Don't confiscate my identity as a human race

"The peak gives rise to false support, the dusk witnesses true believers. Asksan's shadow has long blended into my life; I have no reason to abandon him. Besides, he truly shines like a ray of light, illuminating my dull existence."

Lanci reminisced with heartfelt sincerity.

"I'm absolutely fed up! Since I began hearing your inner thoughts, I realized you've already blurred into complete integration."

Talia had no desire to respond further.

Lanci hadn't consistently maintained the Black Sun Tyrant's Eternal Decree; he only activated it when Rashal attacked him, and even if he failed, it wasn't much of an issue. With his resistance, Rashal's Spiritual Magic hardly posed a threat to him.

Talia suspected that sometimes, Lanci's "failures" weren't accidental, but deliberate, as if he wanted to take Rashal's Spiritual Magic head-on to flaunt his margin for error.

This obvious strategy of treating his opponent disdainfully had long been discerned by Rashal.

"Lankros... No, imposter. You don't actually think you can win this time, do you?"

Rashal struck out with resolute fierceness, then turned his gaze upon the White-Robed Pope opposite him, ready to deliver his burial sermon for the Pope.

Things were no longer the same as with the Honing Empire.

This time, the Blood Clan would not falter again.

As long as— as long as they could delay until the War God's blessing ritual concluded, complete victory would be theirs.

These damned fools had poured all their power into Blood Moon City. Yet the intruders had no idea how many War Gods remained under his control below ground!

The opposition was already fighting so miserably, nearing a total collapse. He did not believe they had any contingency left underground!

"Rashal, you can run, but you'll only escape for a moment, not a lifetime. And I will watch you forever."

Lanci adjusted his mask, allowing the hollow depths of his eyes to observe Rashal more clearly.

"Lanci, your statements are bizarre."

Talia had shown up anyway, idling as a spectator. Since Lanci had assured her she wouldn't disrupt the battle, she decided to chat with him. Whether he ignored her or not was Lanci's choice.

"How is it bizarre? Do you think it's strange?"

Lanci asked Talia inwardly in confusion.

"Uh."

Talia imagined for a moment.

If Lanci told her, "You can run, but you'll only escape for a moment, not a lifetime. And I will watch you forever..."

That domineering governor vibe surged back unexpectedly, making her heart skip a beat.

"No— are you trying to act out a second season with me or something?"

Lanci heard Talia's animated thoughts, as if she were rehearsing a drama.

"If today ends in total victory, once we return, I might consider rewarding you as your master."

Talia paused for a moment, responding nonchalantly.

Abigail had been searching for actors for the Half-Witch arc for a long time. Talia simply hadn't decided whether or not to accept Abigail's offer, but if Lanci still wanted to play along with her, she might consider meeting Lanci's wishes.

"I can't say for sure who's keener."

Just thinking about the Grey Princess arc of Holy War Romance made the top of Lanci's skull ache faintly.

If the Half-Witch arc were to follow, he wouldn't be able to handle it— undoubtedly, he'd bear the brunt.

"Today, I will destroy the entire Blood Moon City. Without the shelter of Blood Moon City, how can you Ancestors of the Blood Clan possibly keep hiding on the surface? Where else could you flee to?"

Returning to the main topic, he gazed across the square toward Rashal and declared.

"You're the one who should run!"

Rashal clenched his fist in uncontrollable fury, blood mist coiling around him as countless crimson tendrils erupted from the haze, sweeping toward Lanci like venomous serpents once more.

...

At the northernmost void, within the Fading Hall.

As the Bingxue Witch Artemis clashed with the Withered Bishop Nedodichka, the air within several miles underwent a cataclysmic transformation.

The previously desolate courtyard now resembled an entirely different realm.

Vines and brambles grew wildly, intertwining and sprawling, enveloping the crumbling walls layer upon layer, forming a boundless maze of vegetation.

Meanwhile, the Bingxue Witch's frigid power rampaged, freezing all traces of green, tree branches and ice pillars intersecting and reflecting an eerie blue glow.

The ground ruptured, with bottomless chasms splitting the courtyard, transforming into gaping maws like monstrous beasts. Even the moisture in the air froze instantaneously, only to be shattered by lashing vines the next moment.

"You can't cause me any real harm, so just stop hitting me already."

Under the Bingxue Witch's relentless assault, Nedodichka emerged from behind the defensive giant tree, casually stretching her arms and yawning as she spoke.

Barely had the words left her mouth when a slender rod materialized in her grasp.

The top of the rod was entwined with vines, its center embedded with a lustrous emerald gemstone. With a light wave of her hand, the vines shot upward from the ground like arrows, aiming for the Bingxue Witch.

The Bingxue Witch reacted swiftly, conjuring an ice spike from her surroundings to sever the approaching vines.

Yet more vines surged like an unstoppable tide, overwhelming her.

Forced to continually dance back and retreat, the Bingxue Witch condensed frigid air to erect ice walls in defense.

Vines snared the ice walls, grinding them to shards in an instant.

Nedodichka smiled, gesturing casually as vibrant brambles shot up from the ground, encircling the Bingxue Witch entirely, trapping her firmly.

The Bingxue Witch struggled, releasing bursts of icy energy to freeze and shatter the brambles grasping her.

But Nedodichka merely chuckled lightly, as the withered brambles revived once more, growing even lusher and stronger.

These brambles not only drained the Bingxue Witch's life force but also transferred it back to Nedodichka.

The night sky above the Fading Hall was as dark as ink, clouds heavy and oppressive, the once-cold blood moon obscured entirely.

Thunder cracked and lightning flared, flashing blinding white as it lit up the devastated courtyard.