Sardin coughed:

"You're helping me? Such luxury? Forget it, for a half-god like me, having my lover's name on a tombstone is enough."

After a pause, he said:

"Don't tell my disciples about my situation, just say I went on a mission."

The Emperor raised an eyebrow: "Are you talking about the disciple of the current leader of Lokeshi? I always thought you were just politically allied."

Sardin, with gradually unfocused eyes, looked at the sky:

"He's a good kid, with him and the others, Lokeshi can hold on a bit longer."

"So don't tell him about my death yet; the battlefield between you and me is too far away from him."

"Give the kids something to strive for, let them feel that the future is still beautiful and worth fighting a lifetime for."

Sardin's voice became fainter and fainter.

The Emperor's expression was a bit troubled: "Are you joking? How long can Lokeshi keep it a secret without a half-god?"

"You still have a public position!"

Sardin said, "Then let them find any excuse, say I've temporarily gone out on a mission."

"And then... after a year or so, it won't matter if they know or not."

The Emperor shook his head, but in the end, he said:

"I'll suggest this to the Lokeshi official."

Sardin's head gradually drooped:

"Tell the kid I'm sorry, I didn't have time to teach him more."

"And, Emperor, you are worthy of the name of a hero... Thank you."

Sardin slowly closed his eyes.

The Emperor placed that stem of foxtail grass on Sardin's chest:

"A generation of half-gods, dying in an unnoticed wind, quite fitting."

"Time to go home."

His gaze seemed to travel through space, landing on the young girl holding tightly onto Louis in the distance.

Olivia seemed to perceive something, raising her head to look in this direction.

The Emperor shook his head: "Foolish daughter..."

Then he looked in another direction, into the dark shadows where the figure of a black swan appeared.

She turned to look in the Emperor's direction, waved her hand, and disappeared from the scene.

The Emperor sighed even deeper: "Another fool, only the littlest one to rely on."

His form slowly dissipated.

Reappearing, he had already returned to his bedroom.

He slowly walked towards the golden throne, where Beatrice was standing, looking at her father, whose form was once again tall and robust.

With each step, his figure became increasingly thin.

"Father, Mr. Rudolph is waiting for you."

The Emperor made a sound:

He reached the golden throne, looking at the legendary Iron Guard on it.

The comrade who had fought with him since childhood, sworn to serve him, now appeared emaciated.

"Rudolph, we succeeded."

The Emperor said softly.

Rudolph struggled to lift his head, his flesh dried up like a mummy.

Who would have thought he was once a powerful legendary Iron Guard?

"Thus, of the seven world-ending disasters prophesied by Lord Max, only the last two remain."

The Emperor nodded: "It was strong (referring to the Darknight God Spawn), but I was stronger."

Rudolph nodded: "You've worked hard, Your Majesty."

He stretched out his thin hand, placing it on the Emperor's large gauntlet, gently touching his fingers:

"With this, I've fulfilled my duties as an Iron Guard." Rudolph's voice was unexpectedly calm.

His form became even more ethereal, as everything about him was drained to seal the Gate of the Abyss, even his very existence.

The Emperor quietly watched his dear friend, and with a deep voice, said:

"For this blue and pure world."

Rudolph's body instantly scattered into countless fragments, leaving only his final serene words:

"No, for the Emperor."

"The next journey you must take alone."

The golden throne was left empty.

The Emperor sat on the throne again, returning to that emaciated appearance.

"Beatrice, I'm a bit tired today."

Beatrice did not speak, retreating directly.

She thought, today the golden throne might be especially cold.

Death toll from the Shadow Country incident—

Lokeshi Empire, 410 people, including 1 demigod, 4 legends, 201 exemplars.

East/West Monet Kingdom, 370 people, including 10 legends, 240 exemplars.

Ense Empire, 310 people, including 4 legends, 140 exemplars.

That day, the Emperor forever lost the one who understood and supported him the most.

The legendary Iron Guard Rudolph fell.

The Emperor found it even harder to stand up from the throne.

And all of this would be buried in the ruins of the Shadow Country.

...

On another side.

Emerald flames soared into the sky.

Olivia looked at the dimmed gem left by her mother.

The power of the [Emerald Sacrifice] continuously extracted the Original Power of the Star Continent, restoring Louis's body to its peak state.

At the same time, Louis slowly opened his eyes, looking at the little swan with tears in her eyes.

He showed a relieved smile, then the next second spoke:

"Save save save save save save..."

"Save what, you big-headed fool! Who told you to come down?!"

The little swan unhesitatingly gave Louis a punch on the head, then with some pity, rubbed his head:

"You're really crazy, daring to meddle in such a battle!"

Louis discontentedly said:

"Just tell me if I won or not?!"

"Win what win? It was a total loss!"

"Lose what lose? Aren't we safe now?"

Olivia glanced at William and Grace:

"It's one thing for him to be willful, but you two, why did you go along with him?!"

"Especially you, William, you're an Iron Guard, since when did you act like this?!"

William flashed an awkward yet polite smile:

"Do you think I could stop His Highness?"

The once majestic little swan now turned bashful.

She knew William was right.

Louis, this guy, was too unpredictable.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have failed to corner Louis a few times before.

Of course, the little swan selectively forgot that many actions were entirely due to misunderstanding.

"Ouch, it hurts, let's not talk about this now, is the Seal of the Shadow Country lifted?"

Louis looked at everyone.

The little swan shook her head and said:

"The core area is still not completely unsealed; the curse's power inside is too strong."

"Then let me go. Smart of you not to take my mask off." Louis looked at the little swan appreciatively.

The little swan raised her head high, with a look of 'praise me more.'

Louis ruffled her head:

"I'll handle things quickly; I came this time to investigate certain people."

The little swan nodded.

She had guessed long ago that Louis had other motives.

But the sly one had no intention to expose him.

Anyway, she knew Louis had good judgment.

Soon, Louis arrived at the barrier of curses.

Surrounded by soldiers from four countries.

When Louis approached, they instinctively made way for him.

Even a mythology scholar approached Louis and said:

"Your Excellency, are you..."

Louis's hoarse voice said:

"Breaking the Shadow Country's barrier for you."

Everyone was stunned for a moment, with shocked expressions on their faces.

But no one questioned the truth of Louis's words.

They could clearly see it.

The idol far surpassing ordinary legends had been skewered by this unknown legend.

With such power, breaking the Shadow Country's barrier seemed reasonable.

Thus, they directly allowed him through.

They hadn't forgotten that besides investigating the Shadow Country's secrets, they had another goal: to rescue the unfortunate ones trapped in the temple's core area.

Louis: ???

Seeing everyone gathered behind him, eagerly watching him act, he felt the awkwardness of writing a novel with his parents watching behind him.

A subtle urge to flee the Star Continent arose.

Luckily, he was socially anxious.

When he reactivated the Sin Dragon Armament, his hand reached for the dark barrier.

Immediately, he felt the Sin Dragon Armament cheering joyfully.

Streams of energy surged into the Sin Dragon Armament.

The barrier emitted a pitiful groan under the strain, in full view of everyone—

It shattered!

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