Veil of Destiny

Chapter 21 Pursuit

The Third Knight Corps' independent detachment, "Dragon and Beauty," rose to fame after the Battle of the Abyss of Magic. Reports of the day's events were secretly compiled into various versions and delivered to several influential figures. The readers' reactions varied widely—some were furious, some amused, and others thoroughly disgusted. Meanwhile, the involved parties remained completely unaware of this.

All sides involved showed an unusual level of discretion. The Asteria Duchy was known for its strict military discipline. Soldiers caught brawling in private faced a month of solitary confinement and twenty lashes. Given the scale of the brawl, and the fact that it took place in a casino, any public knowledge of it would likely result in the leaders losing their heads. Parsis was sure to take a hit from this incident, biding his time for future revenge.

After hearing Grayson's detailed explanation, Dorian and his companions were finally at ease. Otherwise, having caused such a major incident, they feared that their brief respite with military pay would end abruptly, forcing them into a life of banditry once more.

In the following days, the group lived in a state of anxiety but kept themselves busy. They split up to purchase land and houses, seemingly planning to settle down in Lille City. Tristan kept the hundred "Dragon and Beauty" knights and fifty mountain men in the barracks for rigorous training. The primary goal was to "survive street fights," a preparation for potential future conflicts with the Second Knight Corps. Bad news travels fast, and the news of the brawl spread throughout the Third Knight Corps' camp. Even knights from the First Knight Corps looked at the "Dragon and Beauty" knights with a mix of admiration, envy, disdain, and jealousy.

Perhaps it was fear of poverty from a young age, but Dorian had a special fondness for having his own place. He fondly remembered his first small building in Fort Farle, despite its traps and messiness—it was his first home. He also reminisced about that wonderful night, the unparalleled ecstasy after a near-death experience, the moans of pleasure, the straight and powerful legs, and the exhaustion that followed. Suddenly, Dorian found himself missing Vivienne, a feeling that was inexplicable. Vivienne was fiery, well-endowed, beautiful, and exceptionally skilled—a formidable woman despite her commoner status, far superior to Dorian, a fallen noble.

Dorian knew that under normal circumstances, he had no chance with such a woman, which is why the memory of that night was so vivid. For him, or for any man, Vivienne's martial prowess was of no consequence. What he desired was her body and face. Though she was attractive, she wasn't a rare beauty like Elysis, and there were many equally beautiful commoner women. But combined with her other qualities, few could compare to Vivienne. It was like the weaponry and armor from War God's Hammer—practical but not extraordinary, yet adorned with various decorations and gimmicks, they suddenly seemed special.

And then there was the sense of conquest! Dorian knew Vivienne looked down on him, yet he relished the thought, "So what? I still got to see you, touch you, and have you." It was the disparity between their statuses that made it so thrilling, not the act itself but the fact that he had her, someone beyond his reach.

Conquering a renowned woman is every man's dream, Dorian thought smugly. But another voice in his head countered, "Is that really conquest? You only got her body through despicable means. Did you break her spirit or win her heart?" Dorian fell silent.

"Who cares about all that? I just want her body!" Dorian thought angrily. But having been with a famous woman wasn't enough; it was essential to let others know. It had become a status symbol—look, such a remarkable woman chose me. Where exactly am I extraordinary? Haha, figure it out yourself! However, this was not something to boast about openly. It required subtlety and tact, letting others discover it themselves. And knowing whom to tell was also crucial. Boasting to a laborer would either make you look like an idiot or get you called crazy.