Since he knew he couldn't escape at his current speed, Locke naturally stopped wasting energy. He left the cave and moved to an area with denser trees, waiting for his enemy to arrive.
Judging by the pursuer's speed, Locke guessed this was a Level-7 knight.
Before reaching Level-6, a mage's rank is always considered one level above a warrior of equivalent experience.
That's because a mage only needs to spend a small amount of mana as a trigger, and the vast elemental power of the world will respond, forming immensely powerful spells under the guidance of that mana.
A Level-1 spell can be lethal to a Level-2 warrior.
A Level-3 spell can kill a Level-4 warrior.
A Level-5 spell can slay a Level-6 warrior.
Only when warriors reach Level-7 does their Battle Qi begin to rival a Grand Mage's spells.
Of course, this is purely in terms of power.
In terms of attack range, Sanctuary-level warriors still fall short of a Grand Mage.
Only when reaching the divine domain do mages and warriors become comparable, with differences mostly in fighting style.
Still, Locke wasn't completely without confidence facing a Level-7 warrior for the first time.
Unlike ordinary Level-6 mages, Locke had grasped a fragment of the Profound Mystery of Illusionary Fog, which alone enhanced the potency of his spells considerably.
Sensing the enemy rapidly approaching, Locke wasted no time and immediately cast Water Mist Technique.
…
"Pop!"
Among the three pursuing soldiers of the Light Temple, the knight in front stepped on something, producing a faint burst.
"Not good… we've been spotted."
"This one has incredible awareness."
"He actually set up warning traps here."
The middle-aged knight in white armor glanced at the bubbles underfoot, a cruel smirk on his lips.
"Two clerics, I think this fellow has noticed us."
"To prevent him from escaping again, I'll go confront him first. You two catch up later."
Without waiting for a reply from the robed clerics, the knight leapt forward, sprinting at incredible speed.
The "pop pop" of the bubbles was shredded by the gust of wind from his charge, never reaching his ears.
To maximize speed, the knight leapt over a dozen meters high, using treetops to propel himself dozens of meters further…
Soon, a dense fog appeared within his vision…
…
"Boom!"
As if a meteor had struck, the knight fell from above, smashing the ground into a crater.
Although the Water Mist Technique produced dense fog, a Level-7 warrior's body had fundamentally changed compared to Level-6.
Primarily, a Level-6 warrior has a maximum lifespan of 120 years if unscathed.
A Level-7 warrior nearly doubles that, reaching a limit of 200 years.
With Battle Qi enhancing his body, the middle-aged knight immediately locked onto Locke's position, drawing the greatsword on his back and slowly approaching.
"Sir, I am somewhat puzzled. May I ask you a question?"
Seeing the Level-7 warrior walk straight toward him, Locke realized his Water Mist Technique was nearly useless against someone of this caliber.
But before fighting, Locke had to clarify something.
"I am nothing more than a high-level mage. During my escape, I've been pursued seventeen times—eighteen if I count you, sir."
"Did the Light Temple really expend so much effort chasing the remnants of my legion, delaying their occupation of the Fifth Legion's remaining territories?"
This was Locke's genuine confusion.
The Frost Empire and Light Temple were battling over Faith Power.
The Fifth Legion had been shattered. Normally, the Light Temple should have quickly occupied the region, spreading the glory of their Light Overlord Augusta, and converting the people to gain more faith power.
Why, then, would they expend so much effort hunting the remnants of defeated soldiers?
Of course, Locke did not expect an explanation.
Unexpectedly, the knight replied.
"No, esteemed mage, I think you've misunderstood. It is not that we delayed occupation to hunt you down."
"We actually dispatched seventeen squads to occupy this region, but each one was eliminated by your hand."
"To expedite the occupation, I was sent to follow your trail, ensuring that any mage attempting to obstruct the Light Temple's spread of Lord Augusta's glory would be removed."
"…."
Locke was momentarily speechless.
So the seventeen squads he had encountered weren't there to hunt him. They were just the Light Temple's forces sent to occupy Frost Empire territory.
Because his escape path coincided with theirs, Locke assumed all seventeen squads were chasing him and wiped them out.
"Ugh…"
Realizing this, Locke sighed. He had been too reckless.
If he had exercised restraint, he might already have reached a safe area in the Frost Empire.
But regret was useless.
Now, dealing with this knight was the top priority.
"Thank you, sir, for clarifying."
"Since this was a misunderstanding, might you pretend not to have seen me and let me go?"
"Mage, are you joking?"
"Whether it is avenging the seventeen squads or preventing the Frost Empire from seeing another strong mage, I cannot let you go."
With that, the knight's greatsword flared with white light.
He swung, releasing a three-meter-long Battle Qi Slash that cut across five meters to Locke's right.
The knight's words weren't merely for explanation.
After tracking Locke for days, he already knew this mage was extremely cautious.
No such mage would stand carelessly before him.
Thus, he assumed this might not even be the real mage, but an illusion created by the real one.
(End of Chapter 4)