Chapter 183: Shiltina, Your Brilliance Cannot Illuminate the Darkness That Belongs to Me

In Ingrid's eyes, faint flames flickered.

The next moment, in the desolate ruins of the nuclear power station, a streak of pale blue flame suddenly flared up.

It was a fire fueled by the soul, illusory and translucent, as if it lacked substance.

Ingrid’s slender figure, clad in military uniform, was bathed in that pale blue flame. Even her pitch-black hair changed color within the illusionary fire, turning into pure silver-white.

As living beings, humans possessed the instinct to survive.

Thus, no matter how hard a person might force themselves in their heart to go all out, the instinct for survival would never allow one to go beyond limits. It would always differentiate and retain just enough power from what the body could muster to maintain vital functions.

For example, after enduring excessive pain, the body would forcibly render a person unconscious.

The Nightblade that Ingrid possessed, "Black Iron", was an ability that acted on the wielder themselves. It could directly command the body to completely forget pain, shutting down the human body's self-protection mechanism.

By breaking free from the shackles of instinct, it squeezed out power that no living creature should have ever used, from the depths of the soul.

This was the so-called unlocking of the "Gene Lock".

Within the rating system of the Arcane Tower, it was classified as one of the most mediocre Nightblades—

It lacked the specialized utility in reconnaissance, research, or medicine that Nightblades like "Eye of Secret Insight" or "Molecular Blade" offered.

And as a purely combat-oriented Nightblade, "Black Iron" could only provide a negligible increase in the combat effectiveness of an extraordinary individual.

By blocking pain and disabling the survival instinct, such enhancements allowed Ingrid to amplify her physical capabilities more than tenfold during the active duration of "Black Iron".

However, in doing so, it also confined Ingrid’s combat style to pure close-quarters fighting—she had to fight with her life on the line, losing nearly all possibility for tactical variation.

And when Ingrid compressed all the power of her body into an extremely short burst of release—the cost was a rapid deterioration of her body afterward.

Using it repeatedly would equate to shortening her lifespan. If she continued to forcefully maintain it after her strength had already been depleted—just like during the nuclear power station incident—it could even cause irreversible damage to her soul, resulting in permanent disability.

This was what "Black Iron" truly was—an ability that harmed oneself nearly as much as the enemy. Compared to super-tier Nightblades like Akxia’s "Angel of Death’s Decree" or Shiltina’s "Infinite Blade", which could effortlessly unleash terrifying destructive power without any significant cost, the difference was like heaven and earth.

Yet, such a mediocre Nightblade with extreme side effects had been developed to the limit by Ingrid.

It allowed her to use a crude body to face off against numerous powerful foes, and step by step, she had climbed to her current position—the pinnacle beneath the Legendary Realm.

Ingrid’s foot suddenly stomped down, and in the next moment, her slender figure clad in Black Eagle military uniform vanished from her original position.

Only a trail of fissures remained, spreading across the barren ground of the nuclear power station.

Boom—

Amid the violent sonic boom, Shiltina instinctively drew her rapier.

But compared to Ingrid, who had already broken the sound barrier and was bathed in pale blue flame, her movements were a step too slow.

With the intense clang of clashing metal, Shiltina’s right arm was suddenly pierced through, a grotesque and terrifying wound opening up. Through the blurred flesh, one could see the stark white of her bone.

“So, from beginning to end—”

“Only Heaven’s chosen like you, Shiltina, can stand openly under the sunlight.”

The silvery sword light streaked across the sky, tearing the atmosphere and stirring up a storm.

Countless strands of fine silver radiance crisscrossed like a spiderweb, filling the entire space within the ruins of the nuclear power station. They were afterimages left behind by sword slashes at ultra-high speed. Before the retinal afterimages could even fade, new slashes had already followed in quick succession.

Under the empowerment of "Black Iron", Ingrid at that moment resembled a machine operating at two hundred percent output.

The beating of her heart, the flow of her blood... every organ of her body entered a state of overclocking—causing her physical functions to be enhanced by dozens, even hundreds of times.

Such speed had already surpassed the sound barrier, and the movements of Ingrid were no longer visible to the naked eye of an ordinary human.

“That’s why you, little junior, and the vast majority of students at Starfall University—those noble heirs who’ve been pampered since childhood... of course, could never understand someone like me.”

“You were born with the blood of the strong, blessed with exceptional talent and aptitude. Since youth, you had strong individuals as your mentors. Even before entering Starfall University, you had already built a solid foundation.”

“Even if you refuse to accept the identity of a princess, Shiltina, the fact is—since the moment of your birth, that very identity has already provided immense aid in your growth.”

“Even now, that identity of yours as a princess continues to offer invisible support. It’s etched into your bloodline, a truth that can never be erased no matter how much you try to deny it.”

Amidst the intertwining silver-white sword light, Ingrid’s cold words rang out.

Each time sword lights crossed, each time metal clashed, another wound appeared on Shiltina’s body, leaving her once-pure white knight attire stained with patches of muddied blood.

Though Shiltina was undoubtedly a seasoned and powerful swordswoman, Ingrid had experienced even more—her combat experience far surpassed hers.

Ingrid had faced countless life-and-death crises throughout her path. For this former Director of the Inspection Bureau, there were no friendly matches or easy tasks with assured outcomes. Every battle was a life-risking duel.

Moreover, Shiltina had only recently ascended to the Sixth Tier, whereas Ingrid had stood at the peak of the Sixth Tier for many years.

Coupled with the overwhelming physical boost from her Nightblade "Black Iron" in its active state, as soon as the battle erupted, Shiltina found herself completely outmatched—covered in wounds within seconds.

"You will never understand—those things that are so natural and taken for granted by people like you, like eating or drinking—"

"To me, I had to fight for them with my life, striving desperately for even a sliver of them."

"I gave up enjoyment, gave up all hobbies, endured countless days and nights of torment, just to walk out of that mountain and earn a chance to study in the same academy as you."

Ingrid coldly withdrew her blade. The pale silver tip pulled out from Shiltina’s abdomen, trailing a series of flying blood droplets.

"Shiltina, I know you must be looking down on me right now, scornful, thinking I’ve betrayed my original resolve, broken the vow I made when I enlisted."

"I also know most people in the academy don’t think highly of me. Even Dean Silver is no exception—"

"Dean Silver thinks I’m too pragmatic, that I’d climb upward at all costs just to gain power, just to gain superiority, using any means, even to the point of madness."

"I’ve been judged as a woman who is ‘calculating to her very core’."

"It must prefer someone like you, junior... Dean Silver favors the purity in you, the unwavering righteousness, and that radiant soul of yours, as dazzling as gold."

Bang—

Another clash between blade and sword.

After the brief impact, Shiltina’s body was once again slashed, violently flung away by Ingrid’s strike, drawing a crimson arc through the air before crashing to the ground like a kite with its string severed.

She coughed up blood. Her formerly pale face was now smeared with radioactive dust from the nuclear power station.

"But what could I do? What choice did I have?"

"Don’t you think I also wanted Dean Silver’s affection, wanted to hug that fluffy, adorable, attention-seeking Little Snow Ferret as a pillow?"

"Don’t you think I wanted to walk openly in the world of light like you, welcomed by the people, showered with flowers, applause, and glory?"

"On countless starless nights, as I tossed and turned, I recalled the sins I committed, the blood on my hands—striking down innocents, even children... No matter how many times I washed my hands, the stench of blood never went away."

"I hate this filthy, blood-soaked self more than any of you could ever imagine."

Ingrid looked at the Rapier Wielder in the distance, struggling to rise. The red and white knight combat uniform she wore was now completely engulfed in crimson.

"I want to go back more than anyone."

"I still dream of the day I was awarded the Black Eagle Medal. I remember it vividly… standing in the grand hall of the Imperial Capital, Your father, His Majesty Allen, personally presented me the medal. The applause from below roared like thunder. In that moment, I felt as if I stood among the clouds, with the life I dreamed of right before my eyes."

"But I know I can never go back."

"And I will never regret my choice—"

Ingrid’s voice echoed through the ruins. "If I hadn’t done what I did… become the Gravekeepers’ Black Glove, become the most useful chess piece, I would never have had the chance to avenge my mother."

In the distance, though wounds covered every inch of her body and her clothes had long been soaked in blood—

Shiltina’s voice still showed no trace of retreat. It pierced the desolate ruins and rang clearly in Ingrid’s ears.

"Senior, I too have experienced the pain of losing a loved one. I understand how you feel..."

"But no pain, no hatred, justifies siding with evil or committing such crimes."

"No, you don’t understand!"

Ingrid’s hoarse roar exploded.

"I know, just like me, you also lost your mother in a Twilight Calamity… But that’s different."

"You lost your mother, but you still have a father—one who ascended the throne, who loves you deeply but doesn’t easily express his affection."

"You have a half-sister, Ophelia—on the surface well-behaved and sensible, but inwardly cunning and sister-obsessed, always circling around you."

"You have the professors of Starfall University, and once had Flan, and Dean Silver… and you have Rast. He is willing to tolerate your sharpness, your uncompromising will, and understands your stubbornness, your recklessness, and your persistence."

The next instant.

A brilliant torrent of light surged from the tip of Shiltina’s blade, engulfing everything.

...

Light surged, light roared.

This was a beam clash between Ingrid and Shiltina. It was a duel between "Illusion Collapse" and the soul-devouring Shining Silver Arm.

And soon, the arc of collision yielded a victor.

The shining Silver Meteor shattered silently before the raging torrent of light and was swallowed without a trace.

"As expected—"

"I knew it. No matter how far you’re pushed into a corner, you always break through adversity and overturn everything."

Gazing at the disintegrating Silver Meteor within the light, and at her Shining Silver Arm prosthetic, now etched with a faint crack, Ingrid murmured softly.

On the far side of the ruins, amidst the surging brilliance, Shiltina’s entire body—once gravely wounded by Ingrid’s blade, with injuries severe enough to claim an ordinary life—was now visibly healing at a speed discernible to the naked eye.

Watching Shiltina's extraordinary rate of healing, the bitterness at the corner of Ingrid’s lips deepened.

"So that’s it... From beginning to end—that scabbard of the Holy Sword was never in the hands of the Empire’s Emperor."

"It was buried inside your body by your father long ago."

"And now, that scabbard sealed away for centuries is awakening within you, healing your wounds... which means, the Holy Sword of the Granwell Kingdom is finally going to awaken again, and find a new master?"

"But I suppose... this is only natural."

Ingrid’s voice was faint. "After all, only someone as dazzling and incomparable as you would be worthy of the Holy Sword’s recognition."

The pale blue flame quietly receded from Ingrid’s slender frame.

"Black Iron" was deactivated.

That Silver Meteor which had devoured the light had exhausted Ingrid’s very last ounce of strength.

She completely lost the power to resist and was swept away by the surging river of light, carried toward the depths of the nuclear power station—toward the reactor core.

It was a cliff-like edge, and beneath that cliff flowed molten steel, hot as lava, slowly coursing.

Even though five years had passed, the aftermath of the prior nuclear leak continued. The high temperatures from nuclear fission had melted vast amounts of metal within the power station, turning the entire ruin into a massive furnace. Within it flowed molten iron.

And at this moment, Ingrid, powerless under the impact of the light torrent, was falling toward the deepest part of that furnace—toward molten steel thousands of degrees in temperature, like a crimson sea.

"Senior!"

Shiltina’s expression shifted. She leapt with force, rebounding off the steel beams suspended in midair, rushing toward Ingrid, who had been flung by the tremendous force, hoping to pull her back from the edge.

But the next instant—

Swoosh.

A pale silver sword light flashed again, and crimson blood splattered into the air.

It was the blade Ingrid swung mid-air.

With the last of her strength, she severed the hand that Shiltina had reached toward her—cutting off her final hope of surviving the steel furnace.

"Shiltina—"

"Even if you don’t wish to admit it, in the eyes of most nobles and soldiers of the Imperial Capital, you are still the First Princess, the sole heir to the throne."

"Her Highness Ophelia was merely a volunteer, a decoy who stepped forward… You are the one upon whom countless hopes rest, the one expected to lead the Empire to rise again."

"In their eyes, you are like the sun—brilliant and resplendent. Your light will illuminate the entire Empire and bring hope to the people—"

Ingrid’s voice transmitted directly to Shiltina’s ears.

"But what does it matter if you are the sun?"

In the sky, dozens of meters above the molten steel, as she plummeted helplessly, Ingrid revealed a mocking smile:

"Everyone says you are the hope of the Empire, that you let everyone bask in the sunlight."

"But for moths like us, born in the darkness… your brilliance only scorches us to ashes!"

"Shiltina—"

"Your light cannot illuminate my night!"

As her voice fell—

The next instant, the boiling molten steel devoured everything.

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