Dawn crept over the horizon, casting a cold, blood-red glow across the plains surrounding the Demon King’s Castle.
The embers of last night’s fierce battle had yet to fade, and the air was thick with the pungent stench of smoke, blood, and the rotting aura of the demons.
After days of bitter struggle, the Empire’s Allied Forces finally broke through the layers of Magic Arrays and defensive lines encircling the Demon King’s Castle, their blades pointed directly at the massive, ominously black fortress deep within the dark forest—the Demon King’s Castle.
Luo Ling stood at the very front of the formation, the Holy Sword “Dawn” planted in the earth.
Blood still stained the blade, not yet cleaned—a mark of the dozens of high-ranking demons he had slain after letting Liliya escape last night.
His armor was covered in scratches and dents, with several deep wounds patched by rudimentary Saint Healing, yet the pain still throbbed relentlessly.
Yet, his gaze was brighter and more resolute than ever, burning with an unquenchable flame.
“Soldiers!”
Luo Ling’s voice echoed across the entire allied ranks through Amplification Magic, carrying a metallic weight and unquestionable authority:
“We have fought through blood and death to reach this point! Behind us are our Homes, our loved ones and lands we have sworn to protect! Before us stands the nest of evil, the root of all suffering! Today, we either conquer the Demon King’s Castle—or our bones will rest here forever! For the Empire! For the Light! Charge——!”
“For the Empire! For the Light!”
A thunderous roar shook the heavens, as countless knights raised their lances, mages chanted rousing spells, and Archers nocked arrows.
Luo Ling raised “Dawn” high above his head, the blade reflecting the first sunlight with blinding brilliance—a beacon piercing the darkness.
“Kill——!”
He charged forward, the Black Iron Greatsword trailing a dark afterimage like a bolt of black lightning across the marshy road leading to the Demon King’s Castle.
Behind him, the Empire’s Allied Forces surged like a broken dam, flooding forward to clash with the demon defenders entrenched on the bridge and within the Obsidian Bastion.
Battle instantly reached a fever pitch.
The roars of demons, the shouts of humans, the clash of weapons, and the explosive fury of magic merged into a tragic, heroic symphony.
Luo Ling moved like a razor-sharp blade, cutting down all obstacles in his path.
His swordsmanship had reached the pinnacle—each swing carried crushing power, precise and efficient.
Whether it was the thick-skinned Demon Guards or the swift Shadow Demons, none could withstand three strikes beneath his sword.
His battle aura surged within him, pushed to the limits—he could even sense the faint signs of breaking through a bottleneck.
Sweat mixed with blood dripped down his forehead, blurring his vision, but he had no time to wipe it away—he relied solely on instinct and the will to fight to perceive everything around him.
The battle was deadlocked.
The Demon King’s Castle defenders were far more tenacious than imagined.
High-ranking demons appeared in endless waves, and even beings with power close to Demon Generals personally commanded the defense, inflicting heavy losses on the allied army.
Several Empire generals were also locked in their own fierce battles, unable to provide direct support to Luo Ling.
Luo Ling felt his strength rapidly draining, his battle aura waning.
Continuous, intense fighting had pushed his body to the brink; every block sent numbing tremors up his arms, every lunge pulled at his wounds.
“We must be faster! Stronger!”
Luo Ling roared inwardly.
He knew he was the spearhead of the allied army—only by breaking through could the forces behind him follow.
If he stalled, morale would falter and all their efforts would be wasted.
“Haaaargh——!”
Luo Ling unleashed a deafening roar, his entire body erupting in dazzling golden light!
The radiance was fiercer than ever, even outshining the rising sun!
This was power forced forth in the face of despair, drawn from the resolve to protect and unyielding will—a strength surpassing his own limits!
“Is that…General Luo Ling?”
Behind him, a Grand Magus casting spells stared in shock at the golden figure.
“His power…did he break through in the heat of battle?”
Golden battle aura blazed around Luo Ling like fire, amplifying his speed, strength, and defense to their peak.
“Dawn” felt weightless in his hands, each swing ripping through the air with a howl, sword energy slicing through masses of demon soldiers as easily as reaping wheat.
“Those who block me, die!”
Luo Ling roared, the greatsword slashing at an impossible angle.
A massive golden blade of energy exploded forth, cleaving an Obsidian Bastion in half and reducing dozens of Elite Demons inside to ash!
This earth-shattering strike shattered the demon defenders’ resolve and filled the allied ranks with fresh courage.
Seizing the moment, Luo Ling led the Personal Guard Knight Order in a do-or-die charge, piercing forward like a golden arrow, crushing all resistance as they drew ever closer to the grand and wicked gates of the Demon King’s Castle!
Ten thousand meters…a thousand meters…five hundred…three hundred…
The dawn of victory seemed within reach!
Luo Ling could see the twisted demonic runes carved above the gates, could feel the suffocating weight of darkness emanating from within.
He gritted his teeth, preparing for the final assault—to open the gates and let the main army in.
But just as Luo Ling reached the outer moat, only two hundred meters from the gates, a strange ripple swept over him without warning.
It was not a violent attack, nor a cruel curse, but a wave of indescribable gentleness and seduction, like a lover’s whisper, touching directly upon his spirit.
Luo Ling’s steps faltered.
The golden aura around him wavered.