Chapter 296: Brother and Brother

Chapter 296: Brother and Brother

"Get lost, you're treating me like a rabbit," Lu Mingfei said as he opened Lu Mingze's small hand and looked at the plate of grass.

"Then what about carrots?" Lu Mingze asked, his smile unchanged, as he brought over a bowl of carrots from somewhere.

"No way," Lu Mingfei replied.

"You don't want to eat this, you don't want to eat that, what do you want to eat then!" Lu Mingze patted Lu Mingfei's face, his smile unchanged.

Lu Mingfei rolled his eyes, but then noticed Lu Mingze's meaningful gaze. Those golden eyes seemed to carry a hint of helplessness.

"Yes, brother, you're a carnivore. You were born a predator, but you've been eating grass all this time. It's not on your menu. A white rabbit can eat grass, but a Tyrannosaurus Rex would have indigestion."

"I'm not a Tyrannosaurus Rex. You're the one who said that was the boss," Lu Mingfei argued.

"You can be one too, if you want!" Lu Mingze's voice held a hint of persuasion.

"Brother, have you ever thought that you could have a different life? Drinking Romanee-Conti with a two-yuan skewer, driving an Aston Martin to the market, building a big house, and having as many girlfriends as the boss..." Lu Mingze's words carried a hypnotic allure, each syllable hitting home.

"Then you can bring Chen Wenwen, Su Xiaomiao, and Liu Miaomiao over. You can choose whoever you like. And Zero, you like her, right? Imagine the scene: beautiful girls blushing as they take off their clothes, and you receiving them..."

"Stop talking nonsense," Lu Mingfei swallowed, his heart racing. He had never even dreamed of such scenes, and now, suddenly hearing them described, he couldn't help but feel a stirring within.

"I shouldn't be thinking like this," he thought to himself. "I'm supposed to be a pure love type. I must have been influenced by the boss, with his many girlfriends. Now I think having four girlfriends is nothing."

Lu Mingze continued, his voice carrying a hint of accusation, "Everyone has desires. If you didn't expect an extraordinary life, why come to Cassel Academy? Is it really just because Lu Ke is here? He didn't invite you here. Can you honestly say that when you found out you were a special S-Class, you didn't fantasize about being the protagonist? Can you say that when you see Lu Ke indulging in wine and women, you don't want the same treatment? Can you say that when you call him 'Boss' and 'Father Emperor', you don't think about usurping his position?"

"Don't slander me, the last one is definitely not true!" Lu Mingfei protested.

"So the first two are true then," Lu Mingze smiled, his expression turning into a sly fox, like the serpent in the Garden of Eden.

"Brother, do you want to be the protagonist for once, and let everyone else become the background, while you shine the brightest..."

"No, I don't want to, get lost!" Lu Mingfei interrupted, feeling agitated. He stood up and began rubbing Lu Mingze's face.

"As long as you want to listen, I can keep talking," Lu Mingze's smile remained unchanged. The next moment, he was lifted up by Lu Mingfei and then slammed to the ground with a 'slap'. He looked confused, not moving.

"The boss gave me a hundred million, but I haven't touched it," Lu Mingfei said, looking down at Lu Mingze, who showed no signs of pain.

"I want to drive luxury cars, drink fine wine, and find a beautiful girlfriend to have a good time with. Who doesn't like luxury and pleasure? But I just can't bring myself to spend that money."

"The boss's gift might be a small sum to him, but to me, it's too heavy. I dare not touch that money. It's like our friendship, and I can't imagine myself living a life of indulgence."

If he were to wear a tailored suit, style his hair fashionably, have bodyguards and a chauffeur, ride in a luxury car to and from school, and attract the screams of countless girls with a wave of his hand, would he still be Lu Mingfei?

"Anyway, I think my current life is great, and I don't need to make any changes. If there's something I like, I'll work hard to pursue it." Lu Mingze's smile gradually faded, as if something within him was unknowingly extinguished. After a few seconds, he raised his smile again, as if something had been rekindled.

"What a pity, I was hoping to trick you into a deal, selling your soul and body to me," Lu Mingze's words carried a hint of regret.

"So you've finally revealed your true self. Are you a devil?"

"Lu Mingfei took a cautious step back, crossing his arms in front of him, like a virtuous woman encountering a hooligan in a dark alley at night."

"Yes, I'm the demon nailed to the cross, waiting for my brother to save me, but while I was away, you found a new backer and even became so... resilient."

Lu Mingze slowly stood up, his eyes filled with unspeakable sadness. As his gaze fixed on Lu Mingfei, the latter also felt himself immersed in the same emotions.

An indescribable pain overwhelmed Lu Mingfei, and he couldn't help but take a step forward. His eyes grew moist, and just as he was about to be touched, Lu Mingze returned to his normal state.

"But now you have no choice. There's only one minute left. The Monarch will be destroyed by the aftermath of the battle between the boss and the Dragon Kings. If you don't want to die, hand over your body obediently!"

Lu Mingfei was stunned, "Is the boss that powerful, able to fight the First Generation?"

"Even the First Generation can't beat him. The strength he usually displays is just the tip of the iceberg. I don't even know where his power comes from."

Lu Mingze looked at the frozen water surface, "However, Bronze City is Norton's weapon, and he's the best alchemist. He should at least have some chance of winning... This isn't your concern. The aftermath is coming."

As soon as he finished speaking, time started flowing again.

A terrifying roar suddenly echoed from beneath the water, causing the entire lake surface to tremble and capturing everyone's attention.

"What's happening underwater?"

"What's going on?"

Before they could figure out the reason, the sea began to churn. Faintly, a crimson glow could be seen, and the clouds in the sky had become darker without anyone noticing. The howling wind swept across, creating ugly ripples on the water's surface, and huge waves began to surge!

"Is this the end of the world?"

Lu Mingfei shivered, and Lu Mingze beside him smiled slightly.

"It's just the aftermath. So, brother, won't you consider my suggestion?"

At that moment, a massive vortex appeared not far from the Monarch. The edge of the vortex looked like lines distorted by raging power, spreading irregularly in all directions like an endless black or gray funnel.

In the captain's room, Professor Mans had turned ashen.

"It's a sea dragon cyclone! It shouldn't appear in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Something is changing the nearby terrain, and the range is expanding. Run! If we get pulled in, we're done for!"

...

In the central chamber of Bronze City, a person and a dragon faced each other in mid-air, their gazes colliding in the air, creating ripples.

"Invader, why have you come?"

"Does it matter? The Dragon Race values the survival of the fittest. Whoever is stronger gets to call the shots. If you win, everything I have is yours. If I win, I will dominate you. So, let's just start fighting."

Lu Ke spoke indifferently. He didn't think that he could make Norton surrender and hand over everything with just a few words.

Norton looked at his enemy with coldness, raising his right hand. The Seven Deadly Sins rose into the air, each sword creating a domain, and the seven domains shone together, forming a powerful domain that even the Dragon King's soul couldn't escape from—Sin and Punishment.

The Blood of the Mortal King must end with the sword.

The Seven Deadly Sins were weapons forged by Norton to assassinate other kings, the pinnacle of alchemy. If he was well-prepared, he could kill any of his kin, but...

"I thought you were a traitor who killed the king, but I don't sense the Dragon Bone Cross in you."

"My breed is a little different from yours. My power is concentrated in my heart, which should be considered a vital point."

Lu Ke extended his finger and pointed to his chest. In the Elden Ring, he obtained dragon power by devouring dragon hearts, and all the power he gained was stored in his heart. He wasn't lying.

Norton, seeing that he wasn't lying, looked at him with fiery eyes, "Why are you revealing this information to me?"

"I can't just give you no hope of winning, can I?"

"Arrogant!"

For the first time, Norton was treated with such disdain. Bronze City trembled in response to its master's mood, as if the Creator was pushing building blocks. The entire city came alive under the Dragon King's control, and countless bronze blocks engraved with alchemical patterns flew in the air, enveloping the central chamber in scorching white-hot flames.

Boom!

After the eruption of pure flames, the central chamber seemed empty, and Lu Ke and Norton disappeared from their original spots. However, one side of the bronze ground where they stood was quietly melted, while the other side was trampled by a brutal force until it cracked.

Two silhouettes rushed towards each other in the air at an indistinguishable speed. Their hurricane-like fists and claws collided, unleashing extreme power that tore the ground of Bronze City. Amidst the two raging figures, seven sword lights pierced through space and joined the battle.

In the Dragon World, the clash between Kings is a battle of blades and swords, a tearing of muscles and bones, and a true ritual only completed by stepping on the opponent's skull in a pool of blood.

Amidst the dense impact, two figures clashed at high speeds, causing pillars to crumble with agonizing wails. The magnificent palace instantly turned into ruins, and the battlefield expanded to encompass the entire Bronze City.

As the two figures moved swiftly, Lu Ke's actions mirrored those of his previous encounters, while Norton's wings were partially broken, his right leg torn from his body, and his entire being was covered in hundreds of wounds.

Norton, the Dragon King, had lost the hand-to-hand combat, and it was a thorough defeat!

Norton's expression darkened as he recalled the battle where his opponent had toyed with him like a cat playing with a mouse. Even though he had awakened not long ago and was far from his peak, the gap between them was simply too vast.

However, hand-to-hand combat was not his forte.

A grand and ancient chant reverberated as if echoing from every corner and crevice of the city. Norton's solemn expression deepened as he chanted in the Dragon Language. The Four Great Kings were masters of the four elements: Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire. They ruled over these elements, and with their Incantations, they could command them to act in absolute loyalty.

The realm of Sin and Punishment expanded, and the exquisite flames carried a sense of despair and beauty. A pure white arc appeared around Norton, and in an instant, the surrounding bronze was melted by the terrifying heat, turning into a scorching liquid that surged like a tidal wave.

Facing the encroaching white arc and the overwhelming bronze wave, Lu Ke stood his ground without flinching. He held his breath, focused his energy, and opened his mouth wide. With a mighty force, a devastating sound wave erupted from his throat.

"ROAR!!!"

The sound wave instantly shattered the white arc, causing the approaching bronze wave to retreat. Half of Bronze City's buildings collapsed under the power of Lu Ke's roar, and even Norton's eardrums were torn, forcing him to interrupt his Incantation. A drop of crimson blood fell from his ear, sizzling and evaporating upon hitting the ground.

The roar of the Dragon Grandmother, Guivor!

In response to the roar, another figure within the bone bottle shattered, and a slender body fell to the ground. The heat surrounding him was completely absorbed, causing the surging bronze wave to solidify instantly. The three of them now stood in the center of what resembled an ancient Roman arena.

"Brother..."

The slender figure stood up, revealing a delicate-looking young man who seemed a bit dazed. Upon seeing Norton, he called out timidly.

"Constantin, it's me."

Norton remained cautious, keeping a close eye on his opponent. His tone softened as he moved closer to his brother, and as if their hearts were connected, they intertwined their hands, and flames spontaneously erupted from their bodies.

The crimson wave reappeared, and it was exponentially more intense than Norton's previous display.

Feeling the surging fire element, Lu Ke raised an eyebrow. Norton's earlier attack hadn't even broken his skin, after all, he was merely the symbol of 'Authority'. But Constantin, the embodiment of 'Power', possessed strength far beyond Norton's.

And as the two connected, there seemed to be an even further enhancement. If Norton could 'devour' Constantin, his strength might indeed warrant a second look.

The Dragon Kings didn't seem to be that far apart in power.

Lu Ke observed the reunited brothers with a calm gaze.

"Do you two need some time to catch up?"

Norton fixed his golden eyes on Lu Ke, a chill flashing through them. "Intruder, you are powerful, but you've chosen the wrong place."

A complex chant echoed, a combination of two voices.

The younger brother's voice was loud and clear, while the older brother's voice was lower, providing support and precise control. This wave of flames was exponentially more intense than the previous surge.

Within the deep and dark Bronze City, an ancient and powerful force emerged from the void, as if transcending time itself. It carried a destructive might.

Incantation Sequence Number 114 - Vermilion Dragon!

And it was the Bronze and Fire King, the combined might of two Dragon Kings!

A white light circle shone like a meteor streaking across the night sky, illuminating the entire Bronze City. But this light wasn't warm and gentle; it carried a chilling and majestic aura. On the city's floor, countless intricate alchemical matrices lit up.

This city was Norton's creation, and he was the greatest Alchemist, Flamel, could only use alchemical matrices to cast his 'Discipline', 'Law', which enveloped Cassel Academy for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

What level could Norton, a more skilled alchemist than Flamel, elevate the Vermilion Dragon to?

Lu Ke's expression remained calm as he clenched his fists, summoning a punch that connected heaven and earth, completely shattering the already dilapidated Bronze City.

Crack!

In the instant that Nibelheim shattered, countless streams of water gushed into the city through every crack and crevice.

Norton and Constantin's domain was Bronze City, but it was now submerged underwater!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end