My Love Debts Are Everywhere!

Chapter 116: Guren's Resurgence of Confidence

20 kilometers from the walls of the Holy Empire's capital, Elysium...

On the vast plain, 500,000 troops assembled, comprising cavalry, infantry, archers, and mages, arranged in an exceptionally orderly formation.

Behind their frontline, an additional 100,000 troops served as reserves and supply carriers, forming a separate group with equally prepared positions.

This formidable battle formation, capable of inspiring awe and sending shivers down the spine of any observer, was truly powerful.

Meanwhile, atop a high hill approximately a kilometer away from the troops' formation, stood six figures, each emanating an extraordinary aura.

They were Valen, Luna, Natasya, Guren, Rain, and Jim, the latter maintaining a calm and distinct expression as he observed the line of troops.

"Rain, have you completed the teleportation formation?" Jim, positioned to Rain's right, inquired with a calm tone, a characteristic smile gracing his lips.

In response, Rain gave a small nod and replied nonchalantly, "Everything is in order and under control. I'm ready to cast the teleportation magic at any moment."

"Excellent!" Jim's smile widened slightly as he nodded in satisfaction.

Then, shifting his focus to Valen and Luna on his right, Jim extended a respectful gesture by folding his hand towards them.

With a slight smile, he addressed them: "Spear Hero Valen and Bow Hero Luna, His Majesty desires for you to lead this war effectively and hopes that you will secure victory for humanity, defeating the demons that threaten us."

Upon hearing Jim's words, Valen responded with a sarcastic smile and a nod, saying, "Hehehe! Don't worry, Prime Minister Jim. Tell His Majesty that I, Spear Hero Valen, will ensure victory for the Holy Empire of Elysium and crush the Demon army on the battlefield!"

His tone dripped with pride and arrogance, eliciting only a smile from Jim.

Beside him, Luna rolled her eyes in evident disgust at Valen's arrogance.

As a fellow hero, she was intimately acquainted with his overconfident demeanor and grew weary of it.

Turning her gaze towards Jim, Luna nodded nonchalantly and replied, "Don't worry, Prime Minister Jim. I'll do my best to secure victory for the Empire. After all, it's only fitting that I avenge Leon's death at the hands of the Demon Emperor, isn't it?"

A faint smile graced her lips, each word laden with hidden significance.

In the past few days, she hadn't uncovered any solid evidence implicating Velix and his cohorts in Leon's death and disappearance, as Edward had suspected.

Yet, that didn't mean she would lower her guard against them.

Growing up in Holy Orthodoxy since childhood, Luna had witnessed the chilling accuracy of Edward's conjectures.

Hence, her confidence in Edward's conjectures remained unshaken despite the lack of evidence.

In response to Luna's statement and question, Jim nodded solemnly, his handsome features adopting a grave expression.

"You're correct, Bow Hero Luna. This war is also about avenging the death of the sword hero Leon Kruger. Thus, I pray that we can secure victory for sword heo Leon, who now watches over us from heaven as we avenge him." Jim's voice remained calm, yet there was an undercurrent of anger, hinting at his struggle to accept Leon's demise.

His tone, expression, and demeanor exhibited no flaws or inconsistencies, prompting Luna to furrow her brow slightly, unable to discern any falsehood in his words.

Nonetheless, Luna remains undeterred and resolved to diligently pursue concrete evidence regarding this matter.

Maybe, once on the battlefield, if she succeeds in finding and rescuing Leon, who might still be alive in the Desert of Chaos, she could directly ask him about the current situation.

Snapping out of her reverie, Luna nodded at Jim and replied, "I'll try for that."

A broad smile spread across Jim's lips as he nodded towards Luna.

Beside Luna, Valen, who had been observing their conversation, remained silent, wearing his typical careless expression.

Yet his gaze toward Jim held a hidden depth of intrigue and meaning, expertly concealed.

After conversing with Valen and Luna, Jim shifted his attention to Natasya and Guren, moving towards them.

"Natasya, Marquis Guren, His Majesty has also sent a message for both of you," Jim stated casually, addressing Natasya directly. "Natasya, His Majesty places great expectations upon you to adeptly fulfill your role as a general, assisting the heroes on this battlefield, and I trust you understand the gravity of this responsibility."

"I understand, Jim," Natasya replied, nodding firmly.

Jim acknowledged her response with a nod before continuing, "Additionally, His Majesty mentioned that you are permitted to unleash your full strength on the battlefield."

Upon hearing this, Natasya's indifferent facade faltered slightly, her gaze fixing on Jim with disbelief.

"Are you sure, Jim?" Natasya asked urgently, her usually composed demeanor showing a rare glimpse of emotion.

"Of course. Would I deceive you?" Jim chuckled softly, delivering his response in a calm manner.

Natasya nodded firmly, her expression resolute.

"In that case, I will comply," she responded nonchalantly yet eagerly.

Jim offered her a slight nod and a smile before shifting his gaze to Guren beside her.

"Marquis Guren, His Majesty did not convey any specific message for you," Jim stated as he retrieved a white letter from his pocket and presented it to Guren. "However, His Majesty has sent this letter addressed to you."

Observing the letter in Jim's hand, Guren appeared somewhat surprised as he accepted it cautiously, his gaze filled with curiosity as he examined it.

"By the way, His Majesty instructed that you should open it the moment you're on the battlefield," Jim added.

Guren nodded, casting a grateful glance towards Jim.

"Thank you, Prime Minister Jim," Guren replied quietly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Jim gave a small nod, saying nothing more, before making his way towards Rain, who stood near the cliff of the hill.

As Guren watched Jim's retreating figure, he narrowed his eyes and returned his attention to the letter in his hand.

Just as he was about to stow the letter away, a voice interrupted him from the side.

"Hey, Guren! What's that letter you're holding?"

At the sound of the voice, Guren's expression hardened, and he redirected his gaze to the side where Valen was approaching.

"It's none of your concern," Guren retorted, swiftly tucking the letter into the pocket of his battle robe.

"Hehehe! Are you giving me the cold shoulder because I bested you, Guren?" Valen quipped, folding his big, burly arms across his chest.

At the mention of "bested," Guren's expression darkened instantly.

His defeat at Valen's hands had dealt a severe blow to his pride and self-esteem.

While the lack of a holy weapon was the primary reason for his defeat, it still left him utterly devastated.

However, the Guren of the present was distinctly different from his past self.

His emotional composure had ascended to new heights, and he no longer allowed himself to be easily rattled by Valen's taunts.

Maintaining his icy composure, he gave a disdainful snort in Valen's direction before turning his gaze away.

"Even though I lost that time, it doesn't mean I'll lose in the future. Just wait for that day," Guren stated coldly and indifferently.

Once he gained recognition from the Holy Sword of Zenith, Guren was confident that his abilities would match or even surpass Leon's, making it easy to outmatch Valen in the future.

Despite Valen's strength, he had always been bested by Leon before, and Guren was determined to ensure that Valen's next defeat would be at his hands—the new sword hero of this era!

Observing Guren's impressive emotional composure and his controlled, arrogant demeanor, Valen couldn't help but smirk sarcastically.

He refrained from arguing or further taunting Guren, yet a glint of coldness sparked in Valen's eyes as he observed Guren intently, a subtle smile tugging at his lips from behind his facade.

"Hehehe... Interesting..."

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A/N: Thank you for your supports!