The weapons I forge are absolutely flawless.

Dimir's originally cold and stern face softened slightly when he saw him. He then stood up, waved his hand to stop the impending punishment, and strode forward to meet him.

"Sylvan, how did you escape?"

His voice was filled with undisguised concern, and his previously tense expression, which had been strained by anger, had softened somewhat.

However, these words immediately made Sylvain's face turn awkward.

“They released me of their own accord,” he answered in a low voice.

Dimily frowned slightly, glanced around, and realized that this was not a matter suitable for public discussion, so he grabbed Sylvan's arm and pulled him back into the tent.

The heavy curtains fell, blocking the prying eyes from outside.

"Now, tell me everything that happened to you."

Chapter 671 Chlorie's Trump Card

"After I ordered Dudu to support His Highness, Jessica stormed into the main tent. I was no match for her and could only watch helplessly as she cut down the general's banner..."

“Wait,” Dimily suddenly raised his hand to interrupt Sylvain, emphasizing, “Are you sure it’s Jessica?”

He knew Sylvan's strength. A seventh-tier emblem wielder was considered a formidable fighter in the army, but against Jessica, he could only withstand a few moves at most—depending on whether she wanted to capture him alive or kill him.

Timi clearly remembered that he was confronting Jessica at the moment the banner was cut.

How could there be two Jessicas in this world?

Sylvan paused, seemingly surprised that Dimily would question this, then gave a wry smile, "Why would I need to deceive Your Highness?"

"Go on," Dimir said, temporarily suppressing his doubts.

“After the enemy withdrew their troops, Jessica took me to the main tent of the feudal lords, where I saw Vena.”

"Vina?"

Dimir did have some recollection of the name, but it wasn't particularly deep.

During his time at school, he only considered the other senior students as rivals, so why would he remember an unknown nobody?

If Wiener hadn't been truly skilled in forging, this memory probably wouldn't have survived.

“Yes, Vena.” Sylvain nodded, his tone tinged with disbelief. “His position in the feudal lords’ armies is far higher than I imagined. Even the decision to release me was made by him.”

Even though Chloe and Jessica were present, it was Venus who was in charge.

"How come I have no recollection of someone like that?" Dimir frowned.

"That's the guy who took a bullet for Jessica from His Highness."

Upon hearing this, Dimirli immediately remembered.

"You're saying he survived after being struck in the heart by the Death Thorn Spear? Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

All the events before this one had not shocked Dimir as much as this one.

“That is the truth, Your Highness,” Sylvan repeated. “Since Venerable was able to see that the Spear of Death was a cursed weapon, it is not entirely impossible for him to find a way to deal with it.”

He had been following Wiener since his time at the academy.

Since this young man appeared, Felix and Jessica have only used equipment he forged.

If the longsword Jessica is using now was still made by Viner, then he has at least reached the level of a master forger.

Dimir remained silent for a moment, his anger gradually replaced by contemplation.

“Your Highness, although the Death Thorn Spear is extremely powerful, it is still a cursed weapon. Please use it with caution,” Sylvan advised, his tone filled with worry.

"You want me to give up the Spear of Death?" After understanding the subtext in Sylvan's words, Dimili's expression quickly turned cold. "No wonder they let you come back."

“Your Highness, I—” Sylvan hurriedly explained, but was interrupted by Dimir.

"No need to say anything more!" A sinister glint flashed in Dimirli's eyes. "If it weren't for their fear of this spear, do you really think they would have let you leave so easily?"

Just as the two were arguing, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the tent.

A messenger rushed into the camp, knelt on one knee, and loudly reported: "Your Highness, it's military intelligence from back home!"

Dimir sat upright in the main seat, a hint of impatience in his brows, and waved his hand: "Nian."

"According to reports from Imperial informants, Edel is mobilizing a large army to invade our country. Order the expeditionary force to temporarily abandon the plan to conquer the vassal states and to reconsider the matter on the return journey."

The messenger finished reading the message word by word, cold sweat beading on his forehead, clearly realizing the importance of this intelligence.

This news perfectly matches the "rumors" previously spread by the feudal lords.

Just as Sylvan was about to speak, Dimir suddenly threw a spear beside him, which instantly pierced the messenger's chest.

"Dimili!" Sylvan roared, his fury barely contained, uttering the name without even bothering to use honorifics. "Are you insane?!"

"He's nothing but a spy sent by Chlorie," Dimir sneered. "You don't actually believe what he said, do you?"

"You're insane... I think you really are insane!"

Sylvan staggered backward. He had never imagined that his childhood friend would become so unfamiliar and terrifying.

Just then, a series of urgent gong sounds rang out outside the tent.

Dimir pulled back the tent flap, poked his head out, and asked, "What happened?"

"Enemy movement has been detected 10 kilometers southeast of the camp, and they are attacking our troops!" the sentry responsible for sounding the alarm hurriedly reported.

"The entire army is preparing to meet the enemy. Du Du, this is your chance to redeem yourself through meritorious service."

Dimir pulled the spear from the corpse, his voice regaining its usual calm, and gave the order as he left the tent.

"What about Lord Sylvan?" Dudu hesitated for a moment before finally asking.

"He's been frightened, so let him rest."

Dimir didn't turn his head, seemingly having already forgotten everything that had just happened.

After a brief period of commotion, the royal army had completed its formation, and once they left, the entire camp returned to calm.

Sylvan stared blankly at the desiccated corpse on the ground, finally losing all his strength.

“Vina, you’re right…”

-----------------

"Having just suffered a major defeat, they can still maintain such morale; they truly deserve to be called the kingdom's elite."

Chlorie stood at the front of the formation, her gaze fixed on the approaching enemy army in the distance, and she sincerely admired them.

Even as an enemy, she couldn't help but admire the discipline and resilience displayed by this army.

"To me, he looks visibly tired," Wiener thought differently.

After their numbers were reduced by half, the aura emanating from the Dimili army was no longer as terrifying and oppressive as before.

"If they aren't considered elite, then there aren't many troops on the entire continent that can truly be called elite," Chlorie said with a wry smile.

You don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household. Viner's vision had long been spoiled by the Holy Knights and the Iceblade Knights, but he probably didn't understand the enormous price that was required to maintain a cavalry force of this size.

The thought of these well-trained warriors being wiped out by her own hands stirred a strange excitement within Chlorie.

"Would you consider the backup plan arranged by Lady Chlorie to be of elite quality?" Venus suddenly asked.

"Then—it's naturally no worse than them."

A hint of confidence appeared in Chlorie's eyes; those were the elite Golden Deer class she had cultivated over many years.

Just as the two armies were locked in fierce combat, a long-lurking ambush force finally received orders.

"Lady Chlorie has sent a signal, saying that she has lured the enemy into the encirclement!"

"Is it finally our turn?" Felix rubbed his hands together, his face full of eager anticipation. "If we wait any longer, Viner will have already taken care of us."

"Felix and Wiener are still good friends." Laughter came from the surrounding area.

"Of course, I have the most confidence in Venere. And you, is he ready yet?"

Felix looked toward the figure at the front of the group.

"Don't worry."

Sebia clapped his hands on his feet, and a low rumbling sound came from the ground as the ground beneath their feet began to slowly rise.

As a swamp emblem user, although his ability in direct combat is limited, his ability to manipulate terrain is unmatched.

The moves that couldn't be fully utilized during the Griffin Battle can now be put to good use.

"This time, I'll show you what I'm capable of!" Sebia grinned.

As he moved, the entire earth seemed to come alive, carrying them all the way to the ground.

This well-prepared and heavily armed ambush force completely cut off the kingdom's army's retreat.

Chapter 672 Avalon

After finishing off the last enemy, Dimir looked around at the corpses lying scattered about, as if telling the story of the fierce battle that had just taken place.

He leaned on his gun, panting heavily, making the most of his precious time to recover his strength.

However, just as he relaxed his guard slightly, he suddenly heard a slight noise behind him.

"die!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Dimir turned around abruptly and swung his spear, delivering a fierce counterattack straight at the attacker.

The sound of metal scraping against metal was accompanied by sparks flying, but the opponent managed to catch the blow with both hands.

"Your Highness, it's me!"

Du Du gritted his teeth, his arms trembling from the immense force he was bearing.

The gauntlets on his arms had been torn open by the Death Thorn Spear, leaving a gruesome crack. Had he not served as Dimirli's sparring partner for many years and been familiar with his moves and strength, he would never have been able to defend against this fatal blow.

How do I know you're not an imposter!

Dimir shouted coldly, his eyes still burning with killing intent.

Even after recognizing his own guards, he kept his spear taut, ready to take a life at any moment.

"Your Highness can take Du Du's life back at any time."

Du Du loosened his grip on the spearhead, letting the spear continue to thrust forward due to inertia.

Just as the spear tip was about to pierce the skin, Dimily flicked his wrist, and the spearhead stopped abruptly, missing Dudu's throat by mere millimeters.

"Hmph! Only you would use such a stupid method to prove yourself."

Dimir gave a cold snort and slowly withdrew his spear.

Even though his physical strength and condition had begun to decline, he could still wield the Death Thorn Spear with complete control.

Having gained his trust, Du Du still didn't show much expression, only whispering, "We are surrounded, Your Highness."

"I know."

"Withdraw the troops, Your Highness."

"Even you want to stand against me?"

Dimir's gaze pierced Dudu, a nameless fire rising within him.

He could not accept such advice, and he could not tolerate even his closest friends and family members starting to question his decision.

"Withdraw the troops, Your Highness!"

Dudu repeated what he had said earlier, "We have lost this battle."

Dimir remained silent.

As the commander-in-chief of the entire army, how could he not be aware of this matter?

It is unknown whether the kingdom's soldiers still alive today number five thousand, and even the military might surrounding Dimir seems to be on the verge of collapse.

Dimir slammed his spear down. "This rabble actually managed to stop my kingdom's army! Of the fifty thousand men, only one in ten survived! You want me to slink back like this?"

"What would Your Highness require to persuade you to retreat?"

“At the very least, we must take that woman’s head—” Dimir said through gritted teeth.

“Leave it to me, Your Highness,” Dudu said calmly. “You lead the others to break through first, and leave the task of taking Kurori’s head to me.”