Demon hunter's Cooking Manual

"Gerard!"

Watching the tall figure leading a horse from a distance, Earl Anne broke into a smile.

Without any hesitation, the earl turned around and positioned himself behind Mrs. An Lu, with his long sword resting on the lady's throat, and then he called out, "Stop there."

Jason halted in his steps, glancing at the other party.

His gaze focused primarily on the crystal in the other's hand.

Then, he scanned the slumbering Defense Army.

He already had an inkling of what was happening.

"As per our agreement."

"I came alone."

Jason mimicked Gerard's tone.

"Of course!"

"You would certainly come back!"

"Who else would you be if not Gerard?"

After Earl Anne finished speaking, he raised the crystal in his hand, his eyes turning towards the unconscious Defense Army.

"I am willing to trade one third of their lives, their freedom, in exchange for your inability to use the 'Flame' ability for one hour."

"Do you agree?"

Earl Anne said, turning his head to look at Jason with a smug look on his face.

It seemed he was not at all worried that Jason might refuse.

After all, he was facing Gerard.

A Gerard who would be the first into battle, beloved by his subordinates.

How could Gerard not agree?

Of course, Gerard would agree.

Jason, impersonating Gerard, would also agree.

The 'Charles Burning Technique' is good.

But it's not his main skill.

"I agree,"

Jason nodded.

Instantly, the crystal burst forth with a dazzling brilliance, and one third of the Defense Army regained consciousness; the bindings on their bodies breaking one by one. These soldiers first looked around in confusion, then they saw Jason.

"My lord!"

The Defense Army soldiers exclaimed in surprise.

Then, they realized that they had truly become a burden to their lord.

Suddenly, these soldiers looked ashamed.

And Earl Anne's words continued.

"I am willing to use another third of their lives, their freedom, in exchange for your inability to use Griffin faction techniques for one hour."

"Do you agree?"

"My lord, don't agree to it!"

"My lord, you can't agree to him!"

Without waiting for Jason to speak, the newly awakened soldiers began to panic.

They shouted out loud.

Jason waved his hand at the soldiers.

"I agree."

Jason continued.

Instantly, as a dazzling light flickered on the crystal, another third of the Defense Army woke up.

These awakened soldiers glared at Earl Anne, grinding their teeth in anger.

But Earl Anne didn't care at all.

His gaze swept over the Defense Army soldiers, and he said with a laugh:

"Do you have any dissatisfaction?"

"With such a great figure as Gerard willing to sacrifice for you, you should feel joy."

"No, it should be gratitude towards me for being willing to trade with Gerard that you ought to feel."

Earl Anne mocked the Defense Army soldiers in jest.

Then, he turned his head to look at Gerard again.

"One third remains..."

"What do you think my next demand will be?"

The 'Fort Swallow' earl smiled maliciously.

"Griffin summoning ability?"

Jason asked.

The answer was obvious.

The opponent was just methodically stripping away Gerard's abilities, techniques, and trump cards.

Reducing Gerard's combat effectiveness to rock bottom.

A very direct and effective approach.

But,

That was Gerard.

Not him, Jason.

The unconscious Gerard knew summoning Griffins.

But I, Jason, do not.

You say I should not use a Griffin summoning technique I do not possess, of course, I won't object.

As for techniques of the Griffin faction?

If not rolling, then I won't roll.

Moreover, Jason believed the other party would not make any excessive demands for fear of truly pushing Gerard into desperation.

Indeed, that was the case.

"You're very smart."

"Just like you said—"

"I am willing to use the last third of their lives, their freedom, in exchange for your inability to use the 'Griffin' secret technique for one hour."

"Do you agree?"

The earl smiled, continuing to speak amidst his insincere flattery.

"I agree,"

Jason said without hesitation.

Immediately, the last third of the Defense Army woke up and quickly grasped what had happened.

All five hundred members of the Defense Army had tears in their eyes.

They had never thought that Lord Gerard would be willing to do so much for them.

Lord Gerard was truly trading his life for theirs.

Upon this realization, these stern-faced men could not help but sob out loud.

"Shut your mouths."

"Stand up."

"Leave this place."

Jason uttered each word deliberately.

All five hundred soldiers of the Defense Army rose to their feet in unison.

They did not defy the command of their lord.

They also knew they were no match for Earl Anne.

But that did not stop rage, reluctance, and hatred from brewing in their hearts.

They departed step by step.

They fixed their eyes intently on Earl Anne.

As if to brand his image into their minds, into their souls!

They had made up their minds.

The rest of their lives would be dedicated to his downfall.

No matter what it took, as long as he was brought down, that was all that mattered.

Just as the five hundred were about to leave Banana Bay, the commander leading them suddenly knelt on one knee.

"My lord, please take care of yourself!"

"Please make sure to return safely!"

The remaining soldiers knelt in unison.

"My lord, please take care of yourself!"

"Please make sure to return safely!"

Their voices echoed to the heavens.

Jason did not look back, merely waving his hand.

Watching Jason's retreating figure, the five hundred soldiers from the harbor's Defense Army took steps backward.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk."

"How touching."

"They're just like the guard of my foolish brother."

"And you, you're quite similar to my foolish brother as well."

"Of course,"

"You are much stronger than him."

Earl Anne shook his head as he said this.

Then, he lowered his head to look at Madame An Lu.

"Madame, what do you think..."

"What would Lord Gerard agree to for your sake?"

Before he could finish his sentence, the Earl couldn't help but let out a laugh.

There was malice in it.

And triumph, too.

No more Flame abilities.

No more Griffin style techniques.

No assistance from the Griffin.

Even with just one hour, the advantage was his to seize.

If he could just strip Gerard of one aspect of his physical abilities,

Then he was certain to win!

"You're despicable!"

Madame An Lu shouted loudly.

"Thank you for the compliment!"

The Earl responded with a smile.

Then, he looked again at Jason.

"I am willing to exchange Madame An Lu's life and freedom for the disadvantage of your Agility decreasing by one-fifth for the next hour.

"Do you agree?"

Earl Anne asked.

The Earl did not choose at random, but based on the Griffin style techniques.

Ferocity combined with Agility!

That's the hallmark of the Griffin style!

It was inevitable that Gerard's Strength and Agility would be exceptional.

Once all other advantages were cast aside, Agility became particularly important because, after all, no matter how strong you are, if you can't hit your opponent, it's useless.

Therefore, the Earl decided to target Gerard's Agility.

"I agree,"

Jason answered without hesitation.

Agility was not his forte anyway.

Madame An Lu was released.

The lady looked at Jason wanting to say something, but he stopped her with a wave of his hand.

"Please, go forward."

"Catch up with my soldiers."

"They will take good care of you."

Jason said this and then strode toward Earl Anne, not giving the lady the slightest chance to speak.

Watching Jason's back, Madame An Lu opened her mouth but in the end said nothing, and jogged forward.

At this moment,

Only Jason and Earl Anne were left in Banana Bay.

The latter gave Jason a malicious smile.

Then, in a flash,

Thrust!

The long sword pierced Jason's chest.

And it went straight through the heart.

"Do you know how long I've waited for this moment?"

"You who are so high and mighty, Lord Gerard!"

Earl Anne sneered.

And then,

The Earl withdrew his sword.

He flicked the fresh blood from the blade.

The sword slowly returned to its scabbard.

Everything went just as he had anticipated.

Gerard was not that remarkable after all.

Thinking this, the Earl turned to leave.

A dead opponent is unworthy of attention.

Could a dead Gerard still strike at him?