Chapter 290: The Empire That Could Only Be Called the Strongest Because of Him

Franz gripped his longsword tightly, black ink-like energy surging along the blade, as though a monster from the abyss had awakened, radiating an oppressive force that made it hard to breathe. His gaze was locked on Afreya, who floated in midair, his eyes churning with cold rage and murderous intent.

All around him, the remaining Graham soldiers were barely holding their formation. The heavy scent of blood filled the air, broken armor and shattered weapons littering the ground. The once-mighty imperial army had been pushed to the brink of annihilation—by this insane woman!

Afreya descended slowly, landing gracefully on the tower's edge. Pink light shimmered around her, framing her like a fallen angel. Her black hair danced in the wild wind, and blood from unhealed wounds trailed down her pale arms. Yet she didn't seem to care—in fact, she smiled with twisted satisfaction.

"How pitiful." She tilted her head slightly, her tone playful. "The proud prince of the Graham Empire… showing such an expression?"

Franz didn't respond. He took a deep breath, and the black ink-like energy around him exploded outward like a violent storm. His figure blurred, transforming into a streak of black light as his sword cut through the air, aiming directly for Afreya's throat!

The sword's edge sliced through the wind, straight toward Afreya's neck.

But in that split second, Afreya's legs unfolded like silk, stretching into a perfect split. Her body flowed like a falling petal, slipping beneath the blade with eerie flexibility. It wasn't an uncontrolled fall—she adjusted midair with impossible grace, twisting her body. Her feet barely touched the ground before she spun, her skirt lifting with the momentum, like the closing act of a deadly dance.

Franz gritted his teeth and swung his sword once more. The blade howled through the air, charged with violent energy—

—Missed!

The slash, carrying overwhelming force, crashed into a distant building.

"Boom—!!"

The entire district collapsed in an instant. Sword energy roared like thunder, slicing a towering clock tower clean in half. Stone bricks shattered into countless fragments, screaming through the air as dust clouds erupted outward. The deafening sound of collapsing buildings swallowed the dying screams of those caught in the destruction.

Afreya's eyes narrowed slightly as her body tilted back. She twisted her hand, and a pink glow gathered at her fingertips—a brilliant arrow of light suddenly shot toward Franz!

Franz sensed the danger the moment his strike landed. He forcibly twisted his body, and black ink-like energy surged before him, forming a thick barrier—

Boom!!

The pink arrow collided with the black barrier, triggering a massive explosion of fire and light. Pink and black energy clashed violently, tearing through the battlefield and scattering debris in all directions.

Franz steadied himself, his gaze cold and sharp as he fixed his eyes on Afreya. His expression darkened as realization sank in.

—She had avoided a decapitation strike multiple times.

He gritted his teeth. His sword's aura sharpened—Every strike from now on would aim directly at her throat!

At this moment, this so-called "most powerful offensive empire" had been reduced to just four figures standing amid the ruins—Franz, Felix, Brownie, and the Grand Marshal. The once-glorious castle was now a graveyard of rubble and shattered walls. Blood-stained stone steps were littered with corpses, whispering the tragic story of a fallen empire.

The wind swept through the broken city, carrying the metallic taste of blood and the bitter scent of smoke. Dust and ash settled on Franz's skin as a sharp pain crept through his chest. His throat felt clogged with gravel, his heart crushed beneath the weight of failure.

They had lost.

Even the word defeat seemed inadequate to describe this devastation.No hope of victory.Nothing left to protect.Even the empire itself… now seemed meaningless.

Yet Afreya stood amid the ruins, head tilted, her playful tone cutting through the silence like a dagger:"Everyone's dead, and yet… I still haven't seen that Prince Fred." Her eyes gleamed with unsettling amusement. "Where is he?"

Franz's body stiffened. His fingers whitened as he gripped his sword. He snarled, "What do you want with him?!"

Afreya pouted, shaking her head in mock disappointment. "What a shame. I came all this way just to play with Fred." She sighed and brushed the hem of her skirt, as though annoyed that the battlefield had soiled her pristine white dress. "If he's not here, then… maybe the Graham Empire is just an ordinary little kingdom after all?"

Franz's chest tightened painfully. His breath caught. Rage boiled beneath his skin.Fred.Always Fred.Why did everyone only see Fred?!Did Franz truly… mean nothing?

Felix and Brownie lowered their heads in silence.Of course… Afreya was right.

From the time they were children, no matter how turbulent things became, as long as Fred was there, everything would be fine. They had all lived comfortably behind the safety of the castle walls, attending balls, drinking tea, and laughing without a care—because Fred was there to protect them.

When Fred left, the Graham Empire ceased to be that impenetrable steel fortress. It became just a hollow shell, devoid of a soul.

They had believed Graham's strength was natural.But now they understood—Graham's strength… was Fred.

Franz clenched his jaw. Blood boiled through his veins. Even if the empire was in ruins, even if their people were gone, even if he stood alone—He would never give up!Even if he had to rebuild from nothing, he would rise again!

He lifted his head, eyes burning with defiance, and roared, "Don't underestimate me—Franz!!"

In that instant, black ink-like energy exploded from his body, surging like a monstrous dragon awakening from slumber. His figure melted into shadow, and the pressure of his murderous intent flooded the battlefield.

At the same time, Felix and Brownie released their own power.

Brownie stood silently amid the storm, his sword trembling slightly in his hand. He wasn't just thinking about Fred—He was thinking about Erukasu.That powerful yet distant figure, the one who had long since walked away from this battlefield. Perhaps Erukasu had seen through it all—that's why he left.If Brownie survived today… maybe he would leave too.To chase after that figure.

Dark flames erupted along his blade, glowing along the sword's veins like a demon's breath. He no longer hesitated. His foot struck the ground as he shot forward, transforming into a streak of black fire aimed at Afreya's heart!

At the same time, Felix's thin sword swirled with violent dark winds, transforming into a storm of blades. Her cold eyes narrowed as her sword shot toward Afreya's throat.

The Grand Marshal followed closely behind, his killing intent surging like a tidal wave.

Afreya licked her lips. A flush crept across her cheeks as excitement gleamed in her eyes.Finally—Finally, a proper fight!

This was battle.This was the purest thrill of blood and death!

Her fingers tightened around her bowstring as her body leaned forward. Pink light gathered at her fingertips as she became a blur of movement—

A stream of pink light streaked through the storm of black flames and howling blades.

In that moment, murderous intent and overwhelming power collided, creating a storm that could tear the world apart!