Set Up, Lantan—Level 9 Warrior

Lei Lin raised an eyebrow. The reconnaissance method he had developed based on Electromagnetic Induction was incredibly convenient and highly stealthy; he had already utilized it the moment he activated the effects of the Thunder God Set.

He was well aware of the situation in the small town; aside from the few of them, there wasn't a single living soul left.

The man in black saying such things was purely toying with him. Right now, he was itching to fire an Electromagnetic Cannon to teach the man in black a lesson on how to behave!

However, he ultimately held back. Clinging to his last shred of hope, he said, "No, I wouldn't dare guarantee what the first townspeople to find them might do when faced with a princess and an old butler who have no power to resist."

"Either I use a contract to restrict them, or else..."

Before Lei Lin could finish his threats, Princess Lantan, who was standing beside him, suddenly threw herself into his arms and said, "No, as a warrior, how could I ever be a deserter?"

"Mr. Lei Lin, I am willing to be captured alongside you!"

After saying this, she shouted at the man in black opposite them, "If you want to capture someone, take me too! I will not leave Mr. Lei Lin!"

Lei Lin was completely stunned. Looking at the shy expression on Lantan's face, an inexplicable and overwhelming urge to complain rose within him.

He had always thought that the cringeworthy, love-struck plots in short dramas, novels, and television shows were absolute garbage; how could such illogical things happen in reality?

But now, he suddenly felt that "based on a true story" might not be a lie after all.

A princess he had only just met at a social gathering was now declaring that she wanted to live and die with him. Had her brain been eaten by a zombie? How did the royal family raise a princess like you?!

The old butler at his side was momentarily stunned by Princess Lantan's display. Having watched Lei Lin grow up, he understood him very well.

From the moment Lei Lin firmly insisted that he and Princess Lantan leave, he knew Lei Lin must have had some sort of plan. That was why, ever since he was stopped by Lei Lin after initially erupting with battle qi to fight for his life, he had been behaving himself.

The only thing on his mind was how to get the news of Lei Lin's capture out as quickly as possible once they escaped.

But now, seeing a princess he had just met act this way for Lei Lin, he felt a bit ashamed; it seemed his own loyalty had been outshone by a woman.

The man in black opposite them didn't care about these romantic displays. He clapped his hands as if applauding and looked at Lantan, saying, "How truly moving. However, I'm not in the mood to keep playing these little romantic games with you here."

"In fact, we didn't plan on taking any extra people, so..."

The man in black turned his head with a chuckle to look at Lei Lin and continued, "Lei Lin, it's clear that you are a sensible man."

"In the future, we will all be working for the great Dark Lord. This little girl, as a princess of the Fenlai Kingdom, is considered part of the Holy Alliance—she is an enemy."

"Don't bother with broken limbs; it's too much of a hassle. Why don't you just give her a quick end!"

This was a demand for a pledge of allegiance. If Lei Lin really killed Lantan, even if he were rescued by the Radiant Church later, there would be an insurmountable rift between him and the royal family of the Fenlai Kingdom.

Even if Clyde could endure humiliation, there would inevitably be a grudge left in his heart.

Lei Lin sighed inwardly. Although he looked down on Clyde and knew the man was nothing more than a dog for the Radiant Church, he couldn't truly bring himself to kill such a simple-minded little princess like Lantan.

Seeing the helpless expression on Lei Lin's face, the man in black said with growing impatience, "Lei Lin, we've wasted a lot of time since we met. I'm sure you are eager to bathe in the glory of the great Dark Lord."

"So, please... hurry up!"

Lei Lin looked at the man in black, then at Lantan, who had become somewhat uneasy upon hearing the man's words but was still looking at him with eyes full of trust.

He sighed, "Good grief, what a pain~"

BOOM!

Accompanied by a sharp, piercing sound of air being torn apart, the straight blade Judgment, which had been accumulating power for some time, struck fiercely toward the lead man in black.

This strike could be described as earth-shattering.

The power, comparable to that of the Saint Realm, shocked even the lead man in black. Deep, thick dark battle qi instantly surged from his body, constructing a rapidly rotating black hole to block his front.

However, Lei Lin's strike was far too fast. The black hole the man in black condensed had barely taken shape before it was struck by the straight blade Judgment.

Yet, the Judgment, having shattered the black hole, was at the end of its strength and only caused a minor injury to the man in black!

"I'll hold them off, you two run!"

The old butler, who had been ready to flee at any moment and trusted Lei Lin unconditionally, executed the order to run without hesitation, even though his heart was filled with extreme worry.

But Princess Lantan had no intention of running at all; she remained huddled in Lei Lin's arms, seemingly stunned by Lei Lin's powerful, charged strike.

Lei Lin didn't have time to play at romance with a woman; the window for escape was fleeting. If Lantan really acted like the young ladies and princesses in television dramas, he wouldn't bother trying to save her again.

"Don't dawdle, run!!!"

Only then did Lantan shift her attention from the Electromagnetic Cannon attack to Lei Lin's face.

After shouting that at Lantan, Lei Lin didn't say another word. He erupted with his full battle qi and unleashed magic, charging toward the three men in black to buy time for the old butler and Lantan.

But he knew he was absolutely no match for his opponents; he wasn't even sure how much time he could buy. If Lantan and the old butler hadn't escaped by the time he felt he couldn't hold on any longer, there would be nothing he could do.

After all, his own safety was the most important thing. At worst, he could just avenge the old butler and the others once he reached the Saint Realm.

But then, Lei Lin felt that something was wrong!

He looked back, only to see Lantan smiling like a flower. Not only had she not run away, but she was actually charging forward with him, right behind his back.

The moment he turned his head, their faces were almost touching!

"Mr. Lei Lin is truly the number one genius in history. Whether it's your courage or your strength, it is... quite unexpected~"

Lei Lin's mind went almost completely blank. At this point, even if he were a fool, he would have sensed that something was wrong.

He had been set up!!!

"This Lantan is definitely not some sweet, love-struck princess; it was all an act."

"Strength..."

"It is definitely more than level six!"

Lantan transformed into a streak of light in an instant, charging toward the three experts of the Dark Church even faster than Lei Lin, her hand waving to send a sword gleam piercing toward the leader in black.

The man in black, who had only suffered a minor injury even when caught off guard by Lei Lin's charged strike, was now struggling to defend himself against Lantan's attack.

At this moment, the other two men in black also made their move, and judging by their aura, they were actually level nine experts as well!