As the warhammer left, Laine clenched his right hand into a fist, enveloped in blue flames, and smashed it into Bireg's right cheek. The Barbarian Chief's face deformed like a mass of mud under the invincible iron fist, several yellowing teeth flew from his mouth, and Bireg's mind turned to mush under the enormous force, leaving him incapable of thought.
Then, the golden warhammer hit squarely on his forehead, with a thunderous explosion.
The tall Barbarian Chief fell, red blood flowing down his head, life rapidly ebbing from his body. He struggled to lift his hand but immediately let it fall again, his gradually unfocused pupils told the whole story; watching his blood pool on the ground, he felt his once-proud strength drift away with his consciousness as infinite darkness descended.
Bireg's head was clutched in Laine's hand, an expression of disbelief still on his face. The surrounding barbarian soldiers were first incredulous, then shocked, followed by fear, and finally fled like an avalanche; the dark mass of the Barbarian Army scattered in retreat, while Laine, standing on the spot with his hammer resting on the ground, coldly watched as the retreating barbarians' formation crumbled.
"The Chief is dead! The Chief is dead!!!" The first Barbarian Raider dropped his weapon and began to flee into the distance.
"The Chief has been killed!"
"Run! The Southern man is too powerful!"
"The battle is lost!"
The Barbarian formation collapsed; the avalanche effect began with the first soldier dropping his weapon, leading to the entire army's rout. Laine held high the head of "Crushing Bear" Bireg, and the Nord Army loudly shouted victory, their figures appearing so grand. The barbarians lost all spirit and courage.
"The Chief is dead! Bireg has been killed! He lost in his duel! What do we do?" The Barbarian Tribe Champion Kuoloulin was unable to stop the large-scale fleeing of soldiers, who ran around like headless flies, utterly routed and divided. Even as the Barbarian Champions desperately slew deserters, it was to no avail.
"Retreat, we've accomplished our purpose by fighting to this extent, let's retreat." The Barbarian Champions gathered around an enigmatic figure clad in a black robe, who shook his head: "Though it's regrettable we couldn't advance further, a rule is a rule; the championship duel is the only rule we must adhere to, let's retreat~ retreat. By tomorrow, we can no longer take this harbor!"
Thus, the last of the Barbarian Army retreated, the Nord forces unable to pursue. Their hero still leaning on his warhammer, watched the direction of the Barbarian Army's retreat until no trace of any Barbarian soldier could be seen. Only then did Laine slump to the ground, having exhausted his strength.
Halfway collapsed, a stalwart figure rushed over to embrace him; it was Alfred, whose voice carried a teary note, and he held Laine tightly in his powerful arms: "Good friend! You've won!"
"You've won the championship duel! You've slain the Chaos Champion 'Crushing Bear' Bireg! You've saved all the people of this city!!!" Alfred excitedly shook Laine's arm: "You are the best!"
"Is that so?" Laine weakly glanced over his shoulder.
He saw the city's citizens and refugees pouring out from inside the city, loudly singing Laine's name. The Count led his guards and knelt on one knee, thankful for him saving his city. The Paladins offered him the highest courtesy, grateful for saving countless lives from the fires of war and extinction.
From this day forth, the name of Laine spread throughout the Continent, his glory becoming known worldwide through the Minstrels and the various Churches, his name began to be recognized by the people of the Continent, and his actions started to draw the attention of the gods.
Now, he is the hero of Nord. Read complete version only at novel~fire~net