I Ascend to the Divine Throne through Arcane Means

On the walls of Beelu City, the passing warrior radiated a solemn and murderous aura, as if they had just experienced a battle.

A dignified middle-aged man in black armor stood at the top of the city wall, gently touching the slightly mottled wall in front of him, lost in thought.

"Duke Baird!"

A warrior rushed over from not far away and knelt on one knee behind the middle-aged man, respectfully speaking.

"What is it?"

Baird asked indifferently.

This dignified middle-aged man was none other than Duke Milk Baird of the Feis Kingdom border, but he now stood atop the walls of Beelu City in the Boditch Kingdom.

Despite being puzzled as to why the Second Prince of Yatean hadn't sent him any new intelligence after receiving the kingdom's declaration, it no longer mattered.

Duke Baird himself had led an elite force, which had been prepared for a long time. After several days of covert marching, they bypassed the Boditch Kingdom's border outposts and directly attacked and captured Beelu City.

Although Baird was very confident in his own capabilities and in his subordinates, and had made thorough preparations, he hadn't anticipated it would be so easy.

It was as if there were no defenses at all, the lord and the troops of Beelu City seemed to have had no inkling that Baird would launch a surprise attack on the city.

The heavy troops the Boditch Kingdom had stationed here hadn't even reacted before all were disarmed by Baird's subordinates.

The entire process of capturing the city lasted only about fifteen minutes. Baird had already gained complete control over the city, and not a single one of his warriors had died—only one had accidentally broken his leg by stepping on a brick during the charge.

How ridiculous was Beelu City's defense?

The only guards were a few collecting gate tax at the city gate;

Neither the alarm magic array nor the protection magic array had been activated, and when Baird sent people to check, he found that they had long been in disrepair and could no longer be activated;

The soldiers of the Boditch Kingdom were still asleep in the barracks, apparently having had a long drill the night before and were still catching up on sleep; they were all easily rounded up by Baird's subordinates.

Even arranging for panicking residents was more troublesome for Baird.

"Sir, Duke McKay of Beelu City has been brought here, would you like to see him now?"

"Bring him in."

Baird waved his hand, instructing his subordinates to hurry.

He couldn't afford to waste much time in Beelu City. Given the situation, if he could continue the attack before the Boditch Kingdom responded, he might still gain considerable advantages.

Soon, a rotund, pale-fat man was pushed forward by a group of warriors to stand behind Baird.

Two warriors kicked fiercely on the insides of the fat man's knees, making him fall flat behind Baird.

"Sir, Duke McKay has been brought here."

A warrior bowed and said to Baird.

Baird turned around, looking at this man whose skin was as tender as a girl's—the fattened pig, his eyes betraying a hint of disgust.

While both were border dukes, although Baird also lived in luxury, he would always share meals and clothing with his soldiers, setting an example.

As for Duke McKay...

Baird was not like these useless nobles; he bore many scars from battling demons.

He had initially thought that this battle with the Boditch Kingdom might add several more "merits" to his achievements, but he hadn't expected the Boditch Kingdom to be so rottenly unprepared.

"Baird, you dare to actually provoke a war!"

The previously timid Duke McKay, upon seeing Baird's figure, seemed to gather some courage.

"Release me at once, or His Majesty the King and the Church of the Gods will not let you go."

Baird sighed, looking at Duke McKay as one might look at a fattened pig waiting for slaughter.

Suddenly, a kick landed on Duke McKay's body, slamming him into the city wall next to them, as if struck by a siege hammer.

"Ah... ow...."

Duke McKay hadn't expected Baird to actually strike him, and had it not been for his usually treasured possessions, that kick might have ended his life.

Baird took a Long Spear from a nearby soldier and thrust it fiercely into the bricks beside Duke McKay's face, speaking in a flat tone:

"Long time no see, McKay, let's have a chat."

Pale-faced and staring at the Long Spear next to his face, feeling the intense murderous aura from Baird, McKay screamed:

"You can't do this, I'm a Duke of the Bodich Kingdom, I demand the proper treatment, I demand ransom!"

Baird patted McKay's face with his right hand, laughing as he said:

"Hmm, a Duke of the Bodich Kingdom, you say?"

"Unfortunately, you won't be for much longer."

"After all, with no Kingdom left, what use is a noble like you?"

"You... how could you!"

McKay seemed to realize something and stared incredulously at Baird.

"So, cooperate nicely, and you might just spare your life."

Baird made no attempt to hide the harsh reality of his words, after all, only the truth could bend others to submission the fastest.

"...I understand."

Duke McKay collapsed into a heap, devoid of any further thoughts of resistance.

At the same time, Duke Rame of the Feis Kingdom also invaded the Bodich Kingdom from another direction.

After a century, the flames of war reignited in the east of the Fanor Continent.

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Northern part of the Feis Kingdom, Dillon Kingdom.

This is a Human Kingdom between the Feis Kingdom and the northern ice plains of the Fanor Continent, marked by its vast area and sparse population due to its northern location.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Similarly, the people of Dillon Kingdom are known for their robust and hearty nature, with Berserkers and Martial Monks being the most common here.

The current King of Dillon Kingdom, Lukar Dilon is also a wise leader.

He deeply understood the predicaments of Dillon Kingdom, as most of the kingdom belonged to a harsh, cold territory with few suitable places for cultivation, necessitating annual food imports through trade from the southern regions like the Feis Kingdom.

However, unlike the Bodich Kingdom, Dillon Kingdom's rich mineral resources and the abundance of northern Magic Beasts, along with trades in precious materials, minerals, and Equipment, were enough to meet the needs of Dillon Kingdom.

But Lukar Dilon was not satisfied, having traveled to the southern countries in his youth, he longed for Dillon Kingdom to also possess lands bathed in warm sunlight all year round.

"Are you saying that there was an assassination at the Sacrificial Festival in Bright City of Feis Kingdom and that Feis Kingdom has declared it was the doing of Bodich Kingdom, and they have already declared war?"

Shocked, Lukar stood up from his throne and paced back and forth as he asked:

"What exactly is the situation, has Feis Kingdom really deployed troops?"

"Has the Church of the Gods made any move?"

The young minister was not surprised; he knew that His Majesty the King had been waiting for such a development for a long time.

"Whether they have deployed troops is still unclear; I have already arranged for someone to investigate."

"The Church of the Gods is maintaining Silence, and so far, no high-ranking official from the Church has made any statement regarding the declaration of war by Feis Kingdom."