The Demon King stood before the cabin windows, watching the battlefield below in silence. Some footsteps echoed through the chamber as Prince Pentheus entered. “The latest battle report is in, would you like to hear?”

“What’s the point of listening to the number of casualties? All sacred races will die in a few days.”

Pentheus bowed and made ready to leave.

“Wait,” The Demon King called him back, “I’ll listen anyway.”

“In the past twelve hours, we’ve lost 1,030,000 soldiers and 210 warships, including four primary battleships and two duke-grade airships. The humans have mostly been wiped out. We will be able to gain complete air superiority within the day and land at the Qin capital.”

The Demon King smiled. “These numbers almost make it seem like we’re fighting a normal war, not bad. We really do need to numb ourselves.”

Pentheus was puzzled. “Your Majesty, what do you mean?”

“Nothing, what will come will come. You’ll know very soon. You may go back to work and fight as you normally would.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Pentheus bowed respectfully. He couldn’t help but steal a glance at the egg-sized speck of light outside the window before taking his leave.

The Demon King muttered to himself, “The sacred races have lost over ten million soldiers and two-thirds of our airships. No one would’ve imagined how resilient the humans could be until an all-out war breaks out. We still have tens of millions left in our ranks, but I’m afraid it’s too late by now.”

“It doesn’t matter no matter how many cannon fodders die.” Lilith’s voice echoed in his ears.

“You’re still preparing for that ceremony?”

“I’m almost done.”

“Is it necessary?”

“If the humans want to destroy all of the dark races, we have to make them pay a steep price. I might not be able to kill every human, but it’s not a problem to level that city below if I sacrifice all of my blood energy. Those bastards think daybreak is nigh, but what will they feel if they’re no longer able to bask in the arriving dawn?”

“Once the ceremony begins, the higher echelons of the human race will be wiped out. The Chronicle of Glory can no longer be controlled, leaving us with no hope of survival at all.”

“Are you still hoping for a miracle at this point?” Lilith sneered.

“No one really wants to die, the same goes for me.” The Demon King smiled wryly. “Perhaps there’s room for negotiation.”

“We’ve lost ten million soldiers and the humans have lost six. These people are the elites, their parents and families belonging to the upper echelon of each faction. Do you think there’s room for negotiation amidst all this hatred?”

“Maybe or maybe not. Let’s observe the last few days.”

“What are you planning?”

“According to Anwen, we have four days before the sun enters the intended orbit. It’s no doubt their diviners who will need to help guide the sun into said orbit. If we fail to negotiate during this period, you can unleash your ceremony and kill all the divination experts before the sun arrives. That will cause the new sun to deviate from its orbit and charge into the heart of the Evernight World, forming a new system with our current sun. No one can tell how that system will operate. It’s very likely that all life will be wiped out, and the humans will pay for their wild schemes.”

“What if their entire plan fails?”

“If they fail, we will have some more time. I can gather all the remaining council members and push the void continent into the Qin Continent, producing a repeat of the neutral lands. All human elites are now gathered on the continent, so we’ll have destroyed half their race.”

Lilith said after a moment of silence, “Don’t forget the Lost Season.”

The Demon King remained silent.

…

Void continent, the city of Indomitable. Qianye sauntered through the crowded streets, undiscovered by the multitude of people around him.

Several giant airships rose into the air and set off in the direction of the Qin Continent. Judging from their turn speed, one could tell that they had been filled to the brim with men and equipment.

There weren’t a lot of forces left in Indomitable, and those that did remain were waiting for airships to take them to the battlefield.

Time and again, Evernight airships would fly over the city. Their altitude was beyond Indomitable’s anti-air defenses, and the local airships had no intention of intercepting them, either. All they did was hurry toward the Qin Continent.

Only the Qin Continent was the final battlefield for all races.

The City of Indomitable had changed quite a bit. That military fortress from before was now a thriving city, so much so that Qianye could hardly remember the street structure.

The crossroads he was standing at was where Zhao Jundu had stopped the chasing soldiers as Qianye escaped with Nighteye. There was the city wall not far from the place, where Qianye had taken a hit from a retired marshal and left for the neutral lands with Nighteye and Zhuji.

It was here in Indomitable that his entire fate had taken a turn, setting him on a path of no return.

It was just that, after seeing the soaring serpent, he could no longer tell whether his change in fate was truly coincidental or if it was his destiny.

He glanced up and stared at the progressively brightening star for a moment before heading into a nearby building.

This used to be a tavern, but now, it was almost empty. There was still wine on the counter, which proved that the owner had left in a hurry without cleaning up the place or locking the door.

Qianye walked over to the bar and poured himself a glass. The spirit was of poor quality, but then again, he was in no mood to enjoy good wine.

A mysterious person clad in black walked into the bar and glanced about.

“You won’t see anyone here if I don’t want you to,” Qianye said while holding his glass.

The mysterious person removed her hood, revealing her beautiful face and long hair. Just that none of these features could affect Qianye.

She tidied her hair, saying, “It’s hard to believe how far you’ve come in just a few years.”

“Why would the vampires send a demonkin to settle this?”

“Why? Is Linken not good enough of a representative?”

Qianye said, “Do you think?”

A hint of indignance flashed within Linken’s eyes, but she suppressed her anger and said respectfully, “All major characters are fighting on the front lines, so I’m the only one left.”

“Does this mean they no longer want to discuss further?”

“No, it means I no longer need to return. From today on, I’ll do anything for you.” She stressed the word “anything” quite obviously.

Qianye was entirely unmoved. “There’s nothing to discuss if you don’t bring Nighteye to me. You don’t have a lot of time left, so don’t force my hand at this juncture. This will only end with me seeking Lilith out for a fight.”

Linken said, “Your Majesty! The entire Evernight World is on the verge of destruction. Do you think the humans will let you off after they destroy the sacred races? Do you think they will let Nighteye off? Where will you two hide when the world is filled with daybreak origin power?”

A scarlet flame flickered into existence at Qianye’s fingertip, the flame of daybreak. Linken was forced back several steps before she could withstand the heat.

The demonkin’s expression shifted drastically. Only at this point did she fully witness Qianye’s strength. Only at this point did she realize that Qianye’s accomplishments were more than just a legend. He really could take her life at a moment’s notice.

Qianye said, “You’re a fool in that you refuse to admit the truth. You’re still hoping to exact revenge, aren’t you? Similarly, the person who sent you is more than just a fool.”

Linken trembled all over as she fell to her knees. “Your Majesty, I was wrong! Please give me a chance. I beg you!”

Qianye said calmly, “I’ll repeat myself. Return Nighteye in the state you took her away, otherwise, I will visit the Queen. Don’t talk to me about the survival of races or whatnot. All I care about is Nighteye. I could care less if your entire race perishes. You saw it just now. If only two members of the sacred race remain standing in the end, it shall be Nighteye and me. Even if the world is burning with daybreak origin power, I will protect her until the very end.”

Qianye finished the glass in his hand. “Go back and tell them. You have… two hours. If I don’t see Nighteye in two hours, Lilith will see me.”

Linken bit her lips. “You’re not her match.”

“Is that so?” Qianye laughed. “Oh right, I forgot to tell you. Before going to Lilith, I will pay the Demon King a visit.”

Linken’s expression shifted drastically.