Chapter 212: Confrontation
Just as Manny was at his wit’s end, several fine horses galloped toward them.
"It’s Duane!"
Manny’s eyes were sharp; he recognized the leader at a glance and was instantly overjoyed.
"Go, inform Priestess Sarah that Baron Duane has returned!"
As he spoke, he rushed to the base of the wall and bellowed, "What are you gawking at? Lower the drawbridge!"
The members of the Holy Radiance Court scrambled into action, secretly breathing a sigh of relief. A turning point had finally appeared.
Meanwhile, Duane reached the front of the castle. He reined in his horse at the edge of the moat, his cold gaze fixed on the slowly descending drawbridge.
John and Jack led the patrol members forward to greet him, reporting on the situation as they did.
Duane listened quietly.
Though Jack and John weren’t to blame for the incident itself, they were law enforcement officers. They had a duty to handle such matters and couldn’t shy away from responsibility.
So, Duane reprimanded them in a scolding tone:
"Black Forest Island operates under the laws of the Kingdom. As law enforcement officers, you should know exactly how to deal with criminals like these!"
"If you wait for me to make every decision, then why did I appoint you as law enforcement officers in the first place?"
"If I hadn’t returned for a year, would you have stood here in a standoff with them for a whole year?"
Jack, John, and the others lowered their heads. Even Kaelon dared not speak.
’The Baron was right.’
’They had been too cautious, forgetting their own duties in the process.’
Seeing their expressions, Duane didn’t continue his scolding.
"For certain matters, you must take the initiative and accept responsibility. If you lack even the courage for that, then I’ll have no choice but to find someone more suitable for the position!"
Just then, the drawbridge landed.
Manny, flanked by two Church Guard Knights, strode over.
"Baron, you’ve finally returned!"
His tone was a mixture of helplessness and relief. "If you had arrived a few days later, things would have gotten very difficult for us!"
Duane sneered. "What, were you planning on fighting my men?"
Manny froze, his face flushing beet red as he scrambled to explain:
"No, no, no, you’ve misunderstood!"
"Give me a hundred times the courage, and I still wouldn’t dare!"
Duane tilted his head back, his eyes narrowing as he gazed at the castle before him.
"Daniels’s castle may be strong, but if I could take it once, I can take it again. It’s just... if it really came to that, it would make me look like a rather incompetent Lord."
As he spoke, he glanced at the drawbridge mechanism and gave an order:
"Jack, John, take your men. First, dismantle the drawbridge mechanism. Then, take the castle gate off its hinges!"
"Yes!"
Having just been reprimanded, Jack and John didn’t hesitate for a second upon hearing the command. They charged inside with the patrol.
Manny grew anxious, but having witnessed Duane’s power firsthand, he knew he couldn’t stop them. He didn’t dare to move.
However, the deputy captain, Benson, did move. He blocked their path, his hand on his sword hilt, and roared, "Halt!"
But before he could even draw his sword, a figure appeared in front of him.
"BAM!"
Benson was sent flying with a single punch.
Kaelon stated coldly, "On Black Forest Island, no one disobeys the Baron’s orders!"
Jack and John immediately waved their men forward. They rushed in, and taking up their swords, began hacking at the mechanism until it was smashed to pieces.
The members of the Holy Radiance Court could only stand by and watch, completely powerless, not daring to step forward and intervene.
Manny’s expression was grim. Suppressing his rage, he said:
"Baron, this is going too far! You rented this castle to us, which makes it the Church Court’s property. You..."
"I can take it back."
Duane cut him off. "Your people injured one of my subjects. Not only did you refuse to hand over the culprit, but you also accused my two law enforcement officers of framing you. You need to give me an explanation for this!"
Manny lowered his voice, avoiding the question and changing the subject:
"The Holy Radiance Court was established with His Majesty’s approval. An act like this will only strain our relationship, which will benefit neither Black Forest Island nor you!"
"Is it really worth it, all for a few common subjects?"
Duane gave him a strange look. "And you think this is just about a few common subjects?"
Manny retorted, "Isn’t it?"
"Heh. No wonder the Haydon Clan has fallen so far. Now I’m starting to understand why."
Duane shook his head in disappointment. "I am upholding the laws of this territory. Anyone who commits a crime on this land must receive the punishment they deserve!"
"It doesn’t matter if they’re from your Holy Radiance Court. Even if it were one of the King’s own personal guards, I would punish them according to the law all the same!"
Manny’s breathing grew ragged. Duane’s contemptuous words about the Haydon Clan filled him with rage.
But he didn’t dare act on it.
Never mind being no match for Duane; he couldn’t even handle Kaelon, the Earth Tier Warrior at his side.
’At this thought, his regret deepened. Why had I agreed to come to this quagmire?’
Just then, Priestess Sarah rushed over with Jesse, Otto, and the others.
"Baron, what is the meaning of this?"
Sarah’s tone was accusatory. "According to the laws of the Kingdom, Church Court property is considered a private domain. Forcing your men to destroy its fixtures is an infringement upon the Church Court!"
She had escalated the conflict, hoping to make the assault seem trivial in comparison.
Duane wasn’t buying it. "And when did the Kingdom enact such a law?"
Sarah faltered for a moment before forcing an explanation. "It has already been enacted. It’s just that Black Forest Island is so remote that the directive hasn’t reached here yet."
Duane replied nonchalantly, "Then we can discuss it when I receive the official notice. But before that, I’ll ask you again to hand over Kendrick, the one who committed the assault."
Sarah’s breathing grew heavy with anger.
’This wasn’t her first post as a priestess. In her previous two assignments, the local knights and barons had all been perfectly courteous to her.’
’She never expected this Baron to show her absolutely no deference.’
"And if I refuse?" she challenged. "Are you planning to storm the castle?"
She held her head high, exposing her slender neck, which looked so fragile it might snap with the slightest pressure.
A cold glint flashed in Duane’s eyes as he unleashed the aura of a Celestial Tier Warrior, one who possessed the Celestial Python Bloodline.
Everyone present instantly felt as if they were being targeted by a ferocious beast. Their scalps prickled, and they didn’t even dare to breathe.
Even their Knight Commander, Manny, felt as if he were trapped in a swamp, struggling for every breath.
’He didn’t understand. Even when standing before Grand Mage Clement, he had never felt such suffocating pressure.’
’Just who was this Duane?’
"As long as everyone follows the rules, I’m happy to play by them. But if you want to play other games... I’m sorry, but I don’t have time to indulge you!"
For Duane, refusing to give these individuals face was a completely different matter from offending the Holy Radiance Court as a whole.
Even if His Majesty Eric wanted to make an example of someone to establish the Holy Radiance Court’s authority, Duane was certain he wouldn’t be the one chosen.
After all, he was currently a man of great importance, especially with his connection to the Secret Realm in the Starfall Islands.
The Secret Realm had yet to be explored. If he died, it would create a host of complications.
Moreover, King Eric was very concerned with appearances, so Duane was certain the King would never make an example of him.
"I’ll give you three minutes to consider."
Duane said, "If you don’t hand him over, not only will I send my men in to search the castle, but I will also write to His Majesty and Bishop Clement, reporting your acts of defying both doctrine and the law!"
At his words, the color drained from the faces of Sarah, Manny, and the others.
The accusation was devastating.
They might not be punished, but it would absolutely leave a black mark on their records.
This would have a huge impact on their promotions and advancement. They might even lose out on the boons they were due to receive.
Thus, unless they were absolutely forced to, they didn’t want to have a complete falling out with Duane.
Of course, the most crucial point was that they were utterly powerless against Duane here. This was his domain.
Sarah and Manny exchanged a look, each seeing the compromise in the other’s eyes.
"Very well, Baron. You win!"
Sarah took a deep breath. "Please, follow me!"