The dragon-slaying dagger blazed through the air toward Robin, glowing with blinding brilliance.
The entire mountain was lit up in gold and silver light, casting dazzling beams across the sky.
Twin spectral dragons, one golden and one pale white, soared through the clouds above, their forms twisting and weaving in the air.
They roared and shimmered, their scales bristling in defiance.
What had once been a deathly quiet mountain erupted into a frenzy of cheers.
The bloodthirsty followers, once cowed by Robin's overwhelming aura, were ecstatic once again.
Their divine High Pontiff had finally summoned their most sacred treasure—the legendary dragon-slaying dagger.
Since the founding of Netheris, the mythical Lord Netheris had cast an unbreakable spell.
"So long as the ancient relic remains in our realm, none across the multiverse shall threaten us."
And now, after nearly a hundred years of being taken away, the dagger had returned.
With its power awakened again, there was no doubt in the minds of the Netheris zealots—Robin was doomed.
"Kill Drakebane! Kill Drakebane!"
Soulforge Mountain roared with frenzied cries, a wave of fanatic passion crashing down its slopes.
To the people of Netheris, Kage was no mere man—he was a godlike prophet. He had taught them the agony of life's endless cycle and opened their eyes to the depth of their own sins.
And over and over again, the Pontiffs preached with tireless zeal.
To find salvation in the next life, you must embrace suffering in this one. You must accept poverty. Endure pain. Deny yourself pleasure.
Good food is forbidden.
Fine clothing is a sin.
Enjoyment is weakness.
Ownership is evil.
...
And so, they lived off scraps. They wore rags. They endured miserable lives—offering everything they had to Kage.
And afterward, they gave thanks. With eyes full of reverence, they praised Kage and the Dark Syndicate for their endless blessings.
They truly believed that everything—every breath, every heartbeat—was made possible only through the tireless sacrifice of the Dark Syndicate. They believed they were alive today because of them. And they believed they would enter paradise in the next life because of them.
So now, when Robin dared to defy Kage, they didn't hesitate. They were ready to take up arms and fight to the death.
Kage, Caym, and the elite warlords of the Dark Syndicate watched as the dagger boldly pointed toward Robin. At last, they breathed a sigh of relief.
The ancient relic had proven itself worthy of legend—Netheris's ultimate divine weapon.
With it, even someone as fearsome as Robin couldn't shake the godlike dominion of the Dark Syndicate.
"Hahaha!" Kage burst into manic laughter.
"Drakebane, you may be powerful, but you can't outmaneuver the law of this realm!
"The dragon-slaying dagger is the sacred relic of Netheris.
"It was with this weapon that our ancestors conquered the demons that roamed this land and built this great country.
"Since then, under their protection, our people have known peace, prosperity, and order.
"Before entering the Aethergate, the founder of Netheris left this relic behind for his successor.
"And with it, a curse: He who holds the relic shall guard the people of Netheris and preserve peace for ten thousand generations."
Before Kage could finish speaking, the dagger hovered high above Robin's head.
The twin halos of dragons froze in midair, ceasing their furious dance.
Their giant heads, fierce eyes, curling tails, and razor-edged reverse scales—everything stopped, locked in place above Robin.
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