I, the Masked Swordsman, started my journey through a Lostbelt.

His hands unconsciously gripped the hilt of the greatsword tightly.

Am I feeling fear...?

This feeling is the clearest it has ever been before.

Negative thoughts followed.

What followed was an imminent defeat.

What sent shivers down my spine was a chilling cold that seemed to seep into my very soul.

"What's wrong, Bagst? Aren't we going to keep up the momentum? I'm waiting for the attack."

Du Wei continued in a calm and unperturbed tone.

However, the invisible blood-red killing intent lingering around had not yet dissipated, and outsiders would absolutely not be able to see it clearly.

Clara had no idea what was going on.

When Du Wei held the sword still with both hands, she first felt a chill.

After that, Bagst and Duve did not move again.

It seemed as if the two were stuck in a stalemate.

Bagst didn't not want to move; he was simply unable to move at all.

His whole body felt like it was trapped in a spider web covered in threads; if he moved even slightly, Du Wei would finish him off with a single blow.

Even taking a single step felt incredibly heavy.

This cannot go on.

Continuing this stalemate will only put us at a disadvantage; it's better to seize the initiative until then.

"Humph."

Du Wei suddenly took a feint step forward.

Bagst hurriedly shifted his weight back to his original position.

He quickly withdrew the step he was about to take.

It was as if he had seen through Bagst's intentions and wanted to strike first, but this seemed to be nothing more than a feint by Du Wei.

In fact, there was no intention to launch an attack at all.

A sly smile crept across his face.

Bagst was manipulated like a puppet.

This feeling of being suppressed is so unbearable!

There must be a way to break this deadlock; my centuries of cultivation have certainly provided me with a strategy to deal with this enemy.

If we just take some more time to think about it carefully—

"call..."

Du Wei let out a soft breath.

A strike so fast it was impossible to see went right past me.

Clang!

The pleasant sound of swords clashing against each other rang in my ears, and my mind had not yet recovered from my thoughts.

“G?”

Bagst stood there, slightly stunned.

He didn't know when his hands had become empty; the greatsword he had been holding was stuck in the grass not far away.

Du Wei sheathed the sword behind her.

The battle ended without any suspense.

Even Krall, who was standing on the sidelines, was stunned.

Bagst realized his complete defeat and Du Wei's formidable strength as a swordsman.

We lost, and we lost cleanly and decisively.

They couldn't even find an excuse.

"Ha, I lost... I accept my defeat wholeheartedly. Lord Duwei, you are the victor of this contest."

There was not a trace of regret in Bagst's smile.

His face was full of satisfied enjoyment.

At the same time, when he saw Duvina's back to him, something inside him was completely shattered.

The emotions of loss and joy were intertwined.

It was both terrible and wonderful.

"Kendo itself is the only thing I can be proud of. If Bagst had used magic, I probably wouldn't have won so easily."

Du Wei is not obsessed with winning or losing.

He wanted to keep a low profile as much as possible, but unfortunately his circumstances didn't allow it.

"No, even if we fight using magic, the result will still be the same; my defeat will not change."

You need not hide your strength; you are so powerful and dazzling that this radiant light cannot be concealed, at least not in my eyes…

Bagst stared intently at Du Wei.

I unconsciously blurted out my inner thoughts.

Du Wei never expected that Bagst would view him in this way.

He was actually a little embarrassed by such praise.

Du Wei knew that Bagst was speaking from the heart, and he could understand her character from the battle just now.

They don't hide their thoughts.

To frankly state one's own will, and then to ascertain the other person's feelings.

She is a true and upright soldier.

His heart is as magnanimous as it appears.

"Lord Du Wei, I still wish to remain by your side. I wonder if you would allow me to...?"

Bagst explained his thoughts frankly.

A blush crimson touched her pretty cheeks, and her gaze drifted away unintentionally.

It looks more attractive and cute.

"If you could help me manage the front lines..."

Du Wei didn't take any of this seriously.

He was still simply thinking about how to be a hands-off manager, a mentality that left people speechless and sighing.

"Of course I'm willing! So that means you're willing to let me stay by your side? Then I'll have to start planning everything carefully! Hehe~"

Bagst's anxiety was completely swept away.

Excitement and joy filled my heart.

"Um... what's the plan...?"

Du Wei did not understand the specific meaning of the words.

Bagst was so engrossed in his joy that he didn't reply, his mind filled with plans for his future interactions with Du Wei.

She became completely absorbed in the moment.

She experienced a sweetness she had never felt before while spending time with Du Wei.

I wonder how long I've longed for this.

Now I can finally experience it for myself.

It was definitely the right decision to come and support Salisbury this time!

She has undoubtedly found the most precious treasure.

They won't let it go easily.

Bagst made up his mind in secret.

You must hold onto this relationship tightly.

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Chapter Thirty-Five: The Calamity of Salisbury [New Book Fans! Please Give Flowers! Please Give Votes!]

(P.S.: Continuing to add the map of the Fairy Kingdom. The last chapter was added a bit late, so some readers may have missed it...)

The campaign against the calamity has lasted for four months.