Chapter 177: Clashes on the Dragon Spear Hero's Path
The Soloman clan's colors cut through the dust as a column of experts advanced from the east. The sun glinted on polished armor, and the insignia of the seven-pointed sun marked them as Soloman through and through, though the stitching of their uniforms revealed something else—they were from a branch outside of Ronold's direct jurisdiction. Their presence alone carried the weight of intent.
At their head marched a Golden Lord, a halberd strapped across his broad back. His eyes were sharp and cold as he addressed those behind him.
"Spread our search across the roads and shrines. Do not waste time with fairy tales. Daoist Blue Heavens Sword is not the godlike figure the rumors paint him to be. He is flesh and blood, and he will bleed like the rest."
A Gold-tier subordinate gave a small laugh. "But the rumors say he slew a Mortal Lord. Twice."
The Golden Lord's gaze was like a blade. "Then those rumors are the work of frightened children and silver-tongued storytellers. Our orders remain the same. We will drag anyone tied to him into our grasp—servants, informants, cultivators who fought by his side, even women who might claim to know his women. Through them, we will find the truth. And if we cross him directly, we will measure the man against the myth."
The column fanned out, their steps shaking dust from the scrub as their intent sharpened.
…
Far to the north, another company was on the move. These were not Soloman banners but the red starry eyes of the Aka Boshi no Tengan clan. Their stride was quieter, their discipline tighter, and their intent more patient. Their Golden Lord leader moved at the front, his Aka Boshi no Tengan glimmering faintly as he surveyed the path ahead.
"We will not move with arrogance," he instructed in a low voice. "Our task is not to pick fights. Our task is to trace threads. Lady Christy may very well be the one who awakened the Kokon Tengan. To confirm this, we must find those who stand closest to her."
His lieutenants nodded. One asked, "And if others attempt to block us?"
The leader's gaze hardened. "Then they will learn that patience is not weakness. We will not bow, but neither will we waste our blades on pride. Take care, and remember that this search is not about our egos—it is about the future of the clan."
The forest swallowed their column, leaving nothing but the faint shimmer of their runes in the shadows.
…
Elsewhere, the sound of marching feet shook the ground for a different reason. At the front of the long procession strode Ramiro Leon, the Dragon Spear Hero, his massive frame silhouetted against the horizon. His dragon-spear rested across his back, the shaft gleaming in the light as if eager for battle. Just behind him walked the Lion's Spearhearts—Seralily calm and regal, Sophia sharp as ever, Willowna with her cool gaze, Sakurana humming quietly as she traced her short spear, and Princess Helga radiant with restrained fire.
Behind them stretched a tide of banners, mercenaries, clans, and nameless wanderers alike, all of them carried forward by the gravity of Ramiro's name.
Ramiro's mind drifted for a moment. He remembered the halls filled with nobles and guild leaders only days earlier. He remembered the hesitation in their voices when Zoro's name had first been spoken, followed by the resolve that came only after Ramiro had spoken up.
A countess, lips pressed thin, had said, "We considered severing ties with Black Devil Blades. Then you reminded us where we stand. We will follow your lead."
A guildmaster had pounded the table with a fist. "That man saved my people. If the world wants me to forsake him, they will have to drag me there in chains."
Even those who had doubted could not stand against Ramiro's conviction. Their loyalty had become his burden to carry.
The memory faded as dust rose on the road ahead. A Soloman column had appeared, halberds glittering in the sun.
The two groups stopped within sight of one another.
The Soloman Golden Lord stepped forward, his voice carrying like a hammer. "Dragon Spear Hero. Where is Daoist Blue Heavens Sword? Where does he hide? Where are his women? You will tell us now, and we will consider sparing the people who march behind you."
Princess Helga's temper surged, her mouth already opening to lash out, but Seralily's gentle hand pressed down on her arm, silencing her with calm grace. Ramiro gave a small laugh, shaking his head as he cracked his knuckles.
"I don't feel like wasting words on arrogant bastards like you."
The Soloman Golden Lord's aura burst outward like a collapsing mountain, crashing over the onlookers with murderous force. People stumbled and cried out in fear.
Ramiro spat. His own Golden Lord aura erupted like a shield, doming outward to catch the weight of the pressure before it could crush those behind him. His spear slid into his hand, and he raised it with casual menace.
"You want directions?" His grin was savage. "Here's your damn road."
The Soloman expert raised his halberd, white Ki flashing down its length. The ground cracked as both men charged. Their clash rang out like thunder, sparks and Ki waves scattering soldiers in all directions as spear and halberd met with brutal force. Their weapons rebounded, and they swung again, the battlefield quaking under the rhythm of their strikes.
The fight raged as the spectators watched.
…
Four hours later, with twilight spilling across the valley, another group blocked Ramiro's way. This time it was the Aka Boshi no Tengan. Their approach was more restrained, but no less resolute.
"Sir Ramiro Leon," their Golden Lord leader said. His eyes glowed faintly with runes. "We seek Lady Christy. The Kokon Tengan has been awakened which i'm sure you've heard. You will tell us what you know."
Helga bristled again, her anger flaring, but once more Seralily's hand restrained her. Ramiro groaned aloud, rubbing his temples.
"This really feels like déjà vu." He gave a booming laugh, then cracked his knuckles once more. "I will never sell out my friends. Not for you, not for anyone."
The Aka Boshi leader's aura spread forward—not reckless, but steady, like a great tide pressing down. Ramiro answered with his own domain, protecting the crowd once more.
"I'm so damn tired of this same play," Ramiro muttered, drawing his spear into a ready stance.
The Aka Boshi Golden Lord lifted a halberd glowing with crimson light, his eyes blazing with the might of the clan's bloodline. "Then let us see what the Dragon Spear Hero is truly worth."
Their weapons struck together, sending shockwaves rippling through the trees. Sparks lit the dusk, and the air rang with the sound of spear against halberd. The duel pressed back and forth, the Aka Boshi's precision meeting Ramiro's brute, fiery momentum. The land itself groaned under their exchange.
The spectators could only watch in awe.
…
By dawn the next day, the story was already spreading like wildfire. In villages, in sect halls, and in the courts of nobles, the tale was told the same way: Ramiro Leon, the Dragon Spear Hero, had defeated two Golden Lord experts in the same day—one of the Soloman clan and one of the Aka Boshi no Tengan clan. It was also said he had beaten down many of their subordinates as well, teaching them a lesson with bruises rather than corpses.
Within the royal palace, Prince Hunter Helmsley sat in his study as a scout knelt and relayed the news. A handful of nobles stood nearby, among them Count Carlos Leon Sr.
Carlos pressed a hand to his forehead. "It has been barely one day since we all agreed he should show restraint. Just one day. And already he is fighting and it's even against those two huge clans." His voice was filled with exasperation, though the smile threatening to curl his lips betrayed his pride.
The other nobles exchanged wry smiles.
Prince Hunter leaned back in his chair, laughter rumbling from his chest. "I expected this would happen. But neither the Soloman clan nor the Aka Boshi no Tengan will do more than roar about it. Their pride is bruised, but theyre not so petty as to cause a huge ruckus. And while they fume, we will continue preparing for the future. The throne of Brawlmanica will not resist me for long."
His gaze turned sharp, as if seeing a map no one else in the room could.