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Chapter 166: The New Weapon
🕑 Added 2025-01-13 02:49:55 +0000 UTCCharlot thought to himself, "Who the hell is 'one of your own' with you?"
The assassin spread his arms wide like a massive bat and leapt into the air, swiftly exiting the military camp without alarming any of the West Wind Knights on night watch.
Charlot hesitated briefly but then activated the Wings of the Young Dragon to follow.
Their brief exchange earlier had given Charlot some insight. This vampire assassin was at a higher transcendent rank than him, but their understanding of the Angel’s Twelve Movements was inferior. They seemed to have only mastered the fourth movement: Wings of the Young Dragon. As for how many abilities from the Arsilo family they had learned, Charlot couldn't tell since none had been displayed.
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Once outside the camp, the two raced through the wilderness. After covering over ten kilometers, the vampire stopped, turned around, and said, “Brother, you’ve got guts! Infiltrating the Fars Empire’s knight order like that. This order is quite elite—whose private soldiers are they?”
Charlot casually replied, “They belong to the military knight division of the Central Government Office. Originally local knights, they’ve been reorganized and are now battle-hardened veterans.”
“What’s your goal in sneaking into the camp?”
Since the other had mistaken him for an ally, Charlot didn’t bother correcting him. Instead, he tried to extract some information.
The vampire pulled off his mask, revealing himself as Yulian Arsilo, and said, “Fars can’t hold off against us, the Byron riders, the Black Phoenix Dynasty, and the southern orc tribes on its own. Word is, they’re looking to ally with the Ingrima Empire and the Lionheart Empire. That’s why our military sent over a dozen elite spies into Fars, tasked with discovering when their delegation departs—so we can send people to ambush them.”
Charlot was startled. Are they planning to ambush me?
In a low voice, he asked, “Who would they send for the ambush?”
Yulian shrugged and replied, “None other than Baron Leo.”
So Leo is a baron? Charlot mused.
In the Byron hierarchy, titles below duke could be referred to as lords, so many viscounts and barons often self-styled as such. This was the first time Charlot learned that Leo was a baron. In Byron, titles were closely linked to strength. In other words, while Leo was a high-tier transcendent, his level would be no greater than the fifteenth rank—probably comparable to Zolman, whom Charlot had just killed, or even weaker.
Noticing Charlot’s peculiar expression, Yulian grinned and said, “You’ve heard about Baron Leo, haven’t you? The fiasco he caused last time when Ferdinand didn’t even die by his hands but still got him reprimanded by the military?”
Not at all, Charlot thought, though he said aloud, “I don’t know much. Do you have more details to share?”
Yulian, a first-year at Heidelberg University, was a descendant of the Arsilo family. He had undergone orthodox transcendent training from a young age and had already become a transcendent before entering university. Now, as a mid-tier transcendent, his youth belied his formidable strength.
Due to the war, Byron had drafted several university students, and Yulian, with his mastery of Wings of the Young Dragon and lightning speed, had been sent to Fars as a spy.
Coming from the Arsilo family, which had countless relatives in the military and seniors at Heidelberg, Yulian had access to a wealth of information.
Spotting the passing West Wind Knight Order, Yulian had planned to infiltrate and gather intelligence. Encountering a “fellow countryman” in Charlot, he eagerly divulged a treasure trove of Byron intelligence, much to Charlot’s benefit.
Curious, Charlot asked, “Baron Leo is just high-tier. I’ve heard Fars sent Saint-rank envoys this time. How could he succeed?”
Yulian smirked proudly. “Last time, they had to conceal their identity and frame Lady Nancella, so they used Fars equipment.”
“This time, we’re openly at war with Fars. There’s no need for subterfuge. Naturally, we’ll use Byron’s transcendent weaponry.”
“The military approved five long-range alchemical rifles capable of rapid fire. These new weapons lack anti-space attributes, making them inconvenient to carry, but they boast greater range and rapid-fire capabilities.”
“A Saint might block one anti-magic armor-piercing round, but what about ten? Twenty? A hundred?”
“No matter how thick a Saint’s defensive shell is, enough rounds will eventually penetrate.”
Charlot pondered. If Yulian’s words were true, five long-range alchemical rifles firing relentlessly might indeed kill High Priest Auguslatin.
Charlot himself had used transcendent firearms and anti-magic armor-piercing rounds to kill many foes. He understood their effectiveness but was also aware of their limitations.
In direct combat, they weren’t as formidable. On the battlefield, when Charlot had tried to shoot Jonan, several rounds were deflected by Hughes with a knight’s lance.
Many high-tier transcendents, fully activating their combat energy for defense, could withstand one or two shots. Moreover, hitting a fast-moving transcendent during combat required exceptional marksmanship. Charlot had often refrained from firing because he lacked confidence in hitting his target and didn’t want to waste ammunition.
At close range, firearms were inferior to swords or knight’s lances, no matter the ammunition.
However, unprepared targets were another matter. For instance, Zolman hadn’t expected Charlot to combine Flame Dragon’s Hand with an Anti-Space Long-Range Rifle, shooting from under cover in a surprise attack that obliterated his lower body.
Yulian spoke animatedly, finding Charlot a kindred spirit. He then hesitantly asked, “Senior, you must be a Heidelberg University graduate too?”
Charlot nodded vigorously.
A bit embarrassed, Yulian said, “It’s been ages since I’ve had a good night’s sleep. In your knight order, do you have enough clout to arrange a place for me to sleep? Maybe even a bath?”
Charlot...
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