Chapter 205: Threads of Destiny in Crimson Skies
Hours had passed since their escape, and night had already blanketed the lands. Elton and company had been driving inside the magical vehicle at a rapid pace for most of that time, feeling the tension of a world on edge. Even from above, they could sense the unease of countless people below — no doubt stirred by the chaos unfolding near the Dimensional Gate.
Now, the trio rode high in the skies atop the Winged Serpent Demonic Beast, which had taken on a smaller, more compact form. Its aura gently controlled the winds, concealing their presence amidst the darkened clouds as it glided smoothly through the air.
Sitting atop its scaled back were Elton, Christy, and Erica, along with a torso-sized wooden doll wrapped in leaves that greatly resembled Shayleaf. The doll not only moved but spoke with her voice — and even clung affectionately to Elton like the real Shayleaf.
"Uuuu! Seriously, you have no idea how big of a mess you, Brother Elly and Sister Chris, caused by vanishing like that! On the other hand, this was probably the safest move you could've made, given how insane things got afterward," Shayleaf's voice complained from the animated doll, its leafy arms crossed in frustration.
"Hmph! Those people really tried to act forceful with their decisions, and I just won't approve!" Erica huffed, clearly irritated.
"Exactly! Gege, I think we should just get married as soon as possible," Christy said shamelessly — though her face immediately flushed red with embarrassment.
"H-Hey! In that case, El Onyem, we too should g-get m-married as soon as possible…" Erica stammered as her own face turned crimson.
"Brother Elly! You must also count me in! We're already destined, you see?! You agree, right?!" Shayleaf's wooden doll exclaimed excitedly, its tiny arms opening wide as its leafy head tilted toward Elton.
"Uhh… ladies, let's not get sidetracked." Elton chuckled awkwardly, blushing as he rubbed the back of his neck. "We'll have our marriage ceremonies when things actually calm down and we can settle somewhere safely."
The sparkle in all three of their eyes — even the animated Shayleaf doll's — was oddly heartwarming. For a moment, silence filled the skies, their laughter carried by the wind.
"Ahem." Elton cleared his throat. "Shay, please go over all of the events that took place after we disappeared. Judging by your tone, it sounds like you, Tongsheng, and the others are all doing fine."
"Ehh? Ahh, yes, we are." The doll nodded quickly, its leaves rustling. "Hmm… where should I even begin exactly?"
"Just focus on the major events," Christy said softly. "Important appearances, large-scale battles — anything crucial that happened after we left. And most importantly, how you and the others are faring, and where you're heading now."
"If things went according to plan," Erica added, "you should all be moving toward Grimhollow, right?"
"Yes, Sister Erri! It's just as you said!" Shayleaf's doll nodded vigorously. "Though… it's more than just us heading there. Well, I'll give you all the details — starting from the moment you disappeared."
As Shayleaf began to explain, her voice — though filtered through a wooden body — carried the weight of tension, loss, and resolve. What she conveyed to them was no mere report.
It was the recounting of a grand political storm, a theater of power filled with threats, betrayals, and the looming shadow of war.
…
The two Aka Boshi no Tengan clan armies soon joined with Christian and her detachment to begin critical discussions. Within their ranks stood ten Mortal Lord experts — six Early Stage, three Middle Stage, and one towering Late Stage presence.
At the same time, a large force from the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect arrived to meet Murphaus and his own detachment. Curiously, the sect's movements appeared divided — two different contingents, each led by Mortal Lords, operating with separate objectives. Among them, though only a Golden Lord, Ramiro León stood out as the unshakable symbol of one side — representing the allied strength of the White Star Radiance faction.
The Grand Fae Spirit Alliance had also arrived, greeting Aerlan and his group with reverence — yet their true focus was clear: to pay homage to Daoist Crimson Star Fang, Her Royal Highness Shayleaf.
Despite the unity of purpose, the gathered powers quickly began to clash in both words and pride. Questions rose — inquiries and accusations about "suspicious disappearances." The heaviest tension centered on the missing Daoist Blue Heavens Sword, whose absence was impossible to ignore. And when the Aka Boshi no Tengan clan realized Christy Hucklebare was missing as well, outrage rippled through their ranks.
But their disputes were soon interrupted by something far worse.
Hidden deep in the shadows, demons had infiltrated the area — planning a desperate, coordinated strike to assassinate Daoist Blue Heavens Sword, Daoist Heaven Star Eyes, and Daoist Crimson Star Fang. None had expected the trap to unfold the way it did.
Their presence was uncovered almost instantly — ironically, by the boisterous Daemonorc race.
Damorca, his voice booming with fury, pointed toward the Grounds and bellowed,
"What gall you bastards have — to sneak an attack on our Royal Mistress!"
From atop Elchris, Tongsheng wasted no time. With flawless precision, she drew back her bow and loosed a Magic-Filled Killing Arrow, its flight splitting the air with divine speed. It struck the hidden Mortal Lord Demon dead-on, blasting him across the horizon though he barely managed to raise a barrier to block 40% of the incredible impact.
The remaining demons, realizing their cover was broken, emerged from concealment. In desperation, they activated a wide-area killing formation, its power warping the air and distorting the void itself — all aimed directly at Elchris and those aboard.
The response was immediate. Defensive formations surged to life, magic shields flaring across every major force present. Still, from within the demonic formation, a terrifying beam of energy exploded outward — carrying the might of a Peak Middle Stage Mortal Lord — and hurtled toward Elchris like a falling star.
Before it could strike, a single snort echoed across the battlefield.
The demonic attack imploded mid-air, collapsing into itself with a shriek of compressed power. The entire field fell silent in shock. Even Christian and the other Middle and Late Stage Mortal Lords froze, unable to sense who had unleashed that counter-force.
Moments later, chaos resumed — a large-scale demon extermination commenced.
Six Mortal Lord demons, ten Golden Lord demons, fourteen Gold Tier Four demons, and countless lower-ranked fiends from Bronze to Gold Tier appeared wreaking havoc in the ensuing carnage.
Several traitors from allied organizations were also exposed, attempting to flee once their demonic ties were revealed. They were swiftly hunted down and executed.
The fury of the righteous powers burned fierce — the Aka Boshi no Tengan clan, Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, Grand Fae Spirit Alliance, Great Brawlman Sect, and their allied forces unleashed a storm of vengeance.
Meanwhile, other groups — such as the Soloman clan — though annoyed, were far less moved by morality. Their attention remained on a different issue entirely: the missing Daoist Blue Heavens Sword.
Not long after, Soloman experts made a discovery. Their clan's bloodline magic had been activated — and not by just anyone, but from atop Elchris itself.
At first, they suspected a traitor among their ranks. But the timing, precision, and energy signature didn't align. It wasn't sabotage — it was intentional activation. And that realization led to one possibly inescapable conclusion: Lady Erica Soloman was likely involved.
From that moment, the Soloman clan's objective shifted — no longer focused on the battle before them, but on locating Erica Soloman and tracking her movements after the conflict.
Still, their temporary alliance held for the slaughter that followed. Heroes rose across the battlefield.
Among them, Ramiro León shone brightest — the Dragon Spear Hero, his spear gleaming under the light of burning essence. He fought with relentless courage, inspiring those beside him.
In the chaos, he broke through another barrier within his cultivation, awakening a sixth special Meridian, his strength and mastery surging higher. Three Golden Lord demons fell to his spear, each slain with overwhelming ferocity — though he received aid from his allies.
The true spectacle came when a Mortal Lord Demon attempted to flee.
Ramiro, alongside two other Golden Lord geniuses — Brassaint's Second Prince, Jin Fang, and Marquess Jerome Helmsley, son of Duke Jabok Helmsley and known as the Black Hero of Helmsley — gave chase.
Though Jin Fang and Ramiro fought with fierce dedication, Jerome's strikes were oddly reserved, his demeanor calm, as though gauging the others rather than fighting with full strength. Yet even his measured attacks were deadly.
Soon, reinforcements arrived — three Mortal Lord experts and four Golden Lords joined the pursuit, cornering the demon completely.
Amidst the chaos, Ramiro's booming laughter cut through the noise. Bloodied yet unbowed, he twirled his spear and charged with wild resolve.
With one devastating thrust — a spear strike that echoed with a draconic roar — he pierced the Mortal Lord Demon, gravely wounding it to the horror of friend and foe alike. A storm of attacks followed from all directions, utterly obliterating the demon.
But Ramiro wasn't done.
With blood in his veins and fury in his heart, he roared like a beast reborn.
"HAAAAA!!!"
A primal surge of energy erupted from his core — a Lionheart's Cry that thundered across the battlefield. The very air trembled under its resonance. His Static Ki Essence flared like a golden blaze, spreading through his allies like wildfire.
Their spirits ignited. Their strikes grew sharper. Their fear vanished.
And those who were not aligned with him — enemies and opportunists alike — felt their hearts quake in terror beneath the weight of that sound.
For a fleeting moment, even the heavens seemed to echo his defiance.
The Lion's Spearhearts, led by Seralily, followed close behind him like living shadows, cutting through their foes and shielding Ramiro's back from unseen attacks.
The battle finally drew to a close. Though some demons and traitors managed to flee, they did so wounded and broken, hunted by countless pursuers as a massive manhunt began to sweep the lands.
Most of the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect withdrew, returning toward the sect. The Grand Fae Spirit Alliance reorganized, their forces splitting into several directions across the border regions.
The battle had finally ended. Though some enemies managed to escape with heavy injuries, a large-scale manhunt swiftly began in the aftermath.
Most of the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect withdrew, returning toward their sect. The Grand Fae Spirit Alliance regrouped and divided their forces, spreading out across different regions.
Aeloria led one contingent with Shayleaf, plus the crimson-eyed experts, and the five allied races, their path set toward Grimhollow Valley.
Other groups followed suit — each faction choosing its own direction. Ramiro, after receiving word from Shia that numerous experts and forces were gathering near Grimhollow, refused to sit idle. Displeased by the overbearing actions of the Aka Boshi no Tengan and Soloman clans, he gathered his comrades and marched after Aeloria and Shayleaf, joined by both White Star Radiance members and warriors from Brawlmanica and Brassaint, noble and commoner alike.
Golden Lord Jin Fang and his followers moved in the same direction — not as allies, but not as enemies either.
As for Jerome Helmsley, the Black Hero of Helmsley, his whereabouts remained unknown.
…
Elton, Erica, and Christy sat in silence, letting Shayleaf's words sink in as the Winged Serpent glided through the vast night sky.
"Well, it doesn't matter," Elton finally said, breaking the quiet with a thoughtful sigh. "Let's head to the sect first. I've got the feeling we'll be told to go to that Grimhollow place eventually anyway. For everything to fall into place this perfectly — with both Ramiro and Zoro acting in sync — there's no way only your hand is behind the scenes, Erri."
Erica folded her arms, her brows furrowing slightly. "Well, of course not. I already knew some people were helping me from the shadows. But even knowing that… some of these events still feel too precise, too well-timed. I didn't think the ones I counted on could move with such reach and subtlety. That means someone else is guiding all this. Maybe even using me to push their own goals."
Christy exhaled slowly, a thoughtful look in her eyes.
Elton leaned back slightly against the serpent's scales, his gaze fixed on the distant stars. In his mind, an image surfaced — a calm, smiling man, his expression warm yet unreadable, eyes carrying that same unfathomable rhythm as before.
For a fleeting moment, Elton felt a quiet, helpless tug in his chest at the unwillingness to believe that this man could be orchestrating things from the shadows.
He forced a faint smile and shook his head, brushing the thought aside. But deep inside, the suspicion lingered and he could only sigh.