At the same time, behind the tense girl, a flippant voice rang out again,

"Adorable little girl, let's take a guess—who will be the final victor?"

"Will it be the knight who betrayed his master, or the master who rose against him?"

Hands clad in snow-white gloves waved excitedly before the girl. The rhetorical question brimmed with mad mockery.

"What's the point of asking such questions?" Sensing no hostile intent, a composed Lily retorted in confusion.

As if hearing the most ridiculous question, the other replied gravely, "Of course. Don't you think that in this world, nothing is more thrilling than... personally witnessing the corruption of human nature?"

"Hmph. If you ask me... you, who enjoy such things, are the true pervert!"

Clutching to her master's 'righteous' teachings (sarcastically), Lily, utterly unable to grasp such warped logic, bluntly expressed her disdain.

After a brief silence, just as Lily assumed the other was angry, even louder laughter rang out behind her. "Ha... haha! A pervert? What a splendid title...."

Obviously, the other quite agreed with such an assessment.

What a... complete and utter lunatic!

Not far off, the crystal-clear lake surface reflected the master and servant locked in fierce combat. Fierce gusts from their clashing blades stirred up large waves now and then.

The nimble longsword slid up the heavy broadsword, sparks flying from friction, mirroring the unprecedented resolve in both fighters' eyes.

The sword hilt spun, easily deflecting the opponent's strength. Gripping the blade in reverse, Leon launched a wild assault, shouting, "Young Master, I taught you all your sword skills... give up! You can't beat me!"

"You... never!" Even with numb arms and covered in wounds, Valen, gritting his teeth, refused to yield.

Watching the battle nearing its end, an unknown voice sounded again in Lily's ear, "It seems... the victor will be decided soon. Truly thrilling to anticipate!"

Too tired to talk to the madman behind her, Lily, frozen in place, could only watch helplessly... watch this outcome no one expected.

Drops of blood slowly dripped down the armor. Leon, unable to wait any longer, swung his final strike with a grave face, shouting, "Young Master!"

Summoning his last ounce of strength, Valen, refusing to be outdone, thrust forward, "Leon!!"

"Squelch!" Accompanied by a heavy thud, in an instant, the sharp blade easily sliced into soft flesh.

Pale-faced, gazing at Leon whose chest was pierced by his blade, Valen muttered dazedly, "How... could this be!"

Just moments ago, it should have been himself beheaded by the greatsword. But why.....

"Young Master... you did well. I'm... proud of you." A trembling hand fell on Valen's shoulder, a kind smile on Leon's face as he sincerely murmured.

The flowing blood quickly dyed the grass red. Long before this, Leon, whose back had been savaged by a griffin, was already at death's door. A dying man—how could he betray?

All he wanted was... in his final moments, to give his naive young master one last life lesson.