With a swift slash, the blade cut through the air, leaving a crimson trail from the nape of Wilder's neck down to his waist. His body twitched a few times before laying still on the floor, lifeless.The great hall filled with sharp intakes of breath as the onlookers, Abbercrombie's top brass, stared in stunned silence.Rackaham's enforcers did not mess around. When they struck, it was lethal.However, what shocked them most was that among the fallen was Abbercrombie's own Lord Warfield—killed just like that?After a moment to collect himself, Luca approached Howard with a deep bow."I can't thank you enough, Master Howard, for exposing Lord Warfield, the traitor among us. Your help won't be forgotten," he said, his voice dripping with gratitude.He meant every word. Without Howard, he would have lost not just his title but likely his life. Howard had been his savior.Howard waved off the thanks. "No big deal. I'm taking him with me. You don't mind, do you?" he said casually, eye
"Consider it done!" came the eager reply.By eight that evening, Howard's crew had made it back to the Western Region base.Howard left Lord Warfield from Abbercrombie in the capable hands of Mystical Chubby, the go-to guy for a tough squeeze.Less than thirty minutes later, Mystical Chubby came bouncing out of the interrogation room."So, Chubs, spill it. Did you crack him?" Carbonemys quizzed."Of course, who else could pull it off but me!" Mystical Chubby flashed a smug smile before turning to Howard. "Sir, any guesses on who's been roped into this mess?""Given when this all went down, it's got to be someone from the Calnan noble family. No one else fits," Howard replied calmly.He had had his suspicions since last night.Sure, there were plenty of small-time crooks who would love to see him stumble, but the Calnan family were the prime suspects for stirring trouble then."Man, you really are the boss, aren't you? Figured it out just like that?" Mystical Chubby had hoped t
"Sir, if we send the Forbidden Army into Ciolara, do you think Sheldon will let them through?" Carbonemys asked, trying to keep his voice steady.Sheldon Zavala, the deputy marshal of the Northern defense, was the man in charge of Ciolara and its five military airports."If he even thinks about stopping us, we'll turn his precious airports to dust!" Sabertooth growled."Sabertooth, try not to stir the pot, will you?" Carbonemys shot him a warning look. "We're talking about Ciolara, not just some random backwater.""He'll give the green light. Get the word out. We roll out at first light," Howard interjected calmly."Roger that!" The Phoenix trio nodded, ready for the command.At the crack of dawn, Howard and his team of four made their way to the airport.The elite squad of the Forbidden Army stood in perfect formation, clad in their signature battle gear, each with a Blood Shadow Saber at their waist, its handle a deep crimson."A salute to the marshal!" A hundred voices boome
Without wasting another second, he whipped out his phone and called his superior."Sheldon, what's going on?"A calm male voice resonated from the speaker."Marshal, I have urgent news to report!" Sheldon composed himself before speaking."Go ahead.""A hundred troops from the Western Region's Forbidden Army have just arrived in Ciolara. I wanted to check with you, Marshal, should we let them through?""The Western Region's forces are always on border duty, hardly ever getting a break. They're in Ciolara now to look around and see the splendor of the lands they defend. There's no need to be anxious!" the man's voice echoed back."But..." Sheldon's lips quivered slightly.Was that merely a leisurely visit to Ciolara?"Allow them through at once; don't keep our Western Region friends waiting!" The man cut him off."Yes, sir!" Sheldon replied with conviction.After ending the call, he rose swiftly and made for the door. "Come on, let's go greet our colleagues from the Western R
"As far as I know, Abbercrombie's folks came in through the Southern defense. What's the plan?" Ezra pressed on."Some people just can't get enough." The elder sighed deeply."We should get everyone together to talk this over before we decide."He paused briefly before adding, "Has the old man heard about this yet?""I don't know. Let's hope it hasn't reached him. If it has, some folks might be in for a world of hurt." Ezra shook his head."Maybe I should just call him and fill him in. It'll be worse if he calls us first, and we're unprepared," the elder mused before deciding."Let's hold off for now. We'll call after the Calnan mess is sorted. It might give the old man some time to settle down," Ezra suggested, sipping his coffee."Sounds good," the elder agreed with a slight nod.Finishing up, he took a leisurely sip of his coffee."With Howard targeting the Calnan nobles, the other families won't just stand by. Do you think Yoel and Dragon can handle it?""As long as the h
"Mr. Louis, Dragon, shall we head inside?" Nevaeh suggested, glancing at Yoel and Dragon."Sure!" They both nodded and, alongside Nevaeh, made their way down the shaded avenue, flanked by a hundred Shadow Sect warriors and a hundred Forbidden Army troops marching in perfect sync."Mr. Louis, has there been any word from the war department about the southern defenses?" Nevaeh inquired as they walked."The war department better keep quiet!" Dragon interjected with a stern voice before Yoel could answer."Those backstabbers dared to pull off such a stunt. If the war department doesn't have an explanation, I'll head straight to the southern defenses and demand they surrender the culprits!""Don't worry, Mr. Racino will definitely provide the boss with a satisfactory answer," Yoel mused.Suddenly, several hundred men burst out from the Calnan family's courtyard entrance, about four to five hundred meters from where the group stood.At the forefront were four seasoned men in their six
With a heavy sigh, one elder cleared the tension and turned to Nevaeh."So, you're the Shadow Sect's district governor of the north, Lord Nevaeh? What's the big idea, bringing your forces down on our Calnan estate like this?"It's not still about that past squabble, is it? The Central Authority has closed that chapter. Surely, the Shadow Sect isn't thinking of defying them...""Cut the chatter. You're out of your depth with the trouble you are in," Nevaeh cut in, her voice icy."You're guests of the Calnan family, so I'll offer you this: leave now, and you live."Stay, and if you so much as hinder the Shadow Sect's pursuit of a fugitive, you'll be cut down!""Who is this criminal Lady Nevaeh speaks of?" The old man inhaled deeply, seeking clarity."You've got thirty seconds to hand them over and clear out, or you're on your own!" Nevaeh cut him off, her voice icy with impatience."Do you Shadow Sect folks ever play by the rules? I can't believe you'd have the guts to take on al
The sight sent a shiver through the remaining guards, their faces etched with terror, bodies quaking.With just one slash, nine martial generals had been felled!The horror of it echoed in the clattering of dropped weapons. Clang! Clang! Clang!Without hesitating for even a second, everyone who could still stand threw away their swords and scattered in every direction.They were nothing more than guards for the Calnan family, swaggering around under the family's name on ordinary days. However, when true danger loomed, sticking with the family to the bitter end was out of the question; survival was their top priority!"Run from battle, and you die!"At that moment, a furious shout echoed from the courtyard's entrance.A suffocating aura of power rolled out, heavy as a mountain bearing down on them.A near-martial ancesto!The figure appeared with a whirlwind of motion, his blade dancing in his hand, casting out a storm of lethal light that cut through the deserters like a scy
"And look at that bracelet, it's stunning! Oh, and the compact has such a unique charm! Should we get one of each to decorate our homes?""Yuffie, you're still in school. How can you afford all this?" Talia chided gently. "You have a hundred fifty-dollar budget. Spend more, and it's coming out of your allowance.""What? Only a hundred fifty dollars? You're being too tight-fisted, sis!" Yuffie's complaint was lighthearted as she playfully turned to Howard. "Howard...""Don't even think about it. His wallet is in my hands!" Talia cut her off, fully aware of her little sister's ploy."Fine..." Yuffie's pout was all in good fun."Haha! It's not every day we get to do this, honey. If Yuffie finds something she loves, let's get it for her. Who knows if it'll be here next time?" Howard chuckled."Yay! You're the best, bro-in-law!" Yuffie cheered, her face lighting up with joy."You're just making her more spoiled!" Talia gave Howard a playful eye roll and turned her attention away from
Howard's willingness to visit the antique market was not solely to assist the sisters in their quest for a legendary blade. Such weapons were treasures often stumbled upon by chance, rarely found by those who sought them.His real intent was to immerse the sisters in the rich culture of the martial arts clans they were then a part of. More exposure to the ways of the warrior guilds could only benefit them on their chosen path.The following morning, Howard's group of five set off in the direction of Nathanael. Talia and Yuffie buzzed with excitement throughout the journey, their minds alive with wonder.Nathanael, nestled in the mountains to the northeast of Mendorra and a couple hundred kilometers away, awaited them.By 10 a.m., they arrived, parking at the gates of a sprawling estate on the city's outskirts—the site of the famed market.Stepping out, they were greeted by a lively throng at the estate's entrance, many adorned in traditional robes, weapons hanging from their belts
"And that's not all. They might even be a bona fide king-level warrior." Howard's brow furrowed with uncertainty."It looks like The Dark World is a whole lot more tangled than we thought," Yoel mused aloud.Then, turning back to Howard, he inquired, "Sir, did the old man ever share anything with you about The Dark World?""Not a word," Howard replied, shaking his head."Sir, do you think our mystery person could be from one of the elite families or sects, maybe just there on some errand?" Mystical Chubby chimed in.His speculation was not unfounded. Most of the king-level warriors from Rackaham were known to hail from the secretive clans and sects."It's unlikely." Howard dismissed the idea with another shake of his head. "From what Sabertooth described, our guy seems to know The Dark World like the back of his hand.""Who's that supposed to be?" Mystical Chubby scrunched his brow in confusion."Let it go for now. We'll head back to The Dark World in a little while," said Howa
"Um..." Blood Rakshasa nodded, the woman's earlier words still ringing in her head."Sir... Sir, was what you said earlier true?" Blood Rakshasa asked Sabertooth, her voice barely above a whisper."What did I say?" Sabertooth looked puzzled for a moment."You said... You said next time, we'd go back home together to get married..." Blood Rakshasa's cheeks turned a soft pink."Hehe, absolutely," Sabertooth chuckled, his smile warm and genuine. "The boss gave me the order, and I've given my word."Blood Rakshasa's smile was shy but filled with joy.Soon after, Qemal strode in."Sabertooth, I've tracked down the hideout of the Slaying Heaven Palace," Qemal announced upon arrival."Is that so?" Sabertooth's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Tell the crew to take a two-hour breather, then we move out!"The Slaying Heaven Palace's goons had nearly wiped out them today. Payback was due.With the Palace's top fighters gone, the rest were hardly a threat. It was time to cross the Slay
"Shadow Demon Shrine?" The woman's brow creased for a moment, but she quickly dropped the subject.She then turned to Sabertooth and observed, "You and your group have the vibe of soldiers. You're not originally from The Dark World, are you?""Speaking to our savior," Sabertooth gave a respectful nod, "we were part of the Rackaham Western Region's military before we came here."He was open with the woman who had saved over a hundred of his comrades."The Western Region's military?" The woman paused, a hint of recognition in her voice, "You're with the Blood Shadow Force?""That's us," Sabertooth confirmed with another bow."Is your leader the King of the West, Master Howard?" she inquired further."You know my boss?" Sabertooth looked surprised."Not personally, but I've heard the name," the woman replied with a shake of her head. "What's he got you doing in The Dark World?""Over the past couple of years, the world's heavy hitters have been funneling their muscle and resource
"You'll live to regret this, Dark Demon Lord!" Blood Rakshasa declared, locking eyes with her adversary. "Kill us, and Master Howard will avenge us by wiping out every last one of you in your cursed palace...""Ha! That Master Howard of yours better think twice before stepping into The Dark World again, or it'll be his grave!" The Dark Demon Lord mocked with an icy laugh."You're the fool!" Sabertooth growled. "No one in The Dark World has been born who can take down our boss. Your time's coming!""Is that so?" The Dark Demon Lord sneered with disdain. "You're clueless, all of you. You have no idea how powerful the Shadow Demon Shrine truly is!""Enough babbling. Time to end this. I'll send you both to join your boss," he declared, his presence intensifying as he prepared to strike them down."I love you," Blood Rakshasa whispered, her eyes closing."No, don't!" Qemal and others shouted in despair.Then there was a thunderous boom.However, the expected tragedy did not unfold.
Sabertooth sneered, watching the man's futile efforts. "You're such a fool!"He then declared solemnly, "Blood Shadow Technique, second form, Sky Slash!"With those words, he summoned all his strength, his saber carving a fierce arc of light through the air, striking like thunder at his foe.The Blood Shadow Technique was known for turning the tides against stronger adversaries.The white-haired elder's eyes narrowed in alarm. Caught mid-leap, he desperately wanted to dodge but could not. The saber's light bore down on him, a chilling aura of death shrouding him completely.In that instant, a wave of energy crashed through the air like a tidal wave, bringing a howling gale with it.Crash!Suddenly, Sabertooth was hurled away like a shell fired from a gun, blood spraying from his mouth as he flew, before he slammed into the earth, leaving a huge crater and falling silent."Sabertooth!" Blood Rakshasa's shout pierced the chaos as she spun and dashed to his side.She barely made
The man in black was sent hurtling through the air, slamming into the ground with such force that he lay there motionlessly, struggling to rise. A gaping wound, carved by the relentless sword, oozed blood profusely from his abdomen."What in the world is that sword technique?" he gasped after a torturous effort to stand, his face ashen.He had underestimated Blood Rakshasa's swordplay. Since her breakthrough to a higher echelon of mastery, her blade's might had surged, utterly dominating her seasoned adversary."The Sword Without a Name," Blood Rakshasa declared icily.Without wasting another second, she launched another assault. Sabertooth was in dire straits, and she was determined to aid him.Her blade danced again, weaving a web of sword energy that shot toward the white-haired elder, ensnaring him in an instant.The old man's eyes narrowed in a flash of panic, realizing he was trapped with no way out."This is it!" he snarled, brandishing his blade and lunging forward.How
With a thunderous explosion of energy, Blood Rakshasa's power surged, forcing the old man before her to stagger back in disbelief."Impossible! Have you broken through?" he gasped, steadying himself, his face a mask of astonishment."You bet I have!" Blood Rakshasa's face lit up with triumph.She had done it, just as the old man had surmised. Amid her swordplay, she felt a dormant core energy within her erupt, catapulting her to the zenith of martial knight at peak mastery stage.Master Howard's words rang in her head. The core energy left in her by a once-mighty warrior was too much to absorb at once. Back in that cave, she only managed a minor mastery in martial knight. However, Howard had predicted further advancements, and he was right."Let's see if you can handle a few more of my strikes!" Blood Rakshasa challenged, her spirit soaring not just from her newfound strength but also from a deeper connection to her swordsmanship."Bring it on!" the old man bellowed, his blade re