Chapter 161

Until... a few sparks appeared before their eyes.

That was the light of a candle.

"It's unbelievable that someone who is a duke would still be willing to deal with weapons all day long."

The Zuo Jian spoke up.

"I never imagined that the Victoria of yesteryear would be so riddled with holes, like a sieve, that it would even include someone like you."

At this moment, the iron backbone of this empire, the Iron Duke Wellington, stood alone on a chair behind him, surrounded by shelves full of weapons, facing the Zuo Jian.

"What should I call you? Norman Smith? Or the name of that former mob boss?"

"None of that is needed."

Zuo Jian took a step forward, and the surrounding crimson enveloped his entire body like a curtain, which quickly dissipated after a moment!

A middle-aged man with standard Drak horns and a tail slowly emerged from behind the curtain.

Wellington was taken aback, looking at the chilling aura emanating from the other man... it was as if he saw a younger version of himself... no, even far surpassing his younger self.

"An important person in my life told me that my attitude deserved a resounding title."

"Your Excellency Wellington, what do you think of the title 'Dragonblood Duke'?"

"Being a duke isn't something you can just decide to do."

The Iron Duke squinted at "Drak," who was shrouded in a crimson curtain.

Chapter 119, Legion

"What's wrong? Perhaps this face makes you feel a little uncomfortable? Would you like me to change to a more familiar face?"

Zuo Jian smiled slightly, then transformed half of his face into the face of the gang leader.

Wellington certainly recognized that face, although compared to the hawks and hounds kept by other grand dukes, he basically let these "wild dogs" not trained by him roam freely.

But at least... understanding its internal workings is still achievable.

It was obvious that the abilities the other party was displaying at this moment had already demonstrated that he had completely brought his free-roaming "wild dogs" under his control.

"No, this is fine."

Right now, if I go along with the other party, I will basically shift the control of the situation to them.

Zuo Jian casually wiped his face, then resumed his cold and stern middle-aged expression.

He stepped forward, and seeing that Wellington in front of him didn't seem to have any intention of making room for him, he gently raised his hand and manipulated the scarlet thing at his feet to intertwine and recombine behind him, transforming it into an exaggerated chair.

Wellington looked up at Zuo Jian, who was now sitting high up in the scarlet chair.

"To be honest, the fact that you dared to be alone with me has shattered my preconceived notions about most dukes."

Zuo Jian rested his chin on his Zuo Jian, watching Wellington with great interest.

"Is that so? It seems I should surround myself with dozens of guards, then wait for you to silently replace my trained personal guards, and then effortlessly come to my side and plunge your blade into my heart?"

"It seems you've found out quite a bit about me."

"At least for now, in this space, I don't have to worry about whether anyone around me has become your 'puppet.' Right now, it's just you and me."

"Is that so? To be honest, it's a wise judgment. But have you ever considered that if I really wanted to kill you, perhaps it wouldn't have to go through all this trouble?"

Zuo Jian, watching the flesh in his palm constantly changing and writhing.

"How are you going to stop me, Iron Duke? With the high-concentration Originium explosives stockpiled in these boxes around you?"

"You think you can kill me with something like this?"

Zuo Jian looked at the pile of boxes around Wellington with a hint of mockery and spoke.

"To be honest, I don't expect to easily eliminate an unknown enemy using something like this, but you should have noticed that by now."

Wellington rose and faced the Zuo Jian.

Above this basement is the main hall of the mansion, which is used for gatherings.

"Right now, your two adopted daughters are in the center of the banquet as the welcome guests."

"I imagine you wouldn't want anything to happen to these two... the imposter Drak."

The Iron Duke stepped forward and looked at Zuo Jian with a serious expression.

"Are you... threatening me?"

The chair vanished, turning into a crimson mist of blood. He stepped out of it and walked right up to Wellington.

The body was already quite large, but it could only look the elderly duke in the eye.

This old man, who should theoretically have one foot in the grave, displayed an indescribable composure and aura at this moment.

He could even meet Zuo Jian's gaze without fear.

The atmosphere between the two suddenly became tense.

But... only a few minutes later.

Zuo Jian suddenly looked at Wellington and burst into a joyful laugh.

Similarly, the elderly Iron Duke also looked up and let out a hearty laugh.

"You've won a game, Duke."

"Ha, they've only managed to turn things around a little bit until I came on. Victoria is definitely past her prime... just like me."

Zuo Jian shrugged, then glanced at the box behind Wellington.

"Although, your actions have indeed taken me by surprise. I never imagined that as a duke, you would actually do something like this..."

"In fact, if simply the death of an old man like me could eliminate such a formidable threat to Victoria, there's absolutely no need for hesitation in weighing the two options."

"But no, Duke Wellington, as you've probably noticed, I should... be far more powerful than you think."

"So I stand here now, wanting to know, what is the purpose of your visit?"

"Only when violence fails to solve everything do people think of trying to achieve a relatively acceptable outcome through communication and negotiation."

"Stranger who calls himself the Dragonblood Duke, tell me, what are you trying to stir up on the land of Victoria?"

"Or rather, what do you want to achieve? As Drak."

The Iron Duke spoke, inquiring about Zuo Jian's intentions.

The latter simply shook his head slightly, then raised his serious face and answered.

"I don't want anything, I just can't stand the busybodies who cause so much suffering wherever I look."

"Your Excellency Wellington, this is a collaboration."

Zuo Jian extended his hand and spoke with a smile.

"You can choose to help me, and in return, I will find a way to give you a Victoria who is better than you are now."

"... You want to support those sisters to the throne? And then control them?"

"No, no, no, I won't do that."

Zuo Jian shook his head, then spoke.

"Putting two children with no power or influence on the throne? To be honest, that's disgusting, and I don't like it."

"And you..."

"My dear Iron Duke, do you think an Earl of Drak blood who rescued Victoria from the Sarkaz's conspiracy is qualified for that position?"

Zuo Jian to the Duke.

"A conspiracy that has not yet been carried out can not be used to accuse someone of being a hero."

Wellington looked at the hand in mid-air, which seemed to have no intention of grasping it.

"Then add another army that will never die, never tire, and will continue to expand and devour everything whenever needed."

"Are they qualified enough to step on Victoria's throne and then hang those rotten nobles, calling themselves saviors of the nation?"

"If what you say is true..."

Wellington pondered for a moment, then extended his hand.

"I think you don't need to ask for my opinion at all."

"I don't think so, Iron Duke. I'm not trying to destroy Victoria, but to reshape her."

"Therefore, winning you over is still a pretty high priority, isn't it?"

Zuo Jian released his grip, then revealed a slightly satisfied smile.

"You may still have doubts about me, but that's alright. Everything along the border will prove my point."

"The border... wait, Ursus, and Iberia?"

Wellington's pupils widened, as if he had made a connection to something.

However, Zuo Jian simply placed his palm next to his ear, assuming a listening posture in the basement, and then slowly spoke.

"Hush... Your Grace, I hear the thunderous sound of their footsteps. I think your army should receive our message soon, unless you're just boasting."

Although he appeared calm on the surface, Zuo Jian couldn't help but feel secretly pleased.

Just now, he "connected" to the flesh and blood who had been outside all along.

In that instant, he realized just how much joy that distant flesh and blood had brought him.

Only a visible army could convince the duke before him.

So, he'll show him the army that belongs to Zuo Jian himself...

That said, only a short time has passed, yet that portion of flesh and blood has been enough to form an entire army group... the efficiency is simply too high.

"Duke... Your Majesty the Duke!!!"

Not long after Zuo Jian finished speaking, a soldier rushed into the basement shouting.

"Report!! Border garrison... Border garrison has discovered an army group with an unidentified number!!"

"What?"

The Iron Duke frowned slightly, then looked at the Zuo Jian.

"And... and... the enemy's high-speed warships are surrounded... surrounded by... red-painted steam armor!!"

"Steam armor...?"

In an instant, Wellington turned his head to look at Zuo Jian beside him, trying to glean his answer from his expression.

The latter simply shrugged and then spoke.

"I quite like the design of the steam-powered armor, especially the initial version. In fact, it's more convenient this way, isn't it?"

Is it convenient...?

"Your Grace, your army surely needs some training, doesn't it? This is the perfect opportunity for a trial, and also a chance to verify whether everything I've said is true."

He leaned close to Wellington's ear and whispered something.

"Regarding... the Undying Legion."

"?!"

It is rich in nutrients.

All units are operating normally.

The master's command is... to disguise the appearance as an entity called Steam Armor.

New orders were issued: face the artillery fire head-on.