Chapter 856: Lance's Journey's Finale

Chapter 856: Lance's Journey's Finale

The dark sky gradually brightened with the dawn's glow, and the battle neared its end amidst the ruins at the heart of Brillada.

The once-thriving city-state, having endured successive calamities, now lay in ruins within a two-kilometer radius of its central district. Even outside the Saint Asteris Barrier, the streets remained visibly warped by the aftermath.

Smoke and dust still hung heavy in the air.

But with Hestinos completely defeated by Loren, the world seemed to have finally found a moment of tranquility.

Lance stood tall amidst the ruins outside the barrier, gazing down at the wreckage beneath his feet.

His black hair fluttered in the morning breeze, like a flag of victory waving in the air.

"We won."

He removed his silver-white mask and the hood of his papal white robe, revealing the dark gray collar beneath.

Despite the fatigue from mana exhaustion, Lance's face radiated a sense of calm as if a burden had been lifted.

If it were just his own life at stake, he wouldn't have much to fear.

But this time, he carried the lives of all his companions and the future of the Southern Continent on his shoulders.

"Tolledo, can I go to the center of the battlefield?"

Lance took a deep breath, his gaze moving past the ruins before him to the silhouettes of Loren and Hestinos at the edge of the horizon.

"No problem."

Not far away, Tolledo also came to his senses and opened a path for Lance.

Lance stepped over the silver arc of fire and approached the center of the battlefield where Loren was intently focused.

Even after thoroughly defeating his opponent, Loren remained vigilant, never letting his guard down.

But in keeping with his combat style, he wouldn't engage in desecration.

At this moment, Hestinos had lost all vitality, coughing up blood that had turned black. His internal organs were shattered, and it seemed he would die very soon.

"..."

Lance approached Hestinos.

Before Hestinos died, only he and Loren could safely approach him.

Hestinos coughed up a mouthful of boiling blood, disregarding the fact that speaking would hasten his death. He laughed arrogantly, maintaining the demeanor of a victor.

As the loser, he accepted all ridicule and humiliation.

Especially from someone who had seen his memories, they should know how to thoroughly mock him.

"Did you kill Violet?"

Lance had come here solely to ask Hestinos this final question.

After witnessing the Imbalance Devourer and deducing everything that had transpired during the National Day Festival, there was only one thing he couldn't find an answer to—how had Hestinos dealt with Violet after his sneak attack, leaving her dead without a trace in the eyes of the other Archons?

Having experienced the Blood Moon Cataclysm, Lance was well aware of the formidable vitality of werewolves.

Even the werewolf prince of the fifth rank during the Lichtens Castle era, after losing his heart, didn't die immediately. Instead, he was sealed by Lanklos and hidden beneath a cliff.

For werewolves of the seventh rank and above, transcending the ordinary, their regenerative abilities during the night approached that of the blood clan.

"What were you thinking when you saw me?"

Hestinos had no intention of answering Lance's question. His pupils stared at the dim horizon.

He spoke only what he wanted to say, indifferent to everything as he was on the brink of death, and nothing mattered to him anymore.

He was curious why, when Lance looked at him, his eyes held a different expression from everyone else.

"..."

Lance remained silent.

His eyes, filled with pity, were clear like a deep pool, reflecting the boundless sky above, yet also mirroring a profound sense of helplessness.

Even in Hestinos' gentle illusionary realm, where happy dreams were intertwined with red skies and inescapable anxiety, Lance understood why Hestinos had become what he was now.

He couldn't claim to understand Hestinos, but having lived through Lanklos' life, he could somewhat empathize with Hestinos' pain.

"Do you want to save me?"

Hestinos' breath grew shallower, and his turbid deep blue eyes shifted away from Lance.

If this had happened twenty years ago.

If the Kreitni Empire had possessed such capable and powerful individuals, perhaps everything could have been different.

The young Hestinos had fantasized countless times about someone coming to his rescue.

But it was all in vain.

"I can't save you, Hestinos."

Lance admitted without a hint of pretense or hesitation.

For a moment, amidst the ruins, no one spoke.

"No one can save me."

Hestinos wasn't surprised by this response. He let the cold snowflakes fall on his blood-soaked face.

Or perhaps, it didn't matter how the other person responded.

Whether it was recognizing the facts or being too idealistic to accept them, it didn't matter.

Even if he could travel back in time and change everything on Blood Wash Day, making the illusionary realm a reality, would he still be the real him?

He was destined to remain unsaved, so he could only destroy everything.

"But I will do my best to ensure that the tragedy you experienced will not befall anyone else."

Lance sat down beside Hestinos, and at this moment, even his voice sounded weary, but he spoke with utmost sincerity.

This was what Lance had learned on his journey—to honor every experience and find the ultimate answer.

What drove Lanklos forward wasn't revenge but the determination to prevent the tragedies he had endured from happening to others.

This was how Lanklos learned to let go, shed his burdens, and gradually overflow with contentment.

By upholding this conviction to the end.

Ultimately, transcending life and death.

And so, the Blood Moon Cataclysm came to an end.

"Hehehe..."

Hestinos slowly closed his mouth, laughing enigmatically, whether in mockery or relief, it was unclear.

Blood trickled from the corners of his mouth, and his eyes gradually dimmed.

"That woman still has some use to me. I hid her in the Alternate Dimension of the Divine Lineage Hall's First Divine General Chamber."

Hestinos' vitality gradually faded away with these words.

Lance looked at Loren, but Loren only shook his head.

Hestinos was truly dead.

Lance had no chance to ask Hestinos any further questions.

Hestinos, being a werewolf, had precious blood, and it made sense for him to hide Violet, which he did extremely well, keeping her hidden from everyone.

"Great, Violet's alive."

Lance finally felt the urge to sleep, and he slumped to the ground, exhausted.

He had personally asked Violet to help them intercept the vampires, and she had encountered misfortune because of it, leaving Lance feeling guilty.

However, none of this would affect his determination to do the right thing in the decisive battle. He had originally planned to investigate Violet's mysterious case after defeating Hestinos.

Now it seemed that with the Diamond Key of Hestinos, he could quickly go and save Violet.

Whether Hestinos had a change of heart and spared Violet, or truly treated her as a precious tool, no one could know. Everything became a mystery with Hestinos' death.

Perhaps even Hestinos himself didn't know the answer.

Lance looked towards Julius outside the barrier.

He believed that Julius had heard the news through the communication channel.

Julius stood outside the Saint Asteria Barrier, his eyes red, as if he hadn't imagined Violet could return.

These days, he had regretted his final words to Violet, turning his hatred into motivation to continue doing the right thing and safeguarding the Kreitni Empire.

"Ah, Julius, I told you Violet had a strong life force. As for you, you probably won't dare to be harsh on her again in this lifetime."

Bianca sighed and patted Julius' shoulder, but the smile on her lips was genuine joy.

"Everyone's happy."

Salone sheathed his sword and said with relief, "I can finally face my sister again. This time, I shouldn't make her sad anymore."

Ryan looked at Lance in the center of the battlefield with gratitude.

Behind them, the Empire's forces were already busy at work.

Red Falcon Nikolas was leading the Empire Special Operations Unit in the ruins, searching for the wounded.

At this moment, the Empire Special Operations Unit and the Capital Defense Command worked together harmoniously, with a seamless collaboration.

Their uniforms were stained with blood and smoke, but their determination in their eyes never wavered.

The leader of the Black Hand Gang, Barton, also joined in the post-battle cleanup, as if returning to the Empire's forces for this moment.

Peace was hard-won and must be cherished.

Hestinos' defeated body lay in the Doji, with his eyes closed forever.

But this doesn't mean that the lessons of the Kreitni Empire should be forgotten. If we don't learn from history, it will repeat itself, again and again.

The aftermath of the Blood Washing Day is the best proof.

"Is it over?"

"It seems so."

On the outskirts of the triple-dispersing barrier ruins, people who had almost escaped were helping each other to stand up.

The faint light in the sky's gaps grew brighter, and the shattered dome of the Kreitni Empire's Central Command Building shone once more.

The gloom that once shrouded this city was gradually dissipating with the arrival of a new day.

A white dove flew by, bringing a message of peace and freedom.

Lance watched the white dove fly into the distance.

"Meow, we did it! I'm the most amazing cat!"

Cat Boss emerged from the shadows, cheering and jumping with joy.

It was certain that the situation was now completely safe, so it dared to show itself.

"Yes, thank you."

Loren looked at the little black cat with relief.

"Wait, why does your wind magic have the effect of the Original Stone Tablet?"

Loren suddenly realized the problem and cupped the little black cat in his hands, questioning it.

During the battle, when he saw the Absolute Immunity Gale Barrier with the glow of the Original Stone Tablet's wind, Loren didn't feel any sense of incongruity.

"Meow...?"

The cat was taken aback.

It seemed that the High Priest had just discovered the issue.

Before and during the battle, Loren only focused on defeating Hestinos and nothing else.

Loren appeared to be the type who, once he had the chance to defeat his opponent, wouldn't say or think much during the fight.

And now, his impersonation of the High Priest was about to be exposed.

Before Loren could react, the Army Gods and Empire's forces from the north side of the barrier rushed over and draped a thick cloak over Loren.

"Mr. Loren, it's getting cold. Put on some more clothes."

"This was originally prepared by Hestinos, but there's no time to make another one. Please make do with this for now."

"We will swear our allegiance to you. You have successfully conquered the Kreitni Empire."

The Army God Jasper, leading the other Army Gods, gave clear instructions.

Loren stood there, looking bewildered.

He was about to ask Lance, but he realized that Lance had already disappeared, taken away by Tolledo's spatial door.

So now, only Loren and his little black cat remained in the center of the battlefield.

Hestinos' final words had already been heard by the other Army Gods.

Whether it was the other Army Gods or the Empire's forces, they all now fully understood the ins and outs of Violet's involvement with the vampires.

"High Priest Loren, we are willing to surrender to you unconditionally."

Countless Empire officers said the same.

"Wait, why are you surrendering to me?"

Loren pointed at himself in shock.

From his perspective, today he was mysteriously rescued, then fought continuously, and after the fight, things turned out like this. He had no idea what had happened these past two months!

If they were going to surrender, it should be to the Parliament Kingdoms!

How could a public matter be directed at an individual?

"You stopped Hestinos. Wasn't it to start a revolution and claim the throne?"

The Army God Gayed looked at Loren in surprise.

As a healer, he was now fully convinced of Loren's character and style. Even if he represented the Empire in surrendering to Loren, he wouldn't complain.

Such a complete turnaround in a desperate situation couldn't have been accomplished without a detailed plan by the entire team. Yet Loren, as the main force, seemed to be the most bewildered person after the fight, or the only honest person who wasn't informed.

"I'd love to have another chance to test my skills against you in the future, and even if I were to die by your hand, I'd have no regrets. Until then, you can command us."

The Seventh Army God, Blood Jasper Philip, clasped his hands in acknowledgment of the powerful being.

"Wait, Mikaya, Armis, what's going on here?!"

Loren tried to look towards his old friends outside the barrier, but both of them averted their eyes, looking embarrassed.

Mikaya and the Ice Maiden understood what was happening.

At this moment, someone with sufficient authority and deterrence was needed to clean up this messy aftermath, and the strongest among the Parliament Kingdoms and the Empire, undoubtedly, was the Ninth-ranked Loren.

"Don't say more, it's your turn now."

Chancellor Simon Roden directly pushed Loren to the shattered palace altar, and Jasper immediately ordered the Mechanical Army to strike the Memorial Throne.

Now that Loren was being pushed to the forefront, even if they had to sign a treaty of defeat with the Northern Allied Kingdoms, they could still count on Loren's face to receive lenient treatment, which was much better than directly surrendering to the Northern Allies.

If they couldn't push Loren forward, the Kreitni Empire would be in a hurry.

Whether it was the Holy Emperor or the Pope, they had to bring Loren openly to their Kreitni Empire camp.

"Supreme Imperial Authority, Empire's Faith!"

From the Empire's generals to its officers, and from its officers to every soldier, the deafening slogan echoed.

This seemed to be the slogan that Professor Landry from the Empire's Special Operations Unit always had on his lips. Over time, it spread throughout the military, and it turned out that Professor Landry was on the Allied side. However, it didn't matter anymore, as the war was coming to an end, and everyone was now one big happy family, achieving a harmonious world.

With the Army Gods leading the way, they followed suit.

Loren: "???"

Loren was surrounded by the crowd, feeling a sense of responsibility for peace, and he had to take it upon himself.

He was still dazed.

On the Mechanical Throne, Loren looked like he had just woken up, and the black cat on his head was equally bewildered.

"How did I become the enemy nation's guardian beast, meow?"

The Cat Boss started to feel scared.

It never expected that it would finally achieve its wish and become the most eye-catching divine beast.

But it was at the peak of the Empire.

Finally, Loren looked at the enthusiastic Empire people and those unworthy outsiders beyond the barrier.

"You've really made my life difficult."

He covered his face and smiled sadly.

"..."

This feeling of bearing the weight of the world alone, with no one to share it, moved the Empire's soldiers, who didn't know why Loren had such an expression at this moment.

Behind the glory, a path of solitude was carved.

The Empire's soldiers sincerely admired and cheered for Loren.

"In life, one must go through three stages—questioning Loren, understanding Loren, and witnessing the Great High Priest Loren creating an immortal epic."

Abigail, who had come from the top of the Truth Voice Corporation to the outskirts of the battlefield, silently recited the news article she had read before.

It seemed that the article was indeed correct.

Although Loren himself might not want it, from a certain point on, his life gradually became beyond his control.

Abigail briefly put down her mana camera, looked into the distance, and then picked it up again with one hand.

"This camera has been capturing important memorial scenes, and by now, it's almost done with its work."

Abigail continued filming,

"But from now on, I'll keep filming everyone, capturing more happy daily moments, so let's create more memories worth cherishing."

She turned the camera towards the rear, away from the chaotic center of the battlefield.

Immediately, the screen was blocked by Tolledo.

He seemed to be intentionally squeezing in to steal the spotlight.

"Go and prepare the script for the Saint War Annals' Half-Witch chapter, I'm going to direct it."

Abigail kicked Tolledo, saying without hesitation.

"I'm an injured person, don't kick me."

Tolledo held his leg and hopped on one foot several times.

"Even if I use all my strength, I can't possibly kick and injure you, a great demon."

Abigail didn't exert any force, too lazy to deal with this playful bishop, and only moved the camera.

In the camera's view, Talia's figure soon appeared.

She had finished her performance and immediately picked up Sigra upon her return, stroking the back of Sigra's head as if putting her to sleep.

Everyone looked exhausted.

After the battle, Tolledo was the most energetic.

Talia was next, still having the energy to take care of others, as if her stamina wasn't her own.

"But how does she manage to be an idol and then immediately come down to take care of a child?"

Abigail wanted to say something but stopped, puzzled.

Currently, the area two kilometers south of the battlefield was much emptier.

Most of the journalists had rushed to film Loren.

The few Army Gods who had chosen to side with them had already left the chaotic area after a brief farewell.

The Tenth Army God, Red Garnet Julius, probably went to find the Sixth Army God, Water Opal Violet, at the Divine Lineage Hall, and Lance had just retrieved the Diamond Key from Hestinos when Tolledo pulled him back through a spatial gate.

The Ninth Army God, Purple Quartz Ryan, the Second Army God, Obsidian Salone, and the Twelfth Army God, Cat's Eye Bianca, probably followed them.

In the memorial footage Abigail was filming, several eye-catching figures soon appeared.

"We, the loving demon family, can finally return to Iceteria!"

Mikaya, Ifatiya, and several great demons were chatting happily.

"By the way, Duke Mikaya, what's hidden in the secret room beneath your manor? I, Huberian, and Sinora tried to solve it for a long time but couldn't. Can we continue our adventure when we return?"

Antanas felt that the most fun thing in the Herton Kingdom was exploring beneath the Duke's manor.

It would be a pity if he couldn't continue playing with Huberian and Sinora.

"Of course, no problem, feel free to come to my home."

Mikaya's calm expression suddenly turned pale.

He hadn't been home in two years.

His home almost got robbed.

"Duke Antanas, are you alright? Were you injured in the previous battle? By the way, we mean no offense, but Huberian told us that there might be clues to your whereabouts inside. That's why we tried to unravel the seal."

Antanas looked at Mikaya with concern and explained.

Even the unscrupulous media spread rumors that it contained items related to the Night Bishop, which was why the seal on the Duke's Manor was so intricate and easily attracted unwanted attention.

"Everything inside is my personal belongings, unrelated to Mikaya. It's good that you didn't break the seal; otherwise, misunderstandings could easily arise, ahahaha."

Ifatiya quickly stepped in front of Mikaya and spoke to Antanas.

Amidst the commotion, Lance sat back down on the ground, as if he didn't even have the strength to stand.

Only Lance was the quietest at this moment, and he was also exhausted.

Today, he was the only one who fought from start to finish, bearing the most pressure. Now, with his tense nerves finally relaxing, the dual mental and physical strain made him appear utterly worn out.

He had the unconditional trust of everyone, but he also carried the lives of all on his shoulders. Any misjudgment could lead to a complete collapse.

Lance appeared calm, but in reality, as he had said, he bore the burden of all responsibilities, not to be shared or divided.

Abigail, who had been a commander in Blood Moon City, knew the determination Lance carried as he led everyone, risking their lives for him.

"Forget it. This guy needs a good rest. I won't disturb him."

Abigail saw Lance's work status and was always a little worried that he was pushing himself too hard, fearing he might collapse from overwork.

Since Lance arrived in the Kreitni Empire and took on Landry's identity, he had been working day and night without much rest.

In this world, those who know what they want to do are fortunate, for they will never experience the pain of work. But there are also a small number of people who don't know if they are lucky or not. They have found what they must do, what they are obsessed with, and what will drive them crazy if they don't do it.

And Lance was one of them.

He was the one who needed rest the most.

"Lance!"

Huberian didn't pull Lance up but jumped over and leaned on his shoulder, resting beside him and slacking off together.

It had been a long time since they had such a thoroughly relaxing break.

"The goal we set at the beginning has now been achieved."

Lance smiled slightly, looking down at his right hand. He recalled the pain that Ranklos had endured in the shadow world and the witch lady that Ranklos could never find again.

Now, it seemed that the tranquility Ranklos had longed for was finally within reach, beyond the various hardships.

Lance clenched his fist, feeling the warmth in his palm, which made him keenly aware of the preciousness of life.

"Fate has changed."

Huberian leaned against Lance forcefully, as if trying to pin him down with her back, and laughed with him.

From the initial intertwining of fortune and misfortune, to now, when both of their misfortunes had been resolved, the murderous intent of the blood clan and the gloom of the Southern Continent had been swept away.

"Yes, Huberian, you're quite heavy now too."

Lance smiled helplessly in response to Huberian.

Even without looking at Huberian's face, he could feel her excitement, as if she wanted to transmit some vitality to him through physical contact.

"Oh my!"

Abigail exclaimed, capturing their expressions on camera.

They both turned their heads simultaneously and saw Abigail filming them.

"Do we need to do a rock-paper-scissors pose?"

Huberian didn't shy away but boldly raised her hand, not feeling embarrassed about being so close to Lance this time.

"No need. The way you two are chatting is already great."

Abigail gave them a thumbs up.

She felt she had found the actress for the half-witch role.

"I have a question."

Abigail suddenly spoke up.

"Feel free to ask."

Lance nodded to Abigail.

"What do you plan to do next, Lance?"

Abigail voiced her curiosity.

She had heard Tolledo talk a lot about the stories of Loki Macassi during this time.

Now that Lance's mission was finally accomplished, he was likely to continue doing what he loved, just as he had demonstrated presidential qualities in the Protoss Empire. But it was also possible that he would retire after achieving his goals.

"I'm looking forward to my holiday."

Lance replied without much thought.

Regardless, he wanted to return to Iceteria.

"Besides that, I'll continue working hard as before, until I become the human principal of Iceteria Academy. I'll strive to become a qualified principal according to my own ideas."

Lance smiled with relief.

The Infernal Corridor Academy was no more.

It was a beautiful dream from ten thousand years ago.

But since he lived in the present, why hold on to a shadow of his old dream?

"I'll also support you as I did before."

Huberian spoke to Lance with delight. This was her long-held wish, and Lance was finally taking the path of a human.

"Lance, Huberian, look! The sky is finally clearing up."

Antanas waved and called out from a distance.

They were about to go home.

With things coming to this point, it was almost lunchtime!

They couldn't let Tata go hungry.

"Lance, let's go."

Huberian stood up, leaning on her knees and extending her hand towards him.

Lance suddenly looked up, and under the brightening sky with its pale golden clouds, Huberian smiled and gazed at him.

Behind her smile, the horizon was a blend of pink and orange, and her radiant beauty was illuminated by the shimmering autumn waters, visible even without the need for a lamp.

"Let's go home."

Lance smiled in agreement.

Finally, everything was over.

Whether it was a clear sky or a raging storm, they could appreciate it with a calm mind.

The sun shone from the clouds, illuminating Lance's silhouette as he was led away.

Until the snow stopped, the fog lifted, and the sundial melted away.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end