Truth or Lies

The war between the Duchy of Merk and the Duchy of Titan was drawing to a close.

Just as in the tales of knights, the invading Duchy of Titan had been defeated.

It was the outcome everyone had hoped for.

Just look at the soldiers of the Duchy of Merk. Every face was beaming.

They did not know how much the Duchy of Titan would have to pay in reparations, or how much they would receive as a reward.

But they knew they could go home.

First, though, they had to finish the work at hand.

On either side of Afterglow Canyon, two stone watchtowers were being reinforced. At the far end of the canyon, a stone wall guarding the exit toward the Duchy of Titan was under repair.

As the greatest barrier against the Duchy of Titan, the importance of Afterglow Bastion went without saying.

Even the duchy's farmers understood that, let alone its soldiers.

Afterglow Bastion had reduced their casualties by at least thirty percent.

So every soldier working on the fortifications took the job seriously.

Their lives depended on it.

Hidden below a mountain stream on the left side of Afterglow Canyon, Qin Ran could not see any of this.

But what he had seen and heard when he first arrived two days ago was enough for him to guess what was happening.

He had little interest in the work there.

His attention remained fixed on Feilin and Mordler.

"Another great victory!"

"His Highness is invincible!"

Feilin stood on a rock, sighing with admiration.

He had taken off his hood and mask, revealing a long, gaunt face, loose skin, and graying hair and beard.

"Flattery is required training for a dog, too!"

The duke's eldest son hung from a tree, his hands and feet bound and his