Chapter 016: Legends Amongst Us

The people fighting in the chaos around were utterly stunned by what happened next. When Du Fan was pierced in the chest by a sword, Prince Fischer’s men tried to rush over to help, but they were held back by Oscar’s men and couldn’t get through.

Yet at the critical moment, under Du Fan’s fierce shout, Oscar suddenly plunged a sword into his own chest and abdomen. Instantly… both sides were shocked!

There was no need for further words. Those fighting in the chaos immediately parted and rushed to their respective masters.

Oscar’s men rushed to him, embraced his body, and without hesitation, flew backward. Meanwhile, Prince Fischer’s men carefully carried Du Fan and climbed up to the platform.

On the platform, everyone was stunned by the gruesome scene before them. No one could have imagined that what seemed like an ordinary battle between Du Fan and Oscar would reach such a dramatic level. When Du Fan’s body was laid on the platform, even the most resolute people couldn’t help looking away.

Du Fan’s skin and muscles in the chest and abdomen had been completely torn apart, his bones looked like branches blown by a storm, and his bloody internal organs still twitched instinctively. Everyone knew that this young master Du Fan likely wouldn’t survive long.

Austin III watched Du Fan from afar and couldn’t help sighing.

The other nobles exchanged glances, and even Duke Green’s expression was extremely complicated…

Time seemed to stand still at that moment. Duke Green suddenly stepped forward, took a look at Du Fan, then knelt before Bishop Aaron and said loudly, “Your Eminence Bishop Aaron… please save my child’s life!”

Bishop Aaron’s expression was also deeply troubled. He quickly helped Duke Green up and said, “My lord, why go to such extremes… Even if you hadn’t asked, I would have done my best… Wait a moment…”

After saying that, Bishop Aaron rushed to Du Fan’s side. Holy light flickered in his hands as he used countless healing spells in a short time, yet Du Fan’s wounds remained unchanged, showing no sign of healing.

It was actually inevitable… Du Fan had previously used blood sacrifices to forcibly restore his combat energy and magic, which had already exhausted the potential of his human body. The restoration techniques of the Holy Church ultimately relied on tapping into the body’s potential to heal injuries… But by now, Du Fan’s potential had been completely depleted—there was nothing left to restore.

As one after another restoration spell was cast, Du Fan showed no sign of improvement, while Bishop Aaron’s expression grew increasingly grim. By the end, he had used most of his sacred power, yet Du Fan still showed not the slightest change. At this point, everyone realized that this young master Du Fan, this most devout Du Fan in history… was probably beyond saving!

Finally, Bishop Aaron sighed. He took out a sacred cross from the silver chain hanging around his neck, turned it slightly, and a few drops of holy water spilled out, which he poured into Du Fan’s mouth. Although Du Fan’s condition didn’t improve, the bleeding stopped. Seeing this, Bishop Aaron seemed to sigh in relief.

He stood up, glanced at Duke Green, and bowed slightly, saying, “Your Grace, I’m sorry… I’m truly powerless… But these few drops of holy water should be enough to sustain Master Du Fan for seven days… During these seven days, we can think of another solution…”

Duke Green’s eyes flickered as he looked at Du Fan and said calmly, “Doesn’t the Holy Church have any other methods?”

Bishop Aaron pondered for a moment before responding seriously, “Your Grace, there is a method… but… given Master Du Fan’s condition, even if he is saved, he will likely spend his life bedridden… As for his combat energy and magic…”

With that, Bishop Aaron sighed again…

Those around them naturally understood that Du Fan’s injuries had reached his very core. Even if he were somehow saved, he would likely never be able to use combat energy or magic again… Judging by his strength before the injury, if not for such severe harm, he would likely have become the strongest person in the Gavin Empire soon…

Such an incident was a loss not only for the empire but also for the Green family…

A few nobles who were at odds with the Green family, though outwardly showing regret, couldn’t help feeling somewhat pleased—if such a person survived, wouldn’t they be oppressed by the Green family for life?

Even Prince Fischer showed a complex expression in his eyes. He looked at Du Fan and said in a deep voice, “Is it really impossible to save him?”
Archbishop Aaron smiled bitterly and said, “If we want Young Master Du Fan to return to his previous state, there is probably only one way in the world… that is the legendary technique of reshaping one’s origin… But this is a skill said to be only mastered by gods. Even the current Pope does not possess such ability… So, if Young Master Du Fan can return to his previous state, then… it would likely be a miracle!”
A miracle?
But would gods personally come to save such an ordinary person?
The noble lords present began to sigh secretly.
Suddenly, Prince Fischer took a deep breath and declared loudly, “Regardless of whether Young Master Du Fan can be saved or not, starting from today, I will appoint him as a hereditary duke. Outside the Green family, I will grant him a fiefdom. Whoever can save Du Fan will be granted the title of count! A hundred miles of land!”
When Prince Fischer suddenly said such things, the nobles around were stunned, but they quickly realized that although Prince Fischer had not officially ascended the throne yet, he would surely become the emperor in the future… By saying such things, he was actually trying to comfort the Green family! After all, it was obvious that Du Fan would likely remain in that state for life, regardless of whether he could be saved… But with this hereditary duke title and fiefdom…
The power of the Green family would likely grow even more in the future… Moreover, Du Fan had two elder brothers. Even if the old Duke Green passed away a hundred years later… the Green family would not fall apart due to internal strife…
Thinking of this, some people began to feel jealous secretly… After all, the appearance of two dukes within one family had never happened in the history of the Gavin Empire…
Duke Green naturally understood Prince Fischer’s intention. Although he was saddened by Du Fan’s situation, a man like him would never show his emotions in front of others. He bowed slightly to Prince Fischer and said, “Then, I will thank Your Majesty on Du Fan’s behalf… But Your Majesty, this crisis must be resolved as soon as possible! I will break through the encirclement alone, summon the northern army, and crush the rebels. I ask for Your Majesty’s permission!”
Prince Fischer had been waiting for this moment. He nodded and said, “I approve! From now on, the northern army may enter and leave the capital freely! Treat them as the imperial guards!”

You must know that throughout history, aside from the Imperial City Guard, no other troops were allowed to enter the capital… Yet Prince Fischer’s words had already won absolute trust from theGreene family…
Some astute nobles had already figured out that Prince Fischer likely intended to rely on theGreene family to deal with that large group in the North—namely, the remnants of the Bauhinia Dynasty. Otherwise, why would he go to such lengths to win their support?
DukeGreene wasn’t sure if he understood this either. He merely nodded slightly before stepping to the edge of the platform. His long sword was pointed in the direction where Oscar had been earlier, as he channeled his combat energy and shouted loudly, “I, Du Fan of theGreene family, have slain Oscar, a remnant of the Bauhinia Dynasty!… I swear here… TheGreene family will lead the Northern Army to conquer the North and eradicate all remnants of the Bauhinia Dynasty… It’s either you die or I live!!!”
It’s either you die! or I live!
This cry echoed throughout the training ground, seemingly boosting the morale of countless soldiers in an instant!
Just as this shout rang out, suddenly, the sound of horse hooves like distant thunder was heard. Arrows imbued with magical energy flew into the sky around them, forming shapes resembling eagles.
Then came a unified cry: “The Northern Army is too late to rescue us! Please, Duke, atone for our sins!!!”
The Northern Army had arrived!?
The nobles on the platform were overjoyed. With the Northern Army around, what could those remnants of the Bauhinia Dynasty possibly do?
Although DukeGreene didn’t know why his troops were here, he had no time to overthink it. He stepped forward, leaping into the air, and shouted, “Troops, follow my orders—kill them all!!!”