"This duel hase to an end!"


    After Velix uttered those words, he vanished from his spot and materialized right next to Guren, who had lost consciousness.


    Quickly, he crouched down slightly, checked Guren''s physical condition, and let out a small sigh.


    "Fortunately, there are no serious injuries except for some internal organ damage," Velix remarked after carefully examining him.


    Observing Guren, disheveled and pale-faced, Velix could only shake his head before slowly rising to his feet.


    He then turned his gaze towards Rain, who was already approaching with Jim and Natasya.


    "Rain, I entrust Guren''s recovery to you," Velix ordered calmly.


    Rain nodded solemnly, her gaze fixed on the unconscious Guren.


    *Snap!*


    With a flick of her finger, Rain suddenly vanished from the throne room, taking the unconscious Guren with her.


    Witnessing this, Velix''s gaze swiftly shifted to Jim and Natasya standing before him.


    "Jim, I entrust the task of war preparations to you. I expect everything to be in order within two days, and we willunch an attack on the Demon race in the Desert of Chaos immediately," Velix dered in amanding tone.


    "Yes, Your Majesty. As youmand," Jim responded respectfully, a smile ying on his lips.


    Velix nodded before turning his gaze to Natasya.


    "Natasya, you will assist Jim in organizing the entire holy troop for the uing war. I expect nothing less than perfection, as I have high hopes for this war," Velix stated, his expression slightly cold, with a hidden meaning in his eyes.


    Natasya gave a small nod in acknowledgment. "As youmand, Your Majesty."


    Velix nodded in satisfaction and gestured for the two to depart.


    "You may return andplete the tasks I''ve assigned," Velix instructed, showing no intention of detaining them any longer.


    "Yes, Your Majesty. With your permission, we shall take our leave." Natasya and Jim bowed respectfully before swiftly exiting the throne room.


    Observing their departure, Velix took a deep breath, only to be startled by a familiar voice behind him.


    "Oops! Your Majesty, I apologize for being too hard on Guren earlier." The voice, unmistakably Valen''s, ignited a simmering anger within Velix.


    However, he swiftly suppressed his anger and turned towards Valen with a cold gaze.


    "Didn''t I instruct you not to go overboard?" Velix asked in a disgruntled and indifferent tone.


    Valen, typically arrogant, couldn''t help but feel a twinge of embarrassment, scratching his disheveled red hair.


    "Ehem! It''s not that I didn''t hold back my strength, but I didn''t expect Guren to be defeated so easily even with just a fraction of my power," he retorted with a slight sigh.


    His regretful facial expression seemed to imply, "Don''t me me; it''s Guren''s own weakness."


    Velix took a deep breath, his re filled with disdain fixed on Valen.


    If his res could kill, Valen would have perished a thousand times over by now.


    With little interest in further discussion on the matter, Velix swiftly changed the subject.


    "In two days, I expect you to be at your peak and lead this great war against the Demons. It''s your duty as a hero, and I hope you don''t disappoint me," Velix stated firmly, emphasizing his words.


    Upon hearing this, Valen nodded in confirmation, without argument or resistance.


    Although he was arrogant and domineering, as a hero, battling the Demon Race remained his primary duty, one he prioritized above all else.


    Suddenly, as if recalling something crucial, Valen frowned and regarded Velix seriously.


    "By the way, Your Majesty, if the Demon Emperor intervenes in the war, what are your orders?" Valen asked in a curious yet solemn tone.


    Because of Leon''s death at the hands of the Demon Emperor, Valen had be vignt and refused to be careless.


    If the Demon Emperor of this era could kill Leon, wouldn''t he also be capable of easily killing him?


    After all, in his past duel with Leon, despite exerting his strongest strength and wielding the Soaring Dragon Holy Spear, he had still been easily beaten by him.


    Therefore, this demon emperor must possess strength beyond his wildest imagination, correct?


    Listening to Valen''s question, a mysterious glint flickered in Velix''s eyes, unnoticed by Valen.


    "It''s fine; there''s no need to worry. Even if the Demon Emperor appears, you, at your peak condition, should be able to hold your own against him," Velix replied indifferently, offering no further exnation.


    He indeed sensed the anxiety and intent behind Valen''s words.


    The fact that someone could kill Leon, the strongest hero and arguably the most powerful human in this era, likely instilled a fear within him.


    However, Valen remained unaware that Leon, engaged inbat with the Demon Emperor, was afflicted by poison, significantly weakening his strength to a terrifying degree.


    Thus, he harbored no concern about Valen meeting his end at the hands of the Demon Emperor.


    Naturally, Velix saw no need to exin this detail.


    After all, the truth of Leon''s deliberate assassination should remain known only to his most trusted confidants.


    Valen frowned slightly, casting a puzzled nce at Velix.


    He couldn''tprehend why Velix was so assured in stating that he could handle the Demon Emperor, especially considering that even Leon himself had died at the Demon Emperor''s hands.


    However, he was too apathetic to delve deeper into the matter and merely nodded.


    While he harbored wariness and fear towards the Demon Emperor, he also harbored a curious desire to encounter him.


    As someone drawn to battle, confronting such a formidable adversary was a challenge that ignited his passion.


    "By the way, there''s something I wanted to ask you," Velix said, eyeing Valen suspiciously."Shouldn''t you be returning from the border with Luna Noir?"


    Valen folded his muscr arms, pondering for a moment before finally speaking, "Indeed, I did return with Luna before, but..."


    His words trailed off abruptly, causing Velix''s eyebrows to furrow.


    "What''s wrong? Just tell me." Velix''s tone sounded dissatisfied and urgent.


    Valen let out a small sigh before continuing, "But we parted ways on the way. She asked me to return first because there was a ce she wanted to visit."


    "The ce she was visiting? Which ce..." Velix began to inquire, but his words halted midway as a suspicion crossed his mind.


    "Is it Holy Orthodoxy?" Velix asked, his eyes narrowing in spection.


    "Yes, it''s Holy Orthodoxy," Valen confirmed with a nod.


    Velix fell into a brief silence before finally nodding indifferently.


    Having already inferred Luna''s probable motives for visiting Holy Orthodoxy, he found himselfrgely unconcerned.


    "Alright, if Luna returns, just inform her of what I''ve discussed with you regarding the impending war." With that said and a final nce at Valen, Velix vanished from the throne room, leaving Valen to ponder alone.


    Observing Velix''s departure, Valen sighed softly, his gaze involuntarily drawn to the spot where Guren had been lying unconscious moments before.


    your-MVLeMpYr-source


    With cautious steps, he approached and crouched down slightly, his hand reaching out to touch the floor as he channeled his hero power.


    *Buzz!*


    Suddenly, a red light appeared in his palm, then vanished after a moment.


    Valen''s previously indifferent expression shifted instantly, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.


    "Sure enough, it was the hero''s power..." He whispered in a tone still tinged with disbelief.


    Then, a question arose in his mind: "How could Guren possess the power of a hero?"