Chapter 43

In the new world, the concept of social class is exceptionally strong. If the upper echelons decide to resolve their conflicts through one-on-one duels of honor, those of lower status dare not interfere, as they are not qualified to participate in such duels. A well-intentioned attempt to help could easily turn into a crime, so Luo Zhengdao did not ask for help, and Vena Dubov did not dare to intervene rashly, for fear of being accused of openly defying the dignity of the nobility. Pirates usually do not adhere to these hierarchical norms, but in actual combat, a one-on-one duel between two captains is considered sacred and inviolable, and anyone who dares to disrupt it will face certain death.

No one in this world is immune to the fear of death. Regardless of one's status, talent, or appearance, death is the ultimate equalizer, treating all life with impartiality. This is the ultimate limit of fairness in a world where people believe in taking from the poor to give to the rich.

Even if one wields the power to decide life and death, even if one is fabulously wealthy, even if one is of breathtaking beauty, what does it matter? When the Lord of the Underworld decides to send an invitation, the guest must obediently attend, no matter how unwilling.

On the day the Mayans had predicted as the end of the world, the apocalypse failed to materialize, leaving many in the old world disappointed. "Hey, where's the promised free shipping to my doorstep? You really don't want a good review, do you? Hey!"

Since everyone fears death, could Luo Zhengdao be any different? This illogical assumption lacks a solid basis. Although playing a mobile game and becoming a穿越者 (穿越者 means "穿越者" in Chinese, which can be translated as "time traveler" or "穿越者" in English) is not a reality everyone can accept, he did not lose hope in life or become indifferent to his own mortality. So why did Luo Zhengdao accept Zheti Baisan's challenge? Perhaps only he himself knows the reason, and you, not being Luo Zhengdao, cannot possibly know what he is thinking.

"Enough, I am tired of running like a rat. Don't you know that a cornered rat will turn and bite the cat?"

Zheti Baisan, with his brutal and bloodthirsty nature, would only sneer at Luo Zhengdao's parable. Goblins value bravery and iron discipline, and for them, killing and fleeing are part of daily life.

For thousands of years after the fall of the first Goblin Empire, when human kingdoms were at their peak, goblin tribes were regularly hunted down by human armies, much like the creeps in Dota. If the goblins had not been patient and waited for the right moment to fight, they would have been wiped out long ago, and there would be no second Goblin Empire today.

Zheti Baisan, with arms as thick as Luo Zhengdao's thighs, gripped his battle axe with both hands, his two fangs protruding from his lips, making him look especially ferocious. He roared, "Foolish hairless monkey, you are courting death!"

Zheti Baisan's roar was a stark contrast to Luo Zhengdao's calm words.

The appearance of the elven fleet and the news that the enemy flagship was being consumed by flames were undoubtedly good news for the pirates. However, these factors also placed Zheti Baisan, the bear goblin commander, in a no-retreat situation. He could either abandon his hard-won achievements and return to face the scrutiny of the Senate and the ridicule of his fellow goblins, or he could cast aside all his concerns and take a gamble to eliminate Luo Zhengdao before the situation worsened. Could Zheti Baisan, a bear goblin, choose the path of cowardice and incompetence? His resolve was clear: he would fight to the death.

Luo Zhengdao's decision to engage in battle was not a momentary impulse. Given the immense mental pressure he was under, it was more like a pent-up emotional explosion. As the saying goes, a true man can bend and stretch, but the prerequisite is that he must be able to stretch after bending. If you tell someone that they will suffer until the age of thirty but will then achieve fame and glory, that is a true man's resolve. If you tell them that they will get used to the suffering by the age of thirty, that is more like training a ninja turtle. The irritable Luo Zhengdao clearly lacked the necessary life awareness to be a ninja turtle. Since he had been repeatedly forced into dire straits and narrowly escaped death time and again, his life had become a constant, restless journey with no end in sight and no hope of relief.

The entanglement between the card master and the荒神 (荒神 means "荒神" in Chinese, which can be translated as "wild god" or "荒神" in English) and the constant threat of the荒神's curse were enough to make even a simple-minded person like Forrest Gump consider suicide. It was only natural that Luo Zhengdao would eventually reach his breaking point.

Already on the brink of mental collapse, Zheti Baisan's taunts pushed Luo Zhengdao to the limit, and he erupted. Given the dire situation, could he continue to endure passively? Despite his emotional outburst, he did not lose his rationality. As he walked towards Zheti Baisan with his sword, the one-star prop card "Silver Knight Armor" in his left hand hinted at his plan.

"Summon—Silver Knight Armor! Designate the target!"

Luo Zhengdao's voice, filled with resentment, trembled slightly, not from emotion but from uncertainty. This was his first time using a magic card based on his own conjecture. Concerned that using the card might trigger the荒神's curse, he did not test his theory beforehand and could only rely on luck.

The battle on the Ether Sea differs from land warfare. Sailors do not easily use heavy defensive equipment like armor, as it is too dangerous in a naval battle. If one accidentally falls overboard, the armor becomes a deadly burden, unlike a weapon that can be dropped to save one's life. Being dragged down by the armor into the dark depths of the Ether Sea, drifting alone for eons until turning into a mummy and resurfacing near some remote island, is a tragic fate not to be taken lightly. Only those with a death wish would wear such suicidal armor on a warship, as it would only highlight their ignorance of the maritime industry.

Magic cards are creations from an unknown and mysterious realm. These prop cards are theoretically designed for summoned creatures to enhance their combat abilities or to add special effects on the spot. However, there is no rule that says the card masters themselves cannot use them. For Luo Zhengdao, equipping or removing the armor was a simple matter, and this was the perfect moment to use it.

"Swish!"

After a shower of white light and a dazzling flash, Luo Zhengdao appeared before everyone, clad in a bright silver chainmail armor. This masterpiece, made of countless tiny mithril rings intricately linked and interspersed with cold-forged steel plates that shimmered with a blue light, was indeed a dazzling work of art. The armor was reinforced with plate segments on vulnerable areas like the chest and shoulders, and the visor, when lowered, left only his eyes exposed. It was a truly formidable sight. Fortunately, this impressive armor was summoned by a magic card, or his assets would not have been enough to purchase such an expensive piece, which would cost at least 3,000 to 5,000 gold coins at an auction.

Seeing Luo Zhengdao's flashy appearance, Zheti Baisan was enraged. He swung his double-bladed battle axe and roared, "Cowardly, despicable hairless monkey, die!"

Just as the two were about to engage, an arrow shot from the side and aimed at Luo Zhengdao. Judging from its trajectory, it came from another goblin warship, attempting to disrupt the duel.

Luo Zhengdao instinctively tilted his head to the right, and the arrow grazed his temple, leaving a trail of sparks on his polished silver helmet.

Vena Dubov could not contain her joy. Seizing the opportunity, she accused the goblins, pointing at the bear goblin commander, "They have broken the sacred rules of the duel and are using underhanded tactics. Don't follow their rules, attack together!"

For thousands of years, as human kingdoms expanded and occupied the most fertile lands, human armies regularly swept through and suppressed the various non-human races. The goblins, with their strict military organization, fared slightly better, managing to find remote areas to establish their own territories and satisfy their vanity. However, the bear goblins, with their thick muscles and limited intelligence, were often brutally defeated by human armies. If not for the even weaker and more pitiful goblin foot soldiers, the bear goblins would have no pride left, despite their brute strength.

Due to their inherent intellectual limitations and historical disadvantages, bear goblins held a low social status in the second Goblin Empire. They might be recruited for suicide missions, but they would never be promoted to command positions.

After enduring countless hardships to reach his current position, Zheti Baisan felt he had no choice but to succeed. Returning with Luo Zhengdao's head, no matter the cost, would make him a hero of the empire. Failure would mean a bleak future. There was no turning back. Even if he was accused of breaking the rules of the duel, Zheti Baisan did not care. As long as he eliminated the Earl of Fulu, his future would be secure, and the rules would be irrelevant.

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**End of Chapter**