Old Scores

The spreading curtain of darkness instantly blanketed the entire castle hall. Weapons appeared in the hands of many officers, who surrounded the remaining officers and spirit officials. Blades were drawn, and the air bristled with a chilling killing intent.

Odogas shouted, "Bai Luo, what do you mean by this?"

Bai Luo's eyes had turned completely into an eerie black, and his gloomy voice rang through the hall. "Very simple. Those who submit to me live; those who defy me die."

"Outrageous!" A greatsword appeared in Odogas's hand. Pointing it at Bai Luo, he roared, "I represent Emperor Catherine! What you're doing is treason! You—"

Odogas was in the midst of his furious outburst when a blade suddenly protruded from his chest, cutting off the rest of his words. He turned his head and looked back, disbelief written across his face. The one who had struck him was Varota, the man he trusted most.

Faced with Odogas's absolute trust in leaving his back exposed, Varota did not hesitate in the slightest. One thrust pierced straight through his vital point.

"You're Bai Luo's man!" Odogas suddenly understood. With an enraged roar, he tried to gather his last strength to kill this traitor, only to feel his power rapidly draining away, utterly impossible to muster. The blade was coated with an extraordinarily potent poison!

"Didn't the general say it? Those who submit live; those who defy die." Varota spoke expressionlessly. Black flames ignited at the tip of his blade, and Odogas's body rapidly withered and charred, as though even his blood had been drained dry. In the end, he turned into flying ash and vanished.

This sudden upheaval had caught everyone off guard. Before the others could even react, Odogas, the leader of the spirit officials and a man loyal to Catherine, had