The maid squad is too strong, what use is there for me, the Demon King?

As the eastern sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn, a thin mist still hung over the open fields, and dew clung to the tips of the grass. Suddenly, a horn blast, sharp as tearing silk, echoed from the north, startling crows into flight. In an instant—

"Boom!"

The early morning is the best time to plan for the day. At dawn, the hour of Mao (5-7 AM) should be a quiet time, but at this time, two armies are arrayed facing each other on the plain.

The first drumbeat shattered the morning mist, causing dewdrops to fall in a flurry. Immediately afterwards, dozens of large drums attacked simultaneously, the sound waves like earthworms turning over. The drummers' bare upper bodies steamed with white vapor, and they swung their drumsticks in a wide arc, striking the taut drumheads, each sound carrying the unique, cold, and menacing aura of the hour of Mao (5-7 AM).

The response from the other formation came swiftly. War drums lined up in formation, their beats initially sparse like the dripping of a water clock, then suddenly quickening like the pounding of horses' hooves. The mist was torn into wisps by the sound waves, revealing a formidable forest of halberds and spears standing behind them—the cold glint of their tips as dazzling as the drumbeats.

The moment the drumbeats stopped, a deafening roar erupted from both armies.

The roar, whipping up sand and dust, was like ten thousand wild horses trampling through an icy river. The heavy cavalry at the front slammed their swords against their shields, and in the clang of metal against metal, the three characters were torn to shreds, adding only to the bloody atmosphere. Suddenly, a desolate reed pipe rose into the air, pushing the shouts even more frenzied, shaking even the morning mist to its core.

The Union army's roar suddenly changed rhythm, turning into short, powerful "Kill! Kill! Kill!", each sound perfectly matching the heavy thud of Ravend Black's iron boots on the ground; the Confederate army, however, switched to a long, drawn-out "Ho—", and Albert Lane appeared with the sound of the drums.

The duel between Albert Lane, the Central Legal King, and General Ravende Black, two eighth-tier professionals, was a thrilling spectacle, with soldiers and generals on both sides cheering them on with all their might.

After all, ordinary people rarely even have the chance to see an eighth-tier professional, let alone witness two eighth-tier professionals fighting each other.

This may be the only chance for most of them to observe in their lifetime.

Following behind the two head coaches, Ravend Black and Albert Lane, were a number of generals who had been arranged beforehand to be brought to the front lines to observe (actually monitor) the battle.

Arthur Wellesley followed closely behind Albert Lane, with Ravend Black's lieutenant also close behind the general.

As the distance between the two sides continued to close, before their respective commanders could speak, the generals' eyes clashed with fierce intent, their gazes radiating killing intent, as if intense sparks were scattering everywhere.

To the uninformed, this might seem like a duel between generals rather than a one-on-one battle between two head coaches.

Ravend Black's gaze first fell on Albert Lane, then swept over the generals behind him, and he said in a loud voice, "As expected of the Central Ruler Albert Lane, you truly keep your promise. Have you brought all your generals?"

The first step is to confirm whether the other party has complied with the conditions.

However, in Ravend Black's view, Albert Lane's famous generals, such as Arthur Wellesley, had all followed suit, but he could not rule out the possibility that Albert Lane was hiding something, which his lieutenant was worried about.

But regardless of whether Albert Lane had any underhanded tricks up his sleeve, Ravend Black was prepared in advance and ready to counter them.

When it comes to playing tricks, Ravend Black is no less skilled than Albert Lane. Don't assume that he rose to the rank of general simply through sheer strength.

Albert Lane laughed heartily, "Of course! It's a rare opportunity for us to observe the battles of top professionals. We certainly can't miss out on such valuable experience, can we?"

As he spoke, his sharp eyes were also scrutinizing the generals behind Revander Black, but he was focusing his attention intently on Revander Black himself.

Ravend Black, unusually, agreed with Albert Lane's statement, but didn't show it, continuing, "I just hope no one's hiding their true abilities or resorting to underhanded tactics..."

Albert Lane responded with a smile: "I, Albert, have never resorted to any underhanded tricks, otherwise why would I ask you and me to have a duel?"

He didn't want both sides to suffer heavy losses so that the "fisherman" would benefit. His goal was to perform this act well and then withdraw his troops. He had no intention of fighting the enemy's army.

Ravend Black sneered upon hearing this: "If it is truly as the Central Legal King says, then that's good."

The eye contact between the generals, the sarcastic remarks between the two commanders—the atmosphere was visibly tense.

"Let's leave the pleasantries here." Revander Black lightly touched the sword at his waist, his eyes flashing with sharpness: "Based on the outcome of this battle, if I win, you withdraw and return Silver Marrow Territory; if you win, I withdraw, and Silver Marrow Territory is yours to occupy."

"Heh." Albert Lane said sarcastically, "Isn't the General afraid of slinking back to His Majesty and being punished, dismissed, or fined, or something?"

Ravend Black scoffed, "You'd better have the ability!"

Albert Lane said, "Is the test over? I've complied with the conditions, so let's move on to the next step, right?"

Ravend Black nodded slightly: "Retreat to the designated distance, and the moment I draw my sword will be the signal to begin the duel, how about that?"

Albert Lane said unhurriedly, "Go ahead."

Central Legal Lord Albert Lane appeared to be in complete control, but in reality, he was constantly on edge, on guard against Ravend Black suddenly attacking someone.

During the pre-fight condition confirmation phase, when Albert Lane and Ravend Black are closest to each other, Albert Lane has to be wary of the possibility that Ravend Black might openly break the agreed-upon treaty and suddenly attack, even with the opponent having the advantage in close combat.

Even though the other party was Ravend Black, who valued his reputation highly, Albert Lane still couldn't let his guard down.

When it comes to reputation, one won't hesitate to give it up when the time comes. Albert Lane knew this all too well, after all, he was one of the main culprits behind the sudden rebellion that triggered the War of the Eight Princes.

Perhaps this is judging a gentleman by one's own low standards, and Ravend Black might disdain doing such a thing, but Albert Lane will not let his guard down.

He did not let his guard down for a moment, even as Ravend Black and his men retreated step by step.

Albert Lane could anticipate that the confirmation phase would occur when Ravend Black was closest to him, and Ravend Black could also anticipate that he would be on guard, taking a few steps back to confuse him, and that there was a possibility of a sudden attack.

After all, it was only a few steps back, or even just a few meters, which was just a momentary thing for Revander Black, an eighth-order dual cultivator of magic and body.