Starting from the Planetary Governor

Leroux held his breath, charged forward, and moments later, found himself in front of the Insect Nest Overlord.

He knew that facing this Insect Nest Overlord, only he could step up. Besides him, anyone else would be marching to their death.

However, was he himself capable of confronting the Insect Nest Overlord?

He was confident against the Insect Nest Tyrant, almost certain of victory; but the Insect Nest Overlord... judging by the carnage it just wreaked among his troops, seemed quite daunting.

But what else could he do?

Issue a full retreat, then have countless soldiers cut down during the withdrawal, quickly turning retreat into a rout, leading to a comprehensive defeat on the frontline...

If that were the result, he would be to blame beyond redemption.

He had already lost the Northern Line General Army, had lost the first battle against Reiaductus; this second battle on the ground was meant to be his comeback, at least to make up for the previous failure.

But if he lost this critical battle again, why would he still live?

Live to have people mock the spine of the glorious Black Cross Army?

Then he would rather die.

If he was destined to be a loser, he would rather die in battle with inferior skills than be a coward who orders a retreat. C.h#a!p.t^er provi-d%e$d+ via M|$V*|#L#@&EM#P&Y!R.-

Besides, although the fight hadn't started, who could predict the final outcome?

He wasn't fighting alone either.

His trusted aides were with him; several Champion Swordsmen selected from various units were also by his side.

No chance in a single fight, but a righteous gang fight could be a different story.

The Insect Nest Overlord was also accompanied by several Overlord Guards. Their strength, even if not on the Tyrant's level, was only slightly inferior.

These high-level insects were intercepted by Leroux's trusted aides.

While he himself faced the Insect Nest Overlord directly, feeling enormous pressure almost instantly.

He wanted to take advantage of the charging momentum to deliver a heavy blow to the Overlord. A normal Power Sword would do limited damage to its body, but the sword in his hand was one of the Black Cross Army's ten Holy Swords, the 'Holy Sword.' This sword was no ordinary Power Sword. Under this sword, at least three Great Demons had been slain and sent back to Subspace. No matter how thick, hard, or tough the Insect Nest Overlord's armor was, a solid strike from this sword would surely inflict serious damage.

However, opportunities were not that easy to catch.

The cunning Insect Nest Overlord identified the threat of the 'Holy Sword' the moment he approached. Instantly it turned around, and two Spiritual Bone Blades slashed at Leroux from both sides.

If Leroux insisted on delivering a cut to the Insect Nest Overlord, it might take the blow with its side, possibly getting seriously injured, but Leroux would surely be bisected and die.

After that, no one would be able to retrieve the fallen Holy Sword under its watchful eye. Meanwhile, its injured body would rapidly self-repair, soon returning to full strength.

Would you risk your life to try to gravely wound me?

Leroux would obviously not make a choice that guaranteed his defeat.

He had to give up the fierce cut at the Overlord, dodging the slice from the left and using the Holy Sword to block the slice from the right.

He barely managed to avoid the first wave of crisis.

However, it was merely the beginning. As he attempted to deploy swordsmanship again for an active attack, the four War Blades of the Insect Nest Overlord slashed down upon him like a storm.

Fast, exquisite, precise—this was Leroux's impression. By human standards, the Insect Nest Overlord was technically a Master of swordsmanship.

But this wasn't the most profound impression.

The most striking feeling was the overwhelming power it possessed!

Under the boost of extraordinary force, Leroux had to exert every effort against each cut from the Insect Nest Overlord, while it had four blades and the mastery of a swordsmanship Master, forcing Leroux to retreat constantly.

Still thinking about active attacks?

Just standing one's ground without being cut down was already an incredible feat, with no chance for a counterattack.

Even just holding on was a false premise. Within these seconds of confrontation, Leroux felt himself unable to withstand it any longer. He realized he might be cut down any moment, meeting his demise.

But at this moment, Leroux's support finally arrived.

His aides finally separated those Overlord Guards, with two Black Cross Champions approaching from both sides.

The Insect Nest Overlord had to divert attention to deal with them.

Leroux felt his pressure decrease slightly.

Finally, there was an opportunity to attack.

Yet, not a single strike hit its mark.

Either dodged or easily parried.

Was this the balance of battle?

Not quite. In a brief confrontation, both Black Cross Champions involved in the encirclement bore wounds.

The Insect Nest Overlord could break through either of them, or even Leroux, at any moment.

And itself? After battling opponents at a Champion or greater level, was still unscathed. The marks on it merely traces from Single Soldier Missiles and explosives fired during the charge; at most they're just scratches on the armor.

Who was at an advantage, and who at a disadvantage, was clear.

The third Champion appeared.

This one wielded a Mjolnir. He leapt high, the long-handled Warhammer crackling with electricity, overloaded to the extent the lightning even coursed through his own body, causing him harm.

Yet he ignored it all, determined to land a heavy blow with this hammer.

Leroux and the other two champions launched an attack from left, center, and right, disregarding safety, determined to buy time for their battle brother to land that fierce hammer on the Insect Nest Overlord.

They succeeded.

Although at the cost of having a comrade's abdomen pierced by the giant blade, and the hammer missed the head slightly.

But eventually, it landed.

The overloaded power of the Mjolnir, wielded with full force by a champion, was ferocious enough. Even the hardened back armor of the Insect Nest Overlord was shattered, purple-red blood spurting out. Its massive body inevitably collapsed to the ground under this heavy hit.

Leroux and the still-intact Champion Swordsman prepared to attack together. Yet even though the Insect Nest Overlord lay fallen on the ground, it remained capable of resistance.

It was cunning enough to turn this into a malicious attack.

Leroux sensed it early, halted, and shouted, "Watch out!"

The next moment, the Overlord's long tail suddenly shot out from above its head, extending forward, flashing purple light as it fiercely stabbed at them.

Fortunately, Leroux stopped, and the other Champion halted too at the warning, preventing the Insect Nest Overlord's tail stinger from achieving its aim.

The Mjolnir Champion raised his hammer, wanting another go from where he stood.

The half-risen Overlord seemed the perfect target.

It knelt, head turned toward the Mjolnir, looking helpless, as if the hammer would shatter its skull in the next moment.