1 Starting a new chapter with a kiss, huh, you two?
The Nine Gates of Hell techniques are all about martial arts to hit the enemy, and the ninth gate is no exception.
From a distance, the ‘Night Armor’ just looks like the most ordinary flying kick.
But the disruptive power contained within definitely exceeds everyone’s understanding.
Even Claudia, who integrated the ancient texts of the Nine Gates of Hell, was seeing the real ‘Night Armor’ in action for the first time.
There it was, a dazzling red lion charging toward the Primordial Nightmare with an unstoppable momentum.
Crimson steam wafted through the air like a shortcut to hell.
Everyone was watching this final blow through the Shadow Stone.
Right now, the expectations resting on Leon’s shoulders weren’t just from the Lionheart Association, but from the entire populace of the Empire.
He had to win—he absolutely had to!
Intense energy surged through Leon, every limb and bone screaming in agony.
Especially his heart.
Without Roswiser’s Heartguard Dragon Scale, Leon probably would have already collapsed on the road.
Just as he was about to unleash the ‘Night Armor’, the silver dragon scales on his chest erupted with the brightest glow.
That soft light illuminating Leon’s determined face was like a companion from the past standing by his side.
Power surged around him, blowing his hair back, and for a moment, a flicker of relief and tenderness crossed his steely gaze.
“Thank you, Roswiser.”
The deep red lion pierced through the nightmare, and in an instant, the wails of countless wronged souls echoed throughout the Empire.
From the upper district as the center, the shockwaves of the explosion spread outwards.
Flames lit up the night, as if the sun had risen early.
In the distance, Constantine squinted, gazing at the broken battlefield, muttering, “Is this the power of the Ninth Gate…?”
Upon hearing this, Claudia seemed to realize something, turned to Constantine, and seriously warned him, “Did he just say that move was originally for you?”
Old Constantine: ?
“I suggest you reconsider your relationship with him right now.” The beautiful woman had a wicked sense of humor too.
Constantine snorted, waving his sleeves. “It’s just a striking technique that backfires; I’m not scared.”
Tough talk is just how Dragon Kings roll.
Claudia merely smiled in silence.
“Leon!”
After the Night Armor finished, Roswiser spread her dragon wings and soared into the battlefield.
Claudia also transformed into dragon form, taking Rebecca, Martin, and Nacho along for the ride.
Leaving Constantine behind, alone and confused in the wind.
“…I hate the Empire.”
Meanwhile, Old Constantine was racing to catch up.
…
Everyone charged into the upper district battlefield, where Roswiser and Claudia flapped their dragon wings to blow away the dust.
“Over there!” Rebecca pointed at a figure ahead.
They all dashed over.
Leon stood tall, the red steam slowly dissipating from him, while the veins on his face gradually returned to normal.
Before him lay the Sharp Blade Trio, now separated from the Primordial Nightmare.
The three brothers looked utterly weak, slumped on the ground, unable to move.
Gini slowly opened his eyes and saw Leon.
“Leon… you really are ridiculously strong.”
Leon said nothing, silently waiting for something.
Gini struggled to get up while clutching his chest. “So now… the Empire is done for, right? We… we don’t have to be enemies anymore… please let us go… can we…”
Leon tilted his head slightly, his expression blank. “Let you go…?”
Gini nodded vigorously, an earnest look plastered across his ashy face. “Yes, we were also caught in the Empire’s grip. Now that the Empire is done for, we’re free.”
Meanwhile, the second brother, Kite, wobbled to his feet and added, “Leon… we used to have different stances, but now that Cant has fallen, you don’t need to wipe us out, right?”
Leon continued in his unperturbed tone, slowly repeating their words, “Wipe you out…”
“You’re a hero in everyone’s eyes, and we’re basically powerless now. If you k*ll us, won’t that tarnish your reputation?”
“Exactly, Leon! We’re looking out for you. If you spare us now, we’ll definitely repay you in the future!”
They continued talking their way around, pleading for Leon to spare them.
However, the one-armed guy, Jimei, secretly pulled a dagger from behind, sneaking up on Leon.
Seeing this, Gini and Kite immediately put on a convincing act, distracting Leon with their endless chattering.
The moment Jimei got close enough, he lunged forward, aiming to plunge the dagger into Leon’s neck!
Unfortunately—
A nimble figure swooped in, tackling Jimei to the ground and pinning his head down.
Nacho held Jimei in place, smirking. “Thought you could sneak attack? Better practice a bit more.”
As their plan unraveled, the other two dropped the act, tearing off their disguises and charging at Leon with drawn daggers, ready for a final showdown.
But Kite was swiftly taken down by Martin, who seized the dagger from him.
Meanwhile, Gini desperately rushed toward Leon.
“Casmod! I want your life; you’re going to pay for this with your brothers today—”
Bang!—
A crisp gunshot rang out, the b*llet piercing Gini’s palm like a hot kn*fe through butter.
His dagger clattered to the ground.
“My… my hand!!”
Gini fell to the ground, clutching his bloody right hand and howling.
Then Leon stepped closer, towering over him.
That gaze was filled with disdain for the vanquished.
“You just mentioned being compelled or that your stances forced you to be enemies with me.”
“And you wanted to use the Empire’s fall to persuade me to spare you.”
“That’s entirely unreasonable, Gini.”
“Because the reasons I have for wanting to k*ll you have nothing to do with the Empire—or your stance.”
“I want to k*ll you because you hurt my master.”
“In other words…”
His eyes possessed a chilling intent, devoid of warmth.
“This is personal.”
With that, Leon slowly raised his right hand, three bolts of lightning racing toward the hearts of the Sharp Blade Trio.
“Leon! Please spare us—Leon! I’ll haunt you even in the afterlife!! I will k*ll you—”
Snap—
With a single snap of his fingers, the bolts of lightning simultaneously detonated in the hearts of the Sharp Blade Trio.
“Save it for the next life.”
“Captain!”
Rebecca rushed over, rifle in hand. “Over there!”
Leon followed the crazy girl’s pointing and saw a rotund figure crawling out from the ruins, trying to sneak away.
“Your time to shine,” Leon said.
Rebecca grinned, “Got it!”
Without hesitation, she aimed her sniper rifle, pulled the trigger.
The b*llet shot out like a line, piercing right through Cant’s knee.
Cant stumbled and fell to the ground.
“Oh, why didn’t you just take out that dog emperor in one shot?” Nacho walked over, asking.
Rebecca put away her sniper rifle, smiling. “The captain’s got his own plans.”
Leon slowly approached the flustered fat king.
Cant wasn’t as clever as the Sharp Blade Trio and instantly dropped to his knees in a speedy slide.
“Sorry, Leon! I shouldn’t have treated you that way! You’re not a traitor; you’re the Empire’s hero—”
“Save it, old man.”
“I… don’t k*ll me, please!”
“I won’t k*ll you.”
Hearing this, Cant sighed in relief.
But just a second later, he heard a commotion of footsteps nearby.
He glanced behind Leon to see a horde of the Empire’s citizens approaching.
“Your crimes should be judged by the people.”
With that, Leon turned and walked away.
Cant reached out, wanting to keep Leon, but was instantly surrounded by a tide of men, women, and children.
“Dog emperor! Dog emperor! I’m going to kick you to d*ath!”
“Strip him down and parade him around!”
“Throw him in the sea to feed the sharks!”
“……”
This revolution had officially come to an end.
Leon, worn out, limped toward the edge of the battlefield.
Many citizens and Lionheart Association members wanted to celebrate him, but he politely refused.
He was so tired he felt like collapsing into a deep sleep.
Of course, before he did, there was one person he needed to see.
After walking for a bit, a silver figure appeared in his sight.
Leon squeezed his right leg, gritted his teeth, and then raised his head, revealing a weary smile.
“I won, Roswiser.”
The queen lifted her dress and sprinted through the crowd and the debris toward her beloved.
They embraced under the gaze of countless eyes, kissing amidst the crashing waves of cheers.
