Chapter 020: Not My Match

The entire place was in shock!
At this moment, the people supporting Prince Fischer were already intimidated by Francis’s might. It was already remarkable that someone stepped forward now! After all, everyone knew that doing so meant showing loyalty to Prince Fischer and Emperor Austin III, but the price was death!
Under such circumstances, even Prince Fischer’s own supporters would likely not step forward!
Yet, Du Fan stepped forward at this moment.
By now, Du Fan was already famous throughout the capital, with few who didn’t know him. But when he actually stepped forward like this, everyone couldn’t help but gasp in awe.
Behind Du Fan, Duke Green wore a look of disbelief. Looking at his son’s back, he didn’t know how to react—what could he say?
Given the situation, since Du Fan had spoken those words, there was no other choice but to confront Francis in battle. Even as his father, he had no right to take his place…
After all, accepting a challenge only to flee at the last moment would be an extremely shameful act for a noble. And for a noble, especially one from a prominent family, reputation was often valued even more than life.
After a long while, Duke Green finally couldn’t help but sigh and say, “Du Fan… why?”
Du Fan shook his head and said softly, “Father, you are the backbone of the Green family. If you die in battle now, the Green family will be largely destroyed. But I’m different. I used to be a worthless young master, and I still hold no great value now… If I die, so be it… So, Father, I want to return to you what you just said… If I lose… you don’t need to collect my body. Just leave as soon as chaos breaks out. With your skills, unless Francis intervenes personally, no one should be able to stop you…”
Duke Green shook his head with a bitter smile and said, “But…”
Du Fan smiled slightly and said, “It’s fine, Father. Please don’t forget—I’m no longer the worthless person I used to be… Even a genius like Aldas died at my hands. So who knows what will happen today? Besides, if I happen to win, wouldn’t that be a great achievement for the Green family?”

With that, Du Fan gently took the long sword from Duke Green’s hands and walked toward the training ground. The nobles around him spontaneously made way, allowing Du Fan to pass through unimpeded.
As Du Fan stepped forward, he felt his father’s piercing gaze, but he dared not look back. Deep in his heart, he knew very well how much his father loved him. Yet, as a man and the head of a family, he never expressed those feelings… He protected his son like a towering mountain, but never spoke a word…
How could Du Fan stand by and watch such a father, one who loved him so much, go to his death?
Even if Du Fan wasn’t a good person, how could he abandon such close blood relations?
If he watched his father die right before his eyes, his own life would never be peaceful again!
So, Father, let me take your place!!!
Do you need the family’s honor?
Then fine! Your son will retrieve it for you.
Do you need the family’s future?
Then, once again, your son will help you get it back.
Do you need the family’s prosperity?
Then, your son will still help you achieve it!
With these strange thoughts, Du Fan stepped toward the center of the training ground, right in front of Francis.
It was utterly silent around them; everyone stared at this sixteen-year-old boy with astonishment…
He was only sixteen, looking so young…
In front of Francis, who radiated murderous intent, he seemed like a fragile seedling that could be blown over by the wind!
But why did he have the courage to challenge the continent’s strongest warriors?
Finally, Du Fan stopped, about ten steps away from Francis. He carefully observed this Sword Saint in silver sheaths. Though he had seen Francis before, he was observing him with even greater attention now.
As Du Fan studied Francis, Francis, in turn, watched him with keen interest.
The two stared at each other for a long time. Suddenly, Francis smiled faintly and said, “I recognize you… You’re the guy who fought Ampere and came out unharmed, right? If I’m not mistaken, your name is Du Fan?”
“That’s right, it’s me…” Du Fan replied calmly. “But I need to correct one thing—back then, I wasn’t completely unharmed. I suffered some minor injuries, but you just didn’t notice!”

Francis nodded and said, “Even I didn’t notice. It probably isn’t a serious issue… Good. It seems you’ve earned the right to challenge me again… Among all those here, you’re the only one with the courage… For your bravery, I think I should pay you the highest respect!”
With that, Francis swiftly drew the blood-red rose from his waist and said calmly, “When you die, I’ll ensure you suffer no pain… This should be the best ending for a magician, right?”
Du Fan shook his head and said, “Lord Francis, you’re wrong… I’m not a magician. Or rather, to correct that, I haven’t passed any tests to become one, so I’m not considered a magician…”
Francis glanced at the long sword in Du Fan’s hand and said with a smile, “So in that case, you’re a warrior? You must be one of those who master both magic and combat, right? It’s a pity. With your abilities, if you focused on just one, you might have achieved great things, but you’re trying to master both… Let me see…”
As he spoke, Francis scanned Du Fan once more before saying with some surprise, “Good. You’ve already reached level six! And it’s level six in both systems! It’s rare to see someone who masters both magic and combat reach this level… It seems I really underestimated you… But even with such strength, you’re nothing but an ant to me! Do you really want to fight?”
Du Fan smiled and said, “Since I’ve stepped forward, how could I possibly not fight?”
Seeing Du Fan’s expression, Francis suddenly shook his head and said, “You’re an interesting guy. You also have the potential to break through the Saint rank… Give you dozens of years, and your achievements might even surpass mine… So, I can’t bring myself to kill you! How about this? Leave now, take your father with you. I think even the Prince will allow it out of respect for me… After you leave, I’ll give you twenty years. I’ll take your head in twenty years—how does that sound?”
“No need,” Du Fan shook his head. “The reason I stepped forward today isn’t for myself, but for the honor of my family. Our Green family has always been loyal. How could we, the people of Green, seek survival at a time like this?”
At that moment, Du Fan suddenly turned to look at Prince Fischer on the platform and declared loudly, “Prince Fischer, our Green family remains loyal even at such a time. I wonder if this is a virtue or a flaw?”

Prince Fischer showed a slight smile and said, “Of course, it’s a great achievement!”
Du Fan nodded and smiled self-mockingly, saying, “Then if you become the emperor, what reward will you give to my Green family?”
Prince Fischer laughed heartily. He glanced at the eldest prince, then at his own father, before declaring loudly, “Du Fan, if I become the emperor, I will ensure that your Green family rules the North forever. As long as the Austin lineage endures, the Green family’s honor will remain unshaken for a thousand years! Do you think this reward is enough?”
Du Fan also laughed heartily and said, “Prince Fischer is truly generous. It seems that getting to know you has been a pleasure in my life.”
“Enough.” Seeing Du Fan and Prince Fischer arguing loudly about rewards, Francis sighed slightly and said, “Rewards are good, but it’s best to actually receive them… Du Fan, it seems you’re determined to fight me… But I can give you one last chance. If you leave now… I definitely won’t stop you!”
Du Fan shook his head and said, “No need! I’ve made up my mind. Although I don’t know if I have even a 10% chance of winning against you, since I’ve come this far, how can I back out now? If so, why would I have come at all?”
Francis couldn’t help but show a sarcastic smile. “Since you know your chances are less than 10%, do you still want to fight me?”
“Indeed,” Du Fan replied calmly. “First, even though my chances are low, nothing is certain. Maybe you’ll fail today? Second, my Green family is a martial dynasty—how could we possibly back out at the last moment? Third, and most importantly, I’ve fought against saints before… Unlike others who turn weak at the mention of a saint! Besides, that saint from last time wasn’t even my match!”
Book 23: The Restoration of the Purple Jasmine