"Concepts? Friendship? What are those? Can they be eaten?"
After Iri left with that rather casual remark, she walked towards the city gate, which soldiers were laboriously pushing open.
No purpose? How could that be? She would never do something for free. The reason Iri spoke such pleasant words was entirely to improve Nazarick's positive image in the Dragon Queen's eyes.
Furthermore, the reason she didn't make any demands of her was simply to lay a smokescreen for future actions.
However, judging by her attitude during their conversation just now, she would definitely try every possible way to repay this favor!
One must know… favors, to some extent, are the hardest things to repay. At that time, it would be easy to manipulate the situation. At least for now… what Iri wanted to do was give the Dragon Queen the impression that Nazarick had no ill intentions towards the Dragon Kingdom. Of course, it would be a lie to say there were no ill intentions.
Naturally, the prerequisite for achieving all conditions was to win this final battle spectacularly, allowing the Dragon Queen to witness Nazarick's might with her own eyes.
After Iri walked out of the city gate, she somewhat understood why this city's rescue priority was last—the terrain was just too good!
Even Iri, who knew nothing about military matters, could see it. The previous two cities were built on plains, so once they were surrounded, they were basically finished.
Fortunately, the Beastmen's forces weren't numerous enough to divide and surround the cities, otherwise the first two cities would have fallen long ago.
However, this city was built in a mountain pass. As long as the front was defended, it would be fine. But that wasn't all.
The crucial point was that the mountain path at the front was also very narrow, making it impossible for the attacking side to deploy their formation. Any forced attack would essentially be a queue to their deaths. However, such terrain also had a significant disadvantage for the defending side… once the front was blocked, no supplies could get in.
Just as Iri was still thinking about this, the Beastmen troops stationed at the end of the mountain path also began to move. They probably noticed the city gate was wide open!
For them, this was a rare opportunity. However, with Iri blocking the entrance in this kind of terrain, the outcome was self-evident.
Seeing the vanguard unit, composed of Ogres and Hill Giants, lined up in front, holding wooden shields and slowly walking towards Iri, their choice was indeed correct.
The narrow mountain path prevented maneuverability, so it was most suitable to use thick-skinned, regenerating Ogres and Hill Giants as the vanguard. However… the opponent they faced was Iri, who could instantly blast hundreds of people into dust.
Alright! Just like yesterday, I'll cast a few Explosion Magic spells to demonstrate my power. If they still don't listen, then, in consideration of the Dragon Queen watching, I'll go all out and conjure a sandglass to cast Skyfall. Although doing so would severely damage the Beastmen forces, it would be quite effective at scaring the Dragon Queen.
Just as Iri put on her magic ring, intending to cast Explosion Magic, the vanguard troops dispersed to the left and right, clearing a path in the middle…
"Wahahahahaha! You're really here!! It wasn't in vain that I exhausted two Wyverns! I finally caught you!" A Beastman with a lion's head walked over, laughing heartily.
Judging by the formation, this Big Cat should be the general of this unit, right? But what did he mean by exhausting Wyverns and catching her? She hadn't met him before, had she? Iri was a bit puzzled.
"Hmph… My great army was actually defeated twice by such a Xiao BuDian," the Big Cat said, scrutinizing Iri from head to toe.
It seems this Big Cat isn't just a simple general of this unit. He said "his great army"… Is this guy the supreme commander? He actually delivered himself to her! Iri rejoiced inwardly.
"Great army? Where is it? Why don't I see it?" Iri snorted, then deliberately looked around, clearly trying to provoke the Big Cat.
"You fellow!" Veins immediately bulged on the Big Cat's forehead as he glared fiercely at Iri.
At this moment, upon seeing the Lion King appear, everyone watching Iri from inside the city gate gasped. They almost all knew the Lion King's identity, and everyone held their breath for Iri—except for Bell, of course.
"Xiao BuDian! Where did you pop out from? Are you another reinforcement brought by that Dragon Bitch?!" the Big Cat asked, clearly displeased.
Iri almost couldn't hold back her laughter. Dragon Bitch… It seems this Big Cat also knows the Dragon Queen's situation well. Hmm? "Another"? Iri noticed that this Big Cat understood the Dragon Queen's true nature and said "another"… He knew that the Dragon Queen had sought reinforcements from other countries, and not just once. Thus, it could be inferred that this Big Cat was likely a person of considerable status in the Beast Kingdom.
"No, no… I'm just an Adventurer who happened to pass by out of interest, and I have nothing to do with the Slane Theocracy," Iri said, naturally saying it on purpose.
"Tsk… It's the Slane Theocracy again. After I flatten the Dragon Kingdom, my next target will be the Slane Theocracy!" the Big Cat said, clearly annoyed.
Uh… It seems these trash from the Beast Kingdom were indeed sent by Xiao Di. She had indeed ruined Xiao Di's plan. Fortunately, she now had a contingency plan, which would allow her to trick Xiao Di again. Iri thought to herself.
"Then this very impressive…" Iri also sized up the Big Cat in front of her for a moment, deliberately pausing.
The Big Cat's expression softened considerably, probably happy to hear Iri say he was impressive or something.
"Impressive? Uh… Big Cat?" Iri tilted her head, looking confused.
"Cat… Cat?! I am the boss of the Beast Kingdom! Lion King Shinodi Tisgu Omi Roba! I am not some cat!!" The Big Cat was so angry that his mane almost stood on end.
Oh! He's actually the King of the Beast Kingdom. Is this an unexpected gain? The boss actually came to the battlefield personally with an axe, that's truly rare. Iri glanced at the intimidating long-handled battle axe in the Big Cat's hand and thought.
"My apologies, my apologies… That Shinodi… Uh… What's-his-name Roba, I am Slane… Oh no, I'm Clementine, a mere Adventurer passing by. I was entrusted by Her Majesty the Queen of the Dragon Kingdom to come and subdue you. If you obediently take your army and go home now, I can spare you," Iri said with a smile.
"You fellow!! Are you looking for death?!" The Big Cat, enraged, swung his axe with one hand directly at her.
"Eek!!" Bell immediately covered her eyes, afraid to see the ensuing bloody and harmonious scene…
However, the harmonious scene did not occur. The Big Cat's axe slammed heavily into the ground, creating a crater, while Iri remained in her original position, smiling at the Big Cat.
"…" The Big Cat retracted his axe, his expression much more serious, watching Iri without a word.
Everyone behind him was also stunned. They had all clearly seen what had just happened. The Lion King had indeed swung his axe down at Clementine's head.
However, with so many pairs of eyes watching, Clementine had made no movement whatsoever, yet the Lion King's axe had struck the ground, as if she had instantly moved back a step. But no one had seen her make any movement. How did she do that?
"You're quite impressive, Xiao BuDian," the Lion King said.
"Thank you for the compliment," Iri replied.
"Then that's perfect! I thought someone who just randomly throws magic around wouldn't be able to duel me one-on-one. So! Adventurer Clementine! I want to have an honorable duel with you!" the Big Cat roared with great presence.
Oh! Isn't he just delivering himself to her? She had deliberately provoked him just for this. As long as she defeated him, she could then use the opportunity to make the Beastmen retreat. After all, they were still brought by Xiao Di.
Quite a few people had been eliminated in the previous two battles. What if clearing out this batch of troops caused the Beast Kingdom to be unable to recover? Perhaps Xiao Di might still need their army in the future. She should try to hold back if possible! Although she had indeed wanted to wipe them out just now… Iri thought to herself.
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