Chapter 2571
At that moment, Percival truly panicked. Earlier, he had only worried about being implicated. But now, faced with such a serious accusation, he was completely caught off guard.
“Hmph! The evidence is irrefutable, and you still dare deny it? Do you want to torture the truth out of you?”
Austin barked.
“Your Highness, I'm innocent!” Percival was so terrified he was on the verge of tears.
He raised his hand and swore, “If | had anything to do with Jovian’s death, may | be damned for eternity.”
“If swearing oaths proved innocence, we wouldn't need an enforcement team,” Austin said coldly. “Out of respect for your years of service to West Lucozia, I'll give you a chance to clean and receive a lighter
sentence. Tell the truth now, or Ill throw you into Grimhold Keep.”
At the mention of Grimhold Keep, Percival began to shake uncontrollably. Tears and snot ran down his face as he wailed, “Your Highness, | swear | didn’t do anything. Who's the bastard making up these accusations? | demand to confront him face -to-face.”
“Oh? You want to know who reported you? Are you planning to silence him?” Austin narrowed his eyes as he glared at him.
“I wouldn't dare, Your Highness. I've been framed. You're too wise to be fooled by these baseless accusations,”
Percival pleaded.
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“The informant is highly respected and holds a position of great honor. | have no reason to doubt his words,”
Austin replied.
Upon hearing that, Percival seemed to connect the dots. He suddenly raised his head and asked, “Was it Warrick Prescott who accused me? That scoundrel is settingup, isn't he?”
“Mr. Prescott is an honorable man. He wouldn't accuse you without solid evidence,” Austin said.
“So, it is him. That scoundrel setup.” Percival’s face twisted with anger and despair.
He had already felt suspicious when he saw Warrick chatting and laughing with Axel from the enforcement team.
His doubts deepened when he overheard a royal guard mention that Austin was hosting a banquet for Warrick.
At first, he didn’t think much of it, but now it all made sense. Warrick was shifting the blfor Jovian’s death onto him.
“That scoundrel!” he cursed in his head. ” If he’s playing dirty, | won't hold back either.”
Percival gritted his teeth. Throwing caution to the wind, he decided to reveal everything.
“Your Highness, | know exactly how Jovian died. Warrick is lying. He and Huxley are the real murderers. They conspired to extract secrets from Jovian, and that’s why they killed him. If anyone deserves punishment, it’s those two scoundrels.”
Austin raised an eyebrow, looking skeptical. “You're not just trying to shift the blonto them, are you?”
“I swear on my life that every word | just said is true. If I'm lying, I'm willing to be executed,” Percival declared with conviction.
“Mr. Prescott accused you of murder, and now you’re accusing him. So, who am | supposed to believe?” Austin looked conflicted.
“If Your Highness doubts me, then summon that scoundrel here. I'm ready to confront him and clear my name,”
Percival insisted with unwavering determination.
“And what would that accomplish? You'll both just keep pointing fingers at each other, and the argument will never cease.
What we need is evidence,” Austin said sternly.
He continued, “You're accusing Mr. Prescott and Mr. Thatcher of murdering Jovian. Do you have proof? Or at least a witness?”
“Evidence?”
Percival paused to gather his thoughts. After a while, his eyes lit up, and he quickly said, “I know the locations of their secret hideouts and several of their covert connections. If you investigate them, you'll find the evidence
you need.”
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“What if we find nothing?” Austin raised an eyebrow.
“Then, I'll accept whatever punishment you deem fit.”
Percival was going all in now. Since Warrick and Huxley had betrayed him, he had no intention of showing mercy.
If it cdown to it, he was ready to go down fighting and burn every bridge behind him.
“Axel, take Mr. Wentworth and investigate immediately. Report back as soon as you have news,” Austin ordered, gesturing to the man standing nearby.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Axel responded before leading Percival away.
The enforcement team’s earlier investigation had been going in circles. With corrupt officials covering for one another, finding a lead in such a short thad been nearly impossible.
But with Percival as an informant, everything changed. Dead ends turned into clues, and hidden connections were dragged into the light.
Percival held nothing back. He exposed Warrick and Huxley's shady dealings, personal vices, and weaknesses. It was either their downfall or his.
With Percival’s full cooperation, the palace enforcement team launched a citywide crackdown, rounding up suspects one after another.
Warrick and Huxley's corrupt dealings and illicit operations were exposed, and even the crimes they had buried for years finally to light.
Chapter 2572
Night had fallen. Austin sat in the meeting room, quietly reading a book as he waited for the results of the investigation.
After successfully turning Percival against his allies, it was only a matter of tbefore they uncovered solid evidence of Warrick and Huxley's crimes.
For years, the castle had turned a blind eye to their shady dealings. After all, corruption among officials was nothing new.
But this twas different. The two had secretly orchestrated Jovian’s murder, a direct challenge to the authority and dignity of the royal family. Such defiance couldn’t be ignored. If Austin didn’t set an example, others would
surely follow.
“Your Highness!”
Axel burst into the meeting room, panting heavily. He had clearly run the whole way to avoid any delay.
Austin set his book aside and asked calmly, “Well? How did it go?”
“Your Highness, we've completely shut down all of Warrick and Huxley's illicit operations. Every hidden network
they had built over the years has also been dismantled,” Axel reported.
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He went on, “We've also gathered extensive evidence of their crimes. Every offense is documented in detail.
Please take a look, Your Highness.”
He handed over a thick stack of documents with both hands.
Austin took it and started flipping through the pages. After reading just two, his expression darkened.
He had anticipated Warrick and Huxley to be corrupt, but seeing the full extent of their atrocities made his blood boil. They had abused their power, committing murder, theft, and countless other crimes.
Over the years, they had been responsible for hundreds of deaths, and that was only what had been uncovered.
There were likely even more that had gone unrecorded. Worse, their families were just as guilty, using their influence to oppress and exploit innocent people.
Austin was stunned to discover how much corruption had been festering beneath the grandeur of the West Lucozia monarchy.
“Those two bastards.... Their crimes are unforgivable-no punishment could ever be enough for their vile deeds.”
Halfway through the documents, Austin angrily threw them to the floor. His face darkened with rage.
Apart from Jovian’s murder, the crimes listed were more than enough to warrant Warrick and Huxley's execution.
“Your Highness, just give the order, and I'll lead the enforcement team to raid their estates immediately,” Axel said indignantly.
Anyone with a shred of decency would have been outraged after reading that file.
“They will face justice, but first, | need to get sanswers out of them,” Austin said, struggling to contain his anger. His expression grew even darker. “Bring Huxley to me.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Axel replied and left the room.
Not long after, he returned with Huxley in tow.
After being confined in the castle all day, Huxley was clearly restless. His irritation showed, and his attitude toward Austin was noticeably less respectful than before.
“Your Highness, | have pressing matters at hto attend to. When will | be allowed to leave?” he asked.
“Leave?” Austin scoffed coldly. “You won't be going anywhere tonight.”
“What do you mean by that?” Huxley frowned. “I’ve always followed the law and never crossed you. Why are you targeting me?”
“The law? You've got snerve saying that with a straight face,” Austin said sarcastically.
“I know you're biased against me, Your Highness, but I'm not holding it against you. Accusations need evidence.
If you have proof, show me. Otherwise, letgo and quit abusing your power.” Huxley spoke with conviction.
Follow on mediaurdu.blogspot.com“You want evidence? Well, I've been waiting for you to say that!”
Austin grabbed the stack of documents on the table and flung them at Huxley's face. The impact sent him staggering back, and blood trickled from his nose.
“You-"
Huxley winced in pain and was about to lash out, but as he glanced down, his whole body stiffened. He felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
Scattered across the floor were documents exposing crimes that had long been buried -letters from victims”
families, records of illegal transactions, and even photos of assault and pillaging.
Each crwas laid out in stark detail. And in those photos, the man committing them was undeniably him.
“H-How is this possible?” Huxley's eyes widened in disbelief.
After every crime, he had made sure his subordinates cleaned up the scene to prevent future problems. Most victims could be bought off. Those who weren't so easy to handle were either threatened or bribed.
If Huxley ever ran into someone who wasn’t afraid to die, he’d dump them into the sea to feed the fish, so their bodies. could never be found.
For years, he had operated without leaving a trace. So, how had all of this cto light now?
What had gone wrong?
Chapter 2573
“You bastard! With all this evidence in front of you, what do you have to say for yourself?” Austin barked.
“Your Highness, please letexplain...” Huxley broke out in a cold sweat, his voice trembling with panic.
“This is a lie. Someone's trying to frme! I've always followed the law-how could | possibly be involved in
something so vile?”
“The evidence is right in front of you, and you're still trying to weasel out of it?” Austin shot back. “Looks like you
won't confess until death is knocking at your door.”
He raised his hand and ordered, “Guards, throw him into Grimhold Keep. Use whatever means necessary-let’s
see how long he keeps up this act.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
A squad of enforcement team members rushed in and surrounded Huxley.
Cornered, Huxley finally lost his nerve. He dropped to his knees with a thud and begged, “Your Highness, | admit
| made a grave mistake.”
His voice cracked as he continued, “I wasn’t thinking clearly at the time. Please, for the sake of my years of
service to West Lucozia, showsmercy! From now on, | will serve you with my full loyalty.”
He lowered his head in a deep bow as he finished.
Huxley had no idea where the evidence had cfrom, but one thing was certain-if Austin pursued this to the
Follow on mediaurdu.blogspot.comend, it could mean the annihilation of his entire family.
At that moment, pride and dignity meant nothing-only survival mattered. As long as he could keep his wealth
and status, he would do anything-even becAustin’s lapdog.
“You were so defiant earlier. Where'd all that bravado go?” Austin sneered.
“I was a fool. | thought I could deceive you, but you saw right through me. | see now | never could've fooled you.
| was wrong, and | won't do it again.”
Huxley kept his head low and didn’t dare to breathe too loudly. His fate was in Austin’s hands now. All he could
do was hope for mercy and pray that Austin might spare him. He'd give up everything if it meant keeping his life.
Defiance was no longer an option. The enforcement team surrounding him were elite fighters-the best he'd ever
encountered. He stood no chance against them.
Even if he escaped the castle, what then? He could run, but there'd be nowhere to hide. And what about his
family?
“You don’t regret your actions. You just know you're about to die, don’t you?” Austin’s voice was ice cold. “Your
crimes are beyond forgiveness. If | let you go, how
could | expect anyone else to follow the
law?”
Huxley's face turned ashen, like all the colors had been drained out of him. Still, he clung to a sliver of hope.
“Your Highness, I've served West Lucozia for years. | may not have accomplished great deeds, but I've worked
hard. Even if I've made mistakes, | don’t deserve to be executed. Please... have mercy.”
“Fuck you!” Austin snapped and kicked him to the floor. “You've burned, killed, and looted without a second
thought-and you call that a ‘mistake’? You're lucky | haven't flayed you alive.”
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He raised his hand and ordered, “Drag him out and give
him 50 lashes. If he’s still alive, bring him back for further questioning.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Axel pulled out the Dragon Rope and bound Huxley tightly before dragging him out. The rope sealed his
cultivation, and he couldn't even use his true energy.
Axel then threw him down and lashed him with the punishment rod. He put all his strength into every blow,
showing no mercy.
By the tthe final strike landed, Huxley's back and thighs were a mangled mess of torn flesh and blood. He
blacked out at one point, but Axel doused him with cold water to wake him up.
Afterward, Axel dragged him back into the meeting room.
Huxley was so battered he couldn't even beg for mercy. His head hung low, and he looked barely alive.
“I'll ask you one question at a time. Answer truthfully, and I'll grant you a quick death. Lie, and you'll experience
every one of Grimhold Keep’s 108 tortures. Understood?
“Austin shouted condescendingly.
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“Yes... | understand,” Huxley rasped weakly.
“Is Jovian still alive?” Austin demanded.
“H-he’s dead...” Huxley didn’t dare to hide the truth.
“Where's the body? Who killed him?”
“Mr. Prescott sent assassins to ambush him. Jovian refused to be captured and took his own life.” Huxley
hesitated before adding, “As for his body... Mr. Prescott already had it incinerated.”
Austin frowned. He had expected as much, but hearing there were no remains only fueled his fury.
“Take him away and have him sign his confession,” he ordered.
Two guards immediately stepped forward and hauled Huxley to his feet.
“Your Highness... | deserve to be executed for my crimes, but my family is innocent. Please have mercy on
them...” Huxley pleaded, looking utterly miserable. He knew his fate was sealed and could only hope his loved
ones wouldn't be dragged down with him.
“You've spent years embezzling and abusing your power,” Austin said coldly. ” Your family has benefited just as
much-they’re far from innocent.”
He had no patience for further discussion. With a wave of his hand, he ordered, “Take him away. Lock him up and
keep him under close watch. At noon tomorrow, execute him in public.”
Chapter 2574
The ashen-faced Huxley was dragged away. With his crimes exposed, his fate was sealed. His entire family would
be implicated, and their assets would be seized.
Those guilty would be punished, and even those who had merely benefited from his corruption would be held
accountable. To put it bluntly, Huxley's entire family was about to be annihilated.
Austin issued his next order once the bloodstains were cleaned up. “Axel, it’s tto bring in the mastermind.”
With Huxley dealt with, the next step was to confront Warrick.
Unlike Huxley, Warrick wouldn't be easy to deal with. After all, he commanded a large number of troops. If
backed into a corner, he could beca major threat.
“Understood!” Axel responded respectfully, then turned to his subordinates, “Gather more men and cwith
me.”
Warrick had earned his prestigious position through years of fierce battles. On the battlefield, he was a one-man
army, a warrior capable of taking on thousands. His strength was beyond what most could imagine.
Even though Axel was a grandmaster martial artist, he had no confidence in facing someone like Warrick alone.
After all, an aging tiger still had its claws. Warrick hadn’t seen the battlefield in years, but he remained a
formidable force.
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If it cdown to a fight, the outcwas uncertain. To be safe, Axel knew he needed backup. Once his team
was ready, he swiftly led them toward the parlor.
Earlier, to keep Warrick occupied, Austin had invited him to dinner. Now, at the parlor, Warrick had no idea that
danger was closing in.
“Surround the place!”
As they approached the parlor, Axel ordered his elite enforcement team to seal off every entrance and exit. He
strode forward with four elite guards at his side and pushed open the door.
Inside, Warrick was leisurely sipping tea.
He appeared calm and indifferent, as if Axel’s presence meant nothing to him.
“Sir Prescott, Lord Austin requests your presence.”
Axel’s gaze locked onto Warrick. His right hand rested on his sword hilt, every muscle tense with caution.
Behind him, his four elite guards mirrored his stance. If Warrick made any sudden moves, they wouldn't hesitate
to draw their swords.
“His Highness keeps summoningback and forth. What exactly does he want this time?”
As Warrick stood, an invisible pressure filled the room. Everyone felt like a boulder had been placed on their
shoulders, their breaths growing heavy.
“I'm just following orders, not asking questions. If you have something to say, speak directly to His Highness,”
Axel replied flatly.
“Fine. I'll go with you, but | hope we can settle this once and for all.” Warrick cracked his neck before walking out
the door.
Axel signaled to his men, and they split into two teams-one moving left and the other right. They quickly
surrounded Warrick and followed closely behind.
Five minutes later, Warrick was back in the meeting room.
This time, however, the room was heavily guarded. Dozens of elite enforcement team members stood watch
inside and out, and more hid in the shadows, waiting for the signal to strike.
Warrick scanned the room, taking in the heightened security. He chuckled softly but said nothing. He calmly
walked inside and stepped right into the enforcement team’s trap.
“Your Highness, from the looks of this setup, it seems you don’t plan on lettingsleep tonight?”
Upon seeing Austin, Warrick skipped any pleasantries. He sat down and spoke plainly. His calm demeanor made
Follow on mediaurdu.blogspot.comit seem like he was a mere guest.
“Huxley has confessed. He claims you were responsible for Jovian’s death. What do you have to say for
yourself?” Austin asked coldly.
“What difference does it make if he confesses or not?” Warrick picked up his teacup and took a slow sip.
“Your Highness, | don’t understand. Why would someone from the Ballard family in Oakvale-a nobody-be worth
all this trouble?” he asked. “Is it worth turning against us, the men who have served you for years? Letask
you-are you from West Lucozia or Oakvale?”
“Who Jovian was doesn’t matter. His background doesn’t matter. What matters is that he was a guest of my
family. By harming him, you've insulted and disrespected the royal court. Do you think Ill let that slide?” Austin’s
voice was ice-cold.
“If this is just about making things right, I'll admit | was wrong. | can write a letter of repentance and even
relinquish my military command. Would that be enough? “Warrick asked.
“If you'd admitted your guilt the first t| asked, | might have pleaded for leniency on your behalf. But now it's
too late.”
Austin grabbed the evidence from the table and threw it at Warrick’s feet.
His voice turned even colder. “Your crimes aren't limited to one or two offenses. The lives you've destroyed
aren't just one or two. If | let you go, how will | explain myself to my father? To the people of West Lucozia? No
matter what, you must be executed.”
Chapter 2575
Austin’s words were strong and commanding, each one landing like a thunderclap.
Warrick felt the weight of his presence. His brow furrowed for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.
He glanced at the so-called evidence on the floor, showing no sign of panic or guilt. Instead, he said indifferently,
“Your Highness, these dead men were nothing more than ants. Is this really worth making such a fuss over? |
doubt you haven't killed anyone before.”
As the old saying went, the higher one climbed, the heavier one’s purse. Warrick had clawed his way up, risking
his life at every step for the sake of rising above the masses.
Everyone had their own desires-ssought fame, others fortune. Swere greedy for money, sfor
power, and others reveled in the adoration of the masses.
To achieve those things, one inevitably had to engage in shady dealings. It was an unspoken rule among officials,
and Warrick saw nothing wrong with it.
“Ants?” Austin sneered. “Without these ‘ ants’ to support you, would you be living so comfortably? You threw
your weight around like a petty despot. If you're not stopped, others will follow your example.
And letmake one thing clear-while |
may have been idle in the past, I've never
taken innocent lives.”
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“Your Highness, just because you haven't done it doesn’t mean others can’t,”
Warrick replied coolly.
He went on, “Look around West Lucozia. How many officials do you think are truly clean? If you investigate
thoroughly, | guarantee at least 90% of high-ranking officials have dirt on their hands. By your logic, shouldn't
they all be executed? Do you really think you can kill them all?”
“First, not all officials are like you. Second, if they are as you say, then I'll punish every single one. Does that
answer satisfy you?” Austin shot back.
“So, it seems there's no room for negotiation today?” Warrick’s eyes narrowed slightly, and a glint of cold light
flashed within them.
He had served as a general in West Lucozia for years and had always been careful. Plus, he had already prepared
an escape plan. If things truly reached a dead end, he could leave West Lucozia behind and continue living freely
elsewhere.
“Negotiation?” Austin scoffed. “I didn’t call you here to negotiate. | called you here to confess.”
“Confess?” Warrick burst into laughter. ” I've fought on the battlefield for years, winning every fight and crushing
every enemy in my path. Do you know how many have died under my command? Tens of thousands. And now
you wantto confess to killing a few lowly commoners? What a joke.”
When his laughter died down, Warrick sprang to his feet with a fierce look on his face.
“Listen here, Austin Rhys! When | was out conquering lands for West Lucozia, you weren't even born. You're just
a spoiled brat who grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth. What gives you the right to lecture me? If your
father were here, maybe I'd listen.”
With the facade of civility shattered, Warrick no longer held back. To him, this arrogant young noble had no
authority to judge him.
When Warrick was in a good mood, he might address him as “Your Highness”. But when he wasn’t, he wouldn't
hesitate to throw a punch. With Rufus’ health declining, Warrick felt he had little to fear.
“What? Are you planning to rebel?” Austin asked coldly.
“So what if | am?”
Warrick stomped down, and the floor cracked a foot deep beneath him. The entire meeting room trembled as a
powerful force surged through the air.
A suffocating force crashed over the room. The temperature dropped sharply, and everything seemed to freeze
in place.
Axel and his elite enforcement team drew their blades. The hidden troops stationed nearby noticed the
commotion and rushed in without hesitation.
Half of them surrounded Warrick, while the other half formed a protective barrier in front of Austin.
“Punk! Do you think you can stopwith these guards? What a joke!” Warrick scanned the room with disdain.
Follow on mediaurdu.blogspot.com“Back in my prime, | rode into battle alone and carved through enemy lines seven, even eight times over. What
makes you think I'd fear a few hundred men?”
Austin remained calm. “I know how strong you are. That's why | laced your tea with Tranqurin-colorless,
tasteless, and impossible to detect.
“If you don’t try to use your strength, you might not notice anything. But the moment you do, the drug will kick
in. In the tit takes to finish a cup of tea, your limbs will go weak, and you won't be able to fight back.”
“Tranqurin?”
Warrick’s face darkened. “You sneaky bastard! You actually drugged me? And here | thought you were Prince
Rufus’ son and had ssemblance of honor.”
“Desperate times call for desperate measures. Besides, | never claimed to be a saint. What use do | have for
honor?” Austin stated matter-of-factly.
“You little-"
Warrick was furious and moved to strike, but his body suddenly felt impossibly heavy, as if weighed down by
lead. The internal energy in his circulatory pathways thickened like mercury, slowing to a crawl and refusing to
gather.
Tranqurin was a rare poison designed specifically to incapacitate a grandmaster martial artist. It wasn’t lethal,
but within moments, it could strip a person of all mobility.
“Seize him!”
Spotting the perfect opening, Axel gave the order and charged forward with his men
Chapter 2576
If Warrick had been at his peak, Axel might have been more cautious.
But with Tranqurin coursing through his vein, Warrick had barely a fraction of his usual strength left. His power was still fading, and Axel wasn't about to waste the opportunity. He had to capture Warrick while he had the chance.
"Get the hell out of my way!" As the enforcers closed in, Warrick let out a furious roar and slammed his massive fist into the floor.
With a loud explosion, the earth shook violently. The ground within dozens of yards cracked and caved in, splitting apart like a spiderweb. A powerful shockwave tore through the air, sending dirt flying and walls shattering. The entire meeting room collapsed into ruins.
The elite enforcers, caught in the blast, were flung backward like ragdolls. They crashed to the ground, disoriented and battered. Even Axel was thrown back more than ten yards.
Warrick panted heavily, his face pale and drenched in sweat. Forcing his internal energy into action had only accelerated the Tranqurin's effects. He knew that if this dragged on, he wouldn't survive the night.
"Austin! One day, I swear, you'll pay for this." With a final furious shout, he pushed off the ground and shot 30 feet into the air. He vaulted over the courtyard wall in a single leap.
Follow on mediaurdu.blogspot.com"After him!" Axel didn't hesitate. He made a snap decision and led his elite enforcement squad in pursuit.
At the stime, the emergency horn blared.
The West Lucozian castle instantly went into lockdown. Every entrance and exit was sealed as royal guards were mobilized to form a tighteningaround the fleeing Warrick.
Austin stood still, gazing into the distance with an unreadable expression. Whether he was pleased, angry, or indifferent, no one could tell.
Warrick had been drugged and was now trapped inside the castle. If he still managed to escape, it would mean fate was on his side.
Under the dark night sky, Warrick sprinted like a streak of lightning. He had blocked several of his own vital pressure points to slow the drug, but it was only a stopgap he knew it wouldn't last.
At most, he had half an hour before his strength completely gave out, leaving him an easy target. His only chance was to break out of the castle and reach his safe house before tran out.
"Stop him! Don't let him escape!" Shouts echoed from all directions as royal guards closed in.
Every path and exit had been sealed. There was nowhere left to run.
"Damn it!" Warrick skidded to a stop and scanned his surroundings for an escape route.
The West Lucozian castle was enormous. He had been here countless times, but he always followed the sfamiliar paths. Now, with enemies closing in from all sides, he had lost his bearings. Panic crept in as he realized he had no idea where he was.
With royal guards advancing from every direction, Warrick had no tto think. If the guards caught up to him, the situation would only get worse.
"Screw it! I'll take my chances." He glanced around, picked a direction on instinct, and took off. Fighting wasn't his goal-escaping was.
Even when guards closed in, he didn't slow down. With the brute strength of a warrior halfway to becoming an ultimate grandmaster, he smashed through them like a battering ram.
Ordinary guards had no chance of stopping him. Even in his weakened state, his strength was still beyond anything they could handle.
They couldn't stop him, but they could slow him down. And even a delay of just a second or two was enough for more guards to converge.
Follow on mediaurdu.blogspot.com"Deploy the Dragon-Binding Net!" Axel commanded as he led an elite squad to surround Warrick. With precise coordination, 20 men cast a goldenand trapped Warrick.
Thewas woven from Dragon Ropes, and each strand was worth a fortune. It was designed specifically to subdue grandmaster martial artists and above.
Once trapped under the Dragon-Binding Net, any grandmaster martial artist would find by their cultivation suppressed. The ropes were nearly indestructible, resistant to blades, and impervious to fire and water. Even the most powerful grandmaster martial artist couldn't break free.
Warrick let out a furious roar as he struggled against the net. He tried to tear the ropes apart but found they held firm. The harder he struggled, the tighter theconstricted around him. "Hold him down! Don't let him get up!" Feeling the immense force within the net, Axel's face hardened. He quickly signaled his men to pull the ropes tighter and press down with everything they had.
"You cowards! Get the hell off me!" Warrick bellowed and grabbed the net. He flung it violently to the side.
The ten men on the left flank were thrown backward, crashing to the ground one after another.
Axel's eyes widened in shock. Even weakened by the Tranqurin, Warrick's strength was terrifying of this was what he could do in his current state, how unstoppable would he be at his peak?
Chapter 2577
Axel had no tto hesitate. He lunged forward and grabbed the overturned Dragon-Binding Net. Then, he used every ounce of his strength to pin Warrick down again.
"Get over here! We have to keep him restrained." As thestrained under Warrick's sheer power, Axel let out a roar and pushed his cultivation to the limit. His veins bulged and blood pounded in his ears. He threw every last bit of strength into holding Warrick down.
For now, he managed to pin Warrick down, but the elite enforcement unit on the other side wasn't faring well. Warrick thrashed wildly, sending more than a dozen men swinging through the air. Sslammed into trees, while others crashed into walls. Within moments, the Dragon-Bindingflipped over again.
Several elite enforcement units tried to rush in and help, but they barely got close before getting hit by their own airborne comrades and sent flying.
Against Warrick's Divine Strength, they were utterly outmatched. The regular guards didn't stand a chance.
Axel was the only one on the field who could match Warrick in raw power, but no matter how hard he fought, he couldn't control the Dragon-Bindingalone.
The moment Warrick overturned it a second time, he seized the opening and slipped free. He didn't dare pause for even a second. Turning on his heel, he bolted at full speed.
Follow on mediaurdu.blogspot.comNow wasn't the tfor a drawn-out fight. He could feel his strength draining fast.
"After him! Don't let him escape!" Unwilling to accept defeat, Axel tossed the Dragon-Bindingaside and charged forward with his blade. If Warrick still managed to escape in this situation, then he had no right to call himself the captain of the enforcement team.
The pursuit continued.
Warrick sprinted ahead while Axel chased him down, and hundreds of elite enforcers followed close behind. Smashing through obstacles, Warrick crashed through over a dozen walls before finally spotting an exit. The castle's back gate was less than 100 yards away. At his speed, he could reach it in just a few seconds. "Haha! Looks like luck's on my side." Hope flared in Warrick's chest, and he pushed forward at full speed.
But just as he vaulted over the outer wall, a storm of arrows whistled through the night air. They poured down in a relentless barrage and grew so dense they nearly blotted out the sky.
The castle had been on lockdown for stime, and hundreds of soldiers were stationed beyond the walls. Anyone who tried to scale the walls would be shot on sight without hesitation.
An ordinary grandmaster martial artist, especially after being poisoned with Tranqurin, would have been riddled with arrows-skewered from all sides. From afar, they would look like a porcupine.
But Warrick was different. He was halfway to becoming an ultimate grandmaster, and he had been born with Divine Strength and a body as tough as iron.
When the arrows cdown, he didn't bother using his internal energy for protection. Instead, he raised his arms to shield his face and charged straight through the hail of arrows.
"Stop him!" Seeing that their arrows had failed, the soldiers outside the wall rushed forward with swords and shields. They quickly formed a human barricade to block his escape.
They weren't ordered to kill Warrick, only to stall him long enough for the enforcement team members to finish the job.
"Out of my way!" Warrick bellowed, his voice like a thunderclap.
The front-line soldiers staggered and were disoriented by the sheer force of his roar. Before they could recover, he slammed into them like a raging bull.
A series of explosive crashes rang out as the soldiers blocking his path were sent flying. Their armor shattered on impact, and they tumbled through the air like a rag doll before slamming hard into the ground, dazed and disoriented.
The ones who took the brunt of the charge weren't as lucky. Their bones snapped on impact, and they died instantly.
Even with his strength greatly diminished, Warrick was still an unstoppable force.
Follow on mediaurdu.blogspot.com"Move! Get the hell out of my way!" He bulldozed through the blockade, tossing aside more than a hundred men before finally breaking free.
Just as he was about to escape, a squad of black-armored elites led by Axel appeared at the end of the alley.
"You treacherous dog! There's no escape.” His voice was cold as steel as he unsheathed his blade. "Surrender now, or die where you stand!" Behind him, a hundred elite enforcement units stood ready. Half were armed with swords and shields, while the other half with the Dragon-Binding Net.
"You pesky flies! I'm taking you all down with me."
Warrick burned with fury. With no way out, he forced his energy into motion and prepared to fight to the death. A man like him would never surrender. If he had to go down, he'd make sure to take them with him. "Hurry! Protect Sir Prescott!"
Just as Warrick braced for his last stand, soldiers suddenly poured in from both ends of the alley. Clad in crimson armor, they moved with an imposing presence. It was Warrick's Red Legion.
Warrick's face lit up with relief. A moment ago, he had been certainhe udden was done for But in a sud aimhe of fate; his personal guard had arrived just in time. Luck was on his side.
"Connor! Dave! Kill everyone!" Seeing the tide turn, Warrick's bloodlust surged. Just moments ago, he had been like a rat scrambling for his life; he had never been so humiliated.
Now, he had the advantage, and it was tfor payback.
Chapter 2578
"Kill them all!" At Warrick's command, the Red Legion charged without hesitation. Blades flashed as they stormed toward the elite enforcement unit.
This time, nearly a thousand Red Legion soldiers arrived. With their sheer numbers, they launched a pincer attack from both flanks, leaving the enemy with no way to fend it off.
"Form the Shield Formation!" Axel shouted upon seeing the dire situation.
His men immediately sheathed their blades and raised their shields to form a defensive line. Their pursuit had cut them off from the main force. Since they were up against an enemy ten times their size, forming a defensive line was their best option.
If they could stall for even a moment, reinforcements from the castle would arrive, and the tide would turn in their favor. Once that happened, the thousand-strong Red Legion would be the ones on the defensive.
After a brief charge, the two forces collided.
Warrick had personally trained the Red Legion. He selected only the most loyal and battle-hardened soldiers. They weren't only disciplined but also highly skilled, with each one capable of taking on a hundred enemies.
They might not match the elite enforcement unit in one-on-one combat. However, when charging in formation, they had a crushing advantage. With sheer numbers on their side, they pressed forward relentlessly, leaving the elite enforcement unit struggling to fight back.
Follow on mediaurdu.blogspot.comIf not for Axel's sheer strength and ability to hold the line, the formation would have been broken through long ago.
"Connor! Dave! How dare you attack the enforcement team? Are you trying to start a rebellion?" Axel roared. Attacking the enforcement team meant going against the entire kingdom. Doing so would lead to immediate exile from West Lucozia.
"If you dare to assassinate Sir Prescott, then why should we care if we're starting a rebellion?" Connor Brent stood his ground.
"That's right. Today, we're rebelling!" Dave Zadded, just as defiant.
Everything they had-their wealth, their status-was given by Warrick. Attacking the enforcement team was nothing. If Warrick told them to take their own lives, they'd do it without hesitation.
"You fools have no idea what you're up against. Let's see if you can make it out of Celestria alive." As Axel spoke, he pulled out a flare and fired it into the sky. A sharp blast echoed through the air.
The red flare shot into the sky and exploded with a thunderous blast at an altitude of 330 feet. Thick crimson smoke spread across the sky and lingered for what felt like an eternity.
This was the signal for a citywide lockdown. All official troops were required to mobilize immediately, and civilians were to return hand lock their doors. The launch of the lockdown signal flare heralded an earth- shattering crisis.
Axel had been after Warrick as part of a routine arrest but hadn't planned on making a scene. However, the Red Legion's resistance had escalated the situation into an outright rebellion.
This matter wouldn't end with just a few lives. By the end of the night, the entire Red Legion and Warrick's stronghold would be caught in the bloodshed.
"Sir Prescott! Things are looking bad. We should fall back." Connor and Dave's faces darkened at the sight of the red flare.
The Red Legion was formidable, but they were no match for the law. The castle's elite forces alone were already more than they could handle-let alone the entire city mobilizing against them. If they were surrounded, there would be no way out.
Only death awaited them.
"Leave a squad behind to hold them off. The rest, fall back with me." Warrick made a snap decision and led most of his forces into retreat. If it weren't for the Tranqurin in his system, he would lead the Red Legion to counterattack. But for now, survival was the priority.
"Do you think you can run? Not that easy!" Axel sneered.
With a leap, he vaulted onto the rooftops. He had no tto worry about the enforcement team still locked in battle with the Red Legion. Instead, he sprinted across the roof, determined to catch up with his target.
No matter what, he couldn't let Warrick escape. He had to report back to Austin, and failure wasn't an option.
"Sir Prescott! Someone's on our tail." Connor quickly noticed something off. He turned to look and saw a figure chasing them on the rooftops, about a hundred yards behind.
Follow on mediaurdu.blogspot.com"Send a squad to take him down," Warrick ordered. His voice was rougher than before.
A wave of dizziness hit him as his strength ebbed away. His breaths cquicker, shallowen. He had to e reach the hideout-only the valuable herb he'd safeguarded for years could counteract most of the Tranqurin's effects. "You two, lead a team and hold them off!" Connor ordered.
Two lieutenants spun on their heels with a squad of soldiers. They drew their blades as they charged at Axel.
Meanwhile, Connor and Dave stayed close to Warrick. They could tell he tell was in bad shape. Ian exper O launched a sneak attack, things could turn ugly fast without them guarding him. "Attack!" The sound of battle cries rang out from behind them.
The two lieutenants had led dozens of soldiers to intercept Axel. But the O difference in strength was too great. Akel struck down both lieutenants in a single strike before they could close the distance. The dozens of Red Legion soldiers barely put up a fight. Without a proper formation, they scattered the moment they engaged since they were no match for him.
After breaking through the interception, Axel didn't waste twith a fight. Instead, he kept pursuing the rest of the Red Legion.
He didn't need to take on their main force. He only had to stay close, keeping a safe distance and occasionally firing a flare.
When the reinforcements from the castle arrived, that would be the moment to spring the trap.
Chapter 2579
"This punk's a real pain in the ass!" Connor glanced over his shoulder and noticed Axel was still hot on their trail.
The squad he had sent to intercept Axel was completely outmaneuvered, and they couldn't get anywhere near him.
To Connor's dismay, Axel kept shooting off signal flares as he pursued them. Each flare gave away their position.
At this rate, it didn't matter which direction they ran-they were bound to be intercepted.
"Connor! Dave! Make a move and swat that damn fly," Warrick ordered decisively.
"If we leave, who's going to protect you?" Connor hesitated.
Warrick was in bad shape. Without them guarding him, a single attack from an expert could be fatal.
"If you don't take out that fly, I'll be in even more danger. Get moving now!" Warrick snapped.
Follow on mediaurdu.blogspot.com"Yes, sir!" Connor and Dave exchanged a glance before splitting up with their squads to surround Axel.
They both knew what was at stake. If they didn't take Axel down quickly, their entire force would be stranded and doomed to be hunted down.
While Connor and Dave were stalling for time, Warrick issued another order. "Red Legion, split up! Form ten squads and retreat through different routes. We'll regroup outside the city." "Yes, sir!" Hundreds of Red Legion soldiers responded in unison before scattering in different directions.
Warrick took only five soldiers with him and slipped into a hidden alleyway.
Despite being in a rough shape, his mind was razor-sharp. He knew that if they all fled together, they'd be easily surrounded and wiped out by the royal guards. In the end, none would be spared. In this situation, their only hope for survival was to scatter and split into smaller groups.
Simply put, he needed most of the Red Legion to act as a diversion and draw the royal guards' attention away from him. Otherwise, his chances of escape were nearly nonexistent.
Because of the red flare, the city's troops were fully mobilized. Every exit and major road was sealed off, and no vehicles or personnel were allowed to leave.
Squads of heavily armed soldiers began combing the streets.
The scattered Red Legion squads barely had tto flee before they were intercepted.
The orders to all armed forces were clear-engage the Red Legion with full force. If they refused to surrender after a warning, they were to be executed on the spot.
Under these strict orders, skirmishes erupted across the streets and alleys, each ending in bloodshed. One squad after another was gradually wiped out.
Although the Red Legion was Warrick's elite force, they couldn't hold up against the entire city's troops. Outnumbered on all sides, they were doomed to collapse.
Warrick and his men darted from one hiding spot to another, avoiding patrols as if they were prey on the run. Each tthey spotted a patrol unit, they quickly ducked out of sight. Their nerves stretched thin with every close call.
Warrick's sharp instincts let him sense danger and dodge detection, but thewas closing in fast.
He had planned to reach his hideout before the citywide lockdown. Unfortunately, the main routes to his hideout were already blocked by the royal guards. Taking a detour meant they'd run out of time, and there was no guarantee those paths weren't blocked too.
As more patrol units filled the streets, Warrick's soldiers started to panic.
"Sir Prescott, if we keep hiding like this, they'll find us eventually. Let's make a break for it and fight our way out," a round -faced soldier suggested, eyeing the heavily guarded checkpoint ahead. He gritted his teeth and drew his knife.
Skulking around like this was suffocating. He'd rather go down swinging-if they fought their way through, they might just break out.
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"Are you out of your mind? Sir Prescott's been poisoned. How do you expect us to break through? if want us you you want to die, don't drag him down with you," a square-jawed soldier hissed in a low voice. "Then, what should we do? Just sit here and wait? If we stay until dawn, we'll have even less of a chance." The round-faced soldier was getting frustrated.
"Fall back. Find somewhere to lay low. I can't hold on anymore." Warrick panted as sweat rolled down his face.
The Tranqurin had taken full effect, and he could barely stand, let alone fight his way out. For now, the best bet was to find a temporary hiding place to avoid being caught.
If they made it through the night and the drug's effects wore off, he'd have no trouble getting out of Celestria. After all, he had already prepared an escape route long ago.
Meanwhile, Connor and Dave were still locked in battle with Axel.
Though skilled, the two were slightly outmatched by Axel's prowess.
o'm Alone, neither could take him on, but together with the support of a hundred Red Legion soldiers-they managed to hold the upper hand. After a brief but intense fight, Connor and Dave had managed to leave several wounds on Axel's body. However, he had already killed over 20 Red Legion soldiers.
Even with the advantage, Connor and Dave were growing restless. If they didn't finish him soonreinforcements from the castle e would arrive. When that happened, they would be the ones who failed to make it out alive.
Chapter 2580
"Damn it! This punk's tougher than I thought. We're in real trouble if this keeps up," Connor said, swinging his twin blades relentlessly. Every strike was aimed at Axel's vital points.
But Axel was quick. He weaved in and out of reach and avoided direct confrontation. It was obvious he was just stalling for time.
"Sir Prescott should be far enough by now. There's no point dragging this out. Let's fall back." Sensing the futility of their efforts, Dave considered retreating. He didn't fear death, but he wasn't about to waste his life for nothing.
Since Warrick had escaped, their interception mission was also completed.
"You guys hold him off. The rest of you, fall back with me." Connor was decisive. Realizing they weren't making any progress, he quickly ordered a retreat and left a few decoys behind to buy time.
They had barely run a hundred yards when a wave of soldiers suddenly appeared at the alley's entrance. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, filled the narrow space and completely blocked any chance of escape.
"Fall back!" Connor and Dave exchanged a glance.
Without hesitation, they turned and bolted in the opposite direction. With fewer than a hundred men, charging into an enemy several times their size would be suicide.
The sound of perfectly synchronized footsteps echoed from ahead, and the ground beneath them started to shake.
Follow on mediaurdu.blogspot.comConnor and Dave skidded to a halt. Their eyes widened in shock as they stared at the distance.
At the end of the road, a wave of black steel surged toward them.
The soldiers were clad in dark armor, and their faces were hidden behind menacing masks. They were tall, their eyes sharp, and radiated a deadly authority. Their presence was even more intimidating than that of the elite enforcement unit.
"Draken Guardians?" Connor and Dave's face paled when they saw the emblem on the black-armored soldiers' chests.
The Black Dragon Army of West Lucozia was already the most elite military force in the land, unstoppable and unmatched.
But the Draken Guardians were something else entirely. They were the cream of the crop, handpicked from thousands of Black Dragon Army soldiers. They were the best of the best.
They numbered only a hundred or so, but each one was a master in their own right. Any single member could stand toe-to-toe with Connor or Dave.
Under normal circumstances, the castle would never deploy such a force unless the situation was dire. Neither had expected the legendary Draken Guardians to be deployed over this conflict.
The moment they appeared, Connor and Dave knew there was no escape.
If they were facing thousands of soldiers, they were confident they could fight their way through. But against a hundred Draken Guardians, they stood no chance.
By now, Axel had regrouped with the reinforcements and was closing in fast.
Connor, Dave, and their hundred Red Legion soldiers were trapped. They were caught between a fierce force ahead and a deadly one behind.
They had nowhere to run or hide and were completely surrounded.
Just then, the Draken Guardians cto a stop. A broad-shouldered, imposing middle -aged general stepped forward.
His sharp eyes swept over Connor and Dave before he spoke in a cold, commanding voice. "Surrender, or die." The words were simple, but they carried a powerful threat.
The middle-aged general was Jaxon Steele, who achieved great feats during the castle's crisis last year.
His target wasn't Connor or Dave-he two small fry-but Warrick, who was halfway to becoming an ultimate grandmaster.
Only someone of that caliber was enough to warrant the Draken Guardians' involvement.
"What should we do?" Dave glanced at Connor, and his grip tightened around the blade.
The two were blood brothers, bound by a vow. They didn't need to live on the sday, month, or year. Instead, they only promised to die together on the day.
Follow on mediaurdu.blogspot.com"What else can we do? Fight the motherfuckers!" Connor gritted his teeth. His face hardened with a fierce expression.
With the city on lockdown and the two of them branded as traitors, surrender would only lead fo gruesend. They might as well risk everything and go out with a bang. "Okay. Let's do it." Dave took a deep breath, and his face hardened with resolve.
"Soldiers, kill them!" With a furious roar, Connor charged forward, and Dave rushed in beside him. They led the remaining Red Legion soldiers straight toward Jaxon.
"Leave no one alive," Jaxon commanded coldly.
Over 100 Draken Guardians drew their blades in unison and charged forward in eerie silence.
On one side, the Red Legion charged forward with fierce battle cries, their momentum unstoppable. On the other, the Draken Guardians moved forward in silence, their every step radiating deadly intent. After a brief charge, the red and black troops collided. But then, something horrifying happened.
The black-armored Draken Guardians bulldozed through the Red Legion like a scythe through wheat. The battle was swift and brutal, with no resistance to speak of.
The elite Red Legion soldiers and their commanders, Connor and Dave, collapsed in pools of blood within moments.
The sight left Axel and his men, who had just caught up, trembling in awe. They had heard of the Draken Guardians and knew they were one of the castle's secret weapons.
But it wasn't until they witnessed their power firsthand that they realized just how foxmidable this force was. This was a force so powerful that even the elite Red Legion, handpicked from thousands, was cut down like grass.
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