Damn, I Have to Marry the Strongest Antagonist at the Start? - Chapter 164

Chapter 164: Chapter164-The Ancient Surname Feared by All
In the grand and opulent reception hall of the Duke’s mansion.

“…That’s basically what happened. Before Master Owen left, he specifically instructed me to inform you of the situation and to assure you that there’s no need to worry. He doesn’t want you to be concerned about the mission to Kyrik to kidnap Rachel…”

As soon as Stanley saw the hastily arriving Leslie, he promptly and concisely relayed what had happened at Ironkeep. His expression grew more serious as he spoke.

Although he had great confidence in Owen, the various forces in Middle Earth were not to be underestimated.

“The Supreme Order… These people from Middle Earth are becoming more and more outrageous. They actually dared to target Owen, forcing my man to kidnap another woman.”

A chilling aura began to emanate from Leslie, and ice crystals started forming at her feet. The temperature in the air dropped sharply, becoming bone-piercingly cold.

To Leslie, Owen was already her husband. For the people of Middle Earth to attack him dishonorably was a death wish!

“But it doesn’t matter. If anyone dares to harm a single hair on his head, I will wipe out their entire clan.”

Other mages feared Middle Earth as if it were a deadly beast, but Leslie was not among them!

Stanley, standing opposite Leslie, felt an overwhelming coldness envelop him, making his pores nearly freeze. The killing intent embedded in that chill was so intense that it made his mind waver.

The next moment, just as Stanley felt his body growing colder, Leslie gradually reined in her icy killing intent. With a blank expression, she issued a command:

“General Stanley, gather the Imperial Army and prepare to march on Kyrik!”

This time, Kyrik’s incursion into the Azure Kingdom’s borderlands, where they burned, looted, and committed all manner of atrocities, had already ignited a fire of rage within her.

Now, with the mages from Middle Earth coming after Owen, that anger blazed even higher.

“I will continue my seclusion for a few more days. After you’ve assembled the army, take full control of the military and temporarily manage state affairs. We’ll discuss everything else after I emerge.”

Though her eyes flickered with anger, Leslie quickly regained her composure and gave Stanley instructions.

Stanley was startled upon hearing this, feeling somewhat perplexed. After all, it didn’t seem appropriate for him to gather the army and temporarily manage state affairs.

“Bear this burden for now. I trust in Owen’s plan, and I believe he will succeed, but Middle Earth is vast and powerful, so we need to prepare in advance.”

Leslie spoke with great seriousness.

Upon hearing this, Stanley immediately recalled Owen’s similar words from before.

“Trust Leslie, just as Leslie trusts me.”

Although Owen’s plan seemed almost fantastical to Stanley, it was clear that Leslie believed in it. She even had him gather the army in advance to prepare for Owen’s return.

This silent trust ran deep, but as far as Stanley knew, Owen and Leslie hadn’t known each other for very long.

To build such deep trust in such a short time not only showed that they were kindred spirits but also indicated that their relationship was far closer than rumors suggested.

Not long after, having finished giving instructions, Stanley took the initiative to bid farewell and turned to leave.

Although Owen had destroyed Kyrik’s army, dealing a severe blow to Kyrik’s strength, the Azure Kingdom had also suffered greatly. The losses were immense, and there were many matters that required Stanley’s attention.

After Stanley departed, Leslie did not return to her courtyard or enter the Dark Tower. Instead, she looked toward a slightly rippling space.

“Diana, if you’re here, stop hiding. What’s the point?”

“Long time no see, cousin. Your perception is as sharp as ever…”

Under Leslie’s gaze, the rippling space revealed a male figure appearing in the hall—none other than Diana in the form of a middle-aged man.

“You have talent no less than mine, but you’re too playful.”

Seeing Diana reveal herself, Leslie squinted slightly, as if seeing through her disguise to her true form.

Leslie was very familiar with Diana; they had practically grown up together.

After all, Leslie’s mother and Diana’s mother were sisters and had always had a close relationship.

“What brings you to the continent this time? You’re not one to be idle.”

Leslie asked seriously, as if she had recalled something.

“Nothing major, just here to bring Owen back to the academy. The headmaster is very interested in him.”

At this, Diana’s expression became somewhat complicated as she looked at Leslie.

From what she had heard, she knew that Owen was Leslie’s fiancé.

She knew her cousin very well—Leslie was stubborn, and if she didn’t approve of Owen, he would likely be dead by now.

Seeing Diana appraising her up and down, Leslie knew that the flame of gossip in her heart had already been ignited. She immediately spoke to change the subject: “You’d better not hurt him, or I’ll slaughter my way up there!”

“I didn’t expect you to care so much about Owen, cousin.”

Diana teased with a look of surprise.

“But I like it. We carry the name of the Rosewood family; we must love and hate with equal passion!”

Upon hearing this, Leslie squinted her eyes and looked at Diana. “Rosewood, a surname that has almost faded into the past.”

Rosewood—a name feared by all in Middle Earth!

…

At the same time, before the grand teleportation array.

Everyone watched in shock as the Dragon Princess was utterly defeated in less than ten moves. They stared in disbelief.

Especially those who had followed the Dragon Princess, the Protectors and prodigies from Middle Earth, all felt as though they were in a dream.

Owen’s displayed power was terrifying beyond imagination.

They had previously thought Owen was arrogant and that he wouldn’t last ten moves against the Dragon Princess before begging for mercy.

But it turned out the one who couldn’t last ten moves was the Dragon Princess!

Moreover, after subduing the Dragon Princess, Owen even had the audacity to tell Rachel of Melodic Academy that he was going to kidnap her—a statement of absolute defiance!

Owen was simply a madman!

At that moment, the kidnapped people from Middle Earth exchanged glances, seeing the same helplessness and shock in each other’s eyes.

Owen’s plan to kidnap Rachel and use her to threaten and control the major forces of Middle Earth was something he had already shared with them.

They had thought Owen was just talking, but he had the audacity to actually put this bold plan into action!

Right in front of everyone, he dared to lay hands on Rachel!

Meanwhile, Ymir, in the crowd, looked conflicted.

She didn’t know whether she should step forward to help.

She wasn’t even sure who to help if she did.

After all, Owen was the person she was supposed to protect, but Rachel was the most talented member of her family.

Helping either one felt wrong.

“You… you bastard!”

At that moment, Rachel snapped out of her shock from Owen’s provocative words, utterly astonished.

As a noble lady from a Middle Earth family, she had never heard such crude and bold words from another mage.

In her mind, Owen was intent on dishonoring her, about to lay hands on her.

Instantly, the Dragon Princess, dragging her injured body, and the Protectors behind her prepared to join forces and battle Owen.

From their brief clash earlier, the Dragon Princess had realized her own strength was no match for Owen’s.

But fortunately, she wasn’t alone; she was accompanied by several master-tier Protectors.

Though Owen’s power had overwhelmed her, if several master-tier mages joined forces, it wouldn’t be something Owen could withstand.

In an instant, the Dragon Princess let out a roar, her wounded golden scales rapidly regenerating as if reborn from blood, exuding an even more domineering aura.

As the Dragon Princess charged towards Owen, the other Protectors behind her also showed fierce determination and rushed at Owen together.

The mana waves emanating from the Dragon Princess and the others were vast and terrifying, causing the air to churn violently.

Right in front of Owen, Rachel narrowed her phoenix-like eyes. In her palm, a white droplet appeared—resembling ice, yet compressed water—emanating a thick misty aura, encircling Owen.