The Dragon Guard lay in ruins, and the entire Wyvern Ridge, along with the vital force beneath, was severed by a single strike from Seth's sword. This powerful strike sent shockwaves throughout Aylka.…Within the Regal Observatory, the Elder Sage sat upon a massive compass, engaged in hushed recitations. Suddenly, the ground shook as if in an earthquake. The central compass, under the impact, burst open with a resounding crack. Elder Sage trembled, spat out a mouthful of blood, and was visibly wounded."Master! What happened to you?" Grace, who had just entered, was startled and rushed to assist him."It's an inevitable twist of fate! An inevitable twist!" Elder Sage sighed deeply and coughed."Master! What do you mean?" she asked."The vital force ... has been destroyed!"He said mournfully, "My earlier prediction has hit the mark. A single sword has sliced through the vital force of the Dragonmarsh. "From now on, things in the government will be a mess, and the fate of th
"Master, no matter how challenging it is, I'm determined to give it a try!" Grace declared resolutely. With her father bedridden and her unreliable brothers, she had no choice but to take up the responsibility and attempt to salvage Dragonmarsh's losses as much as possible."Go then. Be prepared. You're the only one with a chance to accomplish this," Elder Sage advised, emphasizing the importance of her role."Take care, Master. I'll visit you when I can." Grace bowed deeply and quickly took her leave. The destruction of the vital force demanded immediate action."The cycle of generations has unfolded, with each era having its rulers and subjects. As head of the Regal Observatory, the time has come for me to take my leave." Elder Sage sighed.He stood up unsteadily, performed rituals, and changed into fresh clothes. After arranging everything, he returned to his seat, closed his eyes, and waited. After some time, a gust of wind blew through, extinguishing the suspended lanterns
"Uncle Seth … Uncle Seth!"As Seth's body slowly dissipated, Dustin's eyes turned red, and his voice grew desperate. Having been severely injured earlier, he was overwhelmed, spewing another mouthful of blood before collapsing to the ground. In a daze, a dejected expression adorned his face. In the relentless pursuit of truth and vengeance, he had sacrificed too much. Another loved one had departed.Was his quest worth all the sacrifices? Would there have been so many casualties if not for his vengeance-driven choices? "For a swordsman, perhaps this is the best ending," Glenn said.His gaze fixed on the trembling Dragon Sparrow Sword, and he added, "The Sword Whisperer lived a brilliant life. "Even in his final moments, he shone brightly—single-handedly slaying Alaric, destroying the Dragon Guard, and saving the world. A true hero, unparalleled."Glenn was typically arrogant and dismissive, even toward his own master, but found himself genuinely impressed by Seth. It was
Firstly, Glenn and Dustin were cousins. Secondly, encountering a worthy opponent was rare, and Glenn didn't wish for Dustin to be disheartened. After all, the solitary pursuit of victory was too monotonous."Logan, you'll have to walk the rest of the way yourself. We'll meet again someday," Glenn said before swiftly vanishing from sight. The Sword Union's mission was to kill Dustin, but Glenn defied the order and provided assistance. He was well aware of the inevitable consequences awaiting him at the sect. His explanation was concise: anyone who dared to challenge him could do so, and the sword in his hand would provide the answer."Sir, how's your injury?" Abigail asked with concern."I'm fine." Dustin shook his head, surveying the battlefield littered with corpses. He said, "This place is not suitable for a prolonged stay. Let's head back." Though Alaric was dead, the Dragon Guard was not entirely wiped out. In case skilled warriors arrived, Dustin, in his current state
"Logan, what happened? Who did this to you? I'll make sure to take care of them!" Scarlet rushed forward. Her eyes filled with both concern and anger as she saw Dustin covered in blood and visibly upset.Upon learning about his situation, she promptly led her troops to rush over. Despite facing several obstacles along the way, she effortlessly eliminated the threat, even at the cost of some valuable time. Prepared for any challenge, she was ready to confront opposition, even if it meant going against the nation."I'm not seriously hurt. Don't worry, and besides, the person who hurt me is already gone." Dustin forced a smile."Logan, you rest properly for now. I'll take you to the hospital right away!" Scarlet remained concerned."Kid, no need to trouble yourself. I'm not in immediate danger. Besides, there's something more important we need to focus on," Dustin said, redirecting her attention. "What is it?" she asked curiously."That sword strike from before, you all saw it,
"Due to their power and the aftermath of the Dragon Guard's demise, the repercussions are bound to be substantial. The exact outcomes are unpredictable, and I just hope none of you get entangled in the chaos," Dustin cautioned."Being situated in Oakvale and belonging to the four ancient houses, we can't avoid being affected. This upheaval seems inevitable," Adam replied, shaking his head.With the immense power that the Dragon Guard held, its downfall would inevitably cause chaos. In the absence of a central authority, various factions and militant leaders would likely seize the opportunity to cause trouble. The Spanner family, as one of the ancient houses, couldn't afford to stand idly by."The world's affairs go through cycles of unity and division. The Dragon Guard ruled for so long, causing harm to countless loyalists. Any force that resisted or posed a threat was ruthlessly eliminated. Now that they are facing the consequences, it's karma at play," Scarlet stated coldly.
As night fell, Dustin finally returned to the villa in the southern city of Oakvale. As for Scarlet, Adam, Abigail, and the others, they had gone back to prepare for the upcoming unrest. So much had happened during his trip to Quandary Mountain. Although he had learned the truth and eradicated the Dragon Guard, Seth's death left him in deep sorrow.He was exhausted, both physically and mentally. He longed for a good night's sleep, free from thoughts and responsibilities. He wanted to just drift into sleep and wake up naturally. Perhaps tomorrow would be better.Their car came to a stop at the entrance of the villa, and Dustin got off wearily. He had just opened the door when he spotted a woman sitting in the living room. She was dressed in white, wearing a veil that covered her face. The woman had a graceful figure and emitted a unique fragrance. Although her features were not visible, she gave off a gentle, outstanding allure. "Grace?" Dustin recognized the woman seated o
"Someone important? Who?" Dustin asked. "The King." Grace dropped a bombshell. "Huh?" Dustin frowned slightly, feeling puzzled. Wasn't the King ill and bedridden? Why would he want to meet him? Dustin wondered if it concerned the Dragon Guard or perhaps the vital force. Would this journey be dangerous? Would there be an ambush waiting for him in Aylka?"You can stop the blind guessing," Grace said calmly, seemingly seeing through his concerns."If the King wanted to harm you, he wouldn't have sent me here to invite you. He would have just sent the elite fighters from the palace or even the Imperial Guards. Given your current condition, would you even be able to fight them off?" Dustin breathed a silent sigh of relief after hearing her. Admittedly, Grace had made a valid point. If the King truly intended to harm him, he wouldn't have sent just one woman. Considering the current circumstances, only a fool would aggravate the problem. After all, with the Dragon Guard elim
When Dustin heard Felicia's word, his hand briefly hesitated before he placed the chess piece. He smiled and said, "I thought you came to learn chess, but I didn't expect you to be here as a messenger."Felicia gave a light, teasing laugh. "With a mind like yours, how could you not know why I'm here?"She added candidly, "Prince Nathaniel saved my life and welcomed me as an honored guest. It's only right that I repay the favor by helping solve his troubles. I hope that it doesn't bother you.""You're frank and gracious, Ms. Thorns. Why would I take offense?" Dustin replied with a faint smile.He had expected her to start with pleasantries or try to butter him up. So, her bluntness actually caught him off guard."To be honest, Prince Nathaniel has never taken this kind of interest in anyone before," Felicia said as she placed another chess piece on the board. She smiled and continued, "I can tell he truly wants you on his side. And as someone close to him, I'd like to help make
Nathaniel's mansion was huge. It was more like a maze than a home. Even with a detailed layout, Dustin had to stay sharp as he moved through the grounds. After all, blueprints never quite captured the twists and turns of the actual place.Led by a maid, he followed a winding path through the corridors for nearly ten minutes before finally arriving at a guesthouse with a garden.The place was spacious and quiet, filled with birdsong and blooming flowers. It was a secluded spot that was ideal for privacy."Mr. Rhys, you can stay here. If you need anything, just let me know," the maid said. Her gaze was warm with a hint of admiration. She had watched Dustin's performance in the training ground earlier and knew he was an important guest brought in by Nathaniel. If she could catch his attention, it could completely turn her life around.He waved her off and said, "Okay. You can go now. I don't need anyone to attend to me." "Uh… but…" The maid hesitated."Don't worry. I'll explain
The crowd murmured among themselves as they looked at the broken broadsword and the stunned expression on Lycas' face."That strike was insanely fast and dead-on too," someone commented."I never expected General Derin's secret move to be defeated like that. It's unbelievable," another said."I thought General Derin could turn things around for us, but he still lost," a third added.Everyone knew how strong Lycas was. As a fully developed grandmaster with a broadsword, he was supposed to be unstoppable. However, at the critical moment, Dustin's strike shattered his broadsword.Lycas' loss was sudden and almost unbelievable. Some blamed bad luck and thought he could have won if things had gone differently. But those who truly understood what happened knew better.Even with Dustin's movement restricted and Lycas unleashing his strongest technique, he still pierced through the opening with near-impossible timing. That strike wasn't just lucky but masterful. It was a brutal display
Lycas gripped his broadsword with both hands and roared. The sound cracked through the air like a thunderclap.He sidestepped sharply and charged straight at Dustin like a raging bull.The heavy broadsword moved like it weighed nothing in his hands. He swung it with brutal speed. Each arc cut through the air with a sharp, whistling howl, as if it could slice through anything in its path.The broadsword came crashing down on Dustin with bone-crushing force, like a mountain falling from the sky.Lycas threw his full weight into the swing. As the sword descended, the force of the strike stirred up dust from the ground. It sent plumes of dirt in every direction.He knew Dustin was no ordinary opponent. If he wanted a chance to win, he had to make the first move and seize the initiative."Nice form," Dustin said.As Lycas launched a powerful, aggressive attack, Dustin remained calm and unruffled. With effortless grace, he sidestepped without the slightest rush. The broadsword whizz
Bryce knew Dustin was strong, but this was beyond anything he anticipated. Though he had gained the upper hand early on, Bryce still believed his skills matched Dustin's.From his observation, Dustin relied on martial arts techniques and hit-and-run tactics. Plus, he didn't dare to confront Bryce head-on.He had assumed that as long as he found an opening, he could exploit Dustin's weaknesses and defeat him. But when Dustin finally stopped holding back, Bryce realized how wrong he'd been.It turned out Dustin wasn't just playing hit-and-run tactics. Instead, he'd held back the entire time to spare Bryce from an embarrassing defeat.The moment Dustin stopped holding back, Bryce didn't stand a chance. Even without special techniques, Dustin's raw power, speed, and reflexes were enough to crush him.The difference in their abilities was staggering, so much so that no amount of skill could close the gap.And it wasn't just Bryce who was shocked. Except for Nathaniel, who had already
Bryce's request for a fight heated up the atmosphere.Soldiers around the training ground started murmuring among themselves."Lieutenant General Gantz is a legend in our ranks. His combat skills are no joke—he's taken down countless enemies on the battlefield. I haven't seen him in action in years," one young soldier said with awe."Yeah," a veteran agreed. "Lieutenant General Gantz has been through countless battles, and his strength is unmatched. If he steps in, Mr. Rhys might be in for a rough time."After the fight earlier, the soldiers knew firsthand that Dustin was no slouch. Otherwise, he wouldn't have easily defeated the five elite soldiers.But in their minds, no matter how skilled Dustin was, he stood no chance against Bryce.Bryce was a grandmaster not just in rank but in skill, physical strength, and battlefield experience. He was stronger than any expert from the martial world.Nathaniel had once recruited several grandmaster martial artists to spar with them, but
"Your Highness, the soldiers under me are trained solely in killing techniques. If they hurt your guest, things could get ugly," Lycas said.He didn't say it outright, but the message was clear. If Dustin wasn't strong enough, he'd better stay out of the way, or he was just asking for trouble.Bryce didn't say anything, but the look he gave Dustin was full of contempt. How could a pampered young man like Dustin measure up to soldiers who've been through the grind? He figured Dustin was probably some heir from a prominent family who knew Nathaniel and was trying to assert his relevance."You guys are blind to greatness when it's standing right in front of you." Nathaniel chuckled and shook his head. He added, "If any of you manage to land a hit on Mr. Rhys, I'll pay out a thousand gold. But honestly, I doubt any of you have what it takes."At the mention of rewards, the soldiers perked up. Their eyes lit up with excitement. They were practically itching to charge at Dustin and g
During the meal, Nathaniel arranged for two women to accompany Dustin.Throughout history, even the greatest heroes couldn't resist the allure of beautiful women. Sometimes, a woman of extraordinary beauty could be far more enticing than rare treasures or high status.Dustin remained composed. He neither showed any enthusiasm nor did he deliberately reject it.As for the women seated on either side of him, he treated them with polite respect. He enjoyed a drink and the easy conversation with them, but nothing beyond that.However, Nathaniel saw it differently. To him, it seemed that Dustin was unimpressed by the women at his side.Considering Dustin's background, it made sense. A woman of ordinary beauty would never catch his attention. Nathaniel realized he would need to pull out all the stops. Perhaps, it was time to bring out his most prized companion and see how Dustin responded.After the meal, he led Dustin to his mansion's training ground.The midday sun blazed overhead
"This…" Dustin began.He hesitated on purpose and didn't give an immediate answer.Upon seeing him deep in thought, Nathaniel was convinced that Dustin was weighing the pros and cons. He leaned in slightly, his smile widening with anticipation. "You should know how much the Dracan essence means to me," he said. "If I can gather all the essences, it’d be like fate is on my side. My path to the throne would be unstoppable—and when that time comes, your reward will be waiting."As he spoke, his gaze stayed on Dustin as he searched for any sign of hesitation in his expression.Dustin looked up and met his eyes. For a moment, something unreadable flickered in his gaze.He pressed his lips together and spoke slowly. "You're right, Your Highness. But it wasn't easy to find the Dracan essence. I went through quite a few twists and turns. Besides, if I give it to you, it might put me at odds with the other two princes."He paused deliberately and left the rest unsaid. Still, the concern