Chapter 301: Victory for LionArk

Ethan’s order was heard by every unit of the combined forces. It spread like a ripple across the battlefield, carried by messengers, signal flares, and amplified voices.

The commanders of each unit reacted instantly. Without hesitation, they relayed the command to their city soldiers, ordering them to advance.

Twenty five thousand city soldiers from the combined forces raised their weapons in unison, all of them aiming toward the enemy city ahead.

The sheer scale of the movement caused the ground to tremble faintly.

Spears gleamed under the light of the burning sky, shields locked into formation, and swords slid from their scabbards with sharp metallic sounds.

The western gate of the city had already been breached.

Massive stone slabs lay shattered across the ground, twisted iron reinforcements bent like paper.

Dust still lingered in the air, evidence of the overwhelming force that had torn the gate apart.

Hovering calmly beside Ethan was Lyodra, her form suspended in midair. Her dress, woven entirely from living flames, flowed and shifted as if it possessed a will of its own.

Inside the city, panic was unmistakable.

People ran through the streets in disarray. Some screamed orders that no one followed, while others fled without direction.

Defensive formations collapsed almost as soon as they were formed. Ethan’s power was something beyond comparison.

It was not simply strength, but absolute dominance. A single slashing skill attack from him had been enough to obliterate the western gate, a structure designed to withstand prolonged sieges.

It was painfully obvious to everyone watching.

Ethan alone was more than enough to conquer the city.

That realization, however, only deepened the unease among the allied commanders.

If Ethan could destroy the city by himself, then why had he mobilized twenty five thousand city soldiers from the Eastern Alliance?

What exactly was Ethan planning?

“What about us?” one of the unit commanders asked carefully. “Do we also need to advance and attack?”

Ethan shook his head slowly, his expression calm. He did not even turn to look at the commander. His gaze remained fixed on the city.

Ahead of them, commanders from other units had already pushed forward.

Their forces surged into the city, engaging the enemy guild members who were desperately trying to organize a defense.

Chaos erupted almost instantly.

Explosions echoed through the streets as skills and spells collided. Buildings were torn apart, walls collapsed, and fire spread rapidly from structure to structure.

Thick black smoke billowed upward, staining the sky. The clash of swords rang endlessly, steel grinding against steel in brutal close combat.

City soldiers fell, their bodies hitting the ground amid blood and debris. Yet despite the losses, the enemy’s casualties were far greater.

The difference in morale, preparation, and leadership was painfully clear.

“No,” Ethan said calmly. “They will surrender on their own.”

His confidence was absolute.

“Lyodra,” Ethan called.

The servant turned her head toward him, her fiery eyes focused and attentive.

“Yes, Master?”

“Go into the city and destroy all of its buildings. If anyone attacks you, you may retaliate.”

Lyodra understood immediately. Without hesitation, she inclined her head slightly, then surged forward, flying straight into the enemy city.

Three unit commanders moved at the same time, summoning their servants and sending them after her. Their orders were clear. Protect Lyodra at all costs.

Several enemy guild members gasped in shock. Their eyes widened as they watched four servants descend toward the city like harbingers of destruction.

“Attack those servants!” someone shouted.

The command was repeated again and again.

Ethan narrowed his eyes. He could feel it. The enemy was responding. One by one, enemy servants were being summoned into the sky.

The number was far greater than he had anticipated.

However, most of them were only A Rank servants.

Lyodra was an S Rank.

In terms of raw power, she far surpassed them. Still, numbers mattered. Quantity could overwhelm quality if the circumstances aligned badly. Ethan knew this well.

I need to stay alert.

Before Lyodra could even reach the inner districts, she and her escorts were intercepted by seven enemy servants.

A battle in the sky was unavoidable.

The clash was immediate and violent. Magical energy exploded outward, illuminating the clouds above the city.

Lyodra took the lead, her flames tearing through enemy formations. Each strike she delivered carried overwhelming force, forcing the enemy servants back.

For a time, she completely dominated the fight.

But as the battle dragged on, the pressure began to show. Attacks came from all directions, and even with her strength, the constant strain started to wear her down.

The woman clad in fire moved more cautiously, her flames flaring brighter as she pushed herself harder.

Below them, city soldiers from the combined forces successfully pushed deeper into the city.

Streets descended into chaos as enemy defenses crumbled. Fires raged uncontrollably, and the sounds of battle echoed everywhere.

Yet Ethan’s attention remained fixed on the sky.

One by one, four enemy servants were defeated. Their forms shattered and dissolved into streams of energy, flying back toward their masters. Only three enemy servants remained.

However, the cost was not small.

Two of the LionArk commanders’ servants were heavily damaged. Their forms flickered, then went completely still, entering a non active state.

Only Lyodra and one remaining servant were still fighting.

“I’m sorry,” one of the commanders said grimly. “My servant wasn’t strong enough.”

Ethan did not appear upset. “They fought well,” he replied. “They helped reduce her burden.”

Not long after, a broad smile appeared on Ethan’s face.

Lyodra and the remaining servant coordinated their attacks perfectly. With a final surge of power, they overwhelmed the last three enemy servants.

Their bodies disintegrated, turning into particles of light that returned to their masters.

But it came at a cost.

Lyodra’s flames dimmed. Her movements slowed. The energy she had expended was immense.

Within moments, she returned to a passive state and became inactive, entering her cooldown period.

Ethan felt it instantly.

The enemy still had no intention of surrendering.

That meant only one thing.

The battle was far from over.

Ethan had no choice.

He spurred his mount forward, advancing together with the three LionArk unit commanders.

His movement immediately drew attention. Soldiers and commanders alike turned to look as he began charging toward the city.

One of the LionArk commanders shouted at the top of his lungs, ordering all allied guild members to retreat.

“Why?!” one of the allied commanders shouted back in disbelief.

The man turned sharply, his expression fierce. “If you want to die, then go ahead!”

Shock rippled through the allied forces. No one argued further. One by one, the commanders began pulling back, retreating along with their soldiers.

Ethan rode straight into the city.

Flames surrounded him. Smoke burned his lungs. The air was thick with ash.

The three LionArk commanders issued full retreat orders, leaving Ethan completely alone in the ruined streets.

“You?!” someone shouted from among the enemy ranks. “Are you insane?!”

Ethan brought his mount to a stop.

“If you want to stop me,” he said coldly, “then come.”

“Damn you!” someone screamed.

They charged.

Enemy guild members rushed toward him, one after another. None of them chose to retreat.

They were all staking their lives on the desperate hope that they could stop Ethan.

For him, it only made things easier.

Ethan drove Bloodblade Ashura into the ground.

The earth trembled.

He activated his ultimate skill.

“Bloodflare Cataclysm!”

A blood red domain expanded outward, swallowing the area around him. The ground transformed into a sea of blood.

Every enemy trapped inside immediately felt their strength drain away. Their attacks slowed. Their movements became sluggish.

Ethan pulled his sword free.

He ran.

He leaped forward, attacking without restraint. Panic spread instantly. The enemies struggled to form defenses, let alone counterattack.

Their swords shattered upon contact with Bloodblade Ashura. Armor split apart. Flesh tore. Screams echoed through the domain.

“AAAAARGH!”

“We can’t fight him! We’re going to die!” someone cried.

Ethan’s gaze was merciless. Second by second, he cut them down. Of the seventeen enemy members trapped inside the domain, fifteen fell as their HP dropped to zero.

When the twenty seconds ended, the blood domain vanished.

Ethan stood alone, his right hand still gripping Bloodblade Ashura.

The remaining survivors trembled. Their faces were pale, their limbs shaking uncontrollably. Ethan turned slowly and pointed at one of them.

“Hand over your core crystal,” he said firmly. “And I will let you live.”

“A core crystal?” the man stammered. “Fine. We’ll give it to you.”

A woman stepped forward, her hands shaking. A glowing crystal appeared in her palm.

Ethan took it without hesitation.

[Congratulations, you have obtained a Core Crystal!]

[Total Core Crystals: 28]

[City Ranking: 2nd]

The moment ownership transferred, the remaining enemy members were teleported away, expelled from the World of Valor and eliminated from the Guild of Champions Event.

The fires slowly died down. Buildings collapsed into ash and rubble.

Ethan exhaled slowly. He knew what came next.

Turning back, he approached the allied commanders who were staring at him in awe.

“Listen to me,” he said.

“The desert region belongs to the Eastern Alliance. No other guild is allowed to enter under any circumstances.”

His voice was firm.

“Form large forces. Train your abilities.”

“A great war is coming.”

Those words put everyone on edge. They would obey Ethan’s command, for their own survival and the future of the alliance.

With the battle concluded, Ethan ordered everyone to return to their cities. He thanked them for their assistance and expressed his hope that unity among the alliance would endure.

Ethan and the three commanders returned to Lion City. After counting their remaining forces, twelve thousand five hundred forty soldiers remained.

The losses were manageable.

The journey home felt faster.

From afar, Lion City appeared, its walls crowded with waiting guild members.

“Sir Ethan’s group is coming!” someone shouted.

Laura rushed out through the eastern gate. She saw Ethan approaching, his uniform stained with blood, but his presence calmer than before.

“They succeeded,” she murmured.

Ethan stopped his mount. The three units entered the city to rest.

“The war is over,” he said flatly. “Tell Hanss to prepare the priests to treat the wounded.”

“I will,” Laura replied. “And you?”

Ethan dismounted and walked past her.

“I’m fine.”

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