Moreover, this wasn’t like Gawain methodically fighting his way through one opponent after another. Baron’s approach was a far more exhilarating all-or-nothing challenge.

I’ll take you all on by myself!

Arrogant?

Utterly audacious!

Ever since the Hunting Competition began, no one had ever dared to say or do such a thing in the arena.

To ensure fairness between the Demon Hunter and Knight professions, the Hunting Competition had several rules. The Knights’ Promise and the Silver Faction’s Command Spells were forbidden. Beast Hunters were only permitted partial Beastification, while Silver Demon Hunters could activate their respective [Alchemy Circuits].

While the battle still couldn’t be a pure contest of skill, these conditions brought it very close.

Therefore, challenging six opponents at once—unlike a High Tier fighter taking on a Low Tier one—was purely an attempt to dominate them with technique alone.

If he succeeded, it would be unprecedented.

But if he lost, and lost miserably, then the fate of Gawain—who was cheered by the crowd not long ago, only to be cast aside like a worn-out shoe—would be the best he could hope for.

But these were six well-trained Glorious Knights, not some random riff-raff off the street who signed up on a whim, like that dead "True Allen."

What’s more, when on equal footing, the Knight Profession inherently had an advantage over Demon Hunters.

This was also the reason why the Knights’ Promise was forbidden, but the Demon Hunters’ Alchemy Circuits were not.

In a sense, the physical attributes of an average Demon Hunter, once enhanced by their Alchemy Circuits, were perhaps only on par with those of a Knight of the same tier.

What’s more, among his opponents this time was a Bronze Tier Contract Knight who could use Assimilation.

Even if his opponent only used a sword, his vast and shrewd experience would be enough to greatly distract Baron in battle.

So, Baron’s declaration to take them on as a group was more than just audacious—it was downright reckless!

Unless he could once again make the six Knights kneel with just a few words, just as he did with Gawain.

But was that possible?

Perhaps on a signal from City Lord Lewis, the announcer didn’t heavily promote the betting this time. Part of the reason was that Baron’s match against Gawain had already caused some gamblers who went all-in to lose everything, driving them to desperation.

If he incited them again, and those gamblers lost the shirts off their backs, maintaining public order in Fude City would become a serious problem.

Thus, the announcer simply went on stage, hastily announced the odds, and then, after the betting window closed, once again sealed the bets and began the ten-second countdown as before.

"Ten!"

A few scattered voices from the crowd joined in, little more than a rustle.

"Nine!"

More people joined in, their voices growing louder. Baron centered himself, silently perfecting the [Burning Blood] Blood Pattern across his body.

"Eight!"

The countdown grew louder, the voices now a deafening roar.

Baron gripped his twin sabers, the muscles under his clothes tensing as his energy surged. He knew he only had one chance—ideally, a single strike.

There were too many of them. If he got bogged down in a melee, defeat would be certain.

"Seven!"

Galahad and the other Knights assumed their dueling stances, each targeting a perceived opening in the Demon Hunter’s form.

They already pictured how they would swiftly and fiercely defeat the Demon Hunter, salvaging the Glorious Knight Order’s reputation in the eyes of Fude City’s people.

"Six!"

Women began to cry out "Allen’s" name, their high, charming voices piercing through the din.

"Five!"

Gamblers who had bet on "Allen" joined the roar, among them the family, relatives, and lovers of the "True Allen," who had seemingly vanished.

True Allen’s parents wept with joy in the crowd, shouting, "That’s my son on the stage! That’s my son!"

"Four!"

Baron blocked out the external distractions, his mind replaying the life-or-death battle with the Shepherdess from his dream.

Suddenly, a person he never expected to think of came to mind.

The image in his mind froze on their attack, a blow directed straight at him.

"Three!"

Galahad and the other Knights lowered their center of gravity, suddenly shifting their opening stance. They abandoned their all-out offensive posture for the "Co-Defense Technique," a form that balanced both attack and defense.

They seemed to have guessed Baron’s plan to end the fight quickly and had altered their strategy accordingly.

Zod frowned from the audience; he understood the Knights’ intentions as well.

’One can only say that Amel’s Knight Order is clearly far more professional. They’re not like the rough-and-tumble Demon Hunters, a title you can earn just by signing up and killing enough Demons.’

’It truly is a profession where it takes a hundred Intern Knights to produce a single full-fledged Knight. They’re nothing like those half-baked types who skip most of their internship just because they have connections or happen to stumble upon a Lawbook.’

At this, he glanced at Maguire.

Maguire rubbed the back of his head. "I can’t shake the feeling that there’s contempt in your eyes, Zod."

"Two!"

Baron raised both sabers. His face, now covered on both sides by the Blood Pattern, took on a bewitching and sinister cast, yet his eyes held no trace of fear.

Two long sabers—one reflecting the Black Moon, the other the white sun. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

At the edge of the arena, the crowd swallowed nervously at the sight. The blowing wind felt cold, yet it carried a scorching heat.

"One!"

The final number rang out.

A HUM split the air under the bright daylight! The Demon Hunter’s figure vanished from where he stood.

Saber light!

Sword shadows!

The ring of steel!

The Knights crashed into the suddenly accelerating Demon Hunter!

It wasn’t a flashy move—just a simple, unadorned spinning slash.

While the Knights were still holding their defensive stances, the two sabers crashed into the tips of their swords. The attack from the first saber hadn’t even ended before the second one struck.

The speed was unimaginable. From a distance, he looked like a black, blade-studded pinwheel rolling across the arena, grinding against the swords in the Knights’ hands, threatening to shatter the steel and the Knights along with it!