Ashen Dragon

Rhea stood in place, her eyes widened in disbelief, murmuring to herself, "This... how is it possible! No, you must be sowing discord! You're deceiving me!"

The Half-Elf paladin was infuriated and raised the longsword, pointing it toward the distant incarnation of Rose.

However, Rose merely chuckled softly, her eyes filled with mockery and ridicule: "Then wait to be slaughtered by your dear Queen. After all... you don't have many chances left."

Rhea gritted her teeth, her hand trembling slightly as she held the Silver Sword. She turned her head to look at Catherine, seeing the black rose mark on her neck emitting dense black mist, like a venomous snake about to awaken.

She could feel that what Rose said was true.

The Chaos Divine Power within Catherine was still expanding. Once the Silver Moon Divine Power's suppression fades, the Elf Queen would transform into a terrifying God Scourge, combining the powers of various divine entities.

By that time, everything would be too late.

"Catherine..."

Rhea gazed at that familiar, beautiful face, her heart full of hesitation.

Could she really kill Catherine with her own hands? Kill the Queen she once swore loyalty to?

The Ancient Gold Dragon tried to maintain Dragon's Grip, letting out a long sigh, and said in a deep voice, "Rhea, follow your heart, we don't have much time."

Emerson nervously gripped the Magic Wand, bulging veins appearing from overexertion, his eyes bloodshot: "Quick, Lady Rhea, the power is too strong, I can barely hold on!"

In an instant, all the pressure was on Rhea's mind, making it difficult for her to breathe. Her mind was flooded with countless thoughts — Serinia was in peril, the Queen had already fallen into madness, and was about to awaken.

Rhea knew that if Catherine was still conscious, she would never want to become a tool for the Spider Queen's slaughter.

In the end, she made up her mind.

Rhea took a deep breath, pure Moonlight Divine Power flowed down her only remaining right arm into the Silver Sword, causing it to glow brilliantly, its light flickering.

Divine Power Sword.

If this Silver Sword infused with divine power were to pierce the heart, even a demigod would find it hard to survive.

"Rest in peace, Catherine, you will die as a hero..."

Full of endless reluctance, heartache, and grief, Rhea extended the Silver Sword and resolutely stabbed it toward Catherine's heart.

At that moment, Rose in the distance revealed an exceedingly anticipative smile, gently flicking her fingers, seemingly causing one of the spider threads to snap suddenly.

She let out a hoarse sneer: "Mortal... I said, I want you to be killed by the person you trust the most!."

"Let me enjoy this spectacle thoroughly!"

Meanwhile, Catherine suddenly opened her eyes, which became clear and bright, devoid of the scarlet hue or the madness, bloodlust, only remaining with bewilderment and helplessness.

She seemed to awaken from a long dream, in which she was endlessly fighting monsters, never ceasing until death.

Catherine gazed at Rhea in front of her, looking at her wounds all over, her empty arm, and the Silver Sword aimed at her chest, her pupils instantly contracted, eyes filled with disbelief.

Looking at her blood-covered hands, feeling the suppressed Chaos Divine Power within, Catherine immediately deduced what had transpired.

— She was controlled by the Spider Queen, turning against her kin and allies, even personally destroying Rhea's arm!

"What... have I done?" Catherine's throat trembled, her tone filled with guilt and self-blame.

Sensing Catherine's awakening, Rhea's motion of thrusting the Silver Sword slowed considerably, tears streaming from the corners of her eyes, she softly called, "Your Highness, I'm sorry..."

Rose's extremely cruel, malicious laughter lingered by Catherine's ear, even echoing directly in her mind, unable to be dispelled.

"Look, Catherine, this is your most trusted subordinate! This is your most loyal dog! This group of traitors could stab a sharp sword into your heart at any moment!"

"But you have a choice — that is to submit to me, abandon Shanee, that wench, become my follower! I will grant you unparalleled power to slay those traitors mercilessly!"

"You're dreaming!"

Catherine angrily cursed in her heart: "Even if I die, I will not side with someone as filthy as you!"

Realizing she was about to once again succumb to madness, about to become a butcher stained with blood, burdened with sins, possibly slaughtering her own people, she made up her mind almost instantly.

Even if she died, she could not become the Spider Queen's accomplice!

Under the gaze of everyone, Catherine suddenly extended her arm, using her slender, fair hand to grasp the Silver Sword, leaning her body forward with effort, thrusting the radiant Silver Sword fiercely into her own chest.

"Stab—"

The crisp sound of flesh being pierced echoed out, the sharp Silver Sword instantly penetrated the Elf Queen's chest, directly piercing her still-beating heart.

In an instant, warm blood surged from her chest, unstoppable.

"Catherine..."

Rhea stood in place, her voice filled with grief and shock, as if struck by Heavy Hammer, she froze, loosening her grip on the sword.

Catherine used her last bit of strength to raise her head, extending her blood-stained hand weakly, saying: "Sorry..."

"I failed to fulfill... my vow..."

"Catherine, Your Highness..." Rhea anxiously crouched down, holding Catherine in her arms, tears like a tide continually streaming down, sliding over her cheeks, dripping from her chin.