Idris had never been someone who acted without reward.
Even when facing the legendary Red King, even under such dramatic circumstances, he asked with complete indifference:
"Red King, your invitation is interesting, I'll give you that."
"But tell me—what do I gain from fighting you?"
"Respect? Honor? I have no use for those."
"After all, no matter how glorious you once were… now you're nothing more than a remnant soul with one final spark left."
He smiled—shameless, cunning, absolutely infuriating to anyone with pride.
Ahmar let out a bold, resonant laugh.
"Hahaha! Idris, Great Sage—you truly are like me."
"A tyrant's will. A warrior's courage."
"The only difference…"
"…is that uniquely human brand of shamelessness you possess."
"But perhaps that, too, is what makes humans worthy."
Idris shrugged.
"Thanks for the compliment. Now—what's in it for me?
If the answer is 'nothing,' then this fight ends before it starts."
He already knew: winning against Ahmar would trigger a system reward anyway.
But who didn't want extra profit on top of guaranteed profit?
Ahmar saw clearly that Idris was a man who bowed only to one thing—benefits.
And so the Red King revealed what he could offer.
"If you lose, you gain nothing—worse, your reputation may suffer."
Idris nodded.
That part was true.
Once they clashed, the Golden Slumber wouldn't withstand their battle.
The entire desert would know.
If a living king lost to a dead one, the rumors would be endless.
Ahmar continued.
"But if you win… I will leave my mark upon you."
"Go on," Idris said calmly.
"Many temples under my name contain ancient seals.
If broken by force, the ruins will self-destruct."
"But with my mark—those seals will open willingly."
"You may walk freely into every one of my sanctuaries… and claim all treasures hidden within."
Idris raised a brow.
Ahmar chuckled.
"Over the centuries, mercenaries and scholars found only scraps of my wealth."
"My true treasury, the legacy of a kingdom of gold—would astonish even you."
That alone was tempting.
But Ahmar wasn't finished.
"Furthermore, my mark will increase your affinity with Geo."
"And I will grant you all the wisdom I gathered through the ages—"
"including the complete knowledge behind the desert automatons."
"Ancient wisdom. Immense wealth. A direct enhancement to your personal power."
"These are your rewards—if you defeat me."
The desert king extended his golden spear.
"So tell me, Great Sage—do you accept it?"
Idris grinned.
"Now that is enough.
Looks like I'll have to win this."
The cursed sword Frostmourne materialized in his hand.
His black and white clones appeared—
Only for Idris to immediately absorb them, merging their power into his own body.
A wave of force surged through him—sharper, deeper, heavier.
Even for him, this fight demanded everything.
Ahmar, clad in divine armor, empowered by desert and sand, radiated overwhelming might.
This was a foe even stronger than the corrupted Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's remnant—
far above what Idris had faced during the battle with the Scourge of Desolation.
Even defeating that beast had required the aid of the God of Machines.
But now?
This was a true god in his war armor.
Yet Idris… was far stronger than he had been months ago.
Ahmar's golden cloak flared as he lunged forward.
"The King of the Desert… the only true king—"
"—is me!"
"Defeat me and surpass the era I ruled!"
"Come, King of Sumeru!"
Outside the Ruins – The Three Witnesses
Meanwhile, outside the ruin known as the Hall of Manifestation—
A battered figure was suddenly hurled out from the entrance like a cannonball.
Jade's eyes widened.
"Father! Father, you're alive!"
Philos-Banker coughed violently, but joy filled his gaze.
"Jade… to think I would ever see you again…"
Her eyes reddened. She clutched his hands.
"Don't do something that dangerous again!
If not for Great Sage Idris, you never would have made it out!"
He let out a tired laugh.
"It's fine… My old grudges have been settled.
I won't repeat such foolishness."
"And… Traveler, thank you. Without the Life-Returning Pill you gave me, I would never have lasted so long."
Lumine let out a relieved sigh.
"No need to thank me."
"The one who truly deserves your gratitude… is Idris."
Paimon nodded earnestly.
Then her expression darkened.
"So… why hasn't he come out yet?"
Philos-Banker paused.
"When he threw me out… I heard a voice from within the Golden Slumber."
"A voice so powerful… I almost knelt just from hearing it."
Jade froze.
"Just hearing it made you kneel?! Who could be that strong?"
Nahida lifted a small hand.
"Who else? Only the Red King."
"THE RED KING?!"
Lumine, Paimon, and Jade all shouted at once.
Even as outsiders, Lumine and Paimon had realized after days in the desert—
Everything in this land leads back to Ahmar.
But worry soon replaced awe.
"If Idris is fighting him… why hasn't he returned yet?!" Lumine asked anxiously.
Nahida smiled softly.
"Do not worry."
"There is nowhere in this world that can trap him."
With that, she pulled everyone farther away from the ruin.
A massive explosion erupted behind them.
Stone, sand, and ancient architecture shattered—only to be pulled inward, as if devoured by the center of the blast.
Yellow sand surged outward in a storm.
Nahida raised her hand, forming a glowing Dendro shield to protect the group.
As the dust cleared—
They finally saw it.
Two silhouettes clashing in midair.
Two kings—present and past.
One clad in golden divine armor, spear blazing like a sun.
The other wielding Frostmourne, wings of Dendro energy unfurled, wrapped in the intertwining powers of life and death.
Each time they crossed, the sky trembled.
Paimon's jaw dropped.
"T-that's… the Red King?!"
"And he's wearing a god's armor?!"
"I didn't think ANY modern god could still summon divine armament!"
She stared at Idris in awe.
"And Idris… can he fight that?!"
The battle of a lifetime had begun.
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