After Blake and Doni left, the meeting room became noisy again. However, no one dared to speak too loudly or arrogantly this time.
"Diana, you knew about all this beforehand, didn't you?"
Paolo fixed his gaze on Diana, his tone filled with deeper meaning.
Hearing this, the faction leaders were taken aback, turning their eyes toward Diana.
"Paolo, I didn't know the true purpose of this meeting. I was simply following Lord Salvatore's orders to summon everyone here."
Under everyone's gaze, Diana immediately reined in her emotions and replied calmly.
"That's not what I meant. I'm talking about that boy, Lord Blake. You must have known something about him; otherwise, you wouldn't have specifically warned us not to provoke him. Moreover, that aura earlier—there's no way a boy under twenty could possess such power."
Paolo shook his head, his question cutting straight to the point.
His words made everyone's eyes narrow. Erica, in particular, widened her beautiful eyes and stared intently at Diana.
"Of course. You all see Lord Blake as Lord Salvatore's follower, don't you? That's not true. If anything, it's more accurate to say that Lord Salvatore has been pestering Lord Blake for a duel. The two share a rather peculiar, antagonistic relationship."
Diana spoke with a faint smile.
"—!"
Everyone's pupils contracted upon hearing this, recalling how Blake had struck Doni without hesitation earlier, completely disregarding the Sword King's dignity.
Moreover, if the Sword King, a battle maniac, was pestering someone for a duel, it was evident just how strong that person had to be. The overwhelming aura they had experienced earlier was clearly no exaggeration.
Thinking back to their earlier behavior, the faction leaders felt chills running down their spines, mixed with a deep sense of relief.
"As for the specifics, I won't elaborate. Just know that Blake recently defeated a Campione."
Having said that, Diana flashed a graceful smile and left, leaving behind a group of stunned individuals.
"Defeated a Campione…"
Watching Diana's departing figure, Paolo and some of the others were overwhelmed with shock, their minds reeling. They weren't fools and could piece things together easily.
If the Sword King was the one pestering for a duel, then clearly the one defeated wasn't him. Coupled with the summoning of witches not long ago and Liliana's respectful and affectionate behavior toward Blake… the Campione he defeated could only be…!
Even Paolo, who had been calm all along, gasped in astonishment, his expression filled with disbelief.
The other leaders also came to the same realization, frozen in place, plunging the meeting room into silence once again.
Erica, meanwhile, was equally stunned. However, unlike the others, she hadn't felt Blake's overwhelming aura earlier, so her heart was filled with doubt. She kept her thoughts to herself, though, and simply grew increasingly curious about Blake.
---
"Everything's pretty much settled. With these factions working together, we should have news within three months. Hopefully, you won't die when the time comes, my dear friend."
After the meeting ended, Doni left with this remark and eagerly rushed off.
In his opinion, even if so many forces were gathered, it wouldn't be so quick to find a Heretic god at the level of the main deity. He had no intention of staying there to wait and would rather do something meaningful.
As for this, Blake merely smirked, feeling quite at ease. That annoying guy had finally left. With Doni around, it was impossible to have peace and quiet.
"Yuri, I'm back."
Gently pushing open the door, Blake saw Yuri Manrigani running toward him. A smile appeared on his face as he patted her head and spoke in a warm tone.
Being patted on the head, Yuri's previously tense mood seemed to calm down, and she revealed a smile while pulling Blake to sit at the desk.
As for Liliana, she appeared hesitant.
"Liliana, is there something you want to say?"
Seeing this, Blake asked with slight confusion.
"Lord Blake, Erica didn't mean any harm. She's always been like that..."
Hearing this, Liliana pursed her lips, speaking with a hint of pleading in her voice.
"Don't worry. I'm not someone so petty."
Before Liliana could finish speaking, Blake interrupted her with a helpless tone. Getting angry over a little girl's challenge? Did he seem like that kind of person?
"Uh..."
Seeing Blake's expression, Liliana's delicate face turned red. She didn't know what to say; it seemed that everything had been her overthinking...
"Liliana, since we've been here for several days, why don't you take us out shopping?"
Noticing Liliana's embarrassed state, a light gleamed in Blake's eyes. He instinctively placed his hand on her head and gently stroked her.
"Alright, I understand!"
Hearing this, Liliana immediately smiled, following his lead.
After settling some matters within half an hour, Blake, Liliana, and Yuri, dressed in new outfits, set off together—one man and two l*lis heading outside.
Along the way, they occasionally ran into leaders of various forces.
However, compared to their initial encounter, this group of people now regarded Blake with clear reverence, greeting him proactively and addressing him as "Lord Blake," much like Diana.
In response, Blake merely waved casually to acknowledge them.
"Liliana, are you going out for a stroll? Can I join you?"
As they were leaving the Bronze Black Cross's main gate, a confident voice suddenly rang out.
With flowing golden hair and a petite yet regal figure radiating an overwhelming presence, Erica appeared on the right-hand path.
"Erica, were you waiting for us?"
Liliana's face darkened as she spoke in an unhappy tone.
"Liliana, it's not good to be so suspicious of a friend. I was simply bored while my uncle was meeting with Miss Diana and thought of going out for a stroll. It's just a coincidence that I ran into you all."
Hearing this, Erica maintained a composed expression as she spoke, her emerald-green eyes locking briefly with Liliana's before shifting to Blake with a self-assured demeanor.
"I believe you wouldn't refuse a lady's request, would you?"
"A lady, you say? If you were older and... a bit more endowed, calling you a lady wouldn't be entirely inappropriate."
Seeing Erica's confident demeanor, convinced that he wouldn't refuse her, Blake replied with a faint smirk. He deliberately let his gaze linger on Erica's flat chest.
While he wouldn't get angry over a little girl, that didn't mean he would allow others to presume they had the upper hand over him.
This caused Erica's confident expression to freeze, her petite face flushing red in a mix of embarrassment and anger.
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