Chương 91: Chapter 90: The Daughter of the First King

The battlefield stood frozen. Not because another powerful warrior had appeared. Not because the Celestial Trial had begun. But because of four words.

"Daughter of Arkan." Even the burning city seemed to fall silent. The wind stopped. The flames bent toward the silver-haired woman as though recognizing her. Michael remained kneeling. Every Archon in the sky lowered their heads. Not to Queen Seraphina. To her. Rayan stared at the young woman. She looked no older than twenty. Her silver hair flowed down to her waist. Her golden eyes carried both warmth and loneliness. A broken halo floated above her head, occasionally flickering as though damaged long ago.

Unlike Michael's overwhelming divine aura... Lyra's presence felt peaceful. Comforting. Like standing beneath the first sunlight after a long winter. She smiled softly.

"I've waited a long time to meet you." Rayan finally found his voice.

"You..."

"... are Arkan's daughter?" She nodded.

"I am Lyra Arkanis."

"The last descendant of the First Dharma King." Across the battlefield... Kael's expression darkened.

"So..."

"You survived." Lyra looked toward him. For the first time... Her smile disappeared.

"You should have stayed buried with your hatred." Kael laughed quietly.

"And you should have stayed hidden." King Dasrath slowly stepped beside Rayan. His injuries were severe, yet he remained standing.

"So the legends were true." The Guardian nodded.

"We believed Arkan died without leaving an heir."

"He didn't."

"He hid her." Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators! Rayan frowned.

"Why?" Lyra looked toward the blood-red eclipse.

"My father knew..."

"... someone would hunt our family." Her eyes briefly met Kael's.

"He was right." Twenty years after Arkan disappeared... A child was secretly raised beyond the reach of Heaven and Humanity. Not in a kingdom. Not within a sanctuary. But inside the hidden realm known as the Garden Beyond Time. A place where a single year outside... Equaled only a single day within. Atlas himself had protected it. Only after the Celestial Trial began... Was its seal finally broken. Kael slowly drew his black sword.

"I searched every world."

"I searched every sanctuary."

"I searched Heaven itself."

"And yet..." He smiled bitterly.

"You were hidden inside Atlas' garden." Lyra answered calmly.

"My father trusted Atlas."

"He never trusted you." The words struck Kael harder than any blade. For the first time... Pain flashed across his face. Not physical pain. Regret. It vanished almost immediately. Suddenly— A blinding golden light erupted from Lyra's chest. A translucent screen appeared before everyone.

WORLD SYSTEM Primary Candidate Confirmed Name: Lyra Arkanis Title: Daughter of the First Dharma King Rank: Sovereign Candidate Inherited Virtues: ✓ Compassion ✓ Wisdom Unique Skill Heaven's Grace"All allies within range recover Astra and wounds over time."

The battlefield erupted. Cassian nearly dropped his spear.

"She already has two virtues?!" The Guardian sighed.

"She inherited them directly from Arkan." Golden petals began drifting across the ruined capital. Every wounded knight touched by them slowly stood. Broken bones healed. Cuts closed. Exhausted Astra Cores recovered. Even King Dasrath's breathing became steadier. The Royal Healers stared in disbelief.

"This healing..."

"It surpasses ours." Mordren stepped forward. His scarred face twisted into a grin.

"So another hero appears." He rested his massive sword upon one shoulder.

"Perfect."

"I'll kill both." Before he could move— BOOM!! Michael appeared before him. The Archon's divine spear blocked the Black Sun General's path.

"You face me." Mordren laughed.

"Gladly." The two disappeared in a flash of light. Their battle erupted across the skies above Ayanor. Meanwhile... Lyra slowly approached Rayan. She extended her hand. Within her palm rested an ancient pendant. A golden dragon wrapped around a sapphire crystal. Rayan's heart skipped a beat. His father gasped.

"The Dragon Crest..." Dasrath whispered.

"I haven't seen it since..."

"The Founding King." Lyra nodded.

"My father asked me to give this..."

"... to the next Dharma King." She placed the pendant into Rayan's hands. The moment his fingers touched it— Golden light exploded. The world vanished. Rayan found himself standing inside an endless hall lined with enormous statues. Seven statues. Each represented one Dharma King. At the end... Stood Arkan. For the first time... The First King smiled directly at him.

"You've grown." Rayan's throat tightened.

"There are so many questions."

"I know." Arkan looked toward the distant stars.

"But time is running out."

"The Trial has already begun." Behind him... The statues of the previous Dharma Kings slowly awakened. One by one... They opened their eyes. Each radiated an overwhelming presence.

"The Seven Kings..." Rayan whispered. Arkan nodded.

"They were never truly gone."

"They've been waiting." Back in reality... The pendant fused into Shadowbreaker. The blade transformed. Golden scales spread across its surface. A dragon-shaped guard formed around the hilt. The sword's aura doubled instantly.

Artifact Evolution Shadowbreaker → Dharma Dragonblade Rank: Divine Relic New Ability Unlocked Dragon King's Judgment"The sword grows stronger with every virtue awakened."

Before Rayan could examine the weapon— A thunderous explosion shook the heavens. Everyone looked upward. Michael crashed through three clouds before falling back toward the city. His divine armor was shattered. One of his six wings had been severed. Mordren hadn't done it. Standing above him... Was someone else. A woman dressed in black celestial armor. Six obsidian wings spread behind her. A black halo floated above her head. Her crimson eyes burned with hatred. Michael stared upward in horror.

"... Impossible..." Lyra's expression froze.

"No..." The woman slowly descended. Her voice echoed across the battlefield.

"Brother." Michael lowered his head.

"The Dark Archon..." The Guardian whispered.

"The strongest general of the Black Sun..."

"... has finally arrived." The woman smiled as she looked toward Lyra.

"We meet again..."

"... Princess." To Be Continue....