In the western continent, what was once a bustling civilization had transformed into a land overrun by demonic creatures. Everywhere one looked, chaos reigned. However, deep inside the forest of the Duchy of Myrith, or at least what was once the Duchy of Myrith, lay a secret city bustling with activity despite the apocalyptic situation.

This city, known as the Final Frontier, was the last bastion of surviving humanity against the demons from the underworld that had emerged without warning two years ago to annihilate mankind. The city, one of the oldest in the western continent, held the remnants of a rich history. If historians from both continents ever had the chance to research it, many debates would arise about whether this was indeed the cradle of the oldest civilization on the planet. However, such scholarly pursuits were secondary to the immediate priority: survival against the demonic onslaught.

As the sun rose into the sky, a closer look at the city walls revealed hundreds of mages charging conduits made of Red Black Steel with stealth spells, infusing them with as much mana as possible. This desperate measure was essential to keep the city hidden from the demons and their terrifyingly potent alchemy.

The city was a melting pot of refugees from the eastern continent and numerous small island nations, all seeking refuge and a chance to survive. Martial artists from the eastern continent trained rigorously or joined the ranks of fighters to protect the city, while mages studied ancient texts and crafted magic runes, preparing to defend against the relentless demonic threat.

At the heart of the city stood Myrithia Castle, a fortress that served as the command center for the leaders of the Final Frontier. These leaders had protected and safeguarded the city thus far, and within its ancient walls, strategies were devised, hope was kindled, and the spirit of resistance burned bright.

The scene inside Myrithia Castle was grim but one of determined activity. Leaders and commanders huddled over maps and documents, mages hurriedly scribbled runes and spells, and messengers darted in and out, delivering urgent updates. The air was thick with a sense of purpose, a collective resolve to stand firm against the encroaching darkness.

In one of the rooms of Myrithia Castle, a particular woman with a rare mix of red hair, a hallmark of her western heritage, and eastern features, woke up in bed. Naked, she looked around for her cane, which lay on the nearby table. Her blue eyes scanned the room until she found it. With the cane in hand, she supported herself as she stood up. She appeared to be in her early or mid-thirties. As she rose, a man lying beside her in the same bed stirred awake. His hair was dark black, so black that it seemed to have a blue sheen in the sunlight streaming through the window. His dark eyes and eastern features gave him a striking appearance.

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“Edina, you don’t have to do this alone. I can help you get dressed,” he said in the plain Han language of the eastern continent.

The woman with the red hair, Edina, replied in a cold tone, “I can do it myself. I’ve done it myself ever since I was little.” As she walked away from the bed, she continued, “Just because I slept with you today, Chaoxiang, doesn’t mean anything. We don’t have the luxury for these things.” Using her cane, she made her way to the bathroom.

Chaoxiang watched her go with a defeated smile. He got out of bed too, knowing better than to try to coax a smile from the closed-hearted woman anytime soon. Moreover, he had more pressing matters to worry about. This was the first time he had a five-hour break in months, and he couldn’t waste any more time. He needed to get back to work and plan for the survival of the city as one of its leaders.

The room was a blend of utilitarian design and remnants of past grandeur. Heavy wooden beams supported the ceiling, and tapestries depicting ancient battles hung on the stone walls. A small window let in the pale morning light, illuminating the worn but sturdy furniture scattered around the room. The air was cool, with a slight draft that hinted at the castle's age and the harsh climate outside.

Chaoxiang dressed quickly, donning the robes that marked him as a leader within the Final Frontier. His mind raced with plans and strategies. The city's survival depended on the coordination of their defenses and the constant vigilance against the demonic forces that lurked beyond their walls. The weight of responsibility pressed down on him, but he bore it with determination.

As he left the room, he glanced back at the closed bathroom door, a mixture of concern and admiration in his eyes. Edina was a formidable ally, even if her heart seemed locked away. Their shared goal of protecting the last bastion of humanity was what bound them together, more than any fleeting moment of intimacy.

Chaoxiang moved through the castle's corridors with purpose, his footsteps echoing off the stone floors. He passed by rooms filled with mages deep in study, crafting runes and spells, and martial artists honing their skills. Every person in the castle had a role to play, and Chaoxiang was determined to lead them all to victory against the demonic threat.

Back in the room, Edina emerged from the bath and began to dress. She chose a Princess line gown in vibrant yellow and orange hues, using the bed for support as she slipped into it. Her eyes caught her reflection in the mirror, and she paused to examine her back, where the marks of whips were still visible. These scars were a testament to the brutal past she had endured. As she adjusted the dress, her blue eyes met her gaze in the mirror, a haunting reminder of her grandparents.

Her mind drifted back to that fateful day when the Celestial Palace, the imperial palace of the Leon Empire, fell to the demons' alchemy. The images of bodies strewn across the palace grounds flashed before her eyes. She remembered her parents in the Blazing Dawn Sect on the eastern continent, their faces full of love and warmth. Their untimely deaths had left a void in her heart, a wound that never fully healed.

Edina's life played out in her mind like a tragic opera, each scene more painful than the last. She saw herself as a young girl, full of dreams and aspirations, only to be thrust into a world of chaos and destruction. But she couldn't afford to dwell on these memories for long. She shut them down with a determined will, focusing instead on the present.