The First Magic World War

After the High Priest of Augustine left, Charles also immediately set off. It was only when he camped at night that he suddenly found an extra person in the troop, the personal servant girl of Duchess Joseph's wife, Belisa.

Anastasiya mustered up the courage to say, "The Duchess has died, and there is no one to protect Sister Belisa anymore. If she stayed in Mostar Fortress, she might be taken over by some noble, so she followed us and left."

Charles really wanted to ask, "Aren't you afraid I'll take you over?" But he felt the joke was tasteless and too vulgar.

Although Belisa was somewhat naïve, she was not stupid. She clearly knew her status entirely depended on the Duchess. With the Duchess killed by Cyrus, she became a plaything, at risk of falling into a tragic state at any moment. Thus, upon learning of the Duchess's death, she made a prompt decision not to return to Mostar Fortress but to follow Anastasiya instead. Anastasiya, too, sympathized with the servant girl and boldly took her along on the road.

Charles looked at Belisa for a full seven minutes before saying, "My knighthood doesn't feed idlers."

Belisa puffed up her small chest and said, "I am also Transcendent!"

Charles was surprised; he really hadn't seen it. He asked, "You are a Transcendent as well?"

Belisa said somewhat proudly, "I have self-studied courses from the University of Georgia."

"I… don't have the talent of Dreamwalker or card magic. I always wished to be free like a little bird, so I chose 'Extreme Flyer.' I am now a Second Order Extreme Flyer and can glide from a height of several meters."

"Well, actually a bit higher is also fine."

At this point, Belisa's face turned red again.

Charles was aware of what Extreme Flyers were, a typical path of "useless Transcendents."
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When Extreme Flyers reach the Sacred Order, they can fly, but... everyone in the Sacred Order can fly.

Before reaching the Sacred Order, Extreme Flyers can ride the wind... to glide!

Low Order Extreme Flyers, like Belisa, can jump from a height of several meters, even tens of meters, without injury, Intermediate rank can jump from higher, and High Order can jump even higher…

Extreme Flyers can simply control the wind...

That's it!

This Transcendent path only has this much to it, no other Special Abilities.

Right, it does have one benefit; once in the Sacred Order, the flying speed is much faster than other Sacred Orders, fast... by a lot!

Charles had not expected that this former servant girl was actually a "beautiful little useless one."

Alright then!

It's not completely useless; at the very least, she is a Transcendent!

He was genuinely worried that any minor conflict might see this fragile Transcendent dead and gone.

Charles hesitated for a moment, took out a mask, and handed it to Belisa, saying, "Practice your Flying Dagger Technique and gunmanship more." He didn't forget to add, "I'm lending it to you. Once you've practiced well with the Flying Dagger Technique and gunmanship, remember to give it back to me."

He had to give this "little useless one" some self-preservation skills, or at least make her somewhat useful, right?

Belisa received the cat mask, her pretty face still a bit flush. She certainly knew that her Special Ability wasn't very useful. She also recognized the cat mask "lent" by Charles as an Extraordinary Item, having truly self-studied courses from the University of Georgia. The former servant girl said softly, "Thank you."

Charles looked at Anastasia, without blaming her.

Although Anastasia had taken her troops to intercept Cyrus on her own initiative, and it would have been total annihilation for them if Cyrus didn't have bigger goals, where not a single one would've survived, Charles felt that it didn't matter. He wasn't such a strict commander, nor was he saintly enough to supervise strangers so meticulously.

In any case, the outcome this time wasn't bad; it was a stroke of good luck. Next time, they might just be as fortunate. In warfare, a lot of the time, it is indeed down to luck.

If their luck really turned sour...

Charles would collect their bodies, if there were any whole bodies left, that is.

Having dealt with the minor issue of Belisa, Charles left some people on guard, instructed the entire army to rest, had something to eat himself, and continued with his cultivation.

In the middle of the night, while Charles was cultivating, he suddenly broke through a bottleneck. The Bloody Glory within him surged like a tide, endlessly oscillating, traveling back and forth between six Bloody Vortexes.

At a certain moment, a Bloody Vortex formed in his right hand as well.

Charles slightly opened his eyes, and once the Bloody Glory in that area stabilized, he attempted to reverse the Bloody Glory into the Stellar Battle Qi of the Asiluo Clan, just as he had anticipated. With the amplification provided by the other six Bloody Vortexes, the Stellar Battle Qi effortlessly broke through, advancing to the Eighth Order!

After feeling out his newly gained power, Charles dissipated the Stellar Battle Qi and allowed his body's energy to return to Bloody Glory.

So far, Charles had only tried to convert Bloody Glory into the Asiluo Clan's Stellar Battle Qi and hadn't yet attempted other Blood Clan Secret Techniques. He also hadn't considered trying different Blood Clan Secret Techniques because what he wanted more was to condense a Blood Core.

To condense a Blood Core! The first choice was naturally the Bloody Vortex in his left hand.

As a member of the Three Emperor Clans, the Asiluo Clan had a profound potential, and his mastery of the Asiluo Clan's Secret Techniques was the best. Recently, Charles had repeatedly cycled the Bloody Glory, refining his Blood Energy and even momentarily giving up on Devouring Life, not using this ability in several battles.

For now, it seemed there were no obstacles in his way.

Charles silently pondered, "Following the current progress, perhaps forming a Blood Core really is possible."

He was somewhat excited too. Though becoming a member of the Blood Clan might have its inconveniences, who wouldn't want to possess a long life?

Charles stepped out of the military carriage, and the camp was very quiet, with only soldiers on night watch gathered and chatting. In reality, they should be hiding in dark corners, staying vigilant at all times. But for what had been a ragtag Knighthood not long ago, achieving this much was already commendable, and Charles didn't demand more. To him, it was passable that these night guards hadn't just gone to sleep.

Charles found a secluded corner to relieve himself, and just as he was shaking off the last drops, he hesitated. After fastening his belt, he stamped down forcefully.

A shadow burst from the ground, a glint of cold steel aiming straight for his face.

Charles hadn't expected that there could still be an assassin lurking; had he not come out to relieve himself,

This assassin...

Perhaps would have quietly slipped away.

With a flip of his wrist, the Blood Rose was already in hand, knocking away the incoming Dagger.

The attacker, although masked, could almost be identified by Charles through his use of Martial Techniques as one of the People of Baron, utilizing the Asiluo Clan's swordsmanship, just modified for a short sword.

After twenty exchanges in which their blades never collided, just as Charles was about to draw a Silver Rhinoceros to catch his opponent off guard, the Blood Clan assassin had already freed himself from Charles's Rapier, whispering, "I'm on your side!"