Chapter 726: Chapter 727: Legacy Of Sunwarden Radiant flashes of light were followed by the screams of the goddess races who dared to face this demon. He disappeared and appeared at will, his movements swift and unpredictable, like a phantom of light. His wings gleamed radiant and bright almost making him seem holy to those unfortunate enough to witness him. But the light that traveled from his body was not warm and healing. It was the final flash before permanent darkness, a radiant death. Vibrating sounds of light waves tore through the air, each wave traveling faster than sight could track, ripping enemies apart with merciless precision. The scent of burnt flesh and ozone hung thick in the chaos. A blurry man with a shield tried to react, but he was too slow. A beam of light struck his head, and like a melon, it burst apart. The charred smell mingled with smoke and ash across the battlefield, his death just one of many in this blood-soaked ground. The young Adramelech advanced, armor gleaming as he unleashed radiant blasts that painted the sky with death. Each flash marked the end of a life. Blood splattered across his face, mixing with soot and dust, yet the small smile that formed betrayed no remorse. He could see it, the demons had advanced, their raw firepower overwhelming, the goddess races. Raising his sword of light, he prepared to cleave through a pale-faced young man locked in battle with a demon beast. But before he could strike, a golden flash cut across his vision. Rolling across the dirt, he barely managed to evade, stopping just in time to see the figure who dared strike him. "Hmph." He chuckled, brushing dirt from his armor. "Ahh, the daughter of the Golden Death... Evangeline Brightwater. It seems you have come to die." Evangeline stood bloodied, her aura trembling between second and third class. "Funny," she said, her sword raised and voice steady. "I was about to say the same thing." She pointed her blade directly at him. "Adramelech, I challenge you to a battle to the death." The roars and chaos of war raged behind them, but Haskell stood unmoved, wings folding slightly as he answered. "Adramelech is the title my father held before he was killed. My name is Haskell Adramelech." He lifted his sword, the light from its edge reflecting in his eyes. "That title now belongs to someone else, all because of you Brightwaters." Evangeline’s golden eyes narrowed. "Then is this a question of vengeance?" He took his stance, light rippling across his armor. "I could say it’s not, but I’d be lying. This is personal... killing you is personal." Evangeline clenched her fist. "Then is this your attempt at justice?" Haskell frowned, confused by her tone. "Yes, this is justice. My justice." He charged, his radiant sword colliding with her golden one, sparks scattering through the air like stars. "Your justice?" Evangeline parried, her voice sharp. "What about ours? My grandfather only killed Adramelech because he murdered my grandmother, she wasn’t even a warrior. Is that justice?" She swung downward, her blade sending a streak of golden light that carved into the ground. Fighters too close to the clash were vaporized in the wake of their power. Haskell countered with a volley of radiant beams, but Evangeline deflected them with precise sweeps, her movements flawless. Each impact scorched the ground, painting the battlefield in blinding light that glittered against the smoke and darkness. "Yes! That’s justice!" Haskell shouted. "That is what justice is!" "Your predecessor was in the wrong," Evangeline shot back. "He started the bloodshed. My grandfather brought justice." "Ha! Justice?" Haskell’s laughter echoed, unhinged. "Tell that to the millions who burned in the Battle of Dying Suns. Tell that to the lands now turned to immolating hell. Tell that to the people who became refugees because of that so-called justice!" He sneered, his wings spreading wide. "What you call justice is nothing but revenge, you human bitch! It’s the same endless cycle, revenge dressed as righteousness!" He rose into the air, his voice booming across the field. "Justice is retribution! Think about it—it’s never about mercy. It’s about punishment. About ensuring the guilty suffer! Is that not vengeance?" "The trials against perceived evil, the court, and the justice system are all about bringing punishment... not equity or forgiveness." Evangeline froze for a moment, her ideals crushed under his words. His voice pierced through her heart, twisting everything she believed. Yet as her hands trembled, she steadied herself. She had heard this before doubt, mockery, contradiction and every time, she had risen stronger or changed for the better. She would not falter here. "I understand it now," she said softly, her voice clear. "You may be right. I agree, justice is retribution. Justice demands that evil be punished, not guilt. Justice demands that the wicked do not walk free after their wrongs." Her hand rested on her chest as a soft golden glow spread from her heart. "Justice is blind, not heartless. And if it is heartless, then I shall be its heart. I will uphold what I believe is righteous." Her aura flared, golden radiance surging higher and higher until the air itself trembled. "I will be the warden that brings retribution!" The heavens answered her. Golden light illuminated the sky as a whisper echoed in her mind, the voice of the world itself. [You walk the footsteps of she who remained true even in rot. You have inherited the legacy of the Ascendant who walked in the sun even while she burned.] [You have awakened the unique class: Sunwarden.] [Class Skill: Retribution — Bringer of Justice, Warden of Carnage.] [Your fable grows.] The battlefield stilled for a heartbeat. Evangeline stood radiant, her form almost celestial. Before Haskell could even adjust to her brilliance, she vanished from sight. In a blur of motion, she crossed the distance, light incarnate. Haskell’s eyes widened as he turned. For an instant, he tried to speak, confusion flashing in his gaze. Then he saw it, her sword had already passed through him. He looked down at his chest, watching blood pour freely. His head fell before his body hit the ground. Evangeline lowered her blade, her expression unreadable, and walked away as his body disintegrated into dust and ash. Justice had been the end of his retribution.