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...
Bright red wanted posters plastered every street and alley throughout the Northern Territory.
The portrait on these bounty notices was none other than Viktor!
Many of these wanted posters fluttered in the air, swirling amidst the heavy snowfall.
The reason for Viktor's pursuit? He had assaulted the Great Knight guarding the North, Earl Angus.
Rumors spread like wildfire among the common folk, claiming that Viktor had beaten Angus into a vegetative state, with no signs of recovery even after a full day.
The news that the Delin family heir had been severely injured and remained comatose had caused an uproar throughout the entire Northern Frontier.
From the Northern gentry down to the commoners, everyone was abuzz with this information.
Spies swiftly carried the news to the royal capital, and within half a day, it had spread throughout the entire city.
The ministers, naturally, paid extra attention to this matter, for it was indeed an extraordinary situation.
Viktor fighting Earl Angus wasn't the main issue. The problem lay in the aftermath of the battle.
Viktor had actually defeated Earl Angus.
Of course, winning wasn't the real problem either.
The issue was that he had beaten Angus to the point of losing his senses!
Even that could be considered a minor matter.
But Angus was Viktor's father-in-law!
This... this was beyond comprehension.
When the news reached the royal family, even Emperor Aubrey furrowed his brow slightly.
He hadn't encountered such a troublesome situation in his decades on the throne.
Aubrey waved his hand dismissively and asked:
"Is Gwen aware of this?"
"Knight Commander Gwen is already en route, Your Majesty," a minister quickly responded.
After these words, the entire court fell into a prolonged silence.
Indeed, Viktor had gone too far in this matter.
Normally, nobles who already held grudges against Viktor would seize this opportunity to criticize him and pick at his faults.
However, the problem was...
Viktor was currently at the height of his popularity and deeply favored by the emperor.
Little did they know that the Kravina family had caused a commotion in the palace three times, and this old emperor had merely watched the events unfold with a smile, never intervening.
He didn't even protect his own son and nephew.
Moreover, Viktor had recently proposed a concept called 'instances,' which had garnered the emperor's full support and expectations.
So in this matter, even if Viktor was truly in the wrong,
No one dared to speak out against him.
Emperor Aubrey's fingers, adorned with a heavy ruby ring, tapped on the throne as he let out a deep sigh.
"Angus leads the Northern knights and is responsible for guarding the North."
"If he truly is in a state of confusion, then his title can only be inherited by his successor."
At this point, the others fell silent once again.
Successor?
Angus's heir was about to become disabled. Could he still inherit Angus's position?
So who could ultimately inherit the Delin family?
Angus had three children, among whom Kevla was well-known to many.
As a politician, she wasn't a knight and certainly couldn't lead those Northern knights.
Who was the only person qualified to inherit the Delin family?
Everyone unanimously thought of one name.
Gwen Delin.
"..."
For a moment, the ministers' faces darkened, and they fell into an even deeper silence, seemingly even slowing their breathing.
They were even considering whether Viktor's attack on Angus was intentionally orchestrated by the emperor.
Gwen was Viktor's fiancée.
If Gwen were to inherit the Delin family, and then marry Viktor...
Two earl families would become one.
"This..."
Viktor's power would become even more formidable, and if either of the two princes were to gain this foundation, it could directly secure the future throne.
But the problem was...
Viktor was the princess's teacher.
And there was an even more important issue.
If Viktor obtained the knightly foundation of the Delin family and his power grew immense, could future monarchs truly keep him in check?
They dared not continue this line of thought, as it would be disrespectful to future monarchs.
They couldn't ponder further, couldn't fathom what exactly this aged and weakening emperor was thinking.
"Your Majesty, Knight Commander Gwen has arrived," a eunuch hurriedly ran to the emperor's side and reported in a low voice.
As soon as he finished speaking, Gwen entered the great hall, clad in silver armor that gleamed coldly.
She held her knight's helmet in her left arm, standing tall with her chest out and head high.
"Your Majesty."
All the ministers present focused their gaze on Gwen, feeling a cold aura of authority and intimidation emanating from her.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Her face was extremely gloomy, and her brows seemed to carry the extreme frost of the Northern Frontier.
She stood before the emperor and gave a slight bow.
The emperor waved his hand dismissively and said calmly:
"Gwen, you must be aware of the situation in the North by now."
Viktor's wanted posters had spread throughout the North overnight, with countless knights searching for his whereabouts.
She had already learned of this from Kevla's reply letter.
Gwen didn't respond, but obviously, everyone knew that this knight was already aware of everything.
The emperor looked at her and continued to ask:
"You are Viktor's fiancée. By rights, this should be handled as a family matter, and I shouldn't interfere."
Then, Aubrey chuckled a couple of times.
"However, after this incident, can you and Viktor really maintain this engagement?"
With these words, many people couldn't help but ponder the emperor's intentions.
He was making Gwen choose.
Right now, you are Viktor's fiancée.
Your fiancé has assaulted your father, and this is your family matter, not yet escalating to a more serious level.
But if your engagement is broken off...
Then it becomes Viktor maliciously collaborating with Northern barbarians to attack the Great Knight of the North, Angus.
The Empire would naturally mobilize troops to capture Viktor and bring him back.
At that time, it would be handled officially, and the royal family would investigate this matter thoroughly.
And afterwards, the engagement between the two naturally couldn't be maintained.
If Angus doesn't wake up, and his heir is severely injured and disabled.
Gwen would return to the North to become the Countess, replacing her father in guarding the Northern border.
As for Viktor?
As long as the charges aren't established, he would still be that Earl, the princess's teacher.
It seemed the emperor was still rational. Although he could indeed keep Viktor in check while alive,
Future monarchs might not necessarily be able to control two Earls with military power and strength.
Many people contemplated the emperor's deep intentions.
So now, it all depended on Gwen's choice.
Gwen responded without even a moment's hesitation, her expression unchanging, as if describing an insignificant matter.
"Your Majesty, I have come to request that you relieve me of my duties as the Royal Knight Commander."
As soon as these words were spoken, a wave of shock swept through the entire hall, stirring up a tide of astonishment.
Gwen herself possessed extremely powerful strength and solid capabilities, and the position of Knight Commander was even personally appointed by the emperor.
But now, she actually intended to step down from her position?
Could it be that she truly planned to return home and inherit the legacy?!
The emperor, hearing Gwen's response, revealed a smile.
"Oh? Do tell."
Gwen's expression remained cold.
"Viktor is my fiancé. As long as he doesn't intend to cancel it, our engagement remains valid."
"Therefore, I will personally find him and ask him about everything."
The sense of justice in her heart meant she would absolutely not shield anyone. If Gwen discovered that this incident was truly Viktor's fault, then...
"I will challenge him, even though I have no chance of defeating him."
Gwen's eyes held absolute determination, unwavering in the slightest.
"Even if it means dying by his hand."
Acting for justice, taking responsibility for goodness.
Gwen was just, but her justice was never stubborn or absolute.
She would not judge others' good or evil, right or wrong, based on appearances alone.
All matters in the world have two sides, and she was willing to give her life for all injustices.
This was the small justice that Gwen held in her heart.
After saying this, she ignored the shocked gazes of those around her, merely dragging her heavy armor as she bowed deeply to the emperor.
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty."
Gwen turned around and slowly left the hall. The bright yet scorching light shone on Gwen's armor, flickering with a brilliant radiance.
At this moment, Gwen was like an angel purifying the dust.
Even more like a stubborn beast, slowly walking towards a glimmer of light.
All for the sake of upholding that—
Justice in her heart.
.......
The wind and snow in the Northern Territory were ultimately bitterly cold and biting.
Vega ruffled its feathers in dissatisfaction. Even though it wasn't afraid of the severe cold, the wild wind constantly messed up its plumage.
The damned Viktor wouldn't even cast a wind-blocking spell on it, despite all the help it had given him.
Suddenly, Viktor stopped in his tracks amidst the blizzard.
"Hey, why did you stop?"
Vega called out in displeasure, but Viktor ignored its tearing cries, simply gazing silently ahead.
In the distance, shrouded in darkness, amidst the all-encompassing snowstorm, there seemed to be a tribe with burning fires.
In this howling, wind-swept remote area, there was actually an encampment with lit fires.
A bright red flag fluttered in the wind and snow, embroidered with a giant sword engulfed in flames.
Vega also noticed the distant camp and was somewhat curious.
"Look at the flag above, that's the territory of the [Blazing Sword]," Viktor said calmly.
[Blazing Sword] was one of the two largest barbarian tribes in the far north.
These people were distributed in remote frontier regions, followers of the Fire Giant, that terrifying giant with demigod-like powers.
They always believed in endless strife and the ever-burning power of flames.
As devotees of the Fire Giant, these barbarians possessed the power to withstand severe cold and fire due to the ancient giant's favor.
This was why these barbarians could continue to live here for many years.
"It looks like just a small sub-tribe," Vega said, squinting its eyes.
"Barbarians are no good, but I need them to find the way for me."
Viktor spoke calmly, suddenly constructing a white formation under his feet, a levitation spell taking effect on him.
Viktor slowly floated into the air above the tribe.
At this moment, Viktor could see more clearly.
Below, the tribe was constantly burning with roaring flames, numerous animal skins piled together, even the roofs of the houses were made of various animal skins sewn together.
Viktor slowly formed a red formation in his hand, muttering obscure incantations.
Soon, a striking and terrifying fire-red appeared between the cloud layers.
That magnificent and high temperature seemed as if it would incinerate the entire sky.
[Fourth-tier Magic: Heaven Incineration]
Instantly, the wind and snow above the tribe gradually ceased, replaced by unbearable heat.
Huge fire serpents continuously fell from the sky, constantly bombarding the massive camp.
In an instant, flames engulfed half the sky, and the entire earth began to crack continuously.
A large group of men wielding weapons emerged from the tribe, their bodies covered in red fur, like a group of uncivilized beasts.
They gathered together, shouting something unintelligible at Viktor in the sky.
Viktor waved his finger, and a ferocious fire serpent plummeted towards the crowd.
Endless flames instantly engulfed the crowd.
Patches of barbarians, their bodies burning with flames, ran in all directions, trying to extinguish the fire on their bodies.
But ultimately, it was to no avail.
As one barbarian after another turned into charcoal and fell in the wind and snow, the entire camp fell into silence.
Only the crackling sound of flames consuming buildings could be heard.
Viktor watched the tragic scene, slowly descending, staring at a barbarian trembling in the flames.
He was curled up in the fire, staring at Viktor, his eyes filled with endless fear.
And those flames seemed not to burn him at all.
Viktor looked at him coldly and said slowly:
"Lucky you, I found you in the very first tribe."
"Temple Qualifier."
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To Be Continued..