CHAPTER 407: 407

A battered body rolled across the ground. Selena gasped and struggled to stand. She had barely dodged Roosevelt’s last blow. Her face was pale, and her chest was rising and falling in panic.

She stared at Roosevelt with horror in her eyes.

"What’s with this sudden change?" she muttered, her voice trembling.

Then she turned toward her remaining clanswomen. "Girls! Lend me your power!" she screamed.

"Nooo!" one of them cried, but it was too late.

A sharp wail echoed through the battlefield. The air shimmered as mana was pulled from the succubi lying around. Their energy turned into streams of purple light and rushed into Selena’s body.

Her skin darkened. Two enormous bat-like wings burst from her back. Her claws grew longer and sharper. Her eyes glowed red with fury. The ground cracked beneath her feet as her aura thickened.

Selena’s figure lifted off the ground. Her wings spread wide and, in a blink, she shot forward like a streak of light.

Roosevelt also vanished from sight.

The next moment, the sky exploded with a loud boom. A violent clash filled the air. The pressure formed invisible bubbles that burst one after another. Waves of air blasted across the valley, bending trees and tearing the soil apart.

Selena waved her hands and cast her spells. "Dark Temptation!" she shouted. Black energy surged from her palm, twisting through the air like a storm. The wave hit the ground and melted the rocks into ash.

She followed it up with another spell. "Ruinous Kiss!" Dozens of purple orbs formed around her and rained down like meteors. Each impact created huge craters on the ground, shaking the battlefield violently.

Roosevelt countered with his sword glowing gold. "Imperial Swordsmanship—Falling Sun!" He swung his blade down, and a massive golden arc slashed through the sky. The golden light clashed with Selena’s dark energy.

The two forces met in midair with a deafening explosion.

BOOOOM!

The sky turned half gold and half purple. The shockwaves threw both demons and soldiers to the ground. The ground split open, and dust covered everything.

Selena flew backward, her wings flapping wildly as she regained balance. She roared and charged again. "I’ll tear you apart!"

Roosevelt’s eyes glowed. He dashed forward, meeting her head-on. Their swords collided.

CLANG! CLANG!

Sparks burst out as their weapons clashed again and again. Every strike sent out ripples of energy that tore through the ground.

Selena spun midair and cast another spell. "Chains of Desire!" Glowing chains of purple light shot out, trying to bind Roosevelt.

Roosevelt raised his sword and slashed through them. "Majesty’s Wrath!" Golden light burst from his blade, shattering the chains. He stepped in and swung again, cutting through the air with tremendous speed.

Selena dodged and clawed at him. Each swing of her claw left deep marks in the air. Roosevelt blocked, parried, and struck back. The two figures moved like flashes of light. The air around them cracked from the pressure.

The ground shook under the weight of their power. Explosions flared everywhere they passed. The sky turned into a storm of gold and purple.

Kael, who was standing far behind, covered his face from the flying debris. He jumped down and landed near the troops who had just recovered. The soldiers were still dazed but alert.

"Time to act!" Kael shouted. "Kill them and retreat quickly!"

The cavalry understood his words at once. They charged forward without hesitation. The priests rushed after them, casting healing spells to strengthen the soldiers.

The demons, already in disarray, fell into chaos. Kael joined the front line, his sword flashing as he cut down the enemies blocking the way.

Steel clashed again.

Screams filled the air. The soldiers pushed forward and cleaned out the battlefield.

"Move back! Form the second line!" Kael shouted, guiding the cavalry to retreat once their strike was complete.

The troops pulled back to a safe position, watching the sky where Roosevelt and Selena were still fighting.

Then, suddenly, a streak of light shot down from above. It smashed into a rocky cliff nearby.

BOOOOOM!

The cliff exploded, sending rocks and dust flying everywhere. The entire battlefield trembled under the impact.

Kael turned around, wondering who the battered figure lying on the ground was.

Relief washed over him when he saw it wasn’t Roosevelt.

Selena groaned as she pushed herself up, her body trembling from pain. When she raised her head, she froze. Roosevelt was standing before her, his golden hair shining faintly under the broken sky. His calm but cold eyes looked down at her without a hint of mercy.

Selena bit her lips and forced a trembling smile. Her voice turned soft and pitiful.

"Can you bear to kill me, darling?" she whispered.

"Spare me, and I swear I will serve you with all my heart and body."

Roosevelt’s face didn’t change. His tone was cold and steady."Demoness, accept your death. Your petty tricks won’t have any effect on me."

He raised his sword. "It’s useless."

A bright golden arc of fire burst from his blade, lighting the field. The heat was so strong that even the air seemed to burn.

Ethan, who stood far away, clicked his tongue in surprise. "That’s some good technique and power."

Such swordsmanship was rare. Only those born into the royal family could use it. It needed both Royal Authority and fate to unleash its full strength.

Kael watched with wide eyes. What surprised him most was that the Emperor had shared a part of that authority with Roosevelt. That meant Roosevelt held more power than he ever imagined. Kael felt a strange understanding form inside him.

Meanwhile, Roosevelt’s attack was ready. The golden slash cut through the air toward Selena. The light blinded her as she tried to shield her eyes. The ground shook from the pressure.

But before it could reach her, a cold voice echoed from afar.

"X Cross!"

Two blazing slashes formed a cross in midair. They met Roosevelt’s golden strike head-on.

BOOOOOOOOM!

The explosion shook the valley. Wind roared like thunder, tearing trees apart and shattering rocks into dust. The air twisted and burned as both powers clashed, creating a storm of golden and crimson light.

When the smoke began to fade, a tall figure appeared beside Selena. She blinked in disbelief.

"Roman. You comm... uuuu—"

Before she could finish, Roman stuffed a piece of cloth into her mouth. "Shut up." His tone was sharp. He lifted her in his arms and leaped into the air.

"Whatt!" Roosevelt shouted as he saw them escaping.

His eyes flared with fury. "Did you think of me as cannon fodder, bastard?"

With a sharp sound, he blasted forward like a comet. A golden trail followed behind him as he chased them at immense speed.

Roman sensed the danger approaching. He stopped in midair and turned around. His crimson eyes glowed brightly. A violent aura burst out, shaking the surroundings.

"Insolent human," he growled. "You dare to act arrogant in the presence of the Clan of Pride?" His voice rumbled like thunder. "Then let me teach you a lesson."

Selena mumbled through the cloth, "Uwuww..." Her muffled voice seemed to say, "Yes, teach this son of a bitch... fuck him up."

Roman drew his twin swords. They shone with deep crimson light. The air around him began to twist as killing intent surged. The crimson glow condensed tightly around his blades.

He raised one sword high. "Sin of Pride: Crimson Judgment!"

The world seemed to stop for a second. Then a violent beam of red light burst out from his blades. The ground cracked beneath him, and the air screamed as the blast tore forward. It shot straight toward Roosevelt with unstoppable force.

Roosevelt’s eyes widened. He swung his sword in response. "Imperial Swordsmanship: Falling Star!"

A golden flash collided with the crimson beam.

BOOOOOOM!

The shockwave swallowed everything. The impact threw stones, dust, and fire into the sky. The earth shook like thunder under their feet. A

massive crater opened where they clashed.

Roosevelt was hit hard. The crimson beam struck his chest and threw him down with a heavy crash. The ground cracked as he fell, forming a huge hole. He coughed, his golden armor scorched and smoking.

Part of the beam shot past him and slammed into a high ridge nearby.

BAAAANG!

The ridge shattered. Dust and debris flew in every direction, leaving nothing but a dark mark where it once stood.

Roman landed lightly, still holding Selena. Her body was weak, and her eyes half-closed. He looked down at her for a second, then turned his gaze toward the horizon.

"Let’s go," he muttered. He bent his knees, ready to leap away.

But before he could move, his body froze. A strange chill ran down his spine. His senses screamed danger.

A voice came from behind him, cold and sharp.

"Did I say you can leave?"

All Roman saw was a flickering blurry image of a white hair figure.

Roman froze. His battle instincts, sharpened by centuries of blood and war, screamed in alarm. His body moved on its own, bending backward just in time.

SWISHHH!

A faint hum cut through the air.

Tzzzzz!