Chapter 2201 Duels Izaak's loss was highly unexpected, but it did little to shake Xavier and his Magus army. The disciplined warriors remained steadfast, their confidence seemingly unshaken by the turn of events. Meanwhile, Izaak, having received some healing treatment, regained consciousness. He cast a lingering gaze at Emery, filled with a mixture of respect and curiosity. It was clear that there were many questions he wished to ask, but the announcement of the third duel cut their silent exchange short, forcing them back to their respective sides. As Emery returned, Grand Magus Hassa greeted him with a warm compliment. "Well done," Emery's actions had significantly improved his standing among the Karat magus forces and even some of the elders who had been skeptical of him. The victory had not only secured a crucial point for Hassa's side but also boosted morale among the troops. The anticipation for the next duel grew, and soon, the call for the Grand Magus duel echoed across the battlefield. Emery watched intently as Grand Magus Khalid, one of the four esteemed Karat guardians, stepped forward for the challenge. His opponent was another guardian, Boyd. The sight of the Eastern and Western Guardians facing off against each other stirred a mix of emotions among the spectators. These two had been long-time friends and comrades, their bond forged through countless battles. "Boyd! Shame on you! It's our duty to prevent such conflict. What you did is wrong!" Khalid's voice rang out with righteous indignation. Maintaining his calm demeanor, Boyd responded with a resolute tone, "Khalid, my brother.... the other guardians have long gone with the patriarch... It's up to us now… this is what it means to protect the faction. ...Do not stand in our way!" 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮 Their words echoed across the battlefield, highlighting the deep rift that had formed between them. Each had their reasons for supporting their respective sides, but fate had forced them to settle their differences through combat. The atmosphere grew increasingly charged as the two Grand Magus prepared for battle. Both were in the three Cosmos realms, their combined power creating a surge of energy that dwarfed that of any Magus. The sheer intensity of their auras shook the desert landscape, stirring up a violent windstorm that swept across the battlefield. Despite standing a mile apart, the assembled Magus were forced to channel their spirit energy to protect themselves from the fierce phenomenon. Just like all the Magus around, Emery watched the fight with great interest. It was a cosmic battle that displayed a high comprehension of the elements; Khalid wielded the power of wind, while Boyd commanded the earth. For the onlookers, particularly those striving to deepen their elemental mastery, this duel was an invaluable opportunity. If they were lucky, some Magus could even gain new insights from observing the intense battle. The air crackled with energy as the two Grand Magus unleashed their formidable powers. Khalid conjured a razor-sharp wind saber that sliced through the air with deadly precision, while Boyd summoned massive earth maces that crashed down with bone-shattering force. Each clash between these elemental titans shook the area, sending shockwaves through the desert sands. Multiple high-grade spells were cast, each more impressive and destructive than the last. When they unveiled their top-tier spells, tier 8 in potency, the sheer power forced the grand magus elders from both sides to erect a defensive barrier. This barrier was necessary to shield their respective Magus forces from the collateral damage, as the battle had escalated to a point where even the bystanders could be severely harmed. Being in the same middle stage of the three Cosmos realm, and having a clear knowledge of each other's skills, Khalid and Boyd's duel seemed tightly matched. Their reserves of cosmic energy appeared almost endless. However, after more than an hour of relentless combat, both Grand Magus were visibly worn. They bore deep wounds and their movements slowed, showing signs of extreme exhaustion. In the end, it was sheer perseverance that tipped the scales. Grand Magus Khalid, through a combination of tenacity and strategic brilliance, managed to gain the upper hand. With one final, decisive strike, he overcame Boyd's defenses and emerged victorious. The second win ignited a surge of cheers among Hassa's supporters. Victory was within reach; they only needed one more win to secure the Karat family's future under Hassa's command. "Let the fourth duel begin!" rang out. Both sides fielded more Grand Magus in the three Cosmos realms for this duel. Representing Xavier's side was Schanble, the formidable leader of the second division and commander of the elite forces. Schanble had recently ascended to the middle stage of the three Cosmos realms. On the other side, Hassa's faction was represented by Isaiah, the leader of the sixth division responsible for espionage and intelligence. Unlike his opponent, Isaiah had been stuck in the middle stage for quite some time. The stakes were incredibly high. A single Cosmos Grand Magus could wield the power of their domain to fuel their strength. Those who reached the two Cosmos stage could unleash their domain power into their surroundings, creating a domain battlefield. However, Grand Magus in the three Cosmos realms, like Isaiah and Schanble, could integrate their domain power into any form they commanded. Commander Schanble transformed into a towering figure clad in golden armor, a colossal metal giant emanating cosmic power. He wielded a massive spear, its sharp point gleaming with an almost divine energy. Opposite him, Isaiah conjured dozens of highly poisonous flying daggers, each one a deadly extension of his will, serving both as his offensive and defensive arsenal. The stage was set for another spectacular battle, one that sent shivers of excitement through Emery and the rest of the spectators. "Isaiah's going to win!" some onlookers exclaimed, noticing how his daggers could penetrate Schanble's golden armor. Others, however, placed their faith in Schanble's reputed resistance to poison, confident that his defenses would hold. For a brief moment, it seemed Isaiah had the upper hand. His daggers tore at Schanble's golden armor, leaving visible marks. The crowd's hopes soared with each successful strike. However, Schable's resilience soon became apparent. Despite the damage to his armor, the poison had little effect on him. After a hundred intense clashes, it became clear that Shcanble's raw power and endurance were overwhelming Isaiah. Despite being severely wounded, Isaiah kneeled closely to Lord Hassa, seeking forgiveness for his failure. His opponent, Schanble, though victorious, was unable to return to his spot. He collapsed shortly after his win, his body succumbing to the intense intoxication from isaiah's poison, highlighting his immense determination and persistence to secure victory. With the score tied at 2-2, the final duel would be the decisive factor in determining the fate of the Karat family. The atmosphere among the magus on Hassa's side was tense, their optimism waning as they acknowledged the significant disparity in strength between the two leaders.