CHAPTER 334: CHAPTER 333: CROUCHING TIGERS, HIDDEN KNIGHTS

"My name is Lux Arrezvul, Conscription Officer of the Iron Legion," Lumberling said firmly, his gaze steady.

"As one of the dukes of this empire, granted title by the Emperor, you are bound by duty to provide at least a thousand soldiers, and to lead them personally when called. I believe you’ve received the call to arms. The empire is in turmoil, and the Emperor requires your service. Refusing..." his voice turned cold, "...would be considered treason."

The room fell silent for a moment. The Duke studied him carefully. Then, he slowly nodded. "I see. Yes, I did receive the letter," he admitted.

"Before I make my decision, however, I would like to invite you and your companions to stay in my city for the time being. You’ll be treated with full honor and given the finest accommodations we can offer."

Lumberling gave a short nod. "I’ll allow it. We’ll be staying for a while," he said calmly, turning to leave. "But I don’t have much patience. I suggest you make your decision soon, Duke."

He stepped out of the office with his four companions following close behind. Their movements carried quiet authority. Lumberling had completely slipped into his role, his tone and bearing leaving little room for doubt.

"It won’t be long," the Duke finally said, his voice echoing faintly in the chamber.

Just before the doors shut, Lumberling’s calm voice echoed back through the hall edged with warning. "It’s said that you’ve isolated yourself from the rest of the empire, Duke Hadric, neither siding with the factions nor the crown. Whatever your reasons, remember this, you’re still part of the empire. And you will fulfill your duties."

The doors closed with a dull thud, leaving the Duke in silence.

As Lumberling and his group left the office, silence lingered for a moment. Then Knight Corven stepped forward, removing his helmet slightly as he spoke.

Then Knight Corven stepped forward, lifting his helmet slightly as he hesitated. "What do we do, Duke?" he asked carefully. "Are we... going to join the war?" His tone carried both caution and unease, as if still caught under the weight of Lumberling’s words.

Duke Hadric remained still for a while. He sat still, his expression calm. Finally, he spoke. "Send a message to the capital. Confirm their identities. We’ll wait for the Empire’s response before making any moves."

Corven blinked, surprise flickering across his face. "You mean... they’re not really from the Iron Legion?"

The Duke’s eyes narrowed slightly, his voice steady. "We’ll find out soon enough. Until then, keep an eye on them. I want to know everything they do inside my city."

"Yes, Duke." Corven bowed respectfully before leaving to carry out the order.

When the door shut behind him, Hadric leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. His thoughts lingered on the man who’d just left, and the veiled figures standing behind him.

’That man’s companions...’ he thought, his gaze sharpening. ’Was it just my imagination? For a moment, I felt danger coming from them. No... that shouldn’t be possible.’

.....

Lumberling and his four companions were led to a large guest compound, surrounded by quiet gardens and a small pond that reflected the afternoon sun. The guards bowed before leaving them to rest.

As soon as the gates closed and the footsteps faded away, Thessalia lifted her hand. A faint ripple of mana spread through the air, forming a thin, shimmering barrier that sealed their voices within.

Liraeth turned to Lumberling at once, her brows knit in disbelief. "I can’t believe you," she said, her tone sharp and filled with worry. "Pretending to be from the Iron Legion right in front of the Duke? If they find out, the real Iron Legion will come after us!"

Lumberling only grinned, loosening the strap of his spear as he sat down on one of the benches. "Relax," he said lightly. "The Iron Legion has bigger things to deal with. They’re too busy fighting and keeping order to bother with me."

Liraeth sighed, pressing her fingers to her temples. "You... sometimes I really don’t know what to do with you," she said helplessly.

Thessalia chuckled softly, her lips curling into a faint smile. "You sure managed to bluff your way out there," she said, glancing at him with a mix of amusement and admiration. "Now that we’ve gotten in, what’s your plan? It won’t be long before they start questioning things."

Lumberling leaned back slightly, his gaze drifting toward the red pavilion rising above the wall. "If the Duke actually believes my words and decides to march out, that’d be perfect," he said calmly. "We’d get a chance to strike."

He paused, his tone turning thoughtful. "But I doubt he’s that naïve. So for now..." He turned back to them, his eyes gleaming faintly. "We’ll move quietly. Observe and learn what we can, especially about their cultivation techniques."

Aurelya tilted her head, folding her arms. "Are their techniques really worth all this trouble?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

"Of course they are," Lumberling replied without hesitation. "Did you see the soldiers we passed earlier? The Duke’s men are different. They don’t carry the aura of Knights, but their presence..." He paused, recalling the faint pressure he’d felt earlier. "It wasn’t normal. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them could go toe to toe with True Knights. And there weren’t just a few, there were dozens of them."

The three elves and Liraeth exchanged surprised looks, their eyes widening in disbelief.

"Dozens?" Aurelya echoed, frowning slightly. "I didn’t sense anything like that. This place feels... peaceful."

"Don’t be deceive by its appearance. Cities like this are known to hide crouching tigers and sleeping dragons." Lumberling chuckled lightly.

The four of them narrowed their eyes slightly, deep in thought.

After a moment, Lumberling turned to Vaenyra. "What do you think about the Duke? Do you think we can take him if it comes to a fight? I can’t read his martial stage, but I doubt he’s ordinary."

Vaenyra met his gaze. "That Duke’s a Knight."

Lumberling blinked. "A Knight? I thought he was a martial artist."

"He is a Knight," Vaenyra said again, her eyes steady. "He hid it well, but I could still sense it. There’s a faint Knight’s aura around him, restrained but powerful."

Liraeth nodded in agreement. "Of course he’d be a Knight, and a strong one at that. He’s a Duke after all. The emperor won’t give him his title if he wasn’t a high ranked Knight."

Lumberling leaned back slightly, processing their words. "Makes sense," he muttered. His gaze drifted toward the window. "Then that means... the Duke’s walking two paths. Both a martial artist and a Knight?"