Chapter 494 272: Fiancé War (2)

Seeing that it seemed to be working, Baron felt a strange sense of shame but continued anyway:

"I'm just saying, it feels like you can't compare to the Dragon Knight, Baron Constantin, in any way."

These repeated words set off an uproar among the crowd and the Knights.

The guests murmured, "Did he just say Jill Hestia can't compare to that Dragon Knight, Baron Constantin? Is he for real?"

The foppish young nobleman who had previously followed Hilde and harassed KK said excitedly:

"Does this mean it's decided? Jill Hestia lost to Baron Constantin in the Fiancé War!"

"Silence!!!" a Griffin Knight suddenly roared, glaring at him.

The young nobleman jumped in fright and quickly shut his mouth, though he still muttered under his breath, "What's the big deal? The Attendant's the one who said it. If you've got the guts, go and take him down."

Jill Hestia's face was impassive. "You're trying to provoke me."

Baron chuckled. "Provoke you? I'm just telling the truth."

With a deeply mocking gesture, he nudged the longsword in his hand—which had originally belonged to Jill—with his foot and said, "At least Baron Constantin wouldn't fly into a rage and threaten to burn me to death with Dragon Flame after I took his sword."

He glanced at the Knights around them. "Or gang up on me."

He shrugged. "But I suppose that's normal. After all, Baron Constantin is a once-in-a-century Dragon Knight... Still, it's a bit of a shame. I originally thought that a guy like you, a Bronze Tier Griffin Knight who's trained in the Holy Hall since childhood, would have skills superior to Baron's half-assed level."

"I never expected..." He shook his head, as if sighing with regret. "I overestimated you."

He sneered. "It seems Miss Freya chose the wrong man after all."

"Deputy Commander, don't listen to this guy's nonsense! He's probably just stalling for time, waiting for his accomplices to arrive!" a veteran Griffin Knight said shrewdly.

Jill Hestia said, "I know."

The Griffin Knight's face lit up, but then Jill Hestia continued, "But he's not wrong. Ganging up on one person is indeed not something an honorable Contract Knight should do."

The gale holding him aloft dispersed, and he slowly descended to the ground. The Griffin wings manifested by his Contractual Assimilation gradually faded from his back. He looked toward Aile:

"Mr. Lancelot, I would like to borrow your longsword."

Jill Hestia was a proud Knight, and a proud Contract Knight always has certain principles to uphold.

He held his sword horizontally and said to Baron, "The reason I choose to fight you is not because your words have provoked my so-called competitive spirit."

I am simply displeased that you have portrayed Miss Freya as a fickle person who casts aside the old for the new. Out of respect for her honor and an affirmation of a lady's good name, I have decided to issue you a challenge to a duel."

He performed a perfect knightly salute to Baron, causing the young noble ladies nearby to watch with sparkling eyes.

This was normal. A man who was handsome, powerful, from a prominent background, and also had a good personality would be popular anywhere.

The Griffin Knights also puffed out their chests with pride at Jill Hestia's words.

This was also normal. With a person like him, forget women, even some straight men would be happy to befriend him... in a very platonic way. The non-platonic kind usually involved round faces, thick beards, and white socks.

Hearing Jill Hestia's speech, Baron couldn't help but feel a little ashamed.

The other guy was so noble and righteous that it made him look like the villain... 'Though, considering the numerous public charges against me, I really do look like a villain...'

Jill looked at a Griffin Knight beside him and nodded. The Griffin Knight, as if receiving an order, blew a whistle and gathered all the Black Iron Tier Griffin Knights in the auction house. They formed a circle, with Jill and Baron in the center.

Jill looked at Baron opposite him and said, "Please don't misunderstand. This isn't some kind of plot. Escorting you to the tribunal is still my primary objective."

This has nothing to do with the outcome of this duel; it is my responsibility as the Deputy Commander of the Griffin Knight Order."

"Therefore, you have two choices. You can accept my duel, after which you will be temporarily detained by us."

Jill said, "You can also refuse, but for risk management purposes, we will choose to detain you anyway. If this all turns out to be a misunderstanding, I will apply for the relevant compensation for you..."

"How much compensation are we talking about?" Baron sneered.

Jill said, "At least two million British Pounds. One million of that can be considered my personal apology for offending you."

Two million British Pounds... Baron fell silent.

Then he raised Jill's sword and said, "I accept your duel."

It wasn't because of the two million British Pounds. In truth, he didn't particularly care for the money; it wouldn't be of much use to him as a fugitive anyway. Besides, he'd been a millionaire before. What was two million pounds? At most, it could buy two villas with gardens in London City. But still... it *was* two million pounds.

But one thing was certain: Baron's decision to accept Jill Hestia's duel was primarily driven by three factors:

First, to delay the cooldown of his [Illusory Cocoon];

Second, he knew he needed a fight to suppress the bloodlust surging wildly within him, hoping to vent his Blood Faction's Spiritual Power through combat to delay his promotion;

Thinking of this, Baron found it rather ironic and amusing. Other Law Enforcers would risk their lives and pay any price to Promote, yet here he was, deliberately delaying it. He could have started the ritual to advance to the Bronze Blood Faction long ago but chose not to because the process took too long.

As for the third reason, it was likely just that competitive spirit buried deep in a man's heart;

It had to be said that he didn't have strong feelings for the tsundere and arrogant Freya, so it wasn't a matter of jealous rivalry.

The only reason he had provoked him was purely because of his own status as the *former* fiancé, which had given rise to a tiny bit of... hostility toward the *current* fiancé?

The moment the thought crossed his mind, his pupils abruptly dilated, their clear surfaces reflecting the image of Jill Hestia, who had instantly appeared before him.

He snapped his sword up horizontally to block Jill Hestia's strike. His opponent only retreated slightly before attacking again. Baron raised his sword to defend, but his opponent quickly changed his attack, shifting from a direct thrust to a sweeping slash.

The blade scraped against Baron's, sending a shower of sparks into the air. Amidst the sparks, a cold gleam suddenly flared—Jill had infused his blade with Spiritual Power, using the rapidly extending blade to launch a second surprise attack.

It was an excellent and brilliant reaction. Perhaps realizing he couldn't match Baron in pure strength, Jill had changed his offense and fighting style, switching from a close-quarters struggle to a fast-paced assault, giving Baron absolutely no chance to catch him.

But Baron reacted just as quickly. He suddenly stepped forward, meeting the cold gleam with his chest while thrusting his own sword toward Jill.

Clearly, he was going for a trade of injuries.

Jill obviously saw through his plan. He stomped his foot and retreated rapidly, gripping his hilt tightly, clearly bracing for the moment their weapons crossed, lest his opponent's immense strength knock the longsword from his hand.

As expected, Baron seized the opportunity and followed, flicking his longsword upward to parry his opponent's blade with his crossguard, while simultaneously throwing a punch straight at the man's chest.

The punch was so fast it created a roar that bordered on a sonic boom. The sound made both the Griffin Knights' and the Lion-eyed Knights' hearts clench, and they secretly wondered if they could have taken such a blow.

The answer was, without a doubt, no.

Therefore, they didn't dare to imagine what would happen if that fist landed on Jill's chest.

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[Yelena Constantin's Diary

November 24, 1986 / Worlington / Weather: Sunny

Today, I went for a walk on the street with big brother Edward and Baron, and we happened to run into Miss Kristin on her way back.

Baron, who scowls all day because of work, only smiles so happily when he sees Miss Kristin.

I'm so envious.

But at least our dear Miss Kristin didn't forget the flower she promised me.]