Chapter 97

Macaos and Everson stood on the left without hesitation, and their men followed suit, making the left side much larger than the right.

However, after the First and Second Legions lined up, the remaining Iron Blood Army remained motionless. Mylen and Malde did not move for a long time, nor did the officers following them.

Creed then took action, standing on the right, and soon a group of the Iron Blood Army followed suit.

The number of people is less than on the left.

The nobles looked at each other in bewilderment.

Ryan smiled and said, "What about you? Can't make a decision? Why don't you come back to Berman City with me and make your fortune?"

"Neuropathy."

A nobleman cursed under his breath and walked to the center.

Then nearly two-fifths of the nobles went to the middle, one-fifth went to the left, and two-fifths went to the right.

At this point, there are more people on the right than on the left.

"I give up."

Third Army Commander Mylen walked to the center, some of his men walked to the center, and a small number of the rest actually walked towards Creed.

Mylen frowned, but ultimately said nothing.

In contrast, Malde led his men to the right, while some officers went to the left.

As it turned out, most of the four legions were loyal to Magana, but the situation shifted to the right after the noble lords joined in.

"So, the noble lords really can't stand hardship," Ryan thought to himself. He knew that in the end, these nobles would be the ones to decide, but it didn't matter. He just wanted the final result.

"Damn it, a bunch of traitorous dogs!" Everson cursed at the Iron Blood Army on his right. "How did the Grand Duke treat you all this time? The Iron Blood Army have the best treatment and the best equipment in the Empire, and you still betrayed the Grand Duke!"

"Lord Everson, you can't say that. The Grand Duke has betrayed the Empire, and there is evidence of it." An officer shook his head. "The Grand Duke has treated us well, and we have fought and died for her. No one owes anyone anything. Are we to follow her in betraying the Empire now that she wants to?"

"Yes, the Western Territory is also part of the Empire's territory, and we are also citizens of the Empire."

"The interests of the empire are paramount."

"Bullshit! You're all just afraid of dying, a bunch of traitors!"

"Alright, Everson." Macaos's gaze was cold. "The situation is very clear now. Who is loyal and who has betrayed is obvious."

Although the situation is unfavorable to them, it's better this way than constantly worrying about being stabbed in the back.

Macaos is now thinking that this battle is inevitable sooner or later. Cherd probably can't hold out, and he can't hold out. Once trapped by the Iron Blood Legion, they will be wiped out. They need to break out and use the environment in the Western Territory to entangle with the Empire.

He believed that there must still be many people in the Western Territory who were willing to support them.

"Lord Ryan, do you see? This is the result you wanted." Elvin laughed from not far away. "You said that people's hearts don't lie. It seems that most people believe that Magana has betrayed the Empire. You represent the Princess, so you must not stand with these traitors."

"Yes, that's great, that's exactly the result I wanted." Ryan nodded slightly and looked around. "Is everyone in line? Once you've placed your bets, there's no going back."

"Hurry up and announce the results, stop wasting time here," a nobleman on the right shouted. "Doing pointless things here, Magana's Iron Blood Army is a thing of the past, the Western Territory ultimately belongs to His Your Majesty, and is loyal to the Empire!"

"Very well, then I declare..." Ryan smiled and stepped aside, "Grand Duke, are you satisfied with this result?"

"The Grand Duke?!"

Upon hearing Ryan's address, everyone held their breath.

Everyone, including Elvin and Creed, turned to look at the 'Bounty Hunter' next to Ryan.

Everson's big, round eyes shone brightly.

Macaos got excited too.

"Could she really be...?"

"Ryan, you did a good job." Magana regained her voice, stepping forward to remove her hat and scarf, revealing her signature white hair. At that moment, the Grand Duke's crimson eyes swept over everyone, the coldness in his gaze sending a chill down the spines of the neutrals and the traitors on the right.

Finally, Magana's gaze fell on Creed.

"Creed, you didn't expect that, did you? I came out of the Chaos Space alive."

"Grand Duke! Grand Duke!!!"

Everson charged forward, his massive 200-pound body sliding to his knees at Magana's feet. When he looked up, tears and snot were streaming down his face.

"Your Grand Duke! Thank goodness you're alive! I knew you were alive! I knew it!"

Ryan: "..."

Brother, you're a legion commander, at least wipe your snot.

"Everson," Magana sneered, "I'm sorry I'm not tall."

Everson's body stiffened. "I can argue!!!"

"Grand Duke!"

Macaos strode forward, his expression excited.

At this moment, everyone standing on the left walked over and stood together to welcome Magana's return!

"Magana!" Elvin exclaimed angrily. "You've been back for a long time, yet you've concealed your identity all this time. What were you up to?!"

"Heh~" Magana said indifferently, "If I didn't hide my identity, how would I know that there are so many traitors in Clement? Clement, you really went to great lengths to infiltrate for more than three years."

"My Grand Duke, I don't know what you're talking about. I just... don't want to see you become a traitor to the empire."

"What a traitor to the Empire!" Magana flung her hand, and a Blood-colored Battle Axe appeared out of thin air, crashing heavily to the ground with a deafening roar. "Today I will show everyone what happens when you provoke Magana!"

"Iron Blood Legion, heed my command! Slaughter these traitors!"

"Yes!!!"

There is no room for negotiation, no need for explanation. For a traitor, Magana has only one fate—death!

At that moment, she gave an order.

Everson sprang up from the ground and slammed the two huge iron balls down on the crowd to his right.

"Magana, are you insane! Are you going to rebel against the Empire?!" Elvin exclaimed in shock and anger.

Magana remained silent, her battle axe raised high, and Macaos and the others charged without hesitation.

Despite being outnumbered, they felt an endless supply of courage and strength standing beside Magana.

"I am Magana. Those who follow me will be granted glory and power, while those who betray me will be condemned to the abyss of death." Magana raised her battle axe, and black mist spread from beneath her.

The black mist gradually spread throughout the square, looking somewhat like the War Domain used by 'Shally'.

Stimulated by the black mist, Macaos and his men charged into the crowd and wreaked havoc as if they had been given a buff.

Elvin was not afraid; on the contrary, he was overjoyed. Although Magana had come back from the dead, she had started a war and attacked him. He had come with the Emperor's decree!

"Creed, quick! Gather the men!"

Creed nodded silently, and a signal flare was launched into the air.

The imperial army and the Iron Blood Army who had pledged allegiance to him were already prepared.

"Your Grand Duke, can we win?"

Ryan looked up at the fireworks exploding in the sky.

"We will win."

Magana raised her hand, her delicate palm outstretched, and the black, burning Death Contract transformed into a pillar of light that shot into the sky.

The next moment, beams of light lit up almost simultaneously in the four directions of Cherd City: east, west, south, and north!

Elvin looked surprised and suspicious, wondering what Magana had done.

Soon, the soldiers stationed in the city were locked in a fierce battle. The streets and alleys of the entire Childe City were filled with the fighting between the Iron Blood Army and the Royal Guards. Elvin's side had an absolute advantage in numbers, which is why he dared to take the initiative to engage in battle.

Even if Magana returns alive, she is still just one person, and Elvin is confident he can hold her off.

However, not long after the battle began inside the city, the city gates of Cherd were suddenly blown open, and groups of fully armed soldiers rushed in!

People, from all directions, soldiers everywhere, rushed in, shouting a remarkably consistent slogan—"For Grand Duke Magana!"

"Holy crap, this is the backup plan?"

Ryan was shocked.

These people total at least 30,000, and a considerable number of them are still outside the city and haven't entered yet!

The sudden reinforcements caught Elvin off guard. The Childe City was engulfed in flames under the cover of night. As dawn broke, the entire city was littered with corpses after a night of fighting.

Elvin fled with the remaining Royal Guards in defeat, joining forces with the 'rebels' outside the city. Originally numbering over 40,000, less than half remained!

Immediately afterward, Magana gave the order and personally led the army out of the city, determined not to stop until they were all wiped out!

The sudden change in the situation in the Western Territory startled everyone; even when Caslathdi received the news, she thought Ryan was joking with her.

Magana was resurrected from the dead, and an additional 50,000 to 60,000 reinforcements appeared, causing Elvin's army to be routed.

The information is so confusing!

Leaving aside the 50,000 to 60,000 reinforcements, even if Magana survived, launching a direct attack on Elvin and killing so many Royal Guards —was this an act of rebellion?

At this moment, Caslathdi was a little stunned. She felt like she had fallen into a trap... Was it too late to withdraw Ryan now?

Not only Caslathdi, but all the nobles in the Imperial Capital were furious.

Magana's actions were indeed no different from a rebellion, but strangely, the one sitting on the throne was unusually quiet, seemingly not angry at all.

This scene raises further questions.

At the same time.

Just as Magana was leading her men to hunt down Elvin, the Gate of Janus, located far in the center of the continent, announced today that 'Lin Qi' will become the new Saintess!

In the center of the Church, Lia smiled at 'Lin Qi': "Congratulations, Lin Qi... ah no, from today onwards I shall call you Saintess. I knew you would succeed."

"High Priestess Liya, thank you for your care." 'Lin Qi's' calm expression carried a hint of doubt. "Just now... the Pope gave me a task."

"Oh? What mission?"

"She asked me to go to the Augustus Empire to stop the war in the name of the Gate of Janus, on the grounds that the power of the Outer Gods was invading and that we should not continue to fight a civil war and deplete ourselves."

"August?" Lia nodded. "I know. There is indeed a war breaking out there. Duchess Magana is not so easy to deal with. It will be quite difficult to get her to stop."

Magana, the Iron-Blooded One, whose name is even recorded at the Gate of Janus.

"Oh, right." Lia remembered something. "I heard that Ryan is also in the Western Territory. Aren't you friends with him? Perhaps you could ask him for help. He seems to have a good relationship with that Grand Duke."

I wrote a long chapter today! I wrote the whole Western Territory storyline in one go. I had to go out this afternoon, so I got up at 6 am and finally finished. That's it for the afternoon chapter. Tonight... emm, I'll see if I can keep going. Please vote! Please give me your support!