Chat group, if you have anything to say to my Holy Sword,

No need for grand vows or dazzling power; his mere presence transforms his unwavering will to protect into an invisible fortress, offering hope to the desperate and a moment's respite to the weary.

Once he makes a promise, his words are like a contract etched into one's soul, making one believe without a doubt—because his eyes reflect a pure future.

People admire him like moths drawn to a flame, because he always places himself in the position of a pioneer, leaving his back to his followers, using his actions to cut through thorns and point towards a distant place called "hope".

“…” Ratahn remained silent for a long time, like a frozen mountain. When his deep, resonant voice rang out again, it carried a hoarseness that was almost a sigh, as if it had been thoroughly purified:

"...To enable people to live a good life..."

"How...simple..."

Is there anything else you want to ask?

How did he achieve this? — But the rebuilt village, the guardian knight, and the pure white light that dispelled despair were already the answer.

When asked if he harbored any hidden ambitions, his eyes shone with an honest, unwavering light.

When asked if his ideal was too naive, he replied that the belief in "moving forward" itself is the most powerful force.

It's no longer needed.

The moment the decision was made, it was as if a huge burden had been lifted. His massive body swayed slightly, no longer in a fighting stance, but with an unprecedented, almost pious solemnity.

Under Xiling's calm gaze, the "Shattered Star General" Ratan, who had shaken the borderlands, slowly and solemnly bent his knees.

"Bang!" The sound of his knee striking the ground echoed in the throne room, making the solid, ancient floor tiles seem to tremble slightly. His massive body sank down like a mountain, kneeling on one knee, while his other enormous hand, with utmost reverence, rested on his heavily armored chest—the location of his heart.

His enormous head bowed, completely concealing his unparalleled power and submitting to that small yet radiant pure light.

A deep voice echoed in the empty hall, devoid of any doubt, filled with unwavering resolve and a sense of dedication: "Great Silver King..." Each syllable weighed a ton. "Let me—Rataln—accompany you on your journey to the Silver Realm!"

Xiling's gaze fell on the figure before him. He spoke softly, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching Rataen's ears: "Rataen, tell me, why do you want to embark on this journey of the Silver with me?"

The general's massive body remained kneeling on one knee. He did not raise his head, but the hand resting on his breastplate tightened slightly.

Silence, like a taut bowstring.

However, this silence was not hesitation, but the fuse that ignited a flame deep within the soul.

Deep within Ratahn's soul, a surging tide is stirring.

His name is Rataen. He is the eldest son of the second King of Elden, "Redhead" Rdagan! From the time he took his first steps, he was immersed in the heroic legends of the first King, Govre, and his own father.

He admired heroes! He longed to be like them! To use his own strength to etch a glory in the annals of this borderland, a glory that would be remembered by the stars!

What is a hero?

Gofulei, the first King of Elden—he was the pioneer who cleaved through the thorns at the edge of chaos and laid the foundation for a golden age! He brought the first order and glory to a world of disorder.

The second King of Elden, Radagan—he was the one who ended the legal disputes and unified the Golden Law! He ended the war of faiths and forged the shattered ideas into a torrent of Golden Law that illuminated the entire borderlands.

In their time, they were the giant axes that paved the way, the sharp edges that cut through thorns!

This is the "hero" in Rata's heart!

And at this moment, the Silver King, sitting in a wheelchair, small in stature yet possessing incredible power, the pure white light he ignited, the simple vision he depicted, the act of rebuilding order he initiated... isn't he opening up an unprecedented new path on the shattered, scorched earth, for the borderlands of confusion and despair?

The silence was broken by a roar within. That deep, fervent voice resounded once more from Ratahn's chest, like a volcanic eruption, carrying the weight and yearning of his entire soul:

"Because I—Ratahn—also yearn for it!"

Rataen abruptly raised his head, his eyes fixed directly on Xiling! His gaze burned with a flame devoid of all hesitation, pure and utterly unadulterated:

"Yearning to become that giant axe that paves the way! To cleave through the despair that shrouds the borderlands, and carve a path to the future!"

"I yearn to walk the path of heroes—not for personal glory, but to protect the ordinary hope you ignited for countless lives!"

"I yearn...to cleave the path of the Silver Age for you, just as the First King split the chaos, just as my late father unified the laws! This is my desire! This is my path!"

Xiling's gaze remained fixed on Rataen's face before she posed her final question.

A question that, like a cold dagger, pierces the deepest, most tender part of Rataen's soul.

“Then,” Xiling’s voice remained calm, “even if…” Xiling paused, letting each word be clearly imprinted in the air.

"With your father—Radagan, the second King of Elden..."

"...to be an enemy of your mother—Queen Renara of the Full Moon..."

Are you still willing to embark on this Silver War without reservation?

The air froze instantly.

Time seemed to stretch out infinitely within Ratahn's enormous body, and after a long while, Ratahn spoke.

"……I……"

"...We can't bring ourselves to harm them."

Just as Ratahn finished speaking...

"Crack, crack, crack..."

A crisp, rhythmic round of applause suddenly broke the silence in the empty space.

Xiling sat in her wheelchair, smiling, and clapping sincerely, again and again.

“Very good…” Xiling’s voice broke the heavy tone with a light laugh. “You’ve passed, Rataen.”

Ratahn looked up, one hand still in front of him.

Xi Ling chuckled softly, "Aren't you getting up?"

Ratan placed his hand on the small one, using the leverage to slowly stand up, his armor clanging heavily. He remained slightly bowed, his massive head lowered, his gaze fixed on their clasped hands:

Thank you for your trust.

“No, Ratan.” Xiling shook her head slightly, looking directly into the general’s lowered gaze, and said clearly, word by word, “I should be saying… thank you for your trust.”

"Thank you... for trusting me—trusting the simple future I described, and even more so for choosing to show me your undisguised truth in the face of this final test."

This trust is far more precious than you can imagine.

Chapter 2, Second Meeting

It was approaching evening.

Foreman Kevin changed his clothes and came into the meeting room, where he saw a familiar figure.

Kevin raised his hand and waved to the other person.

Long time no see, Ratahn.

Ratahn nodded in response to Kevin.

After Kevin took his seat, the second campaign meeting officially began.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Xiling cleared her throat and said, "Then the meeting shall officially begin. But before we begin our discussions, let us warmly welcome our new comrade-in-arms, General Ratahn of Shattered Star. Let's give him a round of applause!"

After Xiling finished speaking, she clapped first, and then the others in the chat group also gave her a warm round of applause.

Ratahn’s massive body was squeezed slightly stiffly into a specially made chair that was clearly not his size.

This unexpected and warm welcome was a stark contrast to the military conferences he had attended in the past, which were filled with tension and intrigue.

A vague, mixed feeling of embarrassment and discomfort swept over him. He looked at the faces—some enthusiastic, some indulging in amusement—and finally, he simply nodded his large head again solemnly, uttering two words in a low, clear voice: "Thank you."

After the welcome, Ratahn was briefly introduced to the people in the conference room.

Xiling pointed to the faded figure, "This is our court mage."

Pointing to Kevin as a "court knight".

Pointing to Luo Tianyi as a "court entertainer"

As her finger slid towards the Nine Heavens of Penglai Temple, Xiling frowned and fell into thought: "This one... um..."

Penglai Temple's Nine Heavens immediately glared fiercely at him.

Xiling quickly waved her hand with a smile: "Oh, I was just explaining everyone's roles a little! Don't mind it, don't mind it! Um... court... uh... 'special talents'? Liven up the atmosphere?" Xiling vaguely glossed over it.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Jiu Xiao finally couldn't help but protest in a low voice.

Penglai City's Jiuxiao puffed out his cheeks and glared fiercely at Xiling.

Ignoring the high school student, Xiling pointed at Remian, calling her "the new god."

Ratahn's gaze lingered on Remian for a moment.

Xiling had already told him about Remian's special qualities, so he didn't show excessive surprise, only nodding slightly in greeting.

Xiling pointed to herself last, shrugged and smiled, "As for me, I probably don't need much of an introduction, right? The title of Silver Lord should be enough."

Xiling turned her gaze to the silent Montgomery: "Mongomery, you two clashed on the battlefield of the Shattered War. You're old acquaintances and old rivals, so you probably know each other better than I do."

Mongot's gaze met Rataen's briefly in the air, and both of them simply nodded slightly.

Xiling clapped her hands forcefully, the crisp sound pulling everyone back to the present moment. "The welcoming ceremony is over, and our old friends have exchanged greetings. Now, our meeting—officially begins!"

A sheepskin map depicting the entire border area was spread out in the center of the long table. Three crucial locations were circled in bold vermilion on the map:

The Magic Academy of Realucalia.

Volcano Official Residence.

Holy tree.

Three red circles are marked on the border map; these are the locations of the last three Great Runes, and the place where they will fight.

“As shown on the map, these are our final three objectives: the Magic Academy, the Volcano Mansion, and the Sacred Tree. By reclaiming these three Great Runes, we can complete the reshaping of the laws of the Borderlands and lay the true foundation for the Silver Age.” Xiling looked at everyone.

Kevin raised his hand. "Should we split up again, like last time?"

Unexpectedly, Xiling shook her head decisively and pointed heavily at the mark circled in vermilion on the map—the Volcano Residence.

"No!" Xiling's voice carried an undeniable determination. "This time, your main force will concentrate its strength to attack one place!"

All eyes immediately focused on the location of the volcano's official residence.

"Radahn, Mongot, Kevin, charge straight into the heart of the mansion, find Rakad... and kill him completely!"

When the word "kill" was uttered clearly and forcefully from Xiling's mouth, the temperature in the entire conference room seemed to drop several degrees. This was the first time since Xiling launched the Silver Conquest that she had issued a kill order with such a clear and uncompromising tone.

Xiling's gaze turned to Rataen, whose massive body seemed to freeze even more upon hearing the command.

Xiling's voice lowered, carrying a heavy tone of explanation: "Ratan, I know he's your blood brother, but the current Rakad..."

Xiling paused slightly, as if searching for the most accurate description: "He is no longer the person you remember. He has sacrificed himself to the blasphemous serpent... becoming some kind of... twisted and terrifying being."

Xiling looked at him and said, "When you see him with your own eyes... you will understand why I had to give this order. He is not your relative, but a blasphemous incarnation that needs to be ended."

After a long silence, Ratahn finally nodded. He would confirm it with his own eyes.

Xiling then shifted her gaze to the other two red circles: "As for the Magic Academy and the Sacred Tree... there's no need to rush into those two."

"If possible, try communicating using language."

"But the prerequisite is—they are willing to 'understand human language'."

Xiling looked around and tapped her fingertips lightly on the table: "Is there anything to add, everyone?"

Penglai Temple's Jiuxiao immediately raised his hand, his eyes shining brightly.

Xiling raised an eyebrow at her: "Hmm?"

Jiuxiao asked impatiently, "Aren't there any other tasks?"

Xiling grinned and gave a thumbs up: "Your task is to study."

"Ah~ why is it like this?" Jiu Xiao's face fell.

Xiling gave her a disgruntled look: "Don't you understand the principles of leveling up in RPG games? Can you even handle this dungeon? If you can't, then go grind for levels."

Jiuxiao defiantly clenched his fist, full of fighting spirit: "Once I surpass your level, I'll return that line to you verbatim!"

Xiling nodded with a smile: "Then you'd better hurry up, or I'll be clinging to your leg."

Xiling looked around at everyone again: "Is there anything else to add? It doesn't necessarily have to be related to this meeting, after all, there's not much to discuss in this meeting."

There's really nothing to discuss. With their lineup, they can hit any target they want and win 100% of the time; there's no need for any reasoning.

Just then, Ratahn slowly raised his hand.