Chapter 784: Chapter 784: Awgus Wants a Duel
“Is it already over? Is the will to resist really so weak on this side?”
Zhao Guang had not expected that these people would have so little will to resist, allowing the army to reach their main base with ease.
In fact, most rebels are ; once they encounter considerable resistance, problems arise. Once they fail repeatedly, their morale collapses. This is true in any world.
Especially after they found out that the Klein Empire had been driven back, lacking a righteous cause and insufficient in strength, they were even less inclined to persist to the bitter end. The various lords along the way, each of them was looking for a way out for themselves.
That’s right, all those who had defected claimed they were coerced by Duke Awgus.
As for the original associations, those had now been completely abandoned and severed by them, leaving not a single trace behind.
Even those sent by the Awgus Faction were actively captured by them and delivered here.
Since he was close by, Zhao Guang, following his senses, arrived beside Jeana through several instant teleportations. The people around weren’t surprised by Zhao Guang’s appearance; after all, they had long become accustomed to their lord’s sudden comings and goings.
“Master, you’ve arrived.” A smile flickered in Jeana’s eyes.
“Yes, you’ve grown,” Zhao Guang nodded. Following the army all the way here, though it hadn’t taken very long, he could see Jeana’s growth—not just in strength.
Originally, Jeana hadn’t been very old and hadn’t seen many people, having always been quite naive.
This war had led to substantial progress for Jeana in all aspects.
Of course, around him she remained the same. At the same time, Zhao Guang could feel that Jeana’s power had greatly increased. After all, as a Priest, whether of what kind, the fastest growth often came in the midst of war.
It was only that she still had a long way to go before reaching the next level. Becoming a High Priest was no easy feat.
Zhao Guang then glanced at the opposite side and said, “I’ll go over and take a look.”
After speaking, Zhao Guang vanished from sight and appeared again near Balola. The surrounding soldiers were startled, swords drawn, all eyeing Zhao Guang with vigilance, ready to attack at his slightest move.
“Put them away, this is Marquis Xuanwu.”
With Balola giving the command, the soldiers exchanged glances and sheathed their swords, but their eyes remained wary.
“Greetings, Your Majesty,” Zhao Guang bowed slightly. Balola was now the king in name.
Having not seen him for a while, Balola appeared even more robust, his height approaching two meters. From the back, he seemed more bear than man.
One had to worry for the future prince of the empire – could he withstand it?
“No need for formalities. After this war, we will have one more Duke Xuanwu,” said Balola.
This was a promise being made to himself. The people around shifted their gaze subtly. Although they had anticipated this possibility, actually hearing it still seemed incredible.
Zhao Guang was nearly a legend among the nobles, having grown to the status of duke in such a short time—rarer even than legend. And he had started as a commoner, a merchant, no less.
This was truly a rise from zero. Who could have foreseen such a thing two years ago?
“Haha, then I shall thank Your Majesty for the grace,” the two were allies after all.
And with Zhao Guang’s strength, even a king would be hard-pressed to oppress him.
Zhao Guang looked across, “Is that Duke Awgus over there? But where is Princess Xilili?”
Looking across, on the city wall, stood a middle-aged man in formal attire, impeccably dressed, commanding respect from all who saw him.
There were a few others beside him, but Princess Xilili was nowhere to be seen.
“Isn’t that… right there, next to him, the one in green,” pointed out Balola.
Zhao Guang noticed the person in the green dress. Was that really the Second Princess? He remembered her as being short and round, almost ball-like, but what was this stunning beauty?
“There’s no need to be surprised, that’s the result of Evil Magic, and many of the high ranking figures are actually aware of it.”
“Evil Magic? Can a transformation that makes one beautiful still be called Evil Magic?” Zhao Guang was somewhat perplexed. If women on Earth knew of such evil magic, they’d probably be overjoyed.
“Of course it’s Evil Magic because this spell requires the lives of one hundred beautiful, young girls as a sacrifice. Then, by casting a Blood Curse with them, she can obtain the combined beauty of those girls.”
Zhao Guang furrowed his brow, were there actually such things?
However, his first thought was not to reject it outright, but whether this evil magic could be improved upon.
If one could understand the true nature of this spell, perhaps there would be no need for such vile means. Many forms of magic aren’t inherently evil; it’s the users who fail to grasp the essence.
“A hundred lives are nothing to Duke Awgus,” Marquis Gaoer said nonchalantly, clearly unconcerned.
Indeed, his values were completely different from those of Zhao Guang, who kept his opinions to himself. As long as he didn’t use it, or allow his subordinates to use such dark rituals, that was enough.
With his current power, he couldn’t yet change the entrenched perceptions of this world.
Even whether divine forces were involved in these evil spell workings was uncertain.
Now, looking at that beauty across the way, Zhao Guang only felt disgust. Such false beauty, rotten to the core. In contrast, Balola was far better—so authentic, unmistakably a powerhouse.
Just then, a Messenger came rushing over with a piece of cloth.
“Princess Balola, my duke wishes to challenge you to single combat. If you win, everyone else will surrender unconditionally. As I’m sure you can see, if we defend staunchly, you will suffer heavy losses.”
“Impudence! Your Majesty must not agree.”
The man quickly added, “Our duke has two loyal Great Knights. If you accept the duel and win, those two Great Knights will become your devoted followers.”
He was laying out the terms, and the offer was rich indeed—two Great Knights loyal to him personally.
One should know that such treatment was rare even among the kings of old.
“And if I lose?” Balola asked, unconcerned.
“If by some chance my lord Duke prevails, we hope you will spare the lives of his family and grant them a small domain for settlement.”