The Adventures of an Overpowered Knight in Another World Chapter 620- Clash: Fighting With All Their Strength (2)

"Anyways, if you keep training and really focus on it, you’ll get stronger too."

Kevin declared this while looking at the other trainees. "Who's next?!"

He twirled his wooden sword, which felt like a natural extension of his arm, and issued his challenge. However, the aspiring young knights immediately averted their gazes. Some mumbled flimsy excuses, while others sought out different opponents, feigning ignorance. After witnessing his prowess, no squire dared to step up. This was even more so for the new recruits, who had no desire to be thoroughly defeated.

"Come on, guys, this is just sparring," Kevin said, scratching the back of his head when no one took the bait. Everyone had seen his exceptional strength just moments before. At this stage, only seasoned or high-ranking knights could hope to engage him properly in a spar.

"Fine, I’ll just go find someone else." He let out a dramatic sigh, but just then, a chuckle was heard, and someone accepted his challenge.

"Heh, how about I spar with you?"

Kevin spun around swiftly. "Huh?"

Standing at the entrance of the training grounds, covered from head to toe in dirt and grime, was none other than Vangeance. He appeared as though he had just descended from a grueling battlefield.

"Senior Vangeance, you’ve returned from your journey?" Kevin inquired, a grin spreading across his face.

"Yeah." Vangeance nodded, setting down the sack he carried on his shoulder. Indeed, he had just concluded his protracted trials beyond the kingdom's borders.

His sudden appearance immediately ignited a buzz among the knights observing the training session. Vangeance proceeded towards the fighting arena at a slow pace, his worn, battered cloak billowing behind him.

"Brat. It seems you’ve grown quite confident in my absence." He smirked, cracked his knuckles, and gestured towards Kevin. "Let me see for myself how strong you've become."

Vangeance’s return sent the crowd into a frenzy. Not only had one of the Temple of Light's formidable knights reappeared, but he had also accepted Kevin’s challenge. The onlookers eagerly anticipated the unfolding spectacle.

Kevin swallowed, a knot of nervousness tightening in his throat. Moments ago, he had been eager for a sparring partner. Now, he found himself facing an individual he knew to be terrifyingly powerful. Yet, far from backing down, his eyes began to gleam with excitement.

"Alright, Senior Vangeance, prepare to be amazed."

Vangeance possessed formidable strength; that was a universally acknowledged fact, especially his previous level. However, Kevin now felt confident enough to stand on equal footing with him. The memories of countless past spars flashed through his mind. Today, Kevin was determined to settle old scores.

Not far from the training ring, Silvia observed the unfolding scene with an expression of weariness. "Idiots," she murmured, shaking her head before turning away. She had no interest in witnessing two battle-crazed youths flexing their might. Instead, she made her way directly towards Reinhardt.

Reinhardt stood at the center of the field, a group of high-ranking knights surrounding him. They intently followed his instructions, occasionally launching attacks against him in coordinated formations.

"Again."

They charged. Reinhardt’s keen eyes surveyed them, identifying every minute opening. Within mere seconds, the entire formation was thrown into disarray, and the knights found themselves sprawled on the ground, gasping for air. He hadn't drawn a single weapon; his precise pressure points, impeccable footwork, and skillful redirection were enough to dismantle them all. He was overwhelmingly powerful! Every observer shared this thought, yet simultaneously felt enlightened. The more they sparred with him, the more their swordsmanship and combat instincts were honed.

Reinhardt regarded them and nodded. "Better."

Just then, someone approached from the edge of the field. Turning, he saw it was Silvia. "Take a break, everyone." The surrounding knights sighed in relief and quickly moved away to recuperate. With them gone, he turned towards Silvia.

"Well done," he said, offering a pat on her shoulder. "Thank you, Commander. We have just returned from our journey." Silvia bowed slightly and commenced her report.

Reinhardt listened calmly as she recounted all the events that had transpired: the extensive travels, the battles they had faced, and the trials Vangeance had endured. For the most part, his expression remained quiet and serious. However, on occasion, he was compelled to raise an eyebrow, particularly when Silvia reported on one specific encounter.

"We encountered an Earth Tycoon." An Earth Tycoon. The mere mention of its name seemed to intensify the atmosphere. It was a ferocious beast of earth element, infamous for its unparalleled ability to burrow through the ground at will. It could launch surprise attacks from below, disappear into the depths, and manipulate the surrounding earth as if it were a living earthquake. Even a collective of high-ranking knights would find it challenging to corner such a creature.

"How did you manage to defeat it?" Silvia’s response elicited a double-take from him. "We followed it."

"What?" he blinked in disbelief. Silvia elaborated: after their initial confrontation with the Earth Tycoon, they engaged it fiercely. Ultimately, they succeeded in weakening the monstrous creature, but it then burrowed a massive tunnel and attempted to escape.

Silvia and Vangeance plunged straight into the tunnel, pursuing the beast all the way back to its subterranean den.

For the first occasion, Reinhardt displayed genuine shock.

"You pursued it right into its own territory?"

Silvia affirmed with a nod. "It presented our best opportunity to finish it off."

"That was incredibly perilous. Had your fortune been unfavorable, you might have stumbled into a nest of young Earth Tycoons."

Despite the gravity in his tone, a slight curve graced the corner of his lips. Reinhardt chuckled, amusement evident as he patted Silvia's shoulder.

"It appears your gamble has paid dividends. Congratulations on your level-up."

Indeed, Silvia had ascended to Level 8.

Originally, the expedition was intended solely for Vangeance's trials. However, amidst their exploit, Silvia's own accomplishments earned recognition from the sacred altar.

She was consequently granted her own trial. Upon its successful completion, she achieved Level 8 and unlocked a rare class.

Reinhardt offered an approving nod.

"Excellent work. Given that you've just concluded such an extensive journey, I shall grant both of you a few days for rest."

Silvia inclined her head in thanks but then shook it. "Thank you, Commander. However, that will not be necessary. I am not weary." She gestured towards another section of the training grounds. "Furthermore... Vangeance has already commenced sparring."

Reinhardt followed her indication, observing a considerable throng congregating in the distance. They formed a ring, and within its center, Kevin and Vangeance engaged in a spirited clash of wooden swords.

"I understand. In that case, concentrate on familiarizing yourself with your new abilities first."

He paused briefly before posing another inquiry. "Additionally... have you been neglecting the [Divine Beast Summoning] skill I imparted to you?"

Silvia showed a moment's hesitation before responding with a shake of her head. "No. I have not been neglecting it. However, lately... I've encountered some difficulties."

Reinhardt's brow lifted slightly. Silvia stood as one of his most exceptionally talented disciples, quite possibly the most gifted. He had anticipated she would master the skill swiftly, ahead of others. Her encountering an obstacle suggested a problem of considerable magnitude.

Silvia elaborated on the situation. It transpired that during their encounter with the Earth Tycoon, she had indeed managed to summon her Divine Beast.

However, the entity proved so overwhelmingly powerful that, after vanquishing the Earth Tycoon, it turned its attention towards them. Silvia was compelled to forcibly terminate the summon.

Since that incident, she had been unable to successfully recall the Divine Beast.

Reinhardt listened intently before giving a calm nod. He now grasped the nature of the issue. "Do not concern yourself. I will assist you in resolving it."

With those words, he turned his gaze toward the knights engaged in training. Given their collective presence, he mused that it might be an opportune moment to recommence instruction on the [Divine Beast Summoning] skill.

"By the way, Commander." Silvia suddenly set the considerable satchel she carried onto the ground.

THUD.

The bag landed with a distinct metallic clink. Reinhardt cast his eyes upon it. "What is this?"

Silvia offered no verbal reply. Instead, she unfastened the bag, allowing the morning sunlight to illuminate its contents.

Gold. Heaps of gold coins. Interspersed amongst them were sizable chunks of raw ore.

Reinhardt's eyes widened instantly. Amidst the shimmering mythril, a particular ore emitted a subtle yet distinct orangish glow.

"Orichalcum..."

There was no mistaking it. Mixed within the abundance of mythril ores lay Orichalcum, a metal so exceedingly rare that in certain locales, it was revered as 'god's metal.' This exceptionally robust ore was the material of choice for crafting legendary armor and weaponry.

Reinhardt's own former armor, his holy swords, and a significant portion of his elite equipment had been fashioned from Orichalcum.

Silvia confirmed with a nod. "The Earth Tycoon's lair contained a veritable mountain of treasure, including a substantial quantity of Orichalcum. The den was replete with mineral deposits and valuable materials: mythril, adamantine, and even the coveted Orichalcum."

She cast another glance at the bag. "I was only capable of transporting this much. There remains a significant amount within that location. If we dispatch a transport convoy now, we could secure the remainder."

Reinhardt contemplated the revealed minerals. The timing of this discovery could not have been more fortuitous. With the impending conflict against the demons, resources such as Orichalcum held immeasurable value.

With these newfound resources, he could equip a considerable number of knights with superior armor and armaments.

"The reason the Earth Tycoon bears its name is quite straightforward," Reinhardt stated deliberately. "It excavates through the earth, consumes ores, and processes them within its digestive system. Subsequently, it expels refined minerals through its... excrement."

Silvia stared at him, her expression a mixture of disbelief and dawning realization.

She directed her gaze from the bag, to the luminous Orichalcum, and then back to Reinhardt.

If the Commander's assertion held true... then this entire hoard of wealth was in fact...