Extraordinary Voyage-Chapter 790 - 679: Destroying Worldviews and Duel of Honor_2

Chapter 790: Chapter 679: Destroying Worldviews and Duel of Honor_2

Hmm, somewhat... world-shattering.

Completely oblivious to the slightly pale faces of the Tulip people, who were isolated overseas and not as advanced in their concepts of marriage, Prince Manolo, who prided himself as a "gentleman," continued to perform, feeling exceedingly good about himself, much like a peacock in heat displaying its beautiful feathers.

He reached out to take a portrait from the attendant beside him and showed it to Liweina, to prove his sincerity:

"Your Majesty, I swear you are the first woman I have ever admired. This is a painting I personally created for you. I hope you like it."

The oil painting portrayed a woman in military uniform with an imposing and heroic aura, having long golden-red hair. It was indeed the likeness of Liweina, albeit... slightly androgynous in appearance.

Unlike the well-prepared Hilus people, the Phaletis people did not know much about this Prince Manolo.

In his nearly fifty years, he achieved nothing noteworthy, nor was he on the intelligence department’s key monitoring list; apart from his noble identity, he was completely a marginal figure.

A royal Great Knight indifferent to politics and passionate about art was the only label he carried, so it wasn’t odd even if he painted a picture himself.

Yet, Liweina felt no affection for his attentiveness. Though willing to shoulder the responsibility of revitalizing the kingdom, it didn’t mean she would randomly sacrifice herself.

However.

Upon seeing this oil painting of Liweina with intentionally or unintentionally adjusted features, the foreign affairs minister, most familiar with external matters, recalled some unpleasant rumor and suddenly asked Manolo a weirdly irrelevant question:

"Your Highness, pardon my rudeness, but why have you remained single until now?"

Surprised by this unscripted question, Manolo tidied a strand of hair by his temples before casually explaining:

"Haha, as an elegant person who loves art, I have funded many outstanding painters, sculptors, and musicians... Often eating and living with these excellent artists, they are all fine lads prone to gloom and loneliness, so I need to spend more time accompanying them..."

The vice ambassador couldn’t help but gently tug his sleeve, interrupting him:

"Ahem, Your Highness..."

Liking aesthetically pleasing young men isn’t a flaw, but one shouldn’t say it out loud!

However.

There was no need anymore to further explain how he cared for those artists; just the mental image was enough to make Aiven and Liweina, facing him directly, bristle with discomfort, subconsciously leaning back as if from a venomous creature...

They had no more interest in continuing to speak insincerely with him.

Nonetheless, politically astute Liweina clearly understood that regardless of the form of provocation, Hilus’s intent was to find fault. Flatly rejecting in such a setting, while satisfying, would have endless repercussions.

During the few years since her enthronement, avoiding armed conflict was paramount.

Such matters that trouble a lady are best left for other admirers. Amidst rivalry and jealousy, an inconcluded end becomes a natural outcome.

Stare!

Liweina suddenly turned to look at Aiven, who stood tall, handsome, and as straight as a spear beside her, her lake-green eyes conveying intentions clearer than ever.

Aiven cautiously glanced at Duke and Nymph below the coronation platform, shouting at Liweina through the [Mind Network]:

"Why are you looking at me? I’m already a married man and can’t help you."

Utterly disgusted by that guy, Her Majesty the Queen furrowed her brows sharply, and, heedless of the special occasion, used her Tier 3 Great Knight strength to kick Aiven’s leg under the cover of her wide skirt.

She also shouted in the [Mind Network]: "Shut up, I don’t care, go beat him up for me, you jerk!"

Aiven unwillingly took a step forward.

"Oh oh oh, I knew it, someone as beautiful as you couldn’t possibly lack admirers. As a gentleman, engaging in a sacred ’Honor Duel’ for the girl you adore couldn’t be more romantic."

Manolo was clearly prepared, and the response of the monarch and minister aligned precisely with his intentions.

On the continent, after the "Dark Millennium" ended and the "Renaissance" began, duel culture flourished; people could duel over various matters.

Initially, it was "Judicial Duel" — to settle criminal cases with insufficient evidence, whoever had the strongest fists had reason; later it evolved into "Knight’s Duel" — fighting for knightly honor, essentially still about interests.

Eventually, it turned into "Honor Duel" — nobles, commoners, even slaves could duel over dignity, political views, finances, property, or even a glance, a sentence like "What are you looking at?", "Why’re you staring?"

In this, women definitely were one of the most significant reasons for duels!

Every Great Knight who could ascend to Tier 3 and impose will upon reality wasn’t simple. Proposing at the ceremony site was inherently to catch them off guard, whether Phaletis agreed, refused outright, used delaying tactics, or spoke hypocritically... he had several plans ready.

If they agreed, the moment Liweina bore a child, she would "become deceased," allowing Hilus to inherit Phaletis effortlessly; if they refused, it would let Phaletis once again experience the terror of being dominated by the Hilus Empire in front of envoys from continental countries!

However.

This Manolo, who righteously set the duel tone, merely smiled at Aiven before stepping back, revealing the "bodyguard" standing with a sword behind him.

"According to the rules of noble duels, my duel second is Master Pedro!"

Aiven: Ugh, you really are a bastard... 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

...

Meanwhile.

In the underground labyrinthine sewer system.

Squeak squeak squeak...

Clang——

Ambrose swung his greatsword, neatly slicing a fist-sized, tar-like spider in two, staring coldly at the humanoid spider clinging to the tunnel ceiling ahead:

"Worms of the ’Curse School,’ not following Hilus’s delegation, what plot do you have coming underground? Are the missing citizens your doing?"

Not only had citizens heard the sounds of cattle and sheep today, but people had also inexplicably opened the city sewers’ manholes and entered the underground. Ambrose led his "Iron Wall Knight" group in pursuit, incidentally encountering this Curse School wizard here.

Like the terrifying "Nail Curse" and "Cannibal Curse," the "Spider Curse" is also a highly malicious curse technique.

Through the black witch medicine cultivated spiders devouring one’s body, transforming the human essence into a spider-shaped cursed object composed of bluish-black tar, the process is exceedingly painful, yet the ability is exceptionally strong.

But this Curse School wizard chased down by a group of Iron Wall Knights had difficulty explaining himself. The tar-like spider head continuously wriggled into a beautiful, wheat-skinned female face, darting her eyes as she watched the approaching Iron Wall Knights:

"How would I know anything about missing citizens? I’m merely collecting spellcasting materials here, haven’t done anything bad!"

"Ha, do you think we would believe that? Let us first..."

Baaa baaa baaa...

Mooo mooo mooo...

At this moment, the sounds of cattle and sheep suddenly echoed in their ears.

Everyone abruptly turned to look towards the depths of the sewer.