Chapter 262
The middle-aged count’s voice caused surrounding people to converse. Many gazes fell upon the maiden beside the black-haired youth, whose beauty was exquisite, as if carved by the gods. Beyond surprise, many concealed their fervent passion.
Although the news of Verafia being the “Blazing Phoenix” had begun to spread since Rubiel City, a considerable number of people were still unaware.
“You say that as if it has nothing to do with you…”
Verafia crossed her arms, raising the corners of her lips and letting out a soft hum, showing her displeasure towards the middle-aged count. The maiden glanced sideways with her golden eyes, “Moreover, since you already know it’s me, why aren’t you moving aside quickly!”
“Miss Verafia, I have no intention of disrespecting you.”
Count Lunse still wore a smile, unfazed by the maiden’s obvious annoyance. He raised his eyes and looked up, “However, this place is a domain created by the Black-winged Monarch of ancient times. I believe that as the legendary Blazing Phoenix, you must have benefited greatly from it.”
Verafia was instantly enraged, and the energy of flame elements gathered in her small hands, startling Ig beside her, who tightly clutched her slender, jade-white arm. However, even so, Verafia struggled to lift her small head in great anger:
“You despicable human, do you think this cursed place was created by me!”
Flarn held the maiden’s small hand and took a step forward. Despite her slight weakness, her even more exquisite red eyes looked towards the middle-aged count opposite them. “What my elder sister obtains is none of your concern. However, you seem quite regretful.”
“This adorable little lady, you misunderstand me.”
Count Lunse remained unfazed, waving his hand with a casual smile. His eyes fixed on Ig and Verafia beside him, and he swept his gaze over the hundreds of adventurers behind Ig.
“Miss Verafia and Young Master Ig not only brought back these many people but also prevented the spread of this domain. If not for them, as the Regent of Lord Douglas’s court, I would be beyond forgiveness even if I deserved ten thousand deaths.”
Verafia pouted and snorted, unimpressed by Count Lunse’s pale and fragile flattery. The middle-aged count’s gaze dropped, and a smile suddenly appeared at the corner of his mouth, “However, just now, I saw a dazzling sword light sever this domain beside Lady Vicena…”
Ig’s gaze sharpened, and he looked up at the smiling Count Lunse.
“Hey, what do you mean! It’s one thing to spout such useless nonsense, but with words like that, are you suspecting my attendant?!”
Verafia stomped her little shoe forward, her exquisite small face turned towards Count Lunse, filled with extreme anger.
However, secretly, the maiden lightly curled the corners of her lips. She borrowed Ig’s hand to unleash this sword technique, wasn’t this the effect she wanted?
“Miss Verafia is joking. I am not suspecting, but rather marveling that Young Master Ig, at such a young age, can unleash such a sword technique.”
Count Lunse was indifferent, his smiling face looking towards Ig, whose azure blue eyes met his. “Young Master Ig, please forgive my ignorance, but this level of swordsmanship, in my opinion, can only be compared to Lothel, known as the Sword Saint a hundred years ago.”
As soon as Count Lunse’s words fell, almost all the gazes from the surrounding crowd were immediately fixed on him and the black-haired youth opposite him.
“Lothel,” this name, widely circulated over the past century, who among everyone present wouldn’t know its meaning?
Behind Ig, several powerful presences immediately stepped forward. The black-robed swordsman, the sole survivor among the dozen stars, stared at Count Lunse with eyes sharp as lightning, showing no regard.
“Count Lunse, you know that if it weren’t for this sword, we would have perished long ago. Yet, you dare to slander Young Master Ig with this ‘Oathbreaker’.”
The middle-aged count did not speak but looked aside, his azure blue eyes revealing deep emotions as the black-haired youth looked at him. Ig suddenly raised his face and looked directly at the smiling count.
“My Lord Count, you are quite correct. The sword strike just now was indeed the swordsmanship of Lord Lothel from ancient times.”
Ig’s confirming voice caused a stir among the crowd, far surpassing Count Lunse’s previous remarks. Except for a few maidens beside Ig, almost everyone, even the adventurers behind him, looked at the youth with varying expressions.
Verafia stopped Ophi, who was about to step forward to shield Ig from the pressure, and shook her head at the Ice Dragon Girl’s confused and even anxious gaze. Her scorching gold eyes gazed at the youth’s back.
Verafia indeed wanted to use Ig as the successor of “Lothel” to shield her from scrutiny; otherwise, she wouldn’t have used his hand to unleash the Sword of Destruction and Void this time. However, the youth didn’t even deny it and simply exposed himself.
Of course, Verafia wasn’t particularly concerned about this matter. Instead, she watched the black-haired youth, who had been by her side for several months, with great interest.
“Young Master Ig, at your age, to be able to…”
“My Lord Count, I know what you want to say. However, the sword strike just now was not my doing.”
Ig suddenly interrupted the count’s words, raising his right hand holding the End in his embrace and placing it before everyone’s eyes, “It is this sword: End·Tegasol, the former sword of Lord Lothel. Due to the will of the Black-winged Monarch, it unleashed its sword qi in response.”
Count Lunse smiled: “Ig, I thought you would conceal it. I didn’t expect…”
“My Lord Count, why would I need to conceal it?”
Ig glanced around at everyone present and sneered, “Are you going to convict me because of this sword?”
The smile on Count Lunse’s face disappeared, and his brows furrowed. He suddenly reprimanded sternly, “Ig, you are the son of Marquis Mays, but everyone here knows that this ‘Oathbreaker’ did more than just break his vows. Back then, he betrayed the King’s trust and impersonated a brave hero guided by an oracle, nearly leading the entire continent into an irreversible situation! But his sword is in your hands?”
Count Lunse’s words caused a flurry of discussion among those present. Ophi looked around and felt something was amiss, wanting to rush forward, transform into a dragon, grab Ig, and fly away.
However, as the Ice Dragon Girl’s icy magic began to flow, she had only taken one step when a slender, pure white hand stopped her.
“Damn Phoenix, why are you stopping me!”
Ophi, who had been holding back her anger due to Verafia’s obstruction, finally couldn’t contain herself. Her small face turned red as she argued.
“Can’t you see? That human clearly doesn’t have good intentions towards Ig. If we don’t leave now, it will be too late!”
“Stupid Ice Dragon, what are you rushing for? Ig isn’t an idiot; how could he expose himself for no reason like this?”
Verafia glared forcefully at Ophi, but her porcelain-white, exquisite small face still held a relaxed expression, as if this matter had nothing to do with her.
“Besides, if you transform into your true form and take him away, what would that be? A stupid Ice Dragon forcefully abducting a noble youth in broad daylight?”
