Four Split Personalities

Fernan did exactly as he had said he would, showing no reaction to the decisively retreating attackers. He only continued to defend against those who were left behind to ’pin him down,’ without any intention to capture someone or take advantage of the situation to pursue.

However, just because he didn’t react, didn’t mean others felt the same way.

Two streaks of dark purple Cold Light flashed by, and two figures who were running headlong fell to the ground, their heads continuing to fly five or six meters in the air before landing on the ground with expressions of terror.

Then, another seven or eight fierce flashes of Cold Light appeared, and the attackers at the front clutched their throats, falling down in despair.

Unbeknownst to anyone, around thirty figures dressed identically had appeared around Duke Fernan’s domain, silently causing a bloodbath.

With their Mirror Face Masks, single-shoulder Capes, Purple Gold Half Armor, wrist blades, Short Swords, and Long Daggers, the highly recognizable First Squad of the Zijing Guards, directly under the command of Commander Purple Mirror, silently appeared on the battlefield, efficiently reaping those attackers who had already lost their will to fight.

All of them were advanced-stage Assassins from the Thief profession, their strength was not particularly dominant, yet in a short time, they slaughtered the members of the Marshal Slave Capturing Group, causing chaos and utter defeat.

This wasn’t surprising, as these individuals had quietly appeared on the battlefield three minutes earlier, silently observing the attackers’ siege on Duke Fernan during which they had objectively and thoroughly analyzed each enemy’s combat habits and Strength levels.

These individuals, whose strength only reached to the advanced stage beside Breil Blackhoof, had been under observation for a full three minutes without realizing it.

Being observed for three minutes by a large number of well-trained, powerful advanced-stage Assassins, and then starting to flee when their Physical Ability and mental state were on the verge of collapse.

The result was as expected - death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death.

Thus, the First Squad of the Zijing Guards, the most well-trained bodyguard and Assassin group in the entire Violet Empire, under the direct command of Commander Purple Mirror, only took less than five minutes to kill 80% of the attackers, at the cost of two seriously injured and three slightly injured members.

Their superior officer, too, reappeared on the battlefield.

"Not bad fighting..."

Purple Mirror, who appeared like a Specter behind Blackhoof, casually knocked down a couple of lower-ranked Zijing Guards, laughed twice in a voice that was severely distorted and hoarse, and then offered Mercury Core Fernan a slight bow, "Esteemed Duke Fernan, may we, the Zijing Guard, take it from here?"

His arm was severed, his clothes and robe bore many burn marks, and he appeared quite battered, but his voice remained calm and steady, as if the injuries on his body didn’t exist.

"Uh... of course, that’s no problem."

Fernan shivered as if scared, catching the last returning shield with a backhand, stepped back half a step with an embarrassed smile, "Um, I don’t suppose you could pretend I was just passing by, could you, Mr. Purple Mirror?"

Though he couldn’t show any expression due to his face being hidden behind the mask, Purple Mirror conveyed his surprise with a slight pause in his gestures, then shook his head slightly, "I apologize, my lord, but it would seem I must still report to His Majesty the Emperor about your brave act of confronting these Assassins."

"Heh, alright, although it’s better to avoid trouble..."

Mercury Core sighed, gave a wry smile, and shrugged his shoulders, "But at this point, it seems I can no longer remain uninvolved."

Purple Mirror gave a slight nod, "If there’s any offense, please see..."

"It’s not about being offensive or not."

The previously obsequious Mercury Core simply waved his hand and walked away lethargically towards the distance without looking back, "I just don’t like trouble. By the way, you needn’t worry about the next attack. I’ve already signaled the Iron Gate Guard; they should have intercepted the Duntis Golden Crow Guard ahead by now, unless the enemy has a Legendary-class powerhouse, they won’t be able to break through."

"Thank you."

Purple Mirror nodded towards Fernan’s retreating figure then quickly gestured to his subordinates nearby before turning his gaze back to Breil Blackhoof, who was motionless in front of him.

The reason Blackhoof was immobilized wasn’t due to some bizarre and nonsensical reason like ’entering a state of time stop during a Magical Girl transformation or the enemy’s monologue’ – rather, it was because Purple Mirror’s remaining right hand was firmly gripping a Longsword, its cold blade pressed tightly against Blackhoof’s neck.

"I ask, you answer, no delays, no lies, or you die."

The Mirror Face Mask, reflecting only Blackhoof’s own face, calmly faced him as Purple Mirror’s cold and penetrating voice slowly resonated. Since the Zijing Guards had taken control of the situation, other attackers who had luckily survived... or to be precise, those who were purposely left behind, unanimously turned their attention here.

"Hmm..."

Feeling the icy blade on his neck, Blackhoof stiffly nodded, "Alright."

"Name."

Purple Mirror asked hurriedly, void of any emotion.

"Breil Blackhoof."

"Affiliation."

"Uh..."

Breil Blackhoof was taken aback at the words, then silent for half a second, about to speak, when unexpectedly...

Swoosh!

A flash of cold steel, and a rather large head rolled onto the ground, as Commander Purple Mirror had, without hesitation, sliced it clean off.

The leader of the Marshall Family’s First Slave Capturing Group, legendary professional and bloodthirsty warrior Breil Blackhoof, was thus neatly and swiftly killed.

"I have said so before, no delays."

Commander Purple Mirror casually flicked the blood off his longsword and then slowly walked over to an attacker being held down on the ground by two Zijing Guards. "I ask, you answer, no delays, no lies, or else you die."

Unexpectedly, the latter chuckled dryly, "Go on and kill me."

"Very well."

Swoosh!

Another head soared through the air and rolled several times on the ground.

Commander Purple Mirror then moved to the third attacker, asking in the same unfluctuating voice: "I ask, you answer, no delays, no lies, or else you die."

"Kill me."

...

"I ask, you answer, no delays, no lies, or else you die."

"I won’t say anything, just make it quick."

...

Thus, Commander Purple Mirror completed his rounds. By the time he returned to his starting position, over seventy attackers and those Zijing Guards who had turned traitor had all been killed, with none left alive.

"Take control of squads fourteen, fifteen, and sixteen. Numbers three and four, go check on the Iron Gate Guard’s position."

Commander Purple Mirror offhandedly gave instructions to the Zijing Guards behind him. Then he took a new set of commander attire and several bottles of potion from their hands and disappeared into a shadow, "The rest of you maintain vigilance. I’ll tend to my injuries and then go straight to the audience with His Majesty."

...

At the same time

"Anthony Dabus?"

Mercury Core Fernan, heading toward the Iron Gate Guard, stopped in his tracks when a young man in white robes blocked his path and asked softly, "Do you need me for something?"

Motan grinned and gently clapped his hands, "Just as I thought, you’ve been aware of my presence from before."

Fernan was startled and asked subconsciously, "How did you know?"

"It’s quite simple—if you hadn’t determined that I was the identity-unknown spectator with inferior strength, your reaction just now would certainly have been like this." Motan pulled a comical face, then suddenly turned pale and backed away with a sweat-drenched face. His right hand shook subtly as he stammered, "Da... Da... Mr. Dabus, what are you doing here?"

His perfect imitation of Fernan’s expressions and mannerisms was uncannily accurate.

The latter, surprised, raised an eyebrow (having already removed his helmet), then spread his hands helplessly, "So what now?"

"So now, since we have shared friends, we can have a nice little chat~"

Motan snapped his fingers, smiling brightly at the wily Duke before him, flashing a toothy grin...

"As the saying goes, ’You can never wake a person who is pretending to be asleep,’ but since you have already opened your eyes before me, let us pull up our pants and speak plainly~"

Chapter 537: End