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Chapter 33
Edge of Death
The village burned like a dying star.
Tall flames climbed hungrily across the wooden rooftops, devouring houses one by one as thick smoke rolled upward into the dark sky. The once peaceful farming village had become a battlefield filled with screams, shattered doors, and scattered bodies.
Villagers ran desperately through the narrow streets, clutching their children and dragging whatever belongings they could carry.
The sound of steel clashing echoed constantly.
Royal knights fought fiercely against the bandits, their armor reflecting the violent orange light of the fire. Every few seconds another shout or cry rose above the chaos.
But in the center of the village square…
Everything seemed strangely quiet.
Prince Alex stood there with his sword held tightly in both hands.
Across from him stood the bandit chief.
The giant man towered above him like a walking mountain.
His shoulders were massive, his arms thick with muscle, and the enormous axe resting on his shoulder looked capable of splitting a horse in half with a single strike.
His scarred face twisted into a cruel smile.
For several seconds, the two simply stared at each other.
The chief spoke first.
"So…"
His voice was deep and rough, like stones grinding together.
"You must be the little prince someone paid us to kill."
Alex did not answer immediately.
Instead, he slowly adjusted his stance.
His feet pressed firmly against the dirt.
His breathing slowed.
The teachings of the Iron Heart Blade Technique flowed clearly through his mind.
Stable stance.
Balanced breathing.
Controlled movement.
The chief noticed the change in Alex's posture and laughed loudly.
"Oh?"
"That look in your eyes…"
"You actually think you can fight me?"
Alex raised his sword slightly.
"No."
The chief blinked.
"No?"
Alex's lips curved faintly.
"I think I can kill you."
For a moment the entire battlefield seemed to pause.
Then the chief burst into loud laughter.
"HAHAHAHA!"
"That's the bravest thing I've heard in years!"
He lifted the massive axe from his shoulder and spun it once in his hand.
"Alright, prince."
"Let's see if you can survive even one swing."
Without another word, the giant suddenly rushed forward.
His footsteps shook the ground beneath him.
Alex's instincts screamed instantly.
The axe came down like a falling tree.
Alex barely managed to dive sideways.
BOOM!
The axe slammed into the ground with terrifying force, cracking the dirt and sending dust flying into the air.
Alex rolled across the ground and quickly jumped back to his feet.
His heart pounded violently.
That strength…
If that strike had landed even slightly…
His bones would have shattered instantly.
The chief pulled the axe from the ground slowly.
A wicked grin spread across his face.
"You dodged."
"Good."
He rolled his shoulders slightly.
"Let's see how long you can keep doing that."
He charged again.
This time the axe swept sideways like a raging storm.
Alex stepped backward quickly and raised his sword to block.
CLANG!
The moment the weapons collided, a violent shockwave ran through Alex's arms.
His fingers almost lost their grip.
"Ghh!"
He slid several steps backward across the dirt.
The chief laughed.
"Too weak."
"You fight like a child swinging a stick."
Alex steadied his breathing.
His muscles trembled slightly from the impact.
He's stronger than I thought.
But raw strength alone didn't decide battles.
Alex tightened his grip.
The Iron Heart Blade Technique moved through his mind like a flowing river.
Observe the opponent.
Control the distance.
Strike when balance breaks.
The chief rushed forward again, roaring loudly.
This time Alex stepped forward instead of retreating.
The axe swung downward again.
At the last moment, Alex twisted his body sideways.
The axe crashed into the ground beside him.
Before the giant could pull it back—
Alex thrust his sword forward.
The blade sliced across the bandit's arm.
A thin line of blood appeared.
The chief froze for a moment.
He slowly looked down at the cut.
"…You actually hit me."
Then he grinned again.
"Interesting."
Alex stepped backward cautiously.
His chest rose and fell steadily.
The chief rolled his shoulder.
"Well done, prince."
"But that little scratch…"
"…just made me angry."
Suddenly the giant roared and rushed forward again.
This time his attacks became faster.
The axe swung again and again, each strike carrying enough force to crush bones.
Alex dodged desperately.
Each blow shattered carts, fences, and pieces of the ground around them.
Alex's arms shook violently.
His body felt heavier with each passing second.
He's overwhelming me…
The chief laughed wildly.
"Run, prince!"
"Run!"
"Let's see how long those royal legs can carry you!"
Another strike came from above.
Alex barely managed to raise his sword in time.
CLANG!
The impact knocked him off balance.
He crashed hard against the ground, the air forced from his lungs.
Pain exploded through his ribs.
The chief walked toward him slowly.
"Well now…"
"That didn't take long."
Alex pushed himself up slowly, coughing slightly.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
The chief tilted his head slightly.
"Still alive?"
"Impressive."
He lifted the axe high above his head.
"But let's end this now."
The axe came crashing down.
At that exact moment…
Alex's mind became calm.
Every movement of the Iron Heart Blade Technique appeared perfectly within his thoughts.
Footwork.
Angles.
Timing.
The world slowed.
The axe descended.
Alex stepped sideways.
The blade missed him by inches.
At the same time—
Alex's sword moved.
Fast.
Precise.
The blade slashed across the chief's ribs.
Blood sprayed across the ground.
The giant roared in pain.
"YOU LITTLE RAT!"
He swung wildly.
Alex ducked beneath the strike and stabbed forward again.
Another wound opened across the chief's shoulder.
The bandit staggered backward.
For the first time…
The giant looked surprised.
"You…"
"…you're learning."
Alex wiped the blood from his mouth.
"That's how fighting works."
The chief's smile disappeared.
"You're dangerous."
He gripped his axe tightly.
"So I'll stop playing."
The giant charged again.
This time faster than before.
The axe swung downward with terrifying speed.
Alex barely blocked.
CLANG!
The impact forced him to one knee.
The chief raised the axe again.
"Die."
Alex's vision blurred.
His arms trembled.
His body screamed in pain.
But his mind remained sharp.
One opening…
That's all I need.
The chief raised the axe for the final strike.
Alex suddenly moved.
Step.
Turn.
Strike.
The sword drove deep into the chief's chest.
The giant froze.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
"How…"
Alex whispered quietly.
"…Iron Heart Blade."
The chief staggered backward.
The axe slipped from his hands.
The massive man collapsed heavily onto the ground.
For a moment the battlefield fell silent.
Then the remaining bandits saw their leader fall.
Panic spread instantly.
"They killed the chief!"
"Run!"
Bandits scattered into the forest like frightened animals.
Max rushed toward Alex immediately.
"Your Highness!"
He stopped suddenly.
Alex was still standing.
But barely.
The sword slipped from his fingers.
His body swayed.
Then he collapsed forward.
Max caught him just before he hit the ground.
"Medic!"
"Quick!"
Knights rushed toward them.
But Alex's vision had already faded.
The last thing he heard was Max shouting orders.
Then everything went dark.
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End of Chapter 33