Chapter 167

High in the sky, the Zuo Jian carrying the Duke Wellington spoke up.

You seem to be thinking about something.

Wellington seemed to have noticed this and asked with some curiosity.

"I really should think about some things."

Zuo Jian hearing the question, Zuo Jian remembered that he did indeed have something he hadn't properly dealt with.

I didn't think it through before calling Laurentina over to comfort Xiu Tina.

Doesn't that mean... the other party has already transcended the concept of "creation"?

In that case... as an individual...

A separate individual Xiu Tina, who is a blend of his own and Laurentina's elements...

Wouldn't that make him and Laurentina's child?!

No, no, no, no.

This is absolutely unacceptable.

Laurentina herself is not even of legal marriage age.

Would Aegir be more lenient on age restrictions in this regard?

Damn it! What the hell am I thinking?!

Damn, thinking about it carefully, this matter seems to have become quite troublesome.

What should he do?! And... how should he face Laurentina?

Volume 3

Chapter 1, Victoria and Her Doctor

"Phew, now's not the time to think about these things."

Zuo Jian gently touched his forehead, as if reminding himself, and spoke.

Inside the Duke's mansion, after numerous servants and guards nearly turned the floor upside down, the Duke Wellington and his unfamiliar guest appeared casually before everyone.

When the guards around him looked at him with surprise and questioning, Wellington simply waved his hand to indicate that he was fine, and then explained that he had just gone for a walk with this "Dragonblood Duke".

Although no one knew or had ever heard of the title "Dragonblood Duke," Wellington's attitude was enough to demonstrate his noble status.

After confirming that the Duke was alright, the guards and attendants gradually returned to their posts, leaving Zuo Jian and Wellington walking along the path of the mansion.

"Speaking of which, it's quite something that the other dukes must have some objections to someone who suddenly appeared and just picked up such a vast territory and title for free."

Zuo Jian glanced at the party hall not far away, then looked at Wellington beside him.

Upon hearing this, the latter's expression clearly turned somewhat unpleasant.

"You guessed right, among the higher-ups in Victoria... there is indeed more infighting and backstabbing among the eight dukes."

The old man shook his head, somewhat annoyed by his son's lack of ambition.

Even at this point in Victoria, most of those guys are still only thinking about how to maximize their own profits in the upcoming turmoil.

Furthermore, according to this Dragonblood Duke, some people are even plotting to collude with the Sarkaz?!

That's some serious foul language from the old Victoria flag! How can you possibly govern a country with these bastards around?!

"Can you handle this? I don't want a few clueless guys showing up every now and then to cause trouble and do things that are obviously stupid but a huge waste of time."

"If I were to support you in person, at least outwardly they wouldn't dare to do anything, but—"

"Yeah."

Zuo Jian lowered his eyelids slightly, then reached out his hand, clenched his fist slightly, and then relaxed it.

"Then there's no need to keep them; there's no reason not to remove parts that offer no benefit."

"Wait, Your Excellency, there are a few dukes among you who could be courted. You should..."

"Think carefully before you act?"

The man walking ahead, Zuo Jian, slightly turned his Zuo Jian away, looking completely indifferent.

"That's right..."

"I have no interest in wasting my time on such things. Duke Wellington, I think you should be able to handle this for me."

"What's the meaning."

Zuo Jian turned Zuo Jian, slowly bent down, and whispered in Wellington's ear.

"It's simple. If you say those guys can live, then they can live. If those guys don't need... then they don't need."

"Don't you find this feeling wonderful? Although you are nominally the head of the eight dukes, for various reasons you have never been able to get rid of some of those who are constantly causing trouble in your eyes... who are of no benefit to this country."

"And now, Duke, the opportunity has arrived."

"I don't need this necrotic structure...you know what I mean, Duke."

"But this will lead to—"

Wellington's eyes widened suddenly as he watched the Zuo Jian front of him gradually transform his face into an identical one.

Even... when he spoke, his tone and voice were extremely similar.

Then, the "Wellington" in front of him slowly spoke.

"What are you talking about? Damaged tissue needs to be cut off. If a limb is amputated all at once, then a prosthesis will have to be installed."

"Do you think it's better for a patient to let their necrotic and diseased limb slowly decay and die, or to quickly and decisively remove the lesions and replace them with new limbs?"

Looking at his almost identical self, Wellington realized that Zuo Jian's abilities were far more terrifying than he had imagined.

It seems that taking the head of a country's highest leader is an incredibly easy task for the other side.

"Hehe... yes... yes."

Thinking of this, he suddenly smiled with relief. He was laughing because he had actually encountered such a terrifying ally.

That way... I won't have to worry about so many things.

"Your Excellency, you are the doctor Victoria has been waiting for. Please wait a moment, and I will give you the surgery list immediately."

Wellington looked at Zuo Jian's face and gave a genuine smile.

"However, I'm still curious about something. Didn't you say you weren't interested in wasting time on this kind of thing? Then... what is it that you feel is worth spending your time on?"

Zuo Jian, who had turned around, was stopped by Wellington's voice. He stopped, but his gaze remained fixed on the well-maintained party hall not far away.

The Duke Wellington's guests and attendants were conversing with Eblana and her companions, seemingly seeking the attention of these two beautiful young women... or rather...

They were brought here by the mysterious Grand Duke, a figure who could be linked to the Iron Duke, and he was under their watchful gaze.

However, Eblana and Loughshinny clearly didn't like being among this group.

Loughshinny put down the plate full of food, then glanced out the French windows at the quiet path.

Not far away, Zuo Jian and an unfamiliar old man were standing side by side.

"Sister... left... Father is there, with the Iron Duke."

Realizing that in formal occasions one should

Loughshinny, who was paying attention to how she addressed Eblana, tugged at her sleeve.

"Tsk... You really don't feel guilty shouting like that. Where is he?"

Eblana clicked her tongue for only a moment, then followed the direction Loughshinny was pointing, searching for the figure she longed for.

"Hmph, that guy left us in this annoying environment and went for a walk instead?"

Loughshinny waved to the Zuo Jian outside, while Eblana, though not doing so, also glanced at the Zuo Jian there.

"They noticed you?"

The duke, who had been on the battlefield, keenly noticed several pairs of eyes peering at them through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

He then realized that they were the man's two newly adopted "daughters".

Immediately afterwards, he noticed that Zuo Jian's expression had softened considerably, and a slight smile appeared on his face as he waved to the Eblana sisters.

However... he was also speaking at the same time, answering the Duke Wellington's question.

"What's worth my time? Without a doubt, it's the stranded Tarans, the homeless Infected, and the emaciated refugees."

"I... I still can't accept it, Duke Wellington, this land is worse than I imagined."

"I hate it here."

"What..."

"However, I'm gradually realizing that instead of changing myself to adapt to the environment, I should directly transform the environment and shape it to suit me."

Zuo Jian finished speaking, he patted Wellington on the shoulder and walked directly towards Eblana and the others.

Left behind... was the Iron Duke, still pondering Zuo Jian's words.

Creak.

The doors to the meeting hall were pushed open.

Several young people immediately stood up and looked at them.

Wellington's original intention in inviting these Earl's sons was simply to allow them to have a... aristocratic gathering with Eblana.

However, it was clear that the parents of the young people had already taught their children that the Duke's invitation was not something that could be obtained casually, and they arrogantly believed that they had been given some kind of mission.

To be known by certain people using the family name...

For example... that mysterious guest.

However, the moment Zuo Jian stepped onto the floor, an indescribable sense of oppression enveloped the entire venue.

The young people stared wide-eyed at the man with a face as stern as a knife, as if their very breaths were about to be cut off.

Not to mention... going up to chat.

The Iron Duke outside glanced at this and couldn't help but sigh.

Alas, the youth of Victoria are getting worse with each generation.

To be honest, the way Dragonblood Duke imitated his own aura was about 80% or 90% similar to how he fought on the battlefield when he was young.

But when he first met these young people's elders, the current Earl, at least they dared to come up and say something.

And now...

Looking at those young nobles who trembled and dared not approach.

Wellington sighed.

Sure enough, if all the young people in Victoria are like this, they're probably doomed!

"Did you have fun?"

Zuo Jian glanced at the young people who were reluctant to approach, then stopped thinking about why they all seemed to have some difficulty walking. He simply walked up to Eblana and the others and asked them a question.

"Happy? I feel no interest whatsoever among this bunch of spineless wimps, especially those who have a lot of ideas but perform worse than a sand Sandworm."

"I could easily take on ten of these guys with my bare hands. Do you think I'd find that funny?"

Eblana spoke without giving Zuo Jian a friendly look.

However... the little tail that had been wagging behind her Zuo Jian seemed to give something away.

"Really? What about Loughshinny?"

"I can take on twenty."

Loughshinny, holding the plate, spoke very seriously.