Elisvaria turned slightly to the side, her gaze settling directly on Nyra.
"Watch from here and do not follow me. Kill anyone who approaches. Understood!"
Nyra hesitated for a brief moment. The urge to advance alongside her Duke clashed with the logic she understood about the situation. In the end, she still lowered her head in obedience.
"Yes, Lady Duke."
The dozen ice swords surrounding Elisvaria's body hummed softly, rotating around her in steady orbits. Each blade had been formed from condensed energy until it resembled a real weapon, sharp and radiating a piercing cold. The sight held Nyra's attention without her realizing it.
When will I ever reach that level?
Manipulating energy so easily that it condensed into more than ten Aura Swords at once was not something simple. She herself could create Aura Swords, but major obstacles always appeared. Full concentration was only enough to control two or three swords simultaneously. Beyond that, control would destabilize and precision would collapse.
It looked easy from the outside, yet this kind of precision control was completely different from a mage's telekinesis. Aura required near perfect synchronization between will, energy flow, and mental focus.
Still, something else troubled her thoughts.
I want to fight beside Lady Duke… but the enemy's strength is far greater than expected. There are too many of them for me to match.
Too dangerous. I do not want her to worry because she has to protect me.
Even though I always wished for moments like this. Standing at her side and cutting down anyone who dared approach.
Stop thinking about it.
I need to observe clearly, just as she ordered.
Nyra drew in a slow breath. Her blood felt like it was boiling, as if her body wanted to sprint straight toward the front lines.
There are too many Aura Intent practitioners.
Where did they come from?
The question surfaced naturally in her mind.
Even in the northern territories, a group containing this many individuals at that level was rarely seen outside the Velmora Knight Order itself. Aura Intent at this scale was usually limited to senior knights or exceptionally gifted individuals.
Whoever was behind this attack clearly possessed enormous influence and wealth.
Maybe it is him…
Forget it. Guessing now is pointless.
Elisvaria's exhale sounded clearly to Nyra's ears. She turned her head and looked at the woman in front of her.
So beautiful.
"Step back a few paces."
"Yes."
Nyra immediately followed the instruction. Her sharp gaze focused on the Duke's back before shifting toward the dozens of bandits ahead.
Their killing intent was intense. Earlier, she had sensed it diminish for a moment, but now the pressure had returned, even sharper and more suffocating.
Experienced assassins? No. They felt more like mercenaries who had survived years on battlefields.
Suddenly.
Energy from an Aura Master realm erupted out of Duke Velmora's body. The pressure was so immense that Nyra felt her knees could collapse at any moment.
She clenched her teeth, forcing herself to endure.
Fssshhh!
Wuuuusss!
Elisvaria vanished from her position. The explosion of wind caused by that movement sent snow scattering into the air and pushed Nyra back several steps.
So that is it…
Lady Duke is truly serious about this situation. She does not intend to waste time and has chosen to eliminate the enemy as quickly as possible.
Speed like that was rarely shown unless she was completely serious.
In front of the dozens of bandits, a thick mustached man standing at the front shouted loudly to his companions.
"There is no need to fear! Remember the formation we discussed earlier! Use everything you have and exhaust the woman! When the time comes, unleash the combined technique we practiced and kill her!"
"Understood!"
Several voices answered in unison, while others nodded with tense but confident expressions.
This group's confidence was not without foundation. In the past, the combined technique they relied on had severely injured an Aura Master realm practitioner. Over time, that technique had continued to evolve until they believed the final result would no longer be serious injury, but death.
Strong confidence.
But was every Aura Master practitioner on the same level?
That was the main problem.
And they understood it. That was why their plan from the beginning had been to drain Duke Velmora's stamina first.
"Move!"
"Form up!"
The mustached man shouted again.
Without hesitation, the bandits behind him moved quickly into their assigned positions.
Elisvaria, who had already arrived in front of them, simply observed calmly. To her, practitioners at the Intent realm would not create any meaningful difference.
Fssshhh!
The bandits rushed forward, surrounding the Duke and forming a perfect circle.
"Everyone ready!"
"Understood!"
In an instant, Elisvaria stood at the center of the formation.
So this is their formation. They really are trained soldiers.
"Form weapons!"
The next command rang out.
Something immediately happened.
All the bandits condensed their energy simultaneously, creating aura swords that floated in the air directly in front of each of them. Every person controlled two sharp energy blades with fairly refined precision.
Judging by their level of control, this group clearly possessed extremely long combat experience.
Elisvaria watched without moving.
I have never faced a formation like this before.
I see now.
This formation allows them to protect one another. If I attack a single target directly at close range, dozens of those aura swords will move together to block and counterattack aggressively, forcing me into a defensive position.
They want me to fight from a distance.
A brilliant strategy. I have to admit that. This could be taught to the knights after returning from the Marquis territory.
Battle always provides new insight. Direct experience is far more valuable than ordinary training.
But I need to test it myself.
Fine. Let us do it the way they want.
Wrrsshh!
One ice sword shot through the air, heading straight toward one of the bandits within the circular formation.
In an instant.
The bandit's aura sword moved to intercept.
Krring!
A sharp collision rang out.
Chachacha!
The ice sword and aura sword clashed repeatedly in midair, tracing fast, intersecting paths as if two invisible swordsmen were exchanging strikes.
Oh. Southern swordsmanship.
Is he from the southern region of the Empire? That technique relies on raw force and targets weak points in ice density.
But that will not be enough.
Elisvaria immediately increased the energy output of her ice sword. The pressure of the cold aura grew heavier, its density rising drastically.
The trajectory of the ice blade became faster and more precise. In a brief moment, the tip of the frozen weapon struck the side of the opposing aura sword.
Krring!
The bandit's aura sword was knocked away in the opposite direction.
One bandit's eyes widened when he saw the dangerous trajectory.
"Damn!"
The shout burst out as the deflected aura sword flew straight toward him.
"Block it!"
A warning came from his companion, filled with urgency.
The bandit raised his hand as if grabbing something invisible. The aura sword beyond his physical reach immediately responded to his mental command.
Wssshhh!
The second aura sword cut through the air.
Vmm!
A dull impact echoed when the two energy constructs collided.
A wave of pure energy spread outward, creating a gust of cold wind that struck all of their faces.
The aura sword that had been deflected earlier lost its stability after the collision.
Its user's control faltered.
The blade dropped and stabbed into the snow, splitting the white surface and exposing the ground beneath.
Elisvaria observed the event calmly.
"You are underestimating me. Do you believe every Aura Master practitioner stands on the same level?"
Her gaze swept across the entire circle of enemies.
"Or did you consider that possibility? Then did you also consider that I am different?"
"What do you mean?!"
A short red haired man responded sharply.
"I am different from the Aura Masters you trapped with this formation before."
Elisvaria's voice remained steady.
"I can guess where your confidence comes from. In the past, this formation must have brought down someone in the same realm as me."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Well? Am I right?"
The thick mustached man standing at the front gave a faint smile.
"I admit your reasoning. The Northern Ice Sword Goddess truly lives up to her reputation. I feel honored to meet you, although it is unfortunate that it happens under circumstances like this."
Elisvaria's gaze shifted directly toward the mustached man.
His aura was more stable than the others.
So he is the leader.
"Are you the leader of this group?"
"Yes. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Erwin Brook. I would be very pleased if the beauty goddess of this continent would accept my introduction."
Hearing that, Elisvaria let out a soft chuckle. She slowly turned her body, observing each member of the group surrounding her one by one before looking back at the mustached man.
"You are quite amusing. Am I really that famous? I do not even know who you are. Have you ever thought about the consequences of this action?"
"Of course we have thought about it, Elisvaria Velmora."
Another man spoke from the side in a sharp tone. Elisvaria did not turn even slightly. Her focus remained on Erwin.
"So you already understand the end of your fate. And you, Erwin, I am touched by that introduction. I appreciate people with courage like yours. Unfortunately, talent like yours will be buried in this frozen forest."
"Arrogant!!!"
An emotional shout erupted from one of the group members.
Erwin only gave a bitter smile at the woman's response. Behind his calm expression, his thoughts moved quickly.
Is the difference between Aura Master practitioners really that large?
No.
It is just that this woman stands far above the standard.
He had long heard the reputation of this woman. Even her name had reached the neighboring countries of the Valdoria Empire.
Northern Ice Sword Goddess.
That title was not merely decoration. Besides her beauty, which was said to surpass even the royal princesses across the continent, another rumor claimed she could rival the appearance of the Saintess of the Holy Empire, a figure known as the goddess's representative in the human world.
Perhaps only rumors.
But now, standing directly in front of her, Erwin began to believe those stories were not entirely wrong.
Her beauty truly was extraordinary.
But the most dangerous thing was not her face.
It was her sword.
This woman's swordsmanship was terrifying. Combined with her sharp combat insight, the result was overwhelming.
In the underworld, she even had another title.
The Northern God of Death.
Many assassins and mercenaries had lost their lives to this woman.
Two days ago, news had spread again within the underworld circles.
The Ice Sword Goddess had eliminated one of the most famous mercenary groups on the continent.
Golden Wolf.
Its leader had been an Aura Master. The vice leader had been a seven-star mage.
Was the mage's name Luke?
A former talented disciple of an eight-star mage from the Magic Tower.
Yet both still died at this woman's hands.
Other rumors had grown even wilder.
This woman ranked second in the highest bounty offered to anyone who managed to kill her.
And first place was awarded to anyone capable of kidnapping her alive.
Killing her alone was already close to impossible.
Kidnapping her was far more insane.
Whether that rumor was true or not, if it was real, then only a madman would issue such a mission.
Damn.
A huge payment really did make me lose my sanity.
I should have considered all of this from the beginning.
Now the chances of winning feel even thinner.
No.
It is too late to retreat.
Just focus.
Continue the previous strategy, but increase the aggression.
I still have a hidden card.
Erwin took a deep breath, then shouted toward his companions.
"Change formation! Attack more aggressively!"
Some members looked hesitant. Others remained silent, waiting for confirmation.
"But this is too fast!"
"Follow the order. Nothing has changed. Wait for further instructions."
"Yes, leader!"
The aura around them shifted immediately. The sharp energy swords floating in the air trembled faintly, releasing pressure that grew heavier with each passing second.
Elisvaria sensed the change in atmosphere very clearly. Killing intent wrapped around her from every direction, as if dozens of invisible jaws were ready to snap shut at any moment.
She could actually escape this situation with ease.
But she did not.
She wanted to test their formation.
Besides, during the last two days she had barely found time to train. The burden of resolving various territorial issues, especially the large corruption case in Velmorath City, had drained both her mind and mental stamina. Her body had spent far more time sitting behind a desk than moving freely on a training field.
She wanted her muscles active again.
A faint humming sound spread through the air.
The ice swords at her side reacted to the opponent's killing intent. Every vibration remained fully under the control of her will.
The ice blades began to move.
Dozens of sharp weapons rotated around her body, forming a living defensive circle, as if ready to pierce and cut down anything that tried to touch their master.
The enemy aura swords reacted as well. Their tremors intensified, signaling that the attack would begin soon.
Fiuusshhh!
Dozens of sharp energy blades shot simultaneously toward the woman at the center of the formation from multiple directions, moving with high precision under the mental control of their users.
Elisvaria's eyes narrowed.
Twelve ice swords answered her call.
Wrrssshhh!
All the frozen blades surged forward, directly intercepting the incoming aura swords rushing toward her.
Krring! Krring! Krring! Chachachachacha!
The first collision erupted, followed by intersecting sword trajectories clashing repeatedly.
The second impact followed with unique movement patterns from each controller, slashing and thrusting against one another.
Then the third until the twelfth. Ice swords and aura swords collided again and again in midair.
The sight was extraordinary.
Flashes of energy split the cold air, creating sharp bursts of light within the snowy forest. The blades attacked each other along complex paths at an extremely high level of precision.
The aura swords began pressing more aggressively.
Wssshhh! Wssshhh!
The air itself seemed torn apart by their speed.
Chachachachacha!
Repeated cutting paths attempted to shatter the ice blades, followed by continuous sequences of attacks without pause.
An opening appeared.
Fiuusshhh!
Three aura swords shot rapidly toward Elisvaria.
But three ice swords moved even faster under the woman's control.
A heavy collision occurred.
Slash!
A new vertical trajectory struck the tip of the opposing energy blades, neutralizing the attack that had nearly pierced her body at the center of the formation.
Elisvaria observed her surroundings carefully.
All the aura swords were positioned across different angles. Fighting in this style was troublesome.
For her, however, this battle was quite interesting.
She could end the dozens of opponents quickly if she wished, but this kind of technical exchange actually improved her concentration and control over her ice swords.
Her focus sharpened.
She controlled more than ten ice swords simultaneously with extreme precision, as if each weapon possessed its own intelligence. The blades moved smoothly, capable of analyzing the enemy aura sword movements and responding almost independently.
To reach the level of controlling aura outside the body and condensing it into an energy sword, one must enter the Intent realm, a state where energy and will merge into a perfect unity.
However, the main difficulty appeared after the aura sword was formed.
Control.
Unlike the telekinesis of mages, where objects move along relatively predictable trajectories, aura swords carried another layer of complexity. The quality of attack and the durability of the weapon had to be maintained at the same time.
Elisvaria's ice swords possessed strength comparable to the finest steel blades. The same applied to her opponents' aura swords. These energy weapons were fully capable of replacing conventional armaments.
This advantage was precisely why practitioners at the Expert realm had almost no chance against those at the Intent realm.
Facing one Intent practitioner felt like fighting several experts at once.