Jared looked down at the trembling Kael. Not a flicker of pity touched his eyes. When Kael drugged Lyra, did weigh the notion of mercy? “You have committed too many sins. You cannot live…”

Dragonslayer Sword fell once more, ending Kael in a single, final stroke. With the execution of Lester and his son, the once-glorious Sacred Sword Manor collapsed overnight.

Smoke still curled over the ruined compound of Sword Sect. Shattered pillars and scorched banners lay everywhere, yet through the wreckage surged the fragile exhilaration of people who knew they had survived.

Infinides stepped forward, giving Jared a bottle. “This is the Soul Resurrection Pill from Roaring Storm Church. It will knit the broken meridians inside you.”

Jared accepted the bottle with both hands. He bowed deeply. “Thank you, Mr. Infinides…”

Had Leonidas and Infinides not arrived in time, the consequences would have been unthinkable. Leonidas laughed softly. “Between us, thanks are unnecessary. Yet you have revealed both your Draconian blood and the fire unicorn within you. Peace will not come easily now.”

“I understand…” Jared nodded. He had prepared himself for this long ago.