Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1414: Chapter 141: The Demonic Shadows of the Ancient City

A small black shadow in the sky is moving swiftly, it is none other than the Black Dragon Audwin forced to become a temporary mount.

The fiercest Knight in history, Farael, is standing atop the dragon’s head, arms crossed, gazing ahead. The massive airflow ruffles his clothes and hair, but cannot move his steps.

“There are traces of battles here.” Farael suddenly looks down at the ground below.

On the ground, vast areas of destruction can be seen, indicating that the one who took action had a considerable level of power.

“This… is Fafnir’s aura.” The Black Dragon Audwin, who was always resentful of being ridden by Farael, now showed a hint of surprise in its voice, putting aside its indignation.

Farael said, “It’s only a bit similar to Fafnir’s aura… Fafnir wasn’t this weak.”

The Black Dragon Audwin rolled its eyes and replied angrily, “Old madman, have you been locked up by the Knight Agency too long? Old Fafnir passed away shortly after the great war due to illness. The current Golden Dragon is its offspring… it’s a pity that it’s a deviant. I always thought Old Fafnir died so quickly partly because this unfilial offspring angered it to death.”

Farael fell silent for a moment before saying calmly, “How does the new generation’s Golden Dragon compare to you in strength?”

Audwin snorted, “That fellow has inherited less than half of the Golden Dragon’s power, easy to defeat!”

Farael replied, “Old Fafnir initially inherited less than twenty percent of the Golden Dragon’s power, yet could match Roland… the new Golden Dragon has potential.”

The Black Dragon Audwin frowned and said, “Old madman, although it’s not quite clear what you’re planning, looking at you, it seems you want to assemble a team? Have you encountered some big trouble?”

“They… have returned.”

“They? Who?” The Black Dragon was taken aback.

“That group of Devils.”

The Black Dragon Audwin first fell silent, then its body stopped high in the sky… this astonished the Mind Witch and Sword Saint’s granddaughter Leia, who were conversing on the dragon’s back.

After a while, Audwin slowly exhaled and tentatively asked, “Old madman… your illness hasn’t recovered, has it?”

It was well aware of the events when Farael went mad back then — Farael nearly dismantled the entire Knight Agency, and it was only through the joint efforts of several heroes that he calmed down.

Among them was its master, Sword Saint Duke Roland… Audwin had witnessed Farael’s madness, so it couldn’t help but fear the old madman to some extent, while also being cautious in accompaniment.

It wasn’t a match for him… if it were, would any random cat or dog be able to ride on it? If it were anyone else, they would have been incinerated to ashes by its dragon flame already.

However, the Black Dragon Audwin regretted those words… the topic of Farael’s illness was the most taboo subject for him – it even prepared itself to flee with Leia at any moment.

A mad Farael would really kill it…

Unexpectedly, nothing of the imagination happened. Farael gazed forward, his eyes bleak, and after a long silence, he softly said, “I wish it were true that I’m just sick… in that case, I could even choose to end my own life.”

“Farael, you…” The Black Dragon opened its mouth, attempting to say something but unable to voice it.

Farael shook his head and said calmly, “Change course… Kuluo Luoya isn’t in the Werewolf Domain; he seems to have left not long ago… roughly in that direction.”

Farael pointed in a certain direction.

The Black Dragon knew this old madman’s sensory abilities were at a superhuman level, so it didn’t doubt too much and followed the direction pointed out by Farael, realizing it led to the Thirteen Clans’ territory.

Hmm… what was that old Kuluo Luoya doing in the Thirteen Clans’ territory?

Was he going to start a fight with Bylegang?

“Old madman, please present some evidence that I can believe.” Audwin suddenly said in a low voice, “Otherwise, I’m not going to let Leia get involved in any danger… this is my final promise to Roland.”

He didn’t say anything, just sat cross-legged on the Black Dragon’s head and closed his eyes.

But in fact – when they arrived at the Torrido Clan, they still found nothing.

From heading into the Unhuman Domain to the castle searching for the Sword Saint, to the Magician’s Association seeking Secret Steel, then to Kuluo Luoya in the Werewolf Domain, it seemed destiny was playing a joke on Farael.

No matter what, he was always a step too late.

…

…

Before sunrise, the Pompeii Ruins were as silent as a battlefield after a fierce war – referring, of course, to the pure ruins of the ancient city.

Using the ancient city as a development point, the homes of the Natives residing around it were still bustling – but even those who had lived nearby for generations couldn’t glimpse the true aspect of the Pompeii Ruins.

This included travelers who came from afar and even archaeologists.

Because surrounding the ancient city, there is a large barrier specially crafted by the Magician’s Association – meant to seal off the battlefield of a century-old great war.

Kuluo Luoya and Secret Steel arrived at dusk, unlocking layer upon layer of multiple barriers – even when the barriers were fully opened, they still hadn’t awaited Bylegang’s arrival.

“That cunning bloodsucker rarely arrives late,” Kuluo Luoya quickly gave his opinion.

“The Torrido’s territory was just attacked by the Golden Dragon, so I suppose Bylegang has a lot of mundane matters to handle; let’s wait a bit more, it won’t take long,” remarked the Secret Steel Tower Master calmly.

Kuluo Luoya, however, waved his hand boldly and stepped directly into the actual battlefield, casually saying, “Iron lump, why don’t we take a tour inside first? I haven’t come to this place in eighty years, and I kind of miss it.”

He had participated in the great war a century ago – but he was not the only participant; there were many, including numerous excellent warriors among the werewolves – some even more outstanding than him.

Kuluo Luoya questioned himself, realizing he survived purely out of luck and not because he was the strongest among the werewolves. That’s why he was alive – buried here were many of his brethren, close as family, and several comrades with whom he shared significant bonds.

Regarding Kuluo Luoya’s actions, Secret Steel had no intention of stopping him; instead, he silently followed behind.

The inner city’s streets crisscrossed, extending continuously, with a towering castle visible in the distance – it was the last offensive point for the non-human Allied Forces on Oth Continent back then… like a meat grinder, it devoured countless elite Non-Human lives.

Kuluo Luoya seemed to see the blade and sword lights from a century ago, pausing from time to time, jotting his thoughts into his journal.

He had already caught the scent of death, his life could end at any moment, perhaps he wanted to complete one last work.

In fact, Kuluo Luoya’s wish before he died was simple, only two.

First, to experience one exhilarating battle as a warrior, regardless of win or loss.

Second, to write the final work that satisfies him the most in his entire life.

“Speaking of which, why doesn’t your Magician’s Association restore these destroyed streets and buildings?” Kuluo Luoya curiously asked, turning his head.

The Secret Steel Tower Master said indifferently, “Anyway, there’s an inner border here, ordinary people can’t come in, so we’re too lazy to restore it… Besides, aren’t ruins and ancient cities valuable because of their original wear and tear? If we restore them, this history will be buried.”

“Hahaha!” Kuluo Luoya patted the shoulder of this usually serious old comrade, “I didn’t expect you to have a sentimental moment… I feel like I could write you an autobiography play!”

“No thanks.”

“Come on, friend! Don’t be like this! No need to refuse!” Kuluo Luoya leaned to the Secret Steel Tower Master’s ear, seemingly begging… though it looked like it, what he said was: “Secret Steel, does your association have anyone on duty here?”

The Secret Steel Tower Master maintained his expression, walking casually with Kuluo Luoya, but whispered, “No, only when the inner border needs maintenance will magicians be sent here… and every time it’s directed by me.”

“Oh? So, tonight, besides you and me, there’s another guest here… is that right?”

“Probably.”

As they spoke, a shadow attacked, and a loud noise suddenly appeared—the street erupted with a sand blast, but Kuluo Luoya and the Secret Steel Tower Master calmly evaded.

Both battle-hardened warriors would not be easily taken by surprise—and now, they were more concerned about who exactly made the move against them!

To know, it was Secret Steel who opened the inner border, and only the two of them came in, theoretically no one else should be inside the ancient city before this.

Kuluo Luoya and the Secret Steel Tower Master landed almost simultaneously, only to see the dust beginning to disperse, a shadow slowly moved from within… slowly appeared, and then came into their sight.

“This is?! Kaidy?”

“Hmm?”

Kuluo Luoya and the Secret Steel Tower Master simultaneously showed a shocked expression on their faces… gazing in disbelief at this figure that emerged from the dust and suddenly ambushed them both.

Before them stood a warrior with a large shield and giant sword, and this warrior had distinct features of a Beastman—this was a Beastman warrior, one known to both Kuluo Luoya and the Secret Steel Tower Master!

Kaidy.

A name that had been away from them for a full century—but they were certain they would never forget this name… In the Allied Forces of a hundred years ago, the Beastman warrior named Kaidy was like the most solid shield, always protecting comrades from enemy attacks.

Kaidy always stood in front of everyone and never retreated, using its shield, its body, to protect comrades until the very last, even when exhausted, it never fell.

Even in death, it remained standing.

“Kuluo Luoya, it’s not Kaidy!” The Secret Steel Tower Master frowned, “Kaidy’s corpse was taken away at the time, so it’s impossible for it to still exist… Look closely, this is just a Spiritual Body.”

Gray-brown skin, Godless eyes, and even a faintly transparent body… Kuluo Luoya saw clearly and carefully, but this figure from memory evoked too many memories, making him unable to extricate himself for a moment.

Kuluo Luoya took a deep breath, concentrating cautiously, suddenly said: “It seems, whether Bylegang’s saying that the Devils have returned is true or not… this place is indeed strange.”

Speaking of this, Kuluo Luoya’s eyes swiftly scanned the surroundings.

The Secret Steel Tower Master also noticed, turning his palm; an illuminating light sphere rose from his palm, instantly lighting up the surrounding long street—under the sufficient light source, they suddenly broke into a cold sweat!

Those were figures… those they could call by names, the figures of comrades who fell on this final battlefield!

They appeared like revenants returning from Hell… like ghosts, emerging one after another from different places, gradually advancing!

“What on earth is this…”

Kuluo Luoya broke into a cold sweat, such irregularities made it difficult for him to remain calm.

The Secret Steel Tower Master forced himself to calm down, quickly said: “Maybe someone is pulling tricks here… they couldn’t possibly be our former comrades! Because after they died, even their souls were devoured by demons… apart from their bodies, we couldn’t find anything.”

Kuluo Luoya roared angrily, stomping on the street, immediately extending a crack forward, “Who the hell is it! Desecrating these heroes’ undead! Come out! I will not forgive!”

But the Spiritual Bodies appearing in the forms of warriors who died a hundred years ago, as if unable to hear—in response to Kuluo Luoya’s roar and stomp, instead, as if stimulated, they unhesitatingly attacked Kuluo Luoya and Secret Steel!

The attacks of these Spiritual Bodies were astonishingly powerful—as if they weren’t Spiritual Bodies, but living warriors from a hundred years ago!

“Iron lump! You dare say you come here once a year for inner border maintenance? You tell me where the hell did these guys come from?!”

In response to Kuluo Luoya’s questioning, the Secret Steel Tower Master of the association could only reply with a bitter smile, while also trying to survive safely under the barrage of many Spiritual Body attacks.

“Kuluo Luoya… if the appearance of these guys is a premonition of the Devils’ return…” the Secret Steel Tower Master suddenly said gravely, “After a hundred years of recovery, could those Devils become even stronger than before?”

“How would I know!” Kuluo Luoya bellowed, “I only know! Even if those Devils haven’t become stronger, are still the same as a hundred years ago, we wouldn’t necessarily be able to hold off! The new generation is just too weak!”

The Secret Steel Tower Master was silent for a moment before saying, “Back then… there were many who didn’t go to battle. Besides me, there were several other Tower Masters, the Thirteen Dukes of Clans, your Beast King… and some secluded witches, and… The Holy See.”

“Damn! Those guys you mentioned?” Kuluo Luoya snorted coldly, “Aside from Dazzle, which of them haven’t I beaten fifty years ago! You think I can’t beat them? Does the current new generation of [Unhuman Domain] have no standards?”

The Secret Steel Tower Master gave a bitter smile again—this was the last smile he gave Kuluo Luoya.

Because in the next second, the Secret Steel Tower Master’s head was severed by a sharp sword… right in front of Kuluo Luoya.

Without warning.

Secret Steel… dead.

“Iron lump——!!!!”