REINCARNATION OF THE STRONGEST WAR HERO

Chapter 363: The Despair!

Arthur merely chuckled at Rowan's threat."You really are something, Prince. But you should know when to be arrogant, and when not to. I expected better from you."

Darius had halted for a moment, but his grandfather's words rekindled his confidence. Straightening his back, he strode toward Daliah.

Daliah staggered backward. Lilith stepped in front of her and began casting a spell, but before she could finish, earthen vines shot up from the ground, coiling tightly around her limbs and restraining her.

Seizing the opportunity, Darius grabbed Daliah by the back of her neck and yanked her closer, dragging her toward a nearby room.

But then...

A roar tore through the air. Raw, furious, and utterly unrestrained.

Rowan's veins bulged as he forced his body against the bindings. Flames burst from his hands, blazing fiercely. Under normal circumstances, fire alone wouldn't have been enough to free him. But with his enhanced physical strength, the shackles began to crack. He might still lag behind Daliah in cultivation, but compared to those with no real cultivation, Rowan was far from someone who could be easily subdued.

Before anyone could react, he broke free.

Lightning crackled violently around his fist as he lunged forward.

Bam!

The punch landed squarely on Darius's face. His features twisted in agony as he was hurled backward, crashing into the wall with tremendous force. The impact left a crater behind him.

It was as if Darius had a talent for embedding himself into walls. It was, after all, the third time that day.

One of Arthur's subordinates tried to cast a spell, but a royal knight intercepted him instantly. At the same time, several others from Arthur's side sprang into action without waiting for orders.

The remaining royal knights moved as well, stepping in to meet them head-on.

Chaos erupted.

The royal knights, along with Rowan, Daliah, and Lilith, clashed head-on with Arthur's forces. Alice, however, was in no condition to even stand on her own. Before joining the fight, Daliah had gently helped her sit in a corner, away from the battlefield.

Both sides fought fiercely. The royal knights were the pride of the kingdom, elite warriors handpicked by the palace itself. Their bravery knew no bounds. Fighting alongside them, Rowan moved like a cheetah — swift, precise, and deadly. Though Daliah and Lilith were not even close to being helpful in a fight like this, they still gave everything they had.

But soon, reality hit.

They were vastly outnumbered. Arthur had over fifty men under his command. And worse… among them stood an S-class fighter — a level rivaling the Guild Master of hunter's guild, Ali Arkman himself. A level once considered the pinnacle of power.

The S-class mage from Velkar raised his right hand lazily, his left resting behind his back.

Boom!

A small fireball — yet brimming with terrifying energy shot forward and struck a royal knight.

His body exploded.

Blood and flesh splattered in every direction.

The mage flicked his hand again. A blazing arrow tore through the air, piercing another knight before he could react.

Dead.

Instantly, his remains reduced to ash under the searing heat.

Five more royal knights fell in quick succession.

This was no battle. It was a one sided massacre.

Rowan gritted his teeth and pressed on, striking down whoever he could. But he knew the truth. He was still alive only because they didn't want him dead.

Even so, he gave it everything.

Despite being only a Tier Three mage, his blazing fist pierced straight through a Tier Four opponent's chest.

The man's eyes widened in disbelief. A Tier Three defeating a Tier Four so easily. It should have been impossible.

Even the S-class mage from Velkar was taken aback. "He's dangerous…" he muttered.

This time, his hand moved without that earlier laziness. A blazing filament of fire materialized, coiling tightly around Rowan's body. His skin sizzled as smoke rose from it, the heat burning deep into his flesh.

Daliah, Lilith, and the remaining three royal knights were subdued as well.

Arthur stepped forward like a victor surveying the battlefield. "Prince," he said with a mocking smile, "what was all that for? Just to watch your men die?"

He shook his head. "You could have prevented all of this if you had simply listened. Why treat Darius like a beast? He's talented. You should be grateful Daliah is being paired with someone like him." His tone was shameless. "End this madness, unless you want the rest to die in vain."

Arthur glanced at Darius. A flicker of helplessness crossed his eyes as he saw him still stuck in the crater. One of his men hurried forward to pull him out.

"Don't waste time, Darius. And don't make me regret taking such measures."

The S-class mage stood still, his gaze fixed on Rowan. 'He has it too… He's grown far beyond expectations. If I can't get that boy, the prince will suffice,' he thought.

Darius nodded and began walking toward Daliah again.

Alice could bear it no longer.

Crawling forward, she grabbed Darius's leg.

"Don't do this, Darius… this isn't right," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "Even when you and your mother plotted to kill Logan, we didn't retaliate much. Shouldn't you show at least a little gratitude…?"

Darius kicked her away with a snort. "Don't act righteous. If not for you and your son, everything would have been perfect."

Mirena stepped forward and crouched beside Alice. Without hesitation, she grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her head back brutally. "You wretched woman! It's all because of you and that monstrous son of yours. And you still dare to speak?"

"Don't you dare!" Rowan roared, his voice trembling with fury as he watched Alice being tortured.

Daliah and Lilith turned their faces away, tears streaming down their cheeks.

'If only he were here…' Lilith thought, a familiar silhouette flashing in her mind.

Darius moved again. Grabbing Daliah, he began dragging her toward a room. At the same time, Mirena slammed Alice's head against the ground again and again.

Rowan's roar was drowned out by their cruel laughter.

Suddenly…

Just when despair had taken root in Rowan's side — when all hope seemed lost...

A pressure spread. Dreadful. Suffocating.

A pair of feet touched the ground with quiet grace. The newcomer's cloak fluttered behind him.

Silence.

Everything froze. Some stood in shock.

Some trembled in fear. Some couldn't even believe what they were seeing was real.

Blood and tears streamed down Alice's face, mixing messily.

"Logan…" she whispered weakly. And despite the situation… A smile slowly spread across her lips.