The enormous sword of light tore through the dark night sky.
News of the Twenty Hounds' complete annihilation swept across the land like a gale.
Those on the Mystery Side marveled at the Griffin Church's revival, while their feelings toward Qin Ran, who had single-handedly brought it about, were filled with awe.
Having faced the Twenty Hounds alone and not only won but wiped them out, Qin Ran was now placed on the same level as the elders of the Elders Council and the leaders of the Sacred Heritage Society by everyone on the Mystery Side.
Countless people on the Mystery Side who favored the Sacred Heritage Society rejoiced.
They were delighted that their side had gained a powerful ally.
Meanwhile, those on the Mystery Side who supported the Elders Council grew anxious and afraid.
Their only consolation was that the Sacred Heritage Society's knights had also been almost completely wiped out.
Still, regardless of their allegiance, everyone seemed to smell war in the air.
As undercurrents stirred, everyone remained on guard.
Including... Qin Ran.
Wrapped in bandages and giving off a strong smell of medicinal herbs, Qin Ran sat deep in thought.
He knew perfectly well that wiping out the Twenty Hounds was not the end.
It was a beginning!
Given the Elders Council's way of doing things, retaliation was inevitable.
And it would no longer be some minor skirmish.
The legendary elders would likely take action themselves!
Qin Ran frowned at the thought of the rumors surrounding those elders.
If the rumors were accurate, every elder should have been close to the Steppe King's level, while the strongest among them was his equal.
Against one of them alone, Qin Ran had a fifty-fifty chance.
But if they all came at him together...
*I have to keep that from