Chapter 1781 - 496: The Demons of the Duchy Are Truly Increasing

Twilight City, the top-floor attic of an inconspicuous inn.

This is Erin Campbell's "safe house," yet it feels more like her cage.

The news of the civil war's end came like a belated storm, only reaching this airtight attic several days ago through the hotel guests' chatter.

In the narrow space, Erin paced back and forth anxiously, her boots causing the old wooden floor to creak softly.

Every sound seemed like a sharp sword piercing her heart.

While she was combating Chaos in the Twilight Province and navigating dealings with the Judicial Court, a civil war broke out behind her in the Campbell Duchy.

Her two brothers took arms against each other.

What was even more incredible to her was that she was completely kept in the dark until now!

Throughout the civil war, she was nearly absent from her army, with her most loyal knight, Theresa, wearing the Alchemy Mask made by Prince Colin to play her role, acting in her identity in Twilight City and handling all external affairs.

She was protected too well...

So well it was as if she were an outsider.

"No..." Erin suddenly stopped, her emerald eyes flashing with determination, "I must go back!"

She couldn't just stand by and watch the Campbell family turn against each other; she must return to stop them!

With that, she grabbed the "Light of Praise" draped over the chair back and turned to head for the wooden door of the attic. But at that moment, a cloaked figure blocked her path.

Sarah, with arms crossed, leaned calmly on the door frame, her hood casting a shadow over most of her face, only her bright eyes visible in the darkness.

"You cannot leave, Your Highness."

"Move aside, Sarah! I respect you and Prince Colin, but this is my family's business! I must go back!" Erin's voice was calm and cold, as devoid of emotion as a stone.

From the restrained tremor, Sarah could clearly hear the nearly uncontrollable sorrow and rage in her heart.

Despite having less Extraordinary Power than Erin, Sarah did not flinch. The Demon King left her here for this very moment.

She let Erin's fury burn in the suffocating attic for a few seconds before calmly lifting her gaze and responding.

"Your Highness, I have just one question for you. Do you want the 'Light of Praise' in your hand to be stained with Campbell people's blood?"

These words were like a splash of cold water, instantly quenching Erin's impulse.

She stood frozen, eyes wide, staring at Sarah.

"What are you saying? I'm... I'm not going back to fight! I'm going to stop them!" she unconsciously tightened her grip on the sword's hilt, as if to fortify her inner resolve, and also as if to suppress the trembling of her shoulders.

Seeing her reaction, Sarah merely smiled faintly.

"Stop them? With all due respect, Princess Erin, you are too naive."

Looking into those widened eyes, she stepped out from under the shadow of the door frame, standing before this Miss Brave.

Gazing into those emerald eyes, Sarah spoke bluntly.

"This is not a duel between knights; it's a tide determining the future fate of the Campbell Duchy. It cannot be altered by anyone's will, including yours as a hero."

"Anyone who tries to stop it will be torn apart. Your only choice is to stand with one side, to be submerged by the torrential flood or to swallow the other side."

"If you are prepared to face all this, Prince Colin won't stop you from deciding the fate of yourself and the Campbell Duchy. Go ahead and do it; you are also a Campbell, and you have that right."

These were the Demon King's words.

To be honest, Sarah did feel a bit envious, but she wouldn't let personal feelings impede the Demon King's plan.

She actually hoped Erin would stubbornly continue.

However, unfortunately, this person is unexpectedly willing to listen to reason.

And indeed she is smart.

This Miss Brave not only understood the words left to her by "Prince Colin" but also the unspoken implication—

Once the Light of Praise targets her own people in this shameful war, its legend will inevitably be tainted with a stain of disgrace.

No matter whom she ultimately stands with, she will personally destroy the last sacred purity in the hearts of Campbell people.

Perhaps, this is also why her brothers didn't call her back, and Theresa cooperated with everyone to keep her in the dark...

Realizing everything, Erin seemed to be drained of all her strength, stumbling back two steps, her back against the cold wall.

The "Light of Praise" slipped from her powerless hand, the scabbard thudding against the floor with a dull thump.

For a moment, she truly wished her father had chosen someone other than her, like her respected brother.

If this sword were in Edward's hands, perhaps this tragedy wouldn't have happened.

But perhaps all of this is just her wishful thinking.

This civil war might have broken out anyway, merely unfolding in a different form, and Campbell people would still have to pay the price of growth in the end.

"Do I... just wait here doing nothing?" Erin's voice was slightly hoarse as she hugged her knees.

Ever since becoming a Diamond Level Knight, she never felt her power so weak, possessing Extraordinary Power yet able to do nothing.

Sarah gently shook her head, walking towards her, picking up the sword that embodied all the glory of the Campbell people, and returned it to Erin's hand.