A Dragon against the Whole World

Inside the kingdom, nobles and ministers earnestly pleaded with King O’Brien to accept reality and negotiate with the enemy. Even if it meant ceding territory and paying indemnities, they hoped to preserve a strand of vitality for the kingdom.

The Ripos Kingdom also sent an envoy, presenting a ceasefire agreement.

Logically, as the war had progressed to this point, Lotheren Kingdom could end this prolonged ordeal merely by choosing to relent.

However, King O’Brien dismissed all suggestions for negotiations with an unquestionable attitude, and the envoy from Ripos ultimately returned empty-handed.

This iron-blooded king appeared determined to live and die with his kingdom, vowing never to sign any disgraceful or humiliating agreements.

That same year, the blood relatives of the long-slumbering King of Molten Iron—Gordon, Solrog, Samantha, and Alberto, who had slept even earlier—all awoke from their slumber one after another.

Their powers had all made significant advancements.

New Calendar Year 315.

The Anti-King Faction’s various armies, akin to a converging flood of steel, finally arrived under the walls of Waldo City—here, the last stronghold and thousand-year-old royal city of Lotheren Kingdom.

The sky above the royal city was shrouded in dense clouds, heavy as if gathering all the kingdom’s despair.

"Alina, come with me! We will escape to the Sel Wilderness, to Galos’s domain!"

Deep within the royal city, in a courtyard of a palace that remained relatively intact.

Iron Dragon Gordon, towering like an iron pillar, lowered his head to gaze at the human woman before him, his voice low yet urgent.

Standing before him was the Crystal Princess.

She still maintained a slender figure and graceful demeanor, yet the marks of time had inevitably climbed onto her face, making her resemble an elegant noblewoman of over forty years.

Despite enjoying a wealth of royal resources and being a mage of considerable rank herself.

Without entering the Legendary Domain, human lifespan ultimately has its limits, and she could perhaps live up to two hundred years. Now, she had already crossed halfway through her life, with the pace of aging only accelerating.

The wrinkles on the princess’s face did not alter Iron Dragon Gordon’s pure and stubborn desires for possession and protection inside.

His thoughts remained unchanged.

As he spoke, Gordon unfurled his massive iron-grey dragon wings.

The various amplification runes meticulously engraved on the wing membranes all shimmered faintly, his entire body exuding an imposing and powerful aura, Dragon Eyes spreading tangibly in all directions.

Late youth, level 17.

Although not legendary, he certainly wasn’t weak.

Almost at the same time as Gordon’s Dragon Eyes spread, three figures silently appeared in the shadows around the courtyard.

Blind-eyed Aster, mighty Seros, agile Aisha... The three children of yesteryear had now grown into genuine Divine Dragon Martial Monks.

The qi flowing within them was rich and resilient, with their average level reaching a formidable level of 18.

This even surpassed the current Iron Dragon Gordon.

"The Alliance Army’s blockade of the royal city is not impenetrable; there exists a weak point we can exploit, which I’ve already grasped."

Blind-eyed Aster whispered, his perception more sensitive than those with sight.

"Princess, Gordon, if you are determined to leave, you must act swiftly."

Three level 18 Divine Dragon Martial Monks, along with one level 17 Iron Dragon.

If they remain discreet and evade the focus of enemy legends, there is a considerable chance they could escort a princess away quietly from the city soon to fall.

Yet, Alina merely offered Iron Dragon a calm and slightly sorrowful smile, gently shaking her head.

"If I wished to abandon the land that birthed and nurtured me, betraying the people who trust in me, I would have left long ago."

Her voice remained gentle, yet carried an unwavering determination: "As I’ve told you many times before, Gordon."

"The people of Waldo City will never witness their princess fleeing the battlefield in the final hour."

"I love this land beneath my feet dearly; regardless of the outcome, I will remain with it... to live and die together."

Iron Dragon Gordon fell silent.

His massive Dragon Eyes stared at the princess’s resolute visage, after a few seconds, he deeply inhaled, seemingly making a certain decision, speaking with unusual seriousness: "Alina, I must be honest with you."

"I, Gordon Ignas, will not sacrifice my life for the survival of the Human Realm."

"Since you are resolute in facing the end with your kingdom... then farewell."

Saying this, he gave the Crystal Princess one last profound look, suddenly flapping his wings, his massive body ascending with a whoosh of wind.

The three Divine Dragon Martial Monks in the courtyard looked at the princess’s lonely yet steadfast back, ultimately dissolving into a silent sigh, their figures gradually fading, once more disappearing into the shadows.

Meanwhile, atop the towering walls of Waldo City.

King O’Brien donned his battle robe, the once-majestic features now etched with exhaustion and determination.

He stood atop the city walls, gazing at the expansive tide of alliance camps beyond, his eyes void of fear or retreat, only filled with a blazing fire.

Soon after, the trumpet of war tore through the sky once more.

The Anti-King Faction amassed their final assault force, prepared for a decisive push to utterly crush the final resistance of Lotheren Kingdom.

In the sky, figures radiating legendary aura stood suspended, viewing the scene below with icy detachment.

On the ground, were endless soldier formations, alchemy golems shimmering with magical brilliance, and menacing siege cannons... the tsunami of destruction was poised to unleash.

The battle was imminent.