"No!" Smithie's roar echoed from the depths of his soul. Before him, the glimmering star of Xayne's Ravenclaw Dagger grew as if it were opening a gateway to hell.Though his knight's sword hadn't yet clashed with the dagger, the suffocating air around him filled him with an overwhelming dread.Unlike Danier, Smithie understood that there were greater powers at play. He had felt this sensation only once before, in the presence of a certain formidable figure. This feeling wasn't just about speed, it was about an overwhelming strength.Therefore, there was a sense of oppression, as if the air was being sucked out.Although he couldn't retract his move, Smithie forced his sword into position, angling it to meet Xayne's dagger. Perhaps this way, he could save his own life.The sound rang clear, but as Smithie stood in the thick of it, he experienced the same despair that had just overwhelmed Danier.His sword felt like it had struck a meteor.As Smithie felt his arm nearly shatter un
A silver flash streaked across the night sky.With a swift motion, Xayne extended his arm, curling his fingers just so. A round object rose from the pit below, soaring into his palm. It was Danier's severed head.Even in death, Danier's remaining right eye was wide open, a final testament to his shock, and not a drop of blood had yet spilled.The last vestiges of courage shattered among the invading soldiers. Both Celestial Dracarium Commanders had fallen.They didn't know what else to do. They had already tried everything."Run!"A voice cried out, and panic spread like wildfire. Soldiers dropped their weapons and scattered in every direction, desperate to escape, not even wanting to carry a single bullet that could weigh them down.Xayne tossed a burning flare, igniting a blaze atop the city wall."It's the Supreme Commander's signal. Follow me." Red Rose was the first to break through the trees, racing downhill toward the fort."Charge!""Kill them!"The pent-up fury of t
"Commander! The citizens of the city..."Hours after the battle, the Dragonbreakers Legion had fully taken the city and cleared the battlefield. With a heavy heart, Red Rose approached Xayne with a trembling voice and bowed deeply.Jina Pass, home to 76,000 civilians, was now a wasteland of death. When the Dragonbreakers Legion reclaimed it, the city was littered with corpses, blood running like rivers. There was not a single survivor.Not one of the 200,000 Dragonbreakers soldiers wore a look of victory. Instead, their faces bore the marks of unspeakable grief and anger. For decades, Drakonia had not witnessed such a devastating blow where cities were destroyed and its people slaughtered.Because of their earlier defeat, countless civilians had been massacred. The soldiers wept openly, their tears mixing with the bloodstained earth."Commander, we deserve death for this failure!"Every soldier knelt in unison, their hands gripping their rifles so tightly that the sound of fists
"Those animals!" Hammond ground his teeth, forcing the words through clenched jaws. His eyes glinted coldly as he glanced at the intelligence officer. "Leave. This massacre at Jina Pass is to remain classified. Anyone who dares leak the details will face military justice.""Yes, sir!" The officer quickly turned and left the hall.In Drakonia, the people of the north and south were often intertwined by family ties. Even within a single household, relatives could be separated by thousands of miles. Though Jina Pass was home to only a few tens of thousands, there was no way to ensure that none of them had relatives in Drakonix.Even though Xayne had turned the tide, the armies of Barnie Pass still loomed, and Drakonix remained under the constant threat of invasion by the five allied nations. Thus, maintaining stability among the people was paramount.After deep consideration, Hammond decided he had no choice but to report the matter to the Emperor in the Emperor's Pavilion. Like the m
Hammond took a deep breath as he suppressed the rage. Without saying another word, he turned and left the Emperor's Pavilion. Behind him, Hilton watched with a hint of smugness, then turned to the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, with Xayne having taken Jina Pass, should we begin preparations to relocate the capital?"The Emperor frowned slightly and looked back at Hilton. "Relocate the capital? Why? Xayne has already secured a victory. Why would we need to move?"If Xayne had suffered a defeat, relocating the capital would be necessary. After all, Drakonix had no more natural defences left, and the enemy could potentially overrun them at any moment. However, Xayne's capture of Jina Pass meant that the enemy would likely need to redirect forces to reinforce the area. Even though Jina Pass didn't hold the same strategic value as Barnie Pass, it was now a thorn in the path of the Five Nations, something they could not afford to ignore."But if the enemy makes a desperate push, I f
No one knew that Xayne led the army, personally beheading two Celestial Dracarium Commanders and reclaiming Jina Pass.The night passed without incident.At dawn the next morning, 200,000 Dragonbreakers Legion soldiers stood ready to move out.After using Xayne's specially made medicine for sword wounds, the injuries of Ace and his men had greatly improved.Except for Trey, whose injuries were too severe to move, the others could at least walk, though with some effort."Ace, take care of yourselves and protect Trey. Your most important task now is to heal so you can deliver a fatal blow to the enemy when the final battle comes!" Xayne spoke to Ace and the others before departing."Commander, we can still fight!""Yeah, these small wounds are nothing!""Let us take up arms and kill the enemy like everyone else!"Ace and the others pleaded to join the battle.The sight of innocent civilians slaughtered in Jina Pass filled them with rage.Xayne shook his head. "I've already tol
Late into the night, Tamarind was completely drunk. Half of the roasted lamb was still hanging over the fire, and a few of his personal guards were lazily yawning beside him."Commander, it’s getting chilly out. Let’s get you back to the tent to rest!" One of his guards stepped forward, helping Tamarind up.Tamarind barely opened his drunken eyes, yawning and nodding. "Alright, back... back to the tent! You guys can have the rest of the lamb... and the wine too!"With that, two of his guards escorted Tamarind into his command tent.Meanwhile, up on the walls of Wyne Pass, only a handful of soldiers yawned as they lazily patrolled.In their minds, the war would never reach them this soon.If the Dragonbreakers Legion had taken Jina Pass, the next logical target would be Sangan Pass, not the more isolated Wyne Pass.Even the commander had not issued any orders to tighten security, so the soldiers became even more relaxed.As the night deepened, everything remained eerily calm. So
The moment Tamarind laid eyes on Xayne, a chill ran down his spine.Two years ago, he had faced Xayne in battle, and the old wound on his left shoulder still had not healed.Seeing that face again filled Tamarind with a sense of dread.'What now?!'He was the only Celestial Dracarium Commander in Wyne Pass, and thus, there was no one to back him up. Alone against Xayne, he had no chance.He barely survived two years ago, but that was because he had four others fighting alongside him to corner Xayne."Commander... we..."Before his guard could finish speaking, Tamarind did something that stunned everyone.He tossed aside his Scarab spear, dropped to his knees with a thud, and shouted at the top of his lungs, "We surrender!"'Sur...surrender?!'Tamarind's voice thundered through the camp, reaching every corner.Many soldiers stood frozen as they stared in disbelief. Their commander surrendered without even fighting.As the soldiers began to lower their weapons, Xayne's cold v
Deanana glanced at Xayne as she coyly smiled. "Mr. Xayne, no need to be so reserved with me. After all, I used to be one of your admirers. I always thought you were an extraordinary man."Although it seems I misjudged you, still, you were a part of my girlish dreams. Don't let your current misfortunes bother you too much. People say a fallen phoenix is worse than a chicken, and while that's true, I happen to have a kind heart."Her words, though laced with laughter, were razor-sharp. Each one was a jab meant to cut deep.Her meaning was clear: "You might have been a shining star once, but now, you're nothing in my eyes—not even worth a second glance." Helping Xayne get his luggage was just an act, nothing more."Mr. Xayne, do you remember? Just a few years ago, at this very airport, you were returning from... oh yes, the Seven Nations Summit!"You know, I waited at the airport entrance for over four hours that morning just to get your autograph. But sadly, your security team didn'
"Heh, Miss Deanana, you also know that's all in the past. Even if he were still the King of the North, we live in peaceful times now. No one gets special privileges, right?" Dean chimed in smoothly, his tone laced with mockery."Dean! Do you even realize what you're doing?!" Aava could not hold back any longer, her eyes glaring fiercely as she clenched her fists in anger."Of course, I know what I'm doing, and I know neither of you are ordinary people. Thinking about hitting me? Don't forget, there are plenty of reporters over there. If you dare lay a hand on me, I'll make sure Xayne's reputation is ruined," Dean replied smugly.Dean's sneer widened into a wicked grin, the confidence radiating from him undeniable."Manager Dean, how about this? To be honest, I used to admire Mr. Xayne. Why don't you do me a favor and return his belongings? It would be a great gesture," Deanana interjected with a gentle smile.Upon hearing this, Aava bristled with fury. She knew Deanana was up to s
Dean's wild provocations quickly drew a crowd of onlookers.At that moment, a striking young woman stepped forward, removing her sunglasses as she made her way through the throng.The woman was dressed in an elegant black gown, the hemline revealing a pair of flawless, slender legs that caught everyone's attention. Her expression, however, was haughty, as though she looked down on everyone around her.She was Deanana Lovorka, the heiress of the Lovorka family conglomerate. While not exactly a household name, she was considered a minor socialite in the upper circles of Drakonix."Manager Dean, it's been a while!" Deanana greeted casually.As someone who frequently traveled abroad for business, Deanana was a familiar face at the airport and she had crossed paths with Dean on several occasions.But she was not here for a casual chat with Dean. It was far from it.She had come specifically to see Xayne.This was, after all, the legendary King of the North. Just six months ago, he w
"Do you have any idea whose luggage this is?" Aava asked coldly with a sharp and commanding tone.She was on the verge of revealing her special credentials—something she rarely used unless absolutely necessary. Xayne had been her hero, someone she deeply admired. The ridicule from Miodrag moments earlier had already pushed her to the edge, and now even a low-level airport staffer dared to humiliate him."Of course, I knew. Xayne, the King of the North six months ago; now he's just a regular civilian," the staffer replied with icy indifference. The staffer smirked. "Miss, do you think Xayne is still the mighty King of the North? There's no war, the capital isn't under siege, and he's utterly useless now. Take my advice—someone young and beautiful like you should stay far away from trash like Xayne. Get closer to someone like Young Master Dongfang instead. It'll do wonders for your future!"Dean swaggered over, cigarette dangling from his mouth, hands clasped behind his back. His ex
Upon hearing those words, both Xayne and Aava paused in surprise, then frowned in unison.The VIP lounge was clearly still operating as usual. Inside, over twenty people were relaxing—some reading newspapers and sipping coffee. There was no sign of any "closure" or "disinfection."It was obvious that this so-called announcement was deliberately targeting Xayne and Aava."Manager Li, isn't this going a bit too far? That's Xayne—formerly the King of the North. He has special privileges to use the VIP lounge. If this gets reported to higher-ups, we could all be in trouble…," whispered one of the airport staff, cautiously approaching Dean."Higher-ups? Haven't you heard? Young Master Lyuben already gave the order—anyone who sides with Xayne will see their entire family wiped out." Dean sneered, exhaling a cloud of smoke as he lit a cigarette."And even if the higher-ups find out, what can they do?" Dean added mockingly. "I'll admit, six months ago, I wouldn't have dared cross Xayne. B
Miodrag's laughter quickly caught the attention of onlookers in the bustling terminal. But their gazes were fixed not on him but on Xayne.The "King of the North" was a name nearly everyone recognized, yet no one dared approach him. Lyuben's warning had spread far and wide: anyone who got close to Xayne would face annihilation."Miodrag! What gives you the right to mock Mr. Xayne? Just hours ago, he was fighting on the front lines for this country. And you? What have you done besides indulge yourself in luxury?" Aava snapped with a sharp and clear voice."Heh, I pay taxes, don't I? Doesn't spending money generate tax revenue? Without people like me keeping the economy alive, what would Xayne have eaten in the north? Dirt?" Miodrag smirked, his tone dripping with mockery. He sneered and continued, "If not for us rich kids throwing around millions in donations every day, Xayne wouldn't even have warm dirt to eat!""Damn it! The nerve of that guy!""What's so special about the East
"Is it true that Xayne captured the so-called 'Lord of Light' alive?" Lyuben remained calm as he was playing a grand piano in the lounge."Indeed! Word is, the Lord of Light's master, Master Emin, was present as well. However, Xander also made an appearance. My analysis suggests it was Xander who forced Master Emin to retreat, while Xayne crippled the Lord of Light." An older man lowered his head respectfully as he spoke, his voice tinged with urgency."Oh? Defeating the Lord of Light… he must have had a trick up his sleeve. Was it some kind of tactic or setup?" Lyuben asked without betraying a hint of emotion."It's said that Xayne specializes in traps and ambushes. Otherwise, Hiram and his crew wouldn't have met their end in that mansion. Master Dongfang, you mustn't underestimate him!""Hmm?!" Lyuben's eyes shot open suddenly, piercing beams of icy resolve radiating toward the older man.The man immediately lowered his head further, not daring to meet the gaze of the young lead
"Lowes, what are you panicking for?" Zoro's cold gaze locked onto Lowes.Even though Lowes was several generations younger than him, as the head of the Bullard family, he had the status to stand on equal footing with Zoro."I'm not panicking, I just don't want to see more white funeral banners hanging at the Bullard family estate. If Xayne comes back and chooses to settle the score, do you think any of us can handle it? You might not know this, but back when King Quidie rebelled, even Klink didn't dare lay a hand on him," Lowes replied, his voice strained but steady.He paused, taking a long, slow breath to calm himself. "Put it another way, if Xayne comes for us, even KB Kings Circle won't step in to save us. If that doesn't scare you, then I don't know what will!"The air in the room grew colder. Lowes glanced around at the faces of the other family heads, hoping to see reason in their eyes. But then came a sneer.Zoro let out a low, disdainful chuckle. "Even if Xayne didn't die
"Xayne!" Zoro clenched his fists so tightly. If anyone had a grudge against Xayne, the Eastin family's hatred was no less than that of the Bullard family. Not to mention, Flamey had been killed by Xayne not long ago. This blood feud had to be settled.The Big Four weren't some weak, defenseless prey that Xayne could toy with as he pleased. For decades, the Big Four had controlled the heart of the Drakonia's economy. Every senator, governor, and political figure had to show them respect. But since Iver's death, the Big Four had lost their glow. People who once bowed their heads were now looking down on them. The root of all this was because of Xayne.That's why, after Flamey's death, the Eastin family had no choice but to call upon their master, a man who had been living in seclusion for decades. Every bit of information regarding Xayne's trip to Egenda, his plans, his contacts, and even his flight schedule had been deliberately fed to Lord of Light.They made it clear that the momen