The First Magic World War

The next day, early morning.

The sun shone brightly, and the birds chirped in the woods.

Charles rubbed his eyes, got up, stepped out of the carriage, relieved himself in a nearby grove, and wiped his face with the dew on the leaves.

When he returned, Silvie had opened the coach door and said, "You can come up now."

Charles got on the carriage and saw that both ladies had already tidied up the carriage and dressed neatly. Only then did he allow Madam Nancy to continue driving the carriage directly to the Machu Picchu fortress.

When they arrived at Machu Picchu, another carriage was already parked in front of the fortress. Aubrey Barrington Atwood, the president of the Liemar Detective Agency, and another young soldier in his thirties stood together.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Aubrey Barrington Atwood, upon seeing Vini Yarsaenu, greeted her with a smile. Vini returned the greeting with a standard Empire salute.

As for Charles, he didn't feel the necessity to greet Aubrey Barrington Atwood. After all, it was already a do-or-die situation, so why bother with false pleasantries?

Seeing Charles and his group approach, the young soldier took a step forward and said, "I am Harriet Alva! Edison's brother, a graduate from the first National Academy, and I practiced the Radiant Breathing Method!"

Upon hearing 'the First National Academy,' Charles instantly felt a deep respect.

He had graduated from Le Man Public School and attended Behemoth National College, neither of which were the Empire's top institutions, but later he had been admitted to Sheffield University, which somewhat compensated for the educational shortcomings.

No one could say that a university graduate lacked a solid education.

But hearing someone had graduated from the First National Academy still made him a bit envious. Zimmerman Axel Robin was also a graduate of the First National Academy, which is an affiliate of Royal Hogwarts University, and its graduates' first choice of university.

Thus, the First National Academy could also be considered a school under the wings of the Lord of Radiance, where students could learn the Radiant Breathing Method.

Charles casually asked, "That's a pity, why didn't you apply for university?"

Harriet Alva smiled slightly and said, "Because while I was studying at the First National Academy, I had a good friend named Zimmerman Axel Robin. Close to graduation, he suddenly attacked me, which made me miss the applications for university."

Even though they were about to duel to the death, Charles couldn't help but show a look of sympathy and asked, "This friend of yours, was he really a friend?"

Harriet smiled faintly and answered, "If I could collect the Eight Great Knights' Certificates, he would be the first one I challenge. Unfortunately, he has already been executed by the Empire, so I no longer have that opportunity."

Charles hesitated for a moment, thinking to himself, "Actually, you still have a chance, just commit an irrevocable crime, get caught and sent to the real Kilmainham Prison, then you'll have your chance to challenge Zimmerman Axel Robin. It's just unknown if, after the memories are extracted by the Jade Scroll, you'll still remember this."

Of course, he dared not reveal this secret!

Zimmerman Axel Robin was not yet dead, and that was absolutely a top-secret matter that must remain undisclosed.

Charles was now also vaguely beginning to understand why Menilman had picked him to sign the documents. Indeed, he had shown talent and was a proper junior brother. Sharing secrets was exactly his senior sister's subtle way of recruiting him.

Lated, he performed exceptionally well...

Now, he was absolutely considered a staunchly loyal subordinate to the Empire's First Rose.

Harriet Alva was very restrained, showing no impulse against the enemy who had killed his brother.

He patiently waited for the witnesses to inspect the weapons of both parties, confirm the legality of the documents, and—as was customary—asked both if they wished to call off the duel, embrace each other, and turn their weapons to plowshares...

Charles agreed on the spot.

It was the first time Harriet Alva showed impatience, refusing to call off the duel.

After a series of cumbersome procedures, under the watchful eyes of two witnesses and Silvie Martin, both stepped into the Machu Picchu fortress, and on an open ground, they began their standoff.

Charles concentrated slightly, sensing the enthusiastic response of the labyrinthine Machu Picchu; he even received a piece of information: the NPCs of Machu Picchu's labyrinth had increased to thirteen hundred twenty-one.

Apart from those adventurers, many of the wild beasts that originally roamed the Machu Picchu fortress were now designated as NPCs, as well as some of the demons, evil spirits, and oddities that had dwelt in the ruins of the fortress.

Harriet Alva's weapon of choice was a standard military saber. As a forty-first-grade fifth-level officer, his finances were quite tight. He often needed assistance from his detective brother and, of course, could not afford any extraordinary weapons.

Charles wielded an alchemical staff, created by dissolving an old magic scabbard from the era of the Sherlock Kingdom and incorporating special wood, resulting in a toughness that matched metal swords.

The weapons of both participants had been inspected by the witnesses, and they had both promised not to use firearms during the duel.

Silvie, unaware of this rule, became extremely worried upon learning that firearms were not allowed, her face filled with concern.

Vinnie Yarsaenu, on the other hand, remained calm and collected, always believing that Charles must have some other countermeasures up his sleeve.

Harriet held his military saber at his brow, saluted militarily, and with a sharp shout, his Radiant Fighting Spirit burst forth, launching a simple sprint that covered more than ten steps instantly, his saber cleaving downward with immense force.

This strike, devoid of any flashiness, but with precision in power, speed, angle, and timing, showcased the decisive and straightforward nature forged through countless life-and-death battles on the battlefield.

In terms of speed alone, it almost matched Algenon's Leopard's Hunt.

Yet Harriet used no special abilities. Stay tuned for updates on empire

Charles took a deep breath, stepped back lightly, and moved out of Harriet's attack range. The two displayed the formidable fighting spirit of high-order knights and the adaptability of the transcendent with special abilities in combat.

Harriet Alva casually shifted strategies, delivering twelve continuous slashes, each one terrifyingly precise. Unlike Algenon, who could only sustain a short burst, he leisurely said, "If I could attend university and learn the Divine Light Meditation Technique, Mr. Charles, you wouldn't stand a chance against me even with one move."

Charles thought, "Certainly not."

If Harriet Alva were to master the Divine Light Meditation Technique and develop various special abilities, why would he even bother fighting? It would be wiser to rush deeper into Machu Picchu's labyrinth and use its power to contend with this high-level transcendent.

Charles, relying on his Quickness Technique, managed to dodge all twelve slashes.

Harriet, not the least bit daunted, his face full of confidence, declared, "I have been through countless battles in the military and have now earned two of the Eight Great Knights' Certificates!"

"Today, let Mister Mecklen witness the Proof of War!"

Suddenly, a bloodthirsty aura emanated from Harriet's body, and a blood-red military flag unfurled behind him.