Rufus's resolute warning cleaved through the air. "I'm well aware of your ties with Ambrose, but today's events won't find an effortless path to absolution."Standing unwaveringly beside Rufus, Eloise spoke with resolute conviction, "When both the powerful and the humble defy the law, consequences must be confronted. "The Vern and Linden families have perpetrated numerous wrongs and should face severe punishment."Visibly angered, Rufus hinted that pleading wouldn't sway him at this moment. Eloise, astute to the gravity of the situation, chose her words judiciously."You know precisely what actions are necessary," she stated firmly.Rufus nodded and chose to remain in contemplative silence.At that very moment, a guard entered, bowing respectfully. "Your Highness, Mr. Vern has arrived.""Hmph! Bring him in!" Rufus ordered with an icy demeanor.The guard promptly responded with a curt "yes" and left.Shortly after that, the guard silently escorted the compliant Reuben into the
As Rufus unleashed his sudden burst of anger, Reuben felt a surge of fear, his face drained of color. In his experience, the prince seldom displayed joy, making his furious outburst all the more unexpected. After all, Russo had only been involved with an ordinary woman. Surely, it didn't warrant such fury?"Your Highness, it's my fault for not disciplining him properly. If my son has erred, I'm prepared to shoulder all the blame!" Reuben knelt on the floor, presenting an image of righteousness."Can you handle that responsibility?" Rufus, abruptly seizing a handful of letters, delivered them with a swift slap to Reuben's face. The force sent Reuben sprawling. His face was aflame. "What's all this about?" Perplexed, Reuben gathered the scattered letters and began to examine them.The deeper he delved, the more his panic intensified. His entire body shook like a sieve, with cold sweat forming."No way! This can't be ... It's impossible!" Reuben shook his head repeatedly, utterl
As Ambrose entered the grand hall, the unfolding scene left him utterly stunned. Rufus, the Prince of West Lucozia, stood imposingly with hands behind his back, an air of displeasure evident on his face. The princess consort, who stood by his side, wore a stern expression.Albert, the Executioner, maintained a facade of respect, yet his eyes hinted at a concealed threat. Jaxon, the captain of the royal guards, positioned his hand on the hilt of his blade, subtly indicating preparedness to draw his weapon.The most surprising sight was Reuben, kneeling on the ground, wearing a panicked expression and bowing repeatedly—a clear portrayal of impending doom."Your Highness!" Ambrose promptly kneeled, saluting respectfully without fully grasping the situation.Typically, Rufus would allow him to rise immediately, but this time was an exception."Mr. Linden, do you understand why I summoned you in the middle of the night?" Rufus began, echoing his earlier opening statement."I do no
The phrase "public execution" struck Ambrose like a lightning bolt, leaving him frozen in his tracks. At that moment, the severity of the situation fully sank in. For ordinary offenses, it was either a pay cut or the worst would be a demotion. But, it had escalated to the point of facing execution. What on earth was happening? How could a governor, in his right mind, order a beheading?"Your Highness! This is a grave injustice!" Realizing he was about to be apprehended, Ambrose pleaded desperately and bowed repeatedly. "Even if I failed in my duty as a governor, does that warrant losing my life?""Failing in your duty? Hmph! You're trivializing it," Rufus said with a stern expression."Your Highness! What crime have I committed that deserves such drastic punishment?" Ambrose questioned with a mournful face."Over the years, what unsavory deeds have you done? Haven't you kept count?" Rufus interrogated."I truly don't know. Please, Your Highness, enlighten me." Ambrose mainta
Reuben and Ambrose descended into a somber silence. Their heads were bowed, burdened by the weight of guilt. Tears traced down their cheeks. Along their journey, they succumbed to the temptation of wealth, pleasure, and the heady allure of power. While manipulating forces and wielding authority, they lost touch with the ideals that once guided them, metamorphosing into the very embodiment of the individuals they once scorned. Did they harbor regret for their choices? Undoubtedly. Yet, redemption now seemed like an elusive pursuit. Once certain actions were taken, there was no turning back."Reuben, Ambrose, having committed such grave crimes, how should I deal with you?" Rufus suddenly inquired.Reuben trembled as he spoke, "I acknowledge my profound guilt and am willing to atone with my life. I only ask Your Highness to spare the Vern family." "Innocent lives will be spared, but those who have committed severe wrongs shall face death," Rufus replied without turning around.
In this pivotal moment, Ambrose had utterly forsaken all rationality, succumbing to a reckless frenzy. He staunchly believed that his tireless efforts had been instrumental in Rufus's effective governance of West Lucozia. In Ambrose's perspective, reveling in the privileges of power and authority was a well-deserved entitlement.Why hold such a position if he couldn't relish its benefits? Sacrificing the lives of a few commoners seemed trivial compared to his role as governor. He failed to perceive any wrongdoing on his part, attributing the entire crisis to Rufus's lack of wisdom."Ambrose, do you still refuse to accept it?" Rufus shook his head, disappointment etched across his face. He went on, "Your son ran rampant, lives were callously taken, and the people were treated as if they were inconsequential. Your actions mirror those of ancient savages—burning, killing, and pillaging!""I've achieved greatness! I built West Lucozia's prosperity, ensuring its citizens' well-be
Albert responded with a quick acknowledgment and left promptly. As the Executioner, he had refrained from significant bloodshed since the era of peace in West Lucozia. However, Ambrose's recent actions compelled him to step back into the role. Ambrose's foolishness harmed himself and dragged the entire Linden family into a perilous situation."Reuben offers a sacrificial redemption through death, demoted to a commoner, and permits a dignified burial. "Punish all the Vern family criminals according to the law. Spare the innocent ones," Rufus spoke again."Understood!" Jaxon bowed and gestured, instructing someone to carry Reuben's lifeless body away. Soon, only Rufus and Eloise remained in the hall.Once everyone had left, Rufus finally couldn't hold back, succumbing to intense coughing. His body swayed, teetering on the edge."Your Highness! Are you okay?" Eloise was startled and quickly rushed forward to support him."It's nothing, just an old ailment." Rufus shook his head
"You're right about Austin. He's truly exceptional." Rufus nodded approvingly. He went on, "His combat prowess in the Black Dragon Army ranks is at the top, even surpassing my skills back in the day. Moreover, his military strategies make him an invaluable talent."The commanders often report Austin's achievements to me, and I've watched him grow. Having a son like him makes me proud," he expressed with satisfaction.Hearing this, Eloise breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a surge of joy. She hadn't expected him to pay such close attention to their son's development despite his busy schedule."Eloise, Austin is an outstanding young man, no doubt about it. He can become a great general, leading West Lucozia to expand its territory and achieve extraordinary feats."However, being the Prince of West Lucozia is a different story, at least not for now." He suddenly shifted the conversation.Upon hearing this, she paused, a hint of confusion crossing her face."Eloise, if I had more t
"Since Madam Penelope has spoken, I’ll follow her lead," Alloy said with a smile. "What about Mr. Hadley and Sage Foyer?""I'm in if you want to make a bet," Cyrus replied coolly."It's not every day we get an opportunity like this. Let me stir things up a bit." Kaden nodded with a grin.Once the three had agreed, Penelope waved for Abigail to come over.Soon, Abigail approached them with a wide grin. "Esteemed guests, I hear you want to bet. The current odds are—bet on Dustin to win, and you'll get 1.6 times your stake. Bet on Glenn, and it's only 0.4."She continued, "And no worries—if you win, I'll exchange your winnings for celestial stones." Abigail smiled brightly, and the other parties' eyes gleamed with the unmistakable shine of greed.Many had already placed their bets with her. Though she couldn't control the match's outcome, she knew how to adjust the odds to her advantage. Over time, that could turn into a huge fortune."I'm betting on Glenn to win." Cyrus quickly
"We're ready for the ultimate showdown of this tournament. The winner will be crowned the Combat Tournament Champion. Now, let's welcome both contestants to the ring." Oron's voice thundered as he stepped onto the battle ring.There was thunderous applause and cheers from the audience.The long-awaited showdown was finally at hand. Today's outcome wasn't just about personal glory, but it would also decide the future of the martial world.If Glenn triumphed and claimed the crown, the Sword Union would rise as the undisputed guild. The Celestial Alliance and the Mystic Arts Order would have no choice but to bow to their supremacy.But if Dustin won, it would be even more sensational. A dark horse, without any guild affiliation, defeating the elite disciples of the major guild—such a story would send shockwaves through the martial world.Once that happened, every major guild would fight tooth and nail to claim him. It would spark a fierce battle for dominance."Dr. Rhys! Good luck!"
"H-Hold on! I-I surrender!" Abigail said urgently. With the sword inches away from her throat, she decisively raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.She didn't expect herself to win the match. Her goal was simply to take this opportunity to test Dustin's strength and also gauge her own progress. But now, it was clear that there was still a sizable gap between them."You've done well. In a few more years, I might not even be able to keep up with you." Dustin smiled and lowered his Celestial Blade. His words weren't flattery; he genuinely saw potential in Abigail.The dark Phoenix flames carried a corrosive power that even his mystical pure energy couldn't resist. In other words, Abigail's black flames were the bane of any martial artist.Her journey in the martial world was still short—barely two years. She hadn't unlocked the full potential of her Phoenix bloodline yet. But with more training and experience, the sky was the limit for her."Don't try to console me, Sir. I'm n
With a resounding bang, the golden light erupted with a burst of terrifying energy wave. In an instant, the earth trembled, and fierce winds whipped through the air.Dustin and his sword were sent flying several yards. After landing, he stumbled back several steps before finally steadying himself.He looked up and saw that Abigail's body was now covered in a layer of golden armor, though he couldn't tell when it had happened. The armor glowed brightly, and it made her look imposing and striking.It was clearly a divine artifact.The Mystic Arts Order had been around for centuries, with deep roots and countless treasures. As the Grand Sorceress, Abigail would obviously have several divine artifacts for protection.Dustin wasn't surprised, but the armor's counterforce caught him off guard. Not only did it protect her, but it also had offensive capabilities.When his sword struck the armor earlier, the blow didn't leave a scratch. Instead, the armor absorbed the hit and sent the for
Dustin raised his hand as the black feathers rained down on him. A white energy shield flared into existence to form a wall before him.The feathers slammed into the shield and sent ripples across its surface but failed to break through. However, the black flames on the feathers spread across the shield and burned through its energy at a visible pace. In the blink of an eye, the once impenetrable barrier cracked open and left a gaping hole.Dustin couldn't hide his surprise. His mystical pure energy was far stronger than the average grandmaster's internal energy in offense and defense. It was meant to be impenetrable. He hadn't anticipated it couldn't hold up against Abigail's phoenix flame.Seeing the raw strength of her bloodline, he knew he couldn't afford to take any chances. As the black flames spread, he swiftly waved his hand to summon a furious gust of wind that sent the feathers and flames flying."Glaring Wings!" Abigail wasn't done yet. She quickly formed hand seals and
Abigail moved with lightning speed, and her figure weaved in and out like a shadow. Her swift movements left a blur of afterimages that was hard for anyone watching to keep up.On the contrary, Dustin stood still without making any movement."Fallen Fist!"After closing in, she unleashed a flurry of strikes—dozens of black palm shadows slamming toward his body, and each one was like a bullet aimed at its target.Abigail practiced a unique martial art, and it was imbued with voodoo-like properties that could kill anyone who made contact with her. But Dustin's body was immune to all poisons, so it was a perfect counter to her deadly attack.As the shadow palms closed in, he remained unshaken and thrust his palm forward.A fierce gust of wind surged and ripped through the air with unrelenting force. It collided with the black palm shadows.Abigail's black palm shadows exploded on impact and disintegrated into thick clouds of dark mist that quickly spread. Within moments, the mist e
The whole arena suddenly fell dead silent. Everyone stared blankly, and not a soul dared to breathe. Alloy shot to his feet in the main spectator seats, and his face was tense with worry. Yet, he didn't dare make a sound. He feared it might startle Glenn into making a mistake that could cost Fenley's life.After all, Fenley represented the future of the Celestial Alliance. Alloy had invested all his effort into Fenley, and he provided him with endless resources. If Fenley were to die in the match, it would deal a devastating blow to the entire guild.While Alloy was gripped with worry, Cyrus and Penelope cheered silently. They secretly hoped Glenn's sword would strike Fenley. If that happened, the Celestial Alliance would take at least a decade to regain its former glory.Fenley's body stiffened as he stared at the Fang Master hovering inches from him. A shiver ran through his spine as goosebumps prickled his skin. Sweat trickled down his face, and each drop hit the ground with a
"Glenn had only seven swords in the past. I didn't expect that in just one year, two more divine swords would recognize him as their master. This punk is much better than I was back then," Cyrus remarked. He stroked his chin with a look of surprise and approval. He had always believed in Glenn's potential, but Glenn's performance had still exceeded his expectations.After all, the more swords Glenn wielded, the stronger he became. He had already topped the Legendary List with just seven swords. Now, with nine, his strength had grown even more overwhelming."He truly is the Chosen One." Even Kaden couldn't help but sigh.The nine divine swords recognized their master and responded with ease. Glenn's talent and cultivation were leagues ahead of his peers.Every generation brought forth new talent, and the old had no choice but to step aside for the new generation. Compared to their time, today's youth were on another level—monsters in their own right."Now, this is going to be int
Compared to the second green sword, Glenn's third sword was even more powerful. As it descended, accompanied by the fury of a fire dragon, it carried the destructive force of a world-shattering storm.Fenley, whose energy flow was disrupted earlier, watched the fiery red long sword streak toward like a falling meteor. His heart raced and was gripped by a sudden sense of impending doom.With a roar, he risked the backlash effect and unleashed a powerful surge of internal energy. The ethereal divine spirit behind him instantly transformed into a figure with three heads and six arms. This was the complete form of the Four Elements of God's Technique.At that instant, he threw everything he had into the fight. He controlled the spirit to slam its giant arms into the flaming sword. With a loud explosion, the sword tore through the spirit's palms and continued its unyielding path toward Fenley. But its speed had slowed slightly.Without hesitation, he controlled the spirit to strike ag