Dozens of marshals step down from their lines.
Behind them, Infantry stand in the foremost line with spears and swords raised.
Behind the Infantry, Cavalry wait atop their horses, ready to move at any moment.
Further back, the Witchers stand in organized rows, holding their bows.
An enormous circle of troops.
And at the center stands only me.
From afar, hundreds of soldiers carry something toward my direction.
A large wooden post.
An execution post.
They lift it together and walk slowly toward the center of the field.
Several marshals move closer.
Their steps stop shortly afterward.
I look around once more.
Forces from many continents.
Their number nearly reaches hundreds of thousands.
The entire world stands here to witness the end of my life.
This… must be the final obstacle of my life.
I raise my head toward the sky.
A long breath fills my lungs.
Then it leaves slowly.
All eyes fix on me.
Everyone waits for the words that will leave my mouth.
My head lowers briefly.
Then rises again.
Another breath fills my lungs, preparing my voice.
The shout comes with all the strength I possess.
"I DECLARE… WAR!!!"
---
"CHAAAAAARGE!!!" the Marshals shout.
The cry echoes across the battlefield. Running footsteps sound from every direction. Hundreds of swords rise. Thousands of infantry from various continents move at once.
They rush forward from behind the Marshals. From the left. From the right. From the front.
All moving toward me.
I draw a slow breath and close my eyes.
The sound of their blades. The rhythm of their footsteps.
The first strike comes from the front.
Someone swings a sword toward my neck.
Loki Technique.
I step half a pace to the right. My foot lifts and strikes his wrist.
CLANG!
The sword flies from his hand.
My leg spins again.
The second kick crashes into the chest of another soldier rushing from the side.
BAM!
His body is thrown backward, colliding with two men behind him.
More footsteps approach.
THUD!
The first leg collapses.
THUD!
The second is swept away as well.
A third man attempts to stab from above.
I twist my body.
My leg rises again.
A straight kick strikes his chest.
BAM!
He is hurled backward.
More footsteps gather.
Dozens of soldiers now surround me.
Their swords move from every direction.
I move within their circle.
My legs continue to move.
One kick strikes the hand gripping a sword.
CLANG!
The blade flies away.
The next kick strikes a jaw.
CRACK!
He falls.
Another kick slams into a stomach.
BAM!
His body folds.
Another attack comes.
I step between them.
My leg spins again and again.
Each kick strikes their hands, sending their swords flying.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Dozens of blades fall to the ground.
Several soldiers attempt to attack without weapons.
A side kick crashes into their ribs.
CRACK!
One body is thrown away.
Another comes from behind.
My leg spins without stopping.
A back kick slams into his chest.
BAM!
He falls, crashing into two others.
The assault does not stop.
Waves of infantry continue to come.
Dozens become more.
I continue moving.
Kick after kick strikes their hands, their legs, their chests.
Swords are forced from their grips again and again.
Bodies keep collapsing.
Dozens fall.
Dozens more follow.
Another step.
Another attack.
Another kick.
The first wave of infantry collapses.
Yet more arrive from behind them.
My steps stop.
My hand rises.
My fingers straighten.
Leon Technique.
A soldier attacks from the front.
I step aside.
My fingers thrust forward.
THUK!
They pierce into his stomach.
He stops moving.
His body falls.
Another attacks from the left.
His sword drops quickly.
I shift half a step.
My fingers stab into his ribs.
CRACK!
He chokes and collapses.
Two men charge at the same time from the front.
I move between them.
My fingers thrust toward the chest of the first.
THUK!
His heart is pierced.
His body falls.
The second attempts to stab.
My shoulder turns.
My fingers move again.
They pierce the side of his neck.
He collapses instantly.
Footsteps grow denser.
Infantry from many continents continue advancing.
I move among them.
Every motion is brief.
Every strike aims directly at a vital point.
Stomach.
Ribs.
Heart.
Side of the neck.
Front of the throat.
C-TAST!
C-TUST!
C-TAST!
Body after body falls.
Dozens of soldiers collapse.
Yet more continue forward.
My fingers strike again.
Piercing one stomach.
Piercing another heart.
Piercing another set of ribs.
There is no pause.
My steps continue shifting.
Dozens more fall.
Dozens more follow.
The ground begins to fill with the bodies of infantry.
Yet hundreds still remain.
I take a short breath.
Both fists clench.
My stance opens.
Jiza Technique — The Mad Fighter.
Footsteps approach.
A soldier attacks from the front.
I step in.
My first punch strikes his face.
THUD!
His head snaps backward.
The second punch strikes his stomach.
BAM!
His body folds before falling.
Another comes from the right.
My left fist moves quickly.
THUD!
His jawbone shatters.
His body collapses.
Another attempts to attack from behind.
I turn my body.
My right fist strikes his chest.
CRACK!
He is thrown backward.
Another attack comes.
Punch after punch erupts without pause.
SKLASH!
BLASH!
SWASH!
Every strike lands with force.
Faces break.
Ribs shatter.
Bodies fly backward.
Dozens of soldiers fall around me.
Yet others continue advancing.
My fists continue striking.
Punch to the face.
Punch to the chest.
Punch to the stomach.
Every blow drops another soldier.
Dozens more fall.
Dozens more follow.
The remaining hundreds of infantry begin collapsing one by one.
Yet several still stand.
They attack together.
Their swords descend from multiple directions.
I move between them.
A fist strikes one.
An elbow strikes another.
A knee slams into another stomach.
Their bodies fall in piles.
At last, only dozens remain.
My steps stop.
My eyes show one final movement.
I seize a sword from the ground.
The final dozens of infantry attack at once.
I step forward.
My sword moves.
Albert Technique.
SWASH!
The first slash cuts through the front line.
Their bodies fall.
I spin.
SLASH!
The second strike drops several more.
Those remaining attempt to retreat.
But my steps have already reached them.
My sword moves again.
SPLASH!
One by one, they fall.
The wind passes over the silent battlefield.
Around me, only the bodies of infantry cover the ground.
No one remains standing.