Twilight Plain, Aura Legion camp.
The Red Iron Dragon lay prostrate on a high platform, his vertical pupils reflecting the horizon where the twilight met the plain; his breathing was steady and long, and each exhale brought a scorching current of air that brushed past the battle flags at the platform's edge.
Around him were the various Legends belonging to Aura.
Iron Dragon Sorog, Red Dragon Samantha, White Dragon Beskar, the fang of aura, the blade of aura, and the two Legendary Lords, the Amethyst Dragon Lion and the Phoenix.
They stood or sat in various poses, each exuding a powerful sense of pressure.
However, their gazes were all focused on the Red Iron Dragon in the center.
At that moment, the Gluttony Demon Karu licked his fangs and looked toward the Red Iron Dragon.
"Your Majesty, you should go one more time! Drop a few more suns!"
His voice was coarse, filled with an impatient Battle Intent as he continued, "That puny human who plays with time looks like he can't take a hit; how many times can he block? Once he dies of exhaustion, with your dragon power alone, you can trample the entire Lothorn Northern Expeditionary Force and their royal city. I, Karu, will definitely charge at the very front to wave the flag and shout for you!"
After speaking, Karu struck his chest with his fist, making a dull thumping sound.
His words also drew agreement from some of the surrounding Aura Legends, as several low roars echoed throughout the camp.
"Your Majesty, you already possess the bearing of a Crown Rank Dragon, a level that many Ancient Dragons might not even reach."
White Dragon Beskar raised his head, complimenting in a calm voice.
"Dealing with Lothorn's human Crown Rank will be effortless."
Beside him, the Phoenix let out a crisp cry, flames flowing between her feathers.
She tilted her head and said in an elegant tone, "Powerful, domineering... especially the way you held up the sun while standing in the heavens; it was truly charismatic, even comparable to my own beauty."
Given the Phoenix's level of narcissism, this was already her highest form of recognition.
The surrounding Legends were long accustomed to this and didn't even bat an eye.
However, although Galos enjoyed the surrounding praise, he did not lose his reason because of it.
He slightly shook his massive head.
"No, the strategy needs to change."
To one side, a dragon whose body was several sizes smaller than Galos and covered in black scales gazed toward the Lossern Legion.
Iron Dragon Sorog's eyes narrowed, his pupils shrinking into thin lines.
"No more than three times."
Sorog picked up the thread, saying, "Your Majesty's first two greetings—the first was a surprise attack, and the second was while the opponent was still unsettled—both achieved a deterrent effect."
"However, Lothorn are no fools, and neither are the Legends who have achieved Crown Rank."
The path of a Legend after Crown Rank is not distributed in a step-like fashion.
Any Legendary lifeform that can reach the Crown Rank level is essentially an existence with the potential for immortality.
As long as they are tough enough and live long enough, every Crown-Rank Legend has a high probability of breaking through Destiny and reaching immortality; unfortunately, the vast majority of Crown-Rank Legends don't have that luck, including even the long-lived Dragon.
However, being able to reach Crown Rank is already the best proof of talent, luck, and effort.
None of these can be missing.
"Lothorn's Crown Rank should have already realized that they cannot continue to defend passively."
The Iron Dragon's gaze swept over every Legend present before returning to Galos.
"If our King still goes alone, what awaits him will not just be Sodrian's Shield of Time alone; it will likely be a carefully planned ambush involving all of Lothorn's top-tier existences."
Galos nodded slightly, agreeing with his blood relative's analysis.
"Sorog is right."
"It is foolish to underestimate an opponent, especially when facing a powerful nation with a Crown-Rank Legend and deep foundations."
"They have already seen my power and the might of the falling sun. Next time, they will be prepared—prepared specifically for me."
He raised his dragon head, his gaze sweeping over the many Aura battle flags in the camp and the pairs of eyes looking at him.
"Therefore, there will be no third solo greeting."
"Next time, when I fly toward the Lossern Legion, beneath my two wings will be the Aura Legion in its entirety. We will no longer test or deter; we will launch a full-scale offensive."
"Victory or defeat all depends on this single strike."
His voice gradually rose, like the beating of war drums.
"My Dependents and lords, you will follow me to the Twilight Plain to crush the Lossern Legion in one fell swoop and secure the victory in the war between our two nations!"
Roar!
Karu was stunned for a moment, then grinned widely and let out a deafening low roar filled with pure excitement.
"Good! Good! While watching Your Majesty show your might is satisfying, it's still not as good as personally killing! War! Smoke! Screams! My claws and fangs are already thirsting for action!"
Karu stood up, his body casting a long shadow.
He beat his chest even harder, making a dull thudding sound upon impact.
Beside him, the Centaur Legend Elvie, who had been silent, also spoke.
She stroked the limb of the longbow in her hand and said softly, "My arrows will snipe away the troublesome insects for you."
Because the Red Emperor was too powerful, the Aura Legends often joked that their purpose for existing was to cheer for His Majesty and witness the King's strength.
However, battle-hungry blood also burned within their bodies, and they longed to show their own Legendary might.
For a long time, Galos's light had been too dazzling, so much so that their power rarely had the chance to be fully displayed; now, the opportunity was coming, and they would be fighting alongside their King.
Iron Dragon Sorog looked at Galos, his usually steady gaze becoming a bit more fervent, and the muscles beneath his scales tightened slightly.
"This will be our first time truly fighting side by side since we all entered the Legendary Rank."
"That's right!"
A scorching Aura drifted over.
Red Dragon Samantha gnashed her teeth and laughed loudly, "Let the other races remember the fear of being dominated by dragons! Our giant wings shall blot out the sun!"
She spread her wings, the fiery Red Dragon wings appearing like burning banners in the twilight.
On the other side, several Legends from Xio also stood up.
Led by Henderson, these Legends who had newly joined the Aura camp stood solemnly and saluted with their right hands over their hearts.
"We shall also fight for Aura!"
Henderson said in a deep voice.
These Legends knew very well that the future of Xio and whether they would be truly accepted by Aura after their surrender mainly depended on this battle.
They needed to prove their value and show that they were worthy of being accepted by Aura.
And the battlefield was the best touchstone.
Galos's gaze swept over these new faces, and he nodded slightly.
"Aura welcomes every warrior willing to fight side by side."
He spoke briefly, but this simple recognition boosted the spirits of the Xio Legends.
The Red Iron Dragon looked back toward the Lossern Legion, his vertical pupils reflecting the distant campfires.
Night was falling, and stars began to emerge on the horizon.
He knew that while he was changing his strategy, within those campfires, Lothorn's officers were also planning and plotting how to deal with him.
War was never a one-sided game.
"This battle, even for me, will definitely not be easy."
The Red Iron Dragon thought silently to himself.
But that was fine; he hadn't used all his strength and fought with everything he had for a very, very long time. Having been at ease for too long, he also needed to know exactly where his limits lay.
Lothorn, Valdo City, the Royal Court.
The Royal Court was brightly lit late at night, but the atmosphere was as oppressive as the calm before a storm.
Guards stood under the pillars, their armor reflecting cold light in the firelight; their expressions were solemn and their gazes alert.
King Raymond sat on the palace throne before a massive magical projection showing the terrain of the Rhine Plateau and the troop deployments of both sides.
His face showed a hint of anxiety, his brow was furrowed, and his fingers tapped the edge of the table.
On the other end of the communication was Sodrian, far away in a military tent on the Rhine Plateau.
"The power shown by the Red Emperor far exceeds our initial predictions."
Sodrian's voice came through the projection, slow and heavy, with every word carefully considered.
"Every time his sun falls, although I can reverse it with the Shield of Time, each time comes at the cost of burning my already meager life Origin."
"This kind of consumption... cannot be maintained for long."
He paused and took a deep breath.
"My time... is running out. Passive defense will only result in being ground to death by him."
"Regardless of what your ultimate expectation for this war is—negotiation, conquest, or something else—we must make a change."
Raymond held his breath and leaned forward, saying in a deep voice, "Ancestor, please... speak."
The other ministers in the palace also held their breath, their gazes focused on Sodrian's projection.
"According to OBrien's deathbed request and my own judgment, if the Red Emperor becomes an insurmountable obstacle for Lothorn..." Sodrian's voice suddenly became sharp, "then... at all costs, a decapitation strike."
After a few seconds of silence, the King asked, "Are you... certain?"
"I am not absolutely certain."
Sodrian spoke frankly, without any intention of hiding anything. "But if we continue to delay, once my condition declines and once the Red Emperor figures out the limits of my abilities, our chances of winning will only decrease."
He looked directly at Raymond.
"Now, while my condition is still good and while I can still fight, gathering all the kingdom's top powers to achieve everything in one stroke is our only chance."
"This is no longer for the glory of victory, but for the survival of Lothorn."
On the other side, Raymond closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
He could hear his own heartbeat thumping in his ears and feel the fine sweat on his palms.
A king's instinct, the longing for his father's glory, and a deep wariness of that Vicious Beast clashed violently in his heart. He thought of his father's final words, the faces of the past kings of Lothorn, and the kingdom's thousand-year legacy.
Ultimately, reality and the sense of crisis outweighed everything else.
When he opened his eyes again, the trepidation in them had vanished, replaced by resolve.
"I understand, Ancestor."
Raymond said decisively, his voice clanging with strength. "I will give you all my support. The kingdom's trump cards will be revealed for you. If we win this battle, Lothorn will clear its greatest obstacle; if we lose... at least we fought."
He paused and continued, "Ancestor Elliot, I will personally awaken him. He will fight side by side with you."
"The Holy Spirit... will also respond to your will and descend upon the battlefield."
An audible gasp of suppressed breath echoed in the palace.
Several old ministers exchanged glances; they all understood what this meant.
Elliot was an even more senior figure.
He was a first-generation descendant of the Holy King and was active during the most glorious and prosperous era of the Kingdom of Lothorn. After his lifespan was nearly exhausted, he chose to enter a Self-Sealing Domain and sleep through a secret method to wait for the day he would fight for the kingdom.
A few years ago, when Lothorn was nearly overturned, this Legend took action, consuming his already meager Origin Qi.
Afterward, he returned to sleep, with only one awakening opportunity left. He was not awakened even during the Second War of the Kingdoms because the next awakening would mean burning his final flame of life.
Sodrian was also slightly moved, and the image in the projection blurred for a moment.
"Ancestor Elliot... he is older than I am and is a veteran of a hundred battles. Awakening him might mean..."
In Sodrian's case, if this battle could end quickly, he might not necessarily die, but for Ancestor Elliot, who would awaken from a long seal, the moment he woke up, his life would begin its countdown.
That was a truly ancient Legend, a living history of Lothorn.
"It means that regardless of victory or defeat, he will burn away his final life."
Raymond chimed in, his voice low, "But Ancestor, you are right. This is for Lothorn. Every citizen of Lothorn must have the resolve to sacrifice themselves for the kingdom at a critical moment, including the royal family, including... me."
He straightened his back, his gaze burning as he scanned each of his ministers.
"Furthermore, I will follow my father's example and lead the army personally, heading to the front lines of the Rhine Plateau."
The King spoke in a deep voice, every word carrying weight.
"Your Majesty, you cannot!"
"It's too dangerous!"
"The front line is no place for you!"
Through the communication, the blurred voices of other ministers rose in protest, and several high-ranking officials spoke up urgently.
Sodrian also frowned slightly and shook his head. "Though you are also a Legend, it will be difficult for you to play a key role in this war. It would be better to stay in the rear to maintain stability."
"The kingdom's operation needs you; the people need to see their King presiding over the capital."
"This is my decision."
The King said seriously, "This battle concerns the fate of the nation. The King must stand with his soldiers."
"On one hand, this will boost our morale; on the other hand..."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "I myself will become the bait to lure the Red Emperor."
"A living king is a highly symbolic trophy for any conqueror and the best target. If we set a trap, I am the best bait."
"That's too risky! That giant dragon is very clever; he will surely see it's a trap!"
One minister couldn't help but shout.
"Yes, I have not underestimated the Red Emperor. He will know it's a trap."
Raymond smiled, "But even so, I believe there is a high probability he will still come."
"Looking at the Red Emperor's life, he does things very steadily, but he is never timid. He may appear calm and cautious, but at his core, he is a proud dragon, even if that pride is somewhat different from other members of the Dragon."
He walked to the window and looked out at the stars in the night sky, his back to his ministers.
"If we lose, Lothorn will never recover and may even face total destruction. I, Raymond, would have no face to meet my father and ancestors."
"Since that's the case, we might as well bet everything."
The King turned back around, a fire of determination burning in his eyes.
"If we win, Lothorn will clear its greatest obstacle, and the hegemony of the New Federation or even something broader will be within reach. If we lose... it will just be an early end. At least we fought until the last moment and didn't hide cowardly in the rear."
The other end of the communication was silent for a long time.
"Raymond... you really have grown up."
Sodrian finally spoke slowly, his tone complex. "In that case, I will wait for you and Ancestor Elliot on the plateau."
"Together, we will pave a path to the future for Lothorn."
Immediately after, the communication ended.
After a long while, a minister's voice cut in, breaking the silence.
"Your Majesty, that Iron Dragon in our court... Gordon Ignis, is a blood relative of the Red Emperor."
The minister's voice carried clear hostility. "Now that the two countries are at war, I suggest we execute him first to boost military morale and use the blood of an Iron Dragon to consecrate our flags!"
"This will not only boost morale but also cut off the Red Emperor's eyes and ears within our borders!"
As the words fell, many voices chimed in in agreement.
Several ministers nodded their approval, their faces filled with dissatisfaction toward that outlier dragon.
The Crystal of Lothorn—more accurately, the Fire Spirit Princess.
Her original intention was to guard Lothorn with her long life after transforming into an elemental being.
However, since transforming into a fire spirit, her personality and thinking had gradually shifted. She cared less and less about worldly opinions and royal dignity, and paid little attention to Lothorn's national affairs. Instead, she pursued her own strength and her relationship with that Iron Dragon grew closer and closer.
This caused dissatisfaction among many members of the royal family.
A dragon, especially one with blood ties to an enemy monarch, staying in the court for a long time was a security risk in itself.
However, the Fire Spirit Princess was not without support.
Because of her status as an outlier, she was isolated by the royal family, but the Spark Monastery she had invested in early on had given birth to Legendary existences in recent years, and they basically only followed the Fire Spirit Princess's commands.
This made the other nobles' attitude toward her complex; they couldn't easily move against her, yet they couldn't truly trust her.
Consequently, most of the Lothorn ministers' dissatisfaction shifted to the Iron Dragon Gordon.
This dragon became a target for everyone, and at every court meeting, someone proposed to imprison or execute him.
On the throne, Raymond watched the reactions of the other ministers but did not nod.
Although he was also somewhat dissatisfied with his aunt, who was no longer human, as King, he had to control his emotions and think from a more macro perspective.
"No."
The King rejected it without hesitation, his expression stern. "Until the dust of war settles, no matter what, treat that Iron Dragon well! Look after him, but also increase security."
The ministers looked at each other and finally bowed their heads. "As you command, Your Majesty."
A few days later, Rhine Plateau, Lothorn Main Camp.
Beams of teleportation light lit up one after another, tearing through the morning mist of the plateau and startling distant birds.
King Raymond stepped out of the teleportation array accompanied by a squad of elite guards.
He had changed into a set of magnificent yet functional kingly battle armor, with a holy sword symbolizing royal power at his waist. His expression was solemn, his brow carrying determination and gravity.
Arriving with him was another existence radiating a twilight yet heart-palpitating Aura.
It was an old man with white hair and beard and a withered, thin frame.
He wore a monk's robe that was loose and wide, making his hunched and small body seem even more so.
His face was covered in deep furrows left by time, his skin like dried bark. His eyelids drooped, and his steps were slow and stumbling. He looked very old, as if a strong wind could blow him over or a violent cough would kill him on the spot.
However, just by standing there, the surrounding elements became exceptionally active.
Earth, water, wind, fire.
Four elements, four colors... interwoven behind his head into a slowly rotating four-colored halo.
The halo was not dazzling, yet it was impossible to ignore.
Elliot, the biological son of the Holy King.
He was an ancient Crown Rank who was active during Lothorn's most glorious era, a powerful monk who had once tempered the human body to its limit and mastered the way of Four Symbols balance. He was also known as the 'Crown of Four Symbols.' At the same time, he had dabbled in the Star Self and Sanda paths, merging the essence of various combat techniques over his long life.
Now, the Aura of this Crown of Four Symbols was like a candle in the wind.
But before a candle goes out, it can still burst with a heat that burns everything.
Sodrian, who had been waiting here for a long time, came forward to meet them.
His gaze rested on Elliot for a moment, a flash of respect and sadness passing through his eyes.
This ancestor was even older than him and of a much higher generation. He was a truly living legend, a witness to Lothorn's glorious era. And now, he had to fight with the last of his life for a kingdom that perhaps had already become unfamiliar to him.
Although Elliot's original intention for sleeping was to burn the last of his life for Lothorn.
However, Sodrian felt that this was essentially the incompetence of their younger generation, forcing them to rely on the protection of their ancestors and making an old man who should have been at rest step onto the battlefield again.
"Ancestor Elliot, thank you for responding to the call."
Sodrian bowed slightly.
Elliot slowly raised his eyelids.
His eyes were cloudy, but a sharp light flickered deep within. His gaze swept over Sodrian's young face and then looked at Raymond.
"For Lothorn, it is a stroke of luck that this remnant body can still be of use."
"I have slept for many years precisely for today."
He paused and asked, "Raymond has already told me the gist of the situation... is that Red Iron Dragon, the so-called Red Emperor, truly so powerful? To be able to rival a Crown Rank Dragon at the Rank of an Advanced Legendary?"
Elliot's voice was very calm, but the question itself already showed his seriousness.
A dragon at the Advanced Legendary level, the best among them could cross Ranks to contend with a human Crown Rank.
This was not an isolated case; there were many records in the history of various races.
After all, the gap between races was right there. A dragon of the same level consumed countless times more resources than a human and also required a much longer growth time. Being powerful was only natural.
However, this power also had limits.
The so-called cross-Rank contention was often against one opponent, and in a one-on-one situation.
Lothorn's positioning of the Red Emperor, however, was as a rival to a Crown Rank Dragon, not a Crown Rank human.
In that case, the situation was completely different.
This meant that at least three to four human Crown Ranks of the same level would be needed to safely subjugate him.
Sodrian said solemnly, "From what I personally felt, he is even more than that."
"That Red Emperor... is an existence that transcends common sense even among the Dragon."
Just then, another beam of light, different from the previous ones, descended.
This beam of light was purer, more holy, and carried a certain reassuring power.
As the light dissipated, an illusory yet grand figure slowly condensed and appeared.
He was dressed in ancient kingly attire, his face majestic yet blurred, his figure tall and shrouded in light. His body presented a spiritual state as solid as substance, radiating a pressure and Aura that made one want to prostrate themselves in worship.
It was precisely the guardian of Lothorn, the Holy Spirit.
When the Holy Spirit fully manifested and his gaze swept over everyone, Elliot's withered body trembled.
The cloudiness in his eyes completely faded as he stared fixedly at the Holy Spirit's face.
Though blurred, the outline, the Aura... were exactly the same as the father in his memory.
He knew in his heart that this Holy Spirit was transformed from his father's Soul using a special Spell.
"...Fa..."
This Crown of Four Symbols hesitated to speak, his voice dissipating at his cracked lips.
In his eyes, there was reminiscence, pain, a hint of filial longing, but more of a deep sorrow.
Because he could clearly feel that although the Holy Spirit before him possessed part of his father's image and power, it lacked that vivid emotion and wisdom, operating only according to certain instructions.
This was also why various nations positioned the Holy Spirit as a strategic weapon rather than a Crown Rank lifeform.
The Holy Spirit's gaze paused on Elliot for a moment.
That blurred face seemed to show a smile, and the voice was gentle.
"Elliot, long time no see. You look much older."
It sounded affectionate, but there was no true emotion in its eyes, like lines read from a script.
"Father, Your Majesty remains."
Elliot was silent for a few seconds. A thousand words ultimately turned into this simple sentence, and he then closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.
When he opened them again, his gaze had become calm, having suppressed his personal emotions.
They were all now blades fighting for Lothorn.
Moreover, being able to fight alongside the remnant spirit of the Holy King he admired before his death could, in a way, settle some of his regrets.
"What about the other one?" The King looked at the time crown rank.
"Grant is adjusting his state. He needs to bring his mind, body, and the Unyielding Sword to their Peak," Sodrian replied. "Hmm, he should be about finished."
Soon, as if in response to his words, another figure walked from the depths of the camp.
He was clad in heavy holy-inscribed plate armor, and on his back was a broad, heavy two-handed greatsword engraved with countless runes. His armor was full of scratches left by battle, but every mark seemed to speak of glory.
Grant, a Crown-Rank Legend who had recently made a Breakthrough during Lothorn's period of rapid post-war development.
He was a Glory Paladin who perfectly combined glory and combat skills. He represented the sharp edge of Lothorn's new generation and was known as the "Glory Crown of Lothorn."
Taking all aspects into account, he was not as unfathomable as the time crown rank Sodrian, nor did he have the deep foundation and rich means of the Crown of Four Symbols Elliot.
AI Model: gemini-3.1-flash-lite
However, in terms of pure aggression, because he had sworn the Oath of Glory to "slay powerful enemies and defend honor," his attack power was extremely prominent among the three human Crown Ranks, making him an uncompromising blade for breaking through defenses.
"Your Majesty, Your Excellency Sodrian, Your Excellency Elliot."
Grant bowed solemnly to the King and the two ancestors, saying sternly, "I am honored to fight alongside you for Lothorn."
"This will be my honor."
With this, the top existences of the Lothorn side had all arrived.
The air was filled with a tense and heavy atmosphere; everyone knew what the coming battle meant.
Shortly after, inside a military tent protected by layers of barriers.
The three Crown Ranks, King Raymond, and the Iron-Fisted General gathered together, with the Holy Spirit standing silently among them.
The tent was simply furnished, with only a strategic table and a few chairs, but the light of the barriers flowed along the tent walls, isolating it from all prying eyes.
"First, we must determine the primary and secondary roles and clarify our duties to ensure good coordination and unleash our maximum power."
Sodrian spoke first, "In the battle against the Red Emperor, I will take the lead. Although his body is strong and his defense is astonishing, I possess the power of time and the means to tear him apart, though it requires certain conditions and timing."
He looked at the Iron-Fisted General: "Valesia, tell us your thoughts on the Red Emperor."
Hearing this, Valesia stepped forward somewhat reservedly.
This general, known for his iron fist and coldness, who held immense prestige in the army, moved quite carefully at this moment, his face lacking any of his usual cold hardness, instead showing obvious nervousness.
After all, neither his Advanced Legendary strength nor his status as a Lothorn General was impressive here.
He was merely barely qualified to participate in the meeting.
"The Red Emperor, Garos Ignis."
Valesia cleared his throat, keeping his voice steady, then continued: "He is also known as the crimson flame fiend, the King of Molten Iron, the Lord of Aura... and, the indestructible dragon."
Once on the topic of business, the Iron-Fisted General gradually got into the zone, his speaking speed increased, and his eyes became focused.
"In addition to his absurdly strong physique and the long-range attack methods he has recently displayed, the most inconceivable thing that has happened to him is his ability to resurrect from death and simultaneously fully restore his state."
He displayed a magical image, which replayed segments of the Nolton battle.
"In the Nolton battle, he was witnessed by many being hit by the concentrated strike of the Life-Hunting Ranger."
"His head and heart were simultaneously pierced and destroyed, but he did not die. Instead, he became extremely strong in a short time, his Aura surged, and he returned to a perfect state."
In the image, the sight of the Red Dragon falling and then standing up again made everyone present look grave.
Elliot exhaled, his voice slow: "A Legendary Dragon that can resurrect is indeed remarkable."
He knew very well the difficulty of resurrecting a Legendary life, especially for a race like dragons.
Therefore, the fact that the Red Emperor could resurrect seemed even more incredible.
Raymond asked: "If he can keep resurrecting, how exactly do we kill him? Through Spells that prevent resurrection? We lack Crown Rank Casters. Although the Saint King ancestor was a master of both magic and martial arts, the Holy Spirit cannot do so, having failed to retain Spell-casting skills."
"However, we have a stock of such disposable Spell scrolls in our kingdom's treasury."
For human Legendaries, the biggest difficulty in reaching the next level is often lifespan.
Unless they choose to use life-extending methods with huge costs, Casters, whose bodies are relatively fragile, are often shorter-lived than other physical career paths that can strengthen the body.
Therefore, at higher Legendary levels, the number of Casters is even rarer, and Crown Rank Casters are even more scarce.
None of Lothorn's Crown Ranks are pure Casters.
The Iron-Fisted General looked at Raymond: "Your Majesty, the Red Emperor has very high Spell resistance. We will use Spell scrolls targeting him, but we cannot pin our hopes on that."
He switched the image to show a close-up analysis of the Red Emperor's chest.
"Additionally, according to detailed images from the Nolton battle and after countless deductions and analyses, it can be concluded that the Red Emperor is not an immortal in the true sense."
"His weakness lies in his left chest, specifically located between the third and fourth ribs, towards the inner side."
On the magic diagram, the left chest area was marked in red, showing an abnormal concentration of energy flow.
"His becoming stronger in a short time is likely related to some Legendary trait, but his ability to resurrect and return to a powerful state is essentially because there is a hidden energy organ in his left chest that stores a large amount of life energy."
"Moreover, he isn't actually resurrecting after death; he was merely near death at the time."
Valesia looked around at everyone: "If we can decapitate him—truly cut off his head—or simply tear him apart, or even pierce his energy organ beforehand, we can completely kill him."
Hearing this, the Glory Paladin's spirit was stirred.
He said in a deep voice: "Since we know where the weakness lies, our chances of winning are much greater."
On the other side, Sodrian shook his head slightly: "Don't forget, during the Nolton battle, the Red Emperor did not have the long-range'Sun' gathering ability, nor did he display the oppressive force akin to a Crown Rank Dragon as he does now."
"He has grown after his slumber, and the scale of it far exceeds what ordinary people imagine."
"His previous weakness does not mean it is still a weakness now."
The Iron-Fisted General nodded and agreed: "Yes, Your Excellency Sodrian is correct. However, regardless, decapitation and dismemberment remain the best ways to kill the Red Emperor."
He paused for a moment and continued, "Perhaps his weakness is no longer there, yet he can still resurrect."
"However, judging by his performance after previous resurrections, he actually becomes slightly weaker and does not fully return to his Peak state. As long as we can kill him twice, we can end the battle."
The King asked: "Twice... that is only a hypothesis."
"If he can resurrect again and is in basically perfect condition, how should we respond?"
The Iron-Fisted General smiled: "Then that would mean Heaven intends to destroy Lothorn."
The atmosphere was silent for a moment.
Then, Sodrian broke the silence: "There is no such thing as a perfect life in this world."
"No skill is cast out of thin air; they all have a cost. The difference lies in the magnitude of the cost. Moreover, it doesn't matter how many times the Red Emperor can resurrect; we just need to do our best in this battle."
He stood up and traced his finger across the strategic table.
"First, use Raymond as bait to lure the Red Emperor. If he doesn't come, then we will break through the defense lines of the other Aura Legendaries and surround him, which will only cost us a bit more."
"At that time, the Holy Spirit's Destiny Domain needs to be deployed immediately."
Unlike heroic spirits without Domains, the Holy Spirit retained the Domain from its lifetime. Although its power is slightly weaker and each deployment requires burning a large amount of spiritual crystals, the strength of the Destiny Domain is unquestionable.
"Within the Destiny Domain, we will besiege the Red Emperor."
"The Holy Spirit and I will stand at the front. Ancestor Elliot has mastered the Four Symbols Dao and can cast some Spell-like skills. He also dabbles in the Star Self and brawling paths, offering a rich array of methods, and will be responsible for pinning down the Red Emperor."
"Grant will be the main attacker; you will inflict the most damage on the Red Emperor."
The Glory Paladin was slightly stunned: "Me?"
Frankly speaking, he lacked that confidence.
Although he was a Glory Paladin, he was facing an existence comparable to a Crown Rank Dragon. He had impressive attack power, but in other aspects, he was inferior to any of the Crown Rank existences here.
"You are just a feint; as I have already said, I am responsible for the fatal blow."
Sodrian's gaze sharpened: "The world thinks I excel at defense and evasion, but I am a swordsman after all, and I possess an unparalleled blade. It is just that attacks using the power of time have a higher cost and require the most appropriate timing."
Among the several Crown Ranks, Sodrian was neither the youngest nor the oldest.
But without a doubt, he was the strongest.
The power of time is extraordinary.
Time gradually passed during the discussion; the morning light completely dispelled the night, and the horizon of the plateau turned pale.
The group's plan was gradually finalized; while they couldn't say they were fully confident, they had sufficient assurance.
With the power of four Crown Ranks, including one time crown rank and one Destiny Holy Spirit.
Such a combination was enough to crusade against a Crown Rank Dragon. Using it against the Red Emperor was out of absolute respect for him, a matter of prudence, treating him entirely as a Crown Rank Dragon.
But regardless, the Red Emperor was ultimately not a Crown Rank Dragon.
Compared to a true Crown Rank Dragon, he should still be lacking somewhat.
The advantage lay with Lothorn.
At this moment, the Paladin knelt on one knee, his fist pressed against his chest.
He said in a deep voice: "Glory guides, my sword shall arrive! The Unyielding Sword will cut open the path ahead for Lothorn!"
Elliot slowly exhaled, his voice slow: "With my broken body, I will pave this final stretch of the road for Lothorn."
King Raymond gripped his sword hilt, his gaze sweeping over the strong figures from different eras before him.
The ancient descendant of the Saint King, the time crown rank who had guarded the kingdom for hundreds of years, the new generation Glory Paladin, and the Holy Spirit representing the Saint King's legacy.
A determined light ignited in his eyes, and he said in a deep voice: "Then, I leave everything to you all."
"This battle is not for the vanity of victory, but for the future of Lothorn! For our common future, for the tomorrow of millions of Lothorn citizens!"
At this moment, the Lothorn Crown Ranks, spanning multiple eras, were gathered together.
They cast aside generation gaps and ideological differences, with only one goal in their hearts.
Time continued to pass.
Next, the Red Emperor did not raid the Lothorn base alone again.
Because his cautious image was already deeply rooted in people's hearts, the Lothorn Legendaries were not disappointed; instead, they became even more vigilant, standing in strict readiness, prepared for battle at any moment.
At the same time, because the Holy Spirit and the King were present in person, especially the arrival of the Holy Spirit, it was the best boost to morale.
The Lothorn soldiers witnessed the kingdom's final guardian with their own eyes, their faith became firmer, their morale returned to its Peak, the legions assembled and trained on a large scale, their Battle Intent was high, and they were united as one, waiting for the horn of the decisive battle.
This peace was broken on the evening of the fifth day.
When the setting sun dyed the Rhine Plateau a blood-red color and twilight spread from the eastern horizon, the horn of the Aura Kingdom rolled in from the distance like thunder.
Low, desolate, one sound after another, continuous and endless.
Immediately after, a dark silhouette appeared on the horizon.
Gazing from afar, one could see that under the leadership of the Red Emperor, the wings of dragons covered the sky and blocked the moon, and the soldiers' iron hooves trampled across the land, like a giant wave sweeping through the world, engulfing towards the Lothorn military camp.
The Lothorn legions also poured out, and under the leadership of their own Crown Ranks, they met the Aura Legion.
At this time, satellites twinkled like eyes, watching this scene together.
Other nations watched coldly, looking at the flames of war burning.
They knew in their hearts that no matter who won or lost, the situation on the Romanian Plain would be overturned, and a new era would stagger in through blood and fire.