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469 Renardier\'s Decision

"Do you really have the luxury to talk right now? Can\'t you hear it? The screams of your soldiers getting slaughtered that is."

Vaan didn\'t answer the question directed at him, nor was there a need to.

Emperor Renardier and Ulrich possessed enough intelligence to guess that he had a mixture of dragon and wolf bloodline — based on the appearance of his transformation.

Nevertheless, just as he said, Emperor Renardier and Ulrich could hear their troops\' cries from miles away.

Although Ulrich didn\'t care much since his identity was exposed, Emperor Renardier\'s expression was grave.

On the main battlefield, the imperial soldiers were slaughtered without getting close to the battle witch army, no matter which direction they charged from.

Zodreg and the other nine Rank 5 dragons circled the battle witch army in laps while shooting their dragon breaths, forming an impassable zone the imperial soldiers could not cross.

Everyone that made an attempt lost their lives, whether it was to the dragons\' flames or the battle witches\' barrage of spells.

"Don\'t falter! Once His Imperial Majesty defeats the enemy leader, he will lead us to victory! The dragons are nothing before the might of His Imperial —"

A 5,000-man commander tried to keep up the imperial army\'s morale. However, he attracted a dragon\'s ire and got himself killed in a blazing hellfire.

"What a joke. My mighty Red Dragon Clan possesses the power to wipe your backwater country off the face of the earth ten times over!

Did you think you could win just because we didn\'t bring our full force? How foolish," the dragon called Magneel spoke.

At the same time, Astoria tried persuading the imperial soldiers to surrender again after estimating their losses.

However, their faith in the emperor was too strong; they wouldn\'t give up unless their symbol of hope and belief were crushed.

"My people are waiting for me. I can\'t let them down! I\'m taking you down, young —"

Emperor Renardier worked himself up, but Vaan didn\'t wait for him to finish speaking before slashing at the former with his greatsword.

Boom!

Emperor Renardier blocked the attack with all his might, and shockwave sent more Aura Lords flying towards the wall of blue flames.

"Nooo—!" the Aura Lords cried before their inevitable demise.

"Hoh!! Stop for me—!"

At the same time, Emperor Renardier roared with veins protruding on his forehead and neck after taking Vaan\'s blow. The powerful force had pushed him back more than fifty yards, leaving two trails in the rocky ground like giant chisels had carved them out.

However, Emperor Renardier\'s disbelieving eyes were immediately fixed on his Low-level Rank 5 greatsword—or, more precisely, the small chip on it.

If he continued taking Vaan\'s greatsword head-on, his treasured greatsword would be ruined.

"C\'mon, is that all you got? You need to work harder, you know? Entertain me more," Vaan casually urged while studying the emperor\'s aura circulation method with his Omni-Sense.

"Hmph!" Emperor Renardier snorted gloomily before barking, "What are you waiting for, Marquis Salazar?! I can\'t take him on alone!"

"I\'m gathering power for my strongest attack! Buy me some time, Your Imperial Majesty!" Ulrich requested as he forcefully fused his holy aura and demonic divine power.

"Dammit. It better be worth my effort!"

Shortly after Emperor Renardier spoke, he immediately lunged back at Vaan with a powerful step despite still feeling sore and fearful of the last attack; it felt like he had been struck by a magic airship.

Even so, he still had to fight and keep his opponent busy.

Boom!

Emperor Renardier and Vaan clashed with their greatswords again — much to the Aura Lords\' horror as the shockwave tore apart the earth and blew them away.

With every clash, the mountaintop would be devastated with cracks and trail scars. It was uncertain how many more blows the rocky mountain could take before it shattered apart entirely.

"No—! I don\'t want to die! Your Excellency, I beg of you, have mercy! I surrender!" the Aura Lords lost their will to fight Vaan.

Just by looking at the situation, they could tell that Vaan had not used his full strength against Emperor Renardier.

Vaan was simply toying with Emperor Renardier, pushing the latter to exert his strength to the limit and reveal all his cards.

It was clear who held the advantage despite being outnumbered.

Ding!

<You have gained insight into a Peak-rank aura circulation method>

<You have gained insight into a Peak-rank aura circulation method>

<Your understanding of aura cultivation has increased>

"It\'s a bit late to surrender, no?" Vaan casually asked as he smacked Emperor Renardier away with his greatsword. "Nevertheless, I am a benevolent man. I can give you all the chance to redeem yourself by killing Ulrich Salazar and proving your faith in humanity. Do that, and I will spare you."

"Is that chance also given to me?" Emperor Renardier asked.

"Of course."

Following Vaan\'s answer, Ulrich immediately shot Emperor Renardier a fierce glare, full of threat and warning.

"Are you planning to betray me, Your Imperial Majesty?!" Ulrich roared angrily.

"To begin with, there\'s no proof that he will honor his word! So it\'s better for you to serve my master! My master might be a Great Devil, but he cherishes talents. He has a place for you among his ranks!"

"Well? Will you honor your word and spare me if I kill Ulrich?"

Emperor Renardier turned to Vaan and asked.

"Of course not." Vaan chuckled and said, "Anyone can live, but not you. You have to die."

"Are you messing with me? Why are you only targeting me?"

Emperor Renardier frowned with a cold gaze.

"Let\'s just say I\'m also a petty and vengeful person. You shouldn\'t have set your eyes on someone else\'s woman," Vaan coolly stated.

"Son of a... fucking bitch!"

Emperor Renardier cursed inside his mind. He couldn\'t believe Vaan wanted him dead for such a simple reason.

"Which Great Devil is your master, Marquis Ulrich? I swear to serve him!" Emperor Renardier decisively declared, seeking the only plausible choice of survival.

If he could also receive a Great Devil\'s blessings, they might just be able to turn the battle around.