Chapter 429
Seeing the atmosphere on the scene plummet to freezing point, and a fight could break out at any moment, Vigna took the initiative to smooth things over:
"Dagda, news of my obtaining the Breath of the Kings will spread quickly. Then, both the Sarkaz City Defense Army and the various Duke outside the city will try every means to come knocking. I've asked her to keep it safe; it'll be safer that way. What do you say, Alda?"
Alda was a little stunned, but still agreed:
"Ah, yes..."
With Vigna as his guarantor, Dagda naturally couldn't say anything more and quickly tried to smooth things over:
"Oh, is that so? I thought she just stole the Breath of the Kings, that really scared me to death."
This made Alda feel extremely uncomfortable, as if she were sitting on pins and needles, with a fishbone stuck in her throat and thorns in her back, as if she were being roasted over a fire. She stiffly forced a smile.
Why would you think that?
Dagda felt there was no need to hide it, and answered truthfully:
"The Breath of the Kings is the legendary National Sword of Victoria. You're not His Highness's personal guard, so it's normal for you to be tempted to steal it."
His Highness, His Highness is farsighted and knows that many forces outside are eyeing this sword. I'm entrusting it to you for safekeeping, so even if we're surrounded in the future, we can say we couldn't find it.
"Oh, by the way, why don't you take this opportunity to swear allegiance to His Highness? I can even be your witness."
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Chapter 506 Steam and Sword (4K)
Shi Lei stood still, holding the genuine Breath of the Kings in his hand. He wanted to see if the sword had any special effects that hadn't been triggered.
"Pfft... Pfft..."
Steam Knight resembling a humanoid Gundam slowly emerged from the darkness. A cracked piece of sheet metal clattered to the ground with a sharp metallic clang.
In the pitch-black Underground Space, white steam continuously billowed from its vents. The Steam Knight exuded a fierce aura that kept strangers at bay, and its bronze and black body gave it an industrial aesthetic.
"Pfft... Pfft..."
The white steam was like the other person's breath, one breath after another, rhythmic and full of energy.
The Steam Knight awoke from the dark depths, proving itself to be the ultimate victor in that fierce battle.
Nothing can stop it now—no abandonment, no betrayal, not even death.
Finally, the Steam Knight arrived.
Shi Lei was completely unafraid; he simply had a favorable impression of certain things and had no intention of taking action.
"Without Aslan or Dolak's key, you can't leave here. I'm a little curious, how did you survive these past four years? Did you eat the corpses of those Sarkaz, or did you awaken new abilities?"
"Pfft... Pfft..."
There were no words, only the sound of steam billowing out.
The eyes inside the mask were bloodshot, the pupils unfocused and unlike those of a human, as if they were acting entirely on willpower.
The Steam Knight raised his right arm, and a sharp spike hurtled toward Shi Lei's face. But the spike seemed to have struck something heavy, and before it even made contact, it could not penetrate any further.
"Pfft... Pfft..."
Seeing that no damage had been caused, the Steam Knight was not discouraged. Thick white steam spewed out of the vents, faster and more violently than before.
It raised its blade and began to gather its strength.
This time, the force was even greater, but the final result was the same: he still failed to hit his opponent. It was as if the air itself had become a wall, blocking his progress.
"Pfft... Pfft..."
Seeing the Steam Knight raise the Cannon Barrel, Shi Lei still didn't make a move, attempting to communicate with the other side:
Hello, can you hear me?
His response was a barrage of artillery fire.
After the smoke cleared, the continuous shelling still failed to break through Shi Lei's Jade Shield. Because the Steam Knight was standing relatively close, he himself was also damaged.
Seeing that the Steam Knight did not respond, Shi Lei gave up on verbal communication and resorted to physical means of communication.
With one punch, a large chunk of the Steam Knight's armor tore off, making a sickening metallic sound.
It was like a burly man who had gotten drunk, walking unsteadily. A plume of steam billowed from the back of its head, the rapid hissing sound reminiscent of a boiling kettle.
However, the bloodshot eyes exposed by the mask had faded considerably. The person inside blinked, then blinked again. The scattered consciousness seemed to gather, and the person briefly regained awareness.
"Victoria ..."
The voice was both dry and ethereal, unlike a human voice; it sounded more like a synthesized electronic voice.
Having said that, the Steam Knight stumbled and fell heavily to the ground, unable to get up again.
Shi Lei stood still, his gaze looking down. He Psychic Scan and discovered that the Steam Knight pilot's body was highly integrated with the Steam Armor.
In layman's terms, it means that organic and inorganic matter have merged into a completely new entity, which is difficult to classify.
Sensing that the driver was on the verge of death, Shi Lei cast a shield around him, preparing to use 'violent therapy'.
After a brief interlude, Vigna and the others arrived at the Cave Entrance in the wall, where they met up with Morgan and Indra, who were guarding the escape route.
Although neither of them had ever seen National Sword before, seeing that Alda was holding one, they couldn't help but confirm:
"Is this the Breath of the Kings?"
Vigna nodded and continued to smooth things over:
"Yes, but it's not as magical as the legends describe, nor does it have the power to cleave through Catastrophe. It's just a beautiful-looking sword. Alda, taking it with us will attract many people to try and steal it. You take the Breath of the Kings and move to a safe place first."
After hearing Crownslayer's arrangements, Morgan and Indra stopped asking why she was carrying the National Sword.
Seeing that Vigna was making excuses for her at this moment, Alda felt a pang of guilt.
She's so good to me, yet...
The more indifferent Vigna appeared, the more distressed Alda felt, her heart clenching with unease.
"Your His Highness ~"
Hearing Alda call her name, Vigna grinned and responded. Following Shi Lei's instructions, she let the other party leave with the fake Breath of the Kings.
If this is her choice, it should be respected.
"You go first. We'll set off once Doctor Zhongli comes out. There are a lot of Sarkaz in the Central City District, so please be careful on the road."
According to the original plan, Vigna would retreat to the Glass Gang in Norbert District after obtaining the Breath of the Kings.
This place is located in the Mid-level District Londinium, where many of her former subordinates and neighbors live.
Alda gripped her longsword tightly, hesitating whether to leave or not, before finally gritting her teeth and turning away.
Watching the departing figure, Vigna felt helpless but accepted the other person's choice.
One step, two steps.
One step, two steps—these are hesitant, wandering steps.
Alda, carrying the fake Breath of the Kings, headed south to find the person in the city responsible for receiving her. Her mood was as dark and heavy as the night.
His Highness been so good to me, even going so far as to hand over the National Sword. And what have I done? I've only ever repaid kindness with enmity.
Why.
Alda's steps faltered, and so did her heart. Endless bewilderment and confusion gradually overwhelmed her.
Did I do something wrong?
"Miss, wait for me."
A familiar voice suddenly interrupted Alda's chaotic thoughts. She turned around and saw Elsie, her Butler with whom she depended for survival, and her heart warmed.
Twenty-six years ago, the Cumberland family was purged by nobles who supported Dolak. The Duke Cumberland was executed on the spot, and other relatives were not spared either.
Only Alda and Elsie survived, struggling to stay afloat like a small boat tossed about in a storm.
Although the two are not related by blood, their long-term relationship has made them closer than family.
Elsie ran up to him, not bothering to examine Victoria's National Sword, but instead tilting her head slightly to check on Alda's condition.
"Miss, are you alright? You seem to be in very poor condition. Why don't you rest for a while?"
Alda, not wanting to worry her, shook her head in denial:
"I'm fine, I'm okay."
Having served her for so many years, Elsie knows Alda's personality very well:
"Miss, whenever you say everything is alright and you don't smile, it usually means the situation is very serious. Is it because you're having trouble deciding who should keep this sword?"
"I... I don't know."
Elsie, like a loving mother, gazed into Alda's eyes with a kind smile:
"Miss, I am just the Knave and don't understand any profound principles. But since you have made your choice, you should carry it out according to the goal. Whatever your final choice is, I will firmly support you."
Alda was already feeling extremely guilty and remorseful about the matter of the Breath of the Kings, and her mood was at its lowest point.
Hearing such heartwarming words, her emotions surged like a river bursting its banks. With tears welling in her eyes, she opened her arms and hugged Elsie tightly.
"Excuse me, Miss Alda, don't you have more important matters to attend to?"
As the voices spoke, a dark figure emerged from the shadows and came into the light of the streetlamp.
The other person was dressed in a well-tailored gray uniform, with an exquisite design. A large, folded military knife hung at his waist, giving him a very stylish appearance. But what was most eye-catching was his gray top hat with a skull and crossbones emblem.
Alda recognized it immediately; it was a private intelligence organization belonging to the Duke Kester.
They are characterized by their grey top hats and excel in covert operations, intelligence gathering, battlefield infiltration, and combat capabilities.
The one wearing the green ornament is wearing a formal Grey Hat. The one wearing the yellow ornament is wearing Grey Hat for apprentices.
Whenever a formal Grey Hat dies, the apprentice Grey Hat will automatically take his place.
"Miss Alda, you have completed the task brilliantly. Duke Kester will surely be very pleased to hear this, and all the years of training you have been worthwhile."
It appears to be expressing satisfaction, but it's actually a warning.
The Cumberland family has been able to live a decent life to this day entirely thanks to the Duke Kester; they should not be ungrateful.
Alda's eye twitched, but she remained silent.
Seeing that she stood there unmoved, the Grey Hat gave a very gentlemanly bow and offered a reminder:
"Miss Alda, please hand over the Breath of the Kings to me. Your mission is complete. You may remain in the city or leave with us. Duke Kester will not fail any meritorious subject."
As the Grey Hat reached out to ask for it, Alda's conflicted emotions reached their peak.
Because once she handed over the Breath of the Kings, it meant there was no turning back.
Alda was somewhat at a loss and subconsciously looked at the Butler Elsie. The latter did not express his opinion, but simply looked back at her with a calm and firm gaze.
Just as she had said before, she would support whatever choice Miss made.
"Phew~"
Alda took a deep breath, hesitated for a moment, and then decided to follow her heart. She leaned close to Elsie's ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"You hurry up and go, I'll be there soon."
The meaning of this statement is quite clear: Alda has changed her mind. She doesn't want to give the Breath of the Kings to the Duke Kester, but intends to give it to Vigna instead. Only a descendant of Aslan is worthy of this sword.
Upon hearing this, Elsie's pupils widened sharply, and she shook her head slightly.
The Miss told her to go first, explaining that she would stay behind to Rearguard her retreat. But the gentleman in the grey top hat in front of her didn't look like a nice guy at all.
Seeing that the Butler didn't move, Alda grabbed Elsie's arm and gestured again with her eyes.
Hurry up!
The man in the Grey Hat is perfectly healthy and not stupid.
Seeing that Alda was delaying in handing over the Breath of the Kings and was even whispering to the Butler, how could he not understand her thoughts?
He immediately took the folding military knife from his waist, and with a snap, it folded into a long-handled military knife.
"Miss Alda, you will disappoint His Lord Duke by doing this. All these years, he has provided so much money and so many supplies, and all he gets in return is your betrayal!"