The End Sword Blade pierced the warrior’s right shoulder, steel melting in flames. Under the intense heat, the sound of flesh charring like dry firewood could be heard, yet not a single drop of blood flowed.
Beneath the blazing blade, Duke Oran’s body stood tall like a mountain. As if unable to feel any pain, a pair of fading blood-red eyes raised a gaze cooled to complete emotionlessness.
Like a hunter’s instinct, his gaze focused on the prey that could grant him life. Substantial blood spears rapidly condensed in his hands.
“He wants to—”
Ig’s pupils contracted, his gaze rapidly shifting to the frail maiden struggling to rise after the Star’s Radiance cage, which was unable to bear its burden, shattered. He wanted to stop it, but the End Sword Blade seemed to be welded into Duke Oran’s flesh, unable to move!
The blood spear was thrown out like connecting lines! A straight red line shot directly towards the frail maiden.
“Ariel, move aside quickly! Little Fei!”
Ophi knew Duke Oran’s intention and her little face was filled with anxiety. The ice crystal armor on the maiden’s delicate body suddenly flashed with luster, and she transformed back into her dragon form.
The young ice dragon whipped its tail and flapped its wings, choosing to intercept the blood spear itself.
However, suddenly, chains of blood formed from pure blood condensed from the blood mist, churning and coiling around the young dragon’s membranous wings and body. Ophi let out a cry of surprise and doubt. Her frost breath only slightly dimmed the rapidly moving blood-colored chains, but they were instantly covered by the flowing blood-colored locks.
However, the Blood Race girl’s attack caused no damage, only forcefully dragging her position at that moment. The blood spear instantly grazed the Frost Dragon’s exquisite scales.
Ig’s eyes widened. Under the blood light, the silver-haired maiden’s hair ends fluttered slightly. A subtle smile appeared on her cold and silent face, and her exquisite ruby-like eyes glanced towards the young man, then she gently shook her head. Ariel stepped forward as if to welcome it.
In an instant, the blood light pierced the maiden’s delicate body, and her long dress and snow-white skin were burned to ashes.
Like a rising blood sun, dazzling blood light illuminated the entire dark sky.
“Duke Oran’s instinct… is to pursue his most fundamental power. And the blood on Ariel’s body originates from his own body. After this…”
Ig grabbed the hilt of the End Sword with one hand. The flames burning on the blade were almost extinguished.
Ig didn’t even have time to think about the perished Blood Race girl. The dazzling blood light surging around him was so intense that he couldn’t open his eyes. However, this did not prevent him from clearly feeling a vibrant and active power once again rising within the other party!
The thick and oppressive light rapidly dissipated, revealing a more powerful radiant light, imprinted with golden runes. A standing figure was already faintly visible behind the thin blood light.
The dragon-shaped Ophi struggled to ascend, wanting to interrupt this complete revival, which was like a metamorphosis, at this last moment.
But the light instantly extinguished. A blood-stained light spear was thrown out like a meteor in an instant. Ophi didn’t even have time to react, was blasted away, and directly pinned to the ground!
Scarlet blood-colored light beams pushed outwards. In just a moment, a dense light shield with a diameter of more than ten meters enveloped the two who were still at their original positions.
Only then did Ig draw the End Sword and slash it down. The burning flames were almost instantly extinguished, leaving only the metal blade, which collided with the opponent’s condensed bright red longsword. The opponent extended their hand and collided with the End Sword.
Ig met the enemy’s face.
He was no longer the broken swordsman with broken blood wings and dilapidated armor from before.
Duke Oran Sorske, the Blood Race Grand Lord, the origin of blood, his blood-red hair like silk draped over his shoulders, his grown blood-red wings spread out eerily. His face was as handsome as all the Blood Race legends depicted, yet without any trace of effeminacy. The majesty of the Blood Race progenitor was as tangible as substance.
The only similarity was the sharp will in both their blood-red eyes.
—
In a world of nothingness, the chaotic and solidified colors were rapidly dissolving. Palace flagstones and blood-crowned thrones unfolded like scrolls, crystal lamps hung high, and golden sculptures were brilliant. Gemstone lances stood erect, and magnificent battle swords leaned against the throne.
An expensive carpet stretched out before the maiden, leading to the tall figure on the throne.
The golden flames about to surge within Verafia’s delicate body solidified again. Although the form and appearance were very different from her memory, the maiden immediately recognized his presence.
“Oran Sorske.”
Verafia’s clear voice echoed in the silent space.
As if following her musical-like tone, the Blood Race progenitor on the throne opened his gaze. The Blood Race progenitor saw the beautiful maiden surrounded by radiant golden flames, his gaze contracted slightly as if surprised by her appearance in his territory.
Verafia turned her gaze to the bard in the black robe opposite her.
The light flames leaped around the maiden as she spoke with indifference.
“It seems your Abyss has been planning for Oran for a long time.”
“You flatter me, Princess Highness.”
The bard bowed to her with a smile, “The shadow of Sacred Light pervades the entire world, while the Abyss only exists in the cracks. Our plan to choose allies did not begin today. Before Lord Oran encountered the Sacred Sword in former days, Saintess had already extended an invitation.”
Verafia’s expression was solemn. Dylan smiled and bowed to her again, then stepped onto the expensive carpet extending before him and looked up at the tall figure illuminated by the blood-red brilliance.
“Lord Oran, it has been a long time. I hope you are well. If you had not ascended to the immortal domain before your passing, all would likely be as His Majesty the King wished. Saintess sent me to greet you and convey her regards.”
The tall figure on the throne did not speak immediately but remained silent for a long time.
“Envoy of the Abyss, I have never seen you, yet I am familiar with you. Tell me, what is your title.”
“«Sloth» of the Abyss, my lord. However, it is not the Brat you once saw. He perished twenty years ago at the hands of the former king and the Royal Guards… and also under the blades of the current Royal Guard.”
The bard walked to the Duke’s lower seat and said after finishing his bow.
Behind the black-robed envoy, a stream of light flickered in Verafia’s scorching golden eyes.
The dialogue between Oran and the bard was brief, but the information it contained was not little.
The envoy from the Abyssal Church, that Saintess… and the Royal Guard she encountered more than a month ago.
The Blood Duke’s voice sounded again. He scrutinized the bard beneath his gaze from a superior position.
“Envoy of the Abyss… Since you have inherited the title of «Sloth», you naturally have the qualification to converse before me. Please speak, Envoy of the Abyss, what matter do you and your Saintess need to discuss.”
