"Miss Lula, surely you won't refuse me this courtesy?"

"Hmph!" Lula snorted with disdain. "Just you?"

Clawed Bartley was indeed a Great Knight, renowned for many years, but he was not at the pinnacle of Great Knights. He was far from strong enough to take her away by force.

"Lula," Carl whispered, "he just mentioned a friend."

"Indeed!" Clawed Bartley nodded. "Alone, it wouldn't be easy for me to escort Miss Lula away, but with one more person, it's different."

"Who?"

"Me!"

Out of the darkness, a figure slowly stepped forward. His clothes were extremely luxurious: a deep blue velvet coat with gold trimmings at the collar and cuffs, and a white silk inner garment slightly open at the neckline, revealing a firm chest.

The newcomer was tall and lean with sharp features. Although no longer young, his posture remained ramrod straight, as if he were a man who, once his mind was made up, would never be swayed.

"Jasper!"

Lula's eyes narrowed. "It's you!"

Of the two vice presidents, the one she dreaded most was Jasper. This was not only because of his exceptional strength but even more so because of his relatively extreme personality. He was sly and venomous. He never made a move unless necessary, but once he did, he left no room for retaliation. No one wanted to offend such a person lightly.

"Indeed, it is I," Jasper said, his voice ice-cold. "Lula, Dragon King Zimorman is already dead. Why must you insist on monopolizing the position of president? Yield it, and you might still have a good outcome."

"Jasper!" Lula spoke slowly. "Must you oppose me? If you rely on the Sea God Organization's power, even if you become president, you'll be nothing more than their puppet."

"Oppose you?" Jasper shook his head. "Such childish words. Surely you don't think competing for the president's position is child's play? You don't need to wait for Crow and Emma. They have other matters to deal with at the moment and can't make it for now."

Lula's expression darkened. She knew his nature well. If he dared to show himself, he must be confident he could delay Crow and her mother.

Seeing this, Conni's eyes flickered, and he glanced down at Susan beside him. "Susan, this has nothing to do with me."

Today's events were too coincidental. What was supposed to be a private meeting between two people has somehow led to two factions appearing one after another. Lula had come, clearly informed by Susan. So why were Bartley and Jasper here too? And from their conversation, it's clear they not only knew Lula was here but also used means to delay her reinforcements, all to leave her isolated and unsupported. This was obviously premeditated!

"I believe you." Susan looked at him and smiled. "The news definitely wasn't leaked by you."

"Thank you." Conni's expression eased, grateful for her trust. A flash of insight suddenly struck him, and he shot a sharp glance at Susan.

If the news wasn't leaked by him, then who could it be?

Susan pursed her lips and returned a light laugh.

...

「In the main area.」

"Mr. Carl." Jasper turned slightly, placed a hand on his chest, and bowed. "I apologize for my previous rudeness. I hope you will not take offense and sincerely invite you to join my team."

"Vice President, you're too kind," Carl said with a faint smile. "However, I fear you're too late. I've already agreed to Miss Lula; her reward is simply too tempting to refuse."

"Oh!" Jasper raised an eyebrow. "My reward is equally generous."

"Is that so?" Carl asked with interest. "Let's hear it."

"Ayala, Leon, and your life, Mr. Carl," Jasper said, his voice flat. "Agree, and you can all live."

Hearing this, Carl's smile quietly faded, his gaze gradually turning icy. He shook his head with a sigh and said, "Vice President Jasper, you've made an irrevocable mistake."

"No!" Jasper said. "It is you who have made the wrong decision."

"CACKLE CACKLE..." Clawed Bartley laughed sinisterly. "Jasper, you talk too much! Seize Lula and hand her over to the President. Dispose of the others cleanly."

"Miss Lula!" His eyes narrowed, his gaze cold. "Will you come with me obediently, or must I make you? If I have to make you, I can't guarantee you won't get hurt."

"Hmph!"

Audis, who was guarding the entrance, stepped forward, drew his Potion Longsword, and pointed it at Clawed Bartley. "If you want to take the Young Miss, you'll have to get past me first!"

"You?" Clawed Bartley laughed derisively at the sky. "You're seeking death!"

"WHOOSH..." A fierce wind howled.

Clawed Bartley's figure suddenly vanished from the rooftop, reappearing directly above Lula an instant later. Two chains, wreathed in the howling wind, struck down from above, their speed rivaling lightning.

Damn it! Conni's pupils contracted. Facing a Knight, Bartley wasn't holding back at all. He clearly didn't intend to leave any survivors.

Hmm? Just as he was considering whether to act, he suddenly noticed that neither Susan nor Lula showed any fear. In fact, they looked expectant.

"CLANG..." A clear, resonant sound of impact rang out.

"Huh?"

"How could this be?"

Several people in the room looked astonished.

But it was Audis, whom everyone had dismissed as an ordinary guard, who had met the attack head-on with his sword and blocked it. Though his face was pale, he hadn't retreated a single step.

A Great Knight!

"You're actually a Great Knight!" Clawed Bartley's facial muscles twitched. His surprise turned to ferocity as he struck out with his twin hooks again. "So what if you're a Great Knight? You've only just advanced. You're still a long way from being my match! Die!"

A vast torrent of life force surged into the chains, and the hooks atop them seemed to flare like two streaks of black light in the darkness. Just a few clashes made the entire tavern shake violently.

The intersecting black lights suddenly intensified, instantly engulfing Audis completely.

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