"Who are you?!"

Hawkins, at the peak moment of his life, was suddenly teased with a question. The voice was right next to him, causing his expression to change instantly.

"Whoosh!" He shot up into the sky.

He didn't notice that Tien Kute, who had been standing nearby, had already begun to quietly retreat upon hearing the voice.

Suspended mid-air, Hawkins surveyed his surroundings.

In the far sea, it seemed like the end of the world, with various extreme weather phenomena occurring one after another. Clearly, the meeting between the two Goddesses behind him wasn't going smoothly.

The sea beneath his feet began to roil violently due to the aftermath of the distant battle, causing even the pirate ship, akin to a Level 2 Battleship, to rock mightily.

Along the coastline, the Navy, whom he had long noticed, strangely emerged from their hiding spots, looking excitedly in his direction.

"Hmm?"

"Ha!"

Boom——

[Eight-Armed Fist: Elbow Spear!]

Realizing something was amiss behind him, Hawkins instinctively delivered the most powerful elbow strike from his martial arts, then instinctively lunged forward.

A sharp gust mixed with violent frenzy extended a hundred-meter-long gash behind him, cracking even the sea surface below.

But Hawkins wasn't proud of his mightiest strike since becoming a "Lawless," because he clearly felt it hit nothing!

Yet, the enemy behind him didn't pursue as he expected.

After flying ten meters ahead and turning back, Hawkins was astonished to discover a seemingly polite noble youth standing mid-air behind him.

Clad in lavish black attire and bearing a diamond-encrusted longsword at his waist, with red hair flowing, sharp eyes like an eagle's gazed at the Pirate King:

"Mr. Hawkins, you seem quite proud of the throne built with the lives of so many innocents?"

"Are you... Phaletis Kingdom's Guardian, the 'Rose Sword Saint' Ilvendi?"

Seeing the newcomer clearly, Hawkins was initially slightly surprised; the 'Rose Sword Saint,' though young amongst Tier 4 Titles, was famous and not someone easy to deal with.

If it had been before today, being cornered by such a character would have meant certain death. But now...

"The dignified 'Rose Sword Saint,' not staying in your own Phaletis, running to Tyrone Kingdom to become Andre VI's watchdog?

And no matter what I've done, you're already too late! Hahaha...."

Having successfully ascended to "Lawless," Hawkins feared no so-called pinnacle powerhouse, especially with the Black Sea Goddess as his strongest backing. He had every reason to be confident.

He even shed his previously cautious demeanor, starting to mock.

Ilvendi showed no reaction to Hawkins' taunts, his gaze sweeping over the Pirate King and Tien Kute, who hadn't yet retreated from the sea below.

Considering the information previously received and the doomsday-like scene in the distant sea, it wasn't hard to deduce the events that had transpired.

"Mr. Tien Kute! The Brotherhood and the Mother of Sea Monsters have suffered enormous losses just like Tyrone Kingdom. As the vice president, aren't you going to account to your Goddess?"

Having personally experienced the formidable swordsmanship of the Rose Sword Saint, Tien Kute could still feel the subtle pain in places where he'd been struck by the [Secret Sword Art: Rose Country].

With the 'Sea Witch' Hipponeo's revival, the confrontation with the Goddess was already inevitable, and the Pirate King—once viewed merely as a pawn by the entire 'Deep Sea Brotherhood'—had now turned into a major threat after joining the enemy.

Had the Rose Sword Saint not appeared, he might have truly fought to the death with this fellow, in hopes of recovering from his mission's significant failure.

But now, with three Tier 4 Powerhouses, all adversarial to one another, a fight seemed unlikely.

Despite appearing the strongest, the Rose Sword Saint stood alone without a demigod-level backer, effectively making him the weakest of the three!

"You don't need to worry about our matters. Rather, with the revival of the notorious 'Sea Witch,' will the so-called Age of Navigation come to an end? I'm quite looking forward to it!"

Ilvendi's expression remained unchanged.

Though the unexpected revival of the Black Sea Goddess caught many by surprise, he was merely the vanguard.

Someone more attentive than himself was concerned about the implications of the infamous 'Sea Witch' on future maritime affairs.

"I certainly can't interfere in divine disputes, but since you both have arrived in Tulip, please stay. Lord Saint Brucolin will soon arrive, let me entertain you both on behalf of His Holiness!"

Whoosh! Whoosh!

As soon as the words fell, the silhouettes of Hawkins and Tien Kute flickered, joining Ilvendi in the sky to form a triangular standoff.

Having been pushed around for years by 'Deep Sea Brotherhood's' arrogant Otherworldly Beings, Hawkins had had enough. Meanwhile, Tien Kute resented Hawkins' betrayal and the enormous trouble it caused.

Although both of them wish the other were dead, they are well aware that in a one-on-one duel, they are unlikely to defeat the "Rose Sword Saint." So, of course, they have to join forces against their enemy.

If the opponent shows a flaw, they wouldn't mind kicking someone when they're down.

However, the "Rose Sword Saint" dares to act against the followers and believers of two demigods, certainly with their own confidence.

Standing in mid-air, without drawing the longsword at their waist, instead, they raised their right hand above their head and loudly called out a name:

"Sword of Cutting All Things: Geldios!"

Zheng—

Above this titled knight's head, a golden-red phantom appeared.

Inside are the peaceful lives of ordinary people, the flourishing trade of merchants, explorers clearing paths through thorns, and the invincible battles of powerful navies… and of course, the strategic maneuvers of a female ruler in the Rose Garden.

This is everything he, as the National Guardian Sword Saint, protects, and it is one of the sources of power as a titled knight!

Especially after acquiring the divine essence of Opera God Persel, he successfully nurtured his own "Titled Sacred Artifact: Geldios" within his title!

The so-called "Titled Sacred Artifact" is a dream-like weapon possessing "absolute" power, nurtured from the titular knight's accumulated power of "name," with one's heart image as the framework, a historical artifact as the carrier, and a touch of divine power as the core.

The most famous among them is the legendary Ever-Hitting Spear "Ganglener"!

Clang—

Under the dim sky, it seemed as though brilliant sunlight rose from his hand.

The radiant titled holy sword had substance but no form, appearing to others as a beam of light, a rainbow, a sparkling autumn water, or a breathtaking river of stars!

But when held in Ilvendi's hand, an endless sharp aura emanates from it, even from afar, causing the distant navy observers to feel their hair stand on end, as if a sharp blade is pressed against their throat.

This is the [Sword of Cutting All Things: Geldios]

In ancient myths:

This sword once severed the knots of destiny;

The master of this sword will be the ruler of the earth and sea;

This sword cuts all things!

From the name of this sword, one can discern the ambitious vision held by Phaletis Kingdom Guardian "Rose Sword Saint" Ilvendi.

This "Rose Sword Saint" was originally visiting the contemporary Pope at the miraculous site "Iron Cross Throne" of the Goddess in the Tulip Duchy.

Upon receiving the news along with the Pope, he volunteered to appear here, signifying an increasing influence of the Phaletis Kingdom within the alliance.

Holding the holy sword that can "cut all things," even battles between demigods can no longer ignore this insignificant "mortal"!

"Impossible! How long has it been since you were promoted to titled knight? How could you have already condensed your own titled sacred artifact?!"

Tien Kute's face was full of disbelief.

The "Rose Sword Saint" has been famous for only a few decades, and their last battle with him was only a year ago. Upon meeting again, he's already possessing a titled holy sword capable of wounding demigods?

Disregarding the opponent's astonishment.

Holding the holy sword felt like holding an unstoppable thunderous punishment, as "Rose Sword Saint" Ilvendi gazed intensely at two fellow Tier 4 transcendents, only to softly utter a single word:

"Cut!"

In the next moment, the blazing white sword light that stretched from heaven to earth filled everyone's vision.

The fatal sense of crisis caused Hawkins and Tien Kute to instantly abandon all thoughts of resistance, each using their ultimate evasive abilities!

"Lawless" core ability [Free Will]

Effect: When used on oneself, it cannot be restrained by any means, partially immunizes against mechanical rules' effects, cannot be locked by direct attacks, curses, or ranged attacks. When used on enemies, it causes every minute structure forming the opponent's body, like cells, to develop free will, unable to unify again.

Note: The ability has a limit, Tier 4 transcendents may resist.

"Shepherd of Tide" Tien Kute had dozens of tentacles suddenly severed under his leather robe, and amidst the flashing blue extraordinary spiritual light, he rapidly grew into dozens of "Tien Kutes."

Ability [Differentiation]

While spectators like Aiven and even the Great Knight Major General Koverdale can only lower their heads and cover their eyes, not having the qualification to clearly see this sword.

"However, it won't always be this way!"

Aiven silently told himself in his heart.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.