Chapter 014: What One Aspires For in Life

Duke Green waved his hand slightly, still staring at the stage, and said, “I’m worried about you, so I came to check on you… Du Fan, I never expected things to change so quickly. The Crown Prince actually staged a coup like this… It seems extremely difficult for us to get out of this unharmed tonight…”
Du Fan frowned slightly and said, “Father, why do you say that? Our Green family holds a high status. No matter which side wins, they won’t target us, right?”
Duke Green shook his head and said, “Originally, they wouldn’t have, but the situation has changed now… It seems we’ve unknowingly become tied to Prince Fischer’s cause. So unless Prince Fischer wins tonight, we’re in trouble…”
Du Fan’s expression changed slightly. “Father, what do you mean?”
Duke Green glanced in the direction of the Crown Prince and said, “It’s obvious now that the Belinger family has sided with the Crown Prince. Moreover, the Crown Prince has tried to win over the members of the Mage Guild. Without going into other details, just the grudges between our family and the Belinger family are enough to show that we can’t side with the Crown Prince… Not to mention your robes as a priest! Du Fan, you must be aware that the Holy Church and the Mage Guild have had a long-standing feud. If the Crown Prince really wins and the Mage Guild takes control, then those nobles connected to the Holy Church will likely be the first to be executed!”
Du Fan inwardly sighed. How could he not be aware of this? He had even been forced to assume the identity of a spy for the Mage Guild…
Even if the Crown Prince succeeded in seizing power, under the influence of the Mage Guild, he probably wouldn’t do anything to Du Fan… But today, the Crown Prince’s attitude toward the representatives of the Mage Guild seemed strange. It seemed the Crown Prince wasn’t willing to cooperate with the Mage Guild—or rather, he was merely using them…
If that was the case, things would get very complicated…
Seeing that Du Fan remained silent, Duke Green sighed bitterly and continued, “So, it seems that whether we like it or not, we have to side with Prince Fischer. Right now, Prince Fischer is clearly at a disadvantage. I don’t know what tricks he has in reserve… but they’re probably not simple either. Anyway, we need to understand one thing: Prince Fischer must not lose in this battle! Otherwise, if the Crown Prince’s people take advantage of the situation, everything will be ruined!”

Du Fan nodded and said, “So, Father, what do you mean…”
Duke Green snorted, grasped the sword at his waist—unknown when it had appeared there—and sneered repeatedly. “If Best isn’t a match for Francis, then even if it costs me serious injuries, I must still see the masterful moves of the Silver-Sheathed Sword Saint!”
Du Fan’s heart skipped a beat, but he knew that with his father’s determination, there was no way to stop him. The only thing he could do now was… hope that Best, who seemed quite formidable, would win!
On the arena, Best already stood at the edge of the platform. Looking down at Francis from above, he said calmly, “So, are you the one? The legendary Silver-Sheathed Sword Saint Francis?”
Francis also gazed at Best on the platform. He seemed to smile and said, “Lord Best, I’ve long heard of your fame. Even as a young man, I heard that you were the greatest warrior in the Gavin Empire… Invincible everywhere you went. You’ve been the goal I resolved to surpass since I was young. It’s a pity that after I became famous and fought everywhere, I never managed to find you… I thought you were dead, but today I learn that the once-greatest warrior has been recruited by the royal family and has been hiding in the palace all these years… It’s truly a blessing to meet you today!”
Hearing this, Best seemed to smile. After a moment, he said, “Interesting… No wonder the Crown Prince sent you out. If it were anyone else, I really wouldn’t have fought!”
With that, Best raised his hand and tapped lightly, saying, “Someone, bring the sword!”
Soon, two guards rushed out from the darkness and presented a long sword forged from precision steel to Best.
Best grabbed it casually and swung it a few times, though his eyes showed a hint of impatience. He said calmly, “I’m ready. Boy, are you ready?”
“Respected Lord Best,” Francis chuckled lightly, “It seems I haven’t finished speaking yet! Before entering the palace, you seemed to have a title called ‘Starlight Sword Saint’—what a truly elegant name, admired by everyone on the continent… But these years, I’ve been wondering one thing: What level have you actually reached? To even add the word ‘Saint’ before your name!”
After saying that, Francis took a deep breath. His combat energy surged instantly, and a golden-colored aura filled with killing intent rose into the air, scattering the dust around!

Even the thunderclouds in the sky were violently scattered to both sides under this force, creating a large gap in the clouds from which moonlight poured down. Yet neither the campfire nor the moonlight could compare to the golden combat energy surrounding Francis, which shone so brightly that it blinded those who stared at it! It took a while before someone suddenly exclaimed, “Golden combat energy! Oh, Almighty God! It’s the Sword Saint! It’s the Sword Saint! This is truly the Sword Saint!” Francis’s golden combat energy burned fiercely, and although the blood-red rose was only slightly drawn, its red glow flickered continuously, adding a touch of mystery to the magnificent scene. On the platform, Prince Fisher remained relatively calm, but Austin III was too astonished to speak. As a warrior himself, he understood what this golden combat energy meant. The crowd below was equally shocked; even Du Fan, who already knew Francis was at the Saint level, was overwhelmed by his aura! Best also showed signs of surprise on his face. His usual indifference and arrogance vanished as he carefully examined Francis with a cautious gaze before finally laughing and saying, “Good! Boy! You truly possess the strength to be called the Sword Saint!” Then, the Star Sword Saint suddenly turned to look at Austin III on the throne, sighed softly, and said, “Your Majesty… do you still remember our promise from back then?” “Promise?” Austin III seemed to recall something. He glanced at Best, hesitantly, and said, “You mean… before you became a court guard…” “Yes, Your Majesty,” Best replied calmly. “I remember saying that I had nothing but my sword, and all I pursued was victory. But back then, you told me that as long as I followed you, I would get this chance. So I think, Your Majesty… you were right. And now, that chance has arrived!” “Best… Best… you…” “Your Majesty,” Best smiled faintly. “The outcome of this battle is uncertain. If I win, everything will remain as before. But if I lose… I’m sorry, Best will no longer be able to accompany you!”

With that, Best no longer glanced at Austin III. With a slight tap of his toes, he floated toward the training ground. He landed less than five meters in front of Francis, smiled faintly, and said, “Kid… perhaps I should call you a Saint-level warrior. I think it’s time for me to show you why there’s a ‘Saint’ in my name!”
As he spoke, Best’s combat energy surged violently. A golden-colored aura burst forth from his body, along with an overwhelming killing intent that was on par with Francis’s own!
Francis’s expression turned serious. He declared loudly, “It seems the Star Sword Saint truly lives up to the title of ‘Saint’! So you’ve also reached the Saint level already!”
“You’re known as the Silver Sheath Sword Saint, right?” A hint of melancholy appeared on Best’s face. “I’ve been looking forward to this battle my whole life. I hope you can defeat me! Go ahead! In the name of a warrior’s honor and dignity, I demand that you spare no effort!”
Francis’s expression also became extremely solemn. He seemed to sigh, then took a deep breath before saying gravely, “I agree to that… But I also demand that you show me the same respect! I’ve been waiting for this battle my whole life too! So, let’s begin!”
Best laughed heartily. “What a great invitation! Then I’ll do as you wish! Exactly as you wish!”
A golden aura surged, and Best drew his long sword. A fierce sword energy spread out around him. Francis laughed loudly, drew his blood-red rose sword, and immediately sent a fiery red aura to clash against Best’s sword energy. The collision was spectacular, with bursts of combat energy flying everywhere. The deafening explosion nearly destroyed everyone’s hearing, leaving only gold in sight!