In the Heroes' Bath at Okhema, Tribbie watched Derick and Castorice with a worried expression. Aglaea had surely overheard Derick's earlier conversation with Mydei and the others. So, after leaving Mydei, Derick had gone to find Aglaea first.
Aglaea approached, her usually vacant eyes now carrying an intense pressure. Her aura was incredibly strong, and both Derick and Castorice felt a sense of oppression.
"Are you planning to retake Suspended Sword City?" she asked Derick.
"Yes, Lady Aglaea. To gather the Core Flame of the Titan of Discord, I intend to stir up another war." Derick nodded seriously. He planned to experience the feeling of Discord once more through battle.
Aglaea continued, "If you wish to recreate war, we can simulate a fierce battle within Okhema."
"This cannot be achieved through just any war." Derick shook his head. "To fight for protection, for continuation. If it's merely killing for the sake of destruction, wouldn't that just make one… a madman who only knows slaughter?"
The essence of Discord wasn't war itself, nor was it slaughter, but rather to advance through war. Nikador, before he lost his sanity, wouldn't have… Derick almost mentioned the Anti-Matter Legion but managed to stop himself in time, avoiding saying anything beyond Okhema's common knowledge.
Aglaea's face showed a thoughtful expression. Tribbie looked at Derick, then at Aglaea.
"Alright." Aglaea slowly nodded. Hearing Derick's judgment on Discord, Aglaea knew in her heart that he was still fundamentally good. "Those people from Suspended Sword City, if they choose to fight alongside you, I will not stand in their way."
"Thank you, Lady Aglaea."
"Don't call me 'Lady' anymore. If you can successfully claim the Core Flame of the Titan of Discord and become a demigod of Discord, then calling me 'Lady' would no longer be appropriate."
"Understood. I know, Ms. Aglaea," Derick nodded.
Tribbie then walked over to Derick and said, "Little Derick, let's go. This time, I'll follow behind you. If anything unexpected happens, I can also help you all withdraw."
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Sister Tribbie."
"You're welcome, you're welcome." Tribbie waved her hands repeatedly. "Little Derick, let's go. I'll be with you this time."
Subsequently, Tribbie, Castorice, and Derick left the Heroes' Bath.
Walking through the Marmoreal Palace below, as they passed the high-temperature baths, several children came running over, stumbling. Seeing this, Castorice quickly dodged backward, not wanting them to touch her. Derick hurriedly stopped them.
"Don't run around recklessly in the bath area. It's dangerous for yourselves and for others."
The child in the lead scratched his head and apologized repeatedly, "Big brother, I'm sorry. We were just so excited when we heard Grandpa Krateros say we'd be going back to our hometown soon."
Hearing the address 'big brother,' Derick felt genuinely happy. Then, hearing Krateros mentioned, Derick also reacted. "Are you all from Suspended Sword City?"
"Yes." Hearing Derick say this, the expressions on the children's faces became slightly wary, and they took half a step back.
Castorice watched them, her own expression dimming. Clearly, this wariness, born from facing much discrimination, was something she was once very familiar with.
Krateros walked over at that moment. He reached out to pat the children's heads and said with a smile, "Don't think he's like the other people of Okhema. He carries the power of Nikador. This time, he will be the one to lead us back to our homeland."
"Huh? But Grandpa Krateros, didn't you say that our prince would be the one to take us back to Suspended Sword City?" a child asked, puzzled.
Krateros's expression froze.
Derick reached out and patted the children's heads, saying to them, "I will pave the way for you and ignite the Core Flame of Discord. But the one who will lead you in life in Suspended Sword City will still be your prince. The road home cannot be walked by one person alone; it requires everyone's effort." Derick didn't want to shatter the children's beautiful ideals.
"Oh, I understand." The children nodded, half-understanding. "So, do we also need to pick up swords and fight alongside you, big brother?"
"That won't be necessary." Mydei appeared behind the children. "What you need to do now is eat well, train diligently, and become true warriors. Only then can you be considered to have contributed to our return."
"Understood, Prince!" the children of Suspended Sword City nodded earnestly.
After the children left, Mydei looked down at Derick. "I will not help you in this battle."
Hearing this, Krateros's expression changed slightly.
Mydei continued, "I will inform all the people of Suspended Sword City, and then I will protect them on the battlefield. If they do not wish to enter the battlefield, I will ensure they suffer no harm. If they are willing to step onto that bloody field themselves, I will see them off to your side."
"That's perfect. If those children were to be harmed, it would truly be my fault." Derick nodded repeatedly.
At that moment, he felt Mydei heavily pat his shoulder. "You're not that old yourself. Don't think you can bear everything alone." Mydei patted Derick's shoulder again and then walked away.
Krateros also nodded repeatedly. "Yes, Lord Derick, although you possess Nikador's Core Flame, do not underestimate our strength."
"Wait, there actually is something I need your help with. Although I've obtained Nikador's combat skills, I'm not yet proficient in using them. Could you help me familiarize myself with them?" Krateros was a Royal Wing Champion; while he might not be Derick's match in a direct fight, Derick needed to learn his combat techniques.
"Alright." Krateros was taken aback for a moment, then nodded seriously. "There's a training ground over there. I will impart all my sword skills to you."
Several days later, at the gates of Okhema. The atmosphere was more bustling than any day before. Not only people from Suspended Sword City but also many Okhema residents had appeared. A crowd was watching Derick, who stood at the gate.
The Okhema people who came were roughly divided into two groups: one group had no particular connection to Derick and was purely there to watch the spectacle; the other group consisted of the merchants from the Marmoreal Market with whom Derick had interacted for several months, as well as the Salsotto people he had rescued. They looked at Derick with heartache and worry. They wanted to persuade Derick not to go, but Aglaea had previously sent someone to inform them of the importance of Derick's mission. For the future, and for the present, Derick had to do this.
Derick held the Blade of Scourge, adjusting his condition. Castorice, Tribbie, and Cipher stood beside him, also silently preparing. They too wanted to fight alongside Derick, but their auras might affect the atmosphere of this war. At the same time, their power was too high; their participation would diminish the intensity of the war.
Many from Suspended Sword City wanted to follow Derick directly but were stopped by Krateros. "You have not experienced war for a long time. You have lived in the peaceful environment of Okhema for an extended period. If you rush in now based solely on reckless courage, what if you regret it later? We will follow behind. Only by truly witnessing the bloodshed of war can you understand your own hearts." This was Derick's idea, and Krateros agreed.
Mydei stood with the people of Suspended Sword City and said in a commanding tone, "All people of Suspended Sword City, look forward. Do not look left or right, and do not communicate. Whether you go to the battlefield is entirely your own decision. Remaining in Okhema does not mean you are not of Suspended Sword City. Going to Suspended Sword City means you will likely die."
Cerces had also blended into the crowd, with Anaxa standing beside her. "Son of Man, do you believe Derick will succeed this time?"
"Without real data, I cannot say for sure. However, I believe a certain woman cares more about this outcome than I do. If Derick cannot become a demigod this time, I truly wonder what will become of the Flamechase Journey." Even Anaxa couldn't predict this situation.
"Then, let us quietly watch this outcome."
Derick was also taking deep breaths, preparing for the battle. Before setting off, he had a hearty meal at Mydei's. Although he was very satisfied with Castorice's loving food, compared to Mydei's culinary skills, the difference was indeed quite large. It was truly a pity that Master Mydei was a warrior. Derick felt a bit full.
Feeling the gazes of the crowd, Derick raised the Blade of Scourge in his hand. "I am setting out!" Derick declared loudly.
Then, he strode forward. One step, two steps, three steps… Unlike his previous hasty journey to Suspended Sword City, Derick now took each step deliberately, embodying the concept of Discord.
Leaving Okhema, he felt darkness instantly envelop him. People encounter unknown fears in the darkness. And in the face of such fear, one either evades it or brandishes their weapon to fight against those unknown enemies.
To fight, to better survive. Derick thought, then swung to his right.
A clash of metal rang out in the darkness. Derick moved forward and saw a huge Sky Scourge Vanguard approaching with its weapon. A noticeable chip had just been hacked into its weapon by Derick. The strength of their weapons was not on the same level.
Derick stomped his feet hard on the ground, leaped high, and swung his greatsword down, cleaving the Sky Scourge Vanguard in two from head to toe. This was the first enemy he had slain.
Seeing the sudden appearance of the enemy, many people from Suspended Sword City were startled. When did it appear? Some of them felt a lingering fear. How many years had it been since they faced such a life? They spent their days patrolling and then being with their wives and children. Did they still possess the combat instincts to anticipate such things?
The only one among the crowd who could see everyone's expressions was Krateros. Seeing the looks on the faces of these people from Suspended Sword City, he felt a little disheartened. Have you all really lost your combat instincts? If you truly lack the desire for war, then it's best you return. Returning to pass on the history and culture of Suspended Sword City is also an option. Some people needed to inherit the spirit of Suspended Sword City; others needed to ensure its continuation.
Seeing that there were still many among the Suspended Sword City people whose eyes glinted with excitement, Krateros nodded to himself. Hmm, that's more like it.
Derick's journey continued. He walked through the darkness, attacking the kin of Nikador that appeared on his path while contemplating the meaning of Discord.
Fighting is for protection, to quell danger. Only by gripping the weapon in hand can one protect those they care about.
To be with the one you love forever, can you cut down all obstructing thorns? Of course, I can. Derick thought, swinging his greatsword forward, and the Sky Scourge Hunters pouncing over turned to ash.
To protect those beautiful things, can your hands be stained with blood? Of course, I can. Derick struck the ground, creating a huge fissure that buried the charging Sky Scourge Gladiators.
For the future of all life, are you willing to fight on forever? I can do that too. Derick charged forward, rushing into a group of Sky Scourge Vanguards and began to slash. Sword lights flashed one after another, and the Sky Scourge Vanguards were all cut in two by Derick.
Although he was only fighting Nikador's former kin, and the scene wasn't overly bloody, the intensity of the battle was etched into the hearts of the Suspended Sword City people following behind. They had unknowingly walked a long distance.
At this moment, even more Black Tide creatures appeared before Derick. Their numbers were even greater than those that had attacked the Grove of Epiphany. The dark mass of monsters truly resembled a tide.
And facing them, there was only Derick, alone.
The people of Suspended Sword City could no longer hold back.
"Prince, I'm going to fight!"
"Reclaiming Suspended Sword City cannot be done without shedding the blood of its people!"
"The word 'fear' does not exist in the dictionary of Suspended Sword City!"
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