Arcane Swordsman (2-in-1)

Cecilia only realized what she had done after the kiss. She lowered her head slightly, her majesty as the city lord vanished, and her shy appearance could petrify any man.

"What's wrong with me? I couldn't contain myself the moment I saw Dio; all my composure vanished. I don't know if it's just my imagination, but Dio seems even more charming at first glance... It must have been too long since I'd seen him, that heartless thief!"

This is what Cecilia is thinking.

Stantin was devastated at this moment.

However, unwilling to lose face, Stantin forced himself to say, "I am Albert Standin, the second in line to the Ironthorn Family, the fourth son of Stantin Stantin!"

"The Ironthorn Family? Never heard of them," Bai Xiaowen said calmly.

Cecilia, her body slightly weak as Bai Xiaowen held her waist, whispered to Bai Xiaowen, "Blackrock City is the territory of the Ironthorn Family. The Stantin family is very powerful; they are the most powerful noble family in the Northern Frontier."

Albert Stantin suppressed his smug expression and said calmly, "The Ironthorn Family is a powerful clan in the Northern Frontier, but they have always kept a low profile, so it's not surprising that some ignorant people haven't heard of the Ironthorn Crest."

"Is that so?" Bai Xiaowen laughed. "Since Blackrock City is your Ironthorn Clan's territory, why didn't I see you when I led my troops Blackrock City during the Remnants's attack? I didn't even see a single person with the surname Stantin."

Baron Stantin's expression turned slightly awkward, and he said, "Father handed over command of Blackrock Fortress to His Highness, who is in charge of behind-the-scenes work, such as allocating food supplies and protecting the supply routes. Many immature young people don't understand the importance of these logistical tasks; they are just hotheads who only know how to fight on the battlefield and regard it as the only glory."

Cecilia straightened up, her beautiful face hardening, and said in a deep voice, "Baron Stantin, do you know who is standing before you?"

Baron Stantin had already suspected something, but he remained silent.

"The man standing before you is called Dio Skellboom. He was the one who repeatedly offered strategies and made great contributions during the siege of Blackrock City. He was the one who cured the Necrotic Plague, leaving behind the two sanctuaries of White Stone City and Blackrock City in the Northern Frontier. He was the one who killed Absolon, the commander of the Remnant Allied Army, so that those beasts dared not covet the Gorseflower Empire again!"

"Are you sure you want to boast about your grain-carrying achievements in front of someone like this?"

Baron Stantin took a step back. "It really is you, Dio Skellboom."

"I think my title is Viscount?" Bai Xiaowen snorted. "Your Excellency Baron, isn't it rather impolite to address me by my first name?"

"I apologize, Dio," Baron Stantin quickly composed his words, "You have achieved some merit, but are you aware that your achievements are built upon turning the vast majority of the people of the Northern Frontier into mindless monsters? The people of the Gorseflower Empire all consider you a Cold Blood demon!"

Bai Xiaowen shook his head, gave Stantin a disdainful look, and then put his arm around Cecilia as they headed to enter the city lord's mansion.

As they passed Baron Stantin, the latter said sternly, "Don't you dare defend yourself?"

Bai Xiaowen suddenly stopped and turned to stare at Baron Stantin.

"Who do you think you are? Do I need to defend you? I would do everything the same way again, without any regrets. You're just too stupid to understand my actions. I'm not your father, why should I explain the reasons to you and make you smarter?"

"You!" Baron Stantin's face flushed with anger.

Cecilia said in a low voice, "If possible, try to avoid conflict with him. The Ironthorn Family's territory controls the key road link between the empire and the Northern Frontier; it's not advisable to offend them."

Bai Xiaowen smiled and said, "I knew it was for this reason long ago."

If it weren't for Stantin's important position, which Cecilia feared, this powerful woman known as the White Rose certainly wouldn't have shown Stantin any courtesy.

The road hub connecting the empire to the Northern Frontier is indeed crucial. Once cut off, White Stone City will be no different from an isolated city, losing all possibility of communication and development with the outside world.

Moreover, there are only two large human settlements in the Northern Frontier today: White Stone City and Blackrock City. Blackrock City is several times larger than White Stone City, and it has a more complete range of goods, resources, and even professional talents, which is incomparable to the impoverished and dilapidated White Stone City.

White Stone City needs to trade with Blackrock City to obtain the resources it needs for development.

Cecilia's forbearance was also for the sake of developing White Stone City, which Bai Xiaowen left behind, to a better future.

After a pause, Bai Xiaowen added, "Actually, you don't need to spoil that guy. I don't believe that White Stone City can't develop without his Ironthorn Family."

Cecilia gently took Bai Xiaowen's arm. "You are the lord, you make the decisions."

The two were deeply in love, but Baron Stantin, watching from behind, was seething with rage. He rushed over, ripped off his gloves, and threw them at Bai Xiaowen's feet.

"Pick it up, you coward!"

A low gasp rippled through the Kane Plane, a nobleman throwing a glove at another person in public signified the start of a duel. If the other person picked up the glove, they accepted the duel.

Then, something even more astonishing happened: Bai Xiaowen stepped on the glove embroidered with iron thorns.

"Are you worthy to duel me?" Bai Xiaowen said calmly.

In terms of both rank and influence, Bai Xiaowen far surpasses Baron Stantin. His A-Tier World Fame is considerable, although in the eyes of many in the Gorseflower Empire, the name Dio Skellboom signifies infamy.

"I am not dueling with you as a warrior, nor do I have any interest in your martial achievements. I challenge you as a suitor!" Baron Stantin roared. "A coarse country bumpkin like you is unworthy of a beautiful rose like Cecily. Do you dare to take up your sword and accept my challenge?"

Bai Xiaowen was quite familiar with Kane's cultural background; such duels for lovers were very popular among nobles and were generally accepted.

Of course, nobles who are not skilled in martial arts can designate their attendants or subordinates to accept the duel in their place. However, the one who initiates the challenge cannot do this; the challenger must personally take to the stage.

Cecilia shook her head and said, "Baron Stantin, have you forgotten that Baron Dio was the warrior who killed Absolon? Is challenging him with your strength just asking for humiliation?"

Although Spirit Realm beings cannot Insight someone's information like Bai Xiaowen, they can sense a person's approximate strength level from the intensity of their Psionic Particles fluctuations.

Judging from the fluctuations in Psionic Particles, Baron Stantin was only at the level of a level five or six Elite Tier, not even as good as the knights under Cecilia's command, Tim, Mark, and Phil, let alone being able to stand up to Bai Xiaowen.

Baron Stantin's face flushed even redder. He said, enunciating each word clearly, "I cannot accept the humiliation of being looked down upon by the woman I love. On the honor of the Ironthorn Family, Dio, I challenge you to a duel to the death!"

Exclamations arose, and the crowd exchanged bewildered glances, all thinking that Stantin had probably gone mad.

Bai Xiaowen frowned slightly and cast a Insight on Baron Stantin.

"The target is in Chameleon Blood camouflage state..."

"Unknown factors are interfering, Data Disorder..."

"This Insight will deduct 500 Psionic Points. Pay now?"

Bai Xiaowen immediately chose to pay. In an instant, the template information for Albert Stantin changed drastically in his eyes.

[Aquit Elwin (Level 7 Boss Tier) / Chameleon Blood]

[Race: Human Species / Human Race]

[Class: Arcane Swordsman]

[Attributes: Strength 35, Agility 59, Constitution 45, Spirit 25]

[Skill 1: Spell-Sealing Sigil: Cast a hidden spell seal on the target. The target's next spell will be disrupted and fail, and the spell's energy will Sealing within your own Arcane Swordblade. For the next 10 minutes, each time the Arcane Swordblade hits an enemy, it will deal additional spell damage (the type of damage depends on the disrupted spell).]

[Skill 2: Arcane Swordblade: Passive, your blade surges with magical energy. Each successful physical attack will deal an additional 10 points of magical damage (no attribute).]

[Skill 3: Instant Strike: Instantly disappear from the original location and appear behind the target to launch an attack. If this attack hits, it will deal double damage.]

[Skill 4:???]

[Skill 5: Wandering Swordsman LV1: Aquit's Life Value is increased by 300 points, and the duration of abnormal status and control skills is reduced by 30%.]

"Good heavens, he even has some kind of Chameleon Blood disguise... This guy isn't Baron Stantin at all! He's got ulterior motives!"

Bai Xiaowen slightly opened his eyes and carefully examined "Stantin". This Stantin, whose real name Aquit, is of unknown origin, but he is quite strong, especially in one-on-one combat.

"A duel to the death, are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure!"

"Alright then," Bai Xiaowen said calmly, "As you wish. As is customary, I should decide the time and place, right?"

Aquit sneered, "As you wish."

"Let's set the time for noon, and the location will be the central square of White Stone City. What do you think?" Bai Xiaowen looked up at the sky; it was only an hour or two until noon.

"Alright! I'll be waiting for you in the central square. Don't be afraid to come!" Aquit said, then, with the help of his butler, he got into the carriage and drove off.

As the carriage bearing the Ironthorn Crest drove away, Cecilia stepped forward, grasped Bai Xiaowen's hand, and said, "There's really no need to lower yourself to the level of such a shallow fellow."

"You're wrong, this person is no ordinary person!" Bai Xiaowen shook his head and said, "Cecilia, tell me first, is there any place in the territory that needs Blackrock City's help recently?"

"Breaking news! Our lord is going to duel with Baron Stantin!"

"I heard it was caused by the city lord, and it was even a life-or-death duel!"

"Where is it? I want to see it!"

In just over an hour, news of the duel spread throughout White Stone City as if it had sprouted wings. Many residents flocked to the central square to witness this spectacle.

Inside the Ironthorn Clan's carriage.

An elderly man dressed as a butler lowered the thick, plush curtains.

"No wonder it's getting noisier outside; there are so many people wanting to watch the game."

Sitting opposite him, Standin, also known as the wandering swordsman Arquette, sneered, "To gather so many people in such a short time? It must be that lord stirring things up. He thinks he has victory in his grasp and wants to show off in front of his people."

The old butler chuckled, "He didn't expect that his opponent wouldn't be the esteemed young master Stantin, but a highly skilled Wandering Swordsman."

"Hmph, Dio Dio's expression will be quite a sight then," Aquit said.

"However, we still cannot let our guard down. Dio's strength is absolutely extraordinary; he was capable of killing the Orcs chieftain Absolon!"

Aquit shook his head, saying disdainfully, "I've already heard the whole story. Absolon was surrounded and killed by Zombie horde, and Dio ended up getting a huge advantage. His real strength is only average, and besides, in this arena battle format, I can better unleash my strength. He's doomed!"

"Hmm, not bad. As long as Dio dies without an heir, the Ironthorn Clan can apply to take over the territory!" the old butler said with a smile. "The formula for that magical Zombie -attracting potion and disguise potion used in White Stone City will become the property of the Ironthorn Clan."

"I'm not interested in that. Just give me what I'm entitled to," Aquit said.

You can rest assured...

Suddenly, the commotion outside grew louder, and someone shouted, "Lord! Lord Dio and the City Lord have both appeared!"

"It's your turn to perform, Mr. Aquit," the old butler said with a sly smile.

Aquit smiled and nodded, then lifted the thick curtain and jumped down from the carriage.

The central square was packed with enthusiastic spectators. Only in the central area, under the control of the city's defense guards, was a circular area with a diameter of about one hundred meters set aside – this was the dueling arena.

Soon, Bai Xiaowen and Aquit arrived at the circular dueling arena and stood facing each other.

"Only one person will survive today, Viscount Dio," Aquit performed with great seriousness, "And only one person will win Cecily's heart!"

"Her heart has long been mine," Bai Xiaowen's warm smile inexplicably ignited Aquit's anger. "Hey, let's sign the contract for the duel to the death first."

For a duel agreement, both parties must have a notary.

Bai Xiaowen signed the contract with Cecilia as the witness, vowing to never regret it, even unto death.

Aquit had no respectable nobles to testify, so he could only have his personal butler, Mr. Harold, testify. However, Aquit had clearly come prepared, bringing with him the Silver Thorn Seal symbolizing the Ironthorn Family's authority, which he stamped on Harold's and his own names.

Two duelists and two notaries signed a pact of life and death. Neither party's death would violate imperial law.