Under the sunlight, the golden accessories on the Prairie King were shining brightly, emanating the nobleness of a king.
The wolf skin, which was filled with wildness, added a sense of majesty to the king.
Riding on his horse, the Prairie King turned his head around casually.
Roar!
A sudden wolf howl echoed in Kieran's ears.
The Prairie King who was supposed to be in human form suddenly transformed into a giant wolf, a giant white wolf bigger than a horse and stronger than a cow.
The giant white wolf opened its mouth and threw itself at Kieran.
Fear notifications kept popping up in Kieran's vision.
Although it was an illusion created by his aura, the Fire Raven that was connected to Kieran's mind and was responsible for monitoring the situation on top of the cliff, sharing his vision with Kieran. Despite that, the Fire Raven was still fluttering its wings in panic as if it ran into some terrifying predator.
Most of the soldiers inside Thunder Fortress were wriggling and falling on the ground as if they were drunk.
The Raven Sect and Snake School were affected as well but they were much stronger than the common soldiers. All they did was shake their bodies a little before they returned to normal.
However, judging from the astonishment on many of their faces, they were frightened as well.
Especially Maxim, Celty and the other Raven Sect members who had met the Prairie King before, they were looking at each other in confusion.
They tried their best to overestimate the power of the Prairie King but from the looks of it, they still underestimated him.
Some of them even exchanged gazes with each other.
It seemed like they had other plans in mind.
Mary who was shielded by Kieran wasn't affected by the aura but the situation around her made her realize how scary the Prairie King was.
He didn't even need to exchange blows with the Prairie King, all he needed was his aura to crush the Prairie King.
It had far exceeded the girl's imagination.
"2567 …"
Mary wanted to dissuade Kieran out of instinct.
But Kieran shook his head.
With the main mission as a constraint, there was no room for him to back out after triggering the special event.
He placed his hand on the girl's head and looked at the Snake School and Raven Sect members around him.
These 'allies' had already begun to retreat before they could even make a move.
Perry Kaner met Kieran's gaze without showing any signs of weakness. Her lips curled into a mocking smile. The Snake School leader was waiting to see what Kieran was going to do.
Maxim, on the other hand, lowered his head without a second thought when he caught Kieran's gaze. The Raven Sect recorder's wild ambition was put away right away when he faced the Prairie King's might.
Kieran didn't think much of Perry Kaner's mockery.
The contract he had signed with the other party contained a trace of coercion in itself. At this time, it was really normal for the other party to want to see him make a fool of himself.
However, Maxim disappointed Kieran.
It was not scary to be ambitious.
What was scary was that they had ambition but didn't have the corresponding ability and bearing.
At that moment, Kieran finally understood why the Raven Sect had been divided for such a long time.
From Maxim alone, one could tell what kind of people the remaining Raven Sect teachers were.
If they were slightly more forceful, the Raven Sect would have a new Crown Raven by now.
A bunch of lobbyists from the Raven Sect.
Thinking back to Mary's joking words before, Kieran somehow felt it was more real.
The Raven Sect was no longer the king of the sky that could incinerate all things with the flame in his hand as recorded in 'Words of Sects'. Following the disappearance of the 'Crown Raven', the Raven Sect was now a bald crow. Other than cawing a few times, it was useless.
"Everyone, if you want to leave, please leave as soon as you can!
"In a while, a battle to the death will break out here!"
Kieran said slowly.
The moment his words subsided, most of the Raven Sect members left in a hurry, none of them had the intention to greet Kieran, whether it was when they arrived or when they left.
Kieran didn't try to hold back those who left.
Kieran knew that rather than forcefully keeping these fearful bastards behind, he might as well let them leave, in case something unexpected happened when the war really broke out.
However, to Kieran's surprise, Maxim, who didn't even dare to look him in the eyes before, brought Celty and a few others from the Raven Sect to stay.
"I have no other choice … Although I'm scared to death, I've bet everything I have on you. Now, all I can do is to take a gamble!"
The rest of the Raven Sect members were obviously led by Maxim. When the recorder saw Kieran's gaze again, he didn't dodge it, all he did was smile bitterly.
"I'll try my best not to disappoint you."
Kieran replied before looking at Perry Kaner.
"If you are willing to dissolve the contract, I'll bring my men and leave right away!"
The Snake School leader was being very straightforward.
"Thank you for staying behind and helping me!"
Kieran didn't respond at all. He just bowed to express his gratitude.
Perry Kaner coldly grunted at Kieran who was putting on an act.
"Although the numbers have been reduced a lot, it's still more than I expected … So, your mission will be a lot easier!"
Kieran walked in front of everyone, his voice wasn't loud nor soft but it was just enough for the group to hear.
"Everyone from Snake School, I need you all to display your best assassination skills and the Raven Sect members will inform you of the target."
There wasn't any exciting pre-battle mobilization, it was just assigning tasks.
"What about you, sir?"
Perry Kaner asked.
Kieran looked at the collaborator who had ulterior motives and couldn't hold back his smile. He pointed at the direction where the aura came from and said, "King versus king, wanna come?"
"Hmph!"
Another cold grunt sounded and Perry Kaner didn't care about Kieran anymore.
A Snake School's oath and a contract, although breaking it would result in severe consequences that could cost one's life, it was still better than losing one's life.
The might that the Prairie King displayed made the Snake School leader lose all thoughts of fighting him.
Perry Kaner couldn't help but show pity in her eyes when she looked at Kieran.
From the Snake School leader's point of view, Kieran was going to his death.
And the reason for his death?
Perry Kaner turned her eyes to Mary.
She really didn't know where the little girl who hadn't truly matured got her charm from.
Mary felt Perry Kaner's gaze but the little girl didn't care.
However, the girl didn't care about him at all. Her eyes were focused on Kieran.
"We can leave!"
The little girl said softly.
Her voice was very soft.
Though, it didn't escape the ears of those who were observant.
Those who stayed behind weren't idiots, they were worried that they would become the sacrificial pawn to cover the retreat.
"If we leave, where will we go?
The Prairie King's ambition isn't just to plunder and return to the prairies, he wants the whole of Warren and even more territories … As a royal of Warren, no matter where you run to, there will be mercenaries and bounty hunters chasing after your head in exchange for the bounty from the Prairie King! "
Kieran touched the little girl's head again.
It seemed to have become a new habit for him recently.
"2567, you can protect me!"
The little girl said out of instinct.
"Mm!
But I prefer to be more proactive. Rather than waiting for danger to come, it's better to nip it in the bud! "
Kieran nodded and didn't give Kieran the chance to speak. He waved at Fanner, Jyaichi and the others who were wearing heavy and tight mantles further away.
"My lord!"
Under the effect of [Mesly Ring], the traitors of Snake School bowed respectfully at Kieran.
"Protect Mary and wait for my return!"
After that, Kieran took a step back and merged himself into the shadows.
Mary raised her hand, trying to grab Kieran.
However, her fingertips sliced through the air instead.
“2567！”
Mary muttered softly.
The feeling of loss made the girl not know what to do. She raised her head and looked at the people who were protecting her. Through these people, she saw
She saw Perry Kaner with her arms crossed in front of her chest as if she was watching a good show.
She saw Maxim with an ashen face.
All she saw was a hopeless expression.
There was no care, no smiles, no support.
All that was left was a group of walking corpses who were doing their jobs half-heartedly.
No!
No!
She wouldn't be able to share 2567's burden, instead, she would become his burden!
"I …
I …
I'll lose 2567! "
When the thought appeared in Mary's heart, fear instantly spread like a plague in her heart. It was as if the despair of losing her mother was shrouding her again.
"I don't want this!
I lost my mother!
I don't want to lose 2567 again! "
Mary screamed in her heart at her cowardice and running away.
Her screams forced her to face the difficulties before her eyes.
The scary thought of losing Kieran gave her the courage to do so.
Almost by compulsion, Mary calmed herself.
She then recalled the plan that Kieran came up with.
Soon, the melancholy on her face disappeared, leaving behind a determined look.
Perry Kaner, who had been watching the little girl, was stunned.
She didn't expect the little girl to adjust herself in such a short period of time.
The Snake School leader and even Mary herself didn't notice.
The [Thorn Blade] that Mary carried with her all the time started to tremble without her control.
It was only for a moment.
A moment later, it returned to normal.
It didn't seem to be anything special.
However, it was like a seed buried in the fertile soil.
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