LThe shattering news of the Demon Rift Empire's collapse did not take long to reach the borders of the Independent Elf Kingdom. This realm stands as a massive economic and military powerhouse, serving as the third vital pillar of the Great Empire alongside Arcadia and the Heavenly Star.

  ?What truly defines this kingdom is its absolute independence; it possesses seemingly inexhaustible resources and a standing army of 70,000 elite soldiers who have never known the taste of defeat. The Elves here view themselves as a superior race, far more refined and evolved than humans or any other beings. To protect their sanctity and status, they rely on a fearsome trio known as "The Silver Axe," warriors of the Second Generation—older and significantly more experienced than General Akaria's generation:

  ? ?Filana Astrot: Legendary rank, a master who wields the element of Lightning with lethal precision.

  ? ?Rezi Miraculous: Legendary rank, known as the mistress of searing, uncontrollable Fire.

  ? ?Alfred Miraculous: High Commander and a Second Generation Legendary, possessing the rare and terrifying ability to wield both Fire and Water simultaneously.

  ?All this concentrated power rests under the rule of King Ronard Legard and his wife, Queen Laura Legard, who govern their paradise under the nominal and distant protection of Sovereign Azral Sul.

  ?[Inside the Royal Palace – Deadly Arrogance]

  ?In the streets of the kingdom, life pulsated with a level of luxury unseen elsewhere. Elves strolled through marble plazas in fine, shimmering garments, their faces marked by a permanent sense of contentment. Poverty and fear were non-existent concepts in their polished world. Their thriving trade in high-quality food supplies and mana-charged "Blue Stones" had made them the wealthiest race on the continent, a fact they never let others forget.

  ?However, behind the high, ivory walls of the Royal Palace, the atmosphere was far from peaceful. King Ronard Legard and Queen Laura Legard sat in their private chambers, reviewing the secret document that had just arrived by courier. The King's face was frozen in a mask of cold pride. Even the news of 300,000 soldiers being annihilated in a single night didn't seem to stir a single nerve in his body.

  ?The King looked at the three protectors of "The Silver Axe" standing before him. He spoke in a sharp, condescending tone. "Listen, Alfred... this news must not reach the ears of our people. I do not want the peace of my kingdom polluted by the panicked voices of human scum. Keep this matter strictly hidden from the public."

  ?Alfred Miraculous bowed with absolute, mechanical respect. "Certainly, King Ronard. I will ensure our people remain in peace and total ignorance of this disaster. You can rely on my discretion."

  ?"You may leave now," the King stated, dismissively waving his hand.

  ?As they exited the hall, Ronard rested his cheek on his hand, his eyes narrowing as he drifted into thought. [Can what I just read truly be correct? Who is this 'Kaizen' who dared to ravage the Demon Rift?] He let out a short, mocking smile. "No matter his strength, he won't stand against my elite soldiers. Numbers mean nothing if the fighters are weak like humans... the weak remain weak even with an army. Still, I must act; I cannot remain idle in the face of such audacity."

  ?Queen Laura noticed her husband's distraction and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright, my dear King?"

  ?Ronard turned to her with a smile that barely masked his wounded pride. "Yes, my love. I was just calculating some trade deals for the kingdom. Tell me... is our daughter Lucy asleep?"

  ?Laura replied calmly, "Yes, she fell asleep after a long day of studying. You know she hasn't left the library since she was a child; her passion for knowledge is endless."

  ?The King nodded slowly. "Good... let her do as she pleases. The important thing is that she remains happy under the shade of this invincible kingdom."

  ?[Deep Within the Royal Dungeons]

  ?King Ronard Legard rose and kissed his wife's brow gently. "Excuse me, my love, I have a matter to attend to in the lower sectors. I will return shortly."

  ?He left the royal hall and headed toward the dark, damp corridors where the high-security dungeons were located. Ronard thought to himself as he descended the cold stone stairs, his boots echoing against the walls. [I can't believe I'm resorting to such methods... but my duty as a King compels me to protect this kingdom from any inevitable danger.] He thought of the High Sovereign and added, [Forgive me, Azral Sul, for despite your power, I will act on my own this time. We must prove the Elven race is superior. We must assert our dominance to become fully independent. To achieve this, I need the help of a madman.]

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  ?Ronard stopped before the deepest, most isolated cell, where the most dangerous criminals were kept away from the light. Before he could order the guards to open the door, a thick, terrifying voice echoed from behind the bars.

  ?"So... King Ronard returns to the filth. I wonder what he wants? Let me guess... unless you've brought me a 'gift,' my King, I suggest you leave." The words were followed by a hysterical, echoing laugh that shook the very walls of the cell.

  ?[The Cursed Deal: Jakar the Slasher]

  ?The King signaled the guards to open the heavy iron gate. From the absolute darkness emerged a massive man. His rippling muscles were covered in deep wounds and old, jagged scars that told a long history of bloodshed. He stepped toward the King boldly, his face inches from Ronard's, forcing the guards to draw their steel and warn him to back off.

  ?The slasher, known to the world as Jakar, smiled mockingly. "What does His Majesty want? Do you want to provide a victim for my amusement? How about some beautiful Elven girls? They might entertain me for a while."

  ?King Ronard maintained his deadly calm, staring directly into Jakar's crazed eyes. "I have a better offer. I will provide everything you need; if you want killing or pleasure, you can do that to the humans... they are scum anyway. But I will not allow you to touch a single Elf in this kingdom. Beyond that, you will receive a vast fortune in gold."

  ?Jakar stopped laughing and stared at the King coldly. Suddenly, he burst into a wicked, guttural laugh. "I accept your offer... what is the mission?"

  ?The King leaned in, speaking with grim seriousness. "I want you for a search mission. There is a rare type of Elf called the 'Scarlet Elves.' Their blood is pure and blessed, possessing great healing powers and the ability to extend one's lifespan. I want you to find them and bring six of them to me alive... as for the rest? Do with them as you please."

  ?Jakar the Slasher's eyes gleamed with criminal intent. "Consider them yours, my King. But before I start, I want the best weapons you possess. I won't hunt such prizes with common iron."

  ?Ronard smiled triumphantly. "Of course. I will provide the finest weapons, and I have a legendary blade I think you'll like."

  ?[The Royal Armory – The Forbidden Blade]

  ?King Ronard Legard led Jakar into the Royal Armory, a vast hall where the walls reflected the glint of rare and ancient metals. "We have arrived, Jakar... this is the Royal Armory. Choose whatever you desire to serve our purpose."

  ?Jakar smiled sardonically as he paced through the aisles, his eyes scanning the swords and spears with precise intent. He finally froze before a bone-white pedestal carrying a Legendary Axe. A dense, rhythmic mana glow emanated from the axe, making the very air around it vibrate.

  ?"You have chosen our legendary weapon, Jakar... examine it well," the King said with pride.

  ?The moment Jakar gripped the handle, he felt a massive surge of mana invade his body—a crushing pressure that made his veins bulge and his muscles contract with a wet, heavy sound. He didn't wince; instead, his wicked grin widened. "So... this is the true mana flow. Terrifying power."

  ?The King explained, "The power of this axe is unique; it triples its wielder's mana and grants the body's muscles double the density and explosive strength. Now, is there anything else you need to begin the hunt?"

  ?Jakar looked at the King, pure malice dancing in his eyes. "I only want a squad of your soldiers to handle the secondary tasks... leave the killing to me."

  ?The King replied with a winning smile. "You shall have them... I'm counting on you for this mission. I want the Scarlet Elves' blood as soon as possible."

  ?[The Demon Rift Empire – Reign of Ash]

  ?While Jakar prepared for his hunt, the scene in the ruined Demon Rift Empire embodied hell itself. Empty streets were choked with thick fog that enveloped the debris, and the corpses of heroes and soldiers were scattered like forgotten trash.

  ?Inside the stricken castle of Hades, in a throne room ruled by absolute darkness, the mysterious Kaizen stood with his back to the door, watching the ruins from a high balcony. Behind him, the former advisor of Hades entered—the sole survivor who had witnessed his ruler's annihilation. By Kaizen's decree, this advisor had become the "King" of the empire, but he was no true ruler. He was merely a tactical front to execute orders and rebuild the empire from the ash while Kaizen remained the true architect behind the scenes.

  ?As the advisor bowed before Kaizen, the stranger suddenly raised his hands toward the dark sky. At that moment, his right palm began to glow with a raging fire energy like a miniature sun, while his left palm ignited with a blue icy energy emitting the chill of death.

  ?Without warning, Kaizen released both powers toward the heavens. A colossal beam erupted—a pillar of roaring fire encased in layers of solid ice—piercing the clouds and rising so high that it was visible across the western horizon of several kingdoms. It wasn't just a light; it was a silent warning to the surrounding kingdoms.

  ?At that exact moment, in the far west, King Ronard Legard stood on his palace balcony. When he saw that beam splitting the distant horizon, the arrogant smile vanished from his face, replaced by a shock mingled with pure terror. In that instant, Ronard realized the magnitude of the gamble he was taking; he had begun playing with merciless entities, and his plan to use Jakar the Slasher might just be the spark that burns his entire kingdom to the ground.

  ?

  [End of Chapter 24]

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