CHAPTER 275: CHAPTER 274- THE UNDEFEATED GENERAL

The venue was in ruins. Screams echoed everywhere as fire and blood stained the once-bright hall.

Acolytes rushed through the crowd, cutting people down without mercy. Some civilians tried to fight back with chairs, bottles, or even their bare hands, but they were no match. Broken tables and lifeless bodies covered the floor.

"Help! Somebody help!" a woman cried, dragging her bleeding child toward a corner—only for an Acolyte’s spell to cut her down.

Tower guards fought desperately, swords clashing against the attackers. Sparks flew with every strike.

One mage unleashed a fiery blast that sent Acolytes crashing into the walls, giving survivors a brief moment to breathe—only for more enemies to pour in, screaming their chants as they attacked.

The air was filled with blood, fire, and fear.

Then, like a storm, the Vermillion clan arrived. Fifty of their members barged in, cutting down Acolytes one after another. Their blades were merciless, their steps unshaken. To them, it didn’t matter if the enemy was from the Tower or a noble family—if they raised a hand against the civilians, they were slain without hesitation.

"Move! Get to the exits!" a Tower guard shouted, waving his arms frantically. Terrified survivors began to rush outside, tripping over blood and rubble as they pushed toward freedom.

But just as the first group burst out into the open air, they froze. Their faces went pale.

"W-What is that...?"

"No... no... no..."

"We’re dead! We’re all going to die!"

Above the valley, the clouds split apart with a deafening roar. A shadow blotted out the sunlight.

A dragon descended from the skies.

Its massive wings beat the air like thunder, shaking the ground with every flap. Flames leaked from its jaws as its eyes glowed with a deadly hunger. The beast’s roar was so powerful that it rattled bones and sent shivers through every soul. Trees snapped like twigs under the force of its landing, and the earth trembled beneath its weight.

Even the Vermillion fighters, who had cut down men without hesitation moments ago, faltered at the sight.

"This... this is impossible..." one of them whispered, his blade trembling in his grip.

The thousand survivors left inside felt their hope vanish. The other exit was too far, and with the dragon blocking the valley ahead, there was nowhere left to run. Panic erupted. People screamed, shoved one another aside, and some dropped to their knees in despair.

In that moment, the celebration hall that had once been filled with joy became a cage—one where death had already taken its seat.

Just as the dragon took a step forward—

DOOOOM!

A figure dropped from the sky, his shield slamming into the ground with such force that the earth shook. A deafening reverberation spread out, making the dragon halt mid-step. The sound waves hammered against its heightened senses, forcing the beast to recoil with a low, furious growl.

All eyes turned toward the man standing firm before the calamity-class monster. His broad back stood like a wall between despair and hope, a shield in one hand, a spear in the other.

Duke Nolan’s chest rose and fell—not from exhaustion, but from sheer excitement. His daughter had warned him something big was coming, but never in his wildest dreams did he expect this... a dragon.

A grin tugged at his lips as he twirled the spear with ease, the steel singing through the air. Then, planting his feet in a steady stance, he leveled the spearhead at the massive beast.

"From this moment on," his voice rang clear, steady and unshaken, "These people are under my protection."

The dragon let out a thunderous roar, shaking the valley. Nolan only smirked, raising his shield.

"Come then," he said, eyes gleaming with battle-fire. "Let’s see what you’ve got, little lizard."

-----**-----

"Haa..." Ariana exhaled sharply, smoke trailing from her lips as she steadied herself.

The mage in front of her was relentless. His control over sorcery was terrifying—hurling spells from different branches at once while still maintaining the barrier that kept the students trapped inside the clearing. Every flick of his hand unleashed destruction, and yet his focus never wavered.

A short distance away, Sarah wrestled with the massive serpent, doing everything she could to keep it from lunging at the helpless students. The space was tight, every move dangerous, and the two women had no choice but to fight while watching each other’s backs.

HISSSSS!

The snake reared its head, spewing venom where Ariana had been standing. She leapt aside just in time. Just then Sarah’s whip lashed out like a blade, crashing down on the serpent’s body.

SIZZ!

Wherever the whip struck, its burning edge boiled the creature’s scales, leaving steaming scars across its hide. The beast writhed, thrashing violently—but Sarah, too focused on finding an opening through its armor, didn’t notice the slicing wind spell rushing toward her.

"Ah—!" she cried out as it slammed into her, sending her body flying backward.

"Sarah!"

Allen, who had been watching from nearby, sprang into action. Launching himself through the air, he caught her mid-flight, pulling her close before she could slam into the crackling electric field that surrounded them. His boots skidded across the dirt as he landed, shielding her from further harm.

"Thanks," Sarah muttered, her voice heavy as she caught her breath. Her chest burned—she had inhaled the serpent’s toxin earlier, and the dizziness was only getting worse.

Her gaze shifted to the students. They were huddled together, trembling and bruised, their weapons long gone. Without strength to fight back, all they could do was stare at her and Ariana with desperate, pleading eyes.

Sarah clenched her teeth. So this is what it feels like... when the rank of a Warden means nothing. She had never felt so powerless—not because of her own injuries, but because this time she wasn’t charging into danger alone. She had something to protect.

"There is no time for your thoughts, Wardens," the old sorcerer’s voice boomed, echoing through the clearing. His aura pressed down like a storm, suffocating the air. "You are destined to fall before the absolute power I wield. Your strength is meaningless. The only choice left is to kneel, and I may grant you—"

"Quite the chatterbox, aren’t you?"

The sudden voice cut him off. Everyone turned upward.

A figure descended from the night sky, her long red hair flowing around her like a blazing halo.

Elizabeth’s eyes widened, hope sparking in her chest. "Ruby..." she whispered, her voice trembling. For the first time, the darkness lifted, even if just a little.

Ruby landed between the students and the old man, her revolver already in hand. Her gaze locked onto the floating figure above, her smile sharp and fearless.

The sorcerer sneered. "And what are you supposed to be? A savior?"

Ruby tilted her head, her grin widening. "Not quite." She raised the revolver, eyes glinting. "I’m your death, asswipe."

THWACK!

The gun roared. The bullet tore through the air faster than the old man could react.

"Khuak!" His body jerked as the impact struck, his breath knocked out of him. The mana around him shattered, the electric field collapsing instantly.

THUD!

He crashed to the ground, coughing. Though he managed to harden his body with mana at the last second to avoid a fatal wound, the blow had clearly shaken him. His hands trembled as he forced himself back up.

But something cold pressed against his head, keeping him down as he heard a cold, but a voice holding unmistakable excitement, "Oh, I am so gonna love extracting information from you."

At that moment, Ariana and Sarah felt a shiver running down their spines.

She had gotten the title of sadist huntress for the right reasons.