Otherworldly Affairs Office-Chapter 805: Resolve

"Arrogant women always make foolish choices. Meaningless struggles can never bring victory because..." Upon hearing Xia Yu's words, Jiaheris showed neither anger nor rage; instead, his face was filled with disappointment and pity as he shook his head and sighed while approaching Xia Yu. "Because the idea that you can achieve victory through effort is a fairy tale created by the strong for the weak."

"Repulsion!" Xia Yu shouted angrily, unleashing her abilities at Jiaheris.

"Earth Magic Supplement: Mountain Contract!"

The ripple of repulsion crashed against Jiaheris's body, splitting as easily as flowing water hitting a rock, and streamed past him on either side. To Xia Yu's surprise, the opponent she used to toss around was now merely swaying slightly from her powers' impact, quickly regaining his composure and striding steadily towards her.

"Has your magic failed? Do you understand now? I wasn't mocking you when I said you were using futile tactics. It was a statement of fact. Can your magic move a mountain?"

As Jiaheris spoke, he had already stepped up to Xia Yu and unleashed a straightforward punch aimed squarely at her face. Xia Yu dodged the attack with a turn of her head and replied with a punch aimed at the enemy's abdomen, accelerated by gravity.

"Earth Magic Supplement: Mire Technique Contract."

Smack! The iron fist hit Jiaheris's abdomen, but instead of the sound of clashing armor, his chest turned into a pool of mire. Xia Yu's punch went straight through, leaving a gaping hole, but when she tried to retrieve her fist, she found it trapped. The opening released a torrent of swamp mud, filling the wound and wrapping tightly around Xia Yu's forearm, fusing with Jiaheris's body.

Seeing Xia Yu struggling to free herself from his body, Jiaheris wasn't about to let this chance to eliminate an opponent slip by. He raised both arms, aiming for the sides of her head with a hammer strike. As the massive fists whistled past her face, Xia Yu, unwilling to accept defeat, raised her free hand high with a crisp shout: "Iron Wall!"

Bam! The loud clang of the iron hammers hitting the gigantic, bell-like resonance left Xia Yu's ears ringing nonstop. It was painful, but luckily she reacted quickly; walls formed from two flowing iron streams extended from her arm, successfully blocking Jiaheris's deadly move. Yet before she could catch her breath from the close call, a strong blow hit her from behind.

"Little girl, don't forget you're up against three of us right now!" Boss's voice mixed with the resonating hum reaching Xia Yu's ears, followed closely by a whipping kick aimed at her waist.

"Ugh!" The bone-cracking pain brought a mouthful of clotted blood gathering in Xia Yu's throat, barely contained without spewing out. But just at this critical moment, Jiaheris, in front of her, seized her arm plunged into his body and pulled her towards him, delivering a sharp knee-elbow strike to her chest.

"Argh!" The blood she held in her mouth could no longer be contained, spurting onto Jiaheris's armor. As the mire restraining her chest dissolved, Xia Yu knelt before him, coughing deeply. Jiaheris gazed at her, regretful, "If I were alive, I would never join my comrades against a defenseless lady. But unfortunately, I've become the old man you call risen from the grave, so the rules of my past life have become meaningless to me."

As he said this, a series of explosions erupted behind him. Jiaheris turned to witness the terrifying energy projected by the distant firelight with narrowed eyes and a serious expression, saying, "I'll take back my words about the younger generation being inferior. The young today can wield such powerful forces!"

Jiaheris turned back to Xia Yu and questioned, "The one battling the Magic Realm must be your comrade, right?"

Still clutching her chest and in severe pain from recovering her fractured bones and organs, Xia Yu couldn't respond. Noticing this, Jiaheris continued his reflection, "If you're dissatisfied, blame your team leader. This battle force should have been directed against us." Concluding his words, Jiaheris exchanged a regretful smile with his companions nearby, "Looks like we've been underestimated!"

"Little girl, during our lifetime, we were the highest-ranked twelve Round Table Knights, each possessing ninth-rank prowess. Our levels dropped to the eighth rank due to the summoner's limited power, but our experience and understanding of magic can't be matched by a young girl like you. This battle made it clear, you recognize the gap between us! You can choose not to leave and stay here, but don't hinder our upcoming fight!"

"Bedivere, are you being soft-hearted again?" Boss teased his old friend with a playful smile as he saw a hint of gentleness flash in Bedivere's eyes.

Dismissively waving his hand, Bedivere seemed to recall fond memories, shaking his head as he lamented, "If my daughter were alive, perhaps she'd be like her. She used to pester me to teach her sword skills. If only I'd made time to properly teach her, she wouldn't have…"

His words came to an abrupt halt as Bedivere waved his hand, unwilling to continue, and turned away from the collapsed Xia Yu to head towards the embattled Ye Ruozai. His two companions followed suit without further comment.

The brisk pace didn't last long before the three were blocked by a floating sword. Though they could easily bypass the trembling sword, they stopped and turned back to see a shaky Xia Yu standing up, smiling at them.

"Girl, do you understand what it means to rise again and challenge us?" Bedivere held back Boss, who was eager to strike, and stepped forward, seriously questioning.

"I understand!" Xia Yu tore off the tattered coat, revealing the close-fitting battle vest underneath, raised her chin, and met them with an unyielding gaze.

"Are you prepared for this?"

"Oh! Come on! Live or die, there must be an outcome between us!"

"Very well!" Bedivere, seeing the resolve and fierce spirit blazing in Xia Yu's eyes, stepped forward as he removed his sword. "You know the rules; this is my fight! Do not interfere in her comrade's battle until this girl is defeated."

"You want to step in? Let me handle it!" Jiaheris replied without hesitation, sitting down on the ground. As someone already dead, he didn't mind worldly rules, but he'd never tarnish his friend's noble duel.

"I'll do it instead, faster approach to end her pain. And try to leave her a complete body to return home."