Sword God in a World of Magic

For just a small moment, Shang entertained the thought of accepting the proposal.

"Thank you, but no," Shang said. "I want to deal with this myself."

Duke Whirlwind only smiled. It was like he had already anticipated that answer.

"It's fine to deal with some troublesome things yourself. You'll learn how to deal with worse situations in the future because of that. However, please keep in mind that your life is still the most important thing. Without it, none of your goals will become meaningless," Duke Whirlwind said.

"I will keep that in mind," Shang said.

"Naturally, no one will even dare to follow or touch you on this journey," Duke Whirlwind continued. "That Adept has also not even considered following us. I even presume that he might abandon the mission before the day is over. After all, he saw you traveling with me."

Duke Whirlwind chuckled a bit. "This mission might appear a little too hot for his liking."

"So, whoever commissioned your death will probably have to pay an even higher premium after today."

Shang furrowed his brows. "Will a True Mage come after me?" he asked. Shang didn't even ask how Duke Whirlwind knew that the person spying on Shang was a Cleaner. Duke Whirlwind had probably seen enough Cleaners in his life. Finding out that it was a Cleaner probably didn't take more than a simple glance.

"With enough money, you could probably even hire the King personally," Duke Whirlwind said with a chuckle. "But you don't need to worry. I have implemented policies that track the whereabouts of all the True Mages in my domain. If they want to hire a True Mage to come after you, they will need to get one from outside and smuggle them in."

"As long as your enemy isn't a Peak True Mage that is willing to throw their life savings away just to see you die, you should be fine. At most, they will commission a more powerful Peak Adept."

Shang only nodded.

By now, the group had arrived at the Farm Line, and they were still continuing at a rapid pace.

was honestly

you want?" Duke

already gave me my

proven to be rather annoying with his constant objections to my claim of the former battlefield, and one of his biggest arguments is that my territory is now too big for me. He's constantly complaining that I don't have a mind bright enough to efficiently rule over so much

to make everything appear as mismanaged as possible. He gets his people to devastate the landscape and plunder it to such

care of his biggest hand," Duke

raised his eyebrows in surprise. "My contributions couldn't be that

said with a laugh. "He sent in his two most valuable pawns to the northeastern territory. They aren't valuable due to their power but due to their positions

and Kiva Orvis is the genius son of Jera Orvis, the personal

was that Commander Stage warrior?" Shang

Duke Whirlwind nodded.

who is this Kiva

glanced at Shang with a smirk. "You

Shang's eyes widened.

son of the personal general of

He is very famous in Duke Mithril's lands for

more powerful of the two, Kiva Orvis was the strategic

Shang again. "But you stopped him, basically throwing Duke Mithril's plan into the

far more than the single piece of ore I have organized for you, Shang," Duke Whirlwind said. "Additionally, if Duke Mithril ever finds out that you were the one that foiled his plan, your life could

you didn't tell Kiva Orvis any

furrowed brows. "You talk like he is still

Whirlwind answered, "such a hostage is worth a lot

still alive?"