《The Epic of Kate Sorod》


 Chapter One: The Burning Beyond

    The coast of Bostea burned. In the distance, the mountain ranges billowed with thick smoke, black miasma rolling toward the heavens, an omen of catastrophe. The churning sea boiled violently, dyed crimson by blood, tossing the shattered remains of mechas and the ruins of war. Severed limbs, pale as ghostly buoys, floated amidst the waves, appearing and disappearing with the tide.


    On the smoldering scorched earth, a white mist curled ominously. The ground was strewn with fragments of metal, broken swords, and shattered blades, all glinting under the cold, ghastly moonlight. Among them, the grotesque remains of demons lay twisted in death, silent witnesses to the carnage of battle. The air still carried the echoes of clashing steel and the thunder of artillery.


    Magma spewed from fissures in the shattered earth. A few hundred surviving special forces had surrounded one of the three great overlords of the Demon Realm¡ªthe Netherlord. Even after nearly annihilating the mighty United Crusade, he still barely held his demonic form.


    With arms as vast as a colossus, the Netherlord swung, gathering dark, high-energy light in his palms. The immense sphere of energy twisted the air around it, and the earth trembled beneath its power.


    ¡°No! Activate the defensive array, now!¡±


    The Chief Priest of the Allied Forces, Dolon, veins bulging with urgency, shouted in a hoarse voice. The magicians of the Church Alliance hastily erected a massive protective barrier, rising like a great blue dome upheld by a host of celestial sentinels.


    ¡°Divine Eradication.¡±


    The Netherlord¡¯s twisted visage curled into a cold sneer as he uttered the words in a slow, menacing cadence. The blinding sphere in his palm erupted into a colossal violet beam, crackling with lightning, striking at the weakest edge of the barrier.


    A shattering explosion echoed through the battlefield. In an instant, the third regiment of the Allied Forces¡ªdozens of warriors¡ªwas obliterated. The force of the blast reduced even the hills behind them to rubble. The scorched earth and charred trees were torn apart, debris scattering like stars in the night sky. The knights who perished in that final moment left behind only a dazzling burst of light, a fleeting brilliance before the endless dark.


    ¡°Third battalion, wiped out! Electromagnetic pulse detected!¡±


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    A lieutenant¡¯s frantic cry rang through the chaotic command center as tremors rocked the headquarters.


    From within the command tent, Supreme Commander Miller Rolfi of the Northern Allied Forces gazed at the distant plumes of fire and smoke. He let out a strangled gasp, and then, with a sudden convulsion, coughed up a mouthful of blood.


    ¡°My Lord, are you alright?¡±


    A blonde woman in a crisp suit rushed forward to steady him.


    ¡°Helena¡­ I¡¯m fine¡­¡±


    Miller waved her off, accepting the handkerchief she offered to wipe the blood from his lips. But he knew¡ªhe was far from fine. Not only had the elite knights of the Rhine Empire fallen in battle, but his two sons were among the youth battalion of the third regiment. Now, their fate was unknown.


    The command center bustled with activity as officers scrambled to restore order. A senior intelligence officer pointed at the flickering observation screens and reported in a strained voice:


    ¡°All supporting mecha units, aerial fighters, and reconnaissance drones have lost control due to the EMP blast! Fire support and electronic systems are completely down!¡±


    ¡°If we don¡¯t break the Netherlord¡¯s demonic form, all further attacks will be futile.¡±


    Temple Knight Carter tore the shattered armor from his left arm, throwing it aside. His deep-blue Rhine Paladin battle gear was in tatters. He stormed into the command room, the residual glow of teleportation magic still lingering around him.


    ¡°The Netherlord is sheltering within his dimensional barrier. Miller, we must decide now¡ªif we delay, he will only grow stronger. We¡¯ve already lost too much. We must complete the seal immediately.¡±


    Richard, head of military intelligence, hesitated for a moment before whispering:


    ¡°My lord¡­ necessary sacrifices may be inevitable.¡±


    Miller scowled and waved his hand sharply. The small-framed strategist adjusted his glasses and fell silent.


    Vice Commander Charles shrugged off his tattered military coat and brandished his PDA. ¡°The Eastern Allied Forces battling the Evernight Lord are on the brink. We must act now. Miller, it¡¯s time to make a decision. Necessary sacrifices are acceptable.¡±


    Miller Rolfi furrowed his brow in frustration, pacing around the circular strategy table. The assembled priests, bishops, and officers watched him intently, their shadows flickering against the crimson wooden floor under the dim lighting.


    At last, Miller stroked his graying beard, halted, and crushed his half-burnt cigar into the ashtray. He rapped his knuckle firmly on the table and declared:


    ¡°Charles, authorize the execution of Plan D.¡±


    Silence fell over the war room, save for the distant crackle of radio transmissions. Miller¡¯s face was set in stone, his black marshal¡¯s cloak trembling slightly, the golden embroidery catching the flickering light.


    ¡°Chief Priest, gather the grand priests of the allied nations immediately. Helena, remove all restraints and prepare to activate Elbotan.¡±


    Orders were relayed swiftly. Officers sprang into motion, transmitting commands through radios and PDAs. Helena strode from the room, her access confirmed by Miller¡¯s biometric authorization.


    ¡°Miller, you know the High Priest will not approve of this,¡± a white-robed elder murmured, stepping beside the commander. Lord Ersen, the High Priest of the Rhine Church, studied Miller with deep, searching eyes.


    ¡°Should we at least inform him first?¡±


    Miller sighed heavily. ¡°My respected teacher, this is the moment for decisive action. We must win. If we fail, it will be a disastrous reversal. The Holy Summit can no longer dictate the battlefield.¡±


    He relit another cigar and turned back to his desk, as Ersen cast a glance at the burning horizon beyond the window. In the distance, the battlefield raged, a hellscape where torrential rain now mixed with rising steam, veiling the corpses and ruins in a mournful shroud.


    The Netherlord still battled the Allied knights. With each strike, their numbers dwindled. Defeat was inevitable.


    A flock of vultures feasted upon the charred remains of the fallen. Above, countless ravens circled the bloodstained sky, their cries echoing across the wasteland, as if heralding the coming feast of the dead¡­

 Chapter 2: Aurora

    ¡°How much time do we have left to prepare?¡±


    Dressed in a red and gold dragon robe, the supreme commander of the Qi¨¢nt¨¢ng Empire, Guan Feng, inquired of his adjutant while monitoring the battlefield through a PDA, controlling a drone to keep a real-time view of the combat.


    ¡°Approximately seven minutes before the Demon Lord regains his strength,¡± General Cheng Wei, also known as Xianglong, responded.


    ¡°The Elbottan Plan has already received Miller¡¯s approval. Cheng Wei, have the messenger relay orders to the High Priest and the mages. We must complete the sealing before the Nether Lord unleashes another ¡®Divine Annihilation.¡¯ Once the sealing is complete, that is when we make our move!¡± Guan Feng declared coldly.


    Behind him, hundreds of knights from the Holy Templar Order of the Rhine Duchy and the Qi¨¢nt¨¢ng Empire stood in strict formation. The torrential rain pounded against their armor and the mechas stationed on the battlefield. Above them, the darkened sky flashed with electric blue lightning, illuminating the stormy heavens.


    ¡°Your Eminence, due to the previous assault, all support equipment has malfunctioned, and our vanguard forces have been nearly wiped out. Marshal Miller has given the order to initiate the Elbottan Plan. Please rally all mages for immediate execution!¡±


    A messenger, cloaked in shadows, knelt before the coalition¡¯s High Priest, Dolon, delivering the urgent command. Behind him, the mage corps, still reeling from the recent attack, struggled to regain their strength.


    ¡°It seems we have no other choice. All mages, hear my command! Encircle the Nether Lord, adopt the Swallow Formation, and prepare to activate the Elbottan Seal!¡±


    For a brief moment, time itself seemed to pause. The battlefield fell into a stunned silence¡ªsome even stopped mid-action. ¡°Did you not hear me? Move now!¡± Dolon commanded, raising his ebony staff. Only then did the white-robed mages of the United Church spring into action, rushing toward the battlefield¡¯s core.


    ¡°Your Eminence, I believe we must inform the Archbishop. Hundreds of lives are at stake¡­ He would never approve of this!¡±


    A Church mage, his gray-white hair soaked by the relentless storm, clasped his hands in plea. His eyes burned with determination.


    ¡°Sao, I understand your concern, but we have no time for deliberation. If we fail to seal the Nether Lord before the next assault, our coalition is doomed. This battle is fought for the fate of humanity itself¡ªeveryone must accept this reality.¡± Dolon sighed, waving a hand dismissively. ¡°Prepare yourselves. Our time is running out.¡±


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    One hundred and twenty alliance mages swiftly reached the battlefield. Under the cover of the knights¡¯ relentless assault, they took their designated positions, forming an overlapping Swallow Formation that enclosed the Nether Lord at its center. The demonic entity, on the verge of regaining its power, continued its ferocious duel with a dozen wounded Holy Knights of the coalition.


    ¡°Sir Gerald, we have orders from the Supreme Commander and the High Priest to commence the Elbottan Plan. We need your strength to break through the Nether Lord¡¯s spatial barrier.¡±


    Having just arrived with the Church¡¯s forces, Orant, the Grand Knight of the Holy Peak Church, spoke urgently.


    Sir Gerald sighed. ¡°It seems this is our only option.¡±


    Bang! Bang! With two swift shots from his pistol, enchanted bullets tore through the air. The black-armored knight darted forward like a gust of wind, expertly evading several energy blasts. His silver-white cross-emblazoned cloak billowed like a war banner in the storm.


    Like a streak of black lightning, Gerald zigzagged across the battlefield, reaching the Nether Lord in mere moments. His brilliant blade ignited with a blinding radiance as he roared the true name of his fusion spell:


    ¡°Demon Blade¡ªTenfold Heartbreaker!¡±


    The ground trembled violently once more. Infused with overwhelming magic, Gerald¡¯s golden eyes blazed like twin suns. Amid the remnants of a shattered lighthouse¡ªa relic of past war¡ªfaded black script marked the crumbling walls with the words: C-Sector Command Post. Weathered Incan flags, tattered and wind-worn, still clung to their posts. This place bore the scars of the Third World War¡¯s nuclear devastation.


    Atop the lighthouse¡¯s highest balcony, Breton¡¯s voice rang out excitedly. ¡°Arthas, come look!¡±


    Nasha, busy tending to Arthas¡¯s wounds, helped him sit up. He blinked away dizziness and lifted his head. In the distant basin, a violent crimson light flickered erratically.


    Arthas gasped. ¡°That¡­ That¡¯s Sir Gerald¡¯s power! The legendary demon blade that can sever even space itself¡­¡±


    Breton stood abruptly, staring in shock. At that moment, a voice called out behind them: ¡°Captain Breton, we need to take shelter in the underground bunker¡­¡±


    A young, impatient black-haired boy from their youth brigade stood at the stairwell, urging them to hurry.


    On the distant battlefield, purple-red demonic energy coiled like a vortex around the black-armored knight. The swirling debris and sand accelerated, forming a colossal storm of magical energy that blotted out the sky. The sheer force of Gerald¡¯s unleashed power manifested as a towering spire of light piercing the heavens.


    His titanium battle armor and tattered black cloak flapped violently in the storm. His heavily damaged helmet had been blasted away by the impact. His silver blade, now cloaked in golden divine energy, crackled with a red demonic aura. With each swift strike, Gerald unleashed a dozen devastating slashes, sending waves of fiery energy cascading toward the Nether Lord.


    A deafening boom echoed as the crystalline spatial barrier surrounding the Nether Lord cracked like fractured ice before shattering completely.


    ¡°Hah¡­ To think mere mortals could damage my spatial wall¡­¡± the Nether Lord seethed, his immense right hand forming waves of dark energy.


    But it was too late. The aftershock of Gerald¡¯s fusion spell, still carrying immense force, tore through the Nether Lord¡¯s right gauntlet, shattering it. Enraged, the demonic entity raised his left fist, wreathed in violet soul flames, and hammered it down upon the exhausted knight. Gerald barely parried a few strikes before he was sent hurtling backward like a broken doll, blood spraying through the chaotic air like crimson ribbons¡­


    ¡°Foolish humans¡­ Perish in despair! Did you think such power could wound me? Let me show you true annihilation!¡±


    As the Nether Lord prepared to unleash another ¡®Divine Annihilation,¡¯ four High Priests of the Rhine Church rushed forward, chanting a supreme binding spell:


    ¡°Holy Song¡ªChains of Heaven!¡±


    From the heavens, glowing chains of blue light descended, coiling around the Nether Lord¡¯s muscular left arm, locking him in place. ¡°Hmph. Such feeble magic is meaningless against me¡­¡± the demon sneered.


    Yet as the mages poured every ounce of strength into the sealing spell, the battlefield quaked. The ultimate battle for humanity¡¯s survival had begun¡­

 Chapter 3: The Flower of the Other Shore

    Chapter Three: The Flower of the Other Shore


    The seal of the Elbottan Gate endured for over ten minutes; as the green radiance faded and the once-vibrant, life-filled mists dispersed, the shattered battlefield seemed cleansed. Under the cold light of the moon, the very ground at the heart of the conflict glowed with an eerie red hue, while countless blood-red blossoms defiantly erupted upon the sullied, chaotic wasteland.


    The immense Netherlord had vanished, leaving behind nothing but the bleached bones of several knights and a solitary, naked white-haired man crouched silently amidst that spectral floral sea. Suddenly, the white-haired figure stirred; with great effort he rose. His emaciated frame, little more than sinew and bone wrapped in pallid skin, bowed as if weighed down by the ravages of time. Slowly, he shuffled toward the charred remnants of Sir Orant¡¯s armor and, with painful labor, donned its lower piece.


    When he turned his head, even more unsettling than the cold, green light that shimmered in his eyes was the enormous totem on his forehead¡ªa vast, eye-shaped emblem, aglow with a forbidding light and encircled by mysterious runes, its brilliance as translucent and piercing as a gemstone.


    Breton spat out the sand clogging his mouth as he pounded at the shattered stones overhead, while Arthas strained to pull each child from the collapsed wreckage of the underground fortifications.


    When the smoke finally cleared, the members of the youth brigade beheld that the colossal lighthouse had toppled, as if weathered by time itself. In collective, dumbfounded silence, they stared at the few ghostly red blossoms that had taken root on the charred, blackened soil.


    ¡°What¡­ what is this?¡± Nasha murmured, brushing dust from her face as she pointed, astonished, at the uncanny red flower. The other youths exchanged hushed whispers. ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, this must be¡­ the Red Spider Lily¡­¡± Breton¡¯s eyes grew wide as he gazed in disbelief at the exquisite, dewy petals.


    At that moment, dozens of reconnaissance drones swept overhead, soon accompanied by the thunderous roar of engines. A massive transport vessel descended from the sky, its tremendous gusts so fierce that the youths struggled to keep their eyes open, and clusters of those scarlet blossoms were swept away like scattered petals in the wind.


    As the airlock doors swung open, Cheng Wei¡ªdeputy commander of the Qi¨¢nt¨¢ng Empire, resplendent in an ornate black robe adorned with dragon motifs¡ªstrode briskly out, closely followed by the red-robed supreme commander, Guan Feng.


    Cheng Wei, visibly surprised, remarked, ¡°There are survivors¡ªthese little brats. Quickly, board the rear helicopter and evacuate,¡± issuing orders through his PDA.


    ¡°Hey¡­ we¡¯re not just brats¡­¡±


    Arthas tried to protest, spitting out the sand lodged in his throat, but no sound emerged. Instead, he hoisted Breton¡¯s right arm¡ªthe one bearing the emblem that once belonged to their captain.


    ¡°You¡¯re the little brats of the Third Squad; that means Ramli is lost,¡± stated a resolute Holy Knight of the Rhine Duchy, his eyes narrowed in grim certainty.


    ¡°There¡¯s no time to waste. Let¡¯s move¡ªthe battle still awaits its conclusion¡­¡± Guan Feng declared as he signaled for the group to return to the airship.


    ¡°Wait¡ªtake us with you! We are warriors too; we can surely be of use¡­¡± Arthas shouted, his voice straining against the howling gale.


    ¡°Children, your time for play is over. What follows will be perilous¡ªlet the true knights carry this out,¡± Cheng Wei replied with an uneasy smile.


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    ¡°We are on the cusp of true knighthood; trust me¡ªwe shall not be a burden,¡± Breton declared. In that moment, his eyes transformed into brilliant orbs of gold, flecked with red, as raw power surged forth in a tempestuous cascade like a howling hurricane.


    ¡°This¡­ such formidable fusion ability¡­¡± murmured one of the youths. Even Cheng Wei was taken aback that this youthful, still-unseasoned lad could harbor such unfathomable might.


    ¡°Bring the two along. The scions of the Rolfi family are never ordinary,¡± Guan Feng remarked coolly, his gaze fixed meaningfully on the green-glowing crest upon the right arms of the young warriors. Cheng Wei nodded and beckoned them forward.


    ¡°We shall return safely soon; you, retreat to the assembly point¡ªBlack will temporarily assume command,¡± Breton briefed his comrades before he and Arthas hurriedly boarded the airship bound for the front lines. As the vessel descended into the fiery clouds, a gentle breeze, carrying the fragrance of the blooming floral sea, caressed the faces of the remaining youths. Nasha¡¯s eyes brimmed with tears as she gazed into the distance.


    ¡°This is the footage just captured by the drones,¡± Cheng Wei announced, pointing toward the large screen behind him. The thirty most elite Holy Knights of the allied forces sat in orderly rows along either side of the conference table; the atmosphere was thick with tension, and the gravity of the situation remained unyielding.


    The images revealed that as the first wave¡¯s two airships and several drones neared the core zone, a vague, rugged figure emerged aloft. From the palm of his right hand, two orbs¡ªone black, one white¡ªrose and expanded, coalescing into a swirling, Taiji-like ring of mist; then, two immense black mirrors appeared, accompanied by four white conical shapes, drifting in silent orbit around him.


    At that instant, two transport planes from the high-speed first wave reached the Netherlord¡¯s airspace, poised to launch a surprise assault. Yet one, hurtling at an excessive velocity, collided with a black mirror, becoming ensnared as though in a quagmire, and gradually vanished. A dozen nimble knights managed to extricate themselves in time, only to be besieged by a rapidly approaching, sharply contoured geometric form forged from a white cone¡ªplunging the scene into utter chaos.


    ¡°We have yet to engage the Netherlord in his original form, and our intelligence reveals no link between him and the Shadowlord or the Evernight Lord; his true abilities remain shrouded,¡± Cheng Wei stated gravely.


    ¡°Perhaps he is not even of the demonic lineage,¡± Guan Feng remarked nonchalantly, provoking an outcry among the knights at the round table.


    ¡°Boss, whence comes this news?¡± Cheng Wei inquired in a hushed tone.


    ¡°Let us not speak of that now,¡± Guan Feng interjected.


    ¡°We are to contend with a fusionist who may possess demonic power¡ªhis exact abilities remain unknown, his demonic form sealed, and it appears the nearby airspace is off-limits. Our plan is to descend behind Lion Peak in ten minutes. Benjamin and I will each command fifteen men; Benjamin will take Team B to engage and discern the Netherlord¡¯s true capabilities, while I lead Team A in a potent assault. You are all battle-hardened veterans; further words are needless. May the Lord be with us!¡± Guan Feng declared calmly, glancing at a fully armed, impassive middle-aged knight by his side.


    ¡°Listen, Arthas¡ªstay on the airship and await my return. On the battlefield, there is no mercy; if I fall, you must support our father well,¡± Breton instructed as he meticulously inspected his custom Snow Wolf handgun (a MEU fusion ability variant), turning to address Arthas.


    ¡°Brother, you have been wounded enough today. If you are unwilling to stay and watch the tides of battle, how can I ever hope to survive unscathed? I shall stand by you, for the Lord above is with us,¡± Breton said, his pearl-like silver eyes fixed on Arthas as a smile broke through.


    ¡°Hey, I knew you¡¯d say so. Well, I¡¯ve never been able to sway you anyway¡ªthen lend me your strength,¡± Arthas replied with a wry smile.


    ¡°Captain Ramli¡¯s ¡®Grass Python¡¯ fighter remains in the mothership¡¯s hangar; I¡¯ve already engaged its autopilot¡ªit will be with us in fifteen minutes.¡±


    ¡°Hey, I knew you were full of cunning ideas¡­¡±


    ¡°You knew it again¡­¡± their banter drifted amid the din.


    The airship, having pierced the cloud cover, slowly descended, drawing ever nearer to Lion Peak. Outside the battle zone, a fleet of support spacecraft and formations of fighter jets rained down cruise missiles and laser fire upon the core region. Yet it was evident that such heavy weaponry¡ªdesigned for mankind¡¯s internecine strife¡ªwas utterly futile before the Netherlord. Two black, mirror-like orbs, as if endowed with consciousness, impeccably deflected all incoming attacks, while even the mightiest tactical arms faltered, their energies mired as though in a quagmire. Overhead, a bare-chested white-haired man floated, arms outstretched; the green, spherical magical stone on his exposed chest pulsed like living veins, drawing power inexorably.


    ¡°Fifteen minutes until our munitions run dry,¡± Cheng Wei observed, glancing at the data on his smartwatch.


    Atop Lion Peak, knights began disembarking from the aircraft, and support equipment was already arrayed in neat formation.


    ¡°Let us move out, knights! For the sake of tomorrow, we must battle unto death; may the Lord be with us!¡± Guan Feng cried, hoisting a silver cross high.


    ¡°The Lord shall be with us!¡± the knights echoed, raising their right hands in homage to their deity, their voices a fervent plea for the Almighty to protect humanity¡ªimmortal and never enslaved.

 Chapter 4: Crisis

    ¡°Let¡¯s stick with Sir Benjamin¡¯s squad¡ªwe might be of some help,¡± Breton suggested, his gaze shifting toward the formation led by Sir Benjamin, while Commander Guan Feng¡¯s detachment¡ªcomposed nearly entirely of the mightiest knights of the Qi¨¢nt¨¢ng Empire and the Rhine Duchy¡ªpressed onward.


    ¡°Ever since the Third World War, the united northern continent has given rise to the mighty Qi¨¢nt¨¢ng Empire, whose overall strength rivals that of our Church Empire. When facing the holy knights of two such formidable nations, our contribution is hardly decisive,¡± Breton remarked as he methodically inspected the status of the battle tank.


    ¡°Yet Sir Benjamin of Xiwier and the ¡®Blue Shield Knights¡¯ of North Lanstown are tactical defense specialists. Without the mages¡¯ support, pinning down the enemy poses significant challenges. Perhaps your grand incantations might prove useful,¡± added Arthas as he unsheathed his sword. It was a military-grade, specialized weapon¡ªa single-edged blade forged from composite nano-metal using Level-2 diamond steel produced by Peso Bohman. Its blade was etched with the inscriptions of the Rhine Duchy and emblazoned with the cross-star symbol of the Holy Lord, glittering brilliantly in the sunlight.


    Meanwhile, Team B¡¯s knights boarded their all-purpose, self-propelled mecha and advanced toward the battle¡¯s core. Not far behind, Arthas and Breton maneuvered a light infantry vehicle. As they drew closer, the howling winds and resounding explosions grew ever more distinct¡ªclear evidence that the surviving vanguard knights were tenaciously resisting.


    Reaching the final hill, Guan Feng led Team A as they skirted around the mountain¡¯s rear, while Team B surged over the ridge, revealing a panoramic view of the battlefield. In the distance, the Netherlord in his primal form hovered bare-chested in the sky; his emaciated back bore a pair of immense, intertwined black wings resembling twisted steel rods. Flanking him, two colossal ¡°black mirrors¡± shifted continuously, absorbing the relentless barrage of fire, while four white conical shapes¡ªat times morphing into geometric constructs studded with countless sharp spikes for offense, at others transforming into vast shields for defense¡ªmoved in concert with his gestures.


    ¡°Open fire at will¡ªsuppress!¡± Sir Benjamin¡¯s command rang out.


    Fifteen knight-specific ¡°Rampaging Lion 14¡± mecha swiftly dispersed, unleashing a furious hail of projectiles at the airborne Netherlord almost simultaneously. For a brief respite, a dozen knights of the first wave found momentary relief. Yet the two massive black ¡°mirrors¡± intercepted every strike flawlessly, shielding the Netherlord and nullifying the coalition¡¯s overwhelming firepower.


    ¡°Annihilation?¡± Sir Benjamin murmured in disbelief as he scrutinized the analysis data displayed on his combat HUD. The numbers indicated that, upon contact with the projectile shields, a tremendous burst of photonic particles was generated.


    ¡°Inconceivable¡­ this black ¡®mirror¡¯ is capable of endlessly generating antimatter!¡± he exclaimed.


    No sooner had Sir Benjamin relayed this intelligence to Guan Feng than a dossier¡ªmarked ¡°North Lanstown Duchy S-Class Confidential¡±¡ªwas distributed from the Allied Intelligence Bureau to all terminals.


    Cheng Wei¡¯s brown eyes flickered with the eerie red glow of the data. He gasped, ¡°Dark Jade¡­ This¡­ How is it possible? Was that fiend present fifteen years ago?¡±


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    ¡°Regardless of why Dark Jade has surfaced now, we have no choice but to fight with our backs against the wall,¡± Guan Feng said, raising a hand to silence Cheng Wei before turning his keen gaze back to the unfolding battle.


    Duke Famas, leader of the Blue Shield Knights and commander of the single-soldier armored mecha, coordinated with Sir Benjamin. Adopting a progressive formation, his unit persistently employed thermal weaponry in a probing, long-range assault against the Netherlord¡ªan attempt to discern any additional abilities. After all, when confronting an adversary so formidable that he might even wield Dark Jade as a weapon, utmost caution was imperative.


    At length, the belated ¡°Grass Python¡± super fighter descended slowly to perch near the armored vehicles. Impatient beyond measure, Arthas vaulted onto its wing and manually flung open the cockpit door¡ªdespite the craft still running in autopilot mode.


    ¡°Unauthorized intrusion! Unauthorized intrusion!¡±


    Red alert flashed violently from the internal display screens and HUD. With a thud, Arthas plopped into the gunner¡¯s seat at the rear. Moments later, Breton clambered into the cockpit and shot Arthas a reproachful look.


    ¡°Ripping open the door of an autopiloted fighter will trigger a forced lockout of the onboard weapon systems. Do you not have any sense? Besides, are you even licensed to fly such a heavy craft?¡± Breton barked.


    Admittedly, Arthas held only a permit for single-propeller, light aircraft. Sheepishly scratching his head, he slumped into the seat and began pounding on the keyboard. ¡°No worries¡ªI¡¯m a top-notch hacker. Three, two, one¡­ uh¡­ ahem¡­ there! There, the weapon system is cracked. Oh, and by the way, brother¡ªyou¡¯re the rising star among the Empire¡¯s elite pilots. With you at the controls, we¡¯ll be just fine. I¡¯ll merely lend a hand!¡±


    Breton shook his head with a rueful smile and reluctantly took the pilot¡¯s seat in the forward cockpit. Activating the dual-control mode with Captain Ramli¡¯s PDA, he announced, ¡°Fuel at 78%, propulsion system nominal, weapons system normal, electromagnetic cannon at 40% capacity, and we have four cruise missiles.¡±


    Adopting a more serious tone, Arthas quickly relayed the information to the pilot. Breton then manipulated the flight stick; the fighter¡¯s vectored engine shifted to a direct thrust mode, spitting forth tongues of fire as it raced toward the battlefield.


    Fixated on the aerial view streaming from the display, Arthas marveled at the defensive prowess of Dark Jade¡ªboth he and Breton were left in awe¡ªwhile the attack patterns of the mysterious, shapeshifting white material formed into breathtaking geometric assaults. Coupled with the textbook precision of the Blue Shield Knights¡¯ progressive formation, the entire scene resembled a dazzling work of art.


    At the helm of his mecha, Blue Shield Knight Commander Famas unleashed all twelve of his short-range missiles. The anti-demonic warheads broke through the enemy¡¯s defenses from every cunning angle. Yet, the nimble black ¡°mirrors,¡± as if prescient, effortlessly nullified every threat¡ªperfectly obliterating all incoming attacks.


    Nimbly evading a rapid assault from a white conical formation transformed into a ¡°sea urchin,¡± Famas dodged several more cunning strikes. His custom-built mecha did not hinder his ability to act. As his protective visor flared with a burst of golden light, the long spear held by the ironclad knight before him¡ªsheathed in searing, rolling magma¡ªgradually swelled with power. In an instant, it surged forward with the ferocity of a lion engulfed in flames, charging at the Netherlord. At the last moment, however, the black mirror of Dark Jade intercepted Famas¡¯s mighty blow. The magma-wrapped spear, like a lump of clay swallowed by the sea, was instantly severed halfway.


    As the black mirror pressed closer, Famas, realizing the peril, swiftly abandoned his mecha¡ªdiverting all his fusion energy into his legs¡ªand leapt several dozen meters away. In a heartbeat, he spun around and gathered his strength once more, determined to launch a fusion-powered counterattack against the Netherlord¡ªa last, desperate strike.


    At that juncture, the two black mirrors formed by Dark Jade were busy fending off long-range bombardments from the mothership fleet. Forced onto the defensive, the Netherlord resorted to utilizing two white conical constructs as a shield. They rocketed forward, transforming into a circular barrier that held the half-destroyed magma spear just a few centimeters from his form.


    ¡°Who would have thought that one would have to resort to a ¡®Moment¡¯s Shield¡¯ to fend off the attacks of you insignificant insects? But know this¡ªyour fight ends here!¡± the Netherlord declared coldly. In that instant, a flash of white light emanated from the ¡®Moment¡¯s Shield¡¯¡ªa crystalline barrier of white¡ªcatching Famas¡¯s eye as he noticed that his magma-wrapped spear, blocked by the shield, was beginning to petrify from the point of contact.


    Famas was forced to relinquish his grip and stagger backward a few paces in disarray. Moments later, the spear shattered into several stone fragments. With the agility of an old knight, he swiftly turned, unsheathed his gleaming black-titanium sword, and steeled himself to continue the battle.

 Chapter 5: The Terrifying Truth

    ¡°Who exactly are you? You bear no mark of the demon race¡ªno trace of that cursed lineage¡ªbut rather, you seem to be a knight of illustrious renown. Why then, do you conspire with the lord of all fiends, consorting with monsters to bring ruin upon your own kind? How many humans have suffered under the bloodlust and enslavement of these creatures? And yet you choose to embrace endless power by joining with demons?¡±


    Sir Famas staggered upon the shattered stones, barely holding his ground. In the fierce, intimate clash, he had discerned with grim certainty that the Netherlord¡¯s back bore no demon¡¯s sigil; thus, with seething anger he confronted his mighty adversary.


    ¡°Are you of our own kin¡ªmere insects amongst us?¡± The Netherlord¡¯s pallid lips curled into a disdainful sneer as he drawled these words.


    ¡°From where I stand,¡± Sir Famas retorted bitterly, ¡°the abominations wrought by mankind are far more loathsome than any fiendish creature. You slay your brethren in a merciless quest for resources, nearly annihilating all that is left. Do not forget that without the protection of Saint George in the last great war, you would have perished long ago!¡±


    The Netherlord, his gaze lofty and contemptuous, swept his eyes over those who dared to look up at him. ¡°So you claim? It appears you, like Garison Peso, have descended into extremism.¡± He spoke as Sir Famas deftly swung his sword, while the Blue Shield Knights at his side maintained a vigilant guard.


    ¡°Know this,¡± the Netherlord continued, his voice rising in an unholy timbre, ¡°all of you, insignificant insects, are nothing but servants of the divine. I now, in the name of the gods, shall make you vanish¡ªyour countless grievous sins, your revolting deeds, have been forgiven by our Lord Jesus time and again, yet you never repent! Divine retribution is inevitable. Hear me well¡ªI am Chronos, master of eternal time! The scourge of divine wrath is upon you; this time even Saint George shall not rescue you! I am one of the architects of this very planet, having witnessed, through eyes that span the torrents of time, the annals of countless eras upon this world. I love it more than any mortal, and I will brook no force that seeks its destruction. And you, humans, are nothing more than a cancer upon this orb!¡±


    In that moment, a shudder ran through all present as they beheld an impossible sight: upon Chronos¡¯s brow, a crucifix of black light pulsed, and above his head, a faint halo of white radiance appeared¡ªreminiscent of the saintly aura that once heralded the dragon-slaying visage of Saint George.


    Not only did the knights of the final crusade tremble at this revelation, but even the military and clerical dignitaries monitoring the battle from distant command centers via satellite and drones were stricken with awe. They could scarce believe that one of the three great lords of the demon realm was in truth a member of the divine¡ªa notion so blasphemous it shattered the certainties of even the most devout souls. For a heartbeat, time itself seemed to halt; the air turned oppressively still save for the ceaseless roar of wind and flames.


    Sir Benjamin, recovering from his own shock, slowly advanced toward the Time Lord Chronos. He emerged from his single-soldier mecha with solemn purpose, planting his sword into the scorched earth before him. Retrieving the platinum cross from his breast, he held it aloft before his brow, then knelt in reverence according to the sacred rites of the Church. ¡°In the presence of the Holy Spirit at the grand Cathedral of Kaiblet¡ªwitnessed by the Pope and hundreds of knights and priests¡ªI have, in my humble fortune, seen our saintly Lord Saint George manifest. With his boundless chivalry and magnanimous love, he rescued us and bestowed upon us strength. He promised, in the name of the Heavenly Father, to safeguard humanity¡¯s final hope. How can you now contravene that ancient vow?¡±


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    ¡°Saint George represents no one but a servant of our Lord Jesus,¡± the Netherlord countered with a sneer, his tone dripping with contempt. ¡°You are nothing but dust¡ªinsignificant as a blade of grass¡ªand do you truly believe that your wanton trampling comes without consequence? I am your judge!¡±


    ¡°If this truly is the Day of Judgment,¡± Sir Famas interjected sharply, ¡°then no one in the name of God shall dance with demons!¡±


    Sir Famas spoke without deference to the Time Lord, for the southern principalities had long embraced the cult of the Holy Knights, venerating Saint George as the wellspring of their fusion power.


    ¡°Humankind is ever so arrogantly convinced it can fathom all mysteries, yet every creature in this world is bound by the inexorable cycle of cause and effect. Today marks your ultimate demise; your resistance is futile. If you truly adhere to divine oracle, then you should renounce defiance and accept the judgment of God!¡±


    High above, in the firmament, Chronos¡¯s eyes glinted with a cold, unyielding green¡ªa gaze as impassively icy as the marble effigies in ancient Roman temples.


    ¡°Permit me to speak plainly,¡± Sir Famas declared, his voice resonant with righteous fury. ¡°We, the knights of the Kingdom of North Lanstown and our brethren across the southern realms, are devout followers of the Holy Knight Church¡ªSaint George alone is our true lord! As for the other Christian realms, they shall surely brand you, who dare seek to exterminate humanity, as a traitor among the divine, and in the name of divine wrath, bring slaughter upon you. Your nefarious, meticulously contrived ambitions have long been laid bare!¡±


    Sir Famas was renowned throughout North Lanstown¡ªa knight whose valor in the Third Great War, commanding tens of thousands against the relentless onslaught of the Peso Doctrine¡¯s armies, had never wavered, whether facing gods or demons.


    ¡°I, too, shall continue the fight on behalf of the Kingdom of Xiwier,¡± Sir Famas vowed. ¡°I wish to bestow upon every child beneath the heavens a tomorrow imbued with hope.¡±


    After a moment of somber reflection, Sir Benjamin rose. In the hallowed halls of St. Mary¡¯s Cathedral at Kalm, he had sworn an oath to be the guardian of countless children¡ªa creed he had faithfully upheld all his life.


    ¡°Since you have chosen to strike against insurmountable odds,¡± Chronos intoned, his green pupils contracting in a moment of divine severity, ¡°then I shall grant you your wish.¡±


    At his command, the shield-like ¡®Moment¡¯s Emblem¡¯ transmuted into hundreds of razor-sharp, ashen lances¡ªready to deliver a fatal blow to the unprotected knights. In the ensuing crisis, six knights of the Blue Shield order swiftly converged upon Sir Famas, channeling their fusion powers to stave off this deadly assault. Meanwhile, Breton piloted the ¡®Grass Python¡¯ fighter in a precipitous dive from the stratosphere, skimming the jagged mountain ridges with breakneck agility.


    ¡°Engine power at 85 percent, velocity 2.75 Mach,¡± reported Arthas, his eyes fixed on the tracking display as the targeting reticle locked onto the gleaming, lethal threat.


    ¡°Push the engines to their utmost¡ªinitiate the main cannon,¡± Breton ordered coolly. At that moment, Arthas deftly exploited a ¡°backdoor¡± in the system to override the fighter¡¯s controls, preventing an overload-induced lockdown.


    ¡°Main cannon engaged with charged energy; engine output now at 504 percent!¡±


    Before Arthas could finish his report, a shrill red alarm erupted from the HUD, filling the cockpit with urgent clamor. Following a serpentine evasive maneuver¡ªa maneuver worthy of a cobra¡¯s strike¡ªBreton, seizing the precise instant as Chronos unleashed his array of lances, decisively pressed the main cannon¡¯s fire button. The overloaded engine core diverted all its might to the cannon, its bombardment rivaling that of a dreadnought¡¯s primary battery. Coupled with the fighter¡¯s plunging speed, the particle cannon¡¯s accelerated salvo surged forth like a torrential river breaching its banks.


    Simultaneously, Sir Benjamin, Sir Famas, and six other Blue Shield knights unleashed their fusion powers in unison. Three ancient, ultimate forces¡ªeach echoing through the corridors of time¡ªcollided violently, the resulting shockwave nearly flattening the pinnacle of Lion Mountain. The ¡®Grass Python¡¯ fighter, having sacrificed every ounce of its power to fuel the main cannon, was hurled into chaotic turbulence by the overwhelming recoil.


    ¡°Every component on this aircraft is screaming alarms¡ªBrother, find a way to regain control!¡± Arthas bellowed, his gaze fixed upon the disintegrating airframe as the surrounding metal shrieked in tortured distortion.


    ¡°Quickly¡ªfind a means to restart the engines!¡±


    Breton clutched the control stick with steely resolve as the fuselage shuddered violently. Yet the ¡®Grass Python¡¯ remained ensnared in a vicious spiraling stall; within the cockpit, alarms beeped incessantly in a dissonant dirge.

 Chapter 6: Corridor of the Storm

    ¡°Warning: altitude to ground is 2000 meters!¡±


    The electronic voice alarm rang out in a shrill chorus with the sirens¡ªa dire proclamation amid crisis. Arthas fought to suppress the disorienting effects of the overwhelming centrifugal force as he desperately worked to crack the labyrinthine code of the Empire¡¯s war machine. Even so, the sheer complexity of its programming left him awestruck.


    ¡°Warning: altitude to ground is 1000 meters!¡± The alarm blared once more.


    ¡°No time to lose!¡± Arthas bellowed, his heart a maelstrom of anxiety, for no clear solution had yet emerged.


    ¡°Steady, Arthas¡ªdo what you can,¡± Breton urged in a calm, measured tone.


    Taking a deep, steadying breath, Arthas strove to block out the searing red flashes and the clamor of the alarms from his mind. With unwavering concentration, he pounded out lines of lengthy code upon the display. The fighter, spinning and plummeting, burst through a bank of clouds, revealing before them a towering, jagged peak.


    ¡°Warning: altitude to ground is 300 meters!¡±


    As the altitude warning rang again, Breton could now discern the lush green crowns of trees clinging to the mountain ridge. Just as he braced himself to invoke his escape magic¡ªa desperate gambit to evade certain doom¡ªthe fighter¡¯s engine sputtered back to life. Yet, the recent overload had reduced its power to but a fraction of its former might.


    ¡°Brother, I¡¯ve force-restarted the engine. However, these patches that mend the fatal faults may not hold for long¡ªthe engine could fail at any moment,¡± reported Arthas.


    At these words, Breton wasted no time; he jerked the control stick, and the fighter¡¯s belly skimmed perilously close to the treetops and craggy rock along the ridge.


    Once the aircraft steadied into a semblance of controlled flight, Arthas patted the flickering display. Amid the incessant sizzle and crackle of the screen, images streamed in from reconnaissance drones: billowing smoke gradually dispersed to reveal that Sir Benjamin, Sir Famas, and the Blue Shield Knights had engaged their fusion abilities. Yet, like statues wrought by a master sculptor, they now stood frozen in time¡ªpetrified by the momentary power of the ¡°Moment¡¯s¡± stony art. Behind the Blue Shield Knights¡¯ sixfold shield formation, Sir Famas had summoned a towering wall of molten lava; Sir Benjamin¡¯s phalanx of Shura spears had clashed with the stony javelins in perfect counterbalance, though three of the Blue Shield Knights had been impaled by the relentless petrifying lances and were forever fixed in their final, tragic moment. Sir Benjamin¡¯s contingent still fought with tenacity, and from a distant command post, over three thousand reinforcements¡ªboth knights and fusion wielders¡ªhad surged into the fray, with additional reserve support equipment gradually joining the desperate contest. Throughout it all, Chronos¡ªthe master of time¡ªremained unhurried and inexhaustible, as the battlefield simmered in a state of anguished suspense and ever-mounting casualties.


    Amid a cacophony of static and the crackle of interference, a grave, sonorous voice cut through the radio:


    ¡°Young scion of the Rolfi family, the command has devised a new battle plan requiring your cooperation. I shall transmit the details to your PDA.¡±


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    Team A had long lurked beyond the main conflict, their keen eyes ever watchful for the enemy¡¯s vulnerability, awaiting that moment to deliver a decisive, unexpected blow.


    Soon, the auxiliary display flickered to life with the detailed operational plan sent by Cheng Wei¡ªa report of such meticulous rigor that its very existence amid such chaos was nothing short of miraculous.


    Arthas rapidly perused the analysis of Chronos, the Time Lord¡¯s weaponry. The report detailed that the ¡°black mirror¡± forged from Dark Jade could perpetually generate antimatter, consuming and annihilating any object that dared make contact, its size and quantity modulated at the whim of its master¡ªfrom one to as many as four. Yet, the more formidable the annihilation, the greater the area required; indeed, an overabundance might cause adjacent mirrors to vanish in a confluent merge, their destructive capacity seemingly without bound.


    Even as these mirrors absorbed prodigious amounts of high energy, their voracious speed would gradually diminish; however, their reaction to incoming threats remained nearly instantaneous. Only when continuously engulfing colossal energy might the defensive blind spots between them be breached¡ªrendering both devastating thermal weapons and the astonishing abilities of fusion wielders woefully inadequate before such an insatiable force.


    And yet, despite the overwhelming might of Dark Jade, it was not without its frailties. During Sir Benjamin¡¯s vanguard operations with Team B, astute intelligence experts had discerned a critical breakthrough: when Dark Jade mounted a wide-ranging or multi-tiered defense, Chronos¡¯s movement speed plummeted precipitously. They surmised that in the act of generating antimatter, the mirror¡¯s mass surged so dramatically as to immobilize its controller.


    The dossier further provided a series of ultra-high-frame-rate photographs captured during these defensive episodes. Although Chronos hovered above the ground, the sandy terrain beneath him was indented into a distinct circular depression¡ªits perimeter delineating the range of his defense. Alas, amidst the cataclysmic energy collisions of the battlefield, such a phenomenon was nearly impossible to discern with the naked eye.


    Moreover, the report offered an equally staggering analysis of the ¡°Moment¡¯s¡± petrifying arrows¡ªthose white, crystalline javelins. Time and again, in the crucible of battle, these fearsome weapons had demonstrated their capacity not only to transmute tangible matter into works of macabre artistry, but also to freeze even the most ethereal of forces¡ªimmobilizing energy trajectories as if they were solid ice, or transforming flames into delicate, frozen blossoms. Each photographic testament was meticulously arrayed within the report, attesting to a capability both offensive and defensive¡ªa duality that rendered the enemy nearly invincible.


    ¡°Assuredly, you have been apprised of every known intelligence on the enemy,¡± came a hoarse voice over the radio from Miller. ¡°In forty minutes, the operation shall commence.¡±


    Hearing his father¡¯s voice stirred both Arthas and Breton, their youthful hearts swelling with pride at having borne witness to battles of such epic proportions. After a brief respite, they pored over the operational plan with meticulous care¡ªeach aware that they were indispensable to this final, pivotal engagement.


    ¡°Due to the EMP interference, our coalition cannot deploy additional air support. Lieutenant Breton, Private Arthas, you shall be the sole pilots in the air. The Poseidon Spear system will be guided by your ¡®Grass Python¡¯ fighter,¡± came the measured voice of Cheng Wei over the radio.


    ¡°Indeed, the scions of the Rolfi family have proven themselves as warriors without equal. May fortune favor you both!¡±


    The young Rolfi brothers exchanged glances of elation as the radio link fell silent and the countdown to battle appeared on the auxiliary screen.


    ¡°Arthas, the engine¡ªhaving been forced into an overload restart¡ªremains highly unstable. It cannot perform any extraordinary maneuvers or sustain aggressive flight, so the burden of defense falls entirely upon you,¡± Arthas wiped the sweat from his brow and responded resolutely to his brother.


    Breton then resumed his meticulous inspection of the flight-control system. With most automatic systems offline, he had been compelled to disable every in-cockpit alarm. And yet, even with near-total manual control, the fighter maintained a remarkably steady course¡ªa testament to his mastery as an ace pilot.


    Glancing back at Arthas, Breton noted that the impish youth¡ªonce a notorious mischief-maker¡ªwas now wholly absorbed in recalibrating the weapons system beneath the diffuse glow of the red sunset seeping through the transparent canopy. A smile of quiet pride softened Breton¡¯s features; he was convinced that all knights, imbued with an unyielding spirit akin to a burning flame, would vow to fight unto death and herald a new song of peace for mankind.


    Meanwhile, at the distant command post, the knightly legion that had been withdrawn from the main battle along the coast of Bostea was rallying once more. In concert with the Church Mage Alliance, they were now advancing toward the fray in disciplined, staggered waves.


    This operation embodied the final vestiges of the northern coalition¡¯s strength; should they falter, the consequences would be beyond reckoning. Miller mused darkly¡ªthe field command had been entirely transferred to Guan Feng, supreme commander of the Qi¨¢nt¨¢ng Empire¡¯s forces. All he could do now was wait.


    Outside the office¡¯s window, the steady patter of relentless rain mingled with the gloom. There, before a luminous, milky-white statue of the Holy Lord Jesus, he stood motionless¡ªeyes closed in solemn prayer, merging with the fragrant, ghostly mists redolent of osmanthus. In that moment, his only solace was to pray with utmost devotion, awaiting word from the front.

 Chapter 7: The Song of Vengeance

    The gentle toll of the bell from the Rhine Church tower resonated softly over the serene skies of Rhine Houghton, its chimes mingling with the murmur of a crowded sanctuary. Within the grand church hall, devout worshippers sat quietly on long benches, each clutching a sacred cross, while the resplendent statue of Saint George¡ªadorned in gold and jewels and astride a steed carved from white jade¡ªstood in stately proximity to the effigy of Lord Jesus Christ.


    A young maiden, on the verge of blooming into womanhood, was attired in a flowing pink gown; her raven hair shimmered beneath the golden glow of the lights, and around her slender neck hung an exquisite cross wrought in white gold, a symbol of the Rhine Church. Seated at a scarlet triangular piano, her pale, delicate fingers danced gracefully across the keys, coaxing forth a melody as tender as it was sublime. Behind her, a choir arrayed in immaculate white¡ªlike seraphic beings bearing gleaming candles¡ªstood upon the stage before the sacred statues, their voices interweaving with the piano in a hymn that seemed divinely wrought.


    Though Alice Rolfi was but fourteen, her angelic beauty left all who beheld her in awe. Beneath her noble gown, her gently blossoming form, perfectly in harmony with her slender figure, was made all the more enchanting under the church¡¯s warm, amber lights. Her performance¡ªfluid and transcendent¡ªhad already earned her renown as the most illustrious prodigy of the Rhein Tower Conservatory. Coupled with her modest demeanor and tender, compassionate nature, she was beloved by the congregation.


    As the performer struck the final, lingering note and the choir¡¯s celestial harmony faded into silence, thunderous applause erupted from the assembled faithful and the many whose hearts had been captured by her artistry. Alice then lifted her gaze toward the dais that faced the main stage, where the venerable Archbishop Joseph sat, flanked by the most revered Mater of the Sacred Heart of the Rhine Empire¡ªher dearest, Lady Mia Rolfi¡ªwho now appeared animated in heated discourse with the high elders of the senate.


    Turning her eyes to the kaleidoscopic stained glass that adorned the church¡¯s walls, Alice fell into deep contemplation. A heavy cloud of worry, like a gathering storm, descended upon her heart as she prayed fervently for her father and brothers, beseeching the Almighty to grant them safe passage home.


    Outside, the heavens wore a delicate tinge of red as the golden orb of the sun prepared to sink beneath a milky horizon. In this capital of the northeastern Rhine Empire¡ªa city of endless Baroque marvels where every street echoed with the pulse of meticulously ordered life¡ªthe bustling Saint George Square teemed with people, as though the world beyond were untouched by strife.


    Yet even as vast digital screens on towering skyscrapers broadcast grim tidings from the frontlines, children laughed on verdant lawns and smiling tourists posed for photographs, seemingly oblivious to the tempest of war. Businessmen hurried past, their faces etched with concern as they navigated crowded avenues, burdened by the weight of an economy battered by ceaseless conflict. ¡°Do you know,¡± mused a voice in the heavens, ¡°what is the greatest irony of our time?¡±


    High above, in the first-class cabin of a helicopter, Admiral Miha? Washington surveyed the scene below with a contemplative air. In his unmistakable West Coast drawl, he confided to Chief Helena, ¡°You know it well¡ªtoday, tens of thousands of soldiers will perish, throwing themselves unhesitatingly into the maelstrom to defend the fate of humankind. And what, pray tell, will the newspapers and media report? Merely a cursory tally of the dead¡ªas if counting sausages in a factory! It will be as though no cataclysmic event has transpired at all. The weather remains sunny, life goes on as usual¡ªyet behold, on television, those eager to seize power bicker endlessly! After all, none of the fallen ever seem to find solace among their own kin¡­¡±


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    Helena¡¯s exquisitely painted red lips curved into a knowing smile as she replied, ¡°Humans, ever prone to forget their scars, remain creatures of fleeting memory¡ªmuch like the ephemeral recollection of a goldfish. But now, let us set aside such musings and attend to the pressing matters at hand.¡±


    Admiral Miha? regarded her with a mix of solemnity and curiosity. ¡°Chief, you have whisked me off to the Aerospace Authority with such haste¡ªsurely there is an emergency unfolding on the battlefield?¡±


    ¡°Indeed,¡± Helena confessed, ¡°the war in Babylonia has reached a fevered pitch. Our foes are extraordinary; reliable intelligence now indicates that members of the divine have allied themselves with Satan¡¯s legions. A most intractable predicament.¡±


    ¡°Such absurdity! It seems even the prophecies of our saintly patron, Saint George, hold secrets yet unrevealed,¡± murmured the battle-worn Admiral, his weathered hand trembling as it grasped the white-gold cross pendant that hung about his neck.


    ¡°I must not divulge further intelligence,¡± Helena continued, ¡°but know that for this operation we must deploy the ¡®Poseidon Spear¡¯ system. That is why we have summoned you with such urgency.¡±


    ¡°Uh, regarding this matter¡­ I must verify a few details,¡± the Admiral hesitated.


    The helicopter then descended steadily onto the helipad atop the Aerospace Authority building. When Helena effortlessly produced Marshal Miller¡¯s authentication from a secure box, Admiral Miha?¡¯s skeptical gaze softened in acceptance.


    Though the ¡®Poseidon Spear¡¯ system had been shrouded in secrecy¡ªits existence a whispered legend from the last great war, known only to a few in the highest echelons of the Air Force and military¡ªit was now poised to play its part. Helena led Admiral Miha? into the labyrinthine depths of the so-called ¡°abandoned sector¡± of the Aerospace Authority.


    ¡°General Guan, the Rhine Empire¡¯s ¡®Poseidon Spear¡¯ is now online. The temporary guidance system has been loaded onto the ¡®Grass Python¡¯ fighter,¡± intoned the aide of Marshal Miller Rolfi via video link, transmitting the authorization code to Guan Feng¡¯s PDA.


    ¡°Boss, this must be the secret weapon that, as legend has it, Garison Peso never had the chance to deploy,¡± Cheng Wei remarked in awe as he scrutinized the cutting-edge details of the super-weapon.


    ¡°If not for the Chairman¡¯s order to destroy the fourth satellite belt, our very history might have been rewritten,¡± Guan Feng said as he set his coffee cup aside, then inquired, ¡°Have the Knight Legion and Mage Corps arrived?¡±


    ¡°They have been deployed as planned. Now, we await the charging of the ¡®Pursuer,¡¯ the ¡®Calmeson,¡¯ and the ¡®Dunhuang-class¡¯¡ªour three main battle ships,¡± came the reply. ¡°Rally Team B; after so long in hiding, it is time for us to unburden our limbs,¡± declared Guan Feng as he rose and shook the golden cloak adorning his battle robe.


    After a night nearly spent in relentless storm, the furious winds gradually subsided. A silvery moon now hung in the ebony sky, and stars¡ªdistant as if from another galaxy¡ªtwinkled faintly. On the ravaged battlefield, knights fought on with grim determination. As one fell, others pressed forward with even greater valor, seemingly impervious to the specter of death, their very lifespans sacrificed in relentless bursts of fusion power¡ªeach strike aimed at carving even the slightest chink in the enemy¡¯s armor, or shielding a comrade from a fatal blow.


    Yet, as in the ancient myths where fragile mortals once dared face the indomitable gods, despite their fervor the allied forces had failed to leave even a scratch upon the Time Lord. And though Chronos could defend his realm impeccably, he found no swift means to conclude this agonizing contest.


    It was as if Chronos had grown weary of these endless, indestructible foes. Slowly, he ceased his relentless attacks, focusing instead on gathering the potent energy of the green magic stone that shone upon his chest. His intent was clear¡ªto await the moment when his amassed power would once more allow him to evoke the demonic visage of the Netherlord. Thus, a fleeting calm descended upon the battlefield; amid sporadic skirmishes, the remaining knights seized the chance to regain their strength as they braced themselves for the ultimate clash.

 Chapter 8: Undercurrents

    As the final countdown to the decisive battle dwindled to zero, the solemn chime of the distant Bostei Cathedral bells echoed languidly across the firmament. At that very moment, the vanguard of the knightly alliance¡¯s diversionary force surged forward in a ferocious assault. Yet Chronos¡ªthe Master of Time¡ªremained resolute in defense. Twin obsidian mirrors wrought from Dark Jade, summoned with uncanny precision, flawlessly consumed the roaring barrages of energy cannons, cruise missiles, and even the fusion powers of the vanguard knights. Amid the tumult, maddened war cries and thunderous explosions rent the air, and the once-hushed battlefield was once again engulfed in furious flames.


    As the numbers of combatants and the array of armaments swelled, those knights¡ªusually the epitome of refined, devout chivalry¡ªlaunched themselves into battle with a desperation reminiscent of cornered prey, their onslaught frantic and unrestrained. Forced by the relentless pressure, Chronos had no recourse but to halt his energy accumulation, compelling him to deploy both Dark Jade and the enigmatic Shuyu simultaneously in defense.


    Despite the allied forces¡¯ relentless exertions, not a scratch was wrought upon the Master of Time. The casualties among the knights mounted inexorably. Already depleted by previous clashes and further weakened by the fading vestiges of power borrowed from the Netherlord, Chronos felt the crushing toll exacted by these twin artifacts; his might was waning, and the struggle had degenerated into a state of agonizing stalemate.


    In the meantime, Sa¡¯o assumed command of the allied mage corps formerly led by Orant. Without delay, they began to erect a colossal projection formation within the canyon above the western waterfall. Carved from the very contours of the landscape, the formation sprawled across the sheer cliffs like a spider¡¯s web spun of violet light. With deliberate grace, Sa¡¯o wielded his ebony pine staff¡ªset with gleaming phosphorite¡ªand chanted earthbound incantations to construct a vast platform behind the array. Meanwhile, supporting mages ceaselessly poured their magical energies into sustaining the formation, and long-range sorcerers gathered their latent power, waiting in hushed anticipation for the command to strike.


    ¡°Action!¡±


    At the order of interim commander Guan Feng, the encirclement operation was launched in earnest. The diversionary force surged headlong into Chronos¡¯s domain. The ferocity of the ground combat afforded the battered ¡°Grass Python¡± fighter a fleeting opportunity to breach the bombing envelope. With cautious precision, Breton guided the aircraft in a rapid descent to the predetermined altitude, preparing to release a beacon projectile.


    Yet even in his desperate resistance, Chronos¡¯s keen awareness detected the hovering ¡°Grass Python¡± in midair. Seizing an opening, he fired a pinpoint-accurate Shuyu spear at the aircraft.


    ¡°Damn it¡ªthis time there¡¯s no escape! Brace for impact!¡±


    Watching the target expand ominously on the radar, Breton realized their doom was imminent; he had even steeled himself for the unthinkable act of abandoning the craft.


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    At that critical moment, a knight of the Kamlem Empire, invoking his fusion ability, propelled himself with tremendous recoil into the air, desperately interposing his body along the path of the Shuyu spear. Yet fate was cruel¡ªthe lance pierced through his outstretched chest, and in an instant, his form was transformed into a petrified statue, plummeting like a wounded dove.


    Suppressing the tears that threatened to spill, Arthas seized the sole remaining opportunity. With trembling hands he realigned the reticle manually and, without hesitation, launched the beacon projectile.


    What struck Chronos with equal astonishment was the sudden, orderly retreat of the allied forces¡ªa formation that, mere moments before, had pressed forward with reckless abandon under the cover of successive magical onslaughts. An ominous premonition surged within him as he beheld this unexpected withdrawal.


    At the edge of the atmosphere, the Sky Army¡¯s joint fleet¡ªtasked with fire support¡ªhad already received its assault orders. Under the steely command of Captain Morris, the space carriers roared to life; three colossal motherships poured every iota of power into their main cannons, while legions of coordinated personnel labored with singular focus to ensure the success of this unorthodox operation. Overloaded systems sparked fires across their ranks, and at the commander¡¯s signal, the main cannon discharged its volley toward the designated coordinates. The colossal energy of the light cannons, intertwined with the fury of a tempest, converged upon a single point with devastating might.


    Amid the relentless barrage, Chronos¡ªhovering in the void¡ªremained unnervingly composed. With his hands clasped together, he invoked a massive, bowl-shaped black mirror from Dark Jade to shield himself. Such force, powerful enough to penetrate the very mantle of the earth, did not unsettle him; after all, he was the thirteenth envoy who had partaken of the forbidden fruit of wisdom, a being capable of crafting miracles for every age.


    ¡°Beacon confirmed¡ªthree, two, one¡­ Fire!¡±


    Simultaneously, emergency adjustments by the Rhin Empire¡¯s Aviation Authority coaxed forth the long-hidden ¡°Poseidon Spear¡± system from its years of dormancy on the moon¡¯s dark side. Slowly, its protective cover peeled away like the parting scales of a long-dormant drake, exposing its fearsome fangs.


    From the launch tubes, tongues of flame erupted, and dozens of massive, geometrically perfect metal wedges¡ªcongealed from the pinnacle of Peso Company¡¯s technology, forged from tungsten-gold alloy and Grade-4 diamond steel¡ªhurtled through the starry void like a frenzied python in pursuit, lancing toward the azure planet. Following a trajectory reminiscent of Qian Xuesen¡¯s calculations, they skimmed the atmosphere in a water-like ballet of multi-stage acceleration, delivering a deathly impact upon their target.


    The watchful eye of the Master of Time instantly registered this extraordinary force: under emergency conditions, the hastily assembled Shuyu defensive shield was rent asunder by the furious collision of the first Poseidon Spear, disintegrating into mere dust. The tungsten wedge, its course altered by the impact, careened toward a small Tajik town some dozens of kilometers from Bostei City; that once-peaceful settlement was, in a heartbeat, reduced to a swirling, sandstorm-like debris under the crushing shockwave.


    In a frantic bid, Chronos detached a second defensive black mirror from his Dark Jade to repel the incessant barrage of Poseidon Spears. Both the defensive fortitude and annihilative prowess of Dark Jade had been pushed to their absolute limits. A formidable array of Poseidon Spears, in concert with the overloaded cannons of the allied fleet, engaged in a vicious, mutual consumption upon the two ¡°black holes¡±; exploding bursts of luminous particles transmuted the dark mirror into twin blue light shields, while searing shockwaves even coaxed vaporous mists to rise from the nearby sea.


    At last granted a fleeting respite, Chronos shook his head slowly. In his eyes, humanity¡¯s frenzied resistance had long surpassed his wildest imaginings¡ªa single, colossal tungsten wedge possessed the power to annihilate an entire city, and the ruthlessness of their methods recalled to him the nuclear vortex¡ªthe butterfly effect¡ªof the last great war. ¡°Is this what they mean by ¡®from destruction comes creation¡¯?¡± he murmured to himself. Though the cunning defenses had left him exasperated, he could not help but acknowledge, with a dark satisfaction, that no matter how fiercely humanity fought, it could never vanqu

 Chapter 9: Meteor

    ¡°Cheng Wei, we can¡¯t hold on much longer! Think of something!¡±


    The battlefield vanguard officer urgently reported over the radio. The knights of the Expeditionary Order were nearly exhausted. On the other side, the magical attacks from the grand formation of mages were weakening, with some mages even vomiting blood due to the backlash of dark magic or forbidden techniques.


    Chronos laughed arrogantly as he watched everything unfold. Although this was the human coalition¡¯s desperate last stand, he had managed to barely defend himself using two divine weapons. He smugly thought that once this wave of attacks subsided, he could use Shiyu and Dark Jade to sweep the battlefield. By the time he recovered his power and regained his demonic god form, the Shadow Lord and the Eternal Night Lord would likely have also secured significant victories on their respective battlefields.


    Just as the Lord of Time, Chronos, was immersed in his triumphant fantasy, a golden meteor streaked across the sky from the distant horizon of gray-blue, shimmering with ethereal white light. It blazed through the boundless land, leaving a brilliant tail of starlight in its wake.


    When he slowed time to observe it with his Time Eye, Chronos¡¯ arrogant smile froze instantly. He could never mistake what he saw¡ªit was the Phantom Holy Sword, the very weapon that had once decapitated the ancient archdemon Uriel, one of Lucifer¡¯s most powerful subordinates, in a single strike during the Battle of the Holy Capital! ¡°That¡­ that man¡­ is General Guan Feng!¡±


    The dazzling golden streak tore through the sky above the Grass Python, causing Arthas to widen his silver eyes in shock. The high-frame-rate footage on the screen provided a crystal-clear image. Arthas could hardly believe what he was seeing¡ªthe shirtless man with a purple dragon coiled around a pearl tattooed on his back, wielding the mighty fusion-powered light sword. Even Breton was stunned by the sight before him. Only now did the world learn that the legendary Holy Sword Knight who had slain the Seraph was none other than the long-hidden supreme commander of the Qiantang Empire, General Guan Feng!


    At the very moment when the golden holy sword struck the green magic stone embedded in Chronos¡¯ chest, Guan Feng¡¯s blazing golden eyes met Chronos¡¯ horrified emerald gaze.


    Chronos, completely restrained, had no way to evade. The immense mass of Dark Jade, straining to maintain its defensive power, rendered him motionless, while Shiyu was already stretched to its limits blocking the knights¡¯ and mages¡¯ attacks. He had no means to counter this ultimate assault. And more importantly, this was the Holy Sword¡ªcapable of slaying gods!


    As the radiant golden light flashed across the battlefield¡¯s center, the massive black mirror formed by Dark Jade and the colossal white shield of Shiyu disintegrated into black-and-white mist before vanishing into nothingness.


    The four thunderous forces that had been suppressing the Lord of Time were no longer obstructed and clashed violently with the golden holy sword¡¯s energy. The resulting explosion warped the space around it, folding and twisting reality. A colossal mushroom cloud of light, resembling a nuclear detonation, illuminated the silent night sky as if turning it into daytime.


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    Thick black clouds were torn apart like scattered dandelions by the shockwave, and hurricane-force winds ravaged the battlefield. Heavy armored mechs and equipment were tossed about like broken kites caught in a wind tunnel. Along the coastline of Bosti, once an idyllic paradise, waves over ten meters high surged violently, and the tsunami overturned abandoned military port structures, even capsizing colossal ships and aircraft carriers left from the old era.


    The explosion¡¯s aftermath was felt dozens of kilometers away. The tremendous blast lasted over ten minutes before gradually subsiding, leaving the battlefield in eerie silence, akin to the calm after the Big Bang. The ocean water, blasted into the air, now rained down as a torrential storm mixed with soil and metal debris. Towering columns of smoke rose into the sky, piercing through the fractured clouds, and golden beams of light filtered through, painting a scene of apocalyptic devastation.


    Guan Feng¡¯s figure flashed through the dense smoke, agile as the wind. Golden particles still clung to his body, radiating a dazzling brilliance like snowflakes drifting downward. However, even the indomitable Xianglong General had not emerged unscathed. Deep wounds crisscrossed his muscular chest and abdomen, and blood flowed in thin streams.


    The coagulated blood on his chest stained the ancient dragon-patterned totem on his black attire. But Guan Feng had no time to worry about his injuries. His sharply defined features twitched slightly as he scanned the battlefield with piercing eyes, like a hawk searching for its prey. Meanwhile, the knights who had fought alongside him struggled to their feet after being knocked down by the blast, clearly bearing various degrees of injury.


    ¡°Did we succeed?¡±


    Cheng Wei abruptly stood up from his seat at the temporary command post. The knights who had channeled all their energy into supporting Guan Feng remained fixated on the battle feed, holding their breath in anticipation.


    Although Chronos¡¯ presence had vanished, Guan Feng was certain that his deadly strike had hit its mark. Everyone had witnessed it firsthand. As the dust slowly settled, all that remained on the ground were the shattered fragments of a green gemstone¡ªthe very magic stone that once concentrated the Underworld Lord¡¯s power. A thunderous cheer erupted across the battlefield. Knights and mages embraced in joy, some shedding tears of elation. Some raised their crosses in silent prayer, while others knelt in the direction of the moon, offering devout thanks to the heavens.


    Arthas and Breton, unable to contain their excitement, prepared to descend as they observed the battlefield from above. Piloting the Grass Python, they steadily lowered their altitude from the stratosphere.


    Just as Guan Feng finally let his guard down, exhaustion overtook him. He swayed unsteadily and collapsed. Struggling to wipe the blood from his face, he pulled a metal flask from his pocket and took a sip of whiskey. The fiery alcohol burned his throat, causing the overstrained warrior to cough violently. Yet, for the first time, he felt a sense of relief. His meticulously planned strategy had worked.


    Breton adjusted the vector thrusters for landing, reducing altitude to just under a hundred meters when suddenly¡ªa sharp impact struck the rear of the aircraft. The Grass Python shuddered violently before stabilizing.


    ¡°What did we hit?¡± Arthas frantically adjusted the loose electronic equipment that had been jarred by the collision.


    ¡°Uh¡­ nothing showed up on radar. Damn it, what¡¯s going on? I didn¡¯t see anything either, and our Dragon-class aircraft has an active avoidance system¡­ this doesn¡¯t make sense¡­¡±


    Breton turned to check the rear of the cabin. The moment his silver eyes caught sight of something, his pupils contracted in sheer terror. Arthas felt a chill and was about to ask when a chilling voice rang out.


    ¡°I never expected to be pushed this far. Oh, gods of Atlantis, look at your arrogant children¡ªthey dare to attempt the murder of their Lord.¡±


    Chronos roared, spreading his arms wide. He stood atop the streamlined tail of the Grass Python.


    A massive silver lightning bolt crashed down, shocking the celebratory crowd below. As they looked up at the black-winged, bare-chested figure standing atop the aircraft, his green eyes burning with eerie light, their joy turned to despair. The man they had just obliterated into dust¡­ had returned.


    The battlefield fell silent. Then, slowly but resolutely, the warriors steeled themselves for one final stand.

 Chapter 10: The Time Eye

    On the beach, the once-golden fine sand had long been transformed into black, charred ruin. The carcasses of migratory birds dangled forlornly from toppled, broken coconut groves, while the crimson-black surf slowly subsided, listlessly caressing the crumbling reefs. Exhausted, Guan Feng forced himself to rise and rallied the remaining knights and mages of the allied forces into a new defensive formation. At the temporary command post, Cheng Wei led the last of Team A¡¯s knights to join them.


    ¡°Commander, what is wrong with you? How did you lose so much blood?¡± Cheng Wei asked with genuine concern as he examined the nearly perforating wounds that marred Guan Feng¡¯s body.


    Guan Feng, the interim commander, merely waved off the pain, raising his severely burnt left hand¡ªscorched from overloading his fusion ability¡ªand replied, ¡°I am fine. Now, let us think of how to deal with this stubborn adversary.¡±


    ¡°Poseidon¡¯s Spear is spent, and the energy reserves of our space carrier fleet are nearly depleted. Look at our forces¡­ almost all are on the verge of collapse. If we lose this fight, the operations on the eastern front are doomed,¡± Cheng Wei murmured, his brow beaded with sweat as he clenched his fist and spoke in a hushed, determined tone.


    At once, Guan Feng¡¯s inner fire surged. With a sharp, resolute cry he declared, ¡°Do not give up! It is not over yet. Besides, he no longer has that troublesome defense¡ªwe still have a chance!¡±


    Even the blood-crusted scabs on his chest, agitated by his fierce emotions, began to seep anew. At that clarion call, Cheng Wei¡¯s eyes cleared as he looked up; indeed, the dark-matter mirror that had once repelled countless lethal blows had vanished. The Lord of Time seemed to gaze at the now-dim black orb on his left hand, shaking his head repeatedly. Cheng Wei drew a deep, steadying breath, then turned and looked upon the bloodied, exhausted warriors around him; their eyes shone with renewed fervor as they returned his gaze.


    Slowly, he lifted the golden cross that adorned his chest, studded with resplendent jewels, and in a voice both exalted and pious, he proclaimed:


    ¡°Now is the most crucial moment in the fate of humanity. We have lost our kin and our friends; to safeguard tomorrow, we must fight on, even in blood and ruin. Though we may lose everything, we must not cease our struggle. Brave warriors¡ªdo not give in! Even if blood must flow, even if our bodies shatter, we shall fight to our last breath! May the Holy Lord be with us, and the spirit of knighthood endure forever!¡±


    ¡°May the Holy Lord be with us, and the knight¡¯s heart endure forever!¡±


    The impassioned cry rang out, as surviving warriors, stirred by hope and resolve, embraced one another. Swords and spears were raised; halberds and cannons were brandished. In an instant, the throng surged like a seething fireball, as though the very red clouds at the horizon had been set ablaze by divine flame. At that moment, though each heart bore the stain of human frailty, in the face of mortal peril their spirits shone with transcendent brilliance.


    High above, the Lord of Time, Chronos, flapped his vast wings slowly. His Time Eye¡ªglowing with a cold, eerie green light¡ªsurveyed the scene below. For a moment, his body trembled with a derisive laugh before he regained his haughty composure. Spreading his lean, powerful arms¡ªas blue runes nearly adorned his bare torso¡ªhe sneered contemptuously at the mortals beneath him: ¡°A rabble of ignorant, incited fools! You, easily stirred to passion by a few rousing words, dare to boast of endless wisdom and civilization? Your blinded eyes fail to see the vast gulf between your feeble power and mine. Allow me to compose your so-called heroic hymn with your own spilled blood!¡±


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    Then, with a swift beat of his ebony wings, Chronos unleashed his Shiyu Sword¡ªa blade radiant with a chilling, otherworldly light¡ªand dove upon the mass of men below. At the same time, knights and mages¡ªonce bitter enemies in past wars¡ªfound themselves united against this common foe. Their collective battle cries¡ª¡°Hurrah!¡± ¡°Strike!¡± ¡°Lead the charge, even unto death!¡±¡ªrose in unison, and under the mages¡¯ cover, they launched a fierce, coordinated assault. As the two forces converged, it seemed that an apocalyptic confrontation was imminent.


    Having utterly lost the proactive defense of Dark Jade, Chronos was forced to accelerate time momentarily through his Time Eye to evade the close-range fusion assaults of the vanguard knights. Then, employing his inimitable swordsmanship, he repelled the exhausted attackers.


    Even when surrounded by humanity¡¯s most elite forces, Chronos proved not to be an easy prey. The knights marveled as they witnessed his uncanny perception of danger and his ability to briefly speed up time¡ªabilities that were truly unprecedented. It was then clear how, in the direst of moments, he had managed to break through the encirclement and survive.


    Like a phantom, Chronos moved with the swiftness of lightning through the enraged throng, evading the relentless, cunning attacks. In the blink of an eye¡ªat speeds imperceptible to mortal eyes¡ªhe struck down or wounded several renowned knights. Guan Feng, having taken a brief respite, could not afford to lose any more comrades. With grim determination, he rejoined the battle. Though his body still trembled from injury, he could not permit himself another such loss.


    In his hand, his nine-toothed long knife¡ªetched with the Black Dragon Totem¡ªchanneled a potent fusion energy that enveloped its golden blade. In that instant, Guan Feng transformed into a streak of golden light, charging at his bitter enemy with unyielding resolve.


    Chronos had only just drawn his Shiyu Sword from the barely petrified remains when a fearsome surge of golden sword energy hurtled toward him. The audacious Lord of Time, already grievously wounded and at the limits of his power, attempted to sidestep the blow with agile finesse, planning to counter with a lethal strike.


    Thus, Chronos flapped his wings and darted toward Guan Feng¡¯s flank. With a vicious reverse slash, he aimed a thrust at the open chest of the knight. Yet, what appeared to be a mighty, crushing blow proved but a phantom; Guan Feng, seizing the fleeting moment when their forms misaligned, deftly lifted his blade. In an instant, the serrated edge of his knife clashed with the grey-white magic sword, scattering sparks and showering metallic fragments like rain. Before Chronos¡¯ blade could be entirely immobilized by petrification, Guan Feng unleashed a series of furious strikes. Chronos, his magical reserves nearly spent, managed to parry only a few times before the overwhelming force left his hands numb.


    Guan Feng¡¯s assault was swift and resolute; though his grievous wounds flowed with steady blood, they did little to deter his indomitable spirit. Chronos labored to withstand the searing onslaught of the golden blade. Though he was the master of time, Chronos was more a man of words than a warrior bred in the blood-soaked tradition of Atlantis. As his desperate resistance drove him into inner turmoil, Guan Feng fought with increasing valor, methodically accelerating his assault.


    After repelling several fusion-powered strikes with rapid parries, Guan Feng discarded the petrified nine-toothed blade and, summoning the full might of his fusion energy into his right hand, formed a colossal, golden Dragon Fist. As furious winds howled and searing heat surged, his attack aimed straight at the face of his enemy¡ªa blow borne of desperation and righteous fury.


    At that critical moment, Chronos¡¯ green eyes, already wide with terror, betrayed a flicker of dread as cold sweat trickled from his temples. Just as the scorching Dragon Fist was poised to strike, the eerie totem on Chronos¡¯ forehead¡ªan immense, unearthly eye inscribed with cryptic symbols¡ªsuddenly flared with a blinding light. Its enormous pupil swelled almost to a perfect circle, and then, behind Chronos, several colossal, rotating Time Wheels materialized, sparkling like diamonds in brilliant radiance.


    The overwhelming force of the golden Dragon Fist shattered the nearby boulders into innumerable fragments. Yet as the fierce winds scattered the yellow dust, not a trace of Chronos could be seen upon the desolate terrain.


    Guan Feng panted heavily, his strength nearly spent, and was supported by his deputy, Cheng Wei. Cheng Wei, upon noting that the bleeding had ceased, exhaled a sigh of relief.


    He turned to survey the shattered stones scattered about and exclaimed, ¡°Has he escaped again?¡±


    Guan Feng nodded in response. ¡°This time, his evasion was not merely due to his acceleration ability¡ªmy attack exceeded his limits.¡±


    Analyzing the earlier battle and reflecting on their close combat, Guan Feng grew ever more convinced of his conviction.

 Chapter 11: Fury

    The dark, oppressive night sky was gradually illuminated by an ever-widening band of white light along the horizon. The receding, gentle waves relentlessly pounded upon the stranded, floating corpses on the beach. Beneath a nearly faded, pale blue crescent moon, subtle ripples began to reappear in the heavens.


    Then, as if emerging from an otherworldly mirage, Chronos¡ªthe Master of Time¡ªmaterialized like a specter from those eerie ripples, hovering ominously above the nocturnal vault. His face, lined with throbbing veins and contorted in unbridled anger, bore a visage of ferocity. The tremendous toll of employing his temporal power¡ªand the fact that he had already lost the Underworld Demon Crystal which once concentrated his might¡ªhad forced him to expend vast reserves to evade the previous onslaught.


    The intensity of the battle had unsettled even the ever-composed old god of Atlantis, who now, with a haughty sneer, declared, ¡°Truly, you are a pitiful, intractable swarm of vermin! Cease your futile resistance, and allow me to administer a proper reckoning. No matter how you struggle, the outcome remains unchanged: the iron hoofs of the three great lords shall rend your lands asunder, and Lucifer himself will come to reign over this world.¡±


    ¡°Even if we perish, we shall die on the field of honor! Knighthood¡¯s glory shall never bow to demons!¡± came the defiant cry from the allied forces.


    Sir Benjamin and Sir Famas, together with the last three knights of the Blue Shield Order, interposed themselves in a protective barrier before the now-weary Guan Feng. Guan Feng longed to speak more, but Sir Benjamin, his deep brown eyes full of quiet determination, urged him, ¡°Leave the rest to us. Do not overexert yourself, knight of the Dragon Kingdom¡ªrest awhile. The final victory depends on you.¡±


    Cheng Wei, with gratitude, nodded and helped support Guan Feng as they retreated to the rear. Medical mages hurried to tend to his wounds, while other knights formed an unyielding human wall to shield their beleaguered comrades.


    Above, Chronos slowly spread his immense wings and laughed scornfully. Observing the determined struggle below, he sneered with contempt: ¡°It is almost inconceivable¡ªthese insignificant ants, so foolish and deluded, knowing full well that they are doomed, yet willingly marching to their own annihilation. They persist in their vain defiance with hollow promises, friendship, and that wretched spirit, leaping headlong into the abyss. In my eternal sojourn through the chronicles of humankind, I have witnessed their obstinate folly time and again. The outcome is always the same, and thus my resolve to obliterate you grows ever firmer. It appears you shall never behold the splendid banquet of the Purification Altar; therefore, I shall expend every ounce of my power to erase you utterly!¡±


    Then he beat his ebony wings, descending slowly. With his eyes closed, he began to intone softly in a language reminiscent of ancient Persian verses. The blue runes on his arms glowed faintly, gradually deepening to a blood-red hue. At the same time, upon the scarred earth emerged a six-pointed red totem. At its center, a conflagration roiled, encircled by a ring of ancient, spiraling Persian incantations. Black miasma ascended languidly from the heart of the totem, intertwining with the looming figure of Chronos above.


    ¡°Had I not seen such a vision, I would have had no doubt that hell itself is thus manifested,¡± murmured a high-bridged, golden-haired knight of the Xiwier Order in low tones.


    ¡°Keep alert¡ªfor I wager that this power is far from ordinary,¡± replied another North Lanstown knight clad in a white cloak.


    At that moment, Chronos¡¯s right arm¡ªentirely overlaid with dense red runes¡ªbegan to emit a fierce red glow from his eyes. Suddenly, his face contorted as he fixed his gaze upon the magical formation below, and with a strained shout he bellowed, ¡°O Infinite Light, Sacred Flame of the Almighty, Supreme Spirit of the Seven Materials, Eternal Holy Lord¡ªsummon thy undying power! Manifest in this realm now!¡±


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    At the conclusion of his incantation, the massive red formation roared and trembled. In its center, a stone statue over a meter tall slowly emerged, enshrouded in golden flames. As the crimson fire gradually died down, the assembled knights beheld an inscription on the stone¡ªa bas-relief of an eagle-headed, human-faced effigy, a mysterious totem of a forgotten faith.


    Chronos, with his right foot firmly planting upon the ground, grasped the scepter clutched by the statue. His eyes, still blazing with magical fury, swept over the encamped human forces as he coldly declared, ¡°Prepare yourselves¡ªthe game is over.¡±


    With a mighty tug on the scepter, cracks began to form on the eagle-faced statue. Powerful streams of magical energy, glowing with an eerie radiance, burst forth from the fissures like the intertwined maws of crimson serpents, pouring into Chronos¡¯s rune-etched arm.


    The sweltering heat warped the air around them. The cracks in the statue deepened; the enormous energy within could no longer be contained, erupting violently.


    The knights sensed the impending danger and quickly formed a defensive formation. The Blue Shield Knights once more melded their fusion powers to form an impenetrable shield, while others linked arms to channel their combined energy to bolster the defense. Three vast blue light shields swelled, enveloping the allied formation entirely.


    The shattered eagle-faced effigy, unable to withstand the internal onslaught, soon exploded in a piercing burst, shattering into countless fragments. The powerful shockwave slammed the debris against the blue shields, hurling the defending knights several meters backward. As the smoke cleared, in place of the once-mighty statue stood a long knife exuding a sinister red aura.


    Its slender blade was inscribed with long-lost incantations, and the surrounding ground glowed as though molten lava coursed beneath¡ªa searing inferno that relentlessly consumed all in its path.


    Chronos grasped the hilt of the sinister knife with his rune-laden right hand. The raging, red-hot flames cascaded along his arm, gradually enveloping him entirely. Yet he seemed to relish the sensation, a twisted smile contorting his features.


    When the scorching fire finally abated, the fiery mantle that now cloaked the Time God had taken on the semblance of battle armor¡ªits appearance as translucent and brilliant as red glazed glass.


    Clad in this infernal armor, Chronos had become a war god of hell itself. Still, even a being of divine essence could not indefinitely endure such searing flames. He transformed his remaining Shiyu¡ªhis last vestiges of fusion defense¡ªinto an inner lining to shield himself from the relentless inferno.


    Realizing the urgency of the moment, Chronos resolved to end the battle swiftly. Time had been squandered. Fiery embers cascaded from his flapping wings, and in a burst of energy he coalesced into a blazing fireball, hurtling directly toward the human coalition¡¯s erected barrier.


    Simultaneously, the allied mages launched a barrage of long-range spells. But Chronos did not flinch; he met these devastating incantations head-on. The moment powerful, kinetic spells struck his blazing armor, they scattered like marbles ricocheting off a hard floor, shattering into innumerable fragments of dazzling light. Despite the mages¡¯ valiant efforts, not even their combined might could thwart the inexhaustible power of the Master of Time.


    In that fateful instant, emboldened by his control over time and the fury of his red flame, Chronos seemed to reverse the tide of battle. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before the frontline of the light shield formation, disregarding the shattering impacts upon his armor. Lifting the sinister, flame-wreathed knife, he swung it with all his might. The swift arc of the weapon, its blade edge fashioned by a fusion of fire and light, cut through the allied shield with the force of a falling meteor, shattering the first two layers of the meticulously constructed barrier.


    The violent shockwave flung Sir Famas and dozens of knights back by several meters. Gasping for breath, Guan Feng drove his sword into the ground to steady himself; at the corner of his cracked lips, a trace of blood glistened. Wiping his mouth hastily, he cried out in urgent command, ¡°Dorexi! Sarubi! Hurry and assist Torres!¡±


    Meanwhile, two Blue Shield knights who had been knocked down discarded their spears and, raising their shields, surged toward the remaining light barrier¡ªsacrificing their own blood in a desperate bid to reinforce the shield by channeling their fusion energy.


    ¡°What are we to do? This shield cannot withstand him!¡± a young knight named Torres pleaded, his eyes imploring as he glanced back at his only surviving seniors.


    The seasoned deputy, Dorexi, sighed heavily, his gaze filled with sorrow as he regarded the youth¡ªjust recently honored with his sash and golden spur. He knew there was no time for hesitation. The enemy, a demon brimming with accumulated red flame, now wielded power sufficient to tear apart their fractured shield as if it were nothing more than a scrap of canvas cleaved by a dagger.


    Without delay¡ªand despite the protests of Sir Famas, whose voice rose in desperate caution¡ªDorexi and Sarubi stood shoulder to shoulder with the young Torres. In a fleeting moment, the tapestry of Dorexi¡¯s forty-plus years flashed before his eyes. With a kindly, resolute look, he addressed them, ¡°May the sun of North Lanstown never be extinguished¡­¡±


    The three knights intoned a sacred oath in unison. Then, gripping a black crystal pendant in their right hands, they pressed it together with such force that it crumbled into fine dust. Dorexi felt as though his very being was dissolving into a golden mist.


    In that mystic instant, as if borne upon the wings of fate, Dorexi envisioned his beloved daughter frolicking around a smiling wife, joyfully singing a sacred hymn. Beyond the window, the sky shone as pristine as sapphire, and gentle sunlight cast a soft golden glow upon the statue of Saint George astride his steed in the grand hall.