The Emperor’s Angel of Death

"Phoenix Guard, could that ape really have awakened the power of Asuryan? How is that possible?"

Before Aniraya could overthink it, the opponent appeared before her like a shooting star, their warblade whistling down.

The Archon Succubus could only begin to sway with viper-like elegance, rotating around the edge of the platform, constantly dodging while probing the opponent's defenses, only to despairingly discover that the only method was to bet everything in one desperate gamble. But she didn't dare do that now, because the opponent possessed powerful psychic abilities, the kind that were visible to the naked eye.

The last opponent to make her feel such despair was that hateful Lileath.

"Coward! A coward who only uses witchcraft!"

Faced with such accusations, the opponent gave no response, but the blazing flames around their body did recede.

The battle between the two quickly turned into a contest of speed, strength, and endurance, the blows and counter-blows they exchanged were too fast for the eye to follow. Each strike perfectly aimed at vulnerable spots, often the wrists, head, or neck, but without a doubt, Aniraya was at an absolute disadvantage in terms of strength. Each parry required her to use enough force to deflect the opponent's warblade, but she couldn't overextend herself, lest the defender become too stretched out and lose the precious opportunity to counterattack.

Maintaining the momentum of the moving blades amidst the interwoven attacks and parries was key. Any slowing down or hesitation could very well cost her her head.

The two fought around the narrow circular path, warblade and chainblade drawing arcs of light, sweeping, colliding, and then spinning apart to attack again.

The Phoenix Guard, using their greater height, delivered attacks like thunderbolts, forcing the Archon Succubus to stagger back. She then responded by doubling her attacks, unleashing a series of rapid, eviscerating strikes from both sides.

But even their reactions were superior to hers, the warblade hilt blocking the attacks again and again.

Suddenly, Aniraya was staggered by an unexpected overhead blow. She barely managed to spin away from the strike, and her opponent quickly rushed forward, maintaining the pressure, relentlessly attacking.

Realizing that she would surely lose if she continued, Aniraya's expression hardened. The chainblade in her hand lashed out, using its hooked tip to snag the weapon of her advancing enemy, attempting to buy time to recover.

Immediately afterward, she raised her slender right leg, and a poison dart hidden in her high heel suddenly shot towards the opponent's face.

But the result shocked her. The opponent simply let out a light shout and shattered the dart.

As the opponent forcefully yanked the warblade outward, Aniraya temporarily lost control of her weapon. Realizing this was her last chance, she released the chainblade and lunged at her enemy with all her might, wielding a short blade.

But the opponent blocked the strike in time. The weapons of the two warriors briefly crossed, the blades clanging together, and then the Phoenix Guard shrugged their shoulders forcefully, using brute strength alone to push the enemy back.

Aniraya nearly fell from her arena for the first time, teetering on the edge of the abyss for a second before quickly rolling into a crouching position like a cat.

The warblade whistled as it struck like lightning. Aniraya staggered to her feet, making a desperate counterattack, but the Phoenix Guard, with a well-practiced twist, dislodged the blade from her opponent's grasp.

Having lost all her weapons, Aniraya was filled with despair, allowing the opponent's warblade to strike her, but at the last moment, the opponent twisted their wrist, using the butt of the warblade to strike her shoulder, forcing her to kneel on the ground.

"Daring to attack the Great Prince's envoy, you truly deserve to die!"

Only at this point did Kharon seem to "get angry", drawing the curved blade from his waist and rushing over to chop off Aniraya's head, only for the back of a hand to make intimate contact with his face with a resounding smack, nearly knocking him down to the Blood Gate.

"His Highness said he wanted her to see him personally, not to kill her."

This was the first time Aniraya had heard the Phoenix Guard speak, cold, hard. Kharon covered his face and nodded repeatedly.

"This subordinate knows his mistake, this subordinate knows his mistake."

"Kill me."

Aniraya said coldly, trying to stand up, but it felt like a mountain was pressing down on her shoulder.

"I will never yield. Don't lump me together with these maggots. Even the people of Commorragh have their own backbone and dignity."

The Phoenix Guard lowered its head slightly, its eyes beneath the visor carrying a scrutinizing gaze.

"These are His Highness's orders."

"I admit I am inferior in skill, but at least my life belongs only to Khaine—"

As she spoke, she suddenly drew a very delicate dagger hidden in her gauntlet and slashed it towards her neck.

With a smack, a force directly knocked the dagger from her hand.

"Ah, didn't expect her to be so feisty."

Accompanied by a teasing voice from behind Aniraya, Kharon hurriedly knelt down.

"Your Highness, why trouble your esteemed self?"

"Ah, it's nothing. Since she doesn't want to come, then why not take a trip myself?"

"My Lord."

The Phoenix Guard put away the warblade and lowered its head slightly. Aniraya also regained her freedom, slowly stood up, and then turned around.

A towering figure stood five meters behind her, with nothing beneath his feet, floating in mid-air, wearing a scarlet cloak, but the material seemed like a veil, outlining the well-defined muscles of his upper body. His face was covered by a mask.

Aniraya was very familiar with the image of this mask, or rather, the residents of Commorragh were very familiar with it. It was the Angry Visage of Khaine, representing slaughter and war.

But this one was somewhat different, as if it were real. Aniraya was intimidated by this aura of slaughter, which could not be felt even in the grandest Khaine altars, and her entire body stiffened in place, unable to move.

"Aniraya, you just said that your life belongs to Khaine? I didn't hear wrong, did I?"

Hearing Sosi's words, Aniraya immediately came back to her senses, taking a step back in surprise. She didn't even notice how the other party got behind her.

"What kind of psychic trickery is this..."

"Trickery? Are you talking about this?"

Aniraya saw the giant raise his hand, and then, amidst countless wails and roars, a burning divine sword appeared and was grasped by the other party. The power of this sword caused her heart to beat violently, followed by a surge of fiery rage, a bloodthirsty pulse emanating from the sword, pulling at her soul.

In a daze, she stood there blankly for a long time, until a strong wind stirred up a giant wave, bringing with it the intense stench of burning flesh.

She found herself standing in a sea of blood. As a blood-red wave rushed towards her, the tide receded from the shore, revealing hideous, glowing faces underneath, covered in blood-red foam.

Suddenly, in a roar akin to a scream, the giant wave crashed down on her. Aniraya screamed, waking up from the nightmare, sitting on the ground with a thud, her eyes wide open, her skin covered in sweat, sliding down her beautifully muscled waist.

But the wave seemed to still be in her mind's eye, so the Archon Succubus patted her face, pressing her temples with her hands, trying to grind away the scene before her with the force of her palms.

After a while, it disappeared, and Aniraya breathed heavily.