More and more Hawk Company mercenaries gathered to watch the duel between Nidhogg and Guts. The crowd grew so large that the three Thousand-Man Commanders were forced to step in and restore order.
The rowdy mercenaries settled down, but the chatter and jeers continued.
Casca, the Hawk Company's first Thousand-Man Commander, muttered under her breath.
"I thought Nidhogg and Guts might have matured a little after becoming unit commanders. But no, here they are, still trying to prove who's stronger. They're comrades!"
The other two Thousand-Man Commanders, Pippin and Judeau, exchanged a glance and shared a silent smile.
"Men will be men," Corkus chimed in as he walked over. With the Hawk Company's current growth, he was expected to become the fourth Thousand-Man Commander soon. "Hey, anyone want to place a bet?"
"A bet? On what?" Rickert asked from the side.
He had grown and matured over the years, now significantly taller. He was an excellent centurion, but still a bit naive in some ways.
"On who wins, of course!" Corkus grinned. He was clearly running the book and had already collected many bets. "I'm putting my money on Nidhogg. That Guts is still too damn irritating."
Having announced his position, he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted to Nidhogg, who was preparing on the open training ground. "Hey, Nidhogg! Beat that bastard Guts, and you're drinking for free tonight!"
The surrounding mercenaries laughed and flocked to Corkus to place their own bets.
Nidhogg didn't respond, just smiled and waved in Corkus's direction.
Guts ignored it all, swinging his massive sword in warm-up arcs.
"I'll... I'll bet on Guts." Judeau tossed a few silver coins, which landed precisely in Corkus's palm. "Nidhogg's been closing the gap, but I think Guts takes this one."
Pippin joined the fun, producing a coin and handing it to Corkus. "Guts," he said simply.
"Why are you two..." Casca looked skeptical.
"Alright, alright!" Corkus quickly noted their bets, pocketed the coins, and encouraged them. "Casca? Rickert? What about you?"
Casca turned away. "I won't participate in such gambling."
Rickert was interested. He pulled out a few silver coins, but hesitated. He didn't know who to bet on.
Both Nidhogg and Guts had been good to him. On chaotic battlefields, he had nearly died several times, and both of them had saved him.
It was just a small bet, but grateful Rickert was torn. Betting on one felt like betraying the other.
While Rickert was still agonizing, Griffith's figure appeared on the castle heights, unnoticed by anyone in the Hawk Company.
He had just attended a war council with the nobles and knights.
After discussing strategy, the nobles had spent their time complaining. The Hawk Company mercenaries were too rough, they said. They disrupted the city's noble peace.
Griffith had handled it with his usual grace, maintaining the Hawks' dignity. But he knew the truth. As long as they were mercenaries, these nobles, with their lofty pedigrees, would always look down on them.
His eyes narrowed.
His abilities far surpassed theirs. The Hawk Company he commanded was stronger than their knights. Yet in their eyes, he was still inferior.
Griffith had always known that his birth was the greatest obstacle to his dream. This only deepened his understanding.
If he had so-called noble blood, he could easily attain a high position, without driving the Hawks so desperately.
This was why Griffith needed the Hawk Company he had built himself. Especially its key members.
As long as they were there, no matter the casualties, the Hawks would not scatter. They would always be a fighting force. They were the foundation of his future.
Griffith stopped, watching Nidhogg and Guts fight from a distance.
Two years of association had given him a deep understanding of their characters.
They were both key members of the Hawks.
Guts, in particular, was not only brave and responsible. He possessed a devotion to Griffith that was absolute. He would do anything, no matter how dirty or dark, for his leader.
Nidhogg was always a little distant from Griffith. He could be a blade in the light for the Hawks, like Casca, Pippin, Judeau, and Corkus. But only Guts could be his sword in the darkness, piercing anyone who stood in his way.
Only Guts could endure Griffith's dark side, his ugliness, his shamelessness, and not think it a problem.
Therefore, only Guts could see the darkness within Griffith and still enter his heart, becoming a part of him.
Whoever won this battle would not shake Guts's place in Griffith's heart.
---
Nidhogg was ready.
Over the past two years, Grafted Soldiers had attacked him in spirit form every few months. It was troublesome, but not without benefit.
After Nidhogg destroyed them, they had dropped, in sequence: the Grafted Soldier set, a Lordsworn's Straight Sword, a Brass Shield, and finally, the Lordsworn's Greatsword they had been guarding.
In terms of protection, the Grafted Soldier set was clearly superior to his old Vagabond Knight set.
Nidhogg had switched without hesitation, though he removed the conspicuous heraldry from the armor.
He chose the Lordsworn's Greatsword for its skill. He would claim he had taken it from an enemy general. It had become his signature weapon—well, his signature foil to Guts's massive blade.
To wield this greatsword effectively, Nidhogg had temporarily set aside his shield.
Soon, Nidhogg, holding the Lordsworn's Greatsword, and Guts, hefting his massive blade, faced each other. They advanced. The atmosphere grew tense and heavy.
The spectators fell silent. Even the scouts and shock troops dared not cheer for their commanders, for fear of disrupting the duel.
Both raised their greatswords. They closed the distance. Though the blades had not yet met, the air between them crackled with crossing intent.
"I see it," Guts said suddenly. "Your eyes today. You really want to beat me. Is there something urgent?"
Nidhogg had his reasons, but they wouldn't be realized until he defeated both Guts and Griffith. He answered calmly, "I've lost to you over a dozen times. It's my turn to win. That's all."
"Is that so..." Guts had always felt his comrade was hiding something. It was an instinct honed over two years of fighting side-by-side. "Then try."
No one shouted "Start." Both knew the moment, but they did the opposite.
Fwoosh!
Guts raised his greatsword and brought it down with indescribable speed and power, cleaving the air as he aimed for Nidhogg!
He was going all out. It was his recognition and respect for Nidhogg.
Nidhogg nimbly stepped back, letting the massive blade pass mere inches from his body.
In the same motion, he swung his own sword, aiming to cut through Guts's armor.
Guts reacted instantly, almost instinctively raising his greatsword to parry. The blades clanged together, both men shuddering from the impact.
His strength and speed have caught up to me... Guts thought, frowning. He stepped forward, swinging his greatsword to press the attack.
This time, Nidhogg didn't retreat. He stepped forward as well. The Lordsworn's Greatsword and Guts's massive blade met in a thunderous clash. The shockwave was like a meteor striking the earth, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Then, a furious exchange of blows began.
The two greatswords moved in their hands as easily as ordinary longswords. The afterimages and ringing impacts conveyed the battle's intensity.
Guts grew more excited with every exchange. It was rare for anyone to last this long against him. His battle frenzy mounted, and he nearly unleashed a wild, stone-shattering swing.
Nidhogg, though also wielding a greatsword, remained calmer. He fought Guts blow for blow, letting his opponent's fury build, waiting for a fleeting opportunity.
He had never used this particular greatsword against Guts before. Everyone who had seen it, except Melina, was dead. Nidhogg had saved this trick to surprise his rival.
CLANG!
Another exchange! The swords rebounded!
Guts raised his blade and brought it down in a furious chop!
Nidhogg's Lordsworn's Greatsword dipped low, almost touching the ground. Then, like a rising dragon, it shot upward with terrifying speed!
Skill: Stamp (Upward Cut)!
The sudden, explosive motion made Guts's eyes widen. Instinct screamed danger, but his nature embraced the challenge. He grinned and brought his greatsword down to meet it!
CRASH!
The greatswords collided. A cyclone of force erupted. The flagstones beneath their feet shattered, cracking like a spiderweb outward!
Nidhogg was forced into a crouch, his arms numb. The tip of his greatsword touched the ground.
But Guts was lifted off his feet. He crashed to the ground, his massive sword torn from his grip and sent flying.
The entire training ground fell silent.
Nidhogg took a deep breath, then rose and walked towards Guts, greatsword in hand.
Guts lay on his back, staring at the sky, his eyes wide with shock. He was still replaying Nidhogg's final strike. Then Nidhogg's face appeared in his vision. He couldn't help but laugh.
"I didn't know you were hiding that. But this time, you really won."
Nidhogg planted his greatsword in the ground and couldn't help but smile.
He knew Guts was proud. For him to admit defeat was harder than actually beating him.
But Guts admitted it. Because he fully acknowledged Nidhogg. And because he sensed something and didn't want to leave any regrets between them.
Nidhogg offered his hand. Guts took it, and Nidhogg pulled him to his feet. They embraced.
「Quest」 Defeat Guts (Completed)
「Reward」 LV 43 → LV 44
The spectators finally snapped out of their trance, emerging from the intensity of the duel. They realized it was over.
The winner was not Guts. This time, it was Nidhogg.
Excitement flushed their faces. Then they erupted. A roar of joy and release poured from their throats!