Lord: I can see loyalty.

Outside the castle, the sound of horns shattered the last serenity of dusk.

Vio drew his Demon Feather Sword, its blade gleaming with a dark purple light in the setting sun. He took a deep breath, channeling his third-tier power into his entire body, and then swung the sword fiercely.

"attack!"

The army from the south surged toward Eagle's Beak Castle like a tide on the sea.

This time, the Knights of the Azure Peak were at the forefront, with two hundred knights wearing half-plate armor, shields raised high, longswords drawn, and their steps perfectly synchronized.

Behind them was a spear formation of veteran militiamen from the South, with the main force following closely behind the knights.

Xavier and several of Marcus's Western Knights, along with another squad of militia, made their way towards the dungeons on the side of the castle.

On the city wall, the pirate knights frantically drew their bows, and arrows rained down sparsely. Most of them were blocked by their shields, and only a few militiamen were grazed by stray arrows.

"Break down the door!"

At Jimmy's command, several strong knights carried the battering ram and smashed it against the castle gate.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Bang!

Three loud crashes, followed by a final thud as the iron gate collapsed.

"kill!!!"

The Azure-Crested Knights swarmed in.

Inside the castle, the pirate knights had long lost their will to fight.

Although they still numbered nearly four hundred, almost twice the number of the Azure Peak Knights.

However, their equipment was inferior to that of the Southern Territory, their morale had plummeted, and the difference in strength was like heaven and earth.

Upon seeing the Blue-Clad Knights and the large number of militia behind them, they dropped their weapons and ran for their lives.

Vio rode his horse into the castle, his gaze sweeping over the chaotic battlefield before finally settling on the steps of the castle's main building.

There, Ulysses stood at the top of the steps, his face pale and his whole body trembling uncontrollably.

"Stop him! Stop him now!" he roared hoarsely at the pirate knights beside him, but most of the knights were busy saving their own lives and no one listened to him.

Vio dismounted, picked up the Demon Feather Sword, and walked towards him step by step.

His steps were neither hurried nor slow, each step firm and powerful, his boots making a sound on the stone slabs.

An invisible sense of oppression emanated from him, and the pirate knights blocking his way dropped their weapons and knelt down before he could even make a move.

"Spare me! Your Excellency, have mercy!"

Vio didn't unleash his knightly aura; it's just that these knights had long since lost the will to fight.

Vio ignored them and continued walking forward.

As Ulysses watched the figure getting closer and closer, his legs went weak, and he almost tumbled down the steps.

…………

Another battle is unfolding in the open space outside the castle.

Alec Stone stood before the side gate of the castle, carrying a greatsword. In front of him stood Jimmy, Ansquie, and Gina.

"Your Excellency, Great Knight," Jimmy gripped his longsword, took a deep breath, "I apologize for the inconvenience."

Then, all three of them attacked at the same time!

Jimmy's sword was the fastest, aimed straight for Alec's throat, while Ansquie flanked him from the side, his longsword sweeping across Alec's waist.

Gina's broadsword, accompanied by a whistling sound, slashed down from above.

Three sword lights blocked all escape routes from three directions.

But Alec didn't move.

Just as the sword was about to touch his body, he took a deep breath and suddenly released the power within him!

"boom--!"

An invisible sense of oppression exploded from him, and the air within a radius of several feet around him suddenly distorted.

Jimmy's sword seemed to pierce into water, its speed suddenly slowing down, and Ansquie's longsword was also held up by a force, making it completely powerless.

Gina's broadsword was shaken off course and crashed to the ground, sending shards of stone flying.

"A knightly aura..." Jimmy's eyes widened.

"A knightly aura, huh..." Alec's voice remained calm. "A rather fitting name."

He raised his sword and gently deflected Jimmy's sword, forcing Ansquie to take three steps back. He then sidestepped Gina's second sword strike, slapping her with his greatsword and sending her staggering back several steps.

"Your swordsmanship is good, but you haven't grasped the breathing technique yet, you're still a little short..." Alec sheathed his sword and stood up. "Let's try again."

The three exchanged a glance and pounced again.

This time, they stopped attacking randomly and began to cooperate.

Jimmy attacked head-on, each sword strike relentless, while Ansquie flanked the Great Knight, trying to find his weaknesses.

Gina also chose to confront the opponent head-on, using her strength to restrain them.

Alec's swordsmanship remained as steady as a whale's, but his movements were noticeably slower than when he fought Vio.

Every parry was perfectly timed, and every counterattack was deliberate and controlled, as if he was deliberately controlling his strength.

"Your footwork is too stiff." He deflected Jimmy's attack with his sword and casually commented, "Breathing techniques rely on the flow of breath, not brute force."

Jimmy was taken aback and slightly withdrew his hand.

"And you." Alec pointed his sword at Ansquie. "Your sword has power, but lacks speed."

Ansquie gritted his teeth and lunged forward again.

Gina's broadsword came crashing down, and Alec raised his sword to parry. The two swords clashed, sparks flying. Gina was jolted and felt a little pain, but she did not retreat.

"Amazing power..." Alec looked at her, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. "But more power isn't always better. You have to learn to control it, when to use force and when to hold back."

Gina silently gripped her broadsword and exerted her strength once more.

The three attacked more and more fiercely, and their teamwork became more and more seamless, but Alec remained in control.

It's obvious he's letting the water out.

Jimmy quickly realized this; the Great Knight held back his strength with every sword strike, and deliberately left openings in every counterattack, giving them a chance to adjust.

This wasn't a fight; it was more like giving them pointers.

…………

Vio had reached the top of the steps in front of the main castle building.

Ulysses stared at the third-rank count before him, a figure no one dared approach. His face was ashen, his hands trembled, and his lips quivered.

"Alec! Knights! Damn it...!"

He had realized that the Grand Knight would not obey his orders and would kill whomever he wanted.

He could only get him to act, but he couldn't control him.

He could only draw his longsword, raise it shakily, but his face showed no fighting spirit.

Vio didn't speak, but with each breath, the surrounding air instantly distorted!

A powerful shockwave instantly swept through the hall, and Ulysses turned pale, forced to his knees by the force.

"No, don't kill me..."

He finally stopped hiding his true feelings, his voice hoarse and trembling with tears: "I have money! Lots of money! And intelligence! That old bastard Finn is planning something big, he's up to no good on the island! If you don't kill me, I can tell you..."

Vio stopped in his tracks and looked down at him.

"What is Finn preparing?"

"You...you have to promise not to kill me first..." Ulysses swallowed hard. "That's right, we'll make a pact! Just like the Grand Knight's..."

Vio laughed upon hearing this.

Seeing Vio's seemingly unintentional smile, Ulysses felt a chill run down his spine.

"Do you think I would make a pact with a pirate?"

He raised the Demon Feather Sword, and the purple patterns on the blade began to flow, emitting a faint light. Third-tier power was poured into the sword, and a low humming sound came from the air.

Ulysses' pupils contracted sharply. He wanted to escape, to shout, but the invisible pressure had already enveloped him.

"No, no...you can't kill me! If you kill me, no one will know about Finn's plan!"

Vio looked at him, his eyes showing neither pity nor anger.

"After I kill you, I'll deal with Finn."

The sword flashed, leaving a crescent-shaped trail of blood in the air.

Ulysses froze, his eyes wide open, his lips slightly parted, but he could no longer utter a sound.

Then, his body slowly collapsed, blood gushing from his throat and spreading across the stone slab.

Outside the castle, the sword of the great knight Alec also stopped in mid-air.

The mark on his chest suddenly dimmed, then disappeared, and the contract that had bound him for five years vanished.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then slowly lowered the greatsword.

"It's over," he said softly.

Jimmy and his two companions stood before him, panting and covered in sweat, yet they remained standing.

"You've made rapid progress," Alec said, looking at them. "I'm afraid that within a year, a new great knight will emerge from among you."

Jimmy gave a wry smile. "Thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency the Great Knight."

Alec did not answer, but simply looked in the direction of the castle.

……

Xavier led the militia into the castle dungeon.

At the end of the dimly lit corridor, in a cell, lay a middle-aged man with a full beard. His clothes were disheveled, and there was blood at the corner of his mouth, but his eyes remained bright.

"Are you Marcus?" Xavier asked.

"It's me." The man stood up, his expression somewhat dazed. "Are you from the Southern Border?"

"The Earl sent us to rescue you." Xavier severed the chains with a single stroke of his sword. "Your knights are waiting outside."

Marcus stretched his wrists and strode out of the cell.

His knights, who were guarding the corridor, all knelt on one knee when they saw him come out.

"Lord Marcus!"

Marcus simply helped them up, his gaze sweeping over the group of old knights who had followed him for many years. "Gentlemen, you've worked hard."

He and Xavier led their men out of the dungeon, only to see Cofer sneaking off toward the back gate of the castle.

"Flynn," Marcus's voice was icy.

Cofer froze, turned around, and forced an awkward smile. "Lord Marcus..."

"Sir...where do you want to go?"

"I, I just..." Cofer's eyes darted around, trying to find an excuse, but he saw that Marcus had already drawn his longsword.

"You betrayed the West, sided with the pirates, and drove the old count to his death. Now you want to run away?"

"I... I was forced into it! Lord Marcus, spare my life..."

Without giving him another word, Marcus slashed down with his sword!

Cofer's body lay in a pool of blood, his eyes wide open, unable to close in death.

Marcus sheathed his sword, took a deep breath, and strode toward the castle.

The battle was completely over in front of the castle.

The pirate knights were either dead or surrendered, and the flag of the Southern Territory had been planted at the highest point of Eagle's Beak Cliff.

Vio stood on the steps, watching Jimmy, Ansquie, and Gina walk in through the side door, covered in sweat but without many injuries.

"Thank you for your hard work, all three of you," he said with a smile.

Jimmy grinned. "It's still the Great Knight who... showed mercy."

Vio nodded and looked behind them.

Alec Stone walked slowly towards them, carrying a greatsword.

Several new marks appeared on his armor, but his steps remained steady. He quickly walked up to Vio and stopped.

"Pirate, is Ulysses dead?" he asked.

"I have already killed him with my own hands," Vio replied.

Alec was silent for a moment, then slowly knelt on one knee.

"Alec Stone, Grand Knight of the West, is willing to serve the Earl of the South."

Behind him, Marcus and his knights came and knelt down on one knee as well.

"Marcus, a nobleman from the West, is willing to serve the Earl of the South."

Vio looked at them, a slight smile playing on his lips. He helped Alec up, and then had Jimmy, who was standing next to him, help Marcus up.

"Rise, everyone."

He turned around and looked deeper into the western border.

There, there is a deserted island, an old pirate who has never shown his face, and the so-called "grand plan".

"The pirates native to the Western Territory have been wiped out. From now on, there will be no more pirates running rampant on the Western Territory."

"Next," he said softly, "it's time to meet that legendary Finn."

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