A white flash vertically split the space.
The leading jeep split like firewood and scattered to the left and right.
-Kwagwang!
Explosions occurred on both sides of Osian. The Starlight's power split the engine, causing ignition.
Osian's sword danced, undeterred by the shock of the explosion.
The Oil Finger gang members, with their eyes rolled back, had their necks severed and rolled on the ground.
Due to the persistent chase by the Iron Knight, the number of Oil Finger gang members had significantly decreased.
Thanks to that, the battle wasn't very long and the fight ended with cutting down several vehicles and their necks.
Burnt debris and corpses were strewn everywhere but Osian still stared straight ahead without releasing the Starlight because there was still one person remaining there, the Iron Knight.
That wasn't his real name. It was just a title Osian had casually given him based on his appearance.However, even he thought it was quite fitting.
No other word seemed more appropriate for someone wearing armor and riding a horse made entirely of brass.
The Iron Knight sat on his horse, staring at Osian.
Osian also quietly stared back at the Iron Knight.
"Who might you be, sir?"
The Iron Knight's voice resonated deeply.
From this, one could tell that this knight was quite an elderly man.
Regardless, what irritated Osian was the Iron Knight's way of speaking.
Sir? Isn't that an outdated way of speaking that you'd only see in some old chivalric novel?
Even for an elderly person, it was a manner of speech no one would use.
'Are there still people who speak like this nowadays?'
If others had heard Osian's inner thoughts, they would have been surprised to look at him.
Especially Ronan, who knew Osian in the early days of Tirna, would have found it utterly absurd.
Regardless, Osian thought the other person was strange.
"No answer. Coming here, could you perhaps also be after the rumored existence?"
"And who might you be? You clearly don't look like someone from District 49."
While the Iron Knight was imitating the appearance of an ancient knight, he was showcasing the pinnacle of modern science and technology at his core.
The latest high-output steam suit and special-grade automaton weren't items you could obtain just by having money.
"Since you ask, I must introduce myself. I am Don Quixote, Knight of La Mancha! A knight who does not tolerate injustice and dreams of ideals!"
As Don Quixote introduced himself as a knight, Osian narrowed his eyes.
David, who had carefully approached from the side, added in a small whisper.
"It's a pseudonym. Don Quixote is the name of a knight from an old chivalric novel. He's also known as the epitome of a ridiculous, incompetent knight."
Osian recalled the novel of the same name from his memory.
Considering that the existence of witches was also related to fairy tales, it wasn't particularly surprising that this name would appear.
The knight who introduced himself as Don Quixote raised his jousting lance to point at Osian.
"Speak. Who are you and why have you come to this junkyard? Depending on your answer, my righteous lance may pass judgment upon you."
A manner of speaking reminiscent of a musical theater or an old classical novel.
His actions were exaggerated and so was his vocalization. However, what couldn't be overlooked was his performance shown earlier while chasing the Oil Finger gang.
Don Quixote was strong enough to create a sense of dissonance with such behavior and appearance.
"I'm Osian. I came here for a request."
"Indeed. You are not from this place. Though your attire is that of District 49, you cannot hide that distinctive aura. Does that mean you're a fixer?"
"I do work as a fixer too. But my real position is something else."
Saying that, Osian pointed his sword blazing with Starlight at Don Quixote.
"I am a Knight of Heaven. A real knight, not a fake one who arbitrarily claims the title like you."
"Oh, Sir Osian?"
When Osian suddenly provoked him, David turned to him in surprise.
Anyone could tell that he was somewhat offended.
It wasn't incomprehensible. In fact, David, who believed Osian to be a real knight and received his teachings, felt similar emotions.
How dare he call himself a knight without training his body or even being able to draw Starlight from a sword? There's a limit to how presumptuous one can be.
However, he only kept those feelings in his heart and had no intention of openly expressing them.
Anyone could see that Don Quixote was no ordinary person.
"What...!"
As David expected, Don Quixote seemed considerably angered by Osian's provocation.
"Knight of Heaven! How dare you use such a wonderful name! This is absolutely unacceptable!"
"..."
What? He's angry for that reason?
Before David could argue, Osian spoke.
"Step back. It seems I need to personally teach him a lesson here as a real knight."
"No, that...Yes. Understood."
David was about to argue but gave up. Osian was being exceptionally firm.
Even if he tried to stop Osian, it didn't seem like Don Quixote, who was already fired up, would stay still.
David stepped back far away and quietly observed the two.
Since things had come to this, he might as well watch properly.
"I'll give you one chance. Do you not wish to apologize for your rudeness?"
"How can there be rudeness toward someone who dares to impersonate a knight when they're not one?"
"So you choose to drink from the cup of punishment. Do not regret your choice."
-Hihihihing!
Don Quixote's horse let out a cry.
Sand flew high as the knight, as one with his horse, charged toward Osian.
The sharp and pointed jousting lance aimed for Osian's forearm.
Rather than killing, he intended to subdue him to correct his arrogant attitude.
"Trying to go easy on me while facing me. How presumptuous."
Osian raised his Starlight sword to meet the incoming jousting lance head-on.
He intended to split the lance in half right there.
-Kagagak!
[Huh!]
"Hooh."
Osian and Don Quixote exclaimed simultaneously.
Don Quixote hadn't expected his attack to be blocked like this, and Osian was secretly surprised that the Starlight couldn't cut through his lance.
'Not ordinary metal. It's sturdy enough to withstand the energy of Starlight.'
He had guessed from the armor that it wasn't ordinary, but he hadn't expected this level.
Osian slightly twisted his sword that had entered a power struggle.
A jousting lance specializes in thrusting. Just by deflecting the point of impact like this, its original intention can be clearly diminished.
Don Quixote's body leaned further forward, and Osian was able to dive deep inside but what awaited Osian was a steel hoof.
-Kung!
The horse raised its front legs and heavily stomped where Osian had been.
Osian spun his body to the side and naturally slipped away. At the same time, maintaining that momentum, he swept his Starlight sword along the horse's flank as he passed.
The ground vibrated and sandy dust rose hazily.
Osian, who had passed by the horse, frowned at the feeling transmitted through his sword.
'It didn't go in properly.'
Though he had clearly swung his Starlight sword to cut the horse's flank, it hadn't cut properly.
Looking back at the automaton horse, there was only a reddish heated wound on its flank.
-Chiiiik!
Even that quickly cooled as the internal cooling system activated.
Was it made of similar material to the lance? It wouldn't be cut easily even with Starlight.
If he applied more force and took more time, he could cut through it, but that was practically impossible in a battle of exchanging moves.
"Not bad!"
Don Quixote, who quickly regained his stance, made a wide turn and charged at Osian again.
The intense thrust that came again had an ominous force.
Having realized that Osian was no ordinary powerful being, he had given up on holding back.
-Kaang!
The Starlight sword drew an arc as it struck aside the jousting lance that was thrusting in sharply.
However, Don Quixote quickly retrieved his lance and executed consecutive thrusts.
Every time he moved, white steam burst out from the shoulders and joints of his armor with a pushing sound.
Osian brilliantly swung his Starlight sword to deflect all the incoming lance thrusts.
At that moment, Don Quixote thrust forward the shield worn on his left arm. At the same time, even his mounted horse initiated a body slam.
Osian also wrapped his Storm Shield worn on his left arm with Starlight and thrust his shield to meet the attack.
-Kwaaang!
A massive shockwave erupted and the sand around them was pushed outward in concentric circles.
David, watching from afar, had to briefly cover his face from the sudden sandstorm.
Osian and Don Quixote entered a power struggle.
Though Don Quixote, mounted on his horse, was pressing down from above, Osian didn't budge an inch.
"Are you a mutant!"
For Don Quixote, faced with Osian's unbelievable strength, he couldn't help but suspect him of being a mutant.
Regardless, as Osian started applying force, Don Quixote and his automaton began to be pushed back slightly.
"Comparing me to such beings. How unpleasant."
"What strength...!"
Don Quixote, though surprised, increased the output of his steam suit and automaton.
-Chiiiik!
White steam burst from the joints of his armor.
-Clank!
Auxiliary supports shot out from the horse's hind legs, anchoring to the ground to prevent further backward movement.
"How about this!"
-Kiiiing!
The gears began to spin furiously in Don Quixote's shield that was pressed against Osian's shield.
White steam burst out along the outer rim of that circular shield.
The energy being discharged created thrust, beginning to strongly push back Osian's body.
A rocket-propelled shield using compressed steam.
It was an unbelievable collection of scientific achievements.
Osian's body, which had been dominant at first, was now being pushed back little by little.
At that moment, the Nebula Silk wrapped around Osian's shoulders.
The night sky cloak that spread wide sprayed brilliant stardust behind Osian's back.
Simultaneously gaining thrust, Osian once again matched Don Quixote's force.
The two knights, who had entered a power struggle while spraying stardust and steam, retreated simultaneously as if by mutual agreement.
"What bizarre strength!"
Don Quixote shouted this while shaking his shield once heavily.
With a clicking sound, a cartridge flew out from the shield. It was the compressed steam cartridge used earlier for rocket propulsion.
"You're one to talk, using all sorts of technology. You're far more bizarre."
The two were wary of each other's strength while secretly acknowledging their opponent's techniques.
Osian, who handled ancient power, and Don Quixote, who handled modern technology, stood at opposite sides like two faces of a coin.
But the direction of power they pursued was the same.
Though their fields were different, through their recent exchange, they sensed they were walking the same path.
"I don't know where someone like you suddenly appeared from, but you surely haven't trained carelessly for that power."
"The same goes for you. It's clear you've thought deeply and worked hard, beyond just relying on technology or output levels."
Being kindred spirits, they acknowledged each other but this duel wasn't over yet.
"No need to drag this out."
"Indeed. We're in the same boat."
David swallowed hard.
It was clear that this exchange would determine the winner between the two.
"Here I come."
"By all means."
Osian spread his Nebula Silk wide as he took his stance while Don Quixote lowered his stance and aimed his jousting lance straight ahead.
Immediately after, the horse charged forward with a neigh.
Discharge ports emerged from the outside of the jousting lance, and white steam burst forth.
Like the shield, the lance itself also had a propulsion system attached.
Don Quixote's movements became even faster. The considerable distance between them was closed to point-blank range in the blink of an eye.
Osian raised his shield.
-Kwaaang!
A shockwave incomparable to when their shields had clashed earlier erupted.
The distant piles of scrap metal shook precariously, and the sandy dust was blown outward.
-Kagagagagak!
The lance couldn't pierce through Osian's Starlight shield.
"Not yet!"
-Kiiiing!
The blade of the jousting lance began to spin at a terrifying speed. As rotational force was added to its original penetrating power, the Starlight's power began to gradually disperse.
"Sir Osian!"
David, seeing this, called out in surprise.
Far from being flustered, Osian smiled with his eyes as if enjoying it.
"You're smiling?"
Don Quixote, seeing this up close, was puzzled.
"Impressive. As thanks for entertaining me, I'll show you something too. My strongest defense."
-Hwareureuk!
Right after, the white starlight covering Osian turned bright yellow like the sun burning high in the sky.