The Rise of the Forgotten: The Rise of the Forgotten, #6

By Wesley Wang

In the vast world of fantasy literature, Wesley Wang's "The Rise of the Forgotten" emerges as a distinctive gem. This novel presents a tale that is both deeply rooted in reality and expansively fantastical. Wang, with his attention to detail and vivid imagination, spins a captivating story filled with mystery, resilience, and strategy from the outset.

The narrative unfolds with a young man's harrowing escape from a fate he didn't deserve, propelling him on an epic journey of discovery and valor. Revealed as the last descendant of an esteemed noble family, and under the wing of an enigmatic protector, he ventures into a realm laden with covert plots and timeless sorcery. Navigating through the intricacies of magic and combat, his every choice and newly formed alliance bring forth insights that upend his views on the world and his destined role within it.

"The Rise of the Forgotten" is remarkable for its intricately designed Western fantasy landscape, drawing readers into a world where the magic systems are complex, the cultures are richly varied, and the map of empires and domains is drawn with precision. Through Wang's storytelling, readers embark on a voyage across a broad spectrum of emotions and societal intricacies, delving into themes of identity, authority, and salvation, all set against the canvas of ancient mysteries and divine conspiracies.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wesley Wang
• Release date: Apr 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224899586

Book preview

Chapter 1

The vampire looked at the beautiful little girl in front of him in horror, realizing that he couldn't fight here. He swung his wings forward, raised his arms, and his sharp nails began to emit a faint red glow. Then, a dark red vampire spell appeared around his wrists.

Bind!

Instantly, red threads appeared next to Andariel, completely trapping her and preventing her from attacking the vampire any further. With a tight grip of his hands, the threads solidified, binding her tightly.

But after falling to the ground, Andariel spat out a string of cryptic incantations. Before the vampire could even reach out to pick her up, a beam of light descended from the sky and struck him, catching him off guard.

Relieve...

The power of this spell wasn't strong, but it was enough to delay Andariel for at least two seconds. Following that, she smoothly unleashed her heretical magic, which surpassed the power of a level I mage. With unimaginable precision, she used a blue sword that descended from the sky to cut through the blood-red threads that bound her, and then she raised her hand and unleashed an even more powerful beam of light at the vampire.

Crack!

This time, the vampire, with his raised bat wings, blocked the attack. Angry and surprised, he immediately counterattacked with two crescent-shaped waves of energy. However, Andariel became even more courageous in the face of the battle, her eyes fixed on her opponent. Her hands were surrounded by two violet-colored halos, which emitted a fluctuation of elemental energy when raised, effectively blocking the vampire's attacks in the next instant.

Crack!

The sound of the clash of spells echoed crisply in the spacious royal courtyard.

However, Andariel had clearly made a slight mistake, as the residual force of the impact still cut open two wounds on her arms.

Damn it!

The vampire cursed aloud, realizing he had wasted precious time that should not have been wasted. After confirming that there was no one around, he raised his hand to prepare for another attack, but then he found his arm being forcefully stopped by something.

Turning his head, the vampire was instantly dumbfounded - Leo, expressionless, had silently appeared behind him.

Without a word, he turned around and delivered a powerful chop, aiming straight for Leo' chest...

Crack.

The sound of bones breaking echoed, accompanied by cries of astonishment. The vampire, whose bones had completely shattered, looked in pain at the bone fragments piercing through his skin. However, he realized that Leo hadn't even flinched - an invisible shield in front of him had completely blocked his attack without any damage.

The bat of the Clement family?

Leo, gripping the vampire's other arm, said in a deep voice, Do you know that you have done something that displeases me - and this will also affect my attitude towards William when I meet him next.

You—

Before the vampire could finish his sentence, he watched in horror as the surroundings spun before his eyes - Leo, without any nonsense, single-handedly lifted him up and threw him into the air, then slammed him onto the ground in front of him!

Boom!

The sturdy marble floor collapsed, leaving a deep pit. And Leo showed no intention of stopping, continuously swinging the vampire, who had a similar build to himself, like a duck, smashing him onto the ground five times in a row!

After the fifth time, the ground had a completely irreparable deep pit, and the guy who had just planned to take Andariel away for interrogation had completely collapsed, unconscious.

It would be more appropriate to leave him to the royal family than to execute him ourselves, Leo said as he walked over and gently grabbed Andariel's arm, which was still in a fighting stance despite being injured. However, her arm was gradually turning red from the flowing blood, causing Leo to furrow his brow. He then used the condensed elements on the surface of her wound to form a bandage-like substance, gently wrapping her arm while continuing, Don't wander off like that next time. I can't always keep an eye on you.

Hmph, Andariel suppressed the pain and wrinkled her nose, showing her disdain. Confident that she could defeat the vampire, she didn't understand the consequences of causing a scene in the palace. So she directly confronted Leo, saying, He's a liar. He deceived me, and I will make him pay!

He has already paid the price, Leo signaled for Andariel to follow his footsteps. But seeing her stubborn appearance, he simply picked her up and held her against his chest, turning back towards the banquet hall. Not all retribution has to be carried out by you. Remember, extreme revenge is never the right and safe choice.

I knew you would say something profound, Andariel said, knowing she couldn't struggle. She obediently lay in his arms, not at all shy, and continued, Why do you treat me like this... and why do I not resist you in my heart...

Leo remained silent. He still couldn't figure out the true nature of Andariel's changed personality. But at this moment, he was well aware that he shouldn't cause any trouble in the palace right after a successful cooperation with the royal family. In fact, as soon as he carried Andariel a few steps away, he saw a squad of well-trained guards rushing towards them, with Prince Longinus appearing at the end of the line.

Vampires? he asked directly. Seeing Leo nod, the most powerful warrior in the royal family took a step forward and said, Well done. Don't forget to take advantage of the situation and gain some benefits.

Leo didn't know how to respond to such words. Fortunately, the prince had already left, so he gently put down the little girl outside the venue and carefully examined the wound wrapped in elemental bandages. Finally, he whispered, I'm sorry.

The little girl, who had some resentment in her heart, was instantly disarmed by Leo' attitude. However, she couldn't just surrender directly, so she pouted and looked to the side. But who knows what she was thinking at this moment?

Returning to the banquet hall, the lively atmosphere and guests remained as usual. Duke Akar was chatting with His Majesty, while Prince Schopenhauer had already left early. Only a few princesses were secretly sizing up Leo.

It was as if nothing had happened.

Leo, who had personally compensated Andariel by getting her a glass of red wine, secretly speculated on the meaning behind the Clement family's pawn. However, it was clear that his intelligence network in Constantine was not as extensive as the Creed that covered Baliche. In the end, Leo could only give up on this inexplicable clue.

The content of the next few hours of the banquet was not worth Leo' attention. The only thing that surprised him was a letter that appeared in the carriage as they left the venue.

The appearance of the letter immediately reminded Leo of its owner, Duke Isara Solomon, the head of the Hawkeye intelligence organization.

Do we have another task to attend to? Bob, sitting next to Leo, asked softly. It seemed that as she gradually interacted with Leo' social circle, her personality became more cheerful and proactive.

There's always one thing after another, but first, we have to attend the hunting event that Prince Schopenhauer invited us to the day after tomorrow.

Why would we go to someone who's scared out of their wits? Andariel's injuries were no longer serious. Obviously, she had become almost numb to pain instinctively.

She wanted to say something, but when she saw Bob's gaze, she obediently closed her mouth, as if the words of this sister were commands.

Naturally, it's not just to see that prince. Today's events are not that simple. The royal family will eventually have to answer to us, Leo pointed to the distant palace and continued, Just like the prince said, we need to take advantage of the situation and gain some benefits. After all, when faced with danger, we ultimately rely on ourselves.

...

While Leo was waiting for the next face-to-face conversation with the royal family, Xiselin City was launching its seventh counterattack against external forces.

The intelligence system in Eilindel provided Hegel with unimaginably detailed information about the enemy. However, those who thought they could break through Lampard's defense line were crushed by Lana's cavalry before they even caught a glimpse of Xiselin City.

Any group with less than five hundred people that dared to charge into Xiselin City was completely wiped out by the combined forces of Hida's tree soul-enhanced cavalry. As for those with more than five hundred people, they were bombarded by large-scale spells cast by the magic corps from the air as soon as they entered the Lampard border, reducing them to ashes.

In simple terms, Xiselin City, despite being besieged by various slave-hunting teams, remained calm and even treated these fools who came to their deaths as practice partners. The soldiers and mages accumulated more and more experience through each battle, gradually reducing the casualty ratio to an unbelievable level.

Sunderland did not participate in the magic corps' recent three actions to drive away the enemy. Instead, he began planning the construction of the academy. This was far more complicated than any research topic because the only reference he had was the three major magic academies in Baliche. However, as someone from the Phoenix, he had no idea how to build a complete academy system from scratch and allocate resources.

Leo requested that the magic academy he wanted to build not only have an educational function but also serve as the defense center for the entire territory. This was a significant difference from the three academies in Butijia, as they were not the city's protection centers; only the palace was.

Therefore, faced with batches of expensive resources gradually transported from Butijia, Sunderland felt at a loss on how to proceed. It was like a completely different field, and this was Sunderland's biggest frustration.

The height of the magic tower had not yet been decided because the higher it was, the deeper and more numerous the foundations and magic arrays that needed to be prepared in the early stages. The recent proposals from the entire Night Watch's magic laboratory were focused on perfecting a plan. However, even after more than ten revisions, Sunderland was still unsatisfied.

With no other choice, he had to convey the message of the delayed plan to Eilindel, hoping that Leo would understand the current predicament of the magic corps.

However, Eilindel brought Sunderland a message directly from Leo. Pansel Magic Academy was willing to provide active support and give a basic architectural plan.

Leo received this information from Freud the day after returning from the banquet. Without hesitation, he had Hydra personally deliver the precious documents to Eilindel. This way, a significant portion of Sunderland's work in the magic laboratory was eliminated. Sunderland deeply appreciated the value of these blueprints and felt extremely fortunate that he had chosen to stay here. Countless seemingly impossible tasks had become a reality under Leo' leadership, one by one.

After Hydra delivered the documents and leisurely returned to Byzantine, Leo and Bob appeared on the edge of the royal hunting grounds as Hydra faintly entered the Byzantine border in the sea of clouds.

Andariel's wound had mostly healed, and at this moment, as Bob's bodyguard, he obediently stood by her side. Sphinx was lazily sunbathing on Bob's lap. Facing the group of hunters on horseback nearby, both of them showed little interest.

Your Highness.

Leo changed into hunting attire, looking sharp and energetic. He rode up to Prince Schopenhauer and greeted him softly. However, the prince's gaze was mostly directed towards Bob. He nodded hastily in response to Leo and said, It is an honor to have the three of you join this hunt. Father originally had no intention of participating, but he suddenly changed his mind and said he would come later. Until then, we can hunt freely.

The prince, who was gradually recovering from the shock brought by Bob's identity, was clearly trying to salvage his own image. He wore understated hunting attire and also held a short bow, glancing ahead.

It was obvious that this hunt was not a show with a group of nobles accompanied by numerous servants. Apart from Leo, the prince, and the two princesses, there were no other participating nobles—although it couldn't be ruled out that the prince hastily arranged this itinerary due to a conversation two days ago.

It would be more appropriate for the women to stay outside the hunting grounds. I think we can have a private conversation as well.

Prince Schopenhauer only brought two hunting dogs and rode towards the hunting grounds—Leo neither agreed nor disagreed. He turned back and nodded at Bob and Andariel, then followed his footsteps.

The two princesses came here only because of their brother Schopenhauer's invitation. They had no interest in hunting at all. At this moment, they stayed with Bob and Andariel, accompanied by the rest of the servants. However, it seemed that no one was willing to open up and start a conversation. They all silently gazed into the distance at the forest, lost in thought.

I understand my father's intentions. He really hopes that you can marry into the royal family. It's one of the simplest and most effective ways. But as you can see, I don't want anyone to mistreat my two sisters. Once they entered the forest, where no one else could eavesdrop on their conversation, Prince Schopenhauer's tone relaxed. He turned to Leo and spoke frankly, The other day, I was so against you because I wanted to see if you were capable of deserving them.

Oh? Leo casually surveyed the surroundings with his short bow in hand, as if answering nonchalantly, So, do you think I'm qualified?

You're not a traditional noble, that's for sure.

Prince Schopenhauer turned his gaze forward. You don't care about the things that nobles care about, which makes it difficult for me to test you with my supposed cleverness. But obviously, you have gained my father's approval, which proves that you are not just a name without substance.

The sound of the horse's steps echoed crisply in Leo' ears. He remained silent for a moment before suddenly saying, For the future of the Wendell Sol family, an alliance with the royal family is a very correct choice. However, obviously, this choice is not the only one for me.

What, you don't fancy the royal family? Schopenhauer raised his short bow, placed an arrow on it, and stopped in his tracks. He skillfully aimed into the distance, released the bowstring without even looking, then turned his head back to Leo. Constantine's power is already indisputably the first on the continent, and there is no possibility of being surpassed in the next few decades. I think you shouldn't be unclear about what that represents.

Watching the hunting dog rush out and retrieve the pierced wild rabbit, he gently lifted the reins and continued forward. I find it somewhat incomprehensible to refuse the opportunity of a royal alliance.

As they walked forward while chatting, they had already entered deep into the hunting area. However, the vast forest meant that Leo and Prince Schopenhauer would not encounter any large game here. Leo never raised his short bow throughout, and Prince Schopenhauer didn't bother to collect the rabbits he hunted. Instead, he let the hunting dog tear them apart and eat them on the spot.

I originally wanted to use a metaphor, but upon further thought, it's not appropriate. Let's forget it. Leo looked at the torn rabbit and dismissed the idea of comparing a royal alliance to a useless rabbit. In his eyes, the royal princess was like that rabbit being torn apart by the hunting dog. Prince Schopenhauer didn't need her, so he simply handed her over to the dog that needed meat. And Leo didn't need a royal alliance, so...

Let me put it another way.

Leo tugged on the reins, dismounted, and gestured for Prince Schopenhauer to do the same and talk. The latter was somewhat puzzled but followed his footsteps without any guard.

Bob's identity is very sensitive. I can see the relationships between her and you. But why would a man who can have unlimited power waste all his energy on one woman? I think one of the signs of a man's success is having countless women willing to submit unconditionally.

As a prince born in the palace, Schopenhauer was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. His values were the same as most nobles: power, influence, and women. Shouldn't a hero have both a kingdom and beautiful women in his hands?

Whether or not women are willing to submit is their own business. How to face them is one's own business. Leo continued walking forward, then stopped. Your Highness, I want to ask, what is 'success' to you?

Prince Schopenhauer paused for a moment, then answered, Exceptional strength, immense wealth, and great power.

Alright. Leo nodded and continued, So, are you saying that only after achieving all these, do you think I have the qualifications to marry into the royal family? And as for Bob, I can easily favor many women without having to take responsibility for her?

Isn't that the case?

Before the prince could say anything else, he saw Leo raise his arm and abruptly turn towards the distant forest, swinging it forcefully!

Crack!

An inexplicable wave swept out, and a thunderous explosion echoed through the forest in front of Leo. Immediately, hundreds of thick trees fell down in unison, instantly creating a bright clearing in the once dark forest!

The area of this place was as large as the training ground of the royal army camp. Prince Schopenhauer could see that all the trees were broken at the height where Leo swung his arm, and the cut surfaces of each fallen tree stump were incredibly smooth.

This was a simple demonstration of power - Schopenhauer knew very well... even Prince Longinus couldn't achieve this.

However, this was not everything Leo wanted to convey. He turned around and said to the prince in front of him, Do you remember when you asked me why a dragon knight doesn't want to show off his dragon to others?

Leo shrugged, Because casually displaying your strength and background to others is always a sign of insecurity and can bring unnecessary trouble. But considering that you - a member of the royal family - asked this question, I feel it's necessary to explain it in this way.

As soon as he finished speaking, the bright sky was completely overshadowed by a shadow.

Prince Schopenhauer, who looked up, turned pale in an instant.

Chapter 2

Boom!

With a loud noise, Hydra landed directly behind Leo. The open space was just enough for the massive dragon, over a hundred meters long, to spread its wings and find a stable corner. Its wings folded, and its six heads immediately lowered to the ground, aligning neatly behind Leo.

These dragon heads were so large that the sharp teeth visible from their mouths were almost as long as Leo' legs. Not to mention the oppressive aura emanating from its enormous body, which was like a small mountain. Just the landing of this dragon made all the birds in the forest go crazy, flying away in a frenzy towards the distance. In an instant, even the prince standing in place felt as if doomsday had arrived.

Do you want me to go up?

His voice trembled as he asked Leo, who had already leaped onto Hydra's head and beckoned to him.

Gritting his teeth, the prince finally jumped onto the dragon's head, gripping onto its long horns tightly. He then experienced firsthand the Hydra spreading its wings in place and taking off into the sky...

In less than two minutes, Hydra, soaring towards the sky, had reached an altitude of thousands of meters above the ground. From here, the entire Constantine appeared incredibly small—Prince Schopenhauer felt an unprecedented shock, just like anyone else looking down from this position. He looked around and could only feel one emotion—loneliness.

It wasn't just the sense of loneliness brought about by the environment; he also experienced the feeling of loneliness of the powerful that comes from having strength beyond ordinary people's imagination. The term dragon knight was only an object of envy and admiration for ordinary people, but when one truly stood in the shoes of a dragon knight and looked down upon the world, they would understand that everything was far from being as simple as they had imagined.

Can you see the palace of Constantine from here?

Leo asked, breaking the silence. The cold wind in the air was blocked by his elemental shield. He stood steadily on Hydra's head, his hands lightly clasped behind his back, in stark contrast to Schopenhauer, who dared not let go of the dragon's horns even for a moment.

The prince looked down and said, Just a little.

I'm the same as you.

Leo smiled and gave a meaningful reply.

Immediately, Hydra began a rapid descent, and the discomfort caused by weightlessness made Schopenhauer's face turn pale. When everything settled down again, Schopenhauer noticed that the giant dragon was hovering about four to five hundred meters above the hunting ground.

The faint outline of several carriages at the edge of the hunting ground could be seen, and the dragon's shadow on the ground made him realize just how terrifying this creature's body was. At this moment, Leo asked again, Several other members of the Constantine royal family are currently at the edge of the hunting ground. We both know their positions, but can you try to see if you can find the figures of your two sisters?

Schopenhauer frowned and replied, At this altitude, I can't see anyone.

But I can see Bob, Leo answered with just this sentence, leaving Schopenhauer completely speechless.

...

Hydra's sudden appearance in the forest caused a catastrophe-like reaction. Countless animals scattered and fled, flocks of birds took flight, and the wild beasts panicked. The girls standing at the edge of the hunting ground noticed that something was amiss. However, while the two princesses quietly discussed the shadow that had appeared in the sky just now, Andariel turned to Bob and asked, By releasing Hydra in a place like this, is he trying to make them like him?

Why? Do you think he's doing something wrong?

Bob gently stroked Sphinx, who was dozing off on her leg, and smiled faintly. I've noticed that you're starting to care more about him.

No way, I'm just afraid he'll do something bad, the little girl wrinkled her nose and then leaned over to whisper, Why is he so good to you?

Bob raised an eyebrow, pinched her nose, and her face blushed slightly. Don't ask such questions.

Mischievous Andaril seemed to have hit a ticklish spot and was eager to continue asking, but suddenly, a huge figure appeared at the edge of the hunting ground - a Grizzly Bear. This large predator from the forest would never appear near the royal hunting ground, but at this moment, it hastily rushed out of the forest towards the two princesses and Bob because of Hydra's dragon power!

The guards on either side of the princesses were skilled royal guards, while Bob and Andaril seemed outnumbered. However, before these guards could draw their swords and rush forward to show their skills, the folded ear cat on Bob's leg raised its head.

The little creature first stretched lazily, then yawned, and finally jumped down from Bob's leg. After taking three steps forward, it transformed into its true form amidst a green glow.

Screams and the sound of swords being drawn filled the air - the two princesses never expected that the cute little cat would turn out to be this kind of creature. The snake head at the end of the Sphinx's tail swung horizontally, and the equally shocked Grizzly Bear, who couldn't escape in time, was sent flying. It then frantically climbed up and fled into the distance, leaving a deep bloodstain on its rear.

Meanwhile, the Sphinx had already transformed back into the form of a folded ear cat in less than a few seconds. It proudly hopped back into Bob's arms, took a nap, and completely ignored the terrified princesses and the pale-faced royal guards.

Andaril wanted to laugh but had to pretend to look at the scenery in the distance, while Bob generously apologized for Sphinx's reckless behavior to the two frightened princesses. The two members of the royal family didn't know how to respond - fortunately, the Emperor appeared in time, smiling as he asked about the origin of Bob's Sphinx, resolving the situation for his two speechless daughters.

When Hydra landed on the edge of the hunting ground with Leo and Schopenhauer, the Emperor had been waiting by Bob's side for a long time.

When the two princesses saw the dragon in front of them, they no longer doubted the identity of this Dragon Knight. However, because of the recent transformation of the small cat in Bob's arms and the towering dragon in front of them, their attitude towards Leo changed from curiosity to admiration. And when Hydra lowered its head, allowing Leo, who was standing above, to step down, the two princesses had no extra thoughts in their minds...

This was exactly the effect Leo wanted. Even members of the royal family would feel overwhelmed in the face of such extreme power and strength. With this step, he didn't need to waste any words on marriage alliance with the Emperor.

At this moment, it was also the first time the Byzantine monarch witnessed the legendary dragon. The overwhelming aura that came over him made him truly feel the despairing power. Compared to his young son, Schopenhauer, he naturally understood Leo's intentions. But obviously, Leo did it just right. The dragon landed a hundred meters away from the monarch, without any hint of arrogance. Leo and Prince Schopenhauer walked over and bowed to the monarch at the same time.

No wonder the Religious Tribunal treats you with such respect. Who would want to be its enemy? The Emperor still didn't hesitate to praise Leo and then turned to Schopenhauer, saying, It seems like you get along well with Leo, don't you?

The prince's face was still pale, and he could only nod without saying a word.

That's good, the emperor said, not paying too much attention. He patted the prince's shoulder, indicating that he should take care of the two princesses. Then he turned and walked along the edge of the hunting ground with Leo, clearly preparing for a private conversation.

Leo naturally followed along, and Hydra, who had transformed into a large bird, flew to Bob's side. Under Leo's mental command, Hydra obediently stayed by the vampire's feet, making the prince and princesses feel that Bob was an unimaginable presence. Meanwhile, Leo looked up at the emperor and asked, About that vampire?

Hades explained the situation to me. I have to say, this is an unacceptable negligence in royal security, the emperor apologized straightforwardly, without any airs. This banquet has brought shame to the royal family and to that...

Her name is Andariel, Leo smiled. Her injuries are not serious, and I have a way to prevent any scars from forming. You can rest assured.

But it is still my fault.

The monarch, who was less than sixty years old but still sharp-minded, shook his head with a serious expression. The negligence in the palace's defense has caused unnecessary pain to a girl who should not have been hurt. I don't think this is something that can be skipped over with just a few words. So, what I want to discuss with you today is simple: I hope to make amends for this.

The words were eloquent and direct, as if the monarch understood Leo's temperament well and did not beat around the bush. He directly proposed compensation. However, Leo knew very well that the more compensation the monarch offered, the closer his future relationship with the emperor would become, because debts of gratitude are never fully repaid.

The Wendell Sol family's territory has not expanded for a long time. I believe Old Akar would be delighted to hear this news. As for Miss Andariel herself... I would like to know where she comes from, the emperor said.

To be honest, she has some similarities with Bob, Leo didn't reveal any more information. After all, not many people knew how terrifying the title Mother of Pain was. If he were to tell the emperor that she was the incarnation of a demon from the depths of hell, he would probably be considered insane.

So... obtaining a legal identity seems necessary as well. I apologize for not considering Miss's situation earlier. Of course, the palace is now always welcoming the Wendell Sol family and the two ladies. I believe Schopenhauer would also be happy to have a benchmark example to learn from.

It seemed like reasonable conditions were being offered - territorial expansion, Andalir's identity, and the privilege to freely enter and exit the palace. It was enough for Leo to accept without hesitation. This monarch truly had a knack for finding the right balance.

Leo didn't say anything, just nodded - because he could tell that the monarch had more to say.

On another note, Freud gave me a report yesterday... Well, to be honest, it's been a while since I've seen him write me a report, but this time it seems like he's not joking.

About the Hida Seed?

Leo could easily guess the result. Freud wouldn't keep that fruit to himself. After all, its value and effects were beyond imagination. It was only a matter of time before it reached the emperor's ears. And giving it to Freud first saved Leo the trouble of explaining its value.

To be honest, the effects of this seed surprised me.

The monarch nodded, acknowledging without any unnecessary words that he valued the Hida Seed. Whether it's used for mage advancement, diplomatic gifts, or enchanting weapons and armor, it will have an unexpectedly powerful effect. You unconditionally gave it to Byzantine, and I express my gratitude for that.

He didn't say that the seed was given to Freud, but rather Byzantine. The significance behind this was different. Leo nodded and replied, As you imagined, I exchanged two seeds for the support of the Baliche monarch in building a magic academy. However, I gave it to Byzantine and didn't intend to ask for more - I believe Freud has already explained what I want.

A few construction diagrams of magic arrays are nothing Byzantine would be stingy about. Edward III opened his arms, stopped walking, and turned to look at Leo. It seems like the two of us always want to take advantage of each other, so that we can ask each other for favors in the future. But if we continue like this, it seems like neither of us will gain anything.

Leo was taken aback, then smiled at the monarch. At this moment, the two of them were on equal footing, without any distinction of rank. Leo's insanely powerful strength was balanced by the monarch's overwhelming authority. They both had something the other wanted, and it seemed that what he said was true.

It's embarrassing to say, but with Byzantine being so wealthy, I'm afraid there aren't many resources that catch your eye. Nevertheless, please speak up. I don't think we should discuss things in a tug-of-war manner between us.

He waved his hand, directly handing over the initiative to Leo. The implication was that he would immediately provide whatever Leo asked for. This generous offer was not something that anyone could easily accept. Leo understood that it meant he couldn't refuse when this monarch sought help.

But this was the opportunity. If he wanted to achieve something, he couldn't let any chance slip away.

Although the Lord of Baliche promised to provide resources to build a magic academy, I'm afraid the magic crystal cores alone won't be enough for my needs—

Write down a number and give it to Freud, and the rest will be taken care of, Leo interrupted before he could finish speaking.

The monarch agreed without hesitation, Even if you empty the national treasury of its crystal core reserves, I won't have a single complaint. Those things are no longer the hard currency of the continent—do you have any other requests?

The monarch's generosity left Leo momentarily stunned, but he soon smiled and rubbed his head. He shook his head and said, No, that's all.

This was true charisma. Leo couldn't help but admire himself for not lacking in the slightest.

...

Returning to the Duke's mansion, Leo had made a fortune. The number of crystal cores he wrote to Freud was certainly not enough to empty the national treasury, but their value easily exceeded a hundred thousand gold coins. However, this was already a reasonable action because the resources provided by Baliche's King Hasu to Leo were far more than this number.

Duke Akar was amazed by Leo's gains this time and openly said that he could enjoy his life without having to act as an old general on the battlefield. During dinner, when Andariel, Bob, and the father and son sat together at the table, the atmosphere felt more like a harmonious family. It had been a long time since the Duke's mansion felt so warm, and Akar was full of joy as he enthusiastically told Leo about the family's past experiences, whether experienced or heard.

As listeners, Leo and Bob were completely absorbed in the stories. It wasn't until two hours later that Leo noticed Andariel had fallen asleep in the armchair beside them. He then remembered to rest and carried the little girl to her own bedroom. After settling Bob in her room, Leo personally pushed her back to her bedroom.

This was also the first time Leo entered the room arranged for her in the Duke's mansion. It was simple, elegant, and tidy. There were no pretentious oil paintings or decorations on the walls, only a bookshelf filled with various books. After placing Bob by the bedside, Leo sat on a nearby chair and softly asked, Are you feeling a bit uncomfortable?

Bob lowered her head in silence for a moment, then raised her gaze slightly and said, It's not that I'm not used to it, I just never imagined that 'home' could be so warm.

She was lost in memories of when her husband, the Duke, had just told her stories, feeling immersed in history. Compared to what your father described to me, written words in books can be so stiff and rigid.

To be honest, this is the first time I've heard these stories.

Leo was telling the truth. He hadn't been at the Duke's mansion for very long, and he didn't have much communication with the Duke on a daily basis. What had the past family patriarchs experienced? What interesting anecdotes did they have? He had no idea.

It's hard to imagine it being like this, why is that?

Bob rarely asked questions, but she was curious about Leo.

Because I didn't live here before I turned fifteen. Leo smiled and then looked at the slightly tired Bob. It's getting late. These days, I don't have much to do, so I'll accompany you to take a walk in Constantine and see the places where I used to stay. How does that sound?

Bob smiled and nodded at his words, then looked at Leo, wanting to say something but hesitating.

Chapter 3

Leo felt a dryness in his mouth and struggled to find the right words. He sat there, locking eyes with Bob, both of them silent, unsure of what to say next.

Home... has always been a luxury for me, Bob said, turning her gaze out the window, lost in thought. I remember my father used to say the most common thing was his inability to promise me a complete family.

But opportunities always exist, as long as we strive for them, right? Leo replied softly, sighing and smiling helplessly. The past is just the past, we must always look forward. As for a complete family... what do you think defines 'home'?

I don't know, Bob shook her head, but continued, but for now, it feels good.

Those words made Leo' head spin for no reason... he felt a dryness in his mouth. He stood up and said, It's getting late, I should go.

With courage, he leaned in to gently kiss Bob's forehead, but halfway through the motion, he realized that her hand was lightly holding onto the one he had placed beside her.

The slightly lower body temperature of the vampire made Leo' mind feel like it had been struck by thunder. His lips, originally aimed at her forehead, involuntarily moved downward... downward... and finally met Bob's, who expressed her feelings through actions rather than words.

Leo was slightly breathless because he felt like there was a fire burning inside him. He had some red wine with dinner, but that wasn't a reason for him to act on his instincts. Suppressing his inner desires, Leo gently stood up, looked at those slightly hazy green eyes, cleared his throat, and finally whispered, Goodnight.

Bob's fingers gently released Leo' hand, blinked, and asked, Is this home?

Wherever you are, it is, Leo replied.

As preparations for a grand event were underway in the human realm, the atmosphere in the heavenly realm had reached freezing point.

The severe injuries sustained by Marl caught all members of the Magnus Council off guard. When Uriel led the heavenly army to retreat from Purgatory, where they were being pushed back by Kosuil, Marl, who had been unconscious for a long time, was discovered by a battle angel on the brink of death. The intelligent angel Perseus angrily questioned Uriel why he didn't stop Leo in time, but the only response he received was silence.

After Marl regained consciousness, Perseus inquired about the situation, but inexplicably felt a chill. Just how powerful was Leo to be able to escape unscathed after being heavily injured and pursued by thousands of battle angels and Marl?

Bob had destroyed the Land of Repentance in heaven, leaving behind ruins that silenced the members of the Magnus Council. The mountains and fortresses that once stood in this area were completely gone, leaving only a flat ground where Bob had once stayed. The explosion had turned this place into a radiating basin, and even after a long time, the lingering soul energy in the air still exuded a strong rhythm.

From the remnants of this soul aura, the angels could sense a trace of emotion that Bob had left behind... anxiety and anger.

She couldn't have escaped from here...

The archangels of the Magnus Council had already forgotten about their defeat in Purgatory because they couldn't face the fact that even their home had been turned upside down. Surrounded on all sides? In fact, it should be said that they brought it upon themselves.

If Bob had not been imprisoned when she arrived in the heavenly realm, but instead allowed to return to the human realm freely, would all these things have happened? But everything has its consequences and causes. When everything has already happened, the only thing these angels could do was to reorganize their army and prepare to continue investigating Purgatory's situation. No angel was willing to pursue Leo's whereabouts and hold him accountable, because unlike Purgatory, members of heaven could not descend to the human realm without being summoned, as it would break the rules of the realms and incur punishment from higher planes... and the so-called higher planes were the Temples and Sanctuaries.

Uriel and the other archangels once again led their army to the portal of the Purgatory realm. Last time, due to the threat from Kosuil, they wisely chose to retreat because they understood that a direct confrontation would be futile. So this time, the angelic realm changed its strategy and decided to send out a small reconnaissance force to investigate the movements of Katherine's demon army before deciding where to attack.

After all, the angelic army had no way to deal with the lords of Purgatory, but the demon army that had successfully killed the Purgatory lords Solanda and Feralas twice in a row was truly a strategic weapon. It may not be honorable to say so, but the current actions of the angelic army were nothing more than waiting for an opportunity to get a piece of the pie behind this demon army. Most of the archangels in the Magnus Council did not object to this decision... except for Marl, who cast the only dissenting vote.

Clearly, he couldn't forget the humiliation of being beaten by Leo to the point where even his helmet shattered. His mind was now filled with only one thought—revenge. Besides revenge, he didn't care about the war against the so-called lords of Purgatory!

But this state of madness led all members of the Magnus Council to vote collectively to have this archangel leave the council and calm down for a while. They all understood that an emotional mind and personal grudges would never bring any acts of justice to the heavenly realm.

However, Marl, who left the council in anger, returned to his dark red mountain peak with a spear in hand. He was waiting, waiting for any opportunity to exact revenge for everything Leo had done to him.

...

In the depths of hell, Katherine, Mandal, and their demon army halted their advance and refrained from launching any attacks on the third lord of hell during these days. They were waiting, not for the fallen angel Kosuil to initiate an attack, but for their weapon to regain its original power.

The terrifying presence of Solanda, who could kill with a single word, and Feralas, the embodiment of rage, had been defeated with a single blow, shattering their armor and heads. This unimaginable power was not something that Katherine possessed, nor was it something that anyone in their group could control.

Where did it come from?

The answer lay in what Katherine held in her hands - a heart that no longer beat, lying silently on her palm like a stone. This ancient-looking object was discovered by Katherine when she destroyed the Sapphiron Scepter. While standing in the Abyss, opening the rift to hell, she sensed a faint fluctuation after the Sapphiron Scepter melted into the lava. After quietly returning to the hellish plane, she quickly found this deeply hidden existence.

It was none other than the heart of the former sixth lord of hell.

No one knew why this lord suddenly died and disappeared from the hellish plane. The deaths of Solanda and Feralas were merely their souls being sealed, as their souls were immortal. But why did this lord, whose name had been forgotten, have their soul sealed away?

However, the location of its soul was not important. What mattered was that Katherine, who had found this lord's heart, possessed an unimaginable power. Even though the heart no longer beat, it could still unleash a force that could instantly cripple the other two lords of hell!

However, the energy of this heart had already been depleted. The main reason the group was stagnant here was that Katherine needed to slowly recharge the heart. But this did not mean that the entire demon army had no new movements. They consolidated the territories of Feralas and Solanda, seized their resources, and immediately gained control of millions of demon soldiers and countless food for them. Additionally, Katherine had also found something that piqued her interest... or rather, someone she was familiar with.

The soul of the just angel, Carl Paris.

Even though Carl Paris, who had been tortured by Solanda, existed in a soul state and could not dissipate, he was barely clinging to life. Although a soul could not die and could only disperse, Carl Paris, in his current soul form, exhibited a state of madness.

He remained silent, as if he would never speak, but attacked anyone who approached him like a madman - whether they were low-level demons, Mandal, or Katherine. However, his soul energy was no longer a threat to anyone, making his actions resemble that of a lunatic on crazy pills.

Tsk tsk, such a pity. Katherine looked at the angel who was waving his arms, trying to rush towards her but was firmly bound by the restraining spell. She pursed her lips, turned around, and walked away. The idea of getting something out of his mouth disappeared along with her. As the Lord of Lies, she raised her hand and a beam of light hit the angel's chest, instantly causing him to collapse on the ground, his pale blue body weakened and completely immobilized.

Since you've become trash, don't blame anyone for disposing of you.

The Lord of Lies took a step towards the distance, and the vampire clan leaders who followed him couldn't help but recall the fate of Gade, who had always clashed with Katherine before...

Purgatory always seemed to have this life and death rhythm.

But in the distant north of Purgatory, where there was no overwhelming lava but only black frozen soil, silence seemed to be the only theme here.

Countless winged demons lived in the continuous mountains, and it was they who completely drove the coalition army of tens of thousands of angels out of the Purgatory plane—even though more than seventy thousand were injured or killed, these demon armies never suffered any significant losses. This alone showed the formidable strength of the fallen angels.

And in the deepest part of the mountainous Purgatory, the fallen angel Kosuil himself sat calmly on a stone stool.

Compared to the