Starting as the Baron of the Lonely Island

Mitchell stood atop the city wall, watching the fierce battle below with a heart full of dread.

He had never imagined that Duane could fight a Punishment Judge to such a degree.

’After all, Severus Blackthorn is one of the top powerhouses on the entire Sunset Continent!’

In his mind, Duane should have been defeated quickly.

Beside him, Viscount Ugo’s face was ashen.

Now, he could only pray that Severus would kill Duane. Otherwise, this young man would be like a sword hanging over his head, ready to take his life at any moment.

Meanwhile, Count Kais and the others were also growing uneasy.

He was shocked by Severus’s power, but he was even more worried about Duane’s condition.

"My lord, we should find a way to make them stop fighting!"

Jick suggested, "It would be extremely disadvantageous for us if something were to happen to Duane."

Kaelon and Simone also looked toward the Count, hoping he would step in and end this conflict.

In the center of the battlefield, Severus clutched his abdomen and put some distance between himself and Duane. Fresh blood seeped through his fingers, staining his long robes red.

He stared at Duane, a trace of fear flashing in his eyes.

He had never encountered such a crazed opponent—one who would rather be devoured by the Corrupting Holy Seal than give up the fight to the death.

HISS!

The Power of Life seeped from his every cell, continuously healing his injuries.

Although he wouldn’t die, the immense consumption meant it would take him at least a month or two to fully recover.

However, Severus’s gaze fell on Duane’s left wrist, which was pitch-black.

"Duane, you can no longer use any strength in your left hand, can you?"

He said mockingly, "Although we traded injuries for injuries, I have the Power of Life, so I won’t die. But you..."

Duane snorted. His left hand was already numb, his fingers completely devoid of sensation.

The spot hit by the Corrupting Holy Seal, in particular, felt as if it were being devoured by thousands of ants.

Focusing his mind, he could sense that the bones in his hand had already turned pitch-black, and the corruption was spreading up his arm toward his shoulder!

"Heh, your hand is already useless. If you don’t stop now, your shoulder and your heart will be useless too!"

Severus said, "If you want to live, submit to me. My Power of Life can neutralize your injuries."

Duane suddenly understood. So, the Power of Life could dispel the Corrupting Holy Seal. That meant its effect on an Extraordinary Realm Warrior was limited.

Of course, even though he had not yet entered the Extraordinary Realm, he could still dispel it—

The ’Molting Rebirth’ ability he gained after mastering the Celestial Python Breathing Skill to Perfection was the perfect solution.

But he had expended too much energy. If he used that move now, he would inevitably be plunged into a long period of exhaustion.

’Rather than do that, I might as well...’

Just then, the sound of air cracking came from behind him.

Count Kais spurred his horse forward, shouting, "Watch out for Kudro!"

Duane spun around abruptly. With a single-handed throw, he sent his long spear, infused with Rainbow Piercing Power, straight through Count Kudro’s heart.

Kudro’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the long spear that had passed clean through his body. An icy coldness spread throughout him.

’Am I... going to die?’

"Damn it!"

Atop the wall, Mitchell’s expression changed. ’That heavily injured Kudro actually dared to launch a sneak attack? Isn’t he just asking to die?’

"Viscount Ugo, you know the consequences of Count Kudro dying here! Go down and negotiate. There’s no need to continue this war!"

He gripped his Magic Staff, and its tip erupted in a holy radiance.

Mitchell pointed the Magic Staff at Kudro, who was lying on the ground. A warm pillar of light descended from the sky, enveloping the wound on his chest.

Count Kudro was a trusted subordinate of King Eric and also their ally. He could not be allowed to die here.

Viscount Ugo saw this and knew the tide had turned against them. "Alright..."

As if he had aged a dozen years in an instant, he wearily dragged himself down from the city wall.

He had originally thought Severus and Kudro would win him significant benefits in this war.

He never expected it to end with both sides grievously wounded, with him becoming the ultimate sacrifice.

Count Kais rode his horse to Duane’s side, with Cruz, Jick, and the others following close behind.

They certainly weren’t looking for a fight with Severus; they knew they couldn’t beat him.

"Kais Kennedy."

The Count announced his identity. "And who might you be, sir?"

"Severus Blackthorn, Punishment Judge of the Holy Radiance Court."

He sneered, "What, does the Count wish to cross swords with me?"

Count Kais was not intimidated by this threat. "Do you dare kill me?"

Severus fell silent.

He finally understood why Thomsen had said that operating in the Pruck Kingdom was so restrictive.

The main issue was that there were too many factions here. Killing Count Kais would just give the other nobles an excuse to attack.

The Count didn’t wait for a response and continued, "I came here this time because I wish to..."

"Count!"

Duane interrupted Count Kais. ’Negotiating for peace now will only make us look weak.’

Duane gripped his Blood-Burning Saber and swung. The sharp blade sliced through his corrupted left arm, which fell to the ground with a heavy thud.

Blood spurted out, but Duane didn’t even frown. He simply used his Fighting Qi to quickly seal the wound and stop the bleeding.

"Duane, you..."

Count Kais was aghast, and the others were utterly horrified.

Even Severus’s expression changed. ’This man is truly ruthless.’

Duane aimed his saber at Severus with one hand. "I am just as proficient with Sword Skill as I am with Swordsmanship. I can still defeat you with one hand!"

This wasn’t arrogance on Duane’s part; he knew his opponent wasn’t in good shape either.

He, on the other hand, could still use Burning Blood Slash at least twice more. His opponent likely wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

Of course, he wasn’t really planning to fight to the death.

The Holy Radiance Court’s pattern of "beating the junior only brings out the senior" meant that even if he killed Severus, it would only attract someone stronger, creating an even bigger problem.

Most importantly, if they were the ones to initiate peace talks, the value of everything they had fought for up to this point would be greatly diminished.

If there were to be peace talks, the other side had to be the one to initiate them.

Duane’s killing intent swept across the battlefield like an icy wind, making everyone shudder.

Count Kais’s heart was heavy. He never expected Duane to lose an arm here.

Although even with one hand he was beyond compare for any Celestial Tier or Shooting Star Level Warrior.

But against a Silver Moon or Scorching Sun Level opponent, he would be at a clear disadvantage. His great future was ruined just like that!

He suddenly felt a pang of regret. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn’t have attacked Fire Source City.

Even if they had retreated to the Silent Shore, they wouldn’t have been at a loss with all the wealth they’d plundered.

Now, the losses were too great!

Severus, however, hesitated. He didn’t want to risk continuing the fight.

First, Kudro needed his Power of Life to be saved, otherwise he would die.

Second, with Duane having lost an arm, his strength was greatly reduced, and he no longer posed a threat.

If it really came down to a battle to the death, his chances would be much better once he recovered. There was no need to fight to the bitter end in his current exhausted state.

But as a powerhouse of the Holy Court, actively avoiding a fight was not his style.

If he wanted to talk peace, he needed someone to give him an out.

Just then, a fast horse galloped out of Fire Source City. It was Ugo Calvin, his face a mask of despair.

"Stop, everyone!"

He dismounted. "Duane, Count Kudro is not Liam. If he dies by your hand, you should know the consequences."

Duane glanced at Count Kais, who froze for a moment before instantly understanding.

He got it. Duane’s earlier clamor to keep fighting wasn’t because he had gone mad with battle lust, but for this very purpose. So he said:

"Duane, your fight with Severus ends here. What comes next is my war with Fire Source Castle!"

Duane’s brow furrowed slightly as he looked at Viscount Ugo. "Kudro was the one who sneak-attacked me. Besides, before the battle, he said it himself: either he would kill me today, or I would kill him."

Viscount Ugo’s heart trembled. He really didn’t want to argue with Duane, terrified the man would just cut him down with a single strike.

But at this moment, he had to be the one to speak.

"Fire Source Castle has lost this war. There’s no point in fighting anymore."

He looked at Count Kais. "Tell Duane to stand down."

Since Viscount Ugo had already admitted defeat, the rest was easy.

Count Kais looked at Severus and asked, "What do you think, sir?"

"Heh, since the Count and the Viscount have spoken, I will naturally comply." He glanced at the severed arm on the ground.

"You took away Orisien’s manhood, and today I’ve taken one of your arms. I’d say we’re even."

Only then did the Count walk over to Duane and press the tip of his saber down. "Alright, it’s over!"

Duane did not insist further and began to tend to his own wound.

Severus, on the other hand, flashed over to Count Kudro’s side.

Although Mitchell’s Holy Healing Technique was quite effective, the fatal wound was to the heart, and the heart of a Silver Moon Warrior at that. The Holy Healing Technique alone was not enough.

He pressed his palm over the gaping hole in Kudro’s chest. The Power of Life, symbolizing vitality itself, poured into the other’s body. The wound on the heart quickly sprouted new flesh and soon recovered.

A bit of color gradually returned to Kudro’s face, but due to massive blood loss, he did not awaken immediately.

’Tch, I’ve barely got any Power of Life left!’

Severus cursed inwardly. That Kudro didn’t even consider his own condition and strength before daring to launch a sneak attack. He truly overestimated his own abilities.

If Severus hadn’t wanted to avoid losing a high-ranking member of their side on his very first mission, he wouldn’t have even wanted to save him.

Meanwhile, Count Kais confronted Ugo. "After so many days of fighting, you finally dare to show your face, Ugo."

"Heh, don’t get too cocky. If it weren’t for Duane, it’s not certain who would have won this war."

Count Kais said coldly, "I don’t want to entertain these hypotheticals with you. Right now, I just want to have a good, long talk about how Fire Source Castle is going to compensate me for all my losses in this battle!"

His heart was a pit of fire. ’If I don’t strip Fire Source Castle of everything it has this time, it won’t be enough to justify Duane’s sacrifice.’