"The fact that you actually know who I am is surprising."

Phield straightened his robe.

"Of course I know you. Baron Vigor Elixir. The nobles and officials in the Imperial Capital all know about you. You’ve made a fortune from Vigor Elixir. In fact, I came here specifically to find you."

Originally, Nightfall Domain had been abandoned territory with no taxes and no population. Settlers were even supposed to receive subsidies. But with wars breaking out one after another, the Empire was in desperate need of both manpower and money.

Coincidentally, Phield’s Vigor Elixir had become famous throughout the capital. On top of that, Sherry had once informed Her Majesty the Empress that Phield had established a small safe zone within Nightfall Domain.

As a result, Her Majesty, whose purse was emptier than her face was beautiful, had personally authorized taxation within Nightfall Domain.

"I came to find you because... of a subsidy."

The tax officer decisively concealed the matter of taxation.

"A very large subsidy. As long as you protect me, all of it will be yours."

"I see."

Phield looked skeptical.

"This isn’t the place to talk. Let’s find somewhere safe first."

After questioning Egge about what had happened and combining the information Jamie had provided, Phield quickly pieced together the full story.

After taking Bull Territory, the Shadow World Sect had gone on to conquer Ram Territory.

The defending forces were defeated and chose to surrender, including many Imperial officials. The Shadow World Sect did not make things difficult for them, since many Imperial officials came from powerful noble families.

The sect’s slaughter was directed only at commoners and minor nobles.

After Jamie departed Ram Territory to carry out the mission of assassinating Phield, a massive number of Night Demons suddenly appeared within the city the following night.

With its defenses already weakened, Ram Territory fell almost instantly and became a paradise for Night Demons.

"Most of the survivors are trapped inside the dungeons of Ram Keep. We escaped only through sheer luck and were planning to seek help."

Egge spoke urgently.

"Lord Phield, please uphold the spirit of knighthood and save them."

"Haha. Save who?"

Phield nearly lost his composure.

"Imperial refugees or rebels? Ram Territory is currently occupied by the Shadow World Sect."

"The Imperial citizens."

Even Egge looked embarrassed.

"Whether they’re officials, soldiers, or civilians, they were forced to surrender. They’re about to become food for the Night Demons."

"We were captured after a glorious defeat, not because we surrendered."

The tax officer shook his belly and began making things up.

"I personally killed thirty five enemies before I was exhausted and captured." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

As he spoke, he deliberately glanced toward the Divine Chosen, hoping to get a better look at their appearances.

"Pfft."

Jamie almost burst out laughing.

Back then, these people had cried while licking her boots and begging to become her dogs.

"If you’re willing to help, I will become your shield."

Egge spoke with absolute seriousness.

"This time, I will fight until my very last breath."

"Also, I know where the city’s armory is, and I can unlock its mechanism. If we rescue the survivors, you’ll immediately gain a powerful army."

"Fine. I accept."

The moment he heard there was plenty of valuable loot involved, Phield agreed without hesitation.

Besides, he was already planning to visit Ram Territory in search of the Divine Chosen. Having people charge ahead as cannon fodder was hardly a bad thing.

"We’re not going."

The tax officer and the others shook their heads.

"The soldiers should be the ones fighting. We’re responsible for strategy and planning, which is exhausting in its own way."

"Phield, leave your Divine Chosen behind to protect us. You can go by yourself. Afterward, we’ll personally report your accomplishments to Her Majesty."

Because Phield was so young and carried a reputation for being a "good guy," they instinctively viewed him as an idealistic child who could be manipulated at will.

"Hahaha. You really do have a sense of humor."

Phield nearly laughed himself breathless.

These people were practically treating him like Yue Fei.

At the same time, he became completely certain that the so called subsidy was nothing more than a lie.

"Come if you want. Don’t if you don’t. I’m not leaving behind a single thing, not even a dagger."

"Damn it. How dare you talk to me like that? You’d better..."

The tax officer had barely started shouting when Ophelia fused the Sphere of the Abyss into her palm, transforming it into an elegant sapphire dragon claw.

"I was wrong."

The tax officer immediately folded.

"Enough. Don’t be rude to these gentlemen."

Ironically, now that his desire to kill them had reached its peak, Phield became even more polite.

Raising one hand, he signaled for Ophelia not to act rashly before smiling.

"Tomorrow morning, we’ll head to Ram Territory and rescue the survivors. It would be best if you gentlemen stayed far away from here."

"Hmph."

The tax officer grunted unhappily.

"Phield, I am one of Her Majesty’s trusted officials, and I have something to remind you of."

"Please, go ahead."

The tax officer puffed himself up.

"Everything inside the Ram Territory armory belongs to the Empire. You are not allowed to take a single item. If the Empire suppresses the rebellion in the future, I will personally conduct an inventory. If anything is missing, it will be your responsibility. Unless you hand over your women to..."

Before he could finish speaking, a silver flash streaked through the air.

Blood sprayed everywhere.

The tax officer’s right arm flew away like a kite with its string cut.

"My arm! What are you doing?!"

Clutching the stump of his severed limb, he stared at Phield in disbelief as blood continued to gush from the wound.

He had only spoken a few words.

Why had Phield exploded like this?

"What am I doing?"

Phield flicked the blood from his sword.

"Suppressing the rebellion, of course."

His gaze lowered slightly as his savage eyes swept across everyone present.

"Rosalia, patrol the area. Make sure nobody sees this."

Phield found the entire situation laughable.

When he tried to reason with them, they wanted to act like thugs.

Now that he was ready to act like a thug, they suddenly wanted to reason with him.

Rosalia was stunned.

It was the first time she had ever seen her normally easygoing lord this angry.

The others were equally horrified.

The tense atmosphere shattered instantly as everyone jumped in fear.

One clerk dressed in official robes stared in disbelief.

"Have you lost your mind? He’s from..."

"You’ve been impersonating Imperial officials."

Phield’s voice was cold.

"That is a crime punishable by death."

"Phield, you dare?! The Empire will charge you with treason!"

The clerk’s legs trembled under the pressure of Phield’s killing intent.

"Haha. Then I definitely can’t let any of you live."

Phield laughed.

Third tier mana surged through his body.

Approval gleamed in Ophelia’s eyes.

"That’s right, my lord."

"Anyone who stands in our way deserves to die."

The next moment, Phield and Ophelia attacked simultaneously from opposite sides.

"Spare me! I never said anything bad about you!"

"You can’t betray the spirit of knighthood!"

"Nobles aren’t supposed to kill one another! Phield, please stop!"

Ignoring their desperate pleas, apologies, and begging, Phield struck without mercy.

Their screams were quickly swallowed by the howling wind.

Only the warrior Egge remained.

He sat frozen on the ground, utterly dumbfounded.

"Honestly, you could’ve just let us handle it."

Ophelia scratched her head.

Seeing Phield staring silently at the corpses, she felt an unexpected pang of sympathy.

Killing nobles was no trivial matter.

If discovered, it meant becoming an enemy of the entire Empire.

Even the Shadow World Sect dared not casually harm those born into powerful noble families.

"Just because I usually let you handle the dirty work doesn’t mean I’m going to keep my own hands clean."

Phield’s voice remained calm.

"Nor does it mean I’m going to draw a line between myself and all of you."