Chapter 75: Vivian Knows How to Train Dogs
“He… he broke the stalemate just like that?” Hilna’s heart sank as she watched Kailun effortlessly turn the tables.
The situation had reversed. He now commanded fifty thousand men, while she had only twenty thousand. How could she possibly win?
Despair washed over her. She turned to Shirley, her voice barely above a whisper. “Shirley, should we surrender?”
Hilna, tormented and outmaneuvered, had finally broken.
She was outmatched. Ruling would only bring ruin.
“Your Highness? We haven’t even fought! Why surrender?”
“What else can we do?”
“We break through their lines! Establish our own territory! Regroup and rise again!”
Hilna: “…”
Asking Shirley for advice was as useful as consulting a stray cat.
“Well, Your Highness? Have you made your decision? What’s more important: your life or your wealth?” Kailun, leaving Hilna aside for now, approached Lodis and his companions.
“I… I agree.” Lodis lowered his head, his voice filled with shame.
With Stamp defeated, Kailun held all the cards. His five thousand guards were insignificant, and he was still suffering from the poison.
He realized the kingdom was about to change hands.
But he still had the Divine Church’s support. He would reclaim what he had lost.
He would endure this humiliation.
“But how can I be sure the antidote is real?” he asked.
Kailun, ever prepared, retrieved another contract. “We can sign a contract. It will clearly state that the antidote I provide will cure you of this poison.”
This time, he wasn’t lying. The antidote would indeed cure the current poison. However, it would react with the remnants of the previous antidote, creating a new and even more potent poison.
He had mastered the art of cultivating leeks.
Lodis stared at the contract.
Damn it!
Didn’t he know how infuriating his meticulous planning was?
He felt the same despair Hilna had experienced. His mind was on the verge of breaking.
After a brief negotiation, Kailun obtained five thousand soldiers and a sizable chunk of embezzled funds in exchange for two doses of the antidote. A profitable transaction.
“What about Paul? What about his antidote?” Harry asked, his concern for Paul evident.
“He’ll duel his sister. If he wins, he gets the antidote. If he loses, he suffers. I’m sure someone as blessed by fate as Paul won’t succumb so easily.”
He knew they possessed valuable teleportation scrolls. He wouldn’t force them to stay.
He could deal with the Divine Church later. Lodis still had wealth to be extracted. He could wait.
As for Paul?
His current state was already a source of amusement. If he could squeeze out a few more favorability points, all the better.
Paul’s every struggle was a contribution to his cause. How touching.
“Wake him up. I’ll be with you after I deal with the princess. And please have those assets transferred by the time I return.” He would savor Paul for last. Now, it was time to reap the rewards of his meticulously crafted plan.
Three days of planning had led to this moment. And once he secured his victory, he would use the Xiya Kingdom as a springboard for his global conquest.
He sighed. “What a busy day.”
He walked over to Afra and wrapped his arm around her, feigning weakness. “Let me lean on you. I’m feeling a little… faint.”
“Honestly, Kailun. Don’t take such risks again.” She rolled her eyes, but didn’t pull away.
He might be pretending, but his hand was wandering a little too freely. He was clearly enjoying the feel of her body.
She had to admit, his touch was comforting. Her presence seemed to alleviate his fatigue.
“Well, Princess Hilna? Have you made your decision?” He led Afra towards her.
Both Hilna and Shirley averted their gazes, unable to meet his eyes.
“I have one more question,” Hilna said, taking a deep breath. “You deployed two knight orders. Aren’t you worried about your territory being attacked?”
“Simple. I launched a preemptive strike on the Eternal Fortress. Surprised?”
“You’re mad! Do you have no fear of the Rose Queen’s wrath? You’re leading the Xiya Kingdom to its doom!”
“Our perspectives differ. So, are you willing to save the kingdom? If so, sign the contract. I’m eager to witness this sisterly duel.”
He continued to provoke her. Capturing the Eternal Fortress was essential. Otherwise, the entire kingdom would be vulnerable to the Rose Queen’s aggression.
As for incurring her wrath?
He didn’t care. Their paths would cross eventually. She was just another obstacle to be removed.
Besides, she had attacked his family in his past life. He hadn’t forgotten.
Hilna’s fighting spirit rekindled. “I accept the duel. But we add one rule: no performance-enhancing drugs.”
Surrendering her kingdom to this madman was unthinkable.
“Agreed.” He retrieved the contract, made a few adjustments, and tossed it back to her. “Sign it.”
“Phils, bring me a chair. I want to watch these women fight.”
“Right away!” She scurried off, eager to please.
Vivian, sensing his intentions, approached, a large sword in hand.
Hilna was confused. Wasn’t Vivian a mage? When had she switched to swordsmanship?
“Sister, only one of us will be standing by the end of this.” Vivian raised her sword, its size dwarfing her petite frame.
Hilna’s face darkened. “Must we truly fight to the death?”
“You’ve already signed the contract, Sister. Why the theatrics? Besides, the loser won’t die. They’ll just become a dog.” She glanced at Kailun, offering him a reassuring look. “Kailun said that if I defeat you, I get to be your owner. I’ll starve you, whip you, and make you work all day.”
She voiced her deepest desire. Her greatest regret was failing to turn Kailun into her pet.
Her sister would be a suitable substitute.
“Is that truly what you want?” Hilna’s gaze shifted to Kailun.
“Of course not! What kind of person do you think I am?” He pulled Afra onto his lap, her soft body a welcome distraction. “I prefer to have both sisters. Owning a dog is… optional.”
Hilna: “…You’ll regret this.”
Excellent. Another reason to win.
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