Old Charlatan (3)

“Damn it, he's the headmaster of the Battle God Academy!?”

Steve and Du Chen exchanged a bewildered glance, falling into a shared silence steeped in apprehension.

One of the last surviving Titled Battle Gods among humanity, mentor to countless exceptional Battle Gods, known as the 'Father of Battle Gods,' a Tenth-Tier Battle God, bestowed the title ‘Eternal Glory’ – His Excellency, Zigurd!

Any single one of these titles was enough to make him an equal, if not superior, to their ancestor, Sigurd Saint-Shine.

However, these accolades alone wouldn't have troubled Du Chen. After all, Zigurd's reputation for unwavering integrity and impartial judgment was well-established. Today's incident was merely an unfortunate coincidence; strictly speaking, Du Chen was not truly at fault. His intentions were purely to rescue the maiden. If Zigurd's temper truly matched public perception, he wouldn't hold a grudge later, and might even commend Du Chen for his actions.

But still, he was the Headmaster, and a student had just cursed him until he spat blood...

Life at the Battle God Academy was certainly going to be difficult from now on!

Even if the Battle God Academy's instructors didn't seek revenge for their Headmaster, how would Zigurd's students retaliate against Du Chen? Any one of them would be more than Du Chen could handle!

His Excellency Zigurd's true age far surpassed his apparent countenance. This old fellow had served as Headmaster of the Battle God Academy for fifty years; it wasn't hard to imagine the terrifying influence he had accumulated over those decades.

Leaving others aside, Francis's own father, Arges, was a graduate of the Battle God Academy. And now, Du Chen's very first encounter with his unrecognized ‘grand-master’ had resulted in the man spitting blood after being berated...

In truth, teachers were a terrifying breed, especially those whose students were spread across the land and held positions of power — offend one, and you've offended a whole nest!

“No, that's not right!” Du Chen shook his head. Seeing that the nearby onlookers had dispersed, he grabbed the officer's arm and asked, “When he grabbed me just now, there was no strength in his hand. If he truly is His Excellency Zigurd, a Tenth-Tier Battle God, how could that be?”

Steve nodded, “Exactly. He was already unsteady on his feet just carrying a frail maiden. How could that be His Excellency Zigurd?”

The officer offered a wry smile. “My young masters, that token couldn't be mistaken. Besides, given the esteemed status of the Battle God Academy, who could possibly impersonate His Excellency Zigurd? And who would dare to?”

“What!? You're saying that man was His Excellency Zigurd!?”

Just then, Aliza descended from the carriage, still carrying Harry by his belt. Harry's small eyes widened at the statement. After a moment's thought, he gestured to Du Chen and Steve, “My two exceptionally shrewd young masters, surely you've already pieced together the reason for Lord Zigurd's feebleness!”

Indeed, not only had Du Chen figured it out, but Steve had also come to the same realization.

A major event must have occurred in the southern seas—a duel between two high-tier Battle Gods, and it was highly probable that Zigurd was one of them! He must have sustained severe injuries and fled to Antwerp Port, seeking refuge nearby!

That's why a gravely wounded Zigurd appeared no different from an ordinary person.

As for the maiden in the sack… clearly, she was Zigurd's captive.

Heavens, could she be another powerful Battle God!?

Was that even possible? Such a “delicate” beauty? Then again, if a lecherous old charlatan could be His Excellency Zigurd, then a beautiful girl could certainly be a formidable Battle God.

“Damn it, Francis, we almost messed up with our good intentions! That girl is His Excellency Zigurd’s captive, so she definitely can't be a good person! Maybe she's some kind of fiendish enchantress, no wonder she’s so temptingly beautiful!” Steve shook his head in dismay. Having received a Battle God education since childhood, he subconsciously believed Zigurd was inherently good, and by extension, Zigurd’s captive must be evil.

Would a Christian from Du Chen's previous life ever believe Jesus was evil? Similarly, Steve's rigid line of thinking was quite common in the Battle God world.

But Du Chen didn't see it that way. Who truly defined good and evil? He himself was a thief operating under the guise of 'virtue'.

“Brother, let’s not dwell on this,” Steve discussed with Du Chen. “We’ve gravely offended the Headmaster. After we enroll, even if His Excellency Zigurd doesn’t settle scores with us, if other teachers find out about this, many will likely come to ‘chat’ with us!” He paused. “Now there are only two paths: either flee, or immediately go and offer an apology. Which do we choose?” Steve was utterly at a loss, so he opted to trust his recently ‘wise’ younger brother.

Du Chen pondered for a long time, yet remained undecided.

Fleeing? What about the disaster relief? Abandoning such a great benevolent act was out of the question. But going to apologize meant he’d likely be severely reprimanded by an enraged Headmaster Zigurd!

“My two young masters, may I offer a suggestion?” Harry, still dangling by his belt in Aliza’s grip, wriggled his plump body, indicating his discomfort.

“Aliza, put him down!” Du Chen commanded.

Aliza’s massive, fan-like palm loosened its grip. *Thump!* Harry dropped to the ground. He patted his backside, clambered up, and chuckled awkwardly. “My two incredibly sagacious young masters, this humble servant suggests you would do best to go and apologize. Though you didn't state your names earlier, ice and snow always melt under the scorching sun. When it comes to such matters, clarifying things sooner only brings benefits. Moreover, you truly did nothing wrong. Could His Excellency Zigurd genuinely claim you erred? At most, he would merely advise you to analyze the truth of facts more carefully next time.”

A thought struck Du Chen. Harry's words, in fact, held considerable wisdom. The two brothers exchanged a wry smile and nodded in unison.

Harry rejoiced, continuing, “Then, please take me with you to apologize. Otherwise, you won't be able to explain how you discovered the maiden on his back.”

Du Chen cast a cold glance at Harry.

The Shieb were indeed cunning. If they brought him along to apologize, Harry, the brigand, could temporarily avert being handed over to the Holy Church's Tribunal.

Du Chen didn't want to deal with the clever but lowly Shieb, but he genuinely needed Harry as a witness, so he reluctantly took him into the city.

Steve handed over the remaining brigands to the officer, confirmed the route, and then ordered the mercenaries to escort the disaster relief funds slowly into Antwerp Port.

The architectural style of the port city differed vastly from the inland regions. A gentle sea breeze carried a faint salty tang through the air. In the distance, the harbor bustled with cargo ships, burly laborers moving goods. On the nearby streets, people hurried along, busy earning their livelihood.

Antwerp Port truly lived up to its reputation as the northern起点 of the Grand Triangle Golden Trade Route. Its economic prosperity, evident from the luxurious buildings lining its streets, even surpassed that of the Imperial Capital, Saint John City.

But Du Chen was in no mood to appreciate the port's scenery.

He was busy strategizing how to address the Headmaster later, or else how would he manage his life from now on?

The Lord's Manor was not far from the city gates, a church-style estate. As Du Chen and his companions arrived, the manor gates suddenly swung open, and lines of soldiers rushed out, their expressions urgent, seemingly on a critical mission.

“By decree of the City Lord! Sickened refugees have entered the city. Effective immediately, the port is closed, and city gates are under martial law to prevent the spread of plague!”

The soldiers fanned out in all directions, loudly announcing the City Lord's command as they ran.

Du Chen knew in his heart that the city-wide lockdown was absolutely not to prevent plague dispersal, but because of Headmaster Zigurd!

Leaving their retinue to wait at a distance, Steve and Du Chen approached with Harry to announce themselves. Soon, the City Lord of Antwerp himself emerged to greet them.

“Ah, so Marshal Arges’s two young masters have arrived! Uncle already received word that you would be coming to Antwerp Port for disaster relief before your reporting date. Excellent, the refugees are saved! Please, come in, come in!”

The City Lord immediately grasped Steve and Du Chen’s hands with warm familiarity. He was a somewhat portly middle-aged man with a formidable black beard that, coupled with his tall stature, made him look quite imposing. However, he wore a pristine white noble’s robe, which seemed a little out of place.

“Uncle Norton, greetings. Please allow me to first convey Father’s sincerest regards!” Steve greeted politely.

“Haha, Marshal still remembers his old subordinate!” Norton laughed, genuinely pleased. He hailed from the Sigurd Legion and had been personally promoted by Arges, making him an ‘insider’ by all accounts.

“So this is Lord Francis? Haha, quite the handsome fellow, weren’t you mobbed by young ladies when you entered the city?” Although his jest was cordial, his demeanor towards Du Chen lacked the warmth he showed Steve, and his gaze was distinctly peculiar.

Was this truly Francis, the disgrace of the Saint Sigurd Cain family, who shamed Saint-Shine Sigurd himself?

Du Chen merely smiled. Norton’s attitude was identical to that of the household guards within the Saint Sigurd Cain Estate; he had grown accustomed to it.

“A Shieb?!” Norton noticed Harry, his brows instantly furrowing in a tight knot.

“This is a captive we apprehended; we require him to bear witness to certain events.” Du Chen concisely explained the situation, then offered a wry smile. “Uncle Norton, is Headmaster Zigurd still here? I need to apologize to him!”

Norton's smile froze on his face. “By Saint-Shine Sigurd above, so *you* are the one who cursed His Excellency Zigurd until he spat blood!?”