Common Realm, Jika.
As the liveliest street in the entire Common Realm, Jika's nights were exceptionally bustling. Of course, this wasn't due to the sheer number of people on the street, but rather the tavern within it—Celsus.
It was well-known that the best tavern for dates was Mibawau in Naion.
And the best tavern for drunkards to challenge each other and get wasted was Celsus in Jika.
As soon as the tavern door opened, a thick, cloying smell of alcohol wafted out. Amidst the boisterous crowd, the sounds of urging drinks echoed continuously. The morning minstrel, having abandoned the demon god stories of the day, played the role of a jester among the crowd, gleefully collecting rewards from the pockets of drunkards.
From afar, Nozel locked onto the tall, slender figure near the bar.
He seemed to be chatting happily with his group members. Nozel weaved through the crowded tables, slowly approaching.
Sekke Blanchard always felt a bit apprehensive facing his own Captain Jack. After all, on his first day joining The Emerald Mantis, he was threatened into playing the role of bait, almost dying during the mission.
After saving the King last time, the King's transfer order came down. It changed his Magic Knight status to that of a personal Mage attendant, and leaving The Emerald Mantis Group was originally a good thing, but... there was a very important matter regarding the transfer order that required his Captain's approval.
Sekke cautiously glanced at Jack, who was drinking beside him, then quickly looked away.
He was a bit restless.
If I tell Captain Jack that I'm leaving The Emerald Mantis Group, he'll tear me to shreds, right?
No... he'll definitely tear me to shreds!
"Hoo-ha..." Sekke sighed. 'Then I'll continue with the original plan. Get Captain Jack completely drunk, then ask for his approval. That way... whether he refuses or agrees, I can leave legitimately.'
'Even if it's discovered later, I can use drunkenness as an excuse and say, 'Did the Captain forget?'
'I'm truly a genius.'
"Hoo-ha."
Sekke, drinking his wine, smiled, imagining his future life accompanying the King, commanding wind and rain, and surrounded by beauties. It was just a pity for today's high expenses, as he wasn't just treating Captain Jack, but also some members of The Emerald Mantis Group.
Never mind, it doesn't matter. My wonderful life is about to begin anyway.
Time passed little by little as the alcohol went down. Sekke suddenly realized that things seemed to be going beyond his expectations. Captain Jack, who had drunk cup after cup, showed no signs of drunkenness; instead, he became even more spirited.
'Damn it, this isn't good if it continues like this.'
Someone sat in the empty seat beside him. The already annoyed Sekke almost immediately vented his emotions at the newcomer. After all, he didn't want anyone to know about his decision to leave The Emerald Mantis Group and join the King's personal retinue.
"I clearly said this seat isn't allowed to be occupied. Are you challenging the dignity of our Emerald Mantis Group?"
"You fellow..."
After Sekke saw who it was, his voice trailed off, his thighs began to tremble, and he almost knelt down. "You're Nozel... Captain of the Silver Eagle Group."
"This..." Sekke stammered, unable to utter a word.
From the other party's indifferent eyes, he could feel that the other party was not in a good mood. 'I'm doomed!'
A playful voice broke the stalemate, "Yo, isn't that Lord Royalty? Why did you specially come to our commoners' playground today?"
"Is the House of Shiruba short on money and can't afford the wine in the Royal Realm's taverns anymore?" Jack grinned, his unrestrained laughter attracting the attention of many. "Want to have a drink here? Don't worry, it's on me, Lord Royalty."
"Hehehe..."
"Royalty? Really? They actually come to a place like this?"
"Looks like they're not much different from us drunkards?"
"Hahaha, exactly!"
"The other party seems to be from the House of Shiruba, that attire... could it be the Captain of the Silver Eagle Group? If so, I must go up and have a drink with him, and really mock those guys. They come to the tavern just like us, yet they constantly boast about being noble and powerful! How ridiculous!"
"No need." Nozel coldly rejected Jack's suggestion. The strong smell of alcohol emanating from the other party made Nozel frown. He questioned, "If I'm not mistaken, tomorrow is still a public service day. As a Captain, you're bringing your group members to drink all night."
"You seem to be a bit out of line, Jack."
The usual self-important, condescending accusation made Jack quite displeased. "So, Lord Royalty, have you specially come to teach me how to do things? What, seeing that Lord Julius has lost his magic, you're already impatient to replace him and interfere with other groups' affairs?"
"Royalty is as disgusting as ever."
"Say that again." Nozel stepped forward, and cold magic surged out like a flood from a broken dam. The wine glasses on the bar began to vibrate, and the surrounding drunkards sobered up considerably. Under the pressure of the magic, they felt as if they were being stared down by an eagle in the sky.
Cold sweat broke out.
Jack also put down his wine glass and rose from his seat. He playfully stuck out his tongue, licking the blade attached to his wrist. Magic surged from him, pushing back Nozel's cold magic, and a giant, tyrannical mantis, seemingly capable of tearing everything apart, faintly appeared behind him.
The magic of the two collided, and cracks appeared in the bar wall.
Something seemed wrong. Sekke, caught between the two, sensed their hostility and slowly, like the drunkards, shuffled towards the exit.
"Mercury Creation Magic, Silver Eagle's Impact."
A giant mercury bird of prey burst out, striking Jack with terrifying momentum and speed. Its wings spread, carrying Jack as he crashed through the wall and flew out into the street.
The owner standing at the bar wanted to say a few words, but he unexpectedly found a heavy bag of yul in his hand.
The person called Lord Royalty had also disappeared from the tavern.
Sekke, who was about to leave the tavern, stopped. He had intended to leave, but he reconsidered his decision, as he had spent a lot of money treating everyone tonight. It would be too much of a loss if he didn't get an answer from his Captain.
If the Captain won, perhaps in his joy, he would agree to Sekke's request.
Sekke decided to secretly go and watch the two Captains' fight.
Jack, who had gotten up from the ground, spat out a mouthful of blood. Although such conflicts were common, they usually didn't escalate into actual fights. Today's situation was clearly unusual. He wondered what whim had possessed this Lord Royalty to suddenly come to the commoners' area, where he never came.
And then suddenly attack him.
However, he had been thinking about tearing apart royalty for a long time, and today he could finally achieve it. After all, Nozel had made the first move, so even the Wizard King couldn't blame him.
The blade at his wrist glowed blue.
The slash seemed poised to tear through the air.
Suddenly, Jack fell to the ground as if he had been severely hit. Something heavy had been swung at his head.
He used his last moments of consciousness to look at the person who had ambushed him. It was a person wearing a red fox mask, somewhat familiar. In his hand, what he held was... a brick?
This guy knocked him out with a brick, what a joke?!
Bai En seemed to notice the confusion in Jack's fading eyes and explained, "With your physique, a brick certainly wouldn't knock you out. I used magic."
Footsteps sounded.
Looking at Nozel, who was approaching, Bai En praised, "Well done."
The three figures flashed and disappeared from the street.
From afar, Sekke, hidden and ready to watch the Captains' fight, was covered in cold sweat. He seemed to have seen something he shouldn't have. This was definitely a premeditated action.
"Damn it!"
What should I do?
If word got out that the Captains were fighting each other, he would definitely be silenced. Or... or should I just run away quickly! That guy with the fox mask isn't someone to mess with either.
Sekke turned to slip away, but then he saw a figure holding a brick...
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