My Computer Leads to an Instance Dungeon-Chapter 173 - 147: How Can One Person Counter-Kill a Legion?

Seeing Matthew's guilty expression and Dalia's sorrowful demeanor, Fang Zhen believed what they had just said.

It had all happened so suddenly. Matthew couldn't have reacted quickly enough to invent such a lie, nor was there any need to. And Dalia's grief seemed to come from the heart.

'Matthew probably hadn't mentioned it before out of guilt and a desire to avoid the topic.'

Since Fang Zhen believed Matthew, something else became clear.

"So, Baron von Kleist doesn't actually have a hostage? He's just bluffing?" Fang Zhen asked.

Matthew nodded. "That's entirely possible. When I was kidnapped by Rex, I couldn't hear everything clearly. But I gathered that Rex wasn't being completely honest with Baron von Kleist either. His gang was discussing how to get the biggest benefit for themselves."

"There must have been some misunderstanding that made Baron von Kleist think we didn't know Vic was already gone. That's why he's using the lie that he has Vic to coerce Dalia into doing his bidding."

"Baron von Kleist has always been known for being sinister and cunning. I'm not surprised he'd do something like this; it's his typical style. His treachery and baseness are infamous in noble circles," Dalia said.

Dalia was remarkably strong, managing to pull herself out of her earlier state. Perhaps her pain needed an outlet. Her voice a little hoarse, she said, "I won't fall for von Kleist's scheme. But for him to use poor Little Vic's name... I can never forgive him!"

"Sooner or later, I will make him pay for this despicable act."

Fang Zhen could tell Dalia was dead serious.

Dalia truly hated Baron von Kleist now.

"Viscountess, how much do you know about the Evil Descent Ceremony?" Fang Zhen asked suddenly.

Dalia was taken aback, not expecting Fang Zhen to change the subject so abruptly.

Fang Zhen was fairly certain Dalia knew about the Evil Descent Ceremony. For one, she hadn't been surprised at all when she saw Viscount Montagu's head; she had clearly recognized an acquaintance.

Furthermore, of the three noble families in the surrounding lands, both Montagu and von Kleist had undergone the Evil Descent. It was unlikely the Ashtons would know nothing about it.

As Viscountess Ashton, Dalia ought to have some knowledge of the matter.

"I do know a little," Dalia said. "The Evil Descent Ceremony is an ancient and evil ritual. Legend has it that when a person's power or authority reaches a certain level, they may be tempted by a devil. The devil then reveals the method of the ceremony within the person's mind."

"Those targeted by devils, in addition to their power and influence, must possess some strong, unfulfilled desire. Under the devil's influence, some are tempted to exchange a part of themselves for the devil's power, signing a pact and performing a wicked sacrificial ritual."

"I've only heard that none who perform the sacrifice for the Evil Descent ever truly fulfill their desires. Instead, they sink deeper and deeper into the process, eventually losing everything until even their souls become the devil's eternal playthings."

As Dalia spoke, she suddenly realized something and covered her mouth with her hand.

"By Tade, are you saying that von Kleist has also performed the Evil Descent Ceremony?" Dalia exclaimed.

"It's very likely," Fang Zhen said.

Dalia seemed to recall something. "Now that you mention it, I remember hearing some strange things. Baron von Kleist's behavior has been very bizarre."

"For several years now, he hasn't shown his face to outsiders. He wears a full suit of armor everywhere he goes, and they say he doesn't even take it off in his own castle."

"Also, I don't know von Kleist's exact age, but he seems to be from my godfather Perrington's generation. He must be getting on in years. For a man his age to never be without his armor is suspicious indeed."

Fang Zhen understood.

'If that's the case, von Kleist might have performed the ceremony a long time ago.'

"Knight Fang Zhen, how do you plan to deal with von Kleist? Will you avoid his trap and return to the Ashton Territory to regroup with the routed soldiers?" Matthew asked.

Fang Zhen shook his head.

"Baron von Kleist is a threat to the area around Redstone Town. We might as well take this opportunity to eliminate him," Fang Zhen said. "Besides, the Viscountess has already named her price."

"Von Kleist doesn't know that we're aware of his trap. If we plan this right, it will be a perfect opportunity to get rid of him."

Dalia nodded upon hearing this.

"What's your plan? I'll do whatever you need," Dalia said.

"First, I need the people from Redstone Town to retrieve my equipment. Then I'll make some preparations. It shouldn't be a problem," Fang Zhen said.

He figured that since von Kleist had named a place, his plan would involve nothing more than setting traps and laying an ambush.

And if Fang Zhen could annihilate Montagu's army, he could do the same to von Kleist's.

'Just refuel the drone with gasoline and launch another aerial fire strike. Should be simple enough.'

As for Baron von Kleist himself, Fang Zhen suspected his Combat Power was lower than Montagu's.

If he could get him alone, Fang Zhen was eighty to ninety percent confident he could kill von Kleist.

Now that she had a target, Dalia began to emerge from the depths of her grief. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"The Extraordinary Item you wanted, the one that defends against Spirit and psychic attacks—I'll give it to you now," Dalia said, sliding a bracelet from her wrist.

Fang Zhen looked over. The bracelet appeared to be crafted from gold, with a layer of vibrant green pigment over carvings of lifelike thorns.

The bracelet's fit could be adjusted via a clasp, making it wearable for both men and women.

"This is the Anti-Thorn Bracelet, one of the Extraordinary Items you require," Dalia said, holding the bracelet. "Wear it on your wrist. When you are subjected to a spiritual or psychic attack, the thorns on the bracelet will manifest and prick you, waking you from states like bewitchment, control, or hypnosis."

"Simultaneously, the one attempting to control you will also feel a psychic sting, a pain like a thorn piercing their brain."

"It is an Extraordinary Item that can both defend and counter-attack."

Dalia handed the Anti-Thorn Bracelet to Fang Zhen.

Fang Zhen took it; the weight felt right.

He opened the clasp and fastened it to his left wrist.

"And this Extraordinary Item," Dalia said, sliding a crystal-like ring from a finger on her left hand. "This is the Beast Language Ring. It allows for brief communication with animals—not through language, but through an exchange of memories, images, and emotions."

"This Extraordinary Item will allow you to quickly tame wild beasts, protect you from attack in their territory, and rapidly form a bond with a warhorse."

"I see you have that strange vehicle of yours, but no true warhorse. The Beast Language Ring might help you better control a mount in the future."

"You're a Knight. You'll need a warhorse sooner or later."

Fang Zhen also took the Beast Language Ring.

Fang Zhen got the feeling that ever since she saw Montagu's head, Dalia's attitude toward him had become much warmer. She was even starting to consider things from his point of view.

'It seems Dalia is investing more and more in me.'

He tried it on. The Beast Language Ring was too small for his other fingers, so he could only wear it on his pinky.

With the two Extraordinary Items on his wrist and finger, he could feel a faint, current-like energy where they touched his skin.

Fang Zhen was quite satisfied with this.

He looked at Dalia.

Before he could speak, Dalia said, "I promised you an additional one hundred and fifty Gold Rope for killing Viscount Montagu. I can honor that promise at any time."

"I hope that you will, as you've promised, help me eliminate Baron von Kleist, so that the Ashton, Montagu, and von Kleist Territories can once again know peace."

Fang Zhen heard her, looked at Dalia for a moment, and said, "I will."

In truth, Fang Zhen also wanted to end the chaos in this world.

He wasn't afraid of war, but sometimes he wondered what these chaotic battles were even for.

'All this fighting, all these deaths, and the lives of the common folk never improve.'

'Rather than let this chaos continue, I might as well be the one to end the war.'

'According to the international conventions of my world, the only legal way to acquire another nation's territory is to occupy the aggressor after winning a defensive war.'

'The Ashton Territory is fighting a defensive war against the Montagu Territory and Baron von Kleist. Montagu is dead. If I kill von Kleist, this region can finally have some temporary peace.'

Besides, he had grown familiar with the people of Redstone Town. He didn't want to see them die in the war or be forced from their homes to live miserable lives.

'Since our goals align, I might as well help them.'

…

「A few hours later.」

Fang Zhen used the Light Gate to go home for a quick coffee nap. After waking and eating, he returned to Redstone Town with restocked supplies and equipment.

The Redstone Town militia had already retrieved the equipment he had left in the Dark Forest.

Fang Zhen refilled the drone with gasoline and calibrated the device.

The agricultural drone was surprisingly sturdy. It could still fly, so there was no issue.

In fact, when he had the company's salesperson purchase the drone, Fang Zhen's mindset was different from that of a typical operator.

A drone like this cost over seventy thousand. The usual buyers were tech-savvy young people from rural areas or farmers with a technical background. They treated it as a tool of production, maintaining it carefully to maximize its lifespan.

Fang Zhen's approach was a little different.

He more or less treated the drone as a disposable item.

When he tested it against Montagu's army, he did so with the attitude that it would be acceptable if the drone were destroyed. He was even prepared to use it as a suicide gasoline bomb to ram Montagu at a critical moment.

However, the results of the field test were better than he had imagined.

By using the intermittent pesticide-spraying mode, the gasoline came out in bursts of mist, which prevented the drone itself from catching fire and exploding.

Now with experience, Fang Zhen felt this single drone was a match for one hundred and fifty of von Kleist's elite soldiers.

Right now, with the help of Quade and others, he was loading the drone into Dalia's carriage.

Soon, he, Dalia, and Matthew would head out to face Baron von Kleist's ambush.

Only, this time, it was hard to say whether von Kleist was ambushing Fang Zhen, or if Fang Zhen was ambushing von Kleist's entire legion all by himself.