Category: I Became a White-Haired Loli

Chapter 53: One Missing

Seven days later, in Vikarn Port.

No one knew the chaos unfolding within the otherworldly “Vikarn,” nor did they notice the slow disappearance of the unassuming building complex in Vikarn Port.

The entire city was shrouded in grief.

Solemn music filled the air as Garrison Knights, their faces grim, carried Lugner’s armor at the head of the funeral procession.

Although Vikarn Port was a remote outpost of the Empire, its citizens held the knight, who had dedicated his life to their protection, in high regard.

Even among the Empire’s nine Legendary Knights, Lugner was considered the strongest, the most respected, and the most beloved.

However, in his final wishes, he had requested to be buried in Vikarn’s cemetery.

Although his status warranted a state funeral and national mourning, the Empire honored his request, keeping the ceremony relatively private.

“Bai, are you really not Xu Bai?” Lin Yan asked, her brow furrowed as she studied Bai, her eyes filled with suspicion. Her face was still pale, the aftereffects of overusing [Bloodfire Ascension] lingering.

Thanks to the Empire’s resources, she had avoided any permanent damage, but she still needed time to recover.

“I’m not,” Bai shook her head, fiddling with her gloves. “He… was a friend.”

She still wasn’t used to wearing dresses.

“I see…” Lin Yan narrowed her eyes. “It’s alright, Bai. Even if you’re not Xu Bai, I still like you.”

She hesitated, then added, “And… I’m sorry for your loss.”

It wasn’t clear which loss she was referring to, but Bai simply nodded.

For Bai, everything had ended with Lugner’s death.

“Farewell, Alois Lugner,” she murmured, watching the procession.

Lin Yan, as if hearing something, tilted her head. “Bai, what was that?”

“Nothing,” Bai shook her head.

“Alright. It’s just… I still can’t believe Commander Lugner chose to die with Glaimond. It wasn’t worth it,” Lin Yan said, her voice filled with indignation.

Bai remained silent, lowering her eyes.

She had been the only one to witness Lugner’s final moments, amidst the storm unleashed by [City Breaker].

Although he hadn’t died fighting Glaimond directly, it amounted to the same thing.

Glaimond, transformed into a demon, had been killed by the Demon Hunters, his twisted body dissolved by holy water, leaving no chance of resurrection.

The ruins of the Clock Tower still reeked of decay, and no one dared approach.

The official story, however, was that Glaimond, exposed as a fraud who had stolen credit for the Sharp Assault squad’s sacrifice, had become a demon in his rage and died alongside the former Legendary Knight, Lugner.

Of course, everyone present knew the truth, but they remained silent.

But the true losers in this whole affair, besides Glaimond, were the Demon Hunters.

They had come to Vikarn Port for Glaimond’s ring, the key to Vikarn.

But by the time they killed Glaimond, Sasha had already taken the ring, her disguise skills preventing them from finding her.

So, after a fruitless search, they left Vikarn Port, hoping Salred would succeed in retrieving the “Weapon of Vikarn.”

…As for the two demons in Vikarn Port, the Demon Hunters hadn’t pursued them.

Firstly, they hadn’t shown any hostility towards humans. Secondly, they hadn’t caused any major disruptions (the deceased Glaimond might disagree).

But most importantly, the Demon Hunters had witnessed the overwhelming power of high-ranking demons.

The juvenile had held her own against Glaimond, wielding a fragment of Authority, and the adult demon who had been with her was even more powerful, her strength unfathomable.

Even all the Demon Hunter elders together might not be able to defeat them.

The Demon Hunters lacked a powerful Calamity Class being among their ranks.

Back at the funeral, Bai and Lin Yan weren’t part of the procession. Bai’s demonic appearance would cause panic.

They followed at a distance in the carriage driven by Uncle Lin.

Watching the Garrison Knights carrying Lugner’s coffin, Bai’s thoughts drifted back to the past, and she sighed softly.

She blinked, masking her emotions, and asked quietly,

“Miss Lin Yan, what kind of person was Xu Bai, in your eyes?”

“Xu Bai?” Lin Yan paused, then smiled. “He was a remarkable knight. And my best friend.”

Her only male friend.

“But you barely spoke to each other, did you?” Bai asked, her beautiful blue eyes calm.

“Did he… tell you that too? Wait, are you really not Xu Bai?” Seeing Bai’s unchanged expression, Lin Yan continued sheepishly, “We didn’t talk much, but we fought a lot. We knew each other well…”

“I see,” Bai nodded, turning away to watch the funeral procession, lost in thought.

Lin Yan, unfazed, rested her chin on her hand, her gaze fixed on Bai’s face.

Even without any expression, Bai was truly beautiful…

Suddenly, Bai frowned.

She sensed something amiss with the procession, a feeling that intensified as she focused on it.

“Did I… overlook something?”

Her gaze scanned the procession, stopping at the knights carrying the Sharp Assault squad’s belongings. Her eyes widened.

She finally realized what she had missed…

“Xu Bai, Rayne, Victoria, Lockner, Qin Su…”

“There were six members in the Sharp Assault squad… one is missing.”

“Why… is Sister Neily not included…?”

Chapter 52: Shadows Across Time, A Bargain

“Is that all?” Sasha frowned.

For a commander-level demon to venture so deep into human territory, it was hard to believe she had no other motive.

Moreover, the Abyssal Lord was the true leader of the Abyssal Demon Realm, the key figure in the ancient empire’s destruction, though she had also nearly destroyed her own realm.

“And,” Ice Lily hesitated, “I wanted to see you. It’s been a long time.”

“Uh…” Sasha was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Ice Lily to say that.

The atmosphere between them turned awkward.

“Well… it has been a while,” Sasha said, scratching her head sheepishly. “And you were so small back then. Now you’ve grown up, and we…”

“So you prefer the type like Ice Bai?” Ice Lily’s voice turned cold.

“Ice… oh, you mean Little Sister Bai? She is cute… just as cute as you were back then! No, wait, that’s not what I meant. I mean… maybe… perhaps… there’s still something there… sort of…”

“I understand,” Ice Lily said coldly, crushing the gift she had been holding, intending to give it to Sasha.

Sasha felt a bead of sweat trickle down her forehead. After all this time, Ice Lily still remembered. Long-lived beings were troublesome.

But then, her face paled as she pulled out the ring she had been concealing.

“…What’s happened?”

A crack had appeared on the ring.

“What is that?” Ice Lily frowned, looking at the ring. “It looks familiar.”

“The key is broken,” Sasha murmured. “Which means… Vikarn… is out of control…”

Salred was a descendant of Vikarn’s Gatekeepers, the only one who could enter without the key.

That was why the Demon Hunters had sent him, though his power was insufficient, hence the second team tasked with obtaining Glaimond’s ring.

As Lugner had said, the Demon Hunters knew quite a bit, but they had underestimated the true power of Vikarn’s Weapon.

With the Gatekeeper’s ring destroyed, it meant Salred had likely reached the Weapon, perhaps even activated it.

And worse, it meant Vikarn was now out of control.

Sasha looked towards the mysterious, deserted building complex in Vikarn Port.

Like a mirage, it was slowly fading away.

That was the entrance to Vikarn, the reason this place was called Vikarn Port.

If the entrance disappeared, even with the ring, they wouldn’t be able to enter Vikarn, let alone stop what was happening inside.

Humanity could only wait, until Vikarn, in its separate dimension, completely collapsed, unleashing its horrors upon Solor, the Weapon wreaking havoc across the land.

Unless…

Sasha remembered another “key,” but the price was steep.

“What’s in Vikarn?” Ice Lily asked, her voice low. She had entered Vikarn before, but like now, only as an intruder.

“Remember the Abyssal Lord you mentioned?” Sasha swallowed hard. “Vikarn holds a weapon created by the ancient empire, a weapon designed to counter the Abyssal Lord, a weapon they poured all their resources into.”

“You mean…?”

“Yes, although not quite as powerful as the Abyssal Lord, it’s far beyond anything a Calamity Class being could handle… even a typical World Ender Class would struggle against it,” Sasha said seriously.

“But the Abyssal Lord destroyed the ancient empire too quickly. The weapon wasn’t completed in time, so it was sealed and hidden deep within Vikarn.”

“Unfortunately, some of the secrets regarding the ‘Vikarn Weapon’ were leaked after the empire’s collapse, which led to the current situation.”

“An incomplete weapon… capable of fighting the Abyssal Lord?” Ice Lily asked skeptically.

“No, only one part of the weapon is incomplete,” Sasha said, her voice barely concealing her fear. “The most important part, and yet, the least important…”

“The ancient empire never gave the Weapon a personality, not before their final command. We don’t know what kind of personality she has developed over the years. We can’t risk her going berserk.”

“Such detail… that’s classified information, isn’t it? Why do you know so much?” Ice Lily asked, her brow furrowed. “You’re not supposed to be part of Vikarn.”

Vikarn referred to both a place and an organization, the ancient empire’s last line of defense against the Abyssal Demon Realm.

“Because the Weapon was created by Vikarn’s Chief,” Sasha whispered, her eyes downcast. “She was my sister, Neily.”

“Only she could access the Weapon, only she truly understood it.”

But now, with Vikarn out of control, Sasha couldn’t imagine what had become of the Weapon sealed within.

The Abyssal Lord, feared even by the Abyss, was awakening, and the Vikarn Weapon was now a loose cannon. The shadows of the ancient empire’s war against the demons were falling upon Solor once more.

“Nisha…” Ice Lily said softly, seeing Sasha’s pale face.

“Call me Sasha. Nisha is a name of the past,” Sasha shook her head, then, as if remembering something, smiled. “Ice Lily, do you remember what I said when we first met?”

“Of course,” Ice Lily replied, her expression softening slightly. “You said we were different, yet the same.”

“Now, we are the same, yet different.”

Sasha looked up at the demon girl who had once been so small, now towering over her.

“Let’s go to the capital. The North Empire’s capital… Everything we need is there—information about the ancient empire, about Vikarn…”

Ice Lily paused. “I’m a demon.”

“So am I,” Sasha smiled, revealing a flash of sharp fangs.

A human body could never contain the full power of Authority. There were no exceptions.

“This is another bargain,” Sasha lowered her head slightly. “I need to settle my past… come, Little Ice Lily, it’s time to end the shadows of the past.”

Ice Lily sensed a deep sadness emanating from Sasha, a sadness so profound it almost brought tears to her own eyes.

“Alright,” she whispered.

Chapter 51: “Vikarn,” Reunion

Empty. Desolate.

Devoid of human life.

Devoid of any life at all. A silent tomb.

A long shadow stretched across the floor, its slow, measured pace stiff, like that of a dying man.

Cold, sterile air and lifeless machinery filled the space, the accumulated dust and rust a testament to the passage of time.

“Finally… here…” a voice murmured, then erupted in manic joy. “Finally! I can see her again…!”

After so many years, returning to “Vikarn,” long-buried memories resurfaced.

The desire, the overwhelming need to see that beautiful face again was a burning fire within him, a fire he made no attempt to extinguish.

Salred looked different now, far from the composed figure Bai had first encountered. The bandaged side of his face was fully exposed, his distorted pupils shifting erratically.

His body was broken, covered in corrosive black blood.

Vikarn’s security systems, most of them failing, no longer recognized the Gatekeeper’s bloodline, attacking indiscriminately.

After much struggle, Salred finally reached the last door.

“Visitor, logging.”

A cold, emotionless voice echoed through the air, and an almost invisible laser scanned Salred’s remaining eye.

This was the most secure, and best-preserved, part of Vikarn, its systems still functional.

“Verification complete. Designation: Gatekeeper.”

“Welcome back to Vikarn, Dawn Laboratory.”

“Please do not engage with designation—(static). We wish you a productive workday.”

With a rumble, the door opened, revealing a pristine interior, unlike the rest of the complex.

“The Weapon of Vikarn… she…” Salred whispered, his voice trembling with excitement, dragging his broken body forward.

He had finally reached the place that haunted his dreams, but his face paled as he looked at the transparent container filled with an unknown liquid.

“Why? Why… is she gone?”

The container was empty, except for a few severed tubes, otherwise intact.

But she was missing.

“Impossible, impossible, impossible…” Salred muttered, his voice rising in a frantic crescendo.

“Where is she? Where is she? Where is she? Where is she? Where—”

“—Where…?”

His voice abruptly cut off, Vikarn returning to its usual silence.

The laboratory door slowly closed, as if nothing had happened.

…

After obtaining the ring, Sasha didn’t linger, quickly retreating.

Lugner’s appearance meant Little Sister Bai was safe; she had no reason to stay.

And the ring was too important to risk losing.

…Especially to the Demon Hunters.

The ring was the key to Vikarn, crafted by the ancients to also serve as a vessel for a fragment of Authority, granting the Gatekeeper considerable power.

Although not as strong as a true Calamity Class being, it was enough to handle most opponents below that level. And for those above Calamity Class, the ancient empire had other measures in place.

However, the Demon Hunters weren’t after the Authority fragment.

Their plan was to use the ring to enter Vikarn and gain control of its Weapon.

The Weapon of Vikarn was, as far as humanity knew, the only thing capable of directly confronting the entire Abyssal Demon Realm.

But Sasha knew more than they did. The Weapon of Vikarn was a terrifying force, potentially even more dangerous than the Abyss itself.

She would never allow the Demon Hunters to access it. That’s why Lugner had entrusted the ring to her.

Sasha clutched the ring tightly, a flicker of memory in her eyes, and sighed.

“Vikarn… I’m back.”

She couldn’t escape her past.

“I’m back too, Nisha,” a cold voice suddenly said, using Sasha’s true name, a name she preferred to forget.

“Who’s there?!” Sasha whirled around, then looked at the newcomer with surprise. “Little Sister Bai? No, you’re…”

The woman looked remarkably similar to Bai, or rather, Bai looked remarkably similar to her. Both had gray hair and blue eyes.

But while Bai was a young girl, this woman was a tall, elegant young lady.

“Don’t you remember me, Nisha?” the gray-haired woman tilted her head slightly, her expression unchanged. “I’ve been looking for you. I didn’t expect you to return here.”

Sasha’s face flushed, her voice filled with disbelief.

“You… you’re Little Ice Lily?”

Ice Lily nodded slightly, then frowned. “My name is Ice Lily.”

“Little Ice Lily.”

“Ice Lily.”

“Litt—Mmm-mmph! Ice Lily, Ice Lily…”

Ice Lily melted the ice forming on Sasha’s face, her expression impassive.

“Alright, why are you looking for me? Our deal ended a long time ago…” Sasha said, discreetly concealing the ring.

Ice Lily’s expression turned serious, though not much different from her usual demeanor.

“A year ago, the Abyssal Demon Realm sensed the awakening of the Abyssal Lord.”

“Abyssal Lord?” Sasha’s eyes widened. “But wasn’t she sealed…?”

“Someone broke the seal. Not completely, but a part of her power, deep within the Abyss, is resurfacing,” Ice Lily said calmly. “To prevent her from awakening from a memory, we erased all knowledge of her existence. Aside from the title ‘Abyssal Lord,’ we don’t know what she looks like, or where she is.”

“Even the Abyssal Demon Realm doesn’t want her to awaken?”

“Of course not. She is a calamity. None of us want to see her return.”

Ice Lily’s tone was grave, and she didn’t elaborate further.

“If you sealed her once, can’t you do it again?” Sasha asked.

Ice Lily sighed. “It’s not that simple… There’s no second ancient empire on this continent, and the Abyssal Demon Realm isn’t unified. Several factions would welcome her return.”

“It seems we’re all the same…” Sasha chuckled coldly, as if remembering something.

“The fallen ancient empire must have records of the Abyssal Lord. We can use those to find her and reseal her before she fully awakens.” Ice Lily paused, then continued, “That’s why I’m here. I need your help.”

Chapter 50: Going Home

[Time Stop] was the Authority wielded by Lugner in his position as Legendary Knight.

Although he had relinquished his title and its associated power, years of wielding it allowed him to briefly access its power, exceeding his human limitations.

However, the cost was his remaining life force. Upon his death, he would completely disappear from this world.

He could stop “time,” but he couldn’t stop his own demise.

As [Time Stop] ended, the storm unleashed by [City Breaker] also dissipated, Glaimond having lost the ring. Countless stones fell from the sky, raising a cloud of dust.

Lugner, shrouded in the dust, slowly turned and walked towards Bai, his steps faltering, leaving Glaimond behind, dazed and lifeless, as if his soul had been ripped away.

“I am Lugner.”

The frail old man stood before Bai, who noticed the large bag he carried on his back.

“A knight of this Empire.”

“And… Commander of the Garrison Knights.”

The Garrison Knights kept the curious onlookers at bay, Sasha also remaining at a distance. No one heard Lugner’s soft murmurs.

“Miss Bai, would you care to hear an old man’s story, before he dies?”

Bai opened her mouth as if to speak, then nodded silently.

Lugner smiled faintly, sitting down on a nearby rock, his breath ragged.

His eyes, filled with a nostalgic light, seemed to look back through time, his voice slow and distant.

“It was an ordinary afternoon. I finally met the legendary young man, but he wasn’t as arrogant as the rumors suggested. He seemed… a bit oblivious.”

Bai’s expression darkened; she knew who Lugner was talking about.

“He was always alone, seemingly indifferent to everything, yet he always helped those in need, in his own quiet way.”

“Such a capable young man. If only the future of the Empire could be entrusted to him…”

“Even if our future holds only despair, even if our time is running out.”

Lugner paused, taking off the large bag and opening it with trembling hands, revealing its contents one by one.

A broken sword, a bloodstained piece of armor, a damaged mechanical core, a corroded bayonet.

Tears streamed down Bai’s face as she looked at these items.

Lugner finally took out a new medal, the inscription “Sharp Assault” gleaming brightly.

“In the year 536 of the North Calendar, with the demon legions closing in, I abandoned the Empire’s future and chose the present.”

“It was the most regrettable decision of my life, a choice that still haunts me. I don’t know if I did the right thing, or if I made a terrible mistake.”

Lugner’s voice grew weaker, his life nearing its end, the flickering flame about to be extinguished.

But then, he looked up at Bai, as if seeing the quiet young man again, and smiled.

“I’m glad you’re alive.”

“But I’m not him anymore,” Bai whispered. “I’m Bai, a demon…”

“But you are still him,” Lugner said, raising a trembling hand and pointing at the Knight’s dagger at Bai’s waist.

“He’s dead,” Bai said, looking down at the dagger, sighing.

Lugner’s body was failing, cracks appearing on his ashen skin.

But his expression hardened, the familiar “Iron-faced Grim Reaper” returning.

“Commander Xu,” he said, his voice firm, “I order you to immediately cease your advance into the Abyssal Demon Realm, return to Saint Noyes, and stand with the Garrison Knights to the very end.”

These were the words he had wanted to say, the choice he hadn’t made.

Although it seemed pointless now, a hollow gesture, he was grateful for the chance to finally give the order, even if it was only a bittersweet comfort.

Xu Bai paused, drawing the Knight’s dagger and saluting flawlessly.

“Yes, Commander Lugner.”

Lugner smiled, his body crumbling into dust as his life faded, the medal falling to the ground.

Alois Lugner, former Commander of the North Empire’s Garrison Knights, one of the nine Legendary Knights, passed away in Vikarn Port in the year 537 of the North Calendar, at the age of ninety-six, the shortest-lived among the Legendary Knights who died of natural causes.

During his sixty years of service, the Empire had lost only one defense line, the fewest among all Garrison Commanders.

Glaimond, recovering from the despair of losing his power, looked at Bai with hatred.

“It’s you… again… why do I always lose to you…?” he growled hoarsely, his voice filled with rage.

He looked like a madman, his composure and confidence gone.

“Very well…”

He pulled out a small, purple gem, etched with strange patterns.

—Demonic Runes.

“I will defeat you! I will kill you! No matter the cost!” He roared, crushing the gem in his hand, the patterns spreading across his skin.

“Power… my power has returned!”

Glaimond laughed maniacally, his body warping, grotesque muscles bulging, pustules oozing.

But before he could attack, silver flashes pierced his twisted form.

“—What?!”

He turned in surprise, seeing the Demon Hunters, their faces impassive, aiming their Holy Silver crossbows at him.

“Why… why…? She’s a demon too…”

The Holy Silver was incredibly effective against his corrupted demonic bloodline. Before he could even experience his newfound power, Glaimond collapsed.

The Demon Hunter leader glanced at Xu Bai, then looked away, a chill running down his spine.

He shook his head, his voice honest.

“I can’t defeat her. Nor can I defeat the demon standing behind her.”

More importantly, she was a true knight, worthy of respect.

He didn’t voice that last thought, only gesturing for the other Demon Hunters to continue their attack.

They wouldn’t lower their guard until Glaimond was truly dead.

Bai, watching the now monstrous Glaimond, sighed softly.

She hadn’t expected him, who held such disdain for Fallen Demonspawn, to possess a Demon Blood Crystal, nor had she anticipated his obsession, his willingness to become a demon himself.

But what was the difference between him and her now? Weren’t they both monsters in their own way…?

Just then, the sound of marching footsteps approached.

Bai looked up to see several Garrison Knights approaching, saluting her in unison, then turning to face the spot where Lugner had died, bowing their heads in silent respect.

Their leader carefully picked up Lugner’s bag, the Sharp Assault squad’s belongings, and the gleaming medal.

His expression solemn, he announced,

“The Sharp Assault squad bravely defended against the demon legions at Saint Noyes, sacrificing their young lives for peace. The people of the Empire shall remember them as heroes, granting them the highest honor.”

“Xu Bai, Rayne, Victoria, Lockner, Qin Su… you can finally go home.”

Chapter 49: Surrender, Glaimond

“…Perhaps you’re right,” Bai whispered.

Her light purple dress was torn and tattered, revealing the white bandages beneath, stained with faint, blue blood.

Her attacks had only been at mid-Destruction Class level, the strongest barely reaching peak Destruction Class, far from the power of Authority.

However, it had been enough to severely injure Glaimond.

Glaimond, relying heavily on the Authority fragment, had absorbed most of the damage with his enhanced physique. And after his emotional outburst, his attacks had become less focused, less effective.

Although Bai’s injuries were serious, her demonic regeneration was already at work, the wounds closing visibly.

If this continued, Glaimond would lose.

He realized this and knew he had to act quickly.

“I will defeat you. Eventually. One day…” Glaimond chuckled, the image of the calm, indifferent girl before him blurring as memories flashed through his mind.

…

“Stop! Glaimond is defeated. The victor is Xu Bai.”

“What a spectacular fight, though it barely lasted a minute. A pity, a pity…”

“Is General Glaimond truly a Grand Knight? Why is the difference in strength between him and the newly promoted Grand Knight Xu so vast…?”

…

“General Glaimond, regarding the defenses at the Inod front, I expect you to cooperate with Commander Xu.”

“Cooperate?”

“In other words, you will follow his orders.”

“What?! You want me to listen to that brat? He doesn’t even have a proper rank!”

“Rank doesn’t mean everything, General. I’m sure you understand that.”

…

“I regret to inform you, General Glaimond, that Commander Lugner has decided to bestow his position as Legendary Knight upon Commander Xu.”

“Impossible! Why Xu Bai again?! He’s only seventeen…”

“A seventeen-year-old Chief Grand Knight. Precisely. Commander Xu has limitless potential. He is the Empire’s future.”

…

He had lost to him time and time again, yet Xu Bai had never seen him as a rival.

Considering him an equal had been Glaimond’s wishful thinking.

But now, it was over.

A faint smile touched Glaimond’s lips. He raised his left hand with difficulty, a strange light flickering on the ring.

He would detonate the Authority fragment.

It would be destroyed, and he might not survive the resulting surge of power, but it was his only chance.

“Let it all end, along with me…”

—Authority fragment [City Breaker], complete release, Calamity Class level, fueled by his life force.

An immense surge of power, drawing in the surrounding psychic energy, even from beyond Vikarn Port, converged on the Clock Tower’s ruins.

“No, that madman Glaimond is—” Sasha’s eyes widened in alarm as she looked at the dust-filled ruins.

She hadn’t been able to see the fight, nor had she dared approach.

But the signs were clear. Glaimond was making a desperate gamble, detonating the Authority fragment.

It would grant him a temporary surge of power, a Calamity Class level attack, enough to threaten even Bai’s demonic physique.

The civilians and nobles had been evacuated. The observing Demon Hunters, seeing Glaimond’s reckless action, quickly retreated. Only Sasha remained, hesitant.

“Bai…”

Although she hadn’t seen Bai’s techniques, she had a strong suspicion.

[Bloodfire Ascension] wasn’t a common technique, nor was it easily mastered.

“Who were you, in the past…?”

Within the dust-filled ruins of the Clock Tower:

“Hahahaha… is this the power of a Legendary Knight? Incredible!”

Glaimond stood up, laughing, his face covered in blood.

His injuries were completely healed; he had never felt stronger.

Like the last rays of the setting sun, his power flared brightly, a final, desperate blaze.

He looked up, his usual arrogance returning, a smirk on his face.

But then, his expression turned frantic.

“Xu Bai! You should be dead! You can’t be alive!”

“Shatter!”

—Authority: [City Breaker].

A powerful shockwave rippled outwards, the very space around him distorting.

Facing a Calamity Class attack, Bai, already weakened by multiple injuries, was sent flying.

“Xu Bai! I win!” Glaimond roared triumphantly.

He had finally won…

But then, everything froze, as if time itself had stopped.

Glaimond’s triumphant smile froze on his face, his eyes widening in horror.

This… this was…

—Authority: [Time Stop].

Not a true cessation of time, but a freezing of its flow, like pausing a scene, the collapsing Clock Tower suspended mid-fall.

“Surrender, Glaimond.”

A weary sigh echoed through the still air, and a hunched figure appeared before Glaimond.

As Glaimond watched in horror, the old man reached out a trembling hand and removed his ring.

Frozen for a brief moment by [Time Stop], Glaimond couldn’t react, feeling the immense power drain away, replaced by a deeper, more profound fear.

“No… my Authority! My power…”

“I was wrong. I overestimated you, Glaimond.”

The figure sighed again, then, looking towards Sasha, tossed the ring to her. “This is what you wanted, Miss Sasha.”

Sasha caught the ring, her expression complex.

She had anticipated he still had some fight left in him, but she hadn’t expected him to wield such power, even suppressing the release of a similar level of Authority.

The figure was Lugner, frail and weak, his life force fading rapidly.

Chapter 48: Self-Deception

“The Nightmare Legion of the Abyssal Demon Realm is marching south and will reach the Saint Noyes defense line within days.”

“Saint Noyes’ supply lines have been cut. The garrison can only hold out for seven days, but reinforcements will take at least a month to arrive.”

“Furthermore, retreating to the next defense line and rendezvousing with reinforcements will take another two weeks.”

“The North Empire is vast, but we have nowhere left to retreat.”

Lugner, sitting at the head of the table, remained silent.

The fall of Saint Noyes was inevitable; the Garrison Knights were facing annihilation.

“I recall… the Sharp Assault squad is still in the Abyssal Demon Realm, aren’t they?” Glaimond’s voice broke the silence. “They’re the Empire’s elite, each member worth a demon squad.”

“…What do you propose?” Lugner asked, his cloudy eyes fixed on Glaimond.

“They should push deeper into the Abyss,” Glaimond said with a smile. “Ideally, they would encounter the legendary Abyssal Lord—though, realistically, they’ll likely run into the Nightmare Legion…”

Lugner instantly understood Glaimond’s plan. He opened his mouth to speak, then looked down.

“That’s a suicide mission.”

“Indeed, but their sacrifice will buy the Empire time,” Glaimond said seriously. “I believe Commander Xu and his squad would gladly lay down their lives for the Empire, to protect humanity.”

The surrounding knights remained silent. They knew this was the only way to save the Garrison Knights.

The elite Sharp Assault squad, though not widely known, was composed of hand-picked individuals who had completed numerous dangerous missions without casualties.

Their loss would be a heavy blow to the Empire.

But… it was better than the entire Garrison being trapped and annihilated in Saint Noyes.

After a long silence, Lugner sighed.

“Inform the Garrison Knights. Prepare to withdraw from Saint Noyes.”

He had made the most difficult and regrettable decision of his life.

This decision had aged him within a year, transforming him from a valiant commander into a frail old man, his life force ebbing away.

But no one saw the faint smile that touched Glaimond’s lips.

…

…

“Die! Die! Die!”

Glaimond’s composure shattered, his face contorted in a mask of rage and fear.

“Why… why are you still alive…? Why have you come back…?”

“I alone am enough for the Empire’s rise!”

Although Glaimond seemed more powerful than ever, his erratic attacks were less effective, his power unfocused.

Xu Bai deflected his attacks with ease, forcing him to rely more heavily on the Authority, desperately trying to kill her.

As the destructive power of [City Breaker] raged unchecked, the Clock Tower finally succumbed, its walls cracking and crumbling, debris raining down.

The entire structure collapsed, thankfully after everyone inside had evacuated. Lin Yan had been carried away by Uncle Lin, but several bystanders were injured.

This battle was beyond human comprehension; even the Demon Hunters didn’t dare approach.

Sasha, despite possessing her own power, wasn’t a skilled fighter and could only watch from a distance.

“Lockner.”

Xu Bai’s fighting style shifted abruptly, her figure appearing behind Glaimond as if by magic, her dagger aimed at the back of his neck.

Once the Empire’s deadliest assassin, Lockner’s strength wasn’t just his skill in killing, but the fact that no one even knew he existed.

His assassination techniques had no name, nor did they need one.

He had fallen on the first day of the Saint Noyes siege, taking the Nightmare Legion’s second-in-command with him.

Glaimond, caught off guard, felt the dagger graze his neck.

But before Xu Bai could strike deeper, Glaimond unleashed the full force of the Authority, an indiscriminate wave of destructive energy.

“Ugh…” Xu Bai staggered back, wiping the blood from her lips.

But she didn’t stop. As Glaimond’s power raged, she sheathed her dagger and drew a small pulse pistol.

“Victoria.”

The only member of the Sharp Assault squad without psychic circuits, her ingenious devices were the Empire’s most destructive weapons, aside from the Authority.

This pulse pistol was her masterpiece.

She had fallen on the sixth day of the Saint Noyes siege, having single-handedly repelled dozens of demon attacks, her body finally giving out.

Bang!

A pulse of energy pierced Glaimond’s heart, leaving a clean, cauterized wound.

Before he could even register the pain, blood spurted from his chest.

“It’s you… it really is you… I didn’t expect… it to be you…” Glaimond chuckled weakly. “You’re going to use it now, aren’t you? That technique…?”

His expression suddenly turned frantic.

“No! I won’t lose to you again! Not again! Not even once!”

“Look at yourself! You’re no longer a knight! You’ve fallen! Just like Deli! You’re corrupted!”

“What’s the difference between living like this and being dead?!”

Xu Bai paused, then said softly, “There is no difference.”

Like Deli, who craved power and embraced the demons, she had abandoned her past, her identity, her honor. She had become something else, an outcast, perhaps even an enemy of the Empire.

“But I have to live.”

She had to live, so that someone, somewhere, would remember the knights who had fought and died at Saint Noyes.

“…Xu Bai.”

She whispered the last name, and dozens of sword slashes materialized around Glaimond, striking with blinding speed.

[Sever]

Severing all ties, severing the past.

From this day forward, the young man named Xu Bai, and his comrades, would remain buried in the ruins of Saint Noyes, forever frozen in that final battle.

Standing here was only “Bai.”

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

Glaimond’s body, almost severed by Xu Bai’s attack, collapsed, a mangled, bloody mess.

But then, he laughed, a chilling, mocking sound.

“Xu Bai, you’re only deceiving yourself…”

Chapter 47: The Burden Bearer

As Xu Bai spoke, Glaimond recovered slightly from his shock.

Yes, he still had the Authority!

Even if she was a demon, she was just a juvenile… no match for the power of Authority!

He hadn’t fought Lin Yan with his full strength, knowing her enhanced state wouldn’t last, her body eventually succumbing to the strain.

But this gray-haired demon “Bai” was different. Even as a juvenile, her demonic physique was far superior to a human’s; [Bloodfire Ascension] wouldn’t be a significant burden for her.

And it wouldn’t enhance her power much either. The real threat was her unknown Demonic Rune abilities…

Now, he could finally unleash the full power of the Authority!

However, Xu Bai showed no sign of using her Demonic Runes. Instead, she raised her dagger and performed a flawless knight’s salute.

“…” Glaimond’s breath hitched, a terrifying possibility taking root in his mind.

If she was a demon, why would she adhere to the etiquette of a knightly duel?

He quickly composed himself, returning the salute.

“Your opponent is Glaimond, of the North Empire.”

He didn’t use his title of Commander, instead invoking the name of the North Empire, placing Xu Bai firmly on the opposite side, as an enemy of humanity.

Without further ado, they clashed, blurs of motion, their blades flashing in the dimly lit hall.

“City Breaker!”

Glaimond unleashed the full power of the Authority fragment. Those nearby felt a crushing pressure, as if struck by an invisible hammer, and hairline cracks appeared on the surrounding walls.

His destructive power was even greater than before, during his fight with Lin Yan!

The Demon Hunters, having retreated to a safe distance, watched in horror as the cracks spread.

“If I’m not mistaken, this Clock Tower is made of Ironsteel…” one Demon Hunter murmured in disbelief.

Ironsteel, the strongest material known to humans, was cracking.

And this was just the residual energy from Glaimond’s attack, the majority of his power focused on Xu Bai. A fraction of his power had almost destroyed the entire Clock Tower.

This was the power of [City Breaker].

An overwhelmingly destructive force, a true weapon of war.

At full power, it could demolish entire city walls made of Ironsteel.

Its name was well-deserved.

If the mere aftershocks could do this to the Clock Tower walls, the full force of the attack, directed at Xu Bai, was unimaginable.

Unable to use her psychic circuits, and unwilling to use her Demonic Runes, Xu Bai took the full brunt of the attack.

Blood trickled from her eyes and nose, a bloody mist surrounding her, a strange, captivating fragrance filling the air.

…The scent of high-ranking demon blood.

A demon’s physique was indeed formidable. What would be a fatal blow to a human was merely a serious injury to Xu Bai.

And even then, her expression remained unchanged.

As if impervious to pain, she raised her dagger, swift slashes flashing through the air.

[Worldly Dust]

Her movements were graceful, ethereal, her attacks coming from impossible angles.

“Qin Su,” she uttered a name, soft yet clear, like a thunderclap in Glaimond’s ears.

Even as the dagger’s point approached, Glaimond froze, caught off guard, sent flying ten meters by the force of her attack.

“How… how is this possible?” he stammered in disbelief, using his sword to support himself. “Could it be… really…?”

Could it be… him?

Two families in the North Empire, the Qin and the Lin, were descended from the ancient empire.

The Lin family specialized in spear and lance combat, favoring heavy weapons on the battlefield.

But the Qin family was renowned for their swordsmanship.

Their most difficult technique, mastered by only a few in the current generation, was called—

[Worldly Dust]

Qin Su, the Qin family’s most talented swordswoman, held the record for single-handedly slaying 2,528 enemies, earning her the title of “Twin Jewel of the Empire,” alongside Lin Yan.

More importantly, she had also been a member of the Sharp Assault squad.

She had fallen on the third day of the Saint Noyes siege, sacrificing herself to unleash a devastating sword attack, taking down three peak Destruction Class demons with her.

“A ghost…” Glaimond, supporting himself with his sword, stared at the blood-soaked demon girl. “Are you… truly a ghost returned from Saint Noyes…?”

He couldn’t believe what he was seeing…

Xu Bai didn’t answer, her dagger flashing as she attacked again.

This time, her movements weren’t graceful, but swift and powerful, like thunder and lightning.

Although only a short dagger, in her hands, it carried the weight of a greatsword.

[Army Breaker]

The most basic sword technique of the Garrison Knights, known to almost every knight.

But only one person had mastered it to such an extent, turning a simple technique into an unstoppable force.

He had set an insurmountable record within the Knights, fighting continuously for over a hundred hours, the exact details lost to time.

“Rayne,” Xu Bai whispered, the image of a burly, kind-hearted man flashing through her mind.

A former mercenary who had joined the Garrison Knights by chance, serving under Xu Bai, his only hobby collecting heavy helmets.

He had fallen on the fifth day of the Saint Noyes siege, thankfully dying inside his beloved helmet.

Xu Bai didn’t mention her fallen comrades lightly, not because she didn’t remember them, or wanted to forget.

But because… she kept them locked away, deep within her memories, a precious, painful treasure.

As their captain, she carried the weight of their lives, their sacrifices.

She had to ensure that someone, somewhere, remembered their final moments at Saint Noyes.

Facing the aptly named “Army Breaker” attack, Glaimond forced himself to focus, raising his sword to block.

But cracks appeared on his blade, shattering instantly.

“No!” Glaimond cried out, discarding the broken fragments and desperately channeling the power of [City Breaker].

“…Even a ghost must die!”

He was truly afraid.

The Battle of Saint Noyes had been orchestrated by him and Lugner.

Chapter 46: The Ghost

Xu Bai paused, then said, “As you can see, I’m not a Demon Hunter.”

The Demon Hunters tensed, their auras flaring slightly.

“But I don’t consider myself a demon either,” Xu Bai continued, unfazed. “I’m human, or I was.”

Although her true heritage was still a mystery, and the possibility of her being a demon was high, she had never truly seen herself as one.

She was human, a human knight, the Xu Bai who had died in Saint Noyes.

A lonely young man turned girl, but still, at her core, him.

The Demon Hunters, despite their hatred for demons, weren’t hostile to all who wielded demonic power. After all, they themselves wielded it, albeit at a great cost.

Uncle Lin had known this, understood that the Demon Hunters wouldn’t necessarily be hostile to Xu Bai. That’s why he had insisted on bringing her along.

“Miss Bai, I’m willing to believe you were once human,” their leader said, his voice deep. “But you are still dangerous.”

Demons had brought centuries of suffering and ingrained fear to humanity, not easily forgotten or forgiven. Even Demon Hunters weren’t readily accepted by ordinary humans.

Xu Bai didn’t reply, her gaze shifting to the fight between Lin Yan and Glaimond.

Lin Yan’s eyes were now bloodshot, only a sliver of black remaining in the center of her pupils. A bloody mist seeped from her skin, her veins bulging.

Xu Bai recognized the secret technique and knew Lin Yan’s current state.

“…Why go this far…?” Xu Bai sighed softly, turning to the Demon Hunter leader. “I want to help my friend. Will you stop me?”

Although her tone was calm, the Demon Hunter leader felt a sudden pressure, the suppression of a higher-ranking demon bloodline.

The other Demon Hunters instinctively aimed their weapons at Xu Bai, but their leader raised a hand, stopping them, his voice strained.

“Miss Bai, we are not allied with Glaimond. As long as you are not with the Abyssal Demon Realm, we will not interfere.”

He didn’t question whether she was a demon; the bloodline suppression was evident.

The gray-haired girl was not only a demon, but a high-ranking one, her bloodline powerful enough to suppress most others.

Even within the Abyssal Demon Realm, there was a clear hierarchy among the numerous demon races.

The disparity in power between different classes was vast. The weakest demons were only slightly stronger than humans.

The high-ranking demons were the core of the Abyss, wielding immense power, enough to suppress the combined forces of elves, beastkin, and humans.

But this only reinforced the Demon Hunter leader’s belief in Xu Bai’s words: that she was, or had once been, human.

High-ranking demons were too arrogant to coexist peacefully with humans, let alone consider them friends—it was unheard of.

Moreover, if this girl truly intended to fight them, none of them would survive.

“Thank you.”

Xu Bai nodded, walking towards the center of the fight, her hand reaching for the dagger at her waist.

Instead of activating her Demonic Runes, she followed Lin Yan’s example, activating the secret technique, [Bloodfire Ascension].

She knew the technique, but it hadn’t been very useful to her before.

It enhanced speed and strength, but at the cost of limiting her psychic circuits.

But now, unwilling to use her demonic powers, it was the perfect solution.

Another clash, the impact of Lin Yan’s spear and Glaimond’s sword cracking the floor.

If they weren’t controlling their power, focusing it on each other, the Clock Tower would have been destroyed several times over.

Lin Yan staggered back, gripping her spear, preparing for another attack, when a small, pale hand rested on her shoulder.

“Miss Lin Yan, you’ve fought well. Leave the rest to me.”

“Bai…”

Lin Yan turned to see Xu Bai’s eyes, also bloodshot, but with pale blue veins.

She instantly understood. Bai was using the same technique.

“[Bloodfire Ascension]…”

“Is it you…?”

Lin Yan’s enhanced state instantly dissipated, tears of blood streaming from her eyes.

Just like him, appearing at her side in the most difficult battles, his quiet voice saying, “Leave it to me.”

He always found a solution, no enemy he couldn’t defeat.

Released from the strain of the technique, Lin Yan’s body went limp, her consciousness fading.

“Rest well, Miss Lin Yan.”

Hearing those words, Lin Yan closed her eyes, finally able to relax.

Xu Bai gently lifted Lin Yan into her arms. Although the sight of her small frame carrying the much larger Lin Yan was slightly comical, no one laughed.

Glaimond’s eyes widened as he saw Xu Bai’s transformation. He hadn’t expected her, a demon, to know a human secret technique. He began to doubt his earlier assessment.

“Could she… be a Demon Hunter after all?”

“No, impossible! Such a pure demonic bloodline… she can’t be a Demon Hunter!”

But despite Glaimond’s shock, Xu Bai’s expression remained calm, just like his had always been.

She carried Lin Yan to safety, then, holding the dagger Lin Yan had given her, pointed it at Glaimond.

“Your opponent is Bai, of Saint Noyes.”

“Saint… Saint Noyes?”

Glaimond was speechless, his gaze fixed on Xu Bai, as if trying to see through her.

“Are you him?”

“No, that’s impossible! Absolutely impossible!”

“Bai, who are you…?”

“Who am I?”

Xu Bai looked down at her small reflection in the polished marble floor, pale and beautiful, a self-deprecating smile touching her lips. “I’m a ghost. A ghost that doesn’t belong in this world.”

Her memories were lies, her past meaningless.

But now, she had a purpose.

“Come, Glaimond. Show me the true extent of your ‘Authority.’”

Chapter 45: Blood

As Lin Yan and Glaimond faced off, Garrison Knights, following prior orders, entered the banquet hall and began escorting the terrified nobles away.

However, after a headcount, they realized several guests were missing, besides the Demon Hunters who had revealed themselves.

Everyone knew this seemingly ordinary banquet had attracted numerous uninvited guests.

These individuals, unwilling to reveal their identities or directly participate in the unfolding drama, remained hidden, observing the situation.

Among them was Sasha, having shed her Madeline disguise and assumed another, blending seamlessly into the background.

The duel between Lin Yan and Glaimond intensified. Lin Yan raised her spear, charging towards Glaimond.

A blur of motion, like a bolt of lightning, streaked across the hall.

[Formation Breaker]!

This was Lin Yan’s signature move, unleashing the full force of her monstrous strength. She had once used this very technique to break through demon lines, leading the Knights to victory.

The powerful gusts of wind generated by her spear ripped through the air, pushing Glaimond back slightly.

“Impressive. You’ve improved,” Glaimond commented, still seemingly unfazed, even finding the time to critique her technique.

His confidence stemmed from the fragment of Authority he possessed. Even with her secret technique, Lin Yan couldn’t overcome that barrier.

This fight with Lin Yan was a mere distraction. His true focus was on Xu Bai.

The gray-haired demon girl was the real reason he had acted.

Lin Yan’s spear reached him, but Glaimond effortlessly deflected it with a few flicks of his wrist, barely exerting himself.

Although Lin Yan was practically undefeated among her peers, with one notable exception, Glaimond wasn’t her peer. He was a prodigy of the previous generation.

Even without the Authority fragment, he was stronger than Lin Yan, only slightly weaker than Xu Bai had been.

Lin Yan hadn’t expected that straightforward attack to be effective. It had been a feint.

As her momentum shifted, she twisted her spear, attacking from a different angle.

Glaimond, taking her more seriously now, channeled his psychic energy, parrying her attack.

But to his surprise, just as her spear was about to connect, she changed her technique again.

“Oof—”

Caught off guard, Glaimond’s arm was struck, his sword almost flying from his grasp.

“I underestimated you, Lin Yan. You’ve grown stronger, surpassing even us…”

Glaimond finally turned his full attention to Lin Yan, his voice serious.

“My apologies, Commander Lin. A duel should be fought with full effort. I was careless.”

“From now on, I will fight you with everything I have.”

“Eight minutes left,” Lin Yan gasped, her chest heaving, her flushed skin visible beneath her thin purple dress. “You will lose within eight minutes!”

“Lin Yan, you have earned the right to say that. But you can’t even imagine…” Glaimond clenched his fist, the ring glowing faintly, a crazed look appearing in his eyes. “If you had touched true power, you would know how weak you truly are.”

Authority: [City Breaker], activate!

An invisible force resonated with the black ring on Glaimond’s finger, channeling a strange power into him, instantly healing his injured arm.

This was a fragment of the North Empire’s Authority, channeled through the ring.

Within the Empire’s territory, this power was amplified.

Although only a fragment, it fundamentally changed Glaimond’s psychic circuits.

He now held an overwhelming advantage over Lin Yan.

Lin Yan felt the surge in Glaimond’s power, but she didn’t flinch, only pushing [Bloodfire Ascension] further.

The air filled with the thick stench of blood, a faint heat radiating outwards.

“…Are you mad?!” Glaimond exclaimed, shocked by her recklessness.

[Bloodfire Ascension] was a forbidden technique, a desperate gamble that consumed the user’s life force. It was meant to be used sparingly, yet Lin Yan was pushing it to its limits, almost to the point of self-destruction.

At this level, it was beyond her control. If she continued, her body would give out.

Glaimond hadn’t intended to fight to the death. He had only wanted to defeat Lin Yan and capture the demon juvenile, “Bai.”

“Seven minutes left,” Lin Yan said, her spear aimed at Glaimond, her bloodshot eyes glowing red, a terrifying sight.

For Bai, and for the memory of him, she had to defeat Glaimond.

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Glaimond’s expression hardened.

“Very well… it seems the Empire will lose a valuable Knight Commander.”

…

Meanwhile, Xu Bai faced the approaching Demon Hunters.

But they hesitated, watching her warily.

After a long standoff, their leader stepped forward, his sharp gaze fixed on Xu Bai, his voice raspy.

“Should I address you as Miss Bai, or… Miss Demon?”

Lin Yan’s unwavering conviction had shaken their resolve. Moreover, besides her appearance, nothing about Xu Bai suggested she was a demon.

Demons, towards humans, were either indifferent or disdainful. They wouldn’t stand here so calmly, interacting with humans.

But if she wasn’t a demon, what about the Demonic Runes on her face?

Was she a Demon Hunter?

No, that was even less likely than her being human.

As Glaimond had said, Demon Hunters were grotesque, not beautiful like this young girl.

The completeness of her Demonic Runes… even if she were a Demon Hunter, a significant portion of her body should have been mutated, and she would be struggling to maintain her sanity.

These questions plagued the Demon Hunters, preventing them from acting rashly.

Chapter 44: On the Brink

Xu Bai’s heart trembled slightly upon hearing Lin Yan’s words.

“Me?… A close friend?”

Would she be considered a close friend, regardless of which “me” she was?

Almost unconsciously, Xu Bai’s hand reached for the dagger Lin Yan had given her, tucked behind her back.

Her fingers brushed against another object, a small dagger—the Knight’s dagger, a symbol of her past, a memory she tried to avoid.

“…A good friend… a comrade-in-arms…”

Lin Yan’s words echoed in her mind, and Xu Bai’s eyes flickered, her grip on the dagger tightening.

The banquet hall was in chaos. Most of the nobles huddled in the corners, trembling, but several powerful auras stirred among them.

Xu Bai suddenly understood why Uncle Lin had insisted on bringing her along.

Knowing part of the truth, he had understood that this banquet, for both Lin Yan and Glaimond, was a trap.

It was a banquet destined for bloodshed. Whether she was present or not, the hidden powerful auras and the Demon Hunters meant violence was inevitable.

The conspiracy surrounding Glaimond was unfolding, and Uncle Lin had been unable to prevent Lin Yan from being caught in it.

Perhaps he had hoped that her presence, a suspected demon or Demon Hunter, could change something…

“Good. Very good. Excellent. It seems I must cleanse the Knights of its traitors, for His Majesty,” Glaimond said, his tone laced with malice. The recent string of unexpected events had frustrated him, tempting him to use his trump card.

He had waited so long, his meticulously crafted plan disrupted by unforeseen circumstances, the deviations accumulating beyond repair.

Salred, the Demon Hunters’ covert team, the unknown demon commander from the Abyss, the suspected demon juvenile “Bai,” and the unseen hand manipulating events from the shadows…

Vikarn Port had become the eye of the storm.

Glaimond finally admitted that perhaps his plan had been flawed from the start.

The image of Lugner’s aged, resolute face flashed through his mind, his dying expression one of serene acceptance.

From the moment he had followed Lugner to Vikarn Port, coveting his position, from the moment he had raised his blade against him, he had fallen into Lugner’s trap, a carefully orchestrated game, a whirlpool he couldn’t escape.

Glaimond looked around. He was the host of this banquet, yet no one stood by his side.

The Demon Hunters watched coldly, their weapons aimed at the beautiful gray-haired demon, but their vigilance remained on him.

Several powerful auras were hidden among the nobles, their gazes fixed on him with undisguised scrutiny.

“Fortunately, I still have this…”

Glaimond touched the unassuming ring on his finger, the source of his fragment of the Imperial Authority.

Humans had limits. Their frail bodies couldn’t contain the full power of “Authority.” Only by mastering it could they ascend to the pinnacle of power on Solor—Calamity Class.

The positions of the Empire’s Legendary Knights were vessels for this inherited Authority, allowing humans to wield power comparable to demon commanders.

But the ring Glaimond possessed wasn’t just a vessel; it contained something more…

“A relic of the ancient empire… if I could obtain more, more…”

Glaimond suspected this was why the Demon Hunters had sent a team to Vikarn Port. This place, once territory of the ancient empire, must hold more powerful artifacts like his ring.

“Commander Lugner, why wouldn’t you tell me… instead of letting these powerful weapons fall into the hands of Demon Hunters, why not give them to me? Is it wrong for me to want to make the Empire great again?”

But Lugner would never tell him. He would carry his knowledge and his despair to his grave.

“Very well… then let’s start with you, Lin Yan.”

Glaimond looked at Lin Yan, drawing his sword, his psychic energy flickering. “Your opponent is Glaimond, Commander of the Eastern Front.”

Lin Yan’s expression hardened. A flash of red light, and a heavy spear materialized in her grasp, its tip aimed at Glaimond.

“Your opponent is Lin Yan, of the Garrison Knights.”

Glaimond had issued a formal challenge, adhering to knightly etiquette, and she responded in kind. This was a duel.

“Your sword is inferior. It’s not a fair fight,” Lin Yan said, looking at Glaimond’s standard-issue longsword.

A duel had its rules, including the use of comparable weapons.

“No, it’s fair. You’re using your favored spear, and I’m using my familiar longsword,” Glaimond replied calmly. “I’ve faced many formidable opponents with this sword, and I’ve never lost.”

“What a coincidence. So have I,” Lin Yan smiled suddenly. “But I’ve also lost.”

Glaimond paused, then realized who she had lost to.

Fortunately, he was dead.

Lin Yan raised her spear slightly, assuming a charging stance.

At the same time, her skin flushed crimson, her eyes bloodshot, her heart pounding loudly, echoing through the hall.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

[Bloodfire Ascension]

A secret technique passed down through the Lin family, originating from the ancient empire.

By accelerating blood flow and heart rate through psychic circuits, the user gained superhuman speed and strength, as if empowered by a deity.

However, due to the limitations of the human body, this state couldn’t be maintained for long and caused permanent damage to the heart.

Even with Lin Yan’s enhanced physique, she could only maintain it for about ten minutes.

But ten minutes… was enough.

Facing the transformed Lin Yan, Glaimond’s expression turned serious. He raised his sword, his psychic circuits flowing.

“Come. Show me the strength that earned you Lugner’s recognition, Miss Lin.”