard cries of combat from beyond the walls. The village was being invaded.

"Also, a point to me."

"Point to you," Ksenia begrudgingly agreed.

The stone walls weren’t absurdly tall, over five metres, and while expected to hold back ordinary soldiers they would fail against the might of an Otherworlder. The castle aside, which was built for the sake war and structurally unstable, the village itself wasn’t well fortified. Infiltration was expected. Therefore, they had to prioritize protecting the king and the castle, nothing else.

"There!" someone from the Justice Sect called out. It came as no shock to see members of the Imperial Sect climb the walls and slowly begin to surround them. Ksenia counted ten, twenty—no, forty members of the Imperial Sect. Their hanfus were a dead giveaway—they were identical to the Justice Sect’s uniform except blue and patterned with dragon imagery.

Neither side moved, but clearly, one side was outnumbered. Ksenia, Nikolai, and twenty-five fighters of the Justice Sect versus forty Imperial Sovereign men.

One lone man jumped down. The leader, from the looks of it, with no identifiable level and an Intermediate Martial Artist Class. His name was Zhong Ren: middle-aged, athletic, and carrying a hard grimace, his presence was a step above everyone else. Was it his hanfu which was silver instead of white? Or was it something else?

"Surrender the king or die," Zhong Ren said.

"I’d rather die," Ksenia replied.

"So be it. Men, charge."

Thus, the battle for the High King began.

The goal was to prevent the players from reaching the throne room building to the side. Breaking through the walls would be next to impossible in a battle. The door was the only option. Ksenia and Nikolai became the guardians of the front door and therefore bore the burden of fighting a number of players.

"Counterflow Stance!"

A punch flew over her shoulder as she ducked in slowed time. It lasted for a fraction of a second, barely noticeable to even her but enough to facilitate a counter attack. "Thunderous Uppercut!"

A clean hit. Unfortunately, not a moment was spared as another fighter came in his place. Ksenia didn’t let herself slow down. "Counterflow Stance." A kick scraped her side. "Storm Surge Combo!"

Lead hook, lead hook, rear hook, an uppercut, and a lightning-coated kick. The combo focused on speed over strength and did a number on her opponent. This time, she was able to catch her breath. Nikolai was fairing slightly better, courtesy of his offensive fighting style. His fists bashed into the heads of their enemies while amplified with flames.

But no one was defeated. It was like batting a fly, they were quick to return. Ksenia and Nikolai, while powerful, were not capable of one-shotting their fellow players.

"Ngh!" Ksenia raised an arm and blocked a Luminous Fist. The punch then led to a grab. She cursed in her head as her world turned upside and she was tossed over the shoulder. Her back struck the ground and she was forced to endure a punch to the face.

’Lightning Fist Strike!’ She stopped the second punch which was amped by the Holy element and twisted. Her opponent shrieked in pain and she picked herself up as he reeled back. His wrist quickly healing from the System regeneration, though still broken, Ksenia burst forward and uttered in her head, ’Storm Surge Combo!’