Aurelian's expression finally broke.
"Shut up!"
The golden throne behind him shattered, and its fragments flew into his body. His aura condensed sharply into something unstable and terrifying.
"Heavenly Luminance Divine Dominion, Crownless Divine King."
The divine kingdom contracted around him. The sacred halls vanished, the radiant pillars compressed, and the endless sun became a burning crown at his back. All the authority of the dominion merged into his flesh, his spear, and his bloodline.
This was the state he had used against Damian, the form that turned him into a living weapon of divine judgment.
Aurelian appeared before Max in an instant.
"Crownless Divine King, Light That Judges All Blades."
A spear of condensed divine light lanced toward Max's throat. Max did not draw Dragonheart. He raised his hand and caught the spear. The light exploded between his fingers, and then it simply disappeared.
Aurelian froze.
