Chapter 74: Why Can’t Mages Fight Up Close?
“What did I do? Isn’t this the poison you used, Princess Hilna? I just happen to have the antidote.” Kailun’s expression was a picture of innocence.
Hilna, still studying the contract, felt a wave of anger.
So he had been holding onto that trump card this entire time? He had planned for even this?
Her gaze fell upon Vivian’s name on the contract, a mixture of emotions swirling within her.
A sense of inadequacy washed over her. She felt utterly useless.
“You were involved in that poisoning too? You’re despicable! No wonder you didn’t touch any of those women! You had this planned all along!” Lodis pointed an accusing finger at Kailun. “You’re finished! No one will ever invite you to a banquet again!”
Kailun merely shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. I’ll just poison them secretly.”
Lodis choked, sputtering in outrage. Was he trying to kill him with anger?
“You… you… you…”
“Oh, I almost forgot to mention. The second wave of this poison is usually fatal. You have about a day left to live. So if you’re planning to run, I suggest you do it now. Go enjoy a few more banquets while you still can.”
“Harry, is he telling the truth?” Lodis turned to Harry, his voice trembling.
Harry nodded grimly. “He’s right. This poison is potent. I can feel my life force draining away. At this rate, we won’t survive until the Saint and Saintess arrive.”
He glanced at Paul, who was writhing on the ground, his face contorted in pain.
“What do you want?” Lodis, struggling to endure the agony, asked Kailun.
“Simple. Surrender your command and return the assets you embezzled. No more free lunches.”
“Can’t we choose a duel instead?”
Kailun tossed the contract towards Paul. “The duel is a personal matter between Anna and Paul. It has nothing to do with you. You can buy your lives with your command. Think carefully. Duke Stamp has already signed.”
He examined the returned contract, a satisfied smile on his face.
Military command, in this context, was more akin to a specialized employment contract, binding the soldiers to their leader.
Transferring command meant transferring this contract. Confident in his abilities, Stamp had chosen to sign and duel Kailun.
He had no time to waste. Every second that passed meant more of his family slaughtered.
“A wise choice. As per the contract, no restrictions on weapons or methods. One-on-one combat until one party is incapacitated.” Kailun outlined the rules. The contract was straightforward.
He didn’t pressure Hilna. She wouldn’t sign unless she felt the full weight of her predicament.
Stamp was his leverage. He was, after all, on Kailun’s personal blacklist.
“Duke Stamp might be past his prime, but he’s still close to sixth-tier. Are you sure you don’t need my help?” Afra asked, concern evident in her voice.
Trust didn’t negate worry.
“Don’t worry. He’s just an old man. This will be over quickly.” He kissed her forehead and, taking her sword, stepped off the stage.
“Aren’t you a mage?” Stamp asked, bewildered.
“Who says mages can’t fight up close? That’s prejudice.”
Kailun, clad in his suit, sword in hand, looked like a harmless nobleman.
He seemed completely out of place wielding a weapon.
All eyes were on them. Winnie silently prayed for his death. Hilna hoped he would at least be crippled.
Kailun, feeling their gazes upon him, retrieved a small bottle of candy and poured the contents into his mouth.
He crunched on the candy, then tossed the empty bottle to the ground, where it shattered.
“You’re using forbidden drugs? No wonder your aura has surged! You’ve reached the fourth tier! But it’s not enough! You’re still far weaker than me!” Stamp, sensing the shift in Kailun’s power, nodded thoughtfully.
“Victory demands sacrifice.” Kailun’s voice was firm.
He licked his teeth, grimacing at the sticky residue. He would need to brush his teeth extra thoroughly later.
That was the price he was willing to pay.
Vivian and Afra: “…”
If they hadn’t known he had just eaten candy, they might have actually believed him. Vivian, thanks to the swapped antidote, was all too familiar with his deceptive tactics. Afra, having grown up with him, knew his love for sweets.
Carol, too, suspected the truth, her intuition guiding her.
Kailun stretched, then smiled at Stamp. “Do you remember what you called me when we first met?”
“Little bas…”
Stamp’s words were cut short.
“Whoosh!”
A gust of wind swept past. He clutched his throat, warm liquid staining his hand.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
He had lost before he could even draw his sword?
“Thud!”
He collapsed, blood gushing from his neck.
“I hate it when people insult me. You owe me one for that.” Kailun wiped the blood from his blade, his expression unreadable.
Prioritizing Agility, with a touch of Strength, was a potent combination.
Even with Afra’s boost, he could have handled Stamp even if he had been two tiers stronger.
“Father!” Barr, reacting belatedly, rushed forward and cradled his father’s body, tears streaming down his face. “You monster! Why did you kill him? He did nothing wrong!”
Kailun ignored him, his gaze cold as he approached, sword raised.
“Thud!”
Barr collapsed on top of his father.
They might not have done anything yet, but Kailun remembered their future transgressions.
Feigning exhaustion, he walked towards Stamp’s army, the contract clutched in his hand. “According to this contract, you are now under my command. I suggest you cooperate. Unless you want your families to suffer.”
It was a blatant threat, but an effective one.
His bloodstained sword, his sinister smile… he was the devil incarnate.
“Thud!”
One by one, they knelt, their heads bowed in submission.
“I instructed my knights to target only the Stamp family. No civilians were harmed. No property was seized. Your families are safe. They are under the protection of the Kate family.” He surveyed the kneeling soldiers, a satisfied smile on his face.
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