The Haul

Don't take it!

In the end, Qin Ran made his decision.

He had thought of Hans.

Hans had believed that if he timed his departure from the instance world, he would get away unharmed.

And what had happened?

Not only had he gained nothing, but he had also triggered this punitive Special Instance.

Of course, Qin Ran was confident he could reduce the chance of that "punishment" to almost nothing.

All he had to do was kill Mordler!

But...

Qin Ran unconsciously touched the [Lionheart King] on his chest, then shook his head.

Stegerna's "gift" meant Qin Ran could not attack Mordler.

At least, not unless Mordler showed him hostility first. Qin Ran would not make the first move.

"Such a hypocrite!"

Qin Ran glanced once more at the ring that was likely an Inheritance Item. With a self-mocking smile, he walked into the shadows along one side of the ravine.

In the distance, the soldiers of the Duchy of Merk finally realized something was wrong.

They rushed over.

But all they found were the bodies of Duke Merck, his adviser Feilin, and the swordmaster Stegerna.

And the duke's eldest son, Mordler, unconscious.

As for what had happened?

They had no idea.

Several days later, Mordler, the duke's eldest son, took up the Inheritance Item and ascended to the ducal seat without opposition. He immediately declared war on the Duchy of Titan for plotting the assassinations of the former Duke Merck, his adviser Feilin, and the swordmaster Stegerna.

An army in mourning was an army bound to win.

Especially after word came from home that the Duchy of Titan had stirred up a rebellion in Merck Castle. The entire Duchy of Merk united against its enemy and broke through Titan Castle two weeks later, fulfilling the wish of several generations