Chapter 70: Operation Grass-Cutting

A flash of sword light.

Ophariel held the long sword, drawing a silver semicircle in the air, but this semicircle wasn’t completed perfectly. Just as it was about to reach its peak, it slid off at an angle, causing the entire movement to fail completely.

“Sigh…”

Lowering the sword in her hand, Ophariel sighed helplessly. Her practice had failed again.

“I have to say, Miss Ophariel, you really have no talent,” Julian, sitting to the side, revealed a slightly mocking smile as he spoke.

This sword practice was proposed by Ophariel herself. She was well aware that her abilities were limited to certain areas, but given Julian’s current style, he was clearly planning to make a high-profile entrance. As the saying goes, a tall tree catches the wind. Ophariel had already confirmed Julian’s strength with her own eyes and knew there wouldn’t be any problems in that aspect. Even though she knew little about combat, through her interactions with Julian, this former princess had some understanding of the hierarchy of combat strength. In her view, this young lord was clever and cunning, and possessed sufficient ability and strength. It wouldn’t be difficult for him to achieve something. Even in such circumstances, he wouldn’t encounter any particular setbacks or dangers.

But conversely, she didn’t have enough strength herself. Ophariel was well aware that the reason Julian brought her along this time, apart from their mutual adaptation, was more to protect her. After all, she had no combat ability. Although those wraith warriors were also very strong, as the saying goes, it’s easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. If someone with ill intentions wanted to target her, perhaps no one except Julian could protect her.

However, Ophariel clearly wasn’t satisfied with such a life. She knew very well that Julian could protect her for a while, but not forever. He couldn’t be by her side all the time. Although she was currently a soul body and didn’t know if there was still a threat of death, if something unexpected happened, it would be troublesome. Especially now, Julian had entrusted all the internal affairs of his territory, big and small, to her. If anything happened to her, it would affect the operation of the entire territory. This wasn’t because Ophariel thought too highly of herself. Even during her time as a princess, she knew how to protect her own safety. After all, she knew that her safety was related to the entire country and couldn’t be risked casually. This was the sense of responsibility that a person in a high position should have. And now it was the same. Since Julian had entrusted such important matters to her, she had to ensure that she wouldn’t have any problems due to any accidents. So, the most secure way was for her to have some self-defense skills.

But… Julian clearly had a different view on this.

“Is it really not possible?” Ophariel helplessly put down the long sword borrowed from Kaister. Of course, this didn’t mean she was so “weak and powerless” that she couldn’t even lift a sword. If she were a real human, there would be a limit to what she could bear due to the influence of muscles, blood vessels, and nerve transmission. But for Ophariel, a soul body completely condensed by magic power, there was no such problem. However, this didn’t mean it was the same in other aspects.

“You’re not suited for close combat,” Julian shrugged helplessly, then stood up and took the long sword from Ophariel’s hand.

“First of all, your personality isn’t suited for this type of combat. As a swordsman, you need to know when to charge forward bravely and when to go all out regardless of consequences. But you’re far too cautious. Just like the attack just now, although angle and position are very important, as swordsmen, our primary consideration should be hitting the enemy, not thinking about other methods before starting the attack.”

“Isn’t this a good habit?” Hearing Julian’s explanation, Ophariel asked somewhat puzzled.

“Only highly skilled swordsmen can achieve this. For someone like you who has never held a sword before, it’s not yet time to consider such advanced techniques,” saying this, Julian shook his head. Ever since Ophariel actively approached him to discuss practicing swordsmanship, Julian understood her thoughts. Unfortunately, although this princess’s determination and ideas were admirable, reality often didn’t meet expectations.

“Do I have to continue like this?” Hearing Julian’s unsparing evaluation, Ophariel sighed deeply, then slumped into the chair beside her.

“Of course not. I think you know that you possess very strong magical power, and your magic attribute is quite special. In this aspect, you have ample potential. If you can get good training, then even when facing combat, you won’t be in any danger.”

“But… where can I find someone who can teach me to fight with magic, my lord?”

“You don’t need to worry about that,” saying this, Julian waved his hand casually, seemingly not taking it to heart at all. However, the corner of his mouth revealed a playful smile.

“I’ve already found a teacher for you… as long as you can persevere.”

“Of course I can persevere, my lord.”

Julian’s habit of leaving his sentences half-finished was something Ophariel naturally understood. Although she didn’t know when this lord had found such a magic teacher for her, since he had already given her an answer, it meant Julian had already made a decision. So she just needed to accept it obediently. However, Julian’s next words immediately made her tense up.

“However, this isn’t the problem. No matter what method you use, you can’t avoid the most crucial part of combat.”

“The most crucial part?” Ophariel raised her head, a flash of unease in her eyes.

“You mean…”

However, this time, Julian didn’t answer her question. Instead, he paused slightly, as if waiting for something.

“It’s about time.”

With these words, a knock on the door sounded.

“Lord Julian?”

“Come in.”

After hearing Julian’s response, the door opened, and several men walked into the room. They were none other than young master Zach’s attendants. At this moment, they entered the room with puzzled expressions. Upon seeing the young man before them, a hint of dissatisfaction flashed in the eyes of the leading man. This was understandable. After all, over the past few days, those low-born dancing girls had been coming in and out of this place, even teasing them from time to time. This was bad enough, but even young master Zach seemed to have developed some inappropriate interest in those vulgar women. Seeing all this, the Zach Family attendants were very angry inside. It was all because of that damned young nobleman. He was a nobleman, how could he have such vulgar interests?

But when under someone’s roof, one must bow one’s head. Although they had approached Kaister, hoping to protest to Julian through him, Julian’s one sentence “servants have no right to comment on the life of nobles” had completely shut these people up. So helplessly, these attendants could only keep their mouths shut. And now, this lord had actively summoned them. No one knew for what reason, or if he had already made some decision?

“Please, everyone, have a seat,” facing these attendants, Julian still wore an elegant and gentle smile, gesturing to everyone. These people curiously glanced at Ophariel, who was sitting beside him, holding a long sword and slightly blushing, before sitting down and quietly looking at Julian before them.

“Lord Julian, may I ask why you’ve called us here? If possible, we hope you can explain quickly. We still need to go protect the young master’s safety, especially in an environment like this.”

Whether intentionally or not, they emphasized the word “environment” heavily.

“It’s like this, everyone,” Julian, sitting in his chair, didn’t get angry at their somewhat blunt inquiry, but continued smiling and explaining to everyone.

“I just wanted to tell you all some good news… In fact, I’ve already been in contact with the Zach Family. Regarding this matter, there will soon be a satisfactory conclusion.”

“Oh?” Hearing this, everyone’s eyes lit up. Ophariel, however, felt a sudden jolt in her heart. Whether due to female intuition or some other reason, she seemed to sense something, and quickly lowered her head, using the pretense of looking at the sword in her hand to hide her inner unease.

“Do you mean that young master Zach can soon return to the Zach Family?”

“Of course,” Julian nodded.

“I’ve already been in contact with Mr. Kaister. If nothing goes wrong, in a few days, they will have everything prepared to welcome young master Zach.”

“That’s wonderful!” Hearing this news, the attendants couldn’t help but get excited. They looked at each other excitedly, not knowing what to say. For such a long time, they had suffered so much hardship with the young master, endured so much. And now, all of this was finally coming to an end. Young master Zach could finally return to the family and take his rightful position. This way, the old patriarch’s wish could also be fulfilled. The Zach Family would have a new patriarch again. This was exactly what they had been dreaming of seeing!

“So, you all are no longer of any use.”

With Julian’s words, the temperature in the entire room suddenly dropped to an extreme.

While everyone was still caught up in their joyful excitement, a black light had already leapt out from behind Julian, flickering like a poisonous snake through the air before them. A bright soul sword light suddenly erupted, sweeping across the entire room.

Faced with this sudden attack, most people didn’t react in time. They were still in an excited and elated state of mind, completely not expecting that the young man sitting not far across from them, who had been wearing a gentle smile all along, would so quickly turn on them with deadly intent. But not everyone failed to react. The moment the sword light erupted, one of the men immediately sensed the problem. He shouted loudly, jumped up and drew his sword, and at the same time, a faint red light flashed on the blade.

“Boom!”

The soul sword light clashed with the man’s sword, erupting in a thunderous sound. The airflow produced by the collision of two different powers immediately burst out in the room. This sudden battle caught the man completely unprepared. Under the violent air pressure impact, he staggered back a few steps before falling to the ground, gritting his teeth. But the traces of blood at the corners of his mouth were still alarming to see.

“The same attribute power as Judy, no wonder you could block my sword without dying,” Julian leisurely looked at the red-hot sword in the hand of the man lying on the ground, not showing the slightest tension. Among these attendants, he was the only one who had escaped Julian’s attack. The others hadn’t even drawn their weapons before they were completely dead.

“You… what exactly are you…”

“I didn’t break my promise,” Julian lightly waved the black sword in his hand, slowly walking to the man’s front.

“I once promised you that I would safely send young master Zach back to his family, but this promise didn’t include all of you… Or do you want to say that you are the real young master Zach?”

“You…” Hearing these words, the man angrily widened his eyes. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn’t get it out. Indeed, Julian hadn’t broken his promise, but… this was deception!

“You bastard, you want to…”

“That’s no longer a problem you need to concern yourself with,” Julian then replied, before turning to look at the girl who was still lowering her head.

“Miss Ophariel, please raise your head and look carefully. Death, this is the eternal theme in battle… Everyone’s performance before death will be different, but this cannot change our decision. Please remember this point and imprint it forever in your memory.”

Hearing this, Ophariel gritted her teeth and slowly raised her head. Indeed, this had been within her calculations. After guessing Julian’s plan, this clever princess knew that these attendants wouldn’t be able to survive. But she hadn’t expected that she would directly face the death of these people. Look at those corpses sitting in the chairs, who hadn’t even had time to stand up. Their faces still bore eager, not yet faded smiles. They had just received such good news, but what was the result? The shadow of death had appeared beside them when they least expected it, mercilessly reaping these fragile lives.

“You, these… despicable…”

The man’s eyes burned with anger, the anger towards betrayers, mixed with a faint hint of contempt and the unique fear before death. He stared at the sword in Julian’s hand, desperately trying to move his body, attempting to stand up. But the previous strike had already sealed his fate. The powerful soul force impact on his body had caused severe injuries to this man. As he was now, he had no way to move.

“A wounded high-rank swordsman,” Julian looked at the man before him with interest, as if observing some interesting but flawed toy.

“Although the quality is a bit low, it’s still better than nothing…”

Saying this, he raised his sword.

“You damned bastard, you won’t…”

Before the man could finish speaking, the cold, snow-white blade easily pierced his chest.

Then, Julian’s voice sounded again.

“Well then, I’ll take your soul.”