Chapter 519: Success and Withdrawal

Bartos had fled. His twenty-five subordinates swarming forward created the perfect opportunity for this seemingly reckless warrior to make his escape, and Bartos unhesitatingly chose this rather cowardly way to exit the stage.

Undoubtedly, this sudden turn of events was completely unexpected for both Punk and Kane. Even Audreylinda, who had entered a state of frenzied rage, wore an expression of disbelief.

But facts were facts. Clearly, although Bartos appeared muscular and wide-eyed, looking every bit like a fearless and valiant warrior, in reality, this fellow spent far more time on “keeping peace for profit” and “fleeing from battle” than actual combat. Even Audreylinda, who was relatively acquainted with Bartos, probably never knew just how weak and timid that seemingly fierce, fearless warrior truly was beneath the surface!

In fact, even before clashing with Punk, having sensed the presence of two Master-Level powerhouses, Bartos had already considered resolving the matter through peaceful negotiation. And after trading blows with Punk, realizing he was facing a peak 19th-level spellcaster, Bartos immediately turned and ran without hesitation.

Was Bartos not angry? Did he not feel resentment?

How could he not resent this? His Royal Capital had been more than half destroyed, the Formal-Level elite guard he’d spent at least five to six hundred years cultivating and gathering had all become cannon fodder to cover his escape, and now he himself was forced to flee, losing all dignity and reputation. Worse still, due to his battlefield desertion in the face of “evil” today, good-aligned professionals would forever look down on Bartos from now on.

Bartos hated this! He hated it so much his blood vessels felt like they were burning! He hated it so much he cursed and swore even while running away!

But… what could he do? Hatred and fear had always been able to coexist. Others might not know about Bartos’s mediocre skills, but didn’t Bartos himself know his own limitations all too well?

Equipment? None!

Arcane secrets? None!

Trump cards? None!

Backing? None!

Bartos had managed to come this far relying solely on good luck and cowardice (though he preferred to call this trait “prudence”). For the “prudent” Bartos, being humiliated was just being humiliated, losing face was just losing face – preserving his own life was more important than anything else.

The moment they clashed, Bartos had clearly realized – whether from mysterious intuition or basic logical judgment – that Punk was obviously not someone a “have-nothing” martial professional like him could contend with. Bartos even had a chilling premonition – if he stayed for more than thirty seconds, then after Punk finished off those vulnerable Formal-Level guards, his own demise would become an ironclad certainty.

Therefore, unexpectedly yet inevitably, Bartos fled for his life. Violent Battle Aura propelled the escape-focused warrior straight through the rubble-strewn streets. With the speed of a Master-Level warrior fully utilizing “Aura Wings,” Bartos managed to flee Red Roy City in just over twenty seconds.It seems that unless Punk and Kane were confirmed to have left, Bartos would rather abandon this Kingdom that had finally gotten on track and flee far away than ever return…

Such is the world—not everyone is as unyielding as Audreylinda, nor is everyone as adventurous as Punk and Kane. If they can win, they fight; if they can’t, they run. In battles among professionals, this isn’t shameful but… common sense!

Following “common sense,” Bartos fled without a fight. Now, according to the plan, Punk should also retreat with “Smile” and the “Second Godchild.”

So far, after a series of thrilling battles and unexpected twists, Punk’s plan was finally back on track. The only one still fighting on the battlefield was the just Female Knight, and with Kane’s abilities, he could easily keep this Audreylinda thoroughly tied down.

“Excellent, as the plan dictates… Kane! In that case, I’ll take my leave first. This Female Knight is all yours.”

Seeing that his enemies had all been dealt with, Punk almost without hesitation grabbed “Smile” and the Magic Cage containing the Second Godchild, flying straight into the sky.

After all, leaving the vulnerable “Smile” and “Second Godchild” on the battlefield for so long had already set Punk’s nerves on edge. Now that he could finally evacuate safely, Punk wasn’t about to linger and dawdle.

As for the Female Knight Audreylinda, who was still locked in fierce combat with Kane… Punk felt that if he intervened, his chances of killing her on the spot were nearly one hundred percent. But… he had no intention of doing so. If Audreylinda were pushed to desperation and unleashed large-scale destructive attacks regardless of consequences, no one could guarantee that “Smile” and the Second Godchild would escape with only injuries like their internal organs being slightly ruptured.

The safety of “Smile” and the “Second Godchild” represented Punk’s own path to becoming Legendary. To jeopardize his Legendary path for the sake of killing an enemy who offered no benefits would be utterly unwise.

On the other hand, and most importantly…

Punk cast a cold glance at Kane, who was tightly entangled by the Female Knight, and a faint, cold smile curled at the corner of his lips.

Due to the restrictions of the Eye of Judgment Contract, Punk certainly couldn’t stab Kane in the back. But… using someone else to do the dirty work was entirely feasible. For instance, right now, the Female Knight Audreylinda’s every move was a desperate, mutually destructive assault, something Punk observed clearly. Especially when Audreylinda spared no effort to close in on her enemy, the aura she emitted even made Punk feel threatened. If this Female Knight could make Kane capsize in this narrow ditch… Punk would be overjoyed!

So, without even acknowledging Kane, Punk immediately turned and left with “Smile” and the “Second Godchild.”

After all, Audreylinda was currently fixated on hacking away at the “evil” knight before her, and Punk wasn’t worried about the Female Knight suddenly turning to pursue him.Hmm, though the plan had a minor hiccup, it ultimately succeeded without major mishaps. It would have been perfect if Kane had been severely injured or even killed by that Female Knight. Thinking this, Punk felt quite pleased as he swiftly ascended through the clouds and left Red Roy City.

Of course, Kane’s “playtime” with Audreylinda was anything but pleasant… Seeing Punk simply “retire after success,” Kane was so furious his hair stood on end.

What sinister schemes Punk was plotting—did Kane not know? If not for the Eye of Judgment Contract, Kane suspected Punk might even seize an opportunity to hit him with a “Velocity Kinetic Cone,” so he never truly expected Punk to help him out of goodwill.

But… watching the guy leisurely take off just like that, Kane couldn’t help but curse loudly in the direction Punk had flown:

“You bastard Cyan, I’ve had enough of this damned plan! Next time, whoever volunteers for rear guard duty is a grandson!”

(End of Chapter)