Chapter 463: Chapter 354: Changes After Spring (Part 3)

"I won’t be taking this piece of mithril for now. If I need it, I’ll be back." He pushed the tray holding the mithril back. He’d already figured out another way to get his hands on some, so he didn’t need to buy any at the moment.

...

"Take this Longsword for now. Once we’re back at the garrison, we’ll figure out how to get you a better one."

Diana watched as Vice Commander Lingard drew the blade to inspect it. "What’s done is done," she advised calmly. "Your Longsword was lost in the forest; it’s unlikely you’ll ever get it back."

"This is just a regular Steel Sword." Lingard ran his fingertip along the blade’s edge, testing its sharpness.

"In a place like Yangjiao Town, this is already an excellent weapon," Diana sighed. "All that matters is that you’re alive. You can always get another weapon later."

When Lingard had stumbled out of the forest, his appearance had stunned the entire Holy Order Army. If not for the tattered Armor he wore, no one would have recognized him as the tall, handsome Vice Commander he once was.

Fortunately, after a bath and a chance to clean up, he looked like his old self again, albeit a bit gaunter. His entire demeanor, however, had changed.

"It is a fine weapon indeed," Lingard said with a nod, a corner of his mouth twitching upwards.

"Since you’re all right, we can leave tomorrow. Staying here any longer will cost a fortune, especially for the Griffins." Diana shook her head wearily. The mission had ended in a painful disaster, and everyone’s morale was low. ’But at least people made it back alive.’ She looked down at the list of expenses in her hand, planning to contact that Alchemy Workshop once they returned to the garrison. "Pack your things. Don’t leave anything behind."

"That’s easier said than done," Lingard mused, giving the Longsword a few swings. He frowned; the weapon felt awkward and clumsy in his grip. "Some things, once lost, are nearly impossible to get back."

"You mean..." Diana didn’t look up, her eyes still on the list in her hand. But in the next instant, a sharp, searing pain erupted in her chest.

Lingard had plunged the Longsword into Diana’s chest.

"I lost my Longsword. Do you have any idea what sword that was?" His voice was calm, but his eyes were glacial. "That was the Phantom Blade, wielded by the previous Hero."

"I also lost my pride, trampled underfoot by a mob of damned goblins." His voice grew hysterical. "Me! The Chosen One of the War God Church, mocked by a pack of goblins!"

Diana spat out a mouthful of blood. She couldn’t believe he would be so insane as to attack her. Out of consideration for everyone’s frayed nerves, she hadn’t even worn her Armor. But Lingard, standing before her, had clearly cast aside all restraint.

"I heard you all swore a Blood Oath. My apologies, but I did not." A vicious light shone in Lingard’s eyes. "So, I will report to the Church. I’ll have those ’deserter’ Paladins burned at the stake. Then I will lead a new force, slaughter every last goblin, and avenge you."

Seeing the anger flare in Diana’s eyes, Lingard smirked. "You can die in peace now. I’ll be taking your place as Grand Commander. Besides, your Swordsmanship was only ever a little better than mine."

With that, he began to laugh, a silent, heaving fit of hysterics that left him gasping for air.

Unfortunately for the deranged Lingard, his celebration was premature. With a flash of swordlight—SHIING!—his sword arm was severed in a single strike. An instant later, the agonizing pain hit, and he let out a bloodcurdling howl.

The next second, four Longswords shot into the air, catching the weakened Diana. They then crashed through the window and flew off into the distance.

The howling and the sound of shattering glass drew the Paladins, who burst into the room. "What happened? An ambush?"

The blood on the floor and Lingard’s deathly pale face made them all trade confused glances. "Where’s the Grand Commander?"

Lingard, however, just kept wailing, "My arm! Get my arm! Don’t step on my arm!"

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