Edge of the Apocalypse
Chapter 704: Friends And Enemies

"No, the sword needs to go up a little bit more."

"Again."

"Raise it up, Duke Ante. This is not enough."

On the other side of the Endless Star Road, Paradise Star's Bailey Empire began to welcome the coldest season of the year. Due to the unique geographical location of this kingdom, the cold winter was very short. However, it was precisely because of this that people were not accustomed to the winter weather. Yesterday, it had already snowed. Even in the south of the empire, one could see the snow-capped scenery.

Lake Portilli has already formed a layer of ice. In another month, the ice will increase to a thickness of tens of centimeters. Winter is short, but colder.

The Unicorn Castle had been covered in a layer of silver clothes by the snow.

On the completely restored castle, Snow White visited the pavilions, domes, and plazas. They painted the outer walls of the castle, making it less tough and more gentle than usual. On one of the small squares in the castle, the ground was paved with Fang Zheng's bricks, and the snow was cleared. Two stone statues of women with severed arms were silently watching the duel between the two of them.

The sound of metal striking each other resounded.

Although it was an iron sword, it didn't attack, so it was just a prop for fighting practice. Once again, one of the swords was twisted away and landed on the ground a few meters away. The owner of the castle, Ante, who had inherited the entire viscount's territory, sat down on the ground. He wore sackcloth and armor. The armor was welded with lightweight iron plates. It had good flexibility, and its defense was not much better than leather armor.

However, using it in practice was enough to protect Ante.

Ante gasped, his sweat had already soaked the linen under his armor. He grew a little taller and had some muscles. He was no longer the thin boy he used to be. After the death of his father Daniel and the old butler, the boy was growing up quickly. At this moment, his eyebrows were a little less green, and he had an extra aura of heroism. He began to have the bearing of a lord in his every move.

In order to make himself stronger, he invited the current unicorn regiment, Dalon, to train him. But even so, he still couldn't defeat the person in front of him. Standing in the bright sunshine of early winter, his eyes seemed to change color with his mood. Ante remembered that his eyes were red during the fight. And now, the blush was fading away, and his eyes were turning blue like the ocean.

Illusion? Ante thought, and then he stood up. The new butler ordered the maid to send Ante a black cloak so that the young knight would not be invaded by the cold. Unte put on his fur cape and said to the man in front of him, "Sir Edward, everyone says you're a smart man. I didn't expect your sword to work so well."

Edward smiled and took the cloak from the guard. After putting it on, he replied, "I'm flattered, Lord Ante. I'm only an outsider in swordsmanship. Prince Allen is the real expert."

"By the way, Sir Allen seems to have been gone for a long time. Haven't you come back yet?"

'"Something important seems to have happened to Lord Allen's family. He has to stay here to deal with it, so he delayed the return. No, Lord Allen is not here, but there are quite a few people who are interested in him." Edward smiled.

Ante invited him to a corner of the square, where there were tables and chairs, and the butler had ordered hot dishes to be served. The two sat down and Ante blinked, "I heard that Sir Allen has been recognized by the empire as a viscount."

"Viscount is just the beginning. Lord Allen will go further."

Ante's heart skipped a beat. Edward looked into his eyes and said indifferently, "Lord Allen will make countless enemies on this road." But at the same time, we will also gain a lot of friends. Sir, you are always merciless towards your enemies. However, he was extremely good to his friends. Unfortunately, there were some people who didn't want to be friends with adults and would rather be his enemies. Lord Ante, do you think they're stupid? "

The young viscount's expression changed again, and he laughed dryly, "Sir Allen is so powerful, but I don't think he can win forever. So, Edward, aren't you exaggerating a bit?"

"Perhaps you're right, but at the very least, I really can't find anyone in the southern border of the empire who can defeat Lord Allen."

"If you say that, the Marquis of Iron Spear will be unhappy." Ante smiled reluctantly.

Within the empire, the north was superior to the south. There were many experts in the north, while the south was relatively mediocre. Although there were many knights in the territory, the ones who were truly important and could obtain titles were mostly in the north. Within the Northern Territory, not only were the four dukes in the north, there were also dozens of Marquises and Counts. In contrast, there were only a dozen knights in the south who had names. Among them, Iron Spear Marquis Huo Yi was the most famous. However, apart from Huo Yi, the other ten-odd knights weren't even on the top of the Northern Territory.

For example, a viscount like Daniel was only known in the Ark Harbor area. In the north, no one knew who he was. However, there was at least an Iron Spear Marquis in the south. Even in the north, Huo Yi's name was well known. Hence, what Edward said just now seemed to not even bother Hoey, and Ante was somewhat dissatisfied with it.

Edward smiled faintly, but did not argue with Ont on this point. "Lord Allen's gaze is on the North, and the South is only one of the cornerstones of his journey to the North," he said. Soon, Lord Ante would understand. Besides, Marquis Iron Spear was indeed the strongest person in the south. But I have to remind you, Master Unte. Sir Hoy is old, and Lord Allen is young. "

Ante was speechless.

"Alright, my lord." Edward sat up slightly and said, "Don't waste your time. I'm here to ask you to hand over Lance. I know he's in Unicorn Castle right now."

Ante's expression finally changed.

Lance was Earl Rackett's nephew. Not long after Daniel died in battle, he and Barre had planned to take over the unicorn's territory. If Alan hadn't appeared, their plan would have actually succeeded. But Alan came and personally put Ont in his current position. Not long ago, Lance had led Rackett's knights to invade, and Allen's army had also been sent back.

At this point, Ante should regard Rackett as his enemy. In fact, even he thought so, but a few days ago, Lance suddenly came to visit secretly, and he brought the Earl of Rackett's invitation. Lance's words were very simple. Daniel used to be a subordinate of Earl Rackard, so why would Ante leave the Earl and join an alliance with Allen, who had just become a viscount?

Moreover, Alan was his enemy who killed his father. If Ante returned to the Earl's side, then Rackett would kill his enemy for him. Ante thought of his father and the old butler and was finally moved. Lance took advantage of the heat and promised him many benefits. In the end, he persuaded Ont to cooperate with him. The first item of cooperation was to support the current Lord of Ark Harbor, Earl Gills.

Ever since the night of the Sacred Grimoire, Gills' reputation had plummeted a thousand meters after he was publicly kicked out of his ugliness. The people of Ark Harbor now hoped that Jorah, the sister of the former Count, would manage this territory. Jorah was both Ouban's sister and the leader of the Deep Sea Scaled Concubine. Regardless of status or combat strength, she was the best choice for the lord. She was considered much more suitable than Gills, and after that night, many prominent figures in Ark Harbor also publicly supported Jorah, especially Vera, who had used her influence to promote Jorah. Under such circumstances, the Earl of Gills's chair was not secure.

The Imperial Overwatch Council, which was currently located in Ark Harbor, had also joined the investigation of the incident. Once it was confirmed that Gills did intend to invade Jorah, it would be a devastating blow to his power. Normally, the masters of the Overwatch Council would have no interest in such a scandal. However, now that everyone knew about the commotion, they could not turn a deaf ear to it. The Overwatch Council of the Empire had the responsibility to supervise the words and deeds of the Lord, but if there was no need, who would offend an Earl?

Now, Gills had locked himself up in White Castle almost every day, and had used his personal guards to defend White Castle. However, in the face of the growing public opinion and the rising momentum of Ruola on the other side, as long as he wasn't a fool, he could tell that Gills was almost certain to be replaced. It was just a matter of time.

Although Rackett had the heart to pull Gills, he could not save the fire from afar, so Lance went to Ont. Ask Ante to help Giles at this time. Ante is considering it. But today, Edward's sudden visit caught him off guard.

Right now, Edward had even directly asked him to hand over Lance, causing the young viscount to be in a complete mess. Thinking back to Edward's words, not only did Ont not feel warm from the cloak, but he felt as if he had fallen into the icy water of Lake Portilli. He felt cold from head to toe.

Looking at Edward's deep gaze, Ont smiled bitterly and said, "You know?"

"How could I miss such an important role like Lord Lance?" Edward smiled and said, "I hope Sir Andrew will cherish our friendship and never make the wrong choice."

Choice? Enemies or friends? Unte felt bitter, but at the same time, he was filled with anger. He clapped his hands and said, "What kind of friendship! Did Alan kill my father? Is this called friendship? No, there's only hatred between me and him!"

"Sir Oz of Hungry Wolf, his father died at Lord Allen's hands as well. But now, he is very grateful to Lord Allen for what he did for that territory."

"That's Oz, and I'm Ont!"

Edward said indifferently, "Sir Ont, I hope you'll calm down." When the two armies fought, there would naturally be losers. Of course, there's nothing wrong with you taking revenge. But when you do all of this, you have to think clearly that once you step out, you can no longer take back your foot. You and Lance worked together to fight against Lord Allen, and you were the first to be hit. It was your territory, not Earl Rackard. "

'"In the end, Lance and Rackett are just using you. They don't have to lose anything regardless of whether they win or lose. Because you're the only one who loses. So, do you still want to do that?" Edward smiled and said, "Rackett already has an army on his way. How about this? Let's see if this army can make it to the city gate smoothly. When the results are out, it's not too late for Lord Ante to make a decision."

"As for me, I have plenty of time today." Edward took a sip of hot tea and said with a smile.