Nevertheless, these matters need not be rushed. Seraphina's awakening has necessitated a thorough recalibration of many of Ansel's imdiate plans. She has now truly grown into her role as a formidable pact head in her own right.
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Thus far, the crux of the Western expedition revolves solely around the question of Evora's survival.
This uncontrollable contingency must be utterly eradicated.
The Duke of Azuregold, seemingly reluctant to conclude their discourse and eager to further cultivate his rapport with Ansel, broached another subject: "Speaking of which, Miss Marlowe... she is truly a prodigy."
He marveled, his tone laced with admiration, "To slay a fifth-stage dragon with fourth-stage power, relying solely on her innate abilities without any external aid - it's an unprecedented feat of valor."
"I should have foreseen it," he continued, "We all should have anticipated such achievents from Miss Marlowe after she demonstrated the capacity to withstand the power of two pact heads."
This effusive praise, though seemingly heartfelt, would have undoubtedly inflated Seraphina's ego to insufferable proportions had she been present.
However, Ansel's response proved even more audacious than Seraphina herself might have mustered.
"This is rely her starting point," the young Hydral remarked casually. "She will ascend to even greater heights."
"Naturally," the Duke of Azuregold nodded approvingly, then skillfully steered the conversation towards a matter of crucial importance to him and the Western dukes.
"Speaking of which, Miss Marlowe's victory is also connected to a certain individual. Are you aware of this… Lord Hydral?"
Ansel, ready to depart, leaned on his cane with composure. "To whom are you referring? The Duke of Wyvernwho drove the dragon to Dispute Fortress, or...?"
The Duke of Azuregold's heart skipped a beat. He had only recently learned about Wyvern's involvent. How did Hydral already know?
How could anyone in the Western Land have a more powerful intelligence network than his own? Just how many secrets… was this young Hydral concealing?
These thoughts flashed through the Duke's mind montarily. He bowed slightly, speaking with utmost respect, "I ant the... legendary adventurer, Faust."
Ansel smiled, seeing through his intentions. "You wish to obtain information about him from ?"
"Yes, after all, the information you previously shared about Faust proved quite beneficial to ."
The political landscape of the Western Land is simultaneously chaotic and lucid - though embroiled in a four-way conflict, Bloodust and Firmant are sworn enemies, while the Wyvern and the Azuregold are mired in their own discord.
The latter's enmity primarily stems from business rivalries. Though the West seldom see large-scale warfare, skirmishes are frequent. Friction and even assaults between territories are commonplace, with adventurers serving as potent rcenaries, reaping handso rewards. As the preeminent "adventurer rchant," the Duke of Azuregold naturally profits handsoly from this trade.
Conversely, the Duke of Wyvern, offering dragon rental services, has beco the Duke of Azuregold's chief business adversary.
Moreover, among the four Western dukes, the Duke of Wyvern, being the most ambitious, constantly strives to establish an order with himself as the paragon. The Duke of Azuregold, however, abhors order - understanding that, given a strong foundation, greater turbulence yields greater spoils, a wisdom even fishern grasp.
Three years prior, the legendary adventurer Faust engaged in combat with the Duke of Wyvern. Though the outco remains unknown, Azuregold learned through clandestine channels that Wyvern seed to have been left with significant psychological trauma following the encounter.
While it may sound ludicrous, the fact remains - a duke at the empire's pinnacle of power, left psychologically scarred by an adventurer, is indeed rather bewildering.
Thus, when Ansel provided intelligence regarding "Faust's return, blazing like the sun," the Duke of Azuregold promptly orchestrated a multitude of Faust impersonators in the West. His intent was simple: to vex the Duke of Wyvern, not only wasting his resources on fake Fausts but also to muddy the waters for when the genuine article appeared.
The sole predicant lay in the fact that...
The authentic Faust seed to have manifested.
Initially, he believed the Faust at Dispute Fortress to be rely a convincing impersonator. However, after this "impersonator" cleaved Dispute Fortress in twain with a single stroke, the Duke of Azuregold was compelled to reassess the situation with utmost gravity.
During the trial, this Faust could potentially sow unprecedented chaos.
No matter how formidable the fifth-stage adventurers of the Western Lands may be, they ultimately answer to the dukes. Faust, however, stands as the sole adventurer who shows utter disregard for any duke's authority - a true legend.
Such a volatile elent must be contained posthaste.
— It is precisely for this reason that Faust's existence is necessary.
Ansel mused silently, observing the Duke of Azuregold's deferential deanor.
Then, he offered the rchant a smile and said, "That individual is not the true Faust."
"The genuine Faust..."
The young man tapped his cane lightly, "is far more formidable than that impostor."
*
"So you'll occasionally transform into Faust?"
In the Hydral territory, Seraphina circled a black-haired youth, her nose twitching intermittently.
"Well..." she mused, stroking her chin, "It's indeed similar in every aspect - the aura, appearance, even the scent. However, I think those fifth-stage extraordinary beings might still sense sothing amiss."
"I only adopt this guise when Ansel cannot appear in person," Ravenna reverted to her original form, her tone impassive.
"Ansel's considerations are more comprehensive than yours. He would never allow to face fifth-stage extraordinary beings alone."
Seraphina pouted, "It was rely a suggestion. Why so mad?"
"I'm simply illustrating the insurmountable gap between you and Ansel - akin to the intellectual disparity between two distinct species."
"You and Ansel are the different species!"
The two girls, when left unsupervised by Ansel, invariably began quarreling within five minutes - though his presence scarcely improved matters, he could swiftly pacify them.
As their argunt subsided, Ravenna, catching her breath, fell silent montarily before awkwardly changing the subject: "Though your 'might makes right' philosophy is simplistic and absurd, I... acknowledge it."
"...Huh? Who needs your acknowledgnt? Don't overestimate your importance, Ravenna."
"It's unrelated to your abilities. I'm acknowledging your resolve to save Ansel through strength," Ravenna continued, surprisingly patient. "Though crude, it's a valid approach. I sensed Ansel's evident wavering due to your words."
"The desire to prevent Ansel from being forced to make cold, ruthless decisions without alternatives - in this aspect, our yearnings align, don't they?" The scholar spoke calmly.
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