Ragnar and Bryson were shocked when they saw Lucius vanish. "What the hell just happened?!"
Ragnar imdiately glared at Astorius in rage. "Astorius! What the hell have you done?!"
Ragnar launched himself toward the arena. He had already fused with his beast, the Lava Drake.
Without hesitation, he grabbed Astorius by the collar with his burning right claw and lifted him into the air like a ragdoll.
His eyes burned with fury as he roared into Astorius' face. "What the hell did you do to Lucius, bastard?!"
Astorius, barely conscious, let out a weak chuckle. Then, slowly, he raised his right hand. He uncurled His fingers, revealing a small, broken orb in his palm.
Astorius also suddenly threw his head back and laughed wildly, "HAHAHAHA! I DID IT!"
He clenched the broken orb tightly as he was really satisfied with what he had done. "I HAVE BANISHED LUCIUS FROM THIS WORLD!"
Bryson was so shocked when he heard that. "What...? Banished from this world?"
Ragnar tightened his grip as his claws dug into Astorius' armor. "You… WHAT?!"
Astorius grinned despite his battered state and laughed out loud. He then lifted the orb. "This orb… is the national treasure of the Astranean Empire. There is only one in existence."
He let out another ragged chuckle, staring at the broken remnants in his hand. "It's called the Dinsional Orb."
He then dropped it to the ground. "And it has only one purpose and it was to banish a person from this world… into another dinsion."
Ragnar and Bryson were shocked to hear that. They never knew that it was possible.
Byrson stepped forward and glared at Astorius from above. "You… You sent him to another dinsion?!"
Ragnar tightened his grip on Astorius, his claws burning against his armor and roared. "WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU DO THAT?!"
Astorius grinned weakly, a mix of triumph and exhaustion on his face. "Because I'm not an idiot."
He coughed violently, but his smirk never faded. "Lucius… that bastard… He admitted it himself."
Astorius locked his eyes onto Ragnar's. He was really twistedly satisfied. "He was the mastermind behind everything."
"He was the one who orchestrated Volcaria's betrayal against the Empire."
"He was the one who made the Red Dragon Order ally with you."
"He was the one who helped Volcaria grow into the massive powerhouse it is now."
"He was the one who threw the Empire into complete chaos."
Ragnar's body trembled a bit as he heard that. He couldn't deny all of that, as it was really what Lucius had really done.
Bryson was also gasped as he realized the sa thing. Lucius was way more amazing than he thought.
Astorius grinned weakly and leaned forward. "And worst of all? He was the one who made you into an Emperor-Talent, Ragnar."
Ragnar's pupils shrank as his secret had been exposed by Astorius.
anwhile, Astorius only laughed, seeing Ragnar's expression. "That's right! That 'Emperor-Level Talent' that you have? You didn't earn it!"
"LUCIUS MADE YOU!"
Astorius laughed even harder, his voice hoarse. "I KNEW IT! Lucius was too dangerous to be left alive!"
He took a shaky breath, his face twisted into a manic grin. "But I couldn't kill him. So I BANISHED HIM!"
He threw his arms out dramatically, his laughter echoing across the silent battlefield. "AND I SUCCEEDED!"
Astorius, still grinning, glanced up at him one last ti and whispered. "I may have lost today… but the mont you lost Lucius—"
His smirk widened. "You lost the most."
Ragnar's face darkened. Without hesitation, he swung his right fist. His knuckles collided directly with Astorius' face.
BOOM!
Astorius' head snapped back violently, his body sent flying, crashing onto the broken ground several ters away.
Ragnar didn't even spare him a second glance. He turned away, but he was still in rage.
Ragnar then growled. "The Empire has lost and just like the bet, Volcaria will take all of the volcanic territories around here."
None of the remaining empire forces dared to challenge him. The winner had already been decided.
Without another word, Ragnar turned and left, marching toward Volcaria's estate.
His warriors followed behind him, their victory secured—but their leader's mind was sowhere else.
Despite the victory, Ragnar was not himself. His mind was in turmoil, his thoughts spiraling uncontrollably. Lucius was gone. No, banished.
And now, everything that had happened—the war, the betrayals, the alliances, the rise of Volcaria itself—all traced back to Lucius.
Ragnar's hands clenched into fists as he walked in silence, unable to process it all. Bryson, noticing his state, stepped forward. "Ragnar, let's head back to my main base."
Ragnar barely reacted, only offering a silent nod.
Bryson continued, "Fortunately enough, after we take full control of the volcanic region, my main base will be at its very center."
He gestured toward the distant volcanic peaks, where his fortress stood proudly in the heart of the territory. "Let's make it the capital city of the new Volcanic Dragon Empire."
Ragnar remained silent, but he thought that the idea made sense.
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Volcaria's power had skyrocketed, and with Lucius gone, they needed a stronghold to cent their rule. And yet—it felt empty.
Lucius was supposed to be here. He was the mastermind behind all of this. And now—he was gone.
Ragnar finally muttered, "Fine. Let's go to our new capital."
Bryson nodded, and with that, the entire army began their march toward the new capital.
As they traveled, Ragnar was not alone. Walking beside him, silent and observing, was Savra—his wife.
Unlike Bryson, who focused on the political aftermath, Savra's eyes never left Ragnar's face.
She could see it. Ragnar was not processing this as just another victory. She knew him too well.
Sothing was broken inside him. And she needed to fix it—before it was too late.
Finally, they arrived at the Red Dragon Order's main base.
What stood before them was not just a fortress—it was a massive city, built within the heart of the volcanic region.
Even though it was originally built for the Red Dragon Order, it was clear—with a little work, this could beco the true capital of the Volcanic Dragon Empire.
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