The Three-Battle Covenant

“When did Francis become Helen’s sworn elder brother!?”

Chek’s lips parted, ready to blurt out, “Isn’t Helen your wife?” But Old Matriarch Elizabeth flashed a peculiar smile, tossing the cane in her hand to Chek, effectively cutting off his impending question. “Helen, come and greet your sworn elder brother, Francis!”

*Heh, this old woman saw through it long ago! Can that brat Steve’s glib nonsense be trusted? No matter, the family must now rely on Francis to survive. This old woman… will play the fool and muddle through, recognizing this kinship!*

The Old Matriarch waved at the dazed Helen. “What are you staring blankly for? Francis and my family faced hardships together in the City of Penance; he’s already as dear as my own grandchild…”

The Old Matriarch then briefly recounted the events in the City of Penance, keeping the main narrative intact but subtly altering the details. She meticulously emphasized Du Chen’s benevolence and kindness in the City of Penance, particularly stressing that without him, the Brockman family would never have survived their exodus from the City of Penance! Finally, she chuckled, “Now, my family relies entirely on Francis’s protection to survive on the Three Continents. Yet, this boy Francis is so righteous; he doesn't treat us as subordinates, but rather as family. He even observes junior etiquette towards me, his grandmother. So, isn’t it perfectly right for you to call him Eldest Brother?”

Helen stood stunned for a long moment before offering a light bow. “Eldest Brother, your younger sister Helen greets you!”

Du Chen and the Old Matriarch exchanged knowing glances, a faint smile playing on his lips. *This old woman truly is astute!*

The Old Matriarch suddenly barked, “Ted, do I need to spell out what you should do now?”

Ted hesitated, then suddenly dropped to one knee before Du Chen. “My Lord! Ted has no great talent, but I vow to follow my Lord, charging into battle and slaying foes! However…” He straightened his expression, adding, “When Ted was at his wit’s end, it was Thornwood Valley that sheltered me and saved my life. Please forgive my disrespect, but in any conflict involving Thornwood Valley, Ted can only stand by as an observer!”

Du Chen rubbed his nose, thinking, *Indeed, a ‘loyal and righteous’ general! But this matter isn’t up to you!*

“I naturally understand Uncle Ted’s character! Nor will I force you to oppose Thornwood Valley, but… would Uncle be willing to rescue the two hundred thousand common folk of Thornwood Valley?”

Ted was startled. Du Chen, with a beaming smile, handed him a small sapling resembling a potted plant. Duding’s true form was now a towering tree, its roots protecting the subterranean foundations of Durkes City. Yet, just as the Life Tree could bear seeds, this small sapling was the essence of Duding, capable of free movement and unconstrained by soil.

“If Uncle wishes to save the common folk, please take this sapling back to the city. It can, within ten days, excavate a Tunnel of Life large enough for two hundred thousand people to emigrate! Uncle now commands seven thousand family army soldiers, so the place you reside in must not be small, correct? Please excavate this Tunnel of Life beneath your military camp. Once the tunnel is complete, Francis has a way to Pull the Wool Over One’s Eyes and transport these two hundred thousand people to a safe haven, where they can begin new lives!”

Ted stared at the sapling in his hand, his eyes gleaming. *The power to excavate a Life Tree? How many more trump cards does Francis possess!? Following him truly seems like a good choice!*

“This… for the sake of the common folk, Ted naturally has nothing more to say. I am willing to serve my Lord! But to ensure secrecy, Ted can only excavate an entrance a li in circumference within the area controlled by the family army. I wonder if this will suffice?”

Du Chen calculated mentally: *An entrance a li in circumference, two hundred thousand people passing through… that should be enough, right? In my previous life, a colossal stadium accommodating over a hundred thousand people could evacuate its audience through dozens of small gates in mere minutes. So, a ‘grand gate’ a li in circumference would surely suffice to transport two hundred thousand people within a few dozen minutes—provided the organization is orderly!*

“Good! However, Uncle need not rush the excavation. Wait for about ten days or so, and begin after the Thornwood natives have learned a bit more about me, Francis…”

Helen suddenly snorted, “Today, over a thousand prisoners-of-war were released. I presume that was Eldest Brother’s move to help the Thornwood natives ‘understand’ you better, was it not?”

Du Chen smiled but offered no reply.

The Old Matriarch sighed. “Alright, the family reunion is over. Ted, you and Sulan return to the city and handle your affairs! Helen will stay here with me. This old woman hasn't seen her granddaughter in over a decade; my heart simply can’t bear to let her go back with you to face danger!”

*Hmph, playing the ‘fool’ to the very end! You, Francis, handed over the Son of Life to Ted; if this old woman doesn’t keep Helen as a hostage, how could you be at ease!? Eldest Brother? Little Sister? Such affectionate titles! Is it not merely a struggle for power between lord and subject!?*

Concerned for his daughter, Ted’s expression changed. But the Old Matriarch’s excuse was simply impossible to directly refuse—what was wrong with an elder doting on her granddaughter? With a flash of thought, Ted chuckled, “Mother, you are right, but several of the Heads of Thornwood City know Helen, and the Eighth Head, Crimson, constantly harasses her. If she were to suddenly disappear…”

Before Ted could finish, a small rabbit bounced out from beside Du Chen. “Hey, look this way!” With that, its form twisted, and in the blink of an eye, it transformed into Helen’s likeness!

Ted exclaimed in surprise, “Phantom Demon Rabbit? You haven’t gone extinct yet?”

“You damn well are the one who's extinct! I’m a rabbit, but I’m not afraid of you! Watch your mouth!” Snoopy cursed, then added, “Listen, I’ll go back with you. I’ll use my transformation ability to help you complete Francis’s grandson’s plan, and Helen will enjoy herself with her Eldest Brother!”

The Old Matriarch’s face darkened. “Ted, this is General Wolf’s Divine Pet from the Godslayer War. Given his age and seniority, him speaking to you in such a manner is no slight against you. Now, it's almost dawn, go back!”

Ted, helpless, cast a lingering glance at his daughter, then turned and departed with Sulan.

The Old Matriarch smiled again. “Helen, Grandmother is old and cannot endure the harsh winds of the Great Snow Mountain. You first help your Eldest Brother complete the Thornwood Valley campaign. Afterwards, our grandmother-granddaughter pair will reunite in Durkes City!” With that, the Old Matriarch also left with her son, Chek. “Grandmother won’t say much more, just one thing: the fact that over two thousand members of our family are alive to see the sun is all thanks to your Eldest Brother!”

In the blink of an eye, everyone at the Divine Emperor's Tomb had departed, leaving only Du Chen and Helen facing each other awkwardly. Du Chen suddenly felt a pang of embarrassment—during the power struggle, anything could be said, but now that they were truly alone…

Helen’s face fell, and she sneered, “A forthright person speaks plainly, ‘Eldest Brother’ indeed possesses formidable methods! Your younger sister is truly impressed!”

Du Chen offered an awkward smile, then his expression turned serious. “I too am a forthright person, speaking plainly. Given the Brockman family’s current circumstances, would you truly be at a disadvantage by calling me Eldest Brother?”

Helen retorted angrily, “Why wouldn’t I be at a disadvantage!? I'm twenty-one this year, how old are you!?”

“Ah!?” Du Chen did a quick mental calculation. *Indeed, Francis was twenty this year, so having Helen call him Eldest Brother was truly…*

Helen suddenly composed herself and bowed. “Regardless, out of gratitude for Madam Philia's life-saving grace, I accept calling you Eldest Brother!”

“Philia? My mother saved you?”

“You didn’t know? Years ago, when my father and I first escaped the Subterranean Abyss, we were pursued by Bonis’s men. It was thanks to Madam Philia that we managed to escape with our lives and, from Philip's Laboratory, came to the Three Continents! Had it not been for that… why else would my father and I have rescued your Eldest Brother Steve back then!?”

…From Helen’s words, Du Chen learned a great many things. For instance, he had always believed that Philia and his Maternal Grandfather, Byron-Gale, were in Celestial Capital. But now, it seemed that at least five years ago, when Helen and her father fled to the mortal realm, Philia was definitely not in Celestial Capital. Instead, she was living in seclusion, alone, at some node within the Life Tree! *Strange, what exactly is Philia doing!?*

Furthermore, to cure Helen’s blindness back then, Ted stole many items from Bonis. Anya, who was still just an egg, was only one of them. But what ultimately restored Helen’s sight was not Anya, but a section of a tree branch. According to Helen, there was a profoundly mysterious pact between Bonis and the Life Tree, and that branch was one of its clauses. Ted stealing this branch nearly shattered the pact between Bonis and the Life Tree, extinguishing the Fiendkind’s hope of returning to the mortal realm from the Life Tree! Thus, Bonis was exceedingly enraged and enacted punitive measures rarely seen in Fiendkind history. Unfortunately, that branch was eventually ground into powder, applied to Helen’s eyes, and absorbed by her…

Du Chen, smiling, agreed to Helen’s request to meet her Benefactor, Du Chen, the Divine, promising, “I’ll arrange their meeting as soon as Du Chen, the Divine, returns from the front lines!” *Heh, at that time, it’ll surely be Dus making another appearance!*

The two conversed through the entire night, only calling Liana to return to camp with them at dawn. All the way back, Liana kept slyly eyeing Helen’s chest, causing Helen to feel increasingly uneasy…

Du Chen knew Liana’s thoughts perfectly well, but he couldn't very well comment on women’s matters. He merely enjoyed the spectacle with a smile. Yet, the moment he returned to the main military tent, his smile vanished.

Beibei, her face clouded with worry, handed him a letter. “Papa, Mama left, she only left this letter!”

Du Chen was abruptly stunned!

“Alex, I’m leaving. I need time to figure things out. The one Xue Ji is destined to wait a thousand years for—is it Alex, or is it you, Francis…?” The letter contained only this single sentence!

Du Chen slumped onto a chair, defeated. Arguments and quarrels were one thing, but when Xue Ji truly left… his heart felt heavy, as if burdened by a thousand catties of stone!

“When did Xue Ji leave?”

Beibei replied plaintively, “I don’t know, Mama wasn’t there when Beibei brought breakfast this morning…”

“Where’s Andy? Could Thirteenth-rank Andy not perceive when Eleventh-Tier Xue Ji left? Why didn’t he stop her!?”

“Glutton, the greedy wolf, ate too much last night, he’s still not awake!”

*Smack!* Du Chen slammed the table, about to unleash a volley of curses, but then he shook his head and slumped back into the chair. *Yes, Xue Ji needs space to calmly ponder Francis and Alex. Don’t I also need time to think… do I truly love Xue Ji, or is it just for that promise of ‘waiting a thousand years’*?

After a long while, Harry entered. Seeing Du Chen’s expression, he knew something was amiss and quietly stood guard by the door, clutching a stack of scrolls, daring not to say more.

With a closed-eye sigh, Du Chen waved his hand. “Harry, is that you? Go activate York Town’s intelligence system and track Xue Ji’s whereabouts. Then, have Deboning notify the Requiem Death Knights to closely monitor the movements around Water's Embrace Lake… Go!”

“Uh, my noble and great Master, Harry will go at once, but… do you still wish to review Thornwood City’s declaration of war?”

“Declaration of war?” Du Chen sat bolt upright.

“Yes, Master. Thornwood City sent the Eighth Head, Crimson, to deliver a declaration of war, stating their intention to emulate the sagas of the Heroic Era and engage you in three decisive battles for life and death!”