"Master, no matter how challenging it is, I'm determined to give it a try!" Grace declared resolutely. With her father bedridden and her unreliable brothers, she had no choice but to take up the responsibility and attempt to salvage Dragonmarsh's losses as much as possible."Go then. Be prepared. You're the only one with a chance to accomplish this," Elder Sage advised, emphasizing the importance of her role."Take care, Master. I'll visit you when I can." Grace bowed deeply and quickly took her leave. The destruction of the vital force demanded immediate action."The cycle of generations has unfolded, with each era having its rulers and subjects. As head of the Regal Observatory, the time has come for me to take my leave." Elder Sage sighed.He stood up unsteadily, performed rituals, and changed into fresh clothes. After arranging everything, he returned to his seat, closed his eyes, and waited. After some time, a gust of wind blew through, extinguishing the suspended lanterns
"Uncle Seth … Uncle Seth!"As Seth's body slowly dissipated, Dustin's eyes turned red, and his voice grew desperate. Having been severely injured earlier, he was overwhelmed, spewing another mouthful of blood before collapsing to the ground. In a daze, a dejected expression adorned his face. In the relentless pursuit of truth and vengeance, he had sacrificed too much. Another loved one had departed.Was his quest worth all the sacrifices? Would there have been so many casualties if not for his vengeance-driven choices? "For a swordsman, perhaps this is the best ending," Glenn said.His gaze fixed on the trembling Dragon Sparrow Sword, and he added, "The Sword Whisperer lived a brilliant life. "Even in his final moments, he shone brightly—single-handedly slaying Alaric, destroying the Dragon Guard, and saving the world. A true hero, unparalleled."Glenn was typically arrogant and dismissive, even toward his own master, but found himself genuinely impressed by Seth. It was
Firstly, Glenn and Dustin were cousins. Secondly, encountering a worthy opponent was rare, and Glenn didn't wish for Dustin to be disheartened. After all, the solitary pursuit of victory was too monotonous."Logan, you'll have to walk the rest of the way yourself. We'll meet again someday," Glenn said before swiftly vanishing from sight. The Sword Union's mission was to kill Dustin, but Glenn defied the order and provided assistance. He was well aware of the inevitable consequences awaiting him at the sect. His explanation was concise: anyone who dared to challenge him could do so, and the sword in his hand would provide the answer."Sir, how's your injury?" Abigail asked with concern."I'm fine." Dustin shook his head, surveying the battlefield littered with corpses. He said, "This place is not suitable for a prolonged stay. Let's head back." Though Alaric was dead, the Dragon Guard was not entirely wiped out. In case skilled warriors arrived, Dustin, in his current state
"Logan, what happened? Who did this to you? I'll make sure to take care of them!" Scarlet rushed forward. Her eyes filled with both concern and anger as she saw Dustin covered in blood and visibly upset.Upon learning about his situation, she promptly led her troops to rush over. Despite facing several obstacles along the way, she effortlessly eliminated the threat, even at the cost of some valuable time. Prepared for any challenge, she was ready to confront opposition, even if it meant going against the nation."I'm not seriously hurt. Don't worry, and besides, the person who hurt me is already gone." Dustin forced a smile."Logan, you rest properly for now. I'll take you to the hospital right away!" Scarlet remained concerned."Kid, no need to trouble yourself. I'm not in immediate danger. Besides, there's something more important we need to focus on," Dustin said, redirecting her attention. "What is it?" she asked curiously."That sword strike from before, you all saw it,
"Due to their power and the aftermath of the Dragon Guard's demise, the repercussions are bound to be substantial. The exact outcomes are unpredictable, and I just hope none of you get entangled in the chaos," Dustin cautioned."Being situated in Oakvale and belonging to the four ancient houses, we can't avoid being affected. This upheaval seems inevitable," Adam replied, shaking his head.With the immense power that the Dragon Guard held, its downfall would inevitably cause chaos. In the absence of a central authority, various factions and militant leaders would likely seize the opportunity to cause trouble. The Spanner family, as one of the ancient houses, couldn't afford to stand idly by."The world's affairs go through cycles of unity and division. The Dragon Guard ruled for so long, causing harm to countless loyalists. Any force that resisted or posed a threat was ruthlessly eliminated. Now that they are facing the consequences, it's karma at play," Scarlet stated coldly.
As night fell, Dustin finally returned to the villa in the southern city of Oakvale. As for Scarlet, Adam, Abigail, and the others, they had gone back to prepare for the upcoming unrest. So much had happened during his trip to Quandary Mountain. Although he had learned the truth and eradicated the Dragon Guard, Seth's death left him in deep sorrow.He was exhausted, both physically and mentally. He longed for a good night's sleep, free from thoughts and responsibilities. He wanted to just drift into sleep and wake up naturally. Perhaps tomorrow would be better.Their car came to a stop at the entrance of the villa, and Dustin got off wearily. He had just opened the door when he spotted a woman sitting in the living room. She was dressed in white, wearing a veil that covered her face. The woman had a graceful figure and emitted a unique fragrance. Although her features were not visible, she gave off a gentle, outstanding allure. "Grace?" Dustin recognized the woman seated o
"Someone important? Who?" Dustin asked. "The King." Grace dropped a bombshell. "Huh?" Dustin frowned slightly, feeling puzzled. Wasn't the King ill and bedridden? Why would he want to meet him? Dustin wondered if it concerned the Dragon Guard or perhaps the vital force. Would this journey be dangerous? Would there be an ambush waiting for him in Aylka?"You can stop the blind guessing," Grace said calmly, seemingly seeing through his concerns."If the King wanted to harm you, he wouldn't have sent me here to invite you. He would have just sent the elite fighters from the palace or even the Imperial Guards. Given your current condition, would you even be able to fight them off?" Dustin breathed a silent sigh of relief after hearing her. Admittedly, Grace had made a valid point. If the King truly intended to harm him, he wouldn't have sent just one woman. Considering the current circumstances, only a fool would aggravate the problem. After all, with the Dragon Guard elim
Late at night, an elderly man with gray hair and a stooped figure was reviewing official documents inside Galene Palace in Aylka. He appeared pale and listless. Occasionally, he would erupt into violent coughing fits. After his coughing fits, his white handkerchief would even reveal faint bloodstains. The elderly man was none other than the reigning King, Valon Linsor."Your Majesty, you haven't fully recovered from your illness. It would be wise to rest and prioritize your well-being!" an official attending to him urged. The King had fallen ill precisely because of overexertion, resulting in excessive fatigue. Despite having only a few days of rest and a slight recovery, he resumed the arduous task of reviewing official documents and handling various matters with unwavering dedication. How could his body possibly withstand such demands? "No worries. I'll be done in a little while." Valon took a sip of tea from his cup before immersing himself back in work.Ever since the