Chapter 122: Dolma’s Challenge

Under Christina’s care, the injured prisoners gradually regained their health.

Jia Zhengjin finally led her to the innermost solitary cell, where Perin unlocked the door.

Inside the cell was Alex, the village chief’s son.

At this moment, Alex looked utterly disheveled, his body covered in wounds.

Besides the sword cuts, most of his injuries were from thorn scratches.

Seeing Jia Zhengjin enter, he immediately backed away in fear, but there was nowhere to retreat—the cold stone wall was right behind him.

His hands and feet were bound with ropes, and all his weapons and gear had been stripped away, leaving him only in a set of fiber clothing.

“Treat him,” Jia Zhengjin instructed Christina.

Christina stepped into the cell, her gaze complicated as she looked at Alex.

“Christina…” Alex whispered softly, “Yesterday…”

Christina shot him a cold glance, her eyes filled with disdain, which silenced him instantly.

Though innocent, Christina was not foolish. She had believed in Alex until the crucial moment when his true nature was revealed. To save himself, he had used her as a human shield, a bitter betrayal. It was laughable that she once foolishly thought it was love.

Not to mention Alex had deceived her—Eileen was never under his control, nor was she ever his lover.

When affection turns to disgust, the feeling is all the more intense.

Yet Christina, a compassionate priest, despite her revulsion, remained true to her calling and treated him.

Seeing Christina ignore his pleas, healing his wounds quickly before stepping aside, Alex turned to the other side and said, “Perin, I swear I will never oppose Lord Keene again! Please plead with Lord Keene to spare me!”

Perin looked at him expressionlessly. “An honorable town guard fights for freedom with the sword in hand. Even in defeat, such courage commands respect.”

“Well said!” Jia Zhengjin smiled and nodded. “Alex, don’t say I never gave you a chance. As long as you issue a challenge, I will accept and arrange the most suitable opponent for you. If you win, you gain your freedom immediately. If you lose, I will decide your fate.”

Alex shook his head vigorously, curling up motionless in the corner.

“Good-for-nothing!” Perin sneered. She despised weakness above all.

Christina’s eyes also reflected profound disappointment, the last flicker of hope extinguished.

As they stepped outside, the door to General Tzoma’s cell suddenly trembled violently.

Jia Zhengjin paused, watching as the sturdy iron door shook relentlessly, the stones near its seams cracking and crumbling.

The kobold guards responsible for the prison rushed over anxiously, weapons raised.

Wolf, Karl, Buddy, and Labi appeared as well, flanking General Tzoma vigilantly.

Perin drew her sword, ready for battle.

With a deafening crash, the iron door was torn off, bending under the immense force. General Tzoma casually tossed it aside, along with the shattered chains scattered on the floor.

Emerging to face the prepared guards, his gaze settled on Jia Zhengjin. “By the name of the God of War, I issue a challenge. Accept it!”

“You want to challenge me?” Jia Zhengjin’s face remained calm, though his heart harbored unease.

This man was formidable. Although Wolf, Karl, Buddy, Labi, and Perin combined could subdue him, the challenge was strictly one-on-one. Unfortunately, no one in the entire city was capable of facing him in a fair duel and winning.

After a glance at Jia Zhengjin, General Tzoma shook his head. “I’ll challenge the Dragon. Though I know I lack the strength to withstand its blows, fighting the Dragon is the highest honor a warrior can achieve.”

“I do not accept this challenge,” Jia Zhengjin said firmly.

He certainly could not agree, for that was a sham dragon with no real combat power. If the truth were revealed, its deterrent effect would vanish, with unpredictable consequences.

“What?!” General Tzoma was stunned.

“I said I do not accept your challenge,” Jia Zhengjin repeated. “Therefore, you win by default and are free. You may leave immediately and return to Light City.”

“Are you insulting me?!” Tzoma roared. “You think I am unworthy to challenge the Dragon? Indeed, I lack the strength, but you cannot humiliate me like this!”

“Fine. I accept a challenge. You fight Wolf,” Jia Zhengjin said, pointing at the werewolf. “Barehanded.”

“Why? Why can’t I die honorably before the Dragon?” General Tzoma growled.

“Why must you seek death?” Jia Zhengjin was speechless. “Isn’t living better? With your strength, you can easily defeat Wolf.”

“What about the others?” Tzoma gestured toward the city guards inside the prison, then at Christina.

“Let them go rearm and attack my city again? Do you think I’m not tired of that?” Jia Zhengjin replied. “Either I let you go now because you accept your defeat, or you fight Wolf, and if you win, you still leave. I respect you for having the courage to protect your comrades, unlike Alex, who tried to sacrifice others to save himself. If you were like him, you wouldn’t have survived last night.”

“I understand! But I cannot flee alone!” Tzoma declared. “And I don’t expect you to go easy on me. Though you may disdain using spatial magic against me, at least grant me the chance to die at the Dragon’s hands!”

“So why must you insist on dying?” Jia Zhengjin shook his head in frustration.

“Death is not to be feared by a warrior!” General Tzoma’s voice was heavy and resolute. “But one must die with purpose! I have spent my life pursuing the limits of strength, and the Dragon is closest to divine power. I want to know how mighty the gods truly are. For that, I have no regrets—even if it means death!”

“War-crazed fool…” Jia Zhengjin would never fulfill his wish; he had no real dragon. “I understand your resolve, but I will not help you achieve it.”

“Is it because the Dragon scorns fighting a weakling like me?” Tzoma clenched his fists.

The truth was that this fake dragon was weaker than anyone. Jia Zhengjin just wanted this terrifying giant gone from his city. “Either you accept defeat now and leave the Demon Beast Forest to return to Light City, or you fight Wolf, and if you win, you still leave for Light City.”

The choice was clear.