Chapter 1292 - 553: War for the Crown (Part 1)

The most mysterious among them is the Green Knight.

Among them, Richard is automatically eliminated by all the knights. If he were younger, Richard would have been a sufficiently brave knight, but now he is too old, too old for many knights to doubt if he would be knocked down with one strike by Mathew Bade.

Richard is also well aware of his limitations, he slightly shakes his head towards Laine, implying it's all up to you.

Similarly, Bohemond shakes his head. Despite the Red Dragon Duke wanting to smash Mathew Bade into minced meat, he restrains himself, he relinquishes this opportunity for a champion's duel because it's not suitable.

Thus, only two candidates remain.

At this moment, the Green Knight speaks up, his voice ethereal like a dream within an illusion realm, the King of Green Eyes speaks to Laine: "Heir of Landuin, Divine Chosen Champion of the Lady, it is time to end this."

"Indeed, it is time to end it all." Laine takes the reins and rides out, the Duke of Musillon unchallenged takes on this champion duel.

He will face Mathew Bade directly.

As he walks out, Laine receives the cheers from the knights, the will of the Lake Fairy's Chosen Champion is unmatched, his authority is unquestionable, the light and heat of miracles shine upon his handsome face, his parted black long hair gently sway with the breeze.

Laine also doesn't wish to decide victory and defeat outside Kulona through a great battle, Mathew Bade's request for a champion duel is exactly what he desires, he believes Mathew Bade thinks the same way.

Now, the two face each other, they dismount and stand by the banks of the Sannes River, gazing at each other, Laine and Mathew Bade first met on the road to a banquet in Boldro, it's been eight years now.

The river flows, the field is covered in grass and wildflowers, in front of the two great armies, Laine and Mathew Bade finally confront each other, Laine grips the Goddess of Revenge: "We meet again."

The wind blows, water flows, the wind stops, but the sound of water persists.

"Indeed, we meet again, I've always thought we're quite alike." Mathew Bade's handsome face shows a slight smile, he doesn't wear a helmet, staring at Laine's face, the Viper of Musillon instead quiets down: "Don't you think so?"

"I don't think so." Laine shakes his head: "You're a disgrace to the Knightly Path."

"Is that so? Is that what you think?" Mathew Bade moves sideways with his steps, laughing as he says: "I actually think we're quite similar, we were both abandoned children, you were left in the icy cold of Nord, and I was left in the wilderness of Kulona Road."

"You're lucky, you were picked up by Norman, the Lord of Autene Territory in Nord, adopted, and named Laine, I'm also lucky, I was picked up by the Witch Demon King Akhan, named Mathew Bade."

"We both grew up in such environments, you became a White Wolf Knight of Nord, I became a Ranger Knight of Connet Duchy, we both used to strive on our own, you gained fame in the harsh land of Nord with your bravery, and I won the title of Paladin due to my excellent combat skills and so-called virtues."

"Indeed, in this regard, we're quite alike." Laine did not refute this, he gripped the hilt of the Goddess of Revenge tightly: "But in the end, you went astray."

"Where you see an astray path?" Mathew Bade also grips his Viper Sword tightly, he doesn't seem inclined to continue arguing, he merely carries on: "Before meeting you, I always felt I should be the protagonist of this story, I saw through the truth of your goddess, I understood everything, my Godfather told me my lineage, since then I swore to take revenge on this country, I had to save this nation from a colossal lie, this is my revenge."

Laine's heart stirred, he knew how Mathew Bade perceived the reality of the Lake Fairy, evidently it was Witch Demon King Akhan's arrangement, though he cleverly said: "And your means of saving this nation was by getting close to Surya, then participating in the knight's tournament?"

"That's just one part of the plan." Mathew Bade nods: "Pursuing Surya wasn't necessary, but it could significantly benefit my plan, I considered a lot at the time, pursuing a great noble like Surya isn't easy, for she, being the Duke's daughter, must have high standards, I had to seize the only opportunity."

"So you participated in the knight's tournament." Laine understood: "Winning the crown of the knight tournament is one of the few chances to impress Surya, you knew it well."

"But everything was pre-empted by you." Mathew Bade's gaze turned venomous, his tone filled with deep hatred: "You met Surya before me, and impressed her sooner, if not for your serious injury in the battle against the Great Nurgle Demon, Surya wouldn't have been pushed to her emotional limits to beat me."

"So, it's my fault then?" Laine remains calm, gesturing for Mathew Bade to continue speaking.

"After that, everything started, you repeatedly thwarted my plans, you consistently ruined the designs crafted meticulously by my Godfather and me, all because of you!" Mathew Bade also knows Laine is famous worldwide for his unwavering will and devout faith, a few words are unlikely to sway him: "However, now none of that matters, I will defeat you here, I will enter Kulona, step into the Holy Grail Cathedral, and expose that b*tch's lies! I swear!"

"Even now, you remain stubbornly ignorant." Laine sighs, he suddenly speaks: "Have you ever thought your adoption by Witch Demon King Akhan might not have been a coincidence? He was merely using you, your lineage, your hatred, and... your power?"

"I know it very well." Mathew Bade likewise doesn't budge due to Laine's words, he chuckles lightly: "My Godfather… acts with purpose, all his actions are aimed at serving his master. Yes, maybe Godfather indeed used me, but without him, I might have died in the wilderness, he raised me, I'm grateful to him. Compared to that person, it was Godfather who saved me, everything I have is given by Godfather, I can be used because I have the value to be used, I am willing to be used to enact my revenge on that person and unveil this kingdom's age-old lies, I willingly let him use me."

Laine knows, the "person" Mathew Bade refers to is the severely injured, missing Lorne, Mathew Bade's biological father.

"I always believed I'm being used because I'm valuable, and that's enough." Mathew Bade exudes black Dead's Breath, having completely absorbed all the power, combat skills, and experience from the Black Chalice Knights: "I can't wait any longer, my everything is for revenge, without my Godfather's help, how long would it take me to amass enough strength for my revenge? It's Godfather who gave me this opportunity."

"What right do you have to criticize me, Laine Macado?" Mathew Bade's tone turns mocking: "If it hadn't been for the Lake Fairy's timely help, you might have failed in that champion duel, and look at your current situation, if it hadn't been for the Lake Fairy fully supporting you, would your reforms have progressed so smoothly? Could you have become a duke in just ten years?"

"No one is more noble than the other, Laine." Mathew Bade summarizes everything, his tone again turning sinister: "In the end, we all become the very person we once despised."

"Viper." Laine sighs deeply after hearing him: "You're not at all likable… strangely, I can't quite hate you either, yes, we're alike, only our camps and stances differ."

The sword of the Goddess of Revenge quietly slides from its sheath, silver flames blaze fiercely in the air.

"This is Sir Landuin's final wish…"

"I must pull Musillon and Brittania back from the undead abyss." The blade flips, pale blue light flashes endlessly.

"Therefore, Viper, I must kill you! Enough talk, let's fight!"

"Indeed, let's fight!"

A simultaneous roar erupts, Laine and Mathew Bade charge at each other, the clash of the Goddess of Revenge and the Viper Sword rings out!

The battle for royal power has begun!