Idai's axe blade struck Vincent's back squarely. However, instead of tearing through flesh and cleaving the General's spine, the impact created a sizable diagonal crack across the back of Vincent's silver armor.
His eyes widened. He was utterly shocked to see that his ultimate attack, which could normally slice a monster as strong and tough as a dragon in two, had only managed to crack the silver armor.
What?! Idai exclaimed in shock to himself, unable to believe what he was seeing. Don't tell me this bastard general is wearing top-tier magic armor!
However, Idai did not let his surprise ruin his rhythm. For him, a crack was more than enough.
"Accept your death, General!" Idai roared.
Thud!
Idai launched a full-powered spinning kick, striking squarely against the General's back.
The heavy blow successfully shattered Vincent's balance completely. His body was launched forward, shooting swiftly like an arrow, heading straight toward the spot where Arman was already waiting.
Arman did not waste the opportunity created by Idai and York. He adopted a sturdy stance, bending his knees slightly to lock his footing onto the dirt floor. His right hand was already pulled back, clenched tightly as his muscles expanded and darkened, focusing all of his strength into a single point.
"Downfall Fist!"
Arman thrust his fist forward to land a powerful blow on the general.
Thud!
The fist, possessing the density and hardness of steel, struck the General's left chest squarely, right over his heart.
"AKH!"
Crash!
Arman's heavy punch, laden with consecutive destructive power, instantly shattered the General's silver magic armor. The magical metal fragments broke apart and scattered into the air.
Bang!
The momentum of the punch did not end there. Vincent's body continued to be pushed backward until he slammed violently against the sturdy pillars forming the wall of the Earth Cage.
The impact of the General's body against the earthen wall triggered a heavy, echoing thud.
His body then slumped, hanging motionless in the corner of the cage.
Outside the Earth Cage, the people in the guild lobby instantly fell into a dead silence. Through the gaps in the earthen pillars, the adventurers saw clearly how the Imperial General was decimated.
Horror crept into the adventurers' chests. They assumed that the Imperial General had been defeated, or even killed, by the brutal combination attack.
In their eyes, that Rank S party was truly a group of overpowered monsters. Their combat strength existed on an entirely different dimension, one that could not be withstood even by a military pillar of the empire.
However, the panic and despair gripping the people in the lobby did not infect Elara in the slightest.
The Emperor's expression was the exact opposite of every spectator around her. The yellow-haired woman appeared incredibly calm. She stood unmoving, staring straight at the spot where the General's body had crashed. There was no hesitation in her eyes, only absolute certainty.
Idai, feeling that he had successfully defeated and killed their greatest threat, immediately lowered his axe. He then walked with brimming confidence toward York and Arman.
As he walked toward his two comrades, Idai glared directly at Elara's face outside, flashing a victorious smirk laden with provocation.
"Is this all the strength of someone bearing the title of Imperial General?" Idai mocked in a loud voice. "He couldn't even survive our combination attack!"
Hearing such arrogant mockery, Elara was not provoked to anger. Instead, she looked at Idai with a flat gaze, as if watching a fool celebrating victory at the edge of a cliff.
"Your battle is not over yet." Elara answered casually, her tone calm and brimming with confidence. "The three of you had better focus on your opponent in there, before you regret looking away."
Right after the Emperor finished her warning, the atmosphere inside the Earth Cage changed abruptly. From the spot where Vincent had been thrown, a voice rang out.
"The combination attack from the three of you was truly magnificent!"
The voice sounded loud, laden with the pure enthusiasm of a warrior.
"Even my high-tier magic armor couldn't withstand the destructive power of your punch."
Hearing that all-too-familiar voice, Idai spontaneously spun around. Not far from him, York and Arman did the same. The three Rank S adventurers were so utterly shocked that their pupils trembled violently upon seeing the General still alive.
Vincent stood up, stripped of his shattered silver armor, revealing only the black military uniform covering his body.
Even though he had taken a barrage of deadly combination strikes capable of breaking bones, shattering internal organs, and even causing death, the man was still able to stand tall and steady.
Standing in his stance, Vincent casually twirled his spear, as if he had never been attacked by anyone.
"The teamwork among the three of you in executing that combination attack is truly admirable."
"I-Impossible!" Arman was absolutely stunned to see the General still standing tall so casually, showing no signs of being a man wounded by a fatal, direct strike. "H-How can you still be alive and standing after taking my attack head-on?!"
"I guess I'm in luck this time. Hahaha." Vincent said casually, letting the three adventurers know that he was fine.
Hearing the casual words leaving the General's mouth, coupled with a laugh that reflected absolutely no pain, Arman instantly gritted his teeth. His blood boiled. Frustration and anger rushed to his head. That short sentence didn't sound like luck. It sounded like an insult meant to belittle him.
"You bastard! You arrogant prick!" Arman hissed, determined to kill the general right then and there.
However, right after Arman hurled his curse at the General, the aura inside the Earth Cage suddenly shifted drastically.
"Thank you for giving me such an exhilarating warm-up fight." the General said, his voice now heavy, cold, and deadly.
Vincent's gaze had changed completely. He now stared at the three adventurers before him with a piercing glare, akin to an apex predator that had locked onto its prey for execution.