"Worth it!" Flamut said gravely, his voice cold. "I am my master’s slave; everything I have was bestowed by my master. You, a lowly commoner accustomed to betrayal, wouldn’t understand what loyalty means!"
His disdainful tone caused the Black Armored Army soldiers to glare with anger, brandishing their blades toward him.
Thunder Spear Tucker was the soul of the Black Armored Army. He would never allow others to disgrace it!
Tucker scoffed. "The ancestors of these current Kings and Dukes betrayed and fractured the empire, leading to the creation of kingdoms like Gando, Kolon, and others. They abandoned those they pledged loyalty to. Who said they were wrong? If others did it, why can’t I? If someone offers better terms, why shouldn’t I accept?"
"Hmph!" Flamut snorted. "You don’t need to make excuses for yourself. The disloyalty of others is no excuse for you to betray your master."
"Wrong!" Tucker suddenly shouted. "I was born a commoner, but I’ve never considered myself lowly. Aren’t we all children of God? What’s the difference? Kingdom princesses, descendants of Dukes, those of noble Bloodlines... they are all born high above. And I... I was born into poverty, with little insight and no support. I struggled hard for things they could easily obtain. By what right? Should someone like me only remain a hard-working serf, a humiliated commoner?"
Tucker removed his helmet, looking directly at Flamut. "I once knelt on the ground, begging bitterly for a morsel of food. I waited in a snowdrift for seven days and nights for a Martial Arts technique, and I nearly lost my life several times just to acquire the most basic breathing technique! Every time on the battlefield, I was at the forefront, slaying the most enemies, yet the glory always went to those nobles! In this world, there are countless stories of heroes, legendary figures, but why can’t an ordinary person succeed?"
He looked around, roaring loudly, "I! Thunder Spear Tucker! I have never betrayed anyone! I just want to prove that even someone of humble origins can become a legend, celebrated by future generations! The Black Armored Army has no nobles or Knights, and knight attendants are few. Yet, it has breached numerous strongholds! This is to show those nobles that we can do what they can do, and we can even achieve what they cannot!"
A Gale swept through, leaving silence in its wake. Only a fierce fire burned in the eyes of the Black Armored Army soldiers.
"What is your name?" Tucker dismounted, walking forward with his Spear in hand. "Your loyalty has earned my respect. But if you continue to block my path, you will only be throwing your life away for nothing."
"Flamut!" Flamut raised his Longsword, locking eyes with Thunder Spear Tucker, and shouted, "Loyalty!"
The Forbidden Technique was unleashed with full force at that moment. His life force fueled his Battle Aura, allowing it to break through the limits of a Knight. He reached the level of a Great Knight, perhaps even stronger.
The two collided in mid-air. Shortly afterward, Thunder Spear Tucker put away his Spear and instructed those beside him, "Though unyielding, this man was a warrior. Take good care of his body and find a place to bury him."
"Yes!" his men assented.
"Report!" At that moment, a messenger hurried in. "City Lord Terence has escaped Sigerno City, but we’ve captured Princess Du Na of the Sake Kingdom."
"Oh!" Tucker’s eyes flickered.
By the time Princess Du Na was brought over, her hair was disheveled, she was soaked in blood, and her legs had been broken. This was unavoidable. The Black Armored Army had few experts. To control Princess Du Na, who was a Knight, they had to use harsh methods to ensure she couldn’t resist.
"Tucker!" Du Na collapsed to the ground. Pain caused her body to tremble slightly as she clenched her teeth and looked up. "I am a princess of the Sake Kingdom. Even though you’ve captured me, I can request asylum according to the treaty. You can demand a ransom, but you cannot kill me!"
"Of course," Tucker knelt on one knee, extending his right hand. "My Princess. I heard the royal family of the Sake Kingdom has a special method that can elevate a Great Knight to become Legendary. I wonder if I could obtain it?"
Du Na’s body stiffened suddenly.
Carl held his breath, transforming into a dark shadow, and leaped along the rooftops under the cover of night.
Those who knew the Black Armored Army had invaded the city were already gathering their belongings, taking to the streets with their families, and fleeing towards the outskirts. The number of looters seizing the opportunity was also increasing.
The flames grew more intense.
"Quickly!" In the courtyard, Jinsley was instructing the servants to pack. "Load the important things onto the cart and leave the unimportant ones. We must depart before daylight."
"What are you doing?" Gegil roared. "If we leave Sigerno City, we’ll lose more than half our assets! I disagree with leaving!"
"Father!" Jinsley was flabbergasted. "Don’t you see? Kolon’s soldiers have breached the city! Sigerno City has fallen! If we don’t leave now, we’ll lose not just our assets, but our lives as well!"
"You are mistaken," Gegil said, shaking his head. "If we have no assets, what’s the use of saving our lives? My entire fortune, accumulated over decades, is here. We can’t leave!"
He stepped forward, grabbed the carriage, and began unloading the items that had just been placed on it, one by one.
"Father," Jinsley said, stomping his foot in frustration. "Have you gone mad?"
"Father," Iweni also said, trying to persuade him gently, "As long as we’re alive, lost money can be earned again. Our main priority now is to escape the city and find shelter."