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As for Izroth, Lances, and Noir, they had yet to make their move. However, it was not as if they remained idle without purpose. 

"It seems this guy isn\'t the only troublesome one around," Lances asked without adverting his gaze from the Duke.

"Oh? So you\'re able to sense them as well?" Izroth said calmly.

"The Renewing Lights may not be functioning to its full capability in this area, but since I\'m the one in direct control of it, there are still a few tricks I can use. So, how do you want to handle this? The entrance into that corridor has a special life seal on it, so it won\'t open unless we defeat the person guarding it." Lances stated.

"Then, isn\'t what we have to do rather simple? We just have to eliminate those who stand in our way." Izroth responded.

He then continued, "I\'ll deal with that man. I\'ll leave the others to you and your Captain. Any objections?"

"Hey, I know you\'re confident in your strength, but that\'s a Duke of the skounae. And not just any Duke, but the Blighted Feathers of the Dusk. Facing him alone won\'t end well—even if it\'s you." Lances warned.

"Oh? Is he that famous?" Izroth inquired curiously.

"Yes, but not in a good way. The Blighted Feathers of the Dusk has been a huge headache for many years in the Mortal Realm as wherever he goes, a rotting trail of destruction is left behind. Because of him, thousands have met with their death be it by his hand or through starvation due to the blight he carries." Lances explained.

\'A trail of destruction caused by a blight... I remember reading something that sounds eerily similar to that on the second floor of the Amaharpe Palace Library. It did not specify exactly who was responsible, but it did mention that it was someone from the skounae race.\'

While he was in the Amaharpe Palace Library, Izroth came across many books on various topics. One of the books he read while there contained a detailed record of diseases and other harmful things that existed in RML. In that book, there were a few lines that read "A skounae who carries the blight of death and leaves a trail of rotting destruction in its wake. Those who have seen this skounae and lived to tell the tale all recount the same prelude to destruction—a rain of feathers that carries a blight descends when dusk arrives.".

\'I see. It certainly adds up. But, even if that person in the book is him, it doesn\'t change what needs to be done.\'

"It\'s fine. If it becomes too dangerous, I\'ll fall back. Besides, I\'ll be much more at ease knowing that you\'ll be taking care of things on this side." Izroth stated as he walked forward.

"Alright, then I\'ll leave that man to you. If it gets too dangerous, I\'ll intervene." Lances reminded.

"Then, should that moment arise, I will raise no complaints," Izroth replied casually without halting his steps.

As Izroth walked away, Noir narrowed his eyes as he glanced over at Lances and said, "Commander, it\'s not like you to take a step back in the face of a huge prey like this. Does that guy have something on you?"

Noir had been a part of the 5th Unit under Lances since the start of the war, yet this was his first time seeing the Commander willingly hand over a potentially big trophy to someone else. It was nothing at all like the competitive and brazen Commander he had grown accustomed to.

More importantly, Noir was skeptical whether or not Izroth could even handle the Duke alone.

Of course, he was well aware of Izroth\'s ranking as first place on the event leaderboards along with his reputation and other achievements throughout RML. However, a legendary realm opponent was an entirely different beast to confront. It was not an entity that players could face alone and usually required the entire core of a top guild working together near flawlessly to overcome. How could a single player ever dream of taking on a legendary realm opponent alone? That would be no different than willingly walking to one\'s death!

"No, it\'s nothing of the sort. That guy is just a little special, is all. If possible, I\'d like it if he agrees to join my Pride Clan, but I have a feeling he already has his sights set on something far away from this world. It would be best if you do not compare him to others of his rank, Captain Noir." Lances stated firmly with a meaningful look in his eyes.

"If you say so, Commander. I suppose I\'ll just have to take your word for it." Noir responded without pause.

For Lances to give out that kind of high praise was an extreme rarity and came as a surprise to Noir. As for wanting to invite someone to join the Pride Clan directly—even he was never made such an offer by the Commander!

"I\'m curious to witness firsthand what the current rank one on the event leaderboards is capable of." Noir thought to himself as his gaze fell onto Izroth.

"Don\'t be too disappointed. We still have some other guests to keep us entertained." Lances said as his lips curved into a small grin.

Woosh! Woosh!

Without warning, numerous thin black needles rained down directly above Lances and Noir. However, just as the black needles were about to pierce through them, a bending wall of flames emerged above Lances and Noir.

Tsssst!

The black needles were instantly incinerated upon coming into contact with the intense flames.

"Another annoying pest has arrived. I wanted to get my revenge on the man who dared raise his hand against me, but he is already strolling towards his death. I suppose you will just have to make do quelling this rage within me." A familiar voice sounded as three figures stepped out from the darkness.

The person who stood at the forefront of the small group and just spoke out was none other than Marquis Varokin.

Varokin was accompanied by two Vretis Skounae; however, they were different from the Vretis Izroth ran into back at Duke Sorkoza\'s territory. These Vretis were completely devoid of emotions and emitted a terrifyingly cold killing intent along with a bountiful amount of bloodlust 

NPC Name: Penumbra Inquisitor, Marquis Varokin(Epic)

NPC Level: ???

NPC Name: Nameless Vretis Mind Doll(???)

NPC Level: ???

NPC Name: Nameless Vretis Mind Doll(???)

NPC Level: ???

Varokin was still enraged from his earlier encounter with Izroth and the anger could be seen on his face as his gaze kept wandering off to where Izroth was located. However, he dared not approach the staircase without the Duke\'s permission and could only quietly swallow his anger.

"If I had not been called back by the Duke, I would have crushed that human brat with my own hands. How unfortunate...!" Varokin growled under his breath.

"That\'s a pretty tacky way to greet someone. But I guess it\'s still a greeting, nonetheless. Since you\'ve been so kind as to greet us, allow us to return the favor!" Noir roared as he unsheathed his scimitar.

Shing!

The moment Noir drew his scimitar a dense and sharp aura formed around its edges.

At the same time, a voice suddenly sounded from the distance.

"Those lightning soldiers belong to the Captain! Do not attack them! Aim for the monsters they\'re fighting!" Niflheim\'s voice sounded.

At the moment, Niflheim was charging as the vanguard with the rest of the 9th Division trailing right behind him.

When Izroth called forth the lightning army, Niflheim knew that was the signal for them to make their move. However, Niflheim and the 9th Division were not the only ones present.

"Finally, we get to join in on the action!" Guan Yu said as he charged forward with Halls right next to him.

"Just don\'t let your guard down. I\'ll watch your back as always." Halls stated with a playful grin.

"Heh, I was just about to say the same thing to you!" Guan Yu replied with a smirk.

Halls, Guan Yu, and the 5th Unit also chose to make their move and participate in the battle when they saw Lances use his flames.