Who are you calling a stable boy?!

Holding a specially made rapier with the function of a magic wand, Valut stared intently at Xue Qing, his expression solemn.

"Valut".

Turning around, Xue Qing frowned and looked at Valut, her face as cold as frost.

“That day, I shouldn’t have softened my heart because Louise pleaded for me and only cut off your arm.”

"Oh......"

Valut chuckled softly.

There was self-deprecation, and there was also resentment.

Driven by his grand scheme, he deceived Louise, stole her secret letter, and even intended to possess her, hoping to use the power of nothingness within her to help him realize his ambition of unifying the continent of Halkkinia.

However, all of this was almost ruined by the woman in front of him.

Even his entire left arm was severed by this woman.

Valut knew that if Louise hadn't pleaded for him at the last minute, he probably, no, he would have died at this woman's hands that day.

Although she only wounded and did not kill the soldiers in the area, Valut could clearly sense the killing intent hidden in that sword.

"This time, I'll take your life."

Xue Qing pointed her sword at Valut's face.

"please."

Valut lowered his body.

"Sa!"

In an instant, the two swords clashed.

Having served as the captain of the Tristain Kingdom's Griffin Squad, Valut's swordsmanship was indeed superb. In addition, he disregarded the possibility of damaging the airship and decisively unleashed wind magic. Unlike those elites, he was not instantly defeated in this encounter.

He even managed to outmaneuver Xue Qing.

But that's it.

Even with both arms intact, he was no match for Xue Qing, let alone now.

In less than three breaths, wounds began to appear on Valut's body, and his steps and breathing became erratic.

After two more exchanges, he was clearly unable to hold on.

"Bah!"

Xue Qing's sword pierced Valut's ribs.

The sword was aimed at the heart, but at the last moment, Valut parried it with all his might, deflecting it by a few inches.

Even so, this one sword strike was enough to declare Valut's defeat.

Although healing magic could heal such injuries, he clearly had no chance of receiving treatment.

"Don't worry, I won't abuse you."

Xue Qing said expressionlessly, "I'll finish you off with the next sword strike."

As she spoke, she drew her sword.

However, it was at this moment that Valut managed to grab Drew's sword with his only remaining arm.

At the same time, two figures suddenly leaped down from the mast and landed about ten steps behind Valut.

"Submit to this holy light!"

Kolomway reached out his hand to Xueqing, who was facing him, and the ring on it emitted an eerie purple glow.

This is the Andhra Pradesh Ring.

Originally a treasure guarded by the water spirits, it was stolen by Valut and his companions. It possesses the power to imbue people with false souls, thereby manipulating their hearts.

It was with this treasure that Valut and his men were able to steal and replace the entire kingdom of Albion.

"I admit, in a martial arts contest... I'm far inferior to you..."

Valut, head bowed, was panting, but a smile remained on his face.

That was his plan.

If we can control Xueqing with the Ring of Andvaria, we can not only solve the immediate problem, but also give them a powerful combat force.

The only problem is that for the Ring of Andvaria to take effect, the target must be able to see its radiance directly.

If that good-for-nothing Kolomway were to face Xue Qing, Valut would surely behead him before Kolomway could even raise his hand.

Therefore, if he wanted Xueqing to reveal a weakness, even for just a moment, Valut would need to make some sacrifices...

The fact that he, usually so cautious, would take such a risk shows that he was truly driven to desperation by Xue Qing.

"So... from now on, I'll use this power for my own purposes!"

With a sinister grin, Valut strained to look up, trying to catch a glimpse of the Snow Knight's panicked expression.

However, what one sees is a condescending indifference.

How could this be—

"Snapped!"

A sharp crack suddenly exploded behind Valut.

It sounds like something was smashed.

Then, Valut heard unfamiliar voices coming from behind him.

"What are you saying in your gibberish?"

Shaking off the dirt from the stick and kicking aside the headless corpse that was in the way, Zheng Jing stepped on the immobile Maggie Luda and looked at Xue Qing.

"Lao Qing, why are you wasting your breath talking to him?"

Whether it was a final burst of energy before death or not, in that instant, Valut suddenly found the strength to turn around and look.

But as he turned, his head suddenly flew off.

"Pooh."

In a daze, he seemed to hear Xue Qing spit out a sound.

Then, darkness completely engulfed Valut's consciousness.

Chapter 163: I'm Going to Stay at Zheng Jing's Place

Passing over Valut's fallen body, Xue Qing sheathed her longsword, approached Kolomway's corpse, and took the Andvaria Ring from his hand.

"I remember this is a little pleasure toy from Water Sprite?"

Zheng Jing glanced at the Ring of Anderbalia.

"Don't say such strange things in front of the water spirit..."

Holding the ring with some disdain, Xueqing also carefully examined it for a few moments.

She knew, of course, that Valut and his men had used this very thing to take down Albion.

Therefore, without Zheng Jing's help, she wouldn't have been so obedient in engaging in a fight with these people.

As soon as she boarded the ship, she would immediately search for the ring.

Of course, if something unexpected happens and she gets affected by this thing, Xueqing actually has a backup plan.

However, before she could ascertain the quality of the ring, she dared not say that her backup plan would be 100% successful.

In retrospect, her worries may have been somewhat unnecessary.

This ring is indeed a T1 level treasure among extraordinary quality items, but it is still extraordinary quality and has not crossed the legendary line.

Its bewitching power could not shake her resolve in the slightest.

That being said, such treasures are still rare, and whether you keep them for yourself or sell them on an exchange, they are excellent...

Xueqing casually put the ring into her backpack, preparing to return it to the water sprite later.

She had made a promise with the water spirit to help find the ring.

"What about this one? Is it dead or alive?"

Zheng Jing pointed the stick at the back of Maggie Luda's head.

It seemed that as long as Xueqing gave him a thumbs-down gesture, he would crush Maggie Luda's brains with a single blow.

"Spare her life."

Xueqing sighed.

"More important now is how to deal with this big guy."

She tapped the deck with her toes.

-

Ultimately, with the main culprits mostly brought to justice and the effects of the Ring of Anderbalia eliminated, the Albion army, now awake, chose to surrender after a confrontation between Zheng Jing and Xue Qing.

The most powerful airship in the Kingdom of Albion landed on the land of the Kingdom of Tristine.

"I truly don't know how to thank you, Lady Xueqing, Mr. Zheng Jing..."

Henrietta held Xueqing's hand tightly.

For her, this was not only a war to defend her country, but also a war of revenge.

Her beloved, the last bloodline of the Albion royal family, the Prince of Wales, died at the hands of Valut.

"Don't say that, Henrietta, we're friends."

"Uh-huh!"

Henrietta nodded vigorously.

Seeing the tears in her eyes, Xueqing shook her head with a helpless smile, then her expression turned serious as she looked at Louise.

“Louise, I killed Valut.”

“...I understand, Xueqing.”

Louise nodded slightly, a hint of sadness on her face.

"It was my mistake to plead for him that time."

"Louise..."

Henrietta turned around, freeing one hand to gently take Louise's hand in hers.

Just then, the sky suddenly changed color.

Xueqing and the others, along with the soldiers who were receiving the surrendered troops, couldn't help but look up at the sky.

"eclipse."

Louise muttered something, then grabbed Xueqing's arm.

"Xueqing! Quick! Have Zheng Jing take you up there, or you won't be able to get back!"

Only after Louise mentioned it did Xueqing remember that there was such a thing.

According to legend, if she flew to the heavens during a solar eclipse, she could return to the other world.

"Don't worry, Louise, let it pass, it's alright."

Gently pulling her hand away from Louise's, Xueqing smiled and patted Zheng Jing on the back.

"However, I am indeed planning to go home with him."

With the destruction of Reinkista, her first phase of the main quest is complete, which means that she can once again travel freely between the two sides before the second phase is triggered.

Therefore, the most urgent thing is to go home as soon as possible!

"Simply put, I have mastered a way to travel between the two worlds without having to rely on troublesome phenomena like solar eclipses!"

Xueqing smiled and waved at Louise and Henrietta, who were still in a daze.

"However, I'll definitely be staying home longer this time. I probably won't be back for another ten days or so. Louise, please tell everyone at the academy for me!"

As she said this, Xueqing jumped onto Zheng Jing's back and skillfully wrapped her legs around his waist.