"I'm exhausted."
Noah lowered his hand, which was entwined with cyan-green Resonance energy, and collapsed onto the dust-covered ground without caring about his image, gasping for air in large breaths.
Beside him lay Jiyan, who had been healed and was on the verge of full recovery.
It was a good thing that when he drew Jiyan earlier, he had gotten Verina by mistake. Otherwise, both he and Jiyan would only have been waiting for death.
Recalling the peril of this war, Noah could only feel lingering fear.
He had truly almost died here. And that previous state of madly seeking battle, completely losing his rationality—it felt foreign even to himself.
Having survived the calamity, Noah reached out to wipe the sweat from his face. His dust-covered hand successfully left a pitch-black streak on his cheek.
"Fuck!"
He suddenly cursed loudly:
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"
Then, as if all his strength had been drained, he lay motionless on the ground, only his chest quietly rising and falling.
"Cough."
Jiyan beside him finally woke up. Upon seeing the unfamiliar domain, his gaze instantly became alert.
He quickly stood up from the ground, summoned his dragon spear into his hand, and looked around. Only after confirming it was safe did he finally notice Noah beside him.
Jiyan sat back down on the spot and couldn't help but ask:
"Noah—"
"The Threnodian escaped. Jinzhou is safe."
Noah seemed to have anticipated what Jiyan wanted to ask and answered without thinking, while counter-asking:
"Old Jiyan, after defeating your replica Tacet Discord, where did you go?"
"Cough, I... I was teleported by the Threnodian using special means to beneath the statue. It took me quite a while to climb back up."
Jiyan scratched his head awkwardly, feeling a bit guilty. He should have faced the remaining replicas and the Threnodian together with Noah.
But he hadn't expected the Threnodian to have such a method, leaving Noah to face his replica and the Threnodian alone.
Thinking of this, Jiyan sincerely apologized:
"I'm sorry, Noah. I arrived too late."
"You—never mind."
Noah sighed weakly.
Although Jiyan had once again been forced into being a "deserter," at least in the final moment, he had risked his life to block the Threnodian's desperate counterattack for him.
Moreover, no matter what, the outcome was good—they were both fine, and Jinzhou had regained peace.
"I'm completely drained right now and can't stand up. Old Jiyan, can you carry me back to Jinzhou?"
"It would be my duty."
Jiyan carefully carried Noah on his back and steadily walked toward the exit of the [Sky-Suspended Beacon Fire] domain.
"Noah, speaking of which, I have many questions I want to ask you."
"If it's about the process of driving away the Threnodian, spare me. It's a long story."
"No, I want to ask—before fighting the Crownless, what did you mean when you muttered to yourself about 'carry dog'?"
One sentence caused Noah's blood pressure to skyrocket.
No way, bro.
You actually have the nerve to ask?
"Carry dog means someone who enjoys the fruits of victory without putting in any effort."
"So that's what it means. It really is an apt term."
Noah suddenly took a deep breath and casually asked:
"Old Jiyan, what do you think—between us, the Midnight Rangers, the people of Jinzhou, and even Huanglong in the rear that's deeply protected—who is the carry dog?"
Jiyan was silent for a moment, then gently shook his head:
"Every bit of strength has its weight!"
He said:
"Although the term 'carry dog' is fitting in description, it alienates everyone's contributions."
Just like a warrior on the front lines who fights bravely at the risk of his life—his parents and his wife and children are among those who benefit from his full effort.
But can you call his parents, wife, and children carry dogs?
No.
In this apocalyptic world, as long as someone doesn't cause trouble, they are already contributing.
"Alright... I stand corrected."
Noah turned his head, looking back at the tall statue still standing behind them under the influence of the Threnodian's power, and suddenly spoke:
"If I had died in the previous battle, what would you have done?"
"Avenge you." Jiyan answered without hesitation.
"Even if the opponent is a Threnodian?"
"Yes."
Jinzhou.
"Good news from the front lines: the Tacet Discord wave has largely dissipated. Initial estimates suggest the Threnodian has been defeated."
"According to real-time monitoring by the Engineers, the fluctuations of the Threnodian's power have completely disappeared. This strategic plan has achieved a great victory."
"The heroes of Jinzhou—Noah, Midnight Rangers General Jiyan, and Outrider member Yangyang and Jianxin—have successfully returned. All four are safe and sound."
"The Retroact Rain has stopped, and the related effects it produced have completely vanished. Request to shut down the Jinzhou protective barrier."
"Permission granted."
One piece of good news after another arrived, handled methodically by Jinhsi. The smile on her delicate features grew increasingly pronounced.
Wonderful. Jinzhou had regained peace once more. Truly wonderful.
"Magistrate."
Sanhua entered carrying a pot of bitter tea. Jinhsi drank three large cups in a row before calming her slightly heated cheeks from excitement.
"What is it, Sanhua?"
"We just received word that your teacher has passed through the Jinzhou city gates and is expected to arrive at City Hall soon."
"Counselor Changli!"
At these words, joy appeared on Jinhsi's face, and her heart instantly felt as if it had found a place to rely on.
Ever since Jinzhou was invaded by the Fractsidus member Scar, she had been unable to find any trace of Changli.
She had once thought Changli had unfortunately perished in that invasion, and she had privately grieved for a long time.
She hadn't expected her teacher to still be alive.
A hall-crossing breeze lifted Jinhsi's long hair. She turned her head and saw a graceful crimson figure appear in her view.
The woman's hair was like snow dyed by morning clouds, with scale-like feathers trailing from the ends that trembled lightly with her steps, resembling the hanging tail feathers of a vermilion bird.
She wore a pure white dress beneath a black cloak, with a vermilion shawl at her waist like a blood-red setting sun, and her left arm from the elbow to her fingertips covered in translucent scale armor.
Most eye-catching were those long legs—plump and sensual yet not bulky, with black stockings tightly constricting them to create alluring curves.
"It's been a long time, Magistrate."
Changli lowered her eyes and smiled lightly. The red at the corners of her eyes grew even more vivid, like red plum blossoms suddenly blooming in the snow.
"Teacher, it really is you!"
Jinhsi quickly walked to Changli and joyfully grasped her hand:
"Where have you been all this time?"
"When I returned from Mt. Firmament, I found Jinzhou surrounded by a blood-colored barrier, so I went to Huanglong's capital to seek aid. Along the way, I also requested support for Jinzhou from a mercenary leader named Calcharo."
Changli shook her head, her expression complicated:
"After much rushing about, I suddenly learned in the capital that Jinzhou had been saved by a hero named Noah, so I hurried back."
"I see."
Jinhsi nodded thoughtfully, her expression becoming pleasant once more:
"Indeed, it was Noah who saved Jinzhou. He has enormous grace toward Jinzhou."
"Even in stopping the Threnodian's resurrection this time, he made tremendous contributions."
"After this campaign, Jinzhou will be safe from Threnodian retaliation for at least three years."
Jinhsi was excitedly speaking when she suddenly noticed Changli's grave expression, with no trace of joy, and gradually stopped her outpouring.
"Teacher, what's wrong?"
Changli took a deep breath and suddenly reached out, pulling Jinhsi into a tight embrace. A pair of full softness pressed against Jinhsi, leaving her breathless:
"Jinhsi."
Changli called softly, carefully feeling the prickly dragon scales beneath the other's robe:
"It's only been a few days, yet you've overclocked and injured yourself this severely."
"But..."
"Earlier, at the edge of Mt. Firmament, I discovered some traces of the Sentinel... There are some things I don't know if I should tell you."