Chapter 509

Chapter 509: Crimson Dirge

The white flames danced across the earth, surging and rolling. The pair of silver eyes amidst the blazing light were so dazzling that one could not look directly at them.

The jagged blade of the snow leopard clan was sent flying. If not for Mira holding back, they would have been split in two. However, considering the need to make the opponent accept their defeat wholeheartedly, several beams of light emerged beside Mira and shot out, piercing through the limbs of the opponent, rendering them incapable of combat.

“Clancia, Mira wins!”

In the dazzling light, the judge announced loudly. Mira’s imposing presence had also made these beastmen accept her victory with admiration.

Beastmen were like this; they revered and followed the strong. The strong did not need to explain themselves and could act as they pleased, free from others’ interference.

Up until this point, both sides had three victories each, resulting in a tie. Everything would depend on the final showdown.

“Lion Mane Clan, ‘Fangtooth Savage Lion’ Leighton, against Clancia, Nia.”

After the judge read out the names, the two contestants stepped onto the final arena, drawing countless shouts and cheers from the crowd, as it was still a match between two beastmen.

“I never thought Miss Nia had already joined Clancia.”

Leighton placed his huge fang sword by his side, looking at this petite girl illuminated by the firelight. They were old acquaintances. A few years ago, Lolan Hill walked with Nia on the grasslands, and the Lion Mane Clan had given many grains to the Goat Horn Clan as repayment for the demonic beast materials Lolan Hill had provided.

“Yes, Brother Leighton. Since Princess Eralyn displayed her divine miracles that year, I have led the Goat Horn Clan to join Clancia.”

“Our Goat Horn Clan has too few people and is not powerful enough. Our racial temperament is also unsuitable for continued life amidst intense struggles on the grasslands.”

“Is that so? Both you and I have received favors and guidance from Her Highness. Then let us see which side is more outstanding.”

Leighton pulled out his fang sword from the ground, its edges finely serrated. This sword was crafted by Lolan Hill using the fangs of the deep red demonic boar. It was of perfect golden grade quality, just like the fang scythe.

As Leighton gripped the huge sword, he suddenly opened his eyes and roared, creating sound waves like thunder that formed invisible ripples in the air.

Layers of grass debris and soil were lifted, and spectators hundreds of meters away on the opposite side of the arena felt a sharp ringing in their ears, then bled profusely and fell unconscious.

The venue within the arena seemed to have been plowed, forming an inverted V-shape. Nia stood in the center, half-kneeling on the ground, her staff thrust into the earth, leaving a trench-like mark several meters long.

After the sound waves subsided, she supported herself with her staff, gritted her teeth, and stood up, shaking off the dust on her body. Crimson flames spread and rose from her body, the magic power of the flames rejoicing in the air and circling around her.

“I believe that although beastmen have past glory and strength, they cannot be mired in these traditions.”

Nia looked at her opponent, large fireballs slowly forming, pulling at each other, causing the surrounding air to twist continuously. Puffs of green smoke rose from the battlefield, and blackened traces spread.

“I hope weak beastmen can have hope and possibility to survive, rather than merely being appendages and food to powerful races.”

“Civilization’s flames are not only about heat and strength, but also understanding and warmth.”

“This is my choice and belief.”

Nia swung her staff downward. The fireballs dancing by her side suddenly expanded, becoming massive crimson stars in the sky, lighting up the entire night.

Under the burning glow of these giant fireballs, the girl with curved horns appeared so small and delicate.

She raised her fair wrist, aiming at the robust figure before her, and slowly pressed her palm down. Enormous fireballs streaked through the sky like comets, colliding with the ground.

Leighton held his giant sword and ran across the land, his foot stomping heavily on the grass, then leaping high, the wind tearing the pasture grass at his feet. The giant sword cleaved through the fireball like a red sun.

His lungs burned, his eyebrows and hair caught fire, turning to ash, but this genius of the Lion Mane Clan did not retreat.

Although his opponent had her ideals and thoughts, Leighton had his own reasons to stand firm. He bore the hopes and obsessions of nearly a million beastmen present.

To kneel and give up their thousand-year struggle and resistance? No way!

Even if they merged with another country, beastmen had their own pride and honor, expressing their dignity with fangs and blood.

We can lose with reluctance, but we cannot give up weakly.

That boiling blood surging within me, I shout your name—

It is called, Glory!

A sword light soared into the night sky, cutting through the massive crimson balls for hundreds of meters, scattering flames falling like a rainstorm.

With heavy steps, Leighton carried his giant sword and advanced step by step towards the other side. White smoke rose from the ground and his body, the scorching air so thick it was hard to open his eyes, but he could still sense the petite figure ahead, unmoving.

Nia watched the wavering figure in her vision, took a deep breath, and gripped her maple wood staff tightly. She rotated gracefully, the staff sweeping through the air, lines of flame appearing around her.

Her light voice sang an ancient song, the ancient flame incantation drifting with the notes.

‘I hear signals from the flames’

‘Now, I am like a flickering torch in the wind’

‘Anger devours the self’

‘Wandering in endless solitude’

‘Should I rise?’

‘Or stay in the past?’

‘All has been consumed’

‘Turned to ashes’

‘Return to the earth’

‘If fate is predetermined’

‘That flickering hope’

‘Can you guide me back on track?’

Lines of flame threads appeared and entwined around the staff, then converged into fiery ribbons, swirling gently with the girl’s dance.

As Leighton launched his final charge, these fiery ribbons slowly flew out, fluttering in the wind like the most ethereal things in the world.

A fierce wind howled, and finally, the giant sword met the fiery ribbons.

Like ice melting and snow dissolving, the ribbons fluttered gently. The suppressed searing flames melted the giant sword, or rather, severed it.

Everything that came into contact with these fiery ribbons turned into a wisp of smoke, directly sublimating and dissipating in the air.

The ribbons sliced the giant sword into pieces, scattering in the air, while Leighton, unable to dodge, was lightly pierced by the ribbons, as if a gossamer touched his body. He fell to the ground, an arm, a leg, and a foot instantly detached from his body, scattered on the ground.

Seeing Leighton fall, Nia closed her eyes, slowly lowering her raised arm, and the fiery ribbons gradually dissipated in the air.

I’m sorry, Brother Leighton, she silently thought. After using such an extraordinary skill, even she found it extremely difficult to control. Not killing Leighton on the spot was already the result of her utmost effort.

The scorching heat and green smoke dissipated, leaving only the petite Goat Horn maiden standing quietly.

“Clancia, Flame Priestess, Nia wins!”

Thus, the grandest fire festival in a thousand years came to an end.

—

PS: Maintaining subscriptions is so hard orz, hoping everyone can subscribe more 0 0/~

(End of Chapter)