Chapter 6: Entanglements

“Image? Reputation? Leclerc, I don’t care about those things. All I know is that you’re the leader of those knights who cause trouble everywhere. These ugly guys create chaos everywhere, severely affecting the security of Cyprus City. As the leader of the knight order, you bear undeniable responsibility. I demand that you take responsibility immediately and keep those guys at home—no more drinking and causing trouble!”
Shatima slammed her dragon spear heavily into the ground. The thick spear sank deep into the sandstone floor in front of Leclerc’s house, piercing through it and reaching the mud below. This brutal act left Leclerc heartbroken yet helpless. Trying to reason with this woman was simply asking for trouble.
“Miss Shatima, you should know that I’ve left the Homer Knight Order, which no longer exists. So their actions are their own business. If they violate city laws, you can arrest them and punish them according to the law. I have nothing to do with them anymore. I repeat that point once again,” Leclerc explained helplessly.
“Nothing to do? How convenient of you to say that. How can there be no connection? Weren’t these guys trained under you? Weren’t they under your authority until now? That old fool Philip may have run away, but as the leader of the knights, can you just let these worthless knights harm the people? Is it through drunken chaos that knights prove their character?”
Shatima retorted firmly. For her, restoring order in Cyprus was undoubtedly a huge challenge. She didn’t want to mess up her first task, as it affected future missions and was also a test of her abilities by Phalan. She told herself she must complete this task at all costs. Catch the leader first—Shatima understood this well. Leclerc was clearly the ringleader of those knights. Once he was subdued, everything would be resolved.
Leclerc was extremely frustrated. This woman had stuck to him, insisting that he take on this responsibility. But he had long since stopped caring about such trivial matters. Her actions were meant to drag him into a political mess from which he couldn’t escape.

“Miss Shatima, I don’t want to engage in another pointless argument with you, nor do I intend to order those knights who are no longer my subordinates. So please go back.” Leclerc knew his order to leave might not be effective, but it was all he had.

“Oh? You want me to leave? Leclerc, you’re really naive. I came all this way, and you just turn me away without giving me a satisfactory answer. Do you really think I, Shatima, am that easy to deal with? Who do you think I am?” Shatima shrieked, her almond-shaped eyes wide, hands on her hips as her full breasts swayed, looking like a shrewish woman—though such a charming and plump shrewish woman was indeed quite pleasing to the eye.

“Well then, Miss Shatima, what do you plan to do?” Leclerc was completely speechless.

“Come with me. Gather those overactive knights one by one. Don’t they have nothing to do? Fine, let them have some fun fighting those half-orcs and barbarians. Those barbarians and half-orcs are bored too. But it can’t be in public places in the city; it has to be in the arena. Let them lay down their weapons and have a fistfight.” Shatima’s eyes sparkled as she immediately came up with a good idea.

“A fistfight?” Leclerc blinked. What did this mean? Was he supposed to help that guy, Komer, train his soldiers?

“Yes. Anyway, your subordinates are all overactive and have nowhere to vent their energy. Those half-orcs and barbarians are the same. Let them vent their energy in the arena. As long as no one dies, it can be considered part of training.” Shatima said confidently, growing prouder of her clever idea. “Leclerc, I heard from Fran that you’re also a noble. Do you really plan to muddle along like this your whole life?”

Hearing her act in such an old-fashioned manner and call him by his name along with Fran’s, without the slightest courtesy, Leclerc couldn’t understand how such an oddity could exist in Komer’s camp. Even in the barbaric lands of the Caucasus, one should at least know basic manners. This woman casually called out the names of their own camp’s leaders without any form of respect, which was truly unbelievable.

“Miss Shatima, I’m really curious about your family background.” Leclerc suddenly had an idea. He wanted to know what kind of family had shaped this woman’s unique style.

“Family situation?” Shatima was taken aback. “Why ask that?”
“I just want to understand how Miss Shatima acquired such skills,” Leclerc replied with a smile.
“Hehe, Leclerc, thank you for the compliment. My skills are innate; I’ve conquered the world without finding a rival…” When talking about her abilities, Shatima immediately became energetic, her rosy lips moving rapidly.
“Is that so? Then why did you join Viscount Komer’s forces?” Leclerc asked patiently. This woman was like a chatterbox, speaking without any coherence, unable even to detect the teasing tone in her own words. Of course, he had no idea that this woman wasn’t human at all but a female ice dragon; otherwise, he wouldn’t have thought such a thing.
“Huh?” Shatima’s mouth formed a perfect O shape as she couldn’t close it for a while. Just moments ago, she had been boasting about her invincibility, but now she had suffered a huge defeat at Komer’s hands and couldn’t recover her pride. With her personality, she refused to deny the fact, and Leclerc’s words had hit her right in the heart.
“What’s wrong, Miss Shatima?” Leclerc, unaware of the complicated relationship between Shatima and Komer, asked in surprise.
“Uh, nothing. It’s purely fate between me and Komer. Yes, fate. I think he suits my taste, and he also allows me to showcase my skills, so I volunteered to serve him,” Shatima stammered.
“Oh, I see. I’m really curious about Miss Shatima’s past. Lord Komer is truly fortunate to have your help,” Leclerc said with a smile. He didn’t understand how Komer could get involved with such a woman and still manage to control her so effectively.
Although Shatima didn’t fully grasp the subtle meanings in human language, she realized that Leclerc’s words weren’t entirely flattering. She regained her composure and returned to the topic: “Leclerc, let’s stop wasting time. Hurry up and join me in gathering those damned knight scum and getting them to do some actual work. The citizens of Cyprus are already very disappointed in them. I think the path I’ve found for them will suit them well.”
Leclerc sighed. “Miss Shatima, what will you do if I refuse your request?”

“Refuse?! Oh ho, did I hear that right? You refuse?” Shatima shrieked. “Do you even have the right to refuse? Leclerc, if you can defeat me, I’ll give you this chance!”
True to her word, Shatima gently pulled out her dragon spear. The spear, deeply embedded in the ground, was lifted effortlessly, and her fighting spirit surged. “Come on, Leclerc, fight me like a true knight! I’ve always heard you’re Homer’s strongest knight. Today, I’m determined to see what the true strength of Homer’s greatest knight is like.”
Leclerc’s gaze sharpened. “Miss Shatima, will you keep your word? If I happen to win, won’t you keep bothering me?”
“Of course I will. Do you think I’d be as indecisive as you? Stop talking and come on!” Shatima excitedly licked her crimson lips, unaware that this gesture was quite alluring. “Hehe, Leclerc, I heard you had a draw with Vladkov. I really want to see what this so-called strong man Vladkov is all about!”
Hearing Shatima say this, Leclerc grew nervous. This woman knew the outcome of his fight with Vladkov and was still so enthusiastic, which proved she definitely had the strength to fight Vladkov. He needed to be extra careful. Fighting her was already a last resort out of necessity. If he really lost to her, he would be too ashamed to face anyone.
Just as Leclerc managed to raise his knight’s spear, Shatima, already impatient, had raised the combat energy of her dragon spear to its peak. The intense ice-based combat energy, like the cold wind from the Mogan Wasteland, dropped the temperature in the courtyard by twenty degrees instantly, making it feel like being in an ice cave. Even though Leclerc was prepared, he still felt his limbs stiffen. In panic, he tried to steady himself against the effect of the icy wind. Meanwhile, Shatima’s dragon spear began to spin with massive force, carrying an overwhelming gust of wind.
This woman really didn’t follow any rules, showing no restraint or courtesy. From the very first strike, she unleashed her full power. The fierce wind made Leclerc’s face ache, and the pressure made it hard for him to breathe.