It ended. No more orcs appeared.
After the fierce battle, the battlefield was left with ruins, crisscrossing trenches, and broken walls - silent witnesses to the intense conflict.
Over these ruins, a calm atmosphere began to spread. Dark clouds started to disperse, and sunlight pierced through, warming the land of the City of Hope.
The once oppressive sky gradually brightened. Soldiers of the City of Hope stood on this land of light and shadow, embracing and weeping, their eyes filled with tears.
Alexander was busy counting the towering pile of rewards. Seeing these prizes, which were unattainable even with money, filled his heart with immense joy.
Due to the abundance of rewards, Alexander had to temporarily instruct his subordinates to categorize them.
What caught his attention the most was the "Ancient Gate" from the earlier rewards.
With his abundant EX, he had leveled up this skill to 98. Just one more level, and it would reach the terrifying level 99.
Without hesitation, Alexander upgraded the "Ancient Gate" to the highest level. Just as he was about to explore its use, Laura's voice came from afar.
"Alexander, can you come to me?"
Seeing Laura calling him, Alexander immediately ran to her and expressed his heartfelt thanks: "Thank you for your help. Without you, the City of Hope could never have defeated the fierce orc army."
"No need to thank me," Laura blinked her beautiful eyes and said seriously, "Actually... I stepped in because I couldn't bear to see you get hurt."
"Are you worried about me?" Alexander, looking at Laura's earnest expression, felt a warmth in his heart.
"Yes! I hope you always stay safe." A blush appeared on Laura's beautiful face.
"Didn't you say in the secret chamber that we wouldn't contact each other anymore? Why do you care about me now?" Alexander asked with a sarcastic smile.
Although Laura's intervention had brought him great benefits, Alexander was still somewhat baffled by her previous actions.
He couldn't understand why she had acted that way. Was it part of some plot?
But then, that seemed unlikely.
The woman before him, with her stunning beauty and extraordinary identity - the legendary Supreme Goddess of Life.
Would such a being go to such lengths to harm him?
Maybe, she could destroy him with a flick of her finger. So, Laura's actions puzzled Alexander.
"I... I..."
Hearing Alexander's questioning, Laura's heart trembled. She mustered her courage and said earnestly, "I have truly fallen in love with you."
"How is that possible? We haven't known each other for long." Alexander couldn't understand why Laura's attitude towards him had changed so drastically.
"Because... you cured me of Cupid toxin. Due to the nature of this toxin, I couldn't help falling in love with you."
Laura bit her lip, shyly lowering her head, her heart filled with bashfulness.
She never imagined that she, the Supreme Goddess of Life, would one day feel so bashful in front of an ordinary man.
She couldn't understand how Cupid toxin could have such a strong effect on her, a goddess. Was Alexander really just an ordinary person?
"Ah? So that's how it is?"
Upon hearing Laura's explanation, Alexander immediately understood. The toxin not only made one lose control but also caused one to fall in love with the person who cured them.
"So, do you understand now?" Laura gazed at Alexander, her eyes filled with tenderness.
"How should we interact from now on? Would you like to stay here?" Alexander took a deep breath.
"If I'm willing to marry you, would you marry me?" Laura spoke softly.
Standing in front of Alexander was an incredibly beautiful woman, whom any normal man would find irresistible.
However, Laura had said something similar in the secret chamber before, but after making love to Alexander, she betrayed him.
So, when Laura mentioned marrying him again, Alexander still couldn't believe it.
He thought to himself, the more beautiful a woman is, the more likely she is to lie. I won't easily believe her!
Thus, Alexander remained silent, not responding to Laura's words.
Seeing Alexander's silence, Laura, as the Goddess of Life and a wise woman, quickly understood the reason behind it.
Previously in the secret chamber, she was troubled by lust and had said she would marry Alexander, but later changed her mind.
"Can you believe me this time?" Laura looked at Alexander with a gentle gaze: "I'm speaking the truth this time, and I won't go back on my word if you agree!"
Faced with Laura's plea, Alexander still maintained his silence. Knowing Laura's identity, he couldn't believe that he, an ordinary man, could marry such a goddess.
"If one day you can break through to level 1000, as long as you're willing to marry me, I will marry you," Laura said softly.
The Divine Realm, as the highest ruler of this world, has strict rules. As the daughter of the God-King, Laura could only marry Alexander if his power reached a certain level.
Level 1000 was the minimum requirement.
"If I can't break through to level 1000?" Alexander asked thoughtfully.
In fact, reaching level 1000 wasn't a significant problem. The astronomical amount of experience gained from the recent battles meant he could easily break through to level 1000, or even higher, under the right conditions.
However, for some reason, Alexander's fate seemed to be tied to the City of Hope. If the city couldn't reach level 1000, neither could he.
The development of a city, especially one as large as the City of Hope, is complex. Who knows when it could reach level 1000?
"Hmm... If you can't reach level 1000, then wait until I break through to the God-King level to marry you, okay?" Laura's tone was filled with pride and confidence.
With her talent, it wouldn't take long for her to break through to the God-King level. At that point, her power would be on par with her father's, and the Divine Realm would have no way to stop her decision.
"Let's leave it at that for now. We'll discuss this matter again after I reach level 1000 or you break through to the God-King level," Alexander said with a smile, neither rejecting nor accepting her proposal.
Afterward, Alexander and Laura wandered through the ruins, chatting and inquiring about things he was curious about. Laura patiently answered Alexander's questions, as long as she knew the answers.
"I have a magic scroll called 'Ancient Gate' which I've enhanced to the highest level. Can you take a look at it for me?"
Laura was surprised herself when she saw the scroll.
It was a rare magic scroll, and what's more, it had been enhanced to the highest level. This meant that the power of this skill book would be unprecedented. At the same time, it also meant that the mana required to cast it would be immense.
Alexander alone couldn't cast this spell, as his mana wasn't sufficient. But with Laura's help, it wouldn't be a problem.
She reached out, grabbed Alexander's hand, and transferred her mana into him. With her assistance, Alexander took a deep breath, focused, and began casting Ancient Gate.
As the incantation was recited, a huge magic circle gradually appeared beneath their feet, radiating dazzling light.
A gigantic vortex suddenly appeared in the sky, seemingly an entrance to another time and space.
The portal slowly expanded in the sky, like a door unveiling the secrets of an ancient world. Golden runes surrounded the gate, exuding an ancient aura.
Mysterious lights flickered in the sky, revealing deep darkness at times and dazzling brightness at others, making it hard for Alexander to look directly at it.
Ancient Gate radiated an indescribable majesty, making one feel as if they were part of an ancient legend that transcends time and space.
Laura felt a sense of familiarity facing the Ancient Gate, her face showing surprise.
As for Alexander himself, he was also astonished by the sight.
Standing before the Ancient Gate, he felt a mingling of different eras, as if he had arrived in an age thousands of years past.