Lu Mingfei, become the King of Elden!

Chapter 202 I am beyond redemption... an arrogant person

“But it was their choice,” Melina said calmly, “just as you chose to move forward. They chose to fight. Their lives and their end are their own responsibility.”

Lu Mingfei remained silent for a long time, with only the crackling of the flames and distant singing echoing between them.

He was silent; he was thinking.

He seems to be making a very difficult decision.

Finally, he gently grasped Melina's hand in return, the cool touch traveling along his skin and reaching his heart.

Lu Mingfei said in a low voice:
"I see."

Melina did not let go, letting him hold her hand.

“I’ve been thinking about this,” Lu Mingfei said, looking up at the unchanging starry sky at the border, lost in thought, “what has it all been for?”

"At first, all I wanted was to go home."

"Later, I felt that Shirou and the others had helped me so much, and I should do something to repay them. So I just kept moving forward in a daze."

"I swallowed dragon hearts again and again, and was burned to the point of unbearable pain by the dragon feast ritual time and time again..."

Lu Mingfei murmured:

"Until this most recent time, if it weren't for you, I probably would have become a mindless walking corpse long ago... But I knew I might not survive, so why did I continue to devour?"

"I think……"

He chuckled self-deprecatingly:
"I've probably always been an arrogant person."

"They are my friends because they are good to me. These people together make up the whole world of this loser, 'Lu Mingfei'."

"They are my everything."

Melina watched him quietly as the golden light in Lu Mingfei's eyes grew brighter, like two blazing suns, with molten lava flowing within them.

He suddenly stood up and looked toward the center of the banquet, at those vibrant faces.

Lu Mingfei said softly:
"Therefore, none of my friends are allowed to die. Whether they like it or not—otherwise, what's the point of me having this power?"

"I really am... an incurable arrogant fellow."

A faint light seemed to flicker in Melina's eyes.

"If this is your mission, then so be it."

"Since you have made your choice, I will respect it."

Melina said softly:

"I will continue to stay by your side, no matter what path you choose, until I remember my mission. This is our promise."

"If I could, I would like to witness your end, right up to the very last moment."

After speaking, her figure gradually faded away, turning into specks of golden light and dissipating into the air, leaving only a whisper echoing in Lu Mingfei's ear:

May you never regret the decision you made today.

Snapped!
A large hand slammed down on Lu Mingfei's shoulder, the familiar force resonating within him.

"What are you doing sitting here all by yourself? Are you scared?"

Teragos's voice rang in Lu Mingfei's ears.

Lu Mingfei turned around and saw the weathered man holding a beer, one arm around Lu Mingfei's shoulder, winking at him.

"Rest assured, I will never let my juniors die before me."

Upon hearing this, Lu Mingfei's expression froze for a moment, and his mouth opened and closed as if he was about to say something, but he was interrupted by the hearty laughter of the Terragoss:
"Hahaha! Just kidding! I know you're an excellent soldier too!"

With that, Teragos helped Lu Mingfei back to the center of the banquet, proudly telling Ryannil what an excellent dragon hunter Lu Mingfei was, as if the achievement of hunting Aegis had nothing to do with him. Warrior Pot chuckled and tried to pull Lu Mingfei to "spin around" with him, but Lu Mingfei politely declined and left with a regretful look, then turned to invite Blaze instead.

As the banquet reached its most enthusiastic peak, under the night sky, Jeremy appeared on the second floor of the plaza, bathed in starlight.

bass!
Jellian drew his weapon and raised his greatsword high.

Flame-shaped Greatsword: This is a greatsword whose blade resembles a wave of flame.

Red Lion City fights against crimson corruption with fire. Therefore, this sword, which Jellian often used, naturally became a symbol of Red Lion City.

boom!
Suddenly, flames burst forth from the sword, becoming a striking symbol against the star-studded night sky.

The orange-red flames flickered, illuminating Jellian's figure and attracting the attention of everyone in the square.

The various sounds gradually faded away, and Red Lion City returned to peace.

Heroes, knights, and soldiers all watched him.

With everyone's eyes focused on him, Jellian suddenly swung his arm and planted the greatsword in his hand into the ground.

A burst of scorching air instantly erupted, illuminating his strange knight's armor and the iron mask of the bearded old man.

Jeremy looked around the square, his silver-white hair fluttering in the wind.

During the long wait, the old men of the Red Lions gradually passed away, and he too grew old.

"Jeremy, I'm counting on you for everything."

Those words still seem to echo in my ears.

He had made a pact with the general to ensure that they would both "die with honor."

Now, the person we've been waiting for has finally arrived, and the promise will be fulfilled.

Jeremy raised his lowered eyelids, his gaze hardening, and his aged voice rose sharply, echoing across the Red Lion Square:

"Warriors, welcome!"

"Since you've all gathered here, you must already know the purpose of this festival!"

"It is to commemorate the most powerful demigod in the Shattered War—General Ratan, to honor his final battle, and to carry on the great rune's legacy as part of the battle festival!"

"An invincible warrior, a war god who traverses the borderlands, the one who seals the stars, General Rataen of the Shattered Stars!"

His tone shifted, his voice filled with sorrow:
"General Ratan has been in a state of confusion. Marlenia's crimson decay not only erodes his body from the inside out, but also drives the general into madness."

"He gathered the corpses together, friend or foe, and then devoured them like wild dogs, roaring towards the sky..."

A solemn look appeared in everyone's eyes.

Jeremy roared, shouting in his most impassioned voice:

"We will reclaim the glory that General Ratahn deserves!"

"Go from the church ahead to the shore beneath the fortress; the battlefield is there. General Ratahn is still there."

Still out of consciousness, gnawing on corpses. Still letting out heart-wrenching cries towards the sky.

"The stars have filled the night sky, and as promised, the time for the festival has arrived! General Rataen, the most powerful demigod in the Shattered War, awaits you."

Warriors, fight! Defeat your mighty foes with honor and claim the Great Rune!

"The battle festival has begun! The Latan Festival has begun!"

"Tomorrow, I will join you all at the final battleground to offer a glorious death for General Rataen!"

(End of this chapter)