When they heard Kayden’s words, many who had resolutely sworn loyalty to live and die with The Nightshade began to waver.
He was right-if they wanted to survive, they had to leave. Staying here was nothing but waiting for death.
The sight of corpses strewn across the ground made everyone’s skin crawl. It was horrifying. Who wouldn’t be afraid? One man had already killed over a thousand people, including eight Enforcers. If he continued, it would be like a fish in water-effortless. He would kill them all.
“Go! Let’s leave!” Some began to retreat, their trembling legs carrying them down the mountain.
Faced with death, fear consumed them. Who wouldn’t dread such an end?
Yet, there were those who stood firm, gritting their teeth as they declared, “When we joined The Nightshade, we swore: in life, we are Nightshade’s people; in death, we are Nightshade’s ghosts. Today, The Nightshade faces a catastrophe. How could we abandon it now?”
But panic spread among the deserters. Those who had decided to flee scattered in all directions, only for their screams to echo moments later.
The mountain path had been sealed. A group of black-clad women blocked the way, stationed there by Firestone.
These women were the Doorkeepers-the strongest faction within The Nightshade. Once, Mags and Lucy had come from their ranks.
But now, they were unrecognizable. Their eyes were vacant, and they killed anyone they saw.
They had become pure killing machines.
Firestone had anticipated Kayden’s escape. If he couldn’t win, he would surely flee. To counter this, Firestone had blocked every route off the mountain.
But this plan, carefully crafted for Kayden, backfired. Instead of trapping Kayden, it ensnared his own disciples. Firestone seethed with frustration.
Watching his disciples, trembling in fear and desperate to escape, he roared in fury, “This is the price of running! Once you join The Nightshade, you have only two choices: live and die with it, or be killed by it!”
His words were like the voice of a demon from the depths of hell-chilling and merciless.
The fleeing disciples froze, their hearts sinking into despair.
It meant only one thing: death. Whether it was by Kayden’s blade or Firestone’s command, their fate was the same.
For them, this was nothing short of hopelessness.
Kayden suddenly had an idea-a plan to plunge The Nightshade into complete despair.
He turned to the disciples and said, “I’m giving you a chance to redeem yourselves. Turn your blades on him, and I promise you will live without fear.”
This was the cruelest blow to The Nightshade. Their carefully trained disciples, turning against them-this was despair incarnate.
But before his words could fully sink in, laughter erupted.
It came from Firestone, a wild, mocking laugh. Then, the Grand Lords standing behind him joined in.
“Boy,” one of them sneered, “do you think you’re someone special? Do you really believe a few words are enough to turn The Nightshade’s disciples against us? If The Nightshade were so easily swayed, we wouldn’t have survived this long.”
Laughter rippled through the onlookers.
To the Grand Lords, Kayden’s attempt was laughable.
The leading Grand Lord took a step forward, his presence towering like that of a Master at the pinnacle of his craft. He raised his voice and called out to the disciples, “Listen well! Today, this man has come to The Nightshade, slaughtering countless disciples and eight Enforcers! He seeks to destroy The Nightshade’s reputation, to trample on its honor!
“The Nightshade has stood strong for centuries, fortified by walls of steel. And you-you are those walls of steel! You are the pride of The Nightshade! Your strength has made The Nightshade unyielding and powerful. This is your home! Now, take up your weapons, defend your home, and drive this man out! We will remember your sacrifices. We will fight alongside you!”
The Grand Lord’s words were filled with passion and resolve. His speech ignited the crowd, their spirits soaring.
Adrenaline surged as they straightened their backs and gripped their weapons tightly.
Their blood boiled. Yes, they had to defend their home!
After all, they still had four Grand Lords. Four Grand Lords!
The Grand Lord’s speech had the desired effect.
Seizing the moment, Firestone raised his golden halberd and shouted, “Kill!”
A stone stirred a thousand waves.
With Firestone’s command, the crowd-whether they had tried to flee or not-rushed Kayden in unison, their voices surging like a tidal wave.
The scene was overwhelming. Yet, Kayden remained composed, nodding slightly. “Not bad,” he said.
He admired the Grand Lord who had spoken. His ability to manipulate the crowd’s emotions was impressive. It was as if The Nightshade was a high-level cult.
After his remark, Kayden raised his jagged blade once more.
“I gave you a chance. Since you insist on courting death, come at me!”
This time, there was no hesitation. Kayden leapt into the crowd, cutting down his enemies with brutal precision.
Once again, his movements were effortless. He was a tiger among sheep, leaving behind only corpses and blood wherever he passed.
It looked like a desperate struggle, but in truth, it was his enemies who were the cornered beasts.
Meanwhile, Firestone began to approach. His steps were heavy and deliberate at first, but they grew faster and faster.
From a slow march, his pace became a sprint.
Every step he took, the ground groaned under his weight.
Wielding his golden halberd, Firestone swung it with such force that the air howled, and the plaza erupted into a storm of wind and dust.
He moved like a beast, swift and ferocious, his maw wide open as if ready to devour Kayden whole.
Closer. Closer.
At a distance of seven or eight meters, Firestone leapt into the air, soaring five meters high.
Raising his golden halberd, he plunged downward with devastating power, aiming straight for Kayden.
The halberd gleamed with a golden light, as if carrying the weight of heaven and earth.
It was a dragon descending into the sea, hurtling toward Kayden.
As the halberd bore down, Kayden swung his jagged blade, dispatching the enemies around him. Then he raised it to block Firestone’s attack.
The halberd struck the blade dead center. The impact sent Kayden skidding backward, his feet carving deep grooves into the ground.