CLING!

Leonel slammed against a barrier.

'Dammit.' He cursed beneath his breath.

Up ahead, there was a lofty palace that floated on golden clouds. There was a single staircase from the bottom to the top, and not only could he not fly, he had been blocked from spatial transportation.

In truth, the entire Empire should have these barriers. The only reason Leonel was able to come so far was because he used the help of the World Spirit. But even the World Spirit of Earth wasn't able to completely overcome all of the protections.

Clearly, this palace had the strongest protections, blocking Leonel from the outside.

There was only one way up.

Leonel's gaze flashed, and he took a step forward. A great amount of pressure fell on him, but it was as though he didn't notice.

His speed only seemed to increase beneath it. He unleashed a roar, and his body turned into a line of Spear Force, charging up like a thrusting blade. owns all content.

He split the pressure in two, and it was at that moment that the guards seemed to react.

The members of the Slayer Legion who overlooked the palace were without a doubt the strongest there was. The instant they moved, the skies darkened.

They were shocked when they realized that it was Leonel, but by this point, their patience had already begun to wear thin. There was only so much that they could allow.

This was the most sacred ground of the Ascension Empire. The only people allowed into this region were the dead of the Fawkes, the First Imperial Prince and First Imperial Princess, and finally, the Emperor and Empress.

The only exception made to this rule was after the Empress gave birth, but when the child turned 16 years of age, they would, too, be escorted out of the Ascension Palace.

This couldn't be allowed.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

A rain of attacks fell from the skies above.

…

At that moment, Mordred and a familiar figure were entangled with one another in bed. The two women seemed to be extremely familiar with one another's bodies. They shifted positions like perfectly matched puzzle pieces and almost seemed to treat sex like it was a sparring session.

But the both of them froze at the same time.

At that moment, Mordred and a familiar figure were entangled with one another in bed. The two women seemed to be extremely familiar with one another's bodies. They shifted positions like perfectly matched puzzle pieces and almost seemed to treat sex like it was a sparring session.

But the both of them froze at the same time.

"Monet," Mordred suddenly said.

"I know. I have to go."

Monet leapt up, a wreath of flames covering her body. By the time she landed on the ground, she was already dressed in flaming red armor before she vanished in a puff of flames.

"Fuck. Fuck. FUCK!"

Mordred began to curse. That wasn't because her love session was interrupted, but because she knew that her wife and Leonel would likely have to fight now. And though Leonel was far more talented than any of them, no one knew what would happen to his talent now, and he also had far less time than any of them.

She also had no right to stop Monet… especially since she had probably been nursing this grudge of hers for a long while.

It had to be remembered that Supreme Monet had her own clashes with Leonel. A long time had passed since then, and she had already gotten over most of it. But that didn't mean she wouldn't take advantage of the rules when she got the chance.

Mordred shook her head. 'Who asked me to have such a troublemaker of a little brother. I need to go.'

Darkness surged around Mordred, and she flashed and disappeared as well.

…

Leonel ignored everyone as the pressure around him increased. He seemed to have eyes everywhere, moving with a deftness and speed that even these Ninth Dimensional existences were having trouble dealing with.

It wasn't that he was so much faster than them, but his speed was applied in far better ways.

Gritting their teeth, the Slayer Legion realized that they would have to take a far more hands-on approach.

"Blackstar," Leonel said calmly.

BANG!

A mighty Destruction Idol appeared high in the air.

The majority of the Slayer Legion was sent spiraling away, rolling through the air as though they had fallen from a plane as mere mortals.

Leonel's foot stamped down, and he suddenly accelerated again. He had to be faster, faster…

"Speed."

Leonel spoke this word, and the world was forced to obey.

He shot up, forgoing any nimbleness and agility for straight-line speed.

He reached the top of the stairs in a blink; however…

WHOOOSH!

A pillar of fire pierced through the skies.

Leonel's eyes narrowed. A real powerhouse had appeared.

How could real powerhouses be assigned the task of guarding a palace most wouldn't even dare to look at for too long?

But even Leonel couldn't help but be surprised when he saw this woman. He hadn't thought about her in so long he had completely forgotten.

But then again… she had been a Supreme of the Slayer Legion before they rejoined the Empire. It only made sense that she was here.

"Do you have any idea what you're doing right—?!"

Leonel's spear was her only answer. Monet was caught off guard, not expecting Leonel to do this. However, when she felt the support of Blackstar's Idol, her expression changed once again.

A pair of fiery wings appeared on her back, and she hurriedly retreated as a ribbon appeared in her hand.

Leonel's wrist twisted, and his blade seemed to leave a net in the skies. Monet was instantly overwhelmed by his skill. If before, Leonel could already be said to be one of the greatest spearmen in existence, right now, he was on another level in comparison to his previous self.

None of his attacks seemed to be capable of causing life-ending injury to Monet, and yet she felt like her body was instantly covered in a cold sweat. If Leonel was any more powerful, she would die in a single strike.

His spear seemed to meld into the laws of the world, shredding apart the foundation of her Idol and piercing right into her soul.

By the time her gaze cleared, Leonel actually wasn't even in front of her anymore.

CLING! CLING! CLING! CLING! CLING!

The sound of blade marks echoing across her armor sounded, and her expression became ugly.

Not a single one of those strikes could even make it through her armor, but she had actually thought she was about to die.

"LEONEL!"

She rushed after him.

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