CHAPTER 11: JAMES’S FEARLESSNESS

A few seconds later, a powerful aura erupted from a middle-aged man with a short beard who just appeared, showing his strength at the Peak Platinum Knight.

"What happened here?" He asked in a deep voice as his eyes landed on the decapitated corpse of someone he recognized.

Then his gaze shifted to Darik, who was sitting on the ground clutching his swollen cheek, glaring hatefully at James and Nyxrael. In his other hand was a broken jade token, proof that he had called for help.

"Guardian Lan," James said coolly, "I’ll remind you just once, don’t draw your sword unless you want to end up like him." He pointed toward the lifeless body beside Nyxrael.

Guardian Lan knitted his eyebrows and looked at Nyxrael before looking at James angrily. "Young Master James, what is the meaning of this?"

What do you mean by that question? Shouldn’t you first ask what your two idiots here have done to cause it?" James smirked mockingly.

Guardian Lan’s frown deepened. He turned his head sharply toward Darik. "Come here!"

Darik quickly rushed to his side and hid behind him without a second thought.

"Tell me what happened from the beginning." Guardian Lan looked at Darik coldly, knowing that this troublemaker must have done something that pissed James off.

"That guy acted all arrogant and slapped me first! Then that bastard beside him hit me so hard I flew a dozen meters away! After that, when Korrin was about to—"

Clap!

Clap!

Clap!

Before Darik could continue his explanation, James clapped a few times and looked at him coldly. "If you dare to spout another word of nonsense, someone else will end up just like him today." He once again pointed to the corpse at his feet.

"Young Master James, aren’t you being too arrogant right now?" Guardian Lan gritted his teeth, holding back his anger.

"If defending myself is called arrogance," James spat on the ground, his tone filled with disdain, "then there’s nothing more to say to brainless people like you." He turned around casually and began walking toward his horses.

"Stop!" Guardian Lan shouted, letting out pressure at James.

"Hmmph!" Nyxrael only snorted in response, dispersing pressure as if it was nothing.

He then placed a hand on his sword hilt, ready to act but stopped when James raised his hand.

James turned his head, his expression clearly annoyed. "What now? Say it quickly. I don’t have time to waste."

"Young Master James," Guardian Lan said sternly, "You still owe us, the Wolfsblade Family, an explanation."

James smirked. "Oh? And what kind of explanation do I owe you?"

"Slapping Young Master Darik and killing someone from the Wolfsblade Family! Do you think that isn’t enough?" Guardian Lan frowned deeply.

James burst into laughter for a moment, then looked at Guardian Lan coldly.

"First of all, that little brat who’s younger than me insulted me several times, but I let it slide because I don’t have the time to entertain him. But then, he crossed the line by insulting something that he shouldn’t, the honor of the Steelhearts! That’s why I slapped him." James shifted his gaze to Darik behind Guardian Lan and continued.

"Then, when he tried to slap me in return, Nyx taught him what respect means. As for the man lying dead over there," James pointed lazily at the corpse, "I warned him not to draw his sword if he didn’t want to die. He ignored that. Is that enough of an explanation for you?"

Guardian Lan’s eyes narrowed. "You went this far just because of that?"

"What did you just say? Say that once again!" James scowled at him deeply, then said. "No one insults the Steelhearts without paying a price, not even your family head! let alone just a random dog."

"Oh my... Not even me?" A deep, authoritative voice interrupted as a tall, handsome man in his late 40s appeared beside Guardian Lan.

James laughed when he heard it before looking calmly at someone who’s at the same rank as his father, Duke Garrick Wolfsblade. "You can try, Uncle Garrick."

Duke Garrick smiled faintly without. "Is your confidence coming from being accompanied by a random Epic Knight?"

"Maybe?" James shrugged nonchalantly, then smiled back. "Why don’t you try and find out?"

"Hahahahaha!" Duke Garrick laughed heartily for a moment before immediately showing a cold expression.

"Little James," he said in a chilling tone, "even your father shows me respect. And yet, his son dares to treat me like this?"

He released a powerful aura of an Epic Knight, making the onlookers breathe haggardly as some of them even dropped to their knees.

Nyxrael immediately responded by releasing his aura too. He then waved his hand as he used his (Abyssal Shield) skill on James, creating a swirling dark barrier that enveloped James protectively.

Looking at the enraged Duke Garrick, James responded with a chuckle. "Respect? Do you think anyone should show respect to a man who tried to kill him? Are you alright, Uncle Garrick? Did you hit your head—"

"That’s enough!" Duke Garrick bellowed, veins could be seen across his face, as he was truly enraged this time.

He drew his sword in one swift motion, enveloping it with intense energy that even made people in the Platinum Knight rank shudder.

Taking a single heavy step forward, he glared at James coldly as killing intent emanated from his body. "You do realize that I have every right to kill you right here for daring to accuse me of such things, right?"

Facing someone of the same rank as his father, James didn’t show even an ounce of fear as he calmly replied. "With all due respect, Duke Garrick." He paused for a second and continued with a faint smile. "You already know the truth in your heart. And I’m not stupid enough to accuse someone like you without reason."

"Good. Very good... I’d like to see what gives you the confidence to act so recklessly and commit acts that warrant execution for disgracing the Wolfsblade name."

His eyes flared with killing intent. Then, he slashed forward without hesitation.

Slash!

A silver crescent moon of energy erupted from his sword, cutting through the air at a terrifying speed—so fast that most people in the scene couldn’t even see it coming.