Chapter 286: Ambition and Revenge

Ethan’s order was simple, clear enough that no one could misunderstand it.

Kai moved forward at full speed, chasing after the remaining members of the Red Javelin Guild without hesitation.

His footsteps were heavy, his breathing uneven, but his resolve was firm. He knew there was no turning back now.

The choice had already been made the moment Ethan spared them once.

Behind them, ten members of LionArk had been successfully evacuated.

They were already far from the canyon, moving along a safe route under Lyodra’s constant protection.

She remained vigilant, hovering slightly above them, her presence like a living shield.

Not a single LionArk member had been injured in the massive battle earlier.

None of them could see what the canyon looked like now.

They had gone too far, and perhaps that was for the best.

The canyon behind them had become a graveyard.

Ethan stepped away from the cliff, leaving behind the deep ravine filled with the bodies of city soldiers from the three enemy cities.

Blood had soaked into the earth, and the air still carried the faint echo of screams and collapsing magic.

He descended the rocky slope with steady steps, Ashura Mode still active, the Bloodblade Ashura firmly gripped in his hand.

The blade pulsed faintly, as if responding to his emotions, though Ethan’s expression remained calm.

Cold.

Detached.

Above the desert path ahead, Sera’s figure streaked across the sky. With her speed, she reached Lyra long before Ethan did.

Lyra was no longer running toward her city.

She had lost all sense of direction.

Fear had overtaken her completely, and she fled aimlessly across the desert terrain, her thoughts tangled and chaotic.

Every sound made her flinch. Every shadow felt like death closing in.

She finally stopped when her legs gave out.

Kai halted a short distance away as well. The remaining Red Javelin members slowly surrounded Lyra, their expressions tense, angry, and conflicted.

One by one, they demanded the same thing.

The Core Crystal.

“If Ethan doesn’t get our Core Crystal,” Kai said sharply, his voice shaking with urgency, “he’ll kill all of us.”

Lyra trembled.

“I… I’ll hand it over,” she said weakly. “Don’t force me.”

Kai nodded and raised a hand toward the others, signaling them to back off.

For all his anger, he did not want to push her any further.

Sera observed everything from above. She saw it clearly.

Not a single person stepped forward to protect Lyra. No one stood by her side.

Everyone had already abandoned her in their hearts.

They blamed her. They rejected her.

Some even looked relieved that she had finally fallen this far.

Still hovering, Sera extended her hand toward Lyra.

Invisible pressure wrapped around her, forcing the Core Crystal to react.

Lyra gasped as the crystal began to emerge from her possession, resisting only briefly before responding to Sera’s overwhelming authority.

From a distance, Ethan continued walking toward them.

Each step brought him closer.

Kai noticed Ethan approaching and turned pale. Panic surged through him, and he hurried forward to meet Ethan halfway.

“Wait, Ethan!” Kai shouted. “I’m getting it from her right now!”

“Then do it quickly,” Ethan replied coldly.

There was no anger in his voice.

That made it far worse.

Kai clenched his fists, turned back, and shouted with everything he had.

“LYRA!”

Lyra flinched violently.

She was completely cornered now.

Her face had drained of all color, her lips trembling as her hands shook uncontrollably.

Every gaze around her burned with resentment, disappointment, and hatred.

She understood why.

Her decisions had led to the deaths of their comrades.

Friends. People they trusted. People they loved.

Lyra knew exactly how wrong she had been.

But knowing did not make it easier.

I can’t go back.

I can’t face them.

I’ll be torn apart the moment I return.

“Enough!” Lyra screamed suddenly.

Her outburst stunned everyone into silence.

“I… I don’t want to go back to the guild headquarters.”

Her knees buckled slightly, and tears filled her eyes.

“Can you help me, Ethan?” she asked, her voice breaking.

Ethan stepped forward again, stopping directly in front of Kai and the remaining Red Javelin members.

Lyra’s tears fell freely now, streaming down her cheeks and nose. Her face flushed red with shame and fear.

Her hands continued to tremble as she stared straight ahead, unable to look away.

Ethan understood what she wanted.

There would be no resistance. No escape.

Lyra had already surrendered her life.

Without changing his expression, Ethan glanced at Sera and gave a small nod.

Sera understood immediately.

In one smooth motion, she drew her golden sword and drove it forward from behind.

“Captain!” several members cried out instinctively.

Kai raised his hand sharply, stopping them from intervening.

They all knew this outcome had been sealed long before this moment.

Lyra was proof that words could be more deadly than any blade.

With nothing but her orders, she had turned her entire guild against Ethan, setting countless deaths into motion.

The blade pierced through her chest.

Lyra coughed violently, blood spilling from her mouth as her body convulsed.

Within seconds, all strength drained from her limbs. Her eyes widened, empty and unfocused, as life faded from them.

Sera withdrew her sword.

Lyra’s body collapsed onto the ground without resistance.

The Core Crystal slipped free and fell beside her, untouched by anyone.

Ethan walked forward slowly and crouched beside Lyra’s body.

For a brief moment, he studied her face.

Then he reached out and gently closed her eyes.

“Lyra acknowledged her mistake,” Ethan said calmly. “The matter is resolved.”

“Give her a proper burial.”

Kai stepped forward and bowed deeply. “We will. I’m sorry for disappointing you, Sir Ethan.”

Ethan picked up the Core Crystal.

The moment it entered his hand, Lyra’s body dissolved into light and vanished from the Continent of Valor.

At the same time, Kai and the remaining Red Javelin members were forcibly teleported away, removed from the event entirely.

Their city collapsed instantly.

All of its resources were transferred to LionArk. Fifty units of city troops changed ownership on the spot, becoming part of Lion City’s forces.

Nothing remained behind. Only rubble.

Ash… and silence.

The desert wind brushed against Ethan’s face as he stood alone in the aftermath.

Lyodra returned soon after Ethan completed his mission. The LionArk members were already on a safe route back to Lion City, escorted and secure.

Sera hovered nearby and spoke quietly. “What will we do next?”

Returning to the city would be pointless. Hanss had already taken care of everything there.

“We can’t go back,” Ethan replied. “There’s nothing left for me to do in the city.”

“Then?” Sera asked.

“How long until your cooldown starts?”

“About twenty hours,” she answered.

Ethan nodded.

That window was more than enough.

With Sera still active, and with his own strength, he could safely explore the tropical region.

Luna’s cooldown would end tomorrow, and Lyodra’s cooldown would start in an hour.

Everything was aligned.

Ethan opened the team chat panel and sent a message.

[Team Chat:]

[Ethan: There was chaos at the northeast canyon. LionArk members are returning. They’ll explain everything.]

[Hanss: Are you alright?]

[Ethan: I’m fine.]

[Ethan: Listen carefully. Fifty units from Lotus City are joining Lion City. Focus all resources on building more troops.]

[Ethan: I’ll be gone for a while. Maybe ten to twenty days.]

[Ethan: When I return, I want our forces to reach one thousand units.]

[Hanss: Where are you going?]

[Ethan: Somewhere.]

Ethan closed the chat and glanced briefly at Sera.

“We’re heading to the tropical region,” he said calmly. “This disaster shouldn’t be theirs alone.”

“Let them witness my true power.”

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