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
The following morning, Dustin was deep in meditation and practice. Suddenly, a sharp knock broke his concentration. He opened the door to find Dalen, Miles, Crystal, and Ruby standing outside."Dustin, something happened last night!" Miles exclaimed urgently, barely waiting for the door to open fully.Perplexed, Dustin asked, "What's going on?" He found it unusual to see them all assembled at his doorstep at such an early hour with troubled expressions."Aldric's dead! He was beheaded last night!" Miles burst out, revealing the shocking news. "Aldric?" Dustin was stunned. "The swordsman who dueled me just yesterday?""Yeah, that's the one!" Miles nodded vigorously. "They found his body this morning, headless. It seems like he was taken out with just one clean strike!""One strike?" Dustin raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "But Aldric was no amateur with a sword. Who could have had the skill to kill him so effortlessly?""Well…" Miles hesitated, uncertain how to continue.Dalen int
"If the Bloodfiery Legion wants to talk, sure, I'm open to it. But even if they don't, I'm not backing off," Dustin remarked nonchalantly.He was consistent in his demeanor, whether facing the Bloodfiery Legion, the Sword Union, or the Celestial Alliance. He was indifferent about potentially offending any of them."Dustin, I know you're strong, but remember, there's always someone stronger. You can't just go charging ahead without thinking!" Dalen cautioned, his tone sincere. He continued, "Did you know Kendricks is Aldric's brother? He's ranked eighth on the Legendary List and already at Sacred Wrym Summit. When he learns about his brother's death, he'll definitely seek revenge!"The Legendary List featured individuals of remarkable prowess. Each one was capable of dominating any situation. While Dustin was impressive, Kendricks, ranked eighth on the list, surpassed him. If Kendricks sought vengeance, Dustin's chances of success seem bleak."Yeah, Dustin!" It's better to live
The next morning, Nathaniel was inside a lavish mansion. He was in his study, flipping through an ancient manuscript. One of his most trusted aides hurried in and lowered his voice, "Your Royal Highness, word just came in. Another trace of Dracan essence has been found."Nathaniel raised an eyebrow and closed the manuscript. "Where?""Our investigation shows it ended up in the hands of Logan Rhys," the aide replied."Logan Rhys?" Nathaniel narrowed his eyes slightly and was surprised by the name.He had tried to win Logan over before and spared no expense, but never received a response. Later, he discovered that Tristan and Matthias had done the same.Fortunately, Logan still hadn't picked a side. He might be holding out for the best offer, but at least he hadn't shut the door on Nathaniel.With the Dracan essence in his hands, Logan had become an even more valuable target. In addition to the West Lucozian monarchy, Logan was an ultimate grandmaster, which made him worth recrui
"Give me a moment to think," Dustin said.Grace's words sent him into deep thought.After all, carrying the fate of Dragonmarsh was no small burden. First, he had to be tough enough to handle it. Then, he needed the resolve to accept what came with it. Once he carried that burden, it meant taking on a heavyweight.He used to act on his own terms and do things as he pleased without worrying too much about the consequences. But once the nation's fate was involved, everything changed.Not that he had many options.Dustin could either hide in Sacred Wrym Summit and hope Arion would protect him, or take a risk and absorb the Dragonmarsh's fate to push through his cultivation's bottleneck. Between the two, he was leaning toward the latter."I can give your plan a shot," Dustin said suddenly. "But we're still missing a piece of the Dracan essence. If we're doing this, we need to find that last one first."Only once all five pieces of Dracan essence were united could he truly wield the
"Royal gods? And two of them?" Dustin frowned at the news.His battle with Poseidon in West Lucozia had shown him firsthand that the Hall of Gods didn't send weaklings into the field.One royal god had already pushed him to his limit. If two came at him together, winning wasn't even the question. He'd be lucky just to make it out alive."That's right," Grace said solemnly. "The royal gods, Zeus and Hera, have crossed the border. They're even stronger than Poseidon. If they ambush you together, your chances are slim."She knew Dustin was strong, but he was still young. Moreover, Zeus and Hera weren't just anyone. They were world-class powerhouses. Surviving a fight with them would be next to impossible.The Hall of Gods had probably figured out how dangerous Dustin could become. If they had given him a few more years to grow, they might not have been able to stop him."Well, that complicates things." Dustin rested his chin in one hand with a thoughtful expression.Two royal god
Soluna Hall had one rule—they wouldn't accept unfamiliar customers. They only served those they knew well or people introduced by someone they trusted. Every transaction required an appointment. Exceptions were made for urgent matters, but those came with an additional fee.When Dustin reached the entrance, two security guards stopped him. After stating his name and being verified by the guards, they let him through.Inside, a female attendant with a pleasant smile greeted him and led him across the main hall straight into the back garden. They passed a small fish pond and stopped in front of a secluded private room."This is Ms. Linsor's private reception area. Mr. Rhys, please come in," the female attendant said with a smile."She's not here?" Dustin asked curiously."She had something come up, but she'll be here soon. Please make yourself comfortable," the attendant said, still smiling."Alright then." He nodded and walked into the room.The room was spacious, with a vintag
"You're wrong, Tristan," Matthias said with a meaningful look.He continued, "Sure, I've got the Moseys to back me, but I'm still far from securing the throne. Nathaniel's got strong backing too, and this won't be an easy win. But if you were to support me, I'd say my chances shoot up to 80%."In his eyes, Tristan's support was worth more than the Ballard family.If he could win Tristan over, his odds would jump from 60% to nearly 80%. The only question now was whether Tristan would be willing to shelve his own ambitions and place his bet on Matthias."You know me, Matthias. I've never been one for ambition or glory. This kind of power struggle just isn't for me. I hope you can understand that," Tristan said.After thinking about it thoroughly, he finally turned his brother down. He knew his chances of winning were slim, yet he couldn't let go.Tristan was the eldest legitimate son, the rightful and undisputed heir to the throne. Aside from his poor health, he had no real shortco
Tristan, Matthias, and Nathaniel weren't fools. They understood the unspoken message loud and clear.Their purpose for this trip was to take advantage of the opportunity to offer their condolences and win the Ballard family's support. Should it work, all the better. If not, they'd at least make a good impression. The key was that as long as the Ballard family didn't pick a side or turn against them, there was still room to make things work. No need to rush into anything.Tristan spoke first. "You're being too kind, Duke of Lachshire. We've always admired Mr. Jovian's loyalty and courage. We're simply here to pay our respects—nothing more."Matthias added, "That's right. Your family has a lot to deal with right now. Plus, you're not as young as you used to be, so don't wear yourself out over this. We won't take up more of your time today."He gave a respectful nod, then turned to leave."Duke—"Nathaniel opened his mouth to speak, but Tristan interrupted. "That's enough, Nathani
"Oh? I didn't expect both of you to be here," Nathaniel said.He was just about to pay his respects when he spotted Tristan and Matthias inside the mourning hall. He gave a respectful nod and said, "Hello, Tristan, Matthias."Truthfully, he wasn't surprised. He had already guessed they would show up.The four ancient houses and the eight great families were all key players he needed on his side. And with the Ballard family still undecided, he wasn't about to miss the chance to make an impression."I heard you left Oakvale on official business. Funny how quickly you came back," Tristan said, his tone laced with meaning."It wasn't anything important. When I heard about Mr. Jovian's passing, I returned immediately. I wanted to pay my respects in person," Nathaniel answered smoothly, without missing a beat.He brushed off Tristan's subtle jab and used the moment to show the Ballard family he was genuinely there to pay his respects."Don't just stand there, Nathaniel. Go pay your re
"Your Royal Highness, it's an honor to have you here," Jonathan said.Upon seeing the distinguished guest arrive, he quickly pulled himself together and aside his grief. He led his family to greet Tristan, and they bowed in respect.Before they could finish the gesture, Tristan raised a hand to stop them. "No need for such formalities," he said. "The deceased deserves our respect."He turned to Jovian's portrait, which was displayed in the mourning hall, and sighed deeply.Tristan continued, "Mr. Jovian's untimely passing is truly a great loss to Dragonmarsh. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to your family during this difficult time."Jonathan's eyes were filled with tears as he bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Your Highness, for your kind words. My family is heartbroken over my brother's tragic death."Tristan nodded slightly. His gaze quickly swept across the hall before asking, "I've heard that Duke Lachshire fainted from grief. How is he doing now?"Jonathan
The unrest in West Lucozia finally ended with the capture of Warrick.Every official who was his accomplice was thoroughly investigated. Those who needed to be arrested were taken into custody, and those who deserved to be punished were executed.After the purge, more than 300 officials in West Lucozia were removed from their posts. Those guilty were arrested, and those whose crimes were severe were executed.Under Austin's iron-fisted reforms, West Lucozia's government underwent a complete overhaul. Corruption, bribery, and the tangled web of illegal deals were swept away like dust in the wind.The citizens quickly noticed the difference. When they visited government offices, they no longer faced delays, refusals, or demands for bribes.Long-neglected public issues began to move forward, thanks to the organized efforts of newly appointed officials. Things were improving across the board.Instead of fearing the crackdown, the citizens welcomed it. The corrupt officials who had dr