Work Prophet

Since the decision was made, the Lady ordered the army surrounding Ilkand to attack.

After a day and night of fierce battle, Ilkand and his five thousand troops quickly couldn't hold on and had to retreat into the castle to hold on desperately.

Ilkand wiped the blood off his face and looked at the dense enemy army outside, clearly knowing that this battle was impossible to win.

Moreover, the giant dragon on the other side had not yet made a move.

Ilkand regretted not leading the remaining cavalry to break through earlier.

He had initially pinned some hope on the Second Son Alliance, having heard that Claudio was good at fighting and had five thousand men under him, hoping to join him.

But whether the messenger of the Second Son Alliance didn't make it to Ireya in time or their negotiations fell through, it seemed that the new Lord of the Western Territory did not intend to spare him.

Ilkand sent all his guards to defend the main gate. He was now sitting in the banquet hall on the second floor of the castle, with two maids tending to the wounds on his arm.

Ilkand looked around and saw Vanessa and Blanco, the mother and son, huddled in a corner, shivering. Beside them, Hugo looked upset, his gaze wandering, and he couldn't help but let out a light snort.

Hugo heard his snort, looked up in horror, and said, "Lord Ilkand, what should we do now?"

"What do you mean what to do? Can't you see that we're doomed?" Ilkand said indifferently.

"But I don't want to die yet," Hugo said with a mournful face.

Ilkand said disdainfully, "That's why you're a traitor."

"Aren't you a traitor too? You even personally killed your overlord, so why keep calling me a traitor!" Hugo retorted angrily.

He was a bit afraid of Ilkand, but seeing that everyone was going to perish together, he wasn't as scared anymore.

Ilkand said disdainfully, "I'm not like you, I'm not..." However, he suddenly stopped, seeming to realize that arguing about it was meaningless.

Hugo heard the banging sound from outside, sat back on the chair like a frostbitten eggplant, and held his head.

Ilkand ignored him, and once the maid finished bandaging, he walked over to the mother and son in the corner.

Vanessa quickly shielded her son behind her, "Lord Ilkand, we've done everything you said, what more do you want?"

Ilkand took out a note from his pocket and threw it to Vanessa.

She picked up the note, glanced at it, and her face changed.

"This... where did you get this?"

Ilkand didn't answer but said, "You should be grateful this note fell into my hands. The servant you sent to deliver the message had long been bribed by Hirodod.

"If I hadn't intercepted and killed him, your son might still be safe, as he was somewhat useful to Hirodod, but as for you, you're already dead."

Vanessa's face turned pale, "Hirodod approached us, saying he could help us reclaim the Green Field. I initially believed him, but later realized he just wanted to use us against Ireya and the Arias family.

"I told him I wanted to terminate our cooperation, but he wouldn't let us leave and even had us confined. I secretly sent someone to deliver a message to Ireya, hoping she or Prophet Merlin could rescue us."

"Don't worry, you'll be saved soon," Ilkand said.

Just as he spoke, Hugo suddenly leapt up from his chair, drew the sword from his waist, and walked over.

Ilkand frowned and asked, "What are you doing?"

"I'm finding us a way out." Hugo's eyes lit up as he grabbed Vanessa by the hair and lifted her from the ground despite her screams.

"She is Ireya's stepmother, and that boy is Ireya's brother. We'll each take one hostage, and if the people outside don't withdraw, we'll kill them."

Hugo became increasingly excited, but the next moment his voice abruptly stopped.

He clutched his throat, looking at Ilkand in disbelief.

Ilkand reinserted the still-dripping short blade into his belt, saying calmly, "I've tolerated you for long enough. If you hadn't colluded with those Dwarves, I wouldn't have become a traitor now."

After speaking, Hugo's body fell backward. Ilkand didn't look at the corpse in the pool of blood and turned his gaze back to the still-frightened Vanessa.

"You don't need to thank me. I was planning to use you both as bargaining chips in negotiations."

Vanessa smiled bitterly, "I don't have a good relationship with my stepdaughter. We fell out over competing for the Family Head position of the Arias family. You and my son aren't as useful as you think."

Ilkand waved his hand, pointing to Blanco, "Regardless, the child bears the blood of the Arias family. Based on what you know about your stepdaughter, do you think she could bear to see Blanco die in front of her?"

Vanessa remained silent.

Ilkand said, "Don't worry, my demands this time are not excessive. She will agree."

Vanessa sighed, "My son and I will cooperate with you."

"Very well," Ilkand said with satisfaction.

A moment later, the previously tightly-closed castle gates suddenly opened.

The warriors besieging the castle hesitated for a moment, and before they could rush in, Ilkand had already stepped out willingly.

He was followed by Vanessa and Blanco.

Ilkand spoke loudly, "Where is Sir Ireya? I want to see Sir Ireya!"

The leading knight snorted, "Who's needed to deal with traitors like you? It's enough to have us."

"Then please take me to see Sir Ireya," Ilkand said. "I am willing to surrender and hand over Sir Ireya's brother and stepmother."

The knight frowned. He did receive orders to capture Vanessa and Blanco alive if possible.

So he said, "First, bring them out."

"Do you agree to my request?"

"Prisoners have no right to make demands."

"I killed Marquis Kuren for a reason," Ilkand said. "It was actually under Marquis Kuren's orders. Take me to see Sir Ireya, and I will explain everything to her."

The knight hesitated, seemingly contemplating his words, but at that moment, the crowd behind him suddenly parted.

A silver-haired figure emerged from within.

He asked Ilkand, "Do you remember Jeluo?"

Ilkand frowned and thought for a moment, "Jeluo, the name sounds familiar. I think he was with us when we first entered the Dragon Ridge Mountain Range."

"He was my son, my only son," the silver-haired old man said. "And you killed him."

"I challenge you to a duel until one of us falls and never gets up again. If you win, my men will take you to see Sir Ireya. Do you accept my challenge?"