Return of the Mythic Bloodline

The merciless clash between the two forces continued until late evening. Only when the sun set did both sides halt for a temporary truce, allowing their soldiers to rest.

Thus, the second day of war ended with the deaths of five hundred thousand soldiers of the Empire and seven hundred from the Banes' army, who were swept away by the long-range attacks launched from afar against the walls.

"The Host has accumulated negative Karma.

The Host's control over Sovereign-class lightning has been reduced by 40%.

Note:

1. Accumulate positive Karma to regain control over the golden lightning.

2. If the Host continues to accumulate negative Karma, control over the golden lightning will be completely lost."

"The Host is affected by the Corruption of Death.

Current Progress: 72%.

Note: If the corruption reaches 100%, the Host will lose their sanity."

The more Taranis killed, the more the intensity of the ominous voices in his mind increased, causing him constant throbbing pain. The pain would lessen if Taranis followed their commands and exponentially intensify if he went against them.

His battle IQ and physical abilities were increasing at a rapid rate; however, his control over the golden lightning had diminished to the point that he was struggling to unleash a stable Sword Aura.

"Your Highness, the guards at the gate have captured an enemy knight," a soldier informed Taranis, who was sitting on the floor of the fortress wall, clad in dark armor that carried a strong stench of blood.

"Captured?" Taranis murmured, rising to his feet. "Bring me to him."

Following the guard, Taranis reached the basement of the fortress, where a knight wearing steel armor with a blue cape stood imprisoned. He had short brown hair with a few strands of grey mixed in.

Outside the cell stood Titan, who was most likely interrogating the prisoner.

"A knight of Ironvale," Taranis said, recognizing the armor.

"He is Erik Ironvale, the eldest of the Ironvale brothers," Titan informed. "He wishes to join our army."

"So, he is a traitor," Taranis said in a cold tone, his golden eyes shimmering within the helm. "I despise traitors."

The glare alone made Erik tremble uncontrollably. Still, swallowing hard, he said, "I-I'm not a traitor. My loyalty was never to the Empire, but to House Ironvale. I want to protect my motherland, so please let me join your army."

"I killed both of your brothers," Taranis revealed. His words instantly radiated bloodlust from Erik. He clenched his fists, barely restraining himself from attacking Taranis.

"Do you not hate me?" Taranis asked, ignoring the bloodlust.

"I... I do," Erik muttered. He began unconsciously releasing murderous intent toward Taranis as he continued, "I hate you so much that I would behead you at any chance I get. You killed my brothers, slaughtered our knights, and claimed our fortress. How could I not hate you?"

Titan stepped forward upon seeing the intense hatred in Erik's eyes but was stopped when Taranis raised his hand.

"Then would it not be better for me to kill you now?" Taranis asked.

"For you, yes—but for the Banes' army, no," Erik replied, calming himself. "I admit that each of your soldiers possesses extraordinary prowess, capable of battling hundreds of the Empire's knights. However, in a prolonged war, your limited forces will eventually tire, and you will lose. My presence as a late-stage True Sage may not make a significant difference, but even the smallest aid is necessary for your army."

"Can you take a Soul Oath that you will not stab me in the back?" Taranis asked.

"No, I cannot."

"Can you take a Soul Oath that you will not betray the citizens of Ironvale?"

"Yes, I can."

Taranis stared into Erik's unwavering eyes for a few seconds, then turned to Titan and ordered, "Release him and station him on the wall at the rear of the country."

"Your Highness, you cannot trust him. What if he betrays us and breaches the wall?" Titan protested, clearly not trusting Erik.

He was even more concerned because of how openly Erik had threatened Taranis's life. If it were up to him, he would have already snapped Erik's neck for the disrespect he had shown.

"Then he will become the reason for the deaths of millions of innocent citizens of the Ironvale Duchy," Taranis said before walking out of the fortress.

Titan massaged the bridge of his nose and released a weary sigh before opening the prison bars.

The moment Erik stepped out, Titan drove a punch into his abdomen. A booming sound echoed through the empty basement, and Erik's metallic armor bent inward.

"Aghh!!!" Erik groaned, collapsing to the ground as he coughed up blood.

"This is for the disrespect you showed to the Prince," Titan muttered, his voice heavy. "The moment you bare your fangs at the Prince again, I will kill you immediately. Engrave that into your mind."

"I-I... understand," Erik muttered, clutching his stomach tightly.

---

"Including today, we have lost a total of eight hundred thousand soldiers, not to mention the hundred Elite Knights who died at the hands of Taranis," Hector said in a grim voice, seated at the table inside the meeting camp alongside the other Dukes and the Emperor.

"There are already so many monsters in the Hundred Sky Mountains. Where did they even get those beastmen from?" Brandon muttered, his words directed at Jambavan and Vyaghra. "Just two of them and Taranis killed over fifty thousand soldiers without suffering any major injuries."

"They are not worrisome," Kharos said, his demeanor now calm. "The beastmen are at the Greater Spirit Beast realm, while the Soulforce pressure of Taranis is at the level of a Mid-stage True Sage. However, since he killed the Elite Knights and Rhaegar, he might possess some hidden techniques, so we should consider him at the level of an Early-stage Eternal Sage. I have a method to deal with them, but the most troublesome one is… Demi-God Aurelion. Even though he has not moved an inch from the fortress, he is capable of altering the flow of battle the moment he decided to join the frontlines."

After a brief pause, Kharos declared, "To win this war, Aurelion must die."