Chris had once traveled to Aethelgard with Oriana.
Later, Oriana left on her own to search for Emily.
Chris never expected to encounter Oriana here again.
But now, Oriana was no longer the proud, untouchable figure she had once been. She had become a slave.
Her clothes were tattered, and like the other slaves, she was bound in iron chains.
Even among the slaves, Oriana stood out-her strength was unmatched, and her beauty was undeniable.
Despite the dirt smudged across her face, it couldn’t conceal her breathtaking, almost otherworldly looks.
When Chris saw Oriana, a wave of emotion surged through him.
He was both elated to see her and consumed with rage at her current condition.
Meanwhile, the pirates were forcing the slaves off the ship.
“Move faster, or I’ll kill you!” one pirate barked.
Under the crack of whips, the slaves shuffled ashore, unable to escape as their hands and feet were shackled.
Nearby, a group of pirates was chatting. One of them was their leader.
“Mr. Keaton,” one pirate said, “this batch of slaves is excellent-especially that woman. She’s stunning.”
Mr. Keaton, the pirate leader, smirked. “That woman? She’s already been promised to our Hall Master.”
Another pirate chimed in, “Mr. Keaton, we lost dozens of men capturing her. Wouldn’t it be a waste not to enjoy her first? She’s too beautiful to pass up!”
Mr. Keaton hesitated, tempted by the suggestion. Oriana’s beauty was irresistible to any man.
Finally, he nodded. “You’re right. Bring her to me.”
“Yes, sir!”
Two pirates quickly dragged Oriana over.
Oriana glared at Mr. Keaton, her eyes radiating icy fury.
She had been searching for Emily when these pirates captured her.
Mr. Keaton ogled her shamelessly and grinned. “Beautiful, truly beautiful! Take her to the nearest inn-I’ll enjoy her properly.”
The two pirates began to escort Oriana away.
Suddenly, at the critical moment, Oriana struck.
From her sleeve, she pulled out a sharp dagger and lunged at the two pirates.
“Ahhh!”
“Ahhh!”
Two screams echoed as the pirates collapsed lifelessly to the ground.
“You wretch! You’re courting death!” Mr. Keaton roared in rage.
He lashed out with a powerful kick that sent Oriana flying.
The pirate leader was a Solstice-level combatant, someone Oriana could not hope to match.
“You dare kill my men? I’ll teach you a lesson today!” Mr. Keaton sneered as he advanced toward her.
Oriana closed her eyes in despair, resigning herself to her fate.
Bang!
Suddenly, a thunderous noise broke through the tension.
When Oriana reopened her eyes, Mr. Keaton had been sent flying backward.
Struggling to his feet, Mr. Keaton roared, “Who did that? Show yourself!”
From above, a figure descended gracefully.
It was Chris.
Seeing Oriana in peril, Chris couldn’t stand idly by.
Mr. Keaton narrowed his eyes at Chris, his expression darkening.
As a leader of the Iron Fist, Mr. Keaton wasn’t a fool. Being knocked back so easily proved this newcomer’s strength was formidable.
“What’s your name, boy?” Mr. Keaton growled. “Do you know who I am? I’m with the Iron Fist. If you interfere, you’ll regret it!”
Chris said nothing, his silence a sharp insult.
Mr. Keaton’s fury boiled over. “Kill him!” he commanded.
With that, hundreds of pirates charged at Chris.
“Kill!”
“Kill!”
“Kill!”
Chris’s eyes burned with murderous intent. Without hesitation, he gripped his Dragon Slayer sword and rushed into the fray.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
In mere moments, the ground was littered with bodies. The pirates lay motionless, defeated.
Mr. Keaton stared in shock, his jaw slack.
He couldn’t believe it-Chris had singlehandedly decimated his entire crew.
Who was this man?
Tears streamed down Oriana’s face as she gazed at Chris. She hadn’t expected him to come to her rescue at such a critical moment.
Chris approached her without a word.
With a swift strike, he shattered the chains binding her hands and feet.
The sharp clang of metal echoed as the shackles fell away.
Mr. Keaton glared at Chris, his face twisted with anger. “Do you really think you can save her? She belongs to our Hall Master. If you take her, he’ll hunt you down!”
Chris frowned but remained calm.
Oriana’s voice trembled. “Chris, you have to leave! This man is a Solstice-level fighter. You can’t defeat him.”
Chris chuckled coldly. “A mere Solstice-level fighter? He’s nothing to me.”
Oriana couldn’t believe her ears. Had Chris grown this powerful in such a short time?
But Chris wasted no time. He turned and charged at Mr. Keaton, his Dragon Slayer gleaming in his hands.
Chris moved with blinding speed, closing the distance in an instant.
Mr. Keaton tried to defend himself, but he was no match.
Boom!
With a deafening crash, Mr. Keaton was sent sprawling to the ground, gravely injured.
Chris stood over him, his expression cold. “Iron Fist? I don’t care who you are. Hurt my friends, and there’s only one outcome: death.”
Mr. Keaton’s face twisted in terror. “You wouldn’t dare kill me! I’m Mr. Keaton of the Iron Fist! If you do this, the Iron Fist will-”
Before he could finish, Chris swung his Dragon Slayer.
The blade sliced through the air, and Mr. Keaton’s head rolled to the ground.