Jasper, the once-mighty general of Glorian, met his demise through a fatal encounter with the Blood Devil Willem, all because of his overbearing arrogance.This tragic incident overshadowed what had begun as the gathering organized by the Hall of Gods."Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone. I'll go and freshen up a bit." Willem's lips curled into a satisfied smirk after draining Jasper off his last breath.He nodded to the assembled group before making his way to the restroom."Mr. Alessandro, could you find someone to clean up this mess?" Bailey glanced at Anthony."Sure," Anthony agreed with a nod.A team of Kimboku warriors was assembled to commence the cleanup. They swiftly buried the bodies and scrubbed away the bloodstains, ensuring everything was neat and orderly.Everyone present was a seasoned veteran and was accustomed to facing adversity. Thus, such a minor incident failed to elicit any surprise.As the Kimboku warriors diligently worked to clear the area, Anthony led
In the lively ambiance of Breezy Tavern, Dustin was immersed in a cheerful gathering with Quincy and other people. The occasion was a party organized by Quincy in honor of Dustin's victory over Marco in honor of the Celestial Alliance.Dustin's remarkable feat spread like wildfire throughout Sacred Wrym Summit. It even drew the attention of many curious and aspiring talents. Dustin's intervention in defeating Marco had averted potential humiliation for martial artists across Dragonmarsh. Thus, it was no surprise that numerous individuals were eager to meet the emerging hero."Here's to your bright future and continued success, Dustin!" Quincy exclaimed, lifting his glass in a toast.As the night wore on and the drinks flowed freely, even Dustin succumbed to the pleasant haze of merriment."Thank you, Elder Douglas," Dustin replied warmly. He raised his glass with a smile without any hint of submission."Dustin, have you truly ruled out joining our Celestial Alliance?" Quincy cha
With a swiftness that was almost impossible to track, Aldric's blade sliced through the air, leaving only a fleeting glimpse of its sharp edge. Everywhere it went, raindrops evaporated instantly, creating a void in its wake.Miles's eyes narrowed as he swiftly raised his sword to defend himself.The clash echoed through the air.Aldric's blow landed heavily against Miles's blade. It sent Miles stumbling backward, and his grip wavered for a moment."That power…" Miles' expression turned grave.Aldric's last attack had been unexpectedly strong. Miles might have been seriously injured if he hadn't reacted in time.Aldric sheathed his blade decisively, his expression cold as he spoke. "You're no match for me. Move aside," he said firmly, showing no concern for Miles' presence.Miles, undeterred, raised his sword defiantly. "Hmph! Don't get too cocky," he retorted. He added, "I'm a disciple of the Sword Union. Maybe I'm not as gifted as Dustin, but I'm no ordinary fighter. And you?
Driving away one challenger would only invite others to take their place. Hence, this would only create an unending cycle. Dustin disliked pointless duels and chose to yield rather than be pulled into endless fights. He was willing to forgo the glory of defeating Marco if it meant avoiding continuous conflict.Aldric's demeanor soured. "Do you take me for a beggar?" His tone chilled. "For me to win, it must be an honest victory, with you admitting defeat unequivocally. There can be no room for uncertainty!"His pursuit of fame spurred him on and fueled his determination to achieve victory solely through merit. As a swordsman, he took great pride in this endeavor."What if I decline the duel?" Dustin asked.Aldric's face contorted into a menacing expression. "If you don't make a move, then I'll kill everyone around you. Let's test your resolve then!"Dustin furrowed his brow at the threat. He thought, "This man knows no bounds. Seems there's no escaping this confrontation today
Aldric grunted and staggered. The force of the impact almost caused him to lose hold of his blade.He looked down at his shoulder and saw a bloody hole, feeling the warmth of blood seeping through his raincoat. The rain mixed with the blood as it trickled down, creating a chilling sight.A water droplet turned into a sword that effortlessly breached his defenses, showcasing Dustin's unexpected strength. It was more than Aldric had bargained for."Nice shot!" Miles cheered after seeing Aldric wounded. He felt his pride was redeemed after the previous humiliation."Hmph! You're tough, but one strike from Dustin, and you're reeling. Looks like the so-called tough disciples of the Bloodfiery Legion aren't living up to their reputation." Ruby scoffed, her tone laced with mockery."Ruby, don't underestimate those Bloodfiery Legion members," Dalen cautioned, his gaze steady.He continued, "Once they're in the thick of battle, they only get tougher, especially when wounded. They'll push
"Bloodfiery Rampage technique—Fourth stance: the Godslayer!" "Bloodfiery Rampage technique—Ultimate stance: the Skyfire!"Aldric's voice boomed, echoing through the area as he declared his stances one by one. With every swing of his blade, he showcased the culmination of his lifelong training.He understood that Dustin posed the greatest challenge he had ever faced. To have any hope of victory, Aldric resolved not to hold back. Each strike he delivered was imbued with a fierce intensity that sent waves of destructive force toward Dustin. The spectators, gripped by fear, could feel the sheer force emanating from Aldric's attacks, even from afar.His strength was undeniable as each swing carried an unstoppable momentum that seemed to shake the ground. It was evident to all watching that only a genius like Dustin could match him.Despite the fierce onslaught, Dustin remained composed. "Your technique shows promise but lacks finesse," he remarked with a faint smile. He pointed his
Aldric's gaze flickered from his blade, embedded in the sodden earth, to Dustin's calm form. Suddenly, a wave of defeat washed over him. He had nurtured lofty ambitions of shining brightly, of making a mark at the Sacred Wrym Summit Combat Tournament. And now, it struck him hard that he had overestimated his abilities.He understood that many others surpassed him in skill in this vast world. Despite his earnest endeavors, his modest talents and inflated ego proved futile.The current outcome embodied this harsh truth. Despite pouring his heart into it, he couldn't land a single strike on Dustin, who effortlessly outmatched him.This sobering realization left him struggling for composure, lost in the whirlpool of his emotions.After a brief silence, Aldric relented, "Okay, you win. I admit defeat." He struggled to speak, the weight of his admission evident in his voice.Dustin responded calmly, "Your skills are impressive. Among your peers, you're certainly exceptional."Aldric
As Aldric wandered the streets, lost in contemplation, his mind was consumed by memories of his earlier duel with Dustin. Each replay brought a stark realization—the gap in their abilities was insurmountable.Despite his relentless efforts, victory over Dustin seemed an elusive dream. No matter how many times he envisioned it, the outcome of their duel remained a bitter defeat.As Aldric wandered through the winding streets, lost in his thoughts, the steady beat of his footsteps danced with the gentle splashes of water in the puddles. Amidst his contemplation, a feeling of unease crept over him.Suddenly, he stopped and spotted a dark figure emerging at the far end of the road. Dressed in dark attire and carrying a long sword, the mysterious figure exuded an air of foreboding. Even the rain seemed to avoid touching it, veering away as if repelled by an unseen force, leaving its attire miraculously dry.Aldric's concern deepened as he confronted the mysterious figure, his brow fur
"Grandfather, I understand why you sent Uncle Jonathan and Uncle Jensen to the Spanner and Fallon families to gather information," Natasha began. "But West Lucozia is thousands of miles away."She shook her head slightly. "They've always stayed out of the government's political matters. Sending Uncle Jovian there wouldn't achieve anything. He'd likely just be turned away." Oakvale and West Lucozia were worlds apart. The fight for the Oakvale throne didn't really affect the West Lucozian monarchy. Both sides had long adhered to an unspoken agreement to avoid meddling in each other's affairs."I know, but it'll be different this time. The royal throne is at stake, and every faction will do whatever it takes to secure West Lucozia's support. If the West Lucozian monarchy picks a side, the balance we've maintained for years will collapse. That's why I need to be ready for whatever happens," Simon replied.It would be best if the West Lucozian monarchy stayed out of the political strug
At the Ballard estate, Dustin was warmly welcomed to stay after dinner. This was the first time Natasha had brought her boyfriend home, so the Ballards made a big deal of it.Simon personally accompanied the young couple and invited them to the study to chat over tea. With his sharp eye, Simon could tell Dustin was no ordinary martial artist. His manners, speech, and broad knowledge set him apart from most people."Dustin, I fully support your relationship with Natasha. Your background or status doesn't matter. What matters most is that you two are happy together." Simon paused and said earnestly, "I want you to understand that she's been pampered all her life and hasn't faced much hardship. Now that she's with you, I hope you'll take good care of her.""Don't worry, Mr. Ballard. I would never let her down," Dustin replied sincerely.Though they had known each other for some time and hadn't yet taken their relationship to the next level, they had already made their feelings clear
After hearing Nathaniel's words, Tristan's expression darkened. His brow furrowed as he sank into deep thought.It seemed he had underestimated the situation. He had assumed it was just a simple rivalry between brothers; he hadn't anticipated Seamus seizing the chance to further his own agenda.Seamus already wielded considerable influence. Under the guise of supporting Matthias' ascension to the throne, he had been forming alliances and recruiting talents. His influence had grown to rival the royal family's.If Seamus really supported Matthias' ascension, he'd overshadow the king, and no one would be able to stop him. The worst-case scenario would be Seamus using Matthias as a puppet to overthrow the House of Linsor."Nathaniel, is everything you said true?" Tristan frowned."Absolutely. Every word," Nathaniel replied solemnly. "Of course, if you don't believe me, you can send someone to investigate.""I believe you. But… taking down Seamus won't be easy. Do you have a plan?" Tr
An hour later, Nathaniel quietly entered a private mansion wearing a disguise.Inside the living room, Tristan had already prepared tea and refreshments. He looked as if he had been waiting for a long time."Sorry to have kept you waiting, Tristan." Nathaniel took off his coat and walked forward with a smile."No need to apologize. I'm happy that you made the effort to arrange this. A few extra minutes are nothing, especially since it's rare for us to meet." Tristan gestured for him to sit while he poured two cups of tea and handed one to his brother.Nathaniel accepted the cup and discreetly set it aside. Whenever he was out, he was always cautious about food and drink—this wariness had become second nature."You asked to meet me on short notice. Is this about official matters or something personal?" Tristan took a sip from his cup and got straight to the point."Both," Nathaniel replied, still smiling."Oh?" Tristan raised an eyebrow. "Let's hear it, then.""Given how things
In another luxurious mansion in the Inner City, a female spy dressed in black, cloaked in a hood, was reporting the results of her investigation to Nathaniel."Your Highness, the Moseys have been particularly active recently and are rallying allies. Many of the eight great families and other influential factions have already allied with them. If left unchecked, they'll pose a serious threat to us," she said, kneeling with her head lowered slightly."So the Moseys are backing Matthias, huh?" Nathaniel sat quietly, his expression unreadable."The Moseys have grand ambitions. While they claim to support Prince Matthias, they're merely setting him up as a puppet to rise to power and expand their own influence," she revealed.She had been infiltrating the Moseys' mansion for years and had gained a deep understanding of their operations, from the smallest details to the key players.Though Seamus appeared as a benevolent philanthropist, it was all a façade. Behind closed doors, he was r
That night, two young men sat playing chess inside a secluded mansion in the Inner City. On the left was Anders, who had visited the Ballard estate earlier. Across from him sat Matthias, a broad-shouldered man dressed in richly adorned robes.The game was intense, with fast moves followed by moments of deep thought. About ten minutes later, Anders finally conceded defeat."Anders, you've really improved since we last played. You almost had me there," Matthias said, stroking his beard in mild surprise."You flatter me, Your Highness. My chess skills are nothing compared to yours. If you hadn't gone easy on me, I wouldn't have lasted half as long," Anders replied with a modest smile."You're as smooth with words as ever." Matthias let out a hearty laugh with a look of smug satisfaction. Winning was in his nature—whether in war or on the chessboard, defeat was not an option."Well, we've eaten, and we've played. Let's get to business." With a wave of his hand, he signaled his men t
"Honestly, we shouldn't waste time debating who's better suited to be king. We just need to figure out who's most likely to take the throne," Jensen said matter-of-factly.As a businessman, he only cared about maximizing profit. To him, it didn't matter who sat on the throne but who had the best odds. He felt that backing that person would be the wisest choice."Who's most likely depends on who has the strongest backing," Jonathan said thoughtfully."Oh, right! I forgot to ask—who are the Moseys supporting?" Jovian asked, smacking his forehead. They'd been discussing this for so long but still hadn't figured out where the Moseys stood."My guess is Prince Nathaniel." Jensen narrowed his eyes as he analyzed the situation. "He's close to Anders. With his immense potential and the king's favor, the Moseys might see him as their best bet.""Anders' personal ties can't speak for the entire Mosey family," Jovian countered, shaking his head. "Family interests outweigh personal relationsh
Even without the king's involvement, the ambitious individuals would tear the Ballard family apart and leave nothing behind.If Simon chose the right side and it prevailed, his family could enjoy a century of stability and prosperity. But if he backed the wrong prince, everything could fall apart in a single night.At that moment, he didn't know what to choose. This was a critical decision—one mistake and the entire family could be ruined."Regarding this matter, I need to think it over carefully. I can't give you an answer just yet," Simon said. He knew the stakes were too high. A single misstep could lead to disaster, so he had to be cautious."I understand," Anders replied with a faint smile. "This isn't an easy decision. Still, I hope Your Lordship can decide soon.""Your Lordship, the forces seeking a marriage alliance with the Mosey family aren't limited to your family alone," Zack added coolly. "Don't think you can afford to wait for the highest bidder. Time is running out,
"In response to Your Lordship's question, this marriage alliance between our two families isn't my decision alone—it's also my godfather's and the entire Mosey family's," Anders said with a smile."According to the established rules, marriages between royal bloodlines are forbidden. Have you forgotten?" Simon replied coolly. "Sticking to outdated rules only holds us back," Anders said, shaking his head with a smile.He continued, "Right now, Dragonmarsh is going through a turbulent time—internally and externally. I've also heard the king's health is deteriorating. There are rumors he plans to name a successor and step down soon."With that, Oakvale will likely be in turmoil. When that happens, all the powerful families—the four ancient houses, the eight great families, and other factions—will be dragged into the chaos."That's why I'm hoping our families can form a marriage alliance to navigate the coming crisis together."Simon remained calm and said, "It's natural for the king