"Hmph! What would you know? How could the riddles from Regal Court be deduced from common sense?" Harper's expression was grim. "Don't think you can boss me around just because you got lucky. You're still unworthy and lacking in talent!"In her view, Dustin had simply been lucky earlier. But blind luck like that couldn't last. "Is that so? Seems like you're very confident in your answer, Ms. Busch." Dustin smiled ambiguously."Of course!" Harper cocked her head."I'm well-versed in poetry and have exceptional talent. If I can't figure out a simple word riddle, how could I ever show my face in public again?"Upon hearing this, Dustin sniggered. Harper's confidence was truly remarkable."Dustin, why don't you share what you think? We can discuss it together," Cody said."Since you're willing to listen, I'll share my opinion."Dustin took a sip of tea before saying, "I am the beginning of everything, the end of everywhere. I'm the beginning of eternity, the end of time and sp
The crowd broke into a quiet discussion. Some of the VIPs who pretended to be knowledgeable regretted not being quicker in their responses. "Ugh! I was just about to say death, but this guy beat me to it. What a rookie mistake!""Me too! If only I hadn't hesitated, this young man wouldn't have stolen the spotlight!""Death … seems like a profound answer!"Everyone thought that was the answer since Cody answered so confidently."How about it, Mr. Jankow? Did I get it right?" Cody smirked, looking smug. "I'm … sorry. You're wrong again." Keanu responded politely. "What? Wrong again?" The smile on Cody's face froze. "Mr. Jankow, you're not joking, are you?""How can I joke about something like this? You indeed have the wrong answer." Keanu shook his head. After hearing this, Cody and the rest of the students of Harmony Healers looked at Harper with puzzled expressions. "How is that possible? I clearly understood the poetic sentiments behind those lines. Why am I still
"Ms. Camron has won two rounds in a row. If this continues, we're at risk of losing Harmony Healers!" Brooke's eyebrows were set into a deep frown, looking grim. If only he knew this would happen, he never would have agreed to this gamble. If they lost, he would lose half of his life's work."Lana obviously came prepared. We've fallen into her trap.""This woman is despicable!"The students of Harmony Healers grumbled in anger, but there was nothing they could do. There was no turning back now. The bet had been made in public. They couldn't just go back on their word. Their only option was to find a chance to turn the tables. They heard Lana's mocking tone once more. "Harper, you lost again. A few more rounds and Harmony Healers will be mine.""Hmph! Don't celebrate too soon. We're just getting started!" Harper said darkly. She had heard that there would be ten riddles in total. As long as she answered six correctly, victory would still be theirs. She still had a chance
"Cody, what do you mean by that?" Harper was upset."Who does he think he is? Can he even be compared to me? Are you telling me you'd rather trust an outsider?""Just shut your mouth!" Cody yelled at her. "I trusted you twice, but you got it wrong both times. How am I supposed to trust you again?""I—" Harper was rendered speechless. Her face reddened. Cody was like a brother to her. He had never raised his voice against her. What had gotten into him today? "Harper, this is not child's play. You made a bet with Lana. If we lose, we'll lose Harmony Healers!"Cody softened his tone and said sincerely, "Besides, your talent lies in the literary arts. Your strength is not in riddles. You should let Dustin give it a try." He was determined to win. He couldn't let Harmony Healers and Enchanting Elegance fall into someone else's hands. Allowing someone else to act recklessly was also out of the question. "Fine, I'll give him a chance to showcase his skills. But once he answers inc
Keanu was taken aback, and his gaze betrayed a hint of surprise. He didn't expect Cody to get the right answer.The third riddle was much trickier than the previous two. When he drew this question, he thought no one could answer it. He almost even considered discarding it. Yet, Cody, who seemed inexperienced, was the first to answer. It was surprising. Perhaps someone knowledgeable had pointed him to the right answer. "Mr. Jankow, why are you just standing there? Just announce the results. Did I get it right?" Cody urged. He was confident at first. But after seeing Keanu's unusual expression, he felt nervous again. "Mr. Ostrower, I'd suggest you stop struggling. You clearly got the wrong answer again just by looking at Mr. Jankow's expression," Lana teased. "Step down if you don't know the answer. Don't embarrass yourself here!" the attendees echoed. "I can't possibly be wrong again, can I?" Keanu frowned slightly. He was close to losing his composure. "Hmph, you acted
In Harper's eyes, Dustin had only managed to answer correctly through pure luck. If it wasn't that, he must have come across similar riddles in the past to be able to answer that fast. "Dustin, we're counting on you for the remaining riddles. I'll be deeply grateful to you if you succeed," Cody pleaded. "I'll do my best for Dr. Brooke's sake." Dustin yawned. If it weren't for saving Harmony Healers, he wouldn't have bothered getting involved. "Harper, I didn't expect someone smart to be hiding amongst you," Lana spoke again. "But don't get ahead of yourself. We're still in the lead. The next seven questions will decide the winner.""Hmph! Bring it on!" Harper raised her head without a trace of fear. "Mr. Jankow, please present the next riddle!" Harper demanded. Keanu nodded and took out the card containing the fourth riddle."This is the fourth riddle. Always approaching, I dance in the skies, never to land, though I'm eager to rise."As soon as he finished speaking, Dus
Everyone was stunned by Dustin's rapid-fire answer. He was too fast. So fast that they weren't able to react in time. Their brains seemed to crash, and they lost any remaining competitive spirit they had left. What was supposed to be a competitive riddle contest became Dustin's one-man show. Even Keanu broke out in a sweat as he watched Dustin's performance. These riddles were drawn at random and varied widely. Even if Dustin were an expert in the subject, he shouldn't have been able to answer so quickly and accurately. Regal Court had gone to great lengths to maintain confidentiality. If not for that, Keanu would have suspected Dustin of having access to the correct answers and memorizing them all. "Here's the l-last riddle." Keanu gulped before reading from the card. "A word, four letters, a puzzling feat. Read it forward, back, or flipped, so neat. In all directions, its meaning stays in sight. Left to right, it spells the same …""Noon," Dustin said casually. "Yo
"Rhys.""Mr. Rhys, congratulations on your win." Carrying the box containing Enchanting Elegance, Keanu walked respectfully toward Dustin.With a smile, he said, "Allow me to present you this priceless treasure, Enchanting Elegance, on behalf of Regal Court.""Let me inspect it first." Cody was the first to receive the box from Keanu. Upon opening it, his eyes lit up."What a precious item!" After confirming its authenticity, Cody finally noticed he was out of line. After all, Dustin was the one who earned the prize. If he kept it for himself without any explanation, he would undoubtedly be criticized for it.The best course of action was for Dustin to offer it up to him voluntarily. That way, he could accept it graciously and gain both the treasure and recognition. It would be the perfect plan!"Dustin, although I've long admired Enchanting Elegance, it is your rightful win. I won't take what belongs to you." Cody put on a pained expression as he spoke. While he was givi
"Damn it! This punk's tougher than I thought. We're in real trouble if this keeps up," Connor said, swinging his twin blades relentlessly. Every strike was aimed at Axel's vital points.But Axel was quick. He weaved in and out of reach and avoided direct confrontation. It was obvious he was just stalling for time."Sir Prescott should be far enough by now. There's no point dragging this out. Let's fall back."Sensing the futility of their efforts, Dave considered retreating. He didn't fear death, but he wasn't about to waste his life for nothing.Since Warrick had escaped, their interception mission was also completed."You guys hold him off. The rest of you, fall back with me."Connor was decisive. Realizing they weren't making any progress, he quickly ordered a retreat and left a few decoys behind to buy time.They had barely run a hundred yards when a wave of soldiers suddenly appeared at the alley's entrance. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, filled the narrow space and comple
"This punk's a real pain in the ass!"Connor glanced over his shoulder and noticed Axel was still hot on their trail.The squad he had sent to intercept Axel was completely outmaneuvered, and they couldn't get anywhere near him.To Connor's dismay, Axel kept shooting off signal flares as he pursued them. Each flare gave away their position. At this rate, it didn't matter which direction they ran—they were bound to be intercepted."Connor! Dave! Make a move and swat that damn fly," Warrick ordered decisively."If we leave, who's going to protect you?" Connor hesitated.Warrick was in bad shape. Without them guarding him, a single attack from an expert could be fatal."If you don't take out that fly, I'll be in even more danger. Get moving now!" Warrick snapped."Yes, sir!"Connor and Dave exchanged a glance before splitting up with their squads to surround Axel.They both knew what was at stake. If they didn't take Axel down quickly, their entire force would be stranded and do
"Kill them all!"At Warrick's command, the Red Legion charged without hesitation. Blades flashed as they stormed toward the elite enforcement unit.This time, nearly a thousand Red Legion soldiers arrived. With their sheer numbers, they launched a pincer attack from both flanks, leaving the enemy with no way to fend it off."Form the Shield Formation!" Axel shouted upon seeing the dire situation. His men immediately sheathed their blades and raised their shields to form a defensive line. Their pursuit had cut them off from the main force. Since they were up against an enemy ten times their size, forming a defensive line was their best option.If they could stall for even a moment, reinforcements from the castle would arrive, and the tide would turn in their favor. Once that happened, the thousand-strong Red Legion would be the ones on the defensive.After a brief charge, the two forces collided.Warrick had personally trained the Red Legion. He selected only the most loyal and
Axel had no time to hesitate. He lunged forward and grabbed the overturned Dragon-Binding Net. Then, he used every ounce of his strength to pin Warrick down again."Get over here! We have to keep him restrained."As the net strained under Warrick's sheer power, Axel let out a roar and pushed his cultivation to the limit. His veins bulged and blood pounded in his ears. He threw every last bit of strength into holding Warrick down.For now, he managed to pin Warrick down, but the elite enforcement unit on the other side wasn't faring well. Warrick thrashed wildly, sending more than a dozen men swinging through the air. Some slammed into trees, while others crashed into walls. Within moments, the Dragon-Binding Net flipped over again.Several elite enforcement units tried to rush in and help, but they barely got close before getting hit by their own airborne comrades and sent flying.Against Warrick's Divine Strength, they were utterly outmatched. The regular guards didn't stand a
If Warrick had been at his peak, Axel might have been more cautious. But with Tranqurin coursing through his vein, Warrick had barely a fraction of his usual strength left. His power was still fading, and Axel wasn't about to waste the opportunity. He had to capture Warrick while he had the chance."Get the hell out of my way!"As the enforcers closed in, Warrick let out a furious roar and slammed his massive fist into the floor.With a loud explosion, the earth shook violently. The ground within dozens of yards cracked and caved in, splitting apart like a spiderweb. A powerful shockwave tore through the air, sending dirt flying and walls shattering. The entire meeting room collapsed into ruins.The elite enforcers, caught in the blast, were flung backward like ragdolls. They crashed to the ground, disoriented and battered. Even Axel was thrown back more than ten yards.Warrick panted heavily, his face pale and drenched in sweat. Forcing his internal energy into action had only
Austin's words were strong and commanding, each one landing like a thunderclap.Warrick felt the weight of his presence. His brow furrowed for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. He glanced at the so-called evidence on the floor, showing no sign of panic or guilt. Instead, he said indifferently, "Your Highness, these dead men were nothing more than ants. Is this really worth making such a fuss over? I doubt you haven't killed anyone before."As the old saying went, the higher one climbed, the heavier one's purse. Warrick had clawed his way up, risking his life at every step for the sake of rising above the masses. Everyone had their own desires—some sought fame, others fortune. Some were greedy for money, some for power, and others reveled in the adoration of the masses. To achieve those things, one inevitably had to engage in shady dealings. It was an unspoken rule among officials, and Warrick saw nothing wrong with it."Ants?" Austin sneered. "Without these 'ant
The ashen-faced Huxley was dragged away. With his crimes exposed, his fate was sealed. His entire family would be implicated, and their assets would be seized.Those guilty would be punished, and even those who had merely benefited from his corruption would be held accountable. To put it bluntly, Huxley's entire family was about to be annihilated.Austin issued his next order once the bloodstains were cleaned up. "Axel, it's time to bring in the mastermind."With Huxley dealt with, the next step was to confront Warrick. Unlike Huxley, Warrick wouldn't be easy to deal with. After all, he commanded a large number of troops. If backed into a corner, he could become a major threat."Understood!" Axel responded respectfully, then turned to his subordinates. "Gather more men and come with me."Warrick had earned his prestigious position through years of fierce battles. On the battlefield, he was a one-man army, a warrior capable of taking on thousands. His strength was beyond what mos
"You bastard! With all this evidence in front of you, what do you have to say for yourself?" Austin barked."Your Highness, please let me explain…" Huxley broke out in a cold sweat, his voice trembling with panic."This is a lie. Someone's trying to frame me! I've always followed the law—how could I possibly be involved in something so vile?""The evidence is right in front of you, and you're still trying to weasel out of it?" Austin shot back. "Looks like you won't confess until death is knocking at your door."He raised his hand and ordered, "Guards, throw him into Grimhold Keep. Use whatever means necessary—let's see how long he keeps up this act.""Yes, Your Highness."A squad of enforcement team members rushed in and surrounded Huxley.Cornered, Huxley finally lost his nerve. He dropped to his knees with a thud and begged, "Your Highness, I admit I made a grave mistake."His voice cracked as he continued, "I wasn't thinking clearly at the time. Please, for the sake of my y
Night had fallen. Austin sat in the meeting room, quietly reading a book as he waited for the results of the investigation.After successfully turning Percival against his allies, it was only a matter of time before they uncovered solid evidence of Warrick and Huxley's crimes.For years, the castle had turned a blind eye to their shady dealings. After all, corruption among officials was nothing new.But this time was different. The two had secretly orchestrated Jovian's murder, a direct challenge to the authority and dignity of the royal family. Such defiance couldn't be ignored. If Austin didn't set an example, others would surely follow."Your Highness!"Axel burst into the meeting room, panting heavily. He had clearly run the whole way to avoid any delay.Austin set his book aside and asked calmly, "Well? How did it go?""Your Highness, we've completely shut down all of Warrick and Huxley's illicit operations. Every hidden network they had built over the years has also been d