CHAPTER 121: OLD MAN’S RAGE

The moment Aurelus stepped forward and fully revealed himself, both Mardonio and Austaire felt as if they were staring at the very incarnation of evil itself.

The wicked grin tugging at the corner of his lips, the condescending gaze that sliced through the air, and the sheer presence radiating from his massive body weighed down on them like a suffocating fog.

Every scar etched on his frame told of battles that should have killed a lesser man, battles he had agasint Wilfred.

Each mark was a reminder of his terrifying healing ability, strength ,and endurance. It was his scar of defeat against Wilfred thirteen years ago.

The most jarring scar slashed across his right eye, a deep gash that had never fully healed.

Another, long and jagged, began near his right hip and carved its way diagonally toward his left shoulder.

It was partially hidden beneath the black armor that covered him, polished to a gleam yet carrying an ominous, dreadful aura, as if the metal itself had absorbed his malice.

Behind him trailed at least thirty other figures, cloaked in shadow and silence, their footsteps echoing with eerie synchronization as they moved to surround them from all sides.

"What do we have here..."

"Dibs on the woman."

"I want her head."

They were members of the Dark Fate. Cruel, wild, and evil.

The sight of them sent chills crawling down Austaire’s back.

They were not all of one race, but rather a collection of nightmares: humans with cruel eyes, pale vampires with fangs glinting faintly, stocky dwarves wielding brutal weapons, elves whose faces were hidden beneath deep hoods, and even scaled lizardmen whose reptilian stares glowed in the gloom.

Each one had bent the knee, pledging themselves to their so-called god of the southern lands, Thugnaka, the Primordial Beast of Ice and Darkness.

The way they followed Aurelus, heads slightly bowed, their silence humming with reverence, made it clear that they did not simply obey him—they were being led by him.

’So it was true he was getting help from this wretched organization...’ Mardonio thought with a grim gaze.

Mardonio’s jaw tightened as his hand instinctively twitched toward the hilt of his weapon.

Austaire, standing beside him, could feel her throat drying, her body telling her to run even though she knew escape was impossible.

The Dark Fate had already closed in, a ring of death tightening around them. Every exit, every possible path of retreat, was blocked by these hooded terrorists. Even the shadows seemed to belong to Aurelus now.

Mardonio’s keen eyes scanned them quickly, measuring their strength. His chest grew heavier with each realization.

’darn it.’

The weakest among them presented a power at level sixty, the strongest reached level sixty-eight. These were warriors whose might surpassed the empire’s average commanders, yet here they stood, nameless pawns to a single man.

"How..." Mardonio muttered under his breath, disbelief twisting into dread. "How did he gather such powerful allies from so many races? Is this the true strength of the Dark Fate?"

Austaire’s thoughts mirrored his, though hers carried a different weight.

’I thought the Dark Fate was nothing more than a small cult, a band of insignificant fanatics worshipping the Primordial Beast. But this... these numbers, their strength... they have been building in the shadows for far longer than we imagined.’

Her hand pressed against her abdomen, where only hours before a deep wound had nearly taken her life.

She was startled to feel nothing, not even a sting.

Auren’s potion had completely healed her. For a brief moment, her heart clenched.

’Auren... I wonder if you are safe.’

Her thoughts were cut short by the booming voice of Mardonio.

"Aurelus... you son of the devil!"

His words tore through the tense air.

His eyes burned like fire, his body trembling with restrained fury. He took a step forward, instinct demanding that he strike, but his gaze flicked to Austaire and to the unconscious Robert lying behind her.

He could not risk it. He could not be reckless.

Aurelus’s grin widened at Mardonio’s hesitation.

His deep voice rolled out like thunder, laced with disdain.

"Calm yourself, old man. You may have once been a legend among adventurers, but those days are long gone. Now, you’re just nothing but a relic of the past."

With deliberate slowness, Aurelus drew his weapon.

SIIIINGGK~

The sound of the blade scraping against its sheath hissed through the yard like a warning.

What emerged was a massive broadsword, forged of blackened metal, its edges glowing faintly crimson as if veins of molten lava pulsed within.

Mana seared along its length, flickering like flames trapped inside the steel. The fiery aura bled into the air around him, casting his face in a devilish glow.

He tilted the blade slightly, staring at his own reflection, and smiled coldly.

"Before me stands nothing but a tired fool whose blade has long since gone dull."

Before he could continue, one of his hooded followers leaned close, whispering into his ear. Aurelus let out a heavy sigh, as though annoyed by the interruption.

"Change of plans. It seems our reunion must end sooner than I would like." His voice lowered, venomous and final.

"Very well. I will cut down the old tree and its seed of Katana house once and for all."

He spread his stance, and suddenly the air changed.

WOOOMP~

What had been calm, almost deceptively still, burst into violent intensity.

His aura flared outward like a comet tearing across the heavens. The ground itself seemed to quiver beneath his feet.

"Now everyone," Aurelus snapped, raising his hand at the Dark Fate members who stirred at the surge of energy,

"watch this fight and learn. No one intervenes. This is mine to end."

SWOOOSH!

Golden flames erupted around Aurelus, racing up his body until he was completely engulfed.

The heat pressed against every corner of the yard, the flames so bright they painted the faces of his men in shades of gold and orange.

Breathing itself became difficult, as though the very air was being consumed by him.

Whispers filled the ranks of the Dark Fate.

"What a monster... he is truly worth following."

"Deserving of the Lord’s acknowledgment."

"As expected of the next emperor!"

Their words were reverent, their nods full of satisfaction, even pride, at the sight of their lord’s terrifying strength.

But for Austaire and Mardonio, there was no pride, only dread- and fear.

The killing intent pouring off Aurelus was suffocating.

hehehe~

His smile twisted into something colder. He was not smiling because of joy or reunion, but because he saw them as prey to be hunted and devoured.

Austaire’s throat tightened.

Her father’s aura burned golden around him, but in her eyes it was not light, only corruption.

Her chest heaved, her hands trembling as she gripped her golden sword. Conflict warred inside her, but she forced her jaw to tighten, her teeth grinding.

"I regret that you are my father," she declared, her eyes glistening with fury and grief as she raised her weapon to meet him.

"Do I look like I care?" the ruthless Aurelus grinned.

Clink.

Mardonio stepped forward, his voice harsh but steady.

"Do not face him alone."

His grip tightened on the Divine Rapier lent to him by Auren.

ts slender blade gleamed faintly, a weapon designed with elegance and precision. Mardonio had grown fond of it, almost protective.

But in his large hands, it felt awkward, the handle too small. It was a child’s blade in the grasp of a giant. Still, it was enough.

’I hope that boy survives,’ he thought grimly, the memory of Auren’s determined eyes flickering in his mind.

Aurelus stomped forward, the ground cracking beneath his foot, and raised his sword high.

"I will see you in hell, old man."

FLASH!

His figure blurred, vanishing and reappearing in a blink as he closed the distance between himself and Mardonio.

The speed was inhuman.

But Mardonio’s instincts had been honed through countless battles. He twisted aside, his body moving before his mind caught up, and lashed back with a counterstrike.

KHUISNG!

Their blades collided, sparks bursting into the air like fireworks. The impact echoed, the vibration carrying through their weapons and into their bones.

Their eyes locked, neither giving ground. Sword aura clashed violently, colliding in waves that pressed outward and made the earth tremble.

KHUISNG! SLASH! CLANG!

Aurelus sneered as his attacks grew more vicious.

"Is this truly the swordsmanship of the legendary Mardonio? To me, you look like nothing more than a beggar being beaten by a noble."

His strikes came relentless and heavy, each one forcing Mardonio back step by step. Seeing this, the Dark Fate members cheered with excited screams.

"Hmph! You are lucky I am not in my best form," Mardonio spat, his muscles straining, his body aching under the pressure.

He deflected strike after strike, his years of experience the only shield keeping him from being cleaved in two.

KHUISNG! CLANG!

Austaire waited in the shadows, her breath steadying, her grip tightening. She lunged the moment she saw an opening.

"Hiyah!"

KSING!

"Annoying child. BEHAVE!"

Aurelus’s blade whipped around, parrying her strike effortlessly. In return, his foot lashed out in a sweeping kick, and Austaire was sent flying.

THUD!

Argh!

She struck the cracked wall with bone-jarring force, blood spraying from her mouth as her body crumpled to the ground.

"Austaire!"

Mardonio’s voice cracked with anguish, his face contorting in horror as he saw his granddaughter lying broken.

NOOO!