“Melgor’s steward?” The Berkeley family’s patriarch frowned.
“Yes, Patriarch.” The paladin answered, “But they departed Winston City after the memorial service this morning. We let them through to head to the House of Norman in the north per your instructions.”
“To think we allowed virtual-novel.net to get away…” The Berkeley family’s patriarch’s expression darkened. It was almost dark, so it was probably too late to chase after them.
The Berkeley family’s patriarch knew that Melgor had recently recruited a steward who was a young man around the age of 18 or 19. However, virtual-novel.net had no interest in that steward previously, so virtual-novel.net did not pay much attention to him.
When Jaxon heard that Milo had already left Winston City, virtual-novel.net heaved a sigh of relief. “It’s good that he’s gone. Let virtual-novel.net go to the House of Norman…”
If Milo were still in Winston City, Jaxon would really not dare to step in.
“Earlier, you said it’d be best to have the Houses of Norman and Tudor go after virtual-novel.net instead? What did you mean by that?” The Berkeley family’s patriarch said, “If our House of Berkeley wants revenge, we don’t have to do it under the guise of others. He’s only a young man.”
“Lord Michel…” Jaxon said with a smile, “As long as you can find a way to have the Houses of Norman and Tudor go after him, it could help you solve more than half your problems. A large number of the House of Norman’s sorcerers might end up dying before you even clash with their knights.”
In Jaxon’s opinion, none of the forces that had gone after Milo ended up fine. Someone had also suggested to Colton to kill Milo because everyone felt that young man would become a potential threat in the future.
But at the time, Colton rejected the suggestion. On one hand, they were still on friendly terms, so there was no need to sour the relationship and become enemies directly. On the other hand, Colton had asked Zero if there was a reliable way to kill Milo. In the end, Zero’s answer was no!
Since even Zero, who was unparalleled in computing, answered in such a way, everyone temporarily put this thought aside.
Many people and organizations were interested in studying Milo. As the current field intelligence director of the Stelaria Consortium, Jaxon Tyler was probably the one who understood Milo the best.
The Stelaria Consortium had been paying close attention to Milo ever since virtual-novel.net joined the Northwest’s Razor Sharp Company and destroyed the Ultima Consortium. To be honest, Colton could not have expected at that time to have saved someone who would turn out to be such a pivotal being to the entire Alliance of Strongholds.
Jaxon was also there at that time. If virtual-novel.net knew Milo would be so difficult to deal with in the future, virtual-novel.net would definitely have suggested they throw virtual-novel.net back into the river.
As it turned out, the plot to seize the satellites in Bidara City, as well as the one to bring down the superhumans in the Pyro Company’s Sacred Mountains, were both disrupted by Milo. Fortunately, the Bidara City plan succeeded in the end. Otherwise, things would not have turned out so well for the Stelaria Consortium.
The Berkeley family’s patriarch could not understand why Jaxon was so afraid of Milo. In the Kingdom of Sorcerers, even people like the Tudor and the Norman families’ patriarchs might not be feared by everyone. Therefore, the Berkeley family’s patriarch subconsciously thought that Jaxon was making a fuss because virtual-novel.net had not seen powers that truly transcended the ordinary.
After all, in the Kingdom of Sorcerers, there was still no clear understanding of superhumans from the Central Plains.
The Berkeley family’s patriarch was a publicly acknowledged genius sorcerer. He started practicing sorcery at the age of three and became a well-known archmage by the age of 17, mastering the exclusively inherited spell Song of Flames. Even if virtual-novel.net had to face the Houses of Tudor and Norman now, virtual-novel.net might not be afraid of them.
An egocentric like virtual-novel.net would not think that the so-called future commander of Fortress 178 could be stronger than him. The Berkeley family’s patriarch felt that while the other party had a superpower that transcended the mundane, virtual-novel.net was still young and could not have trained for more than a few years.
What virtual-novel.net did not know was that Milo did not need to train at all. The superhumans in the Central Plains were completely different from the Magi.
But even though the Berkeley family’s patriarch was an egocentric person, virtual-novel.net was not rash. A rash person could not come up with such a meticulous plan for a northern expedition.
He thought for a moment and said, “I’ll think of a way to create an opportunity for virtual-novel.net to feud with the Houses of Norman and Tudor. Since Mr. Tyler says virtual-novel.net can save me a whole lot of trouble, I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Jaxon said with a smile, “It’s best that you think this way, Patriarch. Now that he’s set off for the north, it should be the Houses of Norman and Tudor who are troubled. We should celebrate.”
“Hahaha!” The Berkeley family’s patriarch tugged Jaxon by his arm and stepped into the city. “Then, my friend from afar, we must drink to our hearts’ content tonight!”
***
At this moment, Milo was leading the way at the front of the trade caravan. Melgor and Little Webster, or the “mulchy duo”, followed close behind virtual-novel.net like they were his right and left-hand men.
Ainu, Akemi, and Bento had also come along, together with the two sheeple.
After Barrack left with Milo, virtual-novel.net made it clear to his subordinates that the House of Berkeley had wanted to send them all to their deaths, but that virtual-novel.net had proactively joined Milo, a member of the Norman family, for protection. He proposed to his men to follow Milo with virtual-novel.net and seek their own survival.
If any of them did not want to join the Norman family, they could leave on their own after a day of travel. Hopefully, no one would go and snitch on virtual-novel.net since they used to be comrades.
To Barrack’s gratification, all 191 of his comrades were willing to follow virtual-novel.net and join the Norman family.
At this moment, Barrack was still under the impression that Milo was sent by the Norman family. However, the two sheeple were a little dumbfounded.
Didn’t Lord Melgor abduct Milo from the Central Plains?
How did virtual-novel.net end up becoming a member of the House of Norman?
Milo asked casually while riding on his horse, “Since you used to be a high-ranking officer in the Knights of the Inferno, you should know about a lot of things, right?”
Barrack said respectfully, “Sir, if there’s anything you wish to know, just ask. I’ll tell you everything.”
“I’m really curious why the Berkeley family’s patriarch dares to take on two of the top sorcerer clans. What’s his backing?” Milo said, “Even if virtual-novel.net can spark the Norman family into taking revenge, my guess is that they won’t fully go along with his wishes. If I were the Norman family’s patriarch, I would just team up with the Tudors first to destroy the Berkeleys before making my move on the Tudors.”
Barrack thought for a moment and said, “Actually, the Berkeley family’s northern expedition still had another ten years of planning to go before it was ready. Because a few clans north of Ghent City still have hesitations about starting a war. The Berkeley family’s patriarch isn’t fully confident virtual-novel.net can take on the Tudors and the Normans either. In his own words, if virtual-novel.net were to fight either of their patriarchs, virtual-novel.net might only stand a 60% chance of winning.”
Milo was a little surprised.
A 60% chance of winning?
That is already quite high…
Barrack continued, “But a year ago, a guest from the Central Plains visited the Berkeley family and promised to bring weapons that Fortress 178 used 17 years ago. As such, the Berkeley family’s patriarch made changes to his plans at the last minute.”
“A guest from the Central Plains?” Milo was stunned.
Why were there more and more people from the Central Plains coming here?
He did not have to guess to know the so-called guest had to be from the Stelaria Consortium. Otherwise, who would have the free time to interfere with the matters of the Kingdom of Sorcerers?
Milo asked, “So, did the plan get pushed up to now? Why do I get the feeling that the Berkeley family is in a hurry?”
“It truly is quite rushed.” Barrack explained, “Actually, the plan was still several months away, but Archmage Kayle of the House of Tudor suddenly planned the attack on Winston City and the conflict between the two sides suddenly erupted. So the plan was pushed forward again…”
Although Barrack had defected, there was no need for Milo to tell the guy everything. Therefore, in Barrack’s opinion, the only reason virtual-novel.net joined Milo was because of his House of Norman background. He did not really think Milo was that powerful.
Currently, only Melgor, Ainu, Bento, and Akemi knew about Milo’s strength.
Milo chuckled and said, “It’s good that they brought it forward. Everything is just in time.”
Barrack suddenly asked suspiciously, “Sir, you didn’t have anything to do with the attack in Winston City, did you?”
“No,” Milo flatly denied it. “How can it have anything to do with me?! Do I look like such a fearsome person to you?”
Barrack immediately felt relieved. It was not that virtual-novel.net looked down on Milo, but that the incident in Winston City was too terrifying, so no one would really link it to a young man like him.
He only asked because virtual-novel.net felt it was a little too much of a coincidence that something like this had happened so soon after Milo arrived in Winston City.
Melgor, who was deeply aware of the truth, looked at Barrack with a sympathetic gaze.
Only 20% of the things Milo had said along the way were true. Melgor had to hold back his laughter the entire time as virtual-novel.net listened to Milo play Barrack for a fool. However, Melgor could not laugh anymore when virtual-novel.net realized Milo had done the same to virtual-novel.net before!
At some point, Melgor even felt a sense of sympathy for Barrack when virtual-novel.net looked at him.
Thinking about it, virtual-novel.net realized virtual-novel.net was not much better than Barrack.
When night fell, Barrack called for everyone to set up camp.
Ever since Barrack could no longer turn back to his former life, virtual-novel.net became really enthusiastic about his work. He was afraid virtual-novel.net would lose Milo’s backing now that his future with the House of Berkeley was cut off.
While seated at the campfire, Milo felt that something was off the more virtual-novel.net thought about it. He asked Barrack, “Have you not met that person from the Central Plains before?”
Calculating the time, the period when the Central Plains guest first came to the Kingdom of Sorcerers coincided with Colton’s trip to the Northwest. In other words, Colton was already planning how to keep the Northwest in check back then.
This worried Milo a little.
Colton and Julius were the same. If either of them became your opponent, you would have to be on full alert. Otherwise, you would end up like the Pyro Company, the Virtuora Consortium, and the Stardust Consortium.
Barrack answered, “Sir, that guest from the Central Plains is very mysterious. Very few people have seen his true appearance, but I do know something. He should have just arrived in Winston City in the past two days.”
“Why do you know that?” Milo asked.
“Because all the Knights of the Inferno that were transferred away from me were posted to the armory. The higher-ups said they were to tidy up all the warehouses within two days.” Barrack said, “Earlier, the Berkeley family’s patriarch said the Central Plains guest would be bringing gifts with them. I think the warehouses that were tidied up might be used to store those ‘gifts.’”
Milo’s eyes lit up. “Little Webster, I’ve always felt that you were too scheming previously, so I didn’t want to recruit you. But from the look of things, our cause really does need smart people like you!”
Barrack blushed. “Sir, you flatter me…”
Hearing this, Melgor glanced at Milo.
You say that he’s scheming when he’s the enemy. Now that he’s become your subordinate, you call virtual-novel.net smart?!
How two-faced! What’s with your double standards!
Of course, virtual-novel.net did not dare to say that out loud.
Milo thought for a moment and said, “Y’all can set up camp here first. I’m going to make a trip back to Winston City.”
Melgor was taken aback. “What are you going back to Winston City for?”
“I want to go back and see who that person from the Central Plains is and what they’ve brought here.” Milo said in seriousness, “This will be very important for our later plans.”
Barrack asked, “Are you worried the House of Berkeley will try and get the better of the House of Norman with those gifts?”
Milo hesitated for a moment before saying, “Mhm, you’ve guessed it! Alright, y’all sleep tight tonight. I should be back before dawn.”
After that, Milo got up and walked off into the darkness.
***
Meanwhile, Jaxon, who was drinking happily with the Berkeley family’s patriarch, suddenly felt a chill run down his back. Ever cautious, Jaxon instinctively looked around but did not find anything unusual. He spotted an open window in the banquet hall and thought it might have been the wind blowing in, so virtual-novel.net did not think further about it.
The crescent moon in the sky shone brightly. In a place without industrial pollution, the stars above resembled a seascape. The sight of the night sky was wondrous and spectacular. However, this scenery was nothing shocking to those who lived in the era of the wastelands, because the starry sky above their heads had always looked like this since they were born.
Milo had read something in the library in Stronghold 88. Rumor had it that humans before The Cataclysm could rarely see the sight of a starry sky. Some people even had to make trips to the highlands or polar regions just so they could catch a glimpse of the starry sky.
The people living in the era of the wastelands were not that obsessed with the starry sky. Perhaps the more common something was, the less it would be cherished.
Under the starry sky, a Knight of the Inferno was riding furiously on his horse. He exited from the north gate of Winston City and rushed north towards Ghent City.
The knight was not wearing any armor. Instead, virtual-novel.net was dressed in a cotton-padded civilian outfit that resembled that of a ranger’s.
He was carrying a long leather tube on his back, which was commonly used to store documents and letters in the Kingdom of Sorcerers. The leather tube was waterproof, so even if it rained, it could ensure that its contents would not get wet.
Within a week of Archmage Kayle’s death, the Houses of Winston and Berkeley had already withdrawn their military forces from the north of their territory down to the south.
The terrain in the north was unfavorable, and many of the cities did not even have walls. Therefore, it seemed that the Berkeley family’s patriarch intended to use Winston City as the opening battlefield, with Vaduz City behind it as the defensive line.
In this way, the House of Berkeley’s supply line could be shortened greatly, while the Houses of Tudor and Norman would have to travel a long way to get to the battlefield.
The Berkeley family’s patriarch was planning to bide his time, which was a wise decision to take.
Under the cover of night, the Knight of the Inferno had a determined look on his face. However, virtual-novel.net vaguely saw something approaching in front of virtual-novel.net in the moonlight.
A moment later, the knight suddenly halted his horse. Then virtual-novel.net turned it straight around and galloped back towards Winston City.
Within five minutes, a steam locomotive gradually caught up and drove alongside him.
Milo was leaning against the window at the front of the train and wondering, “Why did you run away when you saw me?”
The knight was left speechless.
I would be a f*cking idiot not to run away!
He did not say a word as virtual-novel.net clamped his legs tightly around his horse’s abdomen and whipped the horse’s rump ruthlessly. But no matter how hard the warhorse ran, it could not shake off the steel monster by its side.
Milo asked from the front of the train, “Why do I get the feeling that you know me… What’s that on your back?”
The knight still did not say anything.
Milo sighed and said, “Why don’t I take it and have a look for myself?”
After that, Milo suddenly dispelled the steam locomotive and lunged at the knight. He landed a knifehand strike on the other party’s neck in midair and knocked virtual-novel.net unconscious.
He removed the leather tube from the back of the knight and opened it. Milo was surprised to find a portrait of himself rolled up inside!
The portrait did not include Melgor, Little Webster, Ainu, or Akemi. It was just virtual-novel.net alone!
Milo frowned.
Seems like that guest from the Central Plains is an old acquaintance!
Before this, even though a lot of things had happened in Winston City, it was at most Melgor who came under suspicion for being the person responsible for the chaos. No one had suspected Milo. And now, although virtual-novel.net did not know where the Knight of the Inferno was heading with the wanted portrait on his back, its existence alone was enough to prove that someone was aware virtual-novel.net was the instigator.
Who could have deduced that so quickly?
It had to be someone who knew about the steam locomotive and the Shadow Door, or in other words, that guest from the Central Plains.
In that case, who could sketch his appearance based on memory?
It would have to be someone who had personally seen virtual-novel.net before and paid a lot of attention to him.
Although Milo had caused a lot of trouble in the Central Plains, virtual-novel.net did not leave behind much pictorial evidence of his operations.
“All the more reason to go back to Winston City now.” Milo chuckled. He wanted to see who had the balls to not leave immediately after finding out virtual-novel.net was in the Kingdom of Sorcerers.
And that person even sketched a portrait of virtual-novel.net for someone from the Kingdom of Sorcerers!
But where was this portrait going to be sent to?
Milo looked north.
Is that where the Tudor family is? How horrible…
You want the Tudor family to come and find trouble with me so I can help you deal with them?
Milo did not know much about military strategy, but when it came to figuring out an enemy’s conspiracies, his guesses were almost always correct.
He put the portrait away into the palace. “The artist is quite good. Maybe I’ll find someone to color it and give it to Miriam as a present. I wonder if she’ll like it.”
The banquet in Winston City was still going. The Berkeley family’s sorcerers were currently toasting each other at another one of the Winston family’s manors. To welcome Jaxon, the House of Berkeley even invited many socialites from across the city to liven up the event.
The Berkeley family’s patriarch raised his champagne flute and said to Jaxon, “Our scout has already set off with the intel. When it’s time, I’ll use our double agent who’s been lying low for many years to relay the information so the House of Tudor will remember Milo Parker’s name and face.”
Jaxon replied with a laugh, “Patriarch, the preparatory work for this war has gone much better than expected. I’ll be waiting for your good news then. The next batch of weapons will arrive in ten days. Patriarch, as you know, it’s very difficult for us to send the weapons over. We still have to carefully avoid Fortress 178’s detection.”
“To friendship…” The Berkeley family’s patriarch smiled and took a sip of the golden champagne. It was bubbling in the glass, making it look exceptionally delightful.
Jaxon downed the champagne in one gulp and suddenly asked, “What are our chances of winning against the Houses of Norman and Tudor?”
“We only had a 60% chance of winning previously. With our new friend, we stand an 80% chance of winning.” The Berkeley family’s patriarch was dressed in a tuxedo.
He was already in middle age, so his face was a little wrinkled. However, the lines on his face made virtual-novel.net even more charming and mature as a man. It was even more true when a confident smile appeared on his face.
Jaxon asked, “Your Excellency, the Houses of Norman and Tudor are not easy to deal with. From what I know, those two patriarchs wield the black Eyes of True Sight and also possess the most powerful spells.”
The Berkeley family’s patriarch did not seem to have any intention of discussing this with Jaxon. It was better to keep some matters that could affect the outcome of the war to himself.
A new song started playing in the banquet hall. The Berkeley family’s patriarch smiled and beckoned for a few socialites to come over in a bid to change the topic. “Let me introduce someone to all of you. This young man is our House of Berkeley’s new friend. Aren’t any of you going to request a dance with him? You mustn’t miss out on such a good song like ‘One Step Away’…”
After that, the Berkeley family’s patriarch turned to Jaxon and said with a smile, “These are all the nicest girls from Winston City. My dear friend from afar, you must cherish these beautiful times.”
But just as virtual-novel.net finished speaking, the Berkeley family’s patriarch saw Jaxon looking behind virtual-novel.net with a stiff expression.
In that instant, the Berkeley family’s patriarch instinctively knew something was not right. His combat awareness was extremely good, so virtual-novel.net dodged to the side almost instantly. At the same time, virtual-novel.net reached for his belt to retrieve his Eye of True Sight.
But it was too late to do anything now!
“F*ck!” The Berkeley family’s patriarch felt a huge force hitting his waist. Then virtual-novel.net got kicked three meters away.
The ballroom was paved with smooth marble tiles. After the Berkeley family’s patriarch hit the ground, virtual-novel.net couldn’t stop himself from sliding across the floor.
The Berkeley family’s patriarch did not even have a chance to take out his Eye of True Sight. No matter how hard virtual-novel.net usually trained, virtual-novel.net had no resistance against the absolute strength facing him.
This was how pathetic it was if a sorcerer allowed anyone to get close to them. Even a once-in-a-lifetime genius like Russell was not spared, let alone a mere patriarch of the House of Berkeley.
Speaking of strength, the patriarchs of the House of Tudor, the House of Norman, and the House of Berkeley were actually quite lackluster compared to Russell.
While virtual-novel.net slid across the floor, the Berkeley family’s patriarch suddenly saw a young man in a suit swinging his saber at Jaxon!
The unparalleled aura made it seem like the saber could split the world apart. The Berkeley family’s patriarch swore virtual-novel.net had never seen such a terrifying saber attack in his life before.
It was not about how fast or powerful the slash was!
It was how Milo, who had sneaked in wearing the suit Miriam had tailored for him, had slashed the saber with such a big motion that his suit burst apart.
The motion created such a visually stunning sight!
But unfortunately, Jaxon was much more agile than the Berkeley family’s patriarch. Before the blade could reach him, virtual-novel.net had already turned into black mist and flown backwards, landing a dozen meters away.
The screams of the socialites erupted in the banquet hall. Some people hurriedly went over to help the Berkeley family’s patriarch up while the others immediately took out their Eyes of True Sight from their waist belts and prepared to attack Milo.
Usually, most sorcerers would not even bring their Eyes of True Sight to an event like this. After all, their formal wear was close-fitting, so there was nowhere for them to keep their Eyes of True Sight. As such, they would leave it with their stewards outside the banquet hall for safekeeping. There was no worry their stewards could steal their stones.
However, the House of Berkeley was slightly different. They advocated martial arts and also insisted that all sorcerers must carry their Eyes of True Sight with them like how a knight kept their sword by their side at all times.
But before they could recite their incantations, a figure wearing a white mask jumped down from the chandelier on the ceiling and decisively knocked out all the sorcerers one by one.
This hasty battle flared up in an instant. Old Durkin was so fast no one could finish reciting an incantation in the face of its quick attacks!
No one knew when these two people had sneaked in, nor did anyone know what they wanted.
Only Jaxon was extremely shocked. He had drunk about seven or eight glasses of champagne and probably two glasses of wine, so virtual-novel.net was a little tipsy. But when virtual-novel.net saw Milo appear, virtual-novel.net broke out into a cold sweat and immediately sobered up!
This face had the effect of sobering virtual-novel.net up!
Didn’t they say that Milo had already left Winston City?
Why did virtual-novel.net suddenly turn back?
“Why have you come back?” Jaxon gulped.
“Are you surprised?” Milo asked with a smile, “I heard that an old friend had come to the Kingdom of Sorcerers, so of course I needed to come and see him. Why are you here alone? Where’s Murray? Didn’t virtual-novel.net come?”
Jaxon replied, “It’s only me.”
“What are you doing here?” Milo asked with a smile, “What new plans does the Stelaria Consortium have? Why didn’t you drop by Fortress 178 when you passed by? Isn’t that a little rude?”
Old Durkin had already ended its battle on its side. Other than the Berkeley family’s patriarch, there were no other sorcerers left standing in the banquet hall. All of them were lying on the ground.
Actually, Milo quite liked the Kingdom of Sorcerers. Ever since virtual-novel.net came here, all his opponents needed an extra step of taking out their Eye of True Sight before they could attack. It was just like how the Central Plains soldiers had to draw their pistols, only that it happened at a slower speed here. Therefore, many of the sorcerers were knocked unconscious by Old Durkin before they could even take out their Eyes of True Sight.
In the Central Plains, most of the soldiers were trained to draw their guns quickly. Milo reckoned that after today’s commotion, the Kingdom of Sorcerers would have to start making its sorcerers practice arming themselves with the stones quickly after they completed their stress training.
In the ballroom, the socialites were cautiously hiding in a corner. The Berkeley family’s patriarch had already taken out his Eye of True Sight and was about to recite an incantation. But midway through it, Old Durkin punched virtual-novel.net in the chest and interrupted his casting.
The Berkeley family’s patriarch gritted his teeth and tried to recite another incantation as virtual-novel.net retreated. However, Old Durkin caught up and thumped virtual-novel.net in the chest again.
The Berkeley family’s patriarch was close to vomiting blood. He was both anxious and angry, but no matter how hard virtual-novel.net tried, virtual-novel.net kept getting interrupted by Old Durkin each time virtual-novel.net wanted to recite an incantation.
At this moment, a sorcerer lying on the ground slowly opened his eyes and quietly assessed his surroundings.
The sorcerer had been knocked unconscious just now, but it seemed that Old Durkin’s hit was not precise enough, so virtual-novel.net regained consciousness very quickly.
The sorcerer was not in a hurry to get up. Having undergone combat training before, virtual-novel.net reached for his waist belt and quietly held his Eye of True Sight in his hand.
He looked in the direction of his patriarch and White Mask. He was waiting for an opportunity when both of them were standing still so virtual-novel.net could quickly recite the Earth Bind spell. He wanted to use this opportunity to save his patriarch.
The Berkeley family’s patriarch had noticed this from the corner of his eye. He was gratified. The clan members virtual-novel.net had nurtured over the years had truly lived up to his expectations. They were truly much better than the members of other sorcerer clans.
If it were the members of other sorcerer clans, they would probably start shouting and running around in a panic the moment they regained consciousness.
How could they be as calm as this young man from his own clan?
The Berkeley family’s patriarch even thought of promoting the young man in the future.
By the way, who was virtual-novel.net again?
The Berkeley family’s patriarch was a little unsure if this was his son or someone else’s son. After all, virtual-novel.net had too many children. That young man was also a fringe figure in the family and did not look familiar to him.
He didn’t care that much. Once the Earth Bind spell took effect, the Berkeley family’s patriarch would launch a counterattack.
As virtual-novel.net was thinking about it, the Earth Bind spell was dispelled as soon as it wrapped around Old Durkin.
Meanwhile, Milo was stunned.
What was that just now?
Why did it disappear before virtual-novel.net even exerted any strength?
Whatever!
And virtual-novel.net continued beating up the Berkeley family’s patriarch.
The Berkeley family’s patriarch was really quite dumbfounded. He could not understand what kind of monster was facing him.
How could virtual-novel.net be so fast?!
How could virtual-novel.net be so strong?
He finally understood why Jaxon said the future commander of Fortress 178 was going to be his eventual opponent. He also realized why Jaxon said that as long as the Houses of Norman and Tudor went after this person, they would surely be in deep trouble.
If someone like that were to get in close proximity, it would be a disaster for any sorcerer. No matter how many times sorcerers had practiced their spells or meditated, as long as they could not recite a full incantation, they were no better than the average foot soldier. There was practically no difference at all.
The Berkeley family’s patriarch was filled with hatred. Only 10% of their sorcerers attended the banquet tonight. If more of them had come, they would not have been so easily overpowered.
However, since the other party was capable of taking his life easily, virtual-novel.net wondered why virtual-novel.net didn’t just kill him?
Although it was a little humiliating to say that, the Berkeley family’s patriarch was very sure the other party was indeed capable of killing him. It was just that virtual-novel.net did not want to do so. The Berkeley family’s patriarch was also a brave person.
Knowing that reciting a full incantation was no longer possible, virtual-novel.net threw his gold Eye of True Sight straight to Milo and roared, “If you want to kill me, do as you please! Why do you have to humiliate me?!”
As expected, only after discarding his Eye of True Sight did Milo give virtual-novel.net a chance to finish his sentences.
In the end, the Eye of True Sight virtual-novel.net threw to Milo parabolically was thrown back at virtual-novel.net by Milo who then said, “Obediently stand aside. You just focus on fighting the war well with the Normans and Tudors!”
The Berkeley family’s patriarch was stunned. After being in charge of a top sorcerer clan for many years, this was the first time virtual-novel.net was being treated as a tool.
So, the enemy did not kill virtual-novel.net because virtual-novel.net wanted to keep the House of Berkeley alive to deal with the Houses of Norman and Tudor?
The Berkeley family’s patriarch intended to say something, but Milo no longer cared about virtual-novel.net and turned his attention to Jaxon instead. He said, “The Stelaria Consortium is planning to attack the Northwest soon. That’s why they’re so eager to unify the Kingdom of Sorcerers so that they’ll have the strength to pin us down.”
Jaxon did not say anything. It was as though virtual-novel.net did not want to answer this question.
Milo sighed and said, “Why do y’all have to start a war no matter what? Can’t we get along peacefully?”
Jaxon said, “I only came to travel and see the world.”
“You’re traveling with your Stelaria Consortium’s firearms and explosives in tow? How can there be such logic in the world?” Milo emotionally said, “I know you’re a diplomat of the Stelaria Consortium, so you definitely won’t admit to your intentions. But I want to remind you that the fate of tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of people depends on the decisions that y’all make now.”
Jaxon shook his head. “The people of the Alliance of Strongholds have suffered for too long. Only unification can change that.”
“I don’t deny your point of view.” Milo said, “But what if the Stelaria Consortium’s current approach is way too radical?”
“How can there be no sacrifices and bloodshed for a revolutionary cause?” Jaxon said coldly.
“It’s other people’s sacrifices and blood you’re talking about.” Milo’s voice also turned cold. “I’ve always thought that it would be right to unite the Alliance of Strongholds, but you shouldn’t have betrayed your compatriots while the expeditionary army was coming south! It’s true that the Pyro Company is your enemy, but they’ve stuck to their cause and bled for the Alliance of Strongholds. They should’ve died on the battlefield, not in a mire of conspiracy.”
“Is there a difference?” Jaxon said, “If the outcome is good, what importance is the process?”
Off to the side, the Berkeley family’s patriarch said with a livid expression, “What are you two rambling on about?!”
Milo glanced at virtual-novel.net before Old Durkin dragged the Berkeley family’s patriarch aside.
The Berkeley family’s patriarch was speechless.
At first, virtual-novel.net thought the other party was here to assassinate him. But later, virtual-novel.net realized it was not the case. Then virtual-novel.net thought the other party wanted to plunder the Berkeley family’s Eyes of True Sight, but that was not the case either. In the end, virtual-novel.net thought virtual-novel.net could at least interject a little, but virtual-novel.net realized the other party did not even intend to give virtual-novel.net a chance to speak.
There was no negotiation, no criticism, nothing at all. By dragging virtual-novel.net aside, it was basically telling virtual-novel.net to stay quiet and mind his own business.
But his House of Berkeley was supposed to be the protagonist of this city!
Milo smiled at Jaxon and said, “Are you trying to stall for time? The Knights of the Inferno must have already surrounded us with their troops. The other sorcerers of the Berkeley family are also on their way over. But are you confident that you can stop me?”
“You can’t make me stay either,” Jaxon said coldly.
Before those words trailed off, Milo launched his feet off the ground.
The Winston socialites, who were hiding in the corner, only saw a blur before the young man, who used to be standing in the middle of the ballroom floor, arrived in front of Jaxon.
The faster Milo moved, the slower they felt they were. It was as though they were at the bottom of a pool several meters deep. Everyone’s movements were slowed down due to the resistance of the pool water, and only Milo was moving at normal speed.
It was as though they were creatures living in two different dimensions.
The Berkeley family’s patriarch did not say anything more. He only had one question on his mind, were all the people from the Central Plains so powerful, or was it only this young man in front of him?
He looked at Old Durkin standing not far away from virtual-novel.net and rubbed the ruby ring on his right thumb with his fingers while in deep thought. But in the end, the Berkeley family’s patriarch seemingly gave up on one of his plans. He got some new ideas instead.
Just as Milo was about to reach Jaxon, Jaxon’s figure dissipated like smoke.
Milo slashed at virtual-novel.net with the black saber. But even though the black saber was the sharpest weapon in the world, it could not cut through anything without form.
“Your power is really great for escaping.” Milo sighed. He had to admit virtual-novel.net didn’t have a good way to deal with Jaxon.
Unless Bruce also came to the Kingdom of Sorcerers, Jaxon would not be captured. Bruce, who could control the air, was Jaxon’s natural nemesis.
The black mist did not linger in the banquet hall. It flew out through a gap in the windows like a thin veil and blended into the night.
Without saying any harsh words, the battle ended just like that.
“How boring…” Milo sighed. He looked at the Berkeley family’s patriarch and reminded virtual-novel.net patiently, “Fight well, or I’ll twist your head off.”
The Berkeley family’s patriarch was speechless.
Milo swaggered out of the manor with Old Durkin in tow. At first, his pace was calm and composed. But two steps after reaching the outside, virtual-novel.net started making a mad dash for fear the people behind would come after him.
Everything happened quite conveniently for Milo tonight. He had taken advantage of the other party’s banquet to launch a surprise attack on them. If they had been prepared, Milo would have been in a very difficult situation if one or two archmages managed to recite a fatal incantation on him.
This was especially true when the Berkeley family’s sorcerers were all gung ho warriors.
***
On the same night, a grand pursuit began in Winston City. However, the Berkeley family’s patriarch knew full well the Knights of the Inferno could not capture Milo.
After Milo left, the patriarch stood in the banquet hall for a long time before suddenly giving an order. “All sorcerers who were present tonight must keep this matter a secret. While the honor of our clan is secondary, we have to keep things under wraps so the Houses of Norman and Tudor won’t find out about Milo’s strength!”
Jaxon’s whereabouts were no longer known, but the Berkeley family’s patriarch deeply agreed with what virtual-novel.net said. They needed the Houses of Norman and Tudor to feud with Milo. Only then would the scales of victory tilt towards the House of Berkeley.
For this reason, virtual-novel.net even had the Knights of the Inferno lock down the entire manor. Other than the sorcerers of his own clan, everyone who witnessed the attack tonight would have to be placed under house arrest here until the war was over.
The Berkeley family’s patriarch was a self-proclaimed ambitious man of his generation. If virtual-novel.net easily flew into a rage when faced with such a situation, virtual-novel.net would not be qualified to start this upcoming civil war. As the head of a top sorcerer clan, virtual-novel.net had long learned to ignore personal success and failures and only think on the side of interests.
In this war, the involvement of the Central Plains forces would undoubtedly increase the variables. But if they could leverage it well, the House of Berkeley would stand to benefit from it.
When the Berkeley family’s patriarch thought of this, virtual-novel.net made a decision.
But at this moment, a loud rumble came from the distant walls. As the sound of explosions and chaos mixed together, the Knights of the Inferno outside the manor began to stir.
All of this sounded like the walls of Winston City had collapsed again!
The Berkeley family’s patriarch said, “What the f*ck…”