Before Ella's fight against Shadow, Arthur unexpectedly saves Silone's life. Facing Maxuel, he declares:
"Yes, I'm the hero, Arthur Lisandera, and I'm here to put an end to your chaos."
Maxuel stares at him arrogantly and replies, "How can a kid like you take on the responsibility of a hero? You're ridiculous. Go home."
Hearing this, Arthur feels a wave of frustration. He exhales deeply before answering:
"I admit you're strong, but don't fool yourself. The nineteen-year-old kid you underestimate today will become one of the greatest heroes this land has ever known."
Maxuel reaches for his staff behind his neck and scoffs:
"That's lame! Even a child would come up with a better line."
Arthur, his gaze sharpening, responds:
"You don't believe in heroes, do you? Well, I do. And that belief is the strongest power there is."
Maxuel bends forward, laughing, then says:
"Seriously! You really think the title of hero means anything? Tell me, what good is it? Even with your divine powers, if the light mage hadn't shown up, we would've taken you down eventually. Want me to show you how useless you are? Then count the civilians lying in this ruined city."
Hearing this, Arthur turns his eyes toward a nearby street. He sees the body of an older man crushed under debris—only his upper body still visible. Suddenly, all the bodies he couldn't bring himself to notice before become painfully clear. Struck by the sight, Arthur lowers his head.
Head down, he remembers a moment from his childhood, playing with his mother. Nothing in the memory is clear except a question:
Arthur: "Mom, doesn't the hero always save everyone?"
A gentle hand on his head, then her voice:
"Not necessarily, darling. Heroes can't protect everyone… but they'll always try their hardest to honor those they couldn't save."
Maxuel stares at him for a moment and asks:
"Finally decided to run away?"
Arthur, still looking down, murmurs:
"Stop playing around. All of this is your fault, you twisted maniac. And it's not even a real rebellion—just a distraction."
Maxuel smiles.
"Ah, so you figured it out too. We only wanted one thing, and we've got it. The rebellion is just a diversion."
Arthur: "Then tell me, why get so involved in your own distraction?"
Maxuel's grin turns vicious.
"It's more fun that way."
Without another word, Arthur draws his sword. In a fraction of a second, he is already on Maxuel. Surprised, Maxuel blocks with his staff just in time, but the impact sends him flying.
Maxuel smashes through several walls before suddenly finding Arthur already in front of him.
Maxuel (smirking): (He's fast!)
Arthur attacks again; Maxuel barely blocks and is thrown through more walls. Spinning in the air, he forces himself upright—only to see Arthur behind him once more. Their first real exchange begins.
Maxuel thinks:
(Not bad. He swings with incredible force without using mana. His raw strength surpasses mine.)
During the clash, Maxuel jumps back and abruptly extends his staff. Arthur dodges, but the extended strike slices cleanly through a house. Maxuel follows with rapid size-shifting strikes.
His technique works—Arthur is forced into constant movement. Maxuel enhances his body and unleashes a storm of fast, precise blows. His troops continue destroying the surroundings. Even with all this, he can't land a decisive hit.
An idea flashes through Maxuel's mind, and he grins like a madman.
He drives Arthur toward a narrow street, overwhelming him with attacks. Buildings crumble with each extension of the staff. Arthur blocks and dodges but is forced back. Maxuel lands a heavy blow that sends him crashing through a structure and into another street.
"Hahahahaha!"
Under pressure, Arthur thinks:
(I can't keep up. Even reinforcing myself with magic isn't enough—he's cornering me!)
Maxuel thinks:
(You won't do anything but dodge. I'm the one in control.)
In the group escorted by Lora, a child senses danger moments before Arthur and Maxuel burst into view. Maxuel aims his staff toward the child.
Arthur knows what's coming—the staff will extend. He tries to move, but it's a trap. Maxuel suddenly appears beneath him, shrinking the staff before placing it against Arthur's abdomen and saying:
"Divine Lance."
In front of the horrified civilians, Arthur is launched skyward at incredible speed.
The extension vanishes. Maxuel rests the staff on his shoulder.
"Well, I guess I'll be the first to defeat a hero without much trouble."
He turns to walk away—until something crashes from the sky behind him.
Arthur: "Where do you think you're going?"
Before Maxuel can react, a flash streaks past, grazing his neck.
Arthur stands there, blood dripping from his mouth. His armor is cracked, his hair disheveled. Electricity sparks around him as his hair lifts.
Arthur: "You're not escaping. Get ready."
More lightning appears. Maxuel is suddenly thrown into the air. He turns instinctively and sees a bolt coming—extends his staff—yet Arthur speeds right past him. Rebounding off a bell tower, Arthur slashes his back. Maxuel falls, attacked from all sides, struggling to block as cuts appear across his body.
Maxuel (panicked): (He's too fast—just lightning everywhere. He converted all his mana… his element must be lightning. I'm being overwhelmed.)
But as he blocks, Maxuel forces himself to calm down, smiles, and says:
"All the more reason to take you out now!"
For a split second, their eyes meet before they collide. This time, Maxuel keeps up.
Maxuel (grinning): (I just need to increase my mana tension!)
He still gets slashed, but counters with an extended strike to Arthur's face. White lightning flashes as both fighters vanish and reappear, destroying buildings with their speed.
Maxuel had a brief chance to win—but then he senses it.
Maxuel: (Shadow!)
A white explosion erupts in the distance. Without hesitation, Arthur kicks him with massive force, sending him flying. Arthur leaps from a rooftop, circling and confusing him before vanishing momentarily, then reappearing above.
Maxuel raises his staff to block, but instead of the blade's impact, he's struck by a massive surge of electricity that sends him crashing into the ruins. He stands again, trembling.
Arthur, 70 meters away, thinks:
(I need to finish this.)
He charges forward—but from the side, Ella appears, levitating fast and shouting:
"Wait!!!"
Arthur doesn't stop.
He thrusts—
But the one struck isn't Maxuel.
It's Shadow, the one Ella was chasing.
Despite his injuries, Maxuel recognizes that silhouette. He reaches out weakly.
"Shadow!"
She turns her head, smiles faintly with blood on her lips, and says:
"Master Maxuel."
END OF CHAPTER
NEXT CHAPTER: LURENO REBELLION — Final Act: The Moment of Shadow