Lian's entrance was very loud, and the Sanctuary immediately issued an evacuation notice. Alexander, upon learning that an evil dragon had invaded the secret realm, actively sought it out. Although it seemed too early to face an evil dragon now, several other Brave One colleagues were present in this trial. With everyone working together, even if they couldn't slay the dragon on the spot, they might be able to force it to retreat.
At least, that's what he thought, so he searched for other Brave One candidates while tracking the dragon.
As a result, he personally witnessed Faust's intimate interaction with Lian. It wasn't a hostage situation, not a confrontation, not even a negotiation; they were just holding hands, chatting and laughing. They looked less like mortal enemies and more like lovers caught in a passionate affair!
Alexander could hardly believe his eyes. A respected occult noble, a distinguished monarch accepted by the 【Sacred Alliance】, and a "Brave One candidate" recognized by the Sanctuary, was actually colluding with an evil dragon. His vision blurred; he almost fainted from rage.
There's a traitor among us!
His extreme anger made him roar, and he raised the 【Blade of Praising Gods】, rushing forward with a furious aura. He disregarded everything; he wished he could step forward and forcefully explain the situation!
"Oh, I forgot." Lian tilted her head upon seeing this and said, "My curse makes most sons of man keep their distance, but a 【Brave One】 can't be influenced by it."
Faust clicked his tongue, smiled bitterly, and rubbed his forehead, "Ah, this is troublesome."
The prince of Qingxi was supposed to be undercover in the 【Sacred Alliance】. Being caught red-handed with an evil dragon in such an ambiguous situation would probably mean the end of his life here, wouldn't it?
If anyone else had seen it, Faust could have used Helen's connections to exert pressure and make excuses, but Alexander clearly wouldn't fall for that.
He was the purest tool-man 【Brave One】 spawned by the wheel of destiny. No matter how he had lived his life before, from the moment he picked up the 【Blade of Praising Gods】, he lived only to slay dragons. If he were to forcefully accuse Faust, His Royal Highness would truly have no recourse but to be forced out of the 【Sacred Alliance】. In the worst case, he would be attacked by everyone.
Selena crossed her arms and said expressionlessly, "You two dallied for too long. Now look, your reputation is ruined."
Irithea laughed, "So, can we start thinking about making a run for it now? Becoming public enemies? How novel."
Faust was expressionless.
Although the lingering power of the 【witches' feast】 was still present, it was unlikely to lead to the downfall of the kingdom. At worst, they would just join the Second Empire's faction. But this would mean the Qingxi Kingdom's faction would no longer be able to join the circle of mainstream kingdoms, becoming an outcast, reviled by all. His entire diplomatic map would be deep red, does anyone understand? Was he going to act like a war maniac and tear apart the encirclement network?
"No matter, children. Since this matter started because of me, I have a responsibility to clean up your mess." Lian smiled gently, hands behind her back, and said, "All of you, and your respective kingdoms, can come to my side. I will protect you."
Oh, good, good, good. So this was her little trick. Faust seriously suspected Lian had deliberately created this situation. After meeting him, she immediately tried to get him to join her!
But His Royal Highness thought deeper. For instance, Lian's appearance was too coincidental. According to her, it was a whim, and there was no need to doubt that; neither fairies nor dragons bothered to lie. The question was, why now of all times?
"Traitor! Evil dragon!" Alexander roared, interrupting Faust's thoughts. He raised the 【Blade of Praising Gods】, the light of the hymn gems growing ever brighter, condensing into a stream of light around him.
"I praise the brave souls!"
"I praise the noble guardians!"
"I praise the art of cutting steel!"
"I praise the sharpness that breaks spells!"
Multiple hymns activated simultaneously! A pillar of light shot into the sky, illuminating the desolate firmament. This was different from the minor skirmishes he had with Faust; Alexander hadn't held back then, but he hadn't gone all out either. True, desperate combat, regardless of cost, meant the full activation of multiple hymns.
"Pfft—" Sure enough, immediately after chanting the fourfold hymn blessings, Alexander spat out a mouthful of blood. But he paid it no mind, gripping his sword with both hands, its tip pointed directly at Lian. Brilliant light flowed and wove along the blade, and the sword's chanted poetry wrapped around him as a blessing.
"Evil dragon!" His voice boomed like thunder.
"Prepare to die—!"
As his words fell, he transformed into a streak of light and charged towards Lian! Where the sword's edge passed, the air was torn apart, the ground was ploughed into a deep gully, shattered rocks flew, and dust billowed! A hundred zhang distance, covered in an instant! The stream of light at the sword's tip transformed into a massive light cannon, aiming straight for Lian's chest!
Yet, facing this earth-shattering blow, Lian's expression remained calm. She didn't even reveal her true dragon form; the dragon-maiden merely raised a single finger.
Subsequently, the light cannon, powerful enough to pierce mountains, halted abruptly before her. It was as if it had struck an absolutely insurmountable domain; all magic was indefinitely slowed down a certain distance in front of Lian.
Alexander's angry expression froze. He stared blankly as the most powerful light cannon he had unleashed struggled, twisted, and shrieked before Lian's fingertip, ultimately dissolving into ethereal mist and vanishing.
"Hmm?" Lian tilted her head and said, "Young Brave One, you haven't even mastered the dragonslaying hymn. What makes you think you can fight me?"
"It's too early. It's too early for you to fulfill your mission. My end has not yet come, and it will certainly not be here. Turn back, son of man."
Even when facing her true enemy, the 【Brave One】 whose mission was to slay dragons, this elegant and charming dragon-maiden was extremely tolerant, even telling Alexander to go back and train for two more years before returning.
However, her good intentions sounded like the ultimate insult in Alexander's ears. The young man's bronze face twisted with rage, almost grinding his teeth, his eyes bloodshot as he said, "Evil dragon! Are you pitying me?! Do you even have the right to pity me?!"
"How could I not know that the gap between us is like a chasm? But since I've received this title, how can I retreat upon seeing an evil dragon? If I retreat once, there will be a second and a third time, until I'm at ease with it. Heh, you actually plan to plant the seed of cowardice in my heart!"
"Therefore, today, I will advance without retreat, and I will slay you here!!"
Faust watched this scene, his eyebrows raising slightly. Although Alexander's words were righteous and inspiring, the truth revealed was—
You can't leave without killing me?!
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