Herolf, the Golden Ram, stared at the bandits' banner for a moment, hesitated, and then spoke softly: "This group of bandits belongs to Felix Robin."
Charlot Mecklenburg asked, "Is there something special about this guy?"
The Black Dragon covered his eyes and replied, "Lord Mecklenburg! He’s Zimourman Axel Robin’s uncle."
Charlot was visibly taken aback. After a while, he muttered, "In other words, he’s not here to rob us?"
"Well, unless he’s here to abduct his sister-in-law?"
"What should we do about this? Let Princess Axo Axel go?"
Even Choudrou, the Silverback Gorilla, couldn’t hold back, saying, "Lord Mecklenburg, please abandon these ridiculous fantasies."
"Felix Robin would never come here to abduct his sister-in-law..."
"No, I meant the princess."
The three Saint-rank subordinates fell silent in unison. Even Herolf wanted to retort, "From now on, I’m just an orc."
Charlot, unsure of the situation, summoned his Demonflame Horse, mounted it, and pulled the Berserker Blade from the Mirror of Power. Alone, he charged at the bandits and shouted, "Let Felix Robin come out and answer me!"
The thousands of bandits stirred slightly before splitting into two lines. A handsome man in his forties rode out from the ranks, smiling brightly. His demeanor was so radiant that even Charlot had to admit that this man was astonishingly good-looking. His noble and refined bearing was not something every aristocrat possessed.
It was a charm that Charlot hadn’t seen in any of the nobles he had killed before.
"I am Felix Robin! I’m here to rob you. We don’t know each other, so let’s skip the pleasantries. Hand over all your valuables, and I’ll let you pass."
Charlot asked, "Are you Saint-rank?"
Felix Robin smiled faintly and replied, "Not yet."
Charlot said, "If you’re not Saint-rank, why are you talking big?"
Lately, Charlot had witnessed battle after battle between Saint-rank warriors—though he hadn’t personally fought, he’d seen enough of the top-tier clashes. To him, someone who wasn’t even Saint-rank seemed out of place trying to make demands.
Felix Robin was momentarily stunned by Charlot’s logic and asked back, "So you’re saying someone who isn’t Saint-rank doesn’t qualify to rob others?"
Charlot answered, "That’s not what I meant."
"What I mean is..."
"Fine, that’s exactly what I mean."
"You’re a smart man. Why do you look like someone who’s tired of living?"
"Do you think that just because Princess Axo Axel might be your sister-in-law, you can act coy in public?"
Charlot’s blunt words left Felix Robin blushing. This renowned bandit, one of the most infamous in the Old Continent, bellowed, "How dare you insult me!"
Charlot asked again, "You’re really not Saint-rank?"
Felix Robin replied, "Of course not! Do you think Saint-ranks are common? Even Transcendents are rare talents in any nation, let alone Saint-ranks."
Curious, Charlot questioned, "If you’re not Saint-rank, why can’t I insult you?"
This time, Felix Robin was done talking. Spurring his horse forward, he drew his rapier and unleashed a flurry of strikes aimed at Charlot’s seven vital points.
The Old Continent had numerous legendary swordsmanship styles: five divine sword arts, seven god-given techniques, and twelve dominator sword styles. Among these, each version included the Angel's Thorn of the Arsilo family and the Golden Eagle Swordsmanship of the Robin family.
Five epochs ago, Saroses Robin had aided King Axel, rising from a commoner to ascend the throne through loyalty, bravery, and unyielding achievements. The Robin family, even before Saroses’ legendary emergence, was one of the oldest noble houses of the Ingrima Empire, producing countless scholars, generals, adventurers, and unparalleled swordsmen.
Zimourman Axel Robin’s rise further cemented the Robin family’s secret swordsmanship as arguably the greatest in the continent.
Felix Robin had spent more than thirty years perfecting this family technique. In terms of mastery, few swordsmen on the Old Continent could rival him.
But Charlot, brash and fearless, thrust forward with his knight’s lance, employing the 77 Movements of Heaven’s Wing. The two clashed, exchanging seventeen or eighteen blows in an instant, with Charlot slightly falling behind.
Charlot was surprised, thinking to himself, "This guy is pretty strong."
Felix Robin, however, was ten times more astonished. Whether on the Old Continent or the New, Saint-ranks were the pinnacle of national power. Charlot’s environment may have been unique, but Saint-ranks were far from common.
For perspective, two of the Old Continent’s five great empires—Fars and Byron—had invested their full strength in the Ferranden battlefield, deploying only a few dozen Saint-ranks combined, which represented the entirety of their foundation.
Transcendents at the mid-to-high levels were the backbone of any nation. Among bandits, Felix Robin was easily a top-ten figure in the industry.
Felix Robin, at the peak of high-rank as a seventeenth-level Grand Knight, had spent his youth indulging in pleasure rather than rigorous training. Yet, as a high-rank combatant, he was incredibly formidable, undefeated in his exploits across Moldova.
Charlot, despite being two levels weaker, wielded the Arsilo family’s secret techniques and various unique powers. Although Felix had a slight upper hand, defeating Charlot outright proved difficult.
Charlot maneuvered his Demonflame Horse in a wide arc, then reengaged Felix Robin. Lowering his voice, Charlot asked curiously, "You’re really not here to abduct your sister-in-law?"
Felix Robin, nearly livid, hissed back, "Stop spouting nonsense. Princess Axo Axel is my benefactor. My robbery is part of an agreement."
Charlot’s eyes gleamed mischievously, his Berserker Blade pressing in relentlessly as if he intended to skewer Felix Robin. Yet, he asked with mock innocence, "Why is Princess Axo Axel supporting you?"
"Why did you leave the Robin family?"
"I’m curious! I have so many questions."
Felix Robin sighed in exasperation. He hadn’t expected Princess Axo Axel to send such an audacious fool. Quietly, he explained, "Zimourman has left behind countless affairs and illegitimate children. Some single mothers can’t raise these children alone, and Princess Axo Axel has tasked me with taking these children out of Fars to Moldova and raising them."
Charlot’s mind worked quickly, and he whispered, "So these children are Princess Axo Axel’s grandchildren?"
Felix Robin was on the verge of exploding. "Of course!"
Charlot flicked his spear, forcing Felix back, and remarked, "Then I’ll retreat for now."