Chapter 521: When Charlot Returns, I Shall Return Their Arrogance in Full

Grand Duchess Annie Bretagne stood atop the walls of Black Phoenix City. Her once youthful and innocent face had been entirely replaced by steadfast determination.

Not long after Charlot left, fleets from the New Continent began to arrive. They soon discovered that the Old Continent had a fertile, coastal land, conveniently lacking in powerful defenders. As for the reputation of Charlot Mecklenburg, it was utterly insignificant to these newcomers. To them, Charlot was merely a novelist who had curried favor with the eldest daughter of the newly ascended Emperor of Fars and received a noble title as a reward...

Yes, in the eyes of those returning from the New Continent, Charlot Mecklenburg was nothing more than a court jester lucky enough to marry well—a fortunate son-in-law who had stumbled upon prosperity.

These invaders wasted no time launching a surprise attack on the Duchy of Mecklenburg.

As the war began, Charlot’s West Wind Knight Order suffered one defeat after another.

Charlot had taken nearly all Saint-rank individuals with him, leaving behind only ordinary Transcendents. Moreover, Charlot’s training philosophy emphasized survival above all else.

Under the command of Anastasia, Dubin, and others, the West Wind Knight Order used the labyrinthine passages to retreat systematically, minimizing losses.

However, this strategic withdrawal was seen by the New Continent invaders as a sign of weakness. Emboldened, they pursued aggressively, launching relentless attacks.

Upon learning of the situation, Annie unhesitatingly brought along Grandmother Karen, Clair Bretagne, and Ebner Soumet to provide aid. Knowing her father and brother could spare no troops, she decisively ordered the West Wind Knight Order to retreat into Black Phoenix City, abandoning all outer territories. Every remaining resource was either transported to Machubi Fortress or Cappadocia—one a city within Fars, the other under Ingrima’s protection, guarded by Menielman Soumet.

Initially, Annie had hoped that with three Saint-rank warriors, along with the Black Dragon and Regulus left by Charlot, she could deliver a decisive counterstrike under the walls of Black Phoenix City.

But as more fleets from the New Continent landed and the New Continent Council was established, Annie abandoned her illusions. She sought aid from every ally of Charlot and received substantial support, fortifying Black Phoenix City into an impenetrable fortress.

The two sides fought over fifty battles beneath the city walls, and Annie held firm.

Across the Old Continent, from royalty to commoners, Annie Bretagne’s reputation soared like a nightingale taking flight. No longer a gilded canary in a cage or a naive princess, she was now a capable diplomat, military strategist, and political leader. Her renown rivaled even that of her father and brother.

Though she felt some unease deep within, Annie had learned to conceal it. As she gazed out at the densely packed fleet outside Black Phoenix City, her eyes burned with unyielding resolve and battle spirit.

Standing beside her was Sophia Gallanord, whose reputation in the Fars Empire had risen as brightly as the moon in the sky. A rising star of the Imperial Navy, Sophia had abandoned everything, ignoring her father Count Gallanord’s protests, to lead her fleet into the fray. She now served as Annie’s deputy, contributing significantly to the city’s defense.

Annie, inexperienced in warfare, greatly benefited from Sophia’s experience in commanding fleets during the empire’s maritime battles.

Behind them stood the greatest contributor to the city’s resilience: Princess May Guillaume, the Duchess of Mesu, alongside her daughter, Ardosa Mesu.

Charlot’s remaining Saint-rank warriors and senior officers had willingly taken on the identity of vassals to the Duke of Mecklenburg, supporting Annie wholeheartedly. Despite the Duchess of Mesu’s formidable power, Black Phoenix City remained firmly under Annie’s control.

A figure rose from a warship, holding an enormous war blade. With a haughty tone, he called out, “Grand Duchess Annie!”

“You and Black Phoenix City are at your wit’s end. Your lands are lost, and further resistance is pointless. Surrender the city and have your subordinates lay down their arms. I will allow you to leave freely and return to Fars.”

“Or, you may stay. I admire you greatly and would gladly take you as my wife so that you may continue living on this land.”

Princess May raised her hands slightly, one motioning upward while the other pulled lightly. A pink strand of combat energy transformed into an arrow and shot out like lightning. The New Continent Transcendent smiled faintly, twirling his massive war blade to shatter the arrow. He roared, “If you won’t heed my generosity, then once Black Phoenix City falls, all the men will be enslaved, and the women... well, we’ll see how we feel.”

“You’ll love it, I guarantee!” He burst into arrogant laughter.

Annie, however, raised her hand, signaling everyone to remain calm.

The strongest defenders of Black Phoenix City were the Black Dragon, Regulus, Princess May, and the Duchess of Mesu. Though formidable at Saint-rank level 22, the New Continent Council had three leaders at level 23. Without the Temple of the Serpent of Fate in the city, they would have been overwhelmed long ago.

Annie spoke coldly, “Ignore his provocations.”

“When Charlot returns, I will repay all their arrogance in full!”

At the mere mention of Charlot, the West Wind Knight Order’s spirits soared. Despite the overwhelming strength of their enemy, they remained unshaken, for Charlot had never disappointed them.

Monteblanc resorted to vile insults, threats, and false promises, but the defenders of Black Phoenix City remained steadfast. Frustrated, he swung his massive war blade downward, unleashing an attack like a collapsing mountain or a raging tsunami. But an inexplicable force dissipated the strike above the city walls.

Cursing under his breath, Monteblanc spat, “What sort of wicked god shields this city?”

“If it weren’t for some evil deity, these weakling Saint-rank warriors wouldn’t stand a chance against my blade.”

Another Saint-rank Transcendent from the New Continent Council floated up beside him, laughing lecherously. “Still hung up on that Annie girl?”

Monteblanc snorted. “What, do you plan to trade me that girl you’ve been eyeing?”

Shrugging, the other replied, “I don’t mind. First time I’ve seen a city with so many beauties. I’m not picky—any of them will do. Too bad the prettiest princess has already been claimed by our leader, Avish.”

Monteblanc glanced at the city walls, where more than ten stunning women stood—each a peerless beauty by New Continent standards.

The Council leaders had long divided up the “spoils of war.” Staring at Princess May, a burning desire flared in Monteblanc’s eyes. “Once Avish has had his turn, I’ll make sure to enjoy that Inglima princess myself,” he murmured.

As the two continued their vulgar banter above the city, a long horn sounded from the sea. A fleet, cutting through the waves, was approaching Black Phoenix City.

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