Chapter 59- The Warlord's Duel (Floor 46 Entrance)

The battlefield was eerily silent for a moment.

The clashing of swords, the cries of warriors, even the storm of divine energy in the sky-it all seemed to pause as Lord Varian took his place before the fortress gates.

His massive greatsword rested against the ground, divine energy crackling along its blade. His black and crimson armor gleamed under the blood-red sky of the Warfields of Eternity, the golden inscriptions along his chestplate pulsing like a heartbeat.

Elias tightened his grip on his sword, taking a slow breath. His body was exhausted from the countless battles before this, but he forced himself to push forward. There was no turning back now.

[SYSTEM ALERT: FLOOR 46 CHALLENGE -FINAL GATE SIEGE INITIATED.] [OBJECTIVE: DEFEAT LORD VARIAN AND BREAK THE DIVINE SEAL ON THE GATES.]

The system's message vanished, and Varian's golden eyes locked onto Elias.

"You have done well to make it this far," the warlord rumbled, his deep voice filled with authority, "But war is not won by mere survival. It is won by dominance."

Varian lifted his greatsword, pointing it toward Elias.

"Come, challenger. Let us see if you are worthy to step beyond this gate."

A gust of divine pressure surged across the battlefield, kicking up dust and debris. Althea staggered slightly, her wounds from the previous battles slowing her down. Lyra held onto her staff, her brows furrowing in concentration as she gathered mana for a counterattack.

Elias, however, took a single step forward.

His silver eyes gleamed with determination as he lowered his stance. He could feel his heartbeat hammering in his ears, his instincts sharpening as he analyzed his opponent.

Varian was no ordinary warlord.

His movements were precise, his presence overwhelming. The energy radiating from his sword felt like the culmination of centuries of war, an embodiment of every battle ever fought.

Elias exhaled, steadying himself.

"Althea. Lyra." He spoke without looking back. "Stay out of this."

Althea tensed. "Elias, you can't-"

"I can." His voice was firm. "I need to do this alone."

Silence.

Then, Althea hesitated before stepping back.

Lyra sighed, flicking her wrist as she finished an incantation, sending a protective barrier around them.

"If you get yourself killed, I'll kill you again," Lyra muttered.

Elias smirked. "Noted."

Then he launched himself forward.

Varian reacted instantly, swinging his massive greatsword in a devastating arc. The sheer force of the swing split the earth where Elias had been standing a moment ago.

Elias twisted midair, his sword humming with power as he brought it down toward Varian's shoulder.

CLANG!

Their blades clashed, a shockwave erupting across the battlefield. The impact sent Elias skidding backward, his arms numb from the

force.

Varian didn't move an inch.

He grinned. "Good. But not good enough."

Before Elias could react, Varian surged forward with inhuman speed, his greatsword crashing down like a falling meteor.

Elias barely managed to dodge, rolling to the

side as the blade shattered the ground beside him. He retaliated immediately, swinging his weapon at Varian's exposed side-

But Varian caught the blade with his bare hand.

Elias' eyes widened as the warlord's grip tightened, golden energy crackling around his fingers. Then, with a sudden burst of strength, Varian flung Elias across the battlefield.

Elias hit the ground hard, rolling several times before coming to a stop.

Pain exploded through his body, but he gritted his teeth, forcing himself back onto his feet.

Varian strode toward him, unbothered.

"Do you understand now?" Varian's voice was calm, almost patient. "Strength is not about power alone. It is about control."

Elias wiped the blood from his lip, breathing heavily. His mind raced.

Varian was stronger. Much stronger.

But that didn't mean he was unbeatable.

Elias narrowed his eyes. He just had to find an opening.

The warlord raised his sword again.

"Again," he ordered.

Elias smiled grimly.

Fine. Let's try again.