Chapter 324: Chapter 279: A Happy Shot, The First Drop of Blood_2
Even those coerced by legal constraints to move did so reluctantly, dragging their feet in the hope of delaying until the disturbance was over, so they would no longer have to risk their lives.
And these sluggish reinforcements had no idea that Byron’s actual command was, "End the battle in ten minutes!"
Each combat unit under his command had its designated role.
While the poisoning and robbery units were at work, "Unbreakable Fortress" Sam Leopold, "Preempting the Enemy" Beret Tanya, "Skeleton Knight" Andrew Lancaster, and "Witch" Violet—all four of them Third Order—also mobilized.
Each of them targeted the two brothers who were the pillars of the Newman Family.
「Inside a seaside manor.」
BOOM!
Wooden splinters from a room’s door flew everywhere as Governor Newman, hearing the alarm bell, immediately grabbed his longsword and rushed out wearing only his nightgown.
In the bedroom behind him, on an exquisitely carved bed inlaid with ivory, a beautiful noblewoman could be seen screaming, clutching a blanket to cover herself, yet still unable to hide stretches of her pale, smooth skin.
It was obvious what Governor Newman had been up to.
The continuation of one’s lineage was a top priority for any prominent family.
Having lost an exceptional son, it wasn’t as if there was no remedy.
Jefferson Newman was only fifty; he could still father more children.
After sending Byron away, he had suppressed his grief amidst his busy schedule and summoned his young and beautiful lover, toiling diligently in hopes of further propagating the Newman Family line.
Having taken a potion provided by his collaborators, the Bloodthirsty Cult, he had been arduously engaged until the alarm bell sounded, prompting him to hastily rush out of the bedroom.
Seeing the military harbor engulfed in flames, he immediately raised the Governor’s Seal Ring, resonating with the port’s lighthouse. In an instant, he invoked the "Royal Iron Rule - Great Charter."
He bellowed, "I order, in my capacity as the Governor of the Royal Port: All attackers in the city are prisoners! Activate [Force Field Shackles], [Aura of Fatigue], [Isolation Barrier]!"
No sooner had his words fallen than a flash of lightning-swift, bright sword light slashed toward his face.
Luckily, Jefferson had turned the entire city into his personal, well-guarded prison. As the [Jailer], all his abilities were greatly enhanced.
He lunged forward, desperately and narrowly dodging the sword strike.
Then, a whooshing sound arose beside him as a white-haired figure, resembling a raging bull and wielding a steel kite shield—round at one end and pointed at the other—charged him ferociously.
With no way to evade, a layer of semi-transparent [Thorn Armor] materialized on his body, studded with iron spikes and capable of reflecting attacks. Clasping his sword with both hands, he lowered his center of gravity into a stable triangular stance and forcibly absorbed the blow.
BOOM!
Like two rhinoceroses colliding, the stone slabs beneath their feet instantly shattered, sending dust flying.
The spreading shockwave flattened even the surrounding plants.
Only then did he finally recognize his assailants. His pupils contracted violently, and he exclaimed in disbelief, "Sam! Beret Tanya! How can it be you remnants?! Weren’t you supposed to be on Gornaf Island awaiting death? Why are you in Royal Port?"
The scene unfolding before his very eyes was too much for him to accept.
He had just been dreaming of The Sea Hunter completely wiping out the Lancaster Remnant, and the next moment, these people were at his doorstep.
Especially tonight, with Royal Port’s defenses unprecedentedly vulnerable, how could things be so coincidental?
But... I was the one who ordered the fleet to depart!
Moreover, there was a whole series of coincidences beyond just that.
"Also, how did you rebels find me? I am protected by the Royal Iron Law, able to shield against Divination below High Sequence, and no one but my confidants knows where I stay each night. And why are you still immune to the negative effects of the Great Prison?"
In theory, the Law Net combined with his professional abilities as a [Jailer] should have instantly turned the city into his unique domain, allowing him to toy with small groups of enemies at will.
However, although the two Lancaster Party members before him showed a Supernatural Aura indicating that negative effects were active, their impact was clearly minimal.
It wasn’t even enough to make them lose their sense of direction.
Beret Tanya looked at the mortal enemy before her—the man who had once relied on the power of the law to seize Royal Port from her grasp—and gave a cold smile. "Heh, take a guess."
She switched to "Breath of the Wind" and, along with old Sam, pounced on him again from both left and right.
Entry [Outlaw Madman]:
"Crime syndicates are the ultimate form of Outlaw Madmen.
As a guiding beacon for these madmen, you understand the law and can use the [Pirate’s Ten Commandments] to protect your crew.
When facing the Law Mages of Hightins, your team will no longer be your Achilles’ heel."
When confronting the Royal Iron Law of the Kingdom of Hightins, Byron’s Outlaw Madmen directly launched a special counter.
They were immune to at least seventy percent of the effects of law-based attacks.
This was the Lancaster Party’s first counterattack against the York Party, and it was Byron’s first time truly shining after gaining this ability.
The "Outlaw Madmen" who had received this power-up were convinced this would not be the last time.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Sparks flew and dust rose. The cacophony of battle between the three Third Order combatants resounded for miles, the clash of their weapons like a blacksmith’s hammer ringing through the night.
The Governor’s guards stationed in the manor heard the commotion and rushed to assist, only to run headlong into a fearless unit known as the Wings of Death, a group notorious for their suicidal, do-or-die tactics.
Isolated and without support, Jefferson’s heart sank bit by bit.
Although he clearly had the backing of the law and enjoyed an absolute home-field advantage, he was horrified to find himself seemingly cast into a vulnerable, open expanse where his strengths were nullified.
After just a few exchanges, he felt a growing terror, a chill seeping into his bones with every blow.
Soon, he was covered in wounds, his Spirituality rapidly depleting. Death had never felt so close.
But Jefferson Newman, after all, had clawed his way to his current noble title and joined the ranks of the Great Nobles, one battle at a time.
He was no incompetent fool; on the contrary, he was a veteran of countless battles.
The crisis ignited his dormant ferocity.
His eyes flew wide, and he roared, "I don’t believe your immunity is limitless! Even if it costs me my life, I’ll drag one of you down with me! Come on!!!"
With a mere thought, he prepared to unleash his trump card, a desperate ability called "Release the Prisoner." This would break open the cage within his body, releasing the most ferocious beast dwelling inside a [Jailer]—his id.
But just then, a voice like a melody from heaven rang in his ear, "Your Excellency Governor, I’m here to save you! Rebels, taste my spear!"
He looked up. On the roof of a distant manor building, Byron, who had apparently returned, was sprinting across the rooftops towards him. Jefferson’s eyes immediately shone with the unadulterated joy of survival.
My loyal The Sea Hunter has returned? I’m saved!
True loyalty is revealed in times of crisis; tears welled up in his eyes.
He didn’t even pause to wonder why The Sea Hunter, who had departed with a large contingent hours ago, could have returned so quickly.
The appearance of reinforcements reignited his hope of survival, and the desperate, cornered-beast ferocity he’d mustered instantly vanished.
His fighting style shifted from one of mutual destruction to cautious self-preservation.
He completely failed to notice, however, that his two opponents weren’t flustered at all. Instead, they intensified their assault, specifically restricting any possible blocking maneuvers with his longsword.
The next moment—
ZAP—!
A blue streak of lightning tore through the night sky, flashing before the three men, whose hairs suddenly stood on end.
The "Sure-hit Spear, Gungnir" descended from above, then instantly transformed into light and flew back into Byron’s hand.
Only the Governor slowly looked down at the massive, bloody hole that pierced clean through his chest. Blood spurted from his mouth as he used his last ounce of strength to scold, "Ugh... wrong... you fool. Your throw... it wasn’t... accurate!"
Then, with a THUD, he collapsed to the ground.
His manner of death was identical to that of the maid he himself had killed moments before.
The [Thorn Armor] granted by the Royal Iron Law had offered no resistance whatsoever to Gungnir.
As his Spirituality began to leave his body, on the verge of being claimed by the Mad Hunt Legion, his fading consciousness faintly heard,
"We cannot afford to repeat the enemy’s mistakes. Tonight, not a single soul from the Newman Family shall be spared. Men, women, legitimate children, illegitimate children—all must die. Absolutely no one gets away."
"Understood, Your Highness! With such meticulous planning on your part, how could our great cause possibly fail? I am truly reassured. I have already instructed the Order of Knights. Rest assured, even the yolks in every chicken egg will be scrambled, and creatures like earthworms will all be sliced in half lengthwise..."
Jefferson’s Spirituality trembled violently. He let out a wail, "Lancaster, you are so venomous! Wait, Your Highness... which Your Highness?"
He wanted to question further, but his consciousness had already completely dissipated, instantly snatched into Byron’s shadow.