Lord: I can see loyalty.

The morning after returning to Bordeaux village, Vio completed his daily swordsmanship and physical training in the courtyard as usual.

He gripped the sword in his hand and exhaled slightly, his heart filled with barely concealed excitement!

His swordsmanship has broken through to the intermediate level of Dune Swordsmanship!

After reaching the intermediate level, his physique and endurance also improved significantly!

Vio's mind raced, and he swung his weapon rapidly at the grass target in front of him, feeling the changes brought about by his progress, and thinking about the opportunity for this breakthrough.

Perhaps his previous battle with Abad made him stronger, or perhaps it was the Ross clan's unique talent for Dune swordsmanship, or perhaps both.

The training target, which was being used as a target, was scratched several times in an instant, and then some of the dry grass was blown apart.

"Lord Vio."

As Vio was experiencing the changes brought about by his progress, Gina's voice came from behind him. Turning around to look at her, Vio realized that it was time for the match.

Gina brought two wooden swords for the contest and walked towards Vio.

"My lord, you've become stronger?" As she approached Vio, her expression changed slightly, noticing the difference in him compared to usual.

Vio smiled, took the wooden sword, and replied, "Why don't you try and see?"

The two men kept their distance as usual, then raised their weapons and assumed a fighting stance.

Vio took a deep breath. Unlike his previous passive approach, this time he chose to take the initiative.

call!

In the blink of an eye, Vio had already taken a step and was standing next to Gina!

Gina was stunned at first, then realized that the speed was far beyond what she had ever seen before. She didn't have time to dodge and could only raise her sword to block.

What incredible speed! Even Vio himself was surprised; his speed was more than twice as fast as before.

With a "thud," the wooden swords clashed, but what Gina didn't expect was that, in the past, with her "superhuman strength," Vio had always struggled to gain the upper hand in their battles.

But Vio's sword strike suppressed her!

Feeling the force coming from her hand, this was one of the few times Gina had been suppressed by someone using force, but she quickly calmed down.

Just as Vio raised his sword to deliver his second blow, she leaped backward, barely dodging his next attack.

Vio did not pursue, but instead raised his sword again and assumed a fighting stance to deal with the opponent's attack.

As expected, Gina began to adjust her breathing, her gray-blue pupils fixed on the sword in Vio's hand, and the next moment, she accelerated forward!

Vio recognized the move; it was a technique she had used against Nanier—a "pirated" quicksand sword technique.

call!call!call!

Several sword shadows, illuminated by the light, transformed into streaks of gold, enveloping Vio like quicksand and sealing off all his escape routes!

But Vio did not choose to dodge. His eyes moved quickly and locked onto Gina's sword tip amidst the many sword shadows. He then quickly drew his sword and blocked the attacks one by one.

Most knightly sword techniques, after breaking through to the intermediate level, generally bring about a qualitative change in the learner, whether it be strength or endurance...

It's clear that Vio's speed has been dramatically improved!

The quicksand sword technique, known for its speed, was completely blocked by Vio, even though it wasn't the original. His wooden sword was like a shield with no blind spots!

Gina's complete abandonment of defense in her offensive naturally revealed a weakness, or rather, Vio's speed had surpassed hers.

Vio seized the opportunity and shifted the angle of his wooden sword. Gina's wooden sword instantly slipped from her hand. Before she could even be surprised, the next moment, Vio's sword was already slashing horizontally towards her abdomen!

She gave up gripping the flying weapon again, preparing to dodge the attack, but Vio's speed completely exceeded her expectations.

Gina had barely moved her body when Vio's sword touched the hem of her dress.

call!

Vio stopped moving, and the blade gently landed on Gina's clothes. Clearly, Vio had won this time.

Both of them were drenched in sweat, their faces flushed from the dilation of blood vessels. They exchanged a glance and silently distanced themselves again.

Vio and Gina got into position, ready to go again, when the messenger's voice came from around the corner of the courtyard.

"My lord, Abad's letter has arrived!"

Vio paused slightly, stopped his charge, put down his wooden sword, and put down his stance.

"Come back tonight, Gina." Vio handed the wooden sword to Gina, then turned to the messenger at the corner and said, "Bring the letter here."

After receiving the order, the messenger ran into the courtyard and respectfully handed the letter to Vio.

Vio calmed his breathing and slowly opened the envelope. The letter contained only two short lines:

"My lord, two wolves have agreed to attend the banquet!"

"I'm giving you the time tonight, inside Baron's Castle in Shattrath."

Vio glanced at the letter and raised his eyes slightly. He didn't have time to complain about its simplicity. Instead, he said to Gina behind him, "Pack my things. I'm going to Shatai City."

……

That night, in the Baron's Castle in the city of Shattrath.

Abad's men were busy preparing for the arrival of the "distinguished guest," with two guards disguised as elite militiamen standing on either side of the gate, their faces expressionless.

In the main hall, Abad sat on a high-backed chair, fiddling with a smooth black stone in his hands, his gaze fixed intently on the ground below.

There were two rows of long tables around, laden with luxurious wines and food, which were emitting aromas and steam.

In the darkness above the high hall, where the view was obscured, a cold glint seemed to appear.

Abad recalled Vio's instructions when he arrived at the Baron's Castle not long ago: wait until they are seated and hear my signal before making a move.

With everything in place, the entire Baron's castle fell into an eerie silence, with only the crackling of torches burning on the walls remaining. Time, which usually flew by, seemed to have stood still.

Outside the Baron's castle, the sound of approaching hooves broke the silence.

The guard pushed open the heavy door, and two rough, noisy voices mixed with the cold wind entered the main hall. Abad finally raised his head.

The first to step in was a short man with sunken eyes, two curved knives hanging at his waist, and an undisguised sneer on his face.

He is none other than Pilang Naku.

Following closely behind was a towering, pillar-like giant named Wolfclaw Casper, who wore exaggerated, specially made bone armor that clanged with every step he took.

Behind the two were about twenty fierce-looking bandits, instantly making the spacious hall crowded and noisy.

"Ha! Abad, my friend!" Naku's shrill voice rang out, his gaze sweeping over the guards and his men in the hall.

"So eager to invite us for drinks? What, have you already accomplished what you promised the Wolf King—to eliminate the Lord of Bordeaux?" He emphasized the latter part of his sentence, eliciting a low sneer from the bandits behind him.