Unlike normal aura weapon empowerment, Emperor Renardier's aura-empowered greatsword wasn't just enhanced in attack power and durability; the red aura formed the shape of a large greatsword that extended over five yards long.

Furthermore, Emperor Renardier's aura didn't just mimic the sword's form; it also possessed the sword's sharpness. No, its sharpness was even more frightening than his Rank 5 greatsword! It was so sharp that it seemed possible to cut through anything.

Sword aura was the higher application of aura augmentation on the sword; it didn't just raise the sword's capability but copied its traits and improved on them.

With fury in his eyes, Emperor Renardier's sword aura wasn't just moments away from cleaving Fort Whitebridge's wall apart, tearing through its defense like paper.

No, Artemis and the battle witches had the feeling that he was capable of splitting the entire fort in half with a single swing!

Luckily, the worse did not happen.

"Hm?"

Emperor Renardier suddenly felt a threatening sense of danger,forcing him to be on the defensive as he blocked a wave of scorching-hot blue flames.

Swoosh!

Vaan's blue flames blasted Emperor Renardier away, but the latter did not plunge into the big lake. Instead, he was caught by a wizard using a levitation spell.

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"Are you alright, Your Imperial Majesty?"

"l'm alright."

Emperor Renardier responded to the nearby holy soldiers' concerned questions calmly, but he couldn't relieve the frown on his forehead as he could still feel the Sting of Vaan's blue flames.

The blue flames didn't just destroy his sword aura; his greatsword and armor also took damage.

The blue flames possessed Such frighteningly high temperatures that it would melt his rank-five equipment if they were exposed to them for prolonged periods.

"Who the hell are you?!" Emperor Renardier barked with a grave yet doubtful look, viewing Vaan as a great threat.

He was unable to determine Vaan's source of power.

The person's blue flames appeared much more powerful than any wizard and witch spells he had encountered. Furthermore, the person didn't possess the same feminine Vibe wizards tried to hide.

Although Emperor Renardier knew there were Spirit Contractors, he doubted the person could contract such a powerful fire spirit.

Yet. at the same time, that seemed to be the only plausible explanation for the person's control over such powerful flames.

Nevertheless, Vaan didn't answer his question.

"It's too early for us to be fighting; it would be a pity if the war ended too soon. That said, if you insist on participating, I'll be your opponent," Vaan coolly stated, seemingly indifferent, but his eyes sparkled with great interest.

Just by seeing how Emperor Renardier's aura operated, he felt like he had found a clue to making a breakthrough in his aura cultivation. If he could fight Emperor Renardier,he would definitely gain more enlightenment.

For that reason, it would be a pity to kill the person outright, not to mention it would also end the war.

Many battle witches had yet to gain any battle experiences in the war, and those that did barely got a taste of it.

As such, he could only delay his fight.

...

"Your Imperial Majesty, please return and treat your wounds! Leave the fighting here to us! It's not too late for you to Icad us once we figure out this person's mysterious strength!" a lord urgently stated.

Although Emperor Renardier was unwilling, he also knew of his importance. He was the core of the empire.

If he fell, the army would collapse.

Thus, even if it was a cowardly tactic that went against his warrior's code to rely on his subjects to find out the person's strength and exhaust him before he could fight again, he had to follow through with such a choice for the lives of the whole army that depended on him.

"Alright," Emperor Renardier sighed as a Peak-stage Second-Circle wizard carried him back to the camp.

After his armor was removed to check for wounds, he discovered his injuries were worse than he had imagined. He suffered terrible burns in places that weren't covered by his armor.

"Such a terrifying flame... This power must be at least Peak-level Rank 5 or above..." Emperor Renardier muttered with a frown as his twelve concubines tended to his wounds.

..

As the war raged on, Count Eldridge brought a bunch of troops forward and knelt down in front Of Emperor Renardier outside the command center.

"Your Imperial Majesty. please permit me to use the first secret passage! I Will lead my troops and risk my life to confirm whether the enemy has set traps for us!"

"l understand if you mentioned the other secret passages, but the first? I do not understand. You know the first secret passage has a high risk since it has been used before, so why do you insist on that one? Count Eldridge?"

"You and Marquis Salazar had already assigned others to lead the attack in those other secret passages. Therefore. only the first secret passage is left. Duke Chalfont was also a precious retainer and a dear friend of mine. I also want to lead the vanguard and avenge him. Please permit me, Your Imperial Majesty!"

"Since you have completely made up your mind, there's no reason for me to stop you, You have my blessings, Be careful. Count Eldridge."

"Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty!"

Emperor Renardier knew he would only hurt Count Eldridge's pride if he stopped him. The person was determined and prepared to die, fighting for a higher chance at victory for the empire.

Thus, he agreed to the person's request.

Nevertheless, a scout report soon came in from the fleet Of magic airships hovering high over the skies of Fort Whitebridge.

"Your Imperial Majesty, the enemy has begun reinforcing their forts with troops from their border cities!" a soldier reported.

"Good! Everything is going according to plan," Emperor Renardier exclaimed.

"Since we have the enemy's full attention, they won't suspect an attack from their rear. It's finally time to make full use of those secret passages. That's your cue, Count Eldridge. I will also inform the lords to begin."

"l will bring back good news, Your Imperial Majesty!"

Count Eldridge promised solemnly, saluting with his right fist over his chest, pointing upward, and his other fist behind his back.