While the Prince indulged in the opulence of the dance establishment with Rose by his side, Vespara and the Sword Emperor embarked on their journey towards the Deep Valley.
The nobles, under the orders of their respective heads, diligently fortified the perimeter surrounding the vast region, extending their watchful eyes even to the quaint villages nestled nearby, such as Mountaindale.
"How do you know he is there?" The sword emperor asked.
"I had my sources after him for many years. Finally, he made a mistake and went towards the Beast Kingdom, giving away his position," Vespara replied.
"Do you think he would have advanced to the next grade?"
"There's a chance,"
"If that's the case, then I'm afraid we both won't be enough for him."
"This isn't like you; what happened to the all-mighty sword emperor?"
"I am not a fool to believe I can handle him alone. Not only is he way stronger, but he is also more experienced than any of us.
"He fought with Cedric Felgura by his side in the old days.
"By the way, your student seems to make too much trouble. You should keep him under control,"
"At least he is better than yours," Vespara snorted.
"You won't know until he faces him. I think Edumont is stronger than him."
"We will see about that, but first we should focus here. I don't want to carry your ass through the whole fight."
"That should be my line."
Their lighthearted conversation ceased abruptly as they stood on the verge of the deep valley.
The abyss before them resembled a gateway to the underworld, its sinister aura permeating the air.
Every breath of wind that rustled through the barren landscape with menacing and pointy peaks added to the creepy feeling that the very essence of gloom lingered there.
"He knows we are here," Vespara whispered.
Knowing that this battle could be his last, the Sword Emperor's eyes sharpened with resolve as he prepared for it.
Suddenly emerging from the depths of the abyss, a figure appeared before them, defying the laws of gravity as he effortlessly floated in mid-air.
Under the twilight glow, his pitch-black hair fell around him like a cloak. A formidable black beard swayed with the wind, adding to his enigmatic presence.
But it was his piercing, crimson eyes that held their attention, gleaming with a razor-sharp intensity that seemed to penetrate their very souls.
Vespara and the Sword Emperor both felt the weight of his gaze at that same instant as if his eyes had the power to reveal their darkest secrets and expose their most vulnerable selves.
"Ohoo... look at you both. Last time I saw you, you were just kids, but now you are all grown up."
"Yes, and last time we saw, you were still the same as you are now," the sword emperor replied.
"Of course, I will be; there is a reason why ladies love me ahaha...So why are you here?"
"Don't pretend like you don't know old man," Vespara said.
"You are still the same, how will you find yourself a man if you stay like this?"
"I don't need anyone,"
"Nooooo... that is wrongggg ahahaha.... What about you, sword emperor? Do you have someone you love?"
The sword emperor said nothing in answer to the blood dragon mage. His knuckles turned white as he gripped his hands over the difficult challenge of coming up with an appropriate response.
"Ohhh... you might have a dark past or complicated status. Believe me young man, only love can make a man strong.
"He can become so strong that he can even cross the boundaries of something that is impossible to do."
"I am not here to take a lesson from you, traitor; I have come here for your head."
"Now, what's the rush? We have met after so many years; I hardly meet anyone. Last time when I met Ai... ahem… sorry where was I, of yes, so you both have come to beat me and take me back to the queen?
"How retarded you both can be—do you think you can stand against me with just the two of you? You should have brought everyone. This won't even do as a warmup for me."
"You babble a lot, old man." There was a palpable smell of death in the air as Vespara stood in the heart of the billowing black smoke.
She went from having a radiant complexion to one that was as dark as the evil atmosphere around her.
The ethereal wisps of shadow danced and twirled around her, intertwining with her flowing purple hair and billowing garments.
It was as if the very essence of darkness had found its vessel in Vespara, manifesting through the palpable aura that emanated from her being.
As the Sword Emperor called upon his sword, a celestial radiance emanated from within the depths of his ring.
The sword appeared in his hand with a rapid motion, and just by being there, the whole fabric of his surroundings bore witness to its incredible sharpness.
In the midst of the growing gloom, the ethereal blade shone with a brilliant whiteness that was like a beacon of hope.
But that wasn't the end of the Sword Emperor's influence. Bolts of silver lightning erupted from the sky above, descending onto him like tendrils of heaven, as if in response to his resolve.
The arcing energy embraced his entire form, illuminating him in a breathtaking display of power. His figure became a living conduit of lightning, crackling with otherworldly energy that pulsed through his veins.
"You both have learned quite a few tricks, I see," the Blood Dragon mage replied.
"It seems my words are just air for your ear."
Suddenly, the Sword Emperor vanished in a flash, leaving behind a trail of crackling lightning that lit up the night sky.
With astonishing speed and precision, he reappeared beside the blood dragon, and his presence multiplied into four identical manifestations.
With their combined strength pouring through the air, the Sword Emperors' combined force was as electrifying as their lightning-infused swords.
The blood dragon seemed unfazed as the four Sword Emperors launched a coordinated attack, their blades cutting through the air with unquestionable ferocity.
With a mere wave of his hand, four crimson orbs materialized, encasing the furious onslaught of the sword-wielding warriors.
The Sword Emperors temporarily lost their footing as they floated hopelessly towards the head of the blood dragon as the blood bubbles hindered the flow of the assaults.
"You shouldn't interrupt me when I am talking, young man."
