Chapter 350: That Touch of Crimson
The blood-red light clashed with the shadow halberd, like brilliant fireworks in a summer night, or the vibrant crimson glow of a sunset. That moment was too beautiful, too dazzling, forcing Ancestar to squint slightly.
Although the blood-red light had a sharp momentum, as the clash with the shadow halberd dragged on, it gradually faltered. That brilliant crimson dimmed little by little, like the sun setting in the west as darkness approached.
Using this precious time, Ancestar changed direction, dodging the attack range of the shadow halberd. Scanning the entire battlefield, he was shocked to discover that the blood-red light wasn’t Arno, as he had assumed.
“Who is it?”
Ancestar pondered, then suddenly realized Donna was missing.
…
Rewinding time slightly: Donna saw Ancestar failing. Her Knight’s Heart beat continuously, and the Heart Power of Sacrifice surged, seemingly gestating something.
When did it start? Was it the first time she met Ancestar?
Donna, who was always “in love,” felt her heart beat so intensely for the first time. That lance charge seemed to pierce through her heart, leaving her soul shaken.
Perhaps it was the moment Ancestar took off his helmet—it was too charming, making Donna’s heart race uncontrollably from then on.
After that, Donna was brought onto the path of magic by Betty. She thought she would never see that melancholic-eyed Knight again, but unexpectedly, she met Ancestar once more on the road of escape.
Throughout that journey, Donna witnessed Ancestar’s chivalry, doing his utmost to help every weak person in the escape team, and felt that reassuring, warm Heart Power.
The more she learned, the more she felt Ancestar was like an onion—peeling back layer after layer, each time revealing something pungent and captivating. Having spent her adolescence in the High Tower, Donna wasn’t ignorant of emotions like Betty.
Donna didn’t possess Betty’s immense magical talent, but she was pretty, had a nice figure, and a gentle personality, attracting many boys.
However, after trying to interact with them, she felt even more strongly that Ancestar was the charming one. Even though Ancestar repeatedly kept his distance, she still fell uncontrollably in love with him.
Unrequited love can drive some mad with longing or jealousy. But for others, it transforms into guardianship of the beloved. This was the source of Donna’s path—because of love, there is sacrifice.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
In Donna’s heart, somewhat illusory, ultra-complex 3D rune structures solidified. Blood-red Heart Power flowed, and she instantly turned into a beam of crimson light, charging straight at the shadow halberd.
Xavier, carrying Arno, involuntarily covered his eyes with his hand. It was too dazzling.
The third Formal Knight of the High Tower Territory was born—the Knight of Sacrifice, blooming like a vibrant rose.
Arno, amidst the clash of various Heart Power strengths and beset by illusions, saw a touch of crimson in the layers of mirages. He chased after it, and the crimson figure slowly became clear. It was his father, that brave hunter.
His father raised his bow and arrow, shooting at the Grey Believers to attract their attention, intending to create an escape opportunity for others. Regrettably, Arno’s father didn’t have enough strength. He died, killed by the Grey Believers.
Hung on a branch outside the village, left to be dried by the wind and pecked by crows.
Meanwhile, Donna, transformed into crimson light, was failing. The moment Ancestar dodged, Donna was stabbed to the ground by the halberd, right through the heart!
Crash!
Like shattering glass, or the silence after fireworks, Donna was on the brink of death.
Alex frowned slightly. Suddenly, he burst into somewhat exaggerated laughter, laughing until tears came out.
“I forget when it was exactly, but my father died like this too. He sacrificed himself just so I could possess the true Frost Bloodline Talent.
“My father… he was a great father, and also a scoundrel. He imprisoned over thirty clan members, using their blood and his own to pry open the door to the supernatural for me. But unexpectedly, he was cursed by the Frost, leaving not even his True Spirit behind.”
Alex made a grasping motion in the air and continued, “I haven’t told anyone about this. Everyone thinks my father only sacrificed himself.
“But today, at this moment, I want to tell you. As long as there is love, there is sacrifice. Love is an extreme form of selfishness, and sacrifice is also an extreme form of selfishness. For you to act in the name of sacrifice, wanting to perform selfless deeds and possess the so-called Virtue Holy Light… I’m afraid that’s the most laughable paradox!”
Alex slowly descended. Using his halberd, he lifted the dying Donna high and flicked her gently. Donna landed on Ancestar’s horse, and Ancestar subconsciously caught her in his arms.
Ancestar trembled all over. In disbelief, he touched Donna’s neck. The warmth was gradually fading. His lips quivered, and tears flowed uncontrollably.
“For someone like me who should have died long ago… why go to such lengths?”
His trembling hands grasped Donna’s hand reaching out to him, listening to her extremely weak voice: “Let me touch your face…”
Ancestar hurriedly leaned his face toward Donna. Wet, slippery blood gently wiped away his tears but smeared his face even more.
Donna wanted to smile but suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, saying weakly, “Ancestar, my love, I really…”
Donna didn’t finish her sentence. Her head tilted slightly, resting against Ancestar’s chest.
Thump! Thump!
At the foot of Mt. Baal, only the Knight’s heart beat violently in this moment.
Alex watched the scene before him with an expression of pleasure, raising his halberd and charging straight at Ancestar.
“Yes, just like that. Because of selfishness, there is love. Because of love, there is conflict, hatred, loathing, and sacrifice.
“Love breeds virtue, and love breeds sin. The love of parents, the love of lovers, the love of teachers and students, the love of friends… feel the source of all pain in this world! Take this eternal sin and leave this miserable world—return to the Abyss!”
The halberd pointed straight at Ancestar. Meanwhile, the Knight’s heartbeat grew more and more intense. Thump! Thump! Thump!
Immersed in grief, Ancestar had no time to dodge this rapid halberd charge. He clamped his legs tight around the horse’s belly, hugging the cooling Donna, and condensed the remaining azure Compassion Holy Light into a Lance of Light, launching a suicidal counter-charge at Alex!
Boom!
Accompanied by the Thump! Thump! Thump! of heartbeats, Alex and Ancestar collided. The Lance of Light gradually weakened, and the black light of shadows grew stronger. Alex, wearing an inexplicable twisted smile, moved his mouth.
Ancestar couldn’t hear clearly what he was saying. His strength was fading, his Compassion Holy Light exhausted.
“Perhaps in this road without end. I finally get to rest early.”
Ancestar finally exhausted his last bit of strength. The feeling of powerlessness made him extremely weary. Maybe it really was time to rest properly.
As the halberd ruthlessly pierced through the cold Donna and Ancestar, a dazzling blood-red light suddenly reappeared!
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