NOVEL WEB Chapter 12: Decapitation (4)_2
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In the Dimensional World, within the vast expanse of Holy Light, the saints remained silent. It was as if this matter had nothing to do with them.
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"So? Do you agree? Under the current circumstances, this is the best outcome for you. It's also your final chance."
Gray stood quietly in the snow, gazing up at the overwhelming black dragon before him.
The storm continued to rage. Thick smoke billowed and drifted past him.
In the distance, two Liches and the remaining few Golden and Black Dragons were still fighting. However, most of the battles had ended, and the attackers were all quietly watching him.
"We still don't quite understand the transformation you've undergone. In your current state, are you more human or more Lich? Honestly, I don't understand Liches, so I can only try to persuade you as I would a human." Taking a deep breath, the leading Black Dragon continued, "Think of your wife and child. If you completely disappear from this world, what will happen to them? Have you never worried about them? If you die here, the forces you've built will collapse. What will become of them then? I've heard that you are very loving toward your wife, and have a great relationship with your son. Don't you want to stay by their side always? And what about those who support you, especially the humans? What will their fate be? This is your only chance to save them."
Gray still stood silently in the snow, looking up. His hand, trembling slightly, gripped the sword.
The fierce wind swept past him.
*Richie's distant words echoed in his mind: "Father, hold on a bit longer! Just a bit longer! I can certainly convince the Golden Dragon Camp to rescue you! Hold on a bit longer! Just a bit longer! Mother is still waiting for you to return!"*
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The sunny Salted Fish Port.
Shelley was still quietly waiting for her husband and son to return, with a face full of happiness.
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"Listen! If you don't help my father, I will consider it a betrayal of our alliance! Some of you may think that as long as you don't get involved, what happens in this world has nothing to do with you, but now I must tell you, that's no longer possible! If you betray the alliance, then I, Richie Gruggle, swear this! I will inherit the position of Lich King! And you, you will become my enemies! No matter what it takes, I will drag the Golden Dragon Clan into the abyss and erase them from this world! Under the iron hoofs of justice, no one can stand alone! If you refuse to embrace my father's justice, then be prepared to face mine!" Richie shouted, his words gradually filled with a menacing tone. He was already crying in desperation.
Sarina and Delia were already entangled in combat with two members of the Golden Dragon Clan.
In his shout, Richie flew rapidly. Abraham followed closely behind, but no matter how he accelerated, he couldn't catch up with the child. A look of astonishment appeared on his face.
The entire Golden Dragon Clan was stunned.
The elders of the Golden Dragons remained silent.
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"They ... know nothing about you." The Black Cat, already battered and bloodied in its armor, spoke intermittently, "I've heard ... that the one who understands you best is always your enemy. But your enemies, they don't understand you at all."
"Yes," Gray replied softly.
Looking at the crushed alliance beside him, the Black Cat smiled helplessly, "It's not just the enemies, even the allies don't understand you. Otherwise ... by now, the allied forces should have arrived, wouldn't you say?"
"Yes," Gray said, trembling slightly as he raised his sword and pointed it at the leading Black Dragon.
Vivian and Catherine were staring at him in a daze, while countless Black Dragons watched silently.
"Have you made up your mind, Lord Lich King?" the leading Black Dragon asked softly.
"There was never a need to think about it, the answer has always been clear," Gray lifted his head and said softly, "I appreciate all the thought you've put into this for me, but I want to say that I've decided long ago. I dearly wish to be with my wife and child, forever staying by their side even after the war ends. Even death cannot separate us. But..."
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"If you refuse to help my father! I will remember this day forever! I will remember everything you've done! I will use all my power to avenge you! The Golden Dragon Clan will become my eternal enemy! Even if I fall into darkness, I will not hesitate!" Shouted Richie, his eyes wide and teeth clenched, fleeing madly.
Tears soaked his cheeks.
This might be the first time the son of the Lich King had ever cried.
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In the gentle breeze, Shelley stood quietly on the castle balcony, smiling happily as she looked into the distance.
The bright sunlight shone on her, making her look radiant.
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The clouds in the sky were churning.
The blizzard raged wildly, blowing past Gray.
"But," raising his head, meeting the eyes of the leading Black Dragon, Gray continued, "I deeply love my wife. Her husband should be an upright knight, as described in the knight's oath. I love my son. His father should be righteous and great, just as I hope he will become. Though bowing to evil might grant me some minor gains, I would lose far more. Enough to render everything meaningless. Everyone would know that Gray Gruggle gave in. I would tear apart the last remaining belief in justice and hope within people's hearts. Compared to that, I'd rather die in battle here."
The leading Black Dragon slowly widened his eyes.
"To die in battle, for a knight, is not a disgrace. On the contrary, it is an honor. At least, until the last moment, I remain a knight. Don't you think so?"
All the Black Dragons were quietly watching him.
The soul flames in Gray's eyes burned fiercely.
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In Dragon Valley, the Golden Dragons remained silent.
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In the Dimensional World, the saints were silent.
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In the abyss, the demons were similarly silent.
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The Black Dragons quietly watched the Lich King whom they could have easily torn apart with one claw.
Vivian, also covered in wounds, took a battle stance.
Catherine slowly spread her wings, wiping away the golden blood at the corner of her mouth.
Gray stood motionless, facing countless Black Dragons, Red Dragons, Azure Dragons, and Poison Dragons...
Archil Norman, still in dragon form and barely conscious, opened his mouth slightly, with blood trickling from the corner.
A nearly unconscious figure lay in the snow, staring blankly at the sky.
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With a heavy impact, Richie plummeted from the sky like a meteor, crashing hard into the side of the mountain, creating a deep pit.
In the sky, Abraham was panting heavily.
As the dust settled, Richie slowly got up, wiping away his tears.
His armor was twisted beyond recognition, his exposed knees were bleeding profusely, and his bones were visible.
With wide eyes, he clenched his teeth, staring fiercely at the enemy before him, his lips trembling, still using his spiritual power to desperately send messages to the Dragon Clan's Key.
Not far away, Sarina and Delia tangled with two Golden Dragons.
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After a while, the leading Black Dragon slowly assumed a human form and spoke softly, "If that is the case, Lord Lich King, then so be it."