"—But unfortunately, you realized it too late!"
From the moment Eric was the first to exit, Blackbeard's side was already destined for defeat.
According to the initial combat strategy, Anne and Mary were naturally focused down and inevitably exited the stage.
At this moment, only Blackbeard and Hector remained on Blackbeard's side.
Seeing the dawn of victory right before his eyes, Takumi felt no joy in his heart.
Because it was too quiet—
Hector had been too "quiet" in the battle with him.
Although the intensity of the fight wasn't much different from before.
But would an old schemer like Hector really be so honest and do nothing?
Even if Achilles believed such a thing, Takumi wouldn't.
To make Takumi believe Hector was an honest person, the sun would have to rise from the west.
The unease in his heart grew little by little. Takumi tried to read something from the face of the uncle in front of him.
But he could only see a face full of calm.
As if he didn't care about the current battle situation at all.
Takumi's thoughts began to accelerate, thinking hard while blocking Hector's attacks.
Suppose I were in Hector's position, what would I do?
Takumi tried to put himself in Hector's shoes to gain insight into his thoughts.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind one by one, like watching a complex kaleidoscope—dazzling but unable to grasp the key point.
Like a flash of inspiration.
In the corner of his vision, Takumi saw Blackbeard cursing loudly amidst flames and smoke.
Finally, Takumi understood.
"Quick! Watch Blackbeard; don't let Hector get close to him!"
Hector's calm face finally changed, showing a smile of success.
"Oh my, young man, I have to admit you are really troublesome. You actually saw through my little scheme." "—But unfortunately, you found out too late!"
A cold light flashed in Hector's eyes, and the spear in his hand emitted a bright light.
His Noble Phantasm [Durindana Pilum: Ultimate Unbroken Spear] was indeed a throwing-type Noble Phantasm, but that didn't mean there were no other ways to use it besides throwing, right?
After all, it was the true form of the peerless sword Durandal. Even without chanting the True Name of the Noble Phantasm, it was enough to unleash considerable power.
In the blink of an eye, Hector transformed the spear into a sword, then slashed heavily at Takumi.
The dazzling light wrapped around the sword blade erupted, as if slashing out a diffusive sword energy.
Takumi, who hadn't seen this move before, although reacting in time and blocking it, lost the opportunity to stop Hector.
Moreover, Takumi put more effort into protecting Euryale and didn't pay too much attention to Blackbeard's position.
Hector, having succeeded in one strike, immediately sprinted towards Blackbeard.
Although Drake and the others didn't quite understand what happened, they all attacked after reacting, wanting to block Hector.
Drake's bullets, Euryale's magical arrows, and Asterios's axe strikes all swarmed towards Hector.
But Hector's long sword shone brightly, knocking down all attacks from Drake and Euryale with just a sweep.
Then, relying on his agile movements, he easily dodged Asterios's attack. Almost unhindered, he approached Blackbeard's position.
The strength of a great hero from the Age of Gods was fully displayed.
Don't assume Hector's strength is weak just because Takumi blocked him.
Takumi's entanglement with Hector for so long was almost using all his tricks. Saying he blocked him, he basically had no chance to fight back, only relying on excellent defensive capabilities to block his attacks.
Even so, Takumi didn't have the ability to fight a protracted war with him. He could only hope that other battlefields could spare manpower to gang up on Hector with him.
Otherwise, being poked to death by Hector was just a matter of time.
"Captain! Look at the current situation; shouldn't we hurry up and run?"
While approaching Blackbeard, Hector also put on a serious yet slightly concerned expression.
Looking exactly like a lackey, his tone full of consideration for Blackbeard.
Hearing this, Blackbeard, who was still fuming, finally calmed down.
Because things developed too fast, realizing only now that his two generals had already exited, he broke out in a cold sweat.
Th-This isn't right, is it? Shouldn't I have the advantage? How did the offense and defense switch suddenly?
Although Blackbeard was a bit panicked, sharing the pirate profession with Drake, he was naturally adept at running away and had no rejection in his heart.
Avoid the sharp edge, endure for now!
"Well said! Run!"
Without another word, Blackbeard controlled his warship to start running.
The flintlock pistol in his hand also aimed at the intertwined ropes pulling the two ships together.
Just as he wanted to show off his marksmanship, Hector crossed the boundary between the two ships and simultaneously swung his long sword to cut all the ropes between the two ships.
"Well done! In that case, the task of bringing up the rear is left to you!"
Blackbeard praised Hector's neatness, then ruthlessly assigned him a difficult task.
He turned his head and ran to the other side of the ship, where it would be safer.
"Yes, my Captain."
Hector said with his mouth, but he had no intention of turning back to stop Drake and the others.
Instead, he continued to approach Blackbeard.
"You f*cking idiot whale, turn your head and look behind you!!"
Stabilizing his body that almost fell off the ship, Takumi saw this scene as soon as he got closer. He, who basically never cursed, shouted angrily.
—Do I need a brat like you to teach me this kind of thing?
Blackbeard, who was also acting, had a piercing cold light flashing in his eyes facing away from Hector, his finger already on the trigger of the flintlock.
Listening to Hector's footsteps, Blackbeard turned his head sharply, simultaneously perfectly demonstrating what a true American quick draw was.
Bang!
This shot will definitely hit!
Hearing the familiar gunshot, Blackbeard was extremely confident in his performance with this shot, unable to imagine the possibility of it missing.
The fact was indeed as Blackbeard expected; his bullet hit Hector's body.
But before Blackbeard could be smug, he discovered with astonishment that even though the bullet hit, Hector's body didn't slow down. As if nothing happened, he was still rushing straight at him.
Splurt!
Blood dripped from the corner of Hector's mouth and body, but he still thrust the long sword in his hand into the chest of Blackbeard, who couldn't dodge in time.
"Sorry, at this point, I really don't have the mind to fool around with you anymore."
Hector looked coldly at Blackbeard, who was astonished and somewhat annoyed.