CHAPTER 694: CHAPTER 20: THE TRUTH OF THE WORLD

After hearing Ivan’s words, some were still hesitating, but some had already taken action, especially those nobles who were not so confident in their martial arts.

They could defeat few opponents, and if someone acted before them, they would likely meet their end here today.

Even though some of them had relationships with each other, in the face of death, they disregarded much, even vassals challenged their own lords.

Of course, there were also nobles who were unwilling to slaughter each other. They gathered together, trying to break through the encirclement of the Wing Clan warriors and flee from Lion Heart Castle.

However, these people overestimated their skills and underestimated the ruthlessness of the Wing Tribe.

Dense arrows rained down from the sky, making people’s scalps tingle. Having occupied Lion Heart Castle, the Wing Clan warriors no longer needed to worry about military supplies.

Therefore, they did not spare their arrows—within moments, all twenty or so nobles lay dead on the ground.

Seeing this, the remaining imperial nobility completely abandoned any hope of luck and began fighting desperately together.

Ultimately, when Solomon’s figure appeared on the ruins of Junlin Tower, only forty-two imperial nobles remained standing.

It should be noted that nearly two hundred members of various families had come to join Solomon this time.

Less than a quarter of them survived, far fewer than the half Solomon had stipulated; aside from those who were shot while attempting to flee, others had participated in more than one duel.

Some were forced into it; after achieving one victory, they were targeted by others who had not yet won, and the nearby Wing Clan Warriors, whether due to language barriers or sheer indifference, did not intervene, allowing the imperial nobles to continue fighting.

Others, however, were proactive; motivated by Ivan’s earlier promise that the victor could claim the loser’s land, they harbored such intentions.

Two individuals stood out the most; one was a young man dressed as a wandering knight, whose martial arts far surpassed anyone present. No one was his match, and in just a short while, he had defeated five opponents.

Even when two teamed up to kill him, they were instead slain by him. Besides him, a scrawny old man managed to kill four opponents all at once.

He seemed nearly ready for the grave, yet when he drew his sword, he became as lively as a dragon. His swordsmanship was not as good as that of the young wandering knight, but he fought with desperation and was brutal enough, even killing one man from behind.

Solomon looked at the young wandering knight and asked, "What is your name?"

The latter, hearing this, sheathed his blood-stained long sword and knelt on one knee, "I am Wolf, from the Fanrasen family, and people call me the Wanderer.

"My family has already declined, and I am the only one left of my generation."

"Wolf, why did you come to Lion Heart Castle?" Solomon inquired.

"Because I heard that by joining you, one could obtain land. Whoever gives me land, I will serve," the young wandering knight said.

"Very well, any land from those you have killed will belong to you. I always keep my word, and if you continue this momentum, I can guarantee you will acquire even more land.

Solomon paused, then commanded a Wing Clan Warrior beside him, "Take him to the Emperor’s treasury, pick a better sword; such a brave warrior deserves a finer weapon."

After speaking, he shifted his gaze toward the old nobleman, "And who might you be?"

"Vierstein, Old Oak Tree Vierstein," the old noble replied with a grin, "I am the Family Head of the Dormond Family."

"You appear to be quite old, why still come to fight?" Solomon said.

"Ah, because my twenty-six wives have given me over forty sons, and my share of the family estate is not enough to divide. Despite my age, I still have to come out and find work to do."

Vierstein stuck his two-handed sword in the ground, leaning on it while he caught his breath and said, "Great Conqueror, King of the Winged Men, you need not worry that your investment in me will be in vain. My old bones are still sturdy, and I can serve you for a long time yet.

"At least longer than half the people standing here today."

Solomon shook his head, "I am not the King of the Winged Men, just the commander of this army, but I greatly admire your spirit of striving for your descendants.

"Rest well, you will soon have tasks to perform."

Solomon’s final words were also meant for all the nobility present, "You have consumed the flesh of the Vespasian Family, and your swords have drunk deeply of your fellow countrymen’s blood. From now on, other nobles on this continent will see you as enemies.

"But fortunately, you now stand on the side of the victors. Go, tear apart the cancers left by the old dynasties, your descendants will be grateful for your choices today."

The assembled nobles looked at each other, not knowing who took the lead, they too knelt on one knee like Wolf.

"We are ready to serve, my lord."

Solomon was very pleased with this response. The Wing Tribe urgently needed allies, but they were selective about whom they accepted.

Of the more than two hundred people who had come to join him, keeping forty was already enough.

He did not mind if those below him had ambitions, like Wolf and Vierstein, because ambition also means motivation.

And Solomon was absolutely confident that he could keep these hounds in check.

"Oh yes, there’s one more thing."

Solomon was about to leave, but then he remembered something and stopped in his tracks, "I don’t care what god you worshiped before, from now on you are only allowed to worship the Sky Mother Goddess Gaia. I will erect a statue of her on these ruins.

"I’ve noticed that this city has a good amount of bronze, reportedly planned by the previous Emperor to create a statue for a different god. Now, this batch of bronze can be rightly used for its proper purpose.

"When you return, you should also check the temples and statues left on your estates, demolish them, expel the priests, and tell your children and your people that there is only one True God in this world.

"All other deities are mere fabrications by mortals. Remember to send your most beloved child here too; I will have Gaia’s wizards teach them the true realities of this world."

The nobles looked at each other, but as Solomon had said, they now had no other option.

The dozen or so captives from the Vespasian Family had already been killed by them, their hands stained with the blood of other imperial nobility. After all, changing their faith was nothing they couldn’t accept.