Chapter 017: Below Odinburg

After talking with Count Christopher for a while longer, the old fox excused himself on the grounds of being tired from the journey and went down to rest. Du Fan knew well that he probably had his own plans, so he didn’t press him. Instead, he simply removed the silence barrier and ordered someone to take Count Christopher down to rest.

As Count Christopher reached the entrance of the large tent, he suddenly turned around with a strange smile and said, “Du Fan, there’s one more thing I almost forgot to tell you.”

“What is it?”

Count Christopher smiled slightly before saying after a moment, “The 2,000 Imperial City Guards who came with me this time—those leading these troops—seem to be someone you know as well, Du Fan…”

“Who?”

“Landy!”

Du Fan was slightly stunned. Seeing Count Christopher retreat with a smile, he wasn’t sure what to think for a moment. This Landy was from the Lionheart Family, and his relationship with him was extremely poor… Although he hadn’t done anything outrageous to him, Landy probably didn’t have any good feelings either.

Given Prince Fischer’s shrewdness, he surely must have known this, yet he still sent Landy here… Clearly, it was aimed at him. The implications of this were quite thought-provoking!

But Du Fan didn’t have time to worry about what Lord Landy was here for at the moment. He simply summoned two men from the Divine Might Prison and ordered them to keep an eye on both Lord Landy and Count Christopher, to prevent these two from playing any tricks on him at such a critical moment.

Meanwhile, Du Fan continued to go down to Odinburg every day over the following few days to observe, occasionally showing some provocative gestures. But the other side refused to fight, sticking to their stance with absolute determination.

At this point, even if Du Fan didn’t want to make peace, he had no choice but to.

On the last day, he ordered someone to personally deliver a document expressing his willingness to negotiate down to Odinburg—such a formal document couldn’t just be shot in with a bow and arrow.

Soon, an army of around 2,000 people emerged from Odinburg. Though each of them was fierce, it was clear they had no intention of attacking Du Fan below Odinburg.

The army, which had finally agreed to emerge from its shell-like formation, stopped at a distance and dispersed to both sides. Before long, a messenger arrived to report that a general from the Lani Empire wished to meet Duke Du Fan. Du Fan nodded in response, and soon the messenger brought back a signal with flags. Immediately thereafter, a man dressed like a general, accompanied by several bodyguards, rushed toward Du Fan. When they arrived, Du Fan took a look and couldn’t help but laugh. The general was none other than Marcus, the guard of Prince Leoport back then. Though they weren’t close friends, Marcus’s presence here meant that at least Prince Leoport was in Odinburg. What Du Fan didn’t expect was that Marcus was also a general. It seemed Prince Leoport indeed had capable subordinates, as he had been able to resist the First Prince Gafield for years. “Duke, it’s been a long time,” said Marcus, his expression cold, showing little goodwill toward Du Fan. Yet he still bowed respectfully before continuing, “My master has received a peace proposal from the Gavin Empire, and he has agreed to your request for peace.” Hearing this, Du Fan couldn’t help but laugh out loud. He sized Marcus up before saying coldly, “General Marcus, don’t you think it’s still half a year ago? Now it’s I who has won the battle, not you. So if there’s to be peace talks, it’s the Lani Empire that should make the request… If you can’t accept that, go back and tell Leoport that we’ll keep besieging this place. If they don’t come out, I’ll continue the siege. I’m curious to see whose time will run out first—yours or mine!” With that, Du Fan waved his riding crop and prepared to leave. His words carried an air of recklessness, but they hit the mark. Marcus knew well that the Lani Empire was eager for peace, as the Empress’s health was worsening by the day, and both princes wanted to stay in the capital at all costs. Who would want to linger here? So Du Fan’s willingness to negotiate peace made the Lani Empire extremely happy, which was why they sent people out eagerly to welcome him.

Marcus also knew that if he messed things up here, he had no idea what consequences would follow. He quickly stepped forward, blocking Du Fan’s horse, and bowed, saying, “My Lord Duke, it was my mistake. Please forgive me… This time, since you agree to peace talks…”

Before he could finish speaking, Du Fan impatiently waved his hand and said, “It’s not that I agree to peace talks. It’s that you guys hide like turtles in your shells and refuse to come out no matter what. What’s the point for me to keep going like this? It’s better to just agree to peace. We can fight again once you stop acting like turtles.”

Pressed by Du Fan’s words, Marcus was furious, but he still forced a smile and said, “Yes… yes… My Lord Duke is right. This time it’s us who ask for peace. We do…”

Seeing the once arrogant warrior from the imperial capital in such a state now, Du Fan secretly smiled. He knew his own situation well—peace was necessary even if they didn’t want it. His earlier actions were just a show to gain more advantages during the peace talks.

He nodded slightly and said, “Alright, since you ask for peace, I’ll agree… But you might as well consult your prince, Leoport. Ask him how he plans to conduct these peace talks. Will it be here in our imperial capital? Or in your capital? Or maybe both sides meet at a banquet first, then discuss things?”

“A banquet?” Marcus was stunned. He naturally didn’t understand what that meant and quickly said in a low voice, “My lord, my master said that he and you are old acquaintances… So, it would be best to finish the talks right here. After all, you already hold the status of an imperial envoy, so your words carry weight.”

Du Fan wasn’t surprised by this. If Leoport couldn’t even get such information, then he wasn’t fit to stay in power.

He laughed and said, “So, will it be held in my city of Hado, or in your Odinburg?”

Hearing this, Marcus showed a hint of embarrassment on his face, but he still said in a low voice, “My master said that the military situation is unstable right now… He can’t leave without permission. So, I beg My Lord Duke Du Fan to come to Odinburg for the peace talks. Our Lanii Empire will surely receive you with the highest honors.”

“Let me enter your city?” Du Fan sneered. “What if, once I go in, your armies swarm at me?”

Marcus immediately broke into a cold sweat and said, “My master said he and the Duke are old acquaintances, and he would never do such a thing of breaking trust. Please, Duke, be at ease… If you’re still worried, you can bring some guards in; we have no objection.”

Du Fan observed Marcus’s expression and thought to himself, “I know that your Prince Leopold doesn’t have the courage to frame me. After all, my abilities are well-known. Before he could try to harm me, he’d have to consider whether I might drag him down with me. As for the so-called instability in the military, it’s mostly due to the two princes fighting for power. It’s just… Leopold dares not act against me, but that doesn’t mean Garfield doesn’t dare.”

However, given Du Fan’s current abilities, unless a Saint-level powerhouse came personally, ordinary people really didn’t have the means to hold him back. He wasn’t overly afraid.

Moreover, in this situation, he planned to ask for a lot, taking this opportunity to reap benefits and also meet that Prince Garfield. So, it seemed inevitable for him to go to Odinburg. The other party wouldn’t dare strike at him at such a time.

After thinking this through, Du Fan became determined. He nodded casually and said, “Alright, since Prince Leopold says so, then let’s settle this matter… Once you’re ready, I’ll pick a time to enter Odinburg.”

Marcus had expected Du Fan to refuse outright. Before he came, Leopold had prepared many excuses, waiting for Du Fan to decline so he could speak up. But he never expected Du Fan to agree so easily. He was momentarily stunned before nodding sharply and saying, “Then my master and I will be waiting in Odinburg for your arrival, Duke…”

“Oh, no need for that,” Du Fan said with a slight smile, bowing slightly. “Then please convey to Prince Leopold and Prince Garfield that I, Du Fan, will visit them soon. Ask them to rest assured!”

After saying that, Du Fan waved his hand and rode away quickly with his entourage.

Marcus remained standing there in shock, murmuring, “Prince Garfield only dared to come to the capital yesterday to attend the peace talks. How did Duke Du Fan know about this?”