Chương 74: Chapter 72: A King's Burden

The battlefield had become eerily quiet. Not because the war had ended. Because everyone—human and celestial alike—was staring at the same figure. Rayan Ashvar. Golden flames danced around Shadowbreaker as the newly awakened King's Verdict radiated across the battlefield. The Domain of Dharma stretched over the ruined capital, its countless golden runes floating through the sky like stars reborn. The terrified cries of soldiers slowly faded. Where despair had once ruled, determination returned.

A wounded knight struggled to his feet, gripping his broken sword with renewed resolve.

"I... I can still fight." Beside him, an elderly mage who had exhausted his Astra only moments ago felt warmth flow through his body.

"This power..." he whispered.

"It isn't restoring our strength."

"It's restoring our hearts." The Guardian watched everything unfold in silence. For thousands of years, he had witnessed countless Astra wielders rise and fall. Some possessed unimaginable power. Others possessed extraordinary talent. Yet none had awakened the Dharma Astra in this way. The Domain wasn't empowering people through force. It was awakening the courage they already carried within them. A king's greatest weapon had never been his sword. It was hope.

High above the battlefield, the First Child of Origin slowly observed the glowing Domain beneath its feet. Its four crimson eyes reflected the golden light. Then... It laughed. The sound wasn't loud. It was ancient. Cold. A laugh that echoed across mountains and through forgotten ruins buried beneath the continent.

"So..." The creature's voice resonated inside every mind.

"The flame still survives." You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Its gaze remained fixed on Rayan.

"You truly inherited his will." Rayan tightened his grip on Shadowbreaker.

"You keep speaking about Arkan." The beast remained silent for a long moment. Then it answered.

"He was the first human who made us bleed." Every warrior froze. Even the Archon General's expression changed. The First King had wounded a creature that existed before recorded history. The legends had never mentioned that.

"What happened to him?" Rayan asked. The beast's smile widened.

"He chose mercy." Those two words struck harder than any attack. Mercy? Arkan? The Guardian lowered his head.

"He never told you..." Rayan turned.

"Told me what?" Before the Guardian could answer— The beast moved. Without warning. Without preparation. Without even bending its legs. It simply vanished. The next instant— It stood directly before Rayan. The air exploded. Cassian's eyes widened.

"Move!" Rayan instinctively raised Shadowbreaker. A massive claw collided with the blade. BOOOOOOOM! The impact blasted him through three palace walls. Stone erupted into the air. Dust swallowed the courtyard. For several agonizing seconds— Nothing moved. Then... A golden slash burst through the smoke. Rayan emerged, skidding across the shattered ground before planting his sword into the earth to stop himself. Blood trickled from his lips. His hands trembled. He had blocked the attack. Barely.

The First Child tilted its head.

"No broken bones."

"Interesting." Cassian launched himself forward like a bolt of lightning. His spear pierced the air with terrifying speed.

"Azure Astra Art!"

"Thunder God's Descent!" Blue lightning wrapped around the weapon as he drove it toward the creature's neck. The strike landed. Or at least... It should have. Instead, the spear stopped a finger's width from the creature's skin. Invisible pressure surrounded its body. Cassian's grin disappeared.

"What...?" The First Child didn't even look at him. It simply exhaled. A wave of black energy erupted outward. Cassian was thrown hundreds of meters across the battlefield, crashing through a watchtower before disappearing into the smoke.

"Cassian!" Siena shouted. Without hesitation, she stepped forward. Lotus petals spiraled around her like a silver storm. Her Astra bloomed to its fullest.

"Lotus Sovereign Art..."

"Heavenly Bloom." Millions of glowing petals filled the sky. Each one shimmered with razor-sharp spiritual energy. With a graceful wave of her hand, the storm descended upon the monster. The capital disappeared beneath a sea of silver light. Explosions echoed endlessly. When the attack finally ended... The petals slowly drifted to the ground. The First Child remained standing. Not unharmed. A thin crimson line crossed one of its cheeks. A single drop of dark blood fell to the earth. Silence.

Then the creature touched the wound. It stared at the blood resting on its fingertip. For the first time... Its expression changed. Not anger. Excitement.

"It has been..."

"... ten thousand years." It looked directly at Siena.

"You drew blood." The monster smiled.

"A worthy opponent." Far above the battlefield, Queen Seraphina watched through a celestial mirror. She witnessed Siena's strike. She witnessed Rayan's Domain. And she witnessed the First Child bleed. Her elegant fingers tightened around the armrest of her throne.

"The future is changing..." She slowly stood. The countless stars surrounding the Celestial Palace dimmed.

"Enough." Her voice echoed throughout Heaven. Every Archon immediately knelt. The Queen looked toward the gates separating Heaven from the mortal realm.

"Prepare my descent." A deep horn echoed across the Celestial Realm. Millions of celestial warriors rose as one. The Queen of Heaven would personally enter the war. And history itself was about to change. Back in Ayanor... The crystal hidden beneath Rayan's coat pulsed once more. This time... It didn't show a memory. It whispered a name. A name that made the Guardian's ancient face lose all color.

"... Valen." Rayan frowned.

"Who is Valen?" The Guardian stared at the glowing crystal. His voice was barely a whisper.

"The Second Dharma Heir..."

"He was supposed to be dead." To Be Continue....