The End of the War

Xia Lun watched as Alani vanished from where he stood, falling silent for a moment. In the end, however, he chose not to say anything more.

He had already warned him many times and felt he had done all he could.

Besides, since Alani had come to vanquish the Demon King, he should have already accepted the possibility of death.

Aina’s face was shrouded beneath her crimson war helmet, only her scarlet eyes visible. Her pure white hair billowed freely, radiating an aura of heroic grace.

“You’re next,” Aina said, descending slowly from the sky. Her armored boots touched the ground lightly, stirring a faint ring of dust as she pointed a distant finger at Xia Lun.

Beside Aina, Dorian shifted slightly, but she raised a hand to stop him.

But Vic had already let out a roar, unable to contain himself as he charged forward again like a frenzied beast.

The massive sword, terrifying for any ordinary person to wield, was as light as nothing in Vic’s hands. He sprinted with it dragging behind him, fluttering like a kite chasing his movements.

“Captain Xia Lun... when my greatsword sends you flying, seize the chance to escape...”

Vic sent a quiet telepathic message to Xia Lun, a stark contrast to his outwardly wild behavior.

“How is Moke now?” Xia Lun asked, his expression unchanged. His form moved like a leaf in a storm, swaying unpredictably under Vic’s relentless assault, yet always dodging fatal strikes at the very last moment.

“He’s fine. Shila has already gone with him to the Barren Wastelands... Captain Xia Lun, you should listen to me this time. You’re no match for Lord Demon King,” Vic replied, his giant sword never slowing down.

Vic didn’t realize that the very Lord Demon King he spoke of was the quiet mage in Xia Lun’s party, usually unnoticed until now.

Dazzling arcs of sword light twisted and clashed between the two, the sound of metal striking metal ringing without end.

Not far away, Aina watched the duel with keen interest. Sensing something, a mocking smile curled beneath her faceplate.

“And the members of the Wild Fang? How did you end up in the Demon King’s army?”

“They’re all fine. They went back with Shila... Don’t let this fool you—I’m also a loyal follower of Lord Demon King... No, Captain Xia Lun, you should run now...”

Vic swung his giant sword horizontally. The massive blade, heavy and forceful, swept toward Xia Lun with a sound like tearing air. Any ordinary person would have been crushed into a pulp instantly.

Xia Lun gently extended his hand, as if pushing open a half-closed door, his palm pressing precisely against the sword’s flat side. The furious blow came to a halt with effortless ease.

Vic twitched his mouth and pressed harder, trying to send Xia Lun flying, but Xia Lun stood firm like an ancient boulder, unmoving, as if his feet had taken root in the earth.

“Xia Lun...”

Vic’s face changed again as he felt a surge of immense force travel up the sword’s handle, sending both him and the weapon hurtling away.

“Boom—”

Vic’s body traced an arc through the air, crashing heavily into a nearby forest. After snapping countless trees, he disappeared from sight.

The two demon generals—one from the Sea Clan and one from the Winged Clan—saw this and immediately flanked Xia Lun from both sides. The Sea Clan general’s halberd thrust toward Xia Lun’s face with icy moisture, while the Winged one attacked from behind, twin knives flashing coldly.

Xia Lun caught the halberd aimed at him with one hand, swung the Sea Clan general around, and slammed him into the Winged general approaching from behind.

Their bodies collided with a dull thud, then flew backward together, leaving long trails on the ground.

If only Alani could see this now—the demon generals he had found so troublesome being defeated as easily as infants in Xia Lun’s hands—wonder what he would think.

Simple and brutal. The pure might of a warrior, fully unleashed.

“Dorian,” Aina spoke again.

Dorian nodded slowly, recognizing that their enemy was extraordinary. He had already begun channeling a blood clan secret art in secret...

“Stand down,” Aina commanded. “Take those ones far away... He is my opponent.”

Dorian’s eyes flickered with confusion, but he obeyed. With a flap of his bat-like wings, he shot forward, grabbed the two unconscious demon generals, and then dove into the forest to search for the missing Vic.

Aina unfurled the blood-red wings on her back. The patterns on the wing membranes, steeped in ancient bloodline power, pulsed with eerie, dazzling radiance.

“Follow me,” Aina sneered. “Away from the city. Are you ready to accept your defeat?”

Xia Lun rubbed his nose. Aina was still so considerate.

Aina shot into the sky like a blood bat breaking free from its bonds. Xia Lun followed close behind. One after the other, they streaked across the heavens, leaving fading trails beneath the clouds.

“Long time no see, Aina. I’m really happy to see you,” Xia Lun greeted her.

Aina remained silent.

“How have you been lately?”

“Is this really the time for that?” Aina finally snapped, interrupting his chatter. “We’re enemies.”

“But you’re still my girlfriend. We haven’t broken up yet,” Xia Lun countered, his tone matter-of-fact.

“Do you mean you want me to break up with you right now?” Aina snorted coldly.

“I don’t accept that,” Xia Lun said, shaking his head firmly.

The two landed in a desolate wilderness.

Dani City was already a border town between humans and the demon race. This area was entirely demon territory, falling within the domain of the Barren Wastelands.

“Do you think saying these things will make me go easy on you?” Aina stood opposite Xia Lun, their eyes locked on each other.

“I don’t need you to do that.” Xia Lun’s gaze was as calm as still water. “I’ll make you admit defeat willingly.”

“Daydreaming...”

Aina produced a dark, ancient-looking staff. An oppressive aura instantly spread, making the air around them feel thick and viscous.

Xia Lun’s expression turned serious. This seemed to be a new staff Aina had forged—he’d never seen her use it before...

In response, a holy sword appeared in Xia Lun’s hand, its blade flowing with a soft white light.

“I know your strength better than anyone, Xia Lun...” Aina’s voice was dreamlike. “You can’t beat me. I memorized the taste of your blood long ago and figured out your limits.”

“But without trying, how would I know?”

Xia Lun crouched slightly. The ground beneath him groaned under the strain, then cracked in every direction, kicking up clouds of dust.

Like an arrow released from a bow, Xia Lun shot through the dust and hurtled toward Aina, the holy sword cutting a silvery streak through the air.

The battle was about to begin.