Chapter 1661: Open Challenge

Lory was at home, her already rounded belly visibly bulging beneath her clothes. Carrying twins meant her stomach was growing faster than it would in an ordinary pregnancy. She sat behind her desk, browsing the internet for information about Alinna and the latest news surrounding her. Meanwhile, Zhao Li Xin sat beside her, playing the role of an overly attentive husband. He was feeding her a bowl of red bean soup, her absolute favourite, and one that only he could make to her liking.

For some reason, Lory could only stomach food prepared by Zhao Li Xin. Anything made by someone else would send her running to the bathroom. She could only blame their sons for loving their father too much, while Zhao Li Xin made no effort to hide his smug, proud expression.

"People are saying some really nasty things about her," Lory muttered as she scrolled through the comments.

"I think they’re just being honest," Zhao Li Xin replied indifferently. "Now, say ’aaah’." He held the spoon up in front of Lory’s mouth.

Lory opened her mouth obediently, her eyes never leaving the screen. She swallowed the bite before continuing.

"Yeah, but regardless of whatever he might have done—back in the day, they used to sing his praises to the high heavens. Now that he can’t perform anymore, they’ve all turned on him. I know he’s no saint, but good grief—I’d forgotten just how cruel people can be."

"Just wait until everyone finds out what she actually did." zhao Li Xin said in nonchalant tone, while offered another spoonful. "Now, say ’aaah’..."

"Aaah..." Lory opened her mouth in a way that felt entirely natural. After swallowing the soup, she continued with a serious expression.

"Dominique Hartley, A.K.A Meredith Warren, our spy within Elysium—reports that many followers have begun to question Alinna’s position as the Saint. Naturally, they don’t dare to voice their opinions openly, but rumors have started to spread."

"If someone builds their entire reputation around a single strength, then it’s hardly surprising that people will cast them aside once they can no longer demonstrate it," Zhao Li Xin remarked in his usual cold, clinical tone whenever the subject concerned someone other than Lory.

He then picked up a tissue and gently wiped the corner of her lips. His touch was so tender that it was almost impossible to reconcile with the cold assessment he had just delivered.

Yeah..." Lory frowned thoughtfully. "I wonder how I would feel if something like that happened to me?"

"—It wouldn’t happen," Zhao Li Xin interrupted her with absolute certainty.

"Your reputation is built on your character. From what I’ve observed during my time here, people don’t admire you solely because of your power. They admire your leadership, your wisdom, and, above all, your character. Even if you were to lose your powers, people would still seek you out for guidance."

"You think I’m that good?" Lory nudged his arm playfully.

"Yes. Back at the Hei Shen Sect, at least, Bei Li Yan, Jin Hao, and the others listened to you even when they had no idea just how powerful you truly were."

"I thought they just being nice..." Lory’s eyes softened. She turned to look at Zhao Li Xin. "I wish we could go back and tell them that you’re going to be a father. I wonder how they’d react."

"Loud, that’s what you’d get," Zhao Li Xin answered. There was no harshness in his voice, though. If anything, Lory could detect a hint of fondness beneath his otherwise indifferent tone.

She knew he probably missed them, even if he hadn’t quite realised it himself. Lory leaned her head against his shoulder. "I love you."

Zhao Li Xin didn’t quite understand what had prompted her to say that so suddenly, but he welcomed the unexpected affection with delight. "I love you too, wife."’

He kissed the top of her head before, a moment later, raising his spoon again. "Say ’ahhh... This is the last one."

Lory lifted her head and obediently opened her mouth. "Ahhh..."

___________________________________________

Lucas sat inside the aircraft, the steady hum of its engines filling the cabin. Fargo was at the controls, piloting them toward their destination, while the others made their final preparations in their black tactical suits.

Jay sat hunched over his laptop, a pair of headphones covering his ears as he tracked the Ascendancy terrorists’ movements. His fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard as he maintained contact with Leon at headquarters, coordinating their approach.

A few seats away, Fred and Clift were busy transferring their weapons and other equipment into their spatial rings.

"I really like this ring," Fredhardt remarked, turning the ring on his finger with an appreciative look. "If we’d had these back during the Dark Age War, we would’ve saved ourselves a whole lot of trouble."

"We might’ve even killed Nazareth sooner," Clift commented casually.

The two exchanged a knowing look, then chuckled.

It was strange how easily they could talk about those days now. Back then, even the slightest mention of the Dark Age War had been enough to cast a shadow over the entire group. Every memory inevitably led back to Lory’s death, and none of them had been able to speak of it without feeling the unbearable weight of that loss.

But things were different now. Lory was back. She was alive, safe, and well. Knowing that Zhao Li Xin had protected and cared for her throughout the years they had thought her lost brought them an immense sense of relief. It also eased the guilt they had carried over their failure to protect her.

Now, seeing her reunited with her devoted husband and carrying their twins, they could finally begin to let go of the past. They no longer had to remember her as someone they had lost, but as someone who had found her way back to them.

The scars of the war hadn’t disappeared, but at least they no longer had to live with the certainty that they had lost her forever.

Lucas settled into the seat beside Jay and glanced at the laptop screen. "How close are we?"

"Ten minutes," Jay replied, his attention never leaving the screen. "They’re planning to attack the power grid just outside our town. Clever target. It’s beyond the King’s barrier, but it supplies twenty percent of our country’s electricity."

"If they hit it, at least two cities will suffer a blackout. And once the news gets out, people will start thinking we’re vulnerable to their attacks," Fredhardt said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Then let’s stop them. I also want to see just how powerful these people have become with MADD implanted in their heads," Lucas said.

"We’ll be jumping in five minutes!" Fargo announced from the cockpit. He engaged the autopilot before making his way toward them. "You all ready?!"

Clift gave a nonchalant reply. "As ready as always."

Jay grinned. "How long has it been since our last jump?"

"Long enough," Fargo smirk.

Fredhardt slung a parachute bag over his shoulder before glancing at Lucas. "Guess you don’t need one, right?"

"You know, I never need one." Lucas looked at him as though he’d just asked the most pointless question.

Fredhardt tilted his chin, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "I thought that now that you’re getting older, you might want to come down... you know, quietly."

"Get into position, guys!" Fargo called out, then pressed a button, and the aircraft’s rear ramp slowly lowered, revealing the vast expanse of sky beyond.

Lucas smirked. "Come on, Fred." He gave the man a playful punch in the chest. "You know, I don’t do quiet." With that, he strode toward the edge of the ramp and leaped into the open sky.

"You heard what the King said!" Jay grinned before launching himself out of the aircraft in a backflip, his parachute securely strapped to his back, and cheers, "Woohoo!"

Clift rolled his eyes, while Fargo burst out laughing. One after another, they followed.

Fredhardt chuckled. "Loud it is!" He took a running start before leaping out of the aircraft.

Once everyone had exited, the rear ramp automatically closed. The aircraft climbed higher into the sky, disappearing among the clouds to avoid detection by enemy radar.

Meanwhile, Lucas teleported through the sky, moving swiftly until he reached the perfect height and position. In the next instant, he descended like a falling star, crashing toward the ground with tremendous force.

He landed on one knee, the impact sending dust and debris scattering in every direction. One of the Seven Gods’ swords was already firmly gripped in his hand.

The Ascendancy terrorists froze.

Their eyes widened in disbelief as they recognized the man standing before them. Fear spread across their faces, and their hearts pounded violently against their chests.

The King had come.

"You shouldn’t have come here," Lucas said, slowly rising to his feet.

A moment later, Fargo landed with a heavy thud, having discarded his parachute just before touching the ground. Jay, Clift, and Fredhardt soon followed, gathering beside Lucas without a hint of hesitation.

The terrorists exchanged nervous glances. One of them hurriedly pulled out a signal device and activated it.

A moment later, the ground began to tremble. From the sky and beneath the earth, hundreds of Baels emerged, their monstrous bodies quickly filling the battlefield. Their deafening roars echoed across the open field, shaking the surrounding area as they closed in on the intruders.

"Kill the King! Kill the Archknights!" one of the terrorists screamed.

The Baels roared in response, their monstrous figures surging forward, eager to tear their enemies apart.

Yet Lucas and his men didn’t falter. Their expressions remained calm. Instead, smiles slowly spread across their faces, as though they had been waiting for this very moment.

"Kill the King, huh? That’s not something you should say in front of an Archknight," Fredhardt remarked with a wicked grin.

Fargo glanced at the approaching horde and let out a low chuckle.

"Look at that. Just like the old days."

"Clift, wanna bet on who gets the most Bael heads?" Jay asked with a wide grin.

"You’re on. The loser has to accompany Lory on a binge-watching session of soap operas," Clift said, stepping forward and rolling his shoulders as he prepared for battle.

"Dam*, I’m not gonna lose!" Jay expression suddenly turn serious.

"Just remember to keep one alive, guys" Fredhardt reminded them casually.

Lucas raised his sword. The blade gleamed beneath the light as a cold smile touched his lips. He surveyed the approaching horde before turning toward his men.

"Archknights!" His voice rang across the battlefield. "Finish them!"

A dangerous smirk tugged at his lips.

_______________________________________

___At Cestine Palace___

Lory sat in front of her computer, watching the live footage of her brother and friends battling the Ascendancy terrorists and the Baels. Despite the chaos unfolding on the screen, she didn’t look the slightest bit worried.

Zhao Li Xin approached, carrying a cup of hot chamomile tea infused with ginger and honey. He handed it to Lory before sitting down beside her. "That doesn’t look like a fair fight," he make casual comment as he watching the battle unfold on the screen.

"Yeah, Luc and the others will wipe them out before sunset. I’ve got nothing to worry about," Lory replied, a hint of amusement in her voice as she peered over the rim of her mug.

Zhao Li Xin couldn’t help but smile faintly at her good mood. He turned his attention back to the screen, watching Lucas swing his sword through the battlefield.

"Is that one of the seven god’s swords?" his eyes lit up with curiosity and interest. "Would it be alright if I asked it to spar against Crimson Lightning?"

Lory shrugged. "I think that’s a good idea. I’m curious to see who would win, too." She glanced at him. "But if we’re counting swords, Lucas has seven while you only have one."

"Well, that’s no excuse, is it?" Zhao Li Xin replied, seemingly unbothered by the disadvantage. Meanwhile, in the Mystic Realm, the poor Fire Spirit suddenly shivered. A terrible premonition crept over it for no apparent reason.