Chapter 501: Chapter 501: The Situation

The Duke completed all of this as if he were just brushing off some nonexistent dust from his sleeve. His gaze finally fell on the nearby young survivor, who had collapsed to the ground, eyes wide and mouth agape, resembling a clay sculpture or a wooden statue. Tom looked up at the young man standing on the back of the giant eagle, like a god, and then at the battlefield that had instantly been wiped clean, his mind blank. The knight-level master he once could only look up to fought against the Insect Race with blood, yet still could not escape death. Meanwhile, the one before him had merely moved his fingers, turning those demonic monsters to dust. At this moment, the definition of power in his heart was completely overturned. After receiving news about Besom County, the Duke immediately took the Storm Dragon Eagle to investigate the situation. Vivian stayed in Maple Hill County, handling various affairs there. Along the way, the Duke had already seen several waves of the Void Insect Race attacking human villages and towns. The entire Besom County was extensively infested with the Void Insect Race. Besom County is right next to Silver County, and Silver County is adjacent to Maple Hill County, separated by just one territory. As he flew over Besom County, seeing the situation below, he knew that Besom County was finished. Here was beyond rescue; even if the Void Insect Race could be dealt with, only a nearly empty and devastated territory would remain. The Duke leapt lightly from the back of the Storm Dragon Eagle, landing on the slightly fungus-infected ground without a trace of contamination. An invisible force field seemed to surround him, isolating all uncomfortable auras. The Duke glanced at Tom, immediately recognizing that he was likely a local civilian of Besom County, with some Fighting Spirit still coursing within him, indicating he was not entirely ignorant of the lower classes in Besom County. From this person, he could possibly obtain some information about Besom County through inquiry. Tom watched as the god-like young man approached him, wanting to struggle to his feet to give a salute but was unable due to his injuries and exhaustion. He could only feebly prop himself up with his elbows, his eyes mixed with awe, fear, and a desperate glimmer of hope. The Duke stopped a few steps in front of him, calmly scanning Tom's gruesome wounds and tattered leather armor, before finally meeting his eyes filled with pain and panic. His voice was gentle yet carried an undeniable penetrating power, directly entering Tom's ears, oddly calming some of his panic: "Did you escape from Stone Shield Castle?" Tom nodded vigorously, his throat too dry to produce a clear sound, only managing to rasp out a few words: "Yes. yes, my lord. Viscount Barton. the castle. is finished."