The tension in the air thickened as September processed the confrontation. He couldn't help but remark, "Starflame Community…" His voice carried a hint of disbelief, quickly smothered by an undercurrent of apprehension. "Impossible. That organization was disbanded 15 years ago. Most of its members are long gone."
The figure on the right, Qing, raised his voice sharply, but there was no question in his tone—only a stark detachment. "Under normal circumstances, we would drag any enemy daring to touch our people back to headquarters and subject them to Heartflame. Years of suffering… But you're fortunate."
Beside him, Huang nodded before dismissing the matter with a shrug, a thin veil of disdain lingering in his voice. "We don't have time for such things. Our sole mission is to protect the heir. So, rest assured, you'll be dealt with quickly. Painlessly."
Zang's cold gaze swept across the battlefield, indifferent to the lives that had been lost. "It seems the opposition is weaker than expected." Her voice, as emotionless as ever, cut through the air.
March, her youthful face twisted with mocking disbelief, chimed in, "That boy belongs to the Starflame Community? Are you sure you've got the right—"
Before she could finish, Zang vanished, a blur of motion far too quick to follow. In an instant, she stood before March, and with a single motion, she severed the woman's head from her shoulders. March's decapitated body crumpled, and Zang's sword, slick with blood, pinned the head to the ground, bursting it into a grotesque pool of blood.
A tense silence descended. August quickly summoned a brilliant spear into his hand, but before he could act, Zang's blood-laced sword shot out in a wicked arc. The blood-coated blade cleaved through everything in its path, including August, leaving nothing but the remnants of his shattered form.
Shun watched, stunned, his heart racing. The Starflame Community was a name he was familiar with. According to Yun's letter, he had been chosen to lead the organization—he, the son of the previous Sword and Shadow of Starflame. The thought of such power, such skill, was both humbling and terrifying. If the current Sword of Starflame's strength was this great, what of his father's? If he was this strong, how did he die in an accident? And yet, the memory of his parents' death remained shrouded in mystery—lost to something more than just time.
"Zang, you could've at least let her finish her sentence," Huang shook his head, "What if she reveals something about the heir that we didn't know."
Zang's expression remained as cold and impassive as ever. "None of our concerns." She turned her attention to September, her gaze sharpening. "The head is in charge. We're here only to protect the heir. The rest is up to him."
September, unfazed, took a step forward, his voice calm and measured. "You've killed the wrong people."
Zang's expression didn't flicker. She simply gestured, blood blades appeared hovering in the air, and they darted straight toward September. The blood blades pierced his armour, creating holes in the seemingly impenetrable surface, yet he remained unbroken.
For a moment, Zang's expression softened ever so slightly, as if she found the situation somewhat amusing. "You are lucky," she murmured.
Unperturbed, September continued his advance. "Before you judge me too hastily, perhaps you should consider who I really am. Beneath this armour, it could be anyone."
Zang's eyes narrowed as she scanned him carefully, clearly skeptical. "I care little for who you are. If you're a threat to the Starflame Community, you will die."
"If I'm someone important to you?" September's words were smooth, almost taunting.
Zang chuckled darkly, her voice devoid of emotion. "That person does not exist." Her gaze was as hollow as the words she spoke.
With a deep sigh, September halted a mere two meters away from Zang. He removed his helmet, revealing his true form—or rather, her true form. Beneath the armour was a delicate, beautiful girl, her head unnervingly small in comparison to her body.
Zang's eyes gleamed with recognition. "I underestimated your size," she remarked coolly.
September sighed again, her voice was still a deep, manly grunt. "No one can blame you. My true body is... rather small compared to the armour." Realising her voice was out of place, she took off a collar around her neck, and her voice became much softer and feminine. "Better?"
Zang turned to her companions, Qing and Huang, both of whom seemed equally surprised by September's true appearance. The silence between them was palpable before Zang spoke again, her tone no longer dismissive but tinged with caution. "Do you know this girl?"
Both men shook their heads, their wariness growing with the revelation.
"Then," Zang turned back to September, "are you prepared to die?"
"Not quite yet," September replied, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Allow me to offer you a piece of information in exchange for my life."
A dark portal appeared before Huang, and his hands plunged into the void, reappearing in Zang's shadow, seizing her arms in a vice-like grip, halting her movements.
"Let's hear it," Huang's voice was flat, yet laced with cold suspicion.
Zang, unamused, glanced back. "Take your hands off me, or I'll slice them off."
Huang simply shook his head, his grip loosening as he spoke again. "What could you possibly offer that would convince us to spare you? After all, you attempted to kill the heir."
September smiled darkly, her tone laced with sarcasm. "The whereabouts of Luca Azoria's memory vessel. That might be valuable to the Starflame Community, don't you think?"
At the mention of the name, Zang, Qing, and Huang all froze, disbelief flickering across their faces. "Where did you get this information?" Huang asked, his voice laced with venom, his eyes narrowing.
"Antonio Valdis has already conquered the Cult of Luca Azoria. Didn't you know?" September's mockery was plain to hear in her voice.
"That's not what we're asking," Qing interjected, his tone cold and harsh. "How do you know we want this information?"
September's smile widened, an unsettling glint in her eyes. "I was there when the previous Bone of Starflame passed away."
Instantly, Huang disappeared and reappeared in September's shadow. His hand, like a spectre, pressed against her neck.
September dodged with lightning speed, but not before a dark mark was left on her skin.
"Lead me to Luca Azoria's memory vessel," Huang demanded, his voice a low growl. "If the information checks out, I'll let you live."
"But if it's a lie, the Starflame Community will abandon all previous plans and wipe out Antonio's army without hesitation. Not a soul will be left alive."