Chapter 539: Where's the Promised Crystal Palace?

In that very instant, Alleria's carefully constructed emotional barrier shattered.

The poised and elegant ranger-general, almost always the epitome of elven grace, suddenly cried like a child.

"Sob…" Alleria threw herself onto Duke's shoulder, tightly clutching the front of his robe. Her tears poured out, quickly turning Duke's light blue mage robes a darker hue.

Instead, Duke gently patted Alleria's back, while Vereesa placed her hands atop her elder sister's.

The scene was utterly bizarre.

The older Alleria appeared more vulnerable, while the younger Windrunner took on the role of the comforter.

After a good cry, the sobs and tears finally ceased. Alleria, with her melodious voice, began to recount her recent experiences.

Then, Vereesa shared the perils of her infiltration into the Wetlands.

Interestingly, both sisters had identical reactions.

When Alleria mentioned how close she was to having her neck split in two by Grom's axe, Gorehowl, Vereesa's hand trembled.

On the other hand, when Vereesa described her near-death experience from a young dragon's breath, only to be saved by Duke's Ice Barrier, Alleria shuddered.

Once both sisters finished sharing, an eerie silence enveloped them.

Duke wanted to say something but found himself at a loss for words. Yet, the atmosphere, which had cooled, suddenly grew tense again.

Wait, shouldn't this be a reconciliation between the sisters?

What's going on?

Duke was stunned to feel an unknown force, neither scientific nor magical, compressing the air.

The two sisters, on either side of him, exerted such a mysterious force that Duke felt nearly suffocated.

Internally, Duke wondered: Wasn't the tension supposed to have dissipated? What's with this dreadful stagnation?

Elegantly, Alleria took out a small handkerchief, wiping away her tears. With no makeup to worry about, she flashed a radiant smile, regaining her majestic demeanor.

Flicking her golden locks, she confidently declared, "Fine, little sister. I acknowledge you have the right to vie for Duke's heart. But I'll prove my bond with Duke, formed over many years, can't be surpassed by your mere fortnight together."

Duke nearly choked on his disbelief. All this fuss, just to acknowledge her sister as a worthy rival? But isn't this escalation too sudden?

Vereesa retorted, flipping her silver hair, "I won't give up! Sometimes, a single moment can eclipse eons of mediocrity. I trust my choices and my allure."

Duke hadn't even finished mentally commenting when the sisters, seeing neither would budge, simultaneously redirected their attention.

"Duke!" Both demanded, "Whom do you choose?"

Choose? This was no longer about jealousy or sisterly rivalry. This was about affirming their confidence and beauty.

But a joke, right?

Both were legendary heroines.

Both were stunning.

He had to choose one right now, immediately, without hesitation?

This wasn't a harem; it was a cataclysmic clash between sisters!

No retreat!

No compromise!

A choice had to be made!

Duke felt cornered, trapped in a searing spotlight.

But then, he realized: Why must he choose between them?

Defiantly, Duke stood, making a subtle gesture inside his robe. He looked up at the moon, then turned, tears forming. A tear slid down, bisecting his face.

"I've no siblings, but I imagine having a sister for millennia is beautiful. To force such close sisters to compete for a man is cruel... and I won't be the cause."

"Alleria!?" She looked panicked.

"Wait!" Vereesa was even more distressed.

Rather than forcing a choice, Duke decided, "Let us all be losers." With those profound words, he began to walk away.

Suddenly, an arrow pierced the ground, inches from his foot. Sylvanas's voice rang out, "I warned you; hurt them, and I'll end you."

Duke, masking his sorrow with a wry smile, replied, "Perhaps that's for the best, given the Alliance's victory. I've nothing left to lose." He continued walking.

"Stop!" Another arrow struck, but Duke persisted, murmuring, "If my death solves this, so be it."

"No, wait! Sylv!" Alleria shouted.

"Sister, stop!" Vereesa leapt forward.

But in that moment, Sylvanas unleashed her mightiest arrow, booming through the garden with its thunderous force, fueled by her anger and resolve.

It aimed straight for Duke.