《The Extra Can't be A Hero》


 Chapter 1: Prologue (1)

    <h4>Chapter 1: Prologue (1)</h4>


    Hero...


    What was a hero?


    A knight in shining armour who rode into battle for their brethren? A mother who sacrificed her life for her newborn child? A priest who stripped off all his worldly desires and dedicated his entire life to feeding the poor? A martyr that bathed the sewers with their blood for the sake of their righteous cause? A sage King who brought peace to the realm and ruled over his citizens with wisdom and trust?


    An innumerable number of heroes lived throughout the ages, many of whom have been etched into legend, and their names will ring in the ears of humanity forevermore.


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    From the birth of humanity to the middle ages and, finally, the modern age. Humans will always strive for heroes. Heroes to save the day, heroes that will improve their lives and heroes... That will sacrifice their lives for the greater good. As long as humanity exists, heroes will arise to fill that empty void.


    Number 23 was one such hero.


    Born and raised in aboratory, the warrior didn''t have a name. He didn''t have a childhood, and he didn''t know his parents. The warrior wasn''t given much as a child and was put through the harshest environment humanity could envision. Climbing mountains charred with fire and ice, roaming a corpse-filled battlefield with nothing but a sword, going through all sorts of human experimentation...


    All for the sake of creating the ultimate weapon. Imbued with ether, a mystical substance that could enhance the quality of humans to mythological status, Number 23 had grown to be a Transcendent.


    There were many like Number 23, superhumans who had be a non-standard from the realm of humanity. They hoped that by using these Transcendents, they would be able to tip the battles in their favour and bring victory to theirnds. With their newfound toys, each country raced to create the strongest Transcendent, and their race for arms had led to a hundred-year war.


    It was a war to end all wars. The ultimate victor of this war will lead humanity for centuries, if not millenniums. This was why every country invested heavily in its Transcendent program, even taking inhumane measures such as human experimentation to create the perfect Transcendent.


    And one country seeded.


    Even amongst Transcendents, Number 23 was a cut above the rest.


    With his signature de in hand, Number 23 terrorised the battlefields of the warring nations like a butcher carving through flesh, leaving thousands of corpses in his wake. Machine guns and tanks meant nothing to the man born and bred to be the perfect killing machine. Each time he swung his sword in a perfect arc, a river of blood was sure to follow.


    Number 23''s swordy was so clean and efficient that it was akin to a work of art. No, it was a work of art. Anyone who saw it in person was sure to say the same. Each slice of his sword was created a crescent moon, and no Transcendent coulde close to his disy of the sword. Number 23 soon led his country to innumerable victories and quickly brought an end to multiple enemy countries.


    The man was hailed as a hero, a Transcendent who had be the killer of Transcendents: the monster that only knew victory and the one who would end the hundred-year war.


    But most knew him from his codename on the battlefield¡ªa moniker given by his enemies who shivered at the thought of meeting him in person.


    The Lunar de.


    "Lieutenant, have you received any parcels for me?"


    Amid a quiet, calm encampment, one man sat bored in his chair. Kicking his feet onto the makeshift table used for maps and strategic ns, the man bnced himself on the chair with two legs suspended up while stretching his neck behind the headrest. In his hands was a well-worn hardback bookrger than his two palmsbined. Even though it was a thousand pages thick, the book was falling apart, with pages hanging out from the sides, and its spine was half a turn away from tearing the book in two.


    One of the soldiers who was busy writing a report nearby shivered at the cold voice. It took everything he had to stop the fear from creeping up his throat and breaking into a cold sweat. However, even though he was fearful, the soldier didn''t let it show in his voice as he quickly bellowed out in response:


    "No, Major! We''ve yet to receive any mail!"


    "I see... What a pity..."


    The bored man replied while dragging his voice. It was hard to determine his emotions just from thatzy voice. Was he sad? Disappointed? Or was he about to erupt into a fit of anger? The soldier didn''t know. Therefore, the Lieutenant got to his feet and clicked his boots together to escape the tense situation.


    "L-Let me check with the logistics department again, Major! Perhaps your parcel has been stuck."


    "No, you don''t have to go that far..."


    "N-Not to worry, sir! It''s my honour to serve the hero of our nation!"


    "You..."


    The man couldn''t mutter another word as the soldier excused himselfedically. Disappearing faster than most of his enemy''s retreats, his young Lieutenant scurried out of his tent, stumbling on some rocks and crevices on the jagged terrain with his facepletely red.


    "... You would think I punished him or something."


    Number 23 mentally ''held'' his head as he watched his subordinate run like the wind. There were bound to be misunderstandings in the morning due to the Lieutenant''s actions, but the seasoned warrior didn''t care.


    After living for twenty-five years, the man had long gotten over the eyes of mistrust and fear directed at him throughout his life. In the past, it was the pure curiosity of the scientists who experimented on him. However, as his years on the battlefield piled up and his des grew, people sent all sorts of gazes in his direction.


    Curiosity... Excitement... Joy... Fear... Anger...


    The fear in his enemies'' eyes and his allies'' jubnce. And... The hope of his people.


    They were all emotions directed at the Lunar de.


    Number 23 was used to those expectant eyes and would usually brush them away with an empty heart. However, this time, thest sentence of this subordinate lingered in his mind.


    "The hero of our nation..."


    The hardened man rubbed the temples of his forehead and repeated his subordinate''s words.


    "Am I really a hero?"


    Number 23 reflected on his actions thus far in an emotionless reminiscence. All of his heroic deeds were orders from his superiors: exterminate the enemy, destroy a base, cull a rebellion... They were all destructive and bloody tasks.


    In most missions, Number 23 took the high burden on his own, not because it was the right thing to do or due to his heroic nature, but because it was the easiest path topleting his assignment. Having subordinates fight alongside him would only slow him down after all.


    Consequently, Number 23pleted the most missions with the least number of casualties. And at the same time, his deeds had, time and time again, swayed the war in his country''s favour.


    Therefore, Number 23 was his country''s pride and joy... their hero.


    Yet, the man didn''t feel that way in the slightest. Built and brainwashed as a weapon for war, Number 23 never did have much desire. All that mattered waspleting the mission assigned to him, nothing else. He never felt guilt for cutting down thousands of people or pride in aplishing the impossible.


    All his life, he was trained to do only one thing.


    To fight.


    But as time passed, the government gradually loosened the leash on his neck. They could no longer treat him as theb rat and exterminator he was raised to be, not because of the goodness of their hearts but because they were forced to do so. His deeds on the battlefield were legendary, and the number of people who respected him equalled those who feared him. Ultimately, it didn''t look good on the government for treating their number one hero as a mere hunting dog.


    Therefore, they had to give him a new identity. A new name, his own luxurious lodgings, copious amounts of wealth... Everything that the strongest existence on the ultimately deserved.


    s, Number 23 didn''t know what to do with his newfound reputation and freedom. He never had a family or friends, for that matter. He never once desired anything on his own. Neither the warm touch of a woman nor the world''s finest cuisines could touch his frozen heart.


    So, to truly find himself and regain what little humanity he had left, Number 23 decided to indulge himself in one of the oldest forms of entertainment humans had.


    Reading.


    It all started with non-fiction books, learning more about therge world he knew nothing about and researching historical events to figure out a cure for his cold and frigid heart. However, after reading thousands of books, Number 23 got bored. He soon switched to fiction books that were bestsellers in many publications. Romance, adventure, mysteries... Number 23 delved into a little bit of everything.


    However, there was nothing he fancied.


    Yes, each new book he read provided some entertainment value, but eventually, the man hit a wall. There wasn''t a story that got his blood boiling, his soul churning, and his mind frantically asking for more.


    And just as he was about to give up... An epiphany struck him.


    Number 23 had many names ¡ªthe Lunar de, the Executioner, and the God of War.


    But there was one name that he heard more than any other...


    Hero.


    Hero... The one title that everyone threw at him. Number 23 didn''t know what it was like to be a hero. He wasn''t given the proper education for that. Therefore, in hopes of understanding what everyone saw in him, Number 23 searched for the most popr books about heroes.


    And that''s when he stumbled across the series that would change his life.


    "[Bright]..."


    Number 23 flipped the giant hardback book to reveal the cover. In capital-bold letters, the word [Bright] was inked. One of the world''s best-selling novels, it sold over ten million copies with numerous artwork, television and movie adaptations made about it.


    The story of [Bright]''s protagonist resonated with readers of all ages and genders. Fighting against the odds his entire life, the protagonist never gave up. He cared for the weak and fended off the strong. He trained tirelessly, even though everyone shunned him from a young age. Eventually, he bes one of the most powerful beings in the story and uses his power to save anyone who needs saving.


    Perhaps due to the war-tornndscape of the, there had been many yearning for a hero such as the one in [Bright].


    A hero who would selflessly give his everything to his people and a person who will shoulder the burden of humanity on his shoulders.


    s, Number 23 was not such a man.


    He didn''t care if the entire world burned. Even if millions, nay, billions of humans perished due to his actions, he wouldn''t feel an ick. All of Number 23''s life, his only concern had been with his missions. As long as hepleted them, he cared nought if the world were destroyed.


    To this day, Number 23 couldn''t grasp the concept of a hero. He didn''t understand the protagonist''s motivation. He couldn''t.


    Why would anyone sacrifice himself to save someone else? Why would they walk through hell and back just to see someone smile? Why would they give their blood, sweat and tears to others?


    Even after reading all avable volumes of the book from cover to cover hundreds of times until the point where he memorised every word... Number 23 could never understand.


    "I don''t get it..."


    Pulsing himself back on the chair, the jaded man sighed.


    "If only I had the next volume of the story with me..."


    Once again, the Major looked out of his tent only to see his Lieutenant frantically scurrying around like a rat. Just by looking at his face, Number 23 already knew his book wouldn''t be arriving so quickly.


    "I guess I must clear this mission quickly if I want to read the next volume."


    Exhaling a long breath, Number 23 kept his hard copy away and started to read hismander''s orders.

 Chapter 2: Prologue (2)

    <h4>Chapter 2: Prologue (2)</h4>


    ''Annihte the rebels in the South.''


    Those were Number 23''s orders. Even though his country was a hegemonic power, some dissidents were bound to be within the ranks, particrly among the colonies annexed during the war.


    It was a small rebellion, a force just a few hundred strong. However, despite being small, they built their base in the dense wilderness. Tanks and infantry would be more of an obstacle than an asset when fighting against their gueri tactics. Using bombs or gunpowder could ignite a forest fire that would decimate the entire region.


    Therefore, there was only one solution left.


    Use Transcendents to annihte the rebels altogether. And not just any Transcendent...


    "Lieutenant, status report."


    "S-Sir, our reconnaissance team has finished surveying the area. We believe that the rebels are hiding at these coordinates."


    The soldier, barely able to keep himself from shaking in his boots, pointed to a sizable holographic map and carefully began to brief his superior.


    "Good work... What''s the n?"


    "W-We will send our forces to encircle their encampment first, and..."


    While the Lieutenant trembled, Number 23 looked around the tent and observed his entourage. There was a wide variety of officers, both young and old. Some were battle-hardened veterans who had seen decades of war. Scars and leathery wrinkles decorated their coarse skin, and the muddiness of their eyes wasn''t enough to hide the experience thaty within.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    But not all of them were veterans. A handful of them were just like the young Lieutenant, fresh and green. Stars in their pupils betrayed their eagerness to jump into battle, hungry to prove themselves to theirmanders.


    On the surface, it seemed that the army''s upper brass had provided Number 23 with enough manpower toplete his mission; however...


    ''They won''t be useful at all.''


    Number 23 mentally sighed. The soldiers sent to aid him weren''t of the best quality. But Number 23 understood why his superiors provided him with this battalion.


    The rebellion was deemed minor, and sending one Transcendent was enough to execute the rebels. Not to mention, they were sending in the world''s most powerful Transcendent. Even the most experienced battalion would simply get in the way of his mission.


    Therefore, themanders grouped together veterans who were reassigned to safer zones as they waited for retirement and greenhorns who had just graduated from their respective military schools and were sent on their first deployment to gain experience.


    ''They are really making me work extra hard.''


    Number 23 shook his head subconsciously and raised his gaze to the rest of the officers. Naturally, since they were observing his every move, they paused and waited for his response.


    "I-Is something wrong?"


    "There''s no need for such aplicated n," Number 23 sighed. "Surround them as nned. Ensure no one can escape your encirclement, and stay a safe distance away. After that... Leave the rest to me."


    "L-Leave it to you?! O-Okay!!!"


    "Let''s do it that way."


    There were no objections from the officers. Some of the newer faces may have raised their eyebrows at the simplistic n, but most simply nodded in agreement. Ultimately, they were just humans.


    In a fight where Transcendents were involved... They were more of a liability than an asset.


    Number 23 stepped out of the tent and gazed into the morning sky. There wasn''t a single cloud in the sky, and the Sun shone ever so brightly into the verdant forest. The corners of the warrior''s lips rose at this sight as he moved his line of sight into the deepest parts of the woonds.


    "We''ll end it by sundown."


    ???


    An hour had passed since Number 23 made that deration. The sky had gone dark as countless grey clouds obscured the heavens. Distant thunder could be heard while crackles of white lightning decorated the darkened sky.


    Not that it mattered to those on the ground. The various military men looked down at the battlefield in horror, many of them holding back the urge to hurl their guts out. Nay, the younger cadets, who barely saw war, were already puking at one corner, tears streaming down their faces. Even the battle-hardened veterans, who had seen war and murder, couldn''t help but freeze at the horrific sight thaty before them.


    Hundreds of bodies were littered all over the forest floor. Most of them were beheaded in one clean stroke, and those were the lucky ones...


    Severed torsos, dismembered limbs, bodies split in half...


    The carnage that had fallen upon the once pristine forest could only be described in one word.


    A massacre.


    And it wasn''t the military that caused this bloodbath. None of their weapons were fired, and none of them shed a single drop of blood. Heck, none dripped a single drop of sweat. They gulped, frozen in their position as they watched their leader... Their Transcendent... Nonchntly walk across the forest with an indifferent expression.


    Number 23 looked down at the final rebel, desperately crawling to his feet. It was a scene he''d experienced many times before. The weakened rebel, exhausted from the previous ''battle'', couldn''t muster the strength to stand. His body was filled with sweat and blood, while his eyes had lost all colour of hope.


    Was he the rebel leader? Number 23 didn''t know.


    His de didn''t discriminate at all during the massacre.


    Whether they were men in their prime, teenagers who barely hit puberty, or elderly men who had one foot in the coffin, Number 23''s de sliced through them all. Which led to theplete annihtion of the rebel group. If this was a typical battle, the winning side would capture prisoners, especially when the other side had surrendered.


    s, this wasn''t a battle.


    It was a massacre. A massacre that Number 23''s direct superior had ordered. There was no need to leave any survivors.


    "S-Spare me..."


    "..."


    Number 23 gave the rebel one final look. His cold eyes, which were devoid of humanity through years of inhumane training and unbreakable brainwashing, wavered. For a brief moment, the cold-hearted killer felt a slight wench in his heart.


    But it was only for a fraction of a second.


    Remembering the order he had, the Transcendent increased his grip andnded the final blow.


    There was no mercy in the battlefield. No, perhaps Number 23''s desire to give the rebels a quick death was a form of mercy. s, it didn''t matter anymore.


    The work was done.


    The Transcendent hadpleted his mission, and it was time to go home...


    Or so he''d thought.


    BOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!


    The ground beneath him shook as Number 23 was about to return to camp. Tremors shook his core as his spine tingled with unease. The Transcendent drew his sword from his sheathe once more, only to be greeted with a peculiar turn of events.


    The corpses that littered the floor beganbusting simultaneously while the temperature soared within his vicinity. mes ignited from nowhere and doubled in size every second. Number 23 was surrounded by a phnx of fire in no time, giving him no chance of retreating.


    With all his vectors blocked, Number 23 could only hope to take to the skies for a clean escape. s, when he attempted to jump, an invisible pressure crushed his shoulders, forcing the invincible man to bend his waist.


    "What''s going on?!" One of the officers shouted. "Didn''t we check for traps?!"


    "W-We did!" The intelligence officer cried back. "Our radar and sonar equipment didn''t pick up any mines or bombs!"


    "So what''s going on?"


    "Men!!! Ready your weapons!"


    While the younger officers panicked, the seasoned veterans instantly figured out what was happening. Their faces hardened like stone as they raised their weapons. Many in the battalion were slow to action, but there was one... One Lieutenant ran to the corner of the fire barrier and yelled:


    "MAJOR!!! TRANSCENDENTS!!!"


    Number 23 heard his subordinate''s warning, but it was toote. The trap had caught its fish, and it was time to reap the harvest. The ground shook violently again, but the tremors were strong enough to force the swordsman off his feet this time. Losing his bnce, Number 23 fell to the ground and when his body was at its most vulnerable state...


    BOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM!!!


    An explosion, no, an eruption destroyed the verdantndscape, turning the lush forest into a demonic hellscape. Molten rocks flew in all directions while a pir of ck smoke rushed towards the skies. The aftershock was enough to fly most of the battalion, including their heavy equipment. The immense wind pressure instantly uprooted trees that weren''t caught in the explosion, leaving behind a barrenndscape of melted rocks void of any lifeforms.


    The destruction was akin to that of a small-scale atomic bomb, though the aftereffects were just as severe. Shellshocked and dazed, it took the Lieutenant a few good minutes to gather his wits. However, when he realised the situation, his eyes lit up with intention as he cried out in horror.


    "M-Major!!!"


    The mes burned the brightest at the epicentre of the explosion. Even through all the smoke, dust, and debris, the Lieutenant could see the orange core burning as brightly as the Sun. The heat was blistering, and he felt like his skin could melt at any moment.


    Even facing the immense heat, the Lieutenant had half a mind to run into the fire to save his superior.


    Fortunately for him, his actions wouldn''t be needed.


    "Stand back, Lieutenant."


    Just before the young officer could make the decision to risk his life, a familiar voice beckoned to him from the hellfire. Emerging from the destruction like a phoenix experiencing its rebirth, Number 23 appeared right in front of his subordinate as if he''d teleported.


    Completely untouched by the fiery destruction, Number 23 dusted off his pristine uniform as if nothing had ever happened to him. However, his expression had be less controlled, as a visible irritation burned in his eyes.


    "M-Major! Y-You''re alive!"


    "... Did you want me to die?"


    "N-No, that''s not the case! I-I''m just amazed that you survived that st!"


    "I see... Thanks."


    Watching his subordinate''s fearful expression, the experienced Transcendent immediately ruled out a potential betrayal. As much as the government feared him, there was no way they would harm their most important asset. With his mind cleared of doubt, the Transcendent''s brain began deducing the culprit.


    ''That power... Man-made machines couldn''t have done it. Was it another Transcendent? But, to generate such power, I can only think of a handful of Pyromancers with that capability. Eliminating those from my country, there should be only one...''


    Number 23''s brain worked on overdrive as he eliminated all the potential culprits. And fortunately for him, he didn''t have to wait long to confirm his suspicions.


    Dozens of silhouettes appeared in all directions, surrounding the battalion in minutes. The soldiers attempted to defend against their assants, but a telekic force neutralised their weapons. Unable to retaliate, the battalion could only watch in horror as over a thousand people emerged from the shadows.


    However, they weren''t the powerless rebels described in the mission. Every individual in the attacking force emitted dense energy that no regr human could possess. Young men and women... Old men and women... Even children... They were all in the mix.


    They came from all sorts of ethnicities and genders... And yet, they all shared the same expression.


    Faces filled with fierce determination and hatred.


    "T-Transcendents... All of them?!"


    The entire battalion couldn''t find the words to describe their situation. Finding one Transcendent was already rare enough, yet a thousand were present. One had to note that most of the Transcendents perished in the Great War, and only 3,917 registered Transcendents were left.


    The country Number 23 was from had a third of all Transcendents, meaning half of the world''s remaining Transcendents were gathered at this very spot.


    It was a fighting force that they couldn''tpete with, no matter what weapons they had.


    Many in the battalion dropped to the floor. Some nked out and fainted on the spot. Some began vomiting while the rest stood silently with nk expressions. But there was one person, wholly unfazed by the entire situation.


    "Titus, won''t youe out now?" Number 23 spat while twirling his trusted sword. "You''re the only Pyromancer I know who can set up that annoying trap, so don''t bother hiding."


    "... You bloody monster. Can''t you even pretend to be hurt?"


    A well-dressed man in his forties walked out from the crowd of Transcendents with his hands firmly in his pockets. Though his surprise attack failed to damage Number 23, the world''s strongest Pyromancer didn''t seem to mind. Instead, he fully expected this result and simply shed a fake smile.


    "Are you even human?"


    "..."


    Number 23 kept silent. His mind wasn''t focused on the man before him but rather his entire entourage. Titus, the Pyromancer, was widely considered the second-best Transcendent in the world behind himself. However, he wasn''t the only one present.


    ''Deathbringer, Piercing de, Winter Maiden, Earth Dragon, Nightmare Whisper, Ocean Spear... There are several named Transcendents here.''


    As a Transcendent, Number 23 knew all his fellowpatriots well. After all, they crossed paths multiple times during the Great War. But even with his long history with war, this was the first time he''d seen so many of them gathered in one location.


    "I doubt you''ve gathered so many Transcendents here just to help us defeat some mere rebels, right?"


    Number 23 joked, raising the eyebrows of everyone present. Titus narrowed his eyes for a brief moment before his hoarse voice sounded out.


    "Lunar de... Your existence threatens the bnce of mankind. The only reason why your country won the Great War was because of your dominance. And you''re still so young. If we leave you be, in a few decades, your country will rule the world, and the rest of us will suffer as your vassal states. For the sake of our, we must eliminate you."


    Number 23 gave the Pyromancer a bitter look before letting out a chuckle.


    "For the sake of our... You make it sound like it''s such a noble cause."


    "... I must admit, I do have a selfish agenda."


    Titus pulled a locket from his pocket and hung it out for Number 23 to see.


    "My wife... Angelica. She died by your sword."


    "Oh, I see... That''s a shame."


    Number 23 shook his head as he tried to recall who Titus'' wife was. Unfortunately, the number of people who died by his sword was in the tens of thousands. There was no feasible way for the man to recall who the woman was.


    "... You don''t even remember her face, do you?"


    Titus kept his pendant with a regretful sigh. However, as he stopped talking, the other Transcendents erupted with anger.


    "Do you remember my father?! He was innocent, and you beheaded him in cold blood!"


    "You monster! You split my sister in two!"


    "My son!!!"


    All of the Transcendents screamed their grievances, each more gruesome than thest. As he watched the agitation of the vicinity soar, Number 23 knew that he wouldn''t be able to get through this without a fight.


    "I''m guessing an apology won''t cut it," the Lunar de whispered with a cold breath. "Lieutenant, were you able to contact themand centre?"


    "N-No, sir! They seemed to have jammed our signals!"


    "Makes sense; since they nned this trap, they would have jammed ourmunications... There''s no other choice... I''ll create an opening; you lead the battalion out of this ce and call for help. I''ll hold them off in the meantime."


    "Sir! Will you be okay?"


    "Do we have another choice?"


    "..."


    Number 23 stared at his opponents with weapons drawn and killing intent firmly directed at him. Fortunately, their objective was just him. They could care less about the soldiers in his battalion. And that gave him an advantage.


    "I will hold them off for an hour. By that time, make sure that reinforcements arrive."


    "Yes, sir!!!"


    The Lieutenant didn''t stutter anymore. Firmly etching his superior''s orders to heart, he steeled his nerves and watched as the Major walked forward towards the thousand Transcendents with his de drawn.


    Energy particles were gathered at an astonishing rate underneath Number 23''s feet. All of the Transcendents in the vicinity instantly felt a blistering chill descending their spines as many felt a pressure beyond anything they''d experienced yet. Some of the weaker Transcendents fell on their knees, while those who resisted could feel blood dripping down the corner of their lips.


    Only Titus and some Transcendents could keep their wits, but their faces showed a tinge of surprise that went beyond their calctions.


    But s, they could only watch as Number 23 transformed from a seemingly ordinary swordsman... To the world''s strongest Transcendent.


    "You will regret this."


    The words that were spoken didn''t reach anyone''s ears. Yet, its meaning was disyed spectacrly¡ªas when Number 23 finally swung his sword...


    The Moon descended.

 Chapter 3: Prologue (3)

    <h4>Chapter 3: Prologue (3)</h4>


    Pitter patter... Pitter patter... Pitter patter...


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Heavy drops rained down from the skies, creating a great deluge that obscured the vision of all. The bright morning Sun was blocked by darkened grey clouds, making thete afternoon seem on the cusp of dusk.


    And perhaps that was for the better.


    The clouds acted as a curtain, blinding the heavens from the horrific scene beneath. Hundreds of bodies were drawn out on the cold forest floor, with many entirely dismembered from head to toe. A good number of them had their heads separated from their bodies, and it was highly unlikely that they would reunite again.


    Rivers of blood coloured the grassy forest in a deep crimson hue as the rain gently washed them into the soil beneath. Sheets of grey rain continued falling like a waterfall, seemingly to wash away the sinful nature of the massacre.


    "Nine hundred dead, while the rest of us are fatally wounded... The price of eliminating you is steep, Lunar de."


    Titus, the Pyromancer and the second-ranked Transcendent in the world remarked with a heavy sigh. The man wasn''t in the best shape either. His well-dressed suit was now drenched with blood, sweat and rain. One of his eyes was eternally closed as well, with half his face covered in crimson blood and bits of flesh.


    His right arm had been severed entirely while numerous cuts and wounds decorated his once pristine body. However, even with the heap of injuries, Titus wore a big smile on his face.


    Why?


    Number 23, the world''s greatest Transcendent and the man responsible for winning the Great Wary motionless on the ground. His trusted de flung far away from his body while his four limbs were incapacitated, either by burns or irreversible injuries.


    The number of injuries on the man''s body was too numerous to count, not that it mattered to a dying person. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Number 23 felt his mind go in and out of consciousness. The world was hazy, and the strength in his body hadpletely been drained.


    It was quite possibly the weakest he''d ever been. And yet, this feeling of powerlessness didn''t give Number 23 fear. Instead, there was a different emotion that he''d thought he''d abandoned during his years as ab rat.


    "..."


    "As expected, you were too strong to keep alive."


    Since Number 23 had no means of replying, Titus continued his mncholic monologue. They had won, but it was a pyrrhic victory at best. The Transcendents killed in this battle could never be recuperated, and it would take years, decades even, for the Alliance to rebuild their forces.


    Even as Titus looked around at the remaining survivors, all he could see were broken humans. Many were severely injured, losing multiple limbs, eyes or even half their bodies. Others were so mentally traumatised they may not be able to fight another battle ever again.


    A thousand of the world''s mightiest Transcendents were now reduced to a broken mess.


    However, Titus didn''t regret his decision.


    A cold shiver ran down his spine as he recollected the Lunar de''s destructive power. That wasn''t the power of a human. Heck, there were no Transcendents alive that could match that might. Number 23 was indisputably the strongest singr existence the world had ever seen. And all that power, in the hands of a single person, was too dangerous to be kept alive.


    Titus walked over the weary and broken God of War, carefully watching for sudden movements. Blood and rain made it hard for the Pyromancer to truly see Number 23''s expression, but he could tell that the Lunar de was about to breathe hisst.


    However, Titus wasn''t going to leave anything to chance.


    Holding out his palm, he gathered what little ether he had left and concentrated it into a dense fireball.


    "Do you have any final words?"


    Though dazed, Number 23 could see Titus'' face in stunning detail. His eyebrows were lowered, and his chin slightly elevated. Biting down on his lips, the Pyromancer''sst remaining eye was tearing up as it hid a plethora ofplex emotions.


    ''What was going on in his head?''


    Number 23 wondered to himself.


    Even at this very moment, Number 23 didn''t hate the enemy that brought him to his knees. No, he didn''t feel anything at all towards Titus. In war, it was kill or be killed. That was his life''s purpose and what he was taught from a very young age. But now that he was at the end of his life, his memories slowly resurfaced.


    Like a movie, Number 23 watched his life sh before his eyes.


    The day he first held a sword, the day he first killed another human, his first battle, his first Transcendent kill, the day he ended the war...


    All his life, Number 23 was defined by the battles he fought.


    The more he won, the longer he could live his life.


    s, even with all his aplishments, all his sesses, and all of his victories, his life was going to end at a meagre twenty-five years old.


    ''Was my life... meaningful?''


    Number 23 couldn''t help but wonder.


    Even though he''d lived as a cold-blooded machine all his life, there was onest shred of humanity left in his soul. He yearned to be something more than a killing machine. He wished his life had some impact. And finally, he wanted to know that his short life... wasn''t for nothing.


    ''Did they make it out alive?''


    In hisst moments, Number 23 remembered the face of the young Lieutenant and his other subordinates. Before engaging the thousand Transcendents in a final battle, he made an opening for his men to escape. Truth be told, he didn''t know if they survived after running away.


    ''I hope they did...''


    Perhaps... This was Number 23''s first actual act of heroism.


    Everything else he did was someone else''s order. If he truly wished for it, Number 23 could have escaped alone. However, if he did so, his men would have unquestionably perished. Therefore, he stood back and single-handedly fought against a thousand Transcendents.


    And that, in turn, had cost his life.


    All of these thoughts happened in a span of less than five seconds. Unable to lift a finger or even move his mouth, Number 23''s silence gave Titus a grim affirmation. The Pyromancer knew there was no point in dying it any further and delivered the executing blow.


    "Goodbye, Lunar de..."


    As the Pyromancer''s fireball expanded in size, Number 23 could feel the world slow down. Bit by bit, the executing mes were creeping towards him like the whispers of death. The ice in his veins gradually melted while the searing light blinded his eyes.


    ''Bright... Ah, speaking of which... I never did get to see the ending of [Bright]...''


    Burning alive, Number 23 remembered the title of his favourite story. If he had one regret for dying this early, it would be that he''d never gotten to see the ending of [Bright].


    ''In the end, I never did learn what it means to be a hero...''


    Even if he regretted it, there was nothing he could do now. Oddly, even though he was on fire, Number 23 didn''t feel pain. Instead, a suspicious sense of warmth enveloped his heart.


    It was warm.


    Warmer than anything that Number 23 had ever felt.


    And so, he weed the warmth with open arms. For the first time in his life, Number 23 was letting everything go. The warmth permeated his soul, bringing him into a strange lull of peace. The world was burning around him, and his body was breaking down, but he didn''t care. All that mattered in his final moments was enjoying the sensation he''d never felt before.


    And finally...


    The world turned bright once more.

 Chapter 4: Amon Solaris (1)

    <h4>Chapter 4: Amon Sris (1)</h4>


    [This is...]


    The world felt so slippery to Number 23. Unable to open his eyes, he could only make sense of his world through the odd sensations slowly but gradually permeating his brain. Everything was sticky and slimy, as if he were wrapped in goo. The world he perceived as cold at his death had be aforting warmth he never thought he would experience.


    Voices, most of them unclear and muffled, whispered into Number 23''s ears. It felt like waking up from a dream; everyone called him with the most tender of voices.


    The touch, the smells, the taste... Everything was new to Number 23. The warmth that enveloped him very quickly turned into a greater one as the sticky goo that stuck to his entire body was being wiped away through the touch of another. And when the final bit of slime was wiped from his face, Number 23 opened his eyes.


    The bright lights from the ceiling were too much of a shock for Number 23 to handle, and unaware of his state, the cold, ruthless Transcendent unwittingly did something he had never done for decades.


    Number 23...


    Cried.


    Voices of all sorts echoed around Number 23. Unaware of the peals ofughter and why it was happening, he felt his body moving around. Like a football, he moved from one ce to the next, and he was utterly powerless to stop it. The only thing that he could do was rely on his instincts to keep crying. Fortunately, after a few minutes, the movement came to a halt.


    At that moment, Number 23 was wrapped in a new warmth. However, this wasn''t the same slimy and distasteful warmth he had experienced. Instead, it was an indescribable warmth that the cold Transcendent had never felt in his life before.


    As if he were desperate to figure out the identity of this mysterious warmth, Number 23 struggled to open his eyes. The light was still too bright for him to handle, but he was slowly adjusting to it. Bit by bit, his crying stopped, and his eyes finally opened.


    A beautifuldy.


    That was the first thing that Number 23 saw. She was sweating heavily, and her face was drained due to exhaustion. Yet, the woman wore the most radiant smile Number 23 had ever seen. She rested her palms on his cheeks and leaned in for a kiss. Words started toe out of her mouth, but Number 23 couldn''t understand them.


    But that didn''t matter.


    As the world became clearer and Number 23''s mind sobered up, he finally understood his situation.


    [It seems like... I''ve reincarnated.]


    ???


    "I was wrong, I didn''t reincarnate..."


    Ten years have passed since Number 23 died at the hands of the Thousand Transcendent Alliance. Initially, he''d thought that since waking up from certain death, he had reincarnated into a new body and was given a new lease on life. However, after observing his surroundings for a few years, it became painfully apparent that this wasn''t Earth.


    In this world, everyone was given supernatural gifts. There wasn''t a single human being that couldn''t use magic or some superhuman ability that was impossible for non-Trancendents back on Earth. While the technology here wasn''t primitive, it waspletely different from what was avable back on Earth.


    Magic stones were powering light bulbs; the architecture seemed ripped out from the Renaissance era, with castles and citadels erected at every corner. While some areas were underdeveloped in the eyes of modern humans on Earth, many technological marvels exceeded Earth''s technology by and mile.


    For instance, a magical dimension bag that could store up to a hundred kilograms of items, portable toilets that rivalled the best on Earth, self-flying carriages that could traverse treacherous journeys by themselves... the list was endless.


    Number 23 hade to a different with a different reality. And it was something that the former Transcendent could cope with.


    s, everything he''d seen was too painfully familiar to him.


    He especially remembered therge crest that hung on top of the gigantic gates he was looking at¡ªa golden Dragon holding a majestic silver sword. It was a design that he could never forget, a design that had burned into his memory ever since he reincarnated into this world.


    "The Sris Crest... I''ve transmigrated into [Bright], huh?"


    It was an unexpected development. At the end of his life, Number 23 remembered silently praying to see the ending of [Bright]. But who would have thought that his wish would havee true?


    Once again, Number 23 looked at the Sris Crest and heaved arge sigh.


    The Sris House was a big part of [Bright]''s story. It was the protagonist''s family house, and it yed a significant role in the first few books of the story. It wasn''t just the Sris House; the characters that Number 23 read also came to life. The Sris House''s Patriarch, the youngsterspete with the protagonist and even the maids serving him. They were all real people in this world, and ever since transmigrating, Number 23 had confirmed their identities several times.


    It wasn''t a dream, but real life.


    And he wasn''t the protagonist of this story...


    But an extra.


    "Amon! Why are you sitting here in a daze?"


    The young boy snapped out of his stupor and followed the voice that called him. Blinking his deep golden eyes, the boy watched as a beautifuldy in her thirties sauntered towards him with a pearly white smile. She had rich brown hair with hazel, cat-like eyes. Dressed in a formal fur dress with a cut that highlighted her neckline, the woman walked with grace and poise, fitting her position as a highborn nobledy.


    "Mother, I was just watching the gates."


    "You''ve been doing that a fair bit recently... Is there a reason why?"


    "Nothing much," the boy shook his head. "It just calms my mind."


    "Hoho, ten years old, and you speak like a forty-year-old!"


    The woman chuckled and hid her smile behind a handkerchief. She blinked twice before bending down to wipe the one bead of sweat off her son''s forehead. Once she was satisfied, the noblewoman began stroking the young boy''s head like a precious diamond and continued:


    "You are turning ten in a week! Is there anything you want?"


    "Something... I want?"


    Amon looked confused by the question.


    "Of course! It''s my boy''s tenth birthday; I''ll buy you anything!"


    "Why would you give me something even though I''ve done nothing?"


    Number 23, a man-made killer who had done everything that his government had ordered him to do, could notprehend the concept of gifts. Why was he being rewarded for doing nothing? Heck, why was he even being awarded? The former Transcendent had no idea.


    "Hah... We have this conversation every year..."


    The womanughed merrily at her son''s funny words. She asked this question yearly, and her son replied the same way. Perhaps it was due to her motherly love filter, but everything this son said was adorable and lovable.


    "You didn''t do nothing! Ten years ago, you came to me safely and healthily. That''s the biggest gift you''ve given me! So, topensate, I will give you a gift every year!"


    "..."


    The same reply, the same response.


    Number 23 couldn''tprehend the woman''s words, but his chest would feel warm each time she said it. It was something he didn''t understand. After years of purging his emotions, the former Transcendent felt his lost humanity slowly being rebuilt in this new world.


    Not as Number 23, the ruthless and deadliest Transcendent the world has ever known.


    But as Amon Sris. A mere extra in this tale.


    "Haha, you can think about it and let me know! For now, let''s go to the dining room. Come on, Amon! Your father is waiting for you!"


    Amon looked up at his mother''s smile. It was ever so radiant and bright. Amon wondered if, one day, he could reciprocate that smile. Suppose he could smile from the bottom of his heart.


    A wry, smaller smile crept up the boy''s lips as he reached for his mother''s hand. Shaking his head, Amon emptied his mind of those useless thoughts and replied with the best smile he could muster at the moment:


    "Thank you, mother."


    ???


    "Amon, you''re turning ten soon."


    Amon was munching on his steak when a hoarse voice was directed in his way. Looking up, he saw a middle-aged man staring right at him. The man had a full head of ck hair and a well-trimmed beard. His wrinkles were beginning to show, and his squarish face plus brown tan made the man''s appearance somewhat leathery by nature. However, the one attribute that stood out the most about that forty-year-old man wasn''t his overbearing frame or intimidating face... But his majestic golden eyes seemed to look directly at the world''s truth.


    "Have you decided on your career path?"


    "Not yet, father."


    Amon gave an emotionless answer, as always, when this question arose.


    "Mmmm, you''re young, so you don''t see the urgency of your situation." Amon''s father sighed. "While I am a Guardian Knight, I don''t want to pressure you to be a Knight. However, as with all professions, the earlier you begin, the better. If you wish to go down the path of administration, that is fine as well."


    "... Understood."


    The world of [Bright] was very different from Earth, at least for those born into the Sris House. There wasn''t a mandatory education system, and children did not need to attend schools in the Sris House. Children would decide on their profession based on their ideals and talents from a young age. Once they have chosen, their parents will sponsor their dreams by sending them to specialised schools to train them in their respective professions.


    There was a school dedicated to magic studies. Prospective, talented magicians would gather here to hone their skills and be spectacr mages who would serve the Sris House well. There was a school for healers and barrier arts. A school dedicated to training the next generation of doctors and protectors that would be the backbone of the Sris House. A school of herbalists, a school of inventors, a school of gadget development...


    There was even a school of administration: the pen and the sword. One couldn''t do without the other. While the Sris House was primarily a Knight Household, they couldn''t have survived since the Age of Dragons without the help of their talented administrators.


    Diplomats, politicians, ountants,wyers, strategists... The list of prestigious professions that emerged from the school of administration was endless. If the Knights were the sword of the Sris House, the administrators were the skeleton.


    But of course, the most prestigious and well-known school was undoubtedly...


    The Knight''s Academy.


    "My, my! There''s no need to rush! You still have two more years to think about it!"


    Amon''s mother joined in the conversation with a gentle p and smile.


    "Maya, you''re spoiling Amon," the muscr man frowned and shook his head. "Twelve years old is the cut-off point where one can join a school, but everyone joins much earlier. We''re even sending Arya to the Knight''s Academy this year!"


    "It''s okay, Daddy! I will protect Amon if he needs it!"


    A youthful voice bellowed out from Amon''s side, forcing him to tilt his head down.


    A small girl barely reaching his shoulder in height beamed in joy as she ced both her hands on Amon''sp. Her golden eyes sparkled with the resplendence of the Big Dipper, and her chubby cheeks were puffed like a loaf of freshly baked bread. Her shoulder-length ck hair was identical to Amon''s and his father''s, but it was far silkier and smoother, making it look like the girl was wearing a pure ck helmet.


    But the most adorable part of the young girl... was her ignorance of her surroundings. Even the cold-hearted former killing machine couldn''t help butugh.


    "Arya, you have a stain on your mouth."


    "Eughhh! Really? Where?!"


    "Don''t worry, I got it."


    Amon took his tablecloth and gently wiped the stain cleanly away. Arya purred like a kitten as she raised her chin defencelessly. It was hard to imagine this little girl boasting that she would protect Amon moments before.


    "Thank chuu!"


    "No problem," Amon smiled. "Finish your food. I''ll bring you out for a post-dinner walk."


    "Really?! Hehe, you''re the best!!!"


    Arya quicklytched onto her brother''s left arm and nuzzled her nose into his elbow. Quick on the uptake, Amon raised his right hand and rested it on his sister''s round head. In truth, he wished for his sister to finish her meal to escape this awkward situation quickly. s, Amon''s father wasn''t going to let the matter slide.


    "Hmmm, since you''re good at handling children, perhaps childcare would be a good path for you."


    "Aaron!!!"


    Amon''s mother snapped back at her husband for pressing the matter. Usually, the burly man was weak to his beloved wife''s holler, but he refused to step down this time.


    "Maya! This is important! We''re proud members of the Sris House! We can''t let our descendants rot away as freeloaders."


    "But..."


    "Enough!"


    Amon''s father put his foot down, signalling the end of the debate. Sensing the change, Amon''s mother shook her head but didn''t retort this time. She worriedly looked at her precious son while her husband had thest word.


    "I''ll expect an answer from you next week on your birthday, Amon. Even if you don''t have any ambition, at least tell me one of your interests. I''ll do my best to enrol you by month''s end."


    "... Understood."


    The warm family dinner ended on a cold note, with Amon leading his sister out to the garden for a post-dinner walk. From the corner of his eyes, Amon could see his father folding his arms in contemtion while his mother started scolding from the side. But that wasn''t Amon''s problem anymore.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Chapter 5: Amon Solaris (2)

    <h4>Chapter 5: Amon Sris (2)</h4>


    Amony in the middle of the private training chamber of his family, staring hard at the cold, stone ceiling. His father was at work, while his mother was busy tending to the garden. Even the annoyance, young Arya, was hauled off as she prepared to enter the Knight''s Academy. Although there were maids and butlers around the mansion he called home, none bothered him.


    Amon was finally alone, allowing him to reflect on his situation.


    It has been ten years since Amon transmigrated into the world of [Bright]. As much as he wished to deny it, Amon had confirmed time and time again that he''d left Earth. Hyades, the world he was in, was undoubtedly the world described in [Bright]. Everything from the architecture, the world map, the characters in the story... They were all part of the novel he loved.


    Amon didn''t know how it happened. Was there a higher being that transferred his soul over? Did the contents [Bright] belong to an alternate reality, and the author just wrote them down mindlessly? And why was he called here?


    All these were questions Amon asked himself countless times during the ten years he''d transmigrated here. However, no matter how much he analysed, he couldn''te up with a sufficient answer.


    "Everything seems so surreal... If this is my new reality... Don''t I know the future?"


    Amon thought back on the contents of the novel. With dozens of volumespleted, the story of [Bright] was at an advanced stage. Even though he didn''t reach the end, he knew a good chunk of what would happen in the future.


    The story of [Bright] officially begins when the protagonist returns to the Sris House in the Spring of 788 AD, eight years away. Furthermore, he knew all of the events that were about to happen, and if he wished to, he could resolve them all before the ''story'' officially began. And there were plenty of problems.


    "Even so... Hah... Of all ces, why did God have to transmigrate me to Hyades?"


    In essence, [Bright] was a story of a hero rising from the ashes, protecting those he loved from the great dangers that befell the world. Based on the story, Hyades will face several cmities, each more dangerous and destructive than the next.


    In fact, the Sris House would fall in one of the future cmities, with ny percent of its elite Knights annihted. Amon hypothesised that before he transmigrated here, his parents and sister were amongst those who perished during that fateful cmity.


    The fall of Sris was a significant arc in [Bright]. It taught the protagonist a valuable lesson, further enhancing his growth and ascension to herodom.


    However, Amon wasn''t the protagonist.


    He was just a mere extra in this tale.


    "I won''t even have the chance to rx here... What a pain."


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Although freed from his role as a human weapon, Amon would still have to walk down the path of a warrior if he wished to survive the cmities and win. But unfortunately, the young boy had a more pressing problem.


    "I have to give him an answer next week, huh?"


    Amon was lost in thought, his hands behind his head, as he recalled the conversation he had had with his father the previous night.


    There was a reason why Amon''s father was dying his enrollment. It wasn''t because he loved his son or pampered him. And it wasn''t because they didn''t have the financial means. The reason for Amon''ste enrollment was quite simple...


    "My control over mana is weak..."


    Perhaps due to his transmigration, Amon could not use mana at a high enough level to be considered a Sris Knight. Yes, he had the physical attributes, and his swordsmanship remained peerless. Even now, Amon was confident in beating anyone his age.


    The problem came after.


    Instead of Transcendents who used Aether, there were Magicians and Knights who used mana. Magicians would use mana to create magic spells, while Knights would use mana to strengthen their bodies for battle.


    Mana was the lifeblood of the.


    It was found in the soil, water and air. It was present in every living being, from snails to birds. Every creature utilises mana to a certain extent; even the greatest Knights in the Sris House''s history were masters of mana.


    And that was Amon''s problem.


    Ignoring magic for now, Amon didn''t even have the talent to strengthen his body with mana, the most basic of techniques needed to function as a Knight. While he could use mana to a certain extent, it was far too poor. Even his younger sister, Arya, had better mana control than him.


    That was the conundrum that Amons faced at the moment.


    His father was understanding and wouldn''t mind him joining the School of Administration, and in truth, Amon wouldn''t mind going down that route, either. In his previous life, Amon was nothing more than a weapon. He lived every day, not knowing if it would be hisst. In his current life, Amon wants to learn how to live as a normal human being, untouched by war, and to regain his lost humanity.


    s, Amon wasn''t a fool.


    Even if he wished to live in peace, the world of Hyades wouldn''t allow him. Even if he didn''t want to participate in the story, the cmities of the future would unquestionably drag him into it. At the very least, if Amon wished to survive, he had to be as strong as his past self.


    And for that... He needed to attend the Knight''s Academy.


    With his handicap, it would be a tough challenge, but Amon knew it had to be done. Fortunately, Amon had the cheat code.


    "I need to draw out a road map... A nned timeline of what I need to do."


    Amon had read all of [Bright]''s existing volumes from cover to cover multiple times. He had even memorised many events, sometimes studying them to understand the protagonist''s mindset and what made him a hero. Therefore, he knew of all the events that were going to happen. And more importantly... He knew who the viins were, even the hidden ones.


    "Once I be stronger, I can kill the viins before they trigger the cmities."


    If Amon yed his cards right, there was a chance that he could stop the cmities before they even began. In that way, he could spare himself from a bad ending and save millions of lives.


    "And... I would learn what a hero feels like."


    Amon''s normally stoic lips crept up into a wide grin. One of his objectives for reading [Bright] in the first ce was to understand what it meant to be a hero. And what better way to learn than to walk in the protagonist''s footsteps?


    Feeling his heart pump in excitement, the young boy''s face flushed red. Given the circumstances, it was the perfect route for him to choose.


    "The Awakening of the Blood Demon, the Curse of the Foolish Lich, and the Fall of the Elune House... All these are the major arcs of the first few books."


    Recalling the events that were about to happen, Amon thought of the best way forward.


    "The Blood Demon... I don''t know where it''s sealed, so it will be hard to stop its awakening. The Foolish Lich... Might be harder to kill without regaining my past strength; as for the Elune House... All I have to do is kill the preparator!"


    Amon thought of the easiest cmity to resolve. The Fall of the Elune House was caused by someone summoning an Archdemon directly into the heart of the mighty estate. Caught off guard, the great Magicians of the Elune House fell like flies, and they were ughtered before anyone could rush to their aid.


    Ultimately, the protagonist ys the Archdemon by killing the medium, or rather, the person who summoned the cmity.


    However, Amon could prevent the cmity entirely by killing the medium before they even got a chance to summon the Archdemon. It was the perfect n!


    "But I''m still too weak..."


    Amon sighed as he cursed his powerlessness. Ultimately, individual strength was paramount, just like in his previous world. Let alone a cmity, Amon was too weak even to join the Knight''s Academy.


    "Let''s just take it one step at a time... First, I will need to resolve my mana issues... At the same time, I''ll need to avoid any main characters to prevent any story deviation. Only when I''ve be strong enough will I tackle the cmities..."


    There were still eight years before [Bright] began. If he yed his cards right, Amon could change the story to his liking and survive the uing cmities.


    Unfortunately, Amon''s n would be derailed just a few hourster...


    "Amon Sris! Marry me!"


    ''... How on earth did this happen?''

 Chapter 6: Amon Solaris (3)

    <h4>Chapter 6: Amon Sris (3)</h4>


    To understand how Amon received a marriage proposal, one had to rewind the clock a few hours back.


    "Amon, change your clothes. The Patriarch summons us."


    "... What?"


    After Amon had decided to join the Knight''s Academy, his father surprised him with another random event. Unaware of what to say, the young boy could only raise his brow, perplexed about the situation. Fortunately, he wasn''t alone in his confusion.


    "The Patriarch summons us? Why?"


    Amon''s mother asked back with a simr dumbfounded voice.


    "Not you, Maya... Just me and Amon."


    "That doesn''t answer my question!"


    "... Don''t ask me either. It''s been a while since Ist met the Patriarch." Unfortunately for everyone present, even Amon''s father couldn''t give a straight answer.


    "Isn''t he your uncle?"


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Yes, but our positions are drastically different." Amon''s father sighed and shot an emphatic gaze at his son. "I''m just a Guardian Knight, while he''s the Lord of our House. We don''t meet each other as often as you would think. Besides, while technically rted, our family trees aren''t close."


    Almost everyone in the Sris House is rted to each other, particrly those who have inherited the Sris bloodline. However, after generations of branching out, the family tree has be as vast as an ocean. In Amon''s case, he was, at best, a distant rtive to the Patriarch and his descendants.


    "Wear your ceremonial uniform. We have it ironed for your uing birthday anyway. I don''t know why the Patriarch summons us, but it would do good to make a good impression on him. Or, at the very least, don''t make him think any less of you."


    "... Understood."


    Amon begrudgingly epted. Even in this world, one has to pander to their superiors. However, Amon''s main focus wasn''t on kissing a higher-up''s butt but on the reason why he was summoned in the first ce.


    ''The Sris Patriarch is a major character in [Bright], and his role is significant in the protagonist''s growth.''


    The youngster''s brain recollected all of the details of the Sris Patriarch as his mother brought him back to his room to change his clothes.


    ''In terms of power levels, he is among the world''s top five. There is no stronger swordsman besides the Sword Saint, and he was a significant reason why the first cmity didn''t end in aplete tragedy for Hyades. Although he perished during the cmity that ended the Sris House, he imparted his techniques onto the protagonist andid the foundations for him to be a hero.''


    Amon thought back on everything about the Sris Patriarch. The man''s appearance, age, overwhelming power... and most importantly...


    ''Let''s meet him, shall we? The protagonist''s grandfather.''


    ???


    The Sris House.


    It is one of the most prominent houses in Hyades, if not the most prominent. Their lineage dates back thousands of years, and they were one of humanity''s oldest superpowers. In the distant past, when the''s dominant race was Dragons rather than humans, the ancestor of the Sris House fought toe-to-toe against the mighty Dragons.


    Blessed by the Golden Dragon Sovereign, the Sris Ancestor dominated the battlefield, ughtering hundreds of Dragons with his Holy de. In a world where humans were trampled like ants, the Sris Ancestor destroyed the behemoths of the time and, alongside hisrades, rose to be the first heroes of humanity.


    And due to his heroics, the Sris Ancestor had guaranteed the prosperity of the Sris House for generations.


    Even in the modern world, where Empires and Kingdoms ceased to exist, and the world was unified under the Hyades Republic, the Sris House held a unique position. Governing a plot ofnd called Solfea all on its own, the Sris House was effectively a duchy.


    Everyone living on Solfea had to obey the Sris House''sws and pay taxes directly to the ancient family. After thousands of years, the Sris House had umted an unfathomable wealth for any average family.


    Amon followed his father deep into the Sris pce while observing the entire dwelling in awe. Even in his past life, Amon had never seen such grandeur with his own eyes. Tall ceilings made out of gold and marble. Statues of past legends of the Sris House at every corner. Opulent and luxurious designs were everywhere, from the floor to the end of the hallways.


    It was a sight to behold and a pce worthy of the legendary Sris House. In particr, the father-son duo were seatedfortably in a waiting lounge, one that was prepared specially for the House Lord''s honoured guests.


    While Amon was still busy indulging in the jaw-dropping sights, a middle-aged Knight donned in full armour approached the duo with a respectful demeanour. Pausing for a moment to verify the two individuals in front of him, the Knight promptly bowed his head in respect and said:


    "Sir Aaron, I apologise for calling you on such short notice."


    "Sir Hawk, please don''t be so courteous. It''s our honour to be called by the Patriarch. As Knights, we must answer his call no matter howst minute it may be."


    Amon''s father hurriedly got onto his feet and addressed the Knight with a warm smile. It was evident that the two Knights were familiar with each other. Amon''s concentration broke away from the ostentatious decor of the room and focused on the middle-aged man talking to his father.


    ''ck hair with golden eyes... He''s part of the Sris bloodline as well.''


    Not every Knight employed by the Sris House came from the same bloodline. Some married into the family, while others were employed due to their incredible skills. However, the trademark of a true Sris Knight would be their prominent ck hair, which emted the edge of night, and their piercing golden eyes, which seemed to hold the Sun within their pupils.


    Blessed by the mighty Golden Dragon Sovereign of the past, the Sris Ancestor had created a bloodline so potent that every Sris descendant would inherit it. Anyone with the Sris bloodline would be born with an innate draconic body that far surpasses any average warrior, and their mana reserves would be just as deep as any magician.


    It was the main reason the Sris House remained so powerful, even after thousands of years had passed since the Great Dragon War.


    "Splendid! Sir Aaron, your loyalty is without question!"


    The Sris Knight beamed, evidently in a good mood.


    "The Patriarch is waiting in his study. He has asked me to bring you in."


    "... That''s fast."


    Amon''s father''s voice trembled a little as he muttered out a response. And it was with good reason. Usually, the Patriarch would be busy, and his guests would have to wait for hours, maybe even half a day, just to get an audience with him. However, Amon and his father barely waited five minutes before being summoned.


    It could only mean one of two things.


    One, it was a coincidence, and the Patriarch waspletely free when they arrived. Or, the Patriarch had an urgent need to meet them. And, if it was thetter...


    "Sir Hawk, if I may be so bold to ask... Are we in trouble?"


    The Guardian Knight raised his brows and widened his eyes for a moment. However, the surprise in his eyes quickly turned into amusement.


    "HAHA! Right! We were so hurried that we didn''t notify you why the Patriarch requested an audience! Don''t worry, my friend! I assure you, nothing but good news awaits you!"


    "Ah... That''s a relief, then!"


    Amon''s father sighed deeply before easing up his shoulders significantly. Given Sir Hawk''s words, it seemed that the Patriarch didn''t have any bad intentions. However, the Guardian Knight''s sentiments weren''t shared with his son.


    ''The Sris Lord... He''s not someone who would move for no reason. And there''s no good reason my father and I would receive a personal audience...''


    Amon had read [Bright] from cover to cover multiple times. He knew many of the characters and their traits by heart. And given that the Patriarch was a significant character in [Bright], Amon naturally knew the man''s personality well.


    Let alone in the novel, in the ten years that Amon had transmigrated here, he''d never met the Patriarch personally once. For him to summon Amon right now...


    ''Could he have figured out that I''m from another world?''


    Amon''s logical mind began racing. He went through all the possible scenarios that would have led to this moment and eliminated them individually. However, no matter how hard he hypothesised, Amon couldn''t fathom why he was meeting the Patriarch.


    And before he knew it... The father and son duo stood before a massive gold-ted door too heavy for a youth like Amon to open.


    "My Lord, Sir Aaron and his son have arrived."


    "Enter..."


    Through a miraculous force, the seemingly unmovable gates creaked open with that one word. Mist escaped rapidly, cooling Amon''s ankles in a fraction of a second. An invisible pressure mounted on the young boy''s shoulders, forcing a wrinkle to appear on his poreless forehead.


    Following his father''s lead, Amon walked into the massive chamber cautiously, ready to escape at a moment''s notice if need be. However, the moment he stepped through the door, the massive gates shut closed behind him without anyone''s interference. Sealed on all ends, there was no way to escape the stone chamber.


    Well, there was one way...


    To fight against one of [Bright]''s most powerful characters. To go through the strongest Knight alive. And to fight the man who wouldter raise the protagonist to heroic heights.


    The Sris House Lord, Alrock Sris.


    "You''re here."


    "My Lord!"


    Hearing the husky, toned voice beckoning him, Amon''s father lowered his head with a deep bow. Unaware of what to do, Amon could only follow suit unknowingly.


    "Dispense with the formalities. I didn''t call you here for a ceremony. Raise your heads."


    At the Lord''smand, Amon gradually raised his head.


    The first thing Amon noticed about the man before him was his massive frame. Standing over two and a half metres tall, the Patriarch was, by far, the tallest man Amon had ever seen in person. However, it wasn''t just his height that impressed the former Transcendent. Hidden beneath the loose, silk regal robes was a physique beyond that of musclemen.


    Like an unmovable wall, the Lord''s thick chest burst through his robes, and his biceps hugged his clothes so tightly that they seemed to be bursting out. And his upper body wasn''t the only towering part of his frame. Legs that were equivalent to that of tree trunks and an abdomen that seemed to be carved out of fresh marblepleted the colossal man''s body, creating an invisible pressure that would intimidate anyone whoid eyes upon it.


    And finally... When Amon''s golden eyes met the Patriarch''s...


    ''This is... impossible...''


    Perhaps due to his upational habit, Amon had the tendency to size up anyone he''d met face-to-face for the first time, identifying their power levels, finding any weak points, and evaluating how he could defeat them.


    However, as he gazed upon the Sris House Lord, Amon couldn''t find any way to defeat him.


    Let alone defeat him, the former Transcendent couldn''t even fathom how strong the man was.


    It was a first for Amon, and he was stunned beyond words. s, he wasn''t the only one essing the other party.


    "Interesting! It''s been a while since a young''un gave me that look!"


    "A-Amon! What are you doing?!"


    "No, please don''t be agitated, Aaron. His audacity simply amused me. Most youngsters his age would faint or wet their pants when they locked eyes with me."


    The Patriarch broadly smiled and rubbed his beard in glee.


    "Young''un... You tried to calcte if you could defeat me, right?"


    "... Yes."


    "And? What''s your assessment?"


    "..."


    Amon stayed silent for a moment. Not because he was afraid of the consequences but because he was looking for the right words to say. However, the former killer wasn''t one for finesse. In the end, Amon simply told the truth.


    "It''s impossible. It''s like a fireflyparing itself to the Sun. And just like a firefly, you could squish me like a bug. I would die before Inded the first hit. As I am, I am unable to defeat you."


    "..."


    The first thing that greeted Amon after his impassioned assessment was silence. His father dropped his jaw as words failed to form in his mind, while the Patriarch looked dumbfounded. However, that silence wouldn''tst for long.


    "HA! HA! HA!!! Where did this young''une from?!"


    The Patriarch bellowed out with heartyughter. Tears were almost forming in his eyes as he pped his palm on hisp, causing the stone chamber to rumble like an earthquake had just struck.


    "How have I never heard of you?! Have you joined the Knight''s Academy?"


    "Not yet," Amon replied straightforwardly. "But I''m thinking of enrolling this year."


    "HA! Good! A young''un like you should be bold and aspirational! No wonder that other young''un was obsessed with meeting you!"


    "?"


    Question marks appeared on Amon''s head as he heard the Patriarch''s statement. However, before he could ask the question, the Sris Lord shot back with another:


    "What''s your name, young''un?"


    "... Amon Sris."


    "Amon... That''s a good name! I''ll remember it!"


    The Patriarch couldn''t stopughing as he beckoned to his assistant. Understanding the signal, the Knight bowed his head and quickly left the room.


    "As much as I would love to continue our conversation, unfortunately, my role today is merely a middleman."


    "My Lord? What do you mean?"


    Amon''s father asked cautiously. Usually, it would be the adults who would converse while the child sat quietly and listened. However, the Patriarch''s attention was now entirely on Amon. Afraid that his son wouldn''t be able to take it, Aaron attempted to divert that attention back onto himself, but s... The Sris Lord only looked at the young man who dared to bear his fangs at him.


    "Amon, my child... How would you like to be engaged?"


    "... What?"

 Chapter 7: Amon Solaris (4)

    <h4>Chapter 7: Amon Sris (4)</h4>


    "Amon, my child... How would you like to be engaged?"


    "... What?"


    Amon couldn''tprehend the words from the Patriarch''s mouth, and his face reflected his confusion. Brows were furrowed deeply while his tongue stopped moving. Amon''s golden eyes, which had never wavered even after facing the man who could im his life at any given time, quivered in pure astonishment.


    "Ah, that''s right. You''re still ten, so you probably wouldn''t understand what I mean."


    The Sris Lord looked over at the other person in the room and repeated himself with more details.


    "Aaron. An engagement opportunity hase up, and I would like to betroth your son to one of our allies."


    "My lord... I''m afraid I don''t understand..."


    "Mmmm, I know it''s sudden, but hear me out."


    The Patriarch smiled warmly and shed his pearly white teeth.


    "You are aware of the Elune House, right?"


    "!!!"


    A shock wave pulsated through Amon''s body as he heard that familiar name. The Elune House yed a significant arc in the story of [Bright] where an Archdemon was summoned into Hyades. During that process, the Elune House was decimated entirely beyond repair, leaving few survivors. For that House to be mentioned here gave Amon a dreaded sense of foreboding.


    "Just like the Sris House, the Elune House is one of the most influential families in Hyades. While the Sris House specialises in Knights and Warriors, the Elune House is a lineage of Magicians and Summoners. Even though they don''t have our heritage and strength, the Elune House is still a vital part of the Hyades Republic, with many prominent Magicians holding important positions in the union."


    Thinking that Amon needed some exnation, the Patriarch introduced the Elune House briefly.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Our Houses have crossed paths multiple times in the past, be it as enemies or allies. Fortunately, during this era of peace, our Houses have been on friendly terms for about a century. And well, they would propose that we unite our two Houses'' friendship with a partnership."


    "A partnership?"


    "That''s right," the Patriarch continued smiling. Evidently, his mood was soaringly good. "They''ve discovered a mana crystal vein in their territory and wish to consult our expertise to mine and protect their newly found riches. Furthermore, after processing their mana crystals into artefacts, they will share a percentage of the profits with us."


    "Congrattions, My Lord! This is great news!"


    Amon''s father knew the actual value of a mana crystal vein. They were rare and in great demand, given the magic industrialisation that had taken ce in the Hyades Republic. Finding one could change the riches of a territory overnight, and there were organisations dedicated to finding those elusive resources. While the Sris House didn''t need money or resources, having a percentage share of the mana crystal vein was a wee investment.


    However, Amon couldn''t share his father''s delight.


    Narrowing his eyes, the young boy sieved through his memories. Naturally, he knew of the magic crystal vein. In fact, it was one of the reasons why the Elune House fell in the first ce. The viin would have used the mana stored within the massive mine to summon the Archdemon, thereby destroying the Elune House for good.


    But, the vein wouldn''t be discovered for another few years. For it to appear now...


    "That''s not thest of it too! To solidify our partnership, the Elune House has proposed that we join our two Houses in matrimony."


    "My Lord... Forgive my ignorance. If the Elune House wants to join our houses, wouldn''t a union with one of your grandsons be proper? If not, there are plenty of other talented young men in the Sris House to consider. Why Amon?"


    Amon''s father, just like his son, was brutally honest with his words. Aaron was well aware of his family''s position. While he was a Guardian Knight, that didn''t give him much prestige in the Sris House, given that about a thousand Guardian Knights were around. It would make a little more sense if he were a Pir Knight or a Sun Knight, the two highest ranks possible in the Sris House under the Patriarch.


    Aaron didn''t have the capabilities, and he didn''te from a prestigious background. Therefore, he couldn''t fathom why Amon would be chosen for this marriage.


    However, never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined that...


    "Aaron, your words arepletely logical. But we weren''t given a choice. The other party named Amon specifically."


    "I''m sorry... What?"


    Amon''s father dropped all formalnguage and spat out at the Patriarch. If he had the chance, he would have also dug his ears. Likewise, Amon had a hard time believing the Sris Lord''s words. Ever since he''d entered this world, Amon had been living a low-key life. He''d never attempted to make a name for himself, nor did he do anything prominent to convince others of his identity.


    "It''s true. That other young''un said that if it wasn''t Amon, she wouldn''t marry into the Sris House, and the partnership would be called off."


    "Does she know Amon?"


    Wide-eyed, Aaron looked at his son withplete disbelief. Amon has never left Solfea even once. The young boy rarely adventures out of the Sris Estate, too. It was almost impossible for him toe into contact with a girl from the Elune House, which was a thousand kilometres away.


    "From my short conversation with her, she seems obsessed over the boy."


    "... What''s her name?"


    Amon''s voice dipped into a near growl. Only one prominent character in the Elune House was mentioned in [Bright]. She was the main viin in the arc where the Elune House fell and the only person worth remembering. If possible, Amon would have killed her to prevent the tragedy from happening, thereby eliminating one threat in the future.


    Fortunately, it wasn''t long until Amon got his answer.


    The doors behind them creaked open just before the Patriarch couldment. The first person that Amon saw was a wizened man who looked barely over sixty. His pale, white skin betrayed that he didn''t see the Sun for long periods, and his slightly hunched back hinted at his sedentary lifestyle. However, even with all thosecking physical attributes, Amon''s skin crawled just by observing the aged man''s mana.


    It was like peering into a bottomless pit, where the darkness was akin to an abyssal void. Comparing the man''s mana reserves to his own was a needless task. It would take years, decades even, for Amon to increase his mana to that extent.


    Few humans in [Bright] could give Amon this sense of dread. The Sris House Lord, Alrock Sris, was one of them, and for the man to match the Patriarch, it could only mean one thing...


    The wizard before him... Was the Elune House''s Lord and the man whom the Archdemon possessed when it was summoned.


    Yugor Elune.


    "Yugor! You''re here!"


    Unlike his friend''s enthusiasm, the old man held a bitter expression as if he didn''t wish to be in the building. With his hands behind his back, Yugor observed Amon with growing interest. However, his eyes were hollow andcked a single ounce of empathy.


    "Alrock... Is that the child?"


    "Yes! This young''un here is Amon Sris! The boy your young''un is interested in!"


    "... He''s untalented."


    Yugor spat out in disgust. As a seasoned magician with decades under his belt, his eye for talent was among the best in the world. With just a nce, Yugor could tell Amon was untrained in mana. Not only that, but the magician knew that Amon hadn''t been trained as a knight yet andcked the Sris House''s signature techniques.


    "I don''t understand what my granddaughter sees in him..."


    "Ha! Ha! Even the mighty Wizard Saint bes a fool for family!"


    "Shut it, Alrock."


    Yugor snapped at his old friend. His already deep wrinkles folded even more as he thought of the terms and conditions his talented granddaughter brought to him when she discovered the mana crystal vein. She wished for the Elune and Sris House to join in a partnership to manage the massive vein they''d found, and to honour that agreement, she wanted to be engaged with a Sris family member. And not just any Sris member, a young Sris boy she had her eye on.


    The first condition was understandable for the seasoned, old Lord. He knew the benefits of partnering with the Sris House more than anybody. But what stumped Yugor the most was his granddaughter''s insistence on being engaged to that particr boy.


    And his confusion deepened after meeting Amon in person.


    There was nothing spectacr about the boy. Talent-wise, he was below average. Appearance-wise, he did look decent, but he wasn''t anything impressive. Nothing impressed Yugor, and with his brief interaction with Amon, Yugor had already determined that he wasn''t a good fit for his granddaughter.


    ''I wanted to raise her as my heir too... Her talent only appears once in a thousand years; we can''t just let her marry into the Sris House.''


    While Yugor was thinking of ways to dissolve the engagement, the Patriarch''s voice woke him up.


    "So? Where''s our little VIP maiden?"


    "She''s... On her way... She wanted to check her appearance before meeting that brat."


    "Hoho?! Aren''t you lucky, Amon!"


    "..."


    At this point, Amon had determined the identity of the young girl. Yugor Elune only had one granddaughter, and that girl was why the Elune House fell in the future. In [Bright], she is a viin who summons an Archdemon and is also responsible for the downfall of the mighty Elune House.


    The talented young magician was said to be a once-in-a-lifetime gift and the genius meant to lead the Elune House to glory.


    "Apologies for myte arrival!"


    Amon''s eyes were fixed on the door so he didn''t miss the moment when the girl entered the room. A snowy whiteplexion that seemed to be reminiscent of a winter night. Transparent, red rubies that sparkled in the night hid within her bright eyes. And finally, long white hair that seemed woven from the finest silk thend offers.


    There was only one beauty in [Bright] that fits that description.


    The young girl, no older than ten, brightened her eyes as she saw Amon standing in the middle of the room. Skipping over with her hands behind her back, the young girl smiled until she was five steps away from Amon. Radiant as a flower that bloomed in the warmest of Springs, the girl''s resonant voice echoed out from her lips like sweet morning dew.


    "Nice to meet you! My name is Yue Elune!"

 Chapter 8: Amon Solaris (5)

    <h4>Chapter 8: Amon Sris (5)</h4>


    After Amon and Yue met in the Sris Lord''s chambers, the Patriarch suggested that the two kids take a private walk. There wasn''t much thought in his actions; he just wished for Amon and Yue to foster a more profound connection since it was their first official meeting. In the meantime, he could have a long discussion with Yugor and Aaron about the engagement procedures.


    Unaware of what to make about the situation he was in, Amon simply followed his orders. Guided by a butler to a fancy garden beneath the Patriarch''s chambers, Amon sat inside a pavilion atop a lush and serene pond. All around him, exotic flowers bloomed while colourful carp swam around, making the Spring afternoon of the Sris House all the more appealing for a date.


    Before him was a pot of Solfea''s finest tea and world-ss pastries that couldn''t be bought with money alone. The best baker in Solfea made delicious confectioneries, and many of the treats wereced with local fruits that were sweeter than sugar.


    Even as a member of the Sris House, this was the first time Amon had been treated to such luxuries.


    However, Amon couldn''t care less about the luxurious sweets before his eyes. His attention was purely focused on the girl happily devouring the delicacies with no fear in the world.


    "Wow, this is delicious! The Sris House is really something else. No baker in Eshon could ever make these treats!"


    Yue happily remarked while nibbling onto another scone. She took one small bite before taking a sip of her flower tea.


    "The tea here is remarkable, too! Is it because of the climate? Solfea does have a better climate than Eshon. We barely see Spring for two months a year."


    The young girl continued to pour out her grievances about her northern hometown, which would be littered with snow for six months a year. Unaware, or perhaps deliberately ignoring Amon''s wary gaze that seemed to burn through her pure white body.


    "Hmmm, but it''s okay! When I marry you, I will enjoy this tea every day! Don''t you think so, Amon?"


    "..."


    Amon was at a loss for words. He didn''t know how to react to this young girl''s straightforward character, and more importantly, he didn''t understand why he was put in this situation.


    ''Should I just kill her as nned? That would stop the fall of the Elune House in the future.''


    Amon was tempted to execute the girl right there and then. However, Yue''s behaviour was beyond his wildest calctions. For her to discover the mana crystal vein years in advance and propose an engagement with the Sris House was something no person could foresee. Let alone the fact that Yue picked Amon out of all the eligible bachelors of the Sris House.


    Her odd antics couldn''t be logically exined, and Amon didn''t want to waste more brain cells. Therefore, he went for the only method he knew to uncover the truth.


    "Who are you?"


    "Who am I? Didn''t I already introduce myself?" Yue yfully smiled. "My name is Yue Elune, the granddaughter of Yugor Elune. My favourite foods are scones and muffins. My favourite colour is golden-ck. But the colour of my panties today is pink!"


    "... That''s not what I meant."


    Amon frowned so hard his two eyebrows were practically knitted together. Ignoring the irrelevant details, especially the part about her undergarments, the boy lowered his voice so soft that it became a whisper. However, even with his voice as soft as a feather, no one could mistake the icy-cold piercing steel in his tone.


    "Yue Elune... Do you have knowledge of the future?"


    The white-haired girl didn''t break her smile. Yue continued to stare at Amon, her shining red eyes glowing even brighter by the second. The two didn''t break eye contact for a full ten seconds. If an outsider were looking in, one would have imagined that the two had fallen in love at first sight. Unfortunately, that was far from the case.


    Yue snapped her fingers, and a wave of mana almost instantly escaped her petite little body. The mana formed an invisible ss barrier that enveloped the entire pavilion.


    "As expected from you, Amon. You were never one to beat around the bush."


    The young girl''s innocence dissipated into thin air as she got up from her stone stool. Walking casually towards Amon, she passed the wary boy and knocked the barrier of her own making. When she tapped the barrier with her knuckles, no sound was made, and the vibrations turned into ripples that softened the small bubble.


    "Though, I would wish you to learn to be more discreet. The walls have ears, after all."


    "... You know me?"


    "Of course I do," Yue chuckled as she gently reached for Amon''s right cheek. Initially, Amon was urged to spin away, but judging from the girl''s expression, it seemed Yue didn''t want to harm him. Furthermore, the boy was curious about why this side viin behaved this way.


    And his answer came in the most shocking manner.


    "How could I not know you, Amon Sris? My one and only beloved... husband."


    ???


    "My one and only beloved... husband."


    "... What?"


    Amon couldn''t believe his ears. Husband? Was it possible for him to be a husband? He red at Yue as if he''d met an asylum patient, not knowing what else to say. However, as if expecting his response, Yue covered her mouth to hide her foxyughter.


    "As you''d guessed, I''m not just Yue Elune. Well, at least I''m not the Yue Elune you know from [Bright]... Number 23."


    BOOM!!!


    The barrier shook violently with ripples, almost causing the ss bubble to break. The stone stools were overturned, with the pleasantries toppled onto the floor. The boy who was seated down was now on his two feet, and his right arm was directed at the young girl''s baster swan neck. If not for an invisible force pushing back his fingers, Amon''s nails would have wed into Yue''s throat, effectively ending her life in an instant.


    Even though her life was being threatened, even though Amon was ready to kill her at any given moment, Yue remained calm. With one hand behind her back, she looked like she was going on a stroll in her backyard, utterly unfazed by Amon''s bloodthirst and killing intent. Using her free hand, Yue gently tapped on Amon''s wrist and said:


    "Hehe, is that how you treat your future wife? Although I''m into kinky y, I don''t like it too rough."


    "... How do you know me?"


    "Well, if you let me finish, I will tell you."


    "..."


    Left with no choice, Amon let go of his desire to kill. Lowering his w, the young warrior sheathed the strength in his arm and watched patiently. If Yue did something that required his fist, he would unquestionably kill her without remorse. But for now, he opened his ears.


    "Speak. Or else, I''ll kill you."


    "My, oh my. How coarse."


    Yue giggled while covering her face. She lowered her guard and walked past Amon, sitting on the stone stool. Her lips turned downwards as she attempted to pick up the dirtied scones and broken cups. However, instead ofmenting the inedible conditions of her favourite delicacies, the girl raised her index finger and rotated it in an anti-clockwise direction.


    And just like a movie being rewound, time moved backwards. The broken cups and split tea returned to their pristine and warm state. The fractured stone table reversed its cracks while the dirtied scones on the floor magically returned to their tes.


    "Time reversal?"


    "Not exactly," Yue shook her head. "But it''s a simr concept."


    ''Since when did Yue Elune learn how to use time magic?''


    Amon searched his memory, trying his hardest to recollect any details about Yue Elune. However, no matter how much he tried to remember, there was no mention of Yue mastering time magic in all of [Bright].


    "Wait, does that mean..."


    "Hoh, as expected. You catch on quick."


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Yue smiled once again, this time more radiant than ever before.


    "Did you think you''re the only irregr in this story?"


    "You''ve... regressed?"


    "That''s right! I''ve regressed from the future! And well, in the future, we were lovers."


    "That''s... hard to believe..."


    Amon had no interest in love, not in his past life or this one. He''d never imagined that he would even get married to someone, let alone a viin of the story. However, that wasn''t the most pressing issue right now.


    "If you''ve regressed from the future, you should know how this ends. What happened during the cmities?"


    "..."


    For the first time, Yue stopped smiling. Her deep, ruby eyes glistened with remorse while her bubbly face turned cold. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her cup of tea and emptied it in one shot. Holding back her body''s desperate attempt to shake, Yue answered:


    "We failed, Amon. Hyades was destroyed. Humanity was either annihted or enved by Demons. The lucky ones died fighting. The survivors formed a resistance, but we couldn''t win against the Demons after they dested Hyades. With no other choice, our final option was to send my consciousness back in time and to rewrite history."


    "... What?"

 Chapter 9: Amon Solaris (6)

    <h4>Chapter 9: Amon Sris (6)</h4>


    Amon couldn''t believe his ears. [Bright] may have had dark moments, but the story''s theme was always heroism and optimism. No matter how dire the circumstance, the protagonist would always turn up to save the day. Amon couldn''t believe that the ending of [Bright] was this despairing.


    "How did that happen?"


    Yue''s expression remained dark as her gaze never left Amon''s face. Furrowing her brows together, the girl continued her exnation:


    "You happened, Amon."


    "... What?"


    "In the future, you attempted to shoulder all the cmities yourself. You killed every obstacle in humanity''s way and defeated every enemy that threatened Hyades. The reason why we met was because you attempted to kill me and to prevent the fall of the Elune House."


    "..."


    Amon''s brain immediately went into overdrive. As someone who had lived and died by the sword, the only way he knew how to resolve problems was through his sword. It wouldn''t be any different if it were himself from the future. He would have attempted to solve any issue he may have had by killing the source of the problem.


    Hearing Yue''s words, it was with a heavy heart that the former Transcendent had to admit it...


    Yue did regress from the future.


    "Wait, if that''s the case, and I killed all of Hyades'' enemies, how could it have fallen?"


    "Amon you... You became too strong. Nobody could stand alongside you, and you became humanity''s only protector. And because you resolved all the conflicts, no one else had any enemies to fight, so they failed to grow. Even the ''protagonist'' of [Bright] failed to grow as nned and perished during the fifth cmity."


    "So... my actions in the future... caused the downfall of Hyades?"


    "No! That''s not why!"


    For the first time since meeting her, Amon saw Yue panic. Her eyes were shifting around while her canines bit down hard on her soft, tender lips.


    "You saved many people... You defeated every evil from the first to the fourth cmity with ease. But, the fifth and sixth cmities were too powerful for one person to shoulder. In my future, you attempted to solve everything all by yourself, and you were invincible against anyone! But... even you can''t beat overwhelming numbers."


    "Ah..."


    Yue''s words made Amon recall the moment of his death. Yes, he would have beaten any of the Transcendents gathered that fateful day in a one-on-one battle. But, when it was against a thousand Transcendents...


    "I see, so I died in the future?"


    "... yes."


    "How futile..."


    Even in the future, Amon was doomed to suffer the same fate.


    "So [Bright] included two more cmities... In my world, I''ve only read up to the fourth cmity."


    Amon couldn''t help butugh at the lunacy of the situation. The only cmities he managed to stop were the ones he knew about. The fifth and sixth cmities were part of a future he didn''t know, and therefore, it was something that he couldn''t stop.


    "So, now that you''ve regressed, what''s the n? Are you going to kill me to continue the original storyline?"


    "Of course not!!! That would be thest thing I want!!!"


    Yue hollered out.


    "Amon, your existence is vital to humanity''s survival! Without you, we wouldn''t have survived all of the cmities. The fifth and sixth cmities especially. If not for you, humanity would have be extinct. Only after your death did our decline begin."


    "I see... So what do you n to do?"


    "Amon... We should join forces."


    "Hmmm..."


    Yue''s agitated expression gradually calmed down as she gathered herself with the proposal she had initiallye to the Sris House with.


    "Your strength and my knowledge. Together, we can mould the future and prepare humanity for the cmities. We can train a pantheon of heroes to fight alongside us, and together, we can defeat all of the evils of the future."


    As Yue continued with her impassioned speech, her jubnt smile returned.


    "And... I can help you with your mana control problem."


    "... So you knew about it?"


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Like I said, we were married in the future. You shared everything with me."


    Yue answered with a cheeky smile.


    "With my help, you will be stronger at a much faster rate!"


    Amon leaned back onto a pir with his neck stretched upwards. Numerous thoughts were flying in his head, and his mind was filled with the desire to deny Yue''s words. However, as he continued to analyse the information he''d gotten, one flickering thought remained throbbing in his mind.


    "In the future... Was I hailed as a hero?"


    "I beg your pardon?"


    "Did I... be a hero?"


    Yue looked at Amon as if she''d seen a mentally ill patient escape from an asylum. It took a while before she realised that the boy was dead serious, and she said:


    "You weren''t just a hero, Amon. You were humanity''s greatest hero."


    "Hmmm..."


    Hearing Yue''s words, Amon''s cracked lips twitched ever so slightly. His mind softened, and his mood soared. Amon''s original goal was to understand what it was like to be a hero, and unexpectedly, this second life of his would give him a chance. And if it meant holding hands with the viin... Amon was more than happy to try.


    "Okay, let''s join forces, Yue Elune."


    "Hehe, you won''t regret it!"


    Amon wasn''t aware of it yet due to his inability to read expressions, but Yue shed a rather scary face. Her eyes were nted, and her lips trembled as she desperately attempted to stopughing. It was like a sly vixen who had just caught her prey and was desperate to prevent her victim from finding out.


    "So, what do we do now?"


    "Why, we continue with our engagement, of course!"


    "... Why?"


    Amon''s heart felt slightly annoyed with Yue''s continuous repetition. Even though the girl came from the future, there was no telling that her words were the truth. Nevertheless, since Amon would enter a partnership with this girl, he had to give her the bare minimum of trust.


    "Heh, I know you can''t trust me yet, but this is the best option!" Yue''s ruby eyes beamed in delight as she pointed her finger towards the young boy.


    "Firstly, even though we are connected in the future, we are essentially strangers at this point in time. So, we will need an excuse if we want to meet often. This engagement eliminates that problem! Also, the mana crystal vein would help bolster the rtionship between the Sris and Elune House, essentially easing any barrier we may have in the future regarding coboration."


    "Makes sense..."


    Amon''s perturbed face gradually softened into an enlightened one. Yue had a point. Even though they knew the future, they were both only ten-year-olds at this point in time. There were limits to what they could do and how they could meet. If they were to utilise the two great Houses tomunicate and travel with each other, it would be far more convenient when executing their ns.


    "Secondly, we need to tap into the resources of the Sris and Elune Houses to improve our individual powers. Also, we will need money. Lots and lots of it. Our engagement with the partnership of the mana crystal veins will ensure that."


    "Agreed."


    Given that there were six cmities to face, Amon knew the severity of the situation. They had to increase their powers and do it quickly. And given that they were still children with no resources to their name, it would be best to utilise every ounce of the two mighty Houses.


    "And finally..."


    Yue''s snowy white face slowly blushed red while her dazzling eyes locked onto Amon''s. Tip-toeing over with her hands behind her back, the young girl licked her delicious lips before standing before Amon face-to-face. Given that they were the same age, the pair were of simr heights. Amon could clearly see Yue''s lovestruck expression as she ced one of her hands on his chest, with one finger circling under his corbone with careful tenderness.


    "Even if you have no knowledge of our love, I have. The years we''d spent together, the journey we embarked on, and... The moments we shared. They are all stored in my heart."


    "..."


    "At this moment, your heart may be filled with steel. You may have forgotten how to be human and love someone, but I swear... I will make you look my way."


    Yue''s maiden-in-love face was nowced with a gleeful, determined expression. Amon could feel her lips edging in closer to his by the second. At this distance, he could smell her sweet, floral perfume distinctly. Yet, all he could focus on were those dazzling eyes that glistened as brilliantly as the full Moon.


    "I swear... To make you love me again... We will be husband and wife. So..."


    Amon unconsciously gulped. The boy felt overwhelmed for the first time, possibly ever. It wasn''t like his feeling when facing the Sris Patriarch. And neither was it like fighting against a thousand mighty Transcendents. It was apletely different feeling.


    A feeling that...


    He was being swallowed whole.


    "Amon Sris! Marry me!"

 Chapter 10: Yue Elune (1)

    <h4>Chapter 10: Yue Elune (1)</h4>


    [Yue''s POV]


    "... Youngdy! Youngdy! Are you okay?"


    "... Erywna? Is that you?"


    "Huh? Of course, it''s me! Have you hurt your head?"


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "No... I just had a terrible dream."


    "Is that so? It''s rare for you to oversleep till this hour. It''s already lunchtime! Please get up so I can dress you for the dining table."


    "No, it''s fine... I think I will have my lunch a littleter. Please leave me alone for now, Erywna."


    "Understood..."


    I watched Erywna frown while shooting me a confused look. She was likely thinking that I fell in my sleep and hurt my head, but as her maid, she had no authority to check my body. Instead, she simply followed my orders and retreated from my room. And well, in a certain sense, Erywna was right.


    I did hit my head, for I have woken up from a terrible, terrible slumber.


    The first thing I did was pinch myself to prove that I was indeed alive. My young flesh instantly turned red after I pinched my arm too hard as a significant amount of pain electrocuted my brain. I took a few deep breaths in, attempting to really take in all of the sensations of the world. The warm afternoon Sun, the cool wintry air, and the familiar scents of incense... They were all permeating my senses.


    Immediately, I ran towards the mirror on my desk, mming my little palms down. I observed the young girl in the reflection, carefully examining every nook and cranny of her petite face. My eyes were crystal clear, free of demonic contamination. My skin was supple and tender, void of any scars or burns. And most importantly... My body wasn''t in its twenties anymore.


    No matter how hard I looked, this was my body when I was eight years old.


    Only after a few good minutes did I finally believe my current situation.


    It really happened.


    I turned back time.


    "The grimoire wasn''t lying to me!!!"


    I burst out in joy andughter, jumping up and down in the middle of my room. However, joy wasn''t the only emotion I''d felt. Tears streamed down my cheeks as the vast emptiness inside of my heart was being filled with hope again. My throat was turning sore while mucus flung out from my nose. I had a bodily reaction. My body was unwilling to control itself as I fell onto the ground, grasping the middle of my chest.


    If Erywna or any of the maids saw this scene, they would unquestionably have brought me to my mother to check for any injuries.


    "I''ve really... turned back time!!! I can stop the cmities from ever happening!!!"


    In the future... in my future¡ªhumanity as a species would be destroyed. Many would be massacred, while the rest would be enved. It was a bleak and hopeless future where no human would live happily. But, with my regression, I can change that. I can train humanity and the heroes of tomorrow to be prepared for the oing threat. I can increase my strength to an unprecedented height and save as many elites as possible for the war toe. And most importantly...


    I can meet him again.


    He came from a different world, but even so, he did his best to save ours. He was the reason why I lived in the future and the reason why humanity survived. He became the undisputed strongest human in the world and carried that burden like the lonesome hero he was.


    However, no matter how powerful the hero was, he couldn''t shoulder the weight of the world alone.


    He will require help, help he wasn''t able to get due to his reclusive nature. His strength alone was able to carry us through the four cmities. If he had been given help, there would have been no question in my mind that he could have defeated the fifth and sixth cmities, too.


    Now that I have returned to the past, I can give him the help he sorely needs.


    I can build an organisation around him. I could support him from behind with magic. And most importantly, I could train talents to share the burden with him.


    However, before I can do anything to help him... I must first regain my former strength.


    I raised my left arm and channelled my mana with expertise beyond an eight-year-old''s. Heck, not even Grand Mages could move mana as I could fluidly. It was a skill honed through years of blood, sweat and tears while fighting on the frontline against impossible odds.


    With each revolution, my mana reserves started to be purer, and the veins that carried my mana flow became thicker and stronger. Blood trickled down my nose while the fogginess in my mind cleared up. The meridians that were clogged up were instantly unblocked, sending a torrential deluge breaking out from my inner core.


    Since I was eight years old, there weren''t that many impurities within my body, but the little bits that existed were now being purged at an astonishing rate. ck grime escaped my pores as sweat, dirtying my silky nightgowns while a pungent odour stunk up the room. Fortunately, there wasn''t anyone to witness this phenomenon, which gave me the freedom to keep going.


    I proceeded to the next step after I confirmed that my body had been thoroughly purified of the gunk that gued my inner system.


    Rotating my mana like an endless whirlpool that sucked all life deep into the ocean, I continued to absorb mana from the surroundings with elevated ease. Fortunately, I was in the heart of the Elune House, and blessed with mana. Even if I sucked up all the mana in my chamber, no one would notice since it was being replenished at a faster rate than I could absorb.


    The mana that entered my system was being purified in the same manner as before, making my inner core far purer than it ever was. And only when my body was filled like a water bottle did I unleash the cap.


    Mana broke through the bottleneck of my prefrontal cortex and rushed straight into my brain.


    The sudden rush of mana caused my consciousness to wane, and I started to see double. Blood continued to flow down my nose, as this body was too young to experience a magical shock of this magnitude. However, I persisted.


    The mana within my brain was being resisted, and for good measure. The most important organ of the human body is our brain, and anything that may pose a threat to it would be purged instantly. Most modern magicians didn''t dare to use this method to hone their abilities due to the enormous risk it posed. One minor mistake could cause the mana to overflow inside the brain, overloading it and causing eternal damage that could not be fixed. In the worst case, the magician might be considered brain dead and would cease to live a functional life any longer.


    However, I was fully confident in my mana control.


    Like how it flowed through my veins like water, the mana within my brain flowed effortlessly. It connected the nerves within my brain, unclogging any unnecessary blocks it came across. And finally, with all the preparation I''d made, the mana limited to my body was absorbed into my soul.


    Soon, the pressure I''d felt within my head disappeared, and my mana could finallyplete a full revolution around every corner of my body.


    And with that...


    "I formed my first circle..."


    Exhaling to calm myself, I looked down at my prepubescent body to observe my changes. Covered in blood and grime, my body appeared broken from the outside. However, ignoring the impurities I''d just purged, I could tell. My body had been reborn.


    My skin was healthier than before, with no blemish in sight. My bones and muscles were stronger than before as they were infused with mana with every breath I took. And my soul... was now on a different ne of existence.


    Most magicians would throw a three-day celebration after reaching their first circle, but I had no such joy. All that mattered to me now was the purity of my magical body and how I could improve on it in the future.


    This was just the beginning.


    The enemies I would face in the future were a hundred, nay, a million times more dangerous than a regr magician. They were capable of cleaving mountains and splitting oceans. A mere first-circle magician wouldn''t do anything to them.


    However, now that I havepleted my first circle, I could reach the starting point of my redemption journey.


    "Come forth... the chain that binds my soul."


    My soul resonated with my enchantment, forcing ''something'' sleeping within to awaken. Like a beast angered from being awakened, my soul rumbled like a volcano, and within an instant, a bright light burst from my chest and coagted onto my outreached hand.


    Multiple ck chains emerged from my heart as a brown grimoire restedfortably on my palm. It was chained heavily as if to seal the book for eternity, barring anyone from viewing it. There wasn''t any key or lock in sight. It was a heavily chained grimoire that no one, including myself, could read. However, even though the book was sealed, seeing it appear in my hand made me smile.


    "The Mysterious Grimoire... It''s still bound to my soul!"


    This artefact gave me the ability to turn back time. It was my connection to the life I''d lead, proof that my timeline truly existed, and the only physical connection I had to him.


    Currently, he and I are both eight years old. The man... no, the boy will join the Knight''s Academy in two years. While his experience at the Knight''s Academy would be a significant turning point for him, it would make him inessible for three to six years.


    While I could meet him when he graduated from the Knight''s Academy, there was no telling how my regression would affect the timeline from here on out. Therefore, it would be best to meet as soon as possible.


    But under what pretext should we meet?


    Even though I had just formed my first circle and was the favourite child of the Elune Lord, there was no reason for me to visit the Sris House. Also, how do I convince him to join me even if we meet?


    And then it hit me...


    My lifelong dream... The dream that was so viciously ripped away from me when he passed away...


    Wouldn''t it be good if I could make it happen in this timeline?

 Chapter 11: Yue Elune (2)

    <h4>Chapter 11: Yue Elune (2)</h4>


    [Yue''s POV]


    Two years have passed since I regressed.


    Over these two years, I wasn''t sitting back idly, twiddling my thumbs. In preparation for future cmities, I built my reputation and influence within the Elune House through my superior magical capabilities and adorable charm.


    In my original timeline, I was already hailed as a prodigy, but with me forming my second circle before ten years old, I was now considered a once-in-a-generation genius. Adding to the fact that my grandfather doted on me tenderly and expected me to seed him as heir, my position grew exponentially. Not only that, plenty of talented magicians joined my faction after realising I was the future of the Elune House.


    However, even though I had all those credentials, I was still a ten-year-old. If I asked to visit the Sris House to visit him, I would most likely be declined in a heartbeat.


    After all, the Elune House didn''t want to risk jeopardising their precious princess.


    However, time was ticking. In a few months, he will join the Knight''s Academy, and once that''s done, it will be exponentially more challenging to reach him. If I wished to seal the deal, I had to take drastic measures.


    Which was why I expedited the discovery of the mana crystal vein.


    In my original timeline, the mana crystal vein was discovered muchter. Incidentally, I''vee to learn that the discovery was manipted by our enemies to step foot into the Elune House and to gain influence over the core members and...


    I was one of the victims of their nefarious, conniving ws.


    Hence, I had no guilt in dering the mana crystal vein as my discovery. Scratch that; I was ted to im it as my own. Now, I wasn''t just a prodigious ten-year-old child but a cherished member of the family who contributed significantly to the Elune House''s fortunes.


    But that wasn''t enough. I negotiated a deal with my grandfather to partner with the Sris House to strengthen our alliance with the ancient superpower and protect our newly found resources. And I didn''t stop there; I suggested that I be betrothed to a member of the Sris House of my choosing to cement the partnership.


    All while hiding the sly smile that was stered all over my face.


    Naturally, my grandfather was reluctant, but my adorable face was too potent for him to ignore. Not to mention, there was significant support on my side, as many felt that since I was the one who discovered the vein, I had the power to decide what to do with it. However, secretly, I knew that there were numerous factors in y.


    Some saw me as an emerging powerful faction and sought to eliminate me as a threat. Others were happy to see our partnership with the Sris House grow through matrimony, significantly benefiting them.


    But... I didn''t care an iota about their opinions.


    All I wanted to do... was to meet him.


    My grandfather and other elders of the House questioned why I was so adamant about marrying this person even though there were many other better potential candidates.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Fortunately, the Elune House had a history of prophetic dreams and divination magic. With my history of discovering the mana crystal vein, I could simply say that I foresaw my future in a dream and that man was the only man who could bring me happiness. And in a sense, I was right.


    I did live through the future, and he was the only one I loved.


    No, he was the only one I could ever love.


    Which was why this marriage had to happen.


    After convincing the Elune House to solicit the help of the Sris House, the following steps fell into ce quickly. Naturally, the Sris House was ted to enter this partnership and happily invited the family head and me to their impressive estate. The grandeur of the ptial dominion was as imposing as ever, with the emblem of the Sris House stered on every gate I passed through.


    The Elune House was impressive in its own right, but the Sris House''s architecture was on a whole other level. Ever since the formation of the Hyades Republic, there weren''t any Kingdoms or Empires anymore. Yet, the Sris House was the modern-day equivalent of a King''s fiefdom. Towering pces were stretched out for miles upon miles. Ancient and rare antiques were littered all over the hallways, with many rivalling or exceeding that of museums.


    The grandeur and magnificence of the dominion never fails to impress me.


    And yet, this monolithic superpower fell to the future cmities.


    "Youngdy, the Sris Lord summons us. He says the person you requested had just arrived."


    While still lost in thought, Erywna''s voice brought me back to reality. I blinked twice, fully taking the time to absorb the information I''d just received. However, it didn''t take long for the colour to be drained from my face as I leapt to my feet.


    "O-Oh! I have to hurry then! W-Wait, Erywna! How''s my hair? Do I look strange?"


    "... Youngdy?"


    "Do I still have any bed hair? How''s my make-up? You know what, I better check for myself!"


    I ignored my trusted handmaiden''s shocked face and ran towards the nearby mirror. At the same time, I brought out ab and a face brush to smooth out any rough edges I may have. I could hear my grandfather sighing as he trudged out of the waiting room with an exasperated voice, but I didn''t care.


    This was going to be my first time meeting him in this timeline.


    I had to look perfect.


    "Erywna, how do I look now?"


    I promptly asked after making adjustments a dozen times. My trusted servant eyeballed me from head to toe once over, resting her finger over her chin. After careful consideration, she finally brightened her face and said:


    "You look beautiful! There''s no one prettier than you in all of Eshon and Solfea! I can guarantee it!"


    "That''s not enough! I have to be more beautiful than all the women in the world!"


    "T-That... Wow... Youngdy, forgive me, but... Do you have any shame?"


    Hey! That''s rude! I do have shame! But this is a matter of life and death for me! No matter how cold-hearted that man is, even he would be enamoured by a beautiful girl who aimed to be his wife. Our first meeting is pivotal to setting the tone for the rest of our rtionship!


    "It''s fine... I think I''m ready for the audience."


    Taking in a deep breath, I calmed myself once more. I was once a formidable mage who faced up against Demons and Deities. Meeting him again should be a piece of cake!


    Or so I''d thought...


    "Apologies for myte arrival!"


    The moment I stepped into the chambers of the Sris Lord, I saw a small crowd standing in a semicircle, seemingly awaiting my arrival. My grandfather, the Elune House Lord, lifted his chin and looked away, his nostrils red. The Sris House Lord rubbed his scratchy beard, his eyes pure with amusement. One older gentleman blinked, his jaw wide open, the moment he saw my face.


    But none of their expressions mattered to me.


    The moment... The millisecond I entered the chamber, my eyes were locked onto one person only.


    Standing at attention, the young boy gazed at me icily. Anyone could tell that it was a death re, yet the moment I saw his familiar majestic, golden eyes, my spine tingled as if lightning had struck me. His usually ruffled ck hair, which resembled the ebony of night, was nowbed in perfect symmetry, a sight I deemed impossible during my previous timeline.


    He was also dressed particrly well, like a noble heir preparing for his debutante ball. The Sris House was a Knight household, meaning most ceremonial attire was militaristic. And watching the young boye out dressed in a regal suit bearing the emblem of the Sris House...


    My heart was about to beat out of my chest.


    Thest time I saw him, the man was in his mid-twenties, and now... I was seeing a child version of the man I loved. His noble frown looked haughty with his young, chubby face. I could see his entireplexion gleefully without his battle-worn scars and worn-out skin. Perhaps he could feel my eyes scanning him; the boy puffed his chest out and straightened his back, unwilling to back down a single inch.


    My god...


    How could such an adorable creature exist in this world?!


    I wanted to charm him, yet here I was... falling prey to my own trap.


    Isn''t this cheating?


    I couldn''t bear it anymore. Ignoring the other adults in the room, I unknowingly held my hands behind my back and skipped over sheepishly towards the young boy. I hastened my feet, and it wasn''t long before I was five steps away from him.


    In truth, I wished to leap into his arms immediately and embrace him with all my might. But that action would unquestionably push him away. Still, this was my first time meeting him in this timeline, so I had to make a great first impression.


    Focusing on calming my beating heart, I took a deep breath and gave the boy the introduction that would intertwine our fates forevermore.


    "Nice to meet you! My name is Yue Elune!"


    And this was how... I met Amon Sris in this timeline.

 Chapter 12: Yue Elune (3)

    <h4>Chapter 12: Yue Elune (3)</h4>


    [Yue''s POV]


    After some basic introductions, the Sris House Lord pped his hands and suggested that Amon escort me to their garden for us tomunicate and get to know each other better without the adults in the room. I would have never thought that one of the strongest and most influential men in the world would be such an excellent wingman, but nheless, I was delighted at the turn of events. Besides, my goal was to entice Amon with my proposal anyway.


    I was brought down to the garden pavilion, where a dozen snacks and a freshly brewed pot of tea awaited my arrival. It didn''t take long for me to settle down and munch the delicious snacks. I could see the corners of Amon''s lips twitching as I made no attempt to exin myself while I indulged in the luxuries, but I didn''t care.


    Perhaps it was his young face, plus his rtive uneasiness from being sprung into an unexpected situation; Amon''s annoyed expression was indeed a feast for the eyes.


    Even the indomitable hero who single-handedly took down four cmities alone could be fazed. This was a sight I rarely saw, even after spending nearly a decade with him. I continued to evade the topic while making small talk about the snacks before us, relishing in the sight of Amon''s face turning redder by the second.


    "Hmmm, but it''s okay! When I marry you, I will enjoy this tea every day! Don''t you think so, Amon?"


    I took one step further in my teasing. I wished to see more adorable expressions from the one I loved, and this was an opportunity of a lifetime. However, I may have gotten carried away with myst remark. As the words left my mouth, I could see Amon''s befuddlement and annoyance turn rapidly. Now, hidden within his piercing golden eyesid a sharp killing intent.


    For a brief moment, I was transported back to the first time Amon and I met. The circumstances were different, and Amon was infinitely stronger at that time. Given that he has yet to ovee his weakness, I was easily a dozen times stronger than him. Yet... The fear that erupted from my soul wasn''t an ounce less than our first meeting.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Only ten years had passed since he transmigrated from his original world, and he had yet to learn how to live as a free human rather than a weapon. Right now, he is more Number 23 than Amon Sris.


    "Who are you?"


    "Who am I? Didn''t I already introduce myself? My name is Yue Elune, the granddaughter of Yugor Elune. My favourite foods are scones and muffins. My favourite colour is golden-ck. But the colour of my panties today is pink!"


    "... That''s not what I meant."


    Amon''s chilly voice resonated within the pavilion. I could tell he had reached his breaking point and no longer cared for pleasantries. He didn''t even flinch when I divulged the colour of my underwear. While that hurt me a little, I didn''t have the opportunity to continue teasing him, for he had dived straight to the crux of our conversation.


    "Yue Elune... Do you have knowledge of the future?"


    The man formerly known as Number 23 wasn''t an overthinker. More often than not, if he could resort to force to solve a situation, he would. And that philosophy had its merits and demerits.


    For one, Amon would kill anyone or anything he deemed a threat. For example, in my timeline, Amon killed an evil town mayor who sacrificed innocent lives in exchange for personal profits. In the short term, Amon''s actions saved those innocent lives. However, the vacuum created by his thoughtless execution created chaos in the town as a power struggle soon emerged. Consequently, more innocent people were dragged into the situation, creating a muddled mess that couldn''t be untangled anymore.


    So, while well-intentioned, Amon''s actions could lead to more chaos if not handled correctly. It was a lesson he learned eventually, but it would take Amon numerous years for him to figure that out.


    It couldn''t be helped. After all, Amon''s previous life was a tragic mess. He was raised as a weapon with no concept of interacting with others. To put it bluntly, the mancked a heap ofmon sense.


    Unfortunately, I didn''t have the luxury to teach him slowly. For us to ovee the cmities, I needed a way to control and restrain his actions, at least until he learned how to be human.


    "As expected from you, Amon. You were never one to beat around the bush. Though, I would wish you to learn to be more discreet. The walls have ears, after all."


    I instantly created a sound barrier to hide our conversation from peering ears. While I highly doubted that anyone would spy on two kids talking, it was still better to be safe than sorry.


    "... You know me?"


    I needed to convince him of our connection so that he would listen to what I said. If I just recounted our past word for word, he may not be convinced and go on his own path again. Therefore, I had to tell him this teeny white lie.


    "How could I not know you, Amon Sris? My one and only beloved... husband"


    "... What?"


    Husband...


    Amon and I weren''t married in my timeline. While we were allied, Amon was held back by his past, and he couldn''t make a meaningful connection with anyone. However, it wasn''t to say that he waspletely heartless. Slowly but surely, Amon opened up to me about his past. We became friends, partners, and finally, one step away from bing true lovers.


    Unfortunately, he perished before we could take that final step.


    It was a regret that still weighed heavily on my heart.


    "As you''d guessed, I''m not just Yue Elune. Well, at least I''m not the Yue Elune you know from [Bright]... Number 23."


    As I''d surmised, the moment I yed my hand and told him what I knew, Amon charged at me with a vengeance. There, briefly, I caught eyes with the God of Death. Amon''s anger shot through the roof, and his fingers were wing straight for my neck. I would have fallen prey to his attack if I hadn''t prepared myself with a telekic barrier.


    "Hehe, is that how you treat your future wife? Although I''m into kinky y, I don''t like it too rough."


    I attempted to ease the mood with a little joke, but Amon was having none of it. He stared straight into my eyes, never wavering for a second. I could feel it... If I gave the wrong answers, he would make it his life mission to kill me.


    "... How do you know me?"


    "Well, if you let me finish, I will tell you."


    "..."


    Amon contemted my words before finally releasing his chokehold on me. Likely, he weighed the pros and cons within a millisecond, deciding to hear me out before killing me. Amon''s decisiveness was one of his best qualities, and it gave me an opportunity to win him to my side.


    "Speak. Or else, I''ll kill you."


    "My, oh my. How coarse."


    Nevertheless, the shock of being targeted was hard to ignore. I walked past the ramped-up young boy and sat behind him to gather myself. At the same time, I gave him a little hint by fixing the broken table and stools.


    "Time reversal?"


    "Not exactly, but it''s a simr concept."


    "Wait, does that mean..."


    "Hoh, as expected. You catch on quick."


    I smiled and crossed my legs over each other. Amon was a ruthless killer, but even he would listen to reason. If I told him fragments of our future, I''m confident he would warm up to me.


    "Did you think you''re the only irregr in this story?"


    "You''ve... regressed?"


    "That''s right! I''ve regressed from the future! And well, in the future, we were lovers."


    "That''s... hard to believe..."


    Tch, guess he won''t go down that easily, huh? No matter, once we solidify this engagement, I can slowly manifest our marriage in reality. Maybe in ten, no, eight years? We will both be eighteen and will be legally considered adults. Within these eight years, I''ll slowly chip down his defences, and eventually, he''ll trust me wholeheartedly.


    Once that happens... Huehuehuehue.


    "If you''ve regressed from the future, you should know how this ends. What happened during the cmities?"


    "..."


    Just before my fantasies got a hold of me, Amon''s analytical voice woke me up. If there was one thing I knew for sure about Amon, it was that his utmost priority was ending the cmities and saving Hyades. For what reason, I was uncertain. But since he transmigrated into this world, Amon has been working hard to save Hyades and its inhabitants.


    Even if it meant shouldering the entire world on his shoulders.


    Therefore, I didn''t hesitate to tell him what happened in my timeline.


    "We failed, Amon. Hyades was destroyed. Humanity was either annihted or enved by Demons. The lucky ones died fighting. The survivors formed a resistance, but we couldn''t win against the Demons after they dested Hyades. With no other choice, our final option was to send my consciousness back in time and to rewrite history."


    "... What?"

 Chapter 13: Yue Elune (4)

    <h4>Chapter 13: Yue Elune (4)</h4>


    [Yue''s POV]


    Slowly, I exined everything that urred during my previous timeline to Amon. He listened intently, sometimes doubtful, other times confused. However, he never once broke eye contact with me.


    That''s good; at least he''s believing my words to a certain extent. If he doubted mepletely, it would take me years to get him on my side. While he couldn''t fully put his faith in me, there''s no questioning that he''s wary about the future now.


    I just needed one final push to bring him to my side.


    "In the future... Was I hailed as a hero?"


    "I beg your pardon?"


    Amon asked me the most incredulous question I''d ever heard. Was Amon a hero in my timeline? If you asked ten people, eleven would answer with an unwavering yes. That was how much of an impact he had on the already failing world. He shouldered the fate of the on his lonesome back, killing anything that threatened humanity''s future.


    Was he a hero?


    No, Amon was THE hero.


    "Did I... be a hero?"


    I didn''t understand Amon''s obsession with heroes, and he never once told me about it, even after our rtionship improved. Nevertheless, I needed to convince him to join forces with me. And so, I told him the unadulterated truth.


    "You weren''t just a hero, Amon. You were humanity''s greatest hero."


    "Hmmm..."


    Amon fell into thought with his arms crossed. The adorable little creature scrunched up his face while tapping his feet. I stared intently at his shaking leg and cleared my throat. It was time for the moment of truth...


    "Okay, let''s join forces, Yue Elune."


    YESSSS!!! YESSSS!!! YESSSSS!!!


    I managed to convince him! I could feel my heart beating rapidly as if it was trying to escape my chest. I have been preparing for this very moment ever since I''d regressed. I ran through numerous simtions on what Amon would say and how to trap him in a logical negotiation. Fortunately, I convinced him without resorting to the most desperate move.


    "Hehe, you won''t regret it!"


    I couldn''t see it, but I''m sure my face wore a disgusting grin. I had to temper myself, not to divulge my overwhelming joy to him. We''ve reached the pivotal starting point: the point at which we can change the future forever.


    Screw the cmities!


    I swear that this time... We will save the world.


    And I''ll have my happy ever after with Amon by my side.


    Huehuehuehuehuehue


    "So, what do we do now?"


    Oh no. I shouldn''t let myself get too carried away yet. I gently knocked my chest twice to calm myself and sat back straight. Staring Amon straight in the eyes, I answered his burning question:


    "Why, we continue with our engagement, of course!"


    "... Why?"


    "Heh, I know you can''t trust me yet, but this is the best option!"


    While Amon was a killing machine in his past life, he wasn''t immune to reason. As long as you could convince him with excellent logic, Amon would listen to your n and be more than likely to follow through with it.


    Hence, I''ve prepared the best argument for us to be engaged in this life.


    "Firstly, even though we are connected in the future, we are essentially strangers at this point. So, we will need an excuse if we want to meet often. This engagement eliminates that problem! Also, the mana crystal vein would help bolster the rtionship between the Sris and Elune House, essentially easing any barrier we may have in the future regarding coboration."


    I''ve rehearsed this exnation thousands of times before. And there were no lies in my words.


    In this timeline, nothing connected Amon and me just yet. Plus, while our mental ages were much older, we were still physically young and had to be sheltered by our respective families. Perhaps if we were ten years older, we could create a partnership easily, but if we''d met then, it would have been toote to start preparing for the cmities anyway.


    We could only establish a connection at this moment in time through an engagement.


    "Makes sense..."


    Amon nodded in agreement with my statements.


    That''s good... I''m slowly reeling him in.


    Just like fishing, I can''t be too harsh with my pulls. If I wanted to bait Amon into agreeing to this engagement, I had to give him small crumbs first and gradually move him to my waters.


    "Secondly, we need to tap into the resources of the Sris and Elune Houses to improve our individual powers. Also, we will need money. Lots and lots of it. Our engagement with the partnership of the mana crystal veins will ensure that."


    "Agreed."


    Amon and I needed a near-bottomless amount of money for our future to be bright. Fortunately, with both our Houses unified, we would be granted ess to that ocean of gold. Amon was weak now, but after I resolved his mana issues, the former Transcendent would soar to a height unattainable by anyone else.


    And he would attain it at a much younger age, too.


    "And finally..."


    Now, it''s time for the killing blow.


    Two years...


    I have been waiting for this moment for two years...


    Ever since the day I regressed, I have been yearning for this very moment. Over the years, I resisted the urge to barge into the Sris House to see his face. Even as I single-handedly strengthened my position in the Elune House, all I could think about was our reunion.


    I knew Amon didn''t love me in this timeline, and to be frank... I wasn''t sure if he loved me in the past timeline, either. Nheless... I couldn''t just let him go.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Even if you have forgotten our love, I haven''t. The years we''d spent together, the journey we embarked on, and... The moments we shared. They are all stored in my heart."


    Only half of my words were lies. While he didn''t love me, I loved him with all my heart. We travelled together as partners, fought off the cmities while nursing our wounds, and shared multiple heart-wrenching moments. Amon wouldn''t know it, but he was the one who changed my life.


    And this time, I will change his.


    "..."


    "At this moment, your heart may be filled with steel. You may have forgotten how to be human and love someone, but I swear... I will make you look my way."


    This was a vow, both to me and him.


    Unknowingly, my face had gone so close to his that our lips were about to touch. If I wished to, I could easily leap into his arms and force a kiss onto him. But that was far too early. I had to break Amon''s defences slowly, and rushing into a rtionship when he was still traumatised by his past would only push him away.


    However, one day for sure...


    "I swear... To make you love me again... We will be husband and wife. So..."


    For us to change the fate of the world, for us to see the happy ending of this story, and... for both of our happiness.


    "Amon Sris! Marry me!"

 Chapter 14: Love Letter (1)

    <h4>Chapter 14: Love Letter (1)</h4>


    "Amon Sris! Marry me!"


    Amon looked down at the determined young girl with words stuck in his mouth. It was the first time he''d ever been proposed to, and he didn''t know how to reply. For one, Amon has never been in a rtionship. In his past life, he''d spent all twenty-five years fighting in wars without resting.


    At the same time, he wasn''t given the opportunity to mingle with anyone as his country treated him as a military asset and didn''t want any sultry women to contaminate or influence him to defect. And in this life, he''d spent ten years learning to be a child, barely interacting with other girls his age.


    As a result, even though he had lived for abined thirty-five years, Amon had never experienced love before.


    Ignoring the emotional aspect of it, Yue''s proposal brought tremendous benefits to Amon. With her knowledge of the future and Amon''s memory from [Bright], the pair would be an unstoppable force. Plus, the engagement would likely provide Amon with deep pockets in the future, giving him the freedom to do as he pleased.


    Therefore, the decision was a no-brainer.


    However, Amon couldn''t help but feel that something was missing...


    ''No matter, I shall take her hand for now. If I feel something is wrong, I could always cancel the engagement or, in the worst case scenario... just silence herpletely.''


    Amon cleared his mind and let out two coughs. Staring straight into Yue''s crystalline ruby eyes, he replied firmly:


    "Alright, let''s proceed with the engagement."


    Hearing Amon''s words, Yue''s fairy-like face twisted into something sinister. It was as if the subus queen herself had descended onto the ethereal beauty''s body, causing Amon to step back with caution. However, as he sensed no particr change in her physical state, Amon could only chalk that briefpse of her appearance to his overthinking.


    "A-Ahem, you said you could fix my mana problems?"


    Amon abruptly changed the subject. He didn''t want to be led into a pointless conversation about romance anymore and sought to solve his more pressing problem.


    "Yes," Yue understood Amon''s ploy and yed along. After all, she had nned for something even more fun. "The root of your mana problems is due to the mismatch of your body and soul."


    "Mismatch of my body and soul?"


    Amon repeated her words while deeply considering their implications.


    "Yes. Amon, I''m sure you know of this, but the members of the Sris House are born differently. You may look human on the outside, but your bodies are anything but."


    "Yeah..."


    Amon was well aware of this fact. Not just by reading [Bright] for many years, but after he arrived in this world, his parents, mainly his father, drilled him about the history of the Sris House.


    The Sris House was one of humanity''s greatest protectors and a prestigious House as old as modern civilisation itself. Why? Humans were a historical footnote during the Age of the Dragons, where mythical monsters roamed, and Dragons ruled Hyades.


    They weren''t the dominant species like now, and many humans simply lived under Dragons as their servants. However, that all changed during the Great Dragon War.


    Some Dragons became drunk in their lust for power, and their greed led them to tamper with the fabric of reality. They weren''t content with being the world''s rulers and aimed for Godhood themselves. That burning desire had massive ramifications, causing untold amounts of death and destruction. And not just for the Dragons, but for every living creature in Hyades.


    But not all Dragons were set on destroying the world. Half of them aimed for harmony between Dragons and the rest of the, causing them tounch a civil war against their insatiable kin.


    However, the two sides were equally matched. Even after centuries of turmoil, no one side could get the better of the other. They were acutely aware of each other''s strengths and weaknesses, making it difficult for the righteous Dragons to defeat the evil ones.


    And that''s when the leader of the righteous Dragons, the Golden Dragon Sovereign, devised a paradigm-shifting n.


    The righteous Dragons would utilise the strength of humanity to tilt the scales of war in their favour. Although humanity was weaker than Dragons, if they were blessed by the Dragon Sovereigns and trained ordingly, there was a chance for humanity to defeat the dreaded evil Dragons and bring peace to Hyades.


    And that was the birth of the first Dragon yers.


    The righteous Dragons chose their champions and strengthened them beyond the limits of regr humans. Some could smash into mountains with their bare hands. Others could fly effortlessly through the skies like a bird with supersonic wings. And in the end, many Dragon yers could single-handedly kill the dreaded Dragons that once trampled over them like they were mere ants.


    However, the strongest of the lot was unquestionably the Dragon yer personally blessed by the most powerful Dragon of the time, the Golden Dragon Sovereign.


    The Golden Dragon race was blessed with the power of the Sun. Its skin was tougher than steel, and it had the ability to harness fire and light at will. The Golden Dragon Sovereign was the most adept and was considered a demi-god due to itsck of weaknesses. Obtaining its blessing and training made its champion the undisputed greatest of all humanity.


    And the man chosen to be the Golden Dragon Sovereign''s champion was none other than the founder of the Sris House.


    The Sris House founder fought in the Great Dragon War with the Golden Dragon Sovereign and the rest of the Dragon yers, ending the evil Dragons'' reign of terror and finally bringing down the terror that threatened Hyades.


    However, the war was not won without a cost.


    Hundreds, if not thousands, of Dragon yers died during that war, and almost all of the Dragons were wiped out, nearly pushed to the brink of extinction. Hence, the remaining Dragons hid themselves to prevent their race from dying, never to be seen again.


    As for humanity, with no Dragons remaining, they inherited the mantle of responsibility and took over as the''s dominant species. The Sris House founder decided to immortalise his deeds forever and created the Sris House to serve as a beacon of hope for humanity.


    So much time had passed since the end of the Great Dragon War, and many believed the tales they heard were nothing more than legends.


    However, proof of the Dragon yers remained. And that proof was the very existence of the Sris House.


    Their innate draconic bodies were immune to sickness and disease¡ªtheir tenacious bodies that were as hard as steel and their immense mana pool. And the most prominent feature they had... Their golden eyes, which seemed to reflect the Sun''s splendour, were unquestionably the product of the Golden Dragon Sovereign''s blessing being passed down from generation to generation.


    "Amon, your foundations are undoubtedly strong. The rich golden colour of your eyes is proof of that. However, your soul is not of Sris origin, so you cannot utilise Sr mana well."


    "... My soul isn''t from here, so I can''t use Sr mana?"


    Amon''s eyes shed a light of understanding. He''d always felt like something was missing whenever he attempted to channel mana as if his body itself was rejecting his mana control. But now, with Yue''s one sentence, he could connect the dots.


    "So you''re saying that the mana within me isn''t Sr mana to begin with?"


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Precisely!"


    "So what mana do I have?"


    "Hehe, what do you think? [Lunar de]?"


    "Ah..."


    Amon''s eyes widened. Not because he was surprised that Yue knew about his nickname in his previous life but also because he understood the implications of her words.


    "Lunar mana in a Sr Body... I see... It makes sense that I can''t use mana well then."


    As much as he didn''t want to admit it, Yue''s deduction was correct. There was no other exnation for his poor mana control otherwise. With the issue identified, Amon could now work to fix it. However, changing his Lunar mana into Sr mana would be too inefficient and, not to mention dangerous. Solving his mana control problems would open a new can of worms he could not unseal.


    Fortunately, Amon didn''t have to do all the heavy lifting. He nced over at Yue, who had a cheeky face with her chin raised high. Sighing, Amon covered his forehead and looked down.


    ''I guess I have to rely on her then...''


    "So? How do I resolve this issue?"


    "Hehe, I''d thought you would never ask!"


    Yue smiled so brightly that her pearly white teeth were on full disy. Tip-toeing towards him, the girl chuckled.


    "If you don''t have any Sr mana, all you need to do is get some!"


    "... What do you mean?"


    Amon knew he was dancing in the palms of her hands, but he couldn''t just let this opportunity slip by. The sooner he could resolve his mana issues, the earlier he could start training and the stronger he would be when the first cmity arrived.


    "Well, if you want Sr mana, you can just ask for a new blessing that grants you that mana!"


    "Could you do that? No, could any human bestow Sr mana onto another?"


    In the whole of [Bright], nowhere was it mentioned that a human could bestow mana onto another human. If they could, the Sris House would have millions, if not billions, of super soldiers at their beck and call. But the only beings mentioned in [Bright] that could bestow blessings like that were the Dragons.


    "Wait... You can''t mean..."


    As he observed Yue''s expression turn from a radiant smile into a blind, dazzling one, Amon couldn''t control his eyelids from unconsciously twitching.


    "Hehe, let''s go find her! Thest remaining Golden Dragon!"

 Chapter 15: Love Letter (2)

    <h4>Chapter 15: Love Letter (2)</h4>


    In all of [Bright], at least all of the books Amon had read thus far, there was no mention of Dragons living in Hyades. Many readers presumed the Dragons had gone extinct or that the Dragon yers bit on the hand that fed them and killed them all. Amon was included among those readers. But Amon had only read up to the fourth cmity, while Yue lived until the sixth before she regressed. Hence, it wasn''t shocking that he was unaware of some details Yue knew.


    "... I presume you know where to find that Dragon."


    "Of course, I wouldn''t be worth my salt if I didn''t!"


    "..."


    Amon scratched his hairless chin, pretending to consider the offer. But truth be told, the boy had no other choice. Being unable to use Sr mana was a huge issue. He couldn''t utilise his superior Sris body to its full potential, and it would be an arduous road to bing as strong as he once was.


    "In my past... No, in your timeline, did I also use this method?"


    "No, you went a different route of absorbing precious resources and leeching off other creatures to gain your Sr mana. But that method is far too time-consuming and self-harming. The consequence of sucking in too much foreign mana into your body created an internal sh, causing your body to deteriorate even though you became stronger."


    The young girl shook her head profusely, not rmending Amon''s path in her timeline.


    "You did be the strongest person in the world through that method, but simultaneously, it drastically decreased your lifespan. In fact, you were the one who discovered the Dragon in my timeline. You''d even mentioned that if you''d known she existed, you wouldn''t have used that suicidal method to gain power."


    "I see," Amon nodded. "But how will you convince that Dragon to help me?"


    Amon asked a valid question. As far as he knew, the boy named [Amon Sris] wasn''t a central character in [Bright]. If it were the protagonist, then perhaps the Dragon would be convinced to give its blessing to him. But Amon was nothing more than an extra.


    "Haha, just leave it all to me!" Yue pped her chest and pointed her thumb towards her heart. "I''ve been nning for this for the longest time. I have a hundred percent confidence that we will be able to gain her blessing."


    "Okay..."


    There was no need for Yue to convince him anymore. Amon was willing to risk visiting a Dragon just to gain power.


    "So? Where is this Dragon? And when can we visit it?"


    "Hehe, don''t worry! I can teleport us there now!"


    "Now?"


    [Spatial Transfer], or teleport as it was more widely known, was a high-level spell that only a handful of mages in Hyades had the ability to use. However, Amon wasn''t shocked that Yue could use it. After all, she regressed back in time. Amon would be even more surprised if such a mage couldn''t use [Spatial Transfer]. But the impromptu decision to teleport caught him off guard.


    "Of course, the sooner, the better, no?"


    "But... Won''t your escorts think that I''d kidnapped you?"


    Amon''s worry wasn''t unjustified. Yue was currently a guest of the Sris House, and judging from the expressions of her entourage, her position within the Elune House was pretty high. Meanwhile, Amon was just a minor member of the Sris House with little to no backing. If both of them disappeared together, the suspicion would undoubtedly fall upon Amon.


    "Hehe, I have a perfect solution for that!"


    Yue''s ruby eyes glistened ever so brightly as she shed her pearly white teeth as if waiting for this moment. Amon unconsciously scrunched backwards as he felt caught in a trap. The young girl took a piece of paper and quill from her dimensional bag, cing it on the table for Amon to see.


    "Let''s write a letter! We''ll just exin that we are going out on a date and will be back before dinner! Then, they won''t be suspicious in the slightest!"


    "Will that work?"


    "Don''t worry, you just have to follow my lead! We''ll even sign the letter with our blood to prove its authenticity!"


    "Hmmm..." Amon couldn''t shake off the bad feeling that permeated his skin, but he ultimately agreed to Yue''s suggestion. "Okay, what should I write?"


    "Hehe, just leave it to me!"


    Amon had no idea, but his s¨¦ attitude towards Yue at this very moment would cause the birth of a new legend that would be told for the remainder of time in Hyades.


    ???


    An hour had passed since Amon and Yue left the Sris Lord''s chambers. While the pair were busy discussing the fate of the world, the unsuspecting adults remained rtively cordial while talking about their ns for the Sris-Elune partnership.


    The Sris Lord happily reviewed the reports on how many Knights he could supply to protect the mana crystal vein while the Elune Patriarch discussed the logistical challenge the partnership would face.


    "Solfea and Eshon are about a thousand kilometres apart. While we already have a trainwork linking the two domains, it''s severely outdated and can barely traverse the distance within a day. To make our logistics more efficient, we''ll need to update the train system."


    "Agreed, we can install the new levitation trainwork between our two regions. That way, we can reduce the travel time to under six hours. Since the Elune House is willing to share the revenue of the mana crystal vein, the Sris House will provide the funding for the new trainwork in good faith."


    "Thank you for your understanding."


    Without the kids in the room, the two Lords freely spoke as representatives of their respective Houses.


    However, one person didn''t seem asfortable as the rest in this situation.


    Amon''s father stood quaking in his boots in a corner while watching the two mighty Lords talk business. By all metrics, he didn''t deserve to be at the same table as those guys. A Guardian Knight may be impressive to others, but in this situation, he was akin to a Major sitting in on a General discussion.


    The only reason why he was here in the first ce was to discuss Amon''s engagement to Yue, but the Sris Lord had sent the pair away for a private rendezvous. Hence, Amon''s father could only silently wait for his name to be called while the two big shots were undergoing negotiations.


    Fortunately, it didn''t take long for his opportunity to appear. But it wasn''t the sce he sought.


    "M-My Lord! U-Urgent news!"


    "Hmmm, what is it?"


    Alrock Sris raised his head from his bosom friend and soon-to-be-inw, Yugor Elune, and nced at the sweaty Knight who ran into his chamber. The Sris Lord instantly recognised the Knight as the guard he sent to escort Amon and Yue while they were on their date, and the Elune Lord did as well. Feeling something had gone amiss, the elderly Wizard''s eyes shed menacingly as he faced the young Knight.


    "T-That..."


    The Knight shifted his eyes about, and when he saw Yugor''s frown, he hesitated to say anything. However, the Sris Lord waved it off.


    "Speak; there are no outsiders here."


    "M-My Lord... Young master Amon and Lady Elune... They disappeared."


    "What?!"


    Yugor''s frown turned into a full-on grimace. Mana poured out from his pores, and phenomena changed within the Lord''s chambers. Dark clouds appeared overhead while shrieking winds chilled the room despite the windows being firmly shut.


    No one was more afraid of this development than Amon''s father. If Yue disappeared, the culprit would be none other than his son. And if Yugor wished for his head aspensation, even the Sris Lord would be hard-pressed to hold him back.


    "... Were you unable to find them?"


    "M-My Lord, it seems that they''ve evaded my detection."


    The Knight was feeling a little aggrieved by Alrock''s usation. His orders were to escort them down to the garden and give the pair some privacy to talk. Naturally, given that Amon and Yue were in the heart of Sris territory, he didn''t think they could escape so easily. Hence, he presented the only piece of evidence that could potentially save him from punishment.


    "T-They left this letter at the pavilion where west saw them!"


    "..."


    The Sris Lord received the letter with a deep frown. Everything was going so well with the negotiations, and if this little hup jeopardised their partnership, Alrock didn''t know how to mete out the punishment. However, after a brief few minutes, it became evident that there was no need for such a big reaction.


    "HA! HA! HA! These god-damned young''uns!!!"


    "M-My Lord, what is it?"


    As Alrock bellowed out inughter, Amon''s father took the opportunity to edge closer to catch a glimpse of the letter''s contents. But before he could do that, the Sris Lord threw the letter towards his friend and gestured for him to read.


    "Yugor, calm yourself. Have a look at what those two young''uns wrote."


    "... What on earth?"


    The Wizard Saint took the letter with one swipe and skimmed through it within seconds. The letter itself wasn''tplicated and had less than two hundred words. However, those two hundred words were enough to freeze the experienced and wise Elune Lord.


    "Tch, that brat... She''s done it this time."


    After reading the letter twice, Yugor clicked his teeth, threw the letter on the table, andpressed his mana back into his body.


    "See? There''s no need for you to be angry, right?"


    "Shut it, Alrock."


    Yugor spun his head back and averted his gaze away from the seemingly inconspicuous letter. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Amon''s father picked up the letter from the table, and likewise, he was stunned by its contents.


    "Dear Lord Alrock,


    I apologise for surprising you. At my beloved Yue''s request, I took her on a tour of my favourite ces outside the estate. I promise to bring her back by dinner time so as not to cause you too much trouble. I hope you can forgive me for my transgressions.


    P.S.: I''m delighted to be engaged to such a wonderful girl, and I hope your discussions with the Elune House will continue to be fruitful."


    The handwriting on the letter''s first half was unquestionably Amon''s. He had seen his son''s writing multiple times when teaching him how to write. However, that wasn''t the end of it. Beneath Amon''s handwriting was another set of neater words.


    "Dear Grandfather,


    Thank you for listening to my wilful request and proposing an engagement with my wonderful Amon. After hearing about all the fantastic scenery Solfea offers, I begged Amon to take me on a tour outside. Please don''t be angry at him. I promise we''ll return soon, so you don''t have to worry about my well-being.


    P.S.: I have never been happier in my life. Please expedite our engagement contract, for we have fallen in love."


    Amon''s father couldn''t believe his eyes.


    Who would have thought that his ordinarily stoic son would have written such a lovey-dovey letter? At the same time, how could he have seduced Yue so quickly? However, the one thing that caught his attention wasn''t the pair''s romantic words for each other but...


    "They even sealed their letter with blood. Do they know the significance of that?"


    "... I will scold Yueter."


    "Nah, leave it... Let the young''uns be young''uns."


    The Sris Lord continued tough.


    "Previously, I wanted to wait and see if they liked each other, and if they didn''t, I would have cancelled the engagement use in our partnership."


    In the modern age, arranged marriages were rare. And even for the few arranged marriages that existed, if either side didn''t like the other, they could cancel the engagement at any time. Hence, the Sris Lord didn''t wish to force Amon into an engagement, even if it meant risking the entire partnership with the Elune House.


    But it looks like his worries were unfounded.


    "Initially, I wanted to discuss our partnership in detail before touching on the engagement. But, since the young''uns insisted, shall we talk about the engagement instead?"


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "... Suit yourself."


    Yugor was unsatisfied, but now that they were at this stage, he couldn''t just back out. Ultimately, he was just another grandfather who pampered his lovable granddaughter.


    Meanwhile, Amon''s father, who was frozen, continued to stare at the piece of paper, his lips twitching into a frail smile.


    All his eyes could see were the two blood-stained thumbprints that formed a heart, sealed at the bottom of the letter.

 Chapter 16: Necropolis of the Gods (1)

    <h4>Chapter 16: Necropolis of the Gods (1)</h4>


    Whoooshhh... Whooooshhh...


    Chilly winds howled through the frigid cave in the heart of a mystic mountain far away from modern civilisation. The air within the mysterious cavern was heavy with the scent of frosty earth, and the whispers of icicles resonating with the wind echoed throughout the massive chamber.


    The walls of the greyish-white cavern seemed suspended in time, with not an ounce of vegetation able to survive the harsh, evesting winter this sanctuary had created for itself. And everywhere someone looked, there would be signs pointing to how ancient this ce was, from the uneasy silence bereft of any wildlife to the inability to find a drop of water.


    And yet, within the emptiness of this ancient construct, two figures aimed to disrupt the evesting peace.


    Both figures walked confidently on the thick sheets of ice, unafraid of what would happen should they slip. Yet, neither of them seemed to possess the requisite number of years to show such experience. They were both barely taller than the longest icicle hanging from the ceiling, chatting throughout their journey as if they were having an afternoon stroll.


    "Did we have to write that letter?"


    Amon asked his partner while rubbing his fingers together to keep warm.


    "Yes, we had to!" Yue replied cheerfully. "Weren''t you worried? With that letter, they won''t be bothered by our sudden disappearance, especially since we''ll return in a few hours."


    "No, I''m aware that the letter was necessary... It''s just... the contents of the letter could be different."


    The young boy still felt aggrieved about the letter, especially the part about him calling Yue his beloved and pleading for Alrock to proceed with the engagement. His handwriting recorded it, but the words chosen came directly from Yue. Word-for-word.


    "With that half-hearted attitude, how would you expect your Patriarch and my grandfather to fall for it? We must convince them that we have fallen in love so they won''t be suspicious! Trust me, that''s the only way!"


    "... Sure."


    Amon wasn''t entirely convinced, but eventually, he let go of his grievances. After all, he couldn''t turn back time and change his actions. Of course, if he knew that Yue had secretly created a copy of that letter and her other shenanigans, he may have had different thoughts about the letter.


    "So, where are we?"


    The boy looked around the icy cavern and shot out the critical question. Immediately after leaving the sealed letter on the table, Yue summoned a grimoire and used [Spatial Transfer] on them. The next thing he knew, Amon was turned into a cave explorer, venturing into an ancient cavern he''d never heard of before.


    "Up high in the North Pole! A ce far away from civilization! In a ce where the Sun never sets, and the caves are frozen in time! No living creature has stepped foot in here for thousands of years!"


    Yue pped her hands and cheerfully replied. Her lips curled upwards, and her tongue slithered out of her mouth as she teased: "You know... If you want to do something perverted to me here, no one would notice!"


    "... Be serious, or I''ll leave."


    "Oh dear, can''t take a joke?"


    Yue chuckled but eventually calmed herself to stop the teasing. Even she was aware that everything had a time, ce and location. And given that she''d just brought Amon into this mysteriousir, he had every right to be tense.


    Hence, sheplied with his wishes.


    "The Necropolis of the Gods."


    Yue replied casually as if she were a lecturer teaching her students.


    "The Necropolis of the Gods? What''s that?"


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Amon blinked hard at the term he hadn''t heard before. He had read [Bright] up to the fourth cmity; none of those volumes even mentioned this mysterious cave, especially that odd name that came out of Yue''s mouth.


    "Oh? So you''re unaware of this ce?" Yue''s face shed a rare moment of confusion. However, it was an ephemeral sight as she quickly recovered her wits and continued:


    "Then, how much are you aware of the world before the Dragons?"


    "The world before the Dragons? You mean the myth that Titans ruled it?"


    In [Bright], there were inklings of a backstory to Hyades. One that included Dragons and Titans. However, they weren''t crucial to the plot, and Amon simply thought that the author was attempting to improve the story''s lore.


    "It isn''t a myth. Titans ruled Hyades before the Dragons."


    Yue t-out rejected Amon''s conjecture and revealed the surprising truth about Hyades.


    "When Hyades was first formed when living creatures couldn''t thrive in the destends, Hyades needed to create protectors that could fend off any threats. Be it celestialets or invaders from another dimension. So, Hyades split off some of its power to create the first Titans, supernatural beings far more powerful than any human."


    Amon listened intently while walking side-by-side with the young girl. This was new information to him, and he wished to digest it without interruption.


    "The Titans were the original Gods of the world. They helped Hyades create mountains and forests. Oceans and deserts. They defended the fragile from attackers and ensured it could thrive as a new dimension. The peace they created spawned new species and countless generations that led to the rise of humanity."


    Yue continued with her lecture in an apathetic tone. But as she slowed down her footsteps and stared straight at the path ahead, her ruby eyes shed brightly, hinting at the numerous thoughts that hid within.


    "The Titans were the peacekeepers of Hyades, but all dynasties must fall. As Hyades matured, new life forms formed, and eventually, there would be those who challenged the old guard to im the mantle of responsibility for themselves."


    "The Dragons..."


    "Precisely."


    Yue nodded her head as her feet came to aplete stop.


    "The Dragons were the second most powerful species that roamed in Hyades. During the Age of Myth, they were servants and mounts of the Titans. The Dragons were unhappy with their roles and were tired of the Titans'' tyranny over all species. So, they waged war against their masters, and after thousands of years of death and destruction, they stole Hyades away from the Titans."


    The Titans versus the Dragons.


    It was a forgotten story that preceded even the Age of Dragons. It would be surprising if anyone else had learnt of this history. Even Amon, who had read [Bright] before transmigrating here, knew nothing of this backstory.


    Amon exhaled deeply, pushing out hot air for his cold, frigid hands to warm up. Following that, he turned to face Yue and asked:


    "Thank you for the history lesson, but how does that rte to why we''re here?"


    "I told you at the beginning, didn''t I? This is the Necropolis of the Gods."


    "You can''t mean..."


    Yue''s words finally clicked within Amon''s brain. He then stared straight up at the wall they''d stopped at, only to see a massive door that wasn''t there before. Amon''s eyes immediately shot down to Yue, and he saw the familiar grimoire in her hands floating right in front of her face. Mana was flowing from the young girl''s body into the magical object, simultaneously causing the illusions around the door to shatter.


    "We''re at the burial ground of the Titans... At least, that''s what this ce ims to be."


    "This ce ims to be?"


    Amon carefully questioned Yue''s choice of words. Although he''d barely interacted with this oddball of a fianc¨¦e, he knew the girl wouldn''t speak in riddles.


    "When we first visited the Necropolis of the Gods in my timeline, we''d thought it would be the graveyard of the Titans. But we were wrong!"


    Yue clenched her fists tightly while her teeth dug into her supple lips. The girl shook like a leaf as if holding back a fit, yet her mana control remained smooth, causing the seals on the stone gate to unravel smoothly.


    "The Herald tricked us into breaking the seal! She fooled us for all those years!"


    Amon''s ears perked up at a familiar name. The Herald was a character in [Bright] who was a beacon to foretell theing cmities. Many considered her a significant ally in the fight against the Cmities, as almost all of her words were proven true. But if she was a viin all along...


    It would have been a betrayal that no one sawing.


    "The Herald? She tricked you into unsealing this ce?"


    ''But why?''


    The silent words did not escape Amon''s mouth. Mainly because the girl herself clenched her teeth and continued with a burning, vengeful voice.


    "Amon... The resurrection of the Titans is the Fifth Cmity. The cmity that weakened humanity so much that we were unable to stop the Sixth Cmity."


    "... What?"

 Chapter 17: Necropolis of the Gods (2)

    <h4>Chapter 17: Necropolis of the Gods (2)</h4>


    In the world of [Bright], Hyades was often described as a peaceful ce where magic thrived. Magic, technology and culture were booming in this golden age of humanity, and the coboration between massive organisations has never been smoother.


    However, it wasn''t always like that.


    After the Age of the Dragons came to a close, no absolute Gods ruled over humans any more. Some created fiefs that turned into Kingdoms. Some merged Kingdoms that turned into Empires. However, one thing was for sure. The void at the top led to a bloodlust-filled warring period where the strongest humans vied for absolute authority, seeking to be the new overlords of Hyades.


    The warsted hundreds of years, causing as much bloodshed as the Great Dragon Dragon War. Even the Sris House''s founder, the most powerful human of his time, couldn''t end the war. s, the war wouldn''tst forever as, ironically, the only way to stop a war... was with another war.


    As the saying goes, the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.


    While humanity was busy killing themselves, a threat beyond their wildest imagination appeared. The seat at the top of Hyades wasn''t just coveted by its inhabitants... but extraterrestrial ones as well.


    When the Demon race first invaded Hyades, it took humanity by surprise. They came from another dimension and decimated everything in their path. They had waited for the Dragons to annihte each other and had instigated humanity to weaken themselves while hiding in the shadows.


    The Demons'' goal was clear.


    Eat Hyades whole.


    They were going to enve the poption to do their bidding and colonise the to expand their resources. And with Hyades'' best protectors weakened, their n might have seeded too.


    Unfortunately for the Demons, humanity was nothing if not resilient. While the first generation of heroes perished during the Great Dragon War, their bloodline remained thick. All those centuries of in-fighting have made humanity''s best more powerful than their predecessors.


    And the one who rose above all was none other than the Second Hero of the Sris House.


    The Sris Saint.


    If the Sris House''s Founder was considered the hero who ended the Great Dragon War, the Sris Saint was the hero who saved humanity from the Demons. As the second person who wielded the Holy Sword, the Sris Saint zed through the battlefields with her sacred mes, burning any heathens in her way.


    Blessed by the Goddess Hyades herself, the Sris Saint was well-regarded as the most powerful human of all time. Together with the next generation of humanity''s heroes, they pushed back the Demonic threat and expelled them from Hyades altogether.


    After their victory against the Demons, humanity formed a peace treaty. No one wanted to repeat their forefounders'' mistakes and the dreadful Demon invasion. Hence, they united and founded the Hyades Republic¡ªa government where no single entity was above another. Their own respective leaders could still govern each region, be it democratically elected or inherited through bloodline.


    However, none were allowed to wage war with each other if they wished to fly the banner of the Hyades Republic. And if one state refused to follow the rules, the rest would unanimously denounce them, essentially turning the entire world against them.


    The creation of the Hyades Republic ensured that humanity would be united should the Demons invade once again and that humanity wouldn''t be fractured and blindsided when the reckoning arrives and the''s fate hangs in the bnce.


    And that peace has continued ever since.


    But...


    "As you are well aware, the Demons are the cause of all the cmities we will face in the future."


    Yue wiped off the sweat on her face and casually exposed the truth behind the viins of [Bright] to Amon.


    "But the Demons aren''t the only threat we will face. The Herald aims to resurrect the Titans and revert Hyades to the Age of Myth. And if that happens, humanity would be wiped out either way. The Titans would destroy humanity just to restore their reign, while the Demons would exterminate and enve us. That''s the Fifth and Sixth Cmities, Amon. And the reason why we lost."


    Fighting against the Demon race with an army with billions in their reserve alone was a near-impossible task. Add the ancient Gods that ruled over the Dragons into the mix... It was no wonder the Amon in Yue''s timeline failed.


    "We may have won the war if it were just the Demons. But the Titans had weakened us... weakened you, Amon. And that caused the Demons to run over Hyades and im the world for themselves."


    Amon''s face stiffened and he clicked his tongue. It wasn''t pleasant to hear about his failures, even if it were him in the future.


    "Is that why we''re here? To stop the Titans from resurrecting?"


    "No, the Fifth Cmity cannot be avoided." Unfortunately, Yue replied with bad news. "The Herald has been preparing for this day for thousands of years. It is only a matter of time before she resurrects the Titans."


    The young girl''s spell finally reached itspletion, and the seals blocking the stone gate finally unravelled themselves. The massive door creaked open, revealing a corridor that led further into the cavern. Yue rxed her shoulders as if to stretch out after a workout and continued:


    "But we can dy it."


    "... How?"


    "Every graveyard has its undertaker."


    Yue confidently stepped into the corridor, her ruby eyes sparkling at the path ahead. Gesturing over her shoulder, she beckoned Amon to with a knowing smile.


    "Let''s go meet her."


    ???


    Amon followed Yue down the massive passageway, and with each step, his senses were heightened to the maximum. Although he hasn''t trained much in his current life, the memory of the top Transcendent on Earth is still ingrained in his consciousness. After passing through the sealed gate, Amon couldn''t help but feel a sense of unease, as if someone was constantly watching him.


    If the cavern before the gate was nothing more than an ancient cave, the current cavern before him felt like he was walking on thin ice. The tense and silent air, the cold, wintry temperatures, the irregr mana flow¡ªeverything was putting Amon at unease.


    It felt like he was willingly stepping into the belly of the beast, and he was utterly defenceless.


    And yet, Yue continued as if walking in her back garden.


    ''Is this girl trying to drag me into a trap?''


    Amon seriously considered this hypothesis. His instincts were screaming out... Whaty within this cave was far beyond anything the former Transcendent had ever faced. If she wanted to kill him to hide the evidence, this was the perfect ce to do so.


    ''No, that''s stupid. To go through all that trouble just to kill me here.''


    Fortunately, Amon''s rational brain was still working. It didn''t make sense for Yue to travel to the Sris House with an engagement request, reveal her truth to him, and teleport him to this isted cavern just for her to kill him now.


    Nevertheless, Amon increased his vignce, especially on the carefree girl almost about to skip merrily down the corridor.


    "Come to think of it, this could be considered our first date in this timeline, right?"


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "... What?"


    "A date! We''re doing things that lovers do! Even if we''re engaged, aren''t we going a little too fast?"


    Yue covered the blush on her snowy white face like a girl in love. No, she truly was a maiden struck by Cupid''s arrow. Sneaking nces at Amon, she looked between her lonesome arm and his before firmly stering her body upon Amon.


    "Hey!"


    "Oh, don''t be stingy. It''s cold here, and this is the best way to prevent us from freezing to death!"


    "..."


    Amon was at a loss for words. Indeed, the temperatures within this icy cave were below freezing, and the pair were still wearing their noble attire. Amon fared a little better as he had donned hising-of-age suit. On the other hand, Yue wore a dress without a shawl or jacket.


    However, neither of them would freeze to death.


    Amon possessed a dragon-blessed body, and his tolerance to the cold was much higher than a regr human''s. Yue was in the same boat. As a magician, she could circte mana to warm her body. Alternatively, she could have conjured a spell to create a small me. The fact that she was still functioning as usual proved that the cold did not affect her.


    Though, that didn''t matter one bit to Yue. If she was intent on using that excuse, there was nothing Amon could do to deny her. Realising the puzzle she''d ced Amon in, Yue smiled and redirected the conversation.


    "Amon! What is your favourite food?"


    "I''m sorry, what?"


    "As your wife-to-be, should I know my husband''s likes and dislikes? Ah, but I don''t know how to cook now, so I will take some time to learn your favourite dishes. So bear with me, okay?"


    "..."


    Words could no longer escape Amon''s mouth. Eventually, the young boy gave up and decided the best way to deal with this incessant girl was to move on from the conversation and ignore her probes entirely.


    "Tell me what lies at the end of this cave."


    Much to Yue''s disappointment, Amon hurriedly changed the topic. However, he allowed the despondent girl to continue sticking to his body, so Yue counted it as a minor win for herself.


    "The Guardian of the Necropolis." Nevertheless, Yue was delighted to answer any of Amon''s questions and continued: "I''d told you that the Dragons defeated the Titans aeons ago. But not all of the Titans could be killed. Some of them were made by Hyades and are considered part of Nature. If they were killed, the would be vulnerable, and our world would be infinitely weakened."


    The Titans weren''t just a race of sentient beings; they were part of Hyades itself. Some possessed the power to createndmasses, while others could raise oceans. Their existence was why the ancient world could thrive and new life forms were created.


    Therefore, while the Dragons won the war, they couldn''t wholly annihte the Titans. While most Titans had been killed, a small minority who controlled Nature had been sealed inside the Necropolis.


    "After the Dragons sealed those Titans, they needed to ensure that no one could unseal them. Be it identally or purposefully. Hence, they hid the Necropolis in the North Pole, where no living creature would live. Furthermore, they created a series of illusory spells to obscure the entrance to the cave. And finally..."


    Arm-in-arm, Yue and Amon walked through the wide corridor into the final chamber at the deepest depths of the cavern. Amon felt as if he was being pushed through a birth canal as he went from obscured darkness to a symphony of lights.


    The first thing that caught Amon''s attention was the endearing amount of light within this chamber. It looked more like a throne hall or an atrium than a dark, gloomy cave. The next thing that Amon saw was the ungodly amount of runes carved into every corner of the dome-shaped chamber. Each rune possessed much more mana than Amon could draw out, and millions of them were scattered throughout the dome, reminiscent of a starry night sky.


    And finally, the cherry on top of it all...


    "No way..."


    Amon''s soul was shaking for the first time in his existence. Frozen in ce, his pupils dted, unable to believe the sight before him. His heart rate elerated beyond his usual limits, and every fibre of his being was screaming out at him to escape.


    Why?


    [Children of humanity. Why have you disrupted my slumber?]


    Two golden Suns stared at Amon''s body, paralysing his soul from the neck down. The serpentine neck that connected the two Suns to the rest of its body was covered in resplendent golden scales that shimmer brighter than starlight. Its massive body was enough to cover an entire pcepound, as just one of its fangs was double the size of Amon''s body.


    Adorned with golden scales all over its sinuous body, the colossal being stood straight up and spread its wings so wide that it covered the size of the dome. The ws that gracefully hung over the ground showed numerous signs of cracks and tears, telling tales of formidable battles forgotten epochs ago.


    Yet, it wasn''t the size of the monster that overwhelmed Amon.


    The unbearing amount of mana from its body suffocated the former Transcendent, and he unwittingly bent down his waist. The pressure it emitted was far beyond that of gravity, and Amon felt himself naturally submitting to the mystical being.


    It was his bloodline screaming back at him.


    Submit or die.


    Biting down on his lips till they bled, Amon defiantly went against his body''s wishes and gazed up at the indescribable entity once more. The two golden orbs locked eyes with Amon, showing the first signs of shock within them. But the pressure instantly lessened, and Amon found it easier to breathe again.


    [Child of Sris... This one is Yval, Guardian of the Necropolis and the First Golden Dragon... Now, tell me... How did you get here?]


    This was Amon''s first meeting with Yval, the original Golden Dragon Sovereign and the Progenitor of the Golden Dragons.

 Chapter 18: Necropolis of the Gods (3)

    <h4>Chapter 18: Necropolis of the Gods (3)</h4>


    Amon stared at the Golden Dragon, unaware of what to say.


    He was brought here by Yue''s [Spatial Transfer] and was unaware he would meet such an ancient creature. Yue did mention that she was bringing him to meet thest Golden Dragon, but never in his wildest dreams would he expect it to be the Progenitor of all the Golden Dragons.


    The Dragon named Yval fully zoned in on Amon, perhaps due to her bloodline resonance with the young Sris boy. Yet, the one who answered wasn''t Amon.


    "Sister Yval! You shouldn''t scare Amon like that!"


    Yue''s clear voice echoed in the chamber, drawing attention from the archaic monster. The Golden Dragon turned its snout towards the tender, soft girl and exhaled a torrent of mist.


    [Sister? Child of humanity, why do you call me so?]


    The Dragon''s sonorous voice reverberated within the pair''s minds. There was no ill intent behind her question, just genuine curiosity. But facing the gaze of the mighty demi-god was too much for a regr human to handle. Just hearing Yval''s voice was enough to make men with lesser minds fall into a frenzy. Yet, Yue showed no signs of such mental distress.


    "It would take too much time to exin."


    Yue stepped forward and looked eye-to-eye at the colossal lizard. It was a surreal scene, watching a girl who was barely ten years of age step up to a Dragon who had existed for thousands of years. Amon couldn''t breathe a word as he waited with bated breath for Yue to handle the majestic beast.


    "Scour my soul and read my memories. You can do that, right?"


    [Child... Are you sane?]


    "It''s the fastest method to exin everything. And besides... I trust you, Sister Yval."


    To scour a soul meant leaving oneself at the mercy of the other. If the Golden Dragon wished to, she could permanently break Yue''s soul, leaving her in a vegetative state till the end of her life. Therefore, Yval looked at Yue as if she were utterly crazy. However, the Golden Dragon was abnormally curious about everything to deny Yue''s request.


    How did they break the barrier and illusory spells protecting the Necropolis of the Gods? Why did theye to the North Pole, a ce that was devoid of life? How did they know of her existence?


    These could all be answered if she just scoured Yue''s soul.


    [Child... Prepare yourself.]


    Yue nodded and stared right into the Golden Dragon''s eyes. The two golden orbs of the demi-god illuminated themselves, and a surge of mana attacked Yue''s petite body. Instantly, Yue fell backwards as consciousness was ripped clean from her soul. Amon twisted his body to absorb her fall, making sure that at least her physical body was safe from harm.


    Her spiritual state, however... was in the ws of the Golden Dragon.


    The young girl and Dragon remained motionless as their souls were conjoined together. Yue was the vulnerable of the two, but it seemed that Yval was doing her best to keep the girl safe while she scoured her soul.


    And it wasn''t long until the Dragon awakened from her stupor.


    [Heavens above! Such a future!]


    The Golden Dragon Progenitor eximed with great vigour. The mana density in the chambers instantly doubled, forcing Amon''s body to tense up as he feared the worst. Fortunately, the abominable Dragon''s breath never came. Instead, the Golden Dragon Progenitor pointed her snout in Yue''s direction, sending a torrent of golden mana to envelop the young girl.


    In no time, Yue awakened from her temporarya and flickered her eyes towards the massive Dragon.


    "S-Sister Yval... Are you satisfied?"


    [Child... You have this one''s thanks.]


    The Golden Dragon withdrew her wings and quickly absorbed the mana she emitted. Her attention, zoned in on Amon before, was entirely focused on Yue as she tenderly nudged the young girl with her snout.


    [Your bravery in the past and current timeline will save Hyades. This one is sure of it.]


    "Hah... Hah... T-Thanks!" Yue panted heavily while catching her breath. "Sister Yval, now that you know the events of the future, will you be able to seal the Necropolis from the Herald?"


    [Unfortunately... Her actions throughout the years have weakened the seal without me knowing. This one can dy it and prevent her from entering so violently as it urred in your timeline, but the Titans'' resurrection is inevitable.]


    "That''s... unfortunate."


    Yue let out a bitter smile.


    [Do not fear, child. Now that this one has knowledge of the future, this one will prevent the tragedy you faced.]


    "Hehe, I knew I could count on you!"


    The bitterness within Yue''s smile disappeared instantly as she happily hugged the Golden Dragon Progenitor''s snout. One would be hard-pressed to find such a ridiculous scene elsewhere, a young, tender girl who was less than the weight of the Dragon''s fangs gleefully entrusting her body to the monster. But that was precisely what Amon saw.


    And since he couldn''t follow the pair''s conversation, he could only stare nkly at the Dragon and human girl hugging it out like long-lost rtives.


    [Child, how much does he know?]


    It was only when Yval suddenly turned her attention towards Amon that Yue finally snapped out of her reunion jitters.


    "Nothing, Sister Yval." Yue slyly giggled and nced over her shoulders.


    Locking eyes with the triumphant Yue sent a tingling shiver down Amon''s spine. Now that she had gained the alliance of the Golden Dragon, she could easily obliterate Amon into pieces if she so chose. No matter how powerful Amon was in his past life, he couldn''t match up against the Golden Dragon Progenitor, the being that was akin to a demi-god.


    "Hehe, you don''t have to be so tense! I''ll exin everything to you!"


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Fortunately, that gruesome thought never once crossed Yue''s mind. Instead, she walked over to Amon''s side and whispered: "I was thinking of teasing you, but since you hugged me earlier, I''ll pass on that."


    Yue''s impish voice simultaneously elerated Amon''s heart rate and eased his tension. At the very least, his life wasn''t in danger. But the same couldn''t be said about his sanity. This current event gave Amon a deep impression, one that wouldst him the rest of his lifetime.


    His fianc¨¦e wasn''t one to be trifled with.


    "Hah... Let''s just get on with it."


    ???


    Yue''s exnation was aprehensive one.


    Firstly, while the Dragons have won the war and sealed the Titans, they required a guardian to protect the tomb. And the Dragon, with the most life force and power, was the only one who could fulfil that role. Left with no other candidate, Yval, the Golden Dragon Progenitor, was selected as the Guardian of the Necropolis of the Gods.


    However, even the mighty Dragons weren''t immortal. Even if Yval agreed to spend the rest of her lifetime guarding the Necropolis, there woulde a time when her mind, body and soul would erode, leaving the seal vulnerable to nefarious means.


    Hence, Yval made the ultimate sacrifice.


    Yval abandoned her physical body and merged her soul with the Necropolis. At the same time, the remnants of the demi-god were used to build the dome that housed the seal. The Dragon Progenitors of her time also included their essence in draconic runes, further enhancing her soul so that her mind wouldn''t go mad and strengthening it so much that the seals ced on the slumbering Titans wouldn''t be touched for aeons.


    In essence, the Golden Dragon Progenitor had created the perfect, hidden graveyard where she would guard the sealed Titans until their life force was naturally returned to Hyades.


    As for why Yue was so familiar with Yval...


    "During the Fifth Cmity, Sister Yval was the one who helped us weaken the Titans and fight back against the Demon invasion! We wouldn''t have stood a chance otherwise. Unfortunately, even with Sister Yval''s help, we could not ovee thebined power of the Titans and Demons. But, this time, it will be different!"


    Yue enthusiastically jolted her fists as passion burned within her eyes.


    "Now that we know what''sing, Sister Yval won''t be blindsided when the time to defendes! She''ll be able to weaken the Titans even further and hide the location of the Necropolis for much longer!"


    [This one shall not betray your trust, Child...]


    The massive Dragon nodded her head in agreement. Amon wasn''t aware of what happened during the soul scour, but Yue and Yval seemingly formed a familial bond immediately after. The pair were like a real pair of sisters, praising each other gleefully.


    [But still... A soul that defied time and a soul from another dimension... And this one thought this one had seen it all...]


    The Golden Dragon Progenitor turned her gaze away from Yue andnded solely on Amon. The curiosity within those golden spheres couldn''t be hidden.


    [And the Child from another dimension is the world''s best hope? Heavens, Hyades... What have you done?]


    ''... What?''


    Yval''s words hinted at something, but Amon dared not speak up. Watching the colossal Dragon edge closer towards his body was enough to freeze his feet and paralyse his mouth. The Sris bloodline was born through the Golden Dragons. It made sense for Amon''s body to be utterly powerless against them.


    But Yval was about to change that.


    [Child, you want this one to inject this one''s blessing into him?]


    "If it''s not too much trouble for you, I would like that, Sister Yval!" Yue hurriedly affirmed the Golden Dragon''s question. "The imbnce in Amon''s body is causing his mana problems. You have seen my memories and how strong he will be. Imagine how much stronger he''ll be if you bless him now!"


    [Save your breath, Child. This one will bless him regardless.]


    Yval''s casual word caused a stir between the two irregrs.


    One has to remember that a Golden Dragon Sovereign blessed the Sris Founder, who was likely to be Yval''s descendant. And his abilities were enough to wreak havoc during the ancient Dragon War, ying dozens of mighty Dragons in the process. Imagine how much more power Amon could obtain if blessed by the original Golden Dragon?


    [The world will be destroyed even if this one doesn''t bless him. So why would this one be stingy about losing a fingernail''s worth of mana? But Child from another dimension...]


    Yval gently ced her snout on Amon''s head, and the pressure he''d felt weighing on his soul increased tenfold. It felt like an ocean had appeared above the sky, and Amon desperately tried to control his legs to stay standing.


    [Will you be able to withstand it? This one''s blessing?]


    Amon felt like his heart was being ripped apart, and his soul wasid naked for the Golden Dragon to see. The pressure he was facing only intensified while his body was screaming at him to kneel and submit. But Amon... The Transcendent within Amon... remained defiant.


    Bleeding from the corners of his mouth, the young boy said determinedly.


    "I will withstand it. Even if it kills me."


    Yval''s eyes glowed ever so bright as the back of her razor-sharp jaw cracked upwards.


    [Very well...]


    Those were thest words Amon heard before a searing wave of pain engulfed his body. Convulsing with involuntary spasms, Amon felt his throat constricting and his tongue swelling up. His four limbs now felt like he was being injected with a million needles, plugging every pore that rested on his skin.


    The following tremendous impact Amon felt was the moment he fell to his knees. That simple movement was enough to feel like he was thrown into hell''s depths. Beads of sweat turned into an utterly wet shirt, soiling his perfect image of a boy from high heritage instantly. The pain was relentless, radiating from every corner of his body and racing towards his inner core.


    Amon''s heart rate elerated wildly like a prancing horse, and his brain lost control of all his senses. Only sight remained, but Amon''s eyes were covered with tears, giving him vague photographs of only white light.


    And just when he''d thought the pain couldn''t get any worse...


    "ARGHHHH!!!"


    A loud cry escaped Amon''s drooling mouth. He had been enduring it without letting out a single call for distress, but he could not hold back the next phase of the blessing.


    A tremendous heat, one that Amon had never felt before in his entire existence, ignited within his core. The heat was akin to a miniature Sun being born, and he felt like he was being cooked alive. A guttural retching sound broke through Amon''s lips as the contents of his breakfast came hurling out. And it didn''t end there.


    Blood mixed with impurities was thrown out from his body while his muscles were reforging. The heat grew hotter with each passing moment, eventually engulfing almost every corner of Amon''s body.


    And it was only a matter of time before the blessing reached its final destination.


    Amon felt his heart contract. The mes ignited within had turned into a wildfire. There was no stopping its siege on his most vital organ... His heart.


    Burning with sweat dripping down by the buckets, Amon grabbed onto his chest with both his hands. Even during his past death, he''d never felt such pain before. But Amon persisted. Enduring whatever pain there was, the young boy willingly guided the fiery blessings into his heart, increasing the suffering he endured a thousandfold.


    A mixture of heat, sharp pain, and pounding suffering were all conjoined into a symphony of agony.


    Time lost all meaning in the face of such despair. Did a second pass? A minute? An hour? Amon had no idea. The only thing keeping him awake was his mental willpower. He''d lost all sense of reason and thought. There wasn''t any desire to be stronger or thoughts about being rewarded. Those things left the conversation the moment he fell to the ground, as pain was the only thing upying his mind.


    Amon''s mental resilience and determination to never submit were the only things that endured throughout the blessing.


    And it paid off...


    "Hah... Hah..."


    As abruptly as it began, the paroxysm of suffering dissipated into nothingness, as if it never existed in the first ce. Torn mentally and physically, Amon was unaware of the mess he''d made or the shocked faces of the Golden Dragon or his fianc¨¦e.


    With the suffering gone, all he wanted to do... was rest.


    Toppling onto the floor with his body sprawled out like a broken doll, Amon''s vision faded into ck as thest remains of his consciousness escaped his petite, juvenile body.

 Chapter 19: Necropolis of the Gods (4)

    <h4>Chapter 19: Necropolis of the Gods (4)</h4>


    [Yue''s POV]


    Amon was going to fall face-first onto the floor!


    Shit, after going through an ordeal like that, thest thing he needed was for his face to be injured as well. I rushed to cushion his fall as he did to me a few minutes back, but my reaction was slow. Before I could reach him, a mysterious light wrapped around Amon, preventing him from suffering a concussion.


    Since Sister Yval and I were the only ones in the chamber, it wasn''t difficult to guess who saved Amon.


    [Curious...]


    Sister Yval looked down upon Amon''s body like a scientist viewing a specimen. Her golden eyes were shimmering with great interest as she pointed her snout at the unconscious boy.


    [This one has yet to find such a resilient human! This one expected him to fall once the blessing reached his core, but he endured it till the end! Is it because he''s a Child of Sris?! No, his soul ispletely different! Curious...]


    Sister Yval thought out loud while twisting and winding her neck to get a closer view of Amon. I could only let out a wry smile, watching her wings p adorably like a puppy who had just found its new toy.


    Since Sister Yval had been tasked with guarding the Necropolis, she''d spent most of her time sleeping here. However, that didn''t mean she was a hermit without knowledge of the modern world. On asion, she would send her senses out to monitor the happenings of the, sometimes even sending a fragment of her spiritual form outside to tour the.


    Spending centuries alone in a cave does get boring, even if she had abandoned her physical flesh and transformed into a spiritual being. Throughout the years, she had witnessed the Fall of the Titans, the Great Dragon War and the First Demon Invasion¡ªthe fall of Dragons and the rise of humanity.


    I can confidently say that no one on the is more knowledgeable and wise than Sister Yval.


    "Will Amon be okay?" I asked with trepidation.


    Sister Yval tilted her head to the side and asked: "Is he your mate?"


    "Mate? Well, yeah, we will mate eventually."


    I didn''t lie. We will get married and have children once the Cmities have been dealt with. I have nned for three children, but that''s negotiable. If Amon wants more, I''m confident my body will handle it!


    [Ah, so that''s where your concernes from. Don''t worry; this one''s blessing doesn''t harm the soul but reconstructs it. He will awake within a few hours. And not to worry about his vigour. This one swears that he will be capable of nting his seeds in you once hees of age.]


    "That''s good to know... wait, that''s not what I meant!!!"


    I was distracted by Sister Yval''sments. Even though she was my most knowledgeable friend, I''d forgotten how out of touch this Dragon was with humans in general.


    "What I mean is... will there be any repercussions from your blessing?"


    [Odd... Weren''t you the one who asked for this one''s blessing?]


    "I know that! It''s just... I can''t help but be worried about him..."


    Laying Amonfortably on myp, I brushed my fingers through his jet-ck hair. Sleeping like a baby, no one could guess that this young boy would one day bear the world''s burden on his shoulders. My heart trembled at the tribtions ahead. Although Sister Yval''s blessing today would help tremendously improve Amon''s power, there were too many hurdles to cross.


    Knowing Amon, he would face those trials alone, ignoring the damage and pain it would cause himself.


    That was why if I wished to change the future... I had to be much stronger than I was before.


    "Sister Yval, will you look after Amon for a moment?"


    [Certainly! But, Child... Are you thinking of transcending to the next stage already?]


    I looked up at the wise golden orbs that floated above my head, and I couldn''t help but break a smile. As expected of Sister Yval. After reading my memories, she could easily guess my next move.


    "Yes, I will consolidate my mana to break through the third circle. After that, I must trouble you to hide my mana with your soul essence."


    There was a reason why I stalled myself at the second circle, even though I had the memories of a Grand Mage in the past. At my tender age, if I condensed my third circle, the Elune House would do everything possible to keep my identity hidden. And at my level, I could not conceal my third circle from the mana-sensitive mages in the Elune House.


    For that, I needed Sister Yval''s power to hide my power level until I could condense my fifth circle and hide it myself.


    As a reference, the earliest anyone has condensed their third circle was sixteen years old, and the current peak of magicians was the eighth circle, a realm that only few in history have ever reached. Even my grandfather, the head of the Elune House, was only at the eighth circle.


    In my past life, I''d condensed my ninth circle and became strong enough to contend against Great Demons and the Ancient Titans. But that wasn''t enough. Even as the only magician to reach the ninth circle, I could not stand beside Amon when he needed me most. I was too weak against the force of the Cmities.


    Against the Cmities that would ur, I needed to reach the undiscovered realm at least.


    The enigmatic tenth circle.


    [Child... Entering the third magic stage at your age wille with significant risk.]


    "Don''t worry, I have full confidence in my mana control."


    [But the path you have chosen... Isn''t it against thews of nature?]


    "..."


    I wore a bitter smile while I dropped my head. At this moment, I regretted allowing Sister Yval to read my memories thoroughly. She knew exactly what I would do and how dangerous it could be.


    "This is nothing...pared to what Amon had to endure in my previous lifetime."


    [Child...]


    Sister Yval watched over me with empathic eyes. Since she''d read my memories, she knew what sort of burden Amon had to endure. She knew the pain and suffering I''d witnessed. And finally, she knew why my heart was burning with the desire to walk on this uncharted path.


    I would be content to ease Amon''s burden just a little bit. If I ascended to the tenth realm, I could stand side-by-side with Amon as he decimated all the enemies in our path. Hence...


    "I will do it. I will turn my body into a broken mess if I have to as long as I reach the tenth realm."


    [... This one cannotment on whether your path is the right one. But this one will watch over you and protect you as intended.]


    Sister Yval spread her wings, and a pir of light enveloped me from all directions. It felt like I was returning to my mother''s bosom, a tender embrace that soothed my soul and eased all the tension in my body. This wasn''t like Amon''s gut-wrenching blessing; it was far gentler.


    [This one has cast a healing spell on you. It will help with your cultivation process.]


    "Thank you, Sister Yval!"


    I brushed Amon''s hair one final time before gently cing him on the cold floor. If not for the circumstances, I would have loved toy down a bed and nket for him to snuggle in. But, as always, time is of the essence.


    I moved a few metres away, just far enough so my ascension wouldn''t affect Amon''s rest and near enough to see him. Taking deep breaths from the cool, icy air, I steeled my resolve and started the process.


    Condensing a circle was a straightforward process.


    Magic is the process of converting a magician''s imagination into reality that would change the world. It seemed like a simple task, but as with everything, the devil is in the details. A magician first had to possess enough mana to cast the spell. Next, they needed to study for exhaustive knowledge to build their imagination. And finally, the magician must have the will to change the world.


    Collecting mana was the easy part. I have been umting mana within my body ever since I''ve regressed. The surplus of mana in my body was on the verge of overflowing, making it the perfect opportunity to condense my third circle.


    The next part was knowledge. As someone who has returned with all my memories, it was easy to incorporate all my magical insights into the third circle. There was no need to study countless hours a day since I''d already lived through one lifetime.


    And finally... My will to change the world.


    If I were going to walk the same path as before, thisst requirement would easily be aplished. But, s, I didn''t wish to repeat the mistakes of my past lifetime. To change the future, I had first to change myself.


    And therefore, I was going to do something drastic.


    First, I condensed my mana into my core. As if expecting the sudden surge of mana, my body automatically condensed the mana supplied into the shape of a ring. Next, I poured my magical insights into the circle, following the standard procedures to ascend to the next realm. Finally, all I needed to do was bring in my will, and the third circle would beplete.


    But that wasn''t my intention.


    "!!!"


    A surging pain pierced my conscious mind as the mana within the third circle rushed up my brain. My body felt like it was about to be torn apart by the rampant mana flow. On one side, my head was heating up as if it had been dipped into the depths of a volcano. On the other hand, my inner core was freezing rapidly, making my soul endure a neverending chill that could only be described as being dipped into a frozenke.


    The dichotomy of the sensations was tearing my body to shreds, and my subconscious mind was desperately warning me to stop. But I resisted those warnings.


    I willingly downed my mind, body and soul into the depths of suffering. I could feel a stream of warm liquid drip down my nose, and my bones felt like they were breaking. It took all of my mental power to remain conscious, and even then, I could feel my soul crying out for me to stop.


    However, my pain wasn''t in vain. Mana wasn''t just being channelled from my body but the entire surroundings. The imprints on my third circle weren''t just based on my magical knowledge but the "Law" of the world itself.


    It was a feat that defied nature.


    To imprint the "Law" of the world into a magician''s circle. It meant that my magic could now draw mana from the and rewrite reality at a capacity that no other magician couldpare to. No sane magician would have thought of this method as containing "Law" within one''s body was tantamount to suicide. Just like a chalice could not contain an ocean within itself, cing the "Law" of the world would break a magician''s body if they weren''t careful.


    Heck, if not for my intricate mana control and the assistance of the Mysterious Grimorie, I wouldn''t have dared to attempt such a suicidal thing.


    And at longst... it paid off.


    "Hah... Hah... Hah... I''ve seeded!"


    After fifteen brutal minutes of carefully manipting my mana, the third circle settled within me. Mana was flowing at an astonishing rate, probably ten times more efficiently than before. Also, with my circle enriched by "Law," I could utilise the full potential of my surroundings and cast magic using mana from nature.


    After experiencing such a stressful situation, I exhaled three times to rx my body. My mind was gradually recovering, and my soul was calming down.


    [Child... Are you alright?]


    "I''m okay, Sister Yval... I just need to rest and be in perfect shape."


    [Impressive! This one had believed you would take far longer to seed! But Child... Are you sure you wish to continue on this path? The higher you climb, the riskier it is to imprint "Law" into your soul. It''s not toote to turn back.]


    "Thank you for the warning, Sister Yval."


    Even though Sister Yval was a Dragon, she possessed a heart of gold. She genuinely cared for my well-being and hoped to guide me down a safer path. But...


    "I have to go down this route... if I wish to stand by his side."


    I nced down at the young boy, who was blissfully sleeping away. He''d grow exponentially now that he''s received Sister Yval''s blessing, and it was only a matter of time before he eclipsed me. I had to walk down this path to fight alongside him during the Cmities.


    "So Sister Yval..."


    [What is it, Child?]


    The massive Dragon turned her snout towards me and blinked her gigantic Sun orbs twice. The curiosity within her eyes couldn''t be hidden as she watched my every move. And it was for good reason. The thing I was about to ask her, the favour I was about to incur, would change the world''s fate forever.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Would you do me a favour?"

 Chapter 20: The Road Ahead

    <h4>Chapter 20: The Road Ahead</h4>


    Amon''s eyes were flickering as a tinge of light returned to his consciousness. Slowly, the sensations that were familiar to him returned. A heaviness to his head couldn''t be described with simple words weighed on him,. It felt as if a boulder was weighing him down while, at the same time, it was light and feathery. It was an odd sensation, but Amon quickly got used to it.


    As the light returned to his mind, he next noticed the distinct scent of flowers. It was sweet and light, which greatly helped to speed up his recovery. Amon moved his fingers while gradually blinking his eyes open. When he did so, Amon noticed that his head was slightly elevated on a cushion, or what seemed to be a cushion.


    Gradually, all of Amon''s five senses returned, and slowly, he sat up, blinking away the remnants of his restful slumber. As awareness dawned upon him, he realized he found himself in a serene garden, bathed in the gentle hue of dusk. The Sun was far in the distance, beyond the horizon that covered all of Soflea.


    Amon looked down at where his head once rested, and a wave of embarrassment flushed his face red. He could see the heavy dent in Yue''s dress, indicating that he had been sleeping on herp for a long time. Shaking his head, the young boy rubbed his face to hide his bashfulness, but that evasive deed didn''t escape his partner.


    "Awake?"


    "... How long have I been asleep?"


    "A couple hours, probably three."


    Yue''s chuckle was as sweet as the melodious wind dancing through the soft flowers of the garden.


    "After you absorbed Sister Yval''s blessing, I teleported us back to the Sris House. I didn''t know how long it would take for you to wake, so I didn''t wish to impose on Sister Yval. Also, my paranoid grandfather would get suspicious if we''re away from Soflea for too long."


    The white-haired girl giggled happily while she raised a handkerchief towards Amon''s face as she attempted to wipe the drool off his face. However, Amon rapidly intercepted the move, took the handkerchief from Yue''s hand and wiped his face.


    "How are you feeling?" Yue asked with a mixture of curiosity and worry.


    "Oddly... Better..."


    Amon didn''t lie.


    After waking up, he''d first noticed the abundance of mana within his body. Mostly, it was the Sr mana that the Golden Dragon Progenitor had infused into his body. As a member of the Sris House, his body took in the mana like a fish in water. The absorption rate and power increase he''d felt were drastic, and Amon was easily ten times more proficient at mana control than before.


    "If it''s like this... I can now use the Nine Suns Heart Mantra!"


    Amon was ecstatic. For the longest time, due to the imbnce between his mana and body, he could not cultivate the Sris House''s signature technique.


    The Nine Suns Heart Mantra.


    It was the technique that made the Sris Founder stand toe-to-toe against the mighty Dragons and the ability that allowed the Sris Saint to repel the first Demon Invasion. Furthermore, it was the signature ability in [Bright] that allowed the protagonist to grow exponentially.


    Now that Amon has obtained the rights to cultivate the Nine Suns Heart Mantra, his growth would be expedited significantly, giving them a better chance to repel the Cmities.


    "How strange... Even though there''s so much Sr mana... My Lunar mana is still just as strong."


    "That''s to be expected," Yue nodded in agreement. "Your soul is originally from another dimension. Its properties arepletely different from the Sris House. In time, as your soul grows, so will your Lunar mana."


    "Does that mean I would need to undergo another blessing?"


    Amon raised his brow. While he wasn''t against going through another round of that painful procedure, it did seem unsustainable to keep relying on a Dragon for assistance.


    "No, you must develop a cultivation technique that allows you to bnce both Sr and Lunar mana."


    However, Yue''s answer was in apletely different direction.


    "Only through figuring out a bnce between the two will you be able to reach transcendental heights."


    "... I assume that I''ve done so in your timeline."


    Amon reached a critical point in the conversation. However, Yue simply smiled and shook her head.


    "That''s something for you to find out. I wouldn''t want to spoil your development, now would I?"


    "..."


    Amon sent the adorable figure a threatening re, but he did nothing to follow up. There were many things enigmatic about Yue Elune that Amon couldn''t figure out just yet. However, after his short expedition to the North Pole and meeting Yval, the Golden Dragon who could have killed him with a snort, there''s one thing Amon had confirmed.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Yue could be trusted.


    At least... for now.


    "What do we do now?"


    Seeing that Yue didn''t intend to give him hints on his cultivation, Amon changed the topic.


    "Well, first, we will have to train hard! Building our strength before the events of the future happen! With your mana imbnce fixed, you can gain strength at a tremendous rate and even be powerful enough to stop the first few Cmities on your own!"


    "..."


    Amon secretly agreed with Yue''s exmations. Either way, his original n was to deal with the Cmities alone. Now that he''s given a much better physical state, it was only a matter of time before Amon regained his former strength.


    "Unfortunately, we will need the power of the Holy Sword to help us in the future, and only the [Protagonist] can wield it. Sadly, our dear [Protagonist] will return to the Sris House in eight years, so we must endure until then. In the meantime, we will have all that time to improve our skills and build our influence! I will liaise with a few organisations to create a web specifically to repel the Demons and the Demon Cult."


    The main threat in [Bright] has always been the Cmities. However, the Cmities didn''t ur on their own. There had always been a trigger point, a secret reason why the Cmities appear one after the other.


    The Demon Cult.


    Almost all of the evil written in [Bright] was caused by the Demon Cult and their cryptic leader... A man that not even Amon knew about¡ªthe Prophet.


    ''The Demon Cult... The Prophet... The Herald... The Titans... The Demon Lords... They''re all enemies I''ll have to face in the future.''


    Just thinking about the hurdles ahead gave Amon a migraine that couldst a lifetime. Thinking back, he was naive to assume he could resolve all the issues alone. And those were just the final bosses. The story still had multiple minor bosses that caused innumerable amounts of death and destruction. If Amon truly wished to be a hero... those were enemies he had to eliminate.


    "And when the future events finally begin in full, we will be prepared to face them! While our [Protagonist] fights the canon events, we will be helping him from the sidelines. We will also empower other promising individuals, strengthening them to join our private special forces!"


    "..."


    "Don''t worry about anything! I have been preparing for this day ever since I''ve regressed. Amon, the only thing that you need to focus on is regaining your strength! You can join the Knight''s Academy to learn the Sris methods while I care for everything in the shadows!"


    At a certain point, Amon stopped listening to Yue''s energetic rant. His golden eyes shimmered as they hid a whiff ofprehension within.


    "Yue... You... Are you not disturbed?"


    "Disturbed? By what?"


    "That you''re a character in a book I''d read?"


    Amon was well aware... Even though he''d lived for ten years in Hyades, his brain hadn''t fully epted that he was living in an alternate world. Mainly because he had read [Bright] and was aware of its events. In a certain sense, Amon felt like he was floating through a dream, an illusion that was severed from the fabric of reality.


    Perhaps that was why he was so detached from this world. He felt like he was living in a storybook rather than a real human in the real world.


    "Transmigration and regression... It''s all too surreal. How are you not disturbed by any of these?"


    "..."


    Yue''s scarlet eyes widened at Amon''s words. She hadn''t expected the boy to open up about his feelings with such candour. But after thinking about it, a soft and gentle smile emerged on her lips as she leaned in with a chime.


    The young girl''s dreamlike appearance briefly mesmerised Amon. Since she was only ten years old, Amon couldn''t describe her as a beauty, but he roughly saw the features that would slowly grow into a femme fatale that could fall an entire nation. Her ruby-like crystal eyes, immacteplexion, and rosy lips were all in full view of Amon as he held his breath.


    "When I''d first heard that I was a character in a book you''d read during my past life, I asked myself the same question. Am I real? Why am I doing this? Is this all pre-ordained, a story written by a God, and are we just the characters following the story?"


    Yue''s words were abstract as if she were talking to someone far away. However, her eyes never left Amon''s. She stared right into the former Transcendent''s soul and continued:


    "But after a while, I gave up thinking about that."


    "... Why?"


    "Because..."


    Yue wrapped her arms around Amon''s waist and slid her body towards his. Amon flinched slightly and was tempted to push the girl away, but he physically restrained himself. Watching as the young girl edged closer towards him, Amon never once broke eye contact. He watched as Yue nted her forehead onto his until their noses touched ever so gently.


    At this distance, Amon could feel Yue clearer than ever before.


    The sound of her rapidly elerating heartbeat. The sweet fragrance of her perfume. The warmth that came out from her skin.


    Everything was being transmitted towards Amon.


    After enjoying his embrace for a few seconds, Yue cracked the most brilliant smile that Amon had ever seen and said:


    "Because, aren''t we alive now? Everything I feel is real! You are real! And I am real! Isn''t it enough?"


    Yue''s pearly white teeth were disyed as she separated her nose from Amon''s. However, her arms were still tightly wrapped around Amon''s waist, and the grip seemed only to tighten as if she would never let him go.


    "I''ve tasted a glimpse of happiness in my previous timeline. And only after losing it did I realise how fleeting life was. Now that I have a second chance, I will not squander it!" Yue dered.


    Amon remained breathless and wordless at Yue''s firm deration. He watched as her ruby eyes sparkled with determination.


    "So I will protect this reality, even if I must give my life for it! Who cares if this story is written by someone else? I will be the one who decides the ending!"


    Yue grabbed onto Amon''s chin and brought her face closer once more. This time, Amon moved back, preventing the girl from doing as she pleased. But Yue was a step ahead. mming her palm on the wall behind him, Yue looked down on Amon and said:


    "So Amon Sris! Will you join me in protecting this reality? To be the hero and the main protagonist of this story?"


    "... You already know my answer."


    Amon gently peeled Yue''s arm away from him and shook his head. From the very beginning, he was aiming to be the hero. All his life, he had lived as an experimentalb rat. Then, he became a weapon of war. Only at the end of his past life did he learn how to live as a human being, and even then, he was toote.


    He didn''t get a chance to be a hero in his past life, so this time...


    Amon will be the hero of this story.


    "Yue Elune, I ept your proposal."


    Amon had epted Yue''s proposal before, but it was half-heartedly. This time, however, Amon dered his eptance with his soul on the line.


    "Hehe, you won''t regret it!"


    Sensing the change, Yue quickly returned to her maiden-in-love mode and firmly linked arms with the young boy. Rubbing her cheeks on Amon''s elbow like she''d gained a prize, Yue looked up at the boy and said:


    "Ah, we can discuss the details of our partnershipter! We should return to meet the Sris Lord and my grandfather and, at the same time, get some dinner. After using that long-range teleportation spell twice, I''m famished!"


    "Okay..."


    Amon didn''t object to Yue''s suggestion. However, before he moved a single step towards the main house, he looked down at Yue with words stuck in his throat.


    "Ermmm... Yue..."


    "Hmmm? What is it?"


    "About just now... Ermmm... You took care of me while I was unconscious, right?"


    "Yeah?"


    "And you helped me intercede with the Golden Dragon Progenitor too..."


    "Hmmm?"


    "About that... erm... Thank you."


    Amon scratched his cheek, embarrassed. He still remembered thep pillow he was given and the drool that was dripping onto Yue''sp. He could still see remnants of his saliva on the young girl''s immacte dress. Unable to look the girl in the eye, he turned his face away while desperately attempting to cover the red on his cheeks.


    However, it was to no avail.


    Yue''s ruby eyes turned into ruby moons as she witnessed a side of Amon she never knew existed. It took a few seconds for her to register the words that came out of his mouth before she literally jumped for joy. Taken aback by the sudden movement, Amon turned back and gave her a firm reprimand.


    "Hey! Don''t do that!"


    "Hehe, I can''t help it! I''m just so happy!"


    Yue covered her cheeks while wiggling about like a worm. She then released Amon''s arm and twisted in front of him with her hands behind her back. Looking straight at her future husband, the young girl said in bliss:


    "Hey, Amon... Want to know something? I''m really, really d I''ve regressed and met you once more!"


    "..."


    Abashed, Amon remained silent as he moved back into the Sris Pce with quickened feet. Not to be outmatched, Yue followed suit with blissful skips that trailed behind him.

 Chapter 21: End of Book 1 and Author鈥檚 Thoughts

    <h4>Chapter 21: End of Book 1 and Author''s Thoughts</h4>


    Hi, everyone!


    It''s Yunniye_Snow! Author of "Angel in the Pandemic" and "My Vampire Little Sister."


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    It has been a while for those who have read my novels before! I apologise for taking such a long hiatus. I had just started a new job, and things were getting hectic in my real life. However, things have settled in now, and I''m in a better ce to begin writing again!


    For the rest of you who are new to my work, wee! Thank you for picking up mytest book "The Extra Can''t Be a Hero."


    I have been concocting this story in the back of my mind for a long time, inspired by the transmigration and regressor Korean novels I''ve been reading. Learning from my past mistakes, I took time to storyboard this novel, and I believe I have nned an adventure worth investing in!


    For those who are interested, there isn''t harem or incest (at least not nned) in this story. I intend to make this story a transmigrator adventure tale with an overpowered protagonist and only one romantic interest.


    This story will be the most challenging I''ve written thus far. I must weave multiple timelines with different POVs and switch seamlessly between the first and third person. Also, this story''s lore and universe are bigger than any I''ve written. I have multiple Google Docs just to keep track of everything that is happening, so it''s going to be a challenge to remember and write without identally creating a plothole.


    It will be a big challenge for me as a writer as I''ve never done such a thing, but I''m willing to try it! So do forgive me if I make some mistakes!


    If that interests you, wee aboard! Feel free to write ament, review or just like the novel in any way you can! Your interest fuels my desire to keep writing, and I hope you enjoy the story!


    Cheers and wee to [Bright]!

 Chapter 22: Eight Years Later (1)

    <h4>Chapter 22: Eight Years Later (1)</h4>


    In the courtyard of the Sris House''s training facility, a sonorous, metallic ng of steel echoed against the high marble walls. Another soon joined the singr echo, and another, until eventually, the entire grounds sang the metal symphony. Short bursts of wind brushed against the sturdy walls, but an invisible barrier blocked even a single scratch from forming on them. The wind bursts soon became sword shes shaped like a crescent moon, sending an endless barrage at the innocent walls.


    The culprit of the ceaseless bombardment was none other than a tall, ck-haired youth. Standing 1.8 metres tall, he''d already reached the average height of men in the Sris House and had yet to grow fully. Broad-shouldered with the poise of a seasoned warrior, one would be hard-pressed to believe he was just a few days shy of eighteen.


    He swung his training sword like a painter, indiscriminately sshing acrylic on his masterpiece with such ease and fluidity that it almost seemed to flow in slow motion. However, there was nothing careless about his swordy.


    His movements were precise and calcted, a testament to his abundance of experience andbat knowledge. It was as if he was dancing without moving a single step. He only moved his sword when needed, creating an illusion of an impregnable wall that couldn''t be breached.


    However, that didn''t mean that no challengers were willing to try.


    His opponent, a girl younger than himself, struck him with a flurry of attacks. Her de wasn''t as restrained andposed. The de in her hand was wayward and clunky, showing numerous weaknesses in her swordy. Yet, she made up for her inferior artistry with speed and tenacity. The young teenage girl used her small frame to unleash a whirlwind of shes, attacks too quick for the human eye.


    And yet, her sword never reached the youth in front of her.


    "Arya, you''re rushing again."


    Amon''s deep voice burst into his sister''s eardrums, forcing her to slow down her attacks momentarily as she brought awareness back to her de work.


    "Using your speed is good, but it leaves you with too many openings."


    Amon easily parried Arya''s sword thrust andnded a kick on her thigh as if to prove his point. Unable to hold her stance from that blunt force, the sixteen-year-old dropped to the ground. In such a vulnerable position, there was nothing Arya could do but watch Amon''s sword fly down towards her throat, only to stop a centimetre before it pierced her slender nape.


    "You rely too much on your speed, Arya. The basics of your technique are there, but whenever you enter high-speed shes, you fall back on your bad habits. There were so many openings for me to exploit."


    Amon retracted his sword and dropped his guard, signalling the end of the training bout. He offered his hand to his fallen sister, which she dly took.


    "E-Even then, I''m still in the top five of my ss!" Arya protested with a pout. "It''s just that your standards are too high, Brother!"


    "In a life-and-death battle, your ranking doesn''t matter. All that matters is that you beat your opponent."


    "I-I know that!"


    Rising to her feet, Arya adorably bit the bottom of her lip in frustration. She dusted off her clothes and sheathed her sword. After reaching fifteen years old, the young cutie blossomed into a gorgeous flower. She still possessed a tinge of baby fat around her cheeks, but that wasn''t enough to hide the beauty that hid underneath.


    Unlike Amon, Arya inherited most of her mother''s features. Her cat-like eyes were mesmerising, to say the least, and her bubbly personality was evident even from a mile away. Tying her hair up into a ponytail, she looked a proper swordswoman through and through. Arya was dubbed one of the Flowers of the Knight''s Academy two years running, and it was only a matter of time before she imed her third crown.


    However, even Arya''s superhuman Sris body couldn''t keep up with her brother''s hour-long sparring session. She walked over to the corner where her water bottle was and took a big chug out of it. Only after emptying the bottle did she notice her brother frozen in ce.


    "Are you going to continue training?"


    "Yeah... My body is tingling... I feel like I''m about to reach a breakthrough soon."


    "Again?! You bloody monster! Didn''t you just condense your third Sun?! Leave some for the rest of us, will you?"


    Arya threw her empty water bottle at Amon, only for it to bounce right back, dealing negative damage. Why negative damage?


    "Ah! My water bottle! You broke it!"


    "... You were the one who threw it at me."


    "Oh dear... I wonder if it can be fixed..."


    Amon cracked a smile at Arya''s despondent cries. As a treasured member of the Sris House and a promising Apprentice Knight, there was no way Arya would be attached to a mass-produced water bottle that any Sris member could get their hands on. Hence, he ignored her tant attempts to guilt him for gold and changed the topic.


    "To answer your previous question, I''m not going to make any major breakthroughs. It''s just... after watching your haphazard swordy, I realised that I could make some alterations to my own as well."


    "Well, sorry for being haphazard!!!"


    Arya stomped her feet with a snort. She folded her arms to disy her annoyance, drawing out a heartyugh from Amon.


    "W-What''s so funny?"


    "Nothing... I''d thought you''d matured after bing a senior at the Academy, but I guess not." Amon waved his hand in an attempt to conclude the sibling banter and have thest word. "Go back and tell Mom I will bete for dinner tonight."


    "Hmmm? But isn''t Sister Yue joining us for dinner tonight? Oh, I see..."


    Unfortunately, Amon won''t be having the final word today. His sharp sister had connected the dots, and an impish smile crept up her porcin face. Covering her mouth, she leaned forward and teased:


    "I see; you''re going out with your wife tonight! No wonder, no wonder!"


    "... How on earth did youe to that conclusion?" Amon''s merry face soon turned upside-down. "And besides, she''s not my wife."


    "Oh,e on! Sister Yue is basically married to our family already! She lives so far away, and yet she makes an attempt to visit you once a month!"


    Arya''s teasing face was now so broad that the edges of her lips practically touched her ears. Naturally, she was getting a kick from her brother''s apparent reluctance to talk about his fianc¨¦e, and Arya continued to press his buttons.


    "Sister Yuees here once a month to visit you. She is considered the most beautiful girl in Eshon and has so much money that even Mom and Dad must be cautious of her. Seriously, how did yound such a beau? Granted, you''re a little handsome..."


    Arya scanned her older brother from the top down. The young boy had morphed into a budding man standing over 1.8 metres tall. His jet-ck hair was glossy and wavy, and whenbed back, it highlighted his high forehead and poignant jawline. But his eyes drew the most attention: a mesmerising shade of gleaming gold, reminiscent of molten sunlight captured within orbs of liquid amber.


    Although he wasn''t fully grown yet, his dominating frame was enough to make any man feel inferior. There wasn''t an ounce of excess fat on his body, and it showcased his impable muscles that had been trained through years of grinding.


    The only weakness in Amon''s appearance would be hisck of expressions, but even then, some girls would prefer to have some mystique in their man.


    Arya gave her brother an objective review before finally eximing: "But yeah, Sister Yue could do so much better!"


    "Hah... Please stop, you''re going to break my concentration."


    "Tch, you''re no fun!"


    Arya shook her head and reluctantly packed her stuff. Even though she wished to continue teasing her brother, she knew the repercussions of dying someone''s training when they''d reached the borderline of enlightenment. Hence, she rapidly made a beeline to the exit before waving her brother goodbye.


    "I''ll let Mom know that you won''t be joining us! Oh, and say hi to Sister Yue for me!"


    And with that, the thorn in Amon''s side disappeared through the expansive corridors of the Sris House. However, the teenager couldn''t breathe a sigh of relief just yet. There was yet another headache he had to deal with.


    "Why don''t you show yourself already?"


    "Haha, you noticed? Since when?"


    "Since you arrived," Amon replied to the voice that seemingly came out of nowhere. "The distortion in space is so evident. I''m surprised the Sris House''s defences missed you."


    "Haha, it just shows your senses have improved drastically!"


    Turning his head toward the sonorous voice, Amon saw a young woman breaking free from a veil of grey space. The young woman possessed an ethereal, captivating, and, overall, otherworldly beauty. Her porcin skin was wless, without the slightest speck of pore damage. It was borderline unnatural how perfect her skin was.


    Cascading like a waterfall of spun silk, her hair flows in lustrous waves of purest white, framing her face in a moonlit sanctified halo. Each strand catches the light, shimmering with an iridescent glow that lends her an almost mystical air. Her eyes, the colour of rich crimson, are like twin pools of molten ruby, which seem to hold secrets and depths yet unexplored.


    Her noble white gown was draped over by a blue cloak, covering the ample bosom that her neckline freely revealed. Layers of sumptuous fabric cascaded around her slender form, the bodice intricately embroidered with patterns of silver thread that caught the light with every movement.


    Eight years ago, she merely showed hints of the impable beauty she would turn out to be. Eight yearster... she was ny per cent there.


    It wasn''t a stretch to consider the eighteen-year-old amongst the most gorgeous women living on the, and the poise and elegance with which she walked only helped boost her rankings.


    "Almost everyone in the Elune House won''t notice me if I truly wish to hide myself. Only two people I know could do that. Congrattions on being the third!"


    Yue shed her gums as she addressed her future husband.


    "Thanks..."


    Amon sighed and turned his head away. He had spent eight years with Yue as his fianc¨¦e, so Amon had learnt how to deal with the little menace even if he didn''t wish for it. During times like these, Yue would continue to tease him until she got bored, so it would be best to end the topic altogether. But unfortunately for him, Yue wasn''t done.


    "Oh, don''t give me the cold shoulder! Didn''t Arya ask you to send her regards to me?"


    "Since you''ve heard it, there''s no point in me repeating it, right?"


    "That''s not the point! Hah... How did the two of you grow up to be so different? Arya is such an angel; you''re just a boorish brute who only knows how to y with swords!"


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Yue''s ruby eyes twinkled with delight as she recalled Arya''s previous words.


    "I didn''t know she felt that way about me! To call me the most beautiful girl in Eshon and a perfect fit for your family! I think I should raise her allowance!"


    "... You''re giving her an allowance?"


    Amon heard some cursed wordsing out of Yue''s mouth. The ethereal beauty froze briefly and seemingly rebooted like aputer. Coughing twice, she took a page out of Amon''s ybook and quickly changed the topic:


    "Anyway, the stuff about you reaching a breakthrough! You lied to your sister, didn''t you?"


    "I didn''t lie; I''m about to make a breakthrough."


    "No, I believe you!" Yue''s signature radiant smile returned as she foolishly believed that she had made Amon forget about the bribery of his sister.


    "But you''re not about to make a breakthrough about swordy, aren''t you?"


    "... How did you know?"


    "There''s nothing you can hide from me, Amon."


    Yue folded her arms and stared straight into her fianc¨¦''s eyes. Amon stared right back into those crystalline rubies, mesmerised by the depths of knowledge that was hidden within. Unconsciously, he stepped back as the following words from Yue''s mouth struck him like a bell.


    "Amon you... are about to condense your Sixth Sun, right?"

 Chapter 23: Eight Years Later (2)

    <h4>Chapter 23: Eight Years Later (2)</h4>


    The Nine Suns Heart Mantra.


    The Sris House''s signature cultivation ability is one of the reasons why they areuded as the greatest Knight''s House ever. During the age of the Dragons, humans were infinitely weaker due to their low ability to store mana within their bodies. It wasn''t even a contest. A Dragon''s Heart was several times more abundant and powerful than a human''s.


    Even when the Golden Dragon Sovereign first blessed the Sris Founder, his enhanced body and mana weren''t enough to give him a fighting chance against the mighty Dragons, who possessed infinitely more mana.


    Therefore, the Sris Founder came up with a brilliant technique to bypass the limits of humanity, allowing him to hunt Dragons by the dozens, earning him the title of the world''s greatest Dragon yer.


    If he didn''t have arge enough heart to store mana, that would equal the Dragons... Why doesn''t he make more of them?


    Naturally, the Sris Founder was still bound by the limitations of a human body, and he couldn''t grow extra hearts. However, he could umte mana into multiple cores within his body and store them within it to gain additional mana and power.


    And hence, the Nine Suns Heart Mantra was born.


    Members of the Sris House would condense their mana into miniature "Suns" within their bodies, and the "Suns" would empower their hearts, the core of all mana cirction. It was a risky strategy to create thermonuclear bombs within one''s body, and the only reason why people bearing the Sris Bloodline could do so was due to their affinity with Sr Mana and their inherently enhanced bodies.


    But it paid off.


    Throughout the years, the Sris House would use the Nine Suns Heart Mantra to great effect, essentially towering over their peers. Even if there were more skilful Knights in Hyades, none of them could match the mana output of Sris Knights.


    That one technique determined their longevity during the warring eras, and it was even apparent in the modern age, where the Sris House is still considered one of the most powerful Houses in the world.


    "The Sixth Sun... I wonder if anyone in Sris'' history has condensed it before eighteen."


    Yueuded Amon''s achievements while considering the ramifications of his breakthrough. Due to Yue''s magic, Amon could hide his actual cultivation level from the prying eyes of the Sris House, as he didn''t want to draw too much attention to himself.


    To others, Amon was just a talented youngster who had condensed his Third Sun before the age of twenty. Mind you, the Third Sun alone was an amazing aplishment, given that all you needed to do before you graduated the Knight''s Academy was to condense Two Suns.


    Amon''s father, a Guardian Knight, was considered to be part of the elite forces of the Sris House. One Guardian Knight could overpower ten regr Knights with ease. But even then, all you needed to be a Guardian Knight was Five Suns condensed, a level Amon had reached long ago.


    Anywhere from Six Suns onwards would be a rarity, even for the Sris House. Perhaps only one or two could leap to the Sixth Sun among a hundred Guardian Knights. And from there, the difficulty only gets exponentially harder. After all, it was difficult to keep one thermonuclear bomb from detonating, let alone six.


    Just for reference, the current Lord of the Sris House, Lord Alrock, had only reached Eight Suns in the twilight of his life. And in history, only two humans have reached the elusive Ninth Sun. The Sris Founder and the Sris Saint¡ªtwo of the greatest heroes mankind has ever known.


    However, not even they condensed their Sixth Sun before eighteen.


    "If you add in my previous life, I''m nowhere near eighteen." Amon nonchntly added.


    Before he transmigrated to Hyades, Amon had lived twenty-five years as Number 23. If he had included those years, Amon would actually be forty-three. Mentally, that is.


    "Still! A tremendous aplishment!" Her future husband''s achievement visibly animated Yue. "We still have several years before the Cmities begin, and you''re already at this stage! Once we go through the canon events, won''t you be stronger than the Demon Lords?"


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Bing stronger than the Demon Lords would be a stretch..."


    Amon bitterlyughed.


    "But... at my current level. We should be able to cut down numerous branches of the Demon Cult."


    "Hoh... So you''re saying that we can begin the attack in full?"


    Yue''s lips crept up into a sinister smile. They hadn''t been idle for these eight years. Whilst slowly building up their individual strength, Yue and Amon had been searching for traces of the Demon Cult. Over the years, they have identified numerous hidden branches, each with the potential to wreak untold amounts of devastation on thends they inhabit.


    "As long as there aren''t Apostles within the branches, I will annihte them."


    "The Apostles... Ah, they are another headache we have to deal with."


    "Not to worry, once I condense my Seventh Sun, the Apostles should pose no threat."


    Amon gave an objective review of his strength. After spending eighteen years in Hyades and experiencing the exponential growth of his individual power, Amon hase to be more cognizant of the power levels. He could only understand how powerful his foes were in the past from the descriptions he''d read in [Bright]. But now, after living and experiencing mana for eighteen years, he could roughly estimate where he stood in the pecking order.


    "Hah... Show-off..."


    The gorgeous young woman scoffed yfully while gauging Amon with her eyes. She was well aware of Amon''s talent. After all, in her past timeline, Amon became the strongest human on the, all on his own. And that was with his mana instability handicap. Now that the Golden Dragon Progenitor Yval had blessed him, his individual strength could only improve by leaps and bounds.


    "Do you need me to cover you?"


    "Yes, please..."


    While Amon was about to reach the treasured Sixth Sun, there was a slight chance that his ascension could cause amotion. If that happens, his true strength will be revealed to the Sris House, which could cause many issues. Usually, he would find a secluded area outside the Sris House to perform his ascension; however, with Yue around...


    "I''ll set up the barrier then!"


    Mana congregated around the young pair with one simple wave of her snowy white hand. An invisible force field silenced the surroundings, giving Amon a sanctuary of peace and quiet. At the same time, no mana could escape from inside the barrier, essentially creating a false vacuum within the expansive training facility.


    Not to mention, this was Amon''s private chamber. Other than members of his family, which were a few extended buildings away, no one would disturb his peace.


    And with the preparationspleted, Amon promptly fell into a cross-legged lotus position and closed his robust, golden eyes.


    Amon didn''t waste a second and entered a trance-like meditative state. The ever-flowing mana within his body abruptly stopped as his heart changed rhythms. The Five Suns within Amon were now called upon to orbit Amon''s heart. The mana that stopped was now being re-ignited, unleashed like a broken dam.


    Amon mentally recited the Nine Suns Heart Mantra, but to be frank, there wasn''t much impact. At his level, Amon could fully control his mana and body beyond that of any guru or body practitioner. The mantra only served as a chant to calm Amon''s mind as he concentrated all his consciousness on cultivating his new Sun.


    Mana continued to congregate exponentially, a pace which most Sris members would ssify as ''frightening''. If any of Amon''s former instructors at the Knight''s Academy saw this, they would likely faint on sight, foaming from their mouths as fear and anxiety overcame them.


    But Amon wasn''t in any rush. His expression was as peaceful as they woulde.


    It seemed like he was simply meditating off a cliff facing an ocean inplete harmony with body and nature. However, his inner body wasn''t as serene as his outer appearance. The mana swelled within Amon in waves, turning into a spiral void of pure energy.


    This point would be the most critical if it were any other Sris member. The other Suns within their bodies would begin to resist the birth of the new Sun, and the body would struggle to contain the violent nature of the mana cores.


    But Amon wasn''t an average Sris.


    The Golden Dragon Progenitor herself blessed him, and his mana was as pure as the Sris Founder. And that''s not all...


    "Six Moons... Amon, you crazy bastard!"


    Yue''s crimson eyes sparkled as her body involuntarily trembled at the phenomena Amon was creating. Six luminescent Moons orbited the young man, creating an illusory mist that shrouded his visage. It wasn''t enough that he was the youngest ever Sris to forge Six Suns, but he also used the Lunar mana that dwelled within his soul to form Six Moons, creating a perfect bnce between his soul and body.


    Yue was once again reminded of the genius that was Amon Sris.


    He used a technique that could only be used by the Sris House and modified it for his own betterment. The Nine Moon Heart Mantra was the perfect answer to the Lunar mana that dwelled within Amon''s soul. Utilising its properties, Amon could condense ''Moons'' in the same way that the Sris House would condense ''Suns''.


    The alteration was so perfect that it was borderline terrifying. Whenever a Sun would attempt to go rogue and disrupt the peace in his body, a Moon would tame it. Whenever a Moon seemed to overwhelm his soul with its gravitational pull, a Sun would put it in its ce.


    It was a symbiotic rtionship, a yin-yang of sorts, which made the ascension far more peaceful than it should have been.


    And now, with Amon''s mana reaching perfect harmony, it was time to witness the birth of a new Sun.


    Six Suns and Six Moons orbited Amon''s inner being, each one possessing its own unique ir and power. They all possessed a tremendous amount of mana, and it was seemingly impossible for an average human to contain them all within their body. However, Amon calmly did just that.


    Taking deep, even breaths, Amon ended his cultivation state and gradually flickered open his eyes. And he was greeted with Yue''s resplendent irises blinking happily at him.


    "Congrattions, Amon! Your achievement will be written down in the history books!"


    "I''m not looking for such des."


    Amon slowly stood up and reached for the wet towel by his side. He noticed that it had been cooled down with magic, possibly through Yue''s interference, but he brushed it aside and wiped the little sweat that umted on his face.


    "I''m still too weak. Considering the Cmities that will ur in the future, condensing my Sixth Sun is nothing."


    "Hehe, always so modest!"


    Yueughed it off but didn''t change Amon''s thoughts. She, above all others, knew the severity of the Cmities. And while there was a rush for both of them to be more powerful, in her opinion, they were way ahead of schedule. After all, there were still many events before the world-ending Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Cmities began. There were still plenty of opportunities for them to grow stronger and ovee the adversities thaty before them.


    "If you''re not too tired, why don''t we go for an evening stroll?"


    "An evening stroll?"


    Amon raised his brow at the sudden question, not because of the stroll but because the Sun was still up. He had probably only spent a few minutes condensing his Sixth Sun, and it was probably only three in the afternoon. To go for an evening stroll now was quite illogical.


    Unless...


    "Yes, I have a ce I want to show you!"

 Chapter 24: Eight Years Later (3)

    <h4>Chapter 24: Eight Years Later (3)</h4>


    "By evening stroll, you meant raiding a Demon Cult''s branch?"


    Amon touched his forehead and rubbed his temples with a deep sigh. Seconds after Yue proposed her desire to go on a date with Amon, she teleported him straight into a secluded rocky valley. In great contrast to the bright and sunny atmosphere that the Soflea boasted, the sky was overcast, and ashen amber was seen in the far distance. The temperature was biting cold and a few degrees shy of snow.


    The location was remote, void of any sign of civilization or humanity. Thend was barren, and there were hardly any trees or grass. All that existed were high rocky crevices and broken boulders for miles. However, the remoteness of this area made it the perfect breeding ground for actors with malicious intentions.


    And in this case, it was painfully evident that the Demon Cult had disced a branch here.


    On the outside, it looked like nothing more than a regr ravine found anywhere on the. However, if one looked closely, they would notice many irregrities. Firstly, there was an astral mist that didn''t seem to fit the natural order of Hyades. Most of the Demon Cult''s branches were protected by said mist, and it was almost a trademarked cliche.


    The mana flow in the air was also highly unusual. There was stillness in the air, and natural phenomena seemed to have avoided this dark and obscure valley. It was as if the natural world was denying whatever existed within it and avoiding the secretive base at all costs.


    And most importantly... as Amon walked closer towards the valley, he could feel an odd, sinister mana.


    One that he''d felt a few times before after joining forces with Yue.


    Demonic magic.


    "Hehe, how do you like it? Think of it as an early birthday present!" Yue giggled delightedly as she pointed to the secret passageway that led deep into the recesses of the branch. "Now that you''ve condensed your Sixth Sun and Moon, I''m sure you are dying to try out your abilities!"


    "Not really..."


    Amon sighed and tantly lied. It was almost scary how well Yue knew his feelings, and the young teen didn''t want to admit it. Still, he didn''t have the heart topletely deny Yue''s words and continued by analysing the Demon Cult''s branch beneath him:


    "Judging from how there''s still some flora and fauna around, the corruption has either been contained, or the branch is rather small. From the amount of mana I''m feeling, I''m guessing this is a small satellite branch used for reconnaissance?"


    "Wow! How astute!"


    Yue wasn''t just praising Amon; she was genuinely amazed by his deduction abilities. Not only that, but his senses in detecting the mana within the hidden branch were astonishing, to say the least. Even as a magician, she could barely sense what Amon did.


    "It took Echelon a full week to investigate the inner workings of the branch, and you did it in a few seconds! I should have asked you to investigate them instead! It would have saved me a lot of gold!"


    "I''m unable to map the fullyout of the ce. I''ll still need your intelligence."


    Amon merely used his senses to guess the raid''s difficulty. His gut feeling was sorelyckingpared to aprehensive report from an intelligence agency like Echelon.


    "Haha, no need to be so modest! Your guess is mostly correct!"


    Rather than advise Amon to the contrary, Yue affirmed his conjecture: "The branch before us is just a satellite one. The Demon Cult is expanding its influence and creating bases all over the in preparation for the Cmities. While they are weak now, you know better than anyone the havoc they will cause in the future."


    "..."


    Amon nodded grimly.


    Over the past eight years, Amon and Yue have been sharing knowledge about the future. Amon would recite the contents of [Bright] word-for-word while Yue would show him pieces of her memory. When the Cmities fully take over, these small branches, seemingly harmless for now, would turn into massive headaches.


    Thousands of Demons would be summoned from them, while they served as nurturing and breeding grounds for the invading army. Destroying one base was easy, but when there were hundreds, if not thousands of them?


    It would be an impossible task.


    Hence, they needed to eradicate these branches while they still could.


    "If we take such a direct action, won''t we alert the Demon Cult?"


    "Not to worry, this is a small branch, one of many they are newly establishing. Most of the time, it''s used as an outpost between major locations. Even if it''s destroyed, they''ll just suspect that the Imperial Knights of Hyades found out about it or a wandering mage just happened to stumble across it. And besides..."


    Yue''s crimson eyes began to gleam dimly, seemingly reflecting the ascent of the gibbous Moon.


    "If you don''t leave any witnesses... how would they find out?"


    "... I''m guessing there are no innocents inside?"


    "Nope, I made sure to check!" Yue replied with a suspicious amount of glee. It seemed odd to see a young girl so callously allow her fianc¨¦ to go on a massacre, but Yue hardly cared about the visuals. "There shouldn''t be many cultists inside, probably twenty to thirty. But all of them are guilty as charged."


    "I see... Then I won''t have to hold back."


    Amon was still concerned about being used as a weapon to kill innocent lives as he did during his past life. However, members of the Demon Cult were either fanatics who yearned for chaos and destruction in the world or convicts who ran from thew and sought shelter in the arms of the bloodthirsty organisation.


    There was no need to grant mercy to any of them.


    "Then, I''ll begin."


    Amon took the map off Yue''s hands and memorised it after three full minutes of studying. Once done, he unsheathed his sword and dropped into the misty valley, disappearing from Yue''s visual acuity. But the magician was fully aware of Amon''s presence and location. He was casually strolling towards the entrance of the enemy base without a single care in the world.


    Watching his smooth movements as if he were going on a true evening stroll, Yue felt her knees weaken.


    "Hehe, fortunately, I''ve brought a recording crystal! I finally get to see one of the many legendary achievements Amon the Great made with my own eyes!!!"


    Yue was an Amon fangirl deep to her very bones. Amon had numerous legendary tales in her past timeline that could only be found in fairy tales. Those ''events'' were usuallypared to other great past heroes, such as the Sris Founder and the Sris Saint. One of Yue''s great regrets during her past timeline was how she could not witness all of those legendary tales with her own eyes.


    Which was why she wasn''t going to waste this golden opportunity.


    "This should be an A-ranked legendary tale!!! Amon the Great single-handedly destroys a Demon Cult''s base!!! I have to record this!!!"


    While Yue was busy setting up her magical video camera, Amon was long ahead of her, waltzing into the entrance of the Demon Cult''s base.


    Perhaps due to its remoteness, none of the cultists would even suspect that someone would raid their branch. They ignored the security system entirely and were busy handling their own tasks. Most of them were fast asleep or gambling to pass the time.


    They were at most sentries and grunts stationed here until further instruction. But that''s not to say they weren''t strong.


    A few were physically enhanced with Demonic powers, while some were former Knights who found trouble with thew. There was even a magician amongst them, probably a heretic who experimented with forbidden magic.


    It was a decently equipped base with a fine bnce capable of repelling an attack by a legion of Knights.


    However...


    BOOOOOMMMMM!!!


    A thundering explosion ripped through the underground base, causing aftershocks and rocks to fall from the ceiling. Themotion instantly awakened the cultists, many pausing as they looked towards the exit of their base. However, none of them even suspected an invasion.


    Their first thought was that an earthquake had urred.


    But their suspicions were quickly shattered as yet another explosion resonated around their base; this time, the sound was getting closer. Those stationed near the door had a mixture of reactions. The astute ones figured something was amiss and armed themselves immediately, while thezy ones stood back and waited for theirpanions to deal with the disturbance. Unfortunately, their sloth would prove to be their demise.


    One final explosion shattered the mist barrier that protected the branch, unveiling the young teen who wielded a mundane steel sword. The teenager''s ebony ck hair fluttered with the wind generated by his sword sh as his golden eyes stared emotionlessly at the guards before him.


    Was it fear? Anger? Confusion? Or did they feel insulted by Amon''spleteck of regard?


    It was likely a mixture of those emotions. The first guard brandished his sword and rushed straight at Amon frantically. His attack had numerous openings, and he used a technique that Amon could describe as inelegant. But it didn''t matter.


    Amon disappeared from the guard''s field of view and reappeared behind him in just a fraction of a second. The sword in the guard''s hands shattered, and his body was cleaved cleanly in half from the shoulder down to the waist.


    In less than half a second, Amon had imed the life of one cultist.


    And he wasn''t done.


    Before anyone else could react, he disappeared from the guards'' field of view again and beheaded the other one with a spear in his hand. It was so fast that the remainingzy guards only blinked once, and they saw their twopatriots with their bodies severed.


    Realising their peril, they attempted to pick up their weapons to fight back, but s... it was far toote.


    Amon pointed his finger at them once, and they bothbusted into a pir of me. Utilising the Six Suns within him, the young Sris didn''t need to cast magic to create fire. Just sending out his Sr mana was enough to make most living creatures with no mana protection burn at ten thousand degrees.


    There was nothing that the cultists could have done to stop Amon''s siege.


    All four of the guards were disposed of in two seconds t.


    "..."


    And yet, Amon wasn''t impressed by his achievement. No, to be exact, Amon felt nothing about killing four cultists. No emotions flowed in his head as he was programmed from his past not to care about such things.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    At this moment... Amon Sris was reced with Number 23.

 Chapter 25: Eight Years Later (4)

    <h4>Chapter 25: Eight Years Later (4)</h4>


    "I-Intruder!!!"


    Echoes of the cultists'' cries resonated within thepact base, sending every single one of them into a heightened state of anxiety. Most of those stationed here weren''t the elites of the cult, and only a select few hadprehensive battle experience. Hence, they weren''t well-equipped to deal with such an unexpected crisis.


    Not that it mattered to Amon.


    Moving like a fish in water, Amon waltzed through the narrow corridor, swinging his sword effortlessly. With each sh he made, an entire cultist''s body would be cleaved in half. Sometimes, they do it from the waist up, and other times, they do it straight down from their foreheads. The surviving cultists were gobsmacked by the scene they were witnessing.


    One moment, theirpatriots stood tall, ready to repel their intruder. The next moment, half of their bodies were cleanly cut through, leaving nothing but flesh and guts spilling out.


    The scene was so gruesome that some cultists attempted to escape, which was a wise decision. But unfortunately, Amon wasn''t in any state to render mercy. Those who turned their backs towards him instantly burst into a ball of me. The heat was so intense that rocks began to melt, and the mes permeated into their organs in a split second, effectively cooking them alive and leaving no room for survival.


    In ast-ditch attempt to survive, the remaining cultists rushed towards Amon with frantic movements, hoping to do some damage to the young teenager at least. But s, Amon was simply two steps ahead of them.


    His feet were light as if he were an ace ballerina performing on a sold-out stage. The movements were so swift that no cultists could follow Amon with their naked eyes. Some could vaguely sense his location, but before they could even react, Amon''s de sliced through their necks.


    Realising that their opponent was too fast for them, one of the cultists made the intelligent move to cause the ceiling to fall above Amon, hoping to bury him with rocks and render himpletely immobile. Unfortunately, that was a useless move as well. With one swing of his de, an immense force pushed the falling rocks away, smashing into the person who made them fall in the first ce.


    And finally, with all their options exhausted, they attacked all at once, hoping to overwhelm the young man with a single, omnidirectional attack. s...


    Whooooshhh!!!


    Amon spun his de around and, within milliseconds, escaped the cultists'' bombardment, leaving thempletely clueless about his mysterious movements. However, it didn''t take them long to realise what Amon had done.


    All of their weapons shattered into pieces. Some saw theirpatriots'' bodies severed cleanly, while others saw their world turn upside down as their heads rolled on the floor.


    When it came tobat, three factors reigned supreme.


    Speed, power and technique.


    If onecks the speed to keep up with their opponents, they can always rely on their power and technique, and the same could be said about the other two factors. Finding a swordsman who had trained in all three disciplines was difficult, and finding someone who excelled in them was even harder.


    But Amon was one such rarity.


    With his overwhelming speed, power and technique, Amon was easily the best fighter in the building. These cultists, who were mostly fanatics or ex-convicts, didn''t stand a chance.


    ''Only three left.''


    Amon thought to himself while wiping the blood off his sword. Only a few minutes had psed since he''d entered this base, and his de had in most of the cultists. Utilising his heightened senses, he could clearly make out the figures of three individuals in the final room. Much to his delight, they seemed to be standing still, as if they were patiently waiting for his arrival.


    ''At least they''re not attempting to run.''


    While it wouldn''t be difficult for him to chase them down, it would take much more effort, especially if they chose to run in different directions. As powerful as he was, Amon couldn''t clone himself or split his body into three parts. Having them grouped together was the ideal situation for him.


    Hence, Amon confidently barged into the final chamber of the cultists'' base with a firm spartan kick.


    And the first thing he saw brought a silent chill to his core. Over a dozen dead bodies were ced on top of each other like a pyramid, forming a ritualistic ziggurat that was made with flesh and bones. Blood dripped down from the structure made out of human parts, dousing the deathly ce in a putrid odour that could only be described as nauseating.


    Among those dead bodies were vagrants of all ages¡ªelderly, middle-aged, able-bodied and even children. The sick cultists didn''t discriminate when it came to choosing their victims.


    And finally, Amon''s golden eyes dted at the sight of the sinister idol nted in the middle of the ziggurat.


    A Demonic symbol, one that thrives on death and suffering, was absorbing the human sacrifices like a famished beast. The sinister energy it emitted decayed all manner of life in Hyades, and the mana it produced waspletely out of this world. The smell alone was enough to make a regr human hurl their guts, let alone theplete dissonance it produced just by existing.


    Amon''s eyebrows twitched slightly while he witnessed this scene, but he quickly regained his wits.


    Why?


    Because of the quick dual der rushing towards him at an unbelievable speed.


    There was no need for Amon to guess; it was likely a cultist who had trained extensively as an assassin. His speed and utilisation of the element of surprise were exemry. He waited until Amon waspletely distracted by the sacrificial site beforeing in from the shadows. He may havended a solid, clean hit if it were any other Sris Knight.


    But Amon wasn''t any ordinary Knight.


    Without even bothering to dodge, Amon swung his de skywards in a counter-attack, taking full advantage of the opening the assassin gave. Amon''s sword sliced through the cultist''s body, creating a singr line of blood and flesh from his abdomen to his neck.


    In a single strike, he dispatched the fanatic and kicked the dead body away. Then, Amon''s eyes wandered towards the final two individuals still alive in this disgusting Demon Cult branch.


    The more eye-catching of the duo was the two-metre-tall giant wielding a spiked two-handed war club. The leathery-skinned man was built like a boulder, his massive muscles bulging from his tight cultist uniform. Each step he took carried significant weight, and the ground shook as the cultist approached Amon with an angered expression.


    "Who the fuck are you?! Why are you attacking us?!"


    The impulsive man barked at Amon, seemingly confident he could get some information from the young teen that way. However, Amon was wholly disinterested. His eyes moved to the other man in the room, a sickly-looking middle-aged gentleman draped in schrly robes. There was fear in the cultist''s eyes, and the warrior cultist''s bodypletely hid him.


    But Amon knew that the man was far from weak.


    The mana hidden within the sickly-looking cultist was obscene, and it was corrupted by the Demonic energy that gued the ritualistic idol. It only took one look, and Amon could deduce who was responsible for the mass sacrifice to create that Demonic idol.


    Wasting no time with words, Amon moved to strike his prey. Amon''s feet moved faster than before, repositioning him into the perfect ce to slice the two cultists in half and end the raid instantly. But for the first time this evening, Amon''s sword found some resistance.


    nk!!!


    Amon''s strike was blocked by the warrior''s war club, forcing his de back a few metres. For a brief moment, Amon felt a tinge of shock wash down his brain. And that''s when he gave the muscr cultist a second look.


    Red energy seeped out from every pore of the man''s body, coating his skin with ayer of translucent armour. But it wasn''t limited to his massive frame; the enormous spiked war club was shrouded with energy too, and the mysterious force created a gravity which ultimately repelled anything that dared to face its wrath.


    ''Aura user...''


    Amon clicked his tongue and cursed mentally.


    Just like how there were different tiers of magicians, Knights were very much the same. However, Knights weren''t ssified by how many circles they had but by how proficient they were at using their mana.


    For instance, the essential ability a Knight had to learn was circting their mana. The following few levels were how to strengthen their bodies with mana, imbue their weapons with mana, and fight using their mana-empowered weapons.


    However, the next level differentiated the regr Knights from the Elites.


    The ability to condense mana outside one''s body and use it as a weapon.


    Aura.


    Aura allowed Knights to stand toe-to-toe against magicians who could create tornadoes and split the sea. They gave Knights power beyond human imagination, allowing them to do the impossible.


    The difference between an Aura user and a non-Aura user was extreme. It was akin to the difference between a toddler who was just learning how to walk and a world champion sprinter. Due to the absurd properties of Aura, there was practically nopetition. In a one-on-one battle where both users bet their lives on the line, an Aura user would always win against a non-Aura user.


    So, to encounter an Aura user in this remote Demon Cult branch...


    ''How unlucky.''


    "Hmph! I can recognise those features anywhere! You''re a brat from the Sris House! I don''t know how you found us or why you''re raiding us alone, but you''re out of luck!"


    Being born into the Sris House was both a blessing and a curse. Their signature ck hair and golden eyes were proof of their noble bloodline, but it also served as a fingerprint. Anyone who saw Amon''s features would instantly piece together that he was from the Sris House.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    ''I will need to invest in some disguise tools.''


    Amon was wholly disinterested in the viin''s monologue as he considered purchasing disguises for future infiltration missions.


    "Now that you''ve seen our faces don''t me me for killing you, kid! No one can know of our mighty organisation''s existence until..."


    Before the massive cultist couldplete his sentence, Amon rushed in with yet another sh. This time, he moved at double the speed, hoping to catch the man off guard. However, the cultist knew Amon''s antics and blocked his attack again with his massive club.


    "Tch, fucking brat!!! Don''t you know how to listen?!"


    The warrior cultist''s red aura intensified by two folds and smashed into Amon''s de. The power within the attack was enough to shatter boulders and tear down an entire house. However, Amon withstood the siege.


    "Hmph! You seemed to be pretty skilled! But it doesn''t matter! In the face of absolute power..."


    Just as the cultist was ready to enter another monologue, Amon shut him up with a new attack. Amon didn''t bother to target his weak points this time and went with a simple thrust. Mana was assembled into a singr point and pierced into the warrior''s thick Aura. Unable to withstand the direct force Amon generated, the cultist flew backwards by a few metres, only to regain his wits while baring his fangs for all to see.


    "You motherfucker!!! I''ll kill you!!!"


    The cultistpletely snapped. Brandishing his weapon, the two-metre-tall giant leapt into the air, bringing his spiked war club down like a smite from the heavens. Coated with his dense Aura, it was an attack akin to aet falling from outer space and smashing violently onto the floor where Amon once stood.


    Debris flew everywhere, and a crater formed beneath the cultist''s feet. The residue Aura he''d generated spewed violently, causing a mini-storm to brew within the final chamber.


    Amon narrowed his eyes and calmly observed the cultist as he retracted his war club and savagely spewed venom at Amon once again: "Bastard, you move quickly! But..."


    The warrior leapt forward and swivelled his club like a maniac let loose. With his Aura, speed and power, each strike would be fatal ifnded directly on Amon''s unprotected body. Hence, Amon was wary of keeping the club out of reach while using his superior footwork to dance around his opponent.


    "Without Aura, you''re just a brat waiting to be killed! So just give up and let me crush your skull!!!"


    By this time, the pair had exchanged dozens of strikes. The warrior cultist was getting impatient, and his strikes became more frantic. However, even with so many openings, Amon could not pierce through the man''s dense Aura defence. If it continued, there would only be one of two conclusions.


    One, the cultist would run out of Aura and exhaust himself, giving Amon the perfect opportunity tond the finishing blow. Or two... Amon would be crushed under the pressure, and his life would be seriously jeopardised.


    But Amon didn''t like either of those options. Hence, he created a third one.


    ''I didn''t want to reveal this, but I guess I have no choice...''


    Amon widened the distance between the cultist and himself with a single leap and pivoted his sword back, changing his stance. The mana within him was reaching a boiling point as his eyes began to glimmer in a brilliant golden hue.


    His opponent assumed that Amon had simply given up and ran head-first like a charging bull, ready tond the finishing blow. However, the man''s attack never materialised. Why?


    Before the cultist could deliver his all-out strike, his entire body was pierced through. The spiked two-handed war club in his hands shattered into dozens of pieces, and his tensed muscles were now losing gallons of blood by the second. Falling to his knees, all the warrior could feel was an intense heat searing through his wounds and making his soul melt with absolute submission.


    And right before his eyes, all he could see was the youngd he''d once belittled, shrouded in a divine golden coat of pure mystical Aura.


    "F-Fuck... You were... an Aura user... too..."


    The cultist breathed hisst words as he fell silently onto the ground, and ironically, thest light he would see in his life was the brilliant glow of Amon''s nascent Sr Aura.

 Chapter 26: Eight Years Later (5)

    <h4>Chapter 26: Eight Years Later (5)</h4>


    Amon watched as the massive cultist dropped to the ground with rtive disinterest. There was a tinge of disappointment in his ethereal golden eyes, seemingly unwilling to admit that he could not beat the cultist without the help of Aura. Nevertheless, Amon didn''t beat himself too much over it. Wiping off the blood on his de, the young yer turned his attention to thest remaining member of the Demon Cult''s secretive base.


    "P-Please! S-Spare me! I-I''m just a mage they captured! I-I don''t know anything about this ce!!!"


    The middle-aged schrly man quivered in fright while shaking from his knees. His unkempt and unshaven beard would make one think that he indeed was a prisoner of the cult and he was nothing more than a man hoping to escape from this hell.


    "I-I promise! I-I won''t breathe a word about what happened here! J-Just let me walk, and..."


    However, Amon wasn''t going to fall for that ruse. Without even waiting for the man to finish his sentence, Amon''s de mercilessly sliced through the cultist''s neck,pletely severing his head. For good measure, the young Sris sent out a surge of Sr mana,pletely incinerating the cultist''s body from head to toe.


    It was a clean disposal of trash.


    The work was done. Amon had annihted an entire Demonic Cult base.


    And yet... There was a deep, unsettling feeling stirring within Amon.


    As someone who lived and died by the sword in his previous life, Amon was tuned into danger to a degree that no other human couldpare to. Even though all of the cultists had perished, even though he had personally beheaded thest enemy and even though he had spread his senses to every corner of the base to check for enemies...


    There was something amiss.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Amon could feel it in his bones.


    And sure enough, after a brief moment''s pause, sinister astral smoke broke free from the incinerated magician''s corpse. The smoke billowed at a rate akin to a mini-tornado, forcing Amon to leap backwards in caution. However, the fog didn''t endanger Amon; instead, it rushed towards the ziggurat made by human sacrifices, activating the sinister mana within.


    Amon''s golden eyes were instantly mystified by the gory scene of the idol melting into the offerings, all while the Demonic idol was greedily devouring the sinister fog.


    [Boy... Who the hell are you?]


    A face highly bearing the features of the deceased magician manifested itself within the billowing smoke, sending out a disturbing voice that resonated throughout the final chamber.


    [You came into our hideout... killed our followers... all for what? How did you even know about our organisation?]


    The remnant soul of the cultist wondered to himself while the Demonic presence within the chamber became all the more prominent. Amon would have obliterated the soul of the cultist if he had the means to do so, but unfortunately, he hadn''t developed any abilities that could directly attack a soul. Hence, he was forced to wait and listen to the deceased magician''s ramblings.


    [No matter... You may have killed me, but I will bring you down with me... The offerings we''d gathered were initially meant for the Great Rapture, but you have left me no choice...]


    Mana overflowed from the Demonic idol as the human offerings had fully been sucked into the whirlpool of Demonic energy. At the same time, the fog reached for the warrior cultist''s dead body, pulling the corpse and its two-handed spiked war club in.


    The symphony of Demon energy, human sacrifices, and finally, the magician''s soul and the warrior''s body concocted a potent soup of despairing power. Finally, a metaphysical ''door'' opened, linking the Demon Realm to Hyades.


    [Behold, arrogant Sris... The summoning of a Greater Demon... You will pay for your sins in full...]


    Those were thest words Amon would ever hear from the ghostly fog. Entirely falling into the abyss, the magician''s soul fueled the final ritual, turning the idol and human sacrifices into a door that would summon the profane.


    Demonic mana poured into the warrior cultist''s corpse as a new soul was being inserted within. The corpse''s physical appearance began changing. Firstly, it grew to twice its original size. The already defined muscles became more prominent, and the sinister energy turned itsplexion blue. Tusks grew out of the elongated mouth while mystical beads wrapped around the corpse''s neck, wrists and ankles.


    Finally, as the energy settled, the Demonic mana condensed into a thick coat of Aura covering the Greater Demon. Just by existing, heavy pressure was mounting onto the floor and walls, creating visible cracks that extended throughout the base like a miniature earthquake.


    The temperature dropped by a few degrees as thunder crackles wreathed around the massive beast. Only when the smoke cleared did Amon get a good view of the Greater Demon summoned to deal with him.


    Blue-skinned Oni.


    Humanoid Demons that were more akin to behemoths and humans. They possessed tremendous physical power, absurd amounts of mana, and superb agility. Not only that, they were hyper-aggressive and viewed any fleshy creature as a meal, even their own kind.


    Thus, when the Blue-skinned Oni saw Amon''s tall, meaty body, its jaw lodged apart, causing a tremendous amount of drool to fall.


    ''How annoying...''


    Amon thought to himself while reading its stance, ready to react if it decided to pounce. Even after decimating an entire Demon Cult''s base all on his own, he had to deal with a Greater Demon, a foe that would even give a squadron of Guardian Knights a run for their money.


    Lightning coils crackled around the mammoth war club, giving the Blue-skinned Oni a truly imposing appearance. But that wasn''t the end of it.


    BOOM!!!


    The Demon leapt forward at speeds the human eye couldn''t follow, crashing straight into Amon''s position. Fortunately, the young Sris had anticipated the strike and made a superb move out of the way, sending the Blue-skinned Oni crashing into the wall.


    As a result, the wall meant to protect the Demon Cult branch was entirely destroyed, shaking the foundations of the fortified base within milliseconds.


    ''Aura lightning... How troublesome... If I had known this would have happened, I would have killed the mage first.''


    Amon once again cursed out mentally at the bomb the magician cultist had left him. Creating Aura was already a challenging endeavour. Yet, there was another level above that. Turning Aura into a pure elemental strike. Aura elemental strikes were far more powerful than their magical counterparts. In many ways, they were more destructive, versatile and, most importantly... could rip apart a Knight''s Aura protection.


    Long story short, the fight''s difficulty has spiked exponentially, and Amon was facing a foe ten times more powerful than the measly warrior cultist who was adept at using Aura.


    "ARGHHHH!!!"


    The Blue-skinned Oni growled, and a shockwave flew towards Amon. He could deflect the strike using his Aura, but that was only the beginning. The Demon followed up on its attack by swinging its club frantically, sending lightning tendrils flying out in all directions. Amon was forced to evade the strikes, but its speed and haphazardness made it hard to predict and escape all the lightning bolts.


    Hence, Amon had to use his Aura to block a number of the strikes.


    ''Pain...''


    Amon mentally cursed as he felt his body shake each time he blocked an Aura lightning bolt. The Blue-skinned Oni was living up to its reputation as a Greater Demon. Its force, speed and mana pool were all superior to anyone, or anything, that Amon has faced in this lifetime.


    And yet, Amon remained calm.


    Observing the Demon, Amon skillfully manoeuvred through its attacks, eventually finding a pattern in its erratic movements. Eventually, Amon found the perfect opening andnded a clean hit onto the Demon''s muscr body, creating a blood-filled faucet dripping down its armpits.


    "URGHHHHH!!!"


    The Blue-skinned Oni cried out in pain. It probably didn''t expect to be injured during its short excursion into the other realm, and the Demon''s face rapidly changed from a hungry beast ready to feast to a furious brute hell-bent on revenge.


    It charged straight at Amon with great anger, its feet causing miniature earthquakes with every step. The Aura lightning continued to pose a problem as it mercilessly struck Amon''s body, wishing to rip the young man apart.


    Fortunately, Amon''s technique, footwork, and aura prevented the Blue-skinned Oni from doing any real damage. But, should this pattern continue, Amon was bound to be injured. Therefore...


    Amon gave up on holding back.


    ''Die, Demon...''


    Closing his eyes, Amon utilised the Nine Suns Heart Mantra to trigger all six of his internal ''Suns'' awake, creating a smooth flow of energy that ignited Amon''s Aura tenfold. The mana that Amon emitted was so imposing that even the Greater Demon felt appalled. It held back its attack while cautiously observing Amon''s power as it changed its assessment of what it thought was an easy meal.


    In a battle between twobatants, mana wasn''t everything.


    Of course, having a deep pool of mana helped, but how someone uses the mana was far more critical. And the Sris House knew that very well. The Sris Founder wouldn''t have been able to y Dragons, entities with infinitely more mana than humans, if he had just relied on his mana.


    Hence, throughout the years, the Sris House has perfected and fine-tuned a signaturebat style,bining the sr mana of the Golden Dragons with swordy, footwork, and martial arts techniques.


    They called it the Sris Mystic Arts.


    To this day, the Sris Mystic Arts remain amongst the premierbat styles, powerful enough to allow a regr Sris Knight to fight against multiple Knights on his or her own level and versatile enough to be used in any type of ordeal.


    And against this Blue-skinned Oni...


    Just one strike was enough.


    ''Sris Mystic Arts...''


    Mana filled the young Sris'' body as Aura seeped from his pores. The Aura started to heat up, instantly raising the chamber''s temperature by multiple degrees. Fiery mes surrounded Amon as the Aura he unleashed was enough to create a furnace hot enough to melt metal.


    Just like how the Blue-skinned Oni was able to convert his Aura into Aura Lightning, Amon was able to do much the same. Aura Fire congregates around the young Knight, forcing the Greater Demon toprehend what it has gotten into.


    Amon''s Aura Fire was by no means weaker than the Blue-skinned Oni''s Aura Lightning. In fact, in many ways, it was far denser and explosive. Just the pressure emitted from the Aura Fire was enough to bring the Greater Demon to its knees, let alone being hit directly by it.


    Within a split second, the Greater Demon had made its decision.


    It had to escape.


    But s, how could Amon let it simply run?


    His eyes gleamed with a mesmerising hue of deep gold as if the Sun had been captured and melted into liquid amber. Vast amounts of mana that hid within Amon were unleashed at that moment, creating an explosion of despair and anxiety within the Blue-skinned Oni''s soul.


    The Six Suns within Amon simultaneously activated, creating a symphony of great golden fire that ignited around the Sris youth. This was Amon unchained, free from the shackles that bound him into hiding his strength. Amon unleashed the power he''d obtained from the Sris House in a righteous fury.


    "Dawn..."


    And with a point of his sword...


    ... the Sun appeared.

 Chapter 27: Eight Years Later (6)

    <h4>Chapter 27: Eight Years Later (6)</h4>


    In the heart of the secret valley, a ce so remote that it would take days for the nearest settlement to reach, therey a silent, tangled wreckage. Charred remnants of the hidden base broke free from the fortified hideout as flickering embers warmed this freezing evening.


    The air was thick with the acrid odour of flesh and bones, a lingering reminder of the massacre that had unfolded. Not a single soul remained, as scattered throughout the clearing were a mixture of shattered stone and burnt bodies. Wisps of fiery lights continued burning whatever remained of the wreckage, a fine reminder of the cataclysmic event just moments prior.


    At the centre of the destructiony the epicentre of the devastation¨Ca gaping crater, its edges scorched and ckened by the intense heat. Molten rock bubbled to the surface, hissing and clicking, a testament to the infernal fury brought upon by Amon''s strike.


    About a third of the Demon Cult''s base was incinerated by the young Sris'' one move. Traces of human sacrifices and the abhorrent idol that fed on their suffering were wholly eradicated. The bodies of the cultists were burnt beyond recognition, and the final chamber, which seemed to have held the highest level of protection, was reduced to nothing more than rubble.


    As for the Greater Demon that Amon fought...


    "Grrrr..."


    It was on its final leg. Dropped t on the floor, the vast majority of its body was cooked alive. Its mana had been drained as it attempted to protect itself from the fiery st. And if that didn''t kill it, the gaping hole which was opening from its chest to its waist was enough to seal the deal.


    Contrary to the Greater Demon''s physical state, Amon was perfectly unscathed. Even after being forced to use all Six of his internal Suns, the Sris youth didn''t look any worse than before. Casually walking over to the massive beast with an empathic expression, Amon''s golden eyes observed the Blue-skinned Oni for the final time.


    It was inplete tatters, and even if Amon didn''t do anything else to it, it would lose thest embers of its life in a few seconds. s, the seasoned killer never left anything to chance.


    Amon beheaded the dying Greater Demon with one clean swing of his de, ending the final remnant of the Demon Cult''s branch.


    With his work done, Amon sheathed his sword and gazed up at the opened sky. His attack had blown open the ceiling, unveiling the glorious moonlight brightening the sky. It wasn''t at the peak of dusk yet, so Amon could still see remnants of the Sun setting, creating a beautiful symphony of daylight, starlight and moonlight.


    Amon couldn''t sense any other adversaries nearby. The danger he''d felt tingle down his spine was nowhere to be felt, meaning the Demon Cult branch had been neutralised. Heaving a sigh of relief, Amon rxed and watched earnestly at the rising Moon.


    But his view was quickly blocked as, from seemingly nowhere, a divinedy levitated down through the opening,nding softly next to the baffled Amon.


    "That''s amazing, Amon! Your Sris Mystic Arts have grown much stronger! To think that you could kill a Greater Demon in one strike!"


    "... I was lucky."


    To bepletely honest, Amon was stunned as well. After condensing his Sixth Sun, He knew he would have enough power to defeat stronger enemies. However, to have so much destructive power that he could one-shot a Greater Demon? It was outside of Amon''s calctions.


    In some ways, he was even disappointed by his victory. Amon had spent the past eight years mastering every aspect of a warrior. Be it increasing his mana pool or perfecting his sword techniques. However, the most important facet that Amon trained extensively in has always been control.


    Amon could only keep his identity and true strength under wraps due to his intricate attention to detail and inability to waste a single drop of mana whenever he was executing his strikes.


    And yet, he had broken his cardinal rule. Amon had lost control over his power and unleashed his Sr Mana into the first Sris Mystic Art he''d just executed. While it had soundly defeated his enemy, Amon had caused far more destruction than he''d intended.


    Yue''s ruby eyes beamed in glee while skipping around the stoic young man and observing his every move. Smiling delightedly, she replied:


    "You know... Sometimes, to keep something under control, you''ll have to let it loose asionally. Even a tame dog will turn rabid if you don''t bring them out for a walk."


    "... What do you mean?"


    "There''s no need to worry about losing control over yourself there. Humans aren''t perfect, Amon. And neither are you! After obtaining your Sixth Sun, it''s normal to experience such explosive force!"


    "That''s true... Thank you..."


    Amon waved his hand and agreed with the statement of heavenly beauty. In his opinion, there was much for him to learn, but otherwise, it was a perfect mission. They''d neutralised the entire hidden base without sustaining any injuries, and no witnesses were left to report about Amon''s hidden strength.


    "So what now?"


    "Hmmm? What do you mean?"


    "What are you going to do about this ce?"


    The former Transcendent asked a question regarding the destroyed base, knowing that the devastation here would cause major bacsh from the Demon Cult. In addition, it may have been a smaller branch, but vital information worthy of being extracted and investigated was still present.


    "Ah, if you''re worried about the information gathering, I''ve collected everything while you were on your rampage."


    "..."


    For the first time tonight, Amon was genuinely astonished. Although he was busy massacring the cultists, his senses had been scouring the entire base throughout. And while he did sense Yue following after him, he couldn''t sense her extracting documents or investigating anything.


    But he wasn''t going to argue with her. After all, asking a follow-up question would lead to another trap where she could find ways to tease him. Amon hadn''t been idly sitting by while Yue teased him for eight years. He now knew a thing or two about how he should treat the girl.


    However, Amon was too naive, for Yue was one step ahead of him.


    "During your birthday, I will arrange for Bane toe and retrieve the information from me."


    "..."


    Hearing that name brought a chill down Amon''s spine. Amon didn''t feel such anxiety even when single-handedly facing off against a Greater Demon, and yet, the mere mention of that one name brought shivers all over his toned body.


    "... Must hee? We could always send it over using encryption or even get a runner."


    "Hehe, you still can''t get used to him? He''s the one who gave us the location of this base. The least you could do is give him a report."


    "..."


    Amon furrowed his brows and didn''t answer. He folded his arms in akimbo, desperately trying to hide the twitching in his face. He knew very well that Yue was trying to tease him again, knowing he was ufortable with Bane. However, Bane was a crucial part of Yue''s intelligence-gathering capabilities, and losing him would be a tremendous blow to their fight against the Demon Cult.


    Eventually, the young Sris caved in and replied:


    "Fine... Just this time..."


    "Hehe, don''t worry! I will be there to help you throughout!"


    "Yeah..."


    Amon sighed and shook his head.


    "So... What are we going to do about the base? Can we leave it half-destroyed like this?"


    Amon then raised a more vital question. While they were going to decimate the Demon Cult eventually, Amon and Yue, as well as the organisations they''d built up, were still too weak to face the higher executives of the Demon Cult in battle yet. Currently, they still have the element of surprise up their sleeves. The Demon Cult doesn''t know that anyone knew their existence, let alone that anyone was targeting them.


    With that in mind, the destruction of this branch would trigger rm bells in the executives'' minds, and Amon would like to avoid it.


    Fortunately, Yue had a solution for that as well.


    "Nope, we''re going to destroy it fully! If the base werepletely destroyed, the Demon Cult would just suspect a natural disaster struck."


    "Oh? Are you going to use your magic to achieve that?"


    "I''m d that you asked!!!"


    At Yue''s sudden high-pitched cry, Amon unknowingly took two steps back. His eyes twitched while hers sparkled. Grabbing a hold of Amon''s hand, Yue excitedly said:


    "Hey, Amon... I told you that asionally, you would need to let loose, right? How else could you keep your massive power in check?"


    "... so?"


    "Hehe, you showed the power of your Six Suns. But you''ve yet to reveal your Six Moons." Yue skipped backwards with a mischievous smile. "And of course... you have yet to show me what happens when you mix those two together."


    "... you know everything, huh?"


    Amon wore a defeated expression as he solemnly replied.


    Yes, the Sris Mystic Arts weren''t the only techniques he''d learnt over the eight years. With his ownprehension of his Lunar mana and utilising his past life''s techniques, Amon created a new set of Mystic Arts.


    Aptly named the Lunar Mystic Arts, it used Amon''s Lunar manapressed by the Nine Moon Heart Mantra to create powerful abilitiesparable to that of the Sris Mystic Arts.


    The Sun and the Moon.


    Two entities that lived in perfect harmony within Amon''s body and soul.


    And if he mixed the two together...


    "Alright, stand back."


    Amon gave up resisting and decided to destroy the base in one strike. After all, if Yue already knew everything, there was no point in hiding his trump card. Furthermore, if he dyed further, they would have beente for dinner, and he didn''t want to miss his mother''s signature chicken pot pie.


    Drawing his de once more, Amon gathered his mana from within. The Six Suns and Moons orbited around the young warrior, creating an optical illusion that his surroundings had be one with Outer Space.


    Gravity was non-existent in this imaginary realm as heavy rocks and scattered debris began to levitate in ce. An unweighted pressure mounted on every loose rubble, further destroying them into little pieces. Amon''s Aura spiked to a degree where it was as luminescent as the waxing Moon, with a brightness only beaten by the dying Sun.


    Energy was running rampant, causing the entire ruins to shake violently for the second time. The broken remnants of the base continued to shatter just by being in the presence of Amon''s Aura, and yet, the young warrior had no intention of slowing down.


    Fully unleashed, the great golden Aura was now mixed with a silver one. Both of them existed inplete bnce, each magnifying the other. They continued to merge and split like avamp, continuously boosting each other until they reached the sky. And finally... Amon opened his eyes.


    His right... was dyed golden.


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    His left... was dyed silver.


    The powers that merged within Amon, which had been constantly suppressed for the longest time, were now fully empowered. And now... they were ready to be unleashed with a vengeance.


    [Eclipse]


    On that day, the hidden valley in the middle of nowhere vanished. It took the Demon Cult weeks to realise that something was amiss, and when they sent their scouts to investigate, they could only widen their eyes in horror. The ravine waspletely destroyed, and in its ce, a massive crater the size of a mountain remained.


    Unable to identify the cause, the Demon Cult hypothesised that a meteorite crashed into the valley, causing the senseless destruction that decimated their satellite branch.

 Chapter 28: The Protagonist (1)

    <h4>Chapter 28: The Protagonist (1)</h4>


    In an extravagant ballroom with opulent statues and chandeliers, dozens of well-dressed individuals walked around with champagne sses slipping through their fingers. The event was grandiose as it wasvish, with numerous servants walking through the venue with great elegance, refilling empty sses and replenishing the innumerable tiered servers with delectable Charcuterie.


    Skilled musicians yed soothing music on their instruments, creating a tremendously calming sound for the event''s backdrop. Many impressive individuals merrily sauntered around the event hall, shaking hands and brushing shoulders against theirpatriots and fellow rtives. All of them were draped in noble robes, with some patching on imposing badges, glorifying their past aplishments in full view.


    Amon''s parents, Aaron and Maya Sris, were of great interest.


    Great individuals, such as a Sun Knight who served as a Marshal who protected theirnds or the Sris Vice-Chancellor, an administrator who dealt with all the internal affairs of the Sris House, went forward to shake the couple''s hands.


    The fortingnessrgely shook Amon''s father and froze upon their introductions. As a result, it became Amon''s mother''s responsibility to enter into cordial conversations with those great people. Maya''s friendly vibe particrly enamoured the Vice-Chancellor. While their merry conversation continued, she was secretly scheming how to get Maya to join her division and fill the gaps in her employment.


    So, what was the man of the hour doing if his parents had their hands full with the honoured guest?


    "Hehehe,e on! Wear a smile! You look prettier with a smile on your face!"


    "..."


    "Come on! Smile for me, dearest brother of mine! It is your special day!"


    "..."


    "Hey, don''t bother Amon too much! You know that he''s shy! Besides, only I can tease him like that!"


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Hehe, I know that, Sister Yue! But can''t you share the love?"


    Amon stood ill at ease in one corner, sandwiched by his sister and fianc¨¦e. Dressed in an impably tailored suit prepared for this special day, Amon seemed like a fish out of water. asionally, he would fidget on the spot, trying his best to make himself morefortable, but it was useless. Amon wasn''t used to being dressed formally, as a training vest suited him far better. His usually genteel demeanour was being struck down with each passing minute as he ufortably sipped on his champagne, desperately trying to hide from the curious nces the passers-by were shooting.


    On the other hand, his twopanions seemed to fit in like a glove.


    First, his younger sister Arya. At sixteen, Arya had bloomed into a stunning flower that would turn heads whenever she walked. While she was also used to training attire, the teenage girl wasn''t a stranger to dresses and makeup.


    Much to her vivacious attitude, Arya wore a charming sapphire dress draped elegantly from her shoulders and cascaded down in delicate folds to the marble floor. Embroideredces with outlines of a Hydrangea adorned her bodice, significantly highlighting her fit figure. Not just that, sparkling rubies crystalised themselves all throughout the expensive design, making one wonder how on earth such a young girl who had yet to work for a living could afford such a luxury.


    Fortunately, Amon didn''t need to wonder any further.


    "Of course I can! Did you forget who bought you that dress?"


    "Nope!" Arya leapt excitedly forward, wrapping her arms around Yue''s. "There''s no way I''m forgetting my favourite sister-inw!"


    "... you keep up with that sweet talk, and I will have to buy you a dozen more dresses!"


    The word ''sister-inw'' was a critical hit for Yue. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of her union with Amon was that she got to know this charming little imp called Arya Sris. Yue was an only child and barely had any friends her age to gossip and y with; hence, when she treasured the rtionship that Arya and her shared, so much so that she was willing to spend a fortune to pamper her future younger sister.


    "Hehe, this one is plenty for now! I''m still growing, so buying more dresses would be a waste. After all, unlike yourself, I''m not as... developed."


    There was a little bit of scorn while Arya whimpered those words. She red at Yue''s dress, and her upbeat face quickly turned sour. And well, Amon could sympathise.


    Yue''s choice of gown for the ball was... tititing, to say the least.


    Just like Arya, Yue had gone for a luxurious ball gown. However, unlike Arya, the young woman''s choice of clothes was far more revealing, particrly in the chest department. It was a pearly white dress without any straps, which plunged her neckline daringly low, allowing anyone to view her delicious swan-like white neck.


    The gown''s bodice showed an intricate embroidery of a golden dragon, seemingly announcing to the world that she belonged to the Sris family. The fabric was tightly wrapped around her waist, sensually revealing the impable curves that all models strived to achieve.


    Layers of sheer tulle cascade down from the waist, creating a dreamy, cloud-like effect that adds to the gown''s romantic allure. As Yue glides across the ballroom floor, the fabric floats around her like a veil, revealing glimpses of her slender legs with each step.


    Intricateces weaved themselves over Yue''s bosom, highlighting her heaven-gifted assets. A translucent shawl attempted to cover those biological weapons, but it was useless. Multiple men of all ages, some even defied their wives'' disapproving gazes to sneak a nce at the divine fairy which graced the hall.


    And yet, despite the revealing neckline, the gown had an air of royalty and elegance, bncing boldness and purity in perfect harmony. No one in the venue would think Yue was a mere eighteen-year-old woman, and no one treated her as such.


    Yue''s mature demeanour was enough to make everyone revere the young woman, and with the evening ball gown at her disposal, many were downright intimidated by her.


    Arya was the same too. If not for her previous experiences with the heiress of the Elune House, she wouldn''t have been sofortable around the goddess of a woman.


    "Hehe, there''s no need to worry! Just look at your mother; I''m sure you''ll grow up to be just fine."


    Yue attempted to defuse the situation with a gentle tease, but it only poured salt on the wound.


    "It''s fine, sister Yue... I know my limits. Besides, if they grew too big, it would be harder to swing my sword."


    Aryaforted herself, much to the dismay of Yue, who could only twitch the sides of her mouth while prompting for Amon''s help. Amon sighed and then walked over tofort his sister.


    "Don''t worry, Arya. Most men won''t care about your chest. Your sword skills are enough to attract them."


    "..."


    "..."


    An awkward silence hung in the air after Amon''s words.


    "That''s notforting in the slightest!" The young teenager protested as her face blushed crimson. Stomping her feet in distress, the young girl stormed away while spewing venom at her brother: "Hmph, you insensitive jerk!"


    "..."


    "Ahhh, you went and did it..."


    Yue whistled, half in amusement while the other half in embarrassment, as she watched Amon fail.


    "You don''t understand a girl''s heart, do you? During times like this, you should just tter her or pamper her."


    "... what good would that be?"


    "You would improve her mood! Hah... I still have much to teach you before we get married!"


    "..."


    Amon gave up and sipped his champagne with an abashed face. Over the past eight years, he has been learning from Yue how to be a better person and how to read the emotions of others. Unfortunately, it seems he was nowhere near his intended result and could only rely on Yue''s further guidance.


    "Well, since it''s your birthday, I''ll let it slide for now. But I''ll be doubling your training starting tomorrow, so be prepared!"


    "... give me a break."


    Amon nced into the champagne ss and saw bits of his reflection. That''s right, today was Amon''s eighteenth year in Hyades. In the Sris House, when one turns eighteen, it was a signalling of theiring of age. Also, the Sris and Elune House partnership regarding the Mana crystal vein was fully operational, with the infrastructure built and the business n being implemented.


    Amon''s birthday wasn''t just a big deal for his family and himself but also for the Sris House as a whole.


    Multiple big shots from both families were in attendance. They were all present, from the Sris Vice-Chancellor to the Elune House''s Ambassador. However, Amon didn''t care about building rtions.


    For him, his eighteenth birthday was significant for a more important reason.


    ''The events of [Bright] will begin this year.''


    It was finally time for the tales he''d read from his previous life to begin formally. Over the past eight years, he had been heeding Yue''s advice and hadn''t lifted a finger to stop the tragedies preemptively. But that didn''t mean he had been idle.


    Alongside Yue, Amon has been actively creating organisations that could help in the final battle, from an intelligence agency that rivals that of the Republic''s Intelligence unit to a mercenary troupe that gathered promising talents and groomed them into elites for the sole purpose of massacring the Demon Cult.


    In addition, Amon has been assisting Yue in building up their wealthwork, creating businesses that could feed their expensive operations.


    However, the most crucial thing that Amon has been preparing... was increasing his own personal power.


    After condensing his Sixth Sun, Amon had enough mana to contend with a Pir Knight, cing him among the top one hundred Knights in the Sris House. If he unveiled his Sixth Moon, he may rank among the top twenty. But that wasn''t enough for Amon.


    Amon needed to be stronger against the Cmities that were bound to happen with the start of [Bright]. And most importantly, as Yue mentioned, he needed help if he wished to defeat the Demon Cult and end the Cmities once and for all.


    And for that, Amon needed the help of one person.


    The person the world''s fate relied upon, the person who had initially served as the Hero of Hyades in [Bright], and the character that Amon had strived to chase.


    ''The Protagonist... He will be returning to the Sris House soon.''

 Chapter 29: The Protagonist (2)

    <h4>Chapter 29: The Protagonist (2)</h4>


    Amon''s birthday party proceeded smoothly. Most of the higher-ups were socialising amongst themselves, and on asion, they would reach out to Amon and Yue, who were mostly in their own worlds. Knowing the power of connections, Yue would guide her future husband through these social interactions, but it became painfully clear that Amon was doing more harm than good.


    He often appeared disinterested and couldn''t keep eye contact for more than ten seconds. Other times, Amon would scare the higher-ups with his scary, impassionate face, creating a certain distance between himself and the rest of the guests. Even though it was technically his birthday party, Amon was the only one being ostracised.


    Fortunately, Yue was by his side the whole time, mitigating the situation while forging rtionships with the higher-ups. The two were inseparable, making everyone at the party already deem them as a married couple. Some had even mistakenly asked Yue whether they were having kids yet, even though they have yet to tie the knot.


    These small talks made the couple look endearing in the older generation''s eyes, and many were touting them as the future of the Sris and Elune Houses, respectively. Naturally, Amon cared nought about praises like those and only wished for the elongated party to quicklye to a close. And, his wish was about toe true.


    "Ahem... Everyone, may I have your attention!"


    While Amon was wrestling with the mental fatigue of interacting socially, a booming voice resonated through the massive, ornate hall. Everyone''s attention turned towards the empty stage, where one individual stood tall. Handsome and distinguished, the old man didn''t look as frail as other men his age as he donned a well-tailored golden-white cashmere suit, highlighting the solid frame he''d built as a swordsman.


    Although his full head of hair had turnedpletely white, the intensity in which his golden eyes burned signalled that he was in the pink of health. Confidently strutting to the centre stage, he scanned the room with great pride, puffing his chest out while stroking his well-endowed beard.


    At that moment, Amon locked eyes with the eminent man, drawing a pearly white smile from his perfect set of teeth. Even though they had met many times throughout the eight years, Amon still couldn''t escape the unnerving feeling the Sris Lord bestowed upon him.


    Condensing his sixth Sun and Moon helped, but Amon couldn''t fathom beating Alrock Sris. This showed how powerful theter cmities were if even Alrock Sris, the strongest Knight on the, perished.


    Amon unknowingly strengthened his resolve and pledged never to getcent, for he was still far from his goal. However, Amon''s change of expression brought greater joy to the Sris Lord''s face as he misunderstood his intentions.


    "Thank you all foring to this party!"


    Alrock''s voice echoed once again.


    "I know that many of you are here for the free wine and cheese."


    Thatment drewughter from the crowd, but it quickly died down as the Sris Lord continued:


    "Today is a celebration of the blooming rtionship between the Sris and Elune House. A celebration of ourpleted railway and new business. A celebration of our strengthening ties. But most importantly, it''s a celebration of youth."


    Alrock raised his ss towards Amon, prompting everyone to move their gazes towards him.


    "Today is our dear Amon''s eighteenth birthday! Society dictates that a young''un bes an adult at this age, but Amon has ignored that norm. He joined the Knight''s Academy when he was ten and graduated top of his ss in three years, the fastest anyone has done in thirty years!"


    The Sris Lord beamed in glee as he recited the speed at which Amon graduated from the Knight''s Academy. In the Sris House, graduating from the Knight''s Academy was a prestige; generally, it took many fledgling Knights ten to twelve years to graduate.


    Amon did it in three.


    "After he graduated, he sted through the ranks of the Knights, fullypleting missions of all difficulties. Whether it was killing Demonic Beasts or providing aid during disaster relief, Amon has perfectly upheld his duties to the Sris Code of Conduct and Honour."


    Alrock couldn''t help but rain down praises on Amon. When he''d first heard of the boy, the Sris Lord didn''t know how to feel. Yue Elune was an important asset, yet she chose a random nobody as her marriage partner. It was natural for Alrock to feel apprehensive.


    At the very least, he hoped Yue would have chosen one of his direct descendants or rtives, but her mind was set on Amon. Initially, Alrock was confused by that fact. However, after seeing the young boy constantly surpassing all expectations, Alrock was forced to admit that he was short-sighted.


    "And at seventeen, Amon has condensed his third Sun, joining the ranks of the True Knights as their youngest member!"


    Alrock''sst sentence drew many whistles and gasps from the crowd. Many knew about Amon''s feats during his time in the Knight''s Academy, and they knew him as the future husband of the Elune House''s heir. However, they failed to recognise how talented Amon was.


    And who could me them?


    Amon didn''t wish to announce his achievements to the world, and the Sris House didn''t feel the need to publish them either. Hence, even though on paper, Amon had condensed his third Sunst year, this was the first time anyone outside his close circle of connections heard about it.


    A seventeen-year-old True Knight.


    While it wasn''t unheard of, it was a rare urrence. The younger one broke through the walls; the higher one could climb. Every member of the Sris House who had condensed their third Sun before twenty would go on to be generational monsters, each with the potential of bing as strong as the Sris Lord.


    "As the one who leads the Sris House, I must say, the future looks bright with Amon around! When the timees, I can retire in peace!"


    Alrock''s finalment drew even more gasps than before. Many insinuated that Alrock was looking at Amon as a potential heir and looked at the young teenager in a different light. Others were stunned that the Sris Lord held Amon in such high regard.


    However, only a select few watched their patriarch with solemn eyes.


    Those who knew of Alrock''s past knew he was once enamoured with a young man who had once shown insane potential. There was another before Amon was the youngest True Knight in modern times. He was the one who held the record for the fastest time to graduate from the Knight''s Academy before Amon. Also, the man touted as the next Sris Lord after Alrock.


    That man was none other than Lucas Sris, Alrock''s very own firstborn son.


    s, eighteen years ago, Lucas Sris vanished after failing a mission, never to appear again. No one knew where he went, and Alrock didn''t share any details. Any records of Lucas Sris were wiped clean, as they presumed that he had passed on. However, some remembered. And they believed that Alrock was projecting his dead son on Amon.


    "So let us raise a ss to our dear Amon! Happy Birthday, young''un!"


    "Happy Birthday!!!"


    At the Sris Lord''s signal, everyone present raised their ss in ecstasy. Their minds were whirling from all the details Alrock revealed as they believed Amon was on the fast track to bing the next Sris Lord. Some were scheming to get closer to the young man to secure his trust.


    The only one who didn''t share everyone''s excitement was the person they were toasting to.


    "... Cheers."


    Amon''s voice drowned by two octaves as he epted the congrattory remarks. He could feel the hyena gazes greedily staring him down and the room''s atmosphere changing. Amon had be the centre of all attention in no time, and everyone''s eyes were locked on him.


    "Hoh... You have reached your popr phase, huh? I don''t know how I feel about that."


    Feigning to be bothered, Yue rested her white palms on her cheeks, giving her future husband a piercing yet teasing side-eye.


    "... Do as you please."


    At that moment, Amon didn''t have the energy to fight with Yue and could only watch begrudgingly as the Patriarch of the Sris House trod towards him with an innocent smile. Without even trying to hide his discontent, Amon sighed and asked:


    "My lord... Why did you have to do that?"


    "Haha, Amon my young''un! Today is your special day! You can drop the honorifics! Just call me Grandpa Alrock as per usual!"


    "Okay, Grandpa Alrock... Why did you do that?"


    When Amon graduated from the Knight''s Academy a few years back, the Sris Lord requested that Amon be less formal with him. Initially, Amon refused, fearing that being close to Alrock would bring him more trouble. Eventually, Amon relented to calling him informally whenever they were in private. But now that Alrock has announced their close rtionship to the world, Amon didn''t need to keep up with pretence.


    Supposedly stunned that Amon readily agreed immediately, Alrock was taken aback for two brief seconds. However, he quicklyposed himself and exploded withughter.


    "Amon, my dear young''un. Do not be too annoyed with me. I did it for your sake!"


    "... How so?"


    "I know you like to keep your affairs private, but unfortunately, your quiet life was sealed the day we announced your engagement to the other young''un over there. And now that our partnership with the Elune House has entered the next phase, your privacy will also bepromised."


    "..."


    It was to be expected. Even before today, Amon has been receiving bothersome requests from members of high society and journalists. With the Sris-Elune partnership now formally established, they would begin selling the Mana Crystals in earnest, creating one of the most lucrative businesses in the market.


    And the bedrock holding this partnership alive was Amon and Yue''s engagement.


    "My announcement today is to help you keep some of that privacy. That young''un over there has the protection of Yugor, as she will be his heir. However, there is no such protection for you. Your father''s status as a Guardian Knight is not sufficient. As you know, some of these people can be quite relentless and brutal."


    "So... you will be my protection?"


    "Precisely."


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    Alrock smiled while resting his massive palm on Amon''s shoulder.


    "It may not be much, but my name will at least deter anyone from messing with you. I know you have no interest in the Sris Throne, but this is the only way to give you strong backing. Besides, I never said I would make you my heir. I just worded it such that they would think that way."


    The Sris Lord winked yfully. Over the years, he hase to know Amon''s personality very well. Amon has no desire to take over the Sris House as his focus is on improving his skills for the uing Cmities. Of course, Alrock didn''t know that, but he could see how disinterested Amon was in power and influence.


    "Of course... If you ever decide to have a go for my position, we can discuss it at ater date."


    Amon rolled his eyes but didn''t breathe a word. The position of the Sris Lord didn''t interest him one bit. Yes, it came with prestige and influence, but overall, it was more of a burden than an asset. Alrock could sense the young man''s annoyance and shed his brightest smile yet. Leaning in closer, he whispered in a voice only both of them could hear:


    "Also... Once all these cumbersome matters are settled, let''s have a duel, you and me. Ah, and don''t bother hiding your strength."


    For the first time this evening, Amon looked genuinely shocked. He distanced himself from the intimidating man and stared into his golden eyes. Resisting the urge to clench his fist, Amon''s voice wavered as he replied:


    "... What?"


    "You hid it well, but you severely underestimated my senses. I didn''t be the Sris Lord through luck, you know?"


    "..."


    Amon paused, unsure of whether he should reply. Amon was confident he had hidden his true strength well, and the Golden Dragon Progenitor, Yval''s blessing, was still active. As powerful as Alrock was, it was still unbelievable that he could pierce through all thoseyers of protection to unveil Amon''s real power.


    "From how stable your mana flow is, I presume you have already condensed your Fourth Sun. And the ease inpleting your missions is uncanny, especially when you tackle those missions alone."


    Luckily, Alrock''s following words lifted the heavy boulder off Amon''s chest. The Sris Lord couldn''t fully pierce through his protections; instead, he used his senses and deduction ability to determine that Amon was hiding his strength. Not to mention, Alrock could only guess that Amon was at his Fourth Sun, not the Sixth that he was actually at.


    "An eighteen-year-old who has condensed his Fourth Sun, that''s an achievement that hasn''t been seen in centuries. If your true strength were revealed, the whole world would take notice. So, I understand your apprehension and why you have hidden some of your powers."


    "..."


    Amon kept quiet and was happy to let Alrock continue down this line of misunderstanding. If Amon revealed his actual cultivation level, one could only imagine the elderly man''s utter shock. He might die of a heart attack right then and there.


    "However, a young''un is still a young''un. There are things that the Knight''s Academy doesn''t teach since there hasn''t been anyone quite as talented as you for centuries. So moving forward, you will need a good teacher to show you the ropes."


    At that point, Amon finally realised why Alrock asked for a duel. It turns out that the old knight was just itching for a disciple.


    "Besides..."


    "M-My Lord!!!"


    However, just as the Sris Lord was about to formally request Amon to fall under his tutge, a loud exmation reverberated through the massive dining hall. Amon moved his attention to the exit, only to see the familiar vassal Knight who served Alrock running straight at them.


    "Hawk... Can''t you see that I''m busy?"


    "Y-yes, my lord! B-But, this is urgent!"


    "Hah... What happened?"


    "T-This... I think it would be better if you saw for yourself..."


    Sir Hawk took a moment to calm himself before gesturing at the door. As if waiting for that moment, two hooded figures appeared from the corner and carefully edged closer to the Grand Hall. One stood at 1.9 metres tall, while the other was shorter by a full head, at 1.7 metres. The hood covered both of their faces so no one could see their expression and attire, but from how they carried themselves, anyone with half a brain could tell they were seasoned warriors.


    Their appearance didn''t stir a storm, but there were various curious eyes. However, audible gasps could be heard when the taller one removed his hood throughout the amphitheatre.


    His prominent red hair, streaked with strands of silver, glowed with the dazzling lights from the chandeliers above, framing a countenance marked by years of hard-fought battles. His piercing brown eyes created an invisible sphere of intimidation, bringing anyone who locked eyes with him to their knees.


    Every scar in his rugged features told a heroic story, such as when he single-handedly defeated a thousand Demonic Beasts or when he charged into danger to save hisrades from certain death. Anyone who knew about Knights would have heard of this man''s chivalric conduct. So it came as no surprise when someone recognised him immediately.


    "Isn''t that Sir Arthur Pagiel? The Head of the Holy Church''s Pdin Order?"


    "What is he doing here? He rarely leaves his duty of guarding Hyarum."


    Sir Arthur Pagiel.


    The current strongest Knight of the Holy Church and the highest-ranking Pdin. Tasked with protecting Hyarum, the Holy Land where the Pope and Saint reside, the Pdin was widely considered one of the most excellent defences the Holy Church had. While the world was rtively peaceful, it was rare for such a person to leave Hyarum, even for a day or two.


    And no one knew it better than Alrock Sris.


    Twitching his eyebrows, the massive man walked over to the red-haired Knight and asked:


    "Sir Arthur, it has been a while."


    "It has been a while indeed, Lord Sris." Sir Arthur lowered his head into a slight bow before raising it again to meet Alrock''s eyes. "Thest time we met, Lucas was still here."


    "You... Sure have guts... Saying his name in front of me."


    There was a reason why Alrock was annoyed by the Pdin''s presence. Sir Arthur wasn''t just the Head Pdin of the Holy Church; many moons ago, Sir Arthur was also his eldest son''s best friend. Nay, they could be called sworn brothers. Adventuring together, ying Demonic Beasts, saving lives... They were the epitome of a Knightly Brotherhood.


    And Sir Arthur... was also with Lucas Sris when he disappeared on a mission.


    Seeing the red-haired Knight only reopened old scars Alrock thought he''d closed. Controlling the urge to kick him out, the Sris Lord folded his arms and raised his voice.


    "You better have a good reason foring here, dampening our festive mood."


    "... I apologise for the sudden visit, and please continue your celebrations after I''m done. Don''t worry, it won''t take long."


    Everyone listening in on the conversation was confused, and rightfully so. The sudden appearance of the Head Pdin has thrown a whirlwind into the Grand Hall. However, two individuals looked at each other, not confused butpletely shocked.


    Escaping from the Sris Lord''s side, Amon grabbed Yue and dragged her right in front. When they both saw Sir Arthur Pagiel, their eyes widened, prompting Yue to send a telepathic message.


    [This can''t be! Why is Arthur Pagiel here? Shouldn''t he appear with ''him'' in a few months?]


    [I don''t know... Perhaps we somehow changed this timeline. They decided toe now instead of waiting until Grandpa Alrock''s birthday.]


    [If that''s the case... does that mean?]


    [Yeah... That guy behind Arthur Pagiel...]


    Everyone''s eyes were focused on the Head Pdin casually conversing with the Sris Lord. But Amon and Yue knew who the night''s real star would be.


    The second hooded figure remained silent as the two mighty Knights conversed, but he eventually stepped up when called upon.


    "Lord Sris, I didn''t mention Lucas'' name without reason. I came here not as a representative of the Holy Church but as Lucas'' friend. You may not believe me, but Lucas is still alive, and he has entrusted me to hand you his legacy."


    "IMPUDENT!!!"


    The Sris Lord hollered, sending a wave of directed energy straight at the Head Pdin. A golden Aura encased the elderly man while torrents of air rushed out. The ground cracked beneath him, and the chandeliers were shaking. However, even with all that mana being released, no one other than the Head Pdin felt Alrock''s power.


    Facing the wrath of the greatest Knight alive, even Sir Arthur Pagiel couldn''t keep a straight face. An invisible pressure forced the Pdin to bend his waist while bracing for the potential impact of a direct attack.


    "I don''t know where you get the courage, but did you think you could antagonise me in my home and get away with it?! Has the title of Head Pdin gotten to your head, young''un?!"


    "L-Lord Sris, I..."


    "Do you have a death wish?!"


    Alrock was just moments away from pping the insolent Head Pdin onto his knees until he begged forgiveness. Lucas'' disappearance was a ck stain in the Sris House''s history, even more so for Alrock, who loved his son dearly.


    However, just before the Sris Lord could raise his fist...


    "Stop!!!"


    The second hooded figure leapt before Sir Arthur Pagiel, spreading his arms wide to protect the man. The youthful voice caught everyone''s attention, but no more so than the man threatening to punch his face. Alrock paused for a moment as an unfamiliar sensation crept into his soul. However, anger got the better of him, and he barked:


    "Scram!!!"


    Alrock sent a wave of air pressure flying at the shorter individual. It had enough force to knock out a grown man or, at the very least, send them flying to his knees. However, the shorter individual stood his ground. All the air pressure did was brush back his hood as a trail of blood dripped down the individual''s mouth.


    The Sris Lord was surprised that his attack was so easily withstood and was ready to send a fist flying before he noticed something peculiar. With his hood pushed back, Alrock could now clearly see the man''s face.


    And that face... brought a stop to the Sris Lord''s wrath.


    Beneath that hood was a young, handsome man, no more than sixteen. His tousled locks of blonde hair cascaded in sun-kissed waves, framing a face of striking symmetry and boyish charm. Each strand seemed to dance in the breeze, adding a touch of ethereal grace to his already captivating appearance.


    His eyes were reminiscent of the ocean, a deep cerulean blue that held a depth and intensity quite unlike his rtively youthful exterior. It felt like all of the''s water was condensed into two blue marbles and carefully inserted into his mesmerising pupils.


    But it wasn''t his hair or eye colours that stopped Alrock.


    The teenager had prominent facial features that highly resembled the Sris Lord. A strong sculpted jawline, high cheekbones with a dimpled smile, and a nose that seemed to be lifted directly from Alrock''s bloodline. It felt like the Sris Lord was looking at a younger, more handsome version of himself. And well, that face wasn''t unfamiliar to him.


    This boy... was a spitting image of his eldest son.


    "... L-Lucas? I-Is that you?"


    "No... My name is not Lucas Sris."


    Even though the teenager was facing one of the most powerful entities in the world, even though his internal organs were damaged and the pain he''d experienced was excruciating, he didn''t cower in fear or hide behind his mentor. In a stunning act of bravery, he stood up to the Sris Lord while protecting a person he cared for, regardless of whether he was too weak to face his opponent.


    At that moment, a thunderbolt struck Amon''s spine. He had read this scene repeatedly in the first book of his favourite story. It was like a die-hard fan watching his favouriteic booke to life. No matter how difficult the odds were, no matter how high the hurdle was, this young man in front of him never gave up. Like a cockroach that refused to die, the young man would always get back up against indomitable odds to fight for what''s right. He would save millions of lives and be the epitome of what a hero was like.


    Amon held his chest as he could feel his icy heart begin to beat rapidly. At this moment, he realised... the prologue had beenpleted.


    It was now time for the main story.


    And the protagonist of this story... was proudly announcing his name.


    "My name is Leon Bright!"

 Chapter 30: Leon Bright (1)

    <h4>Chapter 30: Leon Bright (1)</h4>


    Five years before Leon''s return to the Sris House.


    Hyarum.


    The Capital of the Holy Church and the most sacrednd in Hyades.


    Numerous religions have existed throughout humanity''s history. Some worshipped ancient Dragons, and others worshipped Demon Lords from the outer realms. However, the Holy Church was the most prevalent religion that has always stood the test of time.


    Why?


    Because the deity they worshipped was none other than Hyades herself.


    Blessed by the Goddess Hyades, followers of the Holy Church could channel divine powers, capable of performing feats beyond any magician''s imagination. They were the executioners of the Goddess'' will, the arbitrators who enacted justice, and the''s defenders against extraterrestrial threats. Even the Sris Saint, said to be the most powerful human being of all time, once served under the Holy Church, worshipping Hyades as they worked hand-in-hand to repel the Demon Invasion.


    As humanity''s oldest religion, the Holy Church possessed endless resources and wealth.


    Gold-ted cathedrals, diamond-encrusted statues, tinum walls which repelled any intruder imaginable... The list of resources the Holy Church possessed was endless.


    However, even within Hyades, some ces were more beautiful and ornate than others. Two young figures could be seen frolicking about the inner sanctum, a mysterious holy ground that only a handful of individuals would ever see.


    A young boy, with his tousled locks of blonde hair and eyes as blue as the summer sky, dashed through the flowerbeds with boundless energy, a mischievous grin lighting up his face. Light on his feet, the boy waltzed through the intricate garden like a fish in water, expertly manoeuvring such that he didn''t damage a single de of grass.


    Behind him, a young girl was trailing behind. Her light brown hair brushed against her shoulders like a broom, gently dusting on her white cassock. Her face was flushed, probably from all of the running she had done. The redness in her cheeks starkly contrasted with the captivating emerald green in her eyes, tingling the hearts of any adults watching her.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Huffing and panting, the young girl hugged her knees and scolded the boy:


    "Leon! You''re running too fast!"


    "Haha, that''s the point of Catch, E! You''re supposed to grab onto me! That''s how you win the game!"


    "But... you''re too fast..."


    Tears were forming on the young girl''s pristine cheeks, sending an arrow flying into Leon''s heart. The kind-hearted boy couldn''t take his new friend''s outpour of emotions and casually moved forward to rub her cheeks.


    "Okay, okay! Don''t cry! Here, you caught me, alright?"


    "... CATCH!!! I got you, haha!!!"


    The young girl quickly tagged Leon''s wrist and immediately turned away, running in the other direction. Leon stood motionless for a few seconds, only to realise he had been yed like a fiddle. All this time, the girl called E was feigning crocodile tears just because she wanted to win the game.


    "Okay... I won''t show any more mercy!"


    "Hehe, I''m going to win the game!"


    E ran with everything she had, sprinting until her legs got sore and she lost breath. But even with her best efforts, she could see Leon gaining on her through the corner of her eye, causing her to lose focus and panic. That slight miscalction caused the girl to trip on her heel, spiralling her body onto the grassy floor.


    The impact came as a surprise to the ten-year-old girl. It took a moment for her to register the pain before real tears came flowing out from her crystal-clear emerald eyes. The young girl grabbed onto her affected knee, only to feel a viscous liquid gushing out. Twisting her body around, E saw the abrasion she''d gotten, and her fingers trembled with fear.


    "E! Are you alright?!"


    Without wasting a second, Leon dropped to his knees with genuine worry in his cerulean eyes.


    "L-Leon! It hurts!"


    "Okay, don''t worry! Leave it to me!"


    The first thing the young boy did was calm the sobbing E. Brushing on her luscious green hair, Leon reassured the ten-year-old before he tended to the wound. Reaching into his pocket, Leon got a handkerchief and carefully wiped the blood off. Fortunately, it wasn''t a severe injury but a minor abrasion.


    Through some magical means, water dripped from Leon''s fingers as he carefully washed the injury like his mother had taught him. Then, he followed it up by wrapping the handkerchief around E''s knee, tying a bow cutely to appease the crying girl.


    "Don''t worry, it''s over now! All we need to do is bring you to the clerics, and they''ll fix you right up!"


    "Really? It won''t hurt anymore?"


    "Hehe, don''t worry! Even if it does hurt, I will be here all the way!"


    "Really?"


    "Yeap! Are you able to walk?"


    "Mmmm..."


    E shook her head, unsure whether she should stand on two feet. While the pain had subsided quite a bit, the shock of falling remained with her. Not understanding her silence, Leon simply smiled and lifted his chest.


    "Okay! Not to worry! I''ll carry you, then!"


    "W-Wait!"


    Before the young girl could say anything, Leon pushed E onto his back and lifted her carefully in a piggyback carry. Standing firm and tall, the young boy ensured that the injured critter was nestled in before saying:


    "Okay, hold on tight! We''ll be at the cleric''s in no time!"


    "L-Leon! A-Aren''t I heavy?" E questioned, a blush staining her cheeks as she looked at the side profile of his face.


    "Haha, how could you be heavy?" The young boyughed merrily. "Compared to the weights Dad used to train me with, you''re as light as a feather!"


    "I-Is that so?"


    "Hehe, I never lie!"


    Leon dered from the bottom of his heart.


    Hearing the young boy''s words, E could feel her pulse intensifying, beating much higher than usual. Her face was getting hotter, and her body felt lighter. She felt embarrassed, yet the girl didn''t want to separate from her good friend. Instead, E clung onto Leon like a vine to a sturdy oak, making her grip so tight that moving was ufortable. However, Leon didn''tin. He was content to be her steadfast protector and, more importantly, help lighten the burden of her heart.


    As Leon carried E further away from the garden, two individuals watched intensely at their departed backs. Particrly Leon''s.


    Both individuals were about the same height, one slightly taller than the other. And surprisingly, the shorter one was a familiar face. The man who had recently been promoted to the position of Head Pdin and as well as the strongest Knight in the Holy Church... Sir Arthur Pagiel.


    "You have raised a good son, Lucas. Leon is more noble than many Knights twice or thrice his age."


    "..."


    The red-haired man tapped on his friend''s shoulder, who only stood solemnly as he watched his son walk further away. His ck hair, which should have been entirely pitch jet, showed strands of silver. Was it old age? Or was it from the stress he''d been undergoing? Perhaps it was abination of the two? Nevertheless, the once indomitable ck hair that was the signature of the Sris House was now thinning out.


    But his golden eyes remained ever so bright. Glowing fiercely with the light of an entire Sun, the middle-aged man indicated he wasn''t out of his prime just yet, as the atmosphere around him was no weaker than when he was called the Lion of Sris.


    Lucas Sris sighed and turned to his bosom friend.


    "Arthur... I''m sorry that I had to burden you with my troubles."


    "Hey, don''t worry! I know what you''ve been through! I can''t imagine this decision is easier for you than me."


    The two shared a brotherly moment as they locked eyes. Lucas looked defeated as he leaned onto a pir. Gazing up at the sky, he couldn''t help but remark.


    "Thank you, Arthur... I can''t reveal myself yet, not even to the Sris House. Aluria and I didn''t want to do this, but we had no choice. And there are few people we can trust; amongst them, only you have the power and influence to protect Leon."


    "... Have you at least told Leon?"


    "We have prepared him... The child may be eleven, but he''s much more sensible than his age suggests."


    Lucas attempted to rationalise himself, but his bosom friend could hear the despair hidden within his voice. Any father with a heart wouldn''t abandon his children, even if it meant giving an arm or a leg for them. s, Lucas was forced to this point.


    "Aluria was crying, not willing to part with Leon. But he was the one who keptforting her. Isn''t it funny? We are the ones being bad parents, and yet, we were the ones beingforted?"


    "Haha, I wonder who the real adult in the family is?"


    "..."


    Lucas remained solemn, but his gaze never once left the exit door. It was as if... he was saying one final goodbye to his beloved son.


    "If we don''t return in five years, send Leon back to the Sris House. My old man may be pig-headed, but he has a heart of gold. If you tell him that Leon is his grandson, as stubborn as he is, he won''t reject him."


    "Okay, what about his training?"


    "Fortunately, Leon is talented as a Knight. I''ve already trained him in the basics of the Nine Suns Heart Mantra. Plus, he''s picking up on swordsmanship well. The only thing that we can''t teach him yet is the Sris Mystic Arts."


    "That''s why we must bring him back to the Sris House..."


    Arthur Pagiel nodded in agreement. There were several reasons why the Sris Knights are considered an unparalleled force. Their dragon-blessed bodies were a big reason, but the actual reason why a Sris Knight was almost certainly more powerful than a regr Knight was their ability to utilise the Sris Mystic Arts.


    Even Sir Arthur Pagiel, the most eminent Pdin in the Holy Church, was jealous of their blessed lineage and powerful martial arts.


    "Well, that''s not the only reason."


    "Hmmm, what else is there?"


    "Sword Garden."


    Lucas replied with a little bit of yfulness in his voice.


    "All Knights of the Sris House will have to enter the Sword Garden when theye of age, and it''s a ceremony that onlyes once every five years. Leon is too young to participate this year, but five yearster, he will be just above the minimum threshold to enter Sword Garden."


    "Ahhh... I can see why you would want him to return then..."


    The Head Pdin gave a knowing nod. Arthur may not be a member of the Sris House, but even he knew about the prestigious Sword Bestowment Ceremony the Sris House conducted. Twice a decade, the Sris House would bestow promising Knights who wereing of age with treasured swords from the world''s greatest sword vault.


    Sword Garden.


    Precious swords of all shapes and sizes were stored there. Historical swords from heroic figures who shaped their generation. Powerful swords that were sharper than anything a cksmith could forge. And mythical swords that only appeared in legends.


    They were all being kept in Sword Garden.


    "Like any Sris Knight, Leon has the right to pick a sword from Sword Garden. My ipetence shouldn''t rid him of that right."


    "I understand..."


    "In the meantime, I will hand him over to you."


    "Haha, don''t worry! After all, the Archbishop has been seeking a friend for his precious granddaughter! Leon''s arrivales at a perfect time!"


    Lucas recalled the young girl he''d met previously and her bright smile while ying with his son. But more importantly, he remembered Leon''s bright smile when he yed with her.


    "No, I''m the one who should be grateful..."


    The former Lion of Sris warmed up, slightly smiling as he shook his head. With his sharp ws retracted, the middle-aged man looked like a tamed cat lovingly doting on his son.


    "If Leon could remain this happy for the rest of his life, I would be content."

 Chapter 31: Leon Bright (2)

    <h4>Chapter 31: Leon Bright (2)</h4>


    One week before Leon''s return to the Sris House


    In a vast, echoing training hall, shafts of sunlight streamed through high windows, casting beams onto the polished stone floor. The air was thick with the metallic tang of sweat and the rhythmic shing of steel against steel. At the heart of this arena, two figures danced with deadly grace, their swords shing in the light.


    On one side stood a tall and gant Pdin, a seasoned Knight with weathered features and a greying mane. His body was toned by the decades of muscle training he''d invested in himself. His expression was fierce and focused, revealing the numerous wrinkles that had umted over the years.


    On the other hand, his opponent was a young buck with entirely differing features. Shorter than the man by an entire head, the young boy looked right in the middle of his puberty, as not a single stubble of hair could be seen on his wless face. His golden hair glistened with sweat through the sunlight, creating the illusory effect of a sanctified halo.


    However, just like his sparring partner, the young teen''s blue eyes were dyed with a determined expression as he gave his all to the session.


    Their swords shed with a relentless flurry, creating major sparks that would have ignited any dry wood. Utilising a series of feints and well-timed strikes, the two training partners read each other''s moves and constantly shed, each unable to break the defences of the other.


    The older Knight struck like a well-oiled machine, measured and precise. The power that came with each blow was enough to hack a tree in half, let alone a sixteen-year-old teen. Meanwhile, the younger knight was as agile as a rabbit, dodging the stronger strikes by a hair''s breadth while parrying the weaker ones with his superior speed and reaction time.


    From an outsider''s viewpoint, the sparring match seems won. The older Knight was pushing the younger one back, as all the blonde teen could do was react to his opponent''s strikes. Not to mention, the older Knight was using his years of experience to gain the edge. He was fully aware of the younger teen''s superior reflexes and agility, yet the older Knight had better positioning and timing.


    However, those who knew the pair could tell... The sparring session was about to end soon.


    Just as the older Knight was about to strike an opening he''d thought was created, the youngster disappeared from his sight, prompting the seasoned warrior to panic. He rapidly turned around, only to sh an afterimage left by the blonde teen. And before he knew it...


    nk!!!


    The older Knight''s training sword flew through the air, rolling on the stone floor while sending metallic echoes throughout the hall. The Knight looked down at his disarmed hand and saw a sword pointed up at his neck. Unwitting, a bead of sweat rolled down his cheek as he met eyes with the youngster who bested him.


    "Well done, kiddo!" The seasoned warrior couldn''t help but praise the boy. "You beat me fair and square."


    "Thank you, Sir Patrick!"


    Leon withdrew his sword and sheathed it immediately. It was just a training session; there was no need for excessive force once his partner had surrendered. Bowing down in reverence, he thanked the senior Knight with great gratitude.


    "Your teachings have been invaluable to me! I would not have improved so quickly if not for your guidance."


    "Don''t be so humble; this old man didn''t do anything!" Sir Patrick bellowed out in a boomingughter. "In the month I trained your swordy, I didn''t teach you anything! You just improved all on your own... But still, to lose to a young fledgling Knight... Should I start considering retirement?"


    The jolly Pdin brushed his beard and remarked in jest. However, his sudden words threw Leon into a fluster.


    "N-No, Sir Patrick! Y-You''re still a powerful Pdin who can use sacred arts and Aura! If we weren''t just restricted to swordy, you would have defeated me within two seconds!"


    Leon''s whiteplexion was flushed entirely now, and it wasn''t due to excessive exercise. His heart was truly in turmoil, thinking that he had caused a Pdin he respected to consider retirement. Sir Patrick narrowed his eyes at the unsettled youth before truly breaking into a fit ofughter.


    "BAHAHAHAHA!!! You have a good heart, kid!" Sir Patrick tapped Leon''s shoulder and asked: "Do you want to join my squad? You''ll fit in like a glove with your talent and heart!"


    "Ermmm..."


    Leon would be lying if he said he wasn''t tempted. The Holy Church''s Pdins weren''t all managed under the same umbre. Some of them were defenders of Hyarum, while some were fighters who actively sought out evil in the world to destroy. Sir Patrick belonged to thetter.


    They were warriors capable of smiting evil with a divine hammer of justice, bringing order to a chaotic world. ying Demons and defeating heretics were just some of their daily tasks. And while their duties did interest Leon, it wasn''t his ultimate goal.


    Fortunately, someone was here to bail him out of this awkward situation.


    "Hey, Patrick. Don''t try to poach my protege behind my back."


    A red-haired,nky man spat as he approached from the sidelines. During the past five years, Sir Arthur Pagiel, Leon''s mentor and protector, immediately sprung into action when he saw his precious disciple being targeted by the vultures. Seeing the Head Pdin approach, Sir Patrick could only shake his head in pity as if he''d missed a golden opportunity.


    "Tsk, I''m not trying to do it behind your back. I''m doing it right in front of you!"


    "That''s even worse!"


    Arthur scoffed and rapidly shooed him away.


    "Okay, thank you for your assistance. You are dismissed and may return to your squad."


    "Hah... You''re just as hard-headed as ever!" Realising that Arthur was closing the doors, Sir Patrick made ast-ditch attempt to head-hunt his new talent.


    "Kid, if you ever get bored of doing drills with this boomer,e find my squad! Our doors are always open for you!"


    "Take a hint, will you? Scram! And who are you calling a boomer?! You''re older than me!!!"


    Only after Arthur finally snapped did Sir Patrick leave the training hall like a kid who had seeded in pranking his parents. Rubbing his temples, the Head Pdin deeply sighed and remarked: "He''s nearing sixty, and he''s still so childish."


    "Haha, that''s Sir Patrick for you."


    Leon chuckled as he waved goodbye to his training partner.


    "Hah... Well, at least he has done some good. Leon... Your swordsmanship has improved by leaps and bounds. If not for my promise to your father, I would have made you a junior Pdin by now."


    Sir Arthur Pagiel sighed as he observed the sixteen-year-old youth once more.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Possessing the rarebination of youthful vigour and knightly grace, over the past six years, Leon has grown into a dashing young teenager who would turn heads wherever he went. Standing at a height of 1.7 metres, he cut a striking figure, his frame lean yet sturdy, honed through hours spent in training and battle. His movements were fluid; every gesture imbued with the confidence of one who had mastered the art of swordy and chivalry.


    Leon carried himself with the regal bearing of a Prince withplete confidence and royal poise in everything he did. And yet, he possessed a heart of gold, with kindness that would warm a thousand cold stomachs. His smile could light up a bonfire, as his astonishing good looks would move even the most heartless individuals.


    A handsome man with apassionate soul.


    If there ever were a Prince Charming, it would have been Leon. And no one was more suited to be a Pdin who defended the Holy Church... than Leon.


    "Has the timee?"


    Leon questioned his mentor with widened eyes. Evidently, he was well aware of the Head Pdin''s ns.


    "It has been five years since you came to Hyarum. ording to my promise with Lucas, if he hasn''t returned to find you, you will have to return to the Sris House."


    "... must I go?"


    Leon protested with reluctance. The young teen had been living his formative years in Hyarum. Sir Arthur Pagiel''s constant care nurtured him, the kindness of the clerics and other Pdins of the Holy Church fostered him, and his close rtions with E gave him friendship.


    For him to give it all up and move to another country... was a terrifying thought for the sixteen-year-old.


    But Sir Arthur Pagiel was firm on his decision.


    "I promised your dad, Leon. Plus, you have been and always will be a member of the Sris House. Your rightful position isn''t in Hyarum but Solfea."


    "B-But!"


    "Don''t worry," the Head Pdin reached for the young boy''s head and affectionately petted him. "If you ever want to return to Hyarum to join the Holy Church Pdins, there will always be a spot for you."


    "Thank you..."


    Leon sighed heavily, understanding he could not change his mentor''s mind. Furthermore, as much as the Holy Church amodated Leon, he was just an outsider who hadn''t joined any Pdin Order. There was a limit to how much they could let Leon freeload.


    "My only worry is E... I don''t know how she is going to take it."


    The blonde teen''s voice turned sombre as he recalled his bubbly junior. Over the past five years, Leon had be quite close to his ydate, who was a year younger than himself. Leon had even promised to be her personal protector many years back, but that memory still blushed their faces whenever they recalled it.


    "Ehan will understand. She isn''t a Saintess candidate for nothing. And besides, it''s not like you guys will be separated forever. Who knows? Perhaps the Sris House would allow you to marry her when youe of age."


    "S-Sir Arthur!"


    Leon''s face flushed cherry red, prompting a heartyugh from the Head Pdin. At times like this, Sir Arthur was reminded of his protege''s youth despite his mature personality.


    "What''s wrong? Aren''t the two of you sweethearts despite the Archbishop''s annoyance?"


    "W-We aren''t like that!"


    The young man''s reaction became more animated by the second, wildly amusing his mentor. Ehan was Archbishop Araquiel''s granddaughter and a prime candidate to be this generation''s Saintess. On the other hand, Leon was the son of Lucas Sris, the former heir of the Sris House.


    On paper, the two were a match made in heaven. However, to Leon and Ehan, they were ymates who grew up fond of each other. They were aware of their feelings, but due to their immaturity regarding rtionships, they had no idea how to express them. Hence, their current awkward yet adorable situation.


    ''Ah, puppy love.''


    Sir Arthur blissfully thought. As much as Sir Arthur wished to continue teasing Leon, there was a limit, especially since the young teen''s departure date was approaching.


    "We will leave in a week. Initially, I nned to bring you during your grandfather''s birthday. But I will be busy after this month due to the rise of peculiar incidents."


    "Peculiar incidents?"


    "Yeah, there has been an increase in Demon sightings recently. And there have been some reports of scorched earth. There was even a sighting of a Sun appearing at night."


    "A Sun?"


    Leon became more confused as he heard the Head Pdin rant about his woes.


    "Yeah, thatst one should be a hallucination from a delirious camper. Nevertheless, there have been more disturbances than usual. Hence, I foresee myself being busy for the rest of the year. Since your father entrusted me to bring you to the Sris House safely, I hope you can understand that I have to bring you back ahead of schedule."


    "N-No! I should be the one apologising for inconveniencing you all these years!"


    "Haha, I''m d you understand. You will have a week to say your goodbyes and pack."


    "Okay..."


    Life seemed to be sucked out of Leon''s body as he unknowingly stared towards the West, where the Sris House was.


    ''The Sris House, huh? I wonder what I will find there?''

 Chapter 32: Leon Bright (3)

    <h4>Chapter 32: Leon Bright (3)</h4>


    A day before Leon''s return to the Sris House.


    The Outer Sanctum of Hyarum''s main cathedral, which had been quiet for weeks, was now bustling with life. Numerous Clergies, Priests, Pdins and even attendants swarmed the massive quadrangle, each with myriad expressions. Some were jovial and bubbly, while others were saddened and quiet.


    None wore cassocks, armour or formal attire, and many worefortable clothing that could only be described as loungewear. Yet, none of them cared. They weren''t here for a procession or a religious ceremony but to send off their friend and precious acquaintance.


    Leon Bright.


    "Leon! Have you packed everything?"


    A burly man in his thirties approached and pped the youth on his back. Leon coughed from the impact and held back his annoyance as he replied: "Sir Lambo... Your love taps are as intense as ever..."


    "HAHA!!! A real man would ept my ps with pride!"


    "Hah... You haven''t changed a bit."


    Leon has spent five years in Hyarum and has made numerous acquaintances. Sir Lambo was one such friend. As a Pdin who guarded the main cathedral, Leon had interacted with the freak of a man numerous times, and they had even trained together a few dozen times. In fact, the first Pdin that Leon met that wasn''t Sir Arthur was none other than Sir Lambo.


    And back then, his love taps were just as forceful.


    "But to answer your question, I packed long ago. My suitcases have been loaded onto the flying ship."


    "Flying ship? Wouldn''t it be better to use the intercontinental hypertrain?"


    "Sir Arthur advised against it. After all, he will be apanying me. If word gets out that the Head Pdin is leaving Hyarum, it could lead to unwanted gossip."


    "Ah, that makes sense."


    In the fantasy setting of [Bright], society wasn''t as underdeveloped as one may think. There were many modern modes of transport, such as self-powered magical carriages, ocean liners that could move acrossrge bodies of water, and even flying ships that cruised through the skies with magic.


    However, the fastest mode of transport was unquestionably the intercontinental hypertrain, a railway system connecting all of Hyades''s major cities. And that includes Hyarum and Solfea.


    s, using the intercontinental hypertrain provided as much privacy as a public restroom. It wouldn''t take long for people to catch wind of Sir Arthur leaving Hyarum, which could lead to mass spection and worry. Fortunately, during times like these, the Holy Church would provide discrete flying ships for high-ranking individuals to sneak out undetected.


    "Bahahaha, are you nervous?"


    "I would be lying if I said I wasn''t..."


    "Bahahaha, knowing you, you will be fine!" The burly man again gave Leon a love tap before bellowing out inughter. "The Sris House is a good ce. I even know a few Knights who owe me some pints there! They''re good men! If anyone bullies you, just find them and use my name! Otherwise, just give me a holler! I''ll head over and teach them a lesson!"


    "Sir Lambo..."


    Leon received the list of Knights who received favour from the Pdin with touched eyes. Leon didn''t have to receive any favour from any of the Pdins as an outsider. And yet, they were treating him as their own. Of course, the burly man wasn''t the only one.


    "Take care, Leon! Remember to send us some messages!"


    "Make sure you eat enough! You''re still growing! Here, take some bread we baked!"


    "Come back soon, okay? We will be waiting for you!"


    Clergies that helped Leon whenever he was sick or injured. Chefs who cooked his favourite meals throughout his stay in the Hyarum. Handmaidens who cleaned his room and assisted him when he was lost.


    They were all present to wave goodbye to their good friend.


    By the time he said farewell to all his acquaintances, his arms were full of gifts, from freshly baked goods to daily necessities needed for his migration. The atmosphere was warm and fuzzy, with many present beaming from ear to ear. And Leon had a bright smile on his face as well.


    However, there was one person who didn''t possess such jubtion.


    A young teenage girl stood silently at the back of the crowd as she drew circles on the floor with her toes. Unable to raise her face, the adolescent girl continued to glue her eyes on the ground, drawing the ire of her handmaidens-in-waiting.


    "Mistress Ehan! If you continue to dilly-dally, you''ll miss your chance to say goodbye to Leon!"


    "Leon is going to be gone for a long time! Are you sure you want to let him leave on a sour note?"


    The two simrly-aged girls chided their mistress, who was still awkward, to express her feelings. Ehan''s face instantly burned red as her bodynguage expressed innumerable emotions.


    Shame of letting her friends read her thoughts. Panic that she was about to lose her final chance to say goodbye to Leon. And most prominently, the unwillingness to let her bosom friend and childhood love go.


    Over the past five years, Leon hadn''t just be a friend to Ehan but a faithfulpanion. A confidant she could confide in when work and studies became overwhelming. A friend who constantly yed with her whenever she felt lonely. A protector who always looked out for her physical and mental well-being.


    And as much as she was too embarrassed to admit it...


    Leon was her first and only love.


    When Ehan first heard Leon would leave Hyarum and return to the Sris House, she was depressed for many days. Throwing tantrums and refusing to eat, as if a hunger strike would change Sir Arthur''s decision. Ehan wrongly presumed that her status as a Saintess candidate was enough to force Leon to stay in Hyarum and never to leave her side.


    Ultimately, Ehan was just a brat throwing a tantrum. Sir Arthur''s mind was set, and not to mention, Ehan knew she was just being selfish. Returning to the Sris House had endless benefits for Leon, and her wilfulness would only hold him back.


    And after that, Ehan didn''t meet with Leon anymore. She didn''t know how to face the young man and felt that just by seeing his face... her heart would tear in two.


    Before she knew it, it was already time for Leon to depart, and she had yet to say a single word to him. No tearful goodbyes, no angry cries to beg him to stay... Nothing.


    And now... Leon was about to leave.


    ''Hic... Why am I like this? Leon is sure to hate a girl like me...''


    Since Leon entered Hyades, she had been nothing but trouble for him. And even at the veryst moment, she was being a bother. It would be odd for a guy like Leon, who was perfect in every way, to fall for a girl like her. And that thought brought Ehan into despair.


    ''Maybe... We should part this way...''


    Embarrassed and fearful, Ehan resigned herself as being inadequate for Leon. She couldn''t raise her head, so she didn''t notice the crowd slowly growing quiet and her two handmaidens retreating from her side. And before the young teen could register anything, a warm voice beckoned to her.


    "E."


    "L-Leon!!!"


    There was no way she wouldn''t recognise the tender sound that kept her sane. Ehan abruptly raised her face only to cover them back again quickly. She may not have been crying, but her eyes were undoubtedly red. At the same time, Ehan was not in control of her facial expressions, so she wasn''t sure what kind of face she would show her crush.


    "S-Sorry, please give me a moment!"


    "It''s okay, take all the time you need."


    Once again, Leon''s soothing voice calmed her beating heart. She took a few moments to fully regain herself before finally mustering the courage to meet Leon in the eye. And the first thing she saw...


    ... was forlorn sadness.


    Just as Ehan didn''t wish to part with Leon, the handsome young man didn''t wish to part with her either. Ehan thought she was the only one receiving favours from Leon, but their rtionship was a two-way street.


    For Leon, Ehan was his first ymate. His first bosom friend. And most importantly, the girl he loved the most.


    Leon didn''t agree to be Ehan''s protector for mary gain or to get in the good books of Sir Arthur or Ehan''s Archbishop grandfather. Leon became Ehan''s guardian for one reason and one reason only.


    Because he wanted to.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Leon was enamoured with the young girl''s tenacity, willingness to sacrifice herself to save others, and innate beauty. Among the countless girls who seemed as innumerable as the stars in the sky, Ehan alone shone the brightest. And he was about to leave his shining star all alone.


    How could he feel happy?


    "E, I''m sorry..."


    "D-Don''t be! I-I''m sorry too!"


    "What for?"


    "H-Huh?"


    "Huh?"


    The two paused while tripping over their words. They looked silently at each other for five seconds before finallyughing.


    "Haha... We aren''t good at goodbyes, huh?"


    "You can say that again."


    Leon and Ehan chuckled to themselves. Knowing that they had calmed down, Leon reached out and grabbed Ehan''s hand. The girl didn''t resist, as they had done numerous times before. With their bodies connected, Leon could clearly feel Ehan''s pulse elerating. Meanwhile, the young girl felt her partner''s body temperature rising.


    This was unlike their usual hand-holding. They were firmly aware that they were both now young adults and no longer children.


    "Time flew... I wished that I could have spent more time with you."


    "Yeah..."


    "You know... When I heard you were leaving, I felt like my world was crashing down. I couldn''t eat, sleep or function as normal."


    "Yeah..."


    "And yet... I squandered ourst days together. Instead of spending time to create memories, I avoided you like the stupid girl I am."


    "..."


    "I''m sorry, Leon. You must be disappointed in me."


    Leon watched as Ehan rambled on and on. The sorrow in his eyes was gradually reced with a tender warmth as his mood was uplifted. Watching the adorable creature sulk tingled his heartstrings, and he couldn''t help but chuckle.


    "I''ll never be disappointed in you, E." Leon reached out and gently brushed on the young girl''s cheek. "You are the one who gave mepanionship when I was the most alone. The one who helped me through my darkest days. E... to me... you''re special."


    "A-Am I?"


    "Of course," the blonde youth beamed with a smile so bright, it outshone the Sun. "Have I ever lied to you?"


    "Never..."


    The two youngsters continued their intimate act, seemingly lost in their own worlds. They could not see or feel the piercing gazes surrounding them, but it wasn''t like they cared. In Leon''s eyes, all he could see was Ehan, and it was the same vice versa. They held each other with tender care, both showing unwillingness to part.


    "Then you should know that... I will miss you, E."


    "I will miss you too, Leon."


    "I will contact you frequently."


    "I will send you letters. No, I will make up a reason to visit Solfea."


    "Haha, as the future Saintess, are you really in a position to leave Hyarum?"


    "I-I''m sure I can find a way!" Ehan flushed red as the awkwardness between the two evaporated as they became honest about their feelings. "T-Then, youe visit me! It might be hard because you''ve just rejoined the Sris House, but..."


    "Done."


    Leon didn''t bother to mince his words. Affirmatively replying to Ehan''s plea without a single moment of thought.


    "I will visit you as soon as I can. I don''t know how, but I''ll do it."


    The youth''s decisiveness and unwavering determination to return to her forcibly skipped Ehan''s heartbeat. Unable to hold back the ringing in her ears, the young girl fell into Leon''s embrace, gently tapping on his broad chest in a feminine manner.


    "Y-you!"


    Her face was scorching hot, and her heartbeat was elerating by the second, and yet... She feltfortable in Leon''s warm embrace. Ehan''s tension was eased, and her body rxed. She was seemingly willing to give all control over it to the young man before her. And that didn''t make her feel bad.


    Rather, it was intoxicating.


    "Leon... I''ll remember your promise."


    Ehan''s soft voice murmured out from her lips as she stained Leon''s shirt with lipstick. She raised her face and stared straight at the blonde youth. Her longing expression was enough to convey a thousand words, which took Leon''s breath away.


    "In return, I promise that when you meet again, I won''t be a self-centred brat anymore. I will work to be an honourable woman worthy of standing by your side... my one and only... Knight."


    "Haha, I think you''re honourable enough."


    Leon lovingly stroked Ehan''s hair and gently peeled her arms off his waist. Holding her petite yet firm palm, the young man fell on one knee and pulled the back of her hand onto his lips. The sudden action sent Ehan and the young handmaidens, whose heads were filled with romance, into a fluster.


    But Leon didn''t care. He gazed up at his childhood friend''s crimson face before dering from the bottom of his heart.


    "E... I don''t know how long I''ll be, and I cannot promise I will always be at your side. But, I swear to return to you soon. This is my vow to you. Please... be patient and wait for me."


    Ehan was overwhelmed by Leon recreating a scene crafted out of a fairy tale. However, it didn''t take long for her to realise the seriousness behind the young man''s eyes. Holding back her beating heart, she bent her waist and gingerly lifted Leon''s chin. And with a firm yet gentle approach, Ehan sweetly pecked Leon''s forehead,pleting the vow.


    They gradually got to their feet and stared sweetly at each other for a long time. No one counted the time, but for the pair... it was an eternity they didn''t wish to escape from.


    Ehan, unable to hold back her tender love for her man, eventually caved and smiled radiantly as she replied:


    "Yes... See you soon!"

 Chapter 33: Leon Bright (4)

    <h4>Chapter 33: Leon Bright (4)</h4>


    Leon sat in a daze within the flying ship, the tearful departure scene reying in his mind every few seconds. His heart was warm with all the smiles andughter he shared with his friends. Showered on all fronts with gifts and well wishes, Leon felt a twinge of regret as he looked back at the darkened path behind him with fond feelings.


    In particr, his most dazzling memory of that very morning... was his tearful farewell with Ehan.


    It would likely be many months before they could meet in person again. While they could stillmunicate through messages and calls, it would be quite some time before either could leave their positions.


    Ehan was training hard to be the next Saintess, meaning her responsibilities would only deepen as time passed. She would also need to train doubly as hard to affirm her position and beat out the other candidates.


    Meanwhile, Leon would need to blend into the Sris House and learn the enigmatic Sris Arts that was famed throughout Hyades. He would likely need to enrol in the Knight''s Academy, making it infinitely harder for the pair to reunite.


    Yet... Leon didn''t feel lonely in the slightest.


    Pressing on his forehead, he could still feel the warmth left behind by Ehan''s kiss. A faint blush crept up his cheeks as he smiled silly. He''d felt that as long as they were in each other''s hearts, Leon could aplish amazing feats, let alone survive in the Sris House.


    "Miss her already?"


    Sir Arthur teased with a heartfelt smile, causing Leon to drop his hand in embarrassment. However, the youth wasn''t as flustered as before. Instead, he leaned into the teasing and replied:


    "Are you jealous, Sir Arthur? If my memory serves me right, you are still single. Did my puppy love tingle at your heartstrings?"


    "Hoh? Did you be so cheeky after getting a girlfriend? Perhaps it was the right decision to dump you at the Sris House then."


    "Haha, perhaps you''re right!"


    The two joked in good fun, knowing neither meant what they said. The ride to the Sris House had taken quite a long time, making them somewhat fatigued. Hence, they needed some banter to lighten the mood.


    "You and Ehan will make a great pair in the future. I''m sure of it. Perhaps you''ll rival the infamous Fantasy Couple from the Sris and Elune Houses."


    "Fantasy Couple?" Leon raised his brow at the foreign term. "Who are they?"


    "Oh? Are you unaware?"


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Sir Arthur''s face was coloured surprised. However, it didn''t take long for his expression to calm down after reflecting on Leon''s upbringing.


    "Yeah, you have been focusing on training and guarding Ehan. It''s no wonder you know little about the outside world. Though, the story of the Fantasy Couple is rather fun, and you''ll probably meet them in the Sris House soon."


    "Hoh? What do you mean by fun?"


    "Haha, just sit back and listen."


    Sir Arthur''s face brightened up, and his posture straightened. Leon felt that it was odd how attached the Head Pdin was to the gossip of others, but honestly, it wasn''t all that strange. As the Head Pdin of the Holy Church, Sir Arthur Pagiel had to keep tabs on all news in Hyades to identify problems that might affect Hyarum.


    Be it unknown phenomena, natural disasters, disputes between two regions or factions, rumours of business dealings... They were all intelligence that would regrly go to Sir Arthur''s desk.


    The business partnership between the Sris and Elune Houses was one such report. The union of two great Houses in managing a mana crystal vein sent shockwaves across the continent when the news first broke. And with Amon and Yue''s engagement being a vital part of the partnership, it wasn''t strange for Sir Arthur to hear about their rtionship.


    "Amon Sris and Yue Elune, or what most people call the Fantasy Couple, are two prominent youngsters engaged to be married. If I recall correctly, they are only two years older than you. Yue Elune is the future heir of the Elune House and one of the most talented magicians of modern times. Her talent surpasses her grandfather''s, and many specte she will be the next Grand Mage in Hyades."


    "Hoh, that''s impressive."


    Leon whistled with a tinge of awe. Although he didn''t interact with magicians often, the young man was definitely aware of how dangerous they could be. While Knights were still the bestbat force for one-on-onebat, a magician could influence the tides of an entire battlefield with a single spell.


    So, for a young girl like Yue to receive such high praise, Leon could guess how powerful she was.


    "As for Amon Sris, he''s a talented young Knight in his own right. He graduated from the Knight''s Academy in record time, almost rivalling your father''s record. After that, I didn''t hear many reports about him, but it seems like he''s be a full-fledged True Knight and is widely considered the leading powerhouse of the younger generation."


    Leon''s ears perked up at the information about Amon.


    While he was impressed with Yue''s aplishments, ultimately, they were from two different walks of life.


    However, Amon was a different story. Not only was he only two years older than Leon, but he had also walked the Knight''s path. In particr, Leon took great notice that Amon matched his father''s record in the Knight''s Academy.


    "So they are two impressive individuals... Is that why they are called the Fantasy Couple?"


    "Well... That''s not really it..."


    Sir Arthur scratched his cheek with a nk smile. His face contorted as he recalled all the details of the pair, and he couldn''t help butugh.


    "Yes, they are both talented individuals, but the real reason they are called the Fantasy Couple... is because of how they have been acting."


    "How they have been acting?"


    "Yes," the Head Pdin continued tough. "Apparently, they fell in love at first sight and eloped during their first meeting."


    "... What?"


    Leon furrowed his brows as if he''d heard something incredulous. No, it was a far-fetched tale. Why would anyone elope in this day and age? And they weren''t a couple whose family objected to their rtionship, so why did they even need to elope in the first ce?


    "Haha, surprised, aren''t you? I heard they left a letter sealed by blood, too! And that wasn''t the only time they eloped. Ever since they''ve been engaged, the pair has been eloping constantly. It hase to a point where both Houses don''t even bother sending out people to find them."


    "Wow... Why aren''t they married yet?"


    "Apparently, the Elune House isn''t rushing toplete their marriage. They seem to be still trying to figure out their living arrangements post-marriage. After all, they wouldn''t wish to lose their precious heir to the Sris House."


    "Ah, politics..."


    Sir Arthur''s words started to make sense to the young teen. Leon wasn''t exposed to such odd political moves since he grew up outside the Great Houses'' influence. Still, the fact that the Fantasy Couple were firmly in love and eloped to escape the two Great Houses'' dirty clutches brought aforting warmth to Leon''s heart.


    ''I wonder what the Fantasy Couple is like?''


    Unknowingly, Amon and Yue had made a good first impression on the story''s protagonist without even realising it.


    ???


    "A-Apologies, the Lord isn''t here at the moment. P-Please follow me; I will lead you to him!"


    A few hourster, Leon and Sir Arthur were standing at the gates of the Sris House, their presence greatly rming the sentries on duty. After verifying Sir Arthur''s identity, the guards rushed the pair towards the Lord''s abode, only to be greeted by Alrock''s vassal Knight.


    Realising the severity of the situation, Sir Hawk instantly moved to bring Leon and Sir Arthur to the Hall where Amon''s birthday party was held. It didn''t take long for the pair to be greeted by the massive doors of the Hall. Sir Hawk asked the pair to wait momentarily as he rushed to get the Sris Lord, leaving the two eagerly parked outside the massive chamber.


    "The Sris House really is impressive," Leon admired the infrastructure of humanity''s oldest noble house with a low whistle. "This ce is huge... It''s almost as big as the Divine Cathedral."


    "That''s the Sris House for you," Sir Arthur nodded in agreement. "I''ve visited here a few times whenever I had to meet your father, but even then, I can''t get used to the immense size."


    "... Do I really belong here?"


    "Don''t worry about anything. You''ll fit in like a glove. I''m sure of it."


    While Leon was worrying about adapting to the Sris lifestyle, Sir Hawk had already gotten to the Sris Lord, prompting Leon to focus all his attention on that massive figure. The young man''s eyes brightened as he observed the aged warrior from the head down, from his indomitable golden eyes to his noble poise. There was only one man to whom Leon couldpare the man to.


    ''He''s just like Dad...''


    There was no denying the blood rtions between Alrock and Lucas. They looked so simr that one would be a fool to deduce that they weren''t father and son. And for Leon, who inherited most of his father''s features, his resemnce to the old man was uncanny.


    ''That''s my grandfather...''


    Leon''s heart beat rapidly as he watched the Sris Lord turn away from the masses and address his vassal knight. Unknowingly, the youth held his breath and briefly moved his attention away from Alrock to observe the surroundings slowly.


    ''There seems to be an event... I don''t know what kind, though?''


    Many participants were dressed smartly, with many donning their military uniforms. Leon scanned the room and picked out the participants one by one. Each of them had impable posture, and their abundance of battle experience was proudly worn on their bodies like sleeves. With just a brief scan, Leon could already pick out dozens of Knights who were stronger than him.


    ''Amazing... There are so many powerful Knights. They could match or overpower some of the stronger Pdins in the Holy Church. So this is the might of the Sris House.''


    "Hawk... Can''t you see that I''m busy?"


    "Y-yes, my lord! B-But, this is urgent!"


    "Hah... What happened?"


    "T-This... I think it would be better if you saw for yourself..."


    As Sir Hawk said those words, the Sris Lord''s attention was now stered on the main entrance, where Sir Arthur and Leon stood. Sensing it was their cue, the Head Pdin tapped Leon''s frozen back and prompted him:


    "Alright, Leon. Follow my lead. Don''t be nervous; nothing will happen to us."


    "... okay."


    Leon followed his mentor into the Grand Hall with anxious steps. It felt like everyone in the chamber was staring them down, and it only amplified when Sir Arthur removed his hood and revealed his face. The whispers became full conversations, and all eyes were now stered on the pair. Naturally, Sir Arthur took the full brunt of the attention, but a few eyes were staring daggers at Leon, too.


    Mainly this one well-dressed young man who stood behind the Sris Lord.


    ''Golden eyes and ck hair... That''s how a Sris should look...''


    Leon has been told he possessed half the bloodline of a Sris all his life. However, with his blonde hair and blue eyes, one would be hard-pressed to identify him as a Sris. Of course, Leon''s father never pressured him to ept his Sris heritage. In fact, he encouraged Leon to venture on his own path, independent of the Great House''s shackles.


    Nevertheless, Leon was still interested in what a traditional Sris Knight was like. His interest was particrly piqued by the youth, who never once looked at Sir Arthur and continued staring at him as if he were trying to pierce Leon''s soul.


    Unfortunately, Leon didn''t have enough time to do what he pleased.


    "IMPUDENT!!!"


    Alrock''s voice echoed through the tall chamber, sending shockwaves flying in all directions. Leon''s attention snapped back to Sir Arthur and the Sris Lord bickering. Even though his mind had wandered briefly, Leon heard everything his mentor and grandfather said. Insulted by the Head Pdin''s words, Alrock was ready to mete out divine punishment.


    So before Alrock could smash his mentor''s head in, Leon jumped in front of the man and shouted:


    "Stop!!!"


    "Scram!!!"


    The Sris Lord didn''t falter for a second as he sent a shockwave flying in Leon''s direction. It wasn''t enough to kill or severely injure, but it was powerful enough to send an ordinary person flying dozens of metres back.


    But Leon resisted.


    His hood came flying off as he felt his entire body being crushed by the impact. However, Leon bit down hard and stood up to the goliath in defiance. If Alrock decided to send another blow, there was no doubt in Leon''s mind that he would have lost consciousness. Luckily for him, the Sris Lord could not do such a thing.


    Why?


    "... L-Lucas? I-Is that you?"


    Evidently, Alrock could recognise his own flesh and blood. s, he was just one degree off the mark.


    "No... My name is not Lucas Sris."


    Even with his entire body in pain, his mind delirious, and his heart, wrenching in agony after taking a blow from his grandfather. Leon stood tall. And with one final breath, he proudly announced his name for the world to hear:


    "My name is Leon Bright!"

 Chapter 34: Change Of Plans (1)

    <h4>Chapter 34: Change Of ns (1)</h4>


    An hour had passed since Leon made his grand return to the Sris House.


    The chaos of Leon''s return marked the end of Amon''s birthday celebration. Alrock brought Sir Arthur and Leon away from the party for a proper, private conversation. And without Alrock present, the other members dispersed quietly, ready to share the gossip of the night''s experiences. As a result, most individuals treated Amon''s birthday as an afterthought.


    But the person in question couldn''t be bothered.


    After escaping from the Grand Hall, Amon returned to his humble abode and removed the stuffy cor suit he was forced to wear. Leon''s return ahead of schedule had thrown the Transmigrator into a loop, and there was plenty for him to think about now. Without knowing, he went up to the rooftop garden, illuminated by gentle moonlight.


    Why did Leon return early? What were the repercussions of his return? Must there be a change in ns?


    All of these were questions that gued Amon''s mind. Fortunately, he wasn''t going to be alone in this problem.


    "A penny for your thoughts?"


    A serene whisper tickled Amon''s eardrums, breaking his silent contemtion. His golden eyes rolled back, unveiling an ethereal beauty as gorgeous as the Moon above. Still dressed in her full ball gown, Yue looked just as enticing as she did at the party, and her close proximity to Amon highlighted her curves and natural attraction.


    Yet, Amon wasn''t baited in. His eyebrows furrowed deeply, and he replied with a grim voice:


    "You know what I''m thinking about."


    "Leon''s return, right?" Yue''s lips raised ever so slightly. "We didn''t expect him toe back so early."


    "Even in your timeline, he didn''t deviate from the original schedule?"


    "No, just as you said. Leon should have returned during Grandpa Alrock''s birthday celebration. For him to arrive this early is an unforeseen deviation."


    "..."


    Amon remained silent, and his expression was bleak. Ever since he''d transmigrated into Hyades, he had spent every waking moment preparing for the events of [Bright]. The Cmities they would face were catastrophic, and their lives were all on the line. Fortunately, as Amon knew the future, he''d thought he could leverage that knowledge to prevent the disasters from ever urring, effectively saving humanity in the process.


    But Leon''s early appearance threw a wrench in the works.


    "How much has the future changed? Since Leon has returned early, I''m guessing the events of [Bright] have effectively begun."


    Amon fell deeper in thought. His one advantage over his enemies was now in jeopardy, and the future had bepletely unpredictable. The worst-case scenario would be an early urrence of the Cmities before Amon had be strong enough to fend them off.


    Yue watched her fianc¨¦ struggle and chuckled to ease the tension.


    "Aren''t you misunderstanding something?"


    "Misunderstanding?"


    "The events of [Bright] didn''t begin when Leon returned. It has always been going on."


    "Ah..."


    The tall youth gasped in realisation. Amon had lived in Hyades for the past eighteen years, and it was still difficult to recognise that the world of [Bright] had be his new reality.


    "We''ve been actively changing the world ever since we returned. Of course, our actions would have changed the timeline. However, that was our intention, wasn''t it? To save the world?"


    "... you''re right."


    By existing in this world, Amon himself had changed the timeline. Not to mention the various activities he had been partaking in weakening the Demon Cult. Just Yue and Amon''s engagement alone was enough to change the timeline, as the Demon Cult couldn''t corrupt Yue and use her to destroy the Elune House as depicted in [Bright].


    "Some deviation is expected. And we''ve been prepared for instances like these."


    Unlike Amon, Yue waspletely calm. Her tone didn''t waver in the slightest, even after the initial shock of Leon''s return.


    "Though, we need to change our ns ahead of schedule."


    "So, we''re beginning phase one early?"


    Amon and Yue had been coborating for eight years¡ªbrainstorming and figuring out the best way to prevent theplete annihtion of the human race. And they have concocted a multi-phase n to derail the Demon Cult''s nefarious intentions, starting with the return of Leon Bright.


    "That''s right; we must allow Leon to enter the Knight''s Academy and learn the Sris Mystic Arts. At least until the Sword Bestowment Ceremony."


    After much deliberation, Amon and Yue agreed that Leon''s existence in Hyades was vital to humanity''s survival. Why? For one, he was the protagonist of the story. His existence seemed to propel the timeline forward, and his individual power in the future would be a great asset in defeating the Demon Cult. However, there was also one very crucial reason.


    The Holy Sword, Ascalon.


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    Leon was going to be the sole wielder of the legendary sword.


    The reason why Leon returned to the Sris House in the story in the first ce was to undergo the Sword Bestowment Ceremony and to select a suitable sword. To everyone''s surprise, Leon would summon Ascalon, the sword only held by the Sris Founder and the Sris Saint. Two of humanity''s greatest heroes.


    Without Ascalon, the difficulty of the future Cmities would effectively triple. There was a reason why Leon Bright was the hero of [Bright]. Ascalon was a weapon capable of ying Dragons and Demigods, making it the most suitable sword to defeat the Demon Cult and its elite forces.


    "But that won''t be an issue. As long as Grandpa Alrock is around, Leon will follow the first act faithfully. Meanwhile, we will attack the Demon Cult''s bases to weaken them as nned. However, there''s one more thing we must do."


    "What?"


    "Leon''s deviation made me think we''ve been taking it too easy," Yue exined her train of thought with a sombre tone switch. "While his deviation is something we can manage, what about the other deviations we are unaware of?"


    "..."


    "Greater Demons, Portals to the Outer Realm, Mythical Beings... They are all threats that could lead to the end of humanity. I had put them off since we''re far too weak to challenge any of them. But now that you have your Sixth Sun and Moon, we can begin eliminating them in earnest!"


    "That''s actually... a good idea."


    Amon stroked on his hairless chin in deep contemtion. Yue''s idea wasn''t all that foreign to him. In fact, this very problem was something he kept at the back of his mind. With Yue and hisbined power, they could easily dispatch Greater Demons and threats of a simr nature. Plenty of remnant Greater Demons sealed in the past would be unleashed in a future Cmity. The Demon Cult''s military force would significantly reduce if they could clean them up before then.


    "When Leon draws Ascalon during the Sword Bestowment Ceremony, the Demon Cult will ramp up their activities. So before then, we will have to do some clean-up."


    "You''re right... So what''s the n now?"


    Amon readily epted Yue''s proposal without any further questions. However, the moment the words left his mouth, he felt a cold shiver brush across his shoulders. His deep golden eyes dted as he caught sight of Yue''s rapidly rising lips. They were highly reminiscent of the crescent moon, just that it was far more sinister than beautiful.


    "Hehe, as a Sris Knight, you are still forced to go on missions, right?"


    "Yes..."


    "And you can''t leave your post without prior approval, right?"


    "Yes..."


    "So we''re left with only one other option!"


    "..."


    Even without Yue saying it explicitly, Amon understood what she was getting at. Taking in two deep breaths, he muttered with a tired sigh:


    "You want to elope again?"


    "Hehe, as expected of my fianc¨¦! You know me so well!"


    The ethereal young woman instantly locked arms with Amon as if it were the most natural thing in the world for them. She leaned onto his shoulder and grabbed tightly onto his whitening arm. Watching her reaction, the only thing that Amon could do was sigh.


    The pair were no strangers to eloping. They had probably done so over a dozen times in the past. The reasoning was quite simple: they couldn''t reveal that they were actively hunting Demons and members of the Demon Cult or that they were multiple times more powerful than they actually were.


    Hence, under the guise of ''eloping,'' the pair could freely do their activities as they pleased.


    But... There was one minor problem.


    "Must I write the letter again?" Amon wore his most defeated expression yet as his voice deepened with fatigue.


    "Of course, you must! Otherwise, how would they know that we''ve eloped?"


    "... but why must the letter always be so mushy?"


    "That''s the only way we can convince them that we''re a couple in love who really just want to spend time together! Do you want them to doubt our elopement ande searching for us? What if they discover our secret ns or, even worse, our true abilities? Then they''ll start questioning how we know about the Demon Cult, and eventually, our cover will be blown!"


    "... Fine."


    After spending eight years with Yue, Amon knew he couldn''t defeat the girl in a logical debate. His best option was to roll over and present his tummy for the girl to y with.


    "Here! I got the pen and paper!"


    "... you sure came prepared."


    "Don''t worry about it! Now, write down what I''m about to say!"


    "Hah..."


    Broken and battered, Amon wrote down one of the most disgustingly romantic elopement letters he''d written yet. Leaving it at his bedroom desk, the pair disappeared into the night faster than the speed of light.


    It was only in the morning that Amon''s mother discovered that her son had gone missing, and the entire Sris House was uprooted with another scandalous gossip that would consume Amon for the rest of his life.

 Chapter 35: Change Of Plans (2)

    <h4>Chapter 35: Change Of ns (2)</h4>


    On a narrow forest path, two figures could be seen sauntering down with little to no care of their surroundings. The young woman coquettishly held onto the man''s arms tightly as if she were afraid of losing him in the mysterious, misty path. And the surroundings were mystical indeed.


    Towering trees, draped in emerald-green foliage, create a natural canopy overhead, dappling the forest floor with shifting sunlight patterns. The air is filled with the earthy scent of moss and damp soil, mingled with the sweet fragrance of wildflowers that bloom along the path. The thin mist made it hard for anyone to see far in the distance, making their other senses more sensitive.


    The melodious chirping of cicadas echoed in rhythm throughout the tranquil forest. The rustling of dead leaves with each footstep they took and the overwhelming heaviness that came with mist condensating on their skin. It was an atmosphere that would put anyone on edge.


    However, the pair didn''t feel any rm. The couple moved easily and confidently, walking down the path calmly as if it were their backyard.


    "Hehe, I wonder if they have found our elopement letter by now!"


    Yue teased Amon while happily squeezing her body closer to his elbow. By this point, Amon had long be ustomed to the youngdy''s excessive skinship and had learned to give in to her whims. Still, her tant show of affection did raise an eyebrow on his well-structured face.


    "I usually get up early in the morning... So they would check my room if they didn''t see me at breakfast."


    "That means they did! Haha, I can''t wait to get back and hear their reactions!"


    "..."


    Amon pushed down the urge to continue the conversation. He knew that by reciprocating, he would only fall into the trap of teasing. Therefore, it was better to keep his mouth shut.


    It had been twelve hours since the pair left the letter in his room and teleported far away. The yful young woman pre-determined their destination as usual¡ªa verdant, untouched forest in one of the most remote parts of the continent.


    Their objective this time was to search for an ancient ruin, one that was abandoned during the first Great Demon War. Within the ruins was a sealed Greater Demon that would join the Demon Cult''s eventual assault against humanity. Eliminating it before it could regain its original strength would significantly weaken the Demon Cult; however, there was one big problem.


    The location was difficult to reach, but searching for the ruins was a nightmare. Shrouded by fog and deep underground, it was like finding a pin in a haystack. Fortunately, the pair did obtain some help.


    "Ahem, have you guys forgotten that I''m here?"


    While Yue tried to appeal her charm to Amon, a nasal voice beckoned them from the front. The pair raised their chins straight ahead and saw anky, scrawny middle-aged man tracing back his footsteps from the forward path. He wore full ck attire, perfectly matching his deep brown hair and ck eyes. He had eyebags that dropped down to his cheeks and an eagle-pointed nose. Looking pale and sickly, the man seemed incapable of hurting a fly, let alone any Demons he may face.


    If the man were to be described in one word, it would be unassuming. However, Amon and Yue both knew that the man was anything but.


    "Bane, you''ve returned!" Yue casually called out the man by name, not caring about the difference in age or status. "So, have you found anything?" She curtly asked.


    Bane sighed, signalling he had given up on making Yue stick to formalities. However, he could do nothing to educate this informal youngster since she was technically his patron.


    "As the young mistress had suspected, the ruins should be nearby. There are signs everywhere."


    There was a very important reason why Yue teleported this odd man with them during their elopement.


    Bane Vallen. The Spymaster of Echelon Intelligence Bureau. A seasoned veteran with over thirty years of experience spying and gathering intelligence for the Hyades Republic.


    In the events of [Bright], Bane was technically an antagonist, as he had been manipted by the Demon Cult to spy for them, weakening the Hyades Republic from within. However, now that Amon had transmigrated and Yue had regressed, they saved Bane before he could fall into the Demon Cult''s clutches.


    As a result, he was one of the few people who knew of the Demon Cult and worked hand-in-hand with the couple to curb their influence. Using Yue''s riches, they created the Echelon Intelligence Bureau and allowed Bane to be the Head Spymaster. On the surface, Echelon was designed to aid the Elune House in improving their security, especially with intelligence pertaining to the Mana Crystal vein.


    But in truth, Echelon was an agency specifically used to gather information about the Demon Cult, particrly where their bases were and the locations of potential threats that Amon and Yue needed to eliminate.


    And currently, Bane is performing his job to the highest degree.


    "How long until you can find it?"


    Amon bluntly asked. He wasn''t worried about finding the ruins; the young man fully believed in Bane''s abilities. After all, the Spymaster had time and time again proved his abilities.


    "Truth is... I have a lead, and I''m fairly confident the ruins are located a kilometre north."


    "Hmmm? So what seems to be the problem?"


    "Well, you see..."


    Contrary to his churlish demeanour when talking to Yue, Bane was rtively cordial with Amon. A little too cordial, perhaps. His smile broke so wide that Amon could see the devil in Bane''s eyes. A severe chill crept down the youth''s spine as the Spymaster gleefully spoke:


    "The miasma emitting out of the ruins has corrupted some beasts. Now, they''re blocking the area, halting my advance."


    "... with your abilities, couldn''t you clear them?"


    Bane Vallen was by no means weak. He may have specialised in intelligence, but he was adequately trained as a rogue and assassin. Dealing with a few corrupted beasts was nothing to the elite Spymaster. s, Bane had an ulterior motive.


    "I could, but it would greatly hamper my ability to search for traps or anything of the like. Besides, I wouldn''t want to weaken myself before entering the ancient ruins. So, I would need your swordy to clean them up."


    "... why not let Yue clear them with magic?"


    "And risk destroying the surroundings? What if the young mistress blocks the entrance with one of her spells? The safest way is to eliminate them with your sword, young master Amon."


    Bane began spitting out bars as if he''d rehearsed his speech multiple times before. No, with how calmly and sinctly he spoke, the Spymaster had anticipated this scenario. Amon sought refuge with the only other person with them, but she was beaming from ear to ear, eager to watch her future husband perform in battle.


    With no one to turn to, Amon could only sigh and relent.


    "... Fine, lead me to them."


    "Follow me!"


    Without missing a beat, the scrawny man moved with rapid feet through the mossy path. He was moving at a speed that a regr human would find challenging to follow, especially in a dense, foggy forest. But Amon and Yue easily trailed behind Bane. And in no time, the trio were met with eight distinct shadows.


    Standing over five metres tall, each shadow revealed ck fur and blood-red eyes. Bits of flesh could be seen dangling down throughout their muscr bodies, showing pieces of their skeletal structure. A darkened mist wrapped around them like a cotton veil, and each step they took shook the forest floor like a mini earthquake.


    "Corrupted bears... Of all the beasts to be corrupted, it had to be the apex predator."


    Amon cursed under his breath. Corrupted beasts were different from actual Demons. Theycked the power and abilities a real Demon would have, but it didn''t mean they were weak. Depending on their constitution, they could be a formidable foe, too.


    A corrupted deer could have the speed and agility of a nimble Knight, while a corrupted turtle could be harder to crack than a tough metal.


    As for a corrupted bear, just one can match a Knight inbat, and its physical strength alone was enough to kill an unsuspecting Knight. And it had a thick hide with the speed of an apex predator. Of all the corrupted beasts one could face, a corrupted bear was ranked among the most dangerous.


    "To deal with them without destroying the environment... I have no choice but to use Aura."


    Although initially reluctant, Amon was long used to being on clean-up duty. Pulling out his sword from his sheathe, he condensed his mana into a thick Aura which coated his entire de. The corrupted bears were unaware of the threat looming over their necks and naively moved towards the sudden golden light.


    And it was then...


    One bear was severed cleanly in two, split in half like it had been cleaved by an axe. The other bears were unable to react to theirrade''s death before their bodies were next in line on the chopping block. They failed to see their assant, and by the time they saw the sh of metal, it was toote.


    One by one, the bears were hacked in two cleanly. Most of them only saw a golden light before their lives were so viciously reaped from their bodies.


    Maybe it was a mercy?


    Free from the corruption that gued their souls, the bears could return to nature like they were meant to. The Sr mana from Amon''s attacks seared through their corruption, ensuring they couldn''t resurrect or continue to suffer their condemned fate.


    However, some bears resisted. Finally understanding that they were under attack, they released ast-minute attempt to deter their foe. Miasma burst forth from their bodies, disrupting anything they encountered. Trees, grass, and even the air itself. They were shaken by the dense miasma that could kill a grown man within seconds.


    But Amon was no mere mortal.


    Coated in a thickyer of Aura, there was little the bears could do to threaten his life. Easily breaking into their defences, the Sris Knight swung his de five more times, eradicating their reign of terror.


    Four seconds.


    It only took four seconds for Amon to dispatch the corrupted bears.


    No prolonged war chant or shouting about his ability was needed. Pure Aura and clean swordy were sufficient to deal with enemies of this calibre. And that was too much for someone to handle.


    "MAGNIFICENT!!!"


    A loud apuse erupted from the sidelines as Bane rose to his feet and congratted the young man.


    "Young master Amon! Your technique has been refined to the finest of degrees! You are simply exemry! Ahhhh, how I envy your talent! Are you sure you don''t want to join Echelon under my wing?"


    "... no."


    "Are you certain?! Your ability to kill without emitting a single ounce of killing intent is the envy of all assassins and spies! You are simply too talented in the art of assassination to be wasted as a Knight! If not, please ept me as your tutor! I shall teach you all the techniques I know and make you into history''s foremost assassin!"


    "Thanks for the offer, but no."


    Amon scratched his cheek, mainly at a loss for words. There was a reason why: even though they had worked together multiple times and Amon viewed the man as a valuable asset, the young man still couldn''t get along with Bane Vallen.


    It was precisely because of Bane''s abnormal obsession to make Amon his protege.


    Amon has the unnatural ability not to emit killing intent whenever he attacks, a prized skill that no one has ever replicated. Taking another''s life was a brutal thing, and it required a certain amount of willpower to perform such a deed. One could mask or even diminish it, but it will always be there.


    However, Amon was utterly void of it at all. It was as if he were a mindless, cold machine that killed without any emotions.


    And that made Bane Vallen envious, so much so that he was willing to go against the entire Sris House just to make the boy his disciple.


    s, Amon had to be willing first. And even if he was, another hurdle stood in Bane''s way.


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    "Alright, alright! We''ve been through this before."


    Yue hurriedly broke off the agitated Bane from Amon''s body and once more took her ce by his side. Frowning, she issued a warning to the Spymaster.


    "Amon won''t ept your proposal, Bane. If you raise this issue again, I''ll teleport you ten kilometres into the sky. I wonder if assassins can fly?"


    The young beauty''s words were clear to Bane. Know your ce, or she''ll put him in it.


    And the message was read loud and clear.


    "Tch, fine. Follow me; let''s finish this mission early. I have plenty of paperwork to attend to when I get back."

 Chapter 36: Ancient Greater Demon (1)

    <h4>Chapter 36: Ancient Greater Demon (1)</h4>


    The defeat of the corrupted bears opened up a path downwards to a bottomless ravine. It was covered with ageless vines and moist ferns. Eerily silent as if the world had been frozen in time, the chasm was just as creepy as deep. The path down was obscured with heavy mist, which made the abyss seem like clouds hid it.


    It was nigh impossible for anyone to traverse through the foggy depths without encountering any mishaps. Even Amon, whose senses far exceeded any living human, would have difficulty moving through the dense fog.


    Hence, the man delegated the task to the only person he knew could solve his pickle.


    "Yue, clear the way."


    "Got it."


    The young beauty smiled with her chest puffed out. There was no need for Amon to rify his statement. The girl knew exactly what the youth was asking of her. Yue raised her arms out elegantly and conjured mana into her five fingers. Her red, crystal eyes emitted a sinister gleam, creating an illusion of a crimson moon within her pupils.


    Mana erupted from her pores and congregated into a purple summoning circle before Yue. Vast amounts of energy burst forth from the spirited youngdy, and an illusory silhouette erupted from her shadow. Four arachnid legs gentlynded on the rocky crevice while the other four remained mysteriously levitating in the air.


    At almost ten metres in length, the monstrosity was intimidating to any whoid their eyes upon it. Not that they would live to tell the tale. Yet, there was a mystical charm when gazing upon the majestic silver spider. Its eight red eyes were enough to hypnotise anyone who locked eyes with it, and its misty body made one hallucinate about its existence.


    Mist oozed out from the spider''s jaws while translucent lines of ethereal silk burst forth from its back. The mana emitted from the beast was enough to paralyse any lesser being with fear, and the pressure it created could stun even the bravest of Knights.


    And yet, even with all its power, the spider didn''t move a muscle to hurt the trio in front of it. Instead, it was affectionate with the woman who summoned it.


    "Yaru, clear the mist."


    "Kruekkk!"


    The spider happily obliged her owner''s request and opened its mouth wide. It crawled ahead, not to affect the trio. However, Bane, in particr, could feel his body shrinking when faced with the majestic creature. He stood still like a mouse in the strike zone of a snake, praying that the predator would leave him alone.


    Meanwhile, Amon curiously observed the magical monster. With its mouth opened, the spider unleashed a powerful suction force that engulfed the thick mist greedily as if it were feeding. In no time, the thick fog blocking their way had been reduced to nothing, revealing the straight path that led into the depths of the ancient ravine.


    The speed at which the spider ate the fog surprised Amon, but his shock gradually faded into a knowing frown as he thought about the monster''s true identity.


    Yaru, the Mist Spider.


    A Monarch Spirit that contracted with Yue.


    Known as the Monarch of Spiders, Yaru is one of the reasons why Yue Elune is feared in [Bright]. Among all the magicians in Hyades, the Elune House was renowned for their summoning ability, and their connection with the Spirit Realm was their bread and butter.


    For most Spirit Summoners in the Elune House, contracting with a High Spirit was enough to make their name known. Contracting with a Greater Spirit would instantly elevate their status into the upper ranks. As for Monarch Spirit? The Elune House would do everything possible to cater to their every need.


    And Yue was one such person.


    That was why Yue''s grandfather was reluctant to marry her to the Sris House. And he didn''t even know half of it. In [Bright], Amon read that Yue could summon a legion of Spirits, with thousands of Lesser Spirits, hundreds of Intermediate and High Spirits, and dozens of Greater Spirits.


    As for Monarch Spirits... Yaru was the tip of the iceberg.


    That was why Amon was so surprised to see Yue learn Spatial magic when he''d first met her. Normally, if a magician attempted to go down two different specialisations, they would weaken their strengths. But, looking at how robust and real the Mist Spider was... Amon knew that wasn''t the case.


    "You''ve improved yet again. I can''t see any ws in the summoning."


    Amon wasn''t just showering empty praise; he was genuinely amazed by Yue''s growth. Usually, the more powerful the Spirit, the harder it was to remain corporeal in the physical realm. The first time he saw Yue summon Yaru, it was a blur. As time passed, he could start to see the shape of a spider, but it was like a painting being scrubbed. But now, Amon couldn''t discern if Yaru was a real creature or a Spirit, the mark of a perfect summon.


    "You think? I''ve been practising hard, so I''m d my efforts paid off!"


    Yue chuckled and cancelled her summon. Just like its name suggests, the Mist Spider turned into a puff of smoke, disappearing back into the Spirit Realm as if it never existed in the first ce. With the Monarch Spirit gone, Bane could finally take a deep breath in relief.


    "Yaru is particrly difficult to maintain though, just making her form drains so much of my mana. The others are much easier to summon."


    "... how many Monarch Spirits have you contracted with?"


    "Hehe, you may be my fianc¨¦, but there are some secrets women would like to keep. Tho-ugh~ If you kiss me, I''ll consider spilling all my secrets!"


    "..."


    Acknowledging Yue''s teasing would only lead to more embarrassment on his part, so Amon naturally remained silent. He rolled his eyes and focused on the narrow path into the abyss. With the mist cleared, the descent was simple. Amon led the group with a casual expression as if he were going on a rxing morning stroll.


    While he may look calm, his mind was working on overdrive. Amon''s transcendent senses felt every nook and cranny of the pathway, trying to identify any living creature or traps that may be sprung onto the group.


    But five minutes into their walk, it became evident that there was no such thing.


    "The dungeon is eerily quiet. Bane, do you feel anything?"


    Amon asked the only rogue in the party. While his senses were spectacr, there might have been some blind spots that he missed. Yet, even the highly experienced rogue shook his head.


    "No, the coast is clear. I assume the ruins have been abandoned for too long. Any traps that may have beenid would have eroded over time. As for any lifeforms... I reckon the only thing still alive... Is the monster at the end of this path..."


    "... let''s hope it''s more dead than alive then."


    It didn''t take long for the trio to descend into the deepest depths of the ancient ruins. The first thing that greeted Amon was the stale air that hadn''t changed for hundreds of years. No vegetation could be found this far down, and time stood still within the abyss. The untouched ruins now only housed dust and sand, and the absence of sound made the area painfully hard to remain in.


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    And in the centre of it all...


    "The sealed gate... Behind it lies a Greater Demon?"


    Amon thought out loud. He knew for a fact that there was a monster behind this door, and his mind was instantly kicked into third gear. Unknowingly, Amon unsheathed his sword and swung it once to loosen his dominant arm.


    "That''s right," Yue nodded in agreement. "And he''s not just any Greater Demon. Malgathor, the Ebon Mist. An ancient Greater Demon that terrorised humanity during the Great Demon War. An officer personally blessed by the most powerful Demon King, Xig''drodan."


    Like how Knights and Magicians were ranked on their power, so were the Demons who invaded from the foreign realm. And the monsters who stood at the apex were the Demon Kings.


    In the Demon Realm, they were equivalent to Gods. Powerful enough to bend the to their will. The only equivalent entity in Hyades was the Goddess Hyades herself. No human could contest a Demon King, and it was even a question if the Goddess could stand a chance.


    Fortunately, even the Demon Kings were bound to thews of the universe. Their existence was tied to the Demon Realm, and they could not personally invade Hyades even if they tried. Otherwise, it wouldn''t be a war. It would have been a one-sided annihtion.


    Hence, for the Demon Kings to take over a nascent, budding like Hyades, they needed to send their army to decay and weaken the bonds between dimensions. Creating Hell Gates and causing cmities were great methods of doing so. And one such demon was the Greater Demon that remained sealed behind those doors.


    "Unlike the Blue-Skinned Oni we fought, Malgathor is a mature, named Greater Demon. During the Great Demon War, he obliterated thousands on the battlefield, and his ability to use mist to disorient his foes posed a dangerous threat."


    Yue continued informing Amon of the Greater Demon''s powers and danger levels. At the same time, she sent a telepathic message to him, preventing Bane from overhearing.


    [In the future, Malgathor will join the Demon Cult and wreak havoc on our forces. He may not be as powerful as the Apostles, but his unique abilities will pose a significant problem. Once, he annihted five cities by himself simply by using the powers of his mist.]


    "..."


    Amon''s face tensed up as he heard the specifics of the Greater Demon. Demons were just as varied and specialised as humans. Some could contest one-on-one with the world''s greatest martial artists; others could use magic to cause massacres.


    And Malgathor belonged to thetter.


    "Our predecessors could only defeat him by sealing the demon deep underground in a vacuum chamber that prevented any escape. So, when we face himter, I will seal the gate behind us. I hope you guys don''t have ustrophobia."


    Yue joked in good fun. Bane had second thoughts about the whole ordeal while Amon focused on the task.


    "Tell me... What are his weaknesses?"


    "Don''t worry about that," Yue shook her head without feeling fear or anxiety. "Your normal powers are sufficient to deal with the Greater Demon."


    "Good, that''s all I needed to know."


    "Great, then let me undo the seal!"


    The mechanisms of the airtight stone doors started to churn as Yue channelled her mana through. Ancient runes began lighting up, and the massive doors reacted violently. The earth rumbled, forcing dust to fall from the ceiling until finally... the seal was broken.


    The stone doors automatically opened for the trio as if the forgotten chambers were weing its new visitors. The halls were pitch ck, as if one were gazing into the abyss. Amon was the first to move, creating a photosphere of the Sun within his left palm. The light alone was enough to illuminate the ancient sealed dungeon, and the contents were deeply unsettling.


    A dome-shaped vault greeted the trio. Stone statues that were frozen in time surrounded every corner of the chamber, each holding onto a weapon pointed to the ground. On the ceiling, murals depicted a great battle where multiple of humanity''s elites fought against the Greater Demon. The battle was long and hard-fought, but eventually, the monster was defeated and sealed.


    And underneath the feet of the trio...


    "Goodness... Is that the Greater Demon?"


    Bane asked with bated breath.


    In the chamber''s centre was a massive ss time capsule dug into the ground. Within it, a ck centipede was coiled into a disgusting ball of ck exoskeleton and yellow legs. Squeezed into a space far too tight for a monster its size, it looked like the monster was about to explode at any given minute. But the most rming fact of them all...


    Was the human face at the front of the monster.


    "Malgathor... A man-faced centipede Demon."

 Chapter 37: Ancient Greater Demon (2)

    <h4>Chapter 37: Ancient Greater Demon (2)</h4>


    Malgathor, the Ebon Mist.


    Its true identity was a man-faced centipede¡ªa ssical depiction of horror and dread. During the Great Demon War, it terrorised humanity with its grotesque appearance and army-annihting abilities. The ck mist it emitted was enough to blind an entire battlefield or render a city useless. Following that, the Demons, immune to Malgathor''s powers, would wreak havoc upon the popce.


    The Ebon Mist may not be the most powerful Demon, but it was one of the most dangerous by far.


    Even the heroes of the Great Demon War couldn''t finish it, so they sealed the menace deep underground in a vacuum chamber so that it could not escape. Given the state of the seal, Malgathor could have remained sleeping for thousands of years toe.


    However, Yue and Amon knew the Greater Demon was better off dead than sealed.


    "Hold on, let me seal the room."


    Yue raised her hands and carefully closed the massive door behind them. Runic seals were ced onto the airtight door, and the exit was again sealed back into its vacuum state. Now, there was no chance of Malgathor''s mist from leaving the arena, giving Amon the perfect execution ground to end the dreadful beast once and for all.


    "Ready?"


    "Do it."


    Those three words were enough for Yue and Amon to convey their intentions. The regressor moved her fingers towards the untouched seal of Malgathor while the transmigrator jumped into the air and hovered against all the rules of gravity.


    Brilliant silver light trickled down from Yue''s fingers onto the crystal pool while a golden Aura surged from Amon''s veins and erupted into a coat of golden light.


    Cracks formed on the ss seal, which barred Malgathor''s escape. The slumbering Demon sensed that something was changing, and its nearly hundred-metre-long body, which had been unmoving for centuries, twitched.


    Meanwhile, Amon''s Six Suns churned out outrageous amounts of mana, so much so that the temperature of the vacuum chamber rose drastically. The stale and chilly air was reced with an updraft of intense sr winds. Bane had to stab his dagger onto the floor just to prevent himself from flying, while Yue had the help of Yaru, the Monarch Spider Spirit, to keep her in ce.


    The cracks were proliferating wildly, and the ancient seal holding the monster back was now on the verge of breaking. In mere moments, the ancient terror would be unleashed back into the world, and the damage it could do if it got out would be incalcble.


    s, Amon wasn''t going to let it reach that stage.


    Right before the cracks shattered the seal, Amon''s sword struck violently.


    Vast amounts of Sr mana gushed into stale air, creating an illusion that the Sun had risen within the depths of this dungeon. Gravity seemed to work in the opposite direction as everything in the chamber was now magically drawn to Amon and the massive phantom Sun. Heat and energy was condensed into a singr point, and the mana that the young Sris Knight had been holding back so delicately was now being unleashed in all of its righteous fury.


    And in less than a second...


    The Sun fell.


    BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The entire dungeon shook wildly. As if a nuclear explosion had been detonated underneath the soil, an earthquake reverberated through the entire forest, sending unsuspecting animals into a panic. Birds flew from the nests while deer leapt in fear, unaware of the destruction happening dozens of kilometres beneath their feet.


    Even the ones present at the scene couldn''t believe their eyes.


    Bane, a Spymaster with decades of experience, could only drop his jaw in awe at the pure carnage one Knight could create. The mana Amon unleashed was unreal, and few on the could ever match his vast reserves. But the actual phenomenon that mystified Bane wasn''t the mana Amon released.


    "Sris Mystic Arts... Heaven''s Fall... To think that I would have finally gotten to see it with my own eyes."


    Once again, Bane was reminded of how talented his patrons were. Not that he had ever forgotten it, but seeing Amon''s abilities reignited the wariness of the duo.


    The Sris Mystic Arts was the trump card of the Sris House, and only the cream of the crop could hope to master the difficult technique. Even with the dragon-blessed bloodline, few could handle the physical stress one had to go through to even use the simplest Sris Mystic Arts.


    So for Amon to effortlessly utilise the Sris Mystic Arts as if it were an extension of his body, Bane could only let out a heave of dryughter.


    "And that amount of mana... Just how many Suns have he condensed?"


    "..."


    As someone working in the shadows with Amon and Yue, Bane was privy to some of the capabilities they were hiding from the world. He knew that Amon didn''t only have Three Suns and Yue wasn''t merely a talented magician. However, the full extent of their abilities was still hidden from him.


    And the engaged couple were intending to keep it that way. Yue remained silent at Bane''s question, not just because she wished to evade that line of inquiry but also due to the movements beneath the seal.


    "It''s not dead?"


    "As expected of an Ancient Greater Demon that fought in the Great Demon War."


    Yue leapt back and summoned four new Spirits. The first was an astral shield bearer who wrapped the young girl in a protective membrane, preventing harm from befalling onto her. The next three were humanoid warriors, each fiercer than thest. Although they couldn''t match Amon in directbat, their skills were sufficient enough to give any Knight a run for their money.


    At the same time, Bane drew out both his daggers and spun them around with ease. Leaping back behind Yue, he blended into the shadows where no one could make out his figure unless they had supernatural eyes.


    "Bane, be on high alert."


    Yue gave a sinct order, to which the master assassin nodded. They were both in high tension and were ready to intervene at a moment''s notice. s, they weren''t the main protagonist of the battle.


    Amon swung his sword down as he watched the man-faced centipede writhe in agony. His mes'' intense heat was enough to make the Greater Demon suffer from pain it had never experienced in centuries. Not to mention, Malgathor was still weakened by its seal. It struggled to move while exorbitant heat scorched the Greater Demon from the inside.


    And Amon wasn''t done. Without giving Malgathor a chance to regain its wits, he swung his sword straight through the beast''s spine, severing the Greater Demon into two clean halves.


    "GWERRKKKKK!!!"


    A primal roar shook the ground and pierced the ears of the trio. If Malgathor were a regr Demon, Amon''s clean strike would have been enough to end its life right then and there. However...


    "Is it turning into mist?"


    The Greater Demon''s body turned into a ck mist before Amon couldnd another blow. Its serpentine body was nowpletely absent, reced with thick, billowing smoke.


    "The Ebon Mist... That''s its signature ability." Yue calmly exined to her Spymaster. "Careful not to breathe in any of it. If just an ounce of that mist enters your body, it can regenerate itself outsideter."


    "Tch, what an annoying opponent. What about young master Amon?"


    "Don''t worry about him. Do you think a Demon would survive one second in his dragon-blessed body powered by Sr mana?"


    "I guess not..."


    Yue turned her ruby eyes jubntly towards the young man staring down the ck cloud. His back was facing her, but that was all it took for the girl''s mind to wander. It was a scene she''d experienced multiple times before and would see multiple times in the future.


    Meanwhile, Amon was not privy to his engaged partner''s wild delusions. Entirely focusing on the Greater Demon, he mustered up his mana, turning his body into a golden glow of pure aura. The Six Suns roared within him, providing him with much more mana.


    It was said that eyes were a reflection of one''s soul.


    And now, Amon''s were dyed pure gold.


    And with a point of his sword.


    Reality changed.


    A ptial phantom of a golden sanctuary enveloped the entire dungeon. The Greater Demon, which had be ck mist, mysteriously formed back into its centipede form and screamed in agony once more. ming tongues seared the ck exoskeleton of the monster and melted down its hard exterior within seconds.


    Bane dropped his jaw at the stunning turn of events and continued hismentary with a renewed zeal.


    "Solstice Sanctuary... Yet another Sris Mystic art. I''m truly blessed today."


    Much like its name suggests, the Solstice Sanctuary changes the area where the caster fights into a Sanctuary blessed with Sr mana. It greatly increased the effectiveness of the user''s powers while, at the same time, diminishing their opponent''s.


    It was one of the more difficult Sris Mystic arts to learn, but if one could master the technique, it was a tool that could even y Dragons.


    Malgathor writhed in pain, mming its serpentine body around like a fish suffering out of water. But Amon was merciless. He continued to strike at the monster''s body, cleaving its scales with each incremental strike.


    Golden Aura sparkled through the chamber and overcame the ck mist which spewed from Malgathor.


    It was a one-sided ughter. Even Bane felt bad for the monster, given how effortlessly and ruthlessly Amon was carving the Greater Demon like a birthday cake. However, his sympathies didn''tst long as the beast finally gathered its wits and retaliated with a visceral roar.


    Once again, it split into a ck mist and spread across the sealed dungeon. The smoke congregated into minor astral beings with humanoid faces and des for arms. Some mist turned into a thundercloud, filling the entire arena with a heavy, dark atmosphere.


    The darkness instantly overwhelmed what little light the trio had, effectively blinding them. That was the danger of Malgathor. For humans, who relied heavily on their eyes, theck of vision made them sitting ducks.


    Fortunately, the darkness wasn''t going to be there for long.


    "Dawn."


    Amon''s mana rose to unprecedented heights as the Sun began to rise. Yue and Bane unconsciously squinted and held their palms over their eyes to block the light. But the Sun that Amon created was blinding. It continued to grow and burn the thundercloud above their heads. Light was restored to Yue and Bane in no time, giving them a clear view of the aftermath.


    The man-faced centipede was convulsing on the floor, its human face snarling like a wild beast. Its ck scales were now all charred and its superior body was in tatters. It red at the person responsible for its sorry state and growled:


    "Riadle!!! Jeaoll!!! Liasmen!!!"


    It began speaking words that none of them could understand. It could have been the Demonnguage or a lostnguage used by the ancient humans, but it didn''t matter. Everyone could feel the intent behind Malgahtor''s words.


    Hate.


    It hated Amon for inflicting so much pain upon it.


    And it was hell-bent on getting revenge.


    Malgathor once again turned itself into a billowing ck mist. However, it was far more concentrated than before, as if the monster was burning its own life force to strengthen its power. Thick miasma, which melted stone and metal, was now flowing endlessly from its dissipating body, and that wasn''t all.


    The ck mist turned into heavy thunderclouds above Amon''s head. Humanoid creatures with des for arms all rushed towards Amon like an army sieging a fort. And the most terrifying of all...


    Malgathor''s human face had increased a hundredfold, bing a flying colossal face amid the thick Ebon Mist.


    "I knew it wasn''t going to be that easy."


    Amon sighed heavily while shaking his head. Needless to say, he didn''t underestimate the Greater Demon, but the fact that it was still alive after taking so many of his hits did put a damper on his mood.


    Nevertheless...


    "Let''s just kill it."

 Chapter 38: Ancient Greater Demon (3)

    <h4>Chapter 38: Ancient Greater Demon (3)</h4>


    In the abyssal depths of an ancient ruin that no human has touched in hundreds of years, an epic battle between man and Demon took ce. The feats the Knight pulled off were akin to magic. Colossal ming orbs of molten energy hurled like baseballs. Sword movements that were so clean and crisp that one would mistake them for a figure skater skiing on a frozenke. And the dense amount of mana emitted just by showing off his presence.


    When Yue said that Amon alone could defeat Malgathor, she wasn''t kidding.


    Watching her future husband make fun of the Greater Demon through his superior skills caused her heart rate to jump. Yuemented that she couldn''t record it and wished to have kept a spare recording crystal in her storage. However, just watching Amon do his work was already a feast for the eyes.


    There was a reason why, in her previous timeline, Amon was considered a one-man army and became humanity''sst hope.


    Amon''s mastery over the Sris Mystic arts was second to none, and hebined hisbat experience from his previous life to attain greater heights. Against a Greater Demon like Malgathor, whose speciality wasn''t one-on-onebat? The Greater Demon didn''t stand a chance.


    From an outsider''s perspective, heaven and earth were being twisted. Darkness and lightbated for ultimate supremacy as if it were the advent of the universe. The darkness of Malgathor was enough to corrupt the entire continent, while Amon''s Sun could bring light to even the dark abyss. However, it became clear that there was a clear winner.


    Bit by bit, the Sris Knight chipped down the defences of Malgathor until eventually...


    The Greater Demon''s massive formy in a twisted heap on the cold dungeon floor. Its skin was dark and mottled. Covered in atticework of cuts and scars, viscous block ichor seeped from its wounds and tainted the ground itid upon.


    Malgathor''s centipede body had been dissected cleanly and scattered throughout the dungeon. Its massive human-like face was the only one showing the slightest trace of life as it stared menacingly at Amon, waiting for the man to deal the final blow.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    And that... he did.


    "..."


    With a single sh of his de, Amon took the final breath of the ancient Demon. Thest remnant of its mana dissipated into nothingness, effectively ending the beast''s wretched life. However, Amon didn''t feel any pride in his work. He set the Greater Demon''s body aze and nonchntly returned to hispanions.


    "You did well!"


    Yue weed the warrior with a pleasant smile and a warm, wet face towel. Amon had long be ustomed to her handy ability to pull out anything from her storage and happily epted the towel to wipe some sweat off his face.


    "It''s nothing. I could have killed him quicker."


    "Don''t be such a downer! You did amazing! Malgathor isn''t an easy opponent, even for you."


    "I guess..."


    Amon reflected on the battle and could only be hyper-critical of his skills. Although he controlled the situation, there were dicey moments during the battle. Truthfully, Malgathor was a bad matchup for him and if it weren''t for his Sr mana and the enclosed vacuum arena they were in, it was hard-pressed to say who would have won.


    At the very least, Amon would be powerless to stop the Greater Demon if it wished to escape.


    By his standard, Amon felt that he should have the power to one-shot Malgathor by now. But not everyone thought the same way.


    "Amazing... You single-handedly killed a Greater Demon! At the age of eighteen, no less! Not to be rude, but young master. Could you perhaps be the reincarnation of the Sris Founder or Saint?"


    "... no, I''m not."


    "Oh, don''t be so modest!"


    Bane couldn''t help but puff his chest out. He thanked his lucky stars for having the foresight to partner with his two patrons. With Amon and Yue around, his future as a Spymaster was effectively secured.


    "The only thing missing in your arsenal is the Holy Sword! Who knows? During the uing Sword Bestowment Ceremony, we might witness the birth of a new legend!"


    By now, Bane was convinced that Amon was the third hero who would im the Holy Sword and lead a new era. But little did he know, his callous words caused the young Knight to freeze.


    ''Sword Bestowment Ceremony... That''s right, Leon will summon the Holy Sword in six months.''


    Leon summoning the Holy Sword was essentially the starting point of [Bright]. Once the Demon Cult realised the new hero was born, they would ramp up their activities and trigger the Cmities faster. Basically, Amon and Yue were now racing against the clock.


    "Yue, how many more sealed Greater Demons are there?"


    Feeling a sense of urgency, the transmigrator probed the regressor. Yue blinked twice before smiling with a reply:


    "Sixteen, possibly seventeen. However, I only know the rough location of where they''ll be. We''ll still need to rely on Bane and Echelon to triangte their location."


    "Good, let''s hurry then."


    Before Leon summons the Holy Sword and the Demon Cult catches onto their n, Amon is hellbent on weakening their forces as much as he can. He''d already failed once during Yue''s original timeline. There was no way he was going to fail again.


    "For the Demon Cult''s branches, let''s deal with them after we eliminate all the remnant Greater Demons."


    "Gotcha," Yue chuckled. She found Amon''s determination and single-mindedness adorable, and she couldn''t help but feel proud. "Bane, you''ll have to work overtime then."


    "..."


    Bane looked at the pair as if they had lost their minds. Didn''t they just eliminate one Greater Demon? Why were they so eager to go onto the next one without even a moment''s rest? Nevertheless, he was under their payroll and couldn''t object to his patron''s desires. Especially since they were expending their energy to eliminate the evil gue of Hyades.


    "Fine, give me three days. I''ll find the next sealed location."


    The Spymaster rolled his eyes begrudgingly and disappeared with a shadow step. The next time he would meet the pair would likely be at the next dungeon, and he secretlymented that he wasn''t even given time off.


    Amon''s golden eyes intensified, and only after he was certain that Bane had disappeared did he finally nce down at Yue.


    "With the timeline messed up, shouldn''t we prepare for the worst? What if the Blood Demon makes his appearance earlier than usual?"


    The first major arc in [Bright] was the Awakening of the Blood Demon. It was a significant point in the storyline as it was the first time Leon faced an enemy of that stature. By that time, Leon would have gotten the Holy Sword from the Sword Bestowment ceremony and it yed an important role in subjugating the Blood Demon.


    The difficulty will increase exponentially if the Blood Demon appears before Leon summons the Holy Sword. Naturally, if everything went awry, Amon could attempt to eliminate the Blood Demon alone. However, Leon Bright, the protagonist of the story and the key to saving the world, wouldn''t be able to grow.


    "Not to worry. I have ced informants in Mistwood. The moment we hear even a whisper, we will drag Leon over even if he''s not ready."


    "That''s not reassuring..." Amon frowned and fell into deep thought. "Could we influence Grandpa Alrock to push up the ceremony date?"


    "No, it would be too suspicious. If we break tradition and awaken the Holy Sword early, the Sris House will suspect we know something."


    "Tch, there''s no other way, huh?"


    "Don''t worry," Yue said, bringing her face closer to the young man and embracing him from behind. Amon raised his eyebrow but didn''t push her away in the slightest. Rather, he opened his ears and patiently awaited her next words.


    "The Blood Demon has nothing to do with the Demon Cult. He''s one of the rare variables that will remain constant. No one knows where the Blood Sword is in Mistwood, not even the Prophet from the Demon Cult. It will only appear after the earthquake that urs once every ten thousand years, and without the Blood Sword around to parasite other living creatures, the Blood Demon will never appear."


    "... I hope you''re right."


    Amon finally calmed down.


    Yue''s logic was sound, and in the deep recesses of his mind, he had probablye to the same conclusion. The problem was that since Leon had broken the timeline and appeared in the Sris House early, Amon''s heart was uneasy, unlike the former cold-blooded Transcendent.


    Gazing up through the door and far into the distance, Amon only had one thought in his mind.


    ''I wonder what Leon is doing now?''

 Chapter 39: Leon鈥檚 Homecoming (1)

    <h4>Chapter 39: Leon''s Homing (1)</h4>


    [Leon''s POV]


    It has been five days since I returned to the Sris House.


    The first few days were tense. I was introduced to my grandfather, Alrock Sris, quite abruptly, which became a huge uproar. I heard I interrupted someone''s birthday party and genuinely felt bad for stealing their thunder. However, I couldn''t find the person''s name as I had a few matters on my te.


    First, I was introduced to my direct and extended families¡ªmy grandparents, paternal aunts, uncles, and cousins. They were stunned to see my appearance, which resembles my father''s, or so I heard. However, they were likewise perplexed at my golden hair and blue eyes.


    Despite my appearance, there was no questioning my lineage. The fact that I had learnt the Nine Suns Heart Mantra was enough for the conservative faction to acknowledge my bloodline. Also, my Sr mana was just as pure as any pureblood Sris.


    There was a huge uproar about what the Sris House was to do with me, but in the end, my grandfather decided to honour my father''s wishes and ced me in the Knight''s Academy. I would be joining as a transfer, which was rare but not unheard of.


    Joining the Knight''s Academy was a nerve-wracking ordeal, especially when I had no friends or family I could rely on. However, it was a necessary evil. I had to train myself to learn the Sris Mystic Arts and eventually be influential enough to return to the Holy Church.


    Though... It was ufortable walking through the halls of the Knight''s Academy.


    My return had be the talk of the town, and almost everyone in the building knew who I was. It didn''t help that my bright blonde hair stood out among the ocean of ck hairs. Some people looked at me scornfully, and while they remained quiet as they passed me by, their silence was deafening.


    I could roughly guess the curse words that were going through their head.


    Half-breed... Defective... Son of a deserter...


    All of them were words I''d heard before. Most were silent whispers, but my acute hearing could pick them up. I clenched my fists in anger, and my knuckles were turning white from all the hatred I had bottled up. However, no matter how much they scorned me, I couldn''t move a muscle.


    If I cause trouble now, I may be expelled or even worse... Banished from the Sris House. When that happens, I would fail to live up to my father''s expectations, Sir Arthur''s expectations... and E''s expectations.


    Besides, they have yet to confront me directly. If I were to be sensitive to every person''s silent judgement, there would be no end to my suffering. I did my best to turn off the noise and focus on myself to be a stronger Knight.


    Fortunately, I wasn''t the only major gossip guing the Sris House.


    "Have you heard? Sir Amon ran away with his fianc¨¦e."


    "Again? How many times have they done it?"


    "I don''t know. I stopped counting after five."


    Two girls seated near me began gossiping with beaming smiles, oblivious that I was listening. One of them had a heated expression as she continued:


    "It''s amazing how passionate their love can be! They are to be married, yet they can''t bear to be apart! I heard that even though they were engaged for political reasons, it was love at first sight for them!"


    The first girl''s face flushedpletely red as she detailed the story to her friend.


    "... how nice. Recently, my parents asked if I wanted to be set up too. Perhaps I should follow their lead?"


    While arranged marriages were mostly a thing of the past, there were still cases of parents matchmaking their children together. Though, it was a frowned upon topic, especially among younger girls. So, it was shocking to hear these two teenage girls happily considering that path.


    "It''s quite a mystery that an ident hasn''t urred yet."


    "Hey! Don''t talk about Sir Amon and Lady Yue like that! They are the paragons of virtuosity! They would never do such a thing before marriage!"


    "Yeah, yeah. I know that you idolise the Fantasy Couple."


    My body shook ever so slightly at the familiar topic. I endured the urge to turn and ask the girls questions. Instead, Iid my head on the table and perked my ears up.


    "What''s not to idolise? Lady Yue is the epitome of a perfectdy! Beauty, brains, power, influence... She has it all! I had the pleasure of meeting her once. Let me tell you, she''s a fairy in the flesh! Her pictures do not do her justice! Also, she is one of the most talented mages of her generation and is poised to take over the Elune House! I dare say there is no other better maiden in Hyades!"


    Idol worship was frowned upon by members of the Holy Church, so I couldn''t empathise with the girl''s sentiments. However, my interest was piqued after hearing the young girl''s words.


    A beauty and a genius mage? She even had the backing of a mighty House. That ''Lady Yue'' sounded like the perfect woman on paper.


    However, she was not as perfect as my E.


    "And her match, Sir Amon, is no slouch either! Graduating from the Knight''s Academy in three years, I heard he''s among the most promising True Knights! Rumour has it that he cleared dozens of missions solo, each more difficult than thest! If everything goes well, he''ll be one of the leading figures of our generation! And he''s only eighteen this year!"


    If my interest was piqued before, now the pair had my undivided attention. I thought I was talented, but as expected, there was always a mountain higher. This ''Sir Amon'' person was unquestionably more powerful than I am, and he''s only two years older.


    "Damn, I remember seeing him in the Academy many years back, but I didn''t manage to talk to him once! What a shame. I heard he even had his eighteenth birthday party a few days back! I wish I could have attended just to see them in tuxedos and dresses."


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Ah, I heard about it! His Excellency, the Sris Lord, attended the party, didn''t he? He announced that Sir Amon was in contention to im the title of the Sris Lord, right?"


    "No, that was just rumours. His Excellency didn''t say anything of the sort."


    "Really? Perhaps he would have, but it was spoiled by..."


    The two girls paused and suddenly turned silent. At the same time, I felt their piercing stares directed at me, causing my eyes to look suspiciously backward. As expected, they were wearing awkward faces while scratching their cheeks.


    Oh wait... Sir Amon celebrated his birthday a few days back...


    Didn''t I crash that party?


    Crap, no wonder the girls were looking at me funnily. Letting out a few dryughs, the pair avoided my gaze and walked out of the room, presumably to go to the restroom. However, it was painfully evident they would find a secluded ce to continue badmouthing me.


    Ah damn...


    Dear E... My days in the Sris House haven''t started as well as expected.


    ???


    A few weeks had passed since my return to the Sris House. After the initial setback, I started to fit in rather quickly. There was a mixture of reactions. Some were hostile and attempted to make fun of or bully me into submission. However, that was all resolved after I disyed my skills in openbat, crushing five bullies who ganged up against me.


    The disdain and hostility in some cadets'' eyes were still quite prominent, given that my father was seen as a deserter and my hair colour wasn''t the standard Sris jet ck. Nevertheless, I brushed off all those prying eyes and focused on my development.


    The Knight''s Academy deserved its name as a premier school for training promising Knights. It didn''t just cater to direct members of the Sris House but all talented warriors seeking to be stronger. I learnt high-level swordsmanship from my instructors, studied how to fight against all sorts of dangers, and learned even better ways to regte and train my mana.


    If I so desired, I could learn magic as well. However, since I''d just transferred, I decided not to bite off more than I could chew and focus on my main objective.


    And the ss that taught it...


    "Wee back, cadets! It has been a month since ourst meeting!"


    A middle-aged female instructor stood merrily in front of the entire ss. Her bodynguage was weing, much like her soft and cheerful appearance. Though, after spending a few weeks in the Knight''s Academy, I''ve learnt not to judge one by appearance.


    ck-haired and golden eyes, there was no doubt that the instructor before me was a bona fide Sris Knight. Not to mention, to be a teacher in this prestigious institution, one has to have a certain number of aplishments.


    "I hope everyone hasn''t forgotten me," the instructor joked in good fun, causingughter to emerge from the crowd. "But since we have some new faces in the ss, let me introduce myself again!"


    There was no need to question. The moment the instructor said ''new faces,'' all of my ssmates shot their eyes at me. Usually, I wouldn''t be bothered by other people''s gazes, but this ss and my ssmates were special. Unlike other courses that could be attended by anyone enrolled in the Knight''s Academy, this ss was only catered to members of the Sris House bloodline. And more specifically...


    "My name is Theffania Sris, Head Instructor of the Sris Mystic Arts course. I may look young, but I''m a retired Pir Knight. Experienced enough to teach a bunch of inexperienced wannabe Knights like yourselves how to use the Sris Mystic Arts."


    Theffania continued her exnation, but I felt like her words were directly aimed at me for some reason.


    "Those gathered here are the cream of the crop. The best young talents the Sris House has. Not only have you condensed Two Suns using the Nine Sun Heart Mantra, but you''ve disyed martial talents capable of promoting yourselves to be fully-fledged Knights."


    Everyone present shared the same hair and eye colour. They were direct descendants of the Sris House, and not only that, they were far more talented than their peers. After all, the Sris Mystic Arts weren''t just taught to anyone.


    "And you may be strong enough to be a Knight... But not strong enough to be a Sris Knight."


    I felt a knot form in my stomach as every word she said pierced into my soul. She was talking about my skills. Ever since I entered the Knight''s Academy, I have been trying to prove my skills as a Knight. After all, I''ve been trained by the top Pdins of the Holy Church for several years. I''d always thought that my skills were in no way inferior to any Sris House member my age.


    But I''ve soone to realise... The power of the Sris Mystic Arts.


    "So, be honoured, wannabe Knights. For I shall show you what a true Sris Knight can do."


    Energy congregated from the female Knight''s core, creating a golden halo which proliferated in size. A dense pressure mounted on my shoulders, and the earth rumbled. My throat became dry and chapped as the golden light intensified with Sr man until the former Pir Knight eventually unleashed her power.


    "Dawn."


    And with that word...


    The Sun rose.

 Chapter 40: Leon鈥檚 Homecoming (2)

    <h4>Chapter 40: Leon''s Homing (2)</h4>


    [Leon''s POV]


    The Sris Mystic Arts course ended up draining all of my energy. Both mentally and physically. After Theffania Sris showcased her abilities, she showed me the gap between a Sris Knight and myself. I finally understood why Sir Arthur and my father were adamant about returning me to the Sris House.


    The Sris Mystic Arts were, forck of a better word, mystical. They weren''t sword art; if one had to ssify them, they were closer to magic thanbat art. They utilised the full potential of the Sris Bloodline and the abundance of Sr mana found in each Sris descendant. Yet, simultaneously, the Sris Mystic Arts wasn''t magic.


    It was as if it were the manifestation of nature itself.


    To possess that much power and versatility... It was no wonder the Sris House survived since the Great Dragon War.


    But great power came at a great cost.


    "Argh, my entire body is sore..."


    A distressed voice beckoned out to me and prompted my neck to turn. Since I was already lying on the ground, it was easy to meet the eyes of the young man sprawled out on all fours next to me. He was a massive fellow, probably one or one and a half heads taller than myself. When I first met him, I''d thought I would never get to be on the same eye level as that man. But who would have thought that my opportunity would havee so quickly?


    "Gale... Is the training always this tough?"


    "No... It seems like Lord Theffania doubled the intensity."


    One of my first friends in the Knight''s Academy smiled wryly and locked eyes with me. There was a bit of resentment in his look, but it was more of an exasperated look:


    "I think she''s trying to send a message to you. Or maybe she has some personal vendetta against you. But shit, to pull us all into the mud... Don''t you think she''s abusing her power?"


    I ignored Gale''s coyment about the instructor and zeroed in on a curious phrase he used.


    "Personal vendetta? Why would she have a vendetta against me?"


    "You didn''t grow up in the Sris House, so you probably won''t know about her. Lord Theffania is fiercely loyal to the Sris House. Before she retired and became an instructor, she was part of the Judiciary, an enforcer that protects thews of the Sris House. And well, in her eyes, your father is a deserter and awbreaker."


    Gale exined everything in detail. Unlike myself, the man grew up in the Sris House. His prominent jet-ck hair and golden eyes were a dead giveaway to his identity. Sitting upright, Gale massaged his sore muscles as he basked in the light of the setting Sun.


    "But, even if she does double the intensity of our training, there''s nothing we can do. Talent alone isn''t enough for us to use Sris Mystic Arts. We must have sturdy bodies, bottomless mana pools and steadfast willpower. All of these must be achieved through rigorous training."


    "..."


    I couldn''t breathe a word.


    I was naive. I''d thought that learning the Sris Mystic Arts would be easy, and I could showcase my talent to prove the doubters wrong. But ever since enrolling in the Knight''s Academy, it has been one humbling experience after another.


    "Haha, why the long face?"


    "I just... didn''t think it would have been this difficult."


    "HA! HA! HA! Don''t worry, you''re doing just fine!" Gale gave me a thumbs-up with a bright smile on his face. With the light from the dusk, it looked like a sanctified halo illuminated his crown.


    "You''ve been in the Knight''s Academy for what? Three weeks? And you''re already attending the Sris Mystic Arts course. It took me years, YEARS, before I could enrol in this course. And you kept up with Lord Theffania''s training just as well as the rest of us. When Adelia and I first entered, we couldn''tplete one set, let alone the whole exercise!"


    There were specific requirements before anyone could join the Sris Mystic Arts course.


    Firstly, one had to be from the Sris Bloodline. This wasn''t discrimination against the other talented Knights cadets but a physical restriction. For a Knight to use the Sris Mystic Arts, they had to have the Dragon Blessed bodies of the Sris Bloodline plus Sr mana flowing in their veins.


    Secondly, they had to have condensed Two Suns with the Nine Suns Heart Mantra. Anything less would drain thempletely of their mana, which could lead to dangerous side effects.


    And finally, they had to pass a series of physical tests. Endurance running, strength measurement, flexibility tests and even the ability to handle a weapon. It would be swordsmanship for most, but the Knight''s Academy didn''t restrict them from finding their own weapon. Some Knights used hammers, maces and even ranged weapons.


    There were no age restrictions. Anyone fulfilling those requirements can enrol in the Sris Mystic Arts course, regardless of when they join the Knight''s Academy.


    Fortunately, when I transferred, I already had all those requirements in his back pocket. Hence, mymencement of the course was faster than anticipated.


    "I still remember vividly the day when Adelia vomited her guts out. I''ll never forget the sparkles of the waterfall that twinkled with the setting Sun. How could so much liquide out from one girl-..."


    "HIYAA!!!"


    Before Gale could finish his question, a karate chop came flying onto his head, silencing the teen as he bit down on his tongue. I nced at the source of my good friend''s pain and saw a tall, fit young woman clenching her fist with a red face.


    The youth had shoulder-length ck hair, and her golden eyes were glistening in the same manner as the Sun setting beyond the horizon. Her lips were trembling, and her face waspletely abashed. Looking at her posture, I could tell she was taking great restraint not to unleash a flurry of attacks at Gale''s head.


    "Adelia! What was that for?!"


    "You heartless bastard! I told you not to tell anyone that!"


    "Oh,e on, it has been two years since that incident! Don''t tell me you can''t get over it!"


    "That doesn''t mean you get to spread the word to everyone! Do you have jelly for brain matter?!"


    Gale protested while Adelia continued her insults. I watched the pair argue with no way of cutting in. Not that I had any intention. Once the pair began their antics, no one could stop them. That was the power of childhood friends.


    "Ignore him, Leon. Gale is just delirious from all the running. You make sure to forget everything he said."


    "S-Sure..."


    The way Adelia''s eyes glistened with rage reminded him of how his beloved E would jump into anger whenever he did something stupid. The two were practically peas in a pod from the way they behaved.


    I wouldn''t poke an enraged tiger, so I opted to sit out their argument. Looking around the facility, I could see all his ssmates copsed on the floor or barely keeping their wits as they fought to catch their breath. Drenched fully in sweat, one could only imagine what kind of hellish training they had gone through to reduce some of the Sris House''s most talented Apprentice Knights into a pile of melted goo.


    And that''s when I caught sight of a stunningly beautiful young woman who could barely stay awake. Her rapier was pierced into the ground, giving her some support as she attempted to get on her feet. However, there was barely any strength in her body left, and she was about to fall back to her knees before their instructor gently grabbed onto her waist.


    Unlike before, Theffania''s face was tender and kind as she helped the young woman to her feet. The pair had a cordial conversation with smiles, causing me to raise my eyebrow.


    "Who is that? Why is the instructor treating her so nicely?"


    Gale followed my line of sight and let out a knowing gasp. Seeing an opportunity to escape from Adelia''s wrath, he exined:


    "That''s Arya Sris. One of the Flowers of the Knight''s Academy."


    "Flowers of the Knight''s Academy?"


    "Yeah, just a nickname given to our school''s most beautiful and talented girls. Just a juvenile title." Adelia cut in, her voice betraying a slight tinge of envy. "Though, they say the most beautiful roses have the sharpest thorns. None of the flowers have ordinary backgrounds. In fact, one of them is your older cousin. Lydia Sris."


    "Oh? Sister Lydia is one of them?"


    Sister Lydia was my father''s sister''s eldest daughter, meaning she was my cousin. When I first returned to the Sris House, I was introduced to all my direct family members, and Sister Lydia was one of them. She had always been kind to me, introducing me to the ces to visit in Solfea, navigating how to live in the Knight''s Academy and an assortment of help.


    Older than me by two years, she was about to graduate from the Knight''s Academy and was currently undergoing her squire training. She would be a fully-fledged Sris Knight by the time it was over.


    Talented, beautiful, kind and the granddaughter of the current Sris Lord, I could understand why she was called a Flower of the Knight''s Academy.


    "Does she have a background like Sister Lydia?"


    I was curious about the belle with the same title as my talented cousin. But the answer Gale gave wasn''t what I''d expected.


    "Not really; her parents aren''t anything extraordinary. Her father is a regr Guardian Knight, while her mother married into the family. Talent-wise, she''s above average but not anything too crazy. Besides her poprity and good looks, she''s not that remarkable."


    "Hmmm? Then why is she considered a Flower?"


    "Haha, like I said, it''s a vain title. People think she''s pretty; that''s why she''s given that title." Adelia continued to frown with a bit of contempt. However, her next words were more sombre and respectful.


    "But there is one thing about her, or more precisely, her family, that stands out... Her brother is Amon Sris."


    My jaw almost dropped at that revtion. I hurriedly snapped my neck back and watched with greater interest as the instructor helped Arya onto her shoulders and carried her away with slow steps.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Amon Sris... You mean, that one-half of the Fantasy Couple?"


    "Oh, you heard of the Fantasy Couple?"


    "Vaguely..."


    "Ah, the pair are famous, so it makes sense that you know about them."


    Gale and Adelia nodded their heads in agreement. Clearly, they knew that the Fantasy Couple had gained a reputation outside of the Sris House and weren''t surprised at my words.


    "When people think of the Fantasy Couple, they usually think of Yue Elune, the heir of the Elune House. But in my opinion, the one they should be focusing on is Amon Sris."


    Gale spoke grimly with Adelia''s agreement. The girl''s eyes became more profound as she whispered solemnly.


    "That guy... he''s a monster."


    "What?"


    "I''m sure you know that Amon Sris graduated from the Knight''s Academy in three years."


    "... that I''ve heard."


    I heard that he matched my father''s record. Perhaps that''s why I felt a rivalry with this man I''d never met.


    "But that''s just the tip of the iceberg... It''s how he sted through those three years to graduate at the top of his ss. Amon is the same age as Gale and me, but he is far more talented that it''s not even funny. It''s as if he''s in another dimension."


    "Most cadets of the Knight''s Academy join at eight years old and typically graduate at twenty. It takes an average person twelve years to graduate, and Amon did it in three. Joining at ten and graduating at thirteen, that monster fought against fully grown men who all had twelve years of training, with Sr mana, Knight training, and most importantly, the Sris Mystic Arts... and won."


    The pair started speaking from the bottom of their heart. Among the lengthy recollections was their deep-rooted respect for the man Amon Sris.


    "We watched him challenge people almost twice his age from afar. His exploits were the stuff of legend, man." Gale''s face began to blush with excitement as he spoke.


    "Beating dozens of bullies who looked down on him because of his size. Snatching the rank one position from the top cadet of the school. Setting a record during the annual hunt by killing the most Demonic Beasts. And that was before he even turned thirteen!"


    Gale spoke about Amon with blind fascination.


    "Five years have passed since then... I can''t even fathom how much stronger he is now."


    After hearing more about the man''s feats, my anticipation grew. My heart was pumping as I watched his sister''s back fade farther away.


    I can''t wait to meet this guy.

 Chapter 41: Leon鈥檚 Homecoming (3)

    <h4>Chapter 41: Leon''s Homing (3)</h4>


    [Leon''s POV]


    Five months had passed since I returned to the Sris House and entered the Knight''s Academy. I had mostly learned the ropes from my grandfather and my precious friends for the past five months. They taught me everything I needed to know about the Sris House and inducted me as if I were any regr Sris descendant.


    Yes, there were a few hups here and there, but my return to the Sris House has been smooth sailing. I went to ss diligently, made new friends, and gradually elevated my status in the House.


    My talent blossomed with all the mentorship I was given, and I could feel my individual skills rising daily. And it wasn''t just the Sris Mystic Arts. My skills with the sword have improved drastically, my mana pool deepened, and my knowledge base has been broadened beyond anything I could have anticipated.


    It wasn''t an exaggeration to say I was twice the Knight now.


    And it showed.


    Metal nked as my sword flowed through the air in a de dance. Without using mana or special abilities, I moved my body effortlessly like a fish in water. Sometimes, my swordy was quick and decisive, but others were slow and reserved. In no time, my opponent felt the pressure and crumbled against my distinct swordsmanship.


    Falling to her knees, the young girl dropped her sword with pure exhaustion written on her face. Her cat-like features snarled as she attempted to catch her breath. His whiteplexion blushedpletely red as sweat drenched her entire training gear. She sat on the training grounds'' floor while breathing heavily, letting loose her ponytail and allowing her silky ck hair to flow down.


    "God damn it, I can''t evennd a hit now!"


    "You improved tremendously though. I''m surprised at how fast yourst sequence was."


    "There''s no point in being fast if I can''tnd a single hit, right?"


    "Haha, you don''t have to be that frustrated. Probably only five people in the Academy could hit me in a sparring match."


    "That doesn''t make it any better!"


    The girl brushed the dust off her clothes and got to her feet. Her captivating golden eyes stared straight at me as she cursed:


    "And I thought my brother was the only monster I had to deal with. Curse you, Leon. I hope you slip and fall, breaking your perfect nose."


    "Your words cut deep... Arya."


    In the five months since I returned, I have made several friends. There was Sister Lydia, my cousin and loving guide. There was Gale and Adelia, the pair of childhood friends who only know how to bicker. There was Rufus, the gentle giant. And finally... the sister of the infamous Amon Sris.


    Arya Sris.


    "Did you train with your brother too?" I asked with a raised eyebrow, trying desperately to hide my interest.


    "Yeah," Arya replied with exhaustion. "Whenever he was free, he would force me to be his sparring partner. Though, it was more of a beating than a sparring session. He would criticise my swordy, mana control, and overallbat ability. It''s so irritating!"


    The girl started to rant about her older brother with an exasperated tone. However, I could see that within her insultsy a profound amount of affection and respect. Especially since her lips kept rising into a smile as she recollected her time with her brother.


    "You may be a monster, Leon. But my brother is on a whole other level. There was a time when he gave me a handicap and only used one finger to parry my attacks. I waspletely defeated that day. Just imagining his finger thrusting into my stomach gives me nightmares."


    Arya grabbed onto her elbows and shivered like a leaf in the autumn breeze. Evidently, her memories of that sparring session weren''t all that pleasant.


    "That''s amazing... I can''t wait to meet him."


    "Why would you want to meet up with that monster who stabs innocent young girls," Arya scoffed and folded her arms in akimbo. "Hah, unfortunately, even if you wanted to meet him, you can''t. He''s still in the middle of his escapade with his fianc¨¦e. Seriously, can''t he even make a call? My mom has been worried sick about him."


    Five months had passed since I returned, and five months had passed since the loving pair eloped.


    They say it takes a hundred days of rumours to die out. However, Amon and Yue''s elopement had been the talking point in the Knight''s Academy the entire time. In some sense, I was grateful to the joyous couple. Their elopement had taken the heat off my return, and most gossip was about their current status.


    Were they unable to take it anymore and eloped far away from the prying eyes of the two mighty Houses? Did they have a kid and were raising it in secrecy? There was no shortage of rumours flying around.


    Unfortunately, the pair didn''t make any public announcement. It didn''t help that neither the Sris nor the Elune House were willing to share any information about their whereabouts, adding to the mystique of their elopement.


    "What about you? Aren''t you worried about your brother?"


    "Hah? About that stone-faced bastard? No way! He''s more than capable of taking care of himself. If anything, I''m more worried about Sister Yue. Seriously, why did a girl like her fall for him? She''s wasted on that bastard."


    Arya cursed to the heavens, likely to spite her missing brother. But from how her face dropped when she cursed about him and how she anxiously stomped her feet, I could tell there was genuine concern for her sibling.


    "Hah... But they sure are taking a long time this time... They would usually be back in less than a month."


    "Do you have any idea where they might have gone?"


    "Vaguely," Arya rolled her eyes but didn''t answer the full question. "Although they have eloped, Sister Yue and I keep in touch. At the very least, my stupid brother hasn''t died in a ditch yet."


    Ah, now it made sense. If they kept in touch with each other, there was no need for Arya to be too worried.


    "If he doesn''t bring souvenirs this time, I will bite his head off."


    "Haha, you have such a good rtionship with your brother."


    "Hargh?! In what universe?"


    The young girl was pissed off and attempted to lunge at me. Fortunately, the earlier sparring session had drained her energy, and she could barely step forward. Copsing on the floor once again, she spat angrily and said:


    "I''m spent, so I''ll let you off the hook this time."


    "Haha, lucky me."


    I was about to help Arya get to her feet before spotting someone entering the training room from the corner of my eye. I nced over my shoulder and saw a young beauty stride confidently into the chamber, sashaying her hips from side to side. Taller than most women, she moved her long legs like a model, and her spectacr body shapeplemented her moves.


    With long ck hair and rich golden eyes, there was no doubt about her heritage. Her face was one I''d seen many times before since returning to the Sris House. It was none other than Sister Lydia, the cousin who helped me a bunch since my return.


    The young woman smiled as she approached me but froze when she realized I hadpany¡ªor, to be more specific, she froze when she saw Arya.


    "Sister Lydia? What brings you here?"


    "Ah... Senior Lydia..."


    Arya let out an awkwardugh and scratched her cheek. Sister Lydia did something simr; her earlier bravado was broken, and she shifted her eyes around like a nervous wreck.


    "Leon, I came to find you and... Arya. I didn''t expect you to be here..."


    "Leon and I do some swordsmanship training on the side. You know, since my brother isn''t here."


    "Right... Right..."


    The two young women coughed awkwardly, increasing the tension even further. They couldn''t meet each other''s eyes, creating the amusing situation where one was looking at the ceiling, the other at the ground. Unable to bear the awkwardness anymore, Sister Lydia looked to me for help, and I sighed.


    "Arya, if there''s nothing else, would you please vacate the room? It seems that Sister Lydia has business with me."


    "Y-yeah!" Thankful that she could escape the ufortable situation, Arya quickly gathered her things and made a beeline to the exit. Before she left, she waved her hands goodbye and said: "Then, I''ll see you next week, Leon!"


    "Alright, see you!"


    And with that, Arya was gone.


    Only after a few moments, when Arya''s presence couldn''t be felt anymore, Sister Lydia finally rxed and dropped her tense shoulders.


    "I didn''t know you were close with Arya?" Sister Lydia shot me a begrudging stare.


    Unaware of what I did wrong, I shrugged and replied: "We are just training partners. Few people can match my swordy, so I invited her to train with me. I do the same with others, too. It just so happened that the others couldn''t make it today, so I trained alone with Arya."


    To hone our skills and digest the knowledge we gained, I hosted a weekly training session and gathered Knights I was friendly with to spar. Gale and Adelia were naturally invited. And Rufus, a friend I made during my other sses, was also a regr in this training session.


    Arya was one of the many Knights in my cohort with whom I had friendly rtions, so it was no surprise that she would join my session, too.


    "But why are you on bad terms with her?"


    "Well, we aren''t on bad terms per se... It''s just that... there were some circumstances in the past that made it awkward for me to face her."


    "Circumstances? What kind?"


    "Mind your own business."


    For the first time in my life, I made Sister Lydia snap. She curtly cut off my question and didn''t take no for an answer. She coughed twice, likely to signal that she was done talking about this subject and continued with her own statement:


    "Rather than prying into my personal matters, I''d thought you would be more interested in hearing something that involves you."


    "Hmmm? What are you talking about?"


    "Don''t tell anyone I told you, but..." Sister Lydia''s voice grew softer, and it became a silent whisper. I strained my ears and listened carefully as her expression looked grim.


    "I heard from my mother that you will participate in the uing Demonic Beast Purge."


    "What?"


    To understand the significance of the Demonic Beast Purge, one had to understand the customs of the Sris House. Being a monolithic organisation, the Sris House has aplished many milestones after existing for thousands of years. Hence, rather than celebrate them on individual days scattered across the year, the Sris House condensed all the festivities into one month of observance.


    Aptly named after the Sris Founder, Idrytis Sris, "Idrytis August" was one monthmemorating all the major events of the Sris House. The founder''s festival, the day the Saint repelled the Demons for good, remembering the fallen... They were all condensed into one month.


    Within that month, there were many vital holidays and activities that anyone in Solfea could enjoy. Be it festivals with carnival food or holiday inns opening so anyone could enjoy their hot springs. However, for members of the Sris House, only a few festivities mattered.


    For me, the only event that mattered during "Idrytis August" was the Sword Bestowment Ceremony. It was aing-of-age event where all Sris descendants who became Knights were allowed to enter the most sacred ce in the Sris House to be bestowed a weapon.


    Some may pull a legendary weapon held by past heroes, weapons that could define the rest of their lives. Even those who couldn''t be bestowed such a grand honour would walk away with a top-of-the-line weapon that other Knights would spend a fortune on. Not to mention, the Sword Bestowment Ceremony doesn''t happen every year. It only urs once every five years; if someone misses it, they would have to wait half a decade more to get their next shot.


    So, it was an event that I must attend.


    As for the Demonic Beast Purge, I had no intention; rather, I didn''t have the right to participate.


    Active Knights of all ages would gather together and partake in apetition to purge all the Demonic Beasts in Solfea. However, it was more of a showcase rather than an actualpetition. Sris members would disy their strength and improvement by hunting as many Demonic Beasts as they could, and at the same time, their purge would make Solfea a safer ce for theing year.


    And... the critical word was all ACTIVE Knights.


    I was still an Apprentice Knight in the Academy. There was no reason for me to participate in this event, and I had no intention to. But...


    "There has been noise from the Elders that you shouldn''t be granted the right for the Sword Bestowment Ceremony." Sister Lydia rified with a solemn tone.


    "... can they even do that?"


    "I''m not sure," the young beauty shook her head. "Grandpa Alrock was mad about it, and they reached a stalemate during their meeting. They said that it would be a bad precedent to let a deserter''s child participate in the ceremony and potentially im a prized weapon. If the sinner didn''t repent, they wouldn''t relent. That''s what I heard."


    "My father... Didn''t sin against the family."


    "We know that," Sister Lydia gently rubbed my shoulders to calm me down. "But, from their perspective, what your father did was inexcusable. And while they agreed that the father''s sins shouldn''t affect the child, they said the optics of your return are bad in the first ce."


    ... it was hard to refute that point.


    I did return with the intention of participating in the Sword Bestowment Ceremony. For someone who didn''t grow up in the Sris House to suddenly show up six months before the Sword Bestowment Ceremony and im that he has a right to participate...


    I could see the Elder''s misgivings.


    "So, Grandpa Alrock and the Elders made apromise."


    "Let me guess. Thepromise is for me to join the Demonic Beast Purge?"


    "That''s right," Sister Lydia smiled. "Their only objection is that they question your loyalty to the Sris House. So, if you put your body on the line and stack aplishments by killing Demonic Beasts..."


    I see... Then, it''s a suitablepromise.


    I could feel my blood boiling at the new challenge. If the Elders wanted me to prove my worth... Then, I''ll prove it beyond their wildest imaginations.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Chapter 42: Amon鈥檚 Homecoming (1)

    <h4>Chapter 42: Amon''s Homing (1)</h4>


    A young man sat silently in a deste, rocky valley under the crimson hue of the first daybreak, not uttering a word as if he were mute. Underneath his heavily armoured body was a mountain of disfigured corpses, each more grotesque than the next. His armour, once gleaming with the shine of impable mithril, had been worn away after numerous hard-fought battles.


    Scratches and scars, smeared with his enemies'' dark, tar-like blood, had turned his shiny armour ck. His chest te and pauldrons were nowhere to be seen, likely destroyed after the final carnage he plunged himself into.


    His face was weary, and his hair dishevelled. Matted with sweat and grime, the young man seemed to have gone through a thousand tribtions with no rest, earning himself an unapproachable atmosphere that terrified any lesser souls.


    The air around the young man was thick with the pungent stench of sulphur and burnt flesh, and it was for good reason. Otherworldly Demons and Demonic Beastsy dismembered around the Knight, their aberrant forms contorted in death. wed hands, jagged horns, and gaping maws with razor-sharp teeth were some of the many dismembered body parts which littered thend.


    And that wasn''t all.


    Luminescent golden embers flickered all over the scorched earth, the remnants of the heavenly battle that purged the Demonic creatures from this. The young man rose to his feet as the Sun emerged from the horizon to bring light onto the forsaken battlefield.


    The illumination from the Sun gave the Knight a divine halo, making him look like an agent sent from the heavens to eradicate evil. But the man wasn''t holy in the slightest. Looking down at the skull of the foe he spent so much energy dispatching, he stomped his feet down mercilessly and obliterated the final corpse.


    With his work done, the young man raised his right hand, which held a broken sword, leaving only the hilt and bits of metal behind. Furrowing his brows, he spat:


    "Another one broke again..."


    Amon threw the broken sword away and leapt down from the mountain of corpses. The final battle he had with the Demons was more challenging than anticipated. Instead of one Greater Demon, there were three. And there was a small battalion of members from the Demon Cult supporting them.


    Perhaps it was a coincidence, or perhaps the Demon Cult had caught on to the fact that they were actively hunting sealed Greater Demons and weaker Demon Cult bases. Nevertheless, the battle forced Amon to unveil some of his hidden cards, which led to yet another de of his being shattered.


    Sighing, he thought out loud:


    "Should I invest in a better sword?"


    A sword was a Knight''s lifeblood. All this while, Amon has been using inferior swords, as he was hiding his strength from the world. But throughout these five months, Amon had gone through twenty swords. At this point, buying an expensive sword would be better than breaking every inferior sword he touched.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "You could, but what''s the point? It''ll just break again."


    Amon had meant his thoughts to be rhetorical. Never did he expect someone to answer his question. He nced over his shoulders and saw a pristine young woman floating down from the upper ravine. Unlike Amon, she was all dolled up with not a speck of dust dirtying her clothes. Her clear, ruby eyes sparkled with the rising Sun, and her glorious white hair fluttered with the wind.


    Amon rolled his eyes and approached the woman who had be his travellingpanion for the past five months.


    "Doesn''t the Elune House have a treasured sword or two? Perhaps you could loan it to me."


    "Huh? A member of the Sris House is asking the Elune House for a sword? Haha, the Sun must be rising from the west today!"


    "..."


    Ignoring the derisive tone Yue used, Amon couldn''t rebut her words. The Sris House was the premier ce for Knights to get powerful weapons. And it wasn''t limited to swords. Bows, maces, hammers, shields... There were countless precious artefacts housed in the Sris House.


    "Anyway, you don''t have to worry. The Sword Bestowment Ceremony ising up anyway. You''ll probably get a good sword from that sacred vault."


    In a month''s time, Amon will be participating in the Sword Bestowment Ceremony to receive one of the precious swords sealed within the Sris House''s treasure vault.


    The Sword Garden.


    The Sword Garden was a sacred ce where numerous precious weapons were stored, from swords of past heroes to high-grade weapons crafted by the world''s best cksmiths. It was so restricted that even the Sris Lord would have to get a unanimous vote from the Elders to enter.


    The Sword Garden would only be opened once every five years during the Sword Bestowment Ceremony, where young Sris Knights would enter and select the weapon that would be their lifelongpanion. Naturally, Amon was one of the youngsters who participated this year.


    There was no strict metric as to what weapon someone would get. If it were the weaker weapons, the more talented the Knight, the more options he had. However, for the more powerful weapons, everything was fair game. Some weapons had egos and would only settle for genius Knights with ample potential. Other weapons were whimsical and would choose their owner based on their appearance.


    So effectively, what weapon Amon would get was a roll of the dice. But the youth realised that he had a cheat code by his side.


    "Hmmm? In your previous timeline, what sword did I get?"


    Yue came from an alternate timeline, and she would know what sword Amon would get during the Sword Bestowment Ceremony. However, the young woman shook her head and ced her index finger on her lips.


    "It''s a secret, hehe. But don''t worry; you''ll get a good sword that won''t break easily."


    "... right."


    The young Knight was curious but didn''t press the matter. In his opinion, the sword he would receive was irrelevant. As long as it could withstand his power, whether it was a heroic sword or a recently created one, it didn''t matter. Instead, Amon was more curious about the battle he''d just gone through.


    "There were three Greater Demons here, Yue. Have the Demon Cult caught on to our activities?"


    "It seems like it," the beauty''s face turned serious as she nodded. "It seems that the Demon Cult can trace the lifeforce of the sealed Greater Demons. While they can''t trace their location, they know whenever the Greater Demons die."


    "Looks like it would be dangerous to continue our activities then."


    Amon and Yue''s greatest advantage over the Demon Cult was the element of surprise. The Demon Cult didn''t know their identities or how powerful the pair were. Hence, they can''t pinpoint who is hunting them from the shadows. However, if this trend continues, it will only be a matter of time before the Demon Cult uncovered their identity.


    "It seems that way," Yue replied with a solemn smile.


    "Either way, we have eliminated most of the dangerous Greater Demons. At the same time, we weakened the Demon Cult forces tremendously by smashing a few of their hidden branches. We must have eliminated the risk of some deviations by now."


    The main reason why the pair eloped and went on this five-month adventure in the first ce was to mitigate the risk posed by unforeseen deviations. And from how they eradicated most of the sealed Greater Demons and reduced the influence of the Demon Cult, Yue presumed that the deviations wouldn''t be as dangerous anymore.


    "Should we return then?"


    Amon asked with a tired tone in his voice. He wasn''t able to convey it, but the five months away from the Sris House did take a toll on his mental state. Not because he was worried about his family or hunting Greater Demons was difficult. Amon felt mentally fatigued mainly because he was unable to watch over Leon.


    Leon was the protagonist of [Bright] and integral to saving Hyades from its doomed fate. If Amon wasn''t there to help the young man grow, he had no idea what could happen.


    And Yue knew that.


    "Haha, are you that worried about Leon?"


    "..."


    "You know, I''m kind of shocked. Could it be that you''re into guys? Rather than taking care of your beloved bride-to-be, the only thing on your mind is another man."


    "You know that''s not the case."


    Amon rolled his eyes in protest; even after spending five months with Yue hunting Greater Demons and the Demon Cult, he was still unable to get used to her constant teasing. In his opinion, the woman was just trying to get on his nerves to solicit a reaction. Though, it wasn''t in his personality to bite.


    "Hehe, if you''re into guys, you must tell me, okay? I may not be good at it, but I could attempt transformation magic to change my gender."


    "... please, let''s get back on topic."


    "Hah... Always the straightced Knight."


    Yue shrugged her shoulders and acquiesced to Amon''s plea.


    "Well, even without the Demon Cult''s intervention, we needed to return this month anyway. The Sword Bestowment Ceremony is upon us, and Leon has been forced to participate in the Demonic Beast Purge to prove his worth."


    "Ah."


    Hearing the news, Amon''s golden eyes lit with understanding. However, he wasn''t surprised. This was part of Leon''s story when Amon read through [Bright]. After returning to the Sris House, the Elders weren''t convinced to let Leon attend the Sword Bestowment Ceremony. They feared Leon obtaining a precious weapon and leaving the Sris House immediately.


    Essentially, they were questioning Leon''s loyalty.


    "The Demonic Beast Purge... That''s when Leon showcases his skills for the first time. Inherently, there won''t be any dangers, barring any deviations to the timeline."


    The first Chapter of [Bright] didn''t see Leon face life-and-death situations. Most of it was his awakening and showcasing his powers to the Sris House. He would gain allies and enemies until he eventually became the centrepiece of the ancient House by obtaining the Holy Sword, Ascalon.


    Of course, that''s if there weren''t any deviation.


    "Leon should be fine, but just in case, you should watch over him."


    Yue mirrored Amon''s worry. They had failed terribly during her previous timeline, and one of the critical factors for their sess this time was Leon''s growth. If Leon and Ascalon were to grow exponentially, fighting against the Demon Cult would be infinitely easier, and they would prevent the final cmity that triggered the Apocalypse.


    "Okay, then."


    Amon gazed back at the carnage behind him and heaved a huge sigh. He dropped his guard and stared into the distance before saying:


    "Let us return to the Sris House."

 Chapter 43: Amon鈥檚 Homecoming (2)

    <h4>Chapter 43: Amon''s Homing (2)</h4>


    Returning to the Sris House was a simple affair. With Yue''s teleportation spell, the pair could instantly traverse across vastndmasses to anywhere they wished. Hence, their only problem was settling their affairs outside, mainly tying up any loose ends with Bane and the Echelon Intelligence Agency he led. Once those affairs were settled, Yue happily grabbed Amon''s waist and teleported them back home.


    And it didn''t take long for them to reunite with the familiar faces they hadn''t seen in five months.


    "Amon! Where have you been?! I was worried sick for you!!!"


    Maya, Amon''s mom, was the first person he visited when he returned. Watching the beautiful middle-ageddy pat him down as she checked for any blemishes or wounds, the stone-faced Knight couldn''t help but feel his heartwarming.


    It has been several years since Amon proved himself as a Knight. Graduating from the Knight''s Academy in record time, joining the force at the tender age of fourteen andpleting missions that were too dangerous for even his father toplete.


    Yet, even with his credentials, Maya would be worried sick for her beloved son.


    "Mom, I''m sorry..."


    "Yeah! You better be sorry! I keep telling you not to leave without saying anything, but you don''t listen! Are you trying to drive your mother into an early grave?!"


    "... sorry."


    Amon had nothing to say. He was the one who aggrieved Maya, and hence, he kept silent. Amon watched his mother''splexion, and a distinct frown crept up his brow. Maya doesn''t look her age; heck, she doesn''t even look a year past thirty-five. And since their family situation had improved, the woman was given the best tonics and herbs to retain her youthful looks.


    However, as Amon watched his mother''s worried face, he saw wrinkles forming. Gaunt and sickly, it seemed like she hadn''t been eating well. Although she wasn''t on the verge of breaking down, Amon could see that Maya hadn''t taken care of herselftely.


    ''It seems like five months is too long then.''


    Amon turned eighteen this year and hadn''t left the house for more than a month at a time. Although Amon made sure to give periodic updates so that Maya would be assured of his well-being, for Maya to see her beloved son disappear for such a long time must have taken a toll on her mentally.


    "I won''t do it again."


    "You better! That vixen is nothing but a bad influence! Hmph! So what if her family is rich? We should break the engagement next time she forces you to go out!"


    "..."


    Maya was perhaps the only person in the world opposed to Amon and Yue''s engagement. While the rest of the world sees Amon and Yue as the perfect couple who couldn''t bear to be separated, Maya knows the actual truth. Yue dragged Amon around while her son, for some mysterious reason, could not deny her requests.


    It became a misunderstanding. Maya believed Amon was only humouring Yue as she improved his family''s life. In her opinion, Amon was being threatened by Yue, and the image of that woman as a dirty, bad wolf who was about to devour her son was imprinted deeply in Maya''s mind.


    "Mom... Isn''t that harsh? Amon and I truly love each other. If you break the engagement, can you bear to see your son heartbroken?"


    Yue popped her head out from Amon''s back and addressed her future mother-inw with a stirring tone. She was appalled that Maya didn''t see her standing beside Amon, and even if she did, that she was willing to insult her to her face.


    "Who are you calling Mom, you sly fox! I don''t acknowledge you as my daughter-inw!"


    "It''s inevitable, Mom. We will be family sooner orter. So why not make it sooner? I''m thinking of a Spring wedding."


    "HUH?! You dare suggest that right after kidnapping my son for five whole months?"


    The two women, one young and one old, started bickering like four-year-olds. Any male would be honoured to have two beauties fighting over him, but Amon could only feel his face warm up with embarrassment when the two women were his mother and potential future bride. Fortunately, there was a way out of this awkward situation.


    "Amon, you''ve worried us."


    "Dad..."


    Aaron Sris, Amon''s father, walked up to him with fallen brows and folded arms. Judging from the way he looked at him, Amon could tell that his father wasn''t angry at him. Instead, there was relief and joy in his golden eyes. Still, there was a stern tone in Aaron''s voice as he echoed his wife''s concern:


    "I''m d you''re fine, but your actions have crossed a line. Your mother was seriously worried for you."


    "I know; I apologise."


    It was odd.


    Amon was far stronger than his father and his feeble, nonbatant mother. Yet, as he felt their heavy eyes weighing on him, Amon felt more pressured than facing any Greater Demon or Transcendent. It was an unfamiliar feeling to the transmigrator, who had gone through hell and back.


    "I will be more cautious in the future."


    "Thank you," Aaron smiled and embraced his son. "I know you''re stronger now, but we will worry about you. Next time, inform us that you''re going for such a long time."


    "Understood..."


    Aaron wasn''t a fool. He knew his son''s personality more than any other. He knew the young Knight wasn''t going on a love escape with his fianc¨¦e, and there was a hidden motive to their constant elopement. However, he trusted his son enough to do the right thing.


    "Were you hurt anywhere? Are you hungry or tired?"


    "No, Dad. I''m fine."


    "Good, because the Lord wishes to see you."


    "How did he find out about my return?"


    Amon and Yue had just teleported back to the Sris House. Amon found it hard to believe that Alrock could sense their prompt return and immediately summon him. However, Amon''s worries were quickly mitigated after hearing Aaron''s rification.


    "No, His Excellency predicted you would return before the Sword Bestowment Ceremony. He said he wished to meet you the moment you returned. Of course, if you were feeling tired or hungry, I would have rmended you rest for now, but his business seemed urgent, so if you''re feeling up to it..."


    "Don''t worry, Dad. I''ll go find him."


    It was either between staying here, watching Yue argue with his mother, or facing one of the strongest people on the. Naturally, Amon was going to choose thetter.


    ???


    That said, just because Amon wished to see Alrock doesn''t mean he was granted an audience immediately. The Sris Lord was a busy position, and Alrock''s time was sparse. Amon waited in front of the man''s office before he was turned down by the Lord''s vassal Knight, Sir Hawk.


    Though, Amon''s visit wasn''t in vain. Sir Hawk arranged an appointment for Amon to meet Alrockter in the day, and Amon happily epted the invitation. Hence, a few hours after returning to the Sris House, Amon found himself walking down the vast hallways of the pce towards Alrock''s personal abode.


    The young Knight had been to Alrock''s ce multiple times before, mainly to discuss matters about his engagement. As he walked down the hallway without a guide, Amon felt like he was walking down memoryne.


    Over the past eight years, heid the groundwork for Leon''s return, from obtaining Alrock''s confidence to formingsting friendships within the Sris House. Amon has embedded himself deep into the Sris House and many of its influential members.


    And when the time came, Amon knew he could rely on his connections to change the future.


    "Grandpa Alrock, may Ie in?" Amon knocked on the massive stone gate that separated the Sris Lord''s abode from the rest of the pce.


    As if it had a mind of its own, the moment Amon''s voice was registered, the gate creaked open gradually. Weed by the full moon hanging in the carpet of stars, Amon found himself face-to-face with a luxurious garden. Stone pavements made with the most meticulous care led to the most well-protected mansion on the premises. Besieged on all sides by rare and precious trees, Amon strode down the path with confidence as he had done so many times before.


    It didn''t take long for Amon to realise where his destination was.


    While the mansion was lit, Amon could sense only one person in the entire facility. And he was resting at his most favoured ce. Amon immediately ignored the mansion and took the long way back towards the backyard. And as expected, it didn''t take long for Amon to find the man he came to see.


    Standing alone with his hands behind his back, Alrock Sris stared into the distance. The ever-beautiful full moon was reflected in the clear, quiet pond, making it seem like there were two dimensions before the Sris Lord. The scene was tranquil, almost magical, with the bright moon casting a serene glow over everything.


    s, Amon couldn''t rake in the atmosphere for much longer.


    "Young''un, you''re finally here."


    "Grandpa Alrock..."


    "Hoh? So you still dare to call me your Grandpa, huh?"


    The Sris Lord finally moved his eyes away from the pond and stared straight into Amon''s eyes. His voice had a tinge of annoyance, and a slight pressure was emitted from his dominant body. Unconsciously, Amon retreated, and his hand reached for the sword on his waist. Knowing the man, Alrock wouldn''t kill Amon just because he was annoyed, but the punishment would be meted out.


    However, the expected strike didn''t arrive. Instead, Alrock withdrew his mana and turned his back towards Amon again.


    "Hah... I shouldn''t have given you so much freedom..."


    For a brief moment, the indomitable Sris Lord showed his age. Wrinkles formed as he sighed, and his massive frame looked vulnerable due to fatigue. Nevertheless, he controlled his rage and spoke more calmly to Amon.


    "Seriously, you morons will be the death of me. I''m about to retire, so why do you young''uns have to give me more trouble?"


    "... I''m sorry."


    "No," the Sris Lord waved his hand to dispense of Amon''s apology. "I heard it was the Elune girl''s idea to elope again. Though, I would have hoped that you have the discretion to inform me of your actions at least."


    Alrock''s rage simmered down as he rested his body on the nearby chair. Gesturing to Amon, he spoke: "Have a seat."


    "Thank you."


    Moving with trepidation, Amon took a seat next to the Sris Lord. However, he was still on red alert as Alrock could easily send a supersonic punch flying in his direction. The two paused, not saying a single word to each other for two minutes. Alrock''s mind was still preupied as he spaced out, and Amon didn''t want to break his train of thought.


    "Young''un... I won''t ask you what you''ve been up to, but in return, I want you to answer me this..."


    Finally, Alrock opened his mouth and stared straight at Amon with solemnity. Amon felt the severity of the situation almost instantly, and at that moment, he felt like if he gave the wrong answer, his head would be sent flying from his neck.


    "Do you have the Sris House''s best interest at heart?"


    The Sris Lord was a kind person, and for the most part, he would act like a goofball. Nevertheless, he truly cared for each and every member of the Sris House. If there was ever a time he found someone to be a threat to the Sris House, the invincible Knight would do everything in his power to destroy the threat.


    Even if it meant killing his own child.


    Amon knew that for a fact and that his following words could affect the entire course of his life. And yet, there was no hesitation in his reply.


    "Yes, my actions are always for the betterment of the Sris House."


    There was no lie in Amon''s words. His actions thus far were to save the world and, as a result, the Sris House from its doomed fate. Of course, Alrock had no method of knowing that. All he could see was a sincere Amon betting his life on giving an honest answer.


    And for the Sris Lord, that was enough.


    "HA! HA! HA! Great! I knew I could count on you!"


    As if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, Alrock let out a hearty bellow. Returning to his usual self, the Sris Lord pped Amon''s back hard, causing the youth to gasp for air. Amon red back at the elderly Knight but did nothing to aggravate him further. After a while, the Sris Lord and Amon shared a lengthy conversation.


    Most of the time, Alrock teased Amon about Yue and asked when they would have a kid. It was only after fifteen minutes that Alrock finally got to a topic that interested Amon.


    "Young''un, I know this might sound greedy, but I need a favour."


    "Favour? What kind?"


    "Participate in this year''s Demonic Beast Purge."


    "Hmmm?"


    Amon''s eyes lit up at the sudden request. Knowing Alrock''s circumstances, he could more or less deduce what this request was really about. And sure enough...


    "I know that you''ve done your duties faithfully and participated in many Purges in the past. However, this year... I need you to protect someone."


    "... is that someone, your grandson?"


    "Hoh, you catch on quick."


    The Sris Lord was genuinely impressed. Amon had been gone for five months, yet he still knew about theplicated internal politics surrounding the Sris House. Little did he know that Amon had been constantly keeping tabs on anything that pertained to Leon, and the main reason why he returned was to protect Leon during the uing Demonic Beast Purge.


    "I don''t think there would be any issues, but one can never be too sure. I wouldn''t put it past those pesky Elders to influence this year''s purge in one way or another."


    "... what do you want me to do?"


    "Nothing much," Alrock shook his head. "All I need you to do is participate and report any anomalies back to me. You don''t have to assist Leon in his hunt. He will be a Knight in the future, so hunting Demonic Beasts should be his bread and butter."


    Alrock''s request was simple. If the Elders were up to no good, Amon should be there to save Leon from falling into a dangerous situation. However, if nothing was wrong, Amon should let Leon encounter the Demonic Beasts alone.


    "Naturally, I''m not asking you to do this for free. I will give you a satisfactory amount of rewards for your troubles."


    There was no need for Alrock to give any rewards, as Amon would have done it for free. However, he wasn''t going to turn down additional benefits.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "I understand; I will take the job."


    "Thank you very much, young''un."


    Alrock gently tapped on Amon''s shoulder, satisfied with his answer.


    "If that''s all, please excuse me."


    Thinking that Alrock''s affairs with him were over, Amon wished to retreat for the night and rest properly this time. He just came back from five months of relentless hunting. Taking a day or two off should be expected. s, his rest day wasn''t to be.


    "Where do you think you''re going?"


    "Huh?"


    Amon was perplexed. What other matters did Alrock have with him besides asking him to protect Leon?


    "Do you remember what I told you on your birthday?"


    "What?"


    "I said that you owed me a duel."


    "Ah..."


    Amon''s brain short-circuited at that very moment. The memories were flooding back to him now. Alrock had caught onto the fact that Amon was hiding his strength and proposed they had a duel so that he could teach him a thing or two. It had been so long that the whole affair had slipped Amon''s mind. But unluckily for him, the elderly Knight hadn''t suffered from Alzheimer''s yet.


    "Did you think that you could run from me?"


    "... no."


    "Haha, so buckle up, young''un."


    Alrock was smiling jovially like a merry old grandfather on a holiday. However, to Amon, all he could see was the God of Death smiling at him.


    ''Fuck...''

 Chapter 44: Amon鈥檚 Homecoming (3)

    <h4>Chapter 44: Amon''s Homing (3)</h4>


    "Don''t bother hiding your strength, young''un. I know that you don''t merely have three Suns."


    Alrock cheerfully chided the youngster as he took his duelling position. Dreading the inevitable, Amon sighed heavily, drawing his new sword from its hilt. Since there was no way out of this situation, Amon could only y to Alrock''s tune.


    Mana circted within his body, and the blood flow within Amon elerated. Alrock firmly believed that Amon had four Suns condensed, so the young Sris Knight had to be careful not to overdo it. If he lost control of his concentration for a split second, there was a chance that he would identally allow his mana to overflow, essentially revealing that he had Six Suns condensed.


    Amon mentally thanked Yue for forcing him to let loose and training him to control his newfound strength. Over the past five months, even though they had been hunting Greater Demons and the Demon Cult, it didn''t mean that Amon or Yue cked on their training.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    They trained far better in many ways, as they didn''t have to hide their true abilities.


    Hence, even when facing the strongest Sris Knight alive, Amon wasn''t worried about identally revealing all his cards.


    Four Suns orbited around Amon like satellites, all while Amon''s de turned red-hot from the increasing heat. Gravity was negated as rocks began to levitate around the man, and mana overflowed from his vessel. Amon''s golden eyes shimmered spectacrly as he directed his gaze at the man standing ten metres away.


    "... pardon me."


    Amon knew that Alrock was giving him the first blow, and he wasn''t going to throw away this opportunity. Directing the tip of his de directly at the Sris Lord, he unleashed the Sris Mystic Art form, in which he had the highest mastery.


    [Dawn]


    Almost instantly, the Sun rose from Amon''s feet, creating an illusion that daybreak hade even though it was still deep into the night. The immense energy generated from Amon''s attack was enough to siege castle walls and melt entire ciers. And all of that violence was being directed onto the body of one man.


    Alrock whistled at the searing Sun and readied his body for impact. His muscles tightened, ripping away his intricately embroidered shirt in an instant, revealing the shocking truth. Even though the man was literally a grandfather, Alrock''s body was chiselled beyond belief. Not an ounce of fatid inside that heap of muscle mass.


    Broad-chested and eight-packed, Alrock would put any body-builders to shame. If there was a sculpture of a perfect warrior''s body, it would be of Alrock''s. The Sris Lord''s skin turned red and veins began to pop. Flexing with every bit of power he had, the man showcased what it was like being at the apex of the mighty Sris House with one single move.


    Amon''s first strike, the attack that he used most often and was the proudest of, had dissipated into nothingness. The change was so rapid that Amon couldn''t even register it in his mind. ck-jawed and wide-eyed, he gawked at the space between Alrock and himself.


    ''... he negated my attack? With what???''


    If there was one thing that Amon was confident of, it was his senses. All this time, he had relied on his superhuman senses to identify changes in natural phenomena. Be it listening to a conversation a dozen miles away or analysing his opponents'' attacks in slow motion. Amon''s senses were his bread and butter.


    And yet... He couldn''t even identify what Alrock did or react to it.


    ''Let me try again.''


    Initially, Amon came into the duel with an indifferent attitude and just wanted to get it over and done. However, as he faced Alrock head-on for the first time, an unknown kindling ignited in his iron heart. Unknowingly, a slight smile cracked open Amon''s lips as he converted his stance.


    There was no indication that Alrock wouldunch a counterattack as he stood still with his arms folded. It was probably Amon''s imagination, but he thought he saw Alrock smiling. Nevertheless, Amon churned out whatever mana he could from the four Suns he revealed and unleashed his next two moves.


    A grand illusory phantasma of a pce descended onto the serene garden. At the same time, Amon summoned a Sun once again and soared to the skies. Heat and light ruled the heavens at that moment, and Amon directed his sword downwards with one target in mind.


    And like a fallinget, Amon...


    "Hoh? Solstice Sanctuary and Heaven''s Fall? I see you''ve been training hard."


    Impressed by what Amon had shown, the Sris Lord couldn''t help butugh. Solstice Sanctuary was an ability that enhanced the user''s overall capabilities, and Heaven''s Fall was one of the most destructive skills in the Sris House''s arsenal. By using them both in session, even Alrock couldn''t underestimate the destructive capabilities Amon''s next strike may have.


    "BUT!!! It''s still too weak!!!"


    Alrock turned his body around and dropped his fist to his waist. It was a simple movement, and it seemed no mana was being used. However, Amon''s back started to sweat, and his sixth sense was screaming at him to evade whatever wasing next. Sure enough...


    "HARGH!!!"


    The Sris Lord roared and sent his fist flying at ungodly speeds. Amon couldn''t even see his arm extend before the aftershock blew away his attack and shattered his Solstice Sanctuary. Sent flying back like a kite with its string cut, Amon fell almost a kilometre away from Alrock. By the time Amon regained his wits, he found half of his body was covered with abrasions. Internally, it wasn''t much better. Multiple bones were fractured, and his muscles were screaming with agony.


    ''Even with my body coated with Aura and strengthened by the Golden Dragon''s Progenitor''s blessing, I still received this much damage from one punch?''


    Amon cursed inwardly.


    Alrock''s movements were fast, but unlike the first time, Amon could fullyprehend what the Sris Lord did to negate his attack. All he did...


    ... was a simple punch.


    ''If the shockwave from his punch is already this strong, I can''t imagine what it would be like to get hit by it directly!''


    Amon channelled his mana immediately and used the Nine Suns Heart Mantra to heal his injuries. Fortunately, they were considered light by his standards and in less than a minute, his body was as good as new. All this while, Alrock didn''tunch another strike. The Sris Lord slowly approached Amon as if taking an evening stroll.


    Evidently, the duel wasn''t going to end here.


    ''If power doesn''t work, then let''s try speed!''


    Ever the adapter, Amon instantly switched tactics. Mana flowed to his feet, allowing Amon to move at speeds beyond human reactions. Four Suns orbited Amon''s legs, and eventually, the man moved as if he were defying gravity. Leaping from ce to ce, Amon unveiled his mastery in yet another Sris Mystic Art.


    One second, Amon would be levitating in the air; the next, he would be grounded on the floor. The mixture of haphazard movements left behind balls of light, imitating a starry trail through the Milky Way.


    "Ster Waltz? At this mastery? Young''un, you continue to amaze me!"


    If it weren''t for the circumstances, Alrock would have broken into apuse.


    Amon ignored Alrock''s tant praise and channelled all his energy topleting his move set. He closed the one-kilometre distance in the blink of an eye, and his sword was now inches away from piercing Alrock''s chest. However, the veteran Sris Knight would have easily dodged such an obvious strike, so Amon added a little twist at the end.


    The moment he stepped in front of Alrock, Amon feigned that he would sh the massive man''s chest. And just as he could see Alrock''s body move just a slight millimetre, he used Ster Waltz again, this time appearing as if teleported behind the Sris Lord.


    For the first time in the duel, Alrock''s eyes reflected shock.


    And that shock turned into a vastly slower reaction time. Amon''s sword was already mere centimetres from slicing the Sris Lord''s arm cleanly away from his body. Vast amounts of Aura poured into the tip of Amon''s de as he swung with everything he had.


    However...


    Clink!


    Amon''s sword rested firmly on Alrock''s shoulder like it had hit a diamond ore. The de wasn''t even able to pierce his skin, let alone draw blood. The result dampened Amon''s fighting spirit as he was mentally spent. Although Amon used only four Suns worth of mana, all his techniques were at their highest mastery. Yet, even with all that, he could not cut Alrock''s body.


    That result demoralised Amon a little.


    Alrock and Amon froze for a good millisecond before the Sris Lord finally came to his wits. His golden eyes shimmered with pure glee, and hisrge mouth expanded into a boomingugh.


    "HA! HA! HA! GOOD ONE, YOUNG''UN!!! Now, let me return the favour!!!"


    The Pinnacle Knight turned his body around rapidly and came face-to-face with Amon. Still in a vulnerable position, Amon sought to extend the distance and avoid Alrock''sing blow. However, he was just a tad toote.


    BOOOMMM!!!


    Amon was sent flying by Alrock''s punch and crashed violently into the deep pond. Compared to the two punches Alrock threw before, the one that hit Amon was nothing more than a love tap. However, that attack was enough to break his defences and draw blood. Suffering from more severe injuries than before, Amon floated up to the surface of the pond, almost motionless.


    At this point, he was beyond exhausted.


    The Nine Suns Heart Mantra worked subconsciously to heal his wounds, but Amon didn''t care. Floating alone in the pond, he nkly stared at the sky and cast his thoughts onto the Moon.


    ''Even if I had used all Six Suns worth of mana... Would I be able to defeat him?''


    Amon thought to himself. It was a simple question, so he got a simple answer.


    ''No, he''s still too far away.''


    Once again, the young Sris Knight was amazed at his Lord''s individual strength. The amount of mana used was inconsequential. Just by training his body to the absolute limits, Alrock has transcended the boundaries of any regr mortal. His body was a fortress, and hardly anything could prate his defences. Not only that, Alrock had yet to use his trump cards.


    ''The only chance I have of beating him isbining my Sr and Lunar mana. And even then, I can''t guarantee a win.''


    There weren''t many words to convey Amon''s disappointment. He had been training tirelessly for over eight years, yet he hadn''t even begun to scratch the surface of the world''s most powerful beings. And if beings like Alrock still perished during the uing Cmities, it could only mean one thing.


    ''I still have to grow stronger.''


    However, on the other side of the pond, the person responsible for Amon''s despair didn''t share the same views.


    ''My god! What a monster!!!''


    Alrock didn''t show it, but inwardly, he was panicking. His heart rate elerated, and his face was flushed. It was hard to hide his emotions, which was why he blew Amon far away. He couldn''t let the boy see his agitated state.


    ''How old is that young''un? Eighteen? And he''s capable of using all those Sris Mystic Arts to that mastery? He fights like a veteran with forty years of experience! What is going on?!''


    Alrock could count the number of times his heart rate spiked this high. Unknowingly, his right hand touched the base of his neck where Amon''s final attack struck, and...


    There was a searing pain hidden underneath his thick hide and defences.


    ''When was thest time I was injured in a duel? Twenty years ago?''


    On the surface, it seemed that Alrock waspletely unharmed. But the reality was far from the case. His blood flow had stagnated, and the Sr mana, which never once failed to heal his wounds, showed signs of atrophy. It felt like Alrock''s superior physique and constitution were negated against Amon''s deadly blow.


    Of course, the only reason why Alrock felt this way was because Yval, the Golden Dragon Progenitor, directly blessed Amon aspared to his whittled-down bloodline. Their mana quality was on a different scale, and if gone head-to-head, Amon''s would win ten times out of ten. But Alrock didn''t know that.


    All the Sris Lord could feel... was fear of the youngster''s potential.


    ''If he is this strong now, just how powerful would he be in ten, twenty years?!''


    For the first time in decades, Alrock felt a sense of adventure, a sense of responsibility to cultivate this young talent, and, most importantly, a blissful joy that he''d found a suitable disciple.


    ''I must take him as my disciple! HA! HA! HA! Who would have thought this generation would give birth to two super prodigies?!''


    The word prodigy was a term that could be easily tossed around. However, Alrock''s standard for a genius was far stricter than what theymen thought. He''d seen multiple so-called prodigies rise and fall. He fought with many of them; he was also considered somewhat of a prodigy in the past.


    But in Alrock''s honest opinion, only a few individuals he''d met in his life deserved that title.


    The Sword Saint, Alrock''s eternal rival. Despite having a regr human body, he trained his swordsmanship and Aura to an ungodly level, bing more powerful than the Sris Lord himself.


    Alrock''s own child, Lucas Sris. Talented beyond belief, he graduated from the Knight''s Academy in record time and absorbed everything Alrock taught him like a sponge. If he remained in the Sris House, Alrock was confident that Lucas would surpass him and reign as the next Sris Lord.


    And finally, Yue Elune, Amon''s betrothed. Being close friends with her grandfather, Yugor Elune, Alrock knew how difficult the Elune House''s spells were. Yet, Yue mastered them before twenty and even contracted with Monarch Spirits.


    All of them had unique talents and would tower over their peers.


    And, of course, his grandson Leon was among those in that conversation. With his unique constitution, Leon had the potential to be the most powerful Sris member in history, and not only that, but his talent in learning rivalled that of his father.


    If anything, Alrock thought that Leon would carry this generation''s torch.


    Oh, how wrong he was...


    ''My God!!! I''m lucky I haven''t married him off to the Elune House yet! If this young''un leaves, the Sris House will lose a major asset!!!''


    Instantly, the Sris Lord went into panic mode. All of his attention was now focused on the youth floating in the middle of the pond. With stars for eyes, Alrock zoomed in on Amon like a lion watching its prey.


    ''Why is it suddenly so cold?''


    And Amon felt an electrifying chill on his back.

 Chapter 45: Amon鈥檚 Homecoming (4)

    <h4>Chapter 45: Amon''s Homing (4)</h4>


    The next day.


    A broken and tired youth copsed on his bed in the wee hours of the morning, his body wholly sore and wet. Whether he was drenched from sweat or rain, no one knew. But as the servants watched clouds form over his head and under his eyes, they didn''t dare to approach or reproach their young master.


    Amon felt like his entire soul was being dragged from his body while his body was being offered to the evil gods as a sacrifice. Ever since his transmigration, he had never felt this fatigued. Every part of his body was aching; his mind was empty, and his soul had the urge to transmigrate again.


    "That monster..."


    Amon spat as he recalled the hell he''d been put through under Alrock''s supervision. The Sris Lord pushed him to the limit multiple times, and there were moments when Amon thought he would die. The young Knight was tempted to reveal his true power and to at least draw blood from Alrock''s nigh-indestructible body.


    Unfortunately, that would bring him even more punishment.


    Hence, Amon was forced to endure Alrock''s punishing training all night long, and it was only when daybreak came did the Sris Lord finally released Amon from his suffering.


    Even if Amon were to ignore the physical stress he was under, the mental strain on his body was immense. He had just spent five months on a non-stop expedition to eliminate as many Greater Demons as possible. He also had to deal with Yue''s constant flirting and teasing. There were many instances when Amon had to chase the girl from his bed or prevent her from peeking into the bathroom when he showered.


    And just when he finally thought he was going to get some shut-eye.


    "... what are you doing?"


    Amon felt a familiar weight lying on his chest under his nket. Looking down, he saw a massive bulge on the bed that wiggled about like a snail. At this moment, only one existence could be responsible for such a thing.


    "You''re slipping! You used to be able to sense me before I sneaked in!"


    "... get out."


    The fatigued Knight was toozy to argue with the young woman who sneaked into his bed. In fact, he was too tired even to move a muscle and push the girl out. And it was something the imp readily exploited.


    "That''s mean! All I wanted to do was be the faithful wife who wees her husband home after a long day of work!"


    "... What do you want, Yue?"


    Usually, Amon would push his supposed future bride off the bed or even teach her a lesson or two for pushing his buttons. But ultimately, the Knight was too tired to do any of that. He gave the woman a side eye before dropping his heavy head onto the pillow and allowing his whole body to rx.


    Yue happily moved in for a deeper snuggle, something that Amon didn''t vehemently reject but, at the same time, didn''t feel too good about.


    "You seem tired, so I''ll cut to the chase." Yue chuckled as she rested her head near Amon''s neck and circled her fingers on his chest. "I''m returning to the Elune House today."


    "Oh? I''m surprised you haven''t left yet."


    After going missing for five months, it was a wonder that the Elune House was taking its own sweet time to reim Yue. Thest time the pair eloped, Yugor flew into a rage and barged straight to the Sris House to demandpensation. If not for Alrock holding back the doting grandfather, Amon was sure he would have been castrated that day.


    This time, however, the circumstances seemed a little different.


    "Last year, Ipletely built up my faction in the Elune House. Also, I gave certain guarantees to my grandfather. So, he trusts me more this time."


    "Good to know."


    Amon wasn''t very interested in the inner workings of the Elune House. It seemed that Yue had it all under control and that she would call for him if she needed any assistance. But as her power grew, Amon did not need to be overly concerned.


    "However, five months is a long time... I must return to the Elune House and run some errands myself."


    "Bon voyage."


    At this point, Amon just wanted to sleep. So, the sooner he could chase Yue out of bed, the better. s, the ethereal beauty didn''t think the same way. She smiled happily and brought her face closer to Amon''s. Turning into a mount position, she looked down at Amon''s face and locked eyes with his two golden beads for eyes.


    "Won''t you miss me?"


    "I''ve seen you for five months. No."


    "How mean..."


    Yue pouted, but there was no true unhappiness on her face. Instead, she was basking at the opportunity for more skinship with Amon and happily giggled as she buried her face into Amon''s arms. To the outside world, Yue was considered a Goddess in human flesh.


    Her ethereal looks are a heavy topic even to this day, and her pictures have be more famous than even celebrities who used their faces to earn a living. Many worshipped her, and those who encountered her in real life were instantly smitten. One of the reasons why Yue could gather so many followers was precisely because of her beauty, and they served her faithfully in hopes of just seeing her smile.


    And yet, if they saw her current expression as she fawned over a single man, they would likely vomit blood out of frustration.


    "Haha, don''t be that way; I have some important information for you before I leave."


    "Hmmm?"


    "Leon."


    Hearing that familiar name, Amon''s heavy eyelids snapped open. He gazed straight at Yue''s ruby eyes, which reflected a ''gotcha'' sentiment.


    "Seriously, I thought it was funny initially, but now I''m starting to worry. Even if one of the world''s most beautiful girls straddles you, your mind only thinks about that one man. Are you sure you don''t swing that way?"


    "... stop fooling around."


    Amon rolled his eyes. This is not only because of Yue''s statement that she is one of the most beautiful women in the world but also because of her absurd theory. Yes, Amon was overly concerned about Leon, but that was solely because he was the Protagonist of [Bright] and the hope for their future. And if she were to ask him if he likes men or women, Amon would most definitely say he preferred women.


    Even now, as he watched Yue''s near deity-like features, he felt a twinge churn in his heart. There wasn''t a carnal desire, but there was no denying that Amon found Yue attractive.


    It was just... his heart couldn''t love just yet.


    "Tch, perhaps I should keep you far away from that guy. Just in case he steals you away."


    "Hah... I don''t swing that way. Could you get to the point, please? I''m sleepy."


    "Fine," slightly aggrieved, Yue sighed and divulged everything. "It seems our fears were right. He''s going to be targeted during the uing Demonic Beast Purge."


    "... by who?"


    "One of the Elders who is antagonistic against Grandpa Alrock, Elder Horas."


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Just because the Sris House was a monolithic existence, it wasn''t immune to internal politics. Heck, because of its long history, it was bound to have more politics than any regr organisation. Not everybody was happy with Alrock''s rule as the current lord, and the only reason he had an iron grasp on his position was because he was the most powerful Knight in the Sris House.


    Especially since his most treasured son abandoned his post and disappeared.


    Many were openly dissatisfied with how Alrock managed the house, and one of the dissenters was the ever-ambitious Elder Horas.


    "Elder Horas... He doesn''t defect to the Demon Cult in the future, but his ambitious moves will weaken the House. The Demon Cult will use that to trigger a cmity that would wipe out the Sris House."


    If there were one phrase to describe Elder Horas, it would be ''the mantis who stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.'' His blind ambition had divided the united Sris House, eventually causing its demise due to external factors.


    "As expected, shouldn''t we eliminate him early?"


    Amon always took the heads-on approach. If Elder Horas was the cause of many future troubles, the easiest way to resolve it was to eliminate the man before he could make any of those moves. s, his approach would always lead to more chaos and, potentially, a bigger mess.


    "No, he''s vital to Leon''s growth. Also, although an idiot, he''s fiercely loyal to the Sris House. Losing a Knight of his calibre when we are preparing for a war against the Demon Cult is moronic."


    Yue knew of her future husband''s methods and firmly declined his obvious solution. She had been slowly changing his mindset of using iron to solve all his problems, but it seemed that his former life experience was still ingrained into every fibre of his being.


    "How annoying... Fortunately, I will guard Leon during the Demonic Beast Purge so that nothing will happen."


    "Hmmm? How did thate about?"


    Inquisition flickered in Yue''s crimson eyes as she stared straight at Amon. Understanding her confusion, Amon quickly narrates his encounter with Alrock.


    "I see... Isn''t this working entirely in our favour?"


    "Yes, so you don''t need to worry about Leon''s safety."


    "Well, I wasn''t worried about that."


    Even if Amon wasn''t going to protect Leon, Yue hadplete faith that the young hero would have escaped the tribtion unharmed. Leon Bright was the protagonist and the key to securing the future. As much as the Elders might connive and y underhanded tricks, the young Knight was destined for greatness. Falling to cheap ploys wasn''t part of Leon''s fate.


    "Just out of curiosity, what did Elder Horas n to do?"


    "Quite simple. He intends to send a few True Knights from his faction to befriend Leon during his hunt. Then, they would lure him into a trap with a high concentration of Demonic Beasts. After all, directly interfering with Leon would raise suspicion. But if he gets the wrong information and walks into a trap on his own..."


    "Oh."


    Amon finally recalled reading about this ploy in [Bright]. It was considered Leon''s first proper initiation into the Sris House as he was plunged into the web of internal politics. In the original plot, Leon would fall for the trap due to his trusting nature and would be surrounded by dozens of Demonic Beasts. Granted, they were low-ranking Demonic Beasts, but it was an overwhelming situation for Leon, who was just an apprentice Knight.


    And as Yue guessed, Leon would survive the onught and showcase his true power by massacring all of them. However, there was one variable.


    "Ah, I massacred the Goblin camp that he was supposed to be trapped in."


    "... you what?"


    The young beauty furrowed her eyebrows and stared right at Amon''s face. Unable to bear the pressure, he awkwardly turned away and replied:


    "... it was an ident."


    Amon was embarrassed, but what happened was precisely the truth. Participating in the Demonic Beast Purge as a True Knight was part of his duty. In one of the years, he identally stumbled across the Goblin camp after chasing the trails of kidnapped maidens.


    Fulfilling his duty as a Knight, he massacred the Goblin camp and saved the aggrieved women within. At that moment, Amon didn''t think he was doing anything wrong and the fact that the camp was part of Leon''s trials entirely slipped his mind.


    "You... I told you constantly not to do anything that might affect the timeline without consulting me first, right? Also, you forgot to inform me of the fact afterwards!"


    "Like I said... it was unintentional."


    "Hah... What do I do with you?" Yue rubbed her temples in worry. "No, you did a good deed. It should be celebrated, not chastised."


    "Thanks?"


    "But next time, please tell me whenever you do something crazy like that! Annihting an entire Goblin camp on your own isn''t normal! Not to mention, you saved so many women... How many of them saw your valiant figure as you rescued them from the pits of despair? Argh, I just hope none of them fall for you."


    Those weren''t words to describe women who had been kidnapped and tortured at the hands of beasts, but Amon turned a blind eye to Yue''s ramblings.


    "Okay, I''ve decided your punishment!"


    "... What is it?"


    "Put a baby in me!"


    "Get out."


    "Ow, don''t be mean! Alright, how about let me sleep here until I leave? I''ll be quiet so you can fall asleepfortably in my arms!"


    "If you''re not out in five seconds, I''ll kick you."


    In the end, it took five whole minutes of push and pull before Amon finally got Yue out of his bed.

 Chapter 46: The (Un)-Fated Encounter (1)

    <h4>Chapter 46: The (Un)-Fated Encounter (1)</h4>


    After Yue left the Sris House, Amon finally got two good rest days. He slept untilte afternoon while indulging in some of his favourite treats. His mother was there to pamper him and spared no expense in catering to her one and only son. Amon felt that if this treatment were to continue, he would have melted into a blob of sloth and lethargy.


    Hence, he made a change of pace.


    Heading down to his personal training chambers, Amon took advantage of the facility to stretch out his sleepy muscles. The young Knight swung the training sword with precision and decisiveness, each stroke showing a different level of mastery every time. Some were crude and simple, others everflowing and beautiful.


    Inhaling deep breaths, Amon continued his masterful swordy until the bitter memory of getting smacked around by Alrock resurfaced. Closing his eyes, he dropped onto the floor and sat in a lotus position. The imagery of the battle was painted fresh in his mind as he entered into a deep meditative state.


    ''I was unable to damage him... What am Icking?''


    Alrock Sris was one of the most powerful existences on the, yet even he perished during the Great Cmities. If Amon wished to survive and prevent mankind''s extinction, he had to surpass Alrock''s strength and do it quickly.


    ''My technique and power are the best it can be. My speed and strength surpass most Pir Knights as well. The only thing I''mcking... is experience.''


    Amon was hyper-critical of his weaknesses. He knew his limitations and had always strived to eliminate them. Amon had exceeded any Sris Knight that existed before him in every aspect. Due to the blessing of the Golden Dragon Progenitor, his mana was continually growing at an astonishing rate. His skills with the sword were far better than any Knight. His creativity in using the Mystic Arts, even modifying some of it to suit his own style, was second to none.


    However, hecked one vital thing whenpared to Alrock.


    ''I have been focusing too much on training... The best and fastest way to grow is to be forged by fire.''


    All this time, the former Transcendent had believed that the fastest way to improve was to train tirelessly like a robot. And in a certain sense, he was right. Amon had reached a level that no one his age had ever touched. It wasn''t a stretch to consider him among the world''s top hundred most powerful existences now.


    But,pared to those who had braved through hell and back, Amon was stillcking.


    Experience.


    That was Amon''s sole weakness now.


    ''The five months I spent hunting Greater Demons were a good start. I managed to stabilise my Sixth Sun and improve on skills I didn''t know needed improving. However, it''s still not enough.''


    Now that Leon had returned to the Sris House, the plot of [Bright] and its tribtions would begin in full force. This was Amon''s opportunity to grow to greater heights, and the man was confident of it.


    ''Once the Sword Bestowment Ceremony ends, I''ll spend more time on missions and clear certain scenarios. But first, let''s get my house in order...''


    Amon opened his eyes and exited his meditative state. His eyes rolled back to the entrance of the training grounds, and he saw a young woman creeping forward like a panther ready to pounce on its prey. It was a familiar face, but one he hadn''t seen in five months. The girl noticed Amon''s eyes on her and froze on the spot, making the amusing scene of a child behaving like a statue so that their parents wouldn''t punish them for pulling a prank.


    Heaving a huge sigh, Amon smacked his lips: "Arya, what are you doing?"


    "Hehe, you caught me!" Amon''s only sister chuckled and scratched the back of her head nervously. However, it didn''t take long for her to let out a snort of derision as she snapped back:


    "Hmph! You go missing for five months, and the first thing you say is that? Do you know how worried I was? Where is the love for your sister?"


    "... I''m sorry."


    There were many things to protest. It was Yue''s idea to elope. He had been periodically giving her updates on his status. He didn''t have to report everything to her. However, Amon knew from experience that it was better just to apologise and be done with it.


    "Hmph, I won''t forgive you that easily! Where''s my souvenir?"


    "I''ve sent them to your room. You didn''t see them?"


    "A-Ah, I must have missed them then!"


    Arya waved her hands in a fluster. It was embarrassing to admit that she rushed towards his location when she found out that Amon had returned. Naturally, Amon didn''t know of her internal turmoil, so he reached into his bag and threw something at her.


    As an apprentice Knight of the Sris House, Arya''s reflexes were extraordinary. Even with her mind in disarray, she adeptly received the cylindrical object with one smooth swing.


    "What''s this?"


    The sixteen-year-old thought out loud as she carefully observed the object, and it didn''t take long for her to widen her eyes in recognition.


    "I got you a water bottle. One that doesn''t break this time."


    Amon nonchntly described the sk he spent an extraordinary amount of gold on. It was heat-resistant, drop-resistant and, most importantly, vacuum-sealed. Made tost on the battlefield, it was the best water bottle money could buy. However, Arya wasn''t touched by the price point.


    Rather, her heart warmed, thinking that her brother remembered theirst spat and cared enough to buy her a recement.


    "You know, sometimes you behave like you''re made of metal, but you have a soft side."


    "... think what you will."


    Amon didn''t know what triggered his sister''s bashful reply, but her seriousness embarrassed him. Cracking his neck as he stood up, he approached Arya and asked: "So, what have you been up to? Did you cause any trouble during these five months?"


    "Am I a troublemaker in your eyes?"


    "... categorically."


    "Hargh?! Says the Knight who abandoned his post for five months to elope with his wife!"


    The two siblings started bickering and bantering like before. Theyughed and smiled, sharing stories of what they had experienced during thest five months. Naturally, Amon left out most of his experiences to avoid suspicion, which led to more misunderstandings. Primarily, Arya thought that he had knocked Yue up and was embarrassed to admit it.


    "What to do? I''m going to be an aunt at sixteen!"


    "Like I said, we haven''t done anything of that sort."


    "You guys eloped for five months and still expect me to believe that?! Sharing one night in the same room as Sister Yue is enough to tempt any man. No, even a girl like me would be tempted to have a taste. And you''re saying nothing happened?"


    "I''m telling the truth."


    "Hah... I take back what I said earlier. Your heart really is made of steel."


    Amon and Arya joked back and forth before the teenage girl finally threw her neck back and wondered: "I wonder if I should find a boyfriend too."


    "Do you have your eye on anyone?"


    "Oh? Are you going to act as the caring brother this time?"


    "..."


    Truth be told, Amon didn''t care who his sister liked or ended up with. Their family was small and not influential enough to participate in political marriages, so Arya was free to marry anyone she liked. In Amon''s genuine opinion, as long as Arya''s partner was good to her and she was happy with him, that would be enough.


    "Well, there''s no one really who has caught my eye. Don''t get me wrong, your sister is very popr, and if I wanted to, I bet dozens of handsome Knights would line up just for a chance to date me. But... I''m just not interested in that sort of thing just yet."


    In Arya''s opinion, even if the Academy had suave and talented Knights, they were just hormonal teenagers. Unbeknownst to her, the young girl had subconsciouslypared every boy she''d ever met to her near-perfect brother.


    Tall, powerful, handsome, mature and, most importantly... faithful to a single person.


    Those were all qualities she expected from her future partner, and it was hard to tick all the boxes while she was still studying in a ce where hormonal teenagers gathered. Some may be handsome, but theyck maturity. Some may have the maturity butck power. And some may possess everything... but their attributes bred poprity and women constantly surrounded them.


    Secretly, Arya yearned for a rtionship that emted Amon and Yue''s.


    "If I were to pick out some with the right criteria... Senior Ernie and Senior Kyle would be good candidates. But one is a womaniser, and the other is obsessed with training with the sword."


    "Ah, Ernie and Kyle."


    Those were familiar names that Arya mentioned. He encountered them once or twice when Amon was still studying at the Knight''s Academy. They would be talented Knights that Leon overshadowed in the future, so he didn''t think much of them. However, if they were prospects to be his brother-inw, perhaps he should scrutinise them more carefully.


    "There''s also Leon, but he''s faithful to his girlfriend back in Hyarum. Hah... Why are all the good men taken?"


    "... Leon?"


    "Hmmm? Oh, that''s right, you never met him! He transferred on the week you eloped. No, wait, you should remember him. He was the one who gate-crashed your birthday celebration!"


    "No, I know him..."


    Amon''s eyes shed with confusion, and his mind spiralled out of control. He didn''t know that Arya and Leon were friends in the original timeline. If anything, it was a deviation that he could have never anticipated.


    "How did you meet him?"


    "Oh, he''s my ssmate during the Sris Mystic Arts course. We''re the same age, so it was easy to get close to him. Also, since SOMEONE disappeared for five months, I missed a training partner. I had Leon substitute for you."


    The young teen puffed her chest out in pride, unaware of the mental anguish her words had caused Amon.


    ''Yet another variable... If I hadn''t left with Yue, perhaps the two would have nothing to do with each other. Tch, things are getting moreplicated.''


    "You''d be surprised! You''re the most talented Knight in our age group, but Leon is the real deal! In a few years, who knows? Perhaps you would be surpassed?"


    Arya teased her elder brother with a happy grin. She was edging on Amon''spetitive spirit in hopes of getting an amusing reaction from her robot brother. And surprisingly... It worked.


    "Is that so? I would like to meet this person then."


    "Oh? OH!!! Has Spring finallye for my ever-so-talented brother?! I didn''t know you had it in you! To feelpetitive against someone your age!"


    "You piqued my curiosity after singing his praises."


    "Hoh... I''ll meet himter for a training session if that''s the case. You''re free toe along! Truthfully, Leon was curious about you, too. I wonder which one of you is the stronger one, hehe."


    "Okay, I''ll go."


    "OH!!!"


    Arya was surprised at Amon''s eagerness, which he''d never shown after spending sixteen years with her. Little did she know that her brother was using her for his ambitions and to connect him to the future hero of Hyades.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    ''Finally... I will meet you properly, Leon.''

 Chapter 47: The (Un)-Fated Encounter (2)

    <h4>Chapter 47: The (Un)-Fated Encounter (2)</h4>


    Why did Number 23 like [Bright] so much?


    It was an answer that the man himself didn''t know. Number 23 stumbled across the novel during his free time. After a lifetime of missions, the greatest Transcendent of all time had reached a stage where he didn''t know where he should point the direction of his life.


    There were instances when he''d thought of retiring. To escape the bloodshed and constant fighting, leaving it all behind as he retreated into a corner of the world and read books all day. However, it quickly became apparent that Number 23 wasn''t suited to that life.


    Trained to be a fighter, he didn''t know how to do anything else. In more ways than one, he was an iplete human being with half a soul. If he weren''t on the battlefield, he would rot at home, lifeless and brainless.


    Continuing on his inhumane path ofpleting missions given by the higher-ups wasn''t an option either.


    Number 23 had just gotten his freedom back, and slowly but surely, the emotions he''d thought he sealed away were resurfacing. After years of murder and violence, the man had gotten tired of it all. It hade to the point where his sword felt heavier than usual, and he began to question the purpose of it all.


    Lost, the Transcendent had no purpose and no direction. He was a robot, going through life one day at a time.


    It all changed when he picked up that one particr book.


    [Bright] gave his monotonous life colour once again.


    The inspiring characters behaved as heroes would. Their steadfast dedication to saving the world and protecting their loved ones. And the one who led it all...


    Leon Bright.


    Leon Bright made Number 23 dream again. He made him yearn again. He made the man who had lost his humanity... human again.


    So, when Amon had the chance to finally meet Leon, the inner turmoil that gued his heart was indescribable. It was akin to a fan meeting their favourite idol. Although he didn''t show it on his face, Amon felt like the world was spinning as his sister led him through the familiar practice halls and towards their final location.


    And then... the moment of truth.


    "Leon! Sorry, I''mte!"


    The moment the brother-sisterbo stepped into the training hall, the first thing that caught Amon''s eye were the four individuals standing carefreely at the corner. Three teenage boys and one girl, each with their own unique characteristics.


    Gale and Adelia Sris were childhood friends who had be Leon''s most trustedrades. Amon also knew that in the future, the pair would be engaged while following Leon through his journeys worldwide. They would be powerful Knights and y thousands of Demons, proving worthy of standing next to this generation''s Hero.


    Rufus Dobbin. A Knight who got to his position through sheer will and hard work. Admiring his grit and tenacity, Leon befriended the young Knight, and the gentle giant became synonymous with Leon as hebated the threats facing Hyades. Perhaps his most loyalpanion, Rufus was a central supporting character in [Bright] and helped Leon build his achievements as the Hero.


    Seeing those three major supporting characters in real life seemed surreal to Amon, who had always imagined their appearance through reading the books. However, the three youths weren''t the star of the show.


    It was the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Adonis who smiled right back at them.


    "Hmmm? Arya, I''d thought you had some personal matters to attend to?"


    "Haha, I''ve finished them early, so I thought I would pop by to see how everyone''s doing."


    "Oh! We were just closing out the session by exchanging some notes! You''re wee to join if you''re interested!"


    "Haha, as tempting as that might be, I must pass for today. I have someone I would like to introduce you to."


    Arya let out a radiant smile and twisted her body backwards. Amon was easily a head taller than his sister, so his appearance had been well-noted by the four individuals in the training hall. Particrly the three Apprentice Knights standing behind Leon.


    Their movements froze as they scanned the neer from head to toe. Adelia''s eyes were quivering while Gale felt the same trepidation. Rufus had a far different reaction. His heart was beating wildly as his fist was clenched into a ball. The trio had recognised the man Arya had brought, and they could hardly believe their eyes.


    With his back turned to them, Leon couldn''t see his friend''s reactions and just inly evaluated Amon.


    Tall like a gant warrior poised for the battlefield. Handsome like a celebrity who had charmed a thousand fleeting hearts. And most importantly...


    ''This guy... He''s strong!''


    Leon could feel an imposing presence, much like he did whenever facing Alrock or Sir Arthur. Like Amon, Leon''s senses were spectacr, far beyond any Knight his age. And his senses were now screaming at him to run away. Or, at the very least, not challenge the mighty figure that had entered the training halls.


    Powerful figures like Knights from the Sris House would subconsciously emit pressure that would intimidate lesser life forms. Just like how Dragons possessed a presence that forced weaker creatures to bend the knee, strong Sris House members possessed the same trait.


    And that was what Leon and hisrades felt as they gazed upon Amon''s encroaching figure.


    "Guys, I would like to introduce you to my brother, Amon Sris!"


    "... a pleasure to meet you."


    Amon''s low voice reverberated within everyone''s ears. The one most affected by it was Adelia. Her face became flushed, not by glee or blissful joy. But fear and wariness. The others felt the same anxiety but to varying degrees. Only Leon had the wits to reply to Amon''s greeting.


    "Sir Amon, it''s an honour to meet you finally."


    "... you heard of me?"


    "Of course! Your skills and valour are legendary! I have been hoping to meet you, and who knew I would get the chance so quickly? Sir Amon, I..."


    "Please, just call me Amon."


    Brushing aside the fact that Leon knew him, Amon didn''t feelfortable with the character he liked talking to him in such a formal tone.


    "But..."


    "Arya told me that the two of you are the same age. That makes me two years your senior. There''s no need for such formalities when we''re so simr in age."


    "I-I see..."


    Fortunately, Amon''s quick thinking was able to concoct an excuse, convincing the young and impressionable Leon Bright. Amon intended to continue the conversation with Leon, but he didn''t want to appear too eager. As Yue had exined to him many times before, it was imperative to help the Protagonist grow from the shadows, at least during the early parts of [Bright], to ensure as little deviation as possible. Hence, the stone-faced blockhead did something uncharacteristic of him.


    "Gale, Adelia... It has been a while. How have you been?"


    "S-Sir Amon! You remember us?!" Gale gasped while Adelia narrowed her eyes.


    "Of course," Amon replied calmly. "The two of you gave me quite an impression thest time we met. Especially the youngdy Adelia. I didn''t expect you to cry that loudly when..."


    "A-Ahaha, it''s an honour to meet you again, Sir Amon!"


    Abashed, Adelia flung her arms in a flurry. Leon watched his good friend turn from a straight-faced Amazonian into a frantic wreck, and wildly spected what happened between Amon and her in the past.


    ''There must be a story there... Hmmm, I will need to grab Gale and make him spill the beans.''


    While Leon was scheming to fish out a good gossip, thest person in the training hall made his way past Leon and politely greeted the infamous figure who had graced their grounds.


    "Sir Amon, it''s an honour to finally meet you!"


    "... and you are?"


    "Rufus Dobbin! I''m studying at the Knight''s Academy alongside Arya, Leon, Gale, and Adelia! I''ve long heard of your exploits! It truly is an honour to meet you in person!"


    Amon scrunched his face at Rufus'' lengthy praise. Rufus was a character that Amon knew very well, and his love of justice and honour was second to none. It made sense that Amon''s persona enamoured the young Apprentice Knight, but seeing a character he''d read treat him with such reverence and respect still felt odd.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Briefly cracking a smile, Amon answered back: "It''s an honour to meet you. Also, you may drop the formalities, too."


    "R-Really? It would be my honour!"


    ''Just how much honour does he have?''


    Amon couldn''t help but wonder. Nheless, he brushed aside Rufus''s fervent eyes and turned his attention back to Leon.


    Over the past eighteen years, Amon had wondered what it would be like to meet the Protagonist for the first time. What questions could Amon ask? What would he do when facing Leon, the object of his admiration? And what would he do to help advance Leon''s growth and, ultimately, change the future to save the world?


    However, as he was given more time, he could only reach one conclusion.


    "Leon Bright."


    "Y-Yes?"


    Sensing the change in Amon''s tone, Leon''s back unconsciously straightened, and his neck stiffened. Not knowing what to expect, the young teen braced himself for the worst.


    "I heard from my sister that you''re the most talented Apprentice Knight in the cohort, and you''re nning to join the uing Demonic Beast Purge."


    "T-That''s right!"


    Hearing Leon''s answer, Amon shook his head and continued.


    "I won''t advise you against participating in the Purge. It may be dangerous, but it''s not umon for Apprentice Knights to partake in that activity. However, I''m curious to see what the most talented cadet in the Knight''s Academy can do. So... Would you duel with me?"


    Amon''s request sent shockwaves throughout the training hall.


    Arya widened her eyes in fright, unaware of her brother''s intention. Not only that, she was appalled by the direct manner which Amon chose to request the duel.


    Gale and Adelia were simrly frightened, this time in horror. They were perplexed by Amon''s request and fearful as they had seen his prowess once before. If Leon and he shed with all their might, there was a high likelihood that Leon could sustain heavy injuries.


    Rufus, on the other hand, was excited beyond belief. Blood was pumping through his veins at an exponential rate and his adrenaline spiked. He couldn''t wait to see the bout between the two giants of the younger generation.


    As for the person who Amon challenged... there was only going to be one answer.


    In fact, Leon had always envisioned duelling with the man who took down his father''s record. Fighting and pitting himself against the best of the Sris House. And hence, Leon grinned from ear to ear as he replied:


    "With pleasure!"

 Chapter 48: The (Un)-Fated Encounter (3)

    <h4>Chapter 48: The (Un)-Fated Encounter (3)</h4>


    Amon and Leon stood ten metres apart, the standard distance for duels between Knights of their calibre. The duel hadn''t begun yet, and both parties were preparing themselves in various ways. Adelia handed blunt training swords to both of them as they warmed up, and the rest waited patiently at the corner, eagerly anticipating the epic duel.


    Gale was the first to break the silence as he nced at Arya and asked: "Did you edge Sir Amon to engage in a duel with Leon?"


    "Hoh? What makes you think that?"


    "I didn''t expect the legendary Amon Sris to partake in a duel with someone his age. After all, he wasn''t interested in fame or glory in the past."


    Gale entered the Knight''s Academy at the same time as Amon. And while Amon skipped grades and graduated early, there were few instances where Gale interacted with the super talent. Most of the time, he observed Amon from afar, and the consensus was that the young prodigy was an aloof character.


    Never once participating in social events, Amon behaved like a lone wolf. He had no friends, hardly ever helped others andrgely remained alone. Yet, no one chastised or ostracised him. Why?


    Amon''s talent alone was enough to intimidate everyone of his peers.


    "You''re right; my brother hardly cares about worldly affairs. He wouldn''t even take offence if someone spat in his direction. So, it''s surprising for me, too."


    "Surprising? What is?"


    Arya''s eyes narrowed as she watched the two young Knights ready themselves for the uing duel. Amon may have hidden it well, but Arya has lived with him for sixteen years. She was more or less aware of Amon''s unique disposition and his usual disinterest in any and most things. Yet, as he stared down Leon face-to-face in the arena, Arya could sense a bubbling emotion bursting forth.


    "I''m surprised he''s paying so much attention to Leon."


    "I guess... Talent attracts talent."


    Gale folded his arms and turned his attention to the two duelists. Just as he was mesmerised by Amon''s talent in the past, he was just as enchanted by Leon''s prodigal talents. He''d never anticipated to see generational geniuses in his lifetime, let alone have them pit head-to-head.


    And now, all he wanted to do was sit back and enjoy the show.


    "Yeah... My brother has always been unparalleled, and no one in his generation could challenge him. I''m sure that he''s feeling lonely at the top. So, I''m hoping Leon could be a good rival to him."


    Arya was genuine. Save Yue, she knew her brother better than anyone else in the world. Leon''s appearance would serve as a great stimulus for the constantly bored and disinterested Amon.


    "Oh? I didn''t know you cared about your brother so much!"


    "H-Hmph, who cares about him?!"


    Galeughed at his friend''s honest reaction. All this while, Amon and Leon hadpleted their warmups and were rearing to begin the duel. Adelia gingerly paced herself back to the spectator stands as Rufus stood at centre stage, acting as the referee for this friendly duel.


    Caught up in the atmosphere, the young teen obsessed with honour volunteered to oversee the bout. Neither Amon nor Leon had an issue with Rufus being the referee. If anything, they were d to have someone sturdy like Rufus, who was almost twice the size of Arya and Adelia, as the acting witness.


    Not that he was strong enough to stop them, but at the very least, he''d be able to withstand whatever coteral damage came his way.


    "May the two duel participants honour the code of..."


    "Rufus, there''s no need for long introductions. This is not a formal duel."


    "... okay."


    Leon hurriedly stopped his good friend from spewing a thousand words to fulfil his fantasy of championing an honourable duel between Knights. At best, Amon and Leon had a friendly spar, not a duel with their honour on the line. After he silenced Rufus, the young Apprentice Knight turned his clear blue eyes to his opponent.


    Standing at ease with the practice sword in his dominant hand, Amon felt no pressure or tension when facing off against Leon. His peaceful expression only hid a more sinister power that made Leon shiver to his very core.


    Amon was, without a doubt, the most powerful Knight he''d duelled since entering the Knight''s Academy.


    It took everything Leon had to calm his heart down as he readied his stance.


    On the other side, Amon wasn''t doing much better. His heart rate was elerating, and the grip on his sword was tighter than ever before. He disyed an air of nonchnce on the surface, but it was just a ruse. Amon thanked the high heavens that he''d trained his poker face and controlled what little bodily functions he had.


    It was quite unlike Amon to propose a duel, especially with an Apprentice Knight younger than himself. However, Amon had two reasons for challenging Leon to a sparring session.


    One, he wanted to test Leon''s ability to ensure that he was adequately prepared for future battles. Although Amon and Yue had been nning to save Hyades, Leon needed to grow quickly too.


    More importantly, Amon was curious about how powerful the hero he''s been chasing was.


    Therefore, the former Transcendent wasn''t going to pull any punches.


    "Whenever you''re ready."


    Amon gestured with his free hand, signalling to Leon that he was giving the first move. Knowing the disparity between their abilities, Leon didn''t take the gesture as an insult. Rather, he focused all his attention on executing the perfect opening move.


    For he knew... there wasn''t going to be another opportunity like it anymore.


    "Thank you for your courtesy, Amon... Then, excuse me!!!"


    Mana flowed through Leon''s veins, and his body reacted ordingly. The power Leon''s mana generated was enough to emit a pressure that would force lesser beings to clutch their chest in agony. With both his hands firmly gripping the hilt of his sword, Leon charged at Amon with light footwork and generated illusory afterimages of his approaching frame.


    To the outside eye, it was as if Leon had used magic to create clones of himself as he sped towards Amon. But to the man facing the attack, Leon''s movements were ying out in slow motion. Amon''s golden eyes never left the young man''s body. Every twitch of his muscle, every vibration in the wind, every sound he created. It was all being analysed by Amon''s superior senses.


    And when Leon''s sword hung over his head, Amon reacted with a swift slice.


    CLINK!!!


    The reverberation of metal echoed within the training hall as Amon''s strike sent Leon flying backwards. Tumbling and rolling on the ground, Leon ate a good amount of dust and sand before returning to his feet. He looked down at his practice sword in horror, unaware of what had hit him. The metal vibrated from the impact, and his hands felt weak from eating Amon''s casual hit.


    On the other side, Amon''s eyebrows furrowed deeply. In anticipation of a good match, he struck with more force than he usually would in a sparring session. Yet, that was enough to send the protagonist of this world into a nervous wreck.


    Was he too strong? Or was Leon too weak?


    Either way, the first move ended in Amon''s overwhelming victory.


    "..."


    Leon''s absent-mindedness ended swiftly, and he gathered himself for the following exchange. Gripping his sword with twice the tightness, Leon imbued his weapon with mana and moved with added zeal. This time, he would mix swordy and footwork rather than contest Amon''s physical strength.


    And Amon weed the exchange with open arms.


    Their des met each other dozens of times within seconds. The force of each swing sliced the air, creating turbulent wind currents that affected the spectators. Dust and bits of earth flew in the air as their swords cut the ground.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Bit by bit, Amon adjusted his power and speed to match Leon''s. It wasn''t because he underestimated his opponent but because he wanted to fully evaluate what the protagonist of the world was capable of. And so far, he was heavily disappointed.


    ''His foundations are solid, but... He''scking too much.''


    Strength, speed, technique... There was a little bit of everythingcking. It was as if he were fighting a weaker version of himself. The methods and movesets they used were all the same, reasonably expected, since they were taught the same skills from the Knight''s Academy. Yet, Amon felt like he was fighting a version of himself ten years less developed.


    And that wasn''t up to par.


    After fully understanding Leon''s level, Amon upped the ante. Previously, he only defended, reacting to whatever Leon threw at him. Now, he was going to take charge.


    Clink! Clink! Clink!


    The sounds of metal shrieking grew louder with each strike. Amon, who hadn''t moved a step since Leon''s onught began, disyed total mastery of his swordy. The practice sword, which was blunt and couldn''t pierce through armour, looked like a deadly weapon, where any rogue sh would be enough to sever a body in two.


    Before, the sparring session looked like an apprentice trying to overwhelm their master with pure power and speed. However, now that Amon had begun his assault, the duel was now a dance with swords.


    And it wasn''t even a contest about who was the better dancer.


    The moment Amon used his feet, Leon had lost. They were using the same moves, they were trained to fight in the same manner, and their swordy was eerily simr. But s, the difference was ster.


    Amon''s footwork was superior, more fluid and free. He moved around with the grace of a figure skater, each movement was connected to the next. His swordy was equally elegant. Moving through the air like it didn''t exist, Amon''s sword work was crisp, clean and sharp. Each strike served its purpose, and it connected beautifully with his dance.


    There was noparison.


    Amon was better.


    And Leon felt it. Sweat trickled down his face as it took everything he could to focus on defending. His swordy and footwork were overwhelmed, and the ringing in his arms and legs was enough to tell the tale. In due time, his entire body would ache as it took everything he had to defend against Amon''s brutally crafted attacks.


    "Wow... This is the first time I''ve seen Leonpletely outssed..."


    "I agree..."


    Gale and Adelia''s faces hardened, their eyes hardlyprehending what they were watching. There was no question about it: Leon was the best cadet in the entire Knight''s Academy. He was poised to graduate with flying colours and would likely be on the fast track in whichever Knight Order he chose.


    Leon defeated every Apprentice Knight he faced, and there were times when he could contest with Junior Knights with years of experience under their belt. Yet, here he was... outssed and outmatched.


    "My brother, he... improved yet again."


    Even Arya, who knew the abilities of both men, could only gape in awe as she watched her brother systematically dismantle the current greatest prodigy in the Knight''s Academy.


    While hisrades were amazed and spoke about Amon''s capabilities, Leon didn''t have such a luxury. All of his body was aching just by exchanging blows with Amon, and it was a wonder that his low-quality practice sword hadn''t shattered yet.


    Knowing this couldn''t continue, Leon decided to evade and regroup. Crossing swords with Amon again, Leon used the momentum to fly backwards and gain some distance. Even if it meant rolling on the ground once more, it was worth it as it gave Leon precious time to regain his wits and move on to the next phase of the sparring.


    And Amon sensed it.


    Dropping his guard, the young Knight waited patiently for Leon toplete his preparations. Mana erupted from Leon''s vessel and congregated itself into a rich golden Aura. Coated by it like an intangible barrier, Leon''s mana burst forth like a volcano.


    Just forming Aura was the hallmark of a powerful Knight, and any cadet who could do so would graduate from the Academy with a perfect score. But Leon''s Aura was not just any regr Knight''s Aura. It was more dense and abundant, so much so that it was shocking that the youth only condensed Two Suns.


    Fluctuating wildly, Leon''s golden Aura was enough to make dozens of seasoned Knights breathless. If anyone saw the Aura that shot up like a pir from Leon, they would assume that the Knight was someone with Three for Four Suns condensed.


    And they would be right to think that way.


    It didn''t take long for Leon''s Two Suns to show themselves. Orbiting the young Apprentice Knight likes to the Sun, Leon''s illusory power created a pressure that cracked the ground and sent gravel levitating.


    But that''s not all.


    Each one of the Two Suns had one other ming ball orbiting them. The smaller ''Suns'' acted as satellites, supplementing the main body with even more mana and power.


    It was a phenomenon that the Nine Suns Heart Mantra couldn''t aplish. No, it was a phenomenon never recorded in history. And it was why the Sris Lord so cherished Leon and, if raised correctly, considered to be the greatest asset the Sris House ever had.


    ''The Eighty-One Suns Heart Mantra... It''s about time I saw it in person.''

 Chapter 49: The (Un)-Fated Encounter (4)

    <h4>Chapter 49: The (Un)-Fated Encounter (4)</h4>


    The Nine Suns Heart Mantra.


    The Sris House''s signature cultivation ability. The technique enabled the Sris Founder to contest against Dragons and herald the age of humanity. Over the years, many formidable geniuses have attempted to modify their ability.


    Some seeded to varying degrees, while the vast majority failed miserably. However, throughout the revisions and modifications, there was one absolute truth.


    The Nine Suns Heart Mantra was near perfection and remained the primary ability all Sris Knights trained in.


    However, Leon''s existence threw a wrench into that fact.


    Due to his unique constitution, Leon multiplied the effect of the Nine Suns Heart Mantra. With each Sun he condensed, he could create an array of more miniature Suns to supplement its impact. Currently, with Two Suns, he could make another smaller Sun to orbit each Sun, creating two binary star systems.


    If he ascended to Three Suns, he could condense Nine Suns. Four, Sixteen. And so forth.


    In theory, Leon could condense eighty-one Suns, making him the most terrifying Sris member ever to live. Naturally, the effects of the more miniature Suns Leon created weren''t as powerful as the normal ones, but it gave him a boost in mana that no other ability could.


    Eventually, if Leon grows to master the Eighty-One Suns Heart Mantra, he will have enough mana to contend against Dragon Sovereigns and even the Titans that came before them.


    Of course, that was a story for the future. Leon''s ability to expand on his Two Suns was revolutionary enough for Alrock to consider him the future of the Sris House.


    And right now, Amon was facing the brunt of it.


    ''Since he can''t beat me with swordy, he''s going to try overwhelming me with mana?''


    It was an intelligent choice. Juvenile and brutish, yes. But smart nheless.


    Compared to most people his age, Leon had twice or thrice the amount of mana. Pitting himself against Amon in a battle of Aura was most likely the biggest chance for Leon to win.


    s, size doesn''t always guarantee a win when ites to Aura battles.


    Amon coated himself in Aura the same way that Leon did. However, Amon''s disy was far less spectacr and shy. A thin membrane encapsted the young man, giving him a gentle golden glow. Compared to Leon''s Aura, which seemed like a zing wildfire, Amon''s Aura was smooth and lucid.


    Moving into a different stance, Leon readied his de by his waist and stared straight at his opponent. He could tell Amon had unleashed his Aura too, but it was far less radiant. Yet, Leon didn''t dare to underestimate the man who had beaten him down so easily.


    Once again, Leon made the first move. Channelling his mana into the sword, he opted to overwhelm Amon with superior mana and power. Since entering the Knight''s Academy, this was probably the first time he was going all out against another person.


    The de was five metres away from Amon, and Leon made the surprising move of swinging early. There was no feasible way his sword, less than a metre long, could reach Amon from that distance, but Leon had a trick up his sleeve.


    Burning with a righteous fury, Leon''s Aura was converted into a staggering ze. With one swift swing, a crescent moon of golden fire erupted from Leon''s sword and rushed straight at Amon like a relentless tsunami.


    "Aura Fire! Leon has reached that stage?!"


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Adelia gasped in awe. Likewise, Gale and Rufus were stunned by theirrade''s astounding improvement rate. Not only had Leon awakened Aura, but he''d also used the far more technical and difficult-to-use Aura Fire. Typically, it would take decades for an ordinary Knight to awaken Aura, perhaps decades more before they could turn their Aura into elements. Yet, Leon was already capable of doing so at sixteen.


    Leon truly lived up to his moniker as the most talented cadet in the Knight''s Academy.


    s, his opponent was no longer a cadet.


    Amon took one step forward, and his entire body disappeared from Leon''s sight. The Aura Fire strike Leon sent scorched the earth before him, decimating anything it touched and burning all the oxygen in the air. Standing near the mes was enough to cause the spectators to go breathless, and they hurried to protect themselves against the carnage.


    However, Amon was nowhere to be seen.


    Leon felt the hairs on his back stand, instantly turning around to face the threat. His training sword was still torched with Aura Fire, and he swung it with all his might. It was enough to break the bodies of most weaker Knights. And yet...


    Clink!


    Leon''s training sword snapped in two. His Aura Fire provedpletely useless against Amon''s simple swing. nk-faced and fatigued, Leon could do nothing as Amon pivoted his ankles to send a wheelhouse kick flying into Leon''s abdomen.


    The young hero rolled on the floor for the final time; this time, he wouldn''t get up. The spectators were gobsmacked, frozen in ce as if they had been suspended in time. And Rufus, the umpire, was no different. He nced at Leon before gazing back at Amon, who was staring silently back at him.


    The oue of the duel was evident.


    Amon had won overwhelmingly.


    "W-Winner! S-Sir A-Amon Sris!"


    "..."


    Amon sheathed the training swordzily before approaching his fallen opponent. Although he had controlled his strength, the kick had enough force to shatter ribs. Otherwise, the relentless Leon would have gotten back up much earlier to continue the duel.


    So, it came to Amon''s great surprise that Leon sat upright while he was still walking over.


    "... are you alright?"


    "C-cough, c-cough! A-Amon, just hold on while I catch my breath."


    "... you sure?"


    "Y-yeah, I''m fine! J-Just give me a moment!"


    Leon rested briefly and used the Nine Suns Heart Mantra to speed up his recovery. In the meantime, Arya and the rest of the spectators arrived with water bottles and words of concern. It took Leon only two minutes to get back up on his feet.


    "... you recovered already?"


    "Not yet, haha. As expected, you''re really strong! It would take me a few hours to recuperate to my optimal condition!"


    "A few hours, you say..."


    The protagonist of [Bright] sure was a cheat. With his unique constitution and ability to channel more mana with the Nine Suns Heart Mantra, Leon could recover faster than any living human. This was one of the main reasons he was worthy of being the hero.


    "But still... You''re amazing, Amon! I''ve never encountered someone like you before!"


    Leon''s blue eyes sparkled with awe and delight. If one didn''t know better, one would have thought Leon won the duel rather than Amon. Getting up to his feet, the budding hero stared straight at Amon with increased enthusiasm.


    "I know this may be presumptuous but... could we duel like this in the future?"


    "... if you would have me."


    Unexpectedly, Amon had gained a great harvest. He''de hoping to foster a rtionship with the future Hero and got precisely what he wanted. Also, he could fully ess Leon''s strong and weak points through their brief sparring session.


    ''He''s still too inexperienced... His mana control is non-existent, and his skills are below par.''


    If Amon were to rate Leon on a scale of one to ten, he would likely only give him a four. Many gaping holes still needed improvement, and his growth rate had to be expedited. Little did Amon know that Leon was already growing at a staggering rate. Probably even faster than the plot progression of [Bright] or during Yue''s original timeline.


    It was just that Amon''s standards were too high.


    "After the Demonic Beast Purge and Sword Bestowment Ceremony, I will take some time off to train with you."


    "W-What?!"


    The yells from the training halls weren''t just limited to Leon. Gale, Adelia and Rufus were making a ruckus, not knowing how to feel about how rapidly the situation had changed. However, the one who made the most noise was Amon''s sister.


    "B-Brother, are you nning to take Leon as your squire?"


    Arya''s voice trembled for an unknown reason. Amon turned back, stared at his sister with increased confusion, and replied: "Of course not. I''m not epting squires yet."


    Every Sris Knight had a right to ept squires. It was a good way for cadets to learn from the best around while at the same time easing the burden of the Sris Knight. Many cadets would request to be squires before they graduate, as aing-of-age, so to speak, so that they would be ready to be Knighted when the timees.


    The cadets in the room were no exception. However, Amon found that having a squire would mainly slow him down and affect his other missions. At best, he would guide Leon and other pivotal characters of the story. As for fully epting a squire... that would only bring more trouble than it was worth.


    Just that...


    "I wanted to be your first squire..."


    "Hmmm, Arya? Did you have that intention?


    "A-Ah, you heard me?!"


    The young teen whispered under her breath, so soft that the wind could have drowned it out. Amon''s superior ears could easily pick up what she said as if she were speaking directly into his ear.


    "If you wanted to be my squire, all you needed to do was ask. I''ll ept you before you graduate from the Academy."


    "R-Really?"


    "Of course."


    epting squires would be troublesome, but the story would be different if it were Arya. Other than Yue, Arya was the person Amon trusted the most. And to a certain degree, she was also the person that Amon cared for the most. Caring for his sister wouldn''t be a chore but a pleasure.


    He could also keep a close eye on Arya, preventing any harm to her.


    "Good for you, Arya. Your wish is going toe true."


    Leon congratted his friend while his eyes hid a tinge of envy. While it wasn''t unheard of for a Knight to have more than one squire, it was exceedingly rare. Since Arya had been promised that spot, it wouldn''t be right for Leon to force his way in now.


    "T-Thanks... H-Hey, I''m not someone who clings to my brother, okay? Just get that through your thick skulls!"


    Arya attempted to protest, but all the spectators could see was a lovable younger sister trying to hide her embarrassment. Not to torture the girl any longer, Leon turned back to Amon and asked:


    "Amon, you said you would teach me after the Demonic Beast Purge and Sword Bestowment Ceremony..."


    "Ah, didn''t I tell you? I''m participating in both those events as well."


    Everyone in the training hall, save Amon and Arya, dropped their jaws. The Demonic Beast Purge aside, they didn''t expect Amon to join the Sword Bestowment Ceremony too. However, they quickly remembered the young Knight''s age and quickly held their heads.


    "That''s right... He''s only two years older than me."


    Leon let out a bitterugh.


    "He''s the same age as us..."


    Gale and Adelia turned their faces upwards, seemingly crestfallen.


    "..."


    And Rufus remained silent. His eyes burnt with determination as he red down at the handsome Knight.


    Arya was the only one with a smug look on her face. Folding her arms in akimbo, she raised her chin up and nodded extravagantly multiple times, as if dering to her friends to ept their predicament.


    Only Amon was unaware of the silent conversation the young cadets had and titled his head with a question mark popping out.


    "What''s going on?"


    s, his lonely question was fated to remain unanswered.

 Chapter 50: The Demonic Beast Purge (1)

    <h4>Chapter 50: The Demonic Beast Purge (1)</h4>


    Idrytis August.


    A whole month event celebrated by the Sris House. Throughout this festive month, hundreds of thousands of visitors would gather from afar to partake in the fiesta, not to mention the thousands of Sris House members returning from miles away.


    And the inaugural event to kick start the festivities was none other than the Demonic Beast Purge.


    Young and ambitious Knights from every corner of the monolithic House would gather to prove their mantle, eachpeting to eliminate as many Demonic Beasts as possible. Their efforts would raise their prestige in the Sris House, potentially affecting their future careers. At the same time, the reduction in Demonic Beasts would usher in a better and safer year for Solfea.


    The event gathered many spectators, even from foreigners who rarely visit Solfea.


    And this year, in particr, there was an added interest.


    "Hey, isn''t that the Patriarch''s lost grandson?"


    "Goodness... So the rumours are true; he didn''t inherit the Sris Bloodline!"


    "I heard he was still a cadet... Why is he here?"


    Spectators and participating Knights whispered to each other as they watched the strikingly blonde youth emerge into the holding arena. Many openly criticised him, while a select few shot the young man disapproving gazes. The number of eyes stered on Leon did give him a little added pressure and anxiety, but the young man did his best to ignore the prying gazes.


    The Demonic Beast Purge was a solo event, so he won''t be interacting with any of them soon. Once the instructions were given, he would scurry on his own path to find and eliminate as many Demonic Beasts as he could.


    That didn''t mean there weren''t others who would leave him be.


    "Leon, why the long face?"


    "Ah, Sister Lydia! You''re here!"


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Leon''s blue eyes lit up when he saw a friendly, familiar face reach out to him with a beaming smile. The pair happily exchanged greetings as they found a remote corner away from the prying eyes for an undisrupted conversation.


    "I didn''t expect you to join the Purge as well! Usually, cadets don''t have the right!"


    "Haha, I''m a squire, so I''m already considered half a Knight. And since it''s only a few more months to my graduation, they were willing to make an exception. Just like they did for you."


    As Lydia muttered herst few words, her golden eyes deepened with a disapproving rage. The only reason why Leon, who would have never joined the dangerous event, was due to the exceptions put forth by Elder Horas.


    Many aspects of the Demonic Beast Purge were dangerous, especially for a young cadet with littlebat experience. Demonic Beasts cane in all shapes and sizes, each with varying strength. Meeting a mutated Demonic Beast that transcended regr ones wasn''t umon.


    Hence, while it was rare for a Knight to perish during this event, there were undoubtedly a few recorded cases.


    And while the Demonic Beast Purge was a solo event, the prevailing strategy was to team up with a few Knights and share the spoils. Naturally, for stronger Knights like Amon, such a strategy would only slow him down. However, the vast majority of the participants did the same thing. They would either party with other Knights they know or other members of their order.


    Unfortunately for Leon, he had neither.


    Most Knights he knew were still in the Academy, and he wasn''t in an order yet. Hence, his only option was to go at it alone. However, Alrock had a trick up his sleeve.


    "While I don''t think you need the help, it would be good for us to team up."


    "Of course! I would be pleased to team up with you, Sister Lydia!"


    Leon hurriedly extended his hand to give his cousin a warm handshake. He wasn''t even aware of it, but having an ally on his side did ease the load on his heart. The pair continued to exchange pleasantries, ignoring the unwanted attention the crowd had bestowed upon them. And therefore, the audience moved to a new target.


    "H-Hey, he''s joining again this year?"


    "Amon Sris... He''s grown taller again. And his posture looks gant. Has he be stronger?"


    "I heard he eloped with the Elune Princess again."


    "Yeah, I heard. There were even rumours that they secretly gave birth to a child."


    An even more considerablemotion broke loose than when Leon first arrived. Amon was a far bigger celebrity than the long-lost grandson of the Sris Lord. His engagement to Yue Elune, the heir of the Elune House and the genius of the century, was already legendary. Not to mention, their constant need to run away together has tickled the minds of all.


    Of course, Amon''s ability on the battlefield also garnered some attention. Over the past few years, he served as an active Knight and cleared hundreds of missions on his own. Even during past years, he participated in the Demonic Beast purge; he transcended his age and realm to bring back unheard-of results.


    One year, he ughtered an entire goblin camp on his own, obtaining enough points to count among the top ten Knights of that year. Some were surprised that Amon was even participating this year, as he was already considered a Knight of senior status.


    Naturally, none of that noise meant anything to Amon. As if walking through his backyard, the handsome, tall Knight approached Leon and Lydia with confidence, causing both of them to react differently.


    "Leon, you''re here... and Lydia. I didn''t expect you to join the Demonic Beast Purge this year."


    Amon''s confusion was warranted. As far as he knew, Lydia was still a cadet in the Academy. Her appearance during the Demonic Beast Purge was another deviation he didn''t expect, increasing the number of variables that may change the future.


    Unfortunately for Amon, the girl in question didn''t understand the point of his question. Flushing red from ear to ear, Lydia dropped her chin down and twirled her luscious ck hair in circles. Unable to lock eyes with Amon, she replied shyly:


    "A-Ah, Amon! W-What a coincidence! Y-Yes, I''m joining this year to help my cousin, Leon!"


    "I see," Amon nodded his head sharply, his face not revealing an ounce of panic. "Then, I look forward to your exploits during the Purge. Leon, you too. I will be eagerly anticipating your achievements."


    As there was a lot on Amon''s mind, he opted to leave the pair to their own devices and moved far away to gather his thoughts. That added free time, giving Leon and Lydia space to talk on their own.


    "Sister Lydia, don''t tell me you..."


    Leon may be dense with affairs of the heart, but how his cousin acted was painfully obvious. Blushed skin, pupils dted, heart rate elerated... Either she was having a stroke, or his cousin was helplessly in love with the man who had just left them.


    "W-What? Was I too obvious?"


    "... if you could see yourself in the mirror, you wouldn''t be asking me that question."


    "Tch, so what? It''s not like I''m trying to make an effort to hide it!"


    Lydia snorted with folded arms. While she derisively brushed off Leon''s words, the gaze that traced Amon''s disappearing body was tender. At that moment, Leon suddenly realised a vital fact.


    "Wait, don''t tell me you volunteered for the Purge because Amon was joining?"


    "W-Well..."


    Seeing his cousin''s guilty gaze and shifting eyes all but confirmed Leon''s suspicion. Suddenly, the joy he felt prior was doused with cold water, and the youth became a grey colour of disappointment.


    "I-I mean, I''m here to help you, for sure! But, since I heard that it was Amon''sst year participating... I''d thought I could go head-to-head with him one final time."


    "Seriously... What''s your rtionship with Amon?"


    "It''splicated..."


    Evidently, there was a history behind his trusted cousin and newly-formed friend. However, since Lydia didn''t want to discuss it, Leon could not do anything about it. However, his mind couldn''t help but specte.


    "He''s engaged, you know..."


    "Tell me something new."


    Lydia harrumphed, and her eyes strayed towards Amon. Lord knows what thoughts were running through her as she lovingly gazed at the yawning Knight, and Leon had his wandering thoughts. s, the duo didn''t take long to break out of their concentration.


    "Attention!"


    A booming voice beckoned to all of the Knights in the vicinity. Three heavily armoured Knights walked onto the terrace overseeing the arena and looked down upon all the participants. The whispers were silenced, and everyone''s eyes turned serious.


    The three Knights were famous in the Sris House, each being a respected Pir Knight with at least Six Suns condensed. Every Knight in the arena yearned to gain enough aplishments to be respected by their peers, and the three Pir Knights before them had done just that.


    Especially the Knight in the middle and the man who stood out the most.


    Zephyr Sris.


    Standing at 1.9 metres tall, the bald forty-year-old was easily the most towering figure among the three Pir Knights. If anything, he was the epitome of what a Pir Knight should look like. d to the bone in silver armour, the Sris Knight stood on the terrace like a general preparing his men for war.


    And in a certain sense, he was.


    "Participants of the Purge! Be proud, for what you do this week will stay together with you for the rest of your career! This would be your first time hunting Demonic Beasts for some of you. For the rest of you who are repeat offenders, I humbly wee you back! But whether you''re a neer or a veteran, your orders are simple!"


    The Pir Knight stomped on the ground,manding the attention of everyone around. Even without mana, those with weaker wills felt their bodies being pressured as they stared into his golden eyes.


    "Kill all the Demonic Beasts youe across. You may think of this Purge as apetition, a sport. But for millions of civilians, your Purge is the difference between having a good year filled withughter and joy or a year with death and despair. Remember that as you begin your hunt."


    Zephyr''s words were the same every year, and every year, the Knights participating felt their veins pump with energy and adrenaline. The repeating hunters were firmly reminded of their cause and didn''t lose sight because it was apetition. As for the aspiring neers, they felt an urgency and responsibility they didn''t understand the weight of.


    Particrly, Leon felt his blood boiling after hearing that speech. For someone who yearned to save lives, the Demonic Beast Purge was the perfect chance to do some good finally.


    And while everyone was observing Zephyr and his heroic speech, Amon''s eyes focused on the other participants, mainly those who had their eyes locked in on Leon. For the transmigrator, doing well this Purge was irrelevant. His main task was to protect Leon, which he was going toplete faithfully.


    Especially when he saw the three sinister gazes that were locked onto Leon.


    ''So those guys will be the troublemakers...''

 Chapter 51: The Demonic Beast Purge (2)

    <h4>Chapter 51: The Demonic Beast Purge (2)</h4>


    The Demonic Beast Purge began formally, and the participants rushed to earn as many points as possible. As per its name, the only way to earn points and prestige in this event was to eliminate as many Demonic Beasts as one could. The first day was always the easiest, with the most Demonic Beasts around during the start of the event.


    As the event drew to a close and there were fewer Demonic Beasts around, it would turn into a scramble where Knights would sometimes fight each other to obtain a kill for themselves. Hence, it was important for all the participants to start as fast as possible and eliminate as many Demonic Beasts as they could.


    Leon and Lydia were no different.


    When the event began, they rushed towards a remote part of Solfea and actively searched for Demonic Beasts. And surprisingly, their hunt began with a good start. Through a digitised map given to every participant, they could zone in on the areas with the highest concentration of suspected Demonic Beasts. In the first few hours, Leon and Lydia could hunt various small game, such as Demonised Rabbits and Birds.


    They had hunted a dozen Beasts each in no time, earning themselves a decent amount of points. While it wasn''t extravagant, it was a good start for their first time participating in the Purge.


    "12 points... Not a bad haul for a first day."


    "Is it enough? I heard thatst year, the winner got over two thousand points."


    While Lydia happily counted her points, Leon didn''t share the same sentiment as his cousin. The fights with the weak Demonic Beasts were rtively easy, and the pair barely broke a sweat. For Leon, who was yearning to showcase his abilities, the points he obtained were hardly enough.


    "Haha, don''t say that. We''re not here to win, just to show a good performance. Besides, don''t look down on small beasts like rabbits or birds. They may be weak to you, but it''smon for them to be a menace to the general poption. The more we kill, the better."


    "A-Ah, I didn''t mean it that way."


    "Haha, I know you don''t."


    Lydia was well aware of the pressures that Leon faced, so she didn''t demean the young man in the slightest, though it was good for her to remind him of the Purge''s importance.


    It didn''t take long for the light in the sky to dim. Solfea''s temperature in August was rtively warm, so there was no need for them to find warm amodations. They could simply set up camp nearby to rest for the night before continuing again. Fortunately, they were close to a sereneke, which was the perfect ce to camp for the night.


    "Let''s rest for tonight. It''s just the first day. We have plenty of time to hunt for more Demonic Beasts tomorrow."


    "Alright."


    While Leon felt he could continue the hunt for much longer, recharging for now wasn''t a bad idea. Given that the Purgested for a week, there were still plenty of opportunities to hunt for beasts with higher points.


    The two cousins found their way to their rest point and immediately began making the ce cosy. As Apprentice Knights, with one being a squire, they were adeptly trained to live in the wilderness. Pitching a tent and procuring drinking water and food were done almost instantly, and they sat around the campfire while cooking some fish they caught.


    As they waited for their meal to be done, they had some quiet free time, and Leon opted to break the awkward silence with a question:


    "So, Sister Lydia, will you tell me what happened between you and Amon?"


    "Huh? Where did thate from?"


    "Well, I''m interested to hear how my cousin somehow got intertwined with a married man."


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "They''re not married yet..."


    Lydia heaved out a long sigh, her tone filled with defiance. However, it didn''t take long for her curt voice to be reced with a defeatist yawn. Twirling her fish above the campfire, she began to speak:


    "Amon entered the Academy the same year as me. At that time, I was the most talented and promising cadet in the cohort. My grandfather was the Patriarch, my ability with the sword was beyond my years, and my skills were by far the best in the cohort. However, that all changed when I met Amon."


    Leon watched silently as his cousin soberly recollected her early days as a cadet.


    "At first, I thought that I had found a worthy rival. If wepeted with each other, it would elerate our growth. However, his rate of improvement was beyond astounding; it was terrifying. In less than three months, he surpassed me in terms of pure swordy. In half a year, he was already learning skills a year ahead. And by the time the year was over, he had already far surpassed me."


    Lydia chuckled at her childlike self: "I was a fool even to believe I stood a chance as his rival. And when I realised I couldn''t stand by his side, it frustrated me. I continued to look at him, yearning to be as good as him, and before I knew it, I fell in love."


    It was the ssic example of falling in love with one''s rival. There was noplicated backstory or single incident that caused Cupid to shoot his arrow. Lydia fell in love one day and didn''t know what hit her.


    "It destroyed me when I learnt he was already engaged. And not just to anyone, but the perfect Elune Princess. It''s unfair, right? She''s far more beautiful than me. Her background is not an ounce weaker. And she''s widely considered the most talented mage of the century. But funnily enough, I didn''t despair. I hoped that one day, if anything were to happen to their union, I could pick up the pieces."


    "I see... So you''re just hoping that their engagement is dissolved?"


    "Haha, not only that. Divorce is still an option, no?"


    "Are you thatmitted?!"


    Leon couldn''t believe his ears. If his cousin was serious, that meant she was willing to stay single until the day Amon and Yue broke up, no matter how long it took. The young man couldn''t even fathom a one-sided love this strong.


    "Haha, I''m joking... Until the day my feelings fade, I will foolishly hang onto hope."


    Lydia picked up her fish, which had be slightly charred, and bit down hard on it. While chewing, she calmly continued:


    "Honestly, I''m content just to watch him from a distance. Of course, the closer we are, the higher likelihood I have of fostering a better rtionship with him."


    "Is that why you volunteered for this Demonic Beast Purge?"


    "Yes," Lydia nodded her head shyly. "It''s just a small victory in my heart, but I''m d I get topete with him one final time, just like we did during our first year in the Academy. Once I graduate, I will try to apply to his Knight Order, but there''s no guarantee I will get it."


    The eighteen-year-old''s determination was stunningly bright for Leon to watch. He reached forward to grab his fish on a stick and realised that theke before him was eerily silent. Furrowing his brows, he slowly got to his feet and unsheathed his sword.


    "Something is watching us."


    "... I felt it too."


    Lydia didn''t doubt the young man''s words. She dropped her food and drew her sword simrly, her eyes focusing on the serene, mirror-likeke. Bit by bit, ripples emerged from the bottom of theke, and a serpentine figure disrupted the calm of the evening. Two green beads with vertical slits opened from the depths, staring straight into the pair''s souls.


    At that moment, Leon finally moved. Swinging his sword, the young Apprentice Knight sent out a wave of Aura Fire, which burned the area where their enemy was. The Aura Fire was so intense that the water on the surface evaporated into mist instantly, covering theke with a thick fog beyond Leon''s expectations.


    "Shit, wrong move!"


    Realising his mistake, Leon leapt back ten metres, and so did Lydia. However, rather than panic, the pair quickly deduced the next optimal move to execute: dispel the fog.


    "Leave it to me!"


    Lydia twisted her sword to the side and let out a forceful sh. That strike wouldn''t hit anything, and it wasn''t meant to. With that one move, the squire sent out a gush of wind so intense that the mist was blownpletely away.


    "Thanks, Sister Lydia."


    "Don''t sweat it."


    The cousins exchanged pleasantries, but they didn''t release their tension. Staring right at the quiet pond, they had an ufortable feeling. As if their earlier experience was a lie, there wasn''t any sound of movement from theke¡ªjust eerie silence.


    "Did I kill it?"


    "No, if it dies, we''ll see signs of its body. That Demonic Beast is still alive, alright."


    Being the more experienced one, Lydia gave her conclusion after one nce. She immediately put her left hand forward and concentrated a lot of mana into her fingers.


    "Fire won''t work here. It''s an aquatic Demon, so fighting in its territory would only put us at a disadvantage. Cover me while I cast a spell."


    "Got it!"


    Like two veterans on the battlefield, the duo instantly divided their tasks. Lydia began casting while Leon stood before her, ready to tank any damage their enemy might send. Fortunately, no such attack came, and the young squire hadpleted her spell.


    "Chain Lightning: Twin Purple Dragons!!!"


    Mana turned into a magic circle, and two sinister-looking fiends ascended to the skies. Holding enough voltage to melt a house down, Lydia''s Lightning spell unleashed all of its fury upon the silentke, and the water bubbled with the intensity of a volcano.


    Seeing the carnage of that spell almost sent Leon into aa. He''d always known that his elder cousin was talented, but to use a Lightning spell of this degree was impressive, even for a cadet of her calibre. After all, Knights weren''t trained to be Magicians. At best, they would learn one or two spells to cover their weaknesses. Yet, Lydia''s spell would give any mage her age a run for their money.


    While Leon was impressed, Lydia was exhausted. That spell drained a quarter of her mana, and that sudden strain ced a significant mental load on her. However, Lydia knew that there was no time to rest. She watched with bated breath as the silence of theke soon turned into an unknown dread.


    "Leon, dodge!!!"


    Both sensed something rising from the pond, and it was moving at a breakneck speed. Without even thinking, the pair split from each other and evaded in different directions. It was fortunate that they did.


    BOOM!!!!


    An invisible force sped past where they once stood and crashed into the trees behind them. Although they could not see the creature, Leon had a rough gauge of where the beast was. Immediately reacting, he sent yet another wave of Aura Fire flying and burnt the Demon as it was. The mes spread quickly and the pair was able to identify the shape of their assant urately.


    "An invisible snake?"


    Leon muttered in wonder. The Demonic Beast was over twenty metres, and its reptilian face and serpentine body were easily recognised. However, with Leon''s inexperience, he could only deduce that it was a snake. On the other hand, Lydia knew exactly what opponent they were facing.


    "A ss Serpent! We lucked out, Leon! That Beast is easily worth a hundred points!"


    "Is that so?!"


    Just the sheer amount of points was enough to make Leon salivate. His vigour regained, the young hero circted all of his mana and channelled out the Two Suns from within. As before, his Two Suns had two smaller fireballs orbiting them, significantly increasing the amount of mana avable to him. His golden hair fluttered in the wind as a thick Aura enveloped his entire body. As he opened his cerulean eyes, Leon pointed his sword directly at the Demonic Beast and dered without mercy.


    "Dawn."

 Chapter 52: The Demonic Beast Purge (3)

    <h4>Chapter 52: The Demonic Beast Purge (3)</h4>


    While Leon and Lydia were hard at work fighting against the ss Serpent, one particr set of eyes watched them with great interest from afar. Amon stood silently along the treelines, leaning his broad shoulders upon a heavy trunk. His golden eyes pierced through the darkness of dusk and he could see the duo''s hunt clearly.


    "Oh ho? I didn''t expect him to learn the Sris Mystic Arts this soon."


    Amon whistled with pure amazement. The Sris Mystic Arts were the Sris House''s trump cards, and it has been notorious for its immense difficulty in learning. It wasmon for even the most talented Sris Knights to struggle with the legendary arts.


    Even Amon took a while before he could get the hang of the techniques, and it took him longer to master them all. Hence, Amon''s surprise was warranted as he watched Leon execute the first move of the Sris Mystic Arts.


    "The mastery iscking, but he has the release down perfectly. As expected of the protagonist, he''s more talented than I''d expected."


    Amon recalled that Leon only learnt how to execute the Sris Mystic Arts after he summoned the Holy Sword. He was way ahead of schedule aspared to the original timeline. That expedited growth was a weed change for Amon, as he hoped the future hero would grow stronger quickly.


    But Leon''s growth wasn''t the only one worth noting.


    "Lydia too... That lightning spell is pretty amazing."


    Amonuded Leon''s partner and sang her praises. It was rare for a Knight to learn magical spells and even rarer for them to be so proficient in them that they could rival other magicians, especially for direct descendants of the Sris House. It was much more proficient to master Aura and take advantage of the Sris Bloodline to be excellent Knights.


    However, Lydia did the unthinkable and mastered the magician''s path. A dual user of magic and Aura was exceedingly rare and coveted by any organisation worth their salt. From Amon''s point of view, it seemed that Lydia had far exceeded anyone in the Academy, and it was only a matter of time before she graduated from the top of her cohort.


    "Still, I don''t remember her learning magic in [Bright]. Did something happen to trigger this deviation?"


    Amon thought out loud and pondered on what caused Lydia''s path change. In [Bright], Lydia was an amazing swordswoman, honing her skills until she became a powerful Knight. Yet, the current Lydia was easily twice as potent and dangerous, given her dual specialities.


    "I wonder if something happened to her to prompt that change."


    There was no way Amon could predict every deviation that would happen. However, little did he know that the reason for Lydia''s change was a little closer to him than he''d expected.


    "Anyway, a ss Serpent should be an easy kill for the two of them. More importantly..."


    Amon wasn''t a secret voyeur. He was watching the pair to protect them against the schemes of Elder Horas. And as someone who prides himself for his superior senses, the young Knight didn''t feel a speck of energy in the immediate radius around them,


    "I don''t sense anyone else... It seems like they won''t be acting against Leon immediately." The vignt Knight surmised after considering all the options.


    If Elder Horas wanted to act against Leon and avoid suspicion, he would do so inconspicuously. Striking on the first day would draw too much attention, and he would likely send hisckeys by constantly monitoring Leon''s location.


    Each participant was given a tracker for safety purposes, so it wasn''t surprising that an Elder would be able to know Leon''s location wherever he went. Then, it was just a matter of leaking the area to those who wished to cause Leon harm.


    And as Amon was drawing all sorts of ns in his mind, the battle between Leon, Lydia and the ss Serpent reached its inevitable conclusion.


    Leon''s Sris Mystic Arts had torched the Demonic Beast, weakening the monstrosity significantly. Adding Lydia''s superior magic to the mix, the ss Serpent stood no chance. The duo''s growing synergy and relentless onught quickly negated its speed and reflective capabilities.


    It was only a matter of time before the ss Serpent fell, and Amon grew toozy to watch the rest.


    Retreating to his makeshift hammock to rest, he locked his fingers behind his neck and closed his eyes.


    "Let''s just wait and see then."


    ???


    Days passed, and the Demonic Beast Purge was on its fifth day. Over the past five days, thousands, if not tens of thousands, of Demonic Beasts fell to the brave Knights. The people cheered wildly as the participants brought carcasses of their hunt to designated checkpoints, serving as proof of their hunt.


    Most Knights had umted enough points to cease their hunt, but a select few continued with the Purge. For them, thest two days were pivotal to getting into the upper ranks. Leon and Lydia were no different.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    After killing the ss Serpent, they had only encountered a few more high-points Demonic Beast. Altogether, they had amassed over six hundred points each, not a fantastic figure, but a respectable one nheless. For mere Apprentice Knights who had entered their first hunt, no one would me them even if they ended their hunt. On the contrary, they would be praised for their temperance and knowing their limits.


    However, Leon wasn''t concerned about that. Earning points was one thing, but hunting Demonic Beasts had given him a sense of purpose he hadn''t felt since entering the Sris House.


    Each time he entered a checkpoint to submit his proof, he could see the relief and joy in the general poption''s eyes. They thanked him for working hard and showered him with praises and gifts. It was a feeling that exhrated the young hero, and Leon doubled his efforts to eliminate as many Demonic Beasts as possible.


    Unfortunately, the Apprentice Knight ran into a slight issue.


    "Have we killed all of the Demonic Beasts in the area?" Leon asked while chewing on a loose straw.


    "It seems to be the case," Lydia replied after gulping down a mouthful of water. "We''ve been wandering around here for three hours, and no signs of anything."


    "I guess that''s a good thing."


    Leon sighed. At the beginning of the Demonic Beast Purge, the pair would encounter dozens of weaker Demonic Beasts, like rabbits or birds, by the hour. However, as time passed, it took a lot of work to find an earthworm worth hunting. Most of the stronger ones had been hunted down by the Knights, while the weaker Demonic Beasts had all gone hiding.


    This was good news for the poption that had to live on thend. But for Leon, who felt like he was stillcking points, it was a tight conundrum.


    "Six hundred points is nothing to scoff at," Lydia continued proudly. "We have enough to shut up the Elders, so you don''t have to worry about the Sword Bestowment Ceremony! Let''s see if they dare deny your entrance!"


    "Haha, thank you."


    The whole point of participating in the Demonic Beast Purge in the first ce was to secure Leon''s spot in the uing Sword Bestowment Ceremony. With Leon''s umted points, it would be hard to deny the young Knight''s loyalty to the Sris House. His humble and optimistic attitude had struck a chord with the general popce, who were mostly positive about Leon.


    "I guess we can take it easy then."


    Only after Lydia''s persuasion did Leon finally cut himself some ck and rx. The past five days had been hectic. All he did was wake up, eat, and kill beasts. Adding to the fact that there was some mental stress umting, unknowingly, the young Knight felt like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. Giving himself some leeway to rx was a wee change.


    "Since we have some time, let''s go to another area and patrol. Who knows? We may encounter a tough Demonic Beast on the way?"


    "Haha, you and your jinxes."


    The pair decided to continue with the Purge, but they were far moreid back this time. Moving leisurely, they took the time to enjoy the scenery and had pleasant conversations. Rather than two Knights out on a mission, they looked like a pair of siblings enjoying the countryside.


    Little did they know that their leisure stroll would be a colossal nightmare.


    "H-Help!!! Help!!! Is there anyone around?!"


    Shrieking cries for help echoed in the remote farnd, causing Leon and Lydia to snap their necks. Unsheathing their swords, they rushed to the source of the pleas, only to find three injured Knights with their silver armour half-broken and their bodies covered in dirt and blood.


    The three Knights cried out once again as if they had seen salvation.


    "Help!!! Please help us!!!"


    "What happened?!"


    Leon immediately ran to help the female Knight who called out to him. He attempted to help her stand, but she simply brushed it off and hurriedly exined herself.


    "P-Please! We were hunting some Goblins and tracked them down into their cave. Unexpectedly, they hadid an ambush for us! Our group was heavily besieged, and we attempted to escape... However, my sister was captured!"


    Like a trauma victim, the female Knight held back tears while recounting the ordeal. Her older male and younger female partners added fuel to the mes as they broke down in tears.


    "Please, help us save my sister! She''s the weakest out of all of us, and who knows what kind of unspeakable things may happen to her if she remains in their camp?"


    "Have you pressed the distress signal?"


    Each participant of the Demonic Beast Purge was given a tracker and a distress signal. Anytime they felt their lives were in danger, they could press on the signal, and themittee would dispatch a group of rescue Knights.


    "W-We did, but since we''re far from any checkpoint, it would take them hours to arrive. By then, it may be toote for my sister!"


    "Alright, we''ll he-..."


    "Wait a minute!"


    Before Leon could readily agree, Lydia pulled him by the cor and dragged him to the side. The three injured Knights gaped with confusion, but Lydia silenced their rebuttals: "Give us a moment; let me talk things through with my partner."


    "..."


    The Knights didn''t respond, raising the gorgeous young ck-haired girl''s eyebrows slightly. However, she didn''t bother to continue her exnation and stared down at Leon.


    "Don''t you think that they are suspicious?"


    "What do you mean?"


    "Their armour... They show signs of battle, but none of them are greatly injured. And goblins? Knights of their calibre should be able to defeat weak monsters like that, but they were forced to retreat? Something''s not right."


    "Now that you mention it..."


    Leon nced back at the trio, who were still doing their pitiful act. No, an act might be too harsh of a statement, as Leon felt they weren''t pulling a farce. Perhaps they had been ambushed, and the Knight''s precious sister really was abducted?


    "We should wait for help to arrive."


    As Lydia said those words, the female Knight rushed forward with tears in her eyes and grabbed Leon''spel: "W-We can''t do that! By the time theye, my sister may be destroyed forever! With the five of us together, we can cover more ground and break into the Goblin''s Nest to rescue her! There''s not much time!"


    "You..."


    Lydia narrowed her eyes and attempted to raise her voice. Unfortunately, her partner was quicker on the trigger.


    "Don''t worry, we''ll help you!"


    "Ah, thank you!"


    "Please, save the thanks forter. Lead the way."


    "M-Most certainly!"


    The three Knights thanked Leon profusely before turning their backs on them to lead the way. The path towards the cave was straightforward and the group could see their destination from afar. As they ran, Lydia sighed and whispered to Leon softly:


    "Have you taken a second to think about whether it could be a trap?"


    "A trap? You mean the Elders would do such a thing?"


    "I don''t know... But you''re way too trusting."


    "..."


    Leon reflected on Lydia''s words for a minute. Sure enough, the only evidence the trio had were their words, and there was hardly any proof that someone was indeed abducted. And if the Elders wished to harm Leon, this was the perfect opportunity. However...


    "What if they''re right?"


    "... What?"


    "I agree, this has a higher likelihood to be a trap. But what if it''s not? What if there is a person in serious danger? It wouldn''t sit right on my conscience to do nothing."


    "Leon..."


    Lydia watched her younger cousin smile brightly as the wind blew back his rich golden hair. At that moment, she ovepped Leon''s face with a hero''s. A selfless individual who would do anything to save a person in need. And that warmed her cautious heart.


    Turning his face towards Lydia, Leon could only chuckle: "Besides, even if it is a trap, I''m confident we can escape."


    "You brat..."


    The trust that Leon had in Lydia was extreme, perhaps to a misguided degree. However, Lydia wasn''t going to betray that trust. Readying her sword and heart for whatever was toe, she replied with absolute conviction:


    "Leave it to me!"


    ???


    As the trio of Knights led Leon and Lydia, Amon stood silently from afar. His golden eyes were squinted, and anyone nearby would be hard-pressed to decipher what thoughts went through his mind. Blinking rapidly, the young Knight unsheathed his steel de and quickly followed behind. Yet, as he moved from tree to tree, not a single sound was uttered.


    It was as if a phantom was trailing the five Knights, and needless to say, none of them noticed Amon''s pursuit. And even if they did, they couldn''t sense his presence. Hidden with a shroud of mysterious energy, if anyone looked in his direction, their vision would be blurry, and they wouldn''t suspect a thing.


    "Should I just kill them?"


    There was no doubt in Amon''s mind that Leon was being dragged into a trap. Amon even had half a mind to eradicate the bad apples instantly to help the future hero avoid harm. However, he refrained himself.


    "No, this is a good opportunity for him to learn not to trust others so quickly."


    Amon repeated Yue''s words multiple times as he resisted the urge to act on his desires. The thought of Yue reminded Amon of the task she had handed to him.


    "Right, I have to record them... Where''s my recording crystal?"


    While searching for the crystal he needed to record evidence from his item bag, he saw Leon enter the suspicious cave with Lydia and the other three bad actors in tow. With a heavy heart, the transmigrator heaved an enormous sigh:


    "Leon... This is a trial you must ovee... Forgive me for not helping..."

 Chapter 53: The Demonic Beast Purge (4)

    <h4>Chapter 53: The Demonic Beast Purge (4)</h4>


    Leon and Lydia followed the three injured Knights into the suspicious cave. Tension was high as the group ventured deeper into the dark cavern with a few torches in hand. The cavern was wet and humid, forcing heavy beads of sweat to drench their armoured bodies.


    Leading the group was the female Knight whose face reeked with desperation. Her eyes were shuffling about as if carefully observing every nook and cranny of her surroundings. The rest were equally tense, their faces burning with anxiety as the words got stuck in their mouths.


    Carefully navigating through the mossy, earthen ground while taking note of the ominous stctites that hung overhead, the group inched deeper into the cavern without breathing a single word to one another. However, that changed when the lead Knight thrust her arm up high to halt the group''s progress.


    "T-This is the ce where I lost my sister!"


    The female Knight blurted out in a panic and turned back to Leon. The young and impressionable teenager nodded furiously as he scanned the vicinity, trying to make sense of the environment.


    Sure enough, there were traces of an earlier battle. Some parts of the earth had been scalded through fire, and inklings of blood were scattered all over the cave floor. Tucked far in the corner were ripped armour and clothes, signalling a bitter struggle for escape.


    Leon''s face hardened, and his mind raced with the dreadful possibilities of harm that may have urred the female Knight''s sister. Likewise, after being presented with some semnce of evidence, Lydia felt her heart growing weary.


    Now it became a question of when they could save their captive, not whether.


    "N-No! She has to be alive! She has to be!!!"


    Not giving up hope, the female Knight ran straight to the tattered clothes and hugged it close to her chest. Her face ring with determination, she barked: "Look for signs! T-There must be some clues on where they''ve headed!"


    "Orga! Have a look over here!"


    One of the female Knight''spanions called out her name and gestured for the group to gather. Needless to say, they all rushed over and saw a trail of crimson blood leading deeper into the cave.


    "T-That''s it! They must have dragged her bloodied body like that! Quick, let''s hurry!"


    The female Knight ran ahead without even waiting to investigate the immediate vicinity. Only when she was a few metres forward did she stop and wait for herpanions and urged them to follow her.


    "Quick, there''s not much time! Every second counts!"


    "Y-yeah!"


    The female Knight''spanions were the first to jump into action. They made a beeline towards her while Leon and Lydia remained stationary. It was only after a third prompt that the two began to move. While running, Leon''s expression was silent and steel-faced, while Lydia had full-on wrinkles covering her forehead. Seeing her cousin''s stern expression, Lydia whispered:


    "What are you thinking?"


    "Something''s not right... But I can''t put my finger on it."


    Leon replied in a murmur, careful not to let the other three Knights with them hear.


    "Yes, if there were goblins, they would have made a bigger mess. Those monsters are notorious for being crude and barbaric, after all. The crime scene was too clean to be the work of goblins. And more importantly, if there are goblins, they should leave footprints. So why was there only that blood trail?"


    "... you''re right."


    Leon''s instincts were spot on, but hecked the experience to put it in words. Fortunately, Lydia''s analysis hit the nail on the head.


    "And look at how rushed they are. Knights are trained to keep calm, even in rescue situations. Investigate, analyse, report, n and then execute at every juncture. We even learn that in the Academy, so for experienced Knights that have been dispatched into Orders, it should be a no-brainer."


    Rushing would almost certainly lead to an early grave. Knights needed to keep calm under pressure, even if it meant wasting precious seconds that may cost one''s life. After all, rushing into danger without a n would jeopardise both the captive and the rescuer''s lives.


    "For the female Knight named Orga, I could chalk it up to her desperation to save her sister. But the other two are much more suspicious. They should know better."


    "So..."


    "It''s a trap."


    At this point, Lydia was ny percent convinced. The three Knights weren''t in distress; it was all a trap to lure Leon into this cave. Whatever their n was afterwards, Lydia struggled to fathom. However, it couldn''t be good since they had concocted this borate plot.


    "Should we turn around?"


    "Let''s try and retreat."


    Leon didn''t second-guess himself again. He agreed to follow Orga in the first ce because of the potential of rescuing arade in need. But now that the evidence is pointing to the contrary, there was no need for Leon to risk his and, more importantly, Lydia''s life.


    As Leon and Lydia stopped, the trio in the front noticed it almost immediately and paused. They looked back at the duo with perplexed eyes, and Orga let out a tearful shriek.


    "Why are you stopping?! We have to hurry, else..."


    "I''m sorry, but I think we need to get external help for this. Lydia and I will return to the checkpoint with all the details here and seek a strong Knight''s help."


    "B-But, my sister!"


    The tears that came out of Olga''s eyes were gut-wrenching and heartbreaking. Leon''s heart may have caved if not for the overwhelming evidence against them. However, he remained firm and repeated himself.


    "I''m sorry... We''re too weak to deal with whatever''s down there. Please excuse us; we will be back as soon as we can."


    "I understand, then..."


    Just as Orga was about toplete her sentence, the cave began shaking. Stctites broke free from the ceiling, pulled down from gravity and bolted to the ground like flying daggers. The earth rumbled with a divine fury as a deafening roar sent shockwaves into the eardrums of those present. Stunned, both Leon and Lydia cupped their ears and bent down.


    As if preparing for this moment, the trio of Knights leapt behind the cousins and over a dozen metres now separated the two groups. And all of a sudden...


    ARAGHHH!!!


    Slowly, as if drawn by the noise andmotion, a shadowy figure emerged from the cave''s depths. Standing over five metres tall, its massive frame seemed to be hewn from its earthen surroundings. Lumbering with a slight limp, the shadowy figure came into the light, revealing its rough-hewn skin mottled with patches of moss and lichen.


    Each step it took sent vibrations through the ground as if it were announcing the entrance of a King.


    Its eyes were glowing with poisonous green as it scanned its territory like a proud sovereign. Sharp tusks jutted from its lower jaw, curling its lips into a perpetual, sinister smirk. Untamed and unleashed, the enemy that sent shivers down every human''s spine let out a blood-curdling roar.


    "T-Troll!"


    Lydia was the first to yell out. She knew better than Leon and could instantly identify their foe. A self-regenerating Troll with the strength of a thousand oxen. It was a Demonic Beast that required at least a Guardian Knight with Four Suns condensed to hunt safely.


    As for Apprentice Knights like themselves, the rmended protocol was only one...


    Run.


    However, just before the cousins could turn their heels to escape...


    BOOMM!!!


    A detonation with the force of a condensed earthquake decimated the poor cave. Heavy rocks and debris fell like shrapnel and divided the cave into two. Leon and Lydia fell to the floor while the Troll rubbed its t-ugly nose in confusion. The escape path was blocked off, giving the pair no chance of retreat. And even if they wished to run, they faced a life-threatening conundrum.


    The Troll recovered from its confusion and stared at the two young Knights with undeserved fury. With the intelligence of a wild bear, it couldn''tprehend that it was used as a tool by humans to kill other humans. It could only see two shimmering bodies with weapons drawn, threatening its life.


    And that wasn''t a notion it could tolerate.


    Roaring again, it reached for a gnarled club that seemed as old as the monster itself. Remnants of flesh and blood remained on the branch, which made it far more intimidating than any other weapon it could have chosen. Leon gulped hard as he increased the grip on his de, while Lydia frowned heavily.


    "We got caught in their trap..."


    "..."


    "The good news is... I pressed the distress signal, so help should being anytime now. The bad news is... Can we survive until they arrive?"


    Lydia''s rhetorical question reached Leon''s ears; however, he didn''t have the heart to reply. All of his attention was on the yawning Troll, who grew more agitated by the second.


    "Leon, if I don''t make it out alive... Tell my parents I love them."


    "Hah?! Go and tell them yourself!"


    While the fear of facing a greater opponent was ingrained into his bones, the young hero felt a different feeling surging in his veins. One that overpowered his despair and empowered his resolve: the adrenaline of defeating an impossible foe, and more importantly, the desire to protect his cousin.


    "Sister Lydia, how many points would we get if we defeated a Troll?"


    "Huh?! You really are greedy, aren''t you?"


    Leon''s joke eased their fears just a bit. Lydia''s hand was still shaking, gripping her sword with added determination. Staring straight at the monster before her, she proudly proimed:


    "Maybe a thousand points? A good haul, I must say."


    "Now, that''s a trophy worth hunting!"


    With nowhere to run or hide, the duo could only bravely smile in the midst of danger. They readied their swords and prepared for the fight for their lives.


    ???


    "Mission aplished!"


    On the other side of the broken cave, three individuals leapt gleefully in the air, giving out high-fives like they were free. The female Knight in the lead was pleased as if her anxiety and cries were lies. No, they were just lies. It was all a deliberate act to lure their target into a trap.


    "Orga, your acting skills are phenomenal! Why did you even be a Knight? An actor suits you better."


    "Haha, I know, right? Maybe I should consider that as a retirement job?"


    The female Knightughed with utmost joy. She nced back at the fallen debris that blocked the exit and sighed while tapping her chest:


    "It was getting rather dangerous there. They noticed our trap earlier than anticipated, and we couldn''t bring them to the ideal spot. Fortunately, we improvised, and they''re stuck there with the Troll."


    The original n was to bring Leon and Lydia deeper into the cave and split up from them when the time was right and trigger the explosion that would block their escape path. s, their target''s observational skills were a tad better than anticipated, and they almost failed their mission just as they reached the finish line.


    However, the woman named Orga did look back at the fallen debris and sadly remarked:


    "If they''re lucky, help will arrive in time, and they can survive. Else, I guess they should curse the day they incurred Elder Horas'' wrath."


    "Hmmm? Why are you hoping they survive? If they do, won''t they just implicate us?"


    "Haha, they won''t have proof. At best, we can say we tried to escape when we heard the Troll. As for the explosion that covered the path could have been the Troll''s doing, not ours. Our backs are covered; don''t worry about it."


    Orga smiled and waved off herpatriot''s fears.


    "But, I highly doubt they can survive. A Troll is hard for us to kill, let alone two Apprentice Knights. Also, even if they manage to do something about that monster, this entire cave is a Troll''s nest. God knows how many of them are hidden inside?"


    "So... Their deaths are all but confirmed?"


    "Affirmative! Now all we have to do is collect our reward from Elder Horas!"


    Hearing the reward, the other two Knights pinched their fingers as their eyes gleamed with greed. The other female Knight dered proudly: "Haha, I will be taking a long vacation to Zephys! It''s been a while since I''ve been to the capital."


    "I''ll probably buy a new house. I''ve always wanted to live in a mansion with a pool."


    "Hargh? Don''t you guys have any imagination? We should get wasted at the casino! And who knows? Maybe I''ll make back all of the money I lost there before."


    Orgaughed like a stereotypical, sinister viin while rubbing her palms together. Watching theirrade fantasise about gambling once more, they couldn''t help but rub their foreheads with their sweaty palms.


    "One day, gambling will destroy you. Be careful not to lose all of your reward in one night."


    "Haha, how is that possible?! Elder Horas is generous with this mission. Even if I..."


    Orga was just about to blurt out thest sentence of her speech, but everyone froze. They felt a foreign presence, one that hadn''t been there before. Even though they were scum, the three individuals were bona fide Knights. Fighters that had trained for thousands of moons. They could feel that something was amiss with the air. And when they turned the corner, their worst fears were realised.


    "..."


    A ck-haired, golden-eye, true-born Sris member sat silently on a broken rock. He was so still and silent that it seemed like he blended into the surroundings. Their eyes widened in horror, and they couldn''t fathom why they hadn''t noticed him until now. But what frightened them the most... was the recording crystal in the young teen''s hand.


    "Are you done?"


    Amon asked nonchntly.


    "..."


    The trio remained silent. Amon blinkedzily while the tension rose for the perpetrators. Once he realised that they weren''t going to speak, he shut off the recording crystal and leapt down from the boulder. Dusting off his pants, Amon''s interest in Orga and herrades diminished, and he walked past them and onto the blocked path.


    Amon''s ability made it easy to break through the fallen rocks, but it would cause amotion that would rm Leon, Lydia and the Troll. While Amon wishes to save Leon, he also wants the young hero to grow into a warrior. And fighting a Troll was an invaluable experience.


    So, he had to break through the path secretly, but that was easier said than done.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    As his mind wandered on all the possibilities, the sound of metal being pulled from the scabbards echoed through the cave.


    "Give us the recording crystal... And we can all move on like nothing happened."


    Orga''s earlier mboyance and arrogance were nowhere to be found. The other two Knights were also angrily ring down at Amon; the tips of their des flickered like they wereced with poison. Amon nced back with calm eyes. The trio''s actions didn''t threaten him, and his focus was still on secretly entering the covered path.


    "Hey, don''t make me repeat myself! No one has to get hurt, just..."


    "Annoying..."


    Without even giving Orga the chance to blink, Amon charged forward and indented his fist in the woman''s stomach. Spitting out all the air in her lungs, Orga could not do a thing as her body flew right up into the ceiling and bounced back like a bloated balloon.


    "O-Orga!"


    Her tworades were unable toprehend what happened to their leader. All they saw was a blur, and Orga was already incapacitated. And it wasn''t long until they suffered the same fate.


    The male Knight felt his entire body tremble as it was flung onto the ground. The force created an impact crater that deeply pressed him into the gravel, and he lost consciousness instantly.


    As for the remaining assant, she wasn''t even given the chance to think. Faster than she could think, her body was pressed into the side of the cave, and her mind nked out, not even knowing she had be a cave painting.


    The ''battle''sted less than three seconds. They would have instantly died from Amon''s casual strikes if not for their physically trained bodies. And no one was more aware of it than the remaining Knight, who barely held onto her consciousness.


    "W-Who a-re..."


    Orga struggled even to ask a question. Her vision was foggy, and her brain was unable topute the damage done to her body. All she could do was watch as the young Knight walked casually towards her before lifting her by the neck with his hand.


    "Go to sleep; I will need your testimonyter."


    Amon lost all interest in the trio after that. He flung Orga''s body back like a ragdoll, causing her to ck out after her head bounced against the hard cavern ground.


    And just like that... Elder Horas'' diabolical n had imploded on itself.

 Chapter 54: The Demonic Beast Purge (5)

    <h4>Chapter 54: The Demonic Beast Purge (5)</h4>


    Leon and Lydia faced the Troll withplete resolve. Their swords and hearts resonated with each other as they watched the massive beast edge closer towards them. Their gut instinct when facing a foe of that threat level was to turn their heels and run. Yet, they had no escape path.


    The only thing they could do was stand and fight.


    The Troll''s venomous green eyes gleamed with feral hunger and snarled with gruesome fury. With lightning speed, it swung its gnarled club swiftly, sending a thunderp reverberating through the cave. Without any thought, Leon and Lydia split in two directions, using everything their leg muscles could muster to push themselves away.


    BOOM!!!


    Instead of snapping in two, the fearsome club the Troll wielded smashed through the rubble, creating an impact crater nearly three metres deep. Leon''s face hardened, and his saliva was forced down his throat as he imagined what would have happened if he was just a second toote.


    He would have been smashed into a mush of meat and blood.


    Taking advantage of Leon''s sudden pause, the Troll lifted its club again and turned to face the young Knight. Even using one arm could produce enough force to turn an elephant into minced meat in one swing. Once again, it struck violently at the intruder who disturbed its rest.


    Its club dragged against the limestone ground like a shovel in sand. Pieces of gravel broke free and danced haphazardly in the air. The force generated by the Troll''s approach was enough to shake the ground akin to an earthquake, forcing Leon into uneven terrain.


    Knowing he could not block the attack, Leon relied on his instincts and leapt back towards the wall. Using the vertical wall as a foothold, he squeezed his thighs together and assumed a leapfrog position. Only when the Troll finally lifted his club off the ground for the fatal swing did Leon jump with the force of a wound-up spring and leapt over the monster and towards his stunned cousin.


    With all the momentum following it and no target, the Troll had no choice but to let its attack strike the empty wall. The force of its swing decimated the cold limestone wall and created a twenty-metre mark from one end to the other. Seeing what could have be of him, Leon could only wipe his face, which was full of sweat.


    "My god, it''s physical strength is off the charts!!!"


    "It''s a Troll, what do you expect?"


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Lydia loosened her arms and eased the tension in her muscles. Against such a terrifying opponent, the young female Knight knew that they had to be prepared as every margin of error could cost their lives.


    "A Troll''s physical strength is among the upper tiers of Demonic Beasts. However, its speed isn''t as astonishing. We can use that to our advantage. Hit-and-run tactics work especially well against the Trolls, but there is one thing we have to consider..."


    The Troll turned around, revealing its green eyes, glistening with even more rage. Before Lydia couldplete her sentence, the Troll struck again. Closing in the distance in less than five seconds, the pair could see its massive gnarled club flying at them again, and they split again simrly.


    ''You call that slow?!''


    Leon retorted in his mind.


    With its protruding belly and folding ps of fat, it was hard to imagine such a monstrosity moving at breakneck speeds. At that moment, Leon thought it was fortunate that Trolls didn''t have the adequate intelligence to train like Knights. Just imagining this monster with a better physique andplete control over its physical abilities sent shivers down his spine.


    "Now, Leon! Strike it!"


    "Y-Yeah!!!"


    Letting out a battle cry, the pair attacked while the Troll was still recovering. Their des wereced with golden Aura and increased sharpness, forcing the beast to open its eyes wide with surprise. Lydia was the faster of the pair, so her attacknded first. With a beautiful, smooth swing, she sliced at the back of the Troll''s neck, only to find her de slowing due to the thickness of its hide and fat.


    ''Tch, too shallow!''


    Lydia clicked her tongue and used all of her physical strength to push her de deeper. However, no matter how much she tried, she could only cut two inches deep at most.


    "GRAORRRR!!!"


    The Troll roared in agony, and it turned around to smack the pest that cut its neck. With both arms raised, it left its abdomen wholly exposed, giving Leon many options to strike. Ultimately, he swung his Aura-d sword into the Troll''s stomach, only to meet with the same resistance that Lydia felt.


    ''Damn it!!!''


    Leon cursed as he sliced through the surface of the Troll and evaded the inevitable strike from its club.


    The cousins instantly leapt far away together and regrouped. They watched closely as the Troll shrieked endlessly, tapping its wounds like a pained baby. And to no one''s surprise, the Troll''s injuries started to recover rapidly. Blood stopped flowing by the fifth second, and the wounds closed by the tenth. It wouldn''t be long until the Troll reverted to its original state.


    As good as new.


    "Trolls are notorious for their high defence and enhanced regeneration. If we can only inflict shallow wounds on it, the Troll would regenerate back the flesh immediately." Lydia exined with a sombre tone. She observed as the wounds they inflicted were healed like magic.


    "We need to cut deep into its body, past its hide and fat, to strike into its flesh, internal organs and bones. Fortunately, it''s weak to fire so that we can burn it from the inside."


    Lydia had the upper hand when it came to Demonic Beasts'' biology. She thoroughly exined the Troll''s strengths and weaknesses and instructed Leon on the following action.


    "Let''s try and use the Sris Mystic Arts this time!"


    "Understood!"


    Leon didn''t waste a second and charged at the recovered Troll. Two Suns with satellite stars orbited the young Knight, instantly raising the temperature of the damp cave. Heat and light intensified by the second, forcing the confused monster to snarl like a cornered beast. Swinging his club wildly, the Troll attempted to create an invisible force field that barred its prey from any entry.


    But Leon was wise to it.


    Leaping backwards, he pivoted his feet to circle the Troll''s side before unleashing the ming fury of his sword.


    "Dawn!"


    The Sun emerged with Leon''s deration. Fire and ster dust permeated the Troll from the right side of its waist, scorching its leathery and matted skin. Leon plunged his sword at the exposed area, hoping to pierce deep into the beast''s body. Unfortunately...


    CLINK!!!


    The moment the tip of Leon''s de made contact with the Troll, he could feel a firm resistance. His sword bounced back, causing zero damage to the monster. Leon''s eversting blue eyes zoned in on the target to observe what caused such a phenomenon, and he was stunned by what he saw.


    ''Concrete? No way is that... Hardened skin?''


    A concrete-looking b protected the weak part of the Troll. It looked like a wall of stone, something odd for a Demonic Beast of its type. Leon hypothesised what could have caused such a protection, and one theory came to mind.


    ''It used its hyper regeneration to over-regenerate its skin?! Could Trolls even do that?!''


    A Troll''s defence was already high enough, but if it could further enhance its defence through its regenerative ability... it wasn''t even fair anymore. Causing an injury to that monster would be twice as hard now.


    ''But, if it had over-regenerated here... could that mean?!''


    Before Leon could finish his thoughts, the Troll recovered from the strike and exploded all its anger upon the distracted youth. While it was slower than Leon, that moment of distraction allowed the Troll to send a back fist flying in his direction. Unable to dodge anymore, Leon ate the hit while standing his ground. s, he was far too weak.


    BOOM!!!


    Leon was flung straight into the wall, and his body was deeply impressed by the limestone. Letting out a huge gasp of air, Leon could feel his insides churning and his skin burning. That one hit had caused his body to convulse and his mind to skip for a millisecond. Blood trickled down his nose while Leon struggled to stay lucid.


    Falling to his knees, Leon oscited his Suns and chanted the Nine Suns Heart Mantra to aid in his recovery.


    ''Its backhand is that strong?!''


    Leon was momentarily stunned by the Troll''s overwhelming strength. Physically speaking, Leon stood no chance against that monster. If it had struck with its club rather than fist, there was no question in Leon''s mind that he would have been converted into paste.


    While Leon''s mind raced, Lydia aimed at the Troll''s blind spot. Rising to the ceiling, she concentrated her mana into the Two Suns she condensed. Fire and Aura enveloped the youngdy, creating an illusion of a mighty Sun descending. Luckily for her, the Troll was still preupied with Leon and could not sense the threat from above.


    And Lydia took full advantage of it.


    "Heaven''s Fall!!!"


    Lydia turned into aet that fell from the sky. Her sword was d in Aura Fire with the Sris Mystic Arts aiding it. The Troll didn''t even realise the heat searing at the back of its neck until it was toote. Lydia''s rapier sunk deep into the back of the Troll''s neck, and a spear of fire exited from the other end.


    It worked.


    Lydia had pierced through the monster''s defences.


    And the beast was suffering the consequences.


    "GRAORRRR!!!"


    The Troll roared yet again, this time with twice the volume. The sound shook the entire cave and resonated like thunder in a hurricane. However, this time, it was quicker to react.


    Its skin hardened almost instantly, trapping Lydia''s sword entirely within the beast. Unable to pull out her de, the young Knight was forced to leap skywards to gain distance from Troll. s, the incensed beast had other ns.


    It turned around to find the source of its pain and saw Lydia falling in the air. With no foothold to step on, she could only watch in horror as the Troll turned its body around to charge an entirely forced kick onto her body.


    BOOM!!!


    Lydia was sent flying in the same direction as Leon, in the same exact manner. However, the strike she endured was more violent. The Troll''s kick snapped like a whip, and before she knew it, Lydia was already rolling on the rough floor, picking up gravel on her way to the edge of the wall.


    She crashed into the wall destructively, instantly coughing blood from her mouth. Her bones cracked, and either two or three of her limbs were dislocated. Lydia instantly sought to recover, but even with the Nine Suns Heart Mantra healing her, all she could feel was endless pain.


    "Sister Lydia!!!"


    Leon yelled out at the top of his lungs. He rushed over with the little energy he had left and knelt beside her. He sought to heal her wounds, but how could the wounded treat the wounded? Not to mention, a shrieking Troll was mming its body onto the walls, ready to pounce at any given moment.


    "D-Don''t worry, I''m fine!"


    His elder cousin tried to ease Leon''s worry, but who would believe her? One eye was closed due to the blood flowing down her head; Lydia could barely see or walk. Yet, she stood up tall.


    Was it adrenaline? Or pure willpower? Even Lydia didn''t know. But all that mattered to her was dealing with the Troll holding onto its neck while wailing loudly.


    "L-Listen! M-My sword is c-coated wi-th Aura Fi-re. It shou-ld be bu-rning from the ins-ide out now. B-ut, it''s still not eno-ough. I''m too inj-ured to move, but I can still use m-magic! Y-You will ha-ve to be the one who kills the T-Troll! Can you do it?!"


    Leon looked straight at his female cousin, his blue eyes widening by the second. At that moment, Lydia personified the ideal form of what he sought to be as a Knight. Even while battered and bruised, with all the excuses in the world, she stood tall.


    A protector and a warrior.


    Leon closed his eyes, reflecting on his behaviour.


    Was he worthy of Lydia''s protection? As he was, no. Even now, he still hesitated to reveal his secret, fearing the bacsh it mighte from the Sris House. If he had used his hidden power before, perhaps Lydia wouldn''t have been injured to this extent.


    Hence, Leon burned with a new resolve as he opened his eyes.


    "Sister Lydia, leave it to me. You just have a rest; I will take care of everything."


    "Huh?"


    Leon stood before his cousin as determination shed within his clear, blue eyes. Lydia was naturally confused at Leon''s change, and she watched with great interest as a different sensation permeated her skin. Bit by bit, her wounds were healing quicker, but it was not with Sr mana... A different power wasing out from Leon, and she noticed it instantly.


    "L-Leon?"


    "Just wait here, Sister Lydia... I will exin everythingter."


    There was a reason why Leon''s eyes were blue, not gold, even though he possessed the Sris Bloodline. There was a reason why his body could handle the Eighty-One Suns Heart Mantra. And... There was a reason why his father banned him from ever revealing his secret power.


    But at this current juncture, there was no choice.


    Leon''s golden Aura gradually shifted into a deep, cerulean hue. The energy of the ocean emerged from his body and mana that could douse the entire Sris House in a thousand-year flood was condensed.


    The Troll, agonising over its injuries before, paused and watched as Leon''s mana rose beyond what it ever expected.


    With his right hand, Leon wielded a sword of absolute fire. It had the power to burn all of creation and smite righteous fury against all that was evil.


    And in his left hand... Leon held a sword of ever-flowing water. A gentle power that had the capacity to drown the world and slice through all of his enemies.


    That was Leon''s secret.


    A prodigy with dual mana.


    "Let''s end this, monster!"

 Chapter 55: The Demonic Beast Purge (6)

    <h4>Chapter 55: The Demonic Beast Purge (6)</h4>


    ''Eyes were a mirror to one''s soul.''


    Passed down for generations, that simple phrase was known to almost every human in Hyades. And nowhere was it more prevalent than Solfea, the territory of the Sris House.


    Members of the Sris House were proud of their unique gold irises precisely because it was a testament to their legendary lineage. After the Golden Dragon Sovereign blessed the Sris Founder, every son and daughter bearing his blood would inherit the otherworldly blessing. It was believed that the deeper the golden hue in one''s eyes, the better their chances of bing a Sris Knight.


    Not to mention, golden eyes were solely unique to the Sris House. It was a universal indicator and surefire method of proving one''s bloodline.


    So, when Leon appeared in the Sris House with blue eyes and golden hair, many questioned his true heritage. Was he really born from Lucas Sris, one of the most talented Sris Knights in generations?


    s, they failed to consider, nay, their brains couldn''t even fathom the alternative.


    It was an irrefutable fact that Leon had inherited the Sris Bloodline. Just by training in the Nine Suns Heart Mantra was sufficient to prove his heritage. But what if... An even greater power was suppressing Leon''s Sris Bloodline? A greater blessing that came not from his father but mother?


    A Bloodline stronger than Sris?


    "Le-on?"


    Lydia could hardly believe her eyes. With a ming de in one hand and a water sword in the other, the young Knight emted the figure of a War God. Golden Aura was overwhelmed by a serene cerulean hue, mixing into a cycle of push and pull.


    Threatened by Leon''s sudden rise in power, the Troll stopped trying to pull out the burning sword lodged in his throat and faced the young Knight in a head-on collision. It groaned in agony, continuously moving its hips and arms in an attempt to regain bnce. Pushing through all the pain, the Troll charged straight at Leon, hoping to end its foe once and for all.


    But Leon wasn''t going to allow it to strike. Leaping up into the air, he raised his hydro sword and pumped more mana into it. The sword''s water currents sped exponentially, and it was now akin to an electric chainsaw. The seamless water jets exploded from the tip of Leon''s waterde, piercing like a bullet fired. The water sword pierced through the limestone walls on the other side, making it look like a guillotine was about to fall upon the Troll''s neck.


    The Demonic Beast instantly nced up at the de that could end its life and roared with great fear.


    Although the Troll had inferior intelligence, it could still recognise threats that could end its life. It mustered its strength to move out of the way, but Leon was a step faster. He swung the elongated hydro de down with a vengeance, and it fell like lightning.


    Like hail from the heavens, the de struck the massive troll on the shoulder. It attempted to overheal its body to create an expansive armour to block the attack, but it was futile.


    Leon''s water de was far sharper than any tool the Troll had ever encountered. Slicing through its defences like a hot knife through butter, Leon''s attack met no resistance as it effortlessly dislodged the Troll''s right arm from its body.


    "GROARRRRR!!!"


    Gnarling with pain, the monster copsed upon the floor, losing its dominant arm. Almost instantly, its regeneration attempted to bring it back to its lost limb. However, Leon was prepared. Sending vast amounts of Sr mana into his sword, he created a dense coat of Aura Fire and threw the burning sword like a javelin.


    The de sunk deep into the open appendage of the Demonic Beast, continuously burning and preventing the Troll''s hyper-regeneration from doing its magic.


    With a sword lodged in its neck and arm, the Troll was now burning from two ends. Its regeneration couldn''t heal the wounds it sustained, and it continued to wail like an infant. Its green eyes were dyed crimson red as veins popped within its sockets. Moving between sobriety andplete rage, the Troll struck the ground with a vengeance as it red at the man who caused him so much harm.


    Leon felt his body breaking apart after using so much mana in thest two moves. Not to mention, his body wasn''t in perfect condition in the first ce. Leon''s bones and muscles were screaming with every step he took. However, he knew he wasn''t able to back down.


    If he stopped attacking, the Troll would instantly im his life. And so, Leon ignored the pain and started running with his aqua sword.


    Enraged in its berserk mode, the Troll''s senses were locked into Leon''s every movement. The moment the Knight charged at it, the Troll followed closely behind. Although it had lost its dominant hand, it still picked up its gnarled club with its left and swung violently in Leon''s direction.


    Both parties were heavily fatigued and injured, but the dynamics of their battle remained the same.


    Leon was faster while the Troll hit harder. Leon could evade almost any attack in his direction, but if the Troll even connected on one hit, that was all it took to smash the young teen into paste. So, mustering all his energy, Leon moved from corner to corner and evaded all the strikes that mmed down like thunder.


    With every miss, the Troll became more agitated. It roared angrily in frustration, and its swings became more frantic. Leon took advantage of its loss of reasoning tond several clean strikes on its body. Unfortunately, the Troll''s regeneration was still in effect. As long as its body wasn''t burning, it could cleanly recover all of its lost flesh instantly.


    ''Annoying!!!''


    Leon cursed in his mind.


    While he was a prodigy with dual mana, cycling between the two affinities wasn''t easy. Each time he swapped or merged fire with water, Leon''s growing body took a heavy toll. Not to mention, after losing his sword, it became infinitely hard to switch between the two mana types.


    Luckily for him, he wasn''t the only one fighting the Troll.


    "Fwooshh!!"


    A ball of fire came flying and struck the Troll where it was cut. The mes seared the mottled skin of the beast, burning into the hide and slowing down its regeneration. Leon nced over his shoulder and saw his battered cousin raising her hands up while struggling to keep her two feet on the ground.


    ''Sister Lydia!''


    "I-I''ll he-lp!"


    That was all Lydia needed to say. Her body might been falling apart, but her mind was still fully lucid. Powering through with sheer willpower, she used every ounce of her being to support Leon with her magic spells, and that was enough to give the injured Knight the confidence he needed.


    "Okay!"


    Not willing to push Lydia more than he needed, Leon decided to use all of his power to end the Troll within the next minute. Fullymitting to using his hydro powers, Leon leapt straight towards the Demonic Beast with two high-speed water jets flowing from his palms.


    Be it out of anger or fear... possibly both, the Troll roared with passion.


    They both knew that the next sh it would determine who lived... and who died.


    It faced Leon and swung its club ferociously like a savage. Leon pushed through the pain and obliged in the dance to the death. He dodged the Troll''s club and aimed his jetstream de straight at the monster''s exposed body. Each time Leon drew blood from the beast, Lydia''s fireball was sure to follow.


    The sh continued for half a minute but seemed like an eternity to all the parties involved.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    However, for the Troll, it was nearing its end. Losing control over its club, it hesitated for a split second, and Leon capitalised on the chance. Sliding through its defences, Leon found himself underneath the Troll''s groin and swung his water des wide.


    The two sharp aqua swords sliced open both Troll''s legs instantly, and the huge beast fell onto its back. It let out another excruciating roar as it cried helplessly with only one limb remaining. Its regenerative factor worked on overdrive as it attempted to regrow the legs that the Troll had just lost.


    But unfortunately for the beast, Lydia had been preparing for that moment.


    "Twin Inferno Dragons!"


    Spending all of her mana, Lydia cast her ultimate fire spell. Two oriental dragons made entirely of orange mes erupted and fiercely bit down on the Troll''s growing limbs. Its healing stopped as its appendages were scorched and charred.


    "GRAOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!"


    Unable to withstand the pain, the Troll rolled over to its side and attempted to crawl deeper into the cave. Its sonorous cries echoed throughout the cave as if it were crying for help. None of its previous rage and ferocity remained. All that it had left was fear and a desire to escape.


    However, Leon wasn''t going to grant it that mercy.


    With what little strength he had left, Leon leapt onto the back of the Troll and found his way to the back of the beast''s neck. Lydia''s rapier, which had been absorbed into its fleshy body, was now revealed. It was still burning the Troll from the inside.


    Leon leaned down and grabbed a hold of its hilt, pouring all of his remaining mana into the sword. The Troll was still paralysed with fear and couldn''t feel the heat increasing at the back of its neck. All it could do was crawl slowly to its inevitable demise.


    And Leon was going to speed it up.


    Sr mana burst forth from the sixteen-year-old''s body, and all of his Suns exposed themselves like the break of dawn. Golden Aura and eternally burning Aura Fire enveloped the young Knight as he channelled everything he had into the final blow. His fingers grabbed on tighter, not willing to let go for fear of losing his opponent.


    "Sr re Lotus!!!"


    Leon unleashed all of his fury into the second move of the Sris Mystic Arts he''d learnt.


    Golden fire erupted and manifested itself into an incandescent ming lotus. The flower bloomed within the base of the Troll''s neck, essentially decapitating the monster without a second''s remorse. The fire burnt the Troll from all sides and crept over the beast.


    Light diminished from its venomous eyes as it stared down at the prey it had attempted to devour just moments before. And as it passed onto its eternal rest, it let out one final growl as if it were cursing Leon to suffer the same fate that it did.


    Falling to his bum, Leon felt all of his energy drain from his body. The adrenaline from fighting had settled down and he could make out how broken-down he was. There was hardly any mana left in his body; his muscles were aching from head to toe, and he feltpletely spent.


    But... the ultimate prize had been imed.


    "W-We... did it!"


    It was a soft battle cry, but it contained every emotion his heart felt. He nced back at Lydia and saw her beamingly bright face. At that point, even though she was still heavily injured, Lydia was still more energetic than Leon. Limping her way over to the fatigued youth, she jokingly pped Leon on the chest.


    "Y-You did it! You killed it!"


    "No, we did it."


    Leon knew that without Lydia''s help, exterminating the Troll would be near-impossible. Only with her support and leadership did Leon even have a chance of killing that monster.


    "I''m tired... Let me rest for a bit before we leave."


    "Don''t worry, I pressed the distress signal almost an hour ago. Help should be arriving anytime now."


    "That''s good because I don''t think I can move."


    Leon said that half-jokingly, but his body was truly spent. There was hardly anything left in the tank for him; all he wanted to do was close his eyes and sleep.


    "It''s all because of those bastards! Just wait; when we leave, I will find them and..."


    "Lydia?"


    Seeing his cousin pause mid-sentence gave Leon a bad feeling. Lydia stared deeper into the dark cave, her golden eyes trembling as if she''d seen a ghost. Trailing her line of sight, Leon turned his head around, and likewise, his body froze.


    Two shadowy figures emerged from the depths of the cave. Both of them were slightly bigger than the Troll Leon had just defeated. As they entered into the light, their battle-worn bodies were unveiled for all to see. Criss-crossed with scars and brimming withbat presence, the two silhouettes were just as intimidating as they were gruesome.


    One seemed feminine, with saggy breasts hanging from its fleshy chest. The other wasrger and heavier, with one eye carved out, leaving behind a burnt scar. They were more aged and experienced than the Troll Leon had just killed, but they were fresh and ready for battle.


    There was no question about it.


    The Troll they killed was not alone.


    "So there was a family, huh?"


    Leon sighed with resignation. The mother Troll bent down and rushed towards the decapitated head of her son. It let out a shrieking cry, one that could be mistaken as a mournful scream to grieve about the loss of her son. But, the mother Troll snarled and popped her son''s head into her mouth, crunching on it with her tusks as if enjoying ate-night snack.


    "... in the end, beasts will be beasts."


    Leon didn''t even have time to contemte the biology of the Trolls and mustered strength, and he didn''t even know he had left it into his feet. Standing up, he gestured to Lydia with a shaky body: "Go and get help. I''ll try to hold them back as much as I can."


    "L-Leon!"


    "Don''t hesitate! Run, quickly!"


    Leon didn''t look back. Even with his body about to crumble and his mana pool dried up, he stood tall against the two mighty Trolls. There was no question in his mind that if he fought them, he would unquestionably perish.


    And yet, he decided to stand... so his cousin could live.


    Something ignited in Leon''s heart, and his mind was refreshed. Even though he was undeniably going to die, Leon never once doubted his decision. Unarmed without mana, he moved his shaky legs forward and aimed to attack the fearsome foes.


    However...


    "Stop..."


    A firm but soft voice tickled his ear.


    A steady hand, unquestionably bigger than Lydia''s, gently held Leon''s shoulder back. Stunned, Leon nced back and saw a suave, tall man pushing his body back. With ebony-ck hair and resplendent golden eyes that glowed ever so brightly in the darkness, the handsome figure was like a hero who appeared at just the right moment.


    "You''ve done good... Leave the rest to me..."


    Amon''s calming voice soothed the tense Leon, pushing the injured youth back into the arms of the shocked Lydia. Pulling out his sword, Amon stood arrogantly in front of the two huge Trolls that spewed putrid breaths from their rotting mouths.


    While his face was emotionless, Amon''s lips curved slightly upwards, revealing a litany ofplicated emotions. However, for the mighty Knight, none of those emotions mattered anymore. All that he was focused on...


    "Observe... This is how you use the Sris Mystic Arts."

 Chapter 56: The Demonic Beast Purge (7)

    <h4>Chapter 56: The Demonic Beast Purge (7)</h4>


    Amon watched earnestly as Leon and Lydia fought against the Troll with everything they had. They were against the odds, two Apprentice Knights with little experience fighting Demonic Beasts. For them to face a Troll, which would even pose a challenge for a Grand Knight with Four Suns condensed... It was practically a suicide mission.


    Yet, the pair persevered.


    Leon and Lydia moved in synchrony, each showing expertise beyond their years. When they downed the Troll for the first time, Amon whistled in amazement. He was particrly amazed by Lydia''s movement and skills, which far exceeded his expectations.


    However, their ability was still far toocking. The Troll managed to get the upper hand, leaving the pair with severe injuries that greatly diminished their fighting capabilities. At this time, it would be wise for Amon to jump in and save them, but he waited patiently.


    And it was fortunate that he did since Leon used his hidden power to contend head-to-head with the monster. They danced to the death, and in the end, the young man did the impossible.


    He killed a Troll.


    A feat that was far beyond his skill level and would be widely celebrated by the Sris House.


    s, the Troll he killed wasn''t thest alone. Two bigger and stronger monstrosities emerged from the cave and stared down the Knights that disrupted their slumber. However, even with his body breaking down and all the reasons in the world to give up, Leon stood. He faced the two Trolls with resilience, willing to sacrifice his life to let his cousin escape.


    It was a trait that Amon had seen multiple times before... when reading [Bright].


    Witnessing it with his own eyes sent the former Transcendent''s heart pumping as he watched the birth of a hero¡ªthe spitting image of what he strove to be. And he wouldn''t let the hero die in this nameless cave.


    Leaping out of the shadows, Amon pushed Leon back into Lydia''s bosom and assured the pair that everything would be alright. Drawing out his de, he faced the two Trolls that threatened the young hero''s life and let out a wry smile.


    ''It''s unfortunate, but the Protagonist of [Bright] shouldn''t fall to you two weaklings.''


    In the original story, Leon was supposed to fall into a trap that led him straight into a goblin camp alone. He would kill his way through the camp and save the poor maidens that were kidnapped. Unfortunately, Amon had eradicated the camp without knowing, and Leon''s trial amped up in difficulty.


    So, it was only fitting that Amon right this wrong.


    "Watch carefully... This is how you use the Sris Mystic Arts."


    Amon''s mana rose rapidly, creating a dense golden Aura coat. Three Suns orbited around his stalwart figure, and an invisible pressure mounted upon the two Trolls that faced him with fury. Gravity was rewritten as the cavern rocks levitated from their resting positions while the stctites trembled on the ceiling, ready to fall at any moment.


    Unlike the Troll that Leon and Lydia killed, these two were far more experienced. They could tell when a foe was a menace or not. And the feeling that Amon was pushing onto them was sending their minds into a backward spiral. They knew that if they didn''t kill Amon right then and there, their lives would be in mortal danger.


    They raised their clubs in unison and linked them with bent knees and folded elbows. With all their physical strength, they swung the clubs with everything they had, ready to m the frightening threat before he could do anything to them. Like catapulted boulders, the clubs flew at Amon with immense fury and force. Even with the superior body of the Sris Bloodline, Amon would have been ripped in two if the blow connected with his body.


    s, Amon wasn''t going to the Trolls scratch him.


    Pointing his de forward with utmost arrogance, Amon channelled the mana of Three Suns into a single point and used the Mystic Arts that was practically the hallmark of the Sris House.


    A Sun appeared within the damp, dark cave, instantly vapourising the humidity. The heat was so intense that the limestone melted like ice onva, and the mes it emitted scorched everything it touched.


    As for the two clubs the Trolls held in their hands? They stood no chance.


    The Sun practically evaporated the clubs and burnt off the Trolls'' lower arms. They yelled out and leapt back, one in a frantic roll, the other with a whimpering hop. They attempted to regenerate their lost limbs, but the fire created by Amon''s Sun was relentless. There was no chance for the signature ability of the Trolls to take effect when the mes proliferated wildly like a gue, engulfing the open ligaments of the beasts.


    Leon and Lydia watched the whole scene with bated breaths.


    They were aware of the ability that Amon had just used. In fact, they had practised it multiple times before. Yet,paring their mastery of the skill was so ridiculous that it was almostughable.


    "Is that really Dawn?"


    Leon couldn''t help but remark.


    If Leon''s [Dawn] created a fireball that lit up the darkness, Amon''s [Dawn] was the Sun that turned night into day. The golden Sun illuminated the barren cave and turned the environment against the Trolls. Melting from the high temperature, there was nothing the beasts could do but cover their eyes in horror as Amon unleashed the next move.


    Moving his feet like a performance, Amon closed in the distance and aimed for the stronger of the two Demonic Beasts. The father Troll was still attempting to heal its severed limb, making it slow to react to the oing threat. Amon''s sword swung with a clean move, and the mana followed suit.


    The fire generated from Amon''s three Suns swirled around him like a performative dance and manifested itself as a blooming lotus. Infernal tendrils erupted from the flower''s blossoms, digging its vines deeper into the Troll''s body.


    There was no recourse for the father Troll.


    The moment the lotus bloomed on its body, its fate was sealed.


    An explosion, one that blew a hole in the cave''s ceiling, revealed the outside world to the one-sided massacre. The lotus expanded a hundred times in size, scorching and hypnotic. Even though it was created with mana, Leon felt that the lotus Amon''s Mystical Arts had breathed into existence waspletely corporal.


    Once again, he was made aware of the difference between Amon and himself.


    "Sr re Lotus... I''m not even in the same dimension."


    Amon''s skills were more imaginative, destructive and efficient. Not a single drop of mana was wasted, yet the destructive power was on another ne of existence. Even the lotus that erupted had a variation Leon had never considered using, making the skill far more powerful than he''d learnt.


    "Don''t you think he''s better than Lord Theffania?"


    Leon thought out loud, which Lydia met with radio silence. However, from the way her eyes were shaking, it was clear that she thought the same.


    After learning under the spartan instructor for three months, Leon witnessed the former Pir Knight''s mastery over the Sris Mystic Arts multiple times. And while her skills were beyond anything Leon could reach, the young man firmly believed that Amon''s mastery was much higher.


    The mother Troll yelped in horror as her mate was incinerated before her very eyes. It was used to being the apex predator, the monster that stood above all in the forest. Yet, as she locked eyes with Amon''s golden irises, a primal fear enveloped her rapidly beating heart.


    Unable to withstand the pressure anymore, the female Troll turned her heels around in an attempt to bolt to safety, unaware that her fate had long been sealed.


    Amon leapt into the air and levitated in the middle of the gaping hole he''d created in the ceiling. The three Suns he manifested congregated into one massive ball of energy. Amon''s light was enough topletely light up the darkened cave, forcing every living creature inside to cover their eyes or risk permanent blindness.


    The female Troll was spellbound by the incandescent light and rooted where it stood. It was unable to contemte fleeing. The Demonic Beast felt the Heavens had locked onto her body at that moment. The pressure of the sky descended upon her, and all the Troll could do was watch as droll dripped down her gaping mouth.


    BOOM!!!


    A deafening explosion decimated the limestone cave''s grounds, instantly melting and vapourising the environment. The cave dwelling was now blown wide open, with a massive hole unveiling the horrors that Amon had inflicted upon his enemies.


    All that remained of the mother Troll was her waist and two legs. Everything above the waist had been blown away and incinerated into ashes. Even the remnants of the Troll were charred beyond recognition, and one could easily misidentify the remains as ck coal.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Using three moves from the Sris Mystic Arts, Amon had easily in the two experienced Trolls. And that fact brought Leon and Lydia to a mental standstill.


    "T-That... was that Heaven''s Fall?"


    Lydia muttered with disbelief.


    Unlike the weak move that made her into a flyinget, Amon''s Heaven''s Fall emted how the sky would break and plunge onto the ground. An ultimate move that would destroy any foe that was unlucky enough to face it.


    "..."


    Likewise, Leon didn''t have any words. His eyes were fixated on the young Knight, who was only two years older than himself. His armour had broken from the pressure, and his sword was no longer usable due to the intense heat it was exposed to. However, Leon''s eyes burned passionately as he watched Amon nonchntly return from the mes and ashes.


    Most people would feel fear or jealousy when seeing someone their age perform feats that could only be described as miracles. However, Leon felt awe and yearning... yearning to be as strong as the man before him.


    ''So this is what it means... to be a prodigy.''


    Leon had heard multiple times that he was a genius. He had also heard of the prodigy Amon Sris. But now that he''d seen Amon fight in person, he realised how foolish he had been. The legends were true, if not underestimated. Amon Sris was, indeed, the most talented Knight of his generation.


    Falling to his knees, the young hero lost consciousness as all of the piled-up fatigue, injuries, and mental stress overwhelmed him. Yet, as his mind wandered between reality and dreams, there was only one thing on Leon''s mind.


    ''There''s still so much I have to learn...''

 Chapter 57: The Demonic Beast Purge (8)

    <h4>Chapter 57: The Demonic Beast Purge (8)</h4>


    Elder Horas''s involvement in and conspiracy to eliminate Leon sent shockwaves throughout the Sris House. A member of the Elder Council dared touch a junior, not to mention the grandson of the current Lord. It was a scandal that could shake the foundations of the ancient great House, and there was no shortage of mayhem in the following hours.


    The Elder Council attempted to cover up the situation and silence the scandal before it got out of hand. Unfortunately, Amon had recorded and captured the perpetrators in the act. Video proof of the perpetrators soliciting Leon''s help and luring him into the Troll cave was damning evidence, to say the least.


    Not only that, but the culprits admitted in the recording that Elder Horas had solicited their help and paid them handsomely for their service. It only took one look into their bank ounts to verify that a transaction had been deposited into them from Elder Horas'' estate.


    Needless to say, the Sris Lord was incensed by the revtion.


    Alrock ordered a hearing the same day and summoned Elder Horas and the dishonoured Knights into the Judiciary Chambers to persecute their crimes.


    Orga and her goons were trembling at the possibility that their lives would be forfeited and immediately admitted to everything. They cried and pleaded with Alrock, but it was met with empty ears. They had not only targeted Leon but also ced Lydia in harm''s way.


    Two of Alrock''s grandchildren could have lost their lives today, and the fact that it was due to an internal political y for power made his blood boil. If he could have it his way, Alrock would have executed the culprits without remorse. Unfortunately, before he was a grandfather, Alrock was the Lord of the Sris House. He was in a particrly delicate position and could not execute people as he pleased.


    Clenching his teeth, the Sris Lord deferred the issue to a neutral Supreme Justice of the Judiciary branch.


    Firstly, the judge found Orga and her partners guilty of conspiracy to harm another Knight. Punishment was added as Leon and Lydia were both minors, making their crime doubly evil. They were stripped of their Knight status, all of their assets would be seized and confiscated, and finally, they were to be crippled and exiled.


    While Alrock urged for the death penalty, on second thought, crippling their cores and exiling them far away from Solfea was indeed a fair punishment.


    A dishonoured Knight was in many ways worse than a ve. People would look down on them wherever they went, and no one would hire them, knowing they were dishonoured. Without any assets, they weren''t able to escape poverty, and their lives would be better off dead than alive.


    In many ways, it was more cruel than executing them with the sword.


    As for Elder Horas... His case was slightly moreplicated.


    Naturally, as the mastermind of this sinister plot, he was meant to receive the harshest punishment. However, Elder Horas was a Sun Knight with seven Suns condensed, of which less than ten existed in the Sris House. In terms ofbat ability, he was one of the Sris House''s greatest assets and losing such a figure could weaken them significantly.


    Yet, just because he was a valuable asset, it didn''t make him immune to crimes. The Elder Council also fought against harsher punishments, fearing it would set a precedent for Elders to face the sword.


    Ultimately, the Supreme Justice hammered his gavel and made the final decision.


    Elder Horas would be stripped of his title, effective immediately. Any assets he had were to be confiscated by the Sris House, and his titles and aplishments would be voided. However, unlike Orga and her scoundrels, Elder Horas would remain in Solfea.


    Though, he won''t be free from punishment either.


    A killing curse would be ced onto his heart and could be activated at any moment by a consensus from the Judiciary, Legitive, and Executive branches. He would be forced to serve the Sris House as a guard for the rest of his life, eternally damned to live as a ve.


    It was the harshest punishment the Supreme Justice could devise, fair but firm. Likewise, Alrock agreed that living as a ve to the Sris House would be better than killing Elder Horas.


    But the most important benefit that Alrock had received... was silencing the Elder Council.


    Over the past few years, there was a power struggle between the Executive branch that the Sris Lord held and the Legitive of the Elders. It had festered after Alrock''s prized son, Lucas, mysteriously disappeared. With the suspicion that Lucas was a traitor, Alrock''s position as the Sris Lord was increasingly getting questioned.


    The tension had been bubbling up for years, and when Leon returned unannounced, it had reached a boiling point.


    Fortunately, Elder Horas messed up and diminished the Elders'' pressure on Alrock. In the future, the Elder Council would have a much harder time meddling with the Sris Lord, and his life would return to being peaceful.


    In the end, the entire proceedings concluded in less than three days.


    During that time, Amon had ample time to rest. After providing testimony and evidence, his role in the hearings was done. He didn''t bother participating in the remaining proceedings, as they hardly interested him.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    On a side note, the Demonic Beast Purge ended on a damper mode. The open hostilities that Elder Horas disyed had ced a ck asterisk on the event, but the award ceremony still proceeded. Surprisingly, due to the two Trolls Amon killed, he had earned over two thousand points, making him one of the top hunters of the event.


    As a reward, themittee decided to bestow a new quality sword to help Amon rece the one he''d lost when fighting the Trolls. While grateful, he knew the sword they''d given him wasn''t anything special. Amon was about to undergo the Sword Bestowment Ceremony, so a reward like this was unnecessary.


    Leon and Lydia did decently well too, and their points ced them in the top hundred hunters. For newbies and cadets from the Academy, it was a fantastic result. Also, in lieu of their suffering, themittee rewarded them with items just as good as Amon''s.


    But of course, neither of them was healthy enough to collect their rewards.


    Immediately after Amon saved them, the pair were rushed to the hospital, where their wounds were treated. Fortunately, neither of them sustained a life-threatening injury, and their recovery process was pretty straightforward. In just two days, all of their surface-level injuries had healed. As for their internal injuries, it would take a little longer, but they were expected to make a full recovery in less than two weeks.


    Plenty of time for them to prepare for the Sword Bestowment Ceremony.


    Speaking of which, with Elder Horas gone, Leon was given the green light to participate in the prestigious event, and the original story of [Bright] would proceed as per normal.


    Leon would summon the Holy Sword, Ascalon.


    And Amon had made sure of that.


    "May Ie in?"


    Knocking on the hospital ward, Amon carefully peered his head through the door gap. In the wardy two patients, one male and one female. Usually, wards would separate the patients due to their gender, but this case was special. Leon and Lydia were victims of a crime, making their safety and testimony of the utmost importance. cing the pair together made it convenient to protect them as well as to gather information for the trial.


    However, now that Elder Horas had been punished, Leon and Lydia were free from their burdens and able to wee visitors.


    "A-Amon! Pleasee in!"


    Lydia was the one who replied to the young man who came with a neat bouquet of fruits. Amon gingerly stepped through the door and observed the clean and messy ward, filled with gifts and luggage.


    It was evident that plenty of people had visited the cousins. Amon had purposefully dyed his visit to avoid the crowd, and as he watched Lydia frantically attempt to tidy up her area, he knew that he had made the right choice.


    "I''m sorry I didn''te earlier; I knew you would be busy."


    Out of courtesy, Amon apologised. However, neither Leon nor Lydia would ept it.


    "Haha, why would you apologise for that? You saved us from certain death, and there''s no need for you apologise over something that small!"


    Leon beamed in delight as he weed his saviour into his humble abode. Amon''s lips cracked a smile as he ced the bouquet in therge pile and carefully handed the basket of fruits to Lydia.


    "I got some pears and apples. I hope you guys like it."


    "Like it? I love it!" Lydia''s face brightened as all her fatigue was blown away. "W-Wait, I don''t have a knife to cut the fruits!"


    Oddly, Lydia was worried about the wrong thing. She didn''t want to eat the fruits in a disorderly manner and wrongly imprinted the scene of her chewing on a pear-like a brute in front of her crush. Seeing her disorganisation, Amon attempted to ease the mood.


    "Ah, don''t worry. I''ll ask the nurse to get one."


    "N-No, I''ll handle it! Please wait here!"


    Running out of the ward faster than she did with the Troll, Lydia disappeared down the hospital''s hallway. Amon stared nkly at the exit, unsure of what to say. He nced back at Leon, snuggledfortably on his bed and stifling augh.


    "Pfft, Sister Lydia sure acts differently around you."


    "..."


    Amon didn''t know how to reply to Leon''s statement and hence, he opted to remain silent. Walking over to the empty side of Leon''s bed, Amon pulled a chair over and sat right next to the injured youth.


    "How are you feeling?"


    "Better! It''s a little ufortable inside, but nothing too serious. We''re getting discharged tomorrow, too!"


    "Yeah, I''ve heard..."


    The conversation ended there. Amon wasn''t a good conversationalist, and he was still unsure of how he should act in front of Leon. To others, Leon was just a young man with some talent as a Knight. However, to Amon, Leon was the Protagonist of [Bright], the character he read to learn the characteristics of a hero.


    The silence was deafening, and the awkward atmosphere was getting to both the young men. In the end, it was Leon who broke the silence.


    "S-So, I heard from Grandpa Alrock... He asked you to protect us."


    "Yes," Amon replied affirmatively. "I apologise for not acting sooner. I had to record the misdeeds of the culprits, and since Grandpa Alrock told me not to interfere unless your lives were in danger, I didn''t appear in front of you until you killed the first Troll."


    "N-No, I should be the one thanking you! You gave us the opportunity to fight against a Troll! Not many Apprentice Knights can im to have killed a Demonic Beast of that calibre!"


    "No worries..."


    Once again, the pair descended into an awkward silence.


    Amon and Leon stared at one another, each with probably a thousand questions to ask.


    Did Amon see Leon use his water mana? How did Amon''s skill with the Sris Mystic Arts elerate so much? And even how long Amon had been protecting them? All of these were questions that Leon wanted to ask. However, he was afraid of what he would hear.


    As for Amon, he only had one question for Leon.


    And after plucking up his courage, he stared into the young man''s blue eyes and spoke with all seriousness.


    "Why did you do that?"


    "Huh? Do what?"


    "Why did you follow that woman into the cave?"


    Amon was confused by Leon''s actions that day. Following Orga into the cave was a stupid decision, no matter how much he thought about it. Perhaps he was ignorant of the potential trap? Or was he keen on earning points that his greed clouded his judgement?


    Amon wanted to know.


    However, Leon''s answer was unexpected.


    "Well, she said that her sister was trapped inside... Thinking back, I was a fool to believe her words."


    The young teen blushed and scratched his cheek, not knowing what to say. Although he knew it could have been a trap, Leon still foolishly charged in, and the result was nearly catastrophic. If Amon hadn''t been there to save him, he would have died that day and possibly dragged Lydia with him.


    s, Amon wasn''t interested in that. He had heard Leon''s testimony and knew the story from beginning to end. Amon didn''t care about Leon being fooled or almost dying.


    What Amon was truly curious of was...


    "... even if her sister really was trapped inside, was there a need to risk your life?"


    Amon didn''t understand why Leon would willingly jump into the belly of the beast just to save someone he''d never met. It went against everything the former Transcendent learnt and knew. If it were a mission, Amon would have graded Leon with the worst grade and heavily chastised the boy for taking an unnecessary risk.


    The right way was to request backup, investigate the crime scene, ande up with an action n, especially since Leon was far weaker than the Trolls in the cave.


    And yet... for some odd reason, Amon was drawn to Leon''s behaviour.


    What could have possibly caused this desire to risk his own life for someone that he didn''t even know existed?


    Leon looked perplexed at Amon''s question. He folded his arms together and dropped his chin down. Scratching the bottom of his chin, he took a split second to contemte Amon''s words and then replied:


    "Yes, I would."


    "You would risk your life for someone you never met? Why?"


    "Hmmm... Do I need a reason for that?"


    It was truly a scene where two worlds collided. Amon and Leon were both unable to understand each other. For Amon, risking one''s life for another''s sake was iprehensible. For Leon, it was just second nature.


    "To save someone... Do you need a reason? They need help, so I''ll help them!"


    "..."


    "If I were put in that position again, I think I would have made the same choice. This time, I would be more alert to the clues if it was a trap, haha."


    Leon''s innocence... His purity... was something that could have killed the young hero before he grew into the great person he was destined to be.


    It was in stupidity... and yet...


    Amon found it dazzling.


    "I see..."


    Amon couldn''t help but smile. He''d always thought there was a form to bing a hero¡ªa set of tricks and rules he had to abide by. However, as he sat before the greatest hero in all of [Bright], Amon came to a funny conclusion.


    ''So there''s no metric at all... I''ve been looking at this all wrong.''


    Tapping on Leon''s shoulder, Amon got up from his seat and headed out to the exit. ncing back at the injured youth, he said: "Rest well."


    "O-Okay!"


    And just like that, Amon left the ward with a satisfied smile. On his way back, only one thing was in Amon''s mind.


    ''There''s still so much I have to learn...''

 Chapter 58: Sword Bestowment Ceremony (1)

    <h4>Chapter 58: Sword Bestowment Ceremony (1)</h4>


    Themotion created by Elder Horas died down as quickly as it began. There were still whispers of the gnarly details that an Elder had targetted a junior, but the noise was eclipsed by the ongoing celebrations of Idrytis August. The Demonic Beast Purge wasn''t the only festivity nned for the Sris House''s biggest holiday.


    Various other festivals and celebrations were prepared for the founder''s month, and the people enjoyed every second.


    Knights sent on voyages and long missions away from home were given the respite of visiting their families. Children who studied all year long could freely enter carnivals. And workers that rarely got out of their monotone lives were given a good long break from it all.


    Idrytis August was a celebration of all things Sris.


    From honouring the famed individuals of years past to celebrating the aplishments of their Knights. And the crown jewel of this year''s Idrytis August was none other than the most prestigious of them all.


    The Sword Bestowment Ceremony.


    An event that only urs once every five years, the Sword Bestowment Ceremony brought the attention of eyes from all over the globe. The Sris House was born from a lineage of heroes. The Sris Founder who fought against the Dragons during the Great Dragon War. The Sris Saint who repelled the Demons when they invaded. And an array of heroes who made their mark in history.


    All of those heroes left their legacies within the prestigious Sword Garden of the Sris House.


    And every five years... a new generation would get to enter the Sword Garden to receive one of those legendary inheritances.


    The younger generation was the hope... the new dawn of the Sris House.


    That was the significance of the Sword Bestowment Ceremony. To let the younger generation carry the torch from the older ones.


    And this year''s ceremony was especially interesting. Plenty of young talent, each projected to be great Sris Knights, were all getting their swords today. So it wasn''t surprising that it drew numerous eyes and curious participants.


    However...


    "... are you really carrying all that?"


    Amon was rendered gobsmacked by the peculiar sight in front of him. A breathtaking young woman, draped in the finest quality of silk and satin, held over a dozen recording crystals of the highest quality on her sash. All of them were state-of-the-art and highly coveted in the industry. Just one of those crystals was enough to buy afortable home in the city.


    And yet, the woman held onto over a dozen of them.


    "I can''t take the chance! Who knows if they will fail on me during the ceremony?!"


    "Still... Is there a need for so many?"


    The young woman looked no older than eighteen. Her delicate visage shimmered as if touched by the Moon''s embrace. It was as if the pinnacle of human beauty had been condensed into one person as she sashayed with the radiance that would attract the entire continent.


    Amon would have been left breathless by the dazzling sight of the ethereal beauty if it weren''t for herical appearance.


    "Just one is good enough... Besides, what''s there to record?"


    "My dear Amon, how can you be so naive?!"


    An exasperated cry came behind Amon, forcing the young man to turn around. There, a stunningly gorgeous middle-ageddy who looked not a year older than forty grabbed onto Amon''s dangling arm and added:


    "I don''t usually agree with that fox, but she''s right! We''re about to watch your bestowment! You will only get to enter the Sword Garden once in your life! Shouldn''t we do our best to record this moment?!"


    An unlikely ally joined in Yue''s crusade to obtain the perfect recording. Amon''s mother, Maya Sris, had her cat-like eyes lit up with anticipation while she held onto her precious son.


    "Mother-inw!!!"


    "Don''t call me that, you vixen! You''re not marrying my son just yet!"


    "Huh? Then you don''t want a recording of Amon getting his sword?"


    "T-That... How dare you threaten me?!"


    The two women started bickering, going back and forth and creating a hugemotion. Unable to withstand the embarrassment creeping in, Amon hurriedly pried his mother''s arms away and walked in the other direction where his father and sister stood.


    "Haha, Maya gets along with our future daughter-inw!"


    Amon''s father, Aaron Sris,ughed heartily at his wife''s juvenile antics. In his eyes, it seemed like Maya and Yue got along swimmingly, and the rambunctious dispute was no more than a lovely family quarrel.


    "How is that getting along?" Arya, Amon''s sister, questioned with open eyes.


    It wasn''t a secret that Yue and Maya had their differences. It was rarer for them not to argue, and if they were both quiet at the dinner table, Yue would raise an eyebrow in confusion instead.


    "Haha, enough about them; they''re not the main characters of today."


    s, Amon''s father didn''t care about the nuisance his wife and future daughter-inw were making. His interest was steered towards his two children, who were the pride and joy of his life.


    "Amon... Arya... Are you nervous?"


    "No," Amon replied calmly without hesitation.


    Truth be told, he didn''t care about the Sword Bestowment Ceremony. As long as he got a decent de from it, Amon wouldn''tin. After all, most of his swords broke after one or two uses. All he wanted was a durable de that could withstand his mana.


    The same couldn''t be said about his sister, though.


    "To tell the truth, I''m a little nervous." Arya fiddled with her fingers and shyly replied. "I''m afraid to have so many people watching me."


    "It''s going to be alright," Aaron reached his hand over his daughter''s head and lovingly stroked her hair. "Your brother is going to be right there with you! And there''s nothing to be scared of! The Sword Bestowment Ceremony will only give you endless benefits!"


    "Uugh."


    Rustled by her father''s warm touch, Arya could only let out an adorable cry.


    Helping ease his daughter''s anxious heart, Aaron turned to his tall and mature son, who was already standing at his height. Over eight years had passed since he was first called to Alrock''s office with Amon. Over those years, Amon had grown into a spectacr man and an even more splendid Knight.


    Pride was an easy emotion to feel whenever Aaron thought of his son.


    No matter what results from the Sword Bestowment Ceremony, Aaron was already happy with his son''s aplishments and couldn''t wait to see Amon surpass him.


    "So, what weapon grade are you hoping to get?"


    "A Unique-grade at least, and if I get a Fabled-grade, I would be content."


    Amon replied without skipping a beat.


    Weapons in Hyades were ssified mainly into nine tiers. Common-grade weapons were the mostmon weapons in the world. Weapons of this grade could be purchased at any random cksmith on the marketce, and getting a sword of this calibre was as easy as buying vegetables from a grocer.


    The two tiers above Common were Umon and Rare. These two grades were more challenging to find, but not anything too strenuous. Even regr cksmiths would hold a handful of Umons and one or two Rares.


    The next tier up, however, was where the quality drastically increased. Epic-grades were the fourth tier on the scale, and they could only be bought from top-tier cksmiths and forgers. They could easily cost a fortune, and owning an Epic-grade was enough to make a Knight''s career.


    In fact, the swords that Amon usually used were all at the Epic-grade. Otherwise, none of his swords would have survived his immense mana pool and would have shattered before he even swung them down.


    Above Epic was where the scale became broken. Unique-grades were one-of-a-kind pieces, masterpieces of each skilled cksmith. Less than a thousand Uniques would be on the market at any given time, and they were all highly sought after. Even Amon and Yue, with all the resources avable to them, had to think twice before buying a Unique-grade sword.


    As for the next tier up, Fabled-grade, they were Unique swords forged by a fable. Either by a past wielder or the cksmith who created the sword. It could have been blessed with the mana of a Knight that in a Great Demon. Or it was made with a divine swordsmith''s blood, sweat and soul. A Fabled-grade was what most Knights dreamed of obtaining, and if they couldn''t get one, they hoped that their Unique-grade sword would turn into a Fabled-grade once their journey as a warrior was over.


    Above the Fabled-grade was the Legendary-grade, a Fabled weapon that had gathered countless stories on its own and evolved into a sword of legend. If a Unique-grade sword had less than a thousand on the market, a Legendary-grade would only have one or two for sale at best. Even then, if a weapon of that grade goes for sale, the cost would be astronomical. It''s a thousand times more expensive than any other sword.


    As for thest two tiers, these were grades that no one in the modern era would ever see on sale.


    The Mythic-grade is the eighth tier on the scale and rarely seen in person. Mythic-grades were weapons that had transcended legend and were practically considered the weapons of Gods. Less than a hundred Mythic-grades were ever recorded in history, and each time they appeared, they were shown to be capable of performing deity-like feats.


    And finally, the highest grade of weapons and the rarest of them all...


    The Heroic-grade.


    Of these, only four have ever been recorded in history, and one of them was sleeping right here in the Sris House, in the Sword Garden, and the sword Leon was destined to obtain.


    The Holy Sword, Ascalon.


    Ascalon wasn''t the only sword worth coveting in the Sword Garden. The worst sword one could get was Unique-tier, which was already better than all the swords Amon had used until now. If he got anything above that, it would be a bonus.


    Luckily, Yue did mention that Amon had received a good sword in her previous timeline. However, she was being secretive about it for some reason, so Amon could only shrug his shoulders and patiently wait for his turn to enter Sword Garden.


    "Haha, not that ambitious are you? Given your talent, I think you could pull a Legendary-grade!"


    Aaronughed heartily as he pped his son''s shoulders. Although he was confident in his son''s talent, he knew better than anyone that the sword someone got from the Sword Garden was based on luck. It didn''t matter if a young Knight was talented; it was all up to destiny.


    Sometimes, the best talent of the generation wouldn''t even get a Fabled-grade sword. But that wasn''t due to theirck of training or willpower; it was bad luck. Nevertheless, those Sris Knights would forge their path, taking their Unique-grade weapon on the path of greatness, eventually making their swords into Fabled-grade.


    That was why the Sword Garden had thergest repository of precious weapons anywhere on the globe.


    "A Fabled-grade is more than enough."


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Haha, you sure are humble!" Aaronughed once more and repeated himself: "Nevertheless, I''m proud of you, son. Even if you get a Unique-grade today, I''m confident you could raise it to Fabled or even Legendary on your own."


    "... Thanks, Dad."


    Amon cracked a wry smile before turning his attention to the massive gate before his eyes. As time passed, arge crowd began to gather until the vast space didn''t seem so significant anymore. Looking through the crowd, he could see various familiar and unfamiliar faces.


    Knights he had partnered with, cadets he''d gone to school with, and many other irrelevant figures.


    Amon didn''t care about any of them. All he cared about were the main characters of [Bright], those that had an actual impact on the story and the future of Hyades.


    Gale and Adelia Sris, Leon''s partners-in-crime. If everything followed the same timeline, they would im Fabled-grade weapons, bing integral in the battles that followed.


    Lydia Sris was a stand-out figure as well. Her talents had blossomed beyond what Amon had anticipated, so predicting the sword she would im was also uncertain. However, Lydia would get a Fabled-grade sword if his memory served him right.


    And, of course, the main course and the man of the hour...


    Leon Bright.


    The man who would pull Ascalon from its slumber and shock the with his overwhelming talent.


    Of course, more young talents were waiting to rush into the Sword Garden right now to im their prize. Many will get Uniques, few will get Fabled... However, only one will get the coveted Heroic-grade sword.


    ''I can''t wait to see that in person.''


    For a brief moment, Amon empathised with Yue''s desire to record this historic event. vvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

 Chapter 59: Sword Bestowment Ceremony (2)

    <h4>Chapter 59: Sword Bestowment Ceremony (2)</h4>


    "Amon! Arya! Over here!"


    The hour hand struck eight, signalling the beginning of the Sword Bestowment Ceremony. After a lengthy speech by the Sris Lord and a ceremonialmemoration, it was time for the main event to begin. Amon, bored out of his mind after listening to his Grandpa Alrock''s yapping, was called out by a familiar, youthful voice.


    Leon waved at Amon with a bright smile, showcasing his perfectly white teeth. Seeing that he had nothing to do, Amon gestured for his sister to follow him as he approached the bubbly young teen.


    "Leon, are you feeling better?"


    "Haha, much better now! I''m ny percent of the way there; thanks for asking!" The blonde-haired youth flexed his biceps to indicate his recovery and happily showcased his improving vitality.


    "Good to know that," Amon replied kindly. "It''s good that you recovered in time for the ceremony."''


    "I wouldn''t miss it for the world!" Leon eximed. "I just hope I don''t disappoint my father and get a poor sword."


    "I don''t think you''ll have to worry about that."


    Amonughed mentally. The sword that Leon would get was already set in stone, and it was the most precious de anywhere on the. There was no way in the seventh hell that his father would be disappointed with his selection.


    "I''m getting pretty nervous..." Arya gestured from the side, her feet shaking with slight trembles. She nced up at Leon and Amon to ease her tension, but a nauseating thought ran through her mind.


    "Come to think of it, you two are practically guaranteed Fabled-grade swords or higher... Tch, I''m standing with the wrong crowd."


    "Haha, what are you talking about? Arya, you''re plenty talented! I''m confident you''ll be able to capture the interest of many Fabled-grade swords!"


    While the Sword Bestowment Ceremony was grandiose and renowned throughout Hyades, the ceremony itself was quite straightforward.


    Each participant would enter the Sword Garden and stand on an elevated tform at the centre. They were to resonate their mana within the tform, and a magic circle would spread their consciousness throughout the sacred vault. The participant''s mana would then attempt to synchronise with every sword in the garden, and if a sword deems them worthy, they would appear right before the participant for their choosing.


    Generally, the more talented you are, the more interest one would gain from the better swords in the vault. However, talent wasn''t the only metric. Mana element, age and even gender were all factors for a sword to develop an interest in a participant.


    All in all, it was purely down to luck.


    "Hmph, not as much as you two monsters. I''m sure either of you would pull a Legendary or even Mythic grade! Hah, luckily, I''m going much earlier than you two!"


    "..."


    Seeing his little sister throw a tantrum, Amon could only shrug his shoulders with a bitter smile. Arya''s words were true; for some funny reason, the order of the candidates who would try their luck in the Sword Garden ended, with Leon and Amon being thest two.


    Leon would be secondst, while Amon would be the final person to enter Sword Garden and pick his sword. Usually, the order was determined by random draw, but this year, they spiced it up a little.


    In [Bright], Leon was thest person to choose his sword, which made the impact of him pulling Ascalon greater. However, the order had changed somewhat with Amon''s inclusion into Hyades.


    Not that it matters to Amon.


    "We should prepare, it seems like they are opening the vault soon."


    Hurriedly changing the subject, Amon turned to the front of the grand hall where Alrock stood. The preparations had beenpleted, and the gates for the Sword Garden were finally unlocked after five long years. Standing next to the Sris Lord were many powerful beings, Knights and Magicians alike.


    They were all powerful enough to defeat a dozen Trolls alone, and their gathering created an intimidating presence that froze most of the younger audience. Even Amon didn''t dare to move carelessly. A force of this magnitude would easily subdue him as he was.


    ''So this is the depth of the Sris House.''


    At least two Sun Knights and over a dozen Pinnacle Knights were present. All of them were Elders or living legends of the Sris House. And they were all here to prevent theft or shenanigans from happening in their most sacred ce.


    No one dared to breathe a word as the massive gates creaked open.


    The participants and the spectators trailing far behind held their breaths as a sanctified light pierced through the gaps of the gates, unveiling the utopia thaty within. Through the light, a tall and skinny creature emerged. It had googly eyes and an inhuman face. Its height was easily ten metres, towering over any Knights that stood before it. Shrouded from the face down by a white cassock, the figure approached Alrock before giving him a courtesy nod.


    "Lord..."


    An ethereal voice echoed through the chambers and resonated in the minds of everyone present. The voice was borderline holy as if it came from the heavens above. However, no one present misunderstood the creature''s identity.


    Before they were even allowed to step foot into the Sword Garden, they were warned time and time again not to cross this creature... for it was easily one of the most powerful beings in the Sris House.


    "Custodian."


    Alrock greeted the mysterious entity with respect. After all, it had lived far longer than he did and had looked the same since his Sword Bestowment Ceremony.


    "Time is a cruel thing... You have aged plenty in five years..."


    "I don''t have your immortality, Custodian."


    "I can hardly call myself immortal."


    The Custodian shook its head and tilted towards the massive stone gate.


    "Follow me."


    The Custodian turned around and gingerly walked back into the vault it guarded. Without missing a beat, Alrock followed it in, and the rest of the parade followed. Alrock and the other High Elders were at the very front. Following them were the participants of this year''s ceremony. And finally, the spectators, primarily consisting of the participants'' families, followed suit.


    And as they entered into the secretive Sword Garden, they were frozen with awe.


    The first thing Amon saw was a beautiful meadow of shimmering, iridescent flora. Walking through the gates felt like entering a different world as if they had been transported through dimensions. An artificial azure sky was gleaming with a constantly shifting mosaic of colours. Grassy knolls forested the utopia, and thousands, if not tens of thousands, of swords were littered all over the ground.


    And it wasn''t just swords.


    Axes, spears, bows... A whole plethora of weapons were kept pristine, even if they protruded randomly from the ground.


    The parade followed the Custodian down the bedazzled pathway, careful not to stray one foot away from the pavement. The path was wide enough to fit the entire procession, so there was no excuses for stepping on the grass where the precious weapons were being kept.


    However, if one person did stray away...


    Their lives would be forfeited in an instant.


    Fortunately for the nervous group, their tense march was short. In less than five minutes, they reached their destination: an astral citadel made from impable white marble and enchanted stone. There were no living quarters or habitable zones for visitors, only a central vast space with an elevated tform in the middle.


    Spires to the heavens adorned the massive pirs of the citadel, making it look like the world was centred around this sanctuary. Anyone who stood at the epicentre would be quickly reminded of how minute and small they were.


    It was a spell-binding ce.


    Most visitors had their jaws open as they admired the view. Only the alien voice of the Custodian could break them from their stupor.


    "Lord... You may begin the ceremony..."


    "Thank you, Custodian."


    Once again, Alrock thanked the ancient spirit that guarded the Sword Garden. Nodding, the astral being turned into a blur and disappeared like a fading mist. The Sris Lord felt a silent chill creep up his spine as he watched that move, unable to shake off the fear the Custodian gave it.


    Outside Sword Garden, Alrock may have a chance against the ancient vault-keeper. However, now that he was inside, there was practically no chance for victory. In fact, it was more likely for the Sris Lord to face instant death against the Custodian, as the Sword Garden was its domain.


    Still, the ceremony had to go on. Shaking off the fear that the Custodian was watching his every move, Alrock wasted no time with speeches and began the ceremony formally.


    "John Sris! Come forth!"


    Alrock''s voice boomed within the citadel, causing a nervous Junior Knight to step forward. He was no older than twenty, and while he was no longer a cadet, his shaky movements revealed his inexperience. Stepping onto the pedestal with jelly-like legs, the young Knight took a deep breath before facing the Sris Lord.


    "Are you ready?"


    The Sris Lord asked with a tinge of concern in his voice. It was evident that the youth before him was nervous and weak, possibly just barely making the qualification to enter the Sword Garden. Still, he earned the right to participate in the Sword Bestowment Ceremony fair and square. Directing the young Knight to the pedestal, Alrockmanded:


    "You may begin!"


    "U-Understood!"


    John Sris yelled back, his heart beating ever so rapidly. Stepping into the magic circle, the young man closed his eyes and concentrated on channelling his mana. Instantly, the circle lit up with a golden hue and energy crackles burst forth from its perfect lines.


    With his eyes closed, the young Knight could not view the changes in atmosphere, but the spectators were all acutely aware. A thin mana string erupted from the magic circle and shot to the sky. John''s mana was spread thin and eventually turned into a transient rain of crystal light.


    Every weapon in the Sword Garden was exposed to the rain at that moment. Unfortunately for John, nothing happened to most swords in the sacred vault. However, five unique-grade swords resonated with John''s mana and flew right before the young man. They remained levitating before the young man as he opened his eyes in shock.


    "Five swords, huh? Not bad! Though, it''s a pity they''re all Unique-grade!"


    One of the spectators remarked. He was familiar with the Sword Bestowment Ceremony and had witnessed young talent receiving their baptism multiple times in the past. On average, each Knight would resonate with between one to ten swords. Five swords were good enough, even if they were only Unique-grade swords. At the very least, the young Knight could choose his favoured de.


    "Make your choice."


    Alrock didn''t miss a beat and ordered the nervous youth to proceed with the next step.


    John stood frozen for a good ten seconds before regaining his wits. He turned his attention towards the five levitating des and focused hard on making the right decision. The Sword Bestowment Ceremony only happens once in his life, and he wouldn''t get another opportunity like this again.


    Oddly enough, staring intently at the five swords, John felt a kinship with the simple de in the middle. It wasn''t shy like the others and wasn''t anything special yet... John felt his heart churning whenever he looked at that de.


    Ultimately, the young Knight didn''t think about it too much. Trusting his gut feeling, he reached for the sword in the middle and made his selection.


    And when John held its hilt, he felt a resonant chime ding in his soul. There was no doubt about it; this sword was the one for him.


    "Wise choice," Alrock revealed a gleeful grin and remarked: "During times like this, you must trust your senses and not overthink. Your sword will serve you well."


    "T-Thank you!"


    John thanked the Sris Lord profusely before heading down the tform, where his buddies were ready to congratte him.


    "Next! Karen Sris!"


    One by one, Alrock called out the promising youths of this generation for their turn in the ceremony. Over time, the crowd gained even more interest in the proceedings, and many spectators began to specte wildly.


    "I wonder how many youngsters will get Fabled-grade swords this year?"


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "So far, they have only been pulling Unique-grades... Maybe we won''t see a Fabled-grade this year?"


    "Haha, just be patient! We''ve barely started, after all! I heard that the cadets from the Academy are extremely talented this year! Also, don''t forget that two of the Sris Lord''s grandchildren are participating! And there''s also that famous Amon from the Fantasy Couple! Who knows? We may even see a Legendary or Mythic-grade appear!"


    "A Legendary grade may be possible, but a Mythic grade is so rare that it only happened twice in the past hundred years! The current Sris Lord and his son were the only two members who had gotten a hand on a Mythic-grade sword!"


    "Oh? Then perhaps his grandson would be the third?"


    The spectators broadcasted their thoughts out loud. Their chatter distracted the participants because of their distance from the centre of the citadel. Only one person in the audience wore a radiant, expectant smile, fully aware of what wasing.


    ''Don''t die on me, recording crystal... I''ll need you to record this SSS-rank event and burn it into my memories!''

 Chapter 60: Sword Bestowment Ceremony (3)

    <h4>Chapter 60: Sword Bestowment Ceremony (3)</h4>


    The Sword Bestowment Ceremony continued smoothly with no disruptions. With over eighty participants this year, amodating all of them would be a long day. And since Leon and Amon were the final two to step onto the field, theyzily waited their turn while observing each participant''s sword.


    Firstly, not a single Fabled-grade hade out even though over ten participants had stood on the pedestal. While each Unique-grade they got was top of their ss, it was still disappointing that none had pulled a Fabled-grade yet.


    Some spectators were even wondering if this year''s talent had dipped, and were mentally preparing themselves for a disappointing year.


    But as the next participant walked up to the elevated tform, their eyes sparkled with added interest.


    "Oh?! It''s Adelia''s turn!"


    Leon eximed loud enough to drag Amon''s wavering attention back to the centre of the stage. Like most participants, the young cadet got onto the tform with shifty eyes and shaky legs. The nervousness was palpable, and even though Amon was dozens of metres away, he could sense Adelia''s anxiety.


    However, Amon knew that the girl had no reason to worry. Unlike the weaklings before her, she was a major supporting character in [Bright]. Amon knew very well which sword she would get from the ceremony, which would easily make the other Knights jealous.


    "You may begin!"


    Alrock ordered this time with a little less forcefulness. After expressing himself over ten times, the Sris Lord was tired of repeating himself. Especially since there hasn''t been a single person who pulled a Fabled-grade sword or higher.


    Fortunately, that was about to change...


    Light spread out from the mana circle like a vast spiderweb as a golden pir erupted from Adelia''s soul. Swords from all over the Sword Garden vibrated wildly and resonated clearly with Adelia''s mana. Ten rapiers flew right in front of the young woman in the blink of an eye and levitated clearly within her line of sight. The change in the spectators'' expressions was visible as their fatigued and weary eyes burned brightly with joy and excitement.


    As for the person in question... she was shellshocked.


    "Ten swords?! And all of them are rapiers! She must have an affinity with that type of weapon!"


    "Not just that, there''s three Fabled-grades! Goodness, we haven''t seen a single Fabled-grade so far, and she pulled three?! Who''s that girl?!"


    Noise from the crowd gave the audience a little information about the incredible feat Adelia just performed.


    Many were questioning who was this hidden talent, and even those who knew Adelia didn''t know how to react. Though, Leon quickly came to his senses, unveiling a dazzlingly bright smile.


    "Amazing! Three Fabled-grades! I knew that Adelia could do it!"


    "How envious... I wonder which one she would choose?"


    Arya supplemented Leon''s joy with her own query. Having more choices wasn''t necessarily a good thing. If one had too many choices, they may second guess themselves and choose a sword that didn''t suit them perfectly. Luckily for Adelia, she didn''t have that problem.


    Even though there were three Fabled-grades, only one stood out to the young cadet. A rapier made of pure silver with an ornate guard designed like a Sun. It was sleek and slender, yet it retained the properties of a sturdy de, never breaking no matter how much one ced pressure on it.


    It was perfect for her fighting style. Adaptive yet firm.


    "This one."


    Alrock didn''t even need to prompt Adelia to make her choice. Without hesitation, she reached for the silver rapier and held it close to her chest. The Sris Lord looked at the de for a good minute before smiling warmly.


    "Argent Sun, a rapier made into Fable by the Argent Dancer. A Sris Knight who died thirty years ago, the Argent Dancer was one of the best female swordmasters of her time. It''s a fine Fabled-grade sword that would serve you well."


    "Thank you, Your Excellency!"


    Adelia couldn''t hide her happiness and blushed furiously with excitement. Unlike some of the other Fabled-grades in the Sword Garden, the Argent Sun was owned by a Knight who had lived in recent years. This meant the de''s achievements were still fresh in everyone''s memory. In fact, the reason why Alrock could recall this sword off the top of his head was because he had once trained under the Argent Dancer.


    Seeing it passed down to the next generation gave the Sris Lord mixed emotions, but he couldn''t be happier to see the rapier''s radiance again.


    "Next, Gale Sris!"


    Gale walked past his childhood friend, and they shared a knowing nce. Adelia''s golden eyes sparkled as if challenging her friend to do better than her. Triggered by her newfound arrogance, the cadet puffed his chest out and rose to the pedestal with added vigour.


    "You may begin!"


    Alrock repeated the exact words, but this time, his vitality returned, and his voice boomed like a thunderbolt. Gale wasted no time and threw away all his anxiety, recing it with determination and hearty pride.


    Mana flowed out from his body and lit up the magic circle. The Sword Garden replied to his calls with multiple shaking swords, each eager to answer Gale''s summons. However, they all backed out at thest minute. That sudden act confused Alrock for a brief moment, but as he witnessed the next scene, the Sris Lord''s questions were all answered.


    A single sword.


    An azure-coloured Zweih?nder glimmering with the hue of the empyrean sky above. The sword was easily as long as Gale was tall, making each swing of the massive de an arduous task. However, Gale''s thick and powerful frame made it possible to handle the Zweih?nder with ease.


    Although there was only one sword for him to choose, Gale didn''t feel disappointed. With each passing second, he felt a growing affection and connection to the blue sword that chose him. It was as if no other sword could fit him that perfectly.


    As he grabbed onto its hilt, blue mes erupted from the young cadet''s body, searing off his top in milliseconds. The blue fire moved as if it had a mind of its own, careful not to harm Gale''s body while affectionately licking his toned and muscr body. Bit by bit, Gale absorbed the rampaging fires and resonated with the de in his hands.


    And as the dust settled, the world became boisterous.


    "This is..."


    "Another Fabled-grade!!!"


    "Who is that boy?! How did he get that sword?!"


    The crowd burst into a bustlingmotion. Right after their first Fabled-grade, the next participant also pulled the same grade!


    "Your Excellency, what is..."


    "Blue Tempest," Alrock answered Gale before he could ask the question. "Young''un, you... Did youe from the Ruined Sun line?"


    "... yes."


    "I see..." The Sris Lord pped his forehead with a bitter smile. "To think that the Blue Tempest would be returned to your lineage. Perhaps it''s fitting."


    "Your Excellency, I..."


    "No need to say anything. Congrattions, this Blue Tempest is tailor-made for you. You''ll make a fine Knight... and I look forward to your future."


    "Th-thank you..."


    There were many hidden implications with Alrock''s words, but Gale chose to ignore them. He was delighted to obtain a sword he could call his own and sent a cryptic smile back to his childhood friend, who was seething from the teeth.


    "They sure do get along," Arya joked.


    "Perhaps they would even get married soon!" Leon joined in the fun.


    ''If they heard you two, they''ll probably have an aneurysm...''


    Amon thought to himself and didn''t retort. Gale and Adelia were both important characters in [Bright], so it made sense that they were fated to obtain powerful weapons. In the future, they would leverage their newfound powers to aid Leon in repelling the Demon Cult. Gale, in particr, his Fabled-grade Zweih?nder, would y an important role in the next Great Demon War.


    However, for now, they were just young cadets who had just gotten their swords. It would take a long time to reach the level depicted in the books.


    "Next!"


    After Gale and Adelia''s shy showing, it was as if the floodgates had opened up. While most participants only managed to summon Unique-grades, a handful started to obtain Fabled-grades. Talented cadets from the Knight''s Academy whose names were rtively known,missioned Knights who had joined notable Orders, and even some hidden gems that no one knew about.


    In no time at all, of the sixty participants that were called, over a dozen of them had gotten Fabled-grade swords. That means one in five participants managed to call a Fabled-grade, making it one of the most sessful years in recent memory.


    "So many Fabled-grades! We''re blessed this year!"


    "It''s a pity that we have yet to see a Legendary-grade, though!"


    "Don''t worry, it''s not over yet! Both of the Lord''s grandchildren haven''t stepped up yet!"


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Don''t forget Amon! He''s surely going to get at least a Legendary-grade!"


    Even though a few hours had passed, the excitement in the audience was still electric. They were eagerly anticipating the next participant, hoping that they would get to continue with the show. And the next one wasn''t going to disappoint.


    "Next! Arya Sris!"


    "Y-Yes!"


    Arya instantly got up and approached the tform. However, before she made her way up, she nced over her shoulder and locked eyes with her brother onest time. Amon blinked twice and gave her an affirmative smile. That was all the sixteen-year-old needed to calm her nerves to face the challenge head-on.


    Walking onto the elevated stage, Arya took one deep breath and followed the instructions ordingly. Channelling her mana through the magic circle, she mustered up her willpower and yearned earnestly for a good result. And fortunately...


    A pir of light shot to the sky, drawing in seven swords with a maic allure. For the first time today, none of the swords Arya summoned were Unique-grade, only Fabled. They were all shining with increasing intensity, each showing their unique allure. Like children trying to coddle up to their parents, the swords glimmered brightly as if appealing themselves to Arya, hoping that she would pick them over the rest.


    "Seven Fabled-grades?! Who''s that girl?!"


    "Arya... She''s Amon''s sister and also one of the flowers of the Academy!"


    "Hoh... I guess the apple doesn''t fall far from the tree!"


    The audience was buzzing, eternally grateful that they could witness the rise of a new talent. Arya''s friends and family were equally stunned, but they cheered loudly for her. However, the one who was most surprised by the turn of events was none other than Amon himself.


    ''Arya... I don''t remember her being a significant figure in [Bright]... Has her future changed because of my training?''


    Amon has read [Bright] cover to cover multiple times, and nowhere in the book did it mention the character Arya. So, he''d naturally assumed that she was one of the many extras in the book and didn''t think she would perform well in the Sword Bestowment Ceremony.


    However, gaining the recognition of seven Fabled-grades was a testament to her soaring talents.


    ''Still, it isn''t bad if she bes stronger.''


    While Amon was averse to deviations as it could make the future unpredictable, this deviation was one he weed with open arms. There would be many times in the future when he wouldn''t be able to protect Arya or his family. So, making them stronger was of paramount importance.


    Unlike the others, Arya wasn''t certain about which sword to choose. There wasn''t an instinctive maic draw to either of the swords, and her mind was still in shock. However, the young teen quickly regained her wits and carefully observed every Fabled-grade sword before her eyes.


    All of them had their individual charms, and Arya was certain she wouldn''t go wrong with either she chose.


    But in the end, she remained undecided.


    ''Eh, what the hell!''


    Unable toe to a decision, Arya opted to let the swords decide. She raised her hand and mustered all her mana onto her fingertips. With a subtle roar, Arya closed her eyes and willed for the swords toe to her.


    As she opened her eyes five secondster... a beautiful white-gold hilt with a silvery de rested within her palm. It was an ornately designed estoc, seemingly used for ceremonial purposes rather thanbat. But even so, its ferocity couldn''t be denied. From the pressure it emits, anyone could tell it was blessed with a fable.


    "Such a beautiful sword... It seems to be owned by one of our ancestors..."


    While Alrock had seen all kinds of swords throughout his years as the Sris Lord, it was impossible for him to know every de in Sword Garden. Fortunately, in this ever-expanding vault, there was one entity that did.


    "Lightbane."


    The Custodian appeared from seemingly nowhere and stood next to the tform. Its fish eyes were sparkling with great interest as it carefully observed the gilded estoc.


    "A sword from the first generation of heroes... Although it''s only a Fabled-grade, it was wielded by a master swordsman with Idrytis during the Great Dragon War. It has been hibernating ever since. To think that it would make its appearance now... How fascinating..."


    The ethereal creature monologued to itself while giving key information about the sword away.


    "It was from the same generation as the Sris Founder?! No wonder I didn''t recognise it!"


    Alrock was in utter shock. For a sword of this calibre to appear, it could either be an auspicious or ominous sign. Nevertheless, it didn''t matter to Arya.


    "It''s a good sword, suited for a swordsman focusing on speed and agility. It will serve you well, child."


    "T-Thank you!"


    Arya couldn''t get over the fact that a strange creature was the guardian of the vault and shivered when talking to it. Mellowly retreating from centre stage, Arya pivoted her heels and walked briskly back to safety, where her brother was.


    Strangely enough, the Custodian remained standing right where Alrock was. Given that it was standingpletely still with a serene expression, the Sris Lord raised his eyebrows and asked.


    "Is something wrong?"


    "No," the Custodian shook its head. "This year''s participants seem... unusually peculiar. I would like to witness the ceremony to the end if you don''t mind."


    "... sure."


    While confused, there was no reason for Alrock to reject the Custodian''s offer. Taking a split second to gather himself, he continued with the Sword Bestowment Ceremony.


    "Next!"

 Chapter 61: Sword Bestowment Ceremony (4)

    <h4>Chapter 61: Sword Bestowment Ceremony (4)</h4>


    Time continued to pass, each second getting more nail-biting than thest.


    Adelia, Gale, and Arya''s bestowment brought endless excitement to the blissful audience. Not to mention, many others had summoned Fabled-grades as well. Furthermore, with the Custodian present, there was an invisible tension in the air, and no one truly knew what wasing next. All they knew was that something big was going to happen.


    The most exciting Sword Bestowment Ceremony continued on and eventually, it was down to three.


    Lydia Sris. Alrock''s granddaughter and a super talent who had mastered the pathway of a Knight and a Magician. Disying the skills of a seasoned Knight, she passed her squireship with flying colours and, most recently, defeated a Troll during the Demonic Beast Purge.


    Leon Sris. Alrock''s grandson and the son of Lucas Sris, one of the most talented Knights of his generation. Even though Leon didn''t grow up in the Sris House, he had quickly made a name for himself, rising the ranks in the Academy and was certain to graduate from it at the top of his cohort. Also, alongside Lydia, the two hunted a Troll, a feat no other cadet could replicate.


    And finally, the one who everyone had high hopes for, Amon Sris.


    In this generation, no other person could match his aplishments. The youngest True Knight in decades, the most decorated Knight under twenty, the fianc¨¦ of the Elune House''s heir... His list of des was endless.


    These three were unquestionably the main protagonists of this event.


    "Next, Lydia Sris!"


    Alrock''s voice summoned his granddaughter, who walked confidently onto the tform. Lydia wasn''t shy to attention; she was born and raised with plenty of eyes on her at all times. Even as she stood right before her grandfather with a readied stance, the eighteen-year-old didn''t feel fear.


    However, as she nced over her shoulders, Lydia''s golden eyes zoned in on two individuals.


    One was the man she had a crush on for eight long years. Even though her love was one-sided, she felt empowered and determined whenever Amon was solely looking at her. Lydia felt that with his eyes watching over her, she would have the power to tackle the world.


    The other person Lydia focused on wasn''t her parents. Neither was it her beloved cousin. But one unassuming beauty resting within the audience. No, to say that she was unassuming would be a bald-faced lie. Her serene expression and iridescent moonlit white hair drew plenty of attention from the crowds. It was just that no one dared to do anything to her, as they knew who she was and the repercussions that would follow if they messed with her.


    Yue Elune.


    The woman promised to Amon and the sessor of the Elune House.


    Lydia had alwayspared herself to that woman, but she''d always lost out. Her beauty, her ability with magic, her status... None of it couldpare to Yue.


    From a pure engagement perspective, Yue was the perfect woman for Amon.


    But Lydia didn''t want to wallow in defeat. If anything, her inferiority drove Lydia to push herself to be a stronger Knight and a more perfect woman. And now that Amon''s eyes were on her, not Yue... Lydia felt that she could finally challenge Yue''s immovable status.


    Mana flowed out from Lydia''s veins and into the magic circle. As if waiting for this moment, the sky split open, and a glorious light fell from the heavens. An invisible gate, just asrge as the Citadel, revealed itself over the tform.


    The crowd was silenced, and even Alrock was in a state of mental shock. Only the Custodian, with his cassock covering his mouth, looked nk and neutral.


    "Sword Heaven has opened..."


    The Custodian''s words sent shockwaves throughout the participants and audience. Their faces blushed red with excitement as they stared directly at the heavenly gates which appeared overhead.


    If the Sword Garden was the vault where all the weapons of past Sris Knights were kept, then Sword Heaven was the vault within the vault that kept the weapons of past Sris Legends. After all, it would be odd if the greatest masterpieces ever known to mankind were kept randomly in the ground.


    The opening of Sword Heaven meant only one thing...


    A Mythic-grade weapon or higher was being summoned.


    Before anyone could react, a lightning bolt struck Lydia''s feet, forcing her to fall onto her backside. Lightning and fire swirled as harmonious energy, creating a ball of pure light. As Lydia cautiously stood from her frozen state, she was greeted by a singr, weird-looking sword.


    It was shaped like a cuss, but simultaneously, a wand was firmly embedded into the de''s hilt. It had multiple magical gemstones crafted into the blunt edge of the sword, and an immense amount of mana was overflowing from the sharp end. It was a pirate''s weapon and, at the same time, had the elegance of a magician''s staff.


    There was no doubt about it... This was the sword made for Lydia.


    "Mageweaver... Another sword from the first generation of heroes..." The Custodian mused. "A sword that also doubles as a wand, it''s a fickle piece that hasn''t chosen a master for thousands of years. You''re lucky that it chose you, child."


    "Thank you..."


    Lydia nodded her head, but her thoughts weren''t on the Custodian.


    As she stepped down from the stage, she nced briefly at Amon before firmly locking eyes with Yue in the stands. The pair shared a moment as they read each other''s emotions. At that moment, Lydia didn''t feel inferior to Yue. She stared into her eyes as if dering war before finally releasing her tension and settling beside her entourage.


    ''How funny. Does she believe she can beat me?''


    Yue thought to herself while openly showing off her grin. In her eyes, Lydia was nothing more than a child who had lived half as long as her. For Lydia to think of stealing Amon away from her was simplyughable.


    ''I''ll let you bask in your glory for now... After all, your thunder will be stolen soon.''


    The regressor scoffed and put Lydia''s meaningless provocation aside. She knew the world would be turned upside down after today, and the two people responsible for that change were about to take the stage. Giving Lydia five seconds of fame was nothing to her.


    "Next, Leon Sris!"


    Leon hurriedly got to his feet and took a deep breath in. Likewise, Amon stood up and stepped next to the youngd, prompting Leon to look up at him with confusion.


    "Amon?"


    "Don''t worry, I''m after you and thest one in line. I''ll follow you to the front."


    "Okay!"


    Leon didn''t suspect a thing and followed Amon straight to the front. When Leon summoned the Holy de, Amon just wanted the best seat in the house. Standing beneath the tform, Amon paused and urged the young Knight to step up.


    "Good luck..."


    "Thank you!"


    Feeling like he was at the top of his game, Leon took a deep breath and stepped up to the elevated pedestal with a determined look. The main reason why he returned to the Sris House in the first ce was for this exact moment. To im a powerful sword and do his father proud.


    All the ridicule he suffered, all the endless nights of training, all the blood, sweat and tears he shed...


    It was all for this moment.


    Leon exchanged looks with his grandfather, who wore a weary but proud smile as he took to the stage. Never in a hundred years did Alrock expect his long-lost grandson to stand where his son once stood, and he would be the one to carry on his legacy. If not for the need to show impartiality, Alrock would have lovingly tapped Leon''s shoulder and encouraged him the way a grandfather would.


    s, he was here in the capacity of the Sris Lord.


    "You may begin!!!"


    Burying the fuzzy feeling in his heart, Alrockmanded Leon to proceed with the next steps. It was a curt and simple message, but Leon understood it nheless.


    Closing his eyes, Leon released the mana within his body and channelled it through the magic circle. The lighting out from the young hero was warmer and brighter than anyone who came before him, and in no time at all, a stunning pir of light erupted from his body.


    It started with the diameter of a pen, but it slowly grew until it engulfed the entire citadel.


    Sword Garden trembled at the glorious light, and every prized possession in the realm began to quake. The earth rumbled, and the heavens split open. Leon''s pir broke off into millions of small rays, much like a proliferating spiderweb, and eventually, it enveloped the entire Sword Garden.


    Every sword trembled as if they wished to rush before Leon and present themselves to him. Each ray of light brought newfound happiness to the arcane and lonely swords that had spent generations polishing themselves for a future owner. Literally, tens of thousands of swords didn''t matter if they were Unique-grade, Fabled-grade or Legendary-grade... they were all eager to fly out from the ground and rush to Leon.


    But s, they were all blocked by an even higher power.


    "W-What''s happening?!"


    "This phenomenon!!! Could it be that Sword Heaven is opening again?!"


    The effectspletely spellbound the audience, and their hearts were beating rapidly. They earnestly hoped to view another mystical sight of the Gates of Sword Heaven opening. Many of them were holding their recording crystals and filming the entire scene.


    Amon felt a tinge of regret that he couldn''t record the moment alone, but he was d the scene would be yed back in theing days. Right now, he was busy searing the event into his brain.


    ''The birth of this generation''s hero and protagonist... To think that I would witness it with my own eyes.''


    Reading always had its limits. No matter how colourful their imagination was, one couldn''t see, feel or hear the events depicted in books. Now that Amon was standing at the best seat in the house, he could feel everything with his five senses.


    The essence of this realm was shaking at Leon''s mana. The sounds of swords shaking, the wind splitting against his face, the transcendent light creating a phenomenon indescribable through words... It was all tantalising to the soul.


    And as Leon''s ''light'' reached its apex, Amon saw the heavenly gates open again.


    Sword Heaven has reacted... This time, with an even bigger reaction than it had done with Lydia. The Gates swung wide open, and a torrent of mysterious energy fell upon the Citadel. Everyone felt an untold amount of pressure from the heavens, and the weaker cadets fell to the floor, kneeling.


    Even the stronger audience members had tense faces as they withstood the pressure. Only the Custodian had no weight on its shoulders, but even then, its face was utterly dumbfounded at the sight.


    However, the person who felt the most pressure was the person who started this phenomenon.


    Leon was already on his knees, withstanding the full force of Sword Heaven with his own body. Clutching his fists and clenching his teeth, the sixteen-year-old red defiantly at the massive gates with his cerulean eyes, spitting out a mouthful of blood in open rebellion.


    The young Knight was well aware that it was a trial. Sword Heaven was testing him, and if Leon could pass it... It would bless him with the greatest gift of the Sris House.


    ''... it''sing.''


    Like aet, a single sword burst through the gates and mmed onto the ground. None of the other swords lusting for Leon''s touch moved in the presence of this sword, and they backed off in reverence to their monarch.


    The realm quietened down until no sound or shaking remained. Yet, the silence was deafening to everyone present.


    Bathed in the light of heaven, the singr sword stood like a monument that transcended space and time. The de glistened with a silvery glow, its surface inscribed with divine symbols and runes. Just by existing, it pulsated a holy, golden aura from its pristinely sharp edges, which seemed capable of slicing through any surface like a hot knife through butter.


    The guard was ordained with holy angel wings, with a golden ruby embedded in the centre. The wings were crafted with angelic, divine motifs and dragon scales to give the guard added protection. But contrary to the patterns around it, the central ruby seemingly possessed an ever-flowing fiery liquid that never ceased in its quest to ignite with embers.


    Finally, its hilt was wrapped in silver-threaded leather that resembled celestial silk, so anyone who held the sword would never have any issues with grip.


    Beating with holy energy, everyone present who bore the bloodline of Sris felt their bodies naturally gravitating to the sword. They held the innate urge to bend the knee and worship the idol as if it were their deity and their souls were bound to its majesty.


    Everyone present knew the identity of the sword. Anyone who grew up in the Sris House, no, anyone who grew up in Hyades knew of this legendary de: a Heroic-grade de, the sword of humanity and the Sris House''s most treasured item.


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Ascalon, the Holy Sword.


    It was the most powerful weapon... imed by only two individuals in history.


    The Sris Founder, Idrytis Sris.


    Quite possibly, the most famous man in history. He was the man who founded the Sris House and fought the Dragons during the Great Dragon War. The Sris Founder led humanity into a brighter future when they were destined to serve the Dragons.


    The Sris Saint, Agios Sris.


    The Holy Woman, and the human responsible for repelling the First Demonic Invasion. She wielded Ascalon when the night hindered day, and fought the Demons of the past with the world at her back. Without her, the foreign invaders might have conquered Hyades, and humanity would have been ves again.


    These two were the icons of their time, the bastion of hope in the darkness and the most influential figures to have ever lived.


    And now... there was a third owner of Ascalon.


    "ASCALON?! NO WAY!!!"


    "IS IT REALLY THE HOLY SWORD?!"


    The crowd was in an uproar. They couldn''t believe what they were witnessing. Ascalon''s appearance was both a good and a bad thing. One, it meant a new hero had been born. A hero that could bepared to legends of the past. However, the following meaning was far more sinister...


    Ascalon''s appearance was heralding... the starting of a dark age.


    "L-Leon, you..."


    Even Alrock didn''t know what to say. The shock that Ascalon had given him was far greater than anything he''d ever experienced in his entire life. Likewise, the Custodian was inplete disarray. It had been the guardian of Sword Garden for aeons now, and it knew better than anyone else the weight of Ascalon''s appearance.


    After all, it was acquainted with the two previous owners of Ascalon...


    "Child... Stay back with me... We need to talk..."


    There were countless things the Custodian had to share with Leon now that he was the third owner of Ascalon. It wanted to expel everyone else in Sword Garden so it could talk one-on-one with Leon right now. However, Leon was still in a daze from epting Ascalon''s baptism and was in no state to speak. Furthermore, there was onest person who needed to get his sword...


    "Amon Sris,e to the stage!"


    As the Custodian grabbed Leon to drag him to the side, Alrockmanded Amon to step up with a hurried voice. In his opinion, he wished to close the ceremony as soon as possible so that he could address Leon and the Custodian about Ascalon.


    Regretful as it may be, Alrock wanted Amon to conclude the ceremony quickly.


    And Amon was supportive.


    Stepping up to the tform, he burned the image of Leon holding Ascalon into his memory as a warm smile crept up his face. It was a scene he''d envisioned many times before and would witness many times in the future. But right now, Amon was happy to watch the protagonist of [Bright] wield the Holy Sword right before his eyes.


    ''Thankfully, nothing has deviated. Leon still ims Ascalon as expected.''


    If Amon said he wasn''t worried about any further deviations, he would be lying, especially after Arya and Lydia''s deviation. Arya was meant to be an extra, but she summoned a Fabled-grade sword. Lydia, too, Amon only remembered her summoned a Fabled-grade, but she bypassed all expectations and imed a Mythic-grade sword for herself.


    All those deviations made Amon a little nervous.


    Leon summoning the Holy Sword was essential for the future, as many scenarios had to be solved using Ascalon''s power. Fortunately, nothing had gone awry, and Ascalon was summoned by Leon.


    ''Now let''s summon my sword and be over with it.''


    Amon stood on the pedestal and stepped into the magic circle with added haste. Channelling his mana out of his body and onto the ground, a sudden thought hit the young Knight''s mind.


    ''I wonder what kind of sword I would summon? Hopefully, it won''t be anything too shy...''


    Only one person in the entire Sword Garden was paying attention to Amon. While everyone was buzzing about Leon summoning Ascalon, a white-haired beauty frantically activated all her recording crystals, using magic to spread them out to cover every angle.


    It was one of the scenes she regretted not watching in person in her past life, and now that she regressed... Yue wasn''t going to squander this chance.


    She wasn''t even interested in Leon and Ascalon and concentrated all her attention on the young ck-haired man about to make history.


    ''Let''s fucking go! SSS-Ranked event!!!''

 Chapter 62: Sword Bestowment Ceremony (5)

    <h4>Chapter 62: Sword Bestowment Ceremony (5)</h4>


    [Yue''s POV]


    Finally... It''s finally time for Amon to take the stage.


    After all this time, it''s finally here. Of all the events I wanted to witness with my own eyes, this was easily in the top five. When I first met Amon in my past life, he was already an aplished hero with countless legendary tales.


    Single-handedly defeating a Demon Cult branch all on his own, decimating more Greater Demons than anyone in modern history, and achieving powers far exceeding the Hero of the current age.


    The tales of Amon the Great were innumerable, and each more impressive than thest. They were all so unbelievable that if I hadn''t witnessed hister years with my own eyes, I would have doubted the stories as tall myths or exaggerated ounts.


    However, every story has its beginning. And for Amon, the start of his story began here. At the Sword Bestowment Ceremony.


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Many people believed that Leon pulling Ascalon would be the ceremony''s highlight. After all, history''s greatest heroes only wielded the Holy Sword. But, little did they know that the true climax of this event had yet toe.


    My breathing paused, and my eyes focused on the suave Sris Knight standing on the altar. Most of the audience''s attention had been captivated by Leon''s sanctified appearance as he coddled Ascalon with two hands, and no one was paying attention to the young man on the tform.


    Even Alrock Sris, the Lord of the Sris House and the Custodian, the guardian deity of Sword Garden, were barely paying attention to Amon. If I could read their minds, I bet they were thinking of getting the Sword Bestowment Ceremony over and done with so they could tend to Amon.


    But not me.


    I focused all my attention on the young man standingzily while waiting for his cue. My recording crystals were pumped with magic, many floating around me to get all the angles possible. This was a scene I had to record and rey many times in the future. I had to get it perfect.


    Whenever Amon asked what sword he would get, I yed it cool. He wouldn''t show that rxed expression if he knew what sword he would get. I couldn''t wait to see the shock and awe as he summoned the only sword that suited him in the universe.


    On top of the grand stone tform, Amon''s broad chest expanded as he inhaled a deep breath. Bathed in golden light caused by Ascalon''s afterglow, Amon looked like an immacte deity that had descended from the heavens to anoint a champion of war.


    His hair was a cascade of sleek, raven-ck strands, falling just short of his shoulders. Reflecting the golden shine, Amon unveiled his otherworldly, ethereal looks as he stepped into the magic circle.


    The whole world calls me a beauty and an untouchable flower... However, they weren''t aware of the criminally good looks Amon possessed. Call me biased, but no one could match Amon''s handsome and wild appearance. Especially his molten gold eyes, which seemed to melt anything heid his gaze on.


    It was troubling to have a handsome fianc¨¦... Like the sweetest honey, his looks alone were enough to attract lustful bees.


    But I digress...


    My legs turned to jelly as I watched his resolved expression. As they say, a man''s eyes were the most enchanting when resolved. Without a moment''s hesitation, Amon poured his thick mana into the magic circle. The magic circle trembled wildly, unable to withstand the full force of Amon''s power.


    That was to be expected. The whole world believed that Amon was only a Three Suns Sris Knight, but the truth was, the man had Six Suns condensed. Also, he was blessed by Sister Yval, the Golden Dragon Progenitor lost to history. And the cherry on top, he possessed Lunar mana from his previous life as a Transcendent.


    There was no way the magic circle meant to draw out thetent potential of young talents could withstand Amon''s overwhelming powers.


    Nevertheless, Amon''s mana resonated with Sword Garden and manifested into a dense golden fog covering the entire mystical realm. All the precious artefacts in the realm were trembling, and it seemed like a repeat of Leon''s bestowment.


    However, while the swords resonated with Leon, yearning to be owned by him, the valuable weapons of Sword Garden were now shaking leaves in an Autumn breeze with absolute fear. They were edging away from the tform, afraid of the ominous power hidden within Amon''s soul.


    The peculiar scene confused the audience, the Custodian and Alrock especially.


    Never had such an event urred in the history of the Sword Garden, and the fact that it urred right after Ascalon was summoned baffled the knowledgeable elders. Unfortunately, it was far toote to do anything.


    A golden pir of light erected itself into the bright sky, splitting the heavens and breaking the illusory dimensional ceiling. The Gates of Sword Heaven revealed themselves once more, not to grant Amon with a new sword from its vault, but in absolute horror as the dimension ss shattered.


    Sword Garden was turned upside down as reality and illusion mixed. Breaking the barrier caused a minor cmity to ravage the serene fields that had been untouched for centuries. Interdimensional winds imploded from the faux skies, forcing the audience to brace for impact.


    The Custodian was the first to act, and with one wave of its hand, the audience and artefacts were protected by golden, unbreakable barriers. Its googly eyes were calm, but I could tell the ancient Spirit was deeply shaken.


    For aeons, the Custodian had controlled Sword Garden with an Iron Fist. Even the Sris Lord could only bow his head in obedience whenever the Custodian remained in its realm. Yet, at this very moment, the ancient Spirit had lost all control over its realm.


    The only thing it could do was wait patiently for Amon''s bestowment ceremony to end.


    The golden pir of light continued to target the constetions above as if searching the entire universe for a worthy target. But no matter how much the pir called for it, nothing answered its call.


    And it was then... Amon''s soul changed.


    The golden colour, which was synonymous with the Sris House, was eclipsed by a silvery light. A ck mist corroded the tform beneath Amon''s feet while numerous golden Suns orbited around him all while a massive silver pir reached for the stars, scouring the dimensions for a suitable partner.


    In a trance, Amon unknowingly reached his right hand out to the sky and poured even more mana out from his soul.


    Until finally...


    The Sun that the Sword Garden created turned ck.


    The dimensional winds stopped, creating an eerie silence that waspletely unfathomable.


    From the darkened sky, the audience could see multiple stars and gxies, all in great detail beyond anything they could see with their naked eyes. The Eclipse created an otherworldly effect and a presence that intimidated all who yielded their eyes against it.


    Everyone present had differing feelings about what they were witnessing.


    Many felt fear. Some felt reverence. Others... anxiety.


    But there was one thing on everyone''s mind as they watched the ring of fire covering the heavens...


    Something big wasing.


    From the epicentre of the Eclipse, a single glimmer lit up the ck sky. A star that twinkled gently at first, but it wasn''t long until it descended violently like a fallinget. Silvery-ck light fell from the heavens like a star losing its ce among the constetions.


    And it was aiming right at Amon.


    Alrock moved to protect Amon, but the Custodian stopped him. As expected from the ancient Spirit, even before knowing its identity, the Custodian knew that the falling object would not harm Amon.


    How could it?


    After all, it was Amon''s most trusted ally.


    In my past life, even when humanity fell and Demons took over Hyades, the mystical object never broke and stayed by Amon''s side until the end. Even when Amon passed on, the sword disappeared through the dimensions, refusing to fall into the hands of another owner.


    The falling light stopped before Amon, and a gentle explosion graced the Sword Garden.


    All its inhabitants revelled at the sight of the neer, and even the most invincible swords reacted to its immense presence.


    Even Ascalon, the only Heroic-grade de in the world, was shaking as it felt the foreign sword''s power.


    The audience was frozen, not knowing what to do in this iprehensible situation. Alrock was deeply concerned about what Amon had just done. The Custodian''s eyes were cold, analysing every passing second not to miss a single thing.


    Only two people present had the presence of mind to move their bodies.


    I was still desperately channelling my mana into the recording crystals, hoping to capture every moment I could.


    As for Amon...


    He reached out to the levitating sword with mixed emotions hidden in his eyes.


    There was no way he wouldn''t recognise this sword.


    The ck de was shrouded at night, making it the perfect weapon to execute unsuspecting enemies. The unique guard that prevented blood from spilling onto the hilt to avoid any loss of grip. And finally, the resonating aether that only Transcendents from his past life used.


    This was the sword Amon used when he was Number 23.


    The sword that he used to cut down every enemy in his path, earning countless fables on his road to bing the greatest Transcendent of all time. The sword that became a legend, synonymous with his fighting style as the Lunar de. The sword that became myth, as he yed a thousand Transcendents all on his own. And finally, the sword that broke all logic by breaking through dimensions in search of its master.


    There was no better sword for Amon, and he knew it better than anyone.


    Grabbing a hold on its hilt, Amon let out a rare smile. Perhaps he felt grateful for seeing his partner again after so many years. And the sword released a resonant cry as if feeling the same thing. As he swung the precious sword once, I saw glimpses of the Great Hero who saved humanity time and time again.


    My heart was beating rapidly. I was d to have finally captured the SSS-Ranked event with my crystals and my own eyes.


    With his sword returned to him, Amon was whole again, and with it...


    The tale of Amon the Great will finally begin.


    END OF VOLUME 2

 Chapter 63: Knights of Solaris (1)

    <h4>Chapter 63: Knights of Sris (1)</h4>


    In deste, dark fields ravaged by the chaos of battle, a solitary Knight sat silently on the ashen ground. Before him were thousands of dismembered Demon bodies with gallons of blood scattered throughout the scorched earth. The sky above had been dyed in a deep, velvet red, covering the stars and Moon.


    It was fitting that the skies were covered by red dust as it covered the eyes of heaven while the deadly bloodshed was executed. The Knight was drenched from head to toe with dense, putrid blood, and the stenching from his grimy armour would paralyse the noses of any living, breathing human. However, he was utterly calm and undisturbed.


    Deep scars were carved throughout his robust body, and even his handsome face had been pierced with the aftermath of constant war. His shining golden eyes, as bright as the Luminaries above, now hid a dark, murky hue. His ck hair had shown signs of decay as silverly whites began taking over his scalp.


    The Knight wasn''t just tired from this battle. He was fatigued from years of constantbat and shouldering the weight of a species on his shoulders.


    And yet, he didn''t give up.


    After a brief rest, the Knight picked up his treasured ck sword and slipped his toes down the mountain of corpses. Although he had eradicated all the monsters that invaded his realm, he could never be too sure. Amongst the Demon Army, there were Greater Demons that could terrorise what little settlements humanity had left. If he wanted to save humanity from any more harm, the more Demons he could kill, the better.


    But fortunately, the Knight wasn''t alone.


    "Amon, don''t worry about the clean-up."


    A voice resonated from Amon''s back as a small group of hooded figures approached him. They were small in number, but the amount of mana they each possessed was equivalent to Hyades''s top elites before the Demonic Invasion. Hearing their leader''s words, the individuals at the back leapt into action and cleared the path. They searched relentlessly, leaving no stone unturned. Only when Amon saw his back was covered did he finally let his body rest by copsing onto the cold, slippery floor.


    "I''m sorry for noting sooner. We were obstructed during the evacuation."


    "No need, you came just in time."


    Amon had spent everything he had eradicating the Demon army. It was a miracle that he could remain standing even after going through hell and back.


    "I''m spent... Let me rest for a moment. I will help after fifteen minutes."


    "... no, you''ve done plenty."


    The hooded woman replied with a tinge of exasperation in her voice. She gazed across the entire ashen grounds and marvelled at the number of dead Demons, unable toprehend how Amon had cleared the gue. Greater Demons, Named Demons and even Demons Aristocrats were mixed into the group, making the army far more powerful than anything humanity''s greatest forces could manage.


    Even if they gathered all the elites left of humanity, it was questionable if they could annihte the entire Demon army.


    And yet, it was all done by one man.


    "Are you injured?" Rather than tend to his grievous wounds, Amon the Great asked the woman in the hood a worried question.


    The woman''s heart warmed at the tant concern in the former metal-hearted man. However, she knew that his worry didn''te from romantic love but from the fear that arade would fall right before his eyes. Nevertheless, she smiled and removed her hood, unveiling her gaunt and decrepit face.


    Thin beyond belief, the woman seemed to be on the verge of malnourishment. One of her ruby eyes had been eternally closed, and multiple scars crisscrossed her bony face. Yet, even with all the defects, anyone could tell she was an ethereal beauty. Although she was not in the pink of health, she was unquestionably one of the most gorgeous women on the.


    "Thanks for your worry... Other than exhausting my mana, I''m fine."


    "Excessive mana exhaustion can lead to death too. After today, you should take a break from using magic, Yue."


    Amon addressed his most trusted ally with a thin grimace.


    "I could say the same to you."


    Yue protested with a snort.


    "I''m different. My body is that of Sris. It won''t break that easily. Besides, I''m only using my mana during battles. You''re creating protection spells, managing the settlements, fighting Demons and even researching the Mysterious Grimoire. Your body is too fragile to keep up with the demand."


    "... okay, I''ll take a break."


    Yue had a variety of retorts. However, she kept them all to herself as she knew Amon was the one pushing themselves more than anyone else. Arguing against Hyades'' Hero was nothing short of idiocy.


    "At least stop researching the Mysterious Grimoire. It has proven to be a dead end. You''re just wasting precious resources when we could eradicate the Demons and save more lives."


    "... understood."


    Yue answered with an affirmative, but Amon could tell that she didn''t mean it. Not wanting to be a nagging parent, Amon simply sighed and threw his back onto the floor to fully rx his body.


    "All this nagging is unlike me... I feel like I''m turning into my sister."


    "... you never talked about her." The svelte woman widened her eyes as she rested beside Amon for a brief moment. "Come to think of it, you never mentioned her even once!"


    "What''s there to talk about? I failed to save her, just like I did the rest."


    Amon sat up from the bloodied floor and removed his armour. The horrid stench of sweat, grime, and blood proliferated in the air, making it unbearable for an average human to remain near the Knight. Yet, Yue remained with glistening eyes.


    "I see... What was she like?"


    "..."


    Filled with bitterness and sorrow, Amon''s eyes turned cold. He hesitated about opening up to hispanion for many years, not because he didn''t trust her, but because of the inner turmoil of his heart. However, it wasn''t long until he came to a firm decision.


    "Kind... Bubbly and kind." Amon dered. "She was constantly teasing and nagging me, asking me not to push myself too hard. And perhaps, she was one of the few people who understood me, even when I was unaware of who I was myself."


    The coldness in Amon''s heart melted away as he warmly recollected his deceased sister.


    "She sounds nice... I would have loved to meet and pamper her..."


    "Unfortunately, you can''t... She''s now just a memory..."


    "..."


    Silence descended upon the pair as they gazed silently up at the reddened clouds. Demonic energy ruled the empyrean and an invisible pressure mounted on all children of Hyades. Even now, the pair were weakened by the powers of the Demonic Dimension.


    Yet, Amon felt a wave of nostalgia brush upon his mind.


    "Come to think of it, the day I lost her... it was a bloodied sky like this one."


    "... what happened?"


    "..."


    Once again, Amon fell silent. However, just like before, the cold-blooded killer opened his heart and recollected: "I was young and foolish. I''d just gotten my sword during the Sword Bestowment Ceremony and believed that I could resolve everything as I did in my previous life. But, my recklessness cost her life."


    "..."


    Yue remained silent as Amon''s tone remained sombre. Even though his voice was still stagnant, she could feel the brewing wrath bubbling within the pits of his stomach. Remorse and anger were present in his tone as he spat out the vengeful words.


    "The Blood Demon. Of all the Demons in the world, I want its head the most."


    ???


    The aftermath of the Sword Bestowment Ceremony was turned into mayhem. Not only was Ascalon, the Holy Sword, summoned for the first time in thousands of years, but Sword Garden was also destroyed by the sudden appearance of a foreign sword. Solfea was in an uproar as the festive season was spiced up with more events beyond anyone''s expectations.


    Recording crystals depicting the scenes were sold at unbelievable prices, and everyone on the street was either talking about or imagining the Sword Bestowment Ceremony. Manymented that they couldn''t witness the epic event with their own eyes, and those who were present became instant celebrities.


    However, while the masses'' imaginations were stirred, the Sris House''s higher-ups had throbbing headaches just thinking about how to handle the issue.


    "First, Elder Horas... Now, Ascalon and that young''un who summoned the foreign sword... I think I''m too old for this shit."


    The Sris Patriarch, Alrock, sat solemnly at the head of a stone round table, his voice lowered by one register. Surrounding him were his most trusted advisors and Knights, as well as several High Elders who ran the entire Sris House.


    It had been two days since the Sword Bestowment Ceremony. Almost every influential member of the Sris House was present in this chamber, actively participating in this ongoing emergency meeting. The destruction of Sword Garden was one thing... Ascalon''s appearance alone foreshadowed a drastic change in the world, potentially the advent of a new Great War.


    "My Lord, Archbishop Araquiel has sent word. They wish to send a procession to seek an audience with the newly appointed Hero."


    "Tsk, that slimy old bastard won''t let us catch our breath."


    Alrock clicked his tongue in annoyance. While Ascalon was wholly owned by the Sris House, due to its sensitive connection to Goddess Hyades, the Holy Church did have a right to meet and revere the Holy Sword. At the same time, they would do anything in their power to pull this generation''s Hero to their side, even if meant antagonising the Sris House.


    Such was the influence of the Holy Sword.


    "My Lord, shall we reject them?" One of Alrock''s advisors nervously asked.


    "No, we have no right to do such a thing. However, we can dy them. Tell them that the Hero is still recovering from his injuries and will not meet any new visitors for the next two weeks. That should buy us enough time to n how we should proceed."


    "U-Understood!"


    Alrock rapidly drafted a letter for the Archbishop while moving on to the next subject. Given their sensitive time frame, there wasn''t much time to rest.


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Meanwhile, Custodian... How is Leon faring?"


    The Sris Lord addressed the only being that was of equal standing to himself. The Custodian of Sword Garden, as well as the oldest creature in the Sris House, stood absent-mindedly in a corner while listening in on all of the jibber-jabber urring before it.


    It remained quiet until it was being addressed, and even then, the spiritual being appeared disinterested as it replied.


    "He''s doing well. I''ve been testing his abilities and proficiency with the Holy Sword. As expected, he has bonded with Ascalon well. There''s no question that he''s the next chosen one."


    "I see..."


    Alrock folded his arms with furrowed brows. Mixed feelings were flowing through his mind. On one hand, he''s proud and delighted that his grandson had summoned Ascalon, the greatest sword in history and had be the undisputed Hero of this generation. On the other hand, as the Sris Lord, he feared what Ascalon''s appearance represented.


    "The Republic has been recording a higher number of Demonic appearances... does it have any rtion with this?"


    Ascalon has only appeared twice in human history. Once, during the Great Dragon War, when the Sris Founder used the mighty sword to y Dragons and end the global conflict, transferring the mantle of responsibility from Dragons to Humans.


    The second time was during the Great Demon War. When Demons invaded from another dimension, the Sris Saint summoned Ascalon and saved humanity once again.


    Each time the Holy Sword appeared, it was a sign that hard times were about toe. And there was no indication that this time would be no different.


    "Unclear, my Lord... But we can''t keep Leon sheltered for much longer. Since Ascalon has found a new wielder, we must train him just in case of a cmity."


    "That we will do."


    Alrock was going to train Leon whether he obtained Ascalon or not. Ignoring the Holy Sword, Leon''s unique constitution, and the potential to condense Eighty-One Suns was enough for Alrock to pour all his resources into training him.


    "Custodian... I''ll be counting on you."


    "Not to worry, Ascalon has always been my responsibility. It would be my pleasure to train the sessor."


    "... thank you."


    The respectful manner that the astral being used to address Leon threw everyone in the chambers for a loop. The Custodian had never addressed anyone with such respect before. Even when talking to Alrock, at best the Custodian would pay lip service, and never treat him too seriously.


    Nevertheless, there was no one better to train Leon at the moment. Ascalon has only been summoned twice, and other than the Custodian, no one present was alive to witness its full majesty. At the very least, the Custodian would give Leon basic blueprints of handling the Heroic-grade sword, better than anyone else in the Sris House.


    Taking a moment to recover from the shock, Alrock coughed several times before switching topics.


    "S-So, how''s the restoration of Sword Garden?"


    "Almostplete. By nightfall, the barrier should be recreated, and operations would resume as normal."


    The Custodian repliedzily as if it wasn''t his domain to care for. However, as Alrock continued with the next topic, its fish-like eyes sparkled with excitement beyond anything the Sris Lord had seen before.


    "Then, what about the other young''un''s sword? Have you figured out its identity?"


    "Curious... It is a curious oddity, indeed." The Custodian spoke fondly of the sword and continued: "A foreign sword from another dimension. Not only that, it instantly bonded to the young boy''s soul, creating a connection that not even I could sever. It''s as if... it was always part of the boy''s soul."


    "For it to destroy Sword Heaven... what grade is that sword?"


    "By the grading system of our world, it should only be a Fabled-grade sword. But, for it to travel dimensions, it should at least be a Mythic... It may even be Heroic-grade."


    "Heroic-grade?! The same as Ascalon?!"


    One of the High Elders yelled.


    "Yes, indeed... Curious, isn''t it?"


    The Custodian mused.


    "The appearance of a new Heroic-grade would send the world into a frenzy. Now that the Sris House could potentially own two Heoric-grades, they would attempt to poach one of them away."


    Another Elder instantly saw into the future and predicted the fate of the Sris House. The higher-ups all stared at the Sris Lord, giving him yet another migraine.


    "The Holy Church would attempt to steal Leon away... To make matters worse, he already has a connection from his prior apprenticeship under the Head Pdin."


    If someone asked Leon what organisation he had more loyalty to, the Holy Church or the Sris House? There was no need to question, he would choose the Holy Chuch. Leon spent most of his formative years there, forging connections with many influential figures in the Hyarum. His first mentor, his best friends, and even his love interest... they were all part of the Holy Church.


    It may be difficult for the Sris House to keep him within their grasp.


    "Amon too... Now that his talent is revealed to the world, the Elune House may do everything in their power to recruit him into their fold."


    While Amon certainly had more loyalty to the Sris House, his engagement to the heir of the Elune House proved to be a major hurdle. The Elune House was definitely not willing to let Yue marry into the Sris House. Before, it was likely that Amon would marry into the Elune House, but now, the situation has changed drastically.


    "We don''t have any standing to keep him here either... Shit, I feel bad for the young''un but we''ll need to postpone their wedding. At least until we can sort out this pile of mess."


    Unbeknownst to Yue, her dream wedding was in jeopardy at this very moment. If she was present, the girl would unquestionably be screaming and shouting, protesting the idiocy of this decision. s, she was stupidly staying by her fianc¨¦''s side with a blissful smile.


    "It really is one thing after another..."


    Grabbing a hold of his white hair, Alrock could feel his scalp itching and hair dropping. Heaving arge sigh, he muttered the words at the top of his mind, not caring that there were dozens of people in the room.


    "Fuck, I should retire soon."

 Chapter 64: Knights of Solaris (2)

    <h4>Chapter 64: Knights of Sris (2)</h4>


    While the higher-ups of the Sris House were all suffering from severe migraines trying to figure out how to navigate the turbulent times, the two individuals who caused their mental anguish were busy minding their own business in a remote corner of the pce.


    Leon was particrly excited. Overnight, he had turned from a young cadet who would be bullied asionally into a celebrity that no one could hope to touch. The number of people who sought an audience with the young sixteen-year-old was incalcble. Anyone from courageous and opportunistic families to distinguished Knights who were living legends. They were eager to meet the young man who summoned the Holy Sword.


    Such was the prestige of Ascalon.


    Ascalon was the Sris House''s most significant treasure. Some might say it was revered as a guardian deity of the legendary lineage. The two most incredible humans to ever live wielded Ascalon, and if history were to repeat itself, Leon would eventually turn into this generation''s hero as well.


    Amon was in a simr situation.


    Due to the Sris House suppressing information, the rumours weren''t as widespread as Leon''s. However, the magnitude of his deeds couldn''t be covered up forever.


    Widely regarded as the most talented youth of his generation, his summoning had destroyed the mystical Sword Garden. The foreign sword he''d called from another dimension was also widely regarded as a Heroic-grade weapon.


    For Ascalon and a new Heroic-grade sword to be summoned simultaneously... it was the undisputed news headline of the century.


    While information was being suppressed, it was only a matter of time before the rest of the world uncovered the full facts. When that happens, all of Amon''s ns would eventually go up in smoke, and he would have to return to the drawing board if he wished to save Hyades.


    That''s why the young man red menacingly at his fianc¨¦e while she grinned from ear to ear.


    "Why didn''t you tell me I would summon this sword?"


    "Hmmmm? Was it important? I didn''t know."


    Yue stuck her tongue out to act cute and cushion the scolding she would receive. However, it only gave Amon a worse headache.


    "... hah, I guess I can''t me you."


    Amon was distraught that Yue hid this fact from him, but in the other corner of his mind, he was d to have reunited with his most trusted partner. He raised the ck katana and carefully examined every nook and cranny of the de.


    It was designed just as he remembered. Carved from a mysterious astral meteorite, it was meticulously polished to a deep, reflective ck sheen that cascaded in its razor-sharp edge. It was a sword that never broke, even after the siege of a thousand Transcendents. It wasn''t an exaggeration to say that this sword was as good as Amon''s hand, and no better weapon suited him.


    "Nyx... That''s what it''s called, right?"


    "Nyx? I named it that in your timeline?"


    "Is there a problem?"


    "... I didn''t think that I would be that sentimental."


    Nyx was also the name of the sword in his previous life. Named after the Goddess Nyx in popr mythology, the smith who created the sword aimed for it to be a weapon of the night, a de that eradicated its enemies before they could even realise what hit them.


    However, for Amon, or rather, Number 23, the name had a wholly different meaning.


    "No, that name is good. While it can handle my Sr mana, the moment I channel my Lunar mana through this sword..."


    Six Moons orbited around the young Knight, and a silver hue coated the ominously shimmering ck de. Amon''s Aura created a perfect resonance with the sword, and a dense pressure was emitted. Cracks formed beneath the de''s tip, making breathing hard in the atmosphere. Fortunately, only Yue and Amon were present in the training facility. If there were anyone present that were weaker than them, they would unquestionably feel a heavy tightness in their chest, possibly even fainting on the spot.


    "Transcendent''s Authority... I''d never thought I would use it again in this world."


    Transcendent''s Authority was a unique ability that allowed Number 23 to reign as the top warrior in his original world. By channelling his Ether into the sword, he could weaken any of his opponents and turn the tables against them.


    Also, when Amon summoned Nyx, he felt the final puzzle piece had been found.


    He''d been trying his best to bnce the dual mana affinities within his soul all his life. And while he''d done so spectacrly, Amon often felt like his Lunar mana was weaker than expected. Now that he''d reunited with Nyx, his past abilities have returned to its prime.


    "Once I readapt myself to the sword and my newly found Lunar mana, I will be much stronger. Perhaps we''ll need to revisit Yval for a new blessing."


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Amon thought out loud without thinking of the consequences of his words. If Alrock or any other Sris members heard him, they would likely faint out of exasperation and jealousy.


    Amon wasn''t satisfied with one blessing from the Golden Dragon Progenitor and wished for another. That wasn''t just greed; it was pure avarice. Fortunately, he was in the room with the only human who truly understood why Amon wished for such a thing.


    "Your Lunar mana is causing an imbnce again?"


    "Regrettably, yes." The young Knight sighed deeply while raising his precious sword. "My soul wasn''t originally from this world, and my mana affinity has always been skewed towards Lunar mana. But I was born with a Sris body. With my soul returning to its original state, I would need to strengthen my vessel to contain my soul."


    It was a logical conclusion.


    Amon''s wild mana imbnce had cost him everything during Yue''s timeline. If he wished to seed, Amon had to thread the fine margins of having two mana affinities, even if it meant being greedy for multiple blessings.


    "Just how much stronger do you want to get?"


    Yue raised her brows and shot the young man a sceptical look. She''d always known that Amon was the greatest prodigy she''d ever seen, but to improve at a greater rate than before? That just terrified the young woman.


    "Strong enough to take down the Demon Cult, Yue. We''ll need at least that much."


    "Hah, eventually, you''ll be powerful enough to take on a Demon Lord." Yue teased with jest. Though, hidden within that tone was a tinge of her true feelings.


    Amon was growing at an astonishing rate. He could easily stand among the top hundred Knights in the Sris House with Six Suns alone. But Amon had Six Moons, too! Adding the fact that he''d received Yval''s blessing plus reuniting with Nyx... Amon''s true strength should be equal to that of the top ten Knights in the Sris House.


    All at eighteen years old...


    "If that''s the case, let''s visit Sister Yval soon!"


    "About that... I don''t think we should try eloping anytime soon."


    "Hmmm? Why?"


    "Haven''t you heard?" Amon gave the young woman a side-eye and sighed. "After summoning our swords, the Sris House has given greater emphasis to monitoring Leon and me. Additionally, because of our engagement, the Elders are especially anxious. They may even call off the engagement altogether."


    "W-What? This is the first time I''ve heard of this!"


    Drenched with mncholy eyes, the young beauty showed an expression as if her world was crashing down. Over the past two days, she had been drunk with celebration, reying the scene where Amon summoned the Lunar de repeatedly¡ªand that moment of weakness had caused her to ck in information gathering.


    "It''s natural, right? They discovered I''m a pivotal resource, so they''re unwilling to let me go."


    Amon spat with a sliver of disgust. Even in this world, he would be a tool for others. However, there were multiple differences. For one, he wouldn''t let himself be exploited as before.


    "Now that they''ve realised my potential, they won''t be able to order me like apdog anymore. I can move freely in my Knight Order, and the missions I will go on will align with my interests. It''s a win-win for everyone."


    As with every Sris Knight, Amon joined a Knight Order and was required toplete missions of varying difficulties. Over the years, he faithfully followed orders,pleting hundreds of missions with a perfect clearance rate. It was one of the reasons why he was widely considered a rising rookie among the Knights.


    However, not all of the missions aligned with his goals.


    Amon wished to weaken the Demonic Cult and prevent future Cmities. Most missions he was sent on brought him to different locations and had little rtion to the Demonic Cult. But now that he was granted a new identity, Amon would be given much more autonomy to do his thing.


    "Now, all we''re missing is to n how we will proceed. The next major event will be... why are you sulking?"


    Lost in his thoughts, Amon realised his fianc¨¦e''s upside-down smilete. Yue''s lips were puckered in a pout, and her feet were swaying off her chair. Resting her head on the table, she said:


    "And here I thought we could have a Spring wedding. Now they''re thinking of cancelling our engagement?! No, we can''t have that happen. I''ll need to pull some strings and make this wedding happen!"


    When Amon heard Yue''s brazen words, his head began to throb. Cracking a vein on his forehead, he pped Yue on the back of her head to get her attention.


    "Hey! What''s that for?!"


    "Listen to me, will you?"


    "Tch, sometimes I miss the days when you''re a robot. At least you wouldn''t resort to physical violence then!"


    "..."


    Yue''s words brought more significant irritation to the adolescent Knight. It was true that since he''d transmigrated, Number 23 had learnt various human emotions once again, and his actions had be even more animated. Still, hearing it from the person who annoyed him the most sent a sticky itch flying towards his heart.


    Ignoring Yue''s protest, Amon continued with his train of thought:


    "Leon summoning Ascalon is to be expected. But, my summoning of Nyx is a wide deviation. If it changes the Knight Order that Leon would be assigned to, there will be a big problem."


    Leon''s Knight Order was a pivotal part of [Bright] as most scenarios urred when he was sent on missions with them. If there were even a deviation from where he was posted, the scenarios would be exceedingly difficult to predict moving forward.


    "Not to worry, Leon would be assigned to the same Knight Order as nned."


    "How can you be so sure?"


    "Grandpa Alrock would want to keep him close, after all. As the wielder of Ascalon, Leon is widely considered the most precious treasure of the Sris House. It would be mental to assign him somece else."


    "I see..."


    Yue''s logic was sound. If Alrock wished to keep a close eye on Leon, it made sense to assign him to an Order that the office of the Sris Lord closely managed. However, Amon couldn''t shake the ominous feeling that crept up his spine.


    And s... his worries were vindicated a few hourster.


    "Amon... From now on, Leon will be your squire."


    "... what?"

 Chapter 65: Knights of Solaris (3)

    <h4>Chapter 65: Knights of Sris (3)</h4>


    The Knight Orders of Sris.


    For every aspiring Knight, it was the dream destination. Every cadet in the Knight''s Academy was working towards that goal. And just with every vocation, each Order had specialisations, some more prestigious than others.


    The Green Dragon Order, or in short, the Green Order, was the most popce and generalised profession. Think of it as the Sris House''s standing army. They did everything under the Sun, from eradicating Demons to sentry duty and disaster relief. If there was a need for raw manpower, the Green Order were the one for the job.


    The vast majority of cadets would join the Green Order as their first posting, and when they gain enough experience, they could switch to other Orders if they prove themselves worthy. Unfortunately, due to its generalised nature, it could be considered the least prestigious Order for a new cadet to join.


    Talented cadets would be directly scouted by the ''higher'' Orders, giving them an early headstart in their career.


    The Blue Dragon Order, more poprly known as the Sris Navy, was the next popted Order. Popr amongst those who wished to sail the oceans and set forth on long voyages, it was a powerful force that helped protect the Sris House''s naval assets.


    But, for most average cadets, they would dream of the most popr Order among the standing forces... The Grey Dragon Order. They were Aerial Knights who tamed Wyverns and ruled the skies with their technique and aerial domination; they were a beacon of the Sris House.


    Those three Orders were by far the easiest to enter, and average cadets would usually be posted to them due to their need for manpower. However, for the other Orders, one had to be ssified as an elite even to get a consideration to enter.


    The Violet Dragon Order, or simply put, the Sris police force. The Judiciary branch directly controlled them, and they upheld thew of Sris. In many circumstances, they had to be stronger than most Knights, given they were given the authority to arrest anyone if theymitted a crime.


    The Brown Dragon Order; the rangers of the Sris House. They patrol Solfea andnd controlled by the Sris House. Frequently, they are the first point of contact between Demons and humans, and their ability to scout had to be first ss.


    The White Dragon Order, also known as the Guardians of Sris. With their signature white-gold uniform, they protected the Sris House and were thest line of defence for the monolithic organisation. They often protected strategic assets and usually served as the bodyguards to the Sris House''s most influential figures.


    The ck Dragon Order was the most secretive and feared of all the Orders simply because few people knew what they did. Officially, they were the Sris House''s intelligence wing. However, there were rumours that they were trained assassins who used anything in their arsenal to extract information. It was said that torture and murder were in their blood, making them the most feared among all the Orders.


    It was the Order that Amon was posted to and has stayed with ever since. The ck Order suited Amon, as most missions are kept under wraps; he could use it to hide his movements when gathering intelligence about the Demon Cult.


    And finally, the Order that all Sris Knights dreamed of joining... the Golden Dragon Order.


    Controlled directly by the Sris Lord, it was the most advanced and powerful Order in the Sris House. No, it was the most dominant Knight Order in the entire world. It only epted Guardian Knights with Five Suns condensed, and even then, they would select the most elite Guardian Knights they could find.


    These eight Orders were the pirs of the Sris House, and their foundation would be weak if they lost a single one. It was an honour for any Knight to join any of the Orders, and it was the same for Leon. However, as the future Hero of Sris, each Order scrambled to recruit Leon.


    Ascalon was the mark of Sris'' greatest heroes, and if they trained Leon, their Order''s prestige would unquestionably be raised. If they became Leon''s personal teacher too... their names would likely be recorded in the history books too.


    Unfortunately, even though each Order has its merit, only a few realistically stood a chance of getting Leon. The Green Order wasrge and had the most resources, but at the same time, they were too general and couldn''t bring out Leon''s inner potential. The Blue and Grey Orders were in the same boat. While they had gimmicks that may tickle at a young man''s heartstrings, they knew they didn''t stand a chance.


    The Violet and Brown Orders had a better chance but were too specialised. The Violet Dragon Order trained their recruits on how to fight other humans, while the Brown Dragon Order were masters of scouting. As the future hero, Leon''s potential would be wasted if he joined them.


    Hence, the only Orders that stood a chance were the White, ck and Golden Orders.


    The White Dragon Order were the Guardians of the Sris House, and they were given plenty of resources to train their cadets. While their jobs were mainly protecting the Sris House, they often crossed paths with Demons and Corrupted Beasts. They were taught to be the best, and many of their talented Knights would be poached to join the Golden Order.


    And if one were topare prestige, the White Dragon Order had once trained the Sris Saint, the previous wielder of Ascalon and widely considered the most powerful human of all time.


    The ck Dragon Order was also a good choice, as its training techniques were brutal but effective. Most Knights who emerged from the ck Order would be prominent figures in their own right, and many former legends are alumni of the excellent Order.


    Finally, the Golden Dragon Order. By their own limitations, Leon could not join their Order as he hadn''t condensed Five Suns yet. However, Leon''s potential alone was enough for the most mythical Order in the Sris House to waive their restrictions. Plus, it was directly controlled by Alrock, the Sris Lord and Leon''s grandfather.


    No other organisation could beat the Golden Order when it came to resources. Their training techniques were also top-tier, given that everyone there was a Guardian Knight or higher. His protection was also guaranteed, as most Knights were the best warriors on the.


    All signs were pointing to Leon joining the Golden Order.


    And in [Bright], Leon did indeed join the Golden Order. Through that, he learnt many disciplines and was dispatched on missions that grew his character and individual powers. Leon would also encounter the Demon Cult regrly, as the Golden Order often crossed paths with them.


    s...


    "Amon... From now on, Leon will be your squire."


    Amon stood at attention in the familiar Sris Lord chambers before Alrock, who was busy signing papers andpleting documentation. Alrock''s aged face had turned haggard, and his dark eye bags had deepened further. He was swamped with stress and work, barely able to spare a few moments to even speak to Amon.


    "I''m sorry... I think I misheard you. Did you say..."


    "Leon will be your squire."


    It took Amon a good few seconds to register what Alrock had said.


    It wasmon formissioned Knights to receive squires for training. It was part of raising Knights, and Amon had once served as a squire before graduating, too. However, given that he was only eighteen, he was far too young to receive any squires, who were often around his age.


    So for him to receive a squire, and Leon no less... It reeked of a conspiracy.


    But first, Amon wished to confirm one fact.


    "Are you saying... Leon will join the ck Order?"


    "No, he''s going to learn under you as a squire. Since he''s technically still a student, we won''t be assigning him to any Order just yet. Once hepletes his program, we will graduate him and make a decision based on his improvements."


    Alrock rified solemnly, but it only brought more confusion to Amon.


    The moment Leon imed Ascalon, his status in the Sris House exceeded that of any regr cadet. If he wanted to, Leon could even go for the Lordship position. So, for the future Sris Hero to be a squire... it didn''t make much sense.


    "Forgive me for being direct, but... is it really necessary? Leon is powerful enough to be a Junior Knight; if anything, he would give most True Knights a tough time. Add Ascalon into the mix; he could fit into any Knight Order like a glove. So, is there a need for him to be a squire?"


    Alrock lifted his chin to meet his eyes directly for the first time since Amon entered the chambers. Amon felt a sense of helplessness within the Sris Lord''s eyes as he sighed:


    "Your points are valid, but you''re missing something important."


    "... What is that?"


    "Leon''s feelings." Putting down his pen, Alrock stood from his desk and stared straight at Amon. "I feel the same way as you, young''un. Leon could easily be a fully-fledged Knight if he wants to. I was even willing to waive the Guardian Knight rule so he could join the Golden Dragon Order."


    "If that''s the case, why not let him serve as a squire under one of the Knights from the Golden Order?"


    It was a valid question. Amon was far too inexperienced to teach someone, let alone the Protagonist who would save the world. For Leon to grow effectively, he had to enter the Golden Order as he did in [Bright], learn under some of the best Knights in the world, and take on missions that would push him through the main scenario.


    But s...


    "You aren''t hearing me, young''un... Leon wishes to learn under you."


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Huh?"


    "My thoughts exactly. When you saved him in the Troll cave, he became inspired by your abilities. Now, he''s only willing to serve as your squire."


    "..."


    Yet another deviation. However, this time, Amon couldn''t me anyone else but himself. If he wasn''t the person who saved Leon in the cave, perhaps Leon would have followed his original path and joined the Golden Dragon Order. Unfortunately, it was toote to change anything now.


    "In all seriousness, putting Leon under you is a bad choice. Both of you are talented Knights who will go on to influence the Sris House for years toe. From a risk management perspective, splitting you into different Orders would be better. But, honestly... I agree with Leon''s choice."


    Alrock''s voice was firm butced with a sliver of kindness.


    "You''re talented, Amon. More so than Leon. While I trust Leon would do great wherever he goes, having a formidable rival would drive him to greater heights. I do not doubt that."


    "..."


    "And the same could be said about you, Amon. You''ve never been pushed in your life. Even among the talented young''uns of your age, you stand out. If Leon and you are ced in the same ce, it''ll serve as a catalyst for your growth."


    There was one part that Alrock left unsaid. The Sris House needed Amon and Leon to foster a good rtionship. Having two alpha tigers in the same den was a blessing and a curse at the same time. The pair would lead the Sris House into a new golden age if they grew up cordially. However, if they had any disputes and dislike for one another...


    It could lead to the decline of the mighty family.


    To prevent that from happening, Alrock bet on Amon and Leon bonding while they were still young and hopefully forming asting brotherhood. Needless to say, there was no need for suchplications as Amon was already doing everything in his power to help Leon, but there was no way the Sris Lord could have known that.


    Moreover, Amon didn''t care about bing an influential member of the Sris House. So he wouldn''t threaten Leon''s im to the throne.


    Nevertheless...


    "I understand... I shall respect your orders."


    Amon''s face turned nk, making it difficult for anyone to read the man''s thoughts.

 Chapter 66: Knights of Solaris (4)

    <h4>Chapter 66: Knights of Sris (4)</h4>


    "So that''s what happened..."


    In the serenity of Amon''s room, two individuals sat next to each other on a stone table filled with delectable confectionaries. Amon didn''t have much appetite and remained absent-minded while Yue sipped her cup of osmanthus tea.


    "This is a major deviation and seems to be set in stone," Amon muttered grimly as his hands supported his nose. "How would it affect our ns moving forward."


    "Quite a bit," Yue replied with nonchnce. "All of our ns regarding Leon factor in the fact that he would enter the Golden Order. Now, we''ll have to overhaul them all."


    "What a pain..."


    Amon got onto his feet and rested his body on the window pane. Gazing out at the peaceful dark, his brain was tickled with annoyance as he muttered: "I should have been more careful..."


    "No point crying about it now."


    "How are you so calm?"


    "Well, it''s not like we''re in a desperate situation." Yue shrugged her shoulders. "Besides, while Leon not joining the Golden Order immediately is a miscalction on our part, it''s not like he''ll never join the Order. Once his squireship with you ispleted, Grandpa Alrock would likely pull him into the Golden Order, no? Then he''ll meet the same mentors and friends, so we have nothing to worry about."


    "I guess..."


    "Plus, how long is his squireship? Six months to a year, right? We can manage his growth during that period, so isn''t that a good thing? elerating his synchronisation with Ascalon and improving his martial skills. I can''t think of anyone better to do that than you."


    "... you''re right."


    It was a blessing in disguise. While Leon not joining the Golden Order would mess up their ns, having him near Amon''s side was a good alternative, too. At the very least, Amon could supervise his growth and guide him through future scenarios.


    "But for Leon to be my squire... Looks like I have to apologise to Arya."


    Amon recalled his promise to his younger sister just a few weeks back. The young girl wished to be his squire and join the ck Order to follow in his footsteps. Naturally, Amon was amodating, but it was out of his control now.


    "!!!"


    Hearing those words caused Yue''s eyes to boggle as she remembered something catastrophic.


    "Come to think of it, the next two events that Leon would go through... The Golden Order didn''t interfere as much. He would work together with Gale, Adelia and Rubin to clear those scenarios."


    "The Awakening of the Blood Demon and the Curse of the Foolish Lich..."


    Amon''s sombre tone caused Yue to flinch, especially after hearing a familiar foe from her fianc¨¦''s mouth.


    "In [Bright], Leon faced the Blood Demon, then the Foolish Lich in that order. But if we''re elerating the timeline, why not bring him to kill the Foolish Lich first? The Blood Demon won''t appear for a while, right?"


    "..."


    Yue remained silent as a thousand thoughts ran through her mind. She knew very well the danger of the Blood Demon and the future tragedies it would cause, especially to the man she loved most. Struggling with her decision to reveal the future, the young woman scratched the bottom of her chin and frowned.


    "Yue? What''s wrong?"


    "Ah, to hell with it! Amon, we''ll have to deal with the Blood Demon first!"


    "... why?"


    It''s been a while since Amon saw Yue this animated. Although there were times when she would scream and shout, it was often out of good fun and teasing. Yet, this time, Amon saw true panic in her ruby eyes.


    "The Blood Demon... in my timeline, it killed Arya."


    "... exin."


    Amon paused for a moment as he absorbed what Yue had just said. However, it didn''t take long for his tone to grow grim and his voice, t. Sounding like a low murmur, Amon''s chilly voice could bring chills down the most formidable warrior''s spines. It was rare for the indomitable Knight to show such a disy of emotion, and it momentarily froze the regressor who had faced some of the world''s most brutal viins.


    "T-This, mind reigning in your killing intent? It''s making it hard for me to breathe."


    "... my apologies."


    The transmigrator apologised but didn''t show an ounce of remorse. Amon''s eyes were locked in, waiting earnestly for Yue to exin appropriately.


    Yue took a few moments to gather her wits. Amon''s pressure was abination of Yval''s blessing and the power of a Transcendent that crossed dimensions. Being exposed to it was enough to kill a grown Knight, let alone a feeble magician such as herself.


    "In my timeline, after you summoned Nyx at the Sword Bestowment Ceremony, you becamecent about your power. Because of that, when Arya became your squire, you brought her to Mistwood, where the Blood Demon resides, for experience. And unfortunately... she perishes to the Blood Demon during the expedition."


    "..."


    "At the very least, don''t make Arya your squire for now. Let her stay in the Knight''s Academy until we kill the Blood Demon."


    "... understood; thanks for letting me know."


    Amon gave Yue his immediate thanks and pivoted his feet to the exit. Spreading out his five fingers, he channelled mana out of his body, and a silver ray of light erupted from his heart. It congregated into the familiar ck katana that everyone was curious about and rested firmly in Amon''s palms as if it were stuck with glue.


    Before the young Knight exited the room, however... he heard Yue''s concerned voice.


    "W-Where are you going?"


    "To train... The sooner I synchronise with Nyx, the sooner I can kill the Blood Demon."


    Yue felt her blood grow cold as Amon disappeared down the hallways of his house and straight towards his personal training chambers. As she reflected on Amon''s cold expression, it reminded her of when Amon wasn''t the Great Hero she fondly remembered.


    It reminded her... of the first time she met Amon in her first life.


    When he wasn''t hailed as the hero that saved Hyades, but rather...


    The executioner that killed everything in his path.


    ???


    A week had passed since the Sword Bestowment Ceremony, and the buzz behind the event grew more prominent and drew greater interest. The whole world was uprooted at Ascalon''s appearance, and many were curious about the young Hero who summoned the mythical de.


    They desperately tried to prate the Sris House''s secretive veil and gather as much information as possible about Leon, but it was to no avail. If the Sris House wished to keep something under wraps, even the top intelligence agencies would have difficulty gathering information.


    s, as much as Alrock and the top brass wished to hide Leon, pressure from other organisations was mounting. Everyone knew Ascalon''s mythical status, no organisation more so than the Holy Church.


    While Ascalon was the property of the Sris House, it was also a relic blessed by the Goddess herself. It was akin to a holy symbol, an icon of the religion. Many would hold pilgrimages just to get a nce at the artefact, which is said to be the closest object to their deity.


    So the Holy Church was adamantly requesting an audience with Leon, even if it meant causing headaches to the top Knights of the Sris House.


    And yet, for the person at the centre of it all...


    Leon ventured into a sprawling, opulent fortress with open eyes and a gaping mouth. When he''d first heard that he would be visiting the ck Dragon Order, his original impression was that he would be brought to a run-down hut or a disgusting dungeon. But his assumption was far from correct.


    Secluded in a hidden corner of Solfea, one could only enter the ck Dragon Order through a secret passageway or a teleportation gate. Even then, only those who bore the crest of the Order were granted safe passage. Those without... let''s just say they better be wearing fortified armour.


    Known to the outside world as the Twilight Keep, the ck Dragon Order''s headquarters was as ostentatious as it was secretive. Its architecture blends Gothic and Baroque elements with sinister spires and grand halls. Throughout the corridors, paintings and marble sculptures, each providing history and contest to this legendary Knight Order, were disyed.


    Blending into the night, the ck castle perfectly fits the backdrop, a cliff overseeing a massiveke. Yet, the Twilight Keep''s interior was hardly as gloomy and ck as it suggests. Donned with red and purple velvet carpets, the floor of the fortress seemed as homely and warm as with any other castle.


    With space that could fit a hundred horses side-by-side, Leon followed Amon down the grand archway, deep into the Twilight Keep. At the end of the path, a young female Knight in her twenties weed the duo with a hospitable smile.


    "Wee to the ck Dragon Order!"


    Leon unknowingly stared at the woman and scanned her from head to toe. She was draped in ck and yellow regalia, the signature colours of the ck Dragon Order. Her auburn ponytail swung like a pendulum each time she moved her slender body, and her sparkly pale silver eyes made her look somewhat ghostly. Tall and with long limbs, the young woman was undoubtedly an athlete, given that her skin had been tanned brown from extended periods in the Sun.


    And to top it all off, the long spear protruding out of the woman''s back gave Leon a faint sense of intimidation.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    This female Knight was strong... Leon was sure of it.


    However, Amon didn''t feel the same way. Narrowing his eyes into slits, he stared at the young woman and lightly gnarled:


    "Lucia, what are you doing here?"


    "To wee our special VIP, of course! Oh, and to see my cute little partner''s face! It''s been a while since you popped by the Keep; what took you so long?!"


    "... I''ve been busy."


    "Yeah, I heard! You eloped again, right? Oh my, you sure are bold to keep going AWOL. The Grand Commander went ballistic when she heard about your romantic getaway."


    Lucia couldn''t help puffing her cheeks out with a yful smile while teasing Amon. Herughter only annoyed Amon, who could only lightly sigh and change the topic.


    "Did the Commander send you?"


    "Hehe, who else? You know better than anyone that our Captain doesn''t care about stuff like this."


    "..."


    Amon felt tension build up when he heard the Grand Commander knew of his arrival. Lucia mentioned that the Grand Commander wasn''t particrly pleased that he had eloped with Yue for five long months, and it was finally time to face the music. Forcing down the urge to run away, Amon looked at his new squire and hoped to save him from meeting the ballistic Sun Knight.


    "Leon, this is Lucia Osiris. A Knight Lieutenant of the Eighteenth Squad and my superior."


    "Well, superior is an overssification. Amon and I are partners!"


    Lucia hung her weighty arms over Amon''s neck, which she could do easily as she was just as tall as the young Knight. Visibly ufortable, Amon grimaced, pushed the woman''s arm off him and dusted his shoulders.


    "Hey! That''s mean!"


    "... I presume you came to tell me the Commander wants to see me."


    "Oh my! Are you a mind-reader?! Shit, I should have invested in mental protection charms!"


    Lucia continued to tease Amon with yful bliss, behaving like a yarn full of joy. Rolling his eyes, Amon turned his heel and headed in the familiar walk of shame that gued him every time he returned from eloping.


    "Leon, follow Lucia. She''ll finish your tour of Twilight Keep. Once I''m done with my business, I''lle find you."


    "O-Okay..."


    ???


    Leon stared at Amon''s mncholy back as he waved him goodbye. Not knowing Amon''s fate, he struggled to send him off with a smile, which didn''t go unnoticed.


    "Are you worried about him?" Lucia''s eyes sparkled as she found a new target to tease.


    "N-not particrly. But for Amon to be that nervous about meeting her... I''m just curious what the Grand Commander of the ck Dragon Order is like."


    "Haha, not to worry. She seems mean on the surface, but she means well. Especially when ites to Amon; after all, she is grooming him to be the next Commander of the ck Order."


    "R-Really?!"


    The young Knight was instantly taken aback. Usually, the session of a Knight Order wasn''tmon knowledge, and only the best would even be considered for the title. And how old was Amon? Barely eighteen!


    "Well, it''s more or less an open secret in our Order. It''s quite obvious that the Commander favours Amon. It''s just that he''s too dense to see it. If not for his tendency to go AWOL, he would have been promoted to Lieutenant or Captain long ago."


    Lucia couldn''t help but get a jab in on herrade, even if it meant demeaning him in front of his squire.


    Although Amon was merely an officer in the ck Order, the title meant nothing to him. As one of the most promising Knights of his generation, he already had the autonomy to conduct missions independently like a Captain. He also could ignore the chain ofmand and report directly to the Grand Commander, the ultimate authority in the ck Order.


    Amon didn''t realise it, but he was already considered the next in line to inherit the highest title of the Order.


    "The Commander will probably scold and punish him before granting him a new mission."


    "A new mission?"


    "Yeah, no matter how perfect his track record was before, not working for six months is too much for amissioned Knight of an Order. He''ll be sent on a new mission soon, and as his squire... well, I guess I should say congrattions on getting a job so soon?"


    "T-Thanks?"


    Leon could only let out a wry smile without knowing what else to say. Fortunately, Lucia could read the room and immediately pped her hands to change the topic.


    "Ah, where are my manners? Let me take over as your tour guide, alright? I''m sure I could do much better than that blockhead Amon anyway."


    "S-Sure..."

 Chapter 67: Knights of Solaris (5)

    <h4>Chapter 67: Knights of Sris (5)</h4>


    While Leon was happily led on a tour of the massive and beautiful Twilight Keep, Amon walked the dreaded hallways to his impending doom. Over the years, he had remembered every route in the colossal castle and no path more so than the passage to the Grand Commander''s office. He would be summoned here at least once whenever he visited the ck Dragon Order''s headquarters.


    Calling it his personal walk of shame, Amon tried to ignore the whispers of the clerks and administrators who recognised him and steeled his way through the final barricades.


    While he couldn''t understand why, everyone in Twilight Keep remembered his face, for better or worse. It felt suffocating to carry the gazes of the curious plebians, but Amon shouldered through them all. He inhaled a deep breath before finally reaching his destination.


    The highest point of Twilight Keep and the ce he dreaded the most in the entire pce.


    "Enter."


    Without knocking on the stone gates, an assertive yet lyrical voice beckoned him in. Taking a moment to steel his resolve, Amon pushed hard on the massive doors and creaked them open.


    Almost instantly, a tidal wave of mana surged towards the young Knight, sending his rich, ebony hair flying back. An invisible pressure mounted upon Amon''s entire body, and his muscles convulsed as he struggled to remain standing. The pressure was nothing short of dominating, as any regr human would have been crushed into a paste by now.


    If Amon so wished, he could circte his Six Suns and Moons to withstand the immense mana being sent his way, but that would unveil all of the power he wanted to remain hidden. Therefore, he could only grit his teeth and endure the wrath of the being who forced him into this state.


    "There he is... our resident celebrity. You sure have some nerve!"


    A bead of sweat dripped down the young man''s white cheeks as all of his muscles were engaged to keep him standing. The gravity only intensified with each passing second, and it became more of a challenge for Amon to keep a straight face. But, even with all of the mana mounted upon him, Amon could view the insides of the chambers.


    Easily the size of a city apartment, the Grand Commander''s office held many ornate and eye-popping decorations. From taxidermy beasts to prized artefacts seized from bandits... the decorations added to the mystique of the ck Dragon Order''s Grand Commander.


    A hunter... a dominant warrior... and a fierce Knight.


    The Grand Commander of the ck Order was such an individual.


    And right now, Amon had crossed her.


    A woman, who appeared to be in her thirties, stared straight at Amon in the middle of the heavy oak desk. Her long ck hair was rtively unkempt but remained in perfect straights. Wearing a ck-yellow vest with a striped shirt, one might misidentify her as a fashionable officedy who sat behind the desk all day.


    If not for the golden vertical slit pupils piercing right into Amon''s soul.


    "... Grand Commander."


    Even though he was given a rude wee, Amon still bravely gave the woman a respectful bow. After all, he was the one who messed up this time.


    "You still have the nerve to address me as your Commander, huh? AWOL again? What''s stopping me from stripping your Knighthood right now?"


    "I have no excuse."


    "Hah?!"


    The woman mmed her fist onto the table, shattering it in two. Amon could scrutinise his superior from head to toe without the desk blocking his view. She was about his height, possibly half a head shorter. However, even without height, the woman was far more intimidating than any other giant he''d met.


    Her appearance marked a captivating figure, amanding presence that could intimidate anyone. Even though she was over forty, her pristine face made her look in her mid-twenties. Her pale skinplemented her red lips and sharp chin. With high cheekbones and a defined jawline, one would easily describe her as a beauty worth pursuing. However, the one thing that deterred most suitors... was her inhuman eyes.


    Vertical slit eyes that resembled that of a Dragon, the woman could scare off a school of children with just her stare alone. Not that it mattered to an imposing and influential person like her.


    The Grand Commander was just under Alrock, possessing the mana of Seven Suns. And even amongst all of the Sun Knights, she easily stood heads and shoulders above them all. There were, at best, three Knights in the entire Sris House that rivalled her, and she was hard-pressed to find a suitable foe to match her brutality.


    Yet, Amon was enduring her wrath.


    "Carmen, reign in your anger... Do you want to kill the kid?"


    "..."


    Fortunately, Amon received help from a trustworthy source. A well-groomed gentleman gestured to his superior and gradually walked before Amon to block the Grand Commander''s view. That small action calmed the woman somewhat as Amon felt the immense pressure dissipate off his back.


    Turning around with a harrumph, the Grand Commander turned her back towards Amon and strolled to a corner of the chamber. Taking this opportunity, the distinguished Knight gently tapped Amon''s shoulder while closing the door behind him to prevent themotion inside from spreading out.


    "You alright, kid?"


    "... thank you, Sir Oswin."


    "Don''t sweat it."


    Seeing that Amon didn''t need any help, the bearded gentleman gave a warm, proud smile while shing his crisp golden eyes. "You''ve improved! For an eighteen-year-old True Knight to withstand Carmen''s mana... It''s not a small matter!"


    "... thank you?"


    "Why are you praising the brat, Oswin?"


    The Grand Commander snorted as she uncorked a hefty gourd. Immediately, the pungent odour of alcohol filled the chambers, and those with weaker tolerances would instantly be intoxicated. Ignoring the other two in the room, Carmen took giant swigs directly from the gourd and stopped when the entire thing had been consumed.


    "Hah... I''m calmer now..."


    As if she had consumed a magic potion, Carmen''s rage eased, and her incensed expression was reced with calmness and maturity. Still, sternness remained in the Grand Commander as she began her reprimand.


    "Brat, you''ve done it now. Not only did you go AWOL, you did it for five months. And when you returned, you didn''t even bother to visit Twilight Keep! As amodating as we are of your special circumstances, you''ve crossed a line this time!"


    "... I apologise."


    "If you feel sorry, why do you keep doing it?!"


    If there were another desk, Carmen would have mmed right through it. Amon bit on his lip, not sure of how he should reply. If Amon had a choice, he wouldn''t wish to disguise his activities outside the Order as escapades. Unfortunately, it was the best way of hiding his movements without raising suspicion and revealing his true strength.


    "Like I said, I have no excuse. Please punish me."


    "Ha! What a noble and Knightly heart!" Carmen scoffed as she felt her anger bubbling to the surface again. Nevertheless, as the Grand Commander of the ck Dragon Order, she had to practice some sort of restraint.


    "Since you''ve admitted to your mistakes, I''ll sentence you to one month of confinement. You won''t leave Twilight Keep and will atone by serving the Knights here as a squire. And at the end of your confinement, you will take on twenty missions without pay."


    "..."


    Amon shed a stunned expression. He was not so secretly shocked by the punishment being meted out. It wasmon for AWOL Knights to be suspended or even stripped of their title should the severity be high. And yet, all Amon got was a meagre confinement and his pay docked.


    None of which mattered to Amon in the slightest. He''d originally intended to stay in the Sris House until the Blood Demon appeared, and due to his rtionship with Yue, the man was swimming in gold.


    Neither of his punishments was truly a ''punishment'' to him.


    "What? Are you unsatisfied with my punishment?"


    "On the contrary... is that all?"


    "Hah?! You think I''m too lenient?" The Grand Commander stifled herughter. "No, you''re right. I am too lenient. Instead of serving as a squire, I should demote you to a cleaner. You should clean the entirety of Twilight Keep; perhaps that would teach you how to follow the rules."


    "... if that''s your wish."


    The punishment was still too light, but Amon wouldn''t protest it further. He gave the woman a solemn bow before asking:


    "Grand Commander, about my confinement... I''ve recently been assigned a squire, so..."


    "Ah, that Ascalon brat? You do as you please. As long as it doesn''t affect your confinement, I have no interest in how you manage your squires."


    Carmen waved her hand, wholly uninterested in the most famous person in the Sris House. Amon thought she would at least ask to meet Leon, hoping to poach him to join the Order. However, looking at her bored expression, he quickly realised that wasn''t the case.


    "Thank you... If that''s all, then may I be excused?"


    "Hold it," the Grand Commander halted Amon''s escape and gestured for him toe closer. "I heard you caused quite a stir at Sword Garden." A sinister grin crept up Carmen''s face, giving Amon a familiar sense of dread.


    "Show me the sword that caused the Custodian to yield."


    "..."


    Amon sighed in his mind and immediately called out Nyx from his soul. The sudden appearance of the sword raised both the Grand Commander''s and the Vice-Commander''s eyebrows, but they quickly calmed themselves as they scanned the precious sword.


    "Fascinating... A soulbound sword! I''ve never seen one in person!"


    Sir Oswin openly gaped, jealously utterly evident on his face.


    "That''s nothing... It''s sharpness is second to none... If I was at the opposing end of this de..."


    The Grand Commander gently pricked her finger on the sharp end of Nyx''s de. The moment her skin made contact, her finger began to bleed. That alone was enough to make Oswin Sris, the Vice-Commander of the ck Dragon Order and a Six Suns Pir Knight, gasp in awe.


    "To cut Carmen''s body without Aura! It must be at least Legendary-grade!"


    "A powerful weapon, indeed."


    Carmen flicked her finger as if nothing had happened. And sure enough, her open wound was closed entirely in just a few seconds. A blissful smile appeared on the woman''s face as she stared straight at Amon.


    "You''ve summoned a finepanion. Treasure it, and you will ascend to even greater heights."


    "... thank you."


    "Now get out of my face."


    "..."


    It seems that the Grand Commander still hasn''t gotten over her anger. Not willing to cause any moremotion, Amon whimpered out of the chambers, unaware of the silent looks that his superiors were giving him.


    ???


    "What a monster."


    After Amon had disappeared down the corridors of Twilight Keep, the muffled voice of the Vice-Commander sounded out, drawing Carmen''s undivided attention. She stared at her right-hand man, waiting patiently for his following words.


    "That kid... Can I even call him a kid anymore?" Oswin wondered out loud. "Judging from how calm he was when facing your mana, he''s definitely condensed four Suns. And hisposure and strength... it''s far beyond any eighteen-year-old! It felt like I was watching a veteran of a thousand battles!"


    Oddly, the topic of conversation wasn''t Amon''s behaviour or the fact that he epted Leon as his squire. Instead, all they were focused on was his growth as a Knight.


    "Has any Sris Knight condensed their fourth Sun before twenty?"


    "I doubt it..."


    The venom in the Grand Commander''s voice dissipated as she rested her bum on thefy lounge chair. Crossing her legs, she reached for a new gourd of wine, and downed the entire bottle once more, giving her a chance to clear her head and reflect on what just happened.


    Carmen could not hide her smile as she reflected on how Amon withstood her power as if it were just an autumn breeze. There was a reason why the Grand Commander had her eye on him to inherit her position.


    Carmen Sris. Many consider her the closest thing to a Dragon in the modern era. Every few generations, there wille a child in the Sris House that would inherit a significant amount of the Founder''s bloodline. Called super-inheritors, they would possess enhanced bodies far beyond human understanding, and their mana reserves would far exceed any living creature.


    The vertical slit pupils of Carmen''s golden eyes were a testament to her strong bloodline.


    The Grand Commander was closer to a Dragon than a human in many aspects. She experienced intense emotions, was immune to most poisons and impurities, aged slower than most people, and constantly emitted her frightening mana.


    Just being in her presence was enough to terrify an average Knight. Add on her dragon-blessed mana and absurd cultivation state; hardly anyone on the wouldn''t be intimidated just by breathing the same air as her.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    And here came Amon, a brat who waspletely immune.


    "I''m sure he''s hiding his power to keep a low profile. But no matter how much a diamond tries to hide itself in the mud, its shine will eventually blow its cover." Carmenughed bitterly. "The only problem is his tendency to go AWOL. But every time I see him, it feels like he was forced against his will."


    Unknowingly, Carmen hit the nail on the head. If she knew that Yue was the one constantly dragging Amon around, Amon''s mom would have gained a new supporter of the anti-Yue club.


    Knowing how much his Commander favours the kid, Oswin stifled hisughter before asking: "So what''s your n for him? I doubt you really want him to be a janitor."


    "What''s wrong with that? If that teaches him some discipline, I would happily have him clean the toilets. Besides, other than the Ascalon brat, he''s the most popr person in town. A month in seclusion should be enough to wane the public''s interest."


    "Oh? So that''s your real n. To keep him out of the spotlight?"


    "That''s about it."


    Carmen waved off Oswin''s zippy tone with nonchnce. However, looking closely, one would see a faint blush on thedy''s pale cheeks. The pair remained silent for a full minute before Carmen lightly coughed and gave another order.


    "Oswin... Cancel my other ns¡ªReserve Aldrich''s Fields. After a week, call that brat to me. Let him bring that Ascalon brat if he wants."


    "Hoh... You can''t mean..."


    "Well, since he''s going to be my precious sessor, I should help him hone his skills... don''t you think?"


    Carmen wore one of the most dazzling smiles known to men, yet... All Oswin could feel was fear and pity.


    Fear for his life and pity for Amon, who would lose his.

 Chapter 68: Synchronisation (1)

    <h4>Chapter 68: Synchronisation (1)</h4>


    While Amon was busy getting reprimanded by his boss, Leon was blissfully taking a tour of Twilight Keep. With Lucia, a bright and energetic guide, Leon''s tour was quite eventful. He got to visit all the famous areas of the ck Dragon Order, and surprisingly, none of them were as gloomy as rumoured. The rooms were pristine, lighting was avable at every corner, and the castle was decorated as nicely as any other pce.


    Leon wouldn''t have guessed that he was at the enigmatic Knight Order if not for the ck Dragon Order banners hanging on every corridor.


    Finally, as Lucia finished the final parts of her tour, she brought the young teen into a detached block where the Eighteenth Squad made their base. Entering the block, Lucia greeted a few Knights, each more imposing than the next. Yet, they were rtively friendly and weed the neer with warm smiles.


    Then, he saw a rather imposing Knight. He wore a neutral face, but when Lucia introduced Leon as Amon''s squire, Leon could see his lip curve down in annoyance. Ever since then, he shot Leon and unfriendly look every time they passed each other, but since the man didn''t say anything Leon simply brushed it off.


    Throughout the tour, Leon carefully observed his surroundings, notably every knight he encountered. They ranged from warriors in their twenties to veterans in their fifties. Yet, no matter how many Knights he stumbled across, none impressed him.


    None... couldpare to Amon.


    ''As expected... Amon is still stronger than most Knights I came across.''


    When Leon decided to be Amon''s squire, everyone questioned it. None more so than his grandfather. Given that he had Ascalon, countless powerful Knights yearned to be his master. However, Leon''s gut feeling screamed at him to choose Amon.


    And his gut feeling was always right.


    ''I wonder what Amon is doing with the Grand Commander?''


    While Leon was worrying about Amon''s situation, his tour of Twilight Keep came to an end.


    As Lucia was about to show Leon to his room, a bespectacled man in his thirties walked over to the pair with a gentle smile. His ck hair and golden eyes betrayed the fact that he was a true-born Sris, but his weing demeanour made everyone second guess if he was a true Knight. He locked eyes with Leon for a brief moment before turning to the amicable Knight he was familiar with.


    "Lucia, you''ve returned quickly."


    "Captain! Haha, I just was bringing Leon on a tour!" Lucia stepped aside and presented the young squire to her immediate superior. "This is Leon, our problem child''s new squire! Leon, this is Jareth Sris. The Captain of the Eighteenth Squad and our boss."


    "Nice to meet you! My name is Leon Bright! Starting today, I will be serving as Sir Amon''s squire! Pleased to make your acquaintance!"


    Since Amon was Leon''s boss, Jareth would be the man he reported to. Leon wasn''t slow on the uptake and immediately treated the gentleman respectfully. Fortunately, the Captain didn''t put up any airs and waved him off.


    "Haha, there''s no need to be so polite. It''s my privilege to meet the Knight who summoned Ascalon."


    The Captain of the Eighteenth Squad was no fool. He knew Leon''s identity and yed to get on his good side. shing his pink gums, he continued: "It''s a waste for a talent like you to join our humble Squad. Let alone be a squire of that dense boy."


    "Dense?"


    "Hah... Amon, that boy is talented but rarely listens to orders. He takes on missions on his own, ignoring teamwork and protocol. I''ve been trying to change his behaviour since he was a squire, but he''s too dense to understand."


    Jareth rubbed on his forehead as if he were managing a headache. No, just by thinking of his mischievous subordinate did give the Grand Knight a headache.


    While most of Jareth''s words could be disparaging, Leon focused on one key detail.


    "Squire? Sir Amon served as your squire?"


    "Haha, as surprising as it may be, yes, he did!" The seasoned Knight puffed his chest out in pride at that statement. "It was by chance that Amon was randomly sorted to me while studying at the Academy. Believe it or not, he was much more of a pain back then!"


    The Knight started to ramble about Amon''s misdeeds, including the numerous times he went AWOL to elope with his lover. Those caused the ck Order to look at Amon in a rtively negative light despite his innumerable contributions to the Order.


    "Even as a squire, he was bloody brazen. I can''t count the number of times the Grand Commander called him into her office!"


    Jareth didn''t sound like a benevolent Captain but a bitter old fool who despised his subordinate. However, as the insults mellowed out, a tinge of pride was hidden within his poisonous words.


    "But well... He''s the undisputedly the most talented Knight I''d ever worked with. I''m sure even with his untamed behaviour, you''ll be able to learn a thing or two from him."


    In the beginning, Leon thought that Jareth was just a bitter mentor who couldn''t stand the talent of his disciple. But as he observed the Grand Knight even further, he now understood that underneath the tough exterior was a man who deeply cared about his pupil.


    "Thank you! I''ll be sure to be a good squire to Sir Amon."


    "Bahaha, to think that boy would be a Sir... I must be getting old..."


    The Knight Captain intended to continue his lecture, but his eyes wandered to the nearby exit. Stunned momentarily, he quickly regained his wits and let out a wry smile.


    "Speak of the devil!"


    Leon and Lucia''s eyes bolted towards their backs, and to their surprise, Amon was walking over with heavy feet. His frown was ever so apparent, and his eyes were soulless. Like a lost puppy, Leon instantly rushed over to greet Amon.


    "Amon! Back so soon?" While Leon was the first to greet him at the door, Lucia was the first to open her mouth. "So, what''s the damage?"


    "One month of confinement, twenty missions without pay... and toilet duties."


    "Pfft, she''s trying to set an example out of you this time, huh?"


    Lucia stifled herugh. Though her words seemed like the punishment was harsh, deep down, she knew that it was barely a p on the wrist. At best, Amon would be embarrassed before those who feared and revered him.


    But that was hardly a punishment for Amon.


    "Leon, unfortunately, I won''t be able to serve as your mentor during this period. You can return to Grandpa Alrock for training if you''d like."


    "No, I will stay here with you!"


    "... To watch me wash the toilets?"


    "Don''t worry! I''ll assist you! That''s the least I can do as your squire."


    Leon''s firm deration was utterly unfathomable to Amon. Why would the story''s protagonist, the man who summoned Ascalon, willingly lower himself to be a mere cleaner? s, there wasn''t anything that Amon could do to change Leon''s mind. Almost instantly, he bowed down to Lucia and Jareth and remarked:


    "It was nice meeting you, Sir Lucia. Sir Jareth. I would like to help Sir Amon with his chores."


    "Phew..." Lucia whistled in amazement. Naturally, she was well aware of Leon''s status. So for him to willingly join Amon''s punishment even though he didn''t have to... It gave the Knight Lieutenant an added respect for the young squire.


    "You''ve gotten yourself a fine squire, boy." Jareth grinned from ear to ear as he rested his hand on Amon''s shoulder. "Treasure him, and perhaps... you may learn a thing or two."


    "... thanks."


    Amon raised his brows but didn''t understand what his Captain was hinting. Nevertheless, he solemnly bowed and led Leon towards the cleaner''s changing room to begin his new duty.


    ???


    Two hours passed since Amon formally began his punishment. And even though he had vehemently attempted to change Leon''s mind, the squire was adamant about helping Amon, even if it meant shadowing him around like a lost puppy.


    Amon unwillingly brought Leon around Twilight Keep with no other options, scouring everyvatory for filth. Fortunately, the fortress was almost spotless, meaning Amon''s job was significantly simplified. Though he scrubbed each toilet bowl himself, he was unwilling to let Leon shoulder the dirty work. Ultimately, his squire became a cleaning assistant who fetched water for him when needed.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Watching the future hero of Hyades serve as an errand boy made Amon''s heart itch, and he couldn''t help but apologise.


    "I''m sorry... I didn''t want your first impressions of the ck Dragon Order to be like this."


    "Hmmm? Ah, don''t worry! If you think about it, it''s quite a unique tour experience! I get to visit every toilet in this massive castle! Haha, how many squires would get to have that experience?!"


    Contrary to Amon''s worry, Leon was beaming with jubnce. He relished the idea of touring the toilets so much that Amon wondered if the young teen had hit his head somewhere.


    "Are you sure you don''t want to return to Grandpa Alrock? I may be your mentor, but I can teach you nothing when confined."


    Amon''s worry was valid. Leon had just summoned Ascalon and was widely sought after by every major political faction. Even within the Sris House, every Knight Order was salivating to get him into their ranks, yet here he was... cleaning toilets as a squire.


    His time here could have been used in other areas, such as developing his newfound powers and stabilising his position within the Sris House.


    But s, Leon felt differently.


    "Honestly... Sir Amon, I find this activity a relief."


    "A relief?" Amon paused his brush, perplexed at Leon''s choice of words.


    "Yeah, a relief... You see, after I summoned Ascalon, everyone has been treating me... differently." Leon let out a heavy sigh while resting his face on the mop.


    "Before, while I was being ostracised as an outsider... at least they treated me like a regr Knight-in-training. They looked at my talents, making me feel like I earned their respect rather than being handed to me. But after I got Ascalon..."


    Unknowingly, Leon summoned out the gorgeous Heroic-grade sword. Contrary to its shy summoning back during the Sword Bestowment Ceremony, Ascalon was far more restrained now. Nevertheless, even while resting, a Holy de was still a Holy de. Its radiant light bounced from every corner of the toilet, illuminating the room and making the urinals seem holy.


    "Rather than treating me as Leon Bright, everyone has been looking at me as the owner of Ascalon. They put all these high expectations on me and gave me undeserved praise. It was annoying me..."


    For someone who has worked the entire time to get the Sris House to acknowledge him, Leon felt bitter and empty when he finally got the praise he so craved. It felt undeserved and vain, making him wonder why he even craved the adtion of the masses in the first ce.


    "But unlike the others, you don''t treat me differently at all." Leon stared straight at Amon, his crystal-clear blue eyes glistening with relief and awe. "It''s as if you don''t care about Ascalon and are truly watching over me as an individual. I admire that about you, Sir Amon."


    "... It''s nothing."


    Amon only felt that way because he genuinely admired Leon as a character from [Bright]. He knew the boy''s futures, adventures, struggles, and tears. So, in Amon''s mind, Ascalon was just a tiny part of Leon Bright. Of course, there was no way for Leon to know that.


    "Contrary to being in the spotlight, I would much rather spend time with you cleaning toilets. It''s more fun, to be honest."


    "... you should get your head checked out."


    "Haha, should I?"


    Leon smiled ever so brightly as he passed Amon a new bucket of water. Receiving it with thanks, the Knight sighed and questioned: "Hey, why are you calling me Sir Amon again? Didn''t I say you could drop the honorifics?"


    "Hmmm? But I''m your squire now... Wouldn''t it be proper for me to call you with..."


    "It''s bothersome."


    Amon responded with conviction. He truly disliked being called respectfully, especially by someone like Leon, whom he desperately wished to learn from. Hence, he reiterated his point:


    "We''re simr in age, and just because you''re my squire, it doesn''t diminish our friendship. I never intended to treat you like a squire in the first ce."


    At most, Amon would train Leon into a better version of himself. Amon had no intentions of making Leon run errands or any other traditional things that squires did. Furthermore, Amon was genuinely ufortable with the respectful tone that Leon called him.


    "So just drop it."


    "Haha, as you wish! Amon!"

 Chapter 69: Synchronisation (2)

    <h4>Chapter 69: Synchronisation (2)</h4>


    A week passed since Amon''s confinementmenced.


    Throughout the past week, Amon worked hard cleaningtrines and running other chores. He helped the gardeners tend to their flowers, assisted administrators with their deskwork, and cleaned the massive halls of Twilight Keep. The list ofpleted chores was just as impressive as his mission history.


    And by his side was his trusted squire. Leon Bright.


    In the beginning, Amon was reluctant to let Leon join him in his punishment. However, as time passed, it quickly became apparent that this punishment was a blessing in disguise.


    Because neither of them was allowed to train, Amon and Leon shared multiple conversations, yet none of them was about their summoned swords or the Sris Mystic Arts. They mainly talked about their lives up to that point, their likes and dislikes, their ambitions... even the kind of women they liked.


    Naturally, Leon went on about his lover Ehan, who was still receiving training as the Saintess. However, when Amon discussed that topic, Yue was the only person he could think of. Not because he had feelings for her but because she was the only girl he constantly hung around.


    Leon even started to tease Amon for hisck of originality when it came to girls... not that he was one to brag.


    The daily cleaning was meant to be a punishment, but it didn''t seem soborious for the duo, who began to talk about anything under the Sun. Of course, neither of them divulged too much of their secrets. Amon didn''t speak about his past life or knowledge of the future. At the same time, Leon didn''t discuss his dual nature affinity or his parents.


    Nheless, the pair began forming a friendship beyond that of a Knight and Squire.


    It was an unexpected harvest for Amon, who had always yearned to learn what it was like to be a hero from Leon. After speaking to Leon for a week, he slowly understood the mindset behind the boy called Leon Bright.


    A cheerful boy who found joy in the most mundane activities¡ªa passionate upstart wishing to impact the world positively. And most importantly, a noble soul with a humble heart.


    Leon didn''t do good deeds for fortune or fame; he simply did them because he believed it was right.


    That innocence and naivety didn''t waver, even as he was exposed to the darker sides of humanity. A person who firmly stuck to his morals, even if it meant sacrificing himself.


    All of his qualities were things that Amon wished he had. Formerly raised as a machine for war, Amon never once had such a positive outlook on life. In many ways, he envied Leon and strived to learn as much as he could from the young man.


    s, all good things muste to an end.


    "Kid... Your cleaning duties have been suspended. Go to Aldrich''s Fields. The Commander wishes to see you."


    As Amon was preparing to scrub the toilets for the third time this week, he was stopped by the Vice-Commander of the ck Order, Oswin Sris. Brushing on his leathery chin, the wizened gentleman approached Amon with what many would call good news.


    But for Amon, it was just an annoyance.


    "... what does she want?"


    Hardly able to contain his irritation, the young Knight unknowingly dropped all pretences and spewed an informal tone. Oswin was visibly stunned by Amon''s reaction but quickly recovered into a warm smile.


    "Don''t worry, it''ll only benefit you. Also, you''re wee toe if you''d like, young Leon Bright."


    Oswin gestured to Leon, too, who was still recovering from the shock that the Vice-Commander of the Order had personallye to deliver the news.


    "Me too?"


    "Yes, the Commander would like to invite you too."


    Oswin''s unreadable smile made Leon a little ufortable. However, Amon was aware of what that smile entailed.


    ''That old hag... She''s gone crazy again.''


    ???


    Aldrich''s Fields.


    One of the innumerable training facilities offered in Twilight Keep. Knights of the ck Order would often visit this sprawling facility that was nestled far away from civilisation. Located high in a remote mountain range, hardly anyone knew these training grounds existed.


    Yet, it contained some of the world''s most state-of-the-art facilities for Knights. Divided into multiple zones were rocky canyons, open ins, deepkes, eerie wastnds, dense forests... an array of differing environments to train the mind and body of a Knight to prepare them for any situation.


    The main attraction of Aldrich''s Fields was unquestionably thebat arenas. An unbelievably wide area with dynamic features such as movable tforms, simted hazards and other impressive features, it was the perfect ce for Knights of the ck Order to train their closebat skills. Training dummies were even provided if needed, and even warrior-like golems could be summoned to simte open battle.


    But the arenas were only the tip of the iceberg. Obstacle courses to hone a Knight''s physical capabilities, simtion chambers that created virtual battlefields to prepare the Knight, and even specialised elemental zones that could help the Order''s elites improve their resistance to the elements...


    It was a heaven for training.


    Usually, it would be littered with Knights who wished to improve their skills and raise their physical capabilities. Yet, as Amon and Leon walked down the impressive halls, they could hear a pin drop from a mile away.


    Completely empty, it seemed like the duo were walking into an abandoned ghost town. But judging from how pristine everything looked, it was apparent that the ce they ventured into used to have signs of life just moments prior.


    To make every Knight of the ck Order leave the massive facility... There was only one person capable of pulling such a feat.


    "Commander."


    Amon and Leon found their way to thergest arena in Aldrich''s Fields, where one womany waiting. Sat in a meditative pose, she seemingly didn''t notice the pair''s arrival. Heaving in calm breaths, her body was serene without a single ounce of tension. Invisible waves pulsated from her core, causing small tremors that shook the arena.


    Walking over carefully, Amon and Leon approached the meditatingdy with high tension. It was as if they were disrupting a slumbering dragon. Neither of them wanted to be the one to wake the monster, but unfortunately, the beast was already awake.


    "Brat, you''re here."


    Carmen opened her eyes, revealing the daunting draconic eyes that brought fear to anyone who dared cross her path. Like any other person, Leon froze the Grand Commander''s intimidation, his body refusing to move. It was like a mouseing face-to-face with a serpent; it could only y dead and wish the snake hadn''t noticed it.


    Seeing Leon''s unoriginal expression, Carmen blinked twice before spitting: "So that''s the Ascalon brat?"


    "Commander, this here is Leon Bright."


    "I know who he is. The famed hero and the future of Sris."


    Carmen stood up and edged closer to the pair, each step seemingly ringing like a bell within their ears. As she advanced, Amon and Leon could observe the Grand Commander in her entirety. Wearing her signature ck vest with a striped shirt, she draped an ebony cashmere sweater over her shoulders, hanging down like a superhero''s cape.


    Fit with a brawler''s physique, theyers that covered her body weren''t enough to hide her fantastic frame. Pulling her leather gloves like a strap, the woman''s mana exploded out of her body, making the gravity in the arena ten times as potent.


    Sweat began to break out from Leon''s pores as he was forced to bend his knees. Amon was used to Carmen''s whimsical acts and was better off. However, his face tensed up as he gritted his teeth.


    While Leon was suffering, Amon was pondering if he should do anything to assist his squire. But, knowing the Grand Commander, she simply wished to test Leon as part of her sick ritual to initiate worthy neers to her Order.


    Hence, he waited patiently, curious how Leon would handle the pressure that caused any other cadet to faint.


    Naturally, the young man wasn''t going to cave. He wasn''t the protagonist of the story for nothing. Forcing his body to stand upright, he used everything in his power to stare straight at the approaching beast. Refusing to summon Ascalon to aid him, Leon channelled all of his mana to withstand the pressure, and his blue eyes were staring defiantly at the Grand Commander.


    In front of an ocean, the rock was simply a floating tool. Yet, the rock was trying its hardest to defy the ocean currents and stand tall for itself.


    And that defiance impressed Carmen.


    "Good, I should expect nothing less from Ascalon''s wielder."


    Breaking into a bright smile, Carmen absorbed her mana into her body, instantly sending relief to Leon. Falling onto all fours, the young teen heavily panted like a dog as he desperately tried to regain hisposure. Watching his squire in that depressed state, Amon couldn''t help but protest.


    "Was there a need to do that?"


    "Hoh? You''re even standing up for your squire?"


    Amused by Amon''s reaction, Carmenughed while folding her arms in akimbo.


    "But are you really in a position to be caring for others now? The person I wanted to punish isn''t him, you know?"


    "..."


    Amon remained silent, but his neck tightened fast. Since Oswin appeared before him and pardoned his cleaning duties, he had guessed what woulde. Every once in a while, Carmen would ''invite'' Amon to join her in training sessions. Being personally trained by the Grand Commander was the desire of anyone in a Knight Order, and initially, Amon''s sessions with Carmen brought envy from the rest of the Knights.


    However, as they witnessed the aftermath of their closed-door sessions...


    None of them felt envious anymore. Instead, they felt sorry and pity for the young man constantly punished by the Grand Commander.


    Cracking her knuckles, Carmen barked: "Take out your sword, brat."


    "..."


    Knowing there was no point in running, Amon begrudgingly called out Nyx from his soul. At this point, there was no need to exchange words. They''ve done this dance many times before, and will continue to do so many times after. So all that matters now is...


    "I''ll begin."


    ???


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [Leon''s POV]


    What am I watching?


    At first, I was overwhelmed by the Grand Commander''s presence. That fearsomedy is undoubtedly the most dangerous among all the Knights I''ve met so far in the Sris House. Her feral eyes alone made my mind spiral, and her intense mana could make me spill my guts. It was as if she weren''t human, but a higher being sent to dominate over us.


    I somehow managed to stand defiant against her pressure, but it took everything I had. My Two Suns and satellite Suns worked together to churn out mana, and that was barely enough to keep my mind functioning.


    It was terrifying.


    But Amon took it all as if it were nothing. Against that monster that surpassed all human standards, Amon was utterly unaffected. He stood within the dense mana as if it were nothing more than a soft breeze and moved around without restrictions.


    And while I was trying to recuperate from the aftereffects, Amon held his sword firm and charged straight at the Grand Commander.


    What followed was... something I couldn''t understand.


    While only using her fists, the Grand Commander mmed into Amon like a roadside bully. Each punch she threw created whirlwinds that could send the average Knight flying. I knew that because the coteral winds that were not directed at me were enough to throw my stance off bnce.


    I would be a goner if just one of her fists flew at me. And yet, Amon was tanking the hits with ease.


    The flow of his sword was so effortless and fluid, as if he were evoking a dance. Each movement was executed with perfect bnce and minimal effort, showing force when needed and softness for rest. Amon''s swordy was hypnotising, and I dare say that no one else I''ve met could replicate such masterful work.


    On the contrary, the Grand Commander''s fists were forceful and intense, like a fiery brute that never knew defeat. The punches she threw weren''t calcted or precise... and they didn''t have to be.


    Just by extending her fists, the mountains would crumble, and the seas would divide. Such power wasn''t meant for regr humans, yet... the Grand Commanderpletely mastered her strength.


    Both of them were impressive, whether it was Amon with his graceful swordy or the Grand Commander, who met Amon''s sharp de with her bare fists. They orchestrated a spellbinding disy of the peak of physical powers I could watch endlessly.


    And the more I observed, the more shocked I became.


    They weren''t purelypeting on their physical abilities! The Grand Commander had coated her entire body in a thin golden Aura so unnoticeable that I couldn''t see even if I squinted hard. The same went for Amon; Aura empowered his ck sword in a thin membrane that one could have easily mistaken for air.


    It was absurd!


    The Aura I used was far wilder and unrestrained. It would create an explosion of light around me and utilise all the mana I had stored within my body. However, the Aura the Grand Commander and Amon used showed no signs of mana leakage. It was calcted and restrained, making it far deadlier than the Aura I would use.


    For the Grand Commander, who had an iprehensible amount of mana and such a dominating presence, it was shocking to see how much she could keep it all under control¡ªas for Amon, seeing his simplistic swordy flow so elegantly was outstanding.


    The two of them were using the same abilities that I had. Yet, our mastery was on different dimensions.


    Once again, I was blown away by the otherworldly duel before my eyes.


    But little did I know... That the absurdity was only just beginning.

 Chapter 70: Synchronisation (3)

    <h4>Chapter 70: Synchronisation (3)</h4>


    Amon and Carmen''s duel started light. Neither of them used their all as they were gauging each other with each strike. That was more true for Carmen. As a super-inheritor, one punch from her dragon-blessed body was enough to cripple even the toughest of Knights. Hence, she was careful to hold her punches, afraid that one mishap would send her precious heir straight to the hospital.


    However, it quickly became apparent that such prudence was unnecessary.


    The eighteen-year-old showed staggering poise, withstanding and deflecting all of Carmen''s punches as if he were sparring with a peer. Not to mention, his facial expressions hardly changed even after shing dozens of times. Which implied he was still holding back some of his strength.


    That calmness turned a switch in Carmen''s mind, and her clenched fists tightened.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    ''This brat! How much more can he surprise me?!''


    The Grand Commander of the ck Order couldn''t hold back her excitement. She had never seen such a talent, and neither could she fathom Amon''s existence. Granted, Carmen didn''t use the full extent of her abilities; for a True Knight with merely Three Suns condensed to exchange blows with her was beyondprehension.


    ''His mana control and swordy improved yet again! Rotten brat, are you the reincarnation of a martial God?''


    Carmen didn''t know that her wild conjecture wasn''t too far from the truth. Regardless, now that she could roughly gauge Amon''s capabilities, she was ready to up the ante. Conjuring a fireball to cover her fist, the Grand Commander raised the temperature of thebat arena. Sweat began pouring like rain, and Amon and Leon had to cover their eyes at the ring light.


    Rather than a fireball, Carmen created a Sun and stored it in her fist. It wasn''t a Sris Mystic Art, and neither was it magic... It was just pure Sr mana condensed into a single sphere.


    ''... she''s lost her mind.''


    Amon instantly assumed the worst. While he had more than enough power to withstand and even dismiss that attack, the rest of the world only knew him as a Three Sun True Knight. He must reveal the rest of his cards if he wished to take on Carmen''s strike. But fortunately, he had an alternative.


    Twirling Nyx like it was weightless, he decided to trust his partner. Amon mustered up the strength to reveal Nyx''s unique abilities by fully pushing three Suns'' worth of Sr mana into the ck katana. Almost instantly, a heavy pressure weighed down on Carmen''s shoulders. Not enough to lower her fist, but enough to make her raise an eyebrow.


    Transcendent''s Authority was evoked.


    As a Heroic-grade de that crossed dimensions, Nyx was an artefact with few peers. Soulbound to Amon alone, just by having the sword in his hands, was enough to intimidate weaker minds. And when he so desired, he could use the memory of the Fable he created that was etched deeply into the godlike de.


    The authority to dominate.


    Based on the amount of mana Amon channelled into his sword, he could force those weaker than him to surrender without a fight and beg for his leniency. But for stronger enemies like Carmen, while it may not be able to bring her to her knees, but it would at least give her constant difort.


    "Interesting... You''ve already assimted well with your sword."


    "..."


    Amon didn''t bother answering. He couldn''t tell her that Nyx would never reject his touch, and their assimtion rate was nearing a hundred percent.


    "But that''s not enough!"


    Carmen roared and flew over at breakneck speed. It was so fast that even Amon could barely follow her movements. Instinctively, he swung Nyx in an attempt to stop Carmen''s charge. The ck katana met the Grand Commander''s fists in an epic explosion that sent shockwaves strong enough to split the clouds. Wind currents gushed into an updraft and knocked Leon off his feet. The only reason why he wasn''t sent to the heavens was because Ascalon was lodged firmly into the ground, giving him enough weight and bnce to withstand the st.


    Leon had to take a few seconds to wipe the dust from his eyes. And when he recovered, all he could see was a broken tform with crumbling rock. The aftershock was still sending billowing winds, and at the centre of it all was a tall youth whose top had been badly tattered and burnt.


    Amon''s upper body was unveiled for the world to see, with only a sleeve and bits of his shoulder pads remaining. His physique was carved out of marble, and his abdomen showed a well-defined, symmetrical eight-pack. This was all to support his broad chest and well-developed shoulders.


    Athletic would be a poor word to describe such a perfectly trained body. There wasn''t a single wasted muscle, and all excess fat had been trimmed off long ago. It was a physique of legends, and even Leon had difficulty believing his eyes.


    But it wasn''t just the obscene body frame that caught Leon by surprise.


    After withstanding a forceful punch from the Seven Sun Carmen, there wasn''t a single injury on Amon''s body. Let alone injury, there wasn''t a scratch or abrasion... not even a mark.


    "Phew, I knew you were chiselled, but you''ve trained even further! Is it because of your little wife?"


    "... Commander, what''s the meaning of this?"


    Amon ignored Carmen''s taunts and cut straight to the point. While he could begrudingly ept a sparring session with a Knight of Carmen''s calibre, using high-level techniques like the punch she threw was clearly crossing a line. If Yval hadn''t blessed him, Amon would have been hospitalised by that single attack.


    "Oh, don''t be a crybaby!" Carmen scoffed andughed off his protest. "I know you''re much more capable than that."


    "... before we continue, I want to ask... what''s your goal?"


    "My goal? Haha, you can''t guess it by now?"


    Carmen cracked her fists and bared her fangs. "You''ve summoned a new sword, so you must synchronise with it. And what better way to synchronise with a weapon... than to use it in battle?"


    "..."


    "What fun would it be if we only used martial arts and Aura? As Sris, we should fight the Sris way."


    The Grand Commander took one step forward and summoned four Suns. However, even with just four Suns, it was enough to melt the ground and send pulsating waves flying throughout the arena, causing anyone weaker than her to experience a throbbing pain engulfing everything.


    Amon''s face visibly tightened, and his golden eyes now stared at the draconic woman, wary not to let her out of his sight.


    "Don''t worry! I''ll limit myself to the same amount of ''Suns'' you have! So don''t hesitate and throw your ''everything'' at me. I promise no one else is here to spy on us."


    "..."


    Carmen''s words hinted that she knew Amon''s hidden strength well. However, judging from how she only summoned four Suns instead of Six, she seemed under the same misunderstanding as Alrock. But at the same time, it appeared that she was also aware of Amon''s extraordinary mastery of the Sris Mystic Arts.


    s, it was a bait that Amon had to bite.


    "Leon... I hate to act as your master now, but... This is my first order to you."


    Before answering Carmen, Amon shouted to Leon, who was still ckjawed at the sparring duel. Almost instantly, Leon clicked his feet together and gave a firm salute. Without missing a beat, Amon barked his order:


    "Don''t tell anyone what you''re about to witness."


    "Y-yes, sir!"


    "... Grand Commander Carmen."


    "Hoh?"


    Bemused by the turn of events, Carmen couldn''t help but break into a wide grin. It was the first time since Amon called Carmen by her full title, and the connotations it brought sent shivers down the seasoned Sun Knight''s spine. All these years in the ck Order, Amon had never shown the true extent of his talent to her and the thought that she would be finally unveiling the mask behind the enigmatic troublemaker...


    "I will be giving my all... So please take care of the aftermath."


    It was all Amon needed to say. Four Suns orbited around the young man, enough to draw gasps from the two spectators. However, it was only the beginning.


    ''Well, I guess it works out... I''ve been using Nyx with my Lunar mana and have yet to test its limits with Sr mana. So...''


    Amon''s golden eyes sparkled with the dazzle of a shooting star. Mana surged from his inner core, and his mind focused on the Sris Mystic Arts that he had honed into his bones.


    Unaware of what wasing, Carmen could only watch Amon''s golden eyes ring at her like a falcon stalking its prey. Pointing Nyx at his boss, Amon cracked a thin smile before dering the familiar word Carmen had spouted to all her enemies.


    "Dawn."


    ???


    Four hourster.


    Carmen sat on herfy lounge chair, kicking her feet up while emptying a gourd of the world''s most aromatic wine. Staring out at the darkened sky with a rxed body, her mind wandered into the abyss, unaware that a foreign presence had entered her chambers.


    "Carmen? Carmen!"


    "Hmmm? Ah, Oswin. You''re here."


    It took a shout from her Vice-Commander to break Carmen from her daydream. Darting her eyes to the side, she gestured for herrade to take a seat, but she didn''t bother to get out of her chair. Still in between thoughts, she ignored the wizened gentleman as he made himselffortable.


    "It''s unlike you not to notice me..."


    Contrary to his alcoholic boss, Oswin preferred spicy tea. After pulling a swivel chair over, he sipped his freshly brewed tea and remarked: "Did the boy''s growth surprise you that much?"


    "..."


    The Grand Commander didn''t answer. Her golden eyes never once left the brilliance of the Moon, as if its beauty enamoured her. Oddly, she couldn''t take her eyes off the lonesome celestial body... as it reminded her of the young teen she''d just faced.


    "Oswin, you know... I''ve always thought I was born in the wrong generation."


    "Hmmm?"


    "My strength isn''t suited for an era of peace. Not to self-indulge myself, but I believe that given enough time, I would beat anyone. That monster on the throne, those bastards in white and gold, and even foreign adversaries. I believe I would defeat all of them."


    Carmen was forty-six this year and just hit her prime as a Sris Knight. Leading the ck Dragon Order, one of the most prestigious Knight Orders of the Sris House, at such a young age was a testament to her talent. Condensing Seven Suns in her forties was also a staggering aplishment, so much so that the entire Sris House eagerly hoped she could break the Eight Suns barrier that had eluded them for generations.


    "But I now realise... What a fool I was... There''s always a mountain higher."


    ''Amon... that boy... What did he do?!''


    Oswin was smiling on the outside, but internally, he was panicking. To make the arrogant Carmen Sris, the most talented and mighty Knight of his generation, admit defeat!


    "I''d thought I would be helping him synchronise with his sword... but as it turned out, he was helping me instead. I still have much to learn as a Sris Knight."


    "... much to learn?"


    "That brat, he mastered all nine Mystic Arts."


    CRACK!!!


    Oswin dropped his piping hot teacup and saucer on the floor, causing it to shatter into dozens of pieces. Yet, neither Carmen nor Oswin reacted. Carmen stared nkly out the window while her Vice-Commander froze on the spot with tea dripping down his fingers.


    There were nine publicly known Sris Mystic Arts, each with unique capabilities. Some specialised in offence, others in defence, and some were purely auxiliary.


    It wasmon for a Sris Knight to master one to three. A good one could learn up to four. An excellent one may master five to six. Masters such as Carmen and the other Grand Commanders would, at best, master seven or eight of the Sris Mystic Arts.


    But to master all nine?


    It was nigh impossible.


    Learning was one thing, but mastering a Sris Mystic Art took decades. It was like learning multiple subjects in school. Learning them at the base level was simple, but as the level increased, so did the difficulty. Eventually, Sris Knights would choose which Mystic Arts to specialise in, and that alone was an admirable feat.


    As for mastering all nine Sris Mystic Arts?


    That was only reserved for the best of each generation. Alrock was one exception, and his son, Lucas, was another. And now... there came another.


    "T-T-That''s... impossible... Isn''t he eighteen?"


    "..."


    No answer came. The silence in the Commander''s office was deafening, and it was only broken after Carmen heaved out a huge sigh. She raised her right fist over her face and watched it tremble, not by excitement or fear, but due to the injury, she''d sustained sparring against a mere True Knight less than half her age.


    Cracking into a smile, she said:


    "That''s why I''m d... d to be born in this era."

 Chapter 71: Synchronisation (4)

    <h4>Chapter 71: Synchronisation (4)</h4>


    Amon and Carmen''s battle left a deep impression on Leon.


    The Grand Commander''s immense mana pool was something out of this world. Rather than a human, it felt like she was a force of nature, a powerhouse that no mere mortal could contest. Going against her would be like running towards a typhoon. There was no way a human could win.


    And yet Amon Sris did the unthinkable.


    He charged straight at the hurricane with merely four Suns and emerged victorious. Well, the sparring session wasn''t official, and her restrictions limited Carmen. Neither officially ''won'' in a traditional sense, but the results were apparent even without a referee present.


    Amon''s disy of strength was enough to defeat the Grand Commander.


    The Sris Mystic Arts that Amon used were perfected in ways Leon thought impossible. His movements, strength and overall mastery put every instructor Leon had to shame.


    As Leon recollected the otherworldly battle he''d witnessed, only one thing was on his mind...


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    ''I can reach that level.''


    Carmen''s mana and Amon''s skills. Both were attainable for the young squire.


    Like Carmen, Leon possessed a unique physique. He could condense far more Suns than the Nine Sun Heart Mantra suggests and could equal, if not surpass, Carmen''s mana pool.


    At the same time, hisprehension ability wasn''t low either. After entering the Knight''s Academy, he''d learned the Sris Mystic Arts in record time. Not to mention, he now possessed Ascalon, the icon of the Sris House. Being Ascalon''s owner was enough to give him a further affinity for sr mana, and his mana umtion rate was much higher.


    Hence... Leon was determined.


    Leon sat meditatively in the middle of Aldrich''s Fields, silent as the night before him. Focusing solely on reconstructing the duel he''d just witnessed, the young Hero looked for any clues to improve his skills. Mana-wise, it wasn''t enough even though he had condensed his second Sun with two more miniature Suns orbiting them. Technique-wise, he knew hecked and sought to emte Amon''s skills.


    But s... He didn''t know where to start.


    Even after meditating for several hours, he felt stuck in the same ce, like he had not taken a step forward. Fortunately, his fate was about to turn.


    "Leon, it''s three in the morning. What are you still doing up?"


    Amon approached his squire with a sleepy yawn. After duelling with Carmen, he took a restful nap to recover from all his fatigue. Yet, even after the long rest, his muscles were still sore from crossing strikes with a Seven Sun Sris Knight, and he sought to do some post-workout stretches to relieve some pain, only to find Leon remaining entirely still in the arena.


    "Amon! You''re awake! Ah, I was just reflecting on your battle with the Grand Commander! It''s awe-inspiring!"


    "... Thanks."


    "The way you held your ground against an opponent far above your level... I was thinking if there''s a way I could emte that."


    "Hoh?"


    Leon''s words unknowingly broke Amon from his sleepy spell. All this time, he was pondering how he would begin teaching the future Hero and to guide him on an expedited path to greatness. And now, the perfect opportunity had fallen onto hisp.


    "So what do you think?"


    "... To be honest, there''s just so much I could improve on! Mana pool, control, martial arts,prehension, there are manycking parts in my arsenal that I''ve reached a personal problem."


    "Do tell."


    "Well..." Leon rubbed the back of his head with an embarrassed smile. "I''m not sure where to begin."


    "Oh."


    Amon recalled that in [Bright], the young Leon once faced this problem too. After summoning Ascalon, he was assigned to the Golden Dragon Order and was made a squire to a prominent and famous Sun Knight. That Sun Knight knew of Leon''s worries and patiently guided him whenever he wanted. That was the reason why Leon managed to grow exponentially after the Sword Bestowment Ceremony.


    However, in this timeline, Leon asked to be Amon''s squire. So, the task now fell to him.


    "Leon, would you like to listen to my advice?"


    "O-Of course!" The young teen''s blue eyes sparkled with joy as he heard Amon''s words. "Wait, aren''t you my master now? You have every right to lecture me!"


    "Ah, that''s right."


    Amon was still not used to their master-disciple rtionship. Nevertheless, it was the perfect excuse to give Leon a good guidance.


    "Then, let me tell you what I think you need to work on the most now."


    "Yes?"


    "The Nine Suns Heart Mantra."


    Truth be told, Amon wasn''t worried about Leon''s skills in the slightest. In the books, he was always a talented figure who could master every Sris Mystic Art and eventually surpass most high-level Knights in pure swordsmanship. The issue Leon had always struggled with in [Bright], has always been the core of his mana pool. And the reason for that was...


    "I saw that you''ve managed to evolve the Nine Suns Heart Mantra into something unique to you."


    "A-Ah, that..."


    "Don''t worry about secrecy. Grandpa Alrock told me all about it. You call it the Eighty-One Suns Heart Mantra, don''t you? And the reason why you''re able to do so, is because of your unique constitution."


    "A-Ah! S-So you''re aware of it!"


    Leon shifted his eyes like a kid who had been caught pranking. He knew it was a secret he couldn''t keep for long, but he still felt guilty for breaking his father''s cardinal rule.


    "I''m aware... I''m also aware that you possess dual nature affinities. Sr and Hydro?"


    "... as expected, you saw it during the Troll subjugation."


    The young teen had his suspicions, but this all but confirmed it. All of his secrets wereid bare for Amon to see. However, upon reflection, perhaps having Amon aware of his abilities was good. After all, how could Amon begin teaching him if he didn''t know all of Leon''s strengths and weaknesses?


    "Yes, I possess two affinity types. Because of my mother''s blessing, I have obtained Hydro mana. That''s why my eyes are blue instead of gold." Leon pointed at his pure cerulean pupils while brushing his golden hair up.


    "I see... Would you mind demonstrating a little?"


    "Sure!"


    Without hesitation, Leon channelled the Hydro mana within his body and created a sphere of water. He didn''t cast a spell and neither did he use any magical artefacts. It was just pure mana creating water, a feat few magicians could ever hope to aplish. And yet, Leon performed it as if it were second nature to him.


    "Your affinity with Hydro must be high then."


    "Yes, I get that a lot."


    "And do you use it when honing the Nine Suns Heart Mantra?"


    "... what?"


    The youth gave Amon a perplexed side eye, as if questioning whether he was talking sense. Needless to say, Amon wasn''t offended. Instead, he doubled down and asked:


    "When cultivating the Nine Suns Heart Mantra, do you use your Hydro mana?"


    "No... Is that even possible?"


    Leon''s question was in line with themon sense of Hyades. Theoretically, no two mana sources could exist in one body. Instead of supplementing each other, the two mana sources would collide whenever the user draws upon them, and the chaos within would crush the user''s body from the inside.


    And yet, Leon was a living specimen of someone who possessed dual mana sources.


    Lucas, Leon''s father, had warned him not to use his Hydro mana unless absolutely necessary. Possessing the dual mana sources was risky enough, but if he used them both at the same time... There was a high possibility that he would perish through an internal sh.


    Hence, when he returned to the Sris House, he focused on mastering Sr Mana and the Nine Suns Heart Mantra. Leonrgely ignored his Hydro mana, but he could tell that with each stage he crossed, his Hydro mana increased, too.


    "It is," Amon dered without hesitation. "In your case, it may be even helpful."


    "How so?"


    "Water counters fire and fire tames water. They are contradictions, yet they bnce each other out. If you manage to keep them under control, your power would increase tenfold."


    "Ha..."


    Raising his brows at Amon''s suggestion, Leon seriously contemted his words. The logic was sound, but the execution was easier said than done.


    "Why don''t you give it a go? Try using the Nine Suns Heart Mantra and circte your Hydro mana simultaneously. Don''t worry, I will watch you."


    "Okay..."


    While sceptical, Leon trusted Amon wholeheartedly. He had just witnessed a monster battle between the man and Carmen, so if there was anyone who knew how to grow stronger, it was Amon. Falling back into his lotus position, Leon closed his eyes and circted his mana. The Two Suns he created and the two miniature Suns that orbitted them appeared before him, burning brighter than they''d ever been.


    Sr mana radiated wildly, causing Ascalon to react, too. A golden light enveloped the meditating Leon, protecting and feeding him like a mother''s embrace.


    Watching it all unfold made Amon squint a little.


    ''Ascalon is a Sris treasure indeed. Just by meditating, Leon''s mana umtion rate has increased twofold.''


    As Leon''s synchronisation with Ascalon increases, eventually he would be able to use the full range of its capabilities. Supernatural healing, greater mana umtion, and even boosting hisprehension... They were all cheat codes that made Leon the strongest Knight in the world.


    But right now, he was still at the starting line.


    While Ascalon gave Leon a golden string of energy, the youngster attempted to tame the floating Suns with a blue river stream that emerged from his inner core. However, before he could even touch the Suns, his control wavered, and everything exploded into pure light.


    Falling to his back, Leon was sweating as if he had been in a typhoon. His muscles convulsing and heart palpitating. Fear overwhelmed him as he felt like he had escaped death by a hair''s breadth.


    "I-Impossible... It''s impossible, Amon. If I didn''t stop it in time, my body would have exploded."


    "Hmmmm, what makes you think that? From what I observed, you were perfectly fine."


    "Huh? What?"


    Leon could hardly believe his ears. He had just escaped Hell''s Gates, yet Amon told him somethingpletely different.


    "If you didn''t hesitate, you would have merged your two mana sources. And even if you experience a bacsh, you won''t perish. So why did you stop?"


    Amon was genuinely baffled. Merging two mana sources was difficult, but everything was hard in the beginning. Learning a bicycle was much the same way. The best way to learn it, was to ride it repeatedly, getting up when they fall. If Leon were willing to take the plunge and fail, he would be able to learn much faster.


    "What do you mean? If I experience a bacsh... won''t I die?"


    "Hmmm, why would you?"


    "Huh?"


    As the pair stared nkly at each other, they realised what their disconnect was. Amon folded his arms and replied: "Leon, your body is that of a Sris. What makes you think you would die if you mixed mana?"


    "... how would you know that?"


    For the first time, Leon bared his fangs at Amon. As someone who didn''t have dual mana sources, how could Amon realise the difficulty of what he was asking Leon to do? A seed of resentment was sowed as Leon watched Amon nonchntly while asking him to do the impossible. s...


    "Hmmm, well. Since I know one of your secrets, it''s only fair that you know one of mine."


    Nodding affirmedly, it didn''t even take half a second for Amon to decide. Confused, Leon watched with a raised eyebrow as Amon raised his right hand and channelled a foreign power from the depths of his soul.


    A silver light ascended, eclipsing the dominating Sr mana that remained in the arena. It congregated into a luminous white sphere that copied the celestial body that towered over the night. As he watched the transcendent ball congregate in Amon''s palm, Leon couldn''t help but drop his jaw.


    "A-Amon, you..."


    "Yes, just like you. I''m a dual mana source user."


    Holding a Moon, Amon casually revealed his secret card to Leon, instantly shattering his earlier bias. With a flick of his wrist, he created a Sun using his Sr mana. And the cherry on top of it all...


    Dissipating the Moon into Lunar mana and the Sun into Sr mana, Amon mixed the two to create a staggering union that sent a pulsating shockwave throughout the arena. All the while, he treated it like a walk in the park.


    "Merging the two sources is easy... And if I can do it, you can do it too."


    Releasing his mana, Amon pped his hands on his pants and dusted them off. Amon wished for this disy to motivate Leon to imagine the possibilities for dual mana. He hoped that by unveiling his secret, Leon would realise the path forward and emte Amon''s sess.


    But s...


    ''Huh? Why is he so quiet?''


    Amon''s n... may have backfired.

 Chapter 72: To Mistwood! (1)

    <h4>Chapter 72: To Mistwood! (1)</h4>


    "W-Wait, you had dual mana affinities, too? H-How is that possible?" Leon could hardly contain his trepidation as he stuttered out loud.


    Amon was already a prodigy who stood at the top of his generation. Heck, he could even contest against monsters from generations above him. And yet, he still had such a valuable trump card hidden?


    "Well, everyone has their secrets."


    The ck-haired transmigrator intended to reveal some of his secrets to Leon, not all of them. While Yue had taken the fact that she was a character in a book he''d read well, no one could guarantee that the rest would feel the same way. If anything, they might feel helpless to stop the uing cmities and mess up the timeline even further.


    Hence, Amon would withhold his secrets for now... at least until he deemed them ready.


    "Dual mana affinities are rare, but they do exist. Mixing them is also possible; I am a living example."


    "... you''re right."


    As much as Leon was stunned, his rational mind quickly calmed him down. Upon a cursory reflection, Leon realised one critical fact.


    ''Wait... Isn''t this just perfect for me?''


    The blonde-haired youth didn''t know anyone with dual mana affinities, let alone a high-level Knight who mastered its path. Yet, such an individual was now his master. There was practically no one else more suited to be Leon''s master.


    "So, trust your body. No, from the beginning, you should have thrown away the usual conventions you had about the human body."


    "What do you mean?"


    "Holy Church Pdins trained you. While they are undoubtedly strong, they don''t possess Sris physiques. So you''re unaware of how much pain and suffering your body can withstand."


    It didn''t take much for Amon to understand where Leon''s mental block came from. While he was born with Sris'' blood, he wasn''t raised in the mighty household. He hadn''t been around the monsters of Sris, and hismon sense was still skewed towards that of ordinary humans.


    s, his body was far from human.


    The Sris Bloodline blessed all descendants with superhuman bodies, far more durable and robust than any other living creature. Geared towards the battle, only the Dragons had superior bodies, making Sris Knights the ultimatebat machine.


    And Leon had the potential to be the most incredible Sris Knight of all time. There was no way he couldn''t withstand using dual mana. After all, the method of mixing two mana sources that Amon used in his training... was invented by Leon from [Bright].


    "Throw away all your misconception of the human body''s limits cause our limits are much higher than you can imagine."


    "I see..."


    "Fortunately, we have three weeks in Aldrich''s Fields. I will teach you how to utilise your dual mana within this time."


    "Y-Yes!"


    ???


    Amon began Leon''s training in earnest. As someone who had read the book and masteredbining two mana sources, the ck-haired transmigrator knew precisely what to focus his attention on. Leon''s weakness was hisck of imagination and faith in his body, and hence, Amon drilled the young squire using the best methods he knew.


    First, he forced Leon to train without mana to fully experience what it was like to use a Dragon-blessed body. The physical training that Amon put Leon through could have been ssified as torture. Running endlessly in artificial gravity that was ten times stronger than usual. Weight training in extreme elements such as subzero cold and boilingva. Even drills that forced Leon through actual physical torture, drinking poison and piercing needles into his body.


    All of it was to break Leon''s conventions on what a regr human body was like.


    Amon moved into the next training phase as the Sris squire epted his fate.


    Mana control.


    Constantly rotating the dual mana sources within his body, Amon guided Leon with the patience and kindness of a seasoned tutor. He ensured Leon was never straying from the right path and that mana bacsh or corruption was impossible. Each time Leon felt his body going astray, Amon calmed him down and demonstrated how to wield two mana sources simultaneously.


    Slowly but surely, Leon''s mana control was improving drastically. In the beginning, he was fearful of using them both at the same time, fearing that hisck of control would cause his body to implode. But as time passed, Leon began to gain confidence in himself.


    It wasn''t long until Leon reached the next stage of his practice at a rate that even astonished Amon.


    He was now learning to use his Hydro mana to supplement his Eighty-one Suns Heart Mantra, rapidly increasing hisprehension and utilising the Sris signature technique.


    Seated calmly in the centre of the arena, Leon closed his eyes as he channelled his inner power. Sr mana formed two ever-glowing Suns with two other satellite Suns orbiting them. Alone, they released a transcendent light that would force any regr human to go breathless. As more mana was fed to the Suns, miniature explosions would ur on the surface of the celestial bodies, making it look too unstable to be stored within a human''s body.


    However, a gentle river emerged from Leon''s inner core before they could do anysting damage. Like coiling dragons, they struck at the vtile Suns, instantly calming them down.


    This cycle repeated itself hundreds of times throughout Leon''s silent meditation, making his body more robust. Leon''splexion became rosier as a direct consequence of his mana flow improving.


    When he opened his eyes, a wave of ecstasy rushed into Leon''s mind. Raising both his arms, he could hardly believe the heights he''d achieved in just a mere three weeks.


    ''Impossible, I can merge two mana sources of different affinities...''


    Leon had just done something deemed impossible by the rest of the world. Possessing two mana sources was one thing, but merging them to create a perfect union was utterly unheard of. Many researchers said it was theoretically impossible as the risk of imploding was too high. And yet, Leon had achieved it.


    ''And it''s all because of him...''


    The young squire stared straight ahead where a young man no older than himself stood. Absent-minded, he wasn''t focusing on Leon''s self-practice but gazing into the distance. Dressed in a casual exercise uniform, his demeanour wasn''t remarkable. At first nce, no one would have equated the young man with a seasoned master who could train the impossible.


    But Leon didn''t feel the same.


    To him, Amon appeared to be a sanctified saint, a holy figure that couldn''t be described with just mere words alone.


    Besides his father and first teacher, Sir Arthur Pagiel, Leon respected Amon the most. Even at a tender age, his expertise and wisdom surpassed most other figures he trained with. Leon even suspected that Amon''s knowledge beat any instructor in the Knight''s Academy or even some of the other trainers he''d met in the Sris House.


    It was utterly absurd.


    Feeling a piercing gaze on his face, Amon finally broke from his concentration and returned Leon''s attention. The sides of his lips curled ever so slightly upwards as he remarked:


    "Congrattions, you''ve achieved it."


    "T-Thanks! It''s insane; I didn''t believe my mana could flow this perfectly before..."


    "It''s natural. You''ve been living your entire life unaware of how to utilise the two mana sources in your body. Slowly, you''ll get ustomed to it and cultivation with your Eighty-One Suns Heart Mantra will improve."


    Amon reassured his squire without even a moment''s doubt.


    In [Bright], Leon only managed to control his two mana sources muchter in the story. Allowing the Protagonist to gain an edge ahead of schedule was a great help if they wished to beat future Cmities with as few casualties as possible. So, Amon was more than happy to spend his precious time guiding Leon.


    "Now that your mana control has improved, it''s time to train your physical body."


    "... Training again?"


    Leon flinched at the casual sentence thrown out by Amon. For others, it may have been a dreaded activity that drained their stamina, but Leon knew clearly that Amon''s physical training was on another dimension. It was borderline torture.


    "Of course, the basic tenant of a Knight is to have a strong body. No matter how blessed your physique is, all your mana training will be for nothing if you don''t actively hone it. Especially for you, since you''re attempting to condense Eighty-One Suns, the bowl needed to house all that mana must be powerful."


    "... I understand."


    Hearing Amon''s words of wisdom was enough to pour cold water onto the earnest youngd. Although he understood the logic, understanding and epting his reality were different.


    "Hah... It''s a shame, though."


    "Shame? What is?"


    "It''s almost time to leave."


    "O-Oh, right! Your confinement period is almost over!"


    A ray of hope blessed Leon momentarily as he recalled the main reason why they were here in the first ce. Amon''s punishment for eloping with Yue and going AWOL was a one-month confinement. Initially, he was supposed to clean Twilight Keep multiple times, but Grand Commander Carmen quickly used that opportunity to give him some training time.


    Over the three weeks she booked Aldrich''s Keep, Carmen woulde an hour daily under the excuse of ''punishing'' Amon. However, her true intentions were to assist with the young prospect''s synchronisation with Nyx.


    The hour was wholly spent on a sparring session that destroyed most of thebat arena, to the point that the cleanersined about their added workload. Nevertheless, Carmen''s insistence on training Amon herself had given them significant benefits.


    Amon was getting used to using Sr Mana with Nyx, while Carmen happily sharpened the Sris Mystic Arts she was unfamiliar with.


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    And they weren''t the only ones benefitting. Leon would watch each sparring session earnestly, eager to soak in every epic sh. He could learn countless things just by watching, and his understanding of how the Sris Mystic Arts deepened with every session.


    But s, it was about toe to an end soon.


    "Well... There''s that..."


    "Hmmm? Aren''t you happy that your punishment is over? Why the long face?"


    "..."


    Amon didn''t answer and stood silently with furrowed brows. He looked away from Leon and stared into the distance as if waiting for something to happen. And just as he did that...


    Rumble...


    "Huh?"


    A tremor rocked thebat arena. Not enough to cause significant damage, but enough to cause dust to fall off the ceilings. The subtle vibrations brought momentary tension to Amon and Leon, but a palpable sense of relief returned to their faces as it faded away.


    "An earthquake? Doesn''t seem to be anything serious."


    "..."


    Amon didn''t answer Leon''s statement. He simply stared towards the North with an added vigour.


    ''The Blood Demon will be awakened through this earthquake... Looks like it''s time to go to Mistwood.''

 Chapter 73: To Mistwood! (2)

    <h4>Chapter 73: To Mistwood! (2)</h4>


    The Earthquake of the Century.


    That''s what the press had dubbed the recent seismic event. The Sris House in Solfea only experienced a slight aftershock, and nosting damage to their territory existed. However, those at the epicentre of the earthquake weren''t that lucky.


    Broken into andscape of haunting silence, the wails of children and emergency sirens reced the usual hustle and bustle of popted towns. Buildings that once stood for centuries had been reduced to crumbled heaps of concrete and shattered ss, exposing what little was left of their once sturdy foundations.


    Chaos was thew of thend, andndslides were routine as the natural disaster weakened soil and rock. Thousands of lives were lost upon the first impact, and the economic damage was incalcble. But as waves of disaster struck, it quickly became apparent that this earthquake would be the biggest event of this century.


    Calls by Zephys, the Capital of the Hyades Republic, to send aid were received with great buzz, as every significant organisation worth its salt was eager to help. The Sris House was no exception. They were enough economic aid to rebuild at least five towns¡ªknights to assist in rescue missions and even free lodgings to refugees who sought help.


    As for Amon...


    "You want to join a rescue squad?"


    Amon stood with his arms behind his back, facing the Grand Commander of the ck Dragon Order. Lifting his chin, he confidently stared straight at his superior as if he wouldn''t take no for an answer.


    "Yes."


    "Hoh? Did my reformation punishment change your heart for the better? If I recall correctly, this is the first time you''ve requested to do charity."


    "..."


    The young Knight didn''t feel a need to answer his superior''s teasing tone. Instead, he stood silently while waiting for a response to his request. Realising that Amon was serious, Carmen groaned with a reply:


    "Unfortunately, the ck Dragon Order wasn''t dispatched for any relief response. The Green, Grey and Brown Orders are sufficient enough."


    Like any other country''s military, the Sris Knight Orders were segregated based on their specialisations. For disaster relief, the manpower of the Green Order, the aerial support of the Grey Order and the scouting abilities of the Brown Order were more than enough.


    The ck Dragon Order specialised in threat eradication and underground work, so providing aid was outside its scope of work. s, Amon wasn''t going to take no for an answer.


    "I''ve heard that in times of distress, individual Knights can take time off their duties to volunteer their time and support. If dispatch is impossible, please grant my leave."


    "Hoh... You''ve done your research..."


    Carmen was frozen, her eyes wide and lips parted in a gasp. This was the first time she''d seen Amon so passionate about work. If it were any other subordinate, she would have been touched and would immediately stamp the approval for their administrative leave. Unfortunately, this was Amon Sris, the ck Order''s resident troublemaker.


    "You''re hiding something from me, aren''t you? Does this concern your secretive rendezvous with the Elune girl?"


    "..."


    "Don''t be so surprised. I''m the Grand Commander of the ck Order. Information gathering is my bread and butter. Your frequency of eloping was suspicious, so I had your activities investigated." Carmen casually revealed the fact that she''d ced a subordinate under investigation.


    "I know that your escapades aren''t all fun and games. You''ve been doing some Demon hunting and intelligence gathering of your own. And to that end, I mustmend you. Echelon, was it? We got nothing, no matter how much we tried to pierce through that veil."


    Bit by bit, Carmen was unravelling the secrets that Amon and Yue sought so desperately to hide. Cold sweat broke out from Amon''s back as fear enveloped his mind. As expected of the Sris House''s head ck ops director, hardly anyone on the could match her intelligence-gathering abilities.


    "Hoh... So you can show that kind of emotion too, huh?"


    Carmen narrowed her eyes into slits as she observed Amon''s reaction. Stunned beyond words, he was frozen in ce like a deer caught in headlights.


    "It doesn''t matter. Your confinement period is over anyway, so giving you some fresh air would be good. I will indulge in your stubbornness this time, but I hope to hear a DETAILED report when you return, okay?"


    "... understood."


    Knowing there was no point in arguing, Amon sighed heavily before pivoting his heels backwards in retreat. However, before he could get one foot out the door, Carmen''s authoritative voice beckoned:


    "Ah, are you thinking of bringing that Ascalon brat?"


    "Yes, that is my intention," Amon nced back with wariness. Leon''s participation in the Blood Demon hunt was pivotal in his growth. Furthermore, Amon wasn''t sure if he could defeat the Blood Demon without the Holy de at this juncture. Hence, Leon must follow him no matter what.


    "What''s the matter?"


    "I see... I wish you good luck then."


    Fortunately, Carmen wasn''t interested in giving the young man a lecture. She simply reached for her favourite wine gourd and chugged a mouthful without concern. Seeing that her business with him was done, Amon gave the Grand Commander a fearful bow before retreating.


    Only when Amon had entirely disappeared from her tower did Carmen let out a derisive snort.


    "What an adorable brat. He doesn''t even know the position he''s in..."


    Carmenughed to herself and pulled out a sealed letter with the Patriarch''s signature from her drawer. Although she''d already known its contents, Carmen still cut it open and gave it a cursory read.


    "That old monster is considering attaching a Pir Knight as his protector? How useless!"


    A ball of fire appeared in Carmen''s hand, igniting the letter into ashes. She scoffed as she recalled herst training session with the boy and the heights he''d ascended to with his newly summoned weapon.


    "Though, I am curious to see what he''s nning..."


    A sly smile appeared on the Grand Commander''s lips as she thought of a new way to mess with her precious, yful subordinate.


    ???


    "Amon! I missed you!!!"


    With Amon''s confinement to Twilight Keep finally over, he was allowed to return home. And the first person that greeted him wasn''t his overly concerned mother or his lovable younger sister. But the pesky girl who called herself his fianc¨¦e.


    With her striking white hair cascading around her shoulders like a shimmering veil, Yue sprung into Amon''s embrace like a lost puppy. Her vivid ruby-like eyes were gleaming with a yearning that could only be present from a grieving widow that could be misconstrued as unsettling.


    Licking her lips, Yue buried her face into Amon''s arms and rubbed against his broad, burly chest. Amon''s heavy musk enveloped her fragrance as her fingers lingered upon the young man''s shoulders. Even though she was a magician, her grip would give most Knights a run for their money.


    "Hey, get off me."


    Annoyed by her desperate fervour, Amon attempted to peel the youngss off him. Unfortunately, her embrace was tighter than an elephant''s hug, making it impossible for Amon to remove Yue without hurting her. Hence, he epted his fate and blurted out his thoughts: "Didn''t you return to Eshon? Why are you still here?"


    "I was counting down the days, of course!" Yue dered proudly. Rumours of Amon''s punishment had spread far and wide, so it didn''t take an expert to figure out when he would be released.


    "That old hag... I didn''t expect her to ground you for a full month. She will be a problem in the future when we elope again."


    "... we shouldn''t elope in the first ce."


    Amon briefly scolded the beauty in his arms, though he didn''t go overboard. Sighing briefly, he continued: "It seems like they are on to us. The Grand Commander even mentioned Echelon."


    "T-That''s... surprising... But, I guess we did well to hide it from them till now."


    It was only a matter of time before all of Amon and Yue''s underground activities woulde to light. Still, Carmen''s ability to figure it out this early dide as a shock to the duo.


    "Fortunately, it seems that Bane is doing his job. She only knows of its name, not our activities."


    "That''s a relief," Yue asserted. Carmen Sris would rank amongst the top of all the people she was wary of in the world. Her instinct, superhuman abilities and intelligence were one to be feared. It was fortunate that she was on the side of humans. Otherwise, the ck Order''s Grand Commander would be a formidable enemy to defeat.


    And... Yue was wary of her for another reason.


    "It seems like she''s aiming for you... Do you think she likes younger men?"


    "... Stop fooling around."


    "I''m not! Don''t you think she''s showing you too much favour? From personally training you to making you report directly to her. She''d even confined you for a month!!!"


    "Hah... Stop your bullshit."


    As Yue''s mind became preupied with suspicion of an old hen taking a shot at her future husband, her grip weakened, allowing Amon to pry the young woman off him. Walking away to drop his luggage, Amon gradually removed his jacket and vest, changing into something morefortable. While settling down, he asked Yue what he was most curious about.


    "How''s the situation in Mistwood? Have you found traces of the Blood Demon?"


    "No," Yue shook her head sadly. "As you know, the Blood Demon needs a trigger to awaken. The earthquake has destroyed its seal, but it still needs a host to awaken fully. It may not even appear in this timeline if no one discovers its resting ce."


    The duo had long anticipated the Blood Demon''s appearance. They''d sent a select few trusted operatives to scout the area as well as guide innocent civilians away from the crime scene. s, Mistwood was huge, and they had no idea where the Blood Demon''s resting spot was. There was only so much they could do covertly with their limited resources.


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    "..."


    Amon remained quiet, but his mind was throbbing with an unknown anticipation. On the one hand, if the Blood Demon didn''t appear, it was a good thing. It meant that thousands, if not tens of thousands of lives would have been saved. But, if that monster appeared...


    He could end it once and for all.


    "Let''s hope for the best then."

 Chapter 74: To Mistwood! (3)

    <h4>Chapter 74: To Mistwood! (3)</h4>


    Mistwood. A storied forest with over a thousand years of history. In the morning, the dense thickets would be shrouded in ashen mist, blinding even the best scouts Hyades had to offer. Tendrils of fog were woven throughout the ancient trees, softening the outlines of their gnarled trunks, evoking the imaginations of children and adults alike.


    Countless fables about mystical beings living within Mistwood have been passed down for generations, giving it an even more dreamlike ambience for adrenaline seekers. But people weren''t just drawn to the tranquil woods just for stories.


    Many settlers founded their viges on the outskirts of the foggy woonds due to abundant natural resources. Pharmacists regrly foraged for mushrooms, ferns, and wildflowers in the nutrient-rich environment, which was a hotbed for the best healing pills on the market. Food was always in abundance, too, with vigers hunting deer that would feed them for weeks on end.


    It was a mini-utopia, a haven for those weary of city life and wished to live silently.


    But s, this sanctuary was now ravaged beyond repair.


    The Earthquake of the Century.


    Caught in the epicentre of the fissures, Mistwood was the most affected. What was once a vibrant tapestry of green and verdant lustre remained broken from the massive seismic event. Century-old trees were uprooted and sprawled out on the mossy ground, their roots exposed like skeletal fingers wing at the earth.


    Broken branches and scattered debris were ever present, the underbrush ttened by constant aftershocks that could rock a nation. What was once a robust ecosystem had fallen hauntingly silent. Birdsong had all but disappeared, and the groans of wounded animals could be heard as whispers.


    One would be hard-pressed to find an area without cracks or broken rocks, as the gentle streams had be temporary depressed waterfalls. Rays of sunlight draped down from the canopies, asionally reminding anyone who passes of nature''s brutality.


    Wildflowers that once bloomed with the brightest of colours had been soiled by mud and dirt. Carcasses could be seen throughout the sprawling hellscape with maggots tunnelling all over. It was a chilling scene that no human would willingly jump into, yet... a gaunt man in his thirties did the unthinkable.


    Braving danger, he fearlessly plunged himself into the vtilendscape with nothing more than a hiking pole. Expertly navigating through the dense foliage, he moved from rock to rock with clumsy caution. asionally, he would trip over himself and fall into a narrow crevice. But that didn''t pour cold water on his determination. Even with a scrawny and weak build, he pulled himself up through sheer willpower alone and continued the treacherous journey.


    The man wasmonly known to the vigers of Mistwood as Emery.


    A pharmacist born and raised in Mistwood his entire life, Emery was known to many as a kind and selfless soul. Half his time was spent creating medicine for his patients, a craft to which he dedicated most of his life. Even at his tender age, he was considered one of the best pharmacists in Mistwood, and innumerable physicians relied on his concoctions to treat their patients.


    But that was just half of Emery''s expertise.


    The pharmacist''s true passion was foraging the abundant natural resources of Mistwood, obtaining as many treasured ingredients as possible. From an early age, Emery had shown a talent in foraging. Able to identify a thousand different mushrooms, herbs and flowers from memory.


    There weren''t many people in Mistwood who knew the area like Emery. A master who had a map of the forest in his mind. He''d traversed the mossy grounds thousands of times, and could navigate his way back even with his eyes closed.


    Yet...


    "It''s a mess..."


    Emery gasped as he nkly stared at the broken path before him. Fissures had created crevices metres deep, and fallen trees made the usual routes indiscernible. Even the path he walked into this deep road showed cracks from the weakened rock. It was hard to believe that just a few days back, Mistwood was a thriving ecosystem with an abundance of sonorous chaos.


    Now, the woods emitted an eerie silence.


    "All of the medicinal herbs have been ruined too..."


    Emery knelt on the ground and picked up a drenched weed. It was meant to be a thriving vine with over a dozen precious flowers that could make hundreds of medicinal pills. But now, it was just a useless, rotting nt.


    "I was barely able to salvage some herbs... At this rate, can I save those injured?"


    The pharmacist opened his haversack and counted what little herbs he had foraged. Most of them had ck spots and were hours away from rotting. And those were the good ones. Most of the precious herbs had been tarnished by the earthquake, either rotten beyond repair or disappearing into the innumerable crevices. It didn''t help that the usual streams had been broken up, making it impossible to find medicinal nts that had survived the natural disaster.


    "No, I have to... There''s only so much the Clerics of the Holy Church can do. They don''t have the expertise to cure all diseases..."


    While powerful healers, the Holy Church Clerics weren''t omnipotent. They could tend to broken bones and open wounds, but diseases spread through infections were a different story.


    Diseases require treatment with medication, something the Clerics do not specialise in. Perhaps the sanctified Saintess could do such a feat, but there was no way the Holy Church would send such an important figure to Mistwood.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "If only I could get the Mist-Bleeding Camellia! I can save all the infected!"


    Emery fantasised about obtaining the holy grail of medicinal herbs¡ªthe Mist-Bleeding Camellia, one of the rarest flowers in the world. It thrived in damp and dark ces such as forest caves, where diseases and bacteria thrived. Rather than rotting, it thrived in dastardly ces, creating a perfect serum that healed almost all infectious illnesses.


    And Mistwood is one of the few ces where it could grow.


    But even then, finding one was exceedingly rare. In his entire life, Emery had only seen the elusive flower twice. One on the open market and another when he stumbled upon a solitary cave.


    "I can make enough pills to cure them all with one petal! But, even if there were any... would they have survived the earthquake?"


    Emery said the part he feared the most out loud. Finding a Mist-Bleeding Camellia was rare enough, but to find one that survived the earthquake? That was close to impossible.


    After pouring cold water on his fantasy, Emery focused on the achievable goals: obtaining as many good ingredients as were left in Mistwood as possible to concoct as much medicine as possible. nting his trekking pole deep into the ground, he continued moving deeper into the forest.


    Hours passed by, and Emery''s haul didn''t grow much bigger. He''d salvaged a dozen more herbs, but they were partially destroyed or moments away from decaying. Feeling despondent, the pharmacist frowned as he gazed at the dimming light from the canopy.


    "I should head back now... There''s no point camping here if all I get are scraps."


    Emery made the wise decision to return for now. Even though he was familiar with the routes and had navigated the forest multiple times, all the paths had been destroyed beyond recognition. If Emery got lost, even his abundance of experience in the woods would prove useless.


    And hence, he decided to make the tiring trek back to his vige, where hundreds of his friends and family eagerly anticipated his return.


    "I hope they won''t be too disappointed."


    However, before Emery could take one foot off the ground, he felt the earth give way. An aftershock cracked the ground, unveiling a hidden ancient crevice hundreds of metres deep. The shaking grew more powerful as a massive fissure appeared underfoot. Unable to steady his bnce, the pharmacist slipped through the cracks and tumbled down the dark chasm.


    Time stretched as each tumble disoriented the pharmacist. Arms iling about, Emery felt his mind blotter and body tighten. Stinging pain was present throughout, and it took everything Emery had to stay awake. He wasn''t physically strong in the first ce, so the tumble down was particrly dangerous for him. Emery could only count his lucky stars, and it wasn''t a fully vertical drop-down, but he could still roll through the nted crevice.


    Emery had already lost much of his consciousness by the time he stopped. A thunderous thud jolted the dazed man awake as a massive gasp of air left Emery''s body. Laying alone and silent, Emery took a few long minutes topose and reorient himself slowly.


    The silence in the abandoned cave was chilling, as there wasn''t a single animal sound to be heard. The distant, faint drip of water and the sound of rocks ttering downwards... were the only sounds that gave Emery something to focus on in these abyssal depths.


    "... am I alive?"


    When his consciousness returned, Emery muttered an agonising question. s, there was no one here to answer him. Twisting his neck, the pharmacist flickered his eyelids and solemnly observed his situation.


    "I... I fell..."


    Gradually, his reasoning came back. Able to deduce what happened, Emery whispered to himself and tried to make sense of his surroundings. And, more importantly, his physical state.


    "Shit... It hurts everywhere..."


    As someone adept in medical culture, he could diagnose his bodily conditions. Fortunately, there were no life-threatening injuries, at least not on the outside. He likely had tremendous internal bleeding, and his two legs weren''t responding in the slightest. Half his body was numb, and his blood was pumping on pure adrenaline alone.


    "My arms! I can move my arms!"


    It was indicative of Emery''s condition that he was celebrating the simple fact that he could use his arms.


    Pushing his body up, the pharmacist sat on the cold, damp cavern floor and observed his surroundings. Fortunately, light was stilling from the open crevice, giving the man a glimpse of the ancient cave''s interior. The first thing he did was look at the wall he fell from.


    Barren and cold, there was nothing of note¡ªRocky walls with dripping water from the outside world. It was an unimpressive location that no one would even think to make into a shelter.


    "Fortunately, the slope I fell from isn''t too steep... If I recover a little, perhaps I could climb back up."


    An optimistic view of his return path. Still dazed, Emery briefly forgot he had lost all feeling in his legs as he contemted his return. But as he turned his head to the other side, he forgot to breathe.


    In the deepest corner of the cave, a single flower bloomed. It seemed out-of-ce and mystical as if made from a painting. The dark burgundy flower dripped an ethereal red mist like a block of dry ice. It was pulsating a rich aroma that could be whiffed from a hundred metres away. Drawn by the familiar scent, Emery cried out:


    "Mist-Bleeding Camellia! I actually found one?!"


    Emery couldn''t believe his luck. Well, he was lucky to find the flower, but the price he paid was losing his legs. However, it was a price worth paying for the pharmacist who wished to save the people he loved.


    "C-Come!"


    Falling onto his chest, Emery pushed himself with a leopard crawl. He willed his body forward with each grunt, even when all the pain rms were ringing in his mind. Finding strength he never knew he had, the pharmacist eventually reached the precious flower and lovingly caressed its petals.


    "J-Just one of these will save my entire vige! I-I must..."


    But before Emergy could harvest his findings, a strange hum caught his attention. Squinting his eyes, he noticed that the Mist-Bleeding Camellia wasn''t alone. It was lodged on a rock with a peculiar sword protruding out.


    "What''s this?"


    The sword was perfectly pristine, without a single speck of rust or decay on its de. ck and gold runes were engraved on the sword''s surface but were faintly disappearing in weak flickers. Exuding an aura of malice, its shimmering grey exterior palpitated the heartbeats of lesser beings. It was like an apex predator; everything beneath it was its prey.


    However, the strangest thing about it was the peculiar red organ in the middle of its guard.


    "A heart?"


    Emery gulped, unable to fathom the sword''s existence. It was an inanimate object, but why did it... look so alive?


    Well, he was about to get his answer.


    [Finally...]


    "W-What?! Who was that?!"


    Emery yelled in fear, unaware that his fate had been sealed, when he looked at the de. A burgundy mana stream pierced through Emery''s heart from the hilt of the mysterious sword. In less than ten seconds, all of Emery''s blood was sucked dry and used to feed the malevolent sword. The heart at the de''s centre softly began beating as the silver de turned vibrantly crimson.


    Meanwhile, Emery... or what remained of him, had turned into a bloodless corpse. Hollowed till his skin touched his bones, the poor pharmacist wasn''t able to put up a fight before he breathed hisst.


    And yet, even though his corpse was both bloodless and lifeless, it moved like a soulless zombie. Emery''s corpse grabbed onto the crimson demonic sword and pulled it out from the ancient rock seal.


    All the runes that barred its movements were shattered violently, finally unleashing the terror within; however, as Emery''s corpse attempted to lift the sword, its arm detached from its shoulder and fell helplessly to the ground.


    [What a fragile human.]


    The entity possessing Emery''s corpse spat in disgust. A stream of red mana erupted from its open body and firmly took hold of the severed arm, instantly putting it back in ce. But as it did so, the corpse fell onto its knees, unable to bear the weight of the sword.


    [Too weak... I need more blood...]


    Growling like a feral beast, the hollowed corpse limped towards the crevice wall as it basked in the first sunlight it had seen in thousands of years. Without any blood, there was no muscle movements on its lips, but the entity was clearly amused.


    [Finally... I am finally free...]


    An eerieughter echoed within the deep, ancient cave. Serving its purpose, the Mist-Bleeding Camellia withered away into nothingness as if mourning that it had contributed to unleashing ancient terror back into the world. For it was the day...


    The Blood Demon awakened.

 Chapter 75: To Mistwood! (4)

    <h4>Chapter 75: To Mistwood! (4)</h4>


    Two weeks after Amon sought Carmen''s permission to travel out of Solfea, he was aboard a massive flying ship. It spanned the length of two football fields from the nose to its stern, and there were plenty of levels to house people and goods. It wasn''t the most luxurious of flying ships but had enough amenities to entertain and feed anyone.


    Cruising at an altitude above the clouds, the flying ship seemed like a moving ind. A massive structure that towered over every bird in the sky, the Sris flying ship moved gracefully, ensuring that not a single tremor could be felt on board.


    And that stability was for a good reason.


    Medics, supplies, Knights and even volunteers who had given up their time in service of good were headed towards Mistwood to help those affected by the earthquake. And among them, were a few very familiar faces.


    "I''d expected a crowd, but not this many..."


    Amon frowned as he observed the mess hall during lunch.


    The entire eighteenth squad that Amon belonged to could be seen dining away at the corner, even though the ck Dragon Order wasn''t supposed to be deployed on aid relief. His familiar Captain, Jareth Sris, was impassive while watching his two subordinates yap away. Lucia Osiris, Amon''s usual partner-in-crime, cheerfully spoke while a man in his twenties seemed disinterested.


    Adding Amon, his entire squad was present for this mission, which brought a minor migraine to Amon. He''d imagined he would be free to explore Mistwood as usual, but Amon''s movements would be heavily monitored with his captain supervising him.


    It was Carmen giving him the silent order... Not to misbehave.


    Then there were Leon''s good friends. Gale, Adelia and Rufus were chowing down their fried rice while heartily in conversation with Leon. Since they were cadets, they weren''t present as Knights but rather as a volunteer corps.


    Their presence wasn''t calcted, but it was also a headache in its own right. While they grew to be formidable Knights in [Bright], Leon''s friends were just cadets at the moment. It could lead to disastrous effects if they were caught in the crossfire when shing against the Blood Demon.


    "What are you daydreaming about?"


    Amon''s mental dilemma was cut short by a yful, sonorous chuckle. Yue, who wasn''t meant to be on the expedition, somehow managed to burrow into the flying ship. Using the excuse of sending aid from the Elune House, Yue convinced the Sris House to put her in the aid mission, even though she wasn''t part of it.


    "Nothing..."


    "Haha, that can''t be it."


    Yue giggled and sat her te down. Everyone present who saw them would undoubtedly mistake them as lovers who couldn''t be separated from each other as they whispered into each other''s ears.


    "You''re thinking about how we''re going to break away from the crowd to have a secret tryst, right?"


    "... why must you word it like that?"


    "I''m hurt! That''s not what you wanted?"


    Acting like she''d been deceived and betrayed, the young beauty pped her forehead theatrically. Yue feigned tears, only for Amon to look down at her disgustingly.


    "Be serious, will you?"


    "Haha, you''re no fun."


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    Tapping her finger twice on the dinner table, Yue created an invisible sound barrier in a split second. There wasn''t any cast or movement of her wand. It was all done through her mind alone. That mastery could only be found in mages with far more experience than an eighteen-year-old girl.


    "You improved again... It hasn''t been long since you became a Six-Circle Magician and have already improved your casting. Impressive."


    "Hehe, praise me more."


    Amon may seem like a robotic man on the outside, but he always gives credit when it is due. And Yue''s ability as a magician genuinely stunned the man. Few could forge six mana circles, even fewer at such a tender age. In [Bright], the character Yue Elune was already considered a once-in-a-century genius, and her skills had propelled her to be a prime target for the Demon Cult.


    If the Demon Cult saw her now, though... They would do everything in their power to bring her to their side.


    Such was the power of a Six-Circle Summoner.


    "Alright, let''s get to the serious topics... Did you hear anything from Bane?"


    Seeing that Amon didn''t bother to continue showering her with praises, Yue pouted briefly and coughed to revert her expression. Though, trace amounts of dissatisfaction could be seen on her twitching lips.


    "Unfortunately, no. We''vebed through the entire Mistwood greater region, but there''s no sign of the Blood Demon yet. Of course, there are plenty of missing people reported, but since it''s a natural disaster, missing people aremon. We can''t confirm they have anything to do with the Blood Demon."


    "The Blood Demon is a tricky foe... But it is weak if we can deal with it early." Amon reiterated with a frown.


    "However, we can''t confirm if it would even appear during this timeline. The number of variables has increased."


    "You''re right," Yue could only agree with a sigh. "My only hope is that it remains sealed. Honestly, I can''t believe the Sris ancestors chose such a moronic way to seal the Blood Demon!."


    "..."


    Although Amon''s ancestors were being insulted, he didn''t feel any need to defend them.


    While the Blood Demon was called a ''Demon'' in name, in truth, it was a remnant from the Great Dragon War. One of the most powerful Dragons in history and a monster that dared to challenge the authority of the Goddess.


    The Blood Dragon, Qyriwirth.


    Formerly a Red Dragon Sovereign who ruled over me and ash, Qyriwirth was one of the founding members of the faction that aimed for Godhood and threatened the bnce of the world. Their rebellion led to the Great Dragon War and, indirectly, the birth of the Sris Founder.


    Although Qyriwirth was a pure-blooded Red Dragon, it obtained a sinister power that allowed it to leech blood, the essence of life itself. With its newfound ability, it preyed on Dragons and humans, absorbing enough mana to be considered a natural disaster.


    That''s when Qyriwirth turned from a Red Dragon to the Blood Dragon.


    In the final days of the war that broke the world in half, Qyriwirth was defeated by the Sris Founder and the Golden Dragon Sovereign. The former invincible Dragon had its body dismembered and burnt to a crisp, leaving nothing but a single fang behind.


    The Sris Founder kept the fang as a trophy, not knowing that in its final dying moments, Qyriwirth had sent the flickering embers of his soul and all of his malice into the broken fang. Hundreds of years after the Sris Founder passed, a legendary cksmith was possessed by Qyriwirth''s malicious thoughts and forged the fang into a crimson sword, considered nigh-unbreakable and only second to Ascalon itself.


    However, the sword wasn''t just a simple de.


    Qyriwirth''s will live on in the cursed sword, and the Blood Dragon''s malignance would overpower anyone who attempted to wield it. It tricked plenty of formidable Knights into bending to its will, eventually giving birth to a monster that preyed on humans to feed its incessant desire to break into the heavens.


    The Blood Demon.


    Once a Knight of the Sris House, his mind was taken over by Qyriwirth and the remnants of its evil will. It once terrorised Hyades, killing and consuming everything it saw.


    A monster that grew by consuming blood and mana eventually became an unstoppable force. Like a parasite, it would find the strongest Knight and leech on its body. If the de found a better host, it would absorb the host''s blood and take over their body.


    And those were the lucky ones.


    Humans the Blood Demon deemed weak were sucked until nothing but skin and bone remained. They would be bloodless corpses, doomed to roam the afterlife as mindless zombies that followed their master''s will.


    Eventually, the Sris House defeated the monster alongside a coalition created just to hunt down the Blood Demon. It was a long and brutal battle, but the mighty foe fell in the end, and Qyriwirth would slumber again.


    However, then came the following problem.


    What were they going to do with the cursed sword?


    It was near-indestructible, and even if they sealed it in Sword Garden, an ambitious Knight or even a future Sris Lord may be tempted to unseal the de in search of the ultimate power Qyriwirth promised.


    Ultimately, they decided that to prevent the Blood Dragon''s will from emerging again, they needed to seal the cursed sword at an unknown location, far from the lustful eyes of Knights who desired power at any cost. The vault''s memory would be lost in their generation, and records of the Blood Demon would be wiped clean to prevent any hopeful Knights from getting any weird ideas.


    Time would erode the sword itself, and eventually, the Blood Demon would be nothing more than a fairy tale that no one remembered.


    s, the Sris ancestors couldn''t have anticipated a mega-earthquake breaking the weakened seal.


    "In the end, we will need to clean up after their mistakes!" Yueined while sipping on her juice.


    "We''re lucky that Ascalon is in Leon''s hands. Without it, I doubt we could defeat the Blood Demon."


    Even though the Blood Demon was a terror that reigned in the past, it was still weak to the absolute sovereign of swords, the Holy de Ascalon. The ancestors only chose to seal the cursed sword because no one during their time wielded Ascalon, the ultimate de that could break all curses.


    That''s why Amon wasn''t afraid of it in the slightest. As long as Leon was around, they could destroy the Blood Demon before it grew too powerful.


    "You''re right..."


    Yue furrowed her brows as a random thought entered her brain. Amon continued with his action n, seeing that she didn''t voice anything out.


    "If we find any trace of the Blood Demon, don''t send out any of our powerful operatives. The Blood Demon grows on strong bodies, so if we send in a master alone, it will take over their body."


    "Don''t worry about my side. I''ve warned Bane of the dangers many times. If anything, I''m more worried about the Sris House..."


    "..."


    Yue''s words struck a chord with Amon. The cursed sword would always gravitate towards powerful Knights such as members of the Sris House. Just by obtaining a Sris body, it would grow exponentially, and its killing spree would elerate.


    In [Bright], the Blood Demon managed to take over a regr Knight''s body, and that was enough to massacre all of Mistwood. So, if it took over anyone in the Sris camp...


    "Especially since Grandpa Alrock and Commander Carmen had dispatched those two Tower Knights to protect Leon and me... Honestly, they''re just adding more problems."


    Amon couldn''t see them physically but could feel their presence on board. They monitored the pair like hawks, ready to intercede for them at any moment. While Amon appreciated their concern, having those two around Mistwood would add to the risk.


    If the Blood Demon somehow got their hands on their bodies, each with the power of Six condensed Suns... The subjugation of the monster would just be moreplicated.


    "Shall I get some sleeping powder? One that is strong enough to wipe out a Pir Knight?"


    "... and where would you get that?"


    "I recently met this great alchemist, you see! But since it''s a new product, we must test it. So, if you would be so kind, I will add some to your tea at night, okay?"


    "No, thank you."


    "Tch, you''re so cold."

 Chapter 76: The Creeping Terror (1)

    <h4>Chapter 76: The Creeping Terror (1)</h4>


    Mistwood Hamlet.


    Once a thriving town with hundreds of bustling streets, it nowy deathly silent. Eateries that sold delectable snacks were permanently closed, as no trace of food remained. Buildings that once stood tall had been reduced to crumbling heaps of stone and wood. Walls and streets had been cracked, and grimy streams gushed from the cracks like open wounds. Not much remained from the once-thriving town, which was littered with shattered ss, fallen bricks, and broken buildings.


    The air was suffocating as ashes and dust snowed from the sky. Distant cries for help were prevalent as paramedics scurried from tent to tent, carrying the bodies of the heavily wounded. On the side, several well-built men were wing into fallen debris, hoping to find any traces of life that the earthquake had buried. asionally, they would find a body... and the Gods flipped a coin.


    Did they save a trapped person who needed help urgently? Or a lifeless corpse without any respite for peace?


    Nevertheless, the rescue efforts were on full disy. The atmosphere was heavy, as no one was in a chirpy mood. The flickering sunlight that pierced through the ashen clouds showed the weary faces of the refugees and the exhausted expressions of the volunteer corps.


    They had been working day and night just to excavate Mistwood Hamlet, and they needed some rest.


    And that''s when their salvation arrived.


    "The Sris House has sent help!"


    An echo reverberated through the silent town. Survivors who had given up hope lit up their faces, with many rushing towards the flying ship thatnded on the outskirts of the hamlet. Many rushed forward, grabbing onto the supplies that arrived. Some grabbed onto the volunteers, thrusting photos of their loved ones who had been missing for days.


    "Please! Save my daughter!"


    "My father is still missing! Please find him!"


    "Help me!"


    The survivors'' desperation turned into a chaotic scramble, forcing the experienced Knights to intervene and restore order.


    "Stand back!"


    "We will get to you, so please return to the shelters!"


    "U-Unhand me!"


    "Get back!"


    The voices of the Knights and refugees blended in a disorganised requiem, and the shouts only got louder with each passing second. The chaos unfolded, bringing silence to the Sris volunteers, particrly those from the younger crowd. Ever the golden-hearted child, Leon was dumbfounded by the disastrous scene.


    The blending of death, destruction, suffering, and despair melted his bubbly personality. It was the first time he''d encountered such a heart-wrenching experience, and he was half-desperate to throw himself into the fray and help every man, woman, and child affected.


    But before he could leap out, a sturdy hand grabbed his shoulder.


    "Halt, what do you think you''re doing?" Amon''s cold voice beckoned to the reckless youth, who could only yell back in defiance.


    "Let me go! I need to help them!"


    "And what are you going to do?"


    "!!!"


    Leon didn''t think that far ahead. His kind heart overloaded his mental faculties, and Leon moved instinctively without a n.


    "Are you going to search for every missing person yourself? Or would you expend your mana to heal the wounded? Or are you thinking of individually handing out food and rations for the refugees? You''re just one person, Leon. You can''t do everything."


    "B-But!"


    "Listen to me," Amon sighed. Leon''s kind-heartedness drew Amon to like him as a character in the first ce. But at the same time, it was a pivotal w usually exploited in [Bright].


    "There''s a centralmand coordinating the relief efforts. They know every missing, injured and starving person. After reporting to them, they will assign tasks that best suit our talents. If you want to be amissioned Knight, you''ll first need to learn to follow orders."


    "I see... I''m sorry; I must have lost my head there."


    Only after hearing that he would be of service soon did Leon finally calm down. He took one deep breath in as he gazed at the pure destruction the earthquake caused. As Amon''s squire, Leon was delighted to join his master during a relief mission. But as he realised the lives that needed saving, Leon''s heart filled with determination.


    "Don''t worry; this is your first time on the field. It happens."


    Compared to Leon, Amon had decades of military experience. Even before he was a Knight in the Sris House, he''d seen the devastation caused by natural disasters and war as a Transcendent. Hence, Amon could remainpletely calm even when exposed to such violence. He may even believe the sights in Mistwood Hamlet were rtively tame.


    "Go back with your friends. Captain Jareth will assign you your tasks shortly."


    "Thanks..."


    Leon reluctantly left the frontline and dragged his feet back to the camp assigned to their unit. s, Amon wasn''t going to get peace that easily.


    "As a Knight, you need to follow orders, huh? That''s riching from you. Since when have you followed orders?"


    An auburn-haired spearwoman approached the lonesome Amon with an exasperated gasp. Her tanned skin and silver eyes were striking in this godforsaken territory, making her stand out even amongst the mighty Sris Knights.


    "Lucia, eavesdropping is unbing of a Knight."


    "It''s not eavesdropping if I''m doing it openly!"


    "That''s no better..." Amon sighed, unable to beat his fellow Knight''s logic.


    "Haha, I''m just pulling your leg!" Lucia tapped on Amon''s shoulder des with jest. "Still, you''re doing a fine job! Soothing your inexperienced squire while calmly giving orders. You really have grown up! Torin, don''t you think so?"


    Lucia turned around and gestured to the gloomy man who trailed behind. Squared shoulders and broad-chested, the massive young man trodded towards the pair with unwavering confidence. d in steel tes, it was a no-brainer to assume that he was a seasoned Knight, one that a hundred battles had baptised.


    The massive man came to a halt before Lucia with a stone-faced expression while shooting a derisive look down at Amon. Most people would quake and shiver at his intimidation, but to Amon, it was nothing more than a gentle breeze. He stared straight into the Knight''s blue eyes without fear, causing the man to snort.


    "There''s still a long way off for him."


    "Ey, your standards are too high! I think he''s grown spectacrly."


    "Hmph, no matter what, he''s only at his third Sun. There''s still a long way to go for him."


    "Hah, you and yourpetitiveness again."


    A wave of regret hit the spearwoman''s heart as she watched the fires burn in Torin''s pupils. Unlike members of the Sris House, regr Knights had their power system. After all, they didn''t possess the Sris Bloodline and couldn''t create thermonuclear bombs within their bodies.


    However, the first Knights did take inspiration from the Sris Founder.


    Instead of Suns, they condensed mana into Stars. Although weaker, their Stars allowed them to grow rapidly, sometimes evenpeting against the best Sris Knights. A good example would be the Sword Saint. Rumours had it that he possessed an entire constetion, making him remarkably stronger than the current Sris Lord, who only had Eight Suns condensed.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    But naturally, the Nine Suns Heart Mantra still reigned supreme in the world of Knights.


    For reference, although Amon has only revealed that he had Three Suns, he was already on par with Lucia and Torin, two Five-Star Veteran Knights.


    "Whatever, just don''t cause any trouble during this mission."


    "... roger that."


    Torin grimaced with his lips crunched and eyebrows raised. However, he didn''t bother to continue with his berating. He ignored the disdainful looks that Lucia was shooting at him and headed to the shelter.


    Amon and Lucia watched his back disappear with the spearwoman, slightly embarrassed by her colleague''s behaviour. She shot Amon an apologetic smile and exined:


    "Hah... Don''t mind him. He''s just annoyed that we were dispatched here, that''s all."


    "No, if I were in his shoes, I would feel the same..."


    In the end, it was all Grand Commander Carmen''s fault. Amon didn''t wish to drag his entire squad to Mistwood, not in the slightest. But the old spinster wanted to annoy him, even if it meant brewing discontent among his teammates.


    "So that you know, Torin wasn''t like that in the past... He was ambitious but not bitter. I wonder what caused such a change."


    "Who knows?"


    Torin Var.


    A Five-Star Knight in the ck Dragon Order''s Eighteen Squad. There wasn''t anything remarkable about the man, and he wasn''t a major or even minor character in [Bright]. In Amon''s view, he was just an extra that wasn''t even worth mentioning. Since Amon joined the ck Order, he''d received cold treatment from Torin.


    It never once reached the level of mutiny or physical bullying, but it was evident that Torin disliked Amon.


    However, Amon couldn''t care in the slightest.


    So what if one or a million Knights hated him? He wasn''t here to please them. Amon just wanted to save Hyades from the future Cmities. And if he ruffled some feathers along the way, he simply didn''t have the energy or bothered to expend effort to care.


    Amon would leave Torin alone if he didn''t disrupt him.


    "So what''s your n?"


    "Hmmm?"


    "Don''t tell me you dragged us thousands of miles to Mistwood for no reason? And don''t feed me bullshit that it''s from the kindness of your heart. You''ve never actively volunteered for aid missions. You must have an objective here."


    "..."


    Amon paused for a moment, stunned by Lucia''s acute reasoning. The woman was intelligent, and Amon was well aware of it. Otherwise, Lucia wouldn''t have quickly climbed the brutal Sris ck Dragon Order''s ranks as someone without Sris blood.


    And honestly, Amon trusted Lucia to a certain extent. She was loyal, strong and intelligent. Everything that Amon liked in arade. But s, letting her in on the Blood Demon''s threat may be too much. Hence, he lied:


    "I don''t have a n, but if you were to ask my motives... I just wanted to give Leon field experience without exposing him to danger. Sending aid to Mistwood was the perfect chance."


    "Oh hoh? You seem to treasure your little squire quite a bit."


    Amon''s words genuinely baffled Lucia. She''d never expected the self-centred and wild horse that was Amon Sris to be caring for another.


    "Perhaps you have grown! Your elder sister is touched! I remember when you would run off without caring about the mission!"


    "..."


    Amon squinted at Lucia''s tant teasing but quickly brushed it off. More importantly, he was dying to discover if the Blood Demon had awakened. Given the timeline, the monster should have imed its first victim by now, and the traces of its awakening would have shown themselves.


    Before Amon could find an excuse to escape this situation, a desperate cry came from an old woman just metres away from the duo.


    "E-Emery! Please find my grandson, Emery! He wandered into the woods to get medicine for us, and he hasn''t returned yet."


    "Ma''am, please calm down. We have submitted your missing person form. A search team will be dispatched to find your grandson."


    "Please! Something must have happened to him if he hadn''t returned by now! You must send help now!"


    "Ma''am!"


    The pair stopped and watched as a volunteer steered the elderly woman back into a shelter. They paused for a moment and shared a sad gaze.


    "You''re right; this is no time to be teasing you. We came to help, not squabble."


    Even though Lucia was a bona fide member of the ck Order, she had a kind and noble soul. Assisting the desperate in Mistwood was a perfect break from the constant deadly missions she was used to, and Lucia would cherish every second.


    But as she headed over to the old woman, Amon stopped her and gave a warning:


    "Lucia... If you find anything suspicious, let me know."


    "Haha, what kind of suspicious things could there be?" The spearwomanughed heartily before turning her back. "However, your concern is well-noted. Though, shouldn''t you be more concerned for yourself? Your wife is sending a suspicious look your way."


    "..."


    Amon turned over his shoulder and saw Yue sending death daggers his way. Seeing this, Lucia took the opportunity to escape the crime scene, leaving Amon alone to deal with the aftermath.


    "Thatss..."

 Chapter 77: The Creeping Terror (2)

    <h4>Chapter 77: The Creeping Terror (2)</h4>


    Three days had passed since the Sris dispatch team arrived at Mistwood Hamlet.


    The crew mostly helped the survivors through various methods. The mostmon was feeding and sheltering them from the aftereffects of the earthquakes. A select few with extraordinary healing powers volunteered to be physicians, assisting as many wounded as possible. Leon was among that special few.


    But the vast majority of Sris House operatives were on sentry and patrol duty. The Sris Knights had be an expert rescue team, mainly finding survivors under rubble or people missing in the woods. They also had to protect the survivors from Demon beasts that may scavenge their bodies.


    Over the past three days, Amon led his team to find multiple missing people. Although most of them had fallen into the afterlife, there were a few miracles along the way.


    Hundreds of survivors were saved and brought for emergency treatment. The joyful individuals'' cries and smiles could be heard from a mile away, making the rescue mission all worth it in the eyes of the Sris House. However, Amon was far from satisfied.


    "There''s still no trace of the Blood Demon..."


    Standing at an isted spot far from the shelter, Amon stared straight into the foggy woonds like a tiger eyeing prey. The transmigrator hasn''t been idle these past three days. While saving all those lives, Amon desperately attempted to find any signs of the Blood Demon. Tracking for any signs of corrupted life or Demonic energy, Amon did his best to triangte the Blood Demon''s location.


    s, he couldn''t even catch a whiff of the creature.


    "Isn''t that good news?"


    Hearing his mncholic sigh, Yue approached with a cold beverage in her hands. She rested her back on a nearby bench before casually creating a sound barrier.


    "If there''s no news of the Blood Demon, it hasn''t awakened. If it doesn''t awaken in this timeline, we could save ourselves a lot of trouble."


    "Yue, would you keep a ticking time bomb in your house? A bomb that you won''t know when it would explode?"


    "Probably not," Yue didn''t retort. She was well aware of how dangerous the Blood Demon could be, but something about Amon''s behaviour rubbed her the wrong way. "But it''s rare for you to be so tense. What''s the matter?"


    Amon paused for a moment, unsure of what to say. He was thinking of making an excuse, but his straightforward mind couldn''te up with any. Hence, he spurted the truth.


    "... you said that the Blood Demon hurt Arya. I just can''t stay still knowing that it may happen in this timeline again."


    "Oh?"


    "It''s been bothering me ever since you told me about it. Every time I go to sleep, I feel an itch prickling at my heart. Knowing that the Blood Demon could potentially harm Arya... It makes me restless. I can''t describe my feelings, but I know that if I don''t eradicate the Blood Demon. I won''t be able to sleep at night."


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Hoh?!"


    Raised as a cold-blooded machine in his past life, Amon had little experience with human emotions. However, ever since he''d transmigrated, those foreign emotions that he''d once killed were now affecting his heart.


    It was a strange feeling that Amon intensely disliked.


    On the other hand, Yue had a warm, soothing bubbling of pride. Little by little, the traumatic experiences of Number 23 were slowly being cleansed away.


    "I understand," Yue chuckled and grabbed Amon''s arm. "Don''t worry, I had Bane send his subordinates to scour the area. There will be signs very soon if the Blood Demon has truly awakened."


    "Yeah..."


    Amon was so distracted by the looming threat that he''d ignored Yue''s casual skinship. The young beauty didn''t squander this chance and she basked in thefort of her lover''s touch. If it was eight years before, there was no way in hell that Amon would allow Yue to be so touchy with him. It was proof that the formidable killing machine once known as Number 23 was now slowly morphing into a human with feelings.


    ''Ahhh, I wish this moment wouldst forever.''


    Yue''s mind was filled with romantic fantasies and she''d even fantasised staring into Amon''s eyes and leering a kiss. But unfortunately, her dreams were about to be shattered real soon.


    "A-Amon!" A worried cry broke the silence of the pair, forcing Amon to slip out of Yue''s arms in a split second. He nced back and saw Leon sprinting from the distance.


    A visible vein popped on Yue''s forehead as she watched the handsome youth creep closer towards them. However, she could sense Leon''s desperation and tried to quell the rage bottled in her heart.


    "What''s the matter?" Amon asked, without worrying about the pouting girl behind him.


    "W-We found something strange! Come look!"


    Over the past few weeks of interacting with Leon, this was the first time that Amon had seen him so animated. Not wasting a spare second, he left Yue in the dust and followed his squire to the crime scene. Although reluctant, Yue trailed closely behind and observed the surroundings as she did so.


    Gasps of terror and women could be seen crying on the street. Some battle-hardened men hurled their guts out, while others were pale as paper. And it didn''t take long for her to figure out why.


    A crowd formed at Mistwood Hamlet''s entrance as several Knights returned from rescue missions. The Knights were tasked to find as many missing people as they could, and their usual return would be marked with jovialughter if they brought back survivors or indignant cries when they carried corpses.


    But... This time was different...


    "This is..."


    Eight bodies were neatly arranged next to each other. Usually, it was a sign for grieving families to identify if their loved ones were part of the pile. Unfortunately, they couldn''t do that this afternoon.


    All of the bodies were drained of all fluids. Dried to the bone, the corpses were just skin and bones. No, even skin would retain moisture. The dead bodies seemed like medical specimens, specifically created just to see how much moisture could be drawn out of a human body.


    It was a grotesque sight and one that not many could stomach.


    The only way anyone could identify the bodies were the clothes they wore, and even those were tattered and shredded beyond recognition. Still, it didn''t stop a bunch of wailing, grieving families to approach and gingerly touch the corpses.


    Amon and Yue were speechless. Even though they had seen their fair share of death, this was still a rough watch. Noticing their arrival, a tall, brown-skinned spearwoman walked towards them with a grim expression.


    "Lucia, were you the ones who found them?" Amon questioned without a single shred of hesitation.


    "Yes, we were the team that found them," his fellow ck Order Knight replied. "They were recovered from a thicket in the forest. We were unable to identify the cause of death and had no choice but to bring them here."


    "Bloodless corpses... This isn''t the work of an earthquake, is it?"


    Leon''s sombre voice sounded out, ignoring formalities as he spoke up to his seniors. Though, neither Amon nor Lucia scolded him. They were too caught up in the situation to even think about ranks at the moment.


    "You''re right. We''re not sure if they were dead before their blood was sucked, but one thing is clear... Something is out there, and it''s hunting humans. Dead or alive."


    "..."


    The entire party fell silent. The earthquake was terrorising enough, but now there was a foreign threat to top it all off? It seemed that when it rains, it really pours.


    "... burn their bodies."


    Without hesitation, Amon gave the firm order. Although he wasn''t in a position of power to make that order, the conviction in his voice almost made Lucia oblige. She raised her eyebrows and shot back sharply: "Why would you say that?"


    "Don''t ask, just do it."


    Amon didn''t bother exining himself. After all, he couldn''t just say he knew what caused the Bloodless corpses and knew of the fate those corpses would endure if they were left alone.


    s, his crude tone didn''t sit well with thepassionate Lucia, who had just carried those eight bodies back to the shelter.


    "Excuse me, are you really that heartless? We''d just brought the bodies back! At least give the families a chance to mourn their loved ones and give them a proper burial! Besides, you''re in no position to give that order! I know the Commander favours you, but you''re out of line!"


    "Trust me, if you don''t want a tragedy to ur. You will burn them all. No, if you won''t do it. I''ll burn them myself."


    "Amon!"


    The tworades almost began an altercation in the middle of the shelter. One was cursed with knowledge of the future, while the other was deeply rooted inpassion. Neither parties were willing to budge an inch and their ideals were going to sh at that very moment.


    Fortunately, there was someone on hand to stop the madness.


    "Amon! Stop!"


    Yue didn''t hesitate and stood in front of the raging bull. Squinting in genuine confusion, Amon tilted his head and blurted out: "Why are you stopping me?"


    ''You know what would happen if we leave the Bloodless corpses alone.''


    The first part he said out loud. Meanwhile, the words he couldn''t say were transmitted via telepathy. No, even without the magical ability to transfer thoughts, Yue could read Amon''s emotions.


    Yue lived through the Blood Demon''s terror, perhaps more so than anyone in the world. So she could vividly picture the gruesome scene of the Bloodless corpses regaining their vitality to serve their malicious master. The heart-wrenching scene of seeing lovers, parents, and even children killing their kin again and again, only to give up and embrace their bloodless hands.


    She knew better than anyone why Amon was behaving in this manner, but also...


    Yue didn''t want to see her lover be a heartless monster that only cared of the mission.


    ''Let them mourn the dead. We will burn it afterwards. Don''t worry, let me handle it.''


    ''...''


    The two shared a telepathic conversation to hide their secrets. However, to the outside eye, it just looked like two lovers gazing into each others eyes. Fortunately, Amon knew better than to keep pushing. Reluctantly, he backed off and said:


    "Do as you please."


    Amon walked away from the scene with an expressionless look on his face. However, deep inside his heart, the former Transcendent was secretly seething. The fact that Bloodless corpses appeared in Mistwood could only mean one thing...


    "The Blood Demon has awakened."

 Chapter 78: The Creeping Terror (3)

    <h4>Chapter 78: The Creeping Terror (3)</h4>


    The Blood Demon awakening was an event that Amon and Yue had been preparing for the past eight years. While unsure if the monster would appear in this timeline, they had spared no expense preparing for its eventual onught.


    Echelon had been deployed beforehand, allowing twenty skilled operatives to be deployed to Mistwood. Naturally, Bane had tomand them from the shadows to remain unnoticed. Nevertheless, the information they gathered proved helpful as Amon now had a detailed map of the misty woonds.


    Amon navigated the forest confidently through the fallen trees and shattered rock to arrive at a dense thicket. He observed his surroundings, paying additional attention to the depressions on the ground. While there were no signs of blood spill or flesh, Amon could identify the crime scene just by the sinister residual mana that lingered in the air.


    "So this is where they found the bodies." Amon frowned and continued to look for clues.


    "Yeah, and they seem fresh. So the Blood Demon must have awakened recently." Yue added on while in deep thought.


    The pair were out hunting for clues, and as people who knew the Blood Demon better than anyone alive, they could hypothesise what had urred here.


    The Blood Demon''s modus operadi was simple. Find a victim and drain them of their blood. If it found a formidable opponent, the Blood Demon would bide its time byying an ambush or escaping to fight another day.


    Despite having a Dragon''s residue soul, it employed cowardly tactics, making the Blood Demon a tricky foe.


    Preying on the weak and ambushing the strong. Amon felt a tinge of disgust as he thought of the gruesome beast. After living in the Sris House for eighteen years, it was inevitable that some of its code of honour hadtched itself into his psyche.


    "Let''s see..."


    Amon closed his eyes and focused everything on his mana sense. Weaker individuals may not feel it, but the intense leftover mana the Blood Demon dripped was appalling enough to make Amon twitch. As he opened his eyes, Amon was greeted by a faint red stream resembling a trail of blood. Without hesitation, the Knight followed the stream down the thicket and towards an empty cave just a hundred metres away.


    Subconsciously, Amon summoned his trusted de and firmly held onto its handle. He was ready to jump to battle at any given moment. His senses heightened, he could feel every drop of water, every frog''s croak, every leaf rustling. But unfortunately, even as he delved deeper into the foggy cave... Amon couldn''t find the Blood Demon.


    What he did find was...


    "Bloodless corpses and carcasses... And so many of them."


    Amon was stunned to see over a hundred dead animals and humans littered all over the cold, mineral ground. They were haphazardly disced, meaning the culprit who did such a gruesome thing couldn''t bother to dispose of the bodies properly.


    "There are so many of them, yet the residue of Demonic mana feels so weak. They must have been dead before the Blood Demon got to them."


    After the earthquake, there were bound to be thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dead carcasses just lying around. Not to mention, all the missing humans passed on in hard-to-reach ces. Although the Blood Demon grew stronger by absorbing the blood of living creatures, dead bodies did the trick for now.


    The Blood Demon was likely still weak and seeking strength, but eventually, when it regained a certain degree of its vitality back... That''s when it would begin hunting humans for blood.


    "I can''t sense its presence here... It must have left a long time ago."


    Amon lowered his de and rxed a little after realising that there weren''t any significant threats in the cave. Heaving a deep sigh, he continued investigating the cave, hoping to find any morsel of information that would help with locating the Blood Demon.


    s, no matter how hard he looked, he couldn''t find anything that could lead to the Blood Demon. The only thing of note was the bloodless corpse at the far corner wearing a pharmacist''s cloak. It had one arm ripped off, which was rare for a bloodless corpse, but nothing too suspicious.


    But just as he was about to leave, Yue appeared from the entrance and stopped the young Knight.


    "Wait, let''s collect some evidence."


    "What?"


    "Hehe, don''t worry. I know what to do."


    Yue didn''t exin much to Amon and reached for the disced arm of the corpse. Unlike girls her age, she wasn''t averse to death and the profane. Comfortably cing the arm in her storage, Yue nced around the cave again before exiting.


    Realising the work here was done, Amon opened his palm and condensed a fall of scorching hot sunfire. The mes engulfed the mossy cave in an instant, burning all the bloodless carcasses and corpses.


    Amon exited the burning cave without taking a second to mourn the dead and continued his hunt for the profane.


    ???


    Two more days had passed since the first bloodless corpses were found. Ever since then, even more bodies have been surfacing, and with each passing expedition, it has be painfully evident that there is something sinister in the forest.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    In the beginning, the Sris Commanders believed that a Demonic beast was behind the bloodless corpses. However, they couldn''t identify any potential beast with that ability. Not just that, the more corpses they found, they began to realise that the threat was growing exponentially. Some of them spected that there must have been more than one thing causing this phenomenon.


    Amon and Yue stayed silent throughout the debates, even though they knew the cause of bloodless corpses. But their silence on the matter didn''t mean inaction.


    Over the past two days, Amon has been trying to locate the Blood Demon as best he could. Unfortunately, the ancient being was good at hiding its presence, making it nearly impossible for Amon to figure out its location. All the while, new bloodless corpses were being found by the day.


    "We should seek back-up."


    The Sris Knight officers stood solemnly around a table and grimly spoke of their reality.


    "We''ve only brought volunteers for aid relief. While we have the Eighteenth Squad of the ck Order, they may not be enough to deal with whatever lies out there."


    "..."


    Jareth Sris, the Captain of the Eighteenth Squad, furrowed his brows at the officer''sments. At the same time, a chilling sensation crept up his back as he wildly spected:


    ''Is this why Amon was adamant abouting here? No, that can''t be right. No matter his talent, he can''t predict the future.''


    Jareth''s eyesnded on his subordinate and former squire. Since meeting the boy, Amon has been surprising him repeatedly. But predicting the future was a stretch, even for the prodigal Amon Sris. However, as his eyes wandered off Amon, he saw a beautiful youngdy standing by Amon''s side. She was a face that was hard to forget and was the main reason why Amon was such a defiant cadet in the first ce.


    ''The Elune n''s heiress... I heard that the Elune n could read prophecies... Is that why?''


    Jareth continued to specte while the officers in the tent spoke in sequence. Eventually, a cold, disparate voice cut short their discussion.


    "Excuse me, I have something to say." Amon raised his hand and spoke out loud.


    Even though he was the youngest person in the tent, his voicemanded attention. Not because Amon was one of the most talented Knights of his generation or because he was favoured by the Sris Lord and the ck Order''s Grand Commander.


    Amon''s pure presence alone demanded respect. He didn''t look like a rookie on a battlefield but a hardened veteran who had braved a thousand battles.


    "I have been investigating the phenomenon on my own, and I found other ces that had bloodless corpses. I have reason to believe that a Demon is behind this disaster."


    "A Demon, you say? What proof do you have?"


    The Commander of the aid expedition looked at Amon with a piercing gaze as if he were trying to analyse every molecule of his body for falsehood. However, it took more than an intimidating look to faze Amon.


    "Demonic mana can be felt in the ces I investigated."


    "... is that your proof? Just your ount?"


    "What''s wrong with that?"


    Amon raised his brow with genuine confusion. In his opinion, all that was needed was his word. After all, no one was better than him when it came to detecting Demonic mana. s, the Commander didn''t feel the same way.


    Jareth pped his forehead while Yue stifled augh. They knew Amon''s antics and how he danced to his own tune. So they could understand hiszy reply. However, the Commander wasn''t as amused.


    "Young Knight... Choose your next words carefully, or I''ll return you to Solfea."


    "..."


    "There, there... I apologize for my fianc¨¦''sck of tact." Fortunately, Yue was present to save the day. She stood in front of Amon and tried to exin their position more diplomatically. "Please have a look at this."


    Mana gathered in her hands as she pulled out the amputated arm of the bloodless corpse they found a few days back. After cing it on the table, she reached her right palm over the arm and cast a simple spell.


    "This is..."


    "A spell that detects Demonic energy. I know that it''s faint, but it''s present. Have a look."


    When Yue''s spell waspleted, a sinister red smoke billowed out from the scars and cracks in the arm. It was repulsive and disgusting but solid proof that a Demon had corrupted the arm.


    "Demonic mana... You''re right; it''s hard to mistake that!"


    The Commander''s eyes instantly lit up. Rubbing the bottom of his chin, he carefully observed the faint traces of the Demonic mana, wondering how Amon could detect it without Yue''s spell. But his concentration was broken by Amon''s iron-like voice.


    "While we''re dealing with a Demon, it seems to be weak at the moment. And since we know it sucks the blood of its prey, we will need to keep as many living people away from the forest."


    "What''s your point?"


    "Please suspend the search for missing people," Amon demanded without remorse. "At least until we discover and eliminate the threat. We can''t risk sending our Knights to die in the forest."


    Amon''s actual motivation was to prevent the Blood Demon from obtaining the bodies of the Sris Knights and strengthening itself to unbeatable heights. So before that happens, he would have to locate the Blood Demon and eradicate it from the face of the earth once and for all.


    But the officers in the tent didn''t know that. All they saw was a noble Knight willing to protect hisrades at the expense of his safety.


    "Are you nning on hunting the Demon yourself? It''s too dangerous!"


    "No, I''ll be going with my... f-f-fianc¨¦e, Yue Elune." Amon struggled to push those words out of his mouth, but he somehow managed. "Also, I will take my squire along. Us three will be sufficient."


    "Your fianc¨¦e? And your squire?!"


    The Commander was utterly aghast. As one of the most talented Knights of his generation, Amon Sris was an asset to be protected. Yue Elune was the heiress of the Elune House, and Leon Bright was hailed as the hero who tamed Ascalon.


    All three were precious members who couldn''t be lost, yet Amon was trying to bring them on a dangerous hunt. Naturally, the Commander would be frantic.


    But a loud wail silenced the tent before he could breathe a word of denial.


    "W-What?"


    All the Knights rapidly hurried out of the tent, some with their des drawn. It didn''t take long for them to trace the scream''s source. A despondent widow crying out at the sight of her deceased husband''s bloodless corpseing back to life.


    Its hollow eye sockets were gleaming red, and a vicious stream of red mana streaked out from the bloodless corpse. It looked like it was set aze, but given how easily it moved, all the Knights knew that the corpse wasn''t burning.


    Instead, it was searching... yearning for something.


    Its hollowed-out eyes stared straight at the tent as it limped its body forward. It was frail and weak, meaning anyone could have stopped its advance. But no one moved forward.


    All but one.


    Without a moment''s hesitation, Amon sliced the bloodless corpse in half. And before it could even touch the ground, his sr mana engulfed the zombie in purifying mes. In less than three seconds, Amon had given the corpse a second death.


    ''It must have reacted to the severed arm.''


    Amon concluded immediately.


    The Blood Demon''s signature ability and the one that brought fear to the general popce... Its ability to create zombies from its victims was disyed for the first time today. Judging from the bloodless corpse''s behaviour, it resonated with the severed arm Yue brought back and yearned to obtain it.


    The stunning scene paralysed Mistwood Hamlet. Many were silent, while others cried out for help. Even the officers'' expressions froze when they realised what they were against.


    And Amon turned to his Commander and asked once more.


    "Please send the order, Commander. Suspend the search operations, and let us hunt the Demon."


    Amon''s question may have been asking for permission, but his tone suggested he wouldn''t ept anything but a firm nod. And unconsciously, the Commander gave the order.


    "A-Approved!"


    "Thank you..."

 Chapter 79: The Creeping Terror (4)

    <h4>Chapter 79: The Creeping Terror (4)</h4>


    Torin Var.


    Aged thirty-one. After graduating from the Knight''s Academy with the highest honours, he made a name for himself as a promising young talent and was recruited straight into the ck Dragon Order. Like any other hot-blooded youth, Torin was eager to prove himself deserving of the prestigious position and breezed through his missions rapidly and efficiently.


    Ever since graduating, he''d moved from squad to squad, obtaining enough experience to ssify him as a veteran. By the time he was in his mid-twenties, Torin was well-considered to be one of the brightest talents in the ck Order, sometimes even surpassing young geniuses with the Sris Bloodline.


    There were many things that Torin could be proud of.


    That was until... Torin met him.


    Five years ago, Amon joined the ck Order as a squire. For the past three years until Amon''s arrival, Torin had heard whispers of a super talent born from the Sris Bloodline¡ªa prodigy who exceeded all expectations that he was allowed to skip grades in the Knight''s Academy. Amon''s talent was so undeniable that he didn''t need to take any examinations and was directly headhunted to the ck Dragon Order without any interviews or tests.


    By sheer coincidence, Amon joined the Eighteenth Squad, where Torin was stationed. In the beginning, just like everyone else, Torin was curious about this super rookie. At only thirteen, he conquered the infamous Knight''s Academy and was brought into the most brutal Knight Order of the Sris House.


    As a young prodigy too, Torin wanted to get to know the young boy and even befriend him.


    However, on that one fine day when he first met Amon... His entire worldview changed.


    Amon''s arrogance... his indifference... was something beyond Torin''s wildest imagination. Initially, Torin thought Amon had a youthful mindset that he was superior to everyone else. It was something that the former prodigy could rte to, as he had once felt the same way.


    Torin believed that with more experience, Amon''s indifference would one day be reced with respect for his superiors. And during the induction sparring session, Torin willingly volunteered himself to be the one to humble his arrogance.


    Unfortunately, he was hit with a brutal reality.


    Even though Torin was universally recognised as a super talent, there was always a mountain higher.


    The sparring session was a close one, and the only reason why Torin won was because Amon''s sword snapped in two, and he could not withstand the pressure of his mana. It was absurd. Amon had easily matched Torin at thirteen years old, and it seemed he was holding back. From the outside, it looked like Torin had won the duel, but deep down, everyone knew what the oue would have been if they continued for just a few seconds more.


    Ever since then, Torin has felt an innate desire to beat Amon.


    But ever since then, the gap between the two never narrowed.


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    Not even once.


    Amon grew in strength, influence and overall fame. Meanwhile, Torin never once regained his once prodigal form. His exponential growth stagnated as he became a 5-Star Knight while his spectacr mission record began to show blemishes.


    The disparity between the two prodigies was akin to the gap between ake and an ocean.


    The only feat that Torin could beat Amon was his loyalty and obedience to the ck Order. Amon''s tendency to go AWOL and seek pleasure by eloping with his fianc¨¦e gave him a dirty scar that couldn''t be wiped clean.


    But it seemed that Amon''s talents were so undeniable that no one cared about that imperfection.


    The Grand Commander favoured him greatly, and everyone was touting him to inherit her position. Even their Captain, who had once tried to reign in Amon, now gave him full authority to do whatever he pleased.


    Amon chose whatever mission he wanted. He disappeared whenever he wanted. And he broke the rules as easily as he breathed. That kind of knight would often be severely punished or even emunicated.


    s, Amon was the golden child¡ªthe prodigal son of the ck Dragon Sris Order. Everyone gave way to him, and honestly... his talents warranted such treatment.


    As years went by, Torin''s jealousy turned into resentment. He hated Amon with a passion and sought to exceed him through any means possible. Torin trained doubly as hard, went on twice as many missions, and even followed the rules of the Order to the letter.


    But no matter what Torin did, he just couldn''t surpass Amon Sris.


    And to top it all off... Amon''s indifference to him hadn''t changed.


    Whenever Torin partnered with or interacted with Amon in any way, the young Knight''s eyes were wholly indifferent to him. It was as if... Amon was looking through the lens of another dimension, and mortal matters like Torin didn''t mean much to him.


    That... was too much for Torin to tolerate.


    "Commander''s orders. We''re to suspend any search missions. Apparently, we''re supposed to wait until Amon returns from his mission to hunt the Demon responsible for the bloodless corpses."


    Lucia ryed the news to Torin, who rested after a hard day of rescuing survivors. His eyes twitched a little when he heard Amon''s name, and he couldn''t hide the venom seething from his heart.


    "What are you talking about?"


    "A Demon is responsible for the bloodless corpses we saw earlier today."


    "And what has Amon have to do with it?"


    "He noticed that a Demon potentially caused it. Amon believes that it sucks the blood of its victims for vitality and grows stronger from it. So, to prevent any further victims, we are to remain at camp and wait for him to exterminate the Demon. That''s why we''re suspending search and rescue missions for the foreseeable future."


    "Then... what are we going to do here?"


    "We have orders to burn the corpses we found."


    "... so, we''re supposed to be on clean-up crew while he saves the day, huh?"


    Torin spat uglily and crossed his legs. Once again, Amon would y the hero''s part while he sat on the sidelines, watching the brat bask in all the glory.


    A burning sensation crept out from his gut, gnawing heavily on his mind. His mind grew cloudy, and his thoughts went wild. Breathing from his mouth, it seemed like he was hyperventting, only for Torin to finally reach the dastardly decision.


    "No, I will y the Demon."


    "Torin?! What are you talking about?"


    Lucia widened her silver eyes as she watched her long-timerade reach for his trusted hammer and reattach his ck Order armour. Without hesitation, he stormed out from his amodation and headed to the hamlet''s exit.


    "Wait a minute, we have orders! This is unlike you, Torin!"


    "Lucia, don''t try to talk me out of it."


    Torin knew this was his best chance to one-up the golden boy Amon Sris. If he could find the Demon responsible for this mess and y it before Amon could, the prestigeing his way would propel him back to the forefront of the ck Order.


    "Don''t be stupid! Besides, how would you even locate the Demon? You''re not a scout, and you don''t have any tracking experience! You don''t even know where to look!"


    "It doesn''t matter... I was the one who found the dead bodies in the first ce. I will start from there."


    For some reason, Torin was filled with the utmost confidence. He never trusted his gut, but this time was different... He instinctively knew where he needed to find this Demon.


    "Torin?! Wait! Oh my god!"


    Before Lucia could even structure another sentence to stop him, the man sped off using his thighs as massive springboards. Lucia hadplete faith that she could catch up to him if she wanted to. But she wasn''t that clueless. She rushed straight to her Captain''s tent to tell the tale, ncing over her shoulder disapprovingly.


    "That idiot!"


    ???


    Torin''s first move since leaving the encampment was to revisit the crime scene. As the one responsible for leading the rescue mission, he retraced his steps easily and reached the venue within two hours. The forest was foggy, making visibility rtively low, but Torin wasn''t affected in the slightest.


    Clutching onto the handle of his hammer, Torin channelled his mana and unleashed a bluish Aura. Almost instantly, the moisture in the air was absorbed into Torin''s hammer, and the mist gradually dissipated away. The ambitious Knight keenly searched the forest for clues, taking advantage of the added visibility.


    The trees were rustling, and the air was thick. However, there was nothing to hint of any potential Demon.


    But, that wasn''t a problem for Torin. He came back, breaking protocol and ignoring orders, not because he had firm evidence to go on. But instead, something was calling to him, making him feel he could find the Demon... as long as he came here.


    And true enough...


    "A trail of blood!"


    Red droplets stained the leaves and fallen logs of Mistwood''s ground, showing a clear and concrete path deeper into the jungle. With the prominence of the blood stains, it was almost ludicrous that no one had noticed it before. However, Torin remembered the thick fog he''d just dissipated and brushed it off due to the low visibility.


    Torin followed the trail without hesitation, unknowingly moving off the standard path in Mistwood. He ventured past the ungodly remains of the earthquake, through the dense thicket and made it to a forest stream.


    Flowing effortlessly down the tapestry of lush greenery, the forest stream''s crystal-clear waters shimmered beautifully under the dappled sunlight. Like an inevitable force, the stream flowed through the cracks of shattered rock and fallen tree trunks, creating a harmonious symphony of nature.


    Yet, Torin didn''t feel at peace.


    The blood trail ended here, meaning the enemy had to be nearby. Gripping tightly on his hammer, Torin mustered all his mana to the forefront, activating all five stars that slept within his body. A dense coat of blue Aura enveloped him as the water from the river bubbled in resonance.


    Stepping inch by inch, he ensured that none of his senses were distracted. Zoned in, he felt an ominous force move in the shadows of the tree line. Fifty bloodless corpses emerged from the lush canopy and surrounded the massive Knight in an ambush. They were all nothing but bone and skin, which added to their intimidation.


    Torin was naturally shaken, but his experience as a Sris Knight overpowered his shock. Holding onto his hammer tightly, he swung it once in an arc, creating a torrent of unyielding Aura Water.


    With force as mighty as a tsunami, Torin''s strike crushed half of the bloodless corpses without any resistance, taking all of them out in one fell swoop. Even the Knight was taken aback by the ease with which he dispatched the bloodless corpses.


    And that brought an arrogant smile to Torin''s lips.


    "In the end, they are just lifeless puppets. No threat in the slightest."


    Not willing to expend too much mana on the weaklings, Torin withdrew his Aura and dealt with the remaining corpses the old-fashioned way... with a heavy hammer to the head.


    Torin showed his Knight heritage by mixing brute force with masterful technique. The bloodless corpses that had no mana or skill stood no chance. It was as if the Knight were facing test dummies as they all crumbled in one swing. Often, the air pressure from Torin''s swing was enough to disable the bloodless corpses.


    "I feel bad for destroying your bodies like this, but well, it''s not like you can have grievances anymore." Torin snorted at his defeated foes. "The least I can do is avenge your deaths."


    As he was about to leave the scene to investigate further, the man noticed a peculiar object.


    An entirely crimson de was in the hands of a bloodless corpse that was about one and a half times the size of the others. It was evident that the man who held the sword was either a former Knight or a fighter for Mistwood Hamlet. With his curiosity piqued, Torin walked towards the sword and casually nced at it.


    "Hoh, it''s a pretty good sword. It would be a pity to leave it in the middle of nowhere. I''ll return it to the hamlet and see if they can identify your body from the sword, fallen warrior."


    Torin reached for the hilt of the precious-looking sword and casually picked it up.


    s, that was hisst mistake.


    "ARGHHH!!!"


    Spikes emerged from the sword''s hilt and stuck into Torin''s palm. Blood flowed from his arm down into the de, enriching it at an astonishing rate. A throbbing headache incapacitated the hammer-wielding Knight, and his face paled within seconds. And it was then...


    [Ahhh, finally a good body...]


    "Y-You?! Who are you?!"


    A voice beckoned to Torin in his mind. It felt like the voice engulfed his entire world and devoured his entire being.


    [Don''t you remember? I called you here. And you wanted toe.]


    "W-What?!"


    [Yes... Your resentment and desire burns bright... How insatiable...]


    "What are you talking about?! Get out of my head! Get the fuck away!!!"


    Torin cursed rapidly and tried his best to pry the sword away. Unfortunately, it was impaled into his flesh. The only way to get rid of the sword was to sever his arm entirely.


    [Are you sure about that? I can give you what you desire! Power, fame, influence! Everything that you want can be obtained through me!


    "... What?"


    For a moment, Torin paused. The headache subsided, and the world around him disappeared. All that was in his head was the voice''s kind offer.


    [ept me! And your dreams will be reality!]


    "You... can grant me power?"


    [More than you can imagine!]


    "Is that really... possible?"


    Torin was now seriously considering the offer. He could never close the gap between Amon and himself all these years. No, it was growing at a considerable rate. In no time, the young boy would be as unreachable as the stars above, and Torin would be left in the mud.


    If he''d just let his resistance go...


    "No, I..."


    [Thank you...]


    "W-What?"


    As he spoke those words, Torin felt all of his blood drain from his body. His mana was depleted instantly, and his consciousness waned. Suddenly, the Knight couldn''t control his mind and soul as they faded into the abyss, never returning.


    But as his soul dissipated away, Torin could hear the voice speak onest thing.


    [Your hesitation was all I needed... Thank you for your body... I will use it well...]

 Chapter 80: Hunting the Blood Demon (1)

    <h4>Chapter 80: Hunting the Blood Demon (1)</h4>


    Not knowing the danger his fellow Eighteenth Squad member was in, Amon led his team into the deep thickets of Mistwood. Initially, he nned only to bring Yue and Leon, as he deemed that just the three were sufficient to weed out the Blood Demon. However, unknowingly, his party had grown to twice the size.


    "Sir Amon, I deeply apologise for trespassing."


    "Hmmm? No, it''s fine."


    A giant of a man tiptoed apologetically towards Amon and gave a sorrowful frown. He was one of Leon''srades from the Knight''s Academy and the person who would grow to be the future tank of Leon''s party, Rufus Dobbin.


    He volunteered for the Mistwood expedition after hearing that Leon and Amon were on a mission, hoping to give what little aid he could offer. At first, Rufus was assigned to carry debris and build shelters for the wounded civilians. But when he saw Leon being dragged by Amon to a new adventure, Rufus couldn''t help but tag along.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Where we''re going, we may need the extra muscle."


    "G-Great! Leave the heavy workload to me! Ah, Gale and Adelia too! I swear we won''t be a burden!"


    Hearing those names, Amon nced over his shoulder and saw the Sris members trailing close behind. After locking eyes with Amon, they froze and did their best to let out an impassionate smile. They were in the same boat as Rufus, volunteers from the Knight''s Academy who came to help those affected by the earthquake. But as the natural disaster relief mission turned into a Demon hunt, they couldn''t resist throwing themselves into the midst of danger.


    "Stay together; it''ll be troublesome if you get lost."


    "Y-yes!"


    All three of the Knight cadets answered in unison, all while shooting a pleading look to Leon, who pretended not to see them.


    Truth be told, Amon was hesitant to bring the trio along on the hunt, but upon consideration, he''d remembered that the Blood Demon Hunt was initiated by Leon''s party in [Bright] in the first ce. There, the party grew closer and developedbat synergy that was pivotal to their sesses in the future.


    It may do more harm than good if he''d forced them away, besides...


    "Don''t worry, you won''t be harmed as long as I''m around."


    Amon didn''t think twice before saying those words. For him, it''s more a statement of fact rather than an assurance. The Blood Demon was still weak at this juncture, and he had the key to destroying it for good. Also, after scouting Mistwood over the past few days, Amon had more or less developed a map of the dangerous spots in his mind.


    It wasn''t an exaggeration to say that the safest ce in Mistwood right now was right by Amon''s side.


    But for the young and impressionable Knight cadets, they didn''t feel that way.


    A mystical sense of reverence built within their hearts as they imagined a valiant scene of an honourable Knight vowing to protect them. But it wasn''t long before a mischievous voice interrupted their reverence.


    "What about me, Amon? Won''t you protect me?"


    Yue skipped back from the front and pointed her index finger to her face. The sudden appearance of the ethereal beauty threw the young cadets for a loop, particrly the boys. Yue wore a loosely fitted mage garment, clothes unsuitable for a hike in the woonds. Yet, there didn''t seem to be a single speck on her pristine body.


    The young beauty''sughter was enough to charm the young teenage boys, especially Rufus and Gale. Even Adelia, the only girl of the bunch, was somewhat dazed by Yue''s perfect appearance.


    Unfortunately, Yue''s spell didn''t work on the one person she wanted it to.


    "You can take care of yourself."


    "Tch, you''re such a tease!"


    Clicking her teeth, Yue pouted and stomped her feet. However, that didn''t do much for Amon. He straightened his body and stared ahead into the mist. Without wasting a second, Amon pointed to the north and ordered:


    "Yue, clear the fog."


    "Gotcha."


    There wasn''t a need for Amon to exin further. The pair had been adventuring together for eight years now, and as much as he didn''t want to admit it, the two had formed a synergy that couldn''t be matched by any other. Yue''s fingers filled with mana, and the mist that barred their vision was sucked dry in a split second.


    The younger members were stunned to see the Elune Princess''s powers firsthand, but for Amon, it was just another Tuesday. Without any care, the Knight headed deeper into the forest, with the crew trailing not far behind. In just a few hundred metres, they stumbled upon a strange sighting.


    "T-This is..."


    "What on earth?!"


    The cadets couldn''t believe their eyes. In the heart of Mistwood, there was a deep pit with a thick carpet of moss and fallen leaves. Its walls were about ten metres deep, making it a hard fall if anyone slipped, but no one cared about that.


    It was the contents of the pit that drained the colour from their faces.


    Hundreds of dead bodies and carcasses had been thrown into the pit as if it were andfill. All of the dead creaturescked even a single drop of blood, making the scene particrly grotesque. Adelia took a moment to hurl her guts out while the other three stood silently, unsure what to do or say.


    "As expected," Amon frowned as he towered over the pit. "The Demon is ramping up its activities."


    The young Knight gave a cold assessment of his findings.


    The earthquake gave the Blood Demon a prime scavenging ground to regain its lost power. Most of its prey were already dead and were fresh corpses or carcasses. It gave the Blood Demon a buffet of choice and didn''t waste a second.


    "Judging by the residue of Demonic energy here, it must have grown strong enough to hunt for live prey now."


    Amon urately judged the situation and announced his conclusions.


    "We''ll need to hurry. Before the Demon harms another soul, we should..."


    Just before Amon could give his order, his body flinched as he returned his gaze to the disgusting pit. The Demonic energy he''d felt was growing by the second, and an ominous foreboding feeling engulfed him. He stared straight down at the put, his expressions ice-cold and calm.


    "Draw your weapons and prepare to fight."


    "W-what?!"


    "The bloodless corpses are waking up."


    The simple order woke the youngsters'' minds. They all reached for their weapons and drew them in one fluid motion. Even though they were cadets, they had been training for this moment. s, their current situation wasn''t precisely practised during their simtions.


    The bloodless corpses emerged with disgustingly defiled features. Some had their jaws hanging by a single muscle thread. Most had lost limbs. And a select few had somehow managed to merge, creating a hybrid of man and beast.


    It was an agonising disy of the Blood Demon''s horror. Even though it had sucked the blood of so many, it continued to haunt its victims by making it a lifeless puppet, fated to do its malicious bidding.


    "Don''t be afraid; I will lead the charge. You guys clean up. Don''t let a single one escape." Amon calmly conveyed his intentions, his eyes focusing on his squire. "Leon, I trust you to lead your friends."


    "Yes!"


    Not to betray Amon''s trust, Leon answered immediately. While the horrendous scene shook him, a new emotion was seething within the young hero''s heart.


    Rage.


    Leon had never been inbat with a Demon before. Hell, this was the first time he had been to a proper battlefield. However, as he witnessed the abhorrent sight of human corpses being defiled in this manner, Leon developed a newfound rage towards the disgusting breed.


    "Rufus, Gale, Adelia... Let''s spread out and cover the pit from all sides. We can''t let a single one escape."


    "B-But, shouldn''t we help Sir Amon?"


    "Don''t be foolish."


    Even though Leon was filled with anger, he didn''t lose himself in it. The notion that they could assist Amon brought a bitterugh to his face.


    "We should be careful not to get in his way."


    "What?"


    "Trust me," Leon dered as he unsheathed Ascalon. The burning light from its de blinded the bloodless corpses nearest to them, giving Amon the perfect opportunity to strike.


    Holding Nyx in his hand, Amon charged straight into the pit with a dense golden aura enveloping his body. His eyes were gleaming with great power as three Suns orbited around him. The mana became so thick that heat formed around him like a ming torch, and each step he took melted the mossy ground.


    And then, Amon muttered the familiar word...


    "Dawn."


    Dawn, the first move of the Sris Mystic Arts, was unleashed with the power of three Suns. A ming ball of nuclear energy exploded above the treelines, and fire rained like shooting stars. The entire pit was no more than twenty metres from end to end, making it impossible for the bloodless corpses to escape.


    Most of them were engulfed in mes, while some incinerated into dust. In just one move, Amon had hindered half of the bloodless corpses, making the spectators drop their jaws in shock.


    Of course, Yue and Leon were immune to that. They were used to seeing Amon''s absurd feats and had built up a high mental tolerance for his antics, which made it easier for Leon to follow his master''s orders.


    "Now! Split up, and don''t let a single one escape!"


    Leon was the first to move. With Ascalon in his hand, the bloodless corpses avoided him like the gue. After all, his sword could purify them with a single scratch. But unfortunately, Leon wasn''t kind enough to let them escape.


    "I''m sorry... May you rest in peace."


    Ascalon''s de easily sliced through one of the zombies. During which, something magical urred. The moment Leon''s strike went through, the bloodless corpse''s body was instantly vapourised, leaving nothing but a gentle ball of blue fire behind.


    ''Thank you...''


    Leon swore that, at that moment, he could hear a voice calling out to him. However, that only distracted him for a split second. With added determination, Leon went onto the next bloodless corpse and swung his sword with twice the strength.


    The other three weren''t doing too bad, either.


    Adelia was showing signs of bing the next Sword Dancer. Swiftly moving through the bloodless corpses like they were standing still, she used her superior speed to incapacitate her foes. Gale was the same too. His strength exceeded his age as each swing sent a zombie flying dozens of metres. Even Rufus was holding his own with his trusted shield and mace.


    For their first battle, they were doing just fine.


    And Amon observed it all with a smile.


    After sending half the bloodless corpses flying, he slowed his assault and gave the rest a chance to shine. Amon didn''t feel pressured to leave the pit despite all the death and Demonic energy around him. He was particrly d to see Leon''s growth.


    His swordy, mana control, and, most importantly, his attitude.


    Even though it was Leon''s first time fighting against a Demonic creature, he was putting on a show. There was no hesitation in his swing like most rookies, and his strikes were calcted and precise. For many, there would be a mental barrier to fighting against bloodless corpses, mainly because they were once human. But Leon showed no signs of that.


    It was a testament to his maturity and growth as a Knight.


    "Shall we clean up this area then?"

 Chapter 81: Hunting the Blood Demon (2)

    <h4>Chapter 81: Hunting the Blood Demon (2)</h4>


    Amon''s party annihted the bloodless corpses with ease, giving them their final deliverance through holy fire. With the area finally cleared, the young party had a brief break to catch their breath and rest before continuing their hunt.


    Gale, Adelia, and Rufus sat solemnly in a circle, their faces bleak and ashen. They couldn''t believe what they had just witnessed and what they had just done as much as they were trained to be soldiers who would remain calm in the face of adversity. This was their first actual battle, and they fought against zombies that were once innocent humans.


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    It was a little hard for their adolescent hearts toprehend.


    Amon and Yue were far more experienced than the novices; hence, they were far calmer. Their focus was more on tracking the Blood Demon, who could be anywhere.


    "For so many bloodless corpses to awaken... The Blood Demon must have regained its former strength substantially." Yue remarked grimly.


    Among everyone present, she was the one who had the most experience when it came to dealing with the Blood Demon. Amon''s knowledge mainly was through reading [Bright] and, therefore, theoretical. Yue, on the other hand, had personal experience when it came tobating the formidable foe.


    "It must have consumed a living, powerful person. Otherwise, there''s no reason for its strength to explode." Amon solemnly concluded.


    "A knight... Do you reckon it''s from our forces?"


    "Hard to tell," Amon rubbed on his chin. "Secretly call Bane and ask him if he''s lost any forces. When we return to campter on, let''s do a roll call and see if any Knights are missing."


    "That''s our only option, I suppose."


    Yue didn''t let out a single joke or teasing remark. She knew well what grim reality they faced if the Blood Demon regained its original strength. That monster was a sinister beast that was unscrupulous in its approach. It used deceit to trick enemies stronger than itself and would ruthlessly ughter weak innocents without batting a single eyelid.


    The world would be much safer if they could nip the threat in the bud and eradicate the Blood Demon while it was still weak.


    If it regained its lost power and grouped up with the Demon Cult as it did in Yue''s original timeline...


    "How are your mana reserves?"


    Amon''smanding voice called out to Yue, breaking her thoughts. She snapped out from her recollection and turned to face the tall youth. Smiling, she replied:


    "All good. I barely used any mana actually; we can continue the search as soon as the others have rested up."


    "Good."


    Amon nodded his head and didn''t continue further. Yue hadn''t participated in the earlier battle, not because she waszy, but because she had a more pivotable role. Ever since they''d entered Mistwood, she''d been using her summons to search the vicinity, hoping to cover every bearing on the path they traversed.


    With the mana of six circles, Yue could keep her summons around endlessly, so Amon didn''t need to worry that much. Nevertheless, Yue''s involvement was pivotal in locating the Blood Demon, so Amon made a point to check in on her periodically.


    Speaking on checking up on others...


    Leon stood silently over the pit, his blue eyes showing deep signs of austerity. Hundreds of thoughts crept in, making his entire atmosphere solemn and grim. It wasn''t until Amon approached his side that he finally cracked a sentence.


    "Amon... Why do Demons do this to us?"


    Lost and hollow, Leon couldn''t fathom the depravity of the situation. He''d always heard the damage that Demons caused humanity, but this was the first time he''d seen it in person. Not only did the Demon kill innocents, it sucked their blood and ripped them of their humanity.


    Even after death, the innocent civilians were enved into thoughtless zombies that fought for the Demon that killed it.


    It was gruesome and unthinkable... and something that Leon could never understand.


    "Leon, are you a Demon?"


    "Huh?"


    Amon''s question threw the youngster for a loop. He turned his head and locked sight with Amon''s hefty golden eyes.


    "If you aren''t a Demon, why bother understanding them? All you need to know is that they''re the enemy and must be eliminated."


    Amon''s logic was purely militaristic. When he lived his life as a Transcendent, all he did was follow orders. He had no empathy or remorse for his actions and eliminated his enemies like it was second nature to him. That mindset could be either a blessing or a curse.


    In this case... it was a blessing.


    "Demons are just enemies that need to be killed. Know that, and you will do well in our future missions."


    After eradicating the Blood Demon, Amon nned to begin the war against the Demon Cult in earnest. When that time came, he needed Leon to be ready. There would be more ruthless Demons, even Demonic Humans, that had fallen to the Prophet''s temptation.


    They were all enemies that Leon had to be prepared to face.


    "... understood."


    Leon firmly nodded while raising Ascalon for a closer view. When he''d in the bloodless corpses that came his way, they let out a serene voice of gratitude that stuck heavily to his heart. For the first time, he''d gotten a taste of what it was like to save someone, even if they were already dead.


    Rather than let them ve away at the whims of a Demon, it was better to give them eternal salvation.


    And that was what Leon was determined to do.


    "Have you rested enough?" Amon asked the group, mainly the young cadets seated quietly at the corner. "If so, we''re moving out. We still have a couple of hours when the Sun is up. We''ll need to hurry."


    "Y-yes!"


    The Knight cadets answered in unison as they hurriedly got to their feet. Adelia stumbled a little and lost her bnce for a brief moment, only to be caught by her childhood friend standing close by.


    "You alright?"


    "Y-yeah! Thank you!"


    "Okay, be careful."


    Usually, Gale would make a snobbish remark to tease Adelia during moments like these. However, the young man did no such thing. With a face full of determination, he ensured the safety of his partner before focusing on the task at hand. Amon, who let out a rare smile, didn''t miss that move.


    ''Even Leon''srades are growing at an elerated rate. Should I also bring them under my tutge if that''s the case?''


    In [Bright], Leon made plenty ofrades. However, these three had always stood by his side, growing alongside him and assisting him in achieving more extraordinary feats of bravery. Having them train under him didn''t seem that bad of an idea.


    Not to mention, their base training was alreadyplete. They were some of the finest cadets in the Knight''s Academy, and like Leon, they would be highly sought after to join any Order. The only aspect theycked was real-life experiences and a battle-hardened mindset.


    However, that could be fixed easily.


    While Amon seriously considered messing up the timeline at the risk of severe deviation to improve the young Knight''s capabilities, Yue approached the only other girl in the group.


    "Adelia, right?"


    "P-Princess Yue! How may I help you?"


    "Ah, stop it with the Princess title. It''s too shy for me. Just call me Yue!"


    "S-sure..."


    Adelia was tongue-twisted by the ethereal beauty''s sudden appearance next to her. She took a moment to reflect on the status of the person she was talking to.


    Yue Elune.


    The Princess of the Elune House. She was the heir to the mighty Magician''s House and was widely considered the most talented mage of her generation. Besides the Saintess, she was the most famous girl in Hyades and the idol everyone yearned to see at least once.


    And it was for good reason. Yue was perhaps the most jaw-dropping beauty Adelia had ever seen, and she was even prettier the closer one got to her.


    Adelia heard rumours that there were even fan clubs dedicated to spreading snippets of her image¡ªnot because they were lustful but because Yue''s appearance enchanted them. And after staring right at the beauty for a few seconds, Adelia could understand why.


    Yue''s everflowing white hair cascaded down like moonlight strings, exuding mystery and grace. Her deep, ruby eyes heavily contrasted with her ethereal hair, which made people pay more attention to it. Like casting a spell, anyone who met eyes with her would have their breath swept away as they were charmed by her mystical gaze.


    She was a breathtaking, otherworldly beauty who looked like she was from another dimension. Such a beauty couldn''t be tied down by mortal means.


    But of course... someone had tied down her heart.


    "Sorry to spring this onto you, but could you do me a favour?"


    "O-Of course! What would you like me to do?"


    "I think we''re closing in on the Demon soon, so I would be a little busyter on. When the timees, could I entrust you with the recording?"


    Yue reached into her pocket and handed over two recording crystals. They were high-end crystals that could record everything in high-definition, and each was expensive enough to buy afortable house. Adelia hadn''t seen one in person, so to see Yue hand them out so casually gave her a slight fright.


    ''As expected from one of the richest girls in the world. But wait, recording?''


    Adelia was rightfully confused by Yue''s words. Did they need to record the Demon for the mission''s purposes? Even if they did, there was no need to invest so much in expensive recording crystals like the ones in her hand.


    Unfortunately, Adelia''s hopes were about to be dampened instantly.


    "Please help me record Amon, okay? And try to do it secretly! Amon gets annoyed whenever I record him secretly, and he''ll stop allowing me to hug him! We can''t have that, right?"


    "..."


    Adelia was utterly speechless. She didn''t know what to say in response to the young beauty''s fervour. All she could do was stare straight at Yue''s lovestruck expression nkly.


    "Tch, we''ve been going out together for the past eight years; you would think he would be okay with me filming him by now! But he''s just so stingy! Don''t you think so too?"


    ''Then don''t film him secretly?!''


    Adelia couldn''t help but retort in her mind. All of her majestic, imaginative impressions of Yue crumbled instantly as she watched the woman frown and scold Amon with a dissatisfied pout. Adelia thought of the countless enamoured members of Yue''s fan club and their genuine worship of the girl.


    How would they feel if they saw their idol with hearts in her eyes for another man?


    "Make sure to take good videos, alright? Try to get his good side and zoom in whenever you see a handsome shot. Ah, but don''t fall in love with Amon. He''s mine, after all."


    Yue''s cold hand grasped Adelia''s shoulder, sending a chilling sensation down her spine. Unknowingly, Adelia saw the death god hanging behind Yue''s perfect face, and she waspelled to answer promptly if she wanted to survive.


    "I-I won''t!"


    "Ehehe, good!"


    As Yue casually walked over to Amon and sauntered by his side like nothing happened, Adelia felt her legs give way. She tapped on her beating chest and wiped off the cold sweat from her forehead. While calming herself, only one thought remained in her head.


    ''They really are the Fantasy Couple.''

 Chapter 82: Hunting the Blood Demon (3)

    <h4>Chapter 82: Hunting the Blood Demon (3)</h4>


    An hour passed since Amon and the group eradicated the bloodless corpse pile. Their search for the Blood Demon continued deep into the shrubbery of Mistwood, but unfortunately, the elusive Demon was still nowhere to be found.


    It was a reality check for Amon and Yue, who were confident in their search capabilities. Amon''s senses, which could sense a Demon from ten kilometres away, could not get a whiff of the Blood Demon''s general direction. It wasn''t that different for Yue. She summoned multiple Spirits and scoured each tree in the vicinity. Yet, the Blood Demon''s traces were nowhere to be found.


    "That''s odd... Did the Blood Demon have a method of hiding its tracks?"


    Amon only read about the enigmatic creature from the books and never had any firsthand experience with the monster. So, he looked to the one person who had hunted the Blood Demon in her previous timeline for answers.


    "I''m not sure," Yue replied grimly. "By the time I joined the war against the Blood Demon, it had already joined the Demon Cult and gained an absurd amount of power. It didn''t need to hide at that point as it could openly cut down a thousand Knights on the battlefield."


    "That''s unfortunate..."


    Amon sighed openly and continued to pour his focus into the fog. While visibility was lowered, he could see the world clearly. The mana streams of the forest were all in mayhem due to the earthquake, and the bnce waspletely askew. Calling it the aftermath of a natural disaster would be an understatement. It was as if a supernatural force had forcibly altered the streams to its will, creating an ufortable dissonance in the atmosphere.


    And that gave Amon a sh of understanding.


    "What if... the Blood Demon doesn''t have a central core?"


    "What do you mean? Is that even possible?"


    Yue raised her eyebrows, confused at her fianc¨¦''s hypothesis.


    "No, I should be more specific." Amon shook his head and corrected himself. "What if the Blood Demon spreads its mana to the bloodless corpses and carcasses it devoured? And that masks its actual location."


    "That... could make sense!"


    The white-haired beauty widened her eyes as an epiphany struck her. She didn''t wait for Amon to continue his train of thought and pulled out the eroded hand they''d obtained from the cave they explored. Poking her mana into the corroded arm, Yue summoned a mystical creature from her soul and willed it to gnaw on the dposing flesh.


    While it looked small and fragile, the Spirit that Yue summoned was anything but weak.


    A spellbindingly gorgeous butterfly, its wings were a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours that shimmered with the radiance of the Sun and Moon. Like the painted ss of a cathedral, it showcased the brilliance of the colours of the rainbow, captivating any who saw it flutter its wings.


    It glided through space as if it were immaterial, dragging along a melodic hum that soothed the soul. The mana it possessed was unfathomable for a creature of its size, and it was enough to make anyone fearful just by being in its presence.


    Like Yaru, the Mist Spider, the butterfly was one of Yue''s signature Monarch Spirits.


    Anima, the Rainbow Butterfly.


    "Anima, trace the mana streams and try to find any clues about the Blood Demon."


    "Krrttt!!!"


    The Rainbow Butterfly let out an adorable yelp, and it was free to unleash its power. Rainbow particles created myriad dazzling lights that illuminated the once invisible mana streams. That was the power of the Monarch-ranked Spirit, an entity that gazed into the souls of the departed and gave vision to what was once unseeable.


    It also created illusions that could replicate reality, trapping its victims for eternity if they lost their way.


    In [Bright], when Yue was under the control of the Demon Cult, her Rainbow Butterfly caused plenty of issues for Leon and his party. So Amon was eternally grateful that he didn''t need to face the terrifying woman and her legion of Spiritual summons.


    "You''re right! I think I found its location!"


    Utilising Anima, Yue could trace the mana streams to a hidden location not too far away. Her ruby eyes brightened, and she quickly dered:


    "Quick, let''s head over! I think it may be on the move!"


    "Yes!"


    Amon turned to the youngsters, who were taking a moment to rest, and ordered:


    "We found the Demon! Get ready!"


    "Y-Yes!"


    Leon, Gale, Adelia and Rufus all jumped to their feet and readied their weapons. They charged towards Amon''s side as he led them through the forest with Yue''s Spirit guiding them. Passing through shattered rock and fallen trees, the group quickly approached a path of light. They passed through the tall trees without hesitation and emerged into a tranquilke.


    Its surface was as smooth as ss, giving therge body of water a serene yet eerie feeling. Tall pines and ancient oaks encircled theke, and the uneasy mist shrouded their silhouettes. Like ghostly tendrils, the fog beckoned to the neers and tempted them to enjoy a dip. But they didn''t ept the invitation.


    With faces filled with seriousness, they held their weapons tensely and watched over the foggyke, wary of intruders. And it didn''t take long for their worries to be met.


    "What are you doing here?"


    Amanding voice called out to them, sending them straight on edge. The less experienced members, in particr, leapt into a defensive stance and directed their weapons towards the foreign voice. However, when they saw the person approaching them, they let out a sigh of relief and lowered their guards.


    "Sir Torin! What are you doing here?"


    Leon was the first to identify the man¡ªa well-groomed tall figure wearing the illustrious ck Dragon Order uniform. It was none other than Sir Torin Var, one of the Knights of the Eighteenth Squad that Amon was a part of.


    "We were hunting for the Demon that caused all the mayhem, and we traced it down to this location."


    "Oh? What a coincidence. I also traced it here. Shall we join forces then?"


    "Ah, as expected from you! If that''s the case, then..."


    Before Leon could ept that offer, Amon''s right hand pushed the youth''s chest back. His eyes were gleaming gold as a silent determination exploded from his psyche. Amon stepped forward and looked at Torin, or what remained of him... and said:


    "Prepare yourselves for a fight."


    Rather than address the man in front of him, Amon ordered his party with a robotic voice. Hisbat stance puzzled the four youngsters, especially after he pulled out Nyx from his soul. Only Yue took his orders seriously and channelled enough mana to summon her signature four warrior Spirits.


    Seeing the young Knight spin his de, ''Torin'' tilted his head and asked:


    "What are you doing, Amon?"


    "..."


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''Torin'' saw Amon staring right at him emotionlessly and without a single ounce of recognition. And that''s when he realised something was amiss. Before ''Torin'' could breathe another word, Amon had disappeared from his line of sight and charged straight at the man with a ruthless sh.


    CLINK!!!


    Nyx collided with the crimson sword that ''Torin'' wielded, creating a soundwave that resonated throughout theke, breaking its serenity. The force of Amon''s strike was enough to push the heavy Knight dozens of metres backwards. Crashing onto the mossy forest floor, ''Torin'' felt his entire body crumble and his internal organs puncture.


    To most people, it would have been a life-threatening injury.


    But s, ''Torin'' was no longer human.


    [How did you know?]


    An ominous voice creaked out from the broken man with his jaw hanging. His blue eyes gradually shifted spectrums and turned red, and a foul, crimson Aura emerged from his pores. Blood dripped down from his eye sockets as he restructured his body to make a full recovery. The sight of muscles contorting and bones cracking was despicable, and the group hardened their expressions.


    [Young boy, answer me... How could you te-...]


    Before the Blood Demon could say another word, Amon flew right at him like a missile. Mana exploded from his core as three Suns orbited around him. Amon unleashed the most potent strike he could muster without wasting a moment with the three Suns he brought out.


    ''Heaven''s Fall!''


    Crashing down like a falling star, Amon decimated ''Torin'' with a single, focused strike. mes engulfed the indecent creature as if they meted out Heaven''s wrath. The mana was so dense and concentrated that the side of theke Amon was on had much of its water vapourised just from the initial strike. Flickers of the Aura fire persisted, scorching and incinerating anything in its path.


    However... the unthinkable happened.


    Even though ''Torin'' had been burnt away, his body persisted. Standing straight up, a torrent of ominous blood emerged from his inner core, healing the man to his perfect condition.


    It was as if Amon''s attack had never happened.


    "N-No way, how did Sir Torin turn out this way?"


    Leon gasped, and his eyes were wavering. He couldn''t understand why one of the Sris Knights he knew had turned to the dark side. Adding on that, he couldn''t believe the Demon could withstand Amon''s direct attackpletely unscathed.


    "Don''t falter! That man is no longer the Knight you know!"


    With Amon preupied, it fell on Yue to bark out the orders. Even though she had a youthful appearance, the woman had lived two lifetimes. Mentally, she was well over forty and a veteran who had lived through some of the world''s most trying moments. Hence, Yue knew how to rally the troops when it came to fighting against Demons.


    "Didn''t you hear Amon''s order? There''s no way that Demon came alone. We''ll need to prepare to fight!"


    "Y-yes!"


    It wasn''t an order that needed to be repeated. Secondster, numerous ominous figures emerged from the forest and under theke. Many were bloodless corpses and were weak foes they could defeat with a single swing. However, it quickly became clear that the Demon had strengthened its forces.


    Exiled Demonic Beasts and bloodless Mythical creatures revealed themselves in the most dire manner. The Blood Demon''s mana had infused elks over five metres tall¡ªtigers and jaguars with heightened powers from blood rituals and even serpents bathed by blood.


    It was a nightmaree to life.


    "Shit!"


    Realising his folly, Leon unsheathed Ascalon and shed its brilliance. Hisrades did the same. Gale with his zweih?nder, and Adelia with her rapier. Even Rufus readied his mace and shield with added zeal, knowing he was about to fight for his life.


    Yue smiled as she watched the youngsters ready themselves without wavering. They grew quickly, just as Amon had anticipated. Just a few days ago, they would have been quaking in their boots and froze at the sight of these fearsome foes. But now, they were proper Knights...


    Proper hunters.


    "From now on, it will be a proper hunt!"

 Chapter 83: Qyriwirth (1)

    <h4>Chapter 83: Qyriwirth (1)</h4>


    The Blood Demon looked at the youngster standing before its eyes and sneered.


    [You won''t hesitate to cut arade? No wonder this man hates you.]


    Amon didn''t dignify the taunt with a response. Instead, he mustered up his mana and flew right at the Blood Demon faster than before. Enacting the Sris Mystic Art, Ster Waltz, he could move faster than the Demon could react. Nyx gathered arge chunk of Sr Aura, which burned with a zing Aura Fire.


    Usually, Amon would aim for the vital points, such as the neck and the heart, but this time, his target was a little lower. Violently, he crashed his ck sword into the crimson de of the Blood Demon, setting the sword aze with a righteous vengeance.


    However, even with the force of three Suns, there wasn''t even a crack on the enigmatic sword. It remained wholly intact, as if nothing ever happened.


    That targeted act wasn''t left unnoticed by the Blood Demon. Its body vibrated angrily as a low murmur reverberated from ''Torin''s'' vocal cords.


    [You... Why are you target-...]


    Before the Blood Demon could finish its sentence, Amon sent out another ming strike, attempting to sever the Blood Demon''s arm from the sword. Nyx easily sliced through ''Torin'', igniting a proliferating ze that only grew with each flicker.


    Amon was careful not to touch the crimson sword as he kicked the arm away. Acting like a vengeful god, he smited the sword with an overhead strike. However, even with a full-powered swing, all he could get out of the de was a chime as it withstood Amon''s attack.


    ''Tch, as expected... It''s impossible unless we use Ascalon, huh?''


    The Blood Demon''s essence was sealed within the crimson de. So long as it exists, the Blood Demon would never die. It would continue to predate and corrupt humans to do its bidding, even if they destroyed its main body. But since it was created from the Blood Dragon''s fang and imbued with its residue of malicious thoughts and mana, the de was almost indestructible.


    That''s why the Sris ancestors who faced the beast many years ago could only seal the sword in a remote location.


    Fortunately, they had a trump card up their sleeve.


    Ascalon, the Holy Sword. An artefact blessed directly by the Goddess herself, it was a weapon that could y Dragons and purify Demonic energy. It was the Blood Demon''s archnemesis and the only way they could eradicate the monster for good.


    [Y-You... know me?]


    A sinister growl sneered out from the Blood Demon''s mouth. Initially, it tried to taunt and demean Amon, hoping to lower his guard so that it could take over his body. However, Amon wasn''t biting the bait. It became clear that the man before him wasn''t a hot-headed Knight.


    But the more surprising thing was...


    Amon was directly targeting its weakness. He didn''t care about the body it possessed, all he was aiming for was the destruction of the crimson de.


    [How do you know who I wa-...]


    Once again, Amon wouldn''t give the Blood Demon the liberty of talking. If it were an enemy he knew nothing about, Amon would have been d to let the idiotic creature rumble on to extract as much information about them as possible.


    s, the Blood Demon was a different case. He already knew what its strengths and weaknesses were. Amon even brainstormed with Yue how to effectively destroy the monster with the fewest casualties. So, there was no need to give the Blood Demon any breathing room.


    Leaping right before ''Torin,'' Amon swung Nyx and d it with dense Aura Fire. The cut sliced through the Blood Demon''s body and doused thick mes upon the eroding body. The beast roared in agony but never once lost its focus. Its eye gleamed in an ominous red as a tsunami of toxic blood emerged from its body in defence of the Blood Demon.


    Not willing to get caught up in the attack, Amon leapt several steps back and created his ming torrent. Fire and blood met in theke''s centre and cancelled each other out, leaving behind a blinding red mist.


    The attack had left Amon speechless. He didn''t expect the Blood Demon to have obtained so much power just a few days after it awakened. Did taking over Torin''s body cause such a drastic change? Amon couldn''t have guessed. But it had most likely absorbed far more blood than he''d ever anticipated.


    Seeing that Amon had paused from his onught, the Blood Demon uttered a curtling cry.


    [You... What on earth are you?]


    Amon ignored the monster''s words. He gathered mana from his inner core and stuck Nyx''s tip into the forest floor. Channelling his mana, the Sris Knight created a golden sanctuary that covered a quarter of theke. The illusory pirs burnt most of the bloodless corpses while a heavenly light weakened the Blood Demon and its elites.


    ''Torin''s'' skin began to peel as bubbles foamed at the cracks. The Blood Demon unknowingly fell onto its knee, unable to bear the searing pain that Amon was forcing upon it. However, even with such an effect, Amon felt disappointed and annoyed.


    ''Tch, if only there weren''t so many pesky eyes here. I could go all out...''


    Even though Amon''s impressive power was impressive, he was limited to only three Suns. If he could utilise all six of his suns or, even better,bine them with his six moons, the Blood Demon would have been vapourised instantly.


    Unfortunately, Amon still wished to keep his true strength hidden. Both to prevent the annoyance from the Sris House and to hide his true power from the Demon Cult.


    ''I could fool Leon and the other youngsters, but the two annoyances watching us from the shadows won''t be fooled...''


    Since they''d left Solfea, two prying eyes trailed them all the time. To be fair, it was for their protection as they were both high-value assets. But right now, they were acting as hindrances rather than protectors.


    ''Let''s trap the bastard first...''


    Amon wasn''t daydreaming or nking out as he had those thoughts. Mana was assembling at the tip of Nyx''s de as Sr mana manifested as a dazzling orange seed. The manifestation erupted into being, giving birth to a blooming lotus that spread its thorny tendrils throughout the Blood Demon''s body.


    [You-...]


    The Blood Demon wasn''t allowed to utter a single word as Amon expertly controlled the Sr re Lotus to decimate ''Torin''s'' body. Nothing remained of the Knight while the tendrils Amon created carefully lifted the crimson sword into the air.


    Amon was increasingly cautious not to let anyone near the de, not even his flesh. He was well aware of the dangers the sword could cause and wouldn''t risk his life in a moment''s folly. Even without ncing back, he shouted:


    "Leon! Strike the sword with Ascalon! Hit it with everything you got!"


    It was an order that couldn''t be defied. Amon''s stern voice exploded with conviction, sending shivers down everyone''s spines. Yue, who heard his authoritative tone, slightly blushed and whispered something that barely anyone could listen to. Unfortunately, Adelia heard Yue''s lustful words and covered her cheeks in embarrassment.


    But never mind that the person Amon was ordering heard the call... and answered without hesitation.


    Holding Ascalon behind his back, Leon sped through the battlefield like a cheetah, making quick steps with giant leaps. In less than five seconds, he had escaped the containment of bloodless corpses and was just metres away from Amon''s Sr re Lotus that trapped the crimson de.


    Leon obeyed Amon''s instructions to the letter and focused all his mana on Ascalon. The Holy Sword burnt with the brilliance of the Sun as a resonant hum broke the chaos of the battlefield. Now, everyone was watching Leon''s heroic movements with goldfish eyes.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Leon soared into the sky like an Archangel carrying out God''s will and brought Ascalon above his head. Power and mana poured into his vessel while the holy light of the heavens exploded into existence.


    The crimson sword quivered as it experienced the sanctified mana for the first time, and it desperately attempted to escape from Amon''s clutches. Blood torrents erupted from its inner core and created a makeshift shield to protect itself. However, Amon was one step ahead of it.


    Thorny tendrils vapourised the blood shield, revealing the red sword again. It attempted to protect itself again, but it was toote.


    Ascalon hade to smite the heretic.


    CLINK!!!!


    me and blood shed in an apocalyptic collision. Rocks and trees were sent flying, and theke began to vapourise seconds after the disaster. Like a resonant bell, the chime of the two metals meeting sent shockwaves throughout the forest.


    Weaker bodies like Adelia, Gale and Rufus had to cover their ears to endure the suffering. And the bloodless corpses were no different. Many were instantly destroyed, while the elites barely kept onto their dposing bodies.


    The shsted for a few seconds, but it felt like hours had passed for everyone present.


    When the collision ended, Leon and Ascalon were sent flying back. Leon expanded his mana and stamina by using everything, making it impossible for him to break his fall. Luckily for Leon, he didn''t have to.


    "Careful, now."


    Amon''s sturdy chest cushioned Leon''s fall. Gently cing the blonde Knight down, Amon ensured he had no injuries before saying: "You did well."


    "T-Thanks..." Leon let out a yful smile before turning serious. "So, did we do it?"


    "... No, we have severely miscalcted its strength."


    Amon shot a regrettable expression before staring right at the impact crater. A crimson silhouette stood on its lonesome as it stared down Amon and Leon. It seemed to disconnect statically from reality at certain times while still holding onto its material form.


    A blood corpse.


    Its ck eyes held no emotion, but Amon and Leon could distinctly feel the wrath hidden within the monster. And sure enough...


    [You dare... YOU DARE HARM ME?!?!?! QYRIWIRTH THE GREAT!!!!]


    In its anger, the Blood Demon revealed its true name. The name was long forgotten by humanity and was only kept in the deepest annals of the Sris House.


    Qyriwirth, the Blood Dragon.


    An explosion of mana followed by an outpour of malice filled the entireke. Its pressure could cause most people to faint and foam at the mouth. It was the presence of a Dragon Sovereign, albeit the remnants of one.


    Usually acting as the Blood Demon, it was a cunning creature that aimed to regain strength through sinister ploys and tricking people into its trap. There was only one reason it was showing such an outpour of rage and hostility now...


    ''It cracked.''


    Amon''s superior eyes could catch a glimpse of the crimson de. One small crack had defaced its once pristine condition, forcing ounces of bloody mist to leak. Leon''s strike with Ascalon worked. But unfortunately, it wasn''t enough to finish the job.


    [YOU DARE!!!]


    The rage in the Blood Demon''s voice echoed within the forest as the mana rose to astronomical heights. Based on Mana, it felt like Amon was facing a superior knight like Carmen or Alrock. It was hard to breathe just by standing in its presence, and its pressure only increased by the second.


    Amon must reveal some of his hidden cards to defeat the monster.


    Fortunately, it wasn''t time for him to show his hand.


    When the Blood Demon unveiled its sinister form, two shadows leapt from the forest and stood before Amon and Leon. They wore resplendent golden armours with firm draconic markings carved into their gauntlets.


    ''About time they showed themselves.''


    Amon''s lips curved upwards as he saw the two mighty figures draw their swords and point them straight at the Demon. Leon was rightfully shocked but calmed down after seeing the familiar sigil embedded in their capes.


    "The Golden Dragon Order!"

 Chapter 84: Qyriwirth (2)

    <h4>Chapter 84: Qyriwirth (2)</h4>


    Moments before Amon forced the Blood Demon to reveal its true form...


    "Coordinate your attacks on the elites! There''s no point wasting your strength on the bloodless corpses!"


    Yue was barking orders at the young cadets while scrutinising the battlefield. Although she may look like an ethereal flower, the woman was a bona fide veteran. Yue could tell that the bloodless corpses posed little to no threats to the group, and her attention zoned in on the various elites of the Blood Demon.


    Mainly the supernatural elk, serpent, tiger and jaguars. They were oozing a deadly crimson Aura, while veins popped within their massive bodies, making them look far more intimidating than the countless of bloodless corpses that rallied around them.


    "Princess Yue, can we really focus on the elites with so many corpses surrounding them?" Rufus asked while shing a concerned expression.


    "Don''t worry about them; I will clear the path."


    Before the massive Knight could ask how Yue''s mana soared through the roof, those close by felt their skins crawl at the immense mana exploding from the young, peerless beauty, and their minds were all astounded by how a human could contain that much mana.


    In many ways, her mana exceeded that of the Sris Bloodline. It was terrifyingly pure, and its created density could leave most regr humans breathless. Fortunately, everyone present possessed the Sris Bloodline or had trained enough to withstand high amounts of mana. Otherwise, they would have passed out without question.


    Yue snapped her fingers, and without a moment''s dy, an explosive ring of me and lightning proliferated from her feet. Both were destructive spells, a fire that scorched anything it came across and lightning that instantly ripped the life out of anything that stood in its path. Combining those two spells was akin to casting a death sentence without breathing a word.


    Instantly, half of the bloodless corpses were decimated before Yue''s wrath. They were burnt and electrocuted, never to return from the valleys of hell once again. In the aftermath, the other party members could only gape in awe at what they''d just witnessed.


    Dual elements, simultaneously insta-casted, and with a force strong enough to massacre thousands.


    Even skilled magicians would be hard-pressed to replicate what Yue had just done, and yet, the young woman barely broke a sweat.


    "Y-You..."


    "There''s no need to be surprised," Yueughed. "Did you think that Amon''s bride would be weak?"


    It was then that they were reminded who they were dealing with. Yue Elune, the Elune House''s heir, is widely considered the most prodigal magician of their lifetimes. They''d always heard stories of her genius but never took it to heart. Especially after interacting with her over the past few days, they always saw her as a happy-go-lucky girl who loved to cling to Amon.


    On this day, they were given a rude awakening.


    In many ways... Yue Elune was the one they needed to be fearful of.


    "Quick, eliminate the elites. I don''t want to stay in this god-forbidden ce forever."


    "Y-Yes!"


    A uniform roar erupted from the youngsters. Gale was the first to take the lead. He charged with renewed enthusiasm at the nearest blood-transformed Mythical Beast, a five-metre-tall elk. Holding onto his Zweih?nder, he coated the de with a blue fire and swung at the monster with all his might.


    While Gale was a Sris member through and through, he hailed from a variant bloodline that sought to modify the Nine Suns Heart Mantra to their benefit. Through years of hard work and trials, they''d seeded, but just barely. Rather than the usual golden hue, their ''Suns'' had been dyed blue, enhancing their overall explosive and attack power. However, as a result, theycked the ability to learn any defensive or auxiliary arts, making them the first ''defective'' Sris.


    Many called their ancestor an idiot, a fool for attempting to improve on perfection. But the results spoke for themselves. Each sessive generation that inherited the Blue Suns showed exemry character and valour, proving themselves on the battlefield as valued assets that couldn''t be reced.


    The explosive legacy that the Sris Fool created has made its mark in history, and his inheritors have carried the g, ying Demons and threats by the thousands.


    And the Blue Tempest that Gale summoned from the Sword Garden... was precisely the sword that the Sris Fool used.


    "ARGHHHH!!!"


    Blue mes rained like hellfire, incinerating the giant elk. It groaned in agony and angrily stomped its feet. Shockwaves turned the ground into a mosh pit, making it impossible for the regr man to walk. Noticing the change, Gale lept up to the clouds and channelled his mana into the tip of his Zweih?nder.


    Once more, Gale unveiled the brutality of his weapon. Fire wrapped around the tips of the de like a whirlwind, creating an aptly named blue tempest around its handle. Without taking a second nce, Gale swung his mighty sword with all his might, and it turned into a downburst of fiery winds.


    The elk was given no chance.


    Incinerated and sliced apart, it was sent back to theherworld without a second to react.


    Not to be outdone by Gale, the other two cadets also leapt into action.


    Swinging her rapier, Adelia charged at the zombified jaguar while Rufus held his ground against the bloodless tiger.


    Adelia''s forte was speed, and her movements with the Argent Sun highlighted her expertise. The zombified jaguar was stealthy and quick, pouncing from one bush to another within the blink of an eye. However, Adelia followed suit without hesitation. Her footwork was precise and light, making her figure disappear mid-air every few seconds.


    For a brief moment, the elite jaguar was mystified. Unable to follow the girl''s movements, it stood still and twisted its head around to sense her bearings. Unfortunately, that was its fatal mistake. Adelia somersaulted mid-air andnded upside down on a branch above its head. Pushing her arm down next to her waist, Adelia concentrated mana into the tip of her rapier and let out a blindingly fast thrust.


    A pir of fire was shot out like a bullet, tracing down from Adelia''s Argent Sun and piercing through the soft hide of the jaguar. Roaring in anger, it twisted its body and swung its tail at the girl, who managed to evade the attack with her movement skill.


    In the brief moment she was airborne, the jaguar took the opportunity to pounce on Adelia. Without any foothold around, Adelia could only watch with slit eyes as the bloodless carcass w inched closer to her flesh.


    However, the Knight didn''t panic. She calcted her trajectory and ensured that she had enough time. Was it a second? No, it may even be a millisecond. The moment Adelia''s toes touched the ground, her entire body burst with mana as she flickered away from the jaguar. In less than a second, she had expanded the gap between them by five metres, giving her ample time to prepare her next move.


    Still writhing in pain, the jaguar couldn''t concentrate on its battle with Adelia. Hence, it was toote to see Argent Sun''s tip piercing through its jaw and detonating a relentless fire within its belly.


    And finally, Rufus Dobbin proved his worth on the battlefield in the same vein as his Sris counterparts.


    Although he didn''t possess the Sris Bloodline, Rufus was a relentless and talented Knight. He trained doubly as hard, passing the Knight''s Academy with flying colours. To keep up with gifted monsters like Gale, Adelia, and Leon was no small task. And yet, he proved it with his actions.


    Facing off against the bloodless tiger, Rufus rooted his feet like a sturdy tree. Unafraid of the damage he may take, Rufus held his shield up high and took the tiger''s charge without an ounce of frustration. The collision shook the man, and he felt his internal organs crying out. But he didn''t move an inch. Stopping a fully charging beast with pure strength alone, he readied his mace for a clean counter.


    Aura gathered around his weapon as he let out a menacing war cry. The mace collided with the bloodless tiger''s carcass, instantly ripping away half of its ribcage. However, that wasn''t enough to eliminate the Blood Demon''s elite. Even with a mortal wound, the zombie continued its onught. It pounced again, ready to rip Rufus'' head if given the chance.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Gritting his teeth, Rufus parried the powerful w with his shield and swung with all his might. This time, his mace took off half of the tiger''s face.


    The sequence carried on, and bit by bit, Rufus beat down the bloodless tiger until it was made into a blob of flesh. It was by far the most grotesque way any of the cadets defeated their opponent, but at least it got the job done.


    The three cadets showed their unique charm and proved they weren''t a liability by single-handedly taking down an elite. Even at a young age, they showed glimpses of how they grew to be members of the hero party.


    As for the hero himself...


    "Hargh!!!"


    Combining his Sr mana into Ascalon, he swung in a clean arc against the serpent who dared to bear its fangs against him. In one strike, he severed the elite''s head and left it burning from the neck down. It was such an explosive growth that even Yue had paused just to observe the young Knight''s improvement.


    ''What kind of training did Amon give Leon?! How did he grow so much in just a month?!''


    In her previous lifetime, Leon took a year, maybe two, to reach his mastery of mana control. He had to endure plenty of life-threatening moments even to consider possibly mixing his Hydro mana affinity with his Sr one.


    Yet, he was expertly wielding the two elements as if they were his second nature.


    ''If he keeps this pace up... maybe he can master the Eighty-One Suns Heart Mantra before the final war!''


    Inwardly, Yue was celebrating. The hero''s growth was vital to survive the future cmities. After all, Ascalon was required for many battles against the Demon Cult.


    Before the party got a chance to celebrate their win, Amon''s resounding voice beckoned to everyone in the forest.


    "Leon! Strike the sword with Ascalon! Hit it with everything you got!"


    The authoritative voice froze the entireke. Adelia, Gale and Rufus turned their attention to the beautiful lotus trapping the crimson de in ce. Its sinister aura had been subdued, trapped like a chicken in a ughterhouse.


    Watching the scene, Yue blushed like a schoolgirl watching her crush score the winning goal. She tapped her face with overwhelming bliss before muttering:


    "Ara? I didn''t know he was capable of sounding so... rough. I wish he would use that voice on me... in the bedroom..."


    Yue''s voice oozed with intoxication, which was why she wasn''t able to notice Adelia covering her face with embarrassment just a few metres away.


    "Adelia, did you manage to record that? Please say you did!"


    "..."


    Adelia didn''t bother to answer the lovesick girl. She had her hands full against the elite jaguar, so there was no way she could film Amon while she was preupied. Nevertheless, she recalled the immense mana that Yue had shown just a few minutes ago and unconsciously began filming for her sake.


    Unfortunately, the star of the subsequent show wasn''t Amon.


    Leon didn''t hesitate to obey his master''s order and leapt into action. He swung Ascalon with all his mana and might, attempting to shatter the Blood Demon''s sword in two. s, it was only strong enough to create a small crack, as the young hero was sent flying away.


    The Blood Demon unleashed hell and revealed its true form following that strike. Mana exploded into being beyond anything the young cadets had faced before. They all fell to their knees and began sweating profusely as they watched the Blood Demon''s true form coalesce.


    It was an enemy that no cadet should face! Even if Amon and Yue were expert Demon hunters, they were about the same age as the rest. There was no way they could face that unfathomable monster.


    That was the thought that ran through all of the cadets'' minds.


    And just when all hope seemed to be lost...


    Two mighty figures emerged from the dense forest and drew swords against the heretic Demon. Rufus was confused, but Gale and Adelia widened their eyes with salvation. As members of the Sris House, how could they not recognise the pristine golden armour that the two Knights wore?


    In unison, they shouted with glee.


    "The Golden Dragon Order!!!"

 Chapter 85: Qyriwirth (3)

    <h4>Chapter 85: Qyriwirth (3)</h4>


    "The Golden Dragon Order!!!"


    The Sris House''s elite forces and the most respected Knight Order in the ancient family. Every member who joined the Golden Dragon Order was a future hero who would be immortalised in the Sris catbs, and their swords were guaranteed to be added to Sword Garden.


    To join the Order, a Knight had to have at least Five Suns condensed. They also had to be of Sris descent as they were privy to the Sris House''s secret techniques and resources. And finally...


    They had to be strong.


    Absurdly strong.


    "Stand down. Amon Sris, Leon Bright. Let us handle things from here."


    The more prominent Knight barked an order. Standing two metres tall, the Knight was a staggering specimen of what humanity could achieve if gics and constant hard work werebined. Every fibre of his body was tailored specifically for war, as his muscles and bones were condensed into their most optimal forms.


    Holding onto his greatsword with a t tip easily as tall as himself, the massive Knight imbued a copious amount of mana and ignited the de with dense Aura Fire. The heat from the Knight''s Aura Fire could be felt from kilometres away, as anyone close by would be faced with the risk of getting their faces melted.


    His partner stabbed his sword into the ground tobat that, creating a thriving pce coated with pure energy. Compared to Amon''s Solstice Sanctuary, which buffed users while weakening opponents, the Golden Order Knight''s domain was peaceful and warm.


    Anyone within his sanctuary would be revitalised, and fatigue would be washed away. Any external threats or damage would be neutralised, giving the people plenty of time to rest and watch the show that was about to unfold.


    And the show... was about to deliver a spectacr finale.


    "Die, you vile creature."


    The massive Knight swung his sword coated with pure Aura and a tidal wave of energy sprouted into being. Light waves shattered the forest floor and doubled in size with each passing second. Theke, which had stood as a bastion for all fauna of Mistwood, was instantly vaporised. As the light waves encroached upon the Blood Demon, all it could do was yelp in despair.


    Half of the forests were levelled in the vicinity in less than a fraction of a second. Theke had disappeared, and golden mes flickered in the misty afternoon sun in its ce. The damage the Knight created with a single swing was enough to change the map of the area.


    As for the Blood Demon who took the full wrath of his blow...


    "Tch, it escaped, huh?"


    The massive Knight sheathed his sword, unsatisfied with the result. He''d intended to use a wide-area of effect attack to prevent the foul Demon from running away. But unfortunately, it was far more cunning than he''d thought.


    "No matter, we''ll deal with that beastter."


    The massive Knight scoffed before focusing on the two youngsters standing behind him. The Sris Lord tasked him to protect them secretly, too if possible. After all, while the Sris House wished to protect them, they didn''t want to hinder their growth as Knights. So, the man had been tailing Amon and Leon from the shadows for the past few weeks, ready to protect them if they were caught in a life-or-death situation.


    However, little did he expect that the time woulde this quickly.


    "Amon Sris. You have a knack for finding trouble, huh?"


    The massive Knight removed his mask and revealed his true face. His once ck hair had be a silvery mane reminiscent of a wise and noble lion. The same could be said about his wizened face. Wrinkled but still retaining its vigour, the Knight''s chiselled and angr face showed signs of wear and tear. However, that didn''t diminish his appearance one bit. Instead, it enhanced his demeanour, almost to a fault.


    However, like any Sris member, his most striking appearance was his golden eyes, bright and intense, gleaming with an inner fire that defied his years. They exuded strength and fierce determination, drawing the gaze of all who met him. His skin, bronzed by years under the sun, contrasted with the silver of his hair, creating a striking silhouette that mesmerised anyone who saw it.


    Upon revealing his face, Amon instantly performed a Knight''s salute and replied:


    "It''s an honour to meet you, Sir Horus."


    "Hoh? You know me?"


    "I would be a fool not to recognise the Knight of the Morning Star."


    Amon let out a bitter smile and muttered those words. For those who weren''t familiar with Sir Horus'' name, they all gaped as they heard his moniker. The Knight of the Morning Star was a living legend in the Sris House. Widely regarded as the bravest and noblest Knight alive, Sir Horus'' reputation spread far beyond thepounds of the Solfea.


    If one were to write an autobiography about the man, people would treat it as fiction.


    In his youth, he single-handedly repelled an army of bandits holding his ground for twenty-four hours before any help arrived, fought against a Demon invasion and the crazed fanatics that triggered the copse between dimensions, and sacrificed himself by putting his body on the line to help hisrades escape.


    And that was before he turned thirty.


    By the time he reached his prime, the number of des Horus Sris stacked up became hard to beat. Yet, he remained humble. Ever the pleasant and approachable Knight, Horus maintained good rtions with every organisation within the Hyades Republic. With friends in every corner of the continent, there wasn''t anyone with anything wrong to say about the Knight of the Morning Star.


    However, Amon knew Horus for a different reason...


    ''In [Bright], Leon served as his squire. He was the mentor figure that guided him to great sess.''


    Amon''s gaze interchanged between Horus and Leon. If Amon didn''t transmigrate, Leon would have served initially under Horus, learning the aspects of Knightly nobility and training under the best of the Sris House. s, the deviation was toote to change now.


    "And you, Sir Flydian. It''s an honour to meet the Unyielding in the flesh."


    "It''s an honour to meet you too."


    Amon addressed the other Knight too. While he wasn''t as renowned as Horus, Flydian Sris wasn''t a pushover either. Typically known as an auxiliary Knight, the soft-hearted man pushing his sixties possessed healing, defence and buffing skills that no other Sris Knight could replicate.


    Just like Horus, he was a Knight who didn''t know when to quit. Constantly protecting and healing hisrades, Flydian could change the battle dynamic just by existing. That''s why he was called the Unyielding. Whenever he was on the battlefield, his forces would never surrender a fight.


    Having these two legendary Knights serve as mere bodyguards was a waste of their otherworldly abilities. However, it shows how much Alrock and the Sris House treasured Amon and Leon.


    To send two Pir Knights that have condensed Six Suns each was a luxury that only the Golden Order could provide.


    "You don''t seem too surprised that we''re here. Did Alrock or Carmen tell you anything?" Horus shed a wry smile and said. It wasn''t a tone that a superior would take with an underling, but one that two equals spoke with.


    "I noticed two powerful presences observing us, so I had suspicions."


    "Hoh, so you noticed us even when we were trying to hide ourselves?"


    "It was just luck," Amon shook his head. "I didn''t know that two renowned Knights would be sent to protect us."


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "It ain''t luck, young one. Be proud of your aplishments."


    Horus firmly grasped on Amon''s shoulder and let out a bellowingugh. The more he looked at Amon, the more satisfied he was. It was a pity that Alrock and Carmen had already imed him for themselves, otherwise, he would scramble to recruit Amon into the Golden Order.


    "As much as I would like to chit-chat, we don''t have that luxury, do we?"


    "..."


    Amon remained silent, but his silence was a good enough answer. Horus gestured at his fellow Golden Order Knight and Flydian answered in kind. The Knight blew a whistle, and after a few seconds, the screeching of eagles could be heard from a far distance. Within minutes, two majestic Gryphons descended from the heavens and rested on the ground next to the Golden Order Knights.


    The young, impressionable Knights were naturally frothing at their mouths when they saw the dream of all Knights... A flying mount. Not to mention they were high-levelled Gryphons. Mythical beasts that were both rare and exceedingly difficult to tame. Only the Golden Order could provide all of their Knights such a luxury.


    "Hop on, we''ll talk when we return to camp."


    "Understood..."


    ???


    The ride back to Mistwood Hamlet took no more than fifteen minutes. After their return, the Commander was stunned when he saw two Gryphons and two Golden Dragon Order Knights. However, he quickly observed rank and allowed the two Knights to take over his tent.


    Careful not to leak too much information, Horus only called Amon and his party into the tent and asked for a detailed exnation of the Demon they saw. Naturally, Amon had no qualms about spilling the beans now, and he ryed everything he knew.


    "The Blood Demon, you say?"


    Horus frowned and rubbed his chin. Clearly, he was unsure of the name since it had been wiped clean in the history books. But while the ims were ludicrous, Horus hadplete faith in the Knight called Amon Sris.


    "I was unsure at first, but after it said its name, I can be a hundred percent confident."


    Amon lied through his teeth, but it was for the greater good. After all, he couldn''t just say he was a transmigrator and he read the details of the future from a book.


    "Qyriwirth, was it? Now that you mention it, good job making the Demon reveal its true name."


    "It was nothing."


    Horus wasn''t just praising Amon; he was genuinely impressed. Most of the time, Demons were cunning and sly, so they would do everything possible to prevent their real name from getting out. For Amon to push the Blood Demon to do so was a testament to his superior nning abilities and skills.


    "Then, I suppose you know the solution for defeating the Blood Demon."


    "Yes," Amon nodded and turned his eyes towards Leon. "The Blood Demon''s soul is sealed within its crimson de. As a weapon, it is unbreakable. Forged by the fang of a Dragon Sovereign and imbued with the Demonic mana of the Blood Dragon. Regr swords won''t work on it."


    "And you''re saying that only Ascalon can destroy the Blood Demon?"


    "Exactly."


    The Knight of the Morning Star could infer Amon''s solution just by hearing the details of the Blood Demon.


    "So you n to hunt down the Blood Demon using our powers and let Leon deal the final blow?"


    "Yes, I intend to let Leon deal the final blow, but no... I don''t intend to use your powers."


    "Huh?"


    For the first time, Horus was rendered speechless. He stared at Amon as if he had a screw loose in his head, as he wondered what was the depths of his n. Fortunately, Amon wasn''t going to keep him hanging for long before exining:


    "The Blood Demon thrives off strong bodies. It feeds off the life essence and blood of living creatures. A parasite thattches onto the strongest host by forcibly taking over their body. If it manages to take over one of your bodies... it would be game over for us."


    "Ah, I see your fear."


    Against the Blood Demon, one had to y smart. Its ability to take over humans was a problem in itself. And the stronger the opponent, the greater its desire to parasite and take over. Therefore, having the two Golden Order Knights in their corner was a double-edged sword.


    "We cannot risk any of you losing your bodies to the Blood Demon. So, it would be better if Leon and I take it from here."


    "Hoh, what''s keeping you two from being possessed?"


    "The Holy Sword blesses Leon. If the Blood Demon even tries to take over his body, its soul would perish before it could reach his mind. As for myself... the Blood Demon won''t be able to possess me."


    "And where does that confidencee from?"


    "I just know."


    "..."


    Once again, Amon''s infamous nonchnce was on full disy. Horus raised his eyebrows, unsure of what to respond, while Yue was hard at work stifling herugh. Eventually, she broke the awkward silence and exined:


    "Don''t worry, Sir Horus. Amon and I have found a way to neutralise the Blood Demon''s domination. However, it requires a specific skill that is inconvenient for us to share."


    "Yue Elune, right?" Horus nced at the girl who spoke up for Amon and frowned. "And why would it be inconvenient for you to share this with us? Especially when lives are on the line?"


    "Please forgive me since it''s a secret of the Elune House, it''s inconvenient for me to share now."


    "..."


    Horus narrowed his eyes and stared straight at the youngdy. Most youngsters would crumble under the pressure of a Pir Knight, not to mention a legendary one who had acim the world over. But Yue remained unfazed. As if she were a veteran statesman, she wore a neutral smile that drained Horus of his energy.


    It was checkmate. Horus couldn''t risk deteriorating rtions with the Elune House so he was forced to let this matter slide.


    Forced into a corner, the Pir Knight nced over at Amon before saying:


    "You know... We were sent here to protect you and Leon."


    "..."


    "Allowing you to challenge a dangerous Demon alone goes against my orders. And I can''t even believe I''m even considering it. So... will you assure me that you wille back safely?"


    "On my life, Sir Horus." Amon dered. "We will destroy the Blood Demon and return without fail."


    "..."


    Horus and Amon initiated a staredown. Neither was willing to give an inch, and they both showed dedication in their gaze. Eventually, it was the Golden Order Knight who caved.


    "Alright then. But, as apromise, I will supervise the battle from my Gryphon in the skies. If anything goes wrong, I will step in immediately. Deal?"


    "..."


    Truthfully, Amon wished for Horus not to be involved at all. After all, Amon couldn''t use the full extent of his abilities with Horus watching. However, he believed that there was no otherpromise to be had. Hence, the transmigrator could only sigh and agree to the new terms.


    "Okay."

 Chapter 86: Qyriwirth (4)

    <h4>Chapter 86: Qyriwirth (4)</h4>


    After obtaining Horus'' permission to hunt the Blood Demon, the Golden Order Knight dismissed everyone but Amon from the tent. Horus wanted to hear Amon''s n, mainly since he seemed confident in battling the absurd threat.


    However, before that...


    "Amon Sris, you are a piece of work, do you know that?"


    "..."


    Horus dropped all airs of a superior and now spoke to the young man with a disapproving sigh, akin to how a father would chastise his son. Amon tilted his head, not sure of what the legendary Knight meant, and that action drew a wry smile from Horus.


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Don''t you know you''re already at the centre of attention? Leon, too. You are caught up in a maelstrom from all corners of the Hyades Republic. Normally, I would advise you to keep a low profile, but you just had to pull off this shy stunt!"


    "..."


    The Hyades Republic was the alliance of mankind. To prevent infighting or civil wars, Kingdoms and Empires were abolished, and the notion of countries was even blurred with the formation of the Republic. Most regions were still autonomous, and many had their own form of government.


    For instance, Solfea had the Sris House as its ruler, and Eshon had the Elune House. Other regions, like Hyarum, were ruled directly by the Holy Chuch. There were many more self-autonomous regions that each held a seat in the Hyades Republic''s parliament, and they all coexisted peacefully because of their united motivation to protect mankind from internal and external threats.


    But that didn''t mean the delegates always saw eye-to-eye.


    Whenever there were humans, there would be strife. It was the universalw of the naturalw. The only thing keeping the Alliance together was that other threats could eradicate humanity. Otherwise, the Hyades Republic would have fractured long ago.


    Usually, the regions would chase their interests, not caring about a single entity or organisation.


    Yet, every corner of the Hyades Republic now knew of Amon and Leon''s existence.


    Leon''s, in particr. He was the owner of Ascalon and the hero of this current generation. They were all curious about his existence and would do anything to get into the good books of the young man.


    However, Horus thinks the world should be curious about Amon instead.


    "When Alrock asked me to take on this mission as your protector, I hesitated. Not because I thought it was beneath me, but because I feared my presence might stunt your growth."


    Horus was perhaps one of the few Sris members who could call their Lord by name. Just a few years younger than the Patriarch, Horus was Alrock''s best friend and the man he could always count on for personal affairs.


    No Elder or Grand Commander held a closer position in Alrock''s heart than the Knight of the Morning Star. That was why Alrock hadplete confidence in Horus, giving him the vital role of protecting Leon, the owner of Ascalon.


    Alrock would have assigned Horus his mentor if not for Leon''s insistence on bing Amon''s squire. It goes to show how much the Sris Lord trusted his treasured friend.


    "I''d thought that with me around, you would rely on my guidance instead of forging a righteous path on your own. However, it seems like my worries were unnecessary."


    Horus broke a wry smile andughed.


    "By all metrics, I shouldn''t approve this mission and drag the two of you back to Solfea. My duty to Alrockpels me so. But... I can''t stop a Knight from executing his noble desire to save lives."


    "..."


    Amon remained silent. He was unsure how to respond to Horus'' high praise, so he remained quiet. Noting that the youngd wasn''t going to speak, Horus continued:


    "Your decision to save lives isn''t wrong, Amon Sris. You have developed a heroic heart even without my guidance. And for that, I will approve your mission."


    "... thank you."


    Horus''sughter bellowed through the tent as Amon gave a respectful bow. But little did he know Amon''s bow was a mechanism to hide his stunned expression. The Pir Knight''s words struck a chord in the young Knight''s heart, sending his mind into disarray.


    ''Heroic heart? Do I have one?''


    Amon didn''t want to save lives. He just wanted to kill the Blood Demon because it was the right thing to do. Like a character in a book, he was just acting out the scenarios. He didn''t care how many lives were lost or saved. His only desire was the destruction of the Blood Demon.


    For the first time, the former Transcendent called Number 23 questioned what he was doing.


    Was he fighting the Blood Demon because he wished to save lives? No, that''s not it. What about revenge? Amon felt a twinge in his heart when he heard that the Blood Demon had killed Arya in Yue''s original timeline. But that passed after a few days.


    So...


    Why was he hunting the Blood Demon?


    Why was he... fighting?


    Amon didn''t know... but eventually, he gave up thinking.


    ''What does it matter? I wanted to save the world from the day I came here. Killing the Blood Demon is just a step in that direction.''


    Rationalising it like how Number 23 would, Amon zoned in on the task at hand. This was just one mission of many. And if he seeded, he would get to live another day. But if he failed... it meant death.


    And Amon wasn''t afraid of it.


    ???


    Moments after receiving a lecture from Horus, Amon returned to his tent in preparation for the next battle. It was mainly to rest and recuperate some mana before attacking the Blood Demon, who had be much stronger than he''d initially anticipated.


    ''I''d thought by limiting the number of victims, we could prevent the Blood Demon from regaining much of its strength. It seems like we severely underestimated it.''


    Upon reflecting, Amon realised that he was arrogant. Or, at the very least,cent. Amon and Yue both knew the future, but as this event had shown... Their knowledge was imperfect.


    The Blood Demon had hidden cards that were not detailed in [Bright], and Yue didn''t face the enigmatic monster in her timeline. Hence, the Blood Demon could surprise them with new abilities beyond their preparations.


    ''That presence it created... It must be burning through its life essence.''


    Amon instantly hypothesised. The Blood Demon was forced into a corner when Leon cracked the crimson de. With no other options left, it could only burn what little life essence it had remaining to return to its former self temporarily.


    However, even with that sacrifice, it was still weaker than Horus, a Pir Knight with Six Suns condensed.


    ''If I can get it into a one-on-one battle, I can trounce it. But how would we do so without raising suspicions?''


    It was a never-ending question for Amon Sris. While he possessed superhuman abilities, he couldn''t unveil them all, especially when so many eyes were watching him.


    Caught in a conundrum, Amon waste to notice the talldy who sat in the corner of his tent. Her presence was both striking and somber. d in her signature ck Order armour, the gloomy Knight gripped hard on her long, slender spear with a steady hand.


    The moment Amon entered his abode, she stood up like a warrior ready to head into battle. Her silver eyes gleamed with expectation and determination. Amon raised his eyebrows as he softly murmured her name:


    "Lucia? What are you doing here?"


    "Amon..."


    This was Amon''s first time seeing his bubbly partner look so defeated. Lucia would typically walk with a pleasant smile on her face, brightening the days of everyone in the Eighteenth Squad. But this time, her mirth had disappeared entirely.


    "Is it true? Did Torin get taken over by that Demon?"


    "... yes."


    Amon answered honestly. He didn''t wish to sugarcoat the truth; he could not do such a thing. And that cold honesty was a source of disappointment and relief for his fellow partner.


    "Is there no saving him?"


    "Unfortunately, no," Amon revealed the harsh reality. "The Blood Demon usually kills its host before taking over their body. For it to use Sir Torin''s body... It must mean he died."


    Even in this world, reviving the dead was impossible. Necromancy did exist, but they controlled dead bodies much like how the Blood Demon created bloodless corpses. Liches that lived forever as undead were also a thing. However, they turned into undead when they were alive.


    True resurrection was impossible, and Lucia knew that.


    Nheless, it didn''t lessen her grief.


    "Torin, that fool... I told him not to go..."


    Lucia shook her head and cursed at the man she failed to save. For Lucia, Torin wasn''t a lover or a brother. At best, she thought of him as a friend and a colleague. So, the grief and anger weren''t prolonged, and she felt it was more of a pity than actual remorse.


    Still, as she observed Amon''s nonchnce to it all, Lucia couldn''t help but remark.


    "You know... Torin wanted to surpass you. He saw you as a rival. That''s why he left to hunt the Demon."


    "..."


    Amon looked at Lucia coldly. He didn''t say a single word, but Lucia could roughly guess what he was thinking.


    ''Why would he do such a thing? What does it matter to me?''


    Thoughts of indifference reigned in Amon''s mind. For him, Torin was nothing more than a blip in history, one of many stones on the road. But to Torin, Amon was a mountain that he had to climb.


    The two had drastically different perspectives of each other. Torin aimed to surpass Amon, but thetter didn''t even acknowledge his existence. And unfortunately, Lucia could rte more to Torin than Amon in this case.


    "You''re cold, you know? Arade just died, and you don''t feel anything. Not even anger or disappointment. Sometimes, I wonder if you''re human. But I guess that''s what makes you a once-in-a-lifetime genius." Lucia let out a dryugh.


    "..."


    Amon didn''t know how to react to that. Staring nkly at the spearwoman, he waited for her followingment, only to be met with a return to her bubbly form.


    "Okay! So where are we going?"


    "No, your help isn''t necessary."


    "Argh?! I''m hurt! Do you think I''m too weak or something?"


    "No... The nature of the Blood Demon..."


    "Haha, I''m just pulling your leg!"


    Lucia gently nudged her elbow on Amon''s ribcage and poked fun at the man. Stepping forward, she muttered a whisper:


    "Will you beat the Demon for me then? And avenge Torin in my stead?"


    "... I was nning to do so anyway."


    "Oya? Maybe there''s some hope for you after all!"


    The tanned woman shed her pearly white teeth with pink gums and gently teased the stone-faced Amon. With her arms behind her back, she shuffled her feet towards the tent''s exit, only to be stopped by Amon''s low baritone.


    "When we attack the Blood Demon, it may send some of its forces over. It would want to replenish its essence by absorbing the blood of fresh victims, and this is the closest human settlement in Mistwood. So, please protect the Hamlet while I''m out."


    "Oh?"


    Lucia paused and turned her head around. Genuinely stunned by the request, she dropped her jaw andughed:


    "HA! HA! I see! I was wrong, then! You aren''t as cold as I''d thought!"


    Amon watched hispatriot leave the tent with a hearty smile, he exhaled deeply and fell onto his chair for his long-deserved rest.


    ''Hah... Now, I have two statements to contemte.''

 Chapter 87: Qyriwirth (5)

    <h4>Chapter 87: Qyriwirth (5)</h4>


    The preparations for the final hunt against the Blood Demon resumedte into the night. Since Leon had struck the crimson de and damaged it, Demonic mana was leaking from the Blood Demon''s core at an astonishing rate. Even without Yue''s Rainbow Butterfly Spirit, Amon could sense the sinister mana from miles away, making it easy to keep track of the malicious creature.


    However, Amon didn''t n on attacking the Blood Demon yet.


    The more the Blood Demon''s mana leaked, the weaker it got. At the same time, it would grow impatient, causing it to turn mad and potentially make more mistakes.


    Amon''s main priority was enforcing the defences of Mistwood Hamlet. Not because he was worried about the innocent civilians but because he couldn''t take the risk of strengthening the Blood Demon further. The Blood Demon was a meddlesome foe that could parasite andtch onto living humans. They had to be meticulous to end the Demon for good.


    Only after the preparations wereplete did Amon set off for battle.


    Leon, Yue and Horus apanied the determined Knight as they ventured deep into the woonds, bypassingnd corrupted by Demonic energy. Flying overhead with Horus'' Gryphon, the group could see theplete devastation that the Blood Demonid.


    Ever the noble Knights, Horus and Leon''s faces hardened. They knew the Blood Demon was a threat but didn''t expect it to be that dire. Fortunately, the days of this destructive creature were numbered. Not even. They were sure to y the monster today, even if it meant putting their lives on the line.


    In less than fifteen minutes, the Gryphon reached the heart of Mistwood.


    The once vibrant forest, abundant with greenery, had rotted away. An oppressive atmosphere hung over thend, and skeletal trees dominated the scenery. No green leaf could be found, as everything was burnt ck or leaking sinister blood.


    A stifling red mist hid the carnage from the heavens, fearing its divine wrath. Ghostly shadows haunted the once lush grounds, as bloodless corpses and carcasses could be seen wandering thend aimlessly. Echoes of the undead reced the sonorous chirping of birds, creating a grim atmosphere that no regr human would like to venture into.


    And in the centre of this decayingnd was a vortex of pure demonic energy.


    It was as if the anguish of the dead resonated in their minds as the party nced down at the malicious whirlwind. Ripples of suffocating mana emerged from the core, giving Amon and the crew a clear target to strike.


    Yet, none of them did so.


    They observed silently, and the more they looked, the more impatient and angry they got.


    "Demon!"


    Leon gritted his teeth and sent a death re flying at the vortex of suffering. He wanted to charge straight into the core and swing Ascalon with all his might. The only thing stopping him from doing so was the two mighty Knights standing before him.


    "Amon. Are you ready?"


    "I am, Sir Horus."


    "Good, then prepare yourself."


    Horus nodded affirmatively at Amon before taking a giant leap into the sky. As if he was free from gravity, the massive man kept ascending until he touched the clouds. Six magnificent Suns started to orbit around the Pir Knight as sr mana reigned supreme over the skies. A thick golden Aura erupted from Horus'' body and turned the entire empyrean gold, signifying a new ruler had taken over Mistwood.


    The golden clouds were a sight to behold, but the immense pressure from the heavens was even more astounding.


    The ground cracked from the pressure as if another earthquake had begun. Bloodless corpses that barely had any mana immediately crumbled, turning into bone dust and grime. Dead trees were instantly levelled, and the red mist that dominated Mistwood was now scrambling away in fear.


    Power beyond any mortal was unleashed astonishingly, and it only increased.


    The golden clouds spread far and wide, creating a desting atmosphere that no Demon could survive. And at the peak of it all...


    The clouds parted, leaving behind a single golden fireball.


    One that reced the morning Sun that hadn''t risen yet and one that couldn''t be gazed upon due to its immense light and heat.


    It was the Morning Star.


    And it hade for judgement.


    "Dawn!!!"


    Horus yelled out at the top of his lungs. Like an immortal issuing a decree, the Pir Knight sat on his throne made of golden clouds and pointed his tipless sword onto the epicentre of the demonic energy. As if it were witnessing a falling meteor, Mistwood trembled in fear. The demonic energy that permeated and corrupted thend was now retracting wildly, afraid of theing enveloping attack.


    But s, it could do nothing to evade.


    A ster explosion that could be seen from miles away lit up the early morning sky. Golden embers reced the barren wastnd, creating an ethereal environment of holy fire and mist.


    Even Amon couldn''t help but let out a low whistle in amazement.


    "Sir Horus went overboard..."


    Amon''s n was simple. Let the Pir Knight clear the field and weaken the Blood Demon as much as possible. Once the small fries were taken care of, Amon, Yue and Leon would dive straight at the Blood Demon andnd the fatal blow.


    However, Sir Horus didn''t wish to risk the youngsters'' lives even slightly. That attack was enough to melt mountains and annihte powerful Demons. If it were any regr Demon, the Pir Knight''s power would have been sufficient to end its life. Unfortunately, it wasn''t any regr beast.


    "Grrrr..."


    A resonant growl tempered their ears, forcing the party to focus their line of sight at the epicentre of the demonic vortex. The Demonic energy only weakened for a moment before exploding into life once more. Like a heartbeat, the red aura pulsated violently, signifying the birth of something new.


    Confused and wary, Amon drew Nyx from his soul and leapt from the Gryphon.


    A foreboding feeling struck the transmigrator, and he didn''t want to waste a second. Sr mana filled his veins as three Suns rotated around the young Knight. A ming aura enveloped his entire body, making him look like a majestic falcon swooping in on its prey.


    Spiralling around in a somersault, Amon increased his momentum and channelled more strength into Nyx, knowing what his sword was capable of. In no time, his simple sword strike was now holding the power of three exploding stars and the force of an executing swing.


    And that''s precisely what Amon sent flying to the core of the demonic energy.


    BOOM!!!


    Yet another loud explosion, this time more concentrated, graced the destednd of Mistwood. All the prior fog had been blown away, reced with billowing smoke from Amon''s strike.


    "..."


    In theory, that strike would have mortally wounded the Blood Demon. But Amon didn''t celebrate just yet. He could smell the disgusting stench of Demonic energy lingering in the air. And sure enough...


    [Once again... It''s you...]


    With the fog and smoke dissipating, Amon could see what the Blood Demon had done.


    A towering body that once belonged to Torin Var stood in the middle of the maelstrom. Its muscr build had doubled in size, and was nearing four metres tall. Its skin turned crimson, and thick, reflective scales overtook its pores.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Its face was a haunting mix of human and draconic: sharp, defined features with an elongated snout. Piercing, jagged teeth dripped stinky blood, corrupting the air with a foul odour. Its reptilian eyes openly showcased a hideous desire for domination and death, intimidating anyone who locked gazes with the creature.


    Hands and feet were reced with deadly ws, talonsced with deadly corrosive liquids and sharp enough to shred the earth in two. And finally, its most distinctive feature was a red core embedded in the centre of its broad chest.


    ''I see... To prevent its soul from leaking away, the Blood Demon merged itself with Torin''s corpse.''


    It was better to get a new water bottle when the old one had a hole in it. That was the concept the Blood Demon had gone for. However, rather than find another unbreakable sword, it had to make do with the only thing sturdy enough in its vicinity.


    And that was Torin''s corpse.


    ''But, it''s imperfect. The corpse is still leaking demonic energy. It will likely need to find a new host soon.''


    A parasitic monster, indeed. If Horus were anywhere near the Blood Demon, it would have no doubt targeted the Pir Knight''s body. Fortunately, the Golden Order Knight was sticking to the n and watching the battle unfold from the skies. Otherwise, trying to protect Horus while dealing with the Blood Demon would be bothersome.


    ''I should aim to separate the sword from the body.''


    Even now, Amon could see the crimson sword resting firmly inside Torin''s corpse. He still had to remove the crimson sword to eliminate the monster.


    [You... You are the variance...]


    The Blood Demon''s voice echoed within Amon''s mind. Raising his eyebrows, he paused as the colossal monster pounded its chest like a gori, forcing two sinister draconic wings to emerge from its back. An unfathomable energy broke free from the Blood Demon''s grasp as the wings spread wide.


    Pirs of blood shot to the sky, eventually covering the forest in an unbreakable dome. Ancient runes sealed the world within, locking Amon with the Blood Demon.


    However, Amon did nothing to stop it.


    [If I eliminate and take over your body... Everything will be solved...]


    Brimming with confidence as if it had found the answer, the Blood Demon approached Amon with its fangs bared. Expecting the young and foolish Knight to be intimidated, the beast anticipated an easy fight, possibly one that wouldst less than a few minutes.


    But unbeknownst to the Blood Demon... Amon was smiling.


    ''Finally, I can let loose.''


    [Mortal! Give up, and let me take over your body! If you do so, I guarantee that it''ll be painless!]


    The voice of Qyriwirth, the soul within the monstrosity, roared with determination. Believing that it had trapped Amon, the Blood Demon bared its fangs into a sinister smile, ready to rip the life out of the young Knight if need be.


    Unfortunately, the monster was in for a rude awakening.


    "Thank you, Qyriwirth."


    [... what?]


    Hearing its name mentioned for the first time, the Blood Demon stood dumbfounded. It couldn''t fathom that some mere human would dare speak the name of the Dragon Sovereign, a being that trampled over humans as if they were ants.


    But then...


    Six Suns exploded into life. Orbiting Amon like satellites, the fiery balls intensified, both in heat and mana. And before long, Amon was now emitting just as much mana as the ancient Demon. The Blood Demon couldn''t believe its eyes. The man before him was meant to be only a hatchling, a weak young pawn.


    So why...


    Why was he creating such an atmosphere...


    Why was... the Blood Demon feeling fear?


    As it stood frozen to the ground, Amon bent his waist and entered a pouncing stance. That alone was enough to bring the Qyriwirth''s attention to him. But, Amon did one better. His low-toned voice echoed within the Blood Dome and dered:


    "I''ll end it swiftly."

 Chapter 88: Qyriwirth (6)

    <h4>Chapter 88: Qyriwirth (6)</h4>


    "AMON!!!"


    The first one to react to the Blood Demon''s dome trapping Amon wasn''t his fianc¨¦e or the Pir Knight sent to protect him. But, his young squire.


    Swinging Ascalon with all his might, Leon charged the Holy Sword with righteous fire and struck violently onto the thick barrier. A glorious wildfire burst all over the bloody sphere, continuing to burn the barrier. However, after a while, it subsided until it eventually fizzled away, and the dome stood tall as if nothing had ever happened.


    "No way! Even Ascalon''s might can''t damage it?"


    Leon was stunned but not deterred. Twisting his wrists, he gathered his mana and prepared for another strike. But, a thundering voice beckoned to him before Leon could channel a swing.


    "Stand down, Leon Bright!"


    Horus had descended from his golden throne. Completely ignoring their n, he replicated his earlier strike and sent a cataclysmic strike flying onto the sinister sphere. But shockingly enough, the result was the same as Leon''s. The mes from his golden aura dissipated after the initial move, leaving behind a pristine, semi-fluid dome that seemed impregnable.


    "T-This..."


    The Knight of the Morning Star couldn''t believe his eyes. There hadn''t been many things he couldn''t cut or destroy. And even if he couldn''t eradicate it, Horus expected some damage. But for the dome to remainpletely intact...


    "Save your strength, Sir Horus. The barrier is protected by ancient draconic magic. It can''t be dispelled that easily."


    Fortunately, someone nearby could exin the nature of the events to them. Yue Elune silently sauntered forward while narrowing her eyes. She stared nkly at the Blood Dome for a few seconds before sighing.


    "There''s no helping it; we can''t break through."


    "No! We have to save Amon! H-He..."


    "Don''t worry about him, he''ll be fine."


    Yue''s straightforward reply curtly declined Leon''s concern. Contrary to what he''d expected, Amon''s fianc¨¦e was unconcerned and seemed disinterested. He wanted to speak up, but Yue beat him to the punch.


    "There''s no point in wasting our efforts. The Blood Demon must have used its Draconic life essence to create an unbreakable barrier and iste Amon from us. If we attempt to break the barrier, it would deplete our strength and mana. And we should save it for more pressing matters..."


    As she said those words, numerous bloodless corpses began rising from the scorched earth. Many of them were burning in bloodfire and shrieking outcries of the damned. Not only that, there were a handful more elites, some that looked many times more robust than the elites they''d taken down previously.


    "Amon can take care of himself. Our job is out here."


    Turning around, Yue floated in the air while her internal mana spiked. Initially, Leon thought the youngdy was cold and indifferent to Amon''s plight.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    However, as he felt the intensity of Yue''s mana, Leon realised that he hadpletely misunderstood.


    Mana reigned supreme in the air. A colossal whirlwind formed around the trio as shards of broken rock became piercing shrapnel. The sky darkened, and the winds howled like a brewing storm. Earth, mud and windbined into a vengeful spell that sucked all life into its madness and spat them out with disdain.


    The tornado continued to grow in size, slicing and dicing anything that came into its path. Those that sought the sanctuary of the underground weren''t spared either. Earthquakes and fissures churned in unison with the unbearable storm, decimating any creature unfortunate to stand in its path.


    In just a few brief moments, the world turned silent. Half of the bloodless corpses had been wiped clean, while the remainder were battered and bruised. Only Leon and Horus, safely tucked in the eye of the storm, were spared injury.


    But that didn''t mean they didn''t suffer any mental damage.


    Leon in particr. He realised that his original assessment of Yue was incorrect.


    The one feeling the most wrath... was none other than Yue herself.


    But not for the reason that he''d expected.


    ''Shit! That stupid Blood Demon just had to use the Blood Dome on Amon! Why didn''t it put me in, too?! I can''t believe I will miss SSS-rare footage of Amon ying it!!!''


    In the end, Yue is just a fangirl who throws a tantrum.


    A tantrum that wiped clean half the battlefield.


    ???


    Amon was finally able to let loose. With no Pir Knight to oversee him or pesky squire to hide his strength from, Amon was fully unleashed. The Six Suns he condensed were now burning at full force, revealing the full extent of his might. Adding to Nyx''s innate ability to suppress any living creature, the Blood Demon was sweating buckets.


    The Blood Demon couldn''t believe the turnaround that just urred. Qyriwirth genuinely thought that Amon would be the perfect prey. Weak enough to overwhelm but simultaneously having a robust body that could act as its next host.


    Little did Qyriwirth know that it wasn''t the hunter... but the hunted.


    Amon''s Six Suns continuously churned mana at an astonishing rate, so much so that even the Blood Demon turned breathless. Qyriwirth knew it couldn''t leave Amon to power-up, so it attempted to rush the man and stop his transformation.


    s, it was toote.


    "Die."


    d in a dense, golden Aura coat, Amon ignited Nyx with his Aura Fire and sent a deathly strike at the Blood Demon''s neck. The strike came flying so quickly that the draconic creature could do nothing to stop or evade it. All it could do was brace itself for impact.


    Qyriwirth forced both its scaly arms in front of its body in a high guard and tanked Amon''s sword sh head-on. The mes from the Sris Knight''s Aura incinerated its arms instantly, and the slice struck beneath the corbone of the Blood Demon.


    With a force equivalent to aet strike, Qyriwirth flew dozens of metres in a sh, tumbling and crashing onto the charred grounds. Without its thick hide and constant Demonic Aura protecting it, the Blood Demon''s upper torso would have been sliced in half.


    [... What?]


    Once again, the Blood Demon couldn''tprehend what happened. One moment, it was about to devour the youngster who dared stand his ground against the might of Qyriwirth. The next... it was burning and bleeding, forced to use its life essence to recover.


    [y-you!]


    The Blood Demon raised its face to find the bastard that dealt such a devastating blow to its body. But before it could realise anything... Amon''s sharp ck de was already flying towards its face.


    At thest microsecond, the draconic creature dodged the strike and did an elusive but retaliatory movement. Its tail whipped hard as it spun around, hoping to push Amon away and buy some distance. Unfortunately, Amon''s swordy had already considered that move.


    Continuing the momentum of his missed swing, Amon redirected his de onto the tail, and the two Auras collided.


    Demonic and Sris.


    One red, one gold.


    The resulting light show was one to feast the eyes, but it was just as devastating as beautiful. Fire and lightning bolts dazzled the insides of the Blood Dome, creating multiple dents and ripples on its surface. However, itsted for less than a second.


    Amon''s Aura easily overwhelmed the Blood Demons, and Nyx severed Qyriwirth''s tail in one full swing.


    Feeling unimaginable amounts of danger, the demonic creature escaped in a frantic crawl and distanced itself from Amon. Burning its life essence once more, it regrew its tail like the lizard it was and paused to observe the young Knight''s next move.


    [Y-You... What are you? In this body''s memories, you weren''t...]


    Shlinnnck!


    Amon went straight for the jugr before the Blood Demon could finish its sentence. Moving quickly and covering a tonne of distance with each step, Amon''s ck sword threatened Qyriwirth''s neck. However, this time, the Blood Demon was more prepared.


    It turned its right arm into a sharp, crimson sabre, pumping it full of Demonic Aura. That sinister energy could force many Knights to foam at the mouth and kneel. However, Amon was undeterred. The two Auras shed again, but there wasn''t even a contest this time.


    Nyx sliced through the Blood Demon''s transformed arm like a hot knife through butter, and Qyriwirth was forced to evade once more. Clenching its teeth, it regrew its lost arm instantly and spat. If it continued to fight at Amon''s pace, all it would do was waste precious life essence and eventually, the Blood Demon would run dry, granting Amon the victory.


    Hence, Qyriwirth changed its n.


    One benefit of being a Demon was that it didn''t have to conform to the human body''s limitations. Spiking its mana, it created four more arms on its torso and transformed them into different weapons. A tendril whip, a spinning drill, a sharp sword... The list went on.


    Adding its Demonic Aura, even Amon would be hard-pressed to retaliate.


    At least, that''s what it thought.


    Amon wasn''t even slightly worried about the horrendous appendages from the draconic beast. He rushed in with Nyx and embraced the challenge with a bored expression. And the funny thing was... Amon was better.


    His movements were faster, his swordy sharper, and his aura management was beyond belief. Particrly, his swordy. Amon beautifully neutralised the six arms without even moving a step, slicing them clean from the Blood Demon''s body without allowing it to regrow them.


    While martial arts wasn''t the Blood Demon''s strong suit, it was confident that it couldnd a blow on any Knight in the world. However, Amon''s movements and swordsmanship were something that Qyriwirth couldn''t evenprehend.


    It wasn''tnding anything on Amon, and yet, it was sustaining all the damage. There were no openings for the horrendous creature to exploit, even with its added arms. Ultimately, it gave up and flew high in the air, keeping itself afloat with its dragon wings.


    Qyriwirth thought: ''If closebat doesn''t work, then long-distance strikes would.''


    In theory, that would be the case. A Knight''s main weakness was its short range, after all. But unfortunately, the Blood Demon forgot to factor in one thing...


    Amon chased the dragonlord into the skies. His feet kicked the air as if invisible boards assisted his movement.


    Sris Mystic Art: Ster Waltz.


    A movement skill created by the Sris House and perfected by Amon. Even without wings, Amon could manoeuvre in the air and, in many aspects, move quicker and more agile than in regr flight. Able to use his usual movesets, Amon charged at the flying draconic humanoid and charged a fully-powered swing.


    With the force of Six Suns, Amon ignited the Blood Dome again. Golden mes erupted from the tip of his de and detonated like a supernova when they reached Qyriwirth in the skies. With nowhere to run, all the Blood Demon could do was take the hits full-on.


    [B-BASTARD...]


    Falling from the air, the Qyriwirth growled in agony. Its entire body was in tatters. Half of it melted away as the golden embers from Amon''s strike remained. The rest desperately attempted to heal, but Amon''s Aura Fire prevented recovery.


    It was a fatal strike, and any regr Demon would have been exorcised immediately. However, Amon wasn''t going to leave anything to chance. Raising Nyx above his head, he channelled his mana for the final strike. But before he could do so...


    [I didn''t expect... to be pushed this far...]


    An ominous feeling crept up the young Knight''s expression. Feeling an added sense of urgency, Amon rushed forward and prepared his final blow. And just before it could execute the monster...


    BOOOMM!!!


    An unfathomable explosion pushed the young Knight away. Tumbling on the ground, Amon collected dirt and cuts until he crashed onto a loose fallen tree. Squinting his eyes, he rose and saw the draconic humanoid turn into a zing mess of Bloodfire. Mana spiked through the roof, and standing nearby would crush the average Knight.


    With its body semi-ephemeral, the Blood Demon seemed like a Spirit Deity that descended upon the earth.


    ''This is...''


    Amon hadn''t seen this side of the Blood Demon before. Even in [Bright], when pushed to the end, the Blood Demon didn''t show this form.


    [To think that I... The mighty Qyriwirth. Fire Dragon Sovereign would be tarnished by fire... How humiliating!]


    Bloodfire reigned over the massive dome, and it infected thend. Before Qyriwirth became the Blood Dragon, it was the former Fire Dragon Sovereign. For it to be killed by fire... it was a humiliation that it wouldn''t ept.


    [Consider this an honour, mortal! This is my strongest state! Your petty Suns will no longer harm me!]


    In its anger and madness, the Blood Demon revealed its power like a viin in aic book. Intoxicated with a desire to rip Amon to shreds, it ignored that its life essence was being drained at an astonishing rate.


    Even if Amon did nothing, the Blood Demon would burn itself out in five minutes, maybe even less.


    However, in exchange for burning its life essence, the Blood Demon had gained an invulnerability to fire. It would not harm the monster if Amon struck the beast with all his Sris Mystic Arts and Sr mana. It may even strengthen the Blood Demon.


    Seeing that there was no other choice, Amon exhaled deeply and released the Six Suns orbiting him.


    When the Blood Demon saw that, it believed Amon had given up and epted its fate. But, before it could breathe a taunt, Amon''s demeanour changed. The golden Aura that coated him disappeared and was gradually reced by a radiant silver one.


    If the gold coat that protected Amon was akin to a warm summer, this silver armour was channelling the freezing winter. Sharp and profound, Amon''s Aura was dazzling to the eye, and when the Six Moons emerged...


    Amon opened his eyes.


    The pupils, which should have been glowing gold, were now reced with a chilling silver.


    "If the Sun doesn''t kill you, then the Moon will."

 Chapter 89: Qyriwirth (7)

    <h4>Chapter 89: Qyriwirth (7)</h4>


    The Lunar de.


    The greatest Transcendent of all time.


    Utilising his signature ck de, he mowed through enemies like weeds on hiswn, annihting dozens without even breaking a sweat. With unparalleled skill and mastery of his sword, he spat in the face of overwhelming odds. Cloaked in shadow, he swept battlefields and brought the world to his feet.


    Manipting the essence of the Moon in his swordy, most weren''t able to follow his movements and those who could, were unable to stop it.


    And the mastery of the Lunar de... had now resurfaced in Hyades.


    [The Moon?]


    "..."


    Amon didn''t bother to reply. Charging up his mana, he used the Six Moons in his arsenal to create a ndestine silvery Aura. Coated in pure silver, the borderline between shadow and light was blinding enough that the Blood Demon could not hold its own. However, it wasn''t all blinding light.


    Shadows unfurled from the bright moons, spilling over like ink over paper. Shadows turned into a ck mist that superseded the Blood Mist of Qyriwirth and turned the battlefield into Amon''s domain. Mana turned into pressure that cracked the ground, and an illusory form of a phantom swordsman manifested itself.


    Qyriwirth narrowed its draconic eyes, attempting to make sense of what he was witnessing. Amon''s presence had faded away, and in his ce, a solemn, lonesome warrior.


    A warrior of myth. A swordsman who ughtered thousands with mechanical precision. A transmigrator that moved dimensions, and...


    A Transcendent.


    Amon''s Six Moons adhered to his will. Emting the dominant Sris Mystic Arts, Amon had created his own set of divine techniques that mirrored and, in some ways, surpassed the Sris signature abilities. Utilising the Lunar mana he kept hidden yet cultivated so well, Amon showed the full extent of his genius as he executed the first move of the Lunar Mystic Arts.


    ''Dusk.''


    A full Moon unfurled in the makeshift sky of the Blood Dome, breaking the red light with its luminescent glow. The emergent moonlight instantly detonated the Blood Demon''s summons, leaving it all on its lonesome. With its troops gone, Qyriwirth showed a rare face of panic as it bared its fangs and roared:


    [Y-YOU! WHAT DID YOU DO?!]


    The Blood Demon could no longer control its emotions. Its contempt for Amon was on full disy as it cracked its ws and went into full alert. It was angry... but more importantly... It felt the one emotion it never thought it would have against a human.


    Qyriwirth felt fear.


    Against a mere human.


    And that enraged the remnant soul of the mighty Blood Dragon sleeping within.


    Naturally, Amon wasn''t going to answer the enraged Demon. As far as he was concerned, Qyriwirth was just a dead man walking. Pouring more Lunar mana into Nyx, the ck de trembled with excitement and nostalgia.


    As powerful as Nyx was with Sr mana and executing the Sris Mystic Arts, it was a sword forged by Amon''s Lunar mana through and through. It grew more powerful over the years by ying humans through the use of Lunar mana, and it climbed in strength every time the familiar silver light was pumped into it.


    There was noparison.


    Amon unleashed a silver crescent moon with a single sh, and that strike flew straight at the speed of light. Sharper than any de in existence, the crescent moon sliced the air, almost making tears in the dimensional realm. And in its rage, the Blood Demon could not register the attack and had its entire torso shed through.


    But that wasn''t thest of it. After slicing the draconic humanoid''s rugged body, the crescent moon continued, extinguishing most of the Bloodfire surrounding the monster. All of the Blood Demon''s prior intimidation had been reduced to cinders, and its momentum was killed...


    With a single strike.


    [GRTTT!!!]


    Qyriwirth grunted and desperately attempted to heal itself. Burning its life essence, it managed to regrow much of its severed body parts, but at a rate much slower than before. All of its virile life essence, which had been saved for thousands of years, was now being drained exponentially. It was only a matter of time before its soul and mana would be depleted, leaving it with nothing more than an empty husk.


    But it didn''t matter.


    [I will... kill you!!!]


    The Blood Demon turned into a burning effigy of Bloodfire and rage. Whittling down its life essence as if it didn''t have a care in the world, the monster roared in pure anguish as its mana rose to the sky like a pir of me. The atmosphere became heavy as the fiery being advanced into an intoxicated state.


    An illusion of what it once was appeared in the reddened sky, creating a domination effect that would paralyse even the most powerful Knights. Let alone the ground; even the space within the Blood Dome was shaking.


    Such was the power of a Dragon Sovereign.


    Even though the Blood Demon was just a fragment of its soul, it was still an unparalleled deity that no human could ovee. s, Amon defied the odds. Staring straight at the burning Demon, he swung his de in an arc and channelled his mana.


    And with that, the Six Moon Knight disappeared.


    [What?!]


    Qyriwirth couldn''t sniff Amon''s visage as he disappeared into the darkness. No smell, no mana, no footprints... Not a single trace of the young Knight remained.


    It was like he had be a phantom, a fragment of its imagination. The ming Blood Demon tried desperately to sense Amon''s position, and it even spun around multiple times to locate the pesky human. And that confusion made it toote to feel the danger lurking above its head.


    Yet another crescent moon sh descended, slicing and dicing the Bloodfire on the draconic human''s back. It free-fell like a skydiver,nding like aet on the ashen ground. Turning into a fiery mosh pit, the Blood Demon attempted to reform itself into a corporeal being, only to be met with another crescent sh.


    As Amon watched the Blood Demon suffer, his mind briefly wandered as he admired his marvellous skill.


    ''New Moon Veil.''


    Using the phase of the New Moon, Amon could hide in the shadows,pletely obscuring his presence. Without light, there won''t even be a shadow¡ªno sight, smell, touch, sound and most importantly... no presence.


    Back on Earth, he used this ability to dominate the battlefield andplete covert missions in record time. An unseen enemy was dangerous, but an enemy that could hide from all senses?


    That was absurd.


    However, just hiding wasn''t enough to kill his opponent. He needed a decisive and deadly strike that could surprise his foes without giving them a chance to react.


    ''Crescent Moon sh.''


    Mimicking the Crescent Moon, Amon powered a sh onto the tip of his de and swung it in a crescent motion. The mana tip would create a vicious sh that could travel at the speed of light, replicating the beauty of the Crescent Moon.


    It was Amon''s, no, the Lunar de''s signature ability. Few who faced the blinding lights lived to tell the tale, and even fewer knew how to counter it. It was a deadly attack with little to no chance of escape, and most had to face it head-on.


    These two attacks were enough for Amon to be considered one of the most dangerous individuals in Hyades, but that was just the beginning of the Lunar Mystic Arts.


    [YOU DIE!!!]


    The Blood Demon let out a banshee''s shriek, detonating its Bloodfire far and wide. If it couldn''t see Amon, it would use a wide-area attack to flood him out.


    And it worked.


    With nowhere to run, Amon was forced to confront the deadly Bloodfires with his strength. Fortunately, he had the ability in his arsenal to do such a thing. He swung Nyx from the left and down at his waist. Silver Aura gathered over the ck de, making it look more prominent than it already was.


    Bloodfire was a relentless me. Once itnded on a person, it would continue to burn until the person was reduced to embers. With that risk in mind, Amon couldn''t risk the Blood Demon''s fire even touching his shoes. And hence, he executed his technique.


    ''Waxing Gibbous Moon.''


    Amon swung Nyx slowly, almost as if it were a golf club. At that speed, it looked like it was going in slow motion. However, that was just a ruse. The mana within Nyx elerated rapidly and before the Bloodfire could approach the young Knight...


    BOOM!!!


    It flew backwards, detonating violently behind Amon. The mes flickered like Satan''s tongue but never tasted Amon. The mana-rich Bloodfire dissipated, giving Amon a brief reprieve in the fight and the Blood Demon a dropped jaw.


    Tobat against magic users, Amon created a godlike counter that could parry any magic spell shot at him. It didn''t matter if it was a fireball, lightning bolt or earth spike. Amon could parry it with Nyx as long as it was made with mana.


    But that was only the first half...


    [!!!]


    Seeing that Amon hade into the light, Qyriwirth didn''t waste its opportunity. Flying over at speeds exceeding the sound barrier, the Blood Demon clenched its fist into a hefty ball of strength and used every ounce of its physical being to turn Amon into a paste. Even though weakened, it still possessed a robust young Knight in Torin, strengthening its body with draconic scales and features.


    No matter how much the Sris Bloodline blessed Amon, he couldn''t out-punch a real Dragon.


    At least, that''s what it thought.


    Whoosh!!!


    Amon swung Nyx once again, this time from right to left. In the same manner, the same tempo. However, the results were vastly different. The tip of the ck de made contact with the Blood Demon''s fist, reflecting the attack right back at it. Qyriwirth flew backwards like a puppet with its strings cut, mming onto the ground just as violently as it expected Amon to.


    ''Waning Gibbous Moon.''


    If Amon''s earlier parry could counter all magic spells, his new strike parried all physical ones.


    Magic didn''t work. Physical attacks didn''t work. Out-ranging him was out of the question. There was nothing... the Blood Demon could do to defeat Amon. All it could do was wait for its end as its life essence was drained into nothingness.


    At the end of its ropes, all Qyriwirth could do was let out a blood-curdling roar.


    Sensing that the end was near, Amon didn''t growcent. Holding Nyx over his head, he summoned all Six of his Moons and gave them free rein to orbit around him. Lunar mana spiked in the vicinity as his silver Aura grew ever more resplendent.


    In the end, there was only one oue for the Blood Demon when it trapped Amon in the Blood Dome.


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It''s eventual death.


    ''Full Moon Descent.''

 Chapter 90: Qyriwirth (8)

    <h4>Chapter 90: Qyriwirth (8)</h4>


    Amon stood silently above the fallen corpse of the Blood Demon, nk-faced and wholly unimpressed. The draconic features of the Blood Dragon gradually faded away, and Torin''s fatigued face took shape. Although it was his formerrade, Amon felt no remorse or anger toward the deceased Knight. All he cared about was the beating core that had merged into Torin''s body.


    Without any mana to sustain it, the Blood Dome over Amon''s head started to crack until it eventually shattered. The sunlight of the outside world illuminated the red atmosphere, truly marking the end of the notorious Blood Demon.


    As Torin''s corpse crumbled, the pristine colour of the crimson de was now in full view. Its sinister core was still beating, albeit in a weaker beat. The smooth sword showed multiple cracks akin to a spiderweb, allowing much of its demonic aura to flow outwards onto the destend.


    Amon recalled Nyx into his soul without a shred of emotion caught on his face. To him, it was just yet another mission aplished.


    But for others, it was a whole other issue.


    "Amon!"


    Before he realised it, a tall, young beauty teleported before his eyes; even though he had superhuman reflexes, he could not evade the girl''s tight embrace for some reason. Her snowy white hair was in a mess, and the faint scent of sweat tickled Amon''s nose.


    However, even her messy clothes didn''t diminish Yue''s ethereal beauty. In some ways, they enhanced it, showing how concerned she was over Amon''s well-being.


    The embrace was a long one. And it was hard for Amon to peel the young girl''s arms away, mainly since two piercing gazes were staring him down. Both of them wore warm smiles, but at the same time, there was a tinge of confusion and shock.


    They could not fathom how Amon had so effortlessly dispatched the Blood Demon, even to the extent of breaking down Torin''s body to unveil the de hidden within. The Blood Dome was unquestionably something that they couldn''t break into. The only way Amon could escape was by executing the Blood Demon in battle, and given that he was merely a Three-Sun True Knight, Sir Horus didn''t believe he could pull it off.


    On the other hand, Leon was more privy to Amon''s strength. But even then, he didn''t know the full extent of Amon''s true powers, so the Blood Demon''s defeat still came as a huge shock.


    s, with Yue crying wildly in Amon''s chest, they couldn''t ask any questions.


    "... Are you done?"


    Amon asked with a tired voice. He felt that dealing with the youngss was far more exhausting than being targetted by an ancient Demon.


    "No, I''m not satisfied. You made me worry, Amon!"


    "..."


    Amon locked eyes with Yue, his attention zoning in on her state of mind. Without any hesitation, he begun a telepathic connection with the girl and said:


    [You know better than anyone that I won''t get hurt.]


    [Of course, I trust your strength! Otherwise, I wouldn''t have agreed to that dangerous n. But can''t I worry about my future husband?]


    [You...]


    Amon felt an unfamiliar, warm prick tickle his heart. In his past life, he''d been battling alone. It didn''t matter if he concluded a challenging or easy mission. He would always return to an empty home with no one to holler at him. So, having someone show concern over his well-being was unfamiliar, yet... he didn''t dislike it.


    [I should have insisted on joining you! Lord knows what would have happened.]


    [If you did, the Blood Demon would have one more person to target. I couldn''t take that risk.]


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    [Oh? Were you worried about me too?]


    [...]


    Amon gazed back at the battlefield and observed the innumerable bloodless corpses and carcasses. They had all been eviscerated by deadly,rge-scale magic. Be it slicing tempest, earth flowers, or ice spears. They were all spells that weren''t castable by Knights such as Horus and Leon.


    It was evident who was responsible for such a magical carnage.


    It was ludicrous to think that Yue would lose to the Blood Demon, even if it targeted its entire arsenal of tricks against her.


    [... yeah, sure. You can say that.]


    [Really?! I''m so happy!!!]


    Yue giggled as she sent the telepathic message. Their eyes were locked the entire time, giving others the impression that they were two lovebirds enjoying the moment and about to lean in for a passionate kiss. Of course, the reality was far from the truth, but the impression was enough to make the older Knight intervene.


    "Ahem, I''m d your rtionship is good, but don''t we have more pressing matters to attend to?"


    Sir Horus coughed while hiding a teasing smile. Leon was likewiseughing but secretly taking notes on how he should treat ady.


    Neither Amon nor Yue were affected by the tease. Amon tilted his head into a wry smile while Yue clicked her tongue, seemingly annoyed that her pleasant time was rudely interrupted. Still, she knew better than to talk back to the Knight of the Morning Star, so she backed off and allowed Amon to give his report.


    "I managed to defeat the Blood Demon, Sir Horus. It was weakened from putting up the Blood Dome and your previous attack."


    "You? Killed that monster?"


    "Aye, it was a hard-fought battle, but I somehow managed."


    The Golden Order Knight raised his eyebrows and examined the young Amon from head to toe. Some tears were on his armour, and his face was hollowed out from fatigue. However, there wasn''t a hint of injury or severe exhaustion.


    Horus didn''t believe Amon''s words for one second that it was a hard-fought battle, but since he couldn''t witness the battle with his own eyes, all he could do was nod his head for now.


    "Alright, so you''ve conquered the Demon?"


    "Not yet," Amon turned. His movements prompted the rest of the group to look past him and onto the crimson deid out on the ground.


    "I''ve managed to destroy the vessel that hosted the Blood Demon, but its essence remains. Until we can destroy the crimson de, it can still revive."


    "So, what''s your n?"


    "Yue..."


    Amon answered Horus'' question by calling out to his lover. There wasn''t any need for them to exchange words. Yue gave a simple nod before using her mana to telekically move the de before Leon, suspending it in the air like a wooden nk.


    Even though the Blood Demon''s mind was weaker than ever, there was still a risk of parasitising another human. No one could physically hold onto the crimson de to avoid that risk.


    "Leon... Land the finishing blow."


    Amon didn''t hesitate to order his squire. It was a simple demand, one that no person could misinterpret. And Leon lived up to his expectations.


    Bringing Ascalon overhead, he charged all his mana into the Holy Sword. All of his small andrge Suns orbited around him in a spectacr dance. The sacred de answered Leon''s plea, charging up with an intense amount of holy power and golden fire. Amounting to a mana core that could evaporate the entire battlefield, Leon concentrated all of his mana into the tip of Ascalon.


    Letting out a triumphant cry, Ascalon burned with Aura Fire and mmed right into the centre of the crimson de. The mes from the Holy Sword incinerated the sinister sword while the force of Leon''s strike shattered it into thousands of pieces.


    The Blood Demon''s soul was exorcised while dozens of metal shards broke free from the epicentre. However, none of them hit the spectators as Yue had expertly created a force field to contain the decimation.


    Horrendous screams of the dead and suffering could be heard within their souls as a reddish-ck mist escaped from the broken de. Bit by bit, the overwhelming presence of the Blood Demon was diminishing and when the final bit of mist dissipated... Amon couldn''t feel any residue Demonic energy anymore.


    It was done.


    They had killed the Blood Demon.


    ''With this... We have killed a future threat.''


    The Blood Demon wasn''t considered one of the future Cmities of Hyades. However, it was a significant threat nheless. If left alone, it would join forces with the Demon Cult and the invading troops from Hell, bing an enemy few could fend off.


    It was fortunate that Amon had managed to kill it off when it was still weak. One could only imagine the headache if it regained all its might by parasitising hundreds of powerful Knights.


    ''And we had minimal casualties to top it off...''


    Other than Torin and a few other civilians, there wasn''t anyone else who passed on. In [Bright], the Blood Demon imed over ten thousand lives before it could be felled. In Yue''s timeline, the Blood Demon still roamed free, terrorising millions of humans with its undead army and evergrowing power.


    For there to only be one death, it was a genuine bargain.


    ''With this, we can finally return...''


    Before Amon could fully rx, a dreaded sense of foreboding erupted in his mind. He felt a sinister energy emerge from the remnants of the crimson de, particrly the sword''s tip. He turned around rapidly, only to see the broken tip of the sword mysteriously levitating, with a menacing energy shrouding it.


    And its target?


    None other than the Protagonist himself.


    ''Shit, toote!''


    On instinct, Amon knew there wasn''t any time to warn Leon or make him evade. Neither Yue nor Horus could move to protect the boy, given how slow they were to sense the danger. At this point, only Amon could save his squire.


    And so he did.


    Moving forward rapidly, Amon reached Leon''s side and sent a roundhouse kick in his direction. The kick was rough but not hard enough to fracture bones or leave anysting injuries. Leon tumbled three metres away, unsure of what had hit him.


    But as he regained his wits, the young Knight dropped his jaw in shock.


    Amon stood tall at the ce where he was supposed to stand. His face was expressionless as usual, and his posturecked any urgency. However, at the centre of his abdomen, the broken tip of the Blood Demon''s sword was lodged firmly inside his stomach.


    "AMON!!!"

 Chapter 91: Qyriwirth (9)

    <h4>Chapter 91: Qyriwirth (9)</h4>


    ''Where am I?''


    Amon thought to himself as he ''woke up'' in an unfamiliar space. The world around him had turned entirely ck, making it hard for the man to understand his bearings. However, Amon remained calm. Closing his eyes, he heightened his superhuman senses, trying to eliminate all possibilities.


    ''Was I teleported somewhere? No, I can''t feel a thing. Did I get knocked out? No, I can still feel my mana. That must mean...''


    Just before he could reach a conclusion, the world around him changed. The darkness was reced with a white, sterile environment. The lighting of the fluorescent LEDs dazzled the naked eye, while countless state-of-the-art equipment could be seen. Smooth, frictionless surfaces were the norm, while many sleep-deprived researchers paced the floor with their pristinely whiteb coats.


    However, none of them paid Amon any mind. Treating him as invisible, the scientists went about their day, looking at charts and typing away on theirputers. Standing in the middle of the control room, Amon stood still and observed the situation calmly.


    This ce was familiar to him...


    Looking through the one-way ss, Amon could see the target of the scientists'' experimentation. Multiple young children, all no older than ten, were lying on sterilised stic beds. Their limbs were strapped on, and their bodies were injected with a strange IV drip. Yet, none of them were yelling or crying.


    The children had expressions like they had given up on life, or rather, that they didn''t care what happened to them. And the one who carried the most nonchnce was...


    ''Ah, a younger me... This is my memory?''


    Amon didn''t take long to identify where he had been transported to. This was his childhood, no, Number 23''s childhood, to be exact. It was the days when he was experimented on to be the best Transcendent of all time. A young, helpless child who couldn''t defend himself. A child who was at the mercy of the cruel adults who sought to make use of him.


    "Number 23 is enduring the dosage well."


    "Should we increase the dosage then?"


    "Do you think he can handle it?"


    "Don''t worry; he has shown to have a high pain tolerance. But just in case, call the exterminators to be on standby. We don''t need a repeat of Number 99."


    Two scientists discussed increasing a young child''s suffering as if they were tuning a car. They showed no remorse and sent out the order. A few minutester, the young boy, who was lyingpletely still on the bed, began to tense in agony. He gritted his teeth and pulled against his restraints, veins popping and knuckles clenching.


    The pain and agony made Amon flinch as memories of the pain surged in his mind. He vividly recalled this moment. It was one of the days that he wished he hadn''t been born in that cruel world.


    And thus...


    [Don''t you wish for it?]


    "..."


    Amon''s thoughts were cut short by the same sinister voice of the Blood Demon. Awakened from its slumber, Qyriwirth took the form of a young Number 23, its blood-slit eyes staring at Amon.


    [Don''t you desire power? The power to dominate everything? I can grant you that.]


    "..."


    Amon didn''t reply to the Blood Demon. He simply looked at his younger self with unfazed eyes and continued to watch his suffering. Because there was no point in prolonging this scene, Qyriwirth again changed Amon''s mental world.


    This time, he was sent to the time Number 23 had to face up against a thousand Transcendents. Against the odds, even though he could have easily killed them all if it were a one-on-one battle, Number 23 fell.


    It was the weakest point of the dominant Transcedent''s life and the scene that Qyriwirth chose next.


    [With my power, you wouldn''t have lost to them. Together, we could rule the continent and reign as the next God!]


    "..."


    Amon continued to ignore the Blood Demon''s whispers.


    He stared nkly at his dying corpse as if he were watching a movie unrted to himself. Seeing the burning corpse made Amon reflect on his life as a Transcendent and a Sris. He began to think of his purpose and why he chose to walk the path of a hero.


    With its temptations failing, the Blood Demon was slowly turning desperate.


    In most cases, it could easily take over a human''s body, so long as its will was weaker to itself. Furthermore, its overwhelming power could either intimidate or entice its host to willingly give up their bodies. However, Amon wasn''t taking the bite.


    Amon wasn''t fazed and continued to ignore Qyriwirth''s sweet temptations. If this continued, the Blood Demon''sst chance to live would disappear. Hence, it was forced to pull out itsst option.


    [Once again, you have forced me to the corner, human.]


    Breaking reality with its demonic energy, Qyriwirth revealed its true form.


    Measuring as tall as a mountain, a monstrous entity came into being. Its massive wings were enough to epass the entire sky, and its scales shimmered with the resplendent crimson and burgundy hue of blood. With scales asrge as humans, it possessed an unyielding armour base, making it impossible for mere mortals to threaten its being.


    Its teeth were like harpoons, and its ws were like spears. Its massive head was crowned with long, curved horns, showing off its aspect of a devil. Ancient, fiery magic dwelled within the monster''s soul, and just by showing its true form, it could dominate lesser existences. Sharp spikes ran along its spine, highlighting its formidable appearance.


    pping its wings, it descended, turning rocks into a broken mess. Within Amon''s mental realm, the Blood Dragon had unveiled itself at the peak of its powers, a monster that couldn''t be killed even if the entire Sris House gathered its current forces.


    And that being was now looking down at Amon with pure wrath in its serpentine eyes.


    [Mortal, surrender your body to me!]


    "..."


    Yet, even when facing the Blood Dragon''s full power, Amon didn''t flinch. He stared at the formidable foe like it was apletely harmless animal at the zoo. And sure enough...


    Amon''s heartbeat increased in intensity. Not in repetitions, but each beat sent more mana to his veins. Instantly, a blinding golden light emerged from Amon''s soul, searing the Blood Dragon''s indomitable state. Bit by bit, the monster''s size diminished, and it was no longer the size of a mountain.


    [This power! Yval?!]


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Qyriwirth was an ancient Dragon, so it wasn''t surprising that it knew of the Golden Dragon Progenitor. Falling to its archnemesis once more, the Blood Dragon felt indignant. Amon''s blessing protected him from the Blood Dragon''s brainwashing, giving him a fighting chance against the Demonic creature.


    "You know..."


    Amon summoned Nyx out from his soul. Given that it was his inner world, the veteran knew how to manipte the world to its advantage. Turning the ckened world into his arena, Amon brought the weakened Qyriwirth into a chosen battlefield.


    Pirs of light in a sacred sanctuary. Two silhouettes could be seen overseeing the arena like referees to the match. One is the aspect of the Sun with a hallowed angel watching from the heavens, and the other is the aspect of the Moon in the form of a deityughing amongst the stars.


    While it was like a sanctioned match, it wasn''t a fair fight.


    Both immortals were partial to Amon and ready to stand by his side if necessary. They both sang arias, each more resonant than the next. They were likepeting singers, but simultaneously, their hymns came together to create a musical harmony.


    Qyriwirth was dumbstruck at the scene. It initially thought it had gained the upper hand, but little did it know that it was caught in a trap that Amon had sprung. The Blood Dragon dropped its snout and watched as Amon closed in like the reaper of death.


    "You miscalcted. Trying to take over my soul was a mistake."


    [Y-You... How were you not tempted? I could have given you everything! Do you not desire anything?!]


    "Desire? Why would I want anything from you?"


    Amon snorted at the Blood Dragon''sments. Strength? Amon had plenty of it. Potential? Amon was on track to be the most powerful human of all time. Knowledge? Amon knew everything that would happen in [Bright], and he was doing his all to prevent the advent of Demons.


    So why... would he desire anything from the weak Dragon?


    Taking a deep breath in, Amon did something he never did.


    He was intending... to go all out.


    Since he was in his mental world, there was no risk of leaking his abilities. And more importantly, there wasn''t a risk of change in how surveyors would have to draw the map. Six Suns and Moons orbited over the battlefield with an exuberant dance. At the same time, the Sun Angel and the Moon Deity continued their song, performing a symphony for Immortals.


    Amon''s Sr and Lunar mana was brought out, and the immense power was enough to bring the Blood Dragon to shivers. It could only watch as the Sun Angel absorbed all the Six Suns in the sky and turned into a massive sr sphere.


    The Moon Deity did the same thing. Opening its arms wide, it absorbed the Six Moons that orbited around it and turned into one singr lunar entity.


    In the silence of the battlefield, Amon closed his eyes. He raised Nyx into the air, and the two luminaries slowly merged. It was the epitome of Amon''s power, his peak.


    Thebination of his past life as the Lunar de and his current life as Amon Sris.


    ''Eclipse.''


    "So goodbye, Qyriwirth."


    [Y-You!!!!]


    With one single swing, Amon''sbined power destroyed the Blood Dragon in one fell swoop. With no other host totch onto, Qyriwirth''s soul was now on the brink of destruction. At one point, an ancient monster terrorising the was now a dissipating mist.


    And this time, for good.

 Chapter 92: The Demon Cult (1)

    <h4>Chapter 92: The Demon Cult (1)</h4>


    Within Amon''s soul, the battlested for a long time. However, in the outside world, barely a few seconds had passed. Leon and Horus were still genuinely worried about the young man pierced by the remnants of the crimson de. Amon''s future wife, on the other hand, was smiling with pride.


    ''There''s no way the Blood Demon can overwhelm Amon''s soul.''


    Yue was confident, and she had every right to be.


    In the future, Amon will be humanity''s greatest hero. A man who would bear the weight of a species on his shoulders and a hero who would go face-to-face with a Demon King. No way in hell would such a hero lose to a mere Blood Demon.


    And she was right.


    Amon regained consciousness within seconds and calmly pulled out the tip of the crimson de fragment and dropped it on the ground. Looking seemingly uninterested in the item, he stepped on the final remnants of the crimson de and burnt it with his Sr mana.


    With Qyriwirth''s soul destroyed, the unbreakable sword was now a mere fraction of its past power. Dissipating away like the final embers of an evening bonfire, the crimson de returned to ash... much like its master.


    "Amon! Are you alright?"


    "Yeah," the young Knight replied by rubbing his forehead. "The Blood Demon''s soul was destroyed long ago, so there''s no need to worry."


    "A-Are you sure? I-I''m sorry if I had been more precise, y-you..."


    "Don''t me yourself, Leon. You did well."


    Amon gestured him off with a wry smile. Knowing the self-righteous boy, warped thoughts would form in his mind if Amon didn''t reassure him. Hence, he tapped on Leon''s shoulder and continued to give affirmation.


    "Without your help, we wouldn''t have defeated the Blood Demon. So, thank you."


    "..."


    Leon remained silent. No one could tell what was flowing in his mind, and no one had the sense to think about it. After all, they had just trounced the Blood Demon, an undeniable threat to humanity and a monster that could have killed millions.


    The seasoned Horus Sris was the only person who had even half a mind to think. Stepping forward, he approached Amon with a kind yet stern voice and said:


    "Amon, you have achieved a great deed. Your courage will be reported to the Patriarch, who''ll decide on your reward."


    "..."


    Amon scrunched up, clearly not amused by Horus'' idea. Truthfully, he wished for this incident to be swept under the rug or for Leon to im all the rewards. However, neither Horus nor Leon would ept that. Nheless, he couldn''t outright reject it.


    "... It''s my honour."


    Simrly, Horus tapped on Amon''s shoulder to encourage him. However, rather than fully praising the boy, the Pir Knight leaned in and whispered in a soft voice that only he could hear:


    "I agree; it''s not time to reveal your full strength. But I''m d to witness such a luminary be born into the Sris House."


    "..."


    Amon remained silent, not knowing what to reply. Evidently, the fight between the Blood Demon and himself wasn''t entirely isted, and Horus could sense hints of Amon''s actual power. Freezing up, Amon paused as he watched the Pir Knight walk far away to tend to his Griffin.


    It seems... like it was going to be an awkward flight home.


    ???


    A forgotten cave existed deep underneath the ocean, where no human could thrive. During years past, the cave acted as a sanctuary for nomads and weary travellers, resting there to seek shelter from the elements. However, as time progressed and the water levels rose, the cave was submerged hundreds of metres down, making it impossible for humans to enter.


    A ce of terrifying and eerie silence, ity hidden beneath an endless, ck ocean. It was a sanctuary so far from civilisation that hardly any human constructs remained. As one dove into the murky depths, they would be greeted with cold, iron rock muddled with algae and brine. The ever-changing currents made it impossible for navy boats to venture near the cave, as frequent whirlpools and irregr streams dominated the calm, shadowy oceans.


    However, if one did manage to bypass the elements and bravely tackle the inhospitable waters, they would be greeted by a dark cave. The cave''s only entrance was an unsuspecting opening at the bottom, sealing a pocket of air for its inhabitants.


    The cave was eerily silent and serene, unlike the rough waters surrounding it. The air was thick with the scent of salt and decay, though the sound of the ocean outside was muffled. An oppressive weight hangs in the water, a feeling that the cave is breathing¡ªalive, ancient, and aware. In some ces, the stone seems to pulse with an unnatural energy, as though something within it stirs in slumber, waiting.


    In many ways, it was like the Sris House. However, rather thanvished with grandeur and majesty, it had an oppressive, unforgiving, and cruel atmosphere.


    Like an ant''s nest, the dimly lit corridors led to multiple chambers and linkways. They continued on for multiple levels, making this unassuming cave look like a maze in a mountain. Ominous runes decorated many of the chambers, and screams of agony proliferated from the deepest recesses of the cave. As one wandered down the unholynd, the sense of dread and fear only grew stronger.


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    Cultists draped in their signature garbs patrolled the cave, but many were tending to their own business, ignoring the tortured shrieks of the damned. Many were experimenting, some honing their skills, while most were just tending to their daily tasks.


    It seemed obscene. Regr humans could nonchntly do administrative tasks while their kin were broken and battered next door.


    But such was the reality of the Demon Cult''s headquarters.


    Housing more than ten thousand cultists, the Demon Cult''s most enormous base was located right here, in this underwater cave. It was a secretive location that not even Amon or Yue could identify, even with their knowledge of the future and powers of their intelligence agency, Echelon.


    And a big reason why that''s so... was because of the people who lived within this forsaken cave.


    In the cave''s most secure region, there was an illustrious grand hall. Unlike its deste exterior, this hall was beautiful and regal. In its centre was an oval table with eight high chairs surrounding it, and a short stairway led to a white throne at the head of the table.


    The grand hall was painfully silent, given that no one was present. No, there was one person seated in his chair. A demonic human calmly sharpened his sword with iron in a meditative ritual, entirely in the zone. His fiery red hair and piercing green eyes carried a dignified, otherworldly weight. Thick and wild, his hair cascaded like waves of molten copper, adding a surreal gleam to his image.


    Two devil horns protruded from his forehead, making him look more demon than human. Like the horns of a ram, it protected the swordsman''s head from any harm, not that he needed protection. With a presence that would choke a human, the demonic human showed a majesty that few possessed in the world and few would dare challenge.


    But, of course, there were some lunatics.


    "Early as per usual, old man!"


    The massive gates of the throne hall swung open as a handsome young man lowered his feet. Standing at almost 1.9 metres, he was a specimen of a hunk. Prevailing with wild energy, he showed off his pectoral muscles by dressing with only a cape draped over his shoulders. Though it may be streaked with silver in some ces, his grey hair falls in tousled waves like a vibrant waterfall.


    Fully framed with an overly-chiselled appearance, the presence the man emitted was enough to make any woman blush. Yet, that wasn''t the only thing that added to his charm. He was remarkably handsome¡ªalmost to an inhuman degree.


    High cheekbones, defined angr nose, sharp jaw... The man had everything. The only thing that could be deemedcking was his overly white skin. It was pale enough to reflect light and blind others in the snow.


    Oh, and of course...


    The man''s ethereally glowing eyes. Meeting his green eyes was akin to a vial of acid, enough to strike fear into lesser humans. Sharp and piercing, they reflected a reckless spirit and the desire of a predator. Even a whiff of intelligence was hidden within those pupils, not that he''d let it show often.


    "Samael, how often must I tell you not to kick the door?! Don''t you know it costs a fortune to fix everything you break?!"


    An exasperated voice trailed behind the young man. A woman in her thirties scolded the exhibitionist young man sternly. Her bespectacled appearance matched herb coat and dishellved blue hair, blending intelligence with a quirky charm.


    "Huh? Ravenna, you speak a lot for someone who nearly smoked our headquarters two weeks ago!"


    "Hargh?! I just had an experimental error! It was unintentional!"


    The woman scoffed and moved to tie her unkempt hair into a ponytail. A few strands fell in front of her hair as her posture naturally hunched from hours spent in theb. Her green eyes reflected a venomous charm like the previous two. However, it was more of an oddity than a weapon in her arsenal¡ªClutzy yet intelligent, absent-minded yet mysterious.


    The woman named Ravenna was a paradigm of inconsistencies.


    "Enough! Both of you!"


    The swordsman seated on his chair frowned and yelled: "Take your seats. The Prophet will arrive at any moment."


    Taking charge of the situation, the swordsman gestured to the duo and made them take their seats. Samael raised his chin and looked down on Ravenna, only for the woman to shake her head and exit the dispute defeated. Wearing a smug expression, Samael sat on the opposite end of the swordsman while Ravenna sat beside him.


    "Lord Mchi, why have we been summoned to this meeting? An Apostle-only meeting no less?"


    Ravenna asked with curious eyes. This was the first time in years that the Prophet had summoned the highest-ranking members of the Demon Cult together, so it was natural that she was curious.


    "How would I dare guess the Prophet''s intentions? We are here to serve his will."


    Unfortunately, it was quickly shut down by the swordsman, who just closed his eyes and gave a curt answer. Seeing Ravenna shut down again, the handsome manughed out loud and said:


    "You can''t expect the old man to give you anything, Ravenna! He''s a loyal dog, through and through!"


    "Careful now, Samael. You may be an Apostle, but if you attempt to tarnish my honour..."


    "What would you do?"


    The two demonic humans stared at each other, one with a cold smile and the other with an angry frown. Both were monsters and powerhouses that could bring down the entire headquarters with their strength. So, one could only imagine the damage they would face if they crossed fists.


    Fortunately, that doomsday scenario wasn''t going to happen.


    "... what''s with the atmosphere?"


    Another serene voice echoed in the hall, prompting all three Apostles to turn their heads to the entrance¡ªan enigmatic beauty sashayed into the chamber wearing modest but regal clothing. Captivating to the eye, her strikingly tinum blonde hair was an eyecatcher, shimmering and glowing with an ethereal lustre.


    Her appearance was otherworldly, too. Not looking a day over thirty, she preserved her astonishing good looks. Beautiful with rosy lips and perfect contours, the woman''s face was just as perfect as a marbled statue. Tall with an athletic build, the woman poised herself with elegance. Every step she took was calcted in her temptress ways, adding to her otherworldly allure.


    It wasn''t just her appearance. The scent she wore tingled with men''s senses, tempting them to strike and im her as their own. She hid most of her porcin white skin, but the bits she couldn''t conceal drew most men to ogle, some doing it with more apparent desire than others.


    Case in point.


    "Isadora, mydy."


    Samael stood up with ascivious smile and stepped towards the neer.


    "I''ve never seen you in a while. Have you been avoiding me?"


    "Ara, how smart. But can you me me? Who would stay in a room with a bitch in heat like you?"


    "Your words are venomous, baby! But I like it!"


    The young man attempted to step forward but was stopped by aser beam. The beam struck Samael''s feet, drawing a distinct line that separated them.


    "Step over that line, and I''ll send you to hell."


    "Oh? Why don''t I send you to heaven first?"


    "... you have a death wish?"


    Isadora was incensed. She had been moody all week due to her recent failures, and now, herpatriot was openly harassing her. Like herrades, she was a top-ranking Apostle in the Demon Cult. Her personal strength was not low; in fact, it was on the higher spectrum. For the young blood who only knew how to think with his lower half, it was an insult she could not endure.


    "Ah, this is why I dislike attending Apostle meetings."


    Ravenna openly sighed and braced herself for impact.

 Chapter 93: The Demon Cult (2)

    <h4>Chapter 93: The Demon Cult (2)</h4>


    Fortunately for Ravenna, thebat she was prepared for didn''t pass. When Samael and Isadora attempted to raise their fists, a mysterious force struck their mind, terrorising and freezing the duo. Their movements were impaired, and their heads began to throb. A sudden heat permeated in the middle of their eyes, and the headache intensified.


    Clouded and confused, both the Apostles reached for their heads and gasped for air. Angered, Isadora charged up her mana and broke the spell forcibly, sending shockwaves flying throughout the throne hall. At the same time, Samael clenched his fist, unleashing a torrent of demonic mana that cracked the ground beneath him.


    The two of them''s anger had now moved to another direction, or to be specific, to another person.


    "As expected, I can''t expect either of you to be professional."


    A tattered hooded figure emerged from the throne''s shadow and approached the other Apostles with an arrogant scoff. The hood wasrge, casting the person''s face in an eerie obscurity. However, if one peered closer, the man''s striking features began to emerge.


    A mess of dark purple hair that wasbed to chaos, as if it were gelled by dark magic itself. Its colour was a stark hue of violet with purple, making him look like the embodiment of chaos itself. His eyes were glowing in a haunting red, drawing anyone who locked eyes with him into an unyielding vortex of control, draining their willpower and bending them to his will.


    Two sharp, wicked horns protruded beneath his hood like an ancient Treant''s crown, and they weren''t simply for decoration. Acting as a conduit for his dark magic, the horns pulsated with an ominous energy, giving the impression of an arrogant being standing over the masses.


    "Kieran, if you get in my head one more time, I''ll kill you!"


    Isadora, the belle of the Apostles, gritted her teeth and cursed. Not only was the lustful Samael aggravating her, but the pretentious Kieran also subjected her mind to pain. It was no wonder she was engulfed with rage.


    "Motherfucker, you sure know how to make an entrance!"


    Samael, the rashest member of the Apostles, derisively apuded the man while clenching his giant fists.


    However, even though the two mighty Apostles felt irritation and anger toward the neer, neither dared to do anything. They knew the only person they couldn''t beat in the chamber was the hooded man with the sinister horns.


    Well, him and another...


    "Kieran, you shouldn''t be too rough with your friends. We are allrades in the name of our King."


    An ethereal voice beckoned to the Apostles as a grey mist descended on the throne. The fog was light and mystical, making it look like the being it harboured was descending from another dimension. Congregating into a physical body, the mist turned into a middle-aged man whose appearance seemed to test the boundaries between the living and the dead.


    He stood tall, with a posture that conveyed wisdom and an unnerving sense of inevitability, as though he existed beyond the ne of existence. His hair, perhaps once dark, now hangs in straight strands of ghostly grey, giving him the appearance of a distinguished gentleman. And his well-stitched three-piece white suit drove the image home.


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    Looking like a herald for a majestic emperor, he took his spot on the throne with dignified poise. He ced his elbow on the armrest and rested his pale white, hollowed-in cheek on his fist. But the true mark of his majesty wasn''t his attire or appearance... but his unnerving eyes.


    Ghostly, hollowed without irises, yet full of ashen wisdom. Pale mist swirled beyond the whites of his eyes, giving a sense of domination and superior judgment. It was as if those eyes could peer into the annals of history and peek through time to predict the future.


    Also, it felt like those who challenged him would have to deal with the fact that their fatesy entirely in his hands. Like an arbiter of truth, his sole discretion could manipte reality and change the course of destiny.


    As he was the one... who controlled the Demon Cult.


    "Prophet!!!"


    The first to acknowledge his appearance was Mchi, the Demon Swordsman. Jumping from his seat, he fell to the ground with both knees, addressing the Prophet with the utmost reverence. Ravenna followed suit shortly after. She gracefully fell onto one knee and bowed her head with respect. Kieran was the next to show his respects. Folding both his arms together, he bent his waist and gave the Prophet a solemn bow.


    Only Samael and Isadora were left.


    The handsome man''s anger calmed down after observing the atmosphere, and he, too, let go of his frustrations to give a bow. Though it wasn''t as respectful as the others, he showed his will to cool the room''s temperature by stepping back an inch.


    Only Isadora was unresolved. She bit the bottom of her lip, and in defiance, she lifted her chin and sat back on her chair. That action raised some eyebrows, but before anyone could say anything, the Prophet cooled the room by raising his arms.


    "Please, dispense with the formalities. I didn''t summon you here to brush my ego."


    The Prophet joked and gestured for the others to take their seats. Once they had settled down, he continued: "Now that everyone''s present, we can begin the meeting."


    "Ermmm, not to be rude, but I don''t see Zuphil or the twins?"


    Ravenna gingerly raised her left arm while adjusting her spectacles.


    "The twins are on a mission, so they won''t be able to answer my urgent summons. As for Zuphil, he''s handling another task for me right now."


    The Prophet answered with a sly smile. Hearing that, all the members nodded and didn''t question their leader anymore. Timing his response to perfection, the Prophet continued:


    "Thank you for answering my sudden summons. I know you''ve been busy with the tasks I assigned you."


    "Please, we live to serve your will."


    "Not my will, our King''s."


    The Prophet waved his finger, correcting Mchi''s im. The Demon Swordsman naturally nodded his head at the correction and didn''t retort.


    "Let me get to the point. The reason why I summoned you today is because we have encountered a particr problem. It seems that our existence has been discovered."


    "..."


    The mood in the throne hall became sombre. The revtion was new, but none of them were actually surprised. Over the past few years, it had be apparent that a mysterious entity had been hunting the Demon Cult, killing many cultists and even destroying entire bases.


    Initially, they believed that the cultists were discovered by patrolling Knights that happened to chance upon their base. But as time went by, they strengthened their defences and hid their bases in more secretive location. Yet, even with the new measures, they were still targetted.


    It could only mean one thing.


    Their enemy knew the Demon Cult existed.


    And they were actively hunting them.


    "Well, we were prepared for this. Although it hade earlier than nned..."


    The Prophet mused. Even with all his wisdom and foresight, he couldn''t understand how the Demon Cult was discovered so quickly. They had been operating in utmost secrecy, and their ns were wless. So, for an entity to discover their existence, it really threw a wrench in their ultimate goal.


    "But, that''s just the beginning of our problems. Not only does the enemy know about us, but they are hunting Greater Demons."


    "What?! How would they know?!"


    Isadora mmed her palms on the table and stood up with fright. She raised her voice and shrieked drawing the attention of all the Apostles. For outsiders, they may be surprised to see such a beauty channelling such fervour for Demons, but for the Apostles, they didn''t react much. Rather, they sighed knowing that they would have to calm her down.


    "Now that''s the question, how?"


    The Prophet smiled. He has a strange stillness, as though he exists in a perpetual state of watching, waiting, or calcting. And that was enough to give the Demon Cult a whiff of his thoughts.


    "You think there''s a spy?"


    "No, I wouldn''t go that far. I just think that our protocols have beenpromised. How? I can''t say. But it''s clear that the enemy knows more about the Demon Cult than we''refortable with."


    While the forces they''d lost hadn''t affected the Demon Cult''s core strength, it was still a substantial loss¡ªparticrly the Greater Demons. Summoning a Greater Demon required many resources and sacrifices, so losing one was bad enough. Yet, they''d lost a handful.


    "The loss that stung the most was Malgathor. He was a steward of our King, and he would have served us faithfully. But he died without us even finding his body. I must say, we''ve lost more forces than we''refortable with."


    "... what should we do?"


    Mchi asked with an unwavering voice. He was ready to walk through fire if it meant serving his Lord.


    However, the Prophet didn''t seem to mind too much. He waved off the Demon Swordsman''s valour and smiled: "There''s no need to think that deeply. We must overhaul our protocols to protect ourselves from further breaches."


    "... your will is mymand."


    "Kieran, can I entrust you with that task?"


    "Of course, Prophet. I will create new security protocols."


    Seated at the chair nearest to the throne, the sinister-looking mind-reader answered respectfully. The Prophet could move on to the main problem with the first matter settled. Crossing his fingers together, the ghostly man bent forward, and his thin smile disappeared. Seeing their leader in that mode brought shivers down the mighty Apostles'' spines as they patiently awaited his next words.


    "My Apostles, I''m sure you''ve heard by now... But a new Hero has appeared."


    "We''re aware..."


    "It was part of our calctions. The Goddess won''t permit intruders into her realm. She must have noticed our ns and has chosen a champion to wield her sword. And as expected, the Hero has appeared in the Sris House."


    "Hoh... The Sris House? Well, the past two owners of Ascalon are from that monolithic family, so it''s not a surprise."


    Mchiuded the Sris House. Even though he had given up his humanity, as a swordsman, he still had some lingering respect and reverence for the Sris House. Creating generation after generation of powerful Knights, there was much to admire about that family.


    But for the Demon Cult, the Sris House was just an enemy that had to be defeated.


    "Precisely. As we are now, we cannot go up against the Sris House. We don''t have the manpower for that yet. But, we can''t leave the Hero alone. From what we know, he''s a young Knight with plenty of potential. And recently, he''d even killed Qyriwirth, a potential ally of ours."


    The Blood Demon real name was Qyriwirth, a Fire Dragon Sovereign that was corrupted by the Demon Realm and turned into the Blood Dragon.


    If Qyriwirth had ressurrected fully, the Blood Demon would have turned into a massive ally for the Demon Cult, elerating their ns to take over the world.


    For the first time since descending into Hyades, the Prophet showed an expression of anxiety. The first Demon Invasion was soiled by the Sris Saint, the previous owner of Ascalon and that generation''s hero. Hence, even as a Demon, the Prophet respected the threat that a ''Hero'' might bring.


    "Hehehe, so are you sending us out to hunt him?"


    Samael, the handsome young man brashly asked. He cracked his knuckles, yearning for a good fight.


    "Yes, we will have to kill the boy." The Prophet answered without hesitation. "But we will need to prepare. The Sris House is certain to give him ample protection, so we''ll need to separate him from his security detail."


    "From what I hear, he''s a squire of a Knight only two years his senior. It shouldn''t be hard to seperate them."


    Samaelughed, fully underestimating his opponent.


    "No, we can''t execute a mission without gaining more intelligence. Mchi, can I count on you to investigate the Sris House?"


    "Consider it done."


    The Demon Swordsman didn''t hesitate with his answer.


    "In the meantime, we will have to expedite our other ns. Ravenna, how is our development of the Magatama?"


    "Y-Yes, we''ve been making good progress with it! Our contact in Alverton has been making good use of it and we can collect the results soon."


    "That''s Good. Prioritise itspletion. Once the twins finish their mission, they will be assigned to you."


    "E-Eh, must I really... A-Ah, I mean, thank you for your generosity!"


    The bespectacled researcher hesitated for a brief moment before remembering who she was talking to. Nodding her head profusely, she epted her master''s orders, much to the amusement of Samael.


    "Isadora, I assume your activities in Eshon has reached a dead end."


    "... I apologise, but the Elune House has changed drastically. That little bitch has ruined the groundwork that weid out all those years ago."


    The blonde belle of the Apostles honestly reviewed her work. She was the person charged with corrupting the Elune House and turning Yue into a Summoner that would open a portal to the Demon Realm. However, with Yue regressing, there was no way Isadora''s plot would seed.


    "It''s a pity," the Prophet sighed. "However, we shouldn''t beat a dead horse. Let''s move your talents to something more productive."


    "... Understood."


    "As for you, Samael... How''s your task in vaguel?"


    "Perfect! We''re on pace for the awakening!"


    The suave demonic human smiled brightly, revealing his pearly white teeth.


    "However, are you sure you want to wake him up? From what we can tell, we can''t be sure if he''ll be on our side."


    "Don''t worry. Even if he doesn''t stand with us, he won''t join forces with the Republic either." The Prophet dered withplete confidence. "Proceed with the n. The sooner you awaken him, the better."


    "Yes, sir!"


    The Prophet and his Apostles ended the meeting with added vigour, all approaching their new tasks with increased urgency. s, even with their new intensity, they had yet to identify the threat, the menace that kept throwing a wrench in their ns.

 Chapter 94: Announcement on Premium!

    <h4>Chapter 94: Announcement on Premium!</h4>


    Dear readers,


    This is Yunniye_Snow, the author of [The Extra Can''t Be A Hero].


    How have you been enjoying the story so far? I hope it''s been to your liking! This is a tale I''ve been storyboarding and envisioning for quite some time, and I''m thrilled to have finally brought it to life. It''s exciting to share this journey with you and put my ideas into words!


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    As you can guess from the title, I have signed a contract with Webnovel. The story will be premium from the next Chapter onwards. At the same time, I will add privileges for those who would like to read ahead in my stockpile.


    After two and a half books and about 200,000 words, you must have gotten a feel of the novel and how it will y out in the future. But, truth be told, we''re only scratching the surface! There is still plenty more of the story I''ve yet to write, and I''m dedicated to finishing the work to its conclusion!


    If you''d like to continue supporting my creative journey and be part of it, consider joining my premium membership¡ªif you have the means to do so! Even if you don''t, I''m honoured that you have picked up my book to read, and I hope my story has given you as much enjoyment as I had writing it!


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!