Buzz—
A pale white light flashed as the Archangel of Observation pushed forward with the shield hanging from its arm, forcing the Head-Hunting Rabbit back.
His legs slid back uncontrollably for a distance.
"Huff... huff..."
The Head-Hunting Rabbit opened his mouth, gasping for air. Having used several Martial Skills in one breath, his entire body felt the soreness and pain of muscle fatigue.
However, compared to the physical impact...
The Head-Hunting Rabbit was more aware of his dangerous situation. His long ears atop his head twitched; even without looking back, he knew the Archangel of Peace had caught up.
With the Archangel of Observation in front and the Archangel of Peace behind, two Fourth Tier angel monsters had completely blocked off his path.
Facing such a situation...
The Head-Hunting Rabbit was very decisive. He raised his hands above his head, palms calloused and spread wide, and shouted cleanly toward Lyle's direction: "I surrender!"
This monster!
Swoosh! Swoosh!
The movements of the Archangel of Observation and the Archangel of Peace did not pause for a second. In an instant, they had reached the front and back of the Head-Hunting Rabbit, flanking him.
The short-handled iron hammer and the spear-staff, both emitting a pale white light, were raised simultaneously. Following them was Lyle's voice:
"Talk after you survive."
Holy Hammer!
Strike Against Evil!
The weapons in the hands of the Archangel of Observation and the Archangel of Peace swung down at the same time. A startling shockwave instantly surrounded the figure in the shadows.
The Head-Hunting Rabbit's pupils shrank, bloodshot. He quickly raised his arms to block the attacks from both directions, letting out a roar:
"Pain Dullness!"
"Possibility Perception!"
"Magic Resistance Fortification!"
"Skin Fortification!"
"Immovable Fortress!"
Boom!
A massive booming collision rang out, followed by a skyward spray of blood mist and minced meat.
Splat—
A dark shadow flew out from between the Archangel of Peace and the Archangel of Observation, then fell from the air, hitting the ground and rolling over.
Lyle raised his foot and stepped on the dark shadow. He looked down at the mangled head of the Head-Hunting Rabbit and shook his head with some disappointment: "A pity."
"If you could have survived, I really wouldn't have minded having a good talk with you."
Oh?
Lyle turned his head, a smile on his face, looking toward a figure in the distance to his front-left.
"You brat! Don't think a single blow defeated me! I am..."
Brian was holding a longsword, looking disheveled yet burning with excitement as he charged from the direction he had been blown away, shouting loudly.
But halfway through his sentence, his voice came to an abrupt halt.
Brian stopped stiffly in his tracks, staring at the two three-meter-tall angels behind Lyle, floating in mid-air and emitting a terrifying aura.
Not long ago, he had been blown away by a single strike from the Archangel of Peace. This was the second time he had been defeated since losing the Imperial Tournament.
This gave Brian that long-lost feeling of boiling blood; that Archangel of Peace was very powerful, making him feel pressure once again.
And this was exactly what he had always been pursuing!
So...
After chugging a healing potion he carried, Brian quickly rushed back, just in time to see the scene of the Head-Hunting Rabbit being completely annihilated by the two Fourth Tier angels.
Minced meat and blood splattering everywhere!
Brian's open mouth snapped shut, and he briefly locked eyes with Lyle's smiling gaze.
Without a hint of hesitation!
Brian turned and fled, even using a Martial Skill to push his speed to the limit. In the blink of an eye, only his back remained.
He wanted to find opponents who could pressure him, but that didn't mean he intended to seek death.
A single Fourth Tier angel made him feel threatened; if there were two, he would surely die!
Facing the fleeing Brian...
Lyle was also momentarily stunned, a strange expression appearing on his face as he looked at the rapidly disappearing back: "That really fits this guy's character."
"Forget it, I'll let him live for now."
The current Brian had only recently been defeated by Gazef and was just starting to break free from his arrogance and the mindset of having no rivals.
He hadn't truly brought out his talent yet. It would be a pity if he died now; Lyle planned to obtain the Martial Skills this guy developed.
Brian probably hadn't mastered the Domain Martial Skill yet.
Speaking of which...
Brian was indeed a Genius. In just a few years, he not only developed Martial Skills like Domain and Flash but even evolved them into stronger versions like Godly Domain and Godly Flash.
"If I don't exploit such a Genius thoroughly, it would be a disservice to such talent."
Lyle watched Brian's retreating, disheveled figure, the corners of his mouth curving into a meaningful smile.
Rather than spending time and energy researching himself, wouldn't it be faster to let these geniuses of the other world develop them for him?
When Lyle made his move earlier, he had already left a Magic Mark on Brian. From this moment on, he could track Brian's movements at any time.
With a wave of his arm...
The Archangel of Peace and the Archangel of Observation dissipated into points of white light. Looking around, the field of corpses proved what had just happened.
Lyle walked to the carriage and looked at Enri, who was still clutching her short sword, her face pale and stiff. He chuckled, "Weren't you very brave just now? Why are you scared again?"
"L-Lord, I... Lord..."
Enri's voice became stuttered, her eyes red and full of fear, yet also a bit of admiration.
The scene of the Lord summoning those powerful angels just now made Enri instinctively think of the storybook tales she had heard as a child.
Urgh—
As Enri's tensed nerves relaxed, the thick smell of blood in the air rushed in, making her stomach churn.
Even though Enri felt she had recognized the cruelty of adventurers and had seen many corpses, so many bodies still made her limbs go weak.
Lyle raised an eyebrow and turned his head away in slight disgust, though he was somewhat impressed that Enri could hold out until now.
Among the many corpses on the ground were quite a few magic items. Lyle had the Ghost Hounds collect them.
Although he looked down on these ordinary magic items, they could be exchanged for money or given to his subordinates.
A moment later...
Enri huddled weakly in the corner of the carriage. The Emerald Leaf Witch had also returned; the Death Spreading Sword Sect had been entirely wiped out by the Twin Witches.
Of all the attackers, none survived except for the fleeing Brian.
Clatter clatter—
The wheels of the carriage rolled over the rough ground and the dried, frozen blood on the earth as it continued its journey.
Soon...
The large number of corpses alarmed nearby villages and surrounding towns, even reaching nearby noble territories and the large city of E-Rabul.
The largest territory in this area belonged to Marquis Raven, and all other small and medium-sized nobles were under his control.
The impact of dozens of corpses...
Was simply incomparable to the few scattered corpses from before.
Besides the kingdom's officials and nobles, various other factions sent many people to investigate.
After confirming that most of the deceased were members of the Death Spreading Sword Sect, a notorious group already wanted by the kingdom...
The major nobles in the area breathed a collective sigh of relief. Upon further investigation and finding it related to adventurers, they simply stopped the inquiry.
After all, the Adventurer's Guild was an organization independent of the state.
As long as the deceased weren't commoners, the nobles wouldn't waste time on this.
Even the administrators sent from the Royal Capital to various places did not investigate further or issue extra orders after clarifying the situation.
Instead, they sent this information back to the Royal Capital.
Naturally, other factions also quickly found out the results. After all, the sequence of events wasn't complicated, but the outcome was somewhat beyond everyone's expectations.
information on the gold-rank adventurer team Free Will began to appear on the desks of various factions.
Lyle's group continued at their usual pace, selling Regeneration Potions at every village or large city they reached.
During this process, no more attacks occurred, as if all the bounty hunters who had targeted them had suddenly vanished.
Dusk.
The pale golden afterglow pierced through the clouds and mist, spilling onto the towering and majestic walls of the Royal Capital, filled with mystery and dignity.
Re-Estize Kingdom.
Royal Capital.
Located at the deepest part of the city was the royal castle Ro-Lente, surrounded by over twenty giant circular towers connected to the walls.
Under the light of dusk, one could faintly see the massive magic circle constructed of magic patterns reflecting a faint glow of mana on the walls.
At the very center of the royal castle...
Stood an exquisite and luxurious palace. This was not only the heart of the royal castle but also the location where many nobles, important ministers, and the King held court meetings—the Valencia Palace.
Inside a magnificently decorated, dignified multi-functional room...
A figure with white, neatly combed hair, an aged face, and a thin body sat on the throne. His withered hand held a scepter, and he wore Crown on his head.
This attire and position clearly indicated his identity—Ramposa III!
At this moment!
Fatigue was faintly visible on Ramposa III's wrinkled face, and Crown on his head felt somewhat heavy. Having just finished a meeting, his energy was already flagging.
He had ascended the throne at 21 and was now 57. Even among other nations, he was considered a long-lived king.
This age was normally when the throne should be passed to a successor, but Ramposa III did not have a suitable one in mind.
Thinking of the secret rivalry between his two sons made Ramposa III feel weary. It wasn't that the two princes weren't capable...
But in Ramposa III's eyes, once he abdicated, regardless of which son ascended, they would likely become Puppets of the Great Nobles behind them.
Ramposa III sighed inwardly. It wasn't just the issue of a successor, but also internal problems within the kingdom and the perennial wars with the Empire.
This series of matters made Ramposa III, already old, feel overwhelmed.
Fortunately, it wasn't all bad news.
Several thoughts flashed through Ramposa III's mind, but his expression remained unchanged, still full of dignity.
He lifted his eyelids slightly and looked at the two figures standing below.
One was Gazef, who had won his way through the Imperial Tournament and was personally awarded the title of Warrior Captain by him.
The other was Leinas, who had defected from the Empire to join the Kingdom's camp, secretly known as the Bloodthirsty Rose and publicly called the Rose of the Kingdom by various parties.
Both were rare Genius figures and assets to the Kingdom.
Faintly...
Ramposa III could also see the other battlefield behind them—the secret struggle between the Royalist Faction and the Noble Faction.
This could also be considered a good thing.
"You two are already aware of the situation. The rest depends on your abilities."
"I hope to see your performance on the Empire's battlefield next year."
A smile appeared on Ramposa III's wrinkled face as his aged voice slowly rang out.
"Yes! Your Majesty!"
Gazef immediately gave a deep bow and spoke respectfully.
Leinas appeared somewhat calm, merely giving a slight curtsy in a noble manner.
The obvious difference in their attitudes did not surprise Ramposa III. Compared to someone like Gazef, who came from a commoner background and lacked worldly experience...
Leinas, being of noble birth, was inherently difficult to make completely loyal.
However...
Ramposa III didn't mind, because as a traitor to the Empire who had joined their Kingdom, Leinas had no third choice.
Even if she betrayed their Kingdom again, no other country would be willing to accept such a person; instead, she would be hunted by two major nations.
So in a sense, Leinas was actually more reliable than Gazef.
Ramposa III nodded slightly and waved his withered hand, signaling that they could leave.
Leinas and Gazef curtsied again and withdrew from the room, walking toward the outside of the Valencia Palace.
The smooth floor and exquisite corridors reflected their figures.
Leinas remained expressionless throughout, appearing cold and unapproachable.
Gazef, following half a step behind, wanted to speak several times but swallowed his words, his expression showing a hint of awkwardness and helplessness.
A fork in the road soon appeared ahead.
Leinas and Gazef both paused in their tracks because a figure had appeared at the front of the fork, blocking their path.
Even with Gazef's character, he couldn't help but be momentarily dazed upon seeing this figure.
It was a very beautiful young girl; even just standing there quietly, she was enough to draw anyone's attention.
Long golden hair flowed smoothly past her ivory neck and over her back. Her cherry-pink lips pursed into a brilliant smile.
Her deep blue eyes, like sapphires, looked at them with a soft light.
Wearing a simple white dress without extra decorations, she appeared holy and pure.
After a moment of daze, Gazef quickly looked away, a hint of fluster in his eyes as he bowed respectfully:
"Renner, Your Highness."
Even though Gazef had never met her, he could determine her identity just by her beautiful appearance.
As expected from the rumors, she truly deserves the name "Golden."
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