Everyone Is A Lord: My Talent Is A Little Too Strong Chapter 2617: 1441: Sudden Upheaval

The eerie, unrestrained laughter of the Witch Demon Leader echoed through the moonlit Illusion Realm Dense Forest. Reece’s lion-like features contorted as veins bulged on his face, and he roared in fury, “As long as there is breath left in my body, you will never succeed!”

With those words, Reece’s aura flared violently. He brandished his shimmering Giant Axe and lunged toward the Witch Demon Leader in a fierce assault.

“Hmph, nothing more than the courage of a mindless brute.”

The Witch Demon Leader watched the enraged beast-man charge toward him with a withered face full of contempt. Unfazed, he turned his back and began to stroll away into the heart of the woods, flanked by his group of witch demons.

Just as Reece was about to strike, a massive Illusion Mirror materialized out of thin air, capturing the reflection of the lion-man’s murderous intent.

In an instant, the “Reece” within the Illusion Mirror stepped out, wielding a duplicate Tier 6 Giant Axe. The reflection intercepted the original in a brutal collision of steel.

The two combatants were perfectly matched, leaving Reece unable to move an inch forward. He could only vent his frustration through thunderous, savage roars.

“Leader of the Rainforest, enjoy your duel with your own reflection.”

Hearing Reece’s bellows, the Witch Demon Leader sneered coldly. “It costs me no energy at all. Meet your end in a fit of useless rage.”

With a final hoarse cackle that rang through the night sky, the Witch Demon Leader vanished into the darkness of the dense forest.

...

“Lord, you have been toiling all day. Do you not intend to rest?”

Ariel Watson stepped onto the balcony of the Queen’s chambers within the Lion Castle. She gently draped an Emperor’s robe over Leo Ray’s shoulders, her eyes filled with concern.

“I am not weary yet.”

Leo Ray offered a soft smile, though he could not shake a lingering sense of dread in his heart.

After parting ways with the Administrator and returning to the Human Domain, Leo Ray had been relentless. He first coordinated with Sarah Shawn, Bianca White, and other elites to bring containers to the Loren Royal City Ruins. Their mission was to retrieve Old Roy and the other three Apocalyptic Knights. Once they were safely housed within the Lion King Temple, he had finally returned to the castle.

Despite every precaution being taken, the threat remained. The witch demon was notoriously treacherous, and that cunning was likely the root of his persistent anxiety.

“No, I must conduct one final inspection of our border defenses.”

Leo Ray shook off his hesitation. He immediately initiated Mind Talk, commanding Ice Stone City to remain on standby just outside the capital.

“I shall return shortly. Make sure you get some sleep.”

Leo Ray patted Ariel Watson’s head affectionately before departing the court, heading straight for Ice Stone City.

Soon after, Leo Ray arrived at the Desolate Fortress, a key defensive point on the border of the Desert Alliance. Situated at the boundary of the giants' territory, it was manned by a joint force of giants and treant generals. It served as the closest bastion to the Desert Alliance lands.

Under the pale moon, the fortress stood against the edge of the desert, where the wind wailed through a landscape of shifting sands and dust.

“We greet Your Majesty!”

Haner Tree and Shuert noticed Leo Ray’s arrival and immediately stepped forward to salute.

“Rise. Has there been any movement?”

Leo Ray nodded, getting straight to the point.

“Everything is quiet, Your Majesty,” Haner Tree replied respectfully. “Including our treant allies, we have 3 Tier 4 legions and 15 Tier 3 legions stationed here. They are all elite troops.”

“Tonight is a turning point. We cannot afford a single moment of negligence, as the witch demon is likely to strike again,” Leo Ray warned solemnly. “Our recent operations have been successful, and victory seems close, but that is exactly when we are most vulnerable. Ensure the commanders stay on high alert.”

“As you command, Your Majesty!”

Haner Tree’s rugged blue face was set in an expression of deep reverence. Since witnessing Leo Ray handle the two alliance leaders at the Shadow Market, the new Troll Clan Chief’s respect for him had become absolute.

Leo Ray gave a satisfied nod. However, just as he prepared to visit the next outpost, Haner Tree suddenly pressed a hand to his ear, listening to a Magic Communication.

His face instantly paled. “Your Majesty, Cassie was scouting the perimeter and found a critically wounded powerhouse from the Desert Alliance. It appears to be the masked subordinate who followed the Desert Leader at the Shadow Market!”

“Order Cassie to bring them in immediately.”

Leo Ray’s expression sharpened.

He knew the masked figure was Sina’s most trusted confidant. If that person was in such a state, Sina and the rest of the Desert Alliance were likely facing a catastrophe—a development he had not foreseen.

“What could have happened?”

Troubled by the mystery, Leo Ray began walking toward the entrance. “Haner Tree, Shuert, follow me to the gate.”

The two followed closely, sensing the urgency in the air.

Moments later, the heavy fortress gates swung open. Cassie rushed inside, carrying a small, slumped figure.

In the moonlight, the individual’s black clothes were drenched in blood. Through the fragments of a shattered mask, it was clear this was the same masked guard, now unconscious.

“Your Majesty, the injuries are catastrophic. There are signs of petrification, magical explosions, and wounds from a giant serpent. I provided basic first aid, but it wasn't enough.”

Cassie started to kneel in greeting, but Leo Ray waved him off.

“I will take over.”

Leo Ray moved quickly, discarding the ruined mask. He administered a Tier 6 Healing Magic Potion and tore open a Tier 6 Healing Scroll without a second thought.

He knew this person was the key to understanding the situation. Expensive medicines and rare scrolls were a small price to pay for answers.

As the dual healing effects took hold, a soft golden light enveloped the victim. Her shallow breathing steadied almost instantly, and the jagged wounds began to knit together before their eyes.

With the mask removed, Leo Ray finally saw her face.

She was a young woman with fierce, sand-colored battle markings on her cheeks. Atop her head sat a pair of tufted, upright ears—she belonged to the Desert Catman Clan, though she was smaller in stature than Bianca White of the Snow Wolf Clan.

“A powerful member of the Catman Clan, then.”

Leo Ray recalled his intelligence reports; they were a dominant force within the Desert Alliance.

As he pondered this, the girl’s eyes fluttered open. After a brief moment of disorientation, she recognized Leo Ray. Despite her agony, she struggled to her feet and collapsed into a kowtow at his boots.

“Your Majesty of the Humans... please... save our leader! Save the Desert Alliance!”