Chapter 95

"Oh? I see. Those guys certainly have a lot of good stuff."

Magana threw the bag back and could only continue rummaging through the large boxes that held the items, each one a meter high. She had to stand on tiptoe to reach inside, which looked surprisingly cute.

Oh Janus above, this must be the Grand Duke's enchantment magic.

Speaking of allure, Ryan found that it was often not the allure that attracted people, but rather the charm that was higher. For example, he couldn't understand why Lin Qi's charm value could keep increasing so quickly.

Other characters didn't increase much.

Silent Nun, cold-faced, lurking in the shadows to assassinate, and then... a born succubus?

The Iron-Blooded Grand Duke, who cleaved a person in two with a battle axe, was actually quite adorable.

Watching the Grand Duke Duchess sticking out her rear end and fiddling with things, Ryan suddenly understood why Magana was so popular in the game.

But... Your Grand Duke, could you perhaps tone it down a bit in front of me? Our relationship isn't that close, is it?

Although she was a noblewoman, she never adhered to those fancy etiquettes; perhaps that was part of her personal charm.

"Oh... I've got it."

You'll definitely need this.

Magana pulled out another storage bag and, seeing Ryan's confusion, said, "There are Soul Jade inside."

"Soul Jade, I actually also..."

"One hundred thousand."

"Taking away the young master???"

Ryan stared.

"One hundred thousand Soul Jade should be enough for you to cultivate to the Fourth Tier."

Ryan gasped, feeling a chill.

"Your Grand Duke, isn't this a bit too much?"

"Is it a lot? Maybe. Here, take it."

Ryan shook his head. Although 100,000 Soul Jade was indeed tempting, he didn't really need it. He could just let 'Lin Qi' suffer a bit. In fact, 'Vainay' had been going to the Inner World to grind monsters these past two days and could get thousands of Soul Jade every day.

"The Burning Covenant has given me enough."

"You don't want this, and you don't like that either. You're so difficult to deal with."

Magana is in a bit of a predicament now. She originally planned to bring Ryan down so that he could witness the Death Contract, understand the greatness of the Iron-Blooded Grand Duke, and then offer him some good things to boost his emotional value. Talking about ideals and great causes is necessary, but she also needs to give him some practical benefits.

Magana's way of governing people!

However, unexpectedly, delivering the gift was the most difficult part. Ryan, a mere nobody, actually disdained her treasured possessions.

Magana walked to the innermost box and rummaged around in it again. Finally, she pulled out a Cross Sword and examined it for a while. Ryan could clearly see the pain in her eyes.

It's good stuff!

"This... well, it's too high a rank for you to use. It's quite good, but... how about we get another one? Hmm, let's get another one..."

Magana muttered to herself, she was really reluctant to part with it, having almost lost half her life when she first got it.

As she said this, she prepared to put it inside.

"My Grand Duke, this is it, I want this one!" Ryan said firmly.

"Huh? This... but you might not be able to use this weapon; the requirements for wearing it are very high."

Magana wasn't lying; using this weapon requires strong mental support and sufficient Magic Power, otherwise it's impossible to control.

She only started using it when she was almost at Fourth Tier, and she still occasionally takes it out to play around with it now.

However, this thing isn't a heavy weapon, so she's not used to it. If it weren't so precious, she wouldn't have kept it until now.

"It's alright, I can improve my strength slowly, but I certainly can't let Grand Duke down, Your Excellency, can I?"

"No, that's..."

Magana thought to herself, "I didn't really mean it this way. I just took it on a whim. I have many other good intentions."

"This is it."

Ryan took it from Magana.

The moment he got his hands on it, Ryan felt a momentary daze as a chilling power surged into his body through the Cross Sword, piercing straight into his mind.

This is the power left by the Outer Gods on the relics.

Ryan quickly threw the Cross Sword into his backpack.

"Huh???" Magana raised her hand, opened her mouth, but before she could say a word, she thought, "Why did you put it away?"

Ryan said with great gratitude, "Rest assured, Your Grand Duke, I will remember this kindness and will be ready to go through fire and water for Grand Duke in the future!"

"Hmm... okay, it's good that you meant well."

Magana suddenly felt a void. The Cross Sword, my Cross Sword ... She burst into tears, paced back and forth, and rolled around in frustration.

"My Grand Duke, is there anything else good in here?" Ryan craned his neck to look into the boxes.

"There is none left!!!"

Ten minutes later, Ryan followed Magana and secretly slipped out of the castle.

For some reason, Ryan sensed that the Grand Duke was rather unhappy... But then again, it's normal for a woman's mood to change quickly. Hmm, it certainly wasn't because he wanted that Cross Sword; the Grand Duke is very forgiving.

After leaving the castle, we returned to the camp.

Magana is here tonight to pledge her loyalty to Ryan, so there's nothing else to do.

After everyone returned to their lodgings, Ryan finally took a good look at the attributes of the Cross Sword.

Razmod's Death Sword

[Quality: Tier 3 - Epic]

[Effect 1: Constitution +5, Spirit +5, Magic Power +5]

[Effect 2: Attacks inflict Death Corrosion, dealing additional damage equal to a percentage of Magic Power value/100. This damage is immune to Magic Power resistance.]

[Equipment Requirements: Spirit 38, Magic Power 44]

"Absolutely amazing!"

Ryan's eyes lit up.

This thing is definitely a top-tier weapon for Third Tier Transcendent, and you don't even need to replace it when you reach Fourth Tier!

After all, the damage increase that comes with the effect is a high percentage of 'true' damage, which even tanky classes can't withstand in the hands of high burst damage classes.

"This weapon is enough for Fourth Tier transcendent, even a fifth-tier... It can be used if you don't have a good weapon, but it won't work for Sixth Tier weapon. The base damage is too low. Magana is just sitting there collecting dust. What tier is she?"

The Game Character's performance is completely different from her role in the story. Even a god in the player's hands can only play a supporting role, so Ryan can't possibly deduce Magana's strength based on her performance in the game... Besides, he never actually fought Magana in the game.

Anyway, in short, it's very high.

Without hesitation, Ryan opened the game and handed the Sword of Death to 'Lin Qi'.

It's a shame that my first wife is already at level three, yet she's still using a level two, high-quality weapon.

He could use the Demon-Breaking Blade he had taken off, or give it to Ina. Because of her work as a secretary, Ina hadn't leveled up much, let alone changed her class. Ryan even considered just giving her the Soul Eater's Proof to use.

It's a tank class, after all, and it's quite good if you develop it.

"We've upgraded from slingshots to cannons, so you can't say I'm fickle now, can you?"

In the game interface, 'Lin Qi' had already switched to Cross Sword. Ryan wondered if it was just his imagination, but he actually saw a hint of happiness on 'Lin Qi's' face.

However, it disappeared again very quickly.

"This AI is getting more and more advanced."

Looking at 'Lin Qi' again, she had already put away the Sword of Death and was sitting in her room adjusting her state.

Tomorrow she will undergo the final stage of the Saintess Assessment.

After turning off the game, Ryan fell into a deep sleep.

This time, the White- Grand Duke didn't come to disturb us.

When Ryan woke up the next day, the camp was already quite lively. The stationed Iron Blood Army were eating. Gruk came to find him, and just then, Magana also came out of her tent, dressed in the same clothes as yesterday.

However, the Grand Duke seemed rather quiet today, not saying a word all morning.

Around noon, Yasen came over and told Generals Ryan Macaos and Everson that they had returned.

Inside the main tent at the camp.

Macaos was a strong, middle-aged man with a temperament somewhat similar to Gruk— resolute and composed. Everson, on the other hand, seemed much more carefree. He was a size larger than Macaos, nearly two meters tall and weighing over 200 kilograms. Sitting in the tent, he resembled a behemoth, with two large iron balls beside him.

When Ryan went in, the two were discussing something. Everson's tone was somewhat agitated, and he was cursing. They quieted down after they went in.

"Lord Ryan," Macaos nodded slightly, "I welcome you on behalf of the Iron Blood Legion."

Yasen had already told them what happened yesterday. Macaos had accepted Ryan as an 'accomplice,' and today's meeting was Ryan's way of negotiating with them from Princess Caslathdi's perspective.

Of course, the so-called negotiations were just an excuse. If the Grand Duke really couldn't return, Macaos would have to consider the future of the Western Territory, so Caslathdi's intervention was just the right opportunity.

"Ryan, right? Hehe~ I heard about what happened yesterday. Well done! Not many dare to mess with the royals, but you're one of them. You're to my liking." Everson stood up and walked over to Ryan, laughing heartily. Then he looked at Magana beside him. "Is this the guy who cut off Guy's hand? Hmm, not bad. I like your guts. But... why are you so short? But it's okay, even short people have their limits. The Grand Duke was short too, but she's amazing! Keep it up, little dwarf, I believe in you!"

Everson's eyes were full of admiration, and at the end he patted Magana on the shoulder. His big hands looked like they could kill a person. In front of him, Magana really looked like a primary school student.

Ryan clearly saw Magana clench her fists!

He's furious! The Grand Duke is truly furious!

Ryan quickly replied, "General Everson, my friend here doesn't really enjoy dealing with people."

"Oh? That won't do. Not talking to people can easily lead to social withdrawal."

"Alright, Everson, let's get down to business," Macaos said.

"Tch~ What important business? I've said everything I needed to say. My opinion is to just fight. Call on all forces in the Western Territory to fight until that old bastard in the Imperial Capital submits!"

"If you're going to fight, you need to use your brain. I'm not against fighting, but you need to plan ahead... Do you know why the Grand Duke always tells you to listen to me? Because you're too impulsive."

Everson retorted, "Bullshit! It's definitely not because of that." Then he muttered under his breath, "It's definitely because the Grand Duke is jealous of my height."

Ryan's lips twitched slightly, and he said kindly, "I think the Grand Duke is definitely not the kind of person who is petty; she is thinking about the big picture."

"You don't understand." Everson leaned closer and whispered, "Your Grand Duke, you're great in every way, except you're not tall enough. What's wrong with that? She always made me stand outside and guard during meetings. Isn't that because she's jealous of my tall and strong figure?"

"Oh, this..."

Bro, this is all I can do for you.

Ryan remained silent.

He was afraid that if he continued talking, he would die too.

Magana didn't say anything, but Ryan felt that she had already thought of a hundred ways to kill Everson.

At this point, Macaos waved his hand, signaling everyone to get back to the main topic.

The atmosphere in Cherd is extremely tense right now, especially with Ryan representing the Princess. Yesterday, there was a conflict between the Iron Blood Army and the Imperial Army outside the city. It was a battle between the Skullcrusher and the Royal Guards, and several people died.

If this trend continues, war will surely break out in Cherd within three days.

But if that were to happen, the Iron Blood Legion would be considered a rebel, and Macaos didn't want the Western Territory to be branded as traitors. Even if the Grand Duke were to die, his reputation couldn't be ruined.

Ryan explained his thoughts.

It's very simple: first, publicly announce Magana's cooperative relationship with Caslathdi, forcing the traitor within to defect.

The Iron Blood Legion needs a 'name', Caslathdi is barely enough, after all, she is a contender for the crown prince position. Although she is somewhat down on her luck, it would be a different story if she could gain the support of the Western Territory.

A salted fish can turn its life around!

As for the Iron Blood Legion, it's perfectly reasonable for them to use the banner of supporting the Caslathdi competition to deal with those old fogies of the Empire.

The Old Emperor certainly didn't want to see this, and neither did the Second Prince.

So whatever cards you have up your sleeve, it's about time you revealed them.

Macaos for a moment, then readily agreed.

This surprised Ryan, who had expected someone as composed as Macaos to be more cautious.