Philip was killed, his body slowly collapsing under the siege of Violet Watch.
But Inan did not feel very happy; this woman he had tamed for so long had changed her heart, and her loyalty had even dropped…
The next day, Inan slowly rose from his quarters.
Beside him, Eilinsnow had her eyes tightly shut, her body trembling, her face filled with pain.
Yet Inan didn’t spare her a glance and went straight out the door…
When Baruch received Philip’s head, he was in disbelief!
This was the strongest enforcer in the Fugin Domain, and yet he had died at the hands of a mere baron!?
How had that even happened?
It only made him angrier, and he, too, was about to march toward destruction…
He could no longer hold the line… Earl Will’s assault was becoming more and more ferocious; at any moment, he could break through and take his life.
So he decided to lead his personal guards and flee—the green hills remain, there will always be wood to burn!
But before he left, he was determined to kill that bastard Inan!
He turned to the ranks of his neatly assembled personal guards and spoke with shame, “I am a failed lord… I cannot protect my domain, nor my children. Any of you who wish to leave, I will give you money—go on…”
The guards exchanged glances; after a brief silence, one of them, bearded and burly, stepped forward. “My Lord Count, we have followed you for years. It is you who gave us our current wealth and status; how could we abandon you at a time like this?”
The others all responded in turn, pledging their loyalty to Baruch…
Baruch was moved. “Victory and defeat are the norm for soldiers. Though Will is hateful, that Inan… I can’t let him live. If you follow me and I don’t take his dog head, I will die unavenged!”
“Kill him!” the guards roared in unison, their voices echoing across the wilds, full of a determination to break all bridges and burn all boats.
“Kill him!”
“Kill him!”
Baruch ordered the soldiers to pour strong liquor, personally lifted a bowl, raised it high, and shouted, “Very good… I will not treat you poorly. Once we drink this liquor, we’ll go and claim Inan’s dog head!”
The guards’ blood boiled; they tipped back the liquor, shouting and clamoring to kill Inan!
“Move out!” Baruch gave the order, and his warhorse neighed beneath him, surging forward at the front.
It could feel that its old comrade was truly enraged this time…
How many years had it been… its master hadn’t ridden it into battle so recklessly in ages.
This magical warhorse seemed to be ignited by Baruch’s fury, its hooves kicking up the wind, charging wildly ahead!
The soldiers of the noble coalition army stood ready, archers nocking arrows, arrowheads gleaming coldly…
“Loose!” At the commander’s shout, volleys of arrows shot at Baruch’s troops like meteors.
Baruch’s personal guards showed no fear, charging forward, “Charge! For Lord Baruch… kill Inan!”
Their shouts for blood were deafening, their determination growing even stronger amidst the chaos!
Baruch led the charge, soon breaking through the first line of defense. He swung his long spear as if there were no one before him; in this moment, it was as though he had returned to the heroic days of his youth…
“Inan Hill… you little bastard, where are you!” Baruch roared, his voice echoing through the camp…
“Lord Baruch, such rage is truly not the demeanor of a noble…” Inan slowly appeared in the distance, a mocking smile on his face…
Baruch caught sight of Inan, his eyes burning with fury—so this was that little wretch!?
And even on the battlefield, Inan dared to hold a woman in his arms!? A baron daring to disregard a count on the battlefield!?
“Inan Hill, I will kill you!” Baruch squeezed his thighs, spurring the magical warhorse like an arrow loosed from a bowstring straight toward Inan.
But Inan didn’t even look at him; he only held Eilinsnow tighter, as if the battlefield had become the backdrop to a lovers’ embrace…
Though this relationship had nothing to do with love.
Eilinsnow’s neck was covered with red marks, all left by Inan the night before.
As if only this way could he declare his ownership of this woman!
“Don’t you hate humans so much?” Inan gripped Eilinsnow’s chin. “Why give up that hatred!?”
“We agreed, didn’t we!” Inan saw her expressionless face again and sensed danger…
This woman must have been greatly shaken after being cast aside!
“What do you want now? Why change your mind all of a sudden? Wasn’t your family’s destruction enough to harden your resolve for revenge!?”
“Or is it just because I don’t care about your life or death? It was all for victory, and you should understand that!”
But Eilinsnow only bit her lip and said nothing. She thought that if she obeyed Inan’s every command, she would be cherished by him…
But sadly, to him, everyone was just an object… If they touched upon his fundamental interests, there would be no sentiment! Eilinsnow finally understood this now!
“Inan Hill, give me your life!” Baruch had already charged close, his long spear tearing through the air with a vicious howl…
“Ding…” Luoling appeared in time, blocking the fatal
blow…
And the lightly armored warriors of Violet Watch slowly emerged as well, preparing to besiege this count!
Baruch had long known that Inan was hiding this purple army, but hadn’t expected them to be so fierce…
The warriors of Violet Watch moved in perfect unison, quickly surrounding Baruch and his guards in a tight encirclement.
Their eyes were resolute, the weapons in their hands reflecting a chilling light, like a troop of well-trained reapers.
“Hmph, Hill family brat, you think you can save your mangy life with these people?” Baruch bellowed at Inan even as he fought fiercely with Luoling.
It had been a long time since he’d last fought; ever since taking over his family, he had devoted himself to managing the domain…
“You’re old…” Inan looked at Baruch with disdain. “Look at yourself now, just a dying dog struggling on its last legs.”
Baruch, hearing this, burned with fury. His spear strikes grew even more savage, each blow as if to shatter the earth, as if he wanted nothing more than to tear Inan to pieces.
“You little bastard, don’t get cocky! Today I will make you pay for what you’ve done!”
“Hahaha… I wonder what face you made when you received my gift—must have been just like now, wasn’t it?” Inan laughed wildly, his eyes filled with mockery and provocation.
Baruch, hearing such humiliation, was so furious he could barely contain himself…
“You really are pitiful…” Inan, seeing Baruch’s rage, suddenly changed his expression, his eyes turning icy cold. “Your son and daughter… never even mentioned your name when they died. And here you are, coming to die for them…”
Those words filled Baruch’s heart with sorrow, fury, bitterness, and hatred—all tangled together.
Luoling seized Baruch’s moment of distraction, and with a single sword thrust, pierced straight through Baruch’s heart…