Chapter 614
613 Glory Belongs to Number 4
Chapter 614, Section 613: Glory Belongs to Number Four (4K)
Upon seeing that it was a phantom on stage, Alama immediately wanted to stop the match.
Illusions are ultimately just a way to deceive the eye and mind; they will be easily seen through in actual combat, and the situation will likely become embarrassing.
While he was happy to see Edin learn a lesson, he was even less willing to let the carefully prepared banquet for Inanna become a laughing stock.
However, just as he was about to get up, he was surprised to see that the phantom Aidin on the stage, without using any scrolls, split into phantoms again and condensed real magic to launch an attack!
It's important to understand that a normal phantom is merely an illusion infused with magic. At most, it can be remotely controlled to inject a portion of the magic contained in a spell into a magic scroll, activating the magic on it.
And how could Aidin actually cast spells through this illusion?
No, if it can cast spells, it shouldn't be considered an illusion, but rather a clone.
Now that he mentioned it, Alama remembered that during the background investigation on Edin, it seemed that the founder of the Klar family had won merit on the battlefield by using a unique illusion technique to create clones, which enabled him to establish himself in the kingdom.
However, neither Aidin's father nor grandfather had ever demonstrated this magic, so Alama thought it had been lost long ago.
It seems that this lost art has been brought back to life in Aiden's hands!
In fact, it was never truly lost.
Even when the family declined to the point of losing all its fiefdoms, the ancient scroll recording this secret technique was always kept close to Aidin's body.
To be precise, what is recorded is not a direct spell incantation, but the crafting technique for a special magical item.
The reason why no one in the Krall family has been able to perform this technique for generations is quite simple: they cannot afford the necessary material—two S-grade magic crystals.
At this moment, the clone on the stage, which was fighting against Phineas, had an S-class magic crystal that had been tempered by secret techniques at its core. Meanwhile, the real body of Aidin, who was sitting calmly below the stage, held another magic crystal that resonated with it in his sleeve, controlling the clone's spellcasting as if it were a puppet.
Aidin looked around and it seemed that apart from Inanna, who was connected to his own mushroom network, only Alama had noticed the matter of clones.
Although the Duke was not an expert in magic, he was equipped with top-of-the-line detection tools, so it was reasonable that he could see through his own true nature.
Aiding was quite satisfied with the result.
His life-and-death struggles under the boss's command were worthwhile, as he earned these precious magic crystals.
……
On the stage, Phineas's rapier drew silver arcs, piercing through the phantoms created by Aidin around him.
The moment the sword pierced the phantom, the real magic explosion bomb came hurtling in from the side.
He didn't turn around. With a slight twist of his wrist, the rapier spun half a circle in his palm. He used the spine of the sword to block the magical explosion. The anti-magic material added to the blade caused the explosion to dissipate, turning into tiny specks of magical light that scattered down.
Phineas used the momentum to slide and gracefully evade the second attack, his movements as fluid as a dance.
"Is that all, Lord Aidin?" His voice held just the right amount of amusement as he lightly flicked the tip of his sword, cleaving the third illusion in two.
Phineas even had the leisure to slightly turn his head, his gaze passing through the crowd, and cast a perfect smile at Inanna, who was seated at the head of the table.
There are not many illusions left on the field.
Inanna wore a polite smile, but was actually talking to Aidin, who was "fighting" in the mushroom web.
"If he finds out you're doing this, he'll definitely hate you."
Inanna meant well and didn't want Aidin to get into trouble because of her.
"Don't worry, I have a measure."
As he spoke, "Aidin" on the field was finally cornered by Phineas and decisively conceded defeat.
Polite applause rang out from the surrounding guests.
In their eyes, Aidin's illusions were exquisite, but unfortunately, Phineas was clearly superior.
This was undoubtedly a wonderful competition, and both sides deserve applause.
Phineas bowed to the crowd in return amidst their praise, his posture suggesting that victory was already assured.
Only Alama, in the distance, covered his face with his hands, barely able to bear watching!
Phineas was fighting a magic clone of someone else to a standstill, and didn't notice anything unusual until the very end. He was being completely played.
As a direct opponent, Phineas, with his strength, should have noticed something unusual during the battle, even if he didn't directly see through the illusion of the clones.
Being completely kept in the dark means this guy is all show and no substance, lacking any real combat experience.
So embarrassing...
Considering his narrow-minded behavior during his previous contest with Warren, Alama himself felt sorry for Inanna if he were to give such a person the opportunity to be alone with his daughter.
But given the current situation, it seems Phineas is truly going to win this match.
Alama stroked his chin and sighed inwardly.
It seems that the only option is to try to get Inanna away from the scene first.
As for Phineas... at worst, we'll allow him to choose one more item from the treasury as compensation.
Just as the Duke was about to lose face, a round figure suddenly leaped onto the arena!
Number Four untied the tablecloth that was wrapped around the mushroom cap, tossed it behind him, and beckoned to Phineas with his tentacles.
The guests were stunned for a moment, and even Phineas on the stage couldn't control his expression for the first time, staring at the puffy with a look of astonishment.
“I’m sorry,” Inanna blinked her pink eyes, her tone full of apology, “Little Four seems very eager to participate in the competition…I wonder if it’s convenient for you?”
Phineas quickly regained his composure and immediately resumed his elegant demeanor: "Since it is Miss Inanna's wish, of course there is no problem."
Inanna reminded him again, "Don't take it too seriously, it wouldn't be good if you really hurt him."
Number 4 tapped the mushroom cap and decided not to self-destruct this time.
Phineas smiled slightly: "Don't worry, I'll know what I'm doing."
Phineas stood with his sword in hand, his face still bearing a hint of effortless composure. He took it as a lighthearted interlude during the banquet and gracefully gestured for the little creature to enter.
However, the moment the referee waved his hand—
The tips of the soft mycelial tentacles of Number Four suddenly shot out three inches of cold light, sweeping across with a whoosh! Phineas's pupils shrank, and he scrambled back in panic as the sharp blade grazed his scalp, shaving his front hair short.
Before he could even regain his footing, the second blow arrived.
A mushroom cannon shot slammed into his breastplate, sending Phineas flying backward and rolling twice in a sorry state.
Caught off guard by the barrage of attacks, Phineas momentarily forgot his opponent was a Pooji and roared, "You dare steal—"
good chance!
A soft, slightly cool piece of mycelium was flung into his open mouth; it was a small section of the tentacles that Number Four had deliberately severed.
The taste of [Delicious LV10] exploded on his tongue, and Phineas swallowed uncontrollably, letting out a groan of complete absorption.
"Mmm...snoring..."
The sound was almost like the grunting of a pig in ecstasy.
Taking advantage of the moment when his consciousness was fading, Number Four's tentacles lashed out like a storm, with a continuous cracking sound.
Phineas was completely defenseless, staggered from side to side by the blows, and finally collapsed to the ground, his tuxedo torn and his blond hair disheveled. In the dead silence, Number Four strode closer, tilted his head and looked at him for a moment, mimicking the way the Marshal used to stomp on his prey in his memory, and with a "plop," stepped on Phineas's bewildered face.
The audience was silent.
Only Number Five was jumping up and down excitedly below, constantly cheering in the mushroom net: "Fourth Brother is mighty! Fourth Brother is the strongest!"
The referee was stunned for several breaths before he suddenly announced loudly, as if waking from a dream: "Mushroom Clan Number Four... wins!"
Upon hearing the sound, Number Four immediately retracted his tentacles, the cold light disappeared, and his round body lightly leaped off the stage, rushing straight into Inanna's already open arms.
Inanna caught it with a smile and gave him a triumphant pat.
Just as everyone's attention was drawn to Number Four, Aiding quietly lowered his hand, and a glimmer of light at his fingertips silently dissipated.
A pre-prepared, suggestive illusion enveloped Phineas's mind.
Shame, defeat, mental confusion... At this moment, Phineas's defenses were as fragile as paper.
He didn't even notice anything unusual, only a slight dizziness, and then the scene before his eyes subtly changed—
The idea that I was defeated by a mere poop is just wishful thinking on my part!
He saw himself standing proudly on the stage, the tip of his sword pointing at the fallen Puji.
The guests cheered for him, and the Duke of Alama nodded approvingly.
And Inanna… Inanna was walking gracefully towards him, her pink eyes shimmering with an admiration he had never seen before. She gently placed her hand in his palm.
The illusions shifted rapidly.
He stood side by side with Inanna in the moonlight in the garden; she had become his fiancée, and then came the grand wedding, where she smiled at him in her white veil.
Fame, fortune, status, and beautiful women... the illusion of immense success made him complacent and careless.
In his hallucination, he was, after a family dinner, shedding all pretense in front of Inanna, who had become his wife.
"For those banquets and social events, you just need to smile and be there. As for the rest... it's best to leave the women alone." In the illusion, Phineas swirled his wine glass, his tone arrogant.
Inanna seemed to want to say something, but he frowned and slammed his wine glass heavily on the table.
"Remember your place, Inanna. I am the head of this family!" His voice turned cold, filled with a strong desire for control. "Do your job well and obey your husband. That is your greatest value. The future and plans of the family do not need a woman like you to participate in. Otherwise, don't blame me for getting angry."
These sharp words echoed throughout the banquet hall.
"Well……!"
"My God..."
Below the stage, several noble ladies covered their mouths and let out a low gasp that they could hardly contain.
Many guests' expressions changed drastically, and their gazes involuntarily shifted from Phineas, who was sprawled on the ground rambling incoherently, to the Duke behind them.
The silver goblet in the Duke of Alama's hand had been deformed from being squeezed for some time.
The veins on his forehead were bulging, and his eyes were filled with a fury that seemed to solidify into a tangible form, fixed intently on Phineas.
At this moment, all the guests had a surprisingly unified thought—Phineas is finished.
Number Four was completely oblivious to the fact that he had just crushed the ambitious future of a noble genius.
It nestled contentedly in Inanna's arms, its mycelium trembling slightly with pleasure, basking in the warmth of the caress and the sense of accomplishment from its new technique.
[Delicious LV10]!
What perfect control!
It has even started to plan improvements, perhaps next time it should try to combine it with the [Juicy] skill, and when fighting, it will splash delicious juice everywhere, and if the enemy accidentally eats a little bit, their body will become out of control!
Finally, the victor of the contest, the glorious Mushroom Clan Number Four, was taken to the garden by Inanna to be alone. They were going to discuss what good things to pick out for Number Four from the old man's warehouse.
As for Phineas, who was still lying on the ground in a daze, no one paid him any attention at this moment.
Everyone could see clearly that when Duke Alama turned and left, the anger surging around him was almost tangible.
Not crushing him on the spot was the last act of courtesy, but they certainly wouldn't let him off easily afterward.
Number Four and Inanna disappeared behind the pillars. Number Five, seeing that there were no familiar companions around, shook his mushroom hat, took short strides, and ran back, finally clinging to Vera's back again.
Vera and her two companions, who had witnessed the entire event, were now leaning against a stone pillar by the corridor. Filyn, holding a glistening piece of fruit, chewed and mumbled a sigh, "The circle of nobles...it's truly terrifying. Vera, you won't become like that someday, will you?"
Vera didn't even bother to reply, only giving her a "what nonsense are you talking about" look, and casually swatted away Fei Yin's hand that was reaching for the wine—she had drunk a bit too much tonight.
We had a good meal and watched the play.
As the banquet drew to a close, guests began to leave in twos and threes. The three men also dusted off their clothes and prepared to depart.
At that moment, Warren, who had changed his clothes, walked through the sparse crowd toward them.
He stopped a short distance away, lightly touching his left chest with his right hand, performing a simple yet solemn bow. "Thank you very much, Your Excellency Vera, for your help just now. If it weren't for your pull, I'm afraid I would have become the laughing stock of the entire room by now."
He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over the three men: "If you gentlemen do not mind, I will show you around the capital tomorrow."
It's like adventurers repaying a favor with a drink, so Vera naturally gave her face and agreed. The group chatted and laughed as they left together.
After leaving the Duke's mansion, Aidin turned into a secluded alley, splitting into two, then four, and went in different directions.
Meanwhile, the real body, which had been concealed, quietly slipped away through a side path.
This is just in case.
As the mastermind behind Phineas revealing his true thoughts, he, on the bright side, helped Alama see the true colors of these talented young men, thus preventing Inanna from being harmed.
To put it bluntly, it turned this matchmaking event into a joke.
The Duke might get angrier and angrier while locked in his room, and eventually catch up with him and give him a good beating.
Unless his life is in danger, the boss definitely won't care about him.
But Aidin didn't want to get another beating, so it was best to be cautious...
……
The plan went relatively smoothly.
Seeing Alama's annoyed expression as he paced back and forth alone, he probably wouldn't have such thoughts again anytime soon.
After Inanna returned to the mushroom farm, Lin Jun made a birthday cake for her as a perfunctory gesture.
Then we turned our attention to Feixi.
Feixi has just received a new message.
Urbik Territory, the territory of the vampire marquis who arrived in the Northern Territory via the teleportation array, fell into chaos after his disappearance.
Not long ago, the Hand of the Dead actually held a large-scale sacrificial ceremony in it, sacrificing a city, two affiliated towns, and six villages at the same time.
Nearly a third of Urbik’s territory has become a dead zone.
What's worse for the empire is that not only have all the people inside died, but they seem to have turned into evil spirits.
(End of this chapter)