Chapter 35: Who Is the True Hero? (4)

“Lord Komer, do you truly intend to destroy everything? Is the allure of this dark world really enough to make you give up everything?” Caesar’s gaze shifted as his clear voice carried far away, yet his movements remained swift—his knight’s spear dancing violently around him. Wave after wave of air was drawn in by the immense suction force generated by his powerful combat energy, growing increasingly dense until the entire space seemed to grow heavier.

Caesar’s spear movements also slowed down, each movement as heavy and powerful as pulling several large carts. The intense compression of matter created a semi-transparent air barrier around him. This barrier, formed by the pressure of his supreme combat energy, was colorless but an excellent insulator. Whether it was dark forces, light forces, or elemental forces, breaking through this solid-like barrier would require an even greater cost.

“Knight Caesar, it’s not that I want to perish with you—it’s you who force me to take this path. Didn’t you come here precisely to achieve this outcome?”

Komer’s expression was solemn, but his tone remained relaxed. The Three Realms Mixed Magic had been pushed to its limits; at this point, even retracting the magic would be impossible. The intense backlash would reduce Komer to pure debris. He refused to become debris, no matter how pure.

Although the Three Realms Mixed Magic had been developed, Komer had never used it in battle. This was his first time activating it. The severe backlash caused his meridians to begin boiling—a sign of going mad. Gaining great power meant paying a heavy price, but it seemed there was no other choice. Komer even considered that if his side truly won this battle, it would likely be a bloody victory. He might not be able to recover within a year or two, and his ultimate fate could be to fall into a permanent sleep, never to wake again, just like Kenifer III.

Before Caesar could say more, the Ultimate Gate, activated with the corrosive power of dark forces, quickly penetrated in. The power of lightning elements surged through the air, instantly enveloping the entire area centered around Caesar.

A series of tremulous, explosive forces poured onto the air barrier surrounding Caesar’s body, mixed with intense penetrating corrosive powers that wrapped around him. Caesar let out a soft sigh. At this point, it seemed impossible for him to avoid total destruction—he could hardly stay calm under such circumstances, nor could he trust himself. It wasn’t an outcome either side wanted, yet they often ended up here. The tip of the knight’s spear emitted a strange rainbow glow. Caesar took a sharp breath, leaped into the air, causing the entire air barrier to move as well, as if to confront those dense arcs of dark light head-on. The knight fiercely swung his spear, and a brilliant beam of light pierced through the air, aiming straight for the bright spot at the heart of darkness!

Komer’s eyes gleamed with wonder. He couldn’t believe Caesar wasn’t aware that was the source of the power of his ultimate gate. Ordinary people, no matter how many faced it, would only end up as charred remains. But Caesar? Was it possible? Did he truly possess power that defied the heavens?

In an instant, fierce lightning transformed the entire knight’s spear into a golden flame of electricity. The violent lightning force penetrated Caesar’s body without any hindrance. Komer suppressed the turmoil in his own energy, widening his eyes to watch closely—he wanted to see how Caesar would deal with this devastating strike.

Caesar’s expression was solemn. He raised the knight’s spear with one hand, standing firm on one foot like a golden rooster in mid-air. Powerful lightning forces surged downward, and turbulent air currents rolled around him. The ground beneath him seemed like the heavens themselves, leaving everyone around in awe.

Komer could hardly believe his eyes. How could Caesar dare to endure such immense power without even showing any signs of injury? Could it be that Caesar had already transcended humanity and attained a divine status?

At this thought, Komer felt somewhat disheartened. If that were the case, what was the point of this battle? Having reached a divine realm, Caesar could look down upon all others. No matter how hard they struggled, it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. No, that couldn’t be true. If that were the case, why would Caesar bring along the people from the Tribunal to create momentum? He could have ended everything alone.

At this moment, Caesar was also helpless. The activation of the Three Realms Magic left him with no way to retreat. Once all the power of this magic was unleashed, not only would he himself be trapped, but Noroyla and the four warriors behind him would also be unable to escape. It could be said that a failure was already inevitable. If he wanted to turn the situation around, he could only take the risk of triggering the power of the Ultimate Gate first. The violent nature of lightning energy made it difficult for the Ultimate Gate to merge with dark magic and mental power, especially since the opponent did not master this Three Realms Magic skillfully either. Triggering the outbreak of lightning energy in advance might even cause the Three Realms Magic to degenerate into Heavenly Demon Soul Devourer, but it required the courage to sacrifice oneself to do so.

The extremely fierce lightning energy penetrated Caesar’s body. He had already done his utmost to relax the power within him and stretch his meridians as much as possible, but the violent lightning energy still made his blood surge violently throughout his body. Although he managed to guide that lightning energy into the ground, the side effects left him completely exhausted. At this point, he could only stand there motionless in the stance of a golden rooster standing on one leg, without even the strength to change his posture.

Everyone was stunned by this earth-shattering strike—it was truly defying the heavens! Both Noroyla and Komer were completely shocked by it!

After the shock, Komer realized that the opponent was not as divine as he had initially imagined. At least Caesar’s expression at that moment certainly did not resemble that of someone possessing a divine aura; it seemed as if he was enduring some kind of intense pressure.

Heavenly Demon Soul Devourer was finally activated. A series of arcs formed in space, and a strong sucking force created a black vortex that spiraled toward Caesar.

A profound sense of emptiness filled Komer’s body, accompanied by continuous dizziness. Komer knew this was the origin of magical backlash. With the Three Realms Magic broken by the opponent, he could no longer unleash a second wave of it and could only rely on Heavenly Demon Soul Devourer to force his way through. But as for the outcome, Komer had no idea—the opponent’s performance earlier had greatly shaken his confidence.

Caesar stared intently at the swirling black vortex. It was a devouring force formed by the convergence of dark power and mental magic. Once trapped within it, it would likely lead to a fight to the death. Caesar wasn’t sure just how strong this intense sucking force would be.

Caesar believed the opponent was equally uncertain. Having broken the Three Realms Magic already terrified the opponent—was this really the only option left?

A faint magical force passed through, causing a slight stir in Caesar’s heart.
“Wait!”
“Knight Caesar, do you think we can still stop now?” Komer, with a fierce expression, continued to channel his magic.
“Lord Komer, do you really think I need to delay things this way? Do you truly believe you have victory in hand?” Caesar smirked slightly.
Komer was taken aback, his gaze becoming more wary, and the magic he was wielding also ceased.
Caesar ignored Komer and simply stood there, absorbing the meaning of the magical message, his expression shifting repeatedly.
At the same time, a magical message reached Komer just in time, causing him to stop as well.
Almost simultaneously, the two exchanged glances, seemingly understanding much at once.
“Lord Komer, may we talk alone?” Caesar asked with a slight smile and outstretched hand.
“Of course,” Komer replied calmly.
Their strange expressions made everyone stop in their tracks. The raging Shatima seemed to sense this change as well, struggling in the air before taking off.
“Lord Komer, do you know why I stopped?”
“I don’t. I can sense your sorrow. Has Lord Julius left?” Komer glanced at him keenly.
“That’s right. Before he left, he used his last strength to restart the Great Prophecy. He already told me through the magical message.” Caesar was no longer as composed as before; concern appeared on his face.
“It seems Lord Julius was indeed wise, having anticipated this. There were already signs of this in the Cordillera Wasteland some time ago. I’ve been worried, and as expected, it happened.” Komer’s gaze grew solemn. “Will the fate that cycles every five hundred years descend upon the Land of Azure once again?”
“Fate is unpredictable; it’s beyond the understanding of ordinary people. The strong fight against the currents, while the weak drift with them. Isn’t that how humanity has risen time and time again from countless hardships?” Caesar smiled faintly.
“Lord Caesar is quite optimistic,” Komer said with a slow smile.
“Lord Komer, let’s be honest. While magical beasts are indeed a concern, I’m more worried about the infighting among us humans.” Caesar’s gaze drifted into the distance.

Komer nodded thoughtfully. With Julius gone, the suppressed conflicts within the Church of Light would burst forth immediately. This was likely what worried Caesar the most. Without a strong figure like Julius, Frunest, Vazinki, and even Verchi might all become more ambitious—who would lead such a powerful force? As a warrior, Caesar was naturally ruled out by church tradition, but the power he represented was crucial; whoever he supported might just win. “Lord Caesar, with the threat of magical beasts looming, I believe wise people will set aside their differences,” Komer said calmly.