Chapter 38: Crimson Afterimage

“So, that’s why you said you wish to reach the same rank as me and defeat me, huh?”

Myles chuckled.

The Commander said, “In fact, there is a chance you can defeat me if you reach the Rank 1 Common Demon rank. You’re still at Rank 2, am I correct?”

Myles nodded. “Yeah, I’m still at Rank 2. Why are you confident that I can defeat you when I reach Rank 1? It’s just a minor rank difference, right?”

The Commander nodded. “Yeah, but your potential is massive. You just learned about the Crimson Phantom Steps and you are already practicing it effectively. If you are given time not only just to reach Rank 1 and master it, then there is a higher chance you can defeat me.

Of course, in training. I’m different when I’m serious, you know.”

Myles laughed and nodded.

“I see. Thank you for letting me know.”

“You don’t have to be polite,” said the Commander. “Let’s move on to the fourth step. By the time you learn about this, the royal carriage finally catches up to us.”

Myles was surprised. He turned to the direction where the royal carriage would appear and perceived no signs of the royal carriage getting closer.

He asked out of curiosity, “Did you sense it?”

The Commander turned towards the direction he was staring at and nodded.

It caused Myles to finally grasp the difference in power between the Commander and him.

“The fourth step is also pretty much simple and straightforward.”

Myles stared at him for a while and his eyes widened.

The Commander’s voice echoed behind him, “Create a copy of yourself.”

Myles was startled but quickly composed himself. He was already accustomed to the sneaky behavior of the Commander.

He slowly stepped back and turned around. The Commander was really standing behind him. He then turned towards the afterimage of the Commander and discerned it was not moving, but his appearance was far clearer than the afterimages left by the third step.

He appeared in front of the afterimage and touched the arm. The arm lasted a second from his grasp before vaporizing.

He mumbled, “So, it’s made out of blood vapor.”

He turned around and asked the Commander, “But, isn’t this too real for a blood vapor?”

Although the Commander, as a Blood Knight, was covered with blood from head to toe, turning the afterimage closer to his image, Myles was still awestruck by how detailed the blood vapor copied the Commander.

Furthermore, when he grasped the arm of the afterimage, he utilized his full strength, even executing the Funeral Clasp, yet the afterimage lasted for a second before dissipating.

The Commander replied, “Exactly. I have to deplete half of my demonic energy to create a copy that possesses half of my strength.”

“Half of your strength?” Myles frowned.

It was only half of his strength. Just how strong is he, really? And how is he able to act like I didn’t break his wrist before with his original body?

Myles was utterly confused. However, he recalled that the Commander graduated from the Royal Academy and possessed a lot of experience and knowledge.

Compared to him, he was only two months old.

Myles was silent for a while and the Commander perceived the royal carriage was already getting closer.

He glanced at Myles and saw he was closing his eyes, seemingly in deep contemplation.

Is he in the enlightenment state? The Commander thought, hesitating.

After all, if Myles’ enlightenment would last until the royal carriage hit him, that would be a disaster.

He kept hesitating until the royal carriage was finally in a clear view. The horses neighed, seeing Myles was obstructing the path.

However, it was difficult to maneuver around Myles from their speed. Halting abruptly would certainly shake the royal carriage and the horses were aware of the noble existences inside.

Hence, the Commander knew that the horses would rather choose to collide with Myles and get rid of him than offend the Mistress and the Guardian of Scarlet Bond.

The Commander stared at Myles and waited patiently.

As the royal carriage and Myles were about to collide, the Commander’s eyes widened.

The horses kicked Myles, instantly penetrating through his body as they went past him.

At the same time, the Commander was dumbstruck.

Myles’ voice echoed behind him.

“I didn’t know those horses were so strong. To think they easily penetrate through my clone that possesses half of my strength.”

The Commander turned towards Myles in great shock. “Y-You. Just how much demonic energy do you possess?”

Myles grinned. “I have quite a gluttonous demonic core, so I don’t know.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Myles shook his head.

“Forget about it. I want to ask the name of the fourth step.”

The Commander stared at Myles in a long silence and examined him. He’s really full of mysteries. I just hope he won’t endanger the Mistress’ life and would properly behave as her knight.

The Commander said, “It’s called the Crimson Afterimage.”

Myles nodded.

He thought. Cringe as always. Might be better to be called “fourth step”.

He then pointed at the royal carriage, who had long disappeared within their sights.

He said, “Aren’t we gotta chase it? Or you’ll still teach me with your other demonic martial arts.”

The Commander rolled his eyes. “Don’t be greedy.”

Without hesitation, he grabbed Myles and chased on the royal carriage.

…

When they arrived in the royal carriage, they landed on the box seat.

Just in time, they already left the forest and the sight of the Noctyriss City was in clear view.

The city exuded power, blood authority, and aristocratic intimidation.

As they followed the path leading to the city gate, Myles couldn’t help but ask, “Who currently rules the city?”

The Commander replied, “The Noctyriss City is among the cities that the kingdom treasured the most. Hence, the current ruler is the Lord of Contracts, the Demon Lord in the Crown of Crimson Oath.”

Myles was surprised.

His mouth twitched.

I could barely move in the Velmoryss City, but it seemed it would be even harder to act in the dark in the Royal Academy…

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