The Demise

On the outskirts of Seastar, several miles to the further east of the city's eastern edge lies a famous region known for its good views.

Lush green scenery, a peaceful forest, a few massive tea and grape plantations, a calm and soothing coastline. There's no doubt that this area was one of the best scenic spots in the whole Merlin Kingdom.

Even at night, the atmosphere around this place was truly breathtaking. Far from the bustling sight of the city, as well as the pollution of lights, one could clearly see myriads of stars dotting the grand night sky without obstruction while the minimum amount of sound can barely even be heard.

However, despite its grandeur, no one who lived in Seastar dares to intrude this place without permission or even came close to its boundary.

Deep in the middle of this area, situated a large, luxurious mansion which was heavily guarded and tightly enclosed. This mansion belongs to one of the richest and most powerful men in the kingdom – John Oxford, the Head of the Oxford Clan.

It must be known, in terms of wealth, authority, strength, and influence, Oxford was now just slightly below Windsor, the ruling family of Merlin. And it all thanks to this man, he was the main reason why Oxford able to reign supreme over the rest of other noble clans and become the second-ranked powerhouse.

John was a cunning, devious, and ruthless modern warlord who never forget nor forgive even the slightest disrespect that other people gave to him or his clan, and he never fell succumb to his enemies as he outwitted and wiped them all out.

His reputation was both fearsome and notorious. Not only he was a shrewd businessman who can see almost every opportunity presented in front of him, but he was also an aggressive risk-taker, never seems to be afraid of doing things that were controversial as long as he could maintain control over the aftermath.

That's why there was even a rumor that the current King of Merlin himself appears to be wary of John.

Currently, John was busy entertaining a very important guest inside his office, located deep within his mansion.

This guest was a newly-gained ally who had offered him a once-in-a-lifetime chance, which could potentially increase the power and prestige that Oxford Clan currently has to a whole new level.

"Mr. Lavit. I already did everything as per our agreement. I even used my clan's entire strength for this endeavor. Thus, I can assure you that within six mont… No! Two or three months top! I can complete the task." Said John in a flattering manner.

There were only both of them inside the room, sitting face to face.

The guest named Lavit staring at John suspiciously, "Are you sure, Clan Leader John? This task isn't something that can be taken lightly. Sure my colleagues want an immediate result, but I'm telling you right now… Your actions have drawn the royal family's attention. If our collaboration blows out, it will be hard for us to support you since my own forces aren't ready yet."

The way Lavit spoke was a bit weird, he talked with a peculiar accent as if he wasn't well used speaking in Gaia's common language.

A shrewd kind of smile beamed from John's mouth, "There's no need for you to be worried, Mr. Lavit. I have calculated Windsor's reaction and had already designed a plan to counter it. Once the task is finished and our mission begins, it will be too late for the royal family to react. No one can stop us when the time comes."

Lavit silently pondering for a while before opening his mouth again, "Very well. I'll trust you on this."

John's smile brightened further, then he took a glass full of wine from the table in front of him and raised it to the air as he spoke, "What about a toast then? For celebrating our collaboration."

"Sure." Lavit replied shortly while raising his own glass.

*Clink*

Both of them shared a toast to each other before they drank the wine.

After finishing his wine first, John watched Lavit with a satisfied face.

This honored guest of his, although he was a human, Lavit did not actually originate from Gaia. He was in fact someone that came from a foreign world called, Profound Ancient World. One of the many worlds which were connected to Heavenly Tower's 1st layer beside Gaia.

Lavit came to Gaia as a representative to one of the powers from Profound Ancient World and was tasked to strike an alliance with local powers.

John didn't know what kind of motives those foreign powers had as Lavit didn't reveal anything to him, but he can guess that they probably wanted to control and dominate Gaia for its resources. And they need some local henchman to help them gaining control and maintaining it afterward.

It seems these foreigners have already made some deals with few Gaia's powers and organizations aside from Oxford.

Colluding with foreign world's powers when one's own world was under attack was considered a treacherous act no doubt. This was a widely known notion among the worlds connected to Heavenly Tower's 1st layer and was heavily frowned upon. But for John, things like loyalty and sense of belonging towards one's country or home-world were nothing but rubbish as well as nonsense.

He believed strength was absolute in this day of age. The strong were entitled to possess everything they desired while the weak did not even have the right to live.

Lavit had promised John that the powers behind him will make Oxford Clan as the new ruling family of Merlin Kingdom with John himself as the sovereign. And once they succeeded, who would have the gals to criticize their conduct?

Besides, Profound Ancient World was known to be one of the most powerful worlds in Heavenly Tower's 1st layer. Possessing rich martial cultivation heritage that has been honed for millenniums.

It has been confirmed through credible news and rumors that there was at least the existence of two or even three Star-class juggernauts within that world. This kind of strength wasn't something that a "newbie" world like Gaia, that only had the protection of a single Star-class ranker, can resist.

Therefore, even though his clan would be branded a traitor in the end, John didn't mind at all. To him, his decision to collaborate with Lavit was the wisest decision he could have come with.

Once again, another gloating smile formed on John's mouth as he envisioned the future of the Merlin Kingdom with his clan replacing Windsor as the ruler.

He was already satisfied with that much, although he was ambitious, John knew his limit. His personal strength currently stands at late stage Titanium-class, he has great confidence he would be able to reach Diamond-class within a decade at most since he was still relatively young.

57 years old could still be regarded as young in the world where people could gain a longer lifespan by the way of cultivation.

Every race and life-form possessed different lengths of lifespans. But for humans, rankers at Bronze-class to Silver-class can live up to 120 years, 150 years for Gold-class, 200 years for Platinum-class, 250 years for Titanium-class, and 300 years for Diamond-class.

John didn't know how much lifespan that a Star-class ranker can have, but he heard that they can live for a period of 500 years. A truly enviable thing to have to be honest.

He knew that it was impossible for him to advance to Star-class in his lifetime, considering that even though John's talent was above average, it still wasn't enough to help him progress further beyond Diamond-class. Hence, his future was limited.

Thinking about it, the joyful feeling within John's heart was immediately replaced with absolute regrets.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Suddenly… Both John and Lavit heard rushing footsteps from outside the room.

Brakk!

Then someone opened the office door forcibly. It was an old man who was panting heavily and have a grave expression plastering his face.

"First Elder, what happened?! Is there anything urgent?!" John hastily stood from the couch and asked.

The First Elder of Oxford Clan was well-known to be very stoic and collected. But now, his face was truly grave and unsightly. John couldn't help but raise his guard up as he thought something must have happened.

"I'm sorry for intruding, John, Mr. Lavit. But didn't you both hear the sound?" Said the First Elder while still panting.

Lavit and John exchanged look with each other and thought the same thing, 'Sound?'

It may be because both of them were too engrossed conversing earlier, that's why they seem to have ignored everything outside the office. But after hearing the First Elder's words and decided to keenly listen…

Ziiing! Ziiing! Ziiing!

Their ears immediately picked up faint mixed sounds of roaring machines which gradually becomes louder and getting nearer to the mansion.

Realizing that, Lavit was the first one to react as he immediately unleashed all of his intermediate stage Titanium-class strength and assumed combat stance.

His gaze also becomes wary and his expression turned fiercer when he looked at alternatingly between John and First Elder.

"Is this a trap you've set up for me, John?! Heh, and here I thought we were allies…" Said Lavit with a mocking tone as he menacingly stared at John.

John grew panic and restless, he didn't think Lavit would have that kind of idea about the current situation. He quickly tried to defend himself, "Mr. Lavit, that is not what happening right now! We didn't set any traps!"

"That's right, Mr. Lavit. We have no idea who's currently approaching the mansion." The First Elder also added some assurance words.

Lavit wants to retort back, but before he could do that….

Boom!!! Boom!!!

One section of the mansion where John's office was a part of was blown to pieces, creating a series of huge explosions that sent powerful shock wave and thunderous sounds everywhere.

The First Elder who was unprepared was immediately incinerated by the explosions.

Meanwhile, Both Lavit and John fared better in resisting it. But they were still sent flying while suffering many damages that can't be ignored all over their bodies.

"Cough! Cough!." John coughed a mouthful of blood from his mouth as he lies weakly on the ground.

'What's going on?! Who's attacking us?!' He screamed inwardly.

Not long, he could finally saw clearly several VTOL aircrafts hovering on top of his mansion. The sound those machines created were blasting loudly and their engines blow away the plume of smoke caused by the earlier explosions.

And then, John witness dozens of unknown people roping down from those aircraft. These people's movements were extremely disciplined as if they were a group of highly-trained soldiers. All of them were dressed in black attires, and they could be said truly well-equipped as the gears they wore were top-notch and high-tech.

Once their foot touched the already messy floor of John's mansion, these people immediately unleashed their strength, causing both John and Lavit, who was struggling to stand up, to be frightened and suffocated by their overpowering pressures.

Among these people, one was particularly eye-catching. It was a woman who dressed in tight dark-colored leather attires, which didn't do a good job in hiding her bombshell hourglass figure. Her long hair was brightly red-colored and her face was hidden by an ordinary faceless mask.

This woman radiating a very powerful pressure, there were even a few raging reddish fires flickering around her body.

As she strode closer to John, he couldn't help but feel even more afraid and powerless.

"Trying to betray your own world by colluding with foreigners. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Ramon's order to eliminate this clan is proven to be correct. Such dregs must be erased completely." Said the red-haired woman with an indifferent tone as she stared at John below her.

John can't utter a single word to reply back, his late stage Titanium-class strength was rendered useless in front of this strong woman.

"Yo… You! You… are the Raging Mary!" Lavit muttered with a horrifying expression on his face, he was kneeling in one knee while clutching the wound on his chest.

Hearing that, the red-haired woman turned her attention toward Lavit, "Oh… So you recognized me." She said while still maintaining her aloof tone, " I know you too, Lavit Elyas. To think that the Dark Sky Sect actually sending one of their best disciples here, hahaha. Your world sure is ambitious, huh."

The Raging Mary!!!

As someone who had many connections and relationships, of course, John knew what the name represents. And he was even more horrified now.

The Raging Mary was a title belongs to a famous Diamond-class ranker who was well-known throughout Heavenly Tower's 1st layer as a subordinate of Amethyst Queen.

Such an expert was the one that had attacked his clan, John did not know how to react to this revelation.

'Did I somehow offended Amethyst Queen? Or is it possible they already got the gist about my action beforehand?' He wondered.

John has already given up on trying to resist. Before the presence of Diamond-class ranker, who would have the courage to resist?

"I don't want to waste any more time. Let's cut to the chase, kill every ranker that this clan has." The Raging Mary ordered her people leisurely.

A moment later, screams started to rang across the mansion as rankers of Oxford Clan were getting massacred left and right.

The Raging Mary then stared back at John.

From below, he could see her beautiful eyes through the cracks of the mask she wore.

"Any last word?" She asked.

"I… I…" Words couldn't be uttered from John's mouth as despair filled his heart.

"No? Okay." The flickering fire around the Raging Mary's body started to shot out toward John's body before burning him.

It was fast and happen in an instant, he couldn't even let out a scream as his body was incinerated completely by the fire. Not even his bones were intact.

The infamous head of Oxford Clan has died, leaving behind only a pile of ashes as the proof of his existence.

The Raging Mary also shot her fire toward Lavit, who was still in a stupor from watching his ally being burned.

He was a bit weaker compared to John. As a result, the same dreadful thing also happened to him albeit in much quicker time. Being turned into a pile of ashes was his fate as well.

After eliminating two Titanium-class rankers, there was still no change in the Raging Mary's expression behind her mask.

"If not for the son of this clan insulting Mistress, we won't know that a rat had infiltrated this kingdom. Damn luck!… I need to report this to Ramon." She sighed.

"Sis!" One of her colleagues, another woman, had returned to her side.

"Is it done?"

"Yep! We've killed all the rankers while sparing the rest." Said the colleague cheerfully.

Mary nodded, "Alright, prepare to leave. We still have another assignment after this."

"Okay, hehehe." The colleague then clapped. Her joyful expression was a total contrast from her beautiful appearance that was smeared with blood after killing so many people.