Except for great geniuses who grew up in favorable environments, Varian's age was far too young compared to any of his peer rank 2s.
The current Centaurus' youngest rank 2 was more than 150 years old. The less said about the rank 4s, the better.
In his own words, Lord Jorand's father was the hero of the war that occurred more than 500 years ago. Even considering that he was born a century after the war, he'd easily be more than 400 years old.
So, Varian wasn't even trying to manipulate him. An average human eats for almost 4.5 years during his lifetime. So, even by the most conservative estimates, the time this guy spent eating was still longer than his entire period of existence.
Varian made it crystal clear from the start. 'I'll help your revenge but you'll pay for it, perhaps with your life.'
"The sleepless nights, endless meetings, the countless plans…" Lord Jorand exhaled a cloud of dark green gas and moved forward in slow steps.
The air was tainted with a light green color and began to eat away everything it came in contact with.
Once Varian declared his 'betrayal', a few rank 3s on the battlefield—exclusively Centurian powerhouses since Varian killed all the ones belonging to Barix's—rushed into the barrier and stood guard in front of the Duke and his two subordinates.
But just upon contact, the green air began to melt their armors passing right through whatever aura barriers they set up.
"Arhhh!"
"I-I can't stop it!"
"Hisss!"
They couldn't even resist for a minute and melted into a puddle of red and purple.
Lord Jorand's bulging muscles shrank and something invisible seemed to leave his body, leaving him hollowed.
'Sacrificing lifespan in the very first attack. Whatever might be true or false, he's determined to see this to the end.' Varian raised his hand to touch the green air. But it dispersed and avoided him as if it was its very instinct.
On theater hand, the Duke and the two ministers weren't having a very good time. Even though it's not fatal for their rank 4 defense, the green gas was like a mad dog, slowly gnawing away at their armor and reinforced skin.
"You bastard, I'm putting everything on the line." Lord Jorand didn't even glance behind but Varian felt the heaviness in his words and nodded subconsciously.
The Duke's body swelled even more as he squeezed out the last bit of his potential and leaned forward, ready to dash and finish everything.
"…Everything is a game to you, isn't it, Constantine?" The Duke's lips didn't seem to move but his voice filled the entire palace complex. "You killed the warriors of Barix without hesitation and now you help them. You're using both of us."
Even Lord Jorand's eyes flinched and he hesitated for a moment.
And that was what the Duke was aiming for!
Dashing forward like a bullet, he reached his nephew before the latter could react and thrust forward a spear darker than the night.
ƥandasnovel·ƈom Even though it didn't pierce his abdomen yet, Lord Jorand felt dizzy just by the horrendous aura emitted by this light-sucking weapon.
But instead of backing off, he put a hand to block the spear and used another to swipe at Cassius' neck.
The spear easily pierced through Jorand's palm and left a blood hole in it but deviated from its original trajectory and only grazed him instead of stabbing through his abdomen.
Right away, a black light engulfed Jorand's palm and began to suck away his aura. As if he expected it, Jorand's sliced at his wrist and severed his hand.
Meanwhile, his long nails dug into the Duke's neck and a green light passed through his nails into the Duke's now visible and bulging veins.
"Haaa!"
The Duke grabbed Jorand's shoulder and wanted to throw him off, but Jorand held onto him like a rabid dog and refused to let go.
Because with every passing moment, the green light passing from his nails into the Duke's body got darker and darker.
The innate talent of the naga race was working in full swing, creating a customized poison to deal the maximum damage to Cassius' body. If it's rank 4, they'd be in a dire situation by now. But after everything, the Duke was still a rank 5. So, he needed some time.
Time that'd cost him dearly.
The Duke's movements slowed down considerably but his left hand clenched into a fist and he delivered a blow straight right to Jorand's jaw.
The Lord's vision blurred and he blanked out for a moment but his grip only grew tighter.
The Prime Minister and Admiral arrived on either side of the Duke and sliced their weapons at Jorand without a word.
Jorand scoffed and densely packed green scales covered his body. The sword and axe that struck him bounced back, eliciting sparks from the scales. In response, the Naga's muscles shrank further and he was drained further.
The three Centaurian powerhouses began a torrent of attacks on the last Barix powerhouse.
Even with the scales he put on by paying a huge price, Lord Jorand's green blood began to pool at his legs.
His consciousness was on the verge of falling apart but his body didn't back down in the slightest.
The Duke had slowed down dangerously and was now barely able to show the power of an early rank 4. And this was even while the power of his horn was active.
The Prime Minister and the Admiral weren't in good shape either. The crazy Jorand didn't even bother to heal his severed left hand and manipulated his bleeding blood.
The vicious green liquid formed a terrifying poison and began to damage them bit by bit.
It's simple to avoid it. Just leave that place. But they couldn't. So, they became sitting ducks for these attacks and their condition began to deteriorate uncontrollably.
After trying fiercely to shake off Jorand and failing, the Duke sighed in exhaustion. His bright white unicorn horn flickered as if it was about to dim any moment.
"What do you think will happen to Barix after your death?" Cassius rested his chin on Jorand's neck and asked in a weak but tough voice.
Jorand's unfocused eyes blinked twice and a hint of fear emerged.
"It doesn't have to be this way, nephew," Cassius said in a genuinely regretful tone. "After this, I wouldn't survive even a decade. By then, you'll be the strongest one here, and might even reach rank 5. That time, Centaurus and Barix will be related. You can rule them together."
Jorand's body shook slightly at his words. His emotions roared at his hesitation and reminded him of his parents' death. But his rationale also started fighting back.
Yes, he had no issue dying for avenging his parents. But if Cassius was going to die anyway, wasn't that okay?
"You want revenge? Fine. I am a sinner, I get it." Cassius coughed out some blood which flowed down Jorand's back. "But what type of revenge do you want? One where you die or one where you can rule a fucking Duchy? The same duchy that was stolen from you?"
Jorand's body trembled and his face grew conflicted. If it was even a few minutes ago, he'd have scoffed at these words and would've never agreed.
But as he sacrificed his vitality and felt death slowly dragging him into her embrace, an unknown fear crept into his heart. He still wanted to avenge his parents. But he didn't want to die.
"H-How can I trust you…?"
Even the Duke didn't expect his last-ditch effort would work. With a bright smile, he said. "Use that life strand and control me. I'm putting my life in your hands."
The Duke could no longer fight. If he continued fighting, Jorand's death would come from the Prime Minister and Admiral. So, there was no hesitation in Cassius' words.
The two stopped attacking him at the Duke's signal and Jorand sent strands of life into his uncle's body and finished taking control soon thanks to his non-resistance.
Then, the Duke's horn dimmed and he slumped onto the ground. Lord Jorand was still able to remain standing but his legs remained wobbly.
Admiral Yaras and Minister Zed were still able to fight but flesh and bones in some parts of their bodies were missing—melted away by the poison.
"Alright, now that we've reached an agreement, this outsider has to pay the price for trying to play us like fools." Cassius' eyes locked onto the black-haired figure standing still with that dark red sword.
Lord Jorand nodded and moved forward in heavy steps. Yaras and Zed kicked the ground lightly and shot forward.
Varian scoffed and had a big smile like a boy who received a birthday party when he was least expecting it. "I'll be honest with you, you're only helping me with this, I swear."
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