Chapter 187: The Navy's Hidden Asset —
As Dravon charged toward Orimo Kuzan, cutting through debris and wounded soldiers, a woman materialized beside Orimo's head — her face shrouded in complete darkness, her presence colder than the air itself.
"Who's… she?" Dravon muttered, slowing for the first time.
Before he could move closer, a figure stepped forward, emerging through drifting smoke.
The Second-in-Command of the Navy.
Sora Nithel.
His sword was already unsheathed, reflecting the dying sunlight.
"I will not let you pass, Crimson Raven," he stated calmly.
Dravon's eyes hardened. "We'll see."
Meanwhile the woman bent down, fingers brushing Orimo's head, whispering into his ear — words too quiet to catch.
Dravon's heartbeat spiked.
Who is she? What is she saying to him?
And just like that—
she vanished.
No fade-out. No movement.
Like her existence had been erased.
Dravon froze.
"…Was that an illusion?" he whispered.
Swish!
Sora Nithel's blade was already descending.
"Lost in thought," he said coldly.
Dravon stepped back, his sword rising instinctively.
A roar of crimson aura burst from Dravon — answered by Sora's cold, heavy dark-blue energy, swirling like a storm about to break.
When their auras collided:
BOOOOOOM!
The shockwave tore cracks through the courtyard floor, blowing soldiers off their feet.
"I didn't think he'd interfere…" Dravon growled.
Sora replied, "I'm the Navy's second-in-command, idiot."
He exhaled — a slow, controlled breath.
"Mountain's Breath."
In a blink, he moved. Light, silent, deadly.
"Fast!" Dravon hissed as the tip of Sora's blade shot for his heart.
Dravon deflected, sparks erupting.
Crimson energy clashed with dark-blue, flaring so high it lit the sky like two suns at war.
High above, Seraphel Dawn hovered with burning wings of holy light.
"He's doing it…" he whispered, watching Sora's overwhelming precision.
But down on the ground, beneath the shadow of the tower—
Ashveil Kenny glared upward, blood dripping from his shoulder.
"Come down here, coward," he growled.