The Grant family had been a powerful force for generations. Their strength came from their accumulated influence over the years. Arthur, the former family patriarch, was a brilliant strategist.In the past, during power struggles, he made wise decisions to form alliances. He rose in the political world, became a significant figure within the family, and earned the title of Earl of Loyalty and Valor.Arthur's authority and military capabilities were comparable to Christopher's and even exceeded him in certain aspects. The only difference was that Christopher achieved his position through battles, while Arthur excelled in politics. Regardless of their paths, they were both remarkable men."Haha! This is great! Sir Arthur is here!""With Sir Arthur here, no one will ever challenge our family again."The arrival of Arthur brought joy to the Grant family, filling them with a renewed sense of relief. They found their source of strength and put their worries to rest."Kate! There is h
"You gonna tear down my place?" Arthur taunted. "Christopher, just because you have your men with you doesn't mean you get to mess around in my territory. Your Murray family may be strong, but they are no match for the Grant family. I won't hold back from taking action because I'm in charge here.""You won't hold back, huh? Let's have a match and see who's tougher!" Christopher rolled up his sleeves, getting ready for a fight.He figured a good fight would be more satisfactory than endless conversation."Christopher, itching for a brawl, aren't you? Alright, I'll find someone you can fight!" Arthur raised his voice and shouted, "Zachary, it's your turn!""Hahaha!" Suddenly, there was an eruption of laughter from all sides.It was so loud that the crowd was forced to cover their ears. Out of nowhere, a crimson figure fell from the sky like a cannonball. The figure landed with a loud explosion that sent rocks flying and a cloud of dust billowing.A strong wind from the explosio
Zachary flashed a sly grin. "Some argue that military strategy and martial arts are two different things. I'm curious if you are the master of combat, or is it my martial arts that will shine?"His words excited the onlookers as they sensed a challenge brewing.It was clear that a duel was going to happen. Christopher was best in strategy and tactics, while Zachary had few rivals in martial arts within the Balerno.Zachary had publicly challenged Christopher, and declining it would ruin Christopher's reputation."Zachary, you're not qualified to take on General Murray. Allow me to take the challenge instead!"Suddenly, a stern and authoritative female voice broke the tension.All eyes turned toward a striking woman in red armor with short silver hair and an intimidating aura. She was carrying a three-foot viridescent sword and radiated a commanding presence."Wow! Look who's here, the Scarlet Warrior!""Gosh, am I imagining things? Dragonmarsh's top Goddess of War has joined in
"What? The God of War? This can't be real!""Oh, my goodness! First, we had the Scarlet Warrior, and now it's Adam, the God of War. Is the world turning upside down?""What's happening? Who could get the Spanners' twins involved?"With Adam's arrival, the scene became even more chaotic.Adam's reputation was comparable to, if not surpassed, Scarlet's. She earned her military rank through combat skill, bravery, and exceptional martial abilities.Conversely, while skilled in martial arts, Adam was also known for his strategic brilliance. During his military service, he won numerous battles, often overcoming numerical and tactical disadvantages with his brilliant plans. He was a mastermind.While Scarlet excelled in combat skills, Adam shone with his exceptional intelligence. These sibling prodigies, known as the Spanners' twins, were unrivaled in military expertise throughout Dragonmarsh."We're in trouble now! The God of War has arrived!" Kate panicked, sweating nervously.Dea
Scarlet was a prominent figure in the nation, establishing herself as a potential leader in the political scene. Zachary may be skilled in martial arts but would not dare to challenge such an influential person."Why are you silent now? Weren't you showing off just now? If you're brave enough, then fight me. Let's see your abilities," Scarlet jeered, shifting everyone's attention to Zachary.Zachary found himself in a dilemma. Acknowledging defeat would damage his reputation. But winning could lead to more trouble, risking consequences from the Martial Arts Union and potential blacklisting."Scarlet, I used to have a close relationship with your father. Is it fair to bring a crowd to my mansion?" Arthur asked seriously.Scarlet replied breezily, "What does your connection with my father have to do with me?""You!" Arthur seethed with anger, feeling embarrassed to be reprimanded by someone younger."Alright, let's calm down," Adam smiled and stepped forward. He turned to Arthur
As more high-ranking officials and nobles continued to arrive, the scene became a mess. Notable figures like the Minister of War, the leader of the Imperial City guards, the Marquis of Riaz's eldest son, and other influential figures from Oakvale arrived. Just looking at this group of VIPs, it was clear they could easily take over Millsburg. Everyone was stunned, with their jaws dropped in disbelief as these prominent figures appeared one after another. It was something they never imagined."Sir Hyde, General Barker, Mr. Schmid, you've finally arrived!" Arthur's face lit up as he greeted his esteemed guests warmly.They were Minister of War, Landon Hyde, Chief of the Imperial City guards, Rhett Barker, and the Marquis of Riaz's eldest son, Neal Schmid. They held considerable influence in Oakvale, and in terms of status and power, they were on the same level as the Spanners' twins.Especially Landon, the leader of the group, held the highest position within Dragonmarsh. Even the
The Harmons thought the Grant family had lost the battle when the Spanners' twins appeared. They had even prepared to be treated as the scapegoats. But Landon and his group appeared like a ray of light, giving them hope. So what if Lord Xenos was here? So what if General Murray was here? Even with the Spanners' twins added to the mix, they weren't a threat to the Grants in front of the high-ranking officials led by the Minister of War."Tyler, it's your engagement day today, but I don't have much to give you. I've carried this emerald with me for many years, and now, I'm passing it to you. "I hope you continue to strive for excellence in the future." Landon smiled as he took out an antique emerald and passed it to Tyler. "Thank you, Sir Hyde." Tyler received it respectfully with both hands. "Lord Grant, is something going on? The atmosphere seems tense." Landon was quick to notice that something was amiss. "Sir Hyde, we've encountered some trouble today. Thankfully, y
"Comparing numbers, now are we? Let's see how many brains you have here!" Scarlet didn't bother wasting her breath at the crowd's uproar and raised her sword. She was obviously irritated. But before she could attack, Dustin stopped her. "Kid, don't act impulsively."With Scarlet's temper, she wasn't afraid to kill. But if she did kill, the consequences would be severe.The people they were up against were of different status. They were Oakvale's high-ranking officials. If Scarlet hurt them, she would be responsible for it. She might even be dismissed. The Spanners were a prominent family and had many enemies. Once they had a weakness, their enemies would use it against them. The prime example was the time he was falsely accused of starting a rebellion. He didn't want Scarlet to get into trouble because of him. "Dustin, these people are despicable and only bully the weak. They will continue their acts if we don't teach them a lesson." Scarlet glared fiercely at the grou
When Dustin heard Felicia's word, his hand briefly hesitated before he placed the chess piece. He smiled and said, "I thought you came to learn chess, but I didn't expect you to be here as a messenger."Felicia gave a light, teasing laugh. "With a mind like yours, how could you not know why I'm here?"She added candidly, "Prince Nathaniel saved my life and welcomed me as an honored guest. It's only right that I repay the favor by helping solve his troubles. I hope that it doesn't bother you.""You're frank and gracious, Ms. Thorns. Why would I take offense?" Dustin replied with a faint smile.He had expected her to start with pleasantries or try to butter him up. So, her bluntness actually caught him off guard."To be honest, Prince Nathaniel has never taken this kind of interest in anyone before," Felicia said as she placed another chess piece on the board. She smiled and continued, "I can tell he truly wants you on his side. And as someone close to him, I'd like to help make
Nathaniel's mansion was huge. It was more like a maze than a home. Even with a detailed layout, Dustin had to stay sharp as he moved through the grounds. After all, blueprints never quite captured the twists and turns of the actual place.Led by a maid, he followed a winding path through the corridors for nearly ten minutes before finally arriving at a guesthouse with a garden.The place was spacious and quiet, filled with birdsong and blooming flowers. It was a secluded spot that was ideal for privacy."Mr. Rhys, you can stay here. If you need anything, just let me know," the maid said. Her gaze was warm with a hint of admiration. She had watched Dustin's performance in the training ground earlier and knew he was an important guest brought in by Nathaniel. If she could catch his attention, it could completely turn her life around.He waved her off and said, "Okay. You can go now. I don't need anyone to attend to me." "Uh… but…" The maid hesitated."Don't worry. I'll explain
The crowd murmured among themselves as they looked at the broken broadsword and the stunned expression on Lycas' face."That strike was insanely fast and dead-on too," someone commented."I never expected General Derin's secret move to be defeated like that. It's unbelievable," another said."I thought General Derin could turn things around for us, but he still lost," a third added.Everyone knew how strong Lycas was. As a fully developed grandmaster with a broadsword, he was supposed to be unstoppable. However, at the critical moment, Dustin's strike shattered his broadsword.Lycas' loss was sudden and almost unbelievable. Some blamed bad luck and thought he could have won if things had gone differently. But those who truly understood what happened knew better.Even with Dustin's movement restricted and Lycas unleashing his strongest technique, he still pierced through the opening with near-impossible timing. That strike wasn't just lucky but masterful. It was a brutal display
Lycas gripped his broadsword with both hands and roared. The sound cracked through the air like a thunderclap.He sidestepped sharply and charged straight at Dustin like a raging bull.The heavy broadsword moved like it weighed nothing in his hands. He swung it with brutal speed. Each arc cut through the air with a sharp, whistling howl, as if it could slice through anything in its path.The broadsword came crashing down on Dustin with bone-crushing force, like a mountain falling from the sky.Lycas threw his full weight into the swing. As the sword descended, the force of the strike stirred up dust from the ground. It sent plumes of dirt in every direction.He knew Dustin was no ordinary opponent. If he wanted a chance to win, he had to make the first move and seize the initiative."Nice form," Dustin said.As Lycas launched a powerful, aggressive attack, Dustin remained calm and unruffled. With effortless grace, he sidestepped without the slightest rush. The broadsword whizz
Bryce knew Dustin was strong, but this was beyond anything he anticipated. Though he had gained the upper hand early on, Bryce still believed his skills matched Dustin's.From his observation, Dustin relied on martial arts techniques and hit-and-run tactics. Plus, he didn't dare to confront Bryce head-on.He had assumed that as long as he found an opening, he could exploit Dustin's weaknesses and defeat him. But when Dustin finally stopped holding back, Bryce realized how wrong he'd been.It turned out Dustin wasn't just playing hit-and-run tactics. Instead, he'd held back the entire time to spare Bryce from an embarrassing defeat.The moment Dustin stopped holding back, Bryce didn't stand a chance. Even without special techniques, Dustin's raw power, speed, and reflexes were enough to crush him.The difference in their abilities was staggering, so much so that no amount of skill could close the gap.And it wasn't just Bryce who was shocked. Except for Nathaniel, who had already
Bryce's request for a fight heated up the atmosphere.Soldiers around the training ground started murmuring among themselves."Lieutenant General Gantz is a legend in our ranks. His combat skills are no joke—he's taken down countless enemies on the battlefield. I haven't seen him in action in years," one young soldier said with awe."Yeah," a veteran agreed. "Lieutenant General Gantz has been through countless battles, and his strength is unmatched. If he steps in, Mr. Rhys might be in for a rough time."After the fight earlier, the soldiers knew firsthand that Dustin was no slouch. Otherwise, he wouldn't have easily defeated the five elite soldiers.But in their minds, no matter how skilled Dustin was, he stood no chance against Bryce.Bryce was a grandmaster not just in rank but in skill, physical strength, and battlefield experience. He was stronger than any expert from the martial world.Nathaniel had once recruited several grandmaster martial artists to spar with them, but
"Your Highness, the soldiers under me are trained solely in killing techniques. If they hurt your guest, things could get ugly," Lycas said.He didn't say it outright, but the message was clear. If Dustin wasn't strong enough, he'd better stay out of the way, or he was just asking for trouble.Bryce didn't say anything, but the look he gave Dustin was full of contempt. How could a pampered young man like Dustin measure up to soldiers who've been through the grind? He figured Dustin was probably some heir from a prominent family who knew Nathaniel and was trying to assert his relevance."You guys are blind to greatness when it's standing right in front of you." Nathaniel chuckled and shook his head. He added, "If any of you manage to land a hit on Mr. Rhys, I'll pay out a thousand gold. But honestly, I doubt any of you have what it takes."At the mention of rewards, the soldiers perked up. Their eyes lit up with excitement. They were practically itching to charge at Dustin and g
During the meal, Nathaniel arranged for two women to accompany Dustin.Throughout history, even the greatest heroes couldn't resist the allure of beautiful women. Sometimes, a woman of extraordinary beauty could be far more enticing than rare treasures or high status.Dustin remained composed. He neither showed any enthusiasm nor did he deliberately reject it.As for the women seated on either side of him, he treated them with polite respect. He enjoyed a drink and the easy conversation with them, but nothing beyond that.However, Nathaniel saw it differently. To him, it seemed that Dustin was unimpressed by the women at his side.Considering Dustin's background, it made sense. A woman of ordinary beauty would never catch his attention. Nathaniel realized he would need to pull out all the stops. Perhaps, it was time to bring out his most prized companion and see how Dustin responded.After the meal, he led Dustin to his mansion's training ground.The midday sun blazed overhead
"This…" Dustin began.He hesitated on purpose and didn't give an immediate answer.Upon seeing him deep in thought, Nathaniel was convinced that Dustin was weighing the pros and cons. He leaned in slightly, his smile widening with anticipation. "You should know how much the Dracan essence means to me," he said. "If I can gather all the essences, it’d be like fate is on my side. My path to the throne would be unstoppable—and when that time comes, your reward will be waiting."As he spoke, his gaze stayed on Dustin as he searched for any sign of hesitation in his expression.Dustin looked up and met his eyes. For a moment, something unreadable flickered in his gaze.He pressed his lips together and spoke slowly. "You're right, Your Highness. But it wasn't easy to find the Dracan essence. I went through quite a few twists and turns. Besides, if I give it to you, it might put me at odds with the other two princes."He paused deliberately and left the rest unsaid. Still, the concern