The shadow froze in mid-air.

Like a mist, it was beside the eldest son of the Grand Duke, with a hint of vague power.

Qin Ran was sure that it wasn't negative energy.

The coldness and erosion of negative energy are so easy to identify.

For this special power, Qin Ran felt curious.

However, he was more curious about the choice of the eldest son of the Grand Duke.

Because, in his opinion, it is better to give it a go than to be caught and killed, maybe there is still a glimmer of life.

Although Fehrin is strange and powerful, his desire for life is enough to turn a coward into a brave man.

What's more, the eldest son of the eldest duke in front of him is definitely not a coward.

It's a real hero.

Such a person chooses to wait for death, Qin Ran is the first one who will not believe it.

Qin Ran didn't believe it.

Ferrin didn't want to believe it either.

But even if he didn't believe it, Fei Lin had to give up his original approach.

Because, the identity of the eldest son of the Grand Duke of Moldele.

Before Grand Duke Merck denied this identity, even if Moldler did something angry and resentful, with this identity for a day, the other party would be courteous for a day.

However, this does not mean that Ferrin will do nothing.

Snort!

The shadow suddenly enveloped the eldest son, and the sound of a metal blade cutting flesh and blood quickly sounded, and when the shadow dissipated, the eldest son's flesh and blood fell to the ground in a blur.

And on the dead tree against which the other party was back, there were traces like knives and axes.

Qin Ran, who was standing behind the shadow of the dead tree, trembled for a while.

He was afraid that the dead tree would fall and reveal himself as a hidden person.

Luckily, the dead tree is much stronger than expected.

Or rather, Ferrin didn't want to let the dead tree fall!

"I accept your surrender!"

"But I think your surrender needs an extra layer of insurance!"

"Otherwise, I don't have to worry about waiting for Stegner to come with you like this!"

Fei Lin walked to the eldest son of the Grand Duke, grabbed the other man, and headed north.

Qin Ran stood in the shadows for a few minutes, confirming that Fei Lin had really left, and then let out a long breath.

Glancing at Graton's corpse that fell to the ground and no one paid attention to it, and the dead tree that was full of cracks and should have collapsed but did not fall, Qin Ran squinted.

From the other party's words, he knew that this was the clue that Ferrin had left for Stegner.

The other party wants to use the eldest son of the Grand Duke as a 'bait' to lead the other party to the north of the Merck principality.

The Duchy of Merck is connected to the north by the Duchy of Titan.

To put it simply, that's where war broke out.

It is also another route that Qin Ran chose to leave the Merck Principality.

The long and narrow Duchy of Merck is surrounded by mountains on the east and west, and only the north and south sides are gentle.

The hard work of several generations of Grand Duke Merck has expanded the territory several times, forming today's situation with Merck Castle as the core, from the Touring Forest in the south to the Afterglow Canyon in the north.

Compared with the inseparable peace, the northern part of the Duchy of Merck is connected to the Duchy of Titan, and wars break out all year round, and even two or three times a year.

According to Hans's description, decades of continuous wars have already made the Duchy of Merck and the Duchy of Titan a feud.

A little friction is a war.

The reason why every Grand Duke Merck can fight well is inseparable from such a feud.

"Lead Stegner to the North?"

"I'm afraid I want to use Grand Duke Merck's army and rely on the advantage of numbers to smooth the gap between the two sides, right?"

Qin Ran thought silently.

Although Ferrin showed disdain for Stegner, the Grand Duke's swordsman, in his actions, he was like a great enemy.

Otherwise, Moldler would not have been seriously injured.

And Feilin's move also gave Qin Ran a signal: the relationship between Moldler and Stegner is very unusual.

Far beyond ordinary teachers and students.

"A close collaborator?"

"Still ......"

Qin Ran guessed in his heart, but his pace was not slow.

He also headed north.

Although at this time, it is safest to return to the south and leave the Pilgrimage Forest.

But when you think of the battle that is about to break out in the north, and the benefits contained in it.

In Qin Ran's heart, he made a decision.

For Qin Ran, who does not let go of any opportunity to obtain 'benefits', the opportunity in front of him is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Think about the strength of Ferrin and Stegner.

What will he gain if he can take out the other party?

At least all of them are rarity level equipment.

Legendary-level equipment is not out of the question.

Under normal circumstances, he would hardly be an opponent of either Ferrin or Stegner.

But now it's different!

A fight between the two is bound to break out.

In this battle, as long as he seizes an opportunity, he will be able to reap the benefits.

Of course, if you want to be a fisherman, you also need enough strength and care.

Therefore, before leaving, Qin Ran cleaned up the surroundings and the traces of his existence as much as possible.

Only Graton was left as a 'clue'.

……

The night grew darker.

In the distance, the fires on the castle were crumbling.

When a dark cloud obscured the moon, the surroundings were completely plunged into darkness.

Bang!

A bolt of lightning streaked across the night sky.

It was as if a white paint had been painted on a dark curtain.

A moment later, the bean-sized raindrops 'crackled' down.

The rainstorm lasted all night before it gradually became lighter.

The moat of Merck Castle was above the safety line.

The guards began to pour water outwards in a hurry.

It's not an easy job.

The piranhas in the moat are no joke.

Just look at the iron gloves worn by these guards.

Especially the continuous raindrops in the sky are even more distressing.

"Damn the weather!"

"I hope the iron mesh at the water valve is strong enough!"

"Otherwise, we'll have to go fishing in the canal later!"

"That's a nightmare!"

"I don't want that!"

"Lord Graton doesn't know how long he will return, does the order he gave still need to be carried out?"

"Of course!"

"Lord Graton is the governor of the western region of the entire principality, and the general who has fought against those mountain people, his orders must not be wrong!"

Several of the guards who turned the moat's water valve kept complaining.

"What order?"

The sudden appearance of words interrupted the grumbling of the guards.

"Who's ......"

The guard turned his head and subconsciously wanted to scold, but when he saw the tall and sturdy man in front of him with a hard face, he immediately became respectful.

The scolding that turned into a 'dirty' mouth also turned into a polite greeting.

"Morning, Master Stegner!"

"Yesterday Lord Graton went out of town in the evening, saying that no one was allowed to leave or enter Merck Castle until he returned!"

"Of course, you aren't included!"

The guards told Stegner everything in an almost flattering manner.

"Is that so?"

"Since it's Lord Gratton's order, it's better to obey it!?"

"He's the castle keeper designated by His Highness, isn't he?"

Stegner said in a deep, powerful voice, and smiled heartily.

"Of course! Of course! ”

The guards immediately nodded yes.

Stegner turned away as the guards responded.

But the moment he turned around, Stegner's face became gloomy.

He knew that something had happened to Moldler.

"Damn it!"

Stegner cursed inwardly.

Cursed both the cunning thief and the guy who threatened Moldler.

He carefully scanned the marks around him.

The continuous rain washed away all the remaining traces, and even Stegner could not do anything about it.

But Graton, who was left as a 'clue', is still there.

The traces of the special forces on the dead trees are still there.

Glancing at Gratton's corpse, Stegner raised his hand to touch the peculiar mark, and immediately guessed what had happened.

"Felin!"

"You'd better pray that you don't hurt Mohr, or I'll make your life worse than death!"

With a low roar, Stegner frantically chased north.

The battle of life and death is about to break out.

PS Second Update~

Decadent begging for a monthly pass ~ begging for a subscription ~

The chapter at noon is timed, because someone asked the decadent to eat the meat noodles~

So, I came back late in the afternoon, and this chapter is a little late~Decadent to say sorry to everyone~

Once again, I recommend the decadent public account: Foodie Dragon

There are benefits in it that you can't imagine~ (To be continued.) )