The sky gradually darkened, and Durant stood outside the tent, staring blankly at the sky.

"Where could Lord Duke have gone?"

Durant asked Gang Le, who was sitting beside him.

"I have no idea!"

Gang Le scratched his head, "He said nothing and just flew southward!"

"Why didn’t you ask?" Durant frowned, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.

Although Gang Le and Durant held different positions, their camaraderie was deep, and there was no beating around the bush in their conversations.

"Damn, what are you saying?"

Gang Le glared at Durant, retorting, "Would you dare to ask with Lord Duke in that state?"

Durant was silent for a moment and sighed slightly, "No, I wouldn’t dare." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Damn it!"

Gang Le spat in disinterest, leaning close to Gang Le, "It’s okay, with Lord Duke like that, he is already unbeatable."

"I think you should worry less about Lord Duke’s safety and more about whether he still needs us."

Gang Le turned around and leaned against the pillar, speaking leisurely: "You didn’t see it, the legion of tens of thousands was just crushed like that, with no resistance at all!"

"Those high-ranking knights, elite knights!"

Gang Le scoffed, "They don’t count for anything!"

After speaking, Gang Le realized something and quickly added, "I’m not saying you, don’t get me wrong."

"I’m even more of a failure, not even an intermediate knight." Gang Le said self-mockingly.

"I understand what you’re saying, Gang Le."

Durant smiled wryly, "Lord Duke’s power has exceeded all imagination, we are utterly unmatched."

"But you must know, even gods need servants."

Durant patted Gang Le’s shoulder, saying, "As long as Lord Duke doesn’t mind, we must continue our loyalty."

"That’s true."

Gang Le nodded and sighed, "I mean, can’t we think of some way to quickly enhance our strength... it’s too slow now."

"Don’t worry about it, if there were a way Lord Duke would definitely not overlook us."

Durant comforted him, "Relax, you will surely have a chance."

"I hope I live to see that day."

Gang Le lamented, then grinned, "But in this lifetime, I can boast about dining and drinking at the same table with a dragon..."

"Look at that shadow ahead!"

Durant interrupted Gang Le, pointing at the sky and shouting, "Lord Duke is back!"

Gang Le turned to look at the shadow, jokingly saying, "Hehe, seems he hasn’t abandoned us."

"Shut up."

Durant shot a glance at Gang Le, immediately ordering the soldiers to prepare food, then quickly ran out of the camp.

With the sound of heavy swooshing cutting through the sky above the camp, Luo De’s massive form landed steadily outside the camp.

Durant and Gang Le were already waiting outside the camp, bowing in greeting upon seeing Luo De.

"Lord Duke, I have prepared dinner for you."

Durant shouted, "One cow and three sheep, if it’s not enough, I’ll have them prepare more."

"No need for special preparations."

Luo De said little, directly tossing the figure in his dragon claws in front of Durant,

"Should still be alive, take great care."

After giving his orders, Luo De turned and distanced himself dozens of meters from the camp.

"This is..."

Durant lowered his head, carefully observing the woman’s face on the ground, and couldn’t help but fall into thought.

Gang Le leaned closer, similarly observing carefully,

"This woman’s face looks a bit familiar, but I only know widows..."

"She’s the Eldest Princess, Her Majesty the Queen." Durant said solemnly.

"Oh... what?"

Gang Le exclaimed in surprise, squatting down to confirm, "It really is the Eldest Princess!"

"Lord Duke actually captured the Eldest Princess!"

Gang Le was utterly shocked, but upon thinking it through, it seemed only natural.

Who couldn’t Lord Duke capture now?

Durant dared not slack off and immediately ordered the soldiers to bind them both.

At this moment, Luo De’s body suddenly erupted in flames, completely enveloping his massive dragon form.

Durant and Gang Le assumed there was an enemy and unhesitatingly drew their weapons.

But in the next instant, the fire vanished.

A crimson flash passed, and Luo De returned to human form, still wearing the clothing from before.

...

...

Luo De still desired more results, but the Western Alliance was too distant, and his transformation would end before reaching them.

With no other matters to address, Luo De voluntarily ended the transformation.

Transforming into a Giant Dragon had no side effects; Luo De’s most pronounced feeling now was hunger.

Durant and the others, seeing Luo De unharmed, promptly sheathed their weapons and bowed respectfully.

"This old man is a Legendary Knight."

Luo De instructed, "Later, give him several bottles of the potion and bind him with iron chains."

"Tomorrow, bring Lusen here and extract all his body energy."

Having never encountered a Legendary Knight before, but knowing they could counter higher-level wizard apprentices, one must naturally be cautious.

"Legendary Knight?!"

Durant gasped, breathing the unique cool air of the southern province at night.

His gaze filled with curiosity, studying the silver-haired figure.

Indeed, if he weren’t a Legendary Knight, it wouldn’t be worth Lord Duke personally clawing him back.

And this proved that not only do elite knights count for nothing, but even Legendary Knights have no power to resist.

Durant dared not slack and immediately ordered the chains to bind the Legendary Knight tightly.

Then, a doctor poured the mixed potion into the Legendary Knight’s mouth.

After handling everything, Luo De waved at Durant and Gang Le,

"Come, accompany me for some food."

...

...

The next day, at dawn.

Luo De returned to Giant Stone City with Frost Thunderbolt.

Giant Stone City had already returned to calm, the corpses of deceased civilians transported out of town for collective burning.

The southern province, unlike the Desert, stored corpses for long periods leading to decay, bringing plagues and diseases, requiring swift actions.

Luo De rode Thunderbolt to the manor gate; Frost then set down the Legendary Knight, bound like a wrapped dumpling.

Vivian, Lusen, and others had already received the news and awaited at the gate, all greeting Luo De as he dismounted from the dragon’s back.

Except for Vivian and Lusen, none dared lift their heads to look at Luo De, not even Sao, who kept his head lowered.

Though no pressure remained on Luo De, yesterday’s terrifying figure had deeply imprinted in their minds.

Luo De nodded slightly, gesturing to Sao, "Go, carry that knight inside."

"Yes, Saint Master."

Sao led two Frost Winter Knights swiftly, carrying the Legendary Knight to Luo’s side.

"His name is Carlos, a Legendary Knight within the Royal Family."

Luo De stepped into the manor’s gate, introducing as he walked.

The Eldest Princess had already woken up, revealing all information of Carlos to Luo De.

After introducing, Luo De asked Lusen, "Is there a way to drain his body energy?"

"Yes, Lord Luo De."

Lusen nodded, "I’ll need half a day, but if Mr. Fa Fuke handles it, it could be quicker."

"Alright, if he’s willing."

Luo De readily agreed, saying, "Where is he? Send someone to invite him to the council hall."

"He’s likely resting in the guest room."

Lusen answered, then turned to instruct the Guard with a few words.

The Guard nodded and quickly ran toward the guest room.

The manor servants were all new, greeting Luo De upon seeing him.

Lusen guided Luo De to the council hall, keenly reporting as soon as Luo De sat down:

"Yesterday, we found twelve Holy Emblems on the followers, three magic rings with Flaming Arrow, and nothing else."

"Just this little?"

Luo De frowned slightly.

But thinking it over, it was normal.

The followers were mostly sacrificial materials.

"There are many items on Bishop Salido, detailed introductions will follow shortly."

Lusen said, pulling out the blood-red pearl bound with chains from his pocket, presenting it to Luo De with both hands,

"Have a look at this first."

"What is this?"

Luo De’s gaze was filled with curiosity, reaching to take the blood-red pearl.

At that moment, lines of system text appeared before his eyes:

[First acquisition of one Divine Artifact fragment, unlocking entry: Progeny of Blasphemy (Blue)]

[Progeny of Blasphemy (Blue): Resistances to divine spell-type spells +20%, Spiritual Power +1, more likely to attract the attention of clergy.]

[Next entry: Own five Divine Artifact fragments, unlock entry: Heart of Desecration (Purple)]