CHAPTER 12: CONFRONTATION

Nyxrael reacted in an instant, flashing in front of James. His sword cleaved through the air as he unleashed his [Netherclad Slash] skill, aiming to intercept the incoming strike.

Slash!

A crescent arc of violet-black flames burst forth, colliding head on with the attack.

Boom!

The collision produced a loud sound, which was immediately followed by a shockwave that shattered many glasses.

"Are you sure you want to destroy your own city?" James chuckled with a calm expression.

"Who dares to speak arrogantly in my territory?" An old voice that contained the vicissitudes of life could be heard.

An old man with long gray hair appeared beside Duke Garrick. He showed no emotion, but deep within his eyes, traces of coldness and killing intent could be felt by James.

The moment the old man appeared, James instantly crushed a white jade token.

Sigh!

"Why did it have to come to this..." A middle-aged man in his early 40s sighed as he appeared beside Nyxrael, showing his Epic Knight strength.

"Uncle Gareth, you actually broke through the shackle and became an Epic Knight?" James raised an eyebrow at Gareth.

James genuinely didn’t know this because he knew that his uncle was at the Peak Platinum Knight, or at least that’s what the outside world or even most people in the Steelheart knew.

The answer could only be one, in which Gareth had become an Epic Knight and he somehow concealed it.

He had talked about a plan with his father, asking for some people to stand by in case of the worst-case scenario, which actually happened at the moment when the two Epic Knights from the Wolfsblade family showed up.

James actually expected that some Peak Platinum Knights would show up, including his uncle, but it seemed that it was unnecessary since Uncle Gareth had already become an Epic Knight.

’It seems that there is more than meets the eye about the Steelheart Family.’ James smiled faintly as he thought to himself.

Gareth laughed heartily, then grimaced. "Should I take that as a compliment or an insult? Because compared to your father, I’m still way behind."

He then glanced around and sighed bitterly. "What did you do this time, James? You promised not to stir trouble. That’s the only reason your father let you come."

James shrugged. "I didn’t cause any trouble. Someone insulted the Steelheart name. I simply responded."

Before Gareth could respond, the old man spoke as he looked at Nyxrael. "Who are you? Do the Steelhearts hire you? Name your price. I’ll pay you double—no, triple their amounts instead."

"He’s not working for the Steelhearts." James shook his head with a chuckle.

Pausing for a second, he continued with a calm expression. "He’s my subordinate."

The old man was surprised at James’s word, thinking about what made him qualified to have a strong Epic Knight as his own subordinate.

Sigh!

"So be it then." He said with a sigh, then looked at Gareth. "Tell me, what’s your purpose for coming here?"

"Me?" Gareth pointed at himself with a smile.

"Don’t mind me, I’m just here to make sure my nephew doesn’t get himself killed. Protection duty, you could say." He waved his casually.

The old man knitted his eyebrows before shifting his gaze toward James. "And what’s your purpose here?"

James met his gaze evenly. "I came to meet the artificer. Before that, I stopped by the Hidden Quill for some information."

The old man deepened his frown for a few moments, then looked at Duke Garrick and sighed.

Sigh!

"You may go, but make sure to not cause trouble in my city again." The old man waved his hand with an angry expression across his face.

"B-but, Grandpa—!"

Darik said as he came toward the old man but was slapped instantly, sending him across the street once again.

"Hmph! Don’t think I’m unaware of what you’ve done," the old man said coldly. "Return home and wait for your punishment."

With that, he vanished into thin air, leaving only the echo of his command behind.

"Let’s go." James waved his hand casually and started to walk away toward the horses as if nothing had happened.

Subsequently, with the addition of Gareth, the trio went toward the artificer’s place.

A few minutes later, they arrived before a big mansion, its tall iron gates gleaming under the sunlight.

"Halt!" One of the two guards shouted.

"Inform your master that James Steelheart requests an audience," James said calmly.

The two guards raised their eyebrows when they heard it before one of them walked inside in a hurried manner. The other guard bowed slightly and cupped his fists. "Please wait a moment, Young Master James."

"Sure." James smiled and got off the horse.

Just as James got off the horse, he heard a hurried footstep coming from inside.

A man in his mid-30s with a short black beard and hair walked out of the mansion’s gate with a cane in his hand.

His calm gaze instantly shifted to James, then became surprised as he looked at Gareth and Nyxrael.

"Come in," the man said with a faint smile. "Let’s go inside first."

Just as they sat on the sofa, the man extended his hand with a smile. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Young Master James. I’m Eldric."

"The pleasure’s mine. And also, you don’t need to be so polite because I’m here as James." James smiled, pointing out that he didn’t represent the Steelhearts at the moment.

Eldric raised an eyebrow but soon nodded in understanding.

"Give me a moment," he said, taking out a small token. As he activated it, a faint shimmer spread through the air, forming a translucent barrier that enveloped the mansion.

"Now we can speak freely," Eldric said calmly. "No one below Legendary Rank could eavesdrop on us."

James nodded with a faint smile. "Good. That makes things easier—because what I’m about to discuss is extremely important."

"Oh?" Eldric asked, his expression unreadable. "Important to you... or to me?"