Lindwan had contracted a Tree Spirit of earth. The surging Nature Energy crashed down on Verlith first and foremost.
Verlith barely raised her gun, firing two shots at Lindwan—*bang bang!*
*Thrum!*
A glow of Command Tokens flared before Lindwan’s chest.
In an instant, swirling sand and dust gathered before the cavalry captain, forming an ochre curtain.
Both bullets sank into the sandy barrier, their momentum drained in less than a breath.
Seizing the gap, Verlith darted into the cavalry ranks. She swung onto a warhorse, turned back, and crooked her finger at Lindwan.
*"If you’ve got the guts, follow me!"*
Hunched over the saddle, she tossed these words behind her and vanished in a cloud of dust.
Before leaving, she spared her last two bullets for the captain.
Lindwan sneered. His right hand shot up—a Command Token’s glow flared again, deflecting the high-speed rounds.
*"You’ve challenged the wrong man. But escaping won’t be so easy!"*
He glanced at the fleeing figure.
This woman, who seemed utterly incapable of offense, had unexpectedly wounded his cavalry. Letting her go would shatter his dignity completely.
Besides—she only relied on her gun’s faster firing rate!
*That must be it!*
Catch her, and one strike would end her.
*"Hyah!"*
Lindwan spurred his horse. The beast neighed in pain and galloped after Verlith.
Alyssa, worried for the two riders, moved to follow.
Horatu blocked her.
*"Miss, flee now. Leave her."*
*"How can I leave? Vier lured that terrifying knight away for us—her life hangs by a thread! Save her! I’ll pay anything, just—"*
*"Then forgive me!"*
*Thud…*
Horatu knocked Alyssa unconscious.
Her body slumped. He lifted her into the carriage. With the remaining cavalry disabled, the Eagle Mercenary Group whipped the horses and fled.
To Horatu, that damn Netherborn Elf was nonsense. Such things didn’t just appear. Those cavalrymen only wanted bribes. He’d planned to let them search the carriage and pay off the trouble.
Who knew the girl would suddenly open fire?
*She’s probably dead by now.*
But offending the Fanir Cavalry meant the Eastern Pearl Road was closed without their permission.
Terrified the captain would return with reinforcements, Horatu abandoned his two fallen mercenaries and fled the scene. He veered onto a narrow trail blazed by adventurers.
Had Verlith been there, she’d have wondered why they insisted on dragging three carriages through the cramped path—clearing brush with greatswords instead of ditching the wagons and riding horses.
But Verlith wasn’t there.
At the forest’s edge, two riders chased and fled.
*Bang…*
The empty pistol the silver-haired maiden threw backward was blocked by Lindwan’s Command Token glow.
*"Earth Command: Swift Arrows!"*
Three earthen arrows coalesced in Lindwan’s hand, shooting toward the maiden’s slender back.
A chill shot down Verlith’s spine. She hissed, ducked low, then swung sideways off her horse. The arrows whistled over the saddle, piercing roadside trees.
Verlith vaulted back onto her mount, spun the horse, and plunged into the forest.
Branches blocked Lindwan’s shots. He stopped wasting Nature Energy and spurred his horse harder.
Suddenly, Verlith—galloping ahead—jerked her hands up. She seized a low-hanging branch, swung off her horse, and flipped upside down in a handstand on the limb.
The cavalry captain couldn’t brake in time. He charged beneath the branch. Verlith smirked.
She dropped like a stone.
Her slender legs spun in a dazzling arc—a brutal kick slammed downward.
*Crash!*
Lindwan hastily raised an earthen shield, but too late. He flew off his horse.
The shield spared him serious injury. Mid-air, Command Token light flared. Earthen spikes sprouted from his arms, stabbing the ground to steady his fall.
His feet touched earth. *Tap.*
Before Lindwan could breathe—
—a giant pink fist filled his vision.
*"What?! So fast!"*
He stared at the fist aimed at his face. Surprise flickered, but no panic. A meaningful smirk curled his lips.
*"Still—this is your limit! Earth Command: Gravity Field!"*
*Boom…*
Crushing pressure erupted from Lindwan’s body.
Verlith’s punch slowed violently. The weight bent her spine; she arched her back to meet his gaze.
*"Gravity? Rare for a Command Token. Your status in the Eastern Pearl Empire must be high."*
Only elite Elven Sorcerers could bind earth to the land. This Command Token was a precious inheritance.
Their eyes locked—sparks of fierce battle intent flared between them.
*"Lindwan. Scion of the Lin Clan among the Hundred Noble Families!"*
*"Vier. Just a maid for now."*
In that instant, mutual respect passed between them—a silent acknowledgment of a worthy opponent. Exchanging names mid-battle was an unspoken duel custom.
*"Forcing me to use this gravity Command, you die honorably. Perish! Earth Command: Blade!"*
Murder flashed in Lindwan’s eyes. He thrust his palm toward Verlith’s neck—a jagged earthen blade formed in his grip.
He knew little of Verlith’s strength.
But Verlith knew even less of his tactics!
*"Hey now,"* the silver-haired maiden teased under crushing gravity, *"losing your head is terribly unflattering!"*
The next moment—
—the blade should have severed her head.
It didn’t.
Amidst branches and grass flattened by gravity, the silver-haired maiden tilted her head playfully, dodging the strike.
She drifted forward like a breeze, fist clenched, closing the distance.
*"Heh!"*
She flashed a wide grin inches from his face.
*"Mr. Lin… care to fly again?"*
Lindwan’s eyes bulged—wide as they could go.
