Chapter 350 – Solving Problems

“Ahem… interrupting everyone for a moment. If I heard correctly… you wish to stop this war?”

In the deathly silent Royal Hall, Punk’s voice carried a chilling clarity. Though phrased as a question, those present could clearly detect the warning underlying his words.

The Nobles seemed somewhat bewildered by Punk’s sudden interjection. In their understanding, “outsiders” like Punk who operated like mercenaries typically didn’t involve themselves in the Kingdom’s internal political disputes. Yet now, just as negotiations between the Nobles and Joni Zordas were reaching a critical stage, Punk appeared intent on intervening, leaving the Nobles thoroughly confused.

However strange it seemed, they couldn’t ignore a Master-Level powerhouse’s inquiry. Thus, an elderly noble reluctantly stepped forward and cautiously replied:

“Indeed, as you can see, the Maple Leaf Kingdom no longer possesses the capacity for war. If this conflict were to truly begin, our nation would likely slide into the Abyss of destruction, therefore…”

“Enough, I understand. I believe I’ve grasped your position.”

The old noble had only spoken halfway when Punk interrupted his increasingly lengthy explanation. This time, however, Punk’s voice carried no additional inflections or tones, his words sounding even more icy and inscrutable.

The interrupted old noble stood momentarily stunned, uncertain of Punk’s intentions. While it was widely accepted that Master-Level powerhouses often possessed eccentricities… was Punk’s inquiry truly meaningless?

Similarly perplexed were Joni, who was racking his brains for countermeasures, and Ben Lajie, who appeared increasingly uneasy. While Joni felt genuine confusion, what Ben Lajie sensed was a bone-chilling dread.

Regardless, at this moment, every noble in the hall except the dazed Old King on his throne had their attention fixed on Punk. Joni also watched the overly mysterious mage with growing wariness.

Unconsciously, another silence descended upon the gathering. But this time, the old noble lacked his previous composure. As an Apprentice-Level warrior observing the hooded spellcaster shrouded in shadows, he began to sense… ominous premonitions.

Punk stood silently beside Ben Lajie without uttering a word, seemingly having returned to his quiet demeanor. Only his eyes, hidden within his hood’s shadows, began to shimmer with faint magical radiance.

“Mana? No, why is there mana present?”

As if suddenly aware of something, the old noble felt an intensely dangerous sensation creeping into his heart. In that instant, he felt as if an invincible primordial beast had materialized behind him, its fanged maw gaping wide to devour him whole.

“Look out! You…”The horrified old Noble instantly channeled his Battle Aura at full power, attempting to flee his position. In that moment, the long-unused Battle Aura within him erupted beyond normal limits. His aged body, under the sudden threat of death, unleashed a formidable momentum that even the old Noble himself would never have dared to imagine.

But… it was useless! Compared to the lethal purple light that arrived in an instant, as a mere Apprentice-Level warrior, the old Noble was too late, too slow, and too weak.

Even though he momentarily achieved supersonic speed, the old Noble still couldn’t evade the terrifying energy shockwave that distorted and agitated space itself. The deathly purple light mercilessly tore apart the old Noble’s body and cane, while the ensuing shockwave uniformly mixed splattered flesh and shattered debris in the next moment.

Finally, the last sight before the old Noble’s eyes was Jiaoni’s horrified expression and the freshly drawn Greatsword, along with Punk’s pair of icy, frigid azure eyes.

“BOOM”!!

“Formal-Level Evocation spell—Kinetic Burst”!

Metamagic – Dualcast!

Master-Level Evocation spell—Magic Concealment!

Master-Level spell solidification on Mage Robe—Anywhere Door!

Under the cover of “Magic Concealment,” Punk instantly completed the “Kinetic Burst”—a Formal-Level spell whose magical fluctuations were almost entirely hidden. To ensure Jiaoni couldn’t detect it immediately, Punk also activated the “Anywhere Door” spell solidified on his Mage Robe.

With everyone in the Royal Hall focused on Punk, a Formal-Level “Kinetic Burst” deliberately concealed by a Master-Level spell instantly appeared right in the center of the Nobles’ seating area through the Anywhere Door. The outcome… was self-evident.

Even though Jiaoni reacted swiftly enough, he still had to protect the King behind him from the widespread spell aftermath. Thus, Jiaoni ultimately failed to prevent Punk’s spell from exploding violently in the very center of the Nobles’ seating area.

Purple kinetic fragments swept through like countless scythes of death, their fleeting cold gleam shredding the horrified expressions and helpless, terrified screams of all the Nobles. Under this compressed, materialized energy impact, even the sturdy marble floor was ground into powder. Those Nobles, whose strength barely reached Apprentice-Level, didn’t even have time to activate their Battle Aura before being crushed into bloody mist by the first wave of kinetic force!

One attack—just a single explosion from a Formal-Level spell—annihilated all 132 high-ranking Nobles of the Maple Leaf Kingdom present! That’s right! Not a single survivor remained! Even their death wails were scattered and lost in the deafening blast shockwave!

By now, it was nearly noon. The shattered dome, destroyed by the terrifying impact, could no longer block the sunlight. Strands of light from Mila and Chikasa projected into the broken Royal Palace amidst the winter chill. Under the sunlight, a large, indistinguishable mass of bloody paste—neither liquid nor solid—covered the cratered Royal Hall. On the broken bricks and stones, vast pools of blood appeared exceptionally gruesome and horrifying.Only four individuals remained standing in the now half-ruined Royal Palace: Punk, Jiaoni, Ben Lajie… and the Old King who showed signs of dementia.

Among them, Ben Lajie and Jiaoni both wore expressions of shock and bewilderment. Only Punk, after unleashing this series of spells without warning, casually tugged at the brim of his hood with ease and said nonchalantly to the stunned Joni-Zordas:

“Violence can’t solve problems? I’ve never agreed with that statement. In my view, violence not only solves problems – it’s the best way to solve them. Bar none!”

We’re about to confront Ovakain, everyone! Cast your votes now~

(End of Chapter)