Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

"You're just going to give up like that?"

Acelia's voice echoed from the depths of her consciousness, filled with genuine doubt:
"Forty years of management, from a barren wasteland to an industrial empire, from a slave mine to a holy land of liberation... and you just casually abandon it all?"

The dragon soul's tone even carried a hint of regret:
"To be honest, I've heard of countless lives fought to the death for power."

"But someone like you, who single-handedly built a massive political system and then turned away without hesitation..."

"This is truly the first time."

Ron didn't answer immediately.

Through his ink-like body, he could see the situation in the mining area from afar via the observation crystals in the underground facility.

The city lights were on as night fell.

The rune-lit streetlights he designed by hand are like a galaxy reflected on the earth, turning the once dark and sunless mine into a dazzling miracle.

The factory chimneys were still belching steam, vehicles shuttled back and forth on the transport tracks, and crowds thronged the commercial district.

"Precisely because it took forty years."

Ron finally spoke:
"Only now can I let go."

"If these forty years have only resulted in building a dozen factories, training an army, and overthrowing an old regime..."

"Then I really can't leave."

"Because everything depends on me, if I leave, the whole system will gradually collapse."

He turned around and, in his mind, met Acelia's gaze:

"But what I've done has never been just that."

"What I have established is a complete system."

From grassroots workers' committees, to the mid-level technocratic system, and then to the top-level decision-making mechanisms.

“Every step has clear rules, every power has corresponding checks and balances, and every position has qualified candidates.”

"This system does not depend on the existence of any single individual."

"It's like a well-designed machine that can run forever as long as it has enough fuel and is properly maintained."

Azalea remained silent for a moment.

Through the collective memory bank of the dragon race, she had witnessed the rise and fall of too many empires.

Those once glorious dynasties often crumbled quickly after their founders left.
Those seemingly indestructible regimes often fall apart due to a single succession crisis.

Ron's idea of ​​"institutionalization"...

“You are governing a secular regime in the manner of a wizard.”

Dragon Soul suddenly realized:

"Transforming individual wisdom into replicable rules, and turning the inheritance of experience into the continuation of systems..."

"This is exactly the same way that wizards pass on knowledge."

"Yes."

Ron nodded:

"The reason why wizards were able to build civilizations that spanned several eras was never because of the immortality of a certain powerful individual."

"It is the recording, inheritance, and iteration of knowledge."

"I just applied the same approach to the stoker planet."

He walked to a chair and sat down:

“Green was only a transitional governor.”

"This old guy's health isn't much better than 'Karen's'."

"Even if I live another ten years or so, I'll still end up as a handful of dust."

Acelia raised her non-existent eyebrows:
"So you had this planned all along?"

"It's all calculated."

Ron made no secret of it:

“Green was a first-generation revolutionary, prestigious, capable, and most importantly—he had an almost religious faith in the ideas of ‘Karen’.”

"His succession will ensure a stable transition period."

"But he is, after all, a person from the old era, and his way of thinking and style of doing things are marked by that era."

“Once he leaves, the leadership team will naturally transition to the next stage.”

His fingers traced lightly in the air, as if sketching some kind of blueprint:

"At that time, the power structure of the Stoker Star will become a multi-party co-governance."

“Vinard, Molten Core, and us... the three forces check and balance each other, share resources, and exchange technologies.”

"No one can dominate, and no one will be completely marginalized."

"This is the most stable and sustainable state."

Acelia seemed thoughtful:
"But wouldn't that greatly weaken your control over the stoker planet?"

"control?"

Ron laughed:

“I never intended to ‘control’ this planet from the very beginning.”

"Don't forget what my identity is on Stoker's Star—an outsider who infiltrated using the puppet 'Karen'."

"The only three great wizards authorized by the wizarding civilization to establish a new era were Vinard, the Lord of Molten Fire, and the Forge Maker."

His tone became more serious:

"If I really wanted to monopolize the Stoker Star, that would just be asking for trouble."

“Vinard will not agree, Molten Lord will not agree, and even the schools of thought in the main world will not stand idly by.”

"At that point, I won't be developing a foundation; I'll just be making enemies for myself."

"But given the current situation..."

Ron stood up:
"Most of the new generation of half-blood wizards under Vinard are students I taught back then."

“Their feelings and identification with ‘Mentor Ralph’ are much deeper than those with Vinard, who is nominally the ‘Governor’.”

"These people are my strongest foundation on the Stoker Star."

"Even if I'm not there, they will naturally protect my interests."

He gently stroked the surface of the container:
"And, ultimately, what was my original goal?"

"I just want to find a place where I can reliably extract resources."

"A 'base' that can support my research, supply me with materials, and provide logistical support when necessary."

"The fact that it later developed into an industrial complex of this scale far exceeded the plan."

Acelia finally understood:
"So you don't care at all who becomes governor or who holds power."

"As long as this system is still functioning, as long as resources can still flow to you..."

"It doesn't matter to you who sits in that position."

"almost."

Ron nodded:

"not to mention……"

His gaze drifted into the distance, as if he could see the vast, boundless starry sky:

"The Stoker Star is just the beginning."

"The real stage is always elsewhere."

………………

On the other side, deep within the temple of Hearthheart.

The high priest is in very bad condition.

Its once enormous body has shrunk to only one-third of its original size.

"We can't delay any longer..."

The high priest laboriously adjusted his posture, aligning his battered body into a specific configuration:

"We must seek help from the 'main body'..."

This is an extremely dangerous decision.

As a split entity of the "Dominator," the connection between the High Priest and the original was severed the moment it gained independent consciousness.

For thousands of years, it has been escaping, hiding, and praying that the true form will never discover its existence.

Because once discovered...

Its fate is sealed—to be reabsorbed and utterly destroyed.

But now, it has no other choice.

That being from the "mother's" bloodline was powerful enough to easily crush its incarnation.

Without the intervention of a more powerful force, it will be completely destroyed sooner or later.

Rather than waiting to die, it's better to take a gamble.

"perhaps……"

“I can trade ‘messages’ for ‘protection’.”

"The descendants of the 'Mother' have appeared on this planet... This information should be of sufficient value to the main body."

It began to mobilize the remaining power within its body to build cross-dimensional communication.

This process is extremely painful.

Every bit of energy it mobilizes causes its frail body to tremble violently, like a machine operating under overload.

But it gritted its teeth and persevered.

Finally, when the last rune was completed, the entire dark room suddenly fell into an eerie silence.

All sound disappeared.

The fluorescent light flowing on the wall froze in place.

Even the dust particles in the air seemed to be frozen in place by some force, suspended motionless in mid-air.

Then, the high priest sensed... a "gaze".

It was a gaze from the other side of the endless void.

Ancient as the first wisp of chaos at the beginning of the universe, powerful enough to cause stars to fall and the world to collapse.

The high priest felt his soul tremble violently just from being stared at by that gaze.

That fear was more profound and more instinctive than when facing Nari.

"This is really..."

"My lost clone is still alive."

The high priest's body stiffened abruptly.

It could sense that "gaze" was scrutinizing, analyzing, and evaluating it.

It's like a collector examining a lost and recovered item, trying to determine how much value it still has.

"The Great Ruler..."

The high priest suppressed his inner fear and tried his best to make his voice sound respectful and humble:
"The split...begs your...forgiveness..."

"forgive?"

There was a hint of amusement in that voice:
"You developed an independent consciousness, severed your connection with me, and hid for thousands of years..."

"And now you're asking for 'forgiveness'?"

The high priest's heart sank to the bottom.

It knew that its little schemes could not be hidden from its true form.

In the eyes of the ruler, everything about it is transparent.

"but……"

The ruler's tone suddenly changed:

“Your fear is very real, and your will to survive is also very strong.”

"This reminds me of when you were just a part of my body, that instinctive... vitality."

The high priest dared not speak, but simply waited quietly for the verdict to be pronounced.

"Go ahead."

The ruler's voice became flat:

"You took the risk of being discovered by me and proactively established contact..."

"He must have encountered some kind of trouble that he can't solve on his own."

“Let me hear what it is that can bring a split entity that has been on the run for thousands of years back to me.”

The high priest took a deep breath, even though his body structure did not require breathing at all.

"The Great Ruler..."

Its voice trembled:

"On this planet, the offspring of the 'mother' have appeared."

Upon hearing this, the high priest could feel that the "gaze" suddenly became focused.

"The offspring of the 'mother'?"

"you sure?"

"determine."

The high priest will present the memories of when his incarnation was destroyed without reservation:
“Those tentacles…that power characteristic…are almost exactly the same as the aura of ‘Mother’ back then.”

"and……"

It hesitated for a moment, but still revealed the most crucial information:
"That being also seems to have obtained a core fragment of the 'Mother'."

"'The Lungs of Chaos'".

"Its power is growing at a terrifying rate."

"If it is not stopped..."

The high priest's voice became urgent:

"It won't be long before it grows to a point where we can't handle it!"

There was another long silence.

The high priest waited anxiously, wondering how the true form would respond.

Should we act immediately, or continue to observe?

Or... simply abandon this planet, throwing it away along with yourself?
"'Mother'... I also grew up in Her arms..."

The ruler's voice finally rang out again, but it was neither the anger nor the vigilance the high priest had anticipated.

Instead, it carries a certain expectation?

"The bloodline of 'Mother,' combined with the 'Lungs of Chaos,' if I could capture and absorb it..."

"Perhaps, this will make up for the regret of not getting enough benefits when we 'hunted' Him back then."

The high priest's heart skipped a beat.

It detected the greed in the speaker's tone.

It is an instinctive desire for power belonging to the "dominant".

"The Great Ruler".

The high priest struck while the iron was hot:
"If you are willing to lend a hand, the split entity is willing to offer you all the intelligence, resources, and even... its own existence on this planet."

"I only ask that you..."

Its voice became extremely humble:

"I only ask that you preserve the 'core consciousness' of the split entity."

"Let me continue to exist as a part of you."

This was the best outcome the high priest could imagine.

Rather than being destroyed, it's better to return to the original form, at least to "live" in another form.

The ruler did not respond immediately.

The oppressive feeling in the dark room continued to intensify, like the pressure of deep sea water, squeezing the high priest's broken body from all sides.

That is the entity itself "examining" it.

"It's best not to alert them for now."

“Continue to observe the offspring of that ‘mother,’ and record everything about it—its behavioral patterns, strength characteristics, growth rate…”

"Don't actively contact it, and don't let it discover your presence."

"Wait until I finish 'digesting' this time."

The sound gradually faded into the distance, like the receding tide:

"I will go and see for myself."

The communication was lost.

Time began to flow again in the dark room, the fluorescent lights on the walls resumed their swaying, and the dust particles in the air continued their aimless drifting.

The high priest collapsed to the ground, his broken body trembling violently.

At least until the main body arrives, it can safely hide in the shadows and lick its wounds.

At the same time, it also clearly realized...

From this moment on, one's fate was completely locked.

"one way or another."

The high priest's once arrogant eyes were now filled with weariness and despair.
"Let's focus on surviving first."

"When the main body arrives... perhaps there will be other variables."

Meanwhile, in the distant depths of the void.

An unimaginably vast entity is floating among the interstellar dust.

Its body spans across galaxies, and each "breath" it takes triggers the annihilation of stars over a wide area.

This is the "Dominator," a terrifying being on par with the Wizard King in the records of wizarding civilization.

They belong to no civilization and obey no order.

They follow only one instinct—to devour, grow, and become stronger.

At this moment, this ruler is "digesting" its latest prey—a once-glorious technological civilization.

This civilization possesses the technology for rapid interstellar travel and is even capable of building "Dyson spheres".

But before the ruler, they were like ants facing a flood, utterly powerless to resist.

"'Mother'."

The Dominator's deep voice echoed through the void:
"I really miss those days..."

It still remembers the "hunt" of the Second Age.

His purpose in participating in the attack on "Mother" was to take advantage of the situation and obtain a fragment of "Mother's" body to strengthen himself.

But things didn't go as planned—the real benefits were all taken by those more powerful beings.

It only got some scraps, and didn't even get a single tentacle from its "mother".

This matter has always been a regret in its heart.

"did not expect……"

The ruler's body twitched slightly, and countless imprisoned faces let out silent screams:

"The opportunity actually came to us."

"The bloodline of 'Mother,' plus the 'Lungs of Chaos'..."

"If I could devour them all..."

Its "eyes" gleamed with greed:
"My strength will undergo a qualitative leap."

"maybe……"

"Able to rank among the top rulers."

Once the idea took hold, it spread like wildfire.

The ruler did not act immediately.

It has lived long enough to have seen too many fools who were too eager for quick success and ultimately brought about their own destruction.

"First, finish 'digesting' what's at hand."

Its body fell silent again, continuing the long process of "absorption":
"That planet can't be escaped."

“The bloodline of ‘mother’ cannot be escaped.”

"Wait until I'm ready."

"It's not too late to collect that belated 'gift' then."

In the void, only the silent burning of stars remains.

………………

A world of chaos and bloodshed, Twilight City.

Fourteen months have passed since Ron returned to the main world.

The eternal twilight still shrouded this steel city, and the blood moon, like an eye that never closes, coldly watched all the changes on earth.

In the city's central square, the steel sculpture "People Create Everything" gleams in the twilight.

Those 108 hands that held up the city carried the fate of the entire city—silent, resolute, yet concealing a power about to erupt.

On the top floor of the Dawn Tower, Silas stood before a massive tactical sand table.

His fingers lightly tapped the markers representing the opposing sides, his brow furrowed into an unresolved knot.

"Miller, are you sure the information is accurate?"

In the corner, the veteran emerged from the shadows.

“Three independent intelligence sources: two from internal infiltrators and one from a ‘well-intentioned reminder’ from the reformists.”

Miller spread a file out next to the sand table and pointed to a key spot with his finger:

"The Ya clan's army has been mobilized, with three thousand elite troops stationed on the border, ready to launch an attack at any time."

"The most troublesome thing is..."

"They sent two marquises."

Silas's finger hovered above the sand table, not falling.

Marquis, in the vampire hierarchy, is a top-tier combatant second only to Grand Duke.

Each marquis is an ancient being who has lived for at least several hundred years, and each possesses terrifying power capable of destroying a city.

The Ya clan sent two at a time...

"They want to carry out a decapitation strike."

Miller's analysis is concise and precise:
"The Ya clan is well aware that they may not have an advantage on the front lines."

The industrial defense system we've built over the past six years is enough to inflict heavy losses on their ordinary troops.

"Therefore, they chose the most direct method—using external war as cover, the two marquises went straight to the core of Twilight City and killed our command."

Silas was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke:
"Ralph isn't here..."

"I know."

Miller interrupted him:

"But it is precisely because he is not here that we must prove that Twilight City is not just a city for one person."

"Everything we've built, everything we've prepared, everything we've trained over the past six years..."

He walked to the window and looked at the runic streetlights that were lighting up one after another in the distance:
"Isn't this the moment we've been waiting for?"

Silas watched the veteran's retreating figure and suddenly smiled with relief.

"you're right."

He turned his gaze back to the sand table, his fingers moving rapidly between the marked points:
"If we can't even handle a crisis of this magnitude, wouldn't we look like a bunch of useless good-for-nothings?"

"So……"

He raised his head:

"When will the war begin?" "In three days."

"They thought we didn't know."

Miller gave a mocking laugh:
"But in reality, from the moment they began mobilizing their troops..."

"They are already under our control."

Three days later, at the border defense line.

When the vanguard of the Ya clan stepped onto the pre-arranged battlefield, they had no idea what they were about to face.

The leader of the army was a viscount. He stood on a small hill, looking at the seemingly peaceful wilderness before him, and a strange unease welled up in his heart.

"It's so quiet."

He spoke in a low voice, his gaze sweeping over the silent soldiers around him.

Three thousand elite troops—this was the mobile force that the Ya clan had mobilized with all its might.

Each one is a battle-hardened veteran, and each one possesses strength approaching that of a baron.

According to the plan, they should break through the outer defenses of Twilight City within three days to create conditions for the two marquises' decapitation operation.

however……

"report!"

A scout came galloping from a distance, his face showing obvious confusion:
"No Twilight City garrison has been spotted ahead!"

"what?"

The viscount frowned; this was completely different from what the intelligence report had described.

According to the information they had, Twilight City should have deployed at least 500 defensive personnel on the border to form the first line of defense in conjunction with those "industrial weapons".

But now...

"keep going."

He gave the order, and although his unease grew stronger, the die was cast.

The army began to move, like a winding black python, slowly advancing forward.

Just as they entered the very center of that wilderness...

boom!
The ground suddenly exploded!

Countless blinding beams of light shot into the sky from the ground, a sign that the rune array had been activated.

Each ray of light carried a special radiation powerful enough to burn the skin of vampires, enveloping the entire battlefield in a blinding incandescence.

"Sunlight trap!"

The viscount's pupils suddenly contracted. He had heard of this weapon; it was a tactical device developed by a mad wizard who had recently arrived in Twilight City, specifically designed to target vampires.

While storing and releasing sunlight through rune arrays may not actually kill high-ranking vampires, it is enough to significantly reduce their combat effectiveness.

"Spread out! Quickly spread out!"

He roared, but it was too late.

Following the bright light came crossbow bolts shooting in from all directions.

The crossbow bolts were entirely black, with eerie dark green gleaming at their tips.

It was a product of the combination of industrial pollutants and rune technology, specifically designed to counter vampires with the "Undying Killer" series of weapons.

"Whoosh whoosh!"

The rain of arrows, like the whispers of death, accurately struck the vampire soldiers who had lost their visual advantage, under the cover of bright light.

Each arrow that pierces flesh releases trace amounts of pollutants, interfering with the vampire's regenerative abilities.

Although the killing power of a single arrow is limited, when hundreds or thousands of arrows are fired simultaneously...

"what!"

Screams rose and fell, and blood began to stain the earth red.

The viscount gritted his teeth and swung his sword to deflect several crossbow bolts aimed at him.

"Counterattack! Take cover!"

However, before he could finish giving his orders, the second wave of attacks arrived.

This time, it was an artillery barrage.

More than a dozen rune cannons fired simultaneously from the distant hills.

The specially treated shells whistled through the sky and landed in the ranks of the vampire army.

The explosion was deafening, and dirt and blood flew everywhere.

The shells are filled with a mixture of diluted industrial waste and silver powder. The toxic mist released during the explosion has a strong inhibitory effect on the nervous system of vampires.

"Damn it...this is a trap..."

The viscount finally realized the truth.

They fell into the enemy's trap from the very beginning.

The "disappeared" garrison troops did not truly not exist; they had simply been lying in ambush at various key locations, waiting for the garrison to walk right into their trap.

"Retreat! All troops retreat!"

But when he gave the order, he found that his escape route had been blocked.

On the hilltop, rows of soldiers slowly appeared.

The most eye-catching group was the one standing at the very front of the procession.

Their eyes, under the intense sunlight, showed no fear whatsoever.

Some people even deliberately walked into the area with the strongest light, where the scorching light seemed to them as a warm bath.

"There are even vampires who aren't afraid of sunlight..."

The viscount's voice was as dry as withered wood.

"How...how did they do that..."

However, no one explained to him that the Daywalkers had already begun their charge.

The outcome of the battle was predetermined from the very beginning.

When the smoke cleared, this wilderness had become a battlefield of carnage.

Of the three thousand elite soldiers, fewer than one hundred ultimately succeeded in breaking through.

The viscount himself was also seriously injured and was nearly pierced through the heart by an arrow from an "undying killer".

Watching the fleeing enemy in disarray, Silas slowly lowered the binoculars in his hand.

"Phase one completed."

He turned to the communication crystal beside him:

Miller, how are things on your end?

The old soldier's hoarse voice came from the crystal:
"The ambush on the flank was successful, killing more than 400 enemy soldiers and capturing 130."

“Their supply lines have been cut off, and the remaining troops will be in dire straits of running out of ammunition and food in the next three days.”

Silas nodded, but there was little joy of victory on his face.

Because he knew that the real test was yet to come.

Those two marquises are still on their way.

………………

Outside the city at dusk, two figures, like two meteors streaking across the sky, approached the city at an astonishing speed.

They did not take the main road, nor did they travel with any army.

For marquis-level vampires, armies are merely a burden; the real battles are always a personal stage.

The man on the left is slender, like a drawn sword.

His name is Hayes, the youngest marquis in the Ya clan, having been promoted to the rank of nobility in just over a century.

Despite his youth, his abilities are by no means weak.

Skilled in speed and precision strikes, he is known as "the sharpest blade of the Tooth Clan".

The one on the right is the complete opposite, with a burly figure like a moving small mountain.

His name is Chrono, and he is the Marquis of the Fang Clan, who is most skilled in strength-based combat.

It is said that in his three transformation states, the power of his single punch is enough to shatter a mountain.

There was no exchange between the two; their silence was like two parallel icebergs.

But their goals were exactly the same—the core area of ​​Twilight City.

"I heard that the wizard Ron Ralph is not here."

Hayes suddenly spoke up:
"It saved us a lot of trouble."

"Don't be careless."

Krono's voice was deep and rumbling like thunder:

"Euphemism is still around, and it's said she's close to becoming a marquis."

"And that new madman... he's the one who's recently come up with a bunch of terrifying new things."

Hayes sneered:
"No matter how new something is, it's just a trick in the face of absolute power."

"Once we storm in and slaughter their command, let's see how long this so-called 'city of miracles' can hold out."

The two increased their speed again.

Their figures cast long afterimages in the twilight sky, like two black lightning bolts.

However, just as they were about to enter the outer perimeter of Twilight City's security perimeter...

Hayes suddenly stopped in his tracks.

His eyes narrowed as he stared at the seemingly empty plain ahead.

"There's an ambush."

he whispered.

Krono also stopped, its massive body casting an oppressive shadow in the afterglow of the setting sun.

"how many people?"

"I don't know, but there's a strong aura of rune arrays."

Hayes' fingers gently caressed the hilt of his sword at his waist:
"It seems they knew we were coming."

"So what?"

Krono took a step forward, and the earth beneath his feet groaned under the weight of the weight.

"The effectiveness of a position depends on the strength of its user. What use are those petty tricks against a marquis?"

"Yes."

Hayes nodded:
"As planned, we will split up."

Hayes's figure began to blur, a visual residue caused by accelerating to the limit.

Krono glanced in the direction his colleague had left and snorted coldly.

"Young people... are always so impatient."

Then, he moved too.

However, he did not choose to take a detour.

boom!
A giant fist slammed into the ground, and the entire plain trembled and cracked.

"Since it's a trap, let me use the most direct method..."

His figure soared into the sky, like a cannonball being launched.

"Crush it completely!"

On the eastern defense line, Silas stood atop a makeshift command tower, his eyes fixed on the rapidly approaching dark figure in the distance.

"Speed-type..."

He made a low judgment, his fingers sliding rapidly across the control panel:
"Arrays A-3 to A-7 are now in standby mode. All Daywalker units are to be deployed according to Plan Two."

Where is Ms. Euphemia?

The communications officer beside him asked anxiously.

"She's on her way."

"But we must hold off this monster before she arrives."

He turned to the other side, where a man in a white coat was standing.

"Cedric, is your 'high-frequency jammer' ready?"

"It has been prepared for a long time."

"In fact, I can't wait to see..."

He raised his hand, holding a black sphere the size of a fist in his palm.

"How would a marquis-level vampire react to my 'resonator'?"

Silas gave him a deep look.

Over the past year or so, Cedric's "ideological education" in Twilight City has clearly had some effect.

Although that madness still exists, at least now he knows to direct it towards the right goal.

"Remember, your mission is to disrupt, not to kill."

Silas reminded him:

"The Marquis's willpower far surpasses that of ordinary vampires; your equipment can at most cause him to lose his senses for a brief moment."

"I know."

Cedric was somewhat reluctant, but ultimately nodded:
"Buy time and create an opportunity for Euphemia."

"This is my mission."

Just then, a blinding red light suddenly burst open in the distant sky.

Hayes has arrived.

His speed was astonishing; from appearing at the edge of the field of vision to reaching the airspace above the defensive line, it was only a blink of an eye.

"You mere insects and ants dare to stand in my way?"

A cold voice descended from the sky, carrying the oppressive aura unique to marquis-level vampires.

Some weak-willed vampire soldiers even collapsed to the ground on the spot, their legs giving way.

"Suppression of superior bloodlines... I almost forgot about this..."

Silas's expression was grave as he rapidly tapped on the control panel:
"Activate the countermeasures program. All rune arrays are operating at full power!"

boom!
The rune tower lit up, releasing a soft yet resolute blue light.

That's a "mental barrier" system specifically designed to counter mental attacks, using special rune resonance to offset the enemy's mental pressure.

While it cannot completely eliminate the Marquis's intimidating presence, it can at least allow the garrison to maintain basic combat capabilities.

"interesting."

Hayes hovered in mid-air, looking down at the tiny figures below.

"The defense system you have built is indeed more comprehensive than I expected."

"pity……"

His figure suddenly disappeared.

The next moment, he was already standing in front of Silas!
"Faced with absolute speed..."

The sharp claws sliced ​​through the air, aiming straight for the opponent's throat.

Ding!
The sound of metal colliding sounded.

A staff was placed in front of Silas, its runes flashing, barely managing to withstand the fatal blow.

"You are……"

Hayes raised an eyebrow.

It was a woman wearing a deep red robe, her silver hair fluttering in the wind.

It was Euphemia.

"The puppets of Twilight City have finally shown themselves."

Hayes took a step back and said sarcastically:
“Even we outsiders know that your power has been completely usurped by that Ralph.”

The only response he received was a swing of his battle staff.

But Hayes' figure had disappeared again.

This time, the speed was several times faster than before.

Euphemia's eyes were fixed on the blurry afterimage.

The battle staff in his hand transformed into a streak of light, precisely blocking every attack.

Ding Ding Ding Ding!
The dense clanging sound was like a torrential downpour striking a metal plate, with sparks flying everywhere.

The battle between the two had surpassed the limits of vision; all that could be seen were two beams of light constantly intersecting, colliding, separating, and intersecting again in mid-air.

"good……"

Hayes' voice came from all directions simultaneously:

"Your reaction speed is amazing."

"It's a pity that you're studying both witchcraft and vampireism at the same time."

"The result is..."

His figure suddenly froze, appearing to Euphemia's right.

"Not good at either!"

The claws sliced ​​through the air, this time without any resistance.

Euphemia managed to erect a shield, but she was sent flying like a ball.

Just as Hayes was about to press his advantage, his movements suddenly froze.

"Wha...what?"

A strange wave of interference was spreading through his consciousness.

The feeling was as if someone was banging countless drums in his mind, making his thinking chaotic and sluggish.

Cedric's voice came from afar:

"How do you feel, Your Excellency?"

"This is my masterpiece, which I spent a year developing—a 'resonator' specifically designed for vampires!"

"It can emit special fluctuations similar to the brainwave frequency of vampires, interfering with your sensory judgment and reaction speed!"

Hayes's face contorted in rage.

He did sense something was wrong; the scene before him began to distort slightly, and his hearing became blurred.

This interference might be fatal to ordinary vampires, but for a marquis...

"You wizards, all you know are these disgusting little tricks..."

He gritted his teeth and forced himself to stay conscious.

Hayes moved again, though his speed was slightly slower than before, it was still incredibly fast.

However, this time he was not facing Euphemia alone.

Silas drew a short staff from his waist and unleashed a powerful burst of sun-attribute magic.

"A siege?"

Hayes sneered:

"Just the two of you..."

"Do not."

A cold voice suddenly rang out from behind:
"Yes, three."

Hayes suddenly turned around.

Standing behind him was a young woman dressed in a black robe.

She had a beautiful face, but her temperament was as cold as ice, and she held a slender rapier in her hand.

"when……"

"From the beginning."

The woman's voice was completely flat:

“You were so focused on Lady Euphemia that you didn’t notice at all…”

"I've always been in your blind spot."

Hayes' pupils suddenly contracted.

This woman's ability to conceal her presence is simply unbelievable!
"who are you?"

"I?"

The woman smiled slightly, but there was a hint of sinister intent in that smile:

“My name is Ivy. I used to be Lady Euphemia’s maid, and now I am a ‘special advisor’ of Twilight City.”

"certainly……"

She raised her rapier, the tip aimed at Hayes' heart:
"I prefer another name..."

"'Bride of Blood'"

The three of them took action at the same time.

Euphemia blocked from the front, Silas held off from the left, Ivy looked for openings on the right, and there were also the constantly operating high-frequency wave jammers and rune arrays...

Hayes is in a tough fight.

Meanwhile, on the western front.

Krono's offensive style is simple and brutal, directly overwhelming everything.

He didn't have Hayes' speed advantage, but he possessed far more terrifying strength.

Each punch he threw created a crater several meters in diameter in the ground.

He destroyed rune towers one by one, and the carefully laid trap arrays were like paper toys in front of him.

"That's it?"

He stood amidst ruins, covered in blood, yet unharmed.

All that blood came from the garrison of Twilight City who were trying to stop him.

"This is the 'defense system' you're so proud of?"

He let out a mocking laugh:

"In the face of true power, all efforts are in vain!"

However, his laughter suddenly froze.

Because a figure was slowly appearing before him.

It was a body without a head.

He was nearly two meters tall, wore no armor, and had a long sword hanging at his waist.

The strangest thing is that the space above the neck is completely empty.

It has no head, no face, and naturally no eyes.

But Crono could clearly feel that the "blank" was "watching" him.

"What is this?"

His brows furrowed, and for the first time, he showed a cautious expression.

The headless body did not answer.

It simply drew the long sword from its waist slowly.

The sword was very ordinary, without any fancy decorations or obvious rune enhancements.

But the moment the sword was drawn, Chrono felt a chilling aura.

That's... the scent of sunshine.

Warmth, heat, and light—these are the most deadly elements for vampires.

Krono's expression turned ugly:

"The intelligence loopholes are quite significant... A vampire puppet can actually use sun-attribute swordsmanship?" (End of Chapter)