He's dead!

Jasper was actually dead!

Everyone stared in shock at the corpse on the ground and at Karl, who was gasping for breath nearby.

The Dragon King Chamber of Commerce's vice president, renowned for many years, the illustrious Jasper—had he truly just been slain?

And the one who killed him was the little-known Karl!

Lula was equally astonished.

Her plan had been for Karl to temporarily hold off Jasper while she and Audis worked together to quickly take down Hook-Claw.

Then, the three of them would join forces to deal with Jasper.

Unexpectedly, before she and Audis had even succeeded, Karl had already killed Jasper.

SWOOSH!

Seizing the moment Lula and Audis were slowed by shock, Hook-Claw Bartley suddenly shook his chain. His hook shot out, catching a distant roof ridge. He used the leverage to fly off, vanishing into the vast night after a few bounds.

Even Jasper was dead. Bartley's strength was relatively weaker; if he didn't flee, his fate was predictable.

"HUFF..." Karl slowly exhaled, steadying his internal energy. "A pity one escaped."

"It... It doesn't matter." Lula's beautiful eyes shimmered, filled with a mixture of shock, astonishment, and joy. "Mr. Karl, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Karl moved his arms and legs, then couldn't help but wince and inhale sharply. "Some muscle damage and I'm a bit drained, but nothing serious. I should recover after some rest."

He had gone all out, holding nothing back, even using the newly refined exceptional-grade Dharma Seal.

That was barely enough to secure victory.

It was also because Jasper's techniques were perfectly countered by his own. Whether it was the Lesser Mage Force Field, gravity control, or the Water Vortex, all of them could restrict movement speed. The Petrification Technique inherent in Jasper's twin greatswords was especially difficult to guard against; once signs of petrification appeared, escape became nearly impossible.

And Karl's defensive power was terrifyingly strong; even Jasper's desperate dying counterattack had failed to injure him.

It seems my strength surpasses that of an ordinary Great Knight, and I'm slightly stronger than a Great Knight like Jasper. However, I'm still no match for peak Great Knights, let alone top-tier experts like Dragon King Zimorman.

"Mr. Karl, please get some rest first," Lula said with concern, then turned. "Captain Conni, I once again extend my sincere invitation, hoping you will join the Dragon King Chamber of Commerce."

"If you feel it would be too binding, we can establish an agreement. The Chamber will never force you to do anything, and you can set out to explore the Endless Sea Domain whenever you wish."

"Miss Lula..." Conni glanced around the scene and sighed. "With the Dragon King Chamber of Commerce's current strength, even without me, you can stabilize the situation just as your father did."

Right before him stood three Great Knights, including one expert capable of slaying Jasper. And there were other Great Knights besides them.

With such power, even factions like the Sea God Assembly or the Scythe Brotherhood wouldn't dare act rashly. It wasn't that they were weaker than the Dragon King Chamber of Commerce, but if a true battle erupted, the potential losses would far outweigh any gains.

No wonder they dared to set a trap to lure Jasper in.

Conni now understood: since the information hadn't leaked from him, Susan must have deliberately spread it to lure Jasper here and eliminate them all in one fell swoop. And indeed, that was precisely what had happened.

"Captain Conni," Lula said earnestly, "I know you yearn for the secrets of the Endless Sea Domain, but even an eagle soaring in the sky must sometimes land. You could make a home for yourself here in Freedom Port, a place to rest and recover your spirit when you're weary."

As she spoke, she glanced at Susan.

"Moreover, our Dragon King Chamber of Commerce possesses considerable knowledge about the Endless Sea Domain. We could help you uncover its secrets."

"HMM..."

"The Chamber knows of a route that passes through the Hurricane Wall. I wonder if you might be interested?"

HUH?

Conni's eyebrows raised.

In the depths of the Endless Sea Domain, for some unknown reason, hurricanes raged year-round. These continuous hurricanes formed a formidable barrier of wind, known as the Hurricane Wall. Safe routes through it were exceedingly rare, and legends claimed that an even vaster sea lay beyond this wall.

He knew this better than most.

"Captain Conni," Lula said, seizing the opportunity when she saw he was intrigued, "I am truly sincere."

"..." This time, Conni didn't outright refuse. Instead, he spoke slowly, "Let me consider it."

Lula was overjoyed to hear this.

Conni's combat strength might have been ordinary among Great Knights, but his seamanship and knowledge of Mysticism were exceptional.

He was a legend in the hearts of many sailors, and recruiting him would greatly benefit the Dragon King Chamber of Commerce.

「Night fell.」

The Chamber's headquarters, resembling an old castle, was intermittently visible under the moonlight.

The main hall was brightly lit, with golden candlelight dancing over exquisite murals and intricately carved furniture. A long dining table, draped with white silk, was laden with an array of fine cutlery and a sumptuous feast. The air was filled with the fragrance of roasting meat, vibrant fruits, and an assortment of delicate, mouth-watering desserts.

It was a grand banquet held to celebrate Jasper's defeat.

However, the guest of honor, Pharmacist and Great Knight Karl, had already retired to the back to rest, citing exhaustion.

"The Sea Whale Bell?"

Karl lay on a soft, large chair, holding a miniature bell and inspecting it closely.

This item had belonged to Jasper.

The bell was a dull yellow, about the length of an adult's thumb, and its interior was engraved with intricate and profound patterns.

It was said that this small artifact was the creation of a mysterious race, capable of accumulating energy to replenish its user's life force.

Jasper's astonishingly explosive techniques and his ability to sustain them for extended periods had relied on this item's support.

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