Lord: I can see loyalty.

The three people were already squatting in front of the stone gate on the second floor.

Beside them lay the corpses of several soldiers wearing helmets with goggles, blood gushing from their helmets.

These were patrolling soldiers arranged by Derek, but clearly, they didn't even have time to make a sound before they died in front of Vio, who was moving at full speed.

Vio leaned against the doorway, the stone door still closed, but he simply closed his eyes and pressed his ear against the stone door.

This is one of the abilities that breathing techniques have given him.

Enhanced five senses.

"Three... there are five people." Vio retreated to Jimmy and Gina's side, making sure the people inside couldn't hear him, and then spoke in a low voice.

The stone door was very heavy, but he could hear the sounds coming from inside through the tiny cracks.

Heaving heavy breathing, pacing footsteps, and occasional curses.

Of the five people, the one with the heaviest steps and the most labored breathing was probably Derek himself.

The other four, whose steps were lighter, were probably his personal guards.

Vio lowered his voice again, "Derek should be at the very back, with his back to the door, surrounded by four guards, two on either side of the door and two deep inside the room."

"Once you're inside, you deal with the guards. I'll handle Derek himself."

Jimmy nodded, gripping his sword tightly. Gina remained silent, simply raising the broadsword slightly with a calm gaze.

"I'll count to three with my hand." Vio stretched out his hand and held up three fingers.

One.

two.

three!

"Bang--!"

He kicked the stone door open, and Vio's figure had already disappeared from the spot!

Just as he expected, two guards stood on either side of the door. Although they reacted quickly, raising their battle axes with the sound, then...

Two flashes of sword light appeared!

The two heads flew off almost simultaneously, blood gushing out and splattering onto the stone wall.

The two headless warriors swayed before collapsing to the ground with a thud.

Deep inside the room, Derek suddenly turned around, his pupils shrinking sharply.

"you……!"

Before he could finish speaking, Jimmy and Gina had already arrived.

Jimmy's sword was cunning and ruthless, aimed straight for the throat of another guard. The guard hastily raised his axe to block, but Jimmy stabbed him in the armpit with his sword, and he fell to the ground with a scream.

Gina's broadsword whistled through the air as it struck the last guard, who desperately raised his battle axe to parry.

With a clang, sparks flew everywhere.

The guard's legs buckled, and he was so shaken that he knelt on the ground, his hands split open, and his battle axe flew out of his hand.

Gina gave him no chance to breathe, sweeping her broadsword across and severing half of his head.

In the blink of an eye, all four elite guards were killed.

But Derek seized that brief opening.

He suddenly grabbed a heavy axe beside him, swung it with all his might, and forced Jimmy, who was about to rush forward, back.

At the same time, he stepped backward, his back hitting the wall, which also created distance between them.

"Assassin! Guards!"

He roared, his voice echoing through the stone chamber.

But there was no response from outside; with the bodies of those patrolling soldiers lying there, it was clear that no one would come to rescue him.

Vio simply watched him quietly.

Derek was panting heavily, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Vio, Jimmy, and Gina.

His eyes were wide open, veins bulged on his forehead, and his hand holding the battle axe trembled slightly.

But the trembling was not due to anger.

It was fear.

[Name: Derek]

Race: Human

Age: 40

[Faction: Pirate Derek]

[Hobbies: Fine wine, delicious food, fighting, life]

【Characteristics: Immense strength, thick hide, rich combat experience, and extensive experience in naval warfare】

Loyalty: Not loyal to you

[Status: Angry, Irritable, Worried]

Vio glanced at the panel, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Life, worries.

This guy is really afraid of dying.

"Derek," he said slowly, his voice calm, "you've already lost. You should understand that your men are no match for the Knights."

Derek gritted his teeth, his facial muscles twitching, but he didn't refute.

He had already anticipated this after his initial excitement at the arrival of Ulysses' reinforcements subsided.

The battle downstairs is still at a stalemate, but that is only temporary.

Although Olympus had a larger force, the knights and militia of the southern border had begun to gain the upper hand.

His last elite force, the helmeted warriors, had already lost most of their men in the previous battles.

But he had no other choice.

"The Earl of the Southern Border..." he said, each word uttered slowly and deliberately, his voice hoarse, "Who do you take me for?!"

Before he finished speaking, he pounced on him!

The heavy axe swung down with a whooshing sound, its power and weight enough to cleave a shield in two!

But Vio dodged to the side, and the sword pierced towards his ribs.

"clang!"

Sparks flew everywhere.

The sword struck Derek's chainmail, leaving only a shallow scratch, and Vio frowned slightly.

This guy's defense is even more terrifying than I expected.

Derek seized the opportunity, sweeping his heavy axe and forcing Vio to take a step back.

"Hahaha!" he grinned maliciously, lunging forward again. "That's right, I'm not that piece of trash Philip!"

The axe began to swing, chopping down again and again.

His strength was indeed terrifying; each strike carried immense force, slamming into the stone ground and sending shards of rock flying.

The axe began to swing, chopping down again and again.

His strength was indeed terrifying; each strike carried immense force, slamming into the stone ground and sending shards of rock flying.

Although he was not as fast as Vio, he was experienced in combat and blocked Vio's possible dodge routes with every axe blow.

Vio didn't try to block the attack head-on; instead, he used his speed to move around and look for openings.

Jimmy and Gina wanted to help, but Vio stopped them by raising his hand.

"Just guard the door," he said. "Don't let him get away."

The two exchanged a glance, then silently stepped back, blocking the stone door.

Derek's face grew even uglier.

He knew what Vio was thinking; he was going to wear him down.

He had naturally heard of the Southern Earl's exaggerated physical strength and endurance in combat.

But he had no choice; his only way out now was to kill the young count.

"ah!!!"

He roared and lunged at them again.

Vio swung his heavy axe wildly, each strike a desperate act, while Vio continued to dodge, occasionally retaliating with a sword, but only leaving shallow wounds on Vio's body.

Gradually, Derek's breathing became heavier and heavier.

His movements began to slow down, the axe shadows became less dense, and his openings became more and more numerous.

Vio seized an opportunity and thrust his sword into his throat!

Derek could only turn his head with all his might, the blade slicing across his cheek and leaving a deep bloody gash.

He staggered backward, his back slamming against the wall, panting heavily.

"Huff...huff...damn it!"

He raised his head, but his eyes no longer held anger; only despair remained.

Jimmy and Gina were staring coldly at him from the doorway where he could escape.

Before him, Vio's sword was pointed at him, its tip still dripping with his blood.

Downstairs, the sounds of fighting gradually subsided, not because they stopped, but because the Southern Army had gained the upper hand, and Ulysses' pirates were retreating.

Derek knew he was doomed.