The clang of swords and the whoosh of fire spears echoed across the courtyard of the third gate. Leon and one of the red-haired Hydra stood facing each other, both breathing slightly heavily. Suddenly, the pale blue-haired Hydra named Ao spoke in a flat voice.
"Daidaiiro, let me handle him. You clearly can't defeat him."
Daidaiiro, his body already covered in bruises, looked up and laughed roughly. His wounds healed rapidly, glowing briefly before vanishing. "Hah! I don't need your help, Ao! This devil is mine!"
He clapped his hands together hard, and as he opened them, a fiery spear materialized, radiating insane heat.
Leon didn't idle in the face of such recklessness. His eyes gleaming with determination, he drew the sword he had yet to master from its scabbard. It still felt heavy and unfamiliar in his hand. Yet, Leon did not hesitate to use it against Daidaiiro, who stared at him with cold, challenging eyes.
Without a signal, Daidaiiro vanished from sight. Leon swiftly turned his body just in time to parry a thrust from the fire spear that appeared behind him. CLANG! The collision of their weapons created a shockwave that pushed them both back several steps.
The fierce battle continued. They exchanged blows in a relentless duel. Flashes of metal and sparks of fire illuminated the faces of the other Hydra, who watched calmly.
Amidst the fight, the figure of Zenless appeared at the gateway. His face was initially shocked at the destruction, but his gaze quickly shifted to the final, undamaged gate amidst the rubble. A sense of relief washed over his features.
Leon, seeing his arrival, immediately seized the moment. With a quick kick, he pushed Daidaiiro back and shouted, "You've finally come, Your Majesty! With this, we can overcome them together!" Leon's face was full of hope and conviction.
However, Zenless's initially neutral expression changed drastically. A wicked smile spread across his lips, followed by a sinister laugh that echoed. "It seems you've misunderstood, Zero. My purpose in coming here isn't to help you."
Leon froze, confused. "What... what do you mean, Your Majesty?"
Zenless walked closer, his eyes gleaming with arrogance. "Zero, I was the one who told the Hydra the location of the Nexus," he said in a cold, emotionless voice.
"I have been cooperating with them from the beginning, and I helped them plan this attack."
"Lies!" Leon retorted.
"Lord Marcus said the Hydra already knew this location!"
"Turns out it's easy to fool you, Zero!" Zenless snapped, his voice full of arrogance and malice.
"You believe so easily,Zero, without knowing anything about what the Nexus truly is."
"This place is hidden by an extremely powerful illusion barrier, impossible to find from the outside. I deliberately had Marcus say that to create this moment—the moment where I can seize and control someone imprisoned inside there, someone with immense power!" His hand pointed towards the final, intact gate, his eyes glinting with ambition and evil.
"With their power, I will rule the entire demon race! And for you, Zero, I have a special gift."
Zenless then let out a long, sharp whistle. From above the gate, Raven appeared, and in his hands, bound by energy ropes, was Raina. The little white-fox-tailed girl, the former slave Leon and Kazan had saved long ago.
"Big Brother Leon! Please help Raina!" cried Raina, her voice full of fear.
Seeing this, Leon's anger exploded. "She has nothing to do with this! Release her, or I won't hesitate to kill you, Zenless!"
Zenless only mocked him. "You don't realize the situation, do you, Zero? You are alone! Here there are eleven of us—plus thousands of mud creature troops waiting outside the gate! What can you possibly do?"
He then made an offer in a coaxing tone."How about we cooperate instead? Help me conquer the demon race, and I will grant you territory, treasure, and as many women as you want."
Hearing the offer, Leon's expression changed. A confident smile appeared on his face. "It seems you are the one who is mistaken, Zenless. I am not alone."
He raised his hand and shouted,"KAZAN, NOW!"
Krekkk...!
A spatial rift suddenly tore open right behind Raven. From within it, Kazan shot out with unstoppable speed. In a single slash, SCHLICK!, Raven's body was cleaved in two. Before Raven's corpse could fall, Kazan had already gently caught the falling Raina.
"Big Brother Kazan!" Raina sobbed, hugging him tightly.
"Stay calm, Raina. Are you okay?" asked Kazan in a soft voice, though his eyes remained sharp, watching their enemies.
"I-I'm okay, Big Bro... thank you for saving Raina."
Zenless gasped, his face pale. "How is this possible?! He can enter the Nexus?!"
Leon smiled wider. "Not just him." He raised his hand again.
Krekkk...!
A much larger spatial rift tore open in the sky above them. From within it, a giant Phoenix, burning with holy fire, emerged. Everyone present, even the Hydra, was stunned to see the legendary creature that was supposed to be extinct.
The Phoenix then transformed,shrinking into a man.
Leon smiled. "Thanks for coming, Nix."
"No problem, Leon," Nix replied.
"As fellow members,we should help each other."
Zenless, though pressured, still tried to act arrogantly. "So you have one Phoenix helping? You think that's enough to change the situation, Zero?!"
Leon sighed, as if pitying him. "How insolent you are." This time, he didn't raise his hand. He merely stomped his foot on the ground.
Krekkk...!
An immensely large spatial rift, even larger than the last, gaped wide open behind Leon. From within the eternal darkness, an innumerable army of darkness marched forth in orderly ranks. They all wore black armor, their eyes glowing red, and an aura of death filled the area. At the very front, Valker knelt respectfully.
"What are your orders, Master?" asked Valker, his voice echoing with loyalty.
=== CHAPTER 37 END ===