Killing Intent

Violent Star Magic swirled around it, attempting to assimilate the creature within.

But the creature inside the eggshell was resisting, using its own Ice Magic to counter and absorb the energy; as a Spirit of Frost, how could it tolerate being eroded by magic of a different attribute?

This intense tug-of-war had reached its peak.

With the sound of something fracturing, cracks began to appear on the Ice Sculpture Tree, starting from its main trunk.

Then, in an instant, it collapsed into ice dust.

Everything happened too suddenly, catching Aurelian and Jeanne, who were standing nearby, off guard.

Their vision was completely obscured by the crystalline ice dust.

It drifted rapidly before settling, and only when all the ice dust had returned to stillness did Aurelian react.

With a look of anxiety, he brushed away the pile of ice dust at his feet.

A silvery-white egg was revealed beneath the dust, and Aurelian finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Good thing it didn't shatter, but what on earth is going on?"

Picking up the silvery-white egg, Aurelian frowned, deeply puzzled.

He could feel the vibrant life pulsing within the shell; it was still alive.

"The magic clashed, and the mother body that nurtured it couldn't withstand the pressure, so it shattered," Jeanne explained with a serious expression.

"Uh, does that have any impact on the life inside?" Aurelian asked, examining the egg in his hands.

"I don't know. Perhaps it could hatch at any second," Jeanne said, looking at the egg in Aurelian's hands with a strange gaze, sounding uncertain.

"In that case, let's take this egg and leave here first. Master and the others are still waiting for us outside."

"Mm."

Jeanne nodded.

In the deepest part of the Spruce Forest, a ripple stirred in the mist as Aurelian emerged first, cradling the egg, followed by Jeanne.

George let out a neigh from a distance and ran over to Aurelian's side.

Possessing the bloodline of a Fire Dragon Beast, it had high intelligence and could sense that its master was not in a good state, so it drew closer.

Aurelian tore off a piece of cloth to strap the egg to the safest position on his chest, then mounted George's back.

"Very good, George. Once we get back, I'll have the old butler Will give you extra food."

George neighed again; it was clear that it understood Aurelian's meaning and was very happy.

With another violent collision, Master retreated a few more steps, though he managed to steady his stance.

"You are, after all, not a Lower-Rank Knight; you cannot withstand many of my blows."

Kuro sneered, licking his lips with his tongue, clearly enjoying the sensation of being able to take someone's life at any moment.

"Lord Knight Commander, you must escape! Only by surviving can you avenge the others!"

Darwin shouted, gripping his knight's longsword tightly, wishing he could take Master's place in the fight against Kuro.

"The master said to bring you all back. I am ashamed that I could not protect the brothers who died, but you must survive."

Master tightened his grip on Moonlight Pass and charged forward once more.

"Hmph, throwing an egg against a rock. Let me show you what a true Lower-Rank magic level looks like."

The great blade in Kuro's hand was enveloped in blooming Ice Magic, the fierce blue light nearly illuminating the darkness.

Darwin was somewhat dazed, murmuring, "This is... magic projection?"

"With this, what do you have to fight me with? Hahahaha!"

Kuro raised his black greatsword and laughed wildly.

The warhorses beneath the surrounding barbarians were trembling on all fours under the immense pressure of the magic, while the barbarians themselves watched with wide eyes, fully focused.

Dark, however, felt a flicker of disgust in his eyes. Did this Kuro intend to kill the Star Knight outright? He was actually using magic projection.

"Damn it."

He clenched his fists, but he dared not let Kuro hear him, fearing that the madman might lose his mind and turn on him.

"It seems I am destined to die here today."

Master gazed at the blinding blue light, his hair whipped up by the surging magic.

Even though he had pushed past the limits of the Source Gathering stage, he felt true despair in the face of a Lower-Rank Knight's magic projection.

Yet he continued forward, charging toward Kuro like a moth flying into a flame, but there was no fear on his face.

"Seeking death!"

Kuro sneered, raising his massive black blade high before bringing it down in a vertical slash.

A streak of deep blue light surged forth with immense destructive power, churning up clouds of dust and debris.

With an unstoppable momentum, it engulfed Master, who was charging forward.

"Captain!"

All the surviving knights roared; they knew what was about to happen, but the disparity in magic levels left them powerless to intervene.

"Hahaha!"

Kuro laughed wantonly. Having completely let go, he no longer cared whether his opponent lived or died—his own satisfaction was all that mattered, and he detested that Star Kingdom knight above all else.

"Damn it!"

Dark cursed under his breath; this Kuro had ruined his plans!

"Master, what should we do now?"

The person suspected to be from the Star Kingdom asked from behind.

"Endure it. We'll find a way to deal with him once we return."

Dark said viciously, his voice filled with resentment.

The surging power of the destructive ice magic drowned the area, and Master's figure was completely lost from sight.

Darwin and the others felt their eyes splitting with rage; could their beloved Captain have already fallen in battle?

Who would avenge them now?

"Atonement!"

A crisp female voice suddenly rang out clearly in everyone's ears.

Blinding silver light descended, scattering the rampaging ice magic and clearing the dust.

A stunning blonde girl dressed in a black-and-white maid outfit appeared on the field, the silver cross-sword in her hand reflecting a cold, biting gleam, much like her icy expression!

"How is this possible?!"

Kuro roared, his magic suppressed by the sudden arrival of this person.

"Jeanne, kill him."

Aurelian's voice rang out from behind, filled with chilling intent.

"My Lord!"

The knights' faces lit up with excitement as they looked toward the direction of the voice.

The barbarians surrounding the knights turned their heads to see Aurelian emerging from the shadows of the forest on his warhorse, his face cold and his eyes brimming with murderous intent.

Had his stamina and magic not been exhausted, he would have personally slaughtered every one of these barbarians.

"My Lord? Are you their leader?"

Dark looked at Aurelian with the gaze of a predator eyeing its prey, his lips curling into a mocking sneer.

"Jeanne, take him out first."

Aurelian drew Innocent Starlight, pointing the azure blade at Dark as he spoke in a frigid tone.

"Understood."

Jeanne nodded, her sharp gaze fixed on Dark ahead, shimmering with killing intent.

"Heh, if you want to kill me, you'll have to get past Kuro first."

Though hidden behind a mask, a sinister grin spread across Dark's dark face; he did not believe this beautiful girl, who appeared to be around his own age, could possibly kill him.