Chapter 157: Apologies, Heroes Cannot Save South Seraph

Hughes did not lead his troops in pursuit. He was well aware of Charlot's cunning, as well as the presence of Grandma Saint Karen by his side. Moreover, Charlot had chosen a moonless, windy night—an unsuitable time for a large-scale military operation.

Although filled with unparalleled rage, Hughes remained a competent commander. He used the opportunity to rally the defeated soldiers from three camps and retreat to his own base.

Charlot returned to his camp and, seeing no pursuit from Lady Nancella’s forces, finally felt at ease.

First, he ordered the attacking warriors to rest while instructing the remaining garrison to strengthen their vigilance. Back in his own military carriage, he had a small meal, cultivated Blood Glory, and restored his energy. Only then did he review the midnight raid he had just conducted.

Charlot thought about the eighteen warriors of the Redback Bear Tribe. He couldn’t help but recall the Radiant Magic Array he had seen during the attack on the coffins of Grand Duke Ferdinand and his wife, as well as the Origin Blood Boundary he had observed near Jonan.

He mused to himself, "I heard the orcs also have a similar defensive magic array called the Beast God's Protection. Could these eighteen Redback Bears manage it?"

After a moment’s thought, Charlot concluded it seemed unlikely. To form a Radiant Magic Array or Origin Blood Boundary, the minimum requirement was for all participants to be Transcendents. Where would ordinary people acquire combat energy or other forms of power?

Without extraordinary abilities, how could one construct a transcendent defensive magic array?

Charlot dismissed the notion and focused on his modest situation. He had not employed Dark Luxury and was currently using a standard military carriage.

Throughout history, many commanders have managed to win battles without sharing hardships with their subordinates. However, Charlot, knowing he wasn’t even a “keyboard strategist,” dared not act beyond his means. Thus, he humbly stuck to using an ordinary military carriage.

Fortunately, the carriage was spacious enough. Living alone, he didn’t find it cramped.

Reflecting for a while, Charlot realized he hadn’t gained much from his recent experiences. He acknowledged that he lacked the battlefield acumen and sharpness needed to become an exceptional military strategist. His recent successes were purely due to his opponents’ incompetence and his own good fortune. Resigned, he decided not to make excessive efforts in this regard.

As he prepared to step out of the carriage for some fresh air, his vision blurred slightly. In an instant, he found himself on an expansive meadow, brimming with blooming flowers and breathtaking scenery.

Then, Charlot saw someone he absolutely did not want to encounter—Hughes.

Unable to suppress his annoyance, Charlot asked, "Hughes, how do you always manage to persuade Grandma Saint Karen to help you?"

Hughes responded coolly, "Why don’t we settle this in the real world?"

Charlot spat. "This is murder!"

Hughes replied, "If I truly intended to kill you, Grandma Saint Karen would undoubtedly stop me. Right now, I need you. Let me defeat you in public just once, and I will reward you with military merit to save Mostar Castle."

Charlot stroked his chin and said, "But I don’t trust you."

"Don’t even bother swearing," he added. "I believe you’d break any oath just to kill me."

Hughes smirked faintly. "If you refuse, I’ll send a letter to Mostar Castle, demanding they hand over your parents and elder brother in exchange for my retreat. I believe they’ll agree."

Charlot cursed, "Shameless! Hughes, you’ve changed. You’re supposed to be South Seraph’s hero. How can you do such despicable things?"

Hughes had initially believed he had already killed Charlot’s entire family. However, as the war progressed, he couldn’t avoid gathering more intelligence on Charlot. Discovering Charlot Mecklenburg’s true identity had been straightforward. He had simply been misled for a time, but such things couldn’t remain hidden forever.

Hughes chuckled lightly. "I’ve killed before. Killing the wrong people is just part of it."

"As for being a hero... Sorry, heroes can’t save South Seraph. Only a ruthless demon lord, drenched in blood and devoid of mercy, can breathe new life into it."

"For South Seraph, I’m willing to sacrifice. I’ll go to hell, abandon all dignity and morals, and even let go of hatred."

"I need to defeat you publicly to solidify my position within the South Seraph restorationists."

"You need a significant military achievement. If my intelligence is correct, you’re still just a Chief Clerk, aren’t you?"

Charlot considered retorting, “Chief Clerk? I haven’t been one for ages.”

However, he refrained. Being a first-class civil servant at the rank of 29 didn’t count as a prestigious position. Instead, he replied, "I don’t actually need it that badly."

Hughes, seeing Charlot’s stubbornness, resorted to his ultimate trump card. In a low voice, he said, "If you refuse, I’ll write down every embarrassing incident from your time in the Behemoth Principality and send it to the lady in Strasbourg."

Charlot sneered. "What could I have done to embarrass myself?"

Hughes silently gazed at Charlot, admiring his defiance. "My courier is on the way. If you agree, we’ll duel tomorrow under Mostar Castle. If not, you’ll face the consequences."

Hughes turned as if to leave the dreamscape. Enraged, Charlot suddenly shouted, "Fine, let’s fight."

Hughes immediately summoned his black Knight’s Lance, lunging at Charlot with even greater speed than before.

Charlot’s Blood Rose appeared in his hand, and with a slight twist, he parried Hughes’ black lance. Unleashing the full extent of Arsilo Swordsmanship, he fended off three strikes before letting out a sharp cry. His sword emitted a faint golden glow as he daringly counterattacked.

Hughes raised his arm and clashed head-on with Blood Rose. Even Charlot’s Blade of Emptiness failed to penetrate Hughes’ skin. Charlot couldn’t help but remark, "Your Steel Muscles and Iron Bones technique has grown more refined. Aren’t you afraid of becoming too hard to soften later?"

Hughes, baffled by the crude joke, countered with a kick. Charlot, using his foot to block, retreated.

Just as Hughes prepared to launch another attack with his lance, Charlot abruptly exited the dreamscape. He knew he couldn’t defeat Hughes and had only intended to frustrate him. Hughes, left holding his black Knight’s Lance in an attacking posture, realized too late that Charlot had escaped, leaving him hanging.

Hughes maintained his stance for a long moment before placing a document on the ground and exiting the dreamscape gracefully.

Once both young men were gone, Grandma Saint Karen appeared. She waved her hand gently, causing the document to burst apart, its words floating in the air.

It was a list of over thirty names, all women.

Next to each name was an account of their “encounters” with Charlot—affairs with baronesses, narrow escapes that led to streaking through the streets, and tales of lavish spending to win a single night with a beauty...

Grandma Saint Karen read for a while and muttered, "Not complete, though."

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