2026-02-10 18:07:02
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253.
Arrows whistled through the air, slicing toward Ardhana’s shoulder at high speed. He ducked swiftly, spun midair, and landed on the rooftop of a partially collapsed stone house. Flames raged beneath him, spreading across every corner of Kardaya.“Don’t let him escape!” an officer shouted from below. “Archers! Fire arrows!”A barrage of flaming arrows shot into the night sky. Ardhana ran across the rooftops, leaping from one building to another. Each time his feet landed, shattered roof tiles scattered in all directions.CTIIING!He slashed two arrows out of the air, then spun quickly. The aura of his blade glowed with a faint blue light amidst the raging red flames.From a distance, Kardaya’s troops in red-silver armor began surrounding him from four directions. They formed an arched formation, using the narrow streets as a trap.“Member of the Sacred Lotus Pavilion!” one soldier shouted. “You’ve brought hell to this city! Surrender yourself!”Ardhana stopped at the edge of the roofto
252.
Explosions after explosions shook the city of Kardaya. Flames licked the night sky, while thick black smoke swallowed the moon. Screams, the clash of swords, and the sound of collapsing buildings echoed throughout every corner of the city.Ardhana stood in the middle of the ruined marketplace, his hair whipped by the scorching wind, his eyes scanning the surroundings with an expression that was a mixture of anger, confusion, and disappointment.“Shinra!” he shouted, his voice overpowering the roar of explosions. “What are you doing?!”Shinra emerged from behind the blazing flames, his battle attire covered in dust and ash. In his right hand, a long sword dripped with fresh blood, and behind him, dozens of members of the Sacred Lotus Pavilion continued attacking civilians and the city guards.“Nimira’s orders are clear,” he said coldly. “Destroy Kardaya until nothing remains. They are all traitors who hide the truth!”Ardhana clenched the hilt of his sword tightly. “This isn’t the way!
251.
Nimira turned without saying another word. Her silver-white gown swayed gently with each step, leaving behind traces of dew that slowly faded on the stone floor. Ardhana followed, his steps steady, though his face was filled with questions.They walked through a long corridor behind the altar, where stone walls were adorned with lotus and dragon reliefs covered in damp moss. The deeper they went, the heavier the air felt, as if it held great secrets about the organization hidden beneath the Seven Ghost Cities.Eventually, they arrived in a circular chamber. At its center stood a stone table engraved with the Sacred Lotus emblem, and upon it lay a map of seven hidden territories. Bluish-green lanterns hung low, illuminating several red points that glowed like blood.Nimira stopped before the table and looked at Ardhana.“Dragon’s son… your grandfather, the Great King, indeed died at the hands of the death warriors of the Sacred Lotus Nation.”Ardhana frowned. “I know that. But I don’t
250.
From behind the faintly shimmering lotus pond, the silhouette of a woman slowly stepped forward. Her footsteps were calm, yet each step seemed to ripple the water around her.Her gown was silver-white, long enough to brush the floor, and a silver mask covered half of her face. Her hair was tied high with a pale pink ribbon—the only soft color in that shadow-filled place.Ardhana slowly raised his head, his eyes meeting the sharp gaze of the woman. Calm eyes, yet undeniably dangerous.The woman spoke, her voice cool but carrying an undeniable authority.“My name is Nimira, the successor to the head of the Sacred Lotus Pavilion. And you…” she paused, her gaze sharpening at the golden plaque in Ardhana’s hand. “You carry a symbol of honor without my direct permission. That means someone outside has placed great trust in you. But here, trust is measured by one’s ability…”Nimira raised her hand, and the water in the pond began to swirl as if pulled by an unseen force. From its depths, a s
249.
The Seven Ghost Cities.The city appeared silent. From where Ardhana stood, he could see a few guards patrolling back and forth in the distance.Their formation was tight, disciplined—reminding him of the forces that once invaded the nation of Amerta.“Blades… They are members of the Blades…”Sharp swords sheathed neatly, black veils covering their faces. The Blades had once been defeated by his father. But years had passed, and after witnessing that defeat—after capturing his father—their strength had likely grown.“They say this force has been hunting the Rebel faction continuously… so why haven’t they found the Sacred Lotus Pavilion?” Questions filled his mind, yet Ardhana stepped forward without fear.He moved stealthily, slipping from one tree to another.In the midst of his silent advance—Ardhana crouched behind the ruins of a broken wall, his eyes carefully observing the movements of the patrol.Their movements were precise, disciplined. Every step calculated, as if they allow
248.
Ardhana lifted his chin, a faint smile still lingering on his face. The sound of branches snapping underfoot signaled that they were no longer hiding. The cold night wind swept through, deepening the silence before the storm.“So you’ve chosen to wage war in the forest,” he said calmly. “Very well. Show me why you brought your swords out at this hour.”One of the ten men stepped forward, his voice hoarse—the kind often used by executioners. “You humiliated Commander Lio, brat! The order is clear—kill you or bring your body back. Alive or dead, the payment is the same!”Ardhana looked at them. In a glance, he read the fear hidden in their eyes, overshadowed by greed fueled by promised rewards—enough to give them the courage to take on Lio’s command.Wuuuuuush! Wuuuuuush!Without hesitation, the attackers charged at once. They wanted to finish off a lone young man quickly—making one fatal mistake.Ardhana stepped back, then moved like a shadow. No mystical techniques—just agility honed
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