.
.
The shattered fragments of Orion's halo slowly faded into golden dust.
Silence filled the Dragon King's Palace.
No one spoke.
No one dared to.
The impossible had just happened.
For the first time in his life...
The Child of Heavenly Fate had lost the heavens' protection.
Orion wiped the blood from his lips.
Instead of looking angry...
He laughed.
"Hahaha..."
"So this is what defeat tastes like."
Knox frowned slightly.
"You've already accepted defeat?"
Orion shook his head.
"No."
"I've accepted reality."
He slowly raised his sword.
"But I haven't lost yet."
Golden flames erupted around Orion.
Unlike before...
These flames weren't granted by the heavens.
They came from within.
His own will.
The Dragon Spirit smiled.
"Excellent."
"A true king does not depend on destiny."
BOOM!
Orion's aura stabilized.
Although his cultivation had dropped back to the Nascent Soul Second Stage, his sword intent became sharper than ever.
Knox nodded.
"Better."
"This version of you is worth defeating."
The two charged again.
CLANG!
Sword met sword.
This time...
There were no overwhelming techniques.
No blessings.
No tricks.
Only pure skill.
Each exchange became faster.
Sharper.
More precise.
Alexander watched silently.
"They've entered the realm of true swordsmen."
Even Adrian unconsciously tightened his grip on his own sword.
Every clash taught him something.
After hundreds of exchanges—
Knox suddenly smiled.
"I've seen enough."
Orion frowned.
"Enough?"
Knox's black sword released a terrifying wave of Void Qi.
"Your sword..."
"It has one fatal weakness."
Orion's pupils contracted.
"You hesitate."
For a single heartbeat...
Orion's mind wavered.
That tiny opening...
Was enough.
Void Emperor Sword Art – Second Form: Endless Eclipse!
A crescent-shaped blade of darkness swept across the arena.
Orion barely raised his sword in time.
BOOM!!
The impact threw him across the battlefield.
His sword shattered into dozens of fragments.
He crashed into the steps beneath the Dragon King's Throne.
Blood covered his white robes.
The barrier disappeared.
The battle was over.
The Dragon Spirit looked at both fighters.
Then it spoke.
"The victor..."
"...is Knox Void."
The palace echoed with ancient dragon roars.
[Ding!]
Mission Completed!
Child of Heavenly Fate Defeated.
Rewards Obtained:
100,000 Villain Points
Supreme Villain Authority +1%
Mythic Dragon Bloodline (Sealed)
Dragon King's Recognition
Knox sheathed his sword.
He walked toward Orion.
The defeated genius slowly stood.
Everyone expected Knox to finish him.
Instead...
Knox extended his hand.
"Stand."
The entire palace fell silent.
Orion looked surprised.
"You won't kill me?"
Knox answered calmly.
"If I kill every genius..."
"Who will make this world interesting?"
A smile appeared on Orion's face.
He accepted Knox's hand.
"You really are unlike any villain I've ever imagined."
Suddenly—
The Dragon King's Throne began shining.
The Dragon Spirit's expression changed.
"So..."
"The true trial begins."
A golden key emerged from the throne.
It floated toward Knox.
The moment he touched it—
The entire palace shook.
The throne split open.
Beneath it lay a gigantic underground chamber.
At its center floated a massive golden dragon heart.
It beat like a living creature.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Every heartbeat shook the ruins.
Lyra suddenly fell to one knee.
"My blood..."
"It's reacting."
Golden dragon scales appeared on her arms.
Her crimson eyes transformed into dragon pupils.
The Dragon Spirit smiled warmly.
"Princess..."
"You have finally returned."
Lyra looked confused.
"Princess?"
"You are not merely the last survivor of the Ashborn Clan."
"You are the final heir of the Dragon King's royal bloodline."
Everyone froze.
Even Lyra herself.
Before anyone could speak—
The System suddenly screamed.
[WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!]
Hostile entities detected!
Spatial invasion initiated!
A massive rift tore open above the palace.
This aura...
It wasn't from the Celestial Court.
It was darker.
More savage.
Countless black-armored warriors poured through the portal.
Their banners displayed a crimson dragon devouring the moon.
The Dragon Spirit's smile disappeared.
"The Dragon Slayers..."
"They found this place."
At the front of the invading army stood a giant man carrying a blood-red axe.
His body was covered in ancient scars.
He laughed loudly.
"So the Dragon Heart is still here."
His eyes landed on Lyra.
"And the little princess survived."
Finally...
He looked at Knox.
His smile widened.
"And the Void Emperor's heir."
"Perfect."
"Today..."
"I'll kill two legends with one axe."
Knox slowly stepped in front of Lyra.
His black sword appeared in his hand.
Alexander, Adrian, Seraphina, Leon, and even Orion moved to stand beside him.
For the first time...
Every young genius of the generation stood together.
Not because they were friends.
But because they faced a common enemy.
The giant warrior planted his axe into the ground.
"My name is..."
Drogath.
"Commander of the Dragon Slayers."
"Remember it..."
"Because it will be the last name you hear."
Knox looked at him with an expressionless face.
Then he smiled.
"You talk too much."
The battle for the Dragon King's Heart...
Had only just begun.
.
End of Chapter 20
.
.
End of Arc 2: Dragon King's Ruins
Next Arc: The War of Dragon Blood