Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1973 Concept of Honor

"Why should I be afraid of lesser creatures?"

Those words echoed in the clearing. Each word was like a blade twisting viciously into the vampire's prideful nature.

"Me, a lesser creature?" The vampire's pale face twisted into something dark and hideous.

But nothing could have prepared him for what he was about to witness next.

Luca pressed the buckle of his belt. In an instant, his body underwent a magical transformation.

One by one, pieces of heavy armor materialized around him, locking into place with metallic clicks. Dark steel plates covered his torso, arms, and legs, while ornate pauldrons settled over his shoulders. Pale fur spilled from beneath the armor, draping over his back and waist. His helmet was shaped like the snarling head of a wolf, complete with pointed ears and vicious fangs.

Within moments, the transformation was complete. Like a predator clad in steel, Luca stood fully armored and ready for battle. He raised a guantleted hand. A flash of light and a weapon materialized from his storage artifact.

A massive, double-headed battle axe rested in his hand, its crescent-shaped blades engraved with intricate runes.

This was no ordinary weapon. And even his armor seemed to be crafted from precious materials. Every piece was masterfully forged, and even at a glance, it was clear that both the armor and weapon were immensely valuable and formidable.

The vampire, upon witnessing the Paladin's transformation, swallowed the words he was about to say. He had seen armor before, naturally. On humans and vampires alike. But he had never seen armor of such quality.

He dared believe that even the vampire king's armor paled in comparison!

"Who are you?!" He blurted out, a flicker of nervousness flashing past his crimson eyes.

Luca gripped the weapon in his hand. Despite the heavy armor weighing down on him, he felt as light as a feather. He had trained for decades wearing heavy armor. All his life, he had trained for war.

"To you…"

His muffled voice echoed from within the helmet. He bent his legs slightly, the metal plates groaning.

And then, he vanished.

In less than the blink of an eye, Luca arrived before the stunned vampire, his double-headed axe sweeping through the air in a clean diagonal arc that cleaved across the undead creature's body.

Cold blood gushed out of the vampire and splattered across Luca's armor.

Only then did he finish his words.

"…death."

Within the visor, Luca's eyes narrowed. He had thought that his attack would cleave the vampire in two, but it seemed he had severely underestimated the strength of a vampire's physique.

In one swift motion, he reversed his grip on the weapon and swung the axe upward with terrifying force. However, by then, the vampire had already snapped out of his shock and terror and retreated, narrowly dodging the counterstrike.

The vampire didn't hesitate to turn and flee. His pride as a vampire was nothing in the face of impending death. The moment he realized that he couldn't defeat the Paladin, he shed all pretences and ran.

His back was drenched in cold sweat as he recalled the pure speed Luca had showcased despite wearing such heavy armor. As the gaping injury on his chest healed at a rapid pace, he couldn't help but think in alarm:

Just who is this man?!

Aren't we on the same rank?

So how then can he be so strong and fast?

Isn't he just a human?!

Suddenly, he recalled Dorian's earlier warning.

Keep up that attitude, and I assure you, you will be the first one to die.

The vampire's cold heart was gripped by terror in that moment.

When did humans get this strong?! He screamed inwardly.

Just as he fled, hopping from one branch to another, he suddenly noticed a shadow looming over him. His eyes widened, and in that next moment, he abruptly changed direction, darting sideways.

Boom!

The entire branch of the ancient tree was pulverized.

From the debris, Luca slowly rose to his feet, dust and splinters cascading from his armor. His weapon was nowhere to be seen; it seemed he had put it away during the pursuit.

He glanced up at the vampire, his expression hidden behind the beast-like helmet.

"Foul creature," he said from beneath the helm. "Is running all you are good at? Does your race not know the concept of honor? Stand and fight me, you coward!"

"You…" The vampire barred his fangs.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his sharp nails dug into his palms. His face twisted like that of a feral beast. He had never been spoken to in such a manner. Most definitely not from a beast he considered to be beneath him.

Yet this same beast was calling him a foul creature, mocking him for running, questioning whether his kind knew nothing of honor, and demanding that he stand and fight. He even had the audacity to call him a coward.

"How dare you!" he growled.

The vampire jumped off the tree and firmly landed on the ground. His eyes were completely bloodshot, and his pale face had twisted in unprecedented fury.

"HOW DARE A HUMAN LIKE YOU LOOK DOWN ON ME?!!"

His enraged voice thundered across the woods. The vampire's dark aura flared to life, and the very air around him seemed to distort.

"You trespass upon my king's lands and dare to look down on his kind?!!"

The vampire's voice had turned hoarse, yet the venom in it remained nevertheless.

Looking at the undead creature lose his composure, Luca snickered quietly. He hadn't thought it would be so easy. There was no way he could have caught up to his opponent. He was clearly outmatched in speed, and he was wise enough to know and admit that.

The only way he could win was to have the vampire face him head-on. And he had achieved precisely that.

The vampire unsheathed the long sword fastened to his waist. He imbued magic into the blade, and it flared with dark mana.

Bloodshot eyes ablaze with rage and hatred, he roared:

"For Jacob!"

With that, he turned into a shadowy blur and charged at the Lone Wolf.

Luca was ready.

His double-headed battle axe had, at some point, appeared in his gauntleted hands. Blue mana radiated from its crescent-shaped blades. In the next moment, his massive figure vanished as he exploded forward with terrifying speed.

In the blink of an eye, he came to a stop, his battle axe now slick with blood. With a cool flick of his wrists, the blood was sent flying from the blades.

Behind him, the vampire still stood with a feral look on his face, his hands outstretched as they desperately gripped the blade.

Crack!

The longsword shattered.

A red line appeared on the vampire's neck.

Then, almost seamlessly, his head slid from his shoulders and fell onto the grass. His headless body collapsed a moment later, the expression of twisted rage frozen permanently upon his face.

Luca turned around and coldly glanced at the vampire's corpse through the slits in his visor.

"He who fights with rage dies with rage," he murmured.

He turned around and prepared to assist Adam and Genevieve. He had a feeling that the reason the vampires had suddenly attacked them was because of Genevieve.

But he had only taken a few steps when suddenly he froze.

A pair of pale, slender arms slipped around his neck. He felt a supple, feminine body press against his back.

Snow-white hair drifted in the wind, appearing at the edge of his vision.

A beautiful woman with crimson eyes rested her chin on Luca's shoulder and whispered sensually into his helmet.

"My, my… aren't you an impressive one?"