Book 4: Chapter 1 |
All techniques of the Nine Hells Gate relied on pure physical combat to strike down enemies, and the Ninth Gate was no exception.
Judging purely from its movement, Night Armor appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary flying kick.
Yet the destructive power contained within it completely overturned common understanding.
Even Claudia, who had fully studied and integrated the ancient texts of Nine Hells Gate, was seeing someone truly execute Night Armor for the first time in her life.
A dazzling crimson male lion charged toward the Primal Nightmare with overwhelming force.
Blood-red steam spread along its path, like a shortcut leading straight to hell.
Everyone was watching this final strike through recording crystals.
At this moment, what Leon carried was no longer just the expectations of the Lionheart Society but the hopes of every single citizen of the Empire.
He must win.
Violent energy surged through Leon’s entire body. Every meridian and bone screamed with crushing pain.
Especially his heart.
Without Lothswisse’s heart-protecting dragon scale, Leon would have already collapsed midway.
Just before unleashing Night Armor, the silver dragon scale on Leon’s chest erupted with brilliant light.
The gentle glow reflected off Leon’s resolute face, as though its original owner were standing right beside him.
Power rippled outward.
The fierce shockwave lifted the hair on Leon’s forehead, and for an instant, a trace of relief and tenderness flashed through his murderous gaze.
“Thank you, Lothswisse.”
The dark-red lion pierced straight through the Nightmare.
In an instant, countless wails of tormented souls echoed throughout the Empire.
Centered on the Upper City, the explosion’s shockwaves spread endlessly outward.
Firelight illuminated the night sky, as though the sun had risen early.
In the distance, Constantine narrowed his eyes as he stared at the shattered battlefield.
“So this… is the power of the Ninth Gate…”
Hearing this, Claudia seemed to recall something. She turned to Constantine and reminded him seriously,
“Didn’t he say this move was originally meant for you?”
Old Kang was momentarily speechless.
“I suggest you reconsider your relationship with him,” the elegant woman added, her tone deceptively gentle.
Constantine snorted coldly and flicked his sleeve.
“A physical technique that causes backlash. Nothing to fear.”
Being stubborn was a signature trait of Dragon Kings.
Claudia merely smiled and said nothing.
“Leon!”
After Night Armor ended, Lothswisse spread her dragon wings and flew straight toward the battlefield.
Claudia transformed into her dragon form as well, carrying Rebecca along with Martin and Nacho as she followed.
Once again, Constantine was left alone, standing awkwardly in the wind.
“…I hate the Empire.”
At this moment, Old Kang was already running toward the battlefield again.
……
The group rushed into the Upper City battlefield.
Lothswisse and Claudia beat their wings, blowing away smoke and dust.
“There!” Rebecca pointed ahead.
They immediately ran over.
Leon stood there, posture straight and unwavering.
The red steam slowly dissipated from his body, and the bulging blood vessels on his face gradually returned to normal.
Before him lay the Knife Trio, separated from the Primal Nightmare itself.
The three brothers were utterly drained, sprawled on the ground, unable to move.
Gini slowly opened his eyes and recognized the man before him.
“Leon… you really are absurdly strong.”
Leon said nothing, quietly waiting.
Clutching his chest, Gini staggered to his feet.
“So now… the Empire is finished, right? Then… there’s no need for us to be enemies anymore. Please spare us, brothers. Is that okay…?”
Leon tilted his head slightly, expression indifferent.
“Spare… you?”
Gini nodded frantically, sincerity written all over his soot-stained face.
“Yes! We were forced into this. The Empire had us tightly under control. Now that the Empire is finished, we’re free.”
At the same time, the second brother, Gitae, shakily stood up to assist.
“Leon… we really were on opposing sides before. But now that Kant has fallen, there’s no need to wipe us out completely, right…?”
Leon calmly echoed their words.
“Wipe you out…”
“You—you’re a hero in everyone’s eyes now, and we don’t even have the strength to resist. Killing us would damage your reputation!”
“Yes, yes! Leon, we’re thinking for your sake! Spare us now, and one day the three of us will definitely repay you!”
They exhausted every word, begging Leon to spare their lives.
Meanwhile, on the far side, the one-armed Kimei quietly pulled a dagger from behind his waist and crept closer.
Gini and Gitae continued pleading, deliberately drawing Leon’s attention.
When Kimei got close enough, he suddenly lunged forward, stabbing viciously toward Leon’s carotid artery.
But—
A nimble figure flashed past, slamming Kimei to the ground and pinning his head firmly against it.
Nacho restrained him and sneered.
“Trying to sneak attack? You still need more practice.”
Seeing the plan exposed, the other two stopped pretending and rushed Leon with their hidden daggers, intending to die together.
Gitae was immediately tackled by Martin, who seized the dagger from his hand in the same motion.
Gini continued roaring as he charged.
“Kasmod! I want your life! Today you’ll be buried with us brothers—”
Bang!
A crisp sniper shot rang out.
The bullet pierced straight through Gini’s palm.
The dagger clattered to the ground.
“My… my hand!!!”
Gini collapsed backward, clutching his blood-soaked right hand and wailing.
Leon walked up to him and looked down coldly.
That gaze was filled with disdain for the defeated.
“You said you were forced into this. That it was because of position and circumstance.”
“And you tried to use the Empire’s downfall to persuade me to spare you.”
“That makes no sense.”
“Because my reason for killing you has nothing to do with the Empire.”
“And nothing to do with position.”
“I’m killing you because you hurt my master.”
“In other words…”
His eyes were utterly devoid of warmth.
“This is personal.”
Leon raised his right hand.
Three arcs of lightning attached themselves to the hearts of the Knife Trio.
“Leon! Leon, please—spare us—Leon! Even as ghosts, we won’t let you go! I’ll kill—”
Snap
With a single finger snap, the lightning detonated simultaneously, destroying their hearts.
“Save it for your next life.”
“Captain!”
Rebecca ran over with her sniper rifle.
“Over there!”
Leon followed her gaze.
A bloated figure crawled out of the rubble, trying to sneak away.
“Your turn,” Leon said.
Rebecca smiled knowingly.
“Understood.”
She raised her sniper rifle, aimed, and fired.
The bullet drew a straight line through the air and pierced Kant’s knee.
Kant collapsed.
“Why didn’t you just blow that dog emperor’s head off?” Nacho asked.
Rebecca lowered her rifle.
“The captain has his own plan.”
Leon approached the pitiful, obese king.
Unlike the Knife Trio, Kant had no schemes. He dropped to his knees instantly.
“I’m sorry, Leon! I shouldn’t have treated you that way! You’re not a traitor—you’re the Empire’s he—”
“Enough, old bastard.”
“Please don’t kill me. I beg you.”
“I won’t kill you.”
Kant relaxed instantly.
Then chaotic footsteps echoed behind Leon.
The Empire’s citizens poured in.
“Your crimes should be judged by everyone.”
Leon turned and walked away.
Kant reached out, but he was immediately surrounded.
“Dog emperor! I’ll kick you to death!”
“Strip him and parade him through the streets!”
“Throw him into the sea to feed the sharks!”
……
The revolution was finally over.
Dragging his exhausted body, Leon limped toward the edge of the battlefield.
Many people tried to celebrate him, but he politely declined.
He was too tired.
Before sleeping, there was one person he needed to see.
After a while, a silver figure appeared in his sight.
Leon clenched his right leg, endured the pain, and forced a tired smile.
“I won, Lothswisse.”
The queen lifted her skirt and ran through the crowd and ruins toward her beloved.
Before tens of thousands of eyes, they embraced.
And amid wave-like cheers, they kissed.
…
Footnotes:
- Kissing right at the start of a new volumeA meta, playful comment often used by readers to joke about romantic payoff happening immediately after a new story arc begins.
- Old KangA teasing nickname implying familiarity or mild mockery, often used humorously.
- Black-belliedA colloquial expression meaning someone appears gentle or refined on the surface but is secretly sly or mischievous.
- Dragon Kings being stubbornA trope-like expression describing powerful figures who refuse to admit weakness, even when clearly affected.
- Instant kneelingInternet slang describing someone surrendering immediately and shamelessly under pressure.