Demon hunter's Cooking Manual

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Step, step-step.

Footsteps echoed in the staircase of Mobius Palace.

The personal servant of "Aymodun the Third," carrying an urgent report from the front line, hastened toward the top floor.

Gerard's scheme had failed!

The content of the report sunk the personal servant's heart.

Even the "Gesadek Crystal" couldn't restrain that man?

The personal servant wondered, raising his hand to knock on the door.

"Come in," came the long-awaited voice of "Aymodun the Third."

Calmly composing himself, the personal servant entered the top floor in an ordinary manner.

"Aymodun the Third," holding a glass of wine, looked at his personal servant.

No need for "Aymodun the Third" to inquire further.

The personal servant simply began speaking.

"My lord,"

"The scheme against Gerard..."

"Has failed," he added, then awaited "Aymodun the Third" to burst into a rage.

He even braced himself for the possibility of being shot.

However, to the personal servant's surprise, "Aymodun the Third" remained very calm.

Not only did he not explode in anger, there wasn't even a hint of it.

Did the lord already know?

The personal servant was taken aback.

Then it dawned on him.

Since the "Gesadek Crystal" was provided by the lord himself, it was only natural, given the lord's character, that he would have tampered with it somehow.

It was no surprise that the failure of the plan against Gerard was not unexpected.

With this realization, the personal servant breathed a sigh of relief.

Though he was prepared, it was, of course, better not to be shot at all.

"A bunch of good-for-nothings," said "Aymodun the Third," casually with his wine glass in hand.

Just as the personal servant had anticipated.

The ruler of the Federation had indeed altered the "Gesadek Crystal" slightly.

It allowed him to "observe" the surroundings of the user to a limited extent when the "Gesadek Crystal" was used and to gain certain benefits.

If not for the latter, he would have been able to observe even more.

But to him, the profits were more important.

Even if it affected his ability to "observe."

Thus—

He saw "Bonebreaker" Kronin capturing soldiers of the Hans Port Defense Army.

He also witnessed Earl Anne taking out "Bonebreaker," then fighting for the "Gesadek Crystal."

He even saw everything Earl Anne did against Gerard.

But, he did not see the final outcome.

Therefore, the ruler of the Federation was expectant.

He was very much looking forward to Earl Anne causing some trouble for Gerard.

Of course.

If Earl Anne could kill Gerard, that would be an even more pleasant surprise.

And then?

He would naturally step in to reap the spoils of victory.

One with the "Gesadek Crystal" would stand no chance against him.

As for Earl Anne's greed, betrayal, and malice?

The ruler of the Federation did not feel any aversion; on the contrary, he appreciated Earl Anne, seeing him as a promising candidate.

Because such a person is more suitable for certain tasks.

He would not be hindered by so-called "honor."

Indeed, a most ideal subordinate.

Only...

He had never imagined that Earl Anne, even with the "Gesadek Crystal," after meticulously targeting Gerard, would fail so quickly!

A minute?

No!

Not even thirty seconds passed!

The "Gesadek Crystal" had completely lost contact with him.

This not only meant Earl Anne's utter defeat.

But also signified his loss of the "Gesadek Crystal."

Given Gerard's character, upon discovering the secret of the "Gesadek Crystal," he would surely destroy it.

The ruler of the Federation was confident of this.

He knew his adversary all too well.

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And about Earl Anne, whom he had just high hopes for?

Useless!

He didn't even manage to scratch the surface of the "injured" Gerard!

Naturally, the ruler of the Federation once again smashed a wine glass in anger.

Before his personal manservant came in, he had been holding a new one.

"Worthy of being the opponent of my lifetime!"

"Everything still requires me to take action personally!"

Having said that, "Aymodun III" stood up with the wine glass in hand.

Since his useless subordinates couldn't deal with Gerard, it would have to be him who took action.

Although his plan was to further weaken Gerard first.

Then, take care of Gerard himself.

But now?

He could not wait any longer.

His trump card was about to come into play.

He must be present himself.

Just as the ruler of the Federation was about to say something to his personal manservant,

"Urgent report!"

The messenger shouted as he rushed in.

Upon seeing the ruler of the Federation, the messenger kneeled on one knee and reported, "My lord, the first and second infantry regiments of Fort Swallow have been attacked, and then, half an hour ago, we completely lost contact with them."

"What?"

"Aymodun III" was stunned.

The next moment, the ruler of the Federation flew into a rage.

"Useless!"

"All useless!"

In his roaring anger, the ruler of the Federation violently threw the wine glass in his hand to the ground.

Crack!

The sound of the glass breaking echoed sharply.

...

The explosion at Fort Swallow was seen by Jason, by little Reed.

It was seen by the stationed Defense Army, the Guard Army, and even Hans Port.

At night, such an explosion was too conspicuous.

Immediately, little Reed dispatched the Scout Cavalry.

The main forces followed soon after.

"Fort Swallow..."

Lady An Lu whispered a prayer.

The widow of the Duke of Fort Swallow, she had put on new leather armor. Refusing the suggestion to return to Hans Port, she asked little Reed for a longsword and then rode after the troops.

Little Reed tried to persuade her once and then did not say more.

He understood the widow's motives clearly.

Show value.

Not be forsaken.

A noble who lost territory, forces, wealth.

If she lost the last bit of value she had...

It would be true "death."

But little Reed would not give any help to her.

All his thoughts were on Jason and the situation they were currently facing.

Little Reed's respect for Jason, especially after hearing that Jason was willing to exchange himself for the liberation of the five hundred soldiers from the Port Defense Army, had reached a height second only to Gerard.

And the soldiers around them?

To them, Gerard was already one of a kind.

At this moment, Jason was Gerard.

Therefore, Jason also became one of a kind.

At a single command,

a night's march at full speed.

When the sun leaped above the sea, Fort Swallow came into view for everyone.

In just a few days, which saw the fort change hands several times, its walls still bore the black marks of gunpowder explosions, along with faint traces of crimson. In the early morning sunlight, the entire bastion seemed peaceful.

It was eerily quiet.

So quiet it made one's hair stand on end.

Whoosh!

A gust of sea breeze blew in.

Suddenly, a black banner on the city walls began fluttering in the wind.

In the resounding flapping, sanguine letters appeared on the banner—

Her Majesty the Queen says it's time to end the war.

So we've come to end the war.