Chapter 141: Castle · Interception Part 2

“Your Excellency Anluo?!”

In that instant when he was engulfed by the fog again, Dean called out to his companion. However, the person who was less than two feet away did not respond at all, while the information on his status panel flashed continuously—

【Special environment, Perception check in progress…】

【Obtained Indomitable Lv1 bonus…】

【Perception check failed】

【Vision and hearing weakened…】

In that moment, Dean felt as if a thin veil had covered his eyes, and cotton had stuffed his ears. Although he had not completely lost his strength and hearing, this feeling was absolutely unpleasant, especially when facing an unknown enemy, which was a extremely deadly situation.

However, just as Dean was thinking about how to solve the problem in front of him, a special energy slowly began to fill the surroundings along with the flow of the fog—

【Illusion disturbance, Will check in progress…】

【Obtained Indomitable Lv1 bonus…】

【Will check passed】

【Escaped from the illusion…】

His 【Will】, far beyond that of ordinary people and even Knights, allowed Dean to regain his senses in an instant. However, a thought appeared in Dean’s heart—

“Wizard!”

If the appearance of the thick fog before had only been a guess for Dean, then the appearance of the illusion now completely confirmed it.

“Kill!”

An abrupt shout appeared beside him. Grand Knight Anluo held his sword in one hand and slashed wildly forward.

Undoubtedly, this Grand Knight Anluo had not escaped the illusion.

Dean only hesitated for a moment, then began to dance his Longsword wildly like the other man, shouting loudly as well. He had not been disturbed by the illusion; only he knew this.

The Wizards of the Brotherhood would not know.

And this was an opportunity!

Dean spent fully five minutes in this state of “madness,” but the Wizards of the Brotherhood showed no signs of appearing.

Obviously, the enemy was trying to wear down their Stamina. They would only appear when they were truly exhausted.

Such caution was not excessive; in fact, it was normal.

Whether they were Wizards of the Brotherhood or ordinary Wizards, they needed such patience.

Of course, it was not impossible that some rash young Wizards existed, but usually, such Wizards did not live long.

But the current situation was by no means good news for Dean.

If this continued, his Stamina would truly be depleted, and then he would be left at their mercy—Dean would absolutely not allow this to happen.

So, the next moment, Dean made a decision. He glanced sideways at the movements of Grand Knight Anluo. When he saw the man perform a downward strike, Dean acted as if he saw an enemy behind him in an illusion, shouted loudly, turned, and swung his sword—

“Die!”

Clang!

Two Longswords collided directly. Dean’s body trembled, as if struck by a massive force, and he was sent flying backward. He fell heavily into the thick fog with a “bang,” leaving only weak breaths, looking as if he were near death.

However, a moment later, when the layers of thick fog that had been blown away by the wind flowed back and covered his body again, Dean, who was lying on the ground, moved flexly on the ground like a snake.

His goal was very clear—the source of this fog.

Perhaps, that was not necessarily where the Wizard casting the illusion was located, but it must be related.

After all, anyone could see the assistance these fogs provided to the effects of the illusion.

…

“Tsk, really weak. Probably just reached the level of a Knight!”

A Wizard Apprentice in a robe checked Dean and Grand Knight Anluo through a Crystal Ball. When he saw Dean being slashed away by a sword, he couldn’t help but sneer.

“We should keep a close eye on the Grand Knights under Vauban. We don’t need to pay too much attention to other irrelevant people!”

Another Wizard Apprentice stared intently at the Crystal Ball in front of him and answered his companion’s words without turning his head.

Inside this Crystal Ball, Cid, who had previously left with his Guards to provide support, appeared.

Obviously, judging by that frantic look, Cid and the Guards who went to provide support had also fallen into the illusion.

In fact, not only were Grand Knights Anluo and Cid affected; there were ten Crystal Balls placed in this room in total, each showing such human figures.

If anyone around Marquis Vauban came here, they would be very surprised.

Because the human figures in these ten Crystal Balls, including the Crystal Balls containing the images of Grand Knights Anluo and Cid, happened to be the six Grand Knights under Marquis Vauban’s subordinates, and the remaining four Grand Knights brought by those Nobles.

Moreover, more importantly, both the six Grand Knights under Marquis Vauban and the four Grand Knights brought by those Nobles were trapped in the illusion.

“These Grand Knights are not worth much attention. With Leader Zmrok, Master Ytil, and Deputy Leader Boke here, we can complete this mission with ease!”

The first Wizard Apprentice spoke with a tone of indifference, while the other Wizard Apprentice, who looked more cautious, simply remained silent for a moment and did not refute at all.

After all, the facts before their eyes were undeniable.

The core force of the enemy, the Grand Knights, had been completely wiped out, while their own core force remained intact.

As for high-end combat power?

Both Wizard Apprentices believed that their Leader could easily win; after all, their Leader was close to touching the boundary of the Gold-rank level.

Plus, the Deputy Leader was also exceptional among Silver Knights. Facing two Silver Knights, they could not imagine any reason to lose.

After that, it was time for the true target of this mission.

Although that was a very difficult opponent to deal with, with the current arrangements, they still had confidence.

“After this mission is completed, our status in the organization will definitely rise by a level. After all, the targets we eliminated included not only a County King of a region, but also a real Grand Duke!”

The first Wizard Apprentice’s tone was full of expectation, and the gaze of the other Wizard Apprentice also became burning hot.

And the two Wizard Apprentises, immersed in their fantasies of the future, did not notice the flash of killing intent that flickered in the Shadow behind them.

Dean’s hand holding the sword loosened slightly.

His narrowed eyes flashed with shock—

Grand Duke? Grand Duke?!

Dean confirmed that he had not suffered auditory hallucinations before, and then the doubt that had always existed in his heart was quickly resolved.

There were not many people in the entire Emerald Kingdom who could make Marquis Vauban respectful and whose existence was not suitable for public disclosure; and there was only one person who fit the title of Grand Duchess: Ailu Nick, this female Grand Duchess of the Emerald Kingdom!

She was also Dean’s savior and Teacher in his previous life.

Dean was infinitely grateful for the Grand Duchess’s saving grace. The feeling of seeing a ray of light and being illuminated and warmed in endless Darkness and cold remained unforgettable to this day!

The subsequent teachings made Dean feel even more admiration in his heart. It was precisely for this reason that after that Grand Duchess passed away, Dean unhesitatingly took up the flag representing Emerald.

He inherited her last wishes.

With a slightly naive belief that this meant he was still together with her.

Until his death, Dean did not change.

Surging emotions rose from Dean’s heart, which was as still as dead wood, and began to impact his Soul. The feeling as if he was being submerged by waves made Dean’s whole body tremble slightly.

And in the next moment, even more piercing cold quickly dissipated this surge—

Dean thought of the Grand Duchess’s death in his previous life!

Undoubtedly, he currently did not have the ability to stop this event from happening.

In fact, he lacked even a bit of ability to participate in it!

Holding his breath and focusing his mind, Dean quickly woke up from the “reunion” with the Grand Duchess, facing everything before him with a calmer and more objective heart.

After all, he still needed to deal with some matters at hand.

Only after resolving these matters could he naturally appear in front of that Grand Duchess.

Dean’s hand once again gripped his Longsword tightly—

The two Wizard Apprentices before him were, of course, not his target. His target was the Magic Array behind the two Wizard Apprentices.

That Magic Array that shimmered with Magic light and continuously breathed in and out fog.

And naturally, to destroy this Magic Array, he had to eliminate the two Wizard Apprentices.

And towards enemies, Dean never showed mercy—because the other side was the same.

“14, 15, gather at the first target location!”

Just as Dean raised his sword again, a low shout suddenly sounded from his Communication Crystal, causing Dean to hide once more.

“Yes, Master Ytil!”

The two Wizard Apprentices answered immediately, stood up quickly, and walked towards the outside of the room.

After the two Wizard Apprentices left the room, Dean, standing in the Shadow, hesitated for only a moment, then followed them—previously, when the two Wizard Apprentices left, their demeanor was unhesitating, showing no concern for the Crystal Balls or the Magic Array in the room.

Obviously, that so-called first target location was a more important existence.

And in this Ancient Castle, the only person who could be called the first target was the Grand Duchess.

Destroy the Magic Array, attract the opponent’s attention, and alert the snake.

Or follow behind them and deliver a Thunder blow.

Dean naturally knew which one to choose.