Rise of the Eromancer

Chapter 173 Rhys vs. The King of Enkland

"...Let me show you how."

"Oho…"

There was a certain silence that followed after that. The knights, the guests, and perhaps even the very ambiance itself all shushed as Rhys and the King just stared at each other; clearly amused but still very much wary of each other.

And without even saying another word, Rhys grabbed a part of the broken table and threw it straight toward the King without even any hesitation. The King, of course, just smirked as he created another weapon made of water in his hand — this time, it was a greatsword.

If one were to see this for the first time, one would probably laugh at it. Who actually brandishes a weapon made out of nothing but water? Wouldn't that just be completely defeated with just a simple force?

No. The King did not even brandish or swing the greatsword at all, he just held it in front of him… and it completely sliced the table hurtling toward him into two without even a slight resistance.

The greatsword wasn't just a bundle of water, it was practically a water jet that was compressed to its limits looping over and over again to resemble the shape of a sword — if anything, it would be better to call it a high-pressure water chainsaw… it was deadly. No wonder it was able to cut through Rhys's threads.

"I would not advise that if I were you, Master Rhys." With his right hand still holding the aqua greatsword, he stretched his left hand behind him and summoned a shield that was almost as large as him. And there, Rhys's fist stopped just inches away from making contact with the aqua shield — if he did, his knuckles would have probably disintegrated,

"But then again, one should know when to commit…

…like this."

"!!!"

Rhys quickly leaped back; somersaulting in the air as he avoided all the water tendrils that suddenly shot out from the shield.

"Hm…" Rhys did not even have time to properly breathe, however, as the tendrils just continued to extend toward him; following him like a homing missile. Each of the tentacles was capable of fully shaving the floor even though they were just grazing it; the obviously expensive tiles and carpets, ruined.

"Sooner or later, you will get tired or dodging, Master Rhys," the King has not even moved from his spot as the streams of water just continued to shoot out from his aqua shield, "No, I heard a certain rumor that you do not get tired…

…so I just need to brute force my way to victory."

The King suddenly moved from his spot, finally waving the greatsword toward Rhys; creating a violent crescent wave that seemed to slice the very air itself.

This time, however, Rhys met the water jet head-on, stretching his palm toward it as he also blasted compressed air, not onto it, but inside it — completely breaking the water jet apart and causing it to just shower everywhere.

But as Rhys moved through the blast and continued to rush toward the King, he was no longer to be found… and was instead hovering above him with a wide smile on his face, carried by a thick stream of water. And with a deep breath, the King kicked down, violently pouring all of the water straight down toward Rhys.

Rhys, upon seeing the smile on the King's face, also could not help but grow a smile on his face as the water completely devoured him… or so everyone thought. Before the violent waterfall could even create a pool in the hall, Rhys was also no longer to be seen.

The King, who was still hovering in the air, quickly turned his eyes to find Rhys in the hall. But as soon as he turned his head, he felt a sharp pressure suddenly wrapping then tugging around his neck; the King thought for a fraction of a second as to when Rhys could have done this… and the answer was now.

The King quickly turned to look up, only to see Rhys latched onto one of the chandeliers, already holding several threads in his hand. And without even any hesitation, Rhys jumped up onto the ceiling, before kicking himself down… with the chandelier acting like a pulley as he pulled the King up by the neck.

"This…" An almost maniacal smile formed on the King's face as he realized what Rhys was doing. Was he actually trying to decapitate him right in front of all his guests? But of course, the King wouldn't just let that happen.

The King did not slice the thread, no — instead, he shot out a water jet onto the chains of the chandelier, causing it to fall along with Rhys and making him lose balance.

"Come here, you little runt!" The King's maniacal smile turned into laughter as he pulled on the threads — perhaps a mistake, as Rhys also pulled back, causing the King to quickly let go unless he wanted to have all of his fingers chopped.

The King then quickly summoned a pair of aqua daggers and immediately cut off the threads before rushing toward Rhys. And Rhys, upon seeing this, grabbed a scalpel from his trusty utility belt… which he was still wearing even during the party.

And with a laughter also escaping his mouth, Rhys also rushed toward the King as the two just started exchanging blows with their blades. But there and then, however, the guests and audience realized who was going to win this match.

The King obviously had more style and technique with his strikes; fully utilizing his abilities as he manipulated the daggers in his hands so he could hit Rhys, and he was hitting Rhys; but each time he grazed Rhys with his aqua daggers, Rhys proceeded to graze him twice or thrice… even with one hand.

The two were almost dancing, but Rhys was dodging almost all of the King's strikes… not to mention that with each of his strikes, the King could really only take a step back from the sheer force.

"Are you sure we should continue this head-on match?" Rhys finally spoke; his hand, almost as if moving on their own. He doesn't try to deflect the King's daggers; there was no use in doing so — and so, he was just focusing on targeting his vital points, causing the King to mostly be on the defensive instead, "You could turn your daggers into swords and I would probably lose."

"Where is the honor in that, Master Rhys!?" The King smiled.

"...You did punch me when I wasn't looking."

"Have you not heard of the King's advantage, my boy!?" The King once again laughed… but it was obvious from the drops of sweat on his face that he was already struggling to keep up with Rhys.

"I think I have, actually…" Rhys thought of Ayesha. But if he were to compare the two, Ayesha clearly outmatched the King; the King had more grace and technique in his moves, but Ayesha was just a different beast altogether — if Ayesha wanted to, she could probably overwhelm Rhys each time during their training.

But of course, the King also provided Rhys with an exciting battle; fighting those with overwhelmingly more experience than him truly was a different... experience.

"Please, don't think of something else while fighting me, Master Rhys," the King's laugh turned weak, "It is disheartening to know I do not have your full attention."

"...Of course, Your Majesty," and with a small breath escaping Rhys's lips, he suddenly let go of his scalpel as he spun in place; slapping the King's wrist away at the same time before stepping beside him and moving to his back. He then grabbed another scalpel from his utility belt, but he held it on the sharp end.

Rhys was about to end the King's entire career as the blunt end of his scalpel was now heading toward his neck… when Rhys saw the expressions of all the guests. A mix of shock, fear, and perhaps even disappointment. Even the knights, who were previously cheering for the King's defeat, had their eyes and mouth wide open.

And as soon as he saw this, Rhys suddenly stopped his attack mid-way, letting out a small sigh as he glanced at the King who was now turning toward him.

"Ho…" The King just took a glance at the scalpel before letting out a deep breath, "...The throne owes you for this, Master Rhys."

"Yes, you do."

And as soon as Rhys finished his words, the King let go of his aqua daggers and punched Rhys straight down his cheek, causing him to violently bounce on the floor.

"For Enkland!"

And as the King roared and raised his hands in victory, the only thing that Rhys could really do was shake his head and sigh; the cheers of the guests and the knights in the banquet hall, enough to turn one deaf from how loud it was.

"For the Throne!"

"For the King!"

And before Rhys could even fully stand up, however, the King suddenly grabbed his arm and also raised it in the air.

"For Master Rhys…

…and his wedding to Princess Linette!"

"Huh…?" Rhys's eyes could not help but turn wide as soon as he heard the King's words. Once again, he was getting dragged by the Royal Family.

"All of you are invited to their future wedding that will be happening this month!" The King roared, and the guests just reciprocated.

"For Master Rhys and Princess Linette! Long live Enkland!"

Rhys then turned to look at Lina, who quickly mouthed the very same thought he had in his mind.

As soon as Rhys got what he wanted in Enkland, they needed to leave as soon as possible.