My heart feels cold, without a trace of warmth. There definitely won't be a recommendation spot next week. Sigh. Here I am, Jiaoshou, shouting myself hoarse for bookmarks and recommendation votes. Help me climb the homepage's new releases chart so I can see whether appearing there brings in more bookmarks. Everyone passing by, please give Jiaoshou your bookmarks. I'm begging you!
As a Hero Rank powerhouse, Rachel rarely encountered anything in this world that could stir any emotion. Even back then, when defeating five formidable Hero Rank opponents in succession, Rachel's expression had not changed. After spending years cultivating in seclusion within the royal palace of Gilneas, searching for a way to reach Demigod rank, Rachel had developed a peaceful mindset and cared little about most things.
But today, that composure was shattered. Listening to Rex, Rachel's expression shifted in disbelief. Those words had come from the mouth of an Heir Apparent. Rachel could scarcely believe it.
King Genn, who was also watching the fight, reacted much the same way and turned his face aside. The words Rachel had spoken were simply too embarrassing, yet the culprit responsible for all this showed no awareness of it and kept talking without pause.
"That last move didn't count. I came here in such a hurry that I haven't eaten a bite. Whenever I'm hungry, my body gets weak, and I have less than half my usual strength." The shameless words spilled from Rex's mouth. Seeing everyone's expressions, Rex knew that this excuse had damaged his imposing image.
Seeing his fiercest strike effortlessly blocked by Rachel, Rex was astonished at the might of a Hero Rank powerhouse, but he also realized that he could never last ten exchanges. He therefore made that excuse without hesitation to buy himself time and find an opportunity to use the Tome of Strength. Whatever happened, he was determined to accompany Gilneas's forces to Dalaran.
This time, he needed to resolve the matter of the Ashbringer. Besides, Rex had been sick of Arthas for a long time. Arthas was a genius, but how had that genius risen to prominence?
Hadn't he done it by stepping on people like Rex, using them as stepping stones? If they encountered a reasonably strong adventurer, for instance, that adventurer would say in amazement, "Look, that's Arthas. He reached the Ninth Rank at just nineteen. Look at so-and-so—over twenty years of life wasted, and he still hasn't reached the Ninth Rank."
In the past, Rex had put up with it because he genuinely could not compare to Arthas. But after gaining benefits from the Warcraft System, Rex no longer believed he was inferior. When he recalled meeting Arthas in Stormwind City, the other man's bearing had seemed indescribably arrogant. There had not even been contempt in the gaze he directed at Rex. Surely that meant Arthas did not think Rex was even worthy of his contempt. Rex seethed inwardly, though of course, this was entirely his own interpretation. As an embodiment of the Holy Light, Arthas treated people with a warmth that put them at ease.
It was merely Rex's preconceived impression. He had never liked Arthas to begin with, especially knowing that Gilneas could not even defeat a detached force of the Scourge. Naturally, that left him with no favorable impression of Arthas.
This opportunity to expand Gilneas's influence was also a chance for Rex to enhance his own prestige. Arthas was only one reason. As someone who had transmigrated into this world, he would be doing that identity a disservice if he failed to seize such an excellent opportunity to befriend more of its future Heroic figures. The shit-yellow dragon had remained inactive all along, which had emboldened Rex considerably. Sending a caravan from Gilneas to Dalaran would have been a minor change, but opening the gates of the Greymane Wall on the first of every month was a major one. Even so, the shit-yellow dragon had made no move.
Naturally, Rex was ready to begin laying out his strategy. Although Lordaeron would one day be destroyed, it produced many heroes. Just as Gilneas had its two roses, Lordaeron had even more heroes emerge from its ranks. Many powerful figures there had distinguished themselves during the Second War, including Alexandros Mograine, the first wielder of the Ashbringer, and its later wielder, Tirion Fordring. Every one of them was an outstanding Heroic figure.
Tirion Fordring, for instance, was one of the original five Paladins of the Order of the Silver Hand. What an illustrious distinction that was! Rex's objective this time was to obtain the Black Crystal from Alexandros Mograine. If he delayed until the undead Scourge erupted, he would have no chance of claiming the Ashbringer. After that, he would build a connection with Tirion Fordring and establish a friendship.
Of Tirion Fordring and Alexandros Mograine, Rex valued the former most. Both were lords with sizable territories and honorable standing, but Tirion Fordring would eventually fall from grace and be exiled for befriending an orc. Rex intended to take advantage of that moment to invite him to join the Knights of the Round Table.
He would recruit the man who would later establish the Argent Crusade. Once Tirion joined the Knights of the Round Table, his reputation would allow Rex to absorb the core members of the Order of the Silver Hand after its destruction. Only then could the Knights of the Round Table become a massive organization with truly significant influence.
There was still a chance of recruiting Tirion Fordring. As for Alexandros Mograine, Rex saw not the slightest hope.
Seated at the long dining table, Rex looked preoccupied as he stuffed food into his mouth. He considered many things at that moment. Though his mind was busy, he betrayed nothing on the surface and ate without a qualm. King Genn, however, did not have such a good appetite. Rachel had little objection and now seemed equally hungry, eating far more boisterously than either Rex or King Genn.
After all, King Genn and Rex had both been educated in aristocratic etiquette. Rachel also came from the nobility, but no longer followed those rules, and no one could do anything about it.
"I'm heading to the Training Grounds first." Rex suddenly stood and strode outside, rubbing the Spatial Ring on his hand. His gaze seemed to pierce through it and rest on the Lesser Tome of Strength within. He also examined the other treasures stored there. They were his hope of surviving ten exchanges. For the sake of the Ashbringer, Rex could no longer afford to worry about whether he was cheating.
(End of chapter)
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