Chapter 35 – Ashes of the Homeland
The kingdom war was escalating.
Political alliances shifted.
Betrayals unfolded.
Power structures cracked.
But while Audrey fought battles of legitimacy and rebellion…
An older enemy awakened.
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The Catastrophe
One night —
A massive dark surge erupted from the northern region.
Not from the capital.
Not from the throne.
But from Audrey's homeland.
The village where he was raised.
The land that shaped his early memories.
System alarms triggered violently.
Global Threat Detection Activated
Massive Demonic Energy Spike — Origin: Home Region
Audrey froze.
His chest tightened.
"…No."
He activated long-distance spatial projection through the system.
Golden light formed an image of the village.
What he saw shattered his control.
---
The Slaughter
The village was burning.
Buildings collapsed.
Fields turned to ash.
A massive dark figure hovered above the destruction.
A being radiating overwhelming demonic pressure.
The Demon King.
His presence alone crushed the land.
Villagers attempted to flee —
But shadow flames consumed them instantly.
Audrey's parents stood protecting others.
His father raised a broken weapon.
His mother tried shielding children behind a barrier.
The Demon King descended slowly.
"Weak resistance."
He lifted his hand.
Dark energy compressed.
Then —
A devastating blast erased the protective barrier.
Audrey watched helplessly as the explosion engulfed his parents.
Silence.
Smoke.
Nothing remained.
---
Breakdown
Audrey's system projection cracked from emotional overload.
His breathing became unstable.
His hands trembled.
"…Parents…"
"…Village…"
Golden energy spiraled violently around him.
Selene rushed toward him.
"Talk to me!"
He stared at the fading projection.
"They killed everyone."
Aria saw the destruction too.
Her expression hardened.
"Was this random?"
Audrey's eyes turned cold.
"No."
"The demon energy was directed."
"This wasn't an accident."
"It was a message."
---
The Message From the Demon King
A dark projection suddenly formed inside the destroyed village ruins.
The Demon King appeared again.
His eyes locked onto the system surveillance connection.
"So…"
"You are the one carrying that strange golden power."
He smirked.
"I sensed your potential."
"Your bloodline survived."
He leaned closer to the projection.
"I eliminated your foundation."
"To force evolution."
His voice echoed through the system interface.
"Come find me."
"If you want revenge…"
"Challenge me."
The projection shattered.
---
Revenge Awakens
Audrey stood silently for several seconds.
Then —
His aura exploded outward uncontrollably.
Golden energy fused with rage.
The ground cracked beneath him.
Lyria stepped back — stunned.
She whispered:
"This level of emotional trigger…"
"He is not angry."
"He is evolving."
Audrey spoke quietly.
"No more politics."
"No more slow strategy."
"From this moment…"
"My objective is clear."
He looked at Aria, Selene, and Lyria.
"Prepare forces."
"We are hunting the Demon King."
---
Global Impact
News of the village annihilation spread.
Some called it:
"A demon invasion."
Others whispered:
"The awakening of an ancient war."
The king observed the destruction reports carefully.
He understood something critical:
If the Demon King grows unchecked —
The throne war becomes meaningless.
Because survival itself is threatened.
Even Leon — now bound to royal authority — sensed the danger.
He muttered:
"This power exceeds political conflict."
"And if Audrey kills that monster…"
"His influence will surpass everyone."
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🔥 End of Chapter 35