Chapter 175 Are You Willing . . . ?

"The lady had spoken," I told him. "Be a gentleman and leave her alone."

Edward's veins bulged even more, and his face warped in anger. "A noob . . . dare tells me what to do? Weaklings like you don't have any right to talk to me! You have no right to even grace me with your dirty eyes!"

Well . . . there went his handsome face.

I laughed at the absurdity of it all. The man was so angry that he couldn't think straight.

Edward lunged forward, and I immediately pushed Amara into Thomas's way. The woman stumbled from surprise, and my ghoul steadied her to her feet and held her tight when she attempted to run in my direction.

Edward grabbed my shirt with both hands. His fingers dug into my skin as if he were trying to tear me apart. I looked up at him. He seemed to be getting angry every second.

"You don't seem to know what's good for you. While I'm still in a good mood, you leave Amara alone, and I will let you off with a little beating. How about it?"

I laughed a little. "Leave Amara? Does Amara's complete lack of your existence conflict with your delusion of self-importance? Don't you get it? The woman is not into you."

I leaned into his ear and whispered, "She loves me, and we already shared a kiss. So if you want to save what little dignity you have left, scram the fuck off."

Edward snapped, and I quickly [Teleported] out of the way when his fist slammed into the ground behind me, cracking it open. The sound echoed through the area, making everyone jump.

"That's enough," said a voice from behind Edward. "You've made your point, my lord."

"You!" Edward shouted at me. "Fight me! What kind of man are you?!"

I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing me flinch, so I kept on walking away from him.

Edward drew his sword and was about to attack me when his advisors stopped him.

"My lord, not here." I heard them whisper in his ears.

"It's not wise in front of this so many inhabitants and players. We have a rule that we must follow, and this isn't part of your fief. This is Asuka's territory."

"My Lord. Once a player had made up her mind, no town and kingdom could force her."

"I don't care!" Edward spat before another whispered in his ears.

"My Lord . . . contain yourself just this time. You don't want to start a war with another house right here. Don't make this a reason so house Asuka could have an upper hand on us. Let's leave first. You can always find ways to kill this man in the future without dirtying your hands."

". . ." I wonder why they bothered whispering when I could hear them.

However, that did wonders because Edward regained his calm.

"Amara . . . ," he said, treating me as invisible. "I don't know what dark sorcery this man did to you, but I promise . . . I will come back for you."

Amara shivered within my grasp. I didn't know if she was scared of Edward or what Edward might do to me. Or maybe both

Apparently, the only thing saving my head from Edward's blade was the law and rules of this land. Even though the four houses belonged to a single kingdom, it seemed that they weren't united.

<They were enemies long before the Goddess Zephora descended and united them in one banner>

They had no choice but to retreat first and plan some kind of a crime to place upon my head as an excuse to kill me. Or maybe they would just hire someone to do it and kidnapped Amara. No one would care by that time.

Who knew, maybe they would ambush us once we were out from here.

<It seemed like a bold move. Why not go to war directly!>

I stifled a laugh. You really like to wage war, huh?

<You don't? I thought that it was Host's plan all along>

Hmm . . . part of it.

I had been thinking about expanding my territory since I became the lord of HAVEN, but with all the problems I faced, I hadn't really thought much further than that.

The problem was how to expand without making more enemies. But from the way I saw it . . . war was the easiest way.

<That's the spirit Host!>

"Move out," Edward said, and he left one message before he left. "Enjoy what little time you have, newbie . . . you don't know who you're up against.

My head tilted to the side and beamed. "Hit me with the best you've got. I'll be waiting."

The corner of Edward's lips rose before he turned away after promising Amara that he would save her from whatever sorcery I did to her.

"Cross, are you nuts?" Jin said immediately after Edwards and his troops left. "That's the youngest son of the Volmont family! Their fief is the largest out from the four houses. They owned countless businesses and trades. They owned important ports in the Kingdom of Rustin, and their naval fleets aren't to be messed with."

"Good," I said. "I will own a merchant city and cripple trade in the Kingdom if ever."

"What?" Jin laughed a little without mirth. "You're not actually thinking of waging war against him, are you?"

I only smiled at him before my attention flicked to Amara. Her face was shocked with worry, and she only seemed to register what she had done, for her eyes widened and shaking.

"C-cross . . ."

"Don't worry," I assured her. "I have a fief of my own as well. I can protect you . . . all of you."

No one bought that except Thomas, of course.

"M-maybe I should just. . ."

"No." I cut Amara. "The enmity between us had already been sown. Don't make me regret my decision."

I looked at her straight in her eyes and said seriously, "I need a woman at my side that had the same resolve as me. I am willing to go to war for you if ever. Are you willing to do the same and fight by my side?"