My Celestial Ascension Chapter 869: Commander Ragnar

"It’s impossible! Has Lord Cassius truly been slain?!"

"Who possesses the strength required to take down a man of his caliber?! I can't believe this!"

"Lord Cassius met his end within the Green Viper Organization’s borders! Witnesses are claiming that the daughter of Lady Nyx was the one who ended him!"

"What?! Lady Nyx’s daughter? How could a girl like her achieve such a feat?!"

Throughout the streets of Lawless City, citizens spoke in hushed, shocked tones as rumors of the monumental event spread like wildfire.

Meanwhile, a heavy, suffocating silence gripped the Red Dragon Syndicate’s headquarters. Every subordinate stood paralyzed, reeling from the catastrophic news of their sovereign's demise.

At first, the members traded whispers of doubt, questioning if the reports were merely fabrications. However, as the relentless roar of city gossip reached their ears, they were forced to accept the grim reality—their leader was dead.

The source of their greatest shock wasn't simply his passing, but the fact that his life wasn't taken by Lady Nyx, but by a young girl. This realization was a humiliating blow that stained the syndicate’s terrifying legacy.

It was a mark of shame that could never be washed away, regardless of how much blood they spilled in retaliation.

Rage consumed the organization’s commander—Cassius’s trusted right-hand man—the moment the death was confirmed.

"Curse it all! How could a mere brat kill a man like our leader?! Is this some pathetic prank?!" he bellowed, his fury exploding as he kicked a chair, shattering it into splinters instantly.

Ragnar, the second-in-command, was every bit as cruel and savage as Cassius had been. Holding the rank of the syndicate's second-most powerful warrior, his word was law to everyone except the late leader.

The two had shared a depraved philosophy and had orchestrated countless slaughters together, erasing entire bloodlines without a second thought.

"L-Lord Commander... we are uncertain how that wench managed to kill our lord... we are still investigating the details," a subordinate stammered, his body shaking with terror.

This response only fueled Ragnar’s insanity, causing his features to contort with murderous intent.

"Incompetent trash!" he roared, delivering a devastating kick that sent the man flying into a wall, knocking him out cold upon impact.

The remaining members shivered in dread, keeping their gazes fixed on the floor and breathing softly to avoid notice. No one dared to look up, terrified of becoming the next victim of his wrath.

"Does anyone in this room know how that girl succeeded in killing our leader?! Answer me before I lose my remaining patience!" Ragnar’s voice boomed through the hall like a thunderclap.

He demanded an explanation. He needed to know how Cassius had fallen to a girl—a mere woman. This was the most profound disgrace the Red Dragon Syndicate had ever endured.

With their leader dead at the hands of a child, the Red Dragon Syndicate was destined to become the laughingstock of the entire Beast Continent.

"W-We truly don't know, my lord... please show mercy for our failure." Another syndicate member spoke with a trembling voice, his knees knocking together.

"It is true, my lord. We possess almost no information regarding that girl," another chimed in.

A third member ventured, "All we have confirmed is that she is the daughter of the Green Viper Organization's head. Beyond that, she is a mystery."

"How pathetic... to think the Red Dragon Syndicate has crumbled to this state so quickly... how humiliating." Ragnar gnashed his teeth, disgusted by the uselessness of his subordinates.

Yet, he was trapped. Further punishment would only invite disaster; the survivors might desert to rival factions and betray the syndicate’s darkest secrets.

While execution was a choice, it would only cripple the organization further. Thirty elite members had already perished alongside Cassius.

To kill more would leave the syndicate vulnerable. At that point, every organization—from the giants to the bottom-feeders—would turn their fangs toward the Red Dragon Syndicate.

Smaller sects would never ignore such a god-given chance. They would gladly gamble everything to claw their way into the upper echelons of power.

They were like a pack of wolves closing in on a bleeding tiger. That was the eternal law of the world.

Already, various low-tier groups were beginning to stir, drawn by the scent of blood like a swarm of ravenous piranhas.

Ragnar recognized the danger and realized he had to tread carefully from this moment forward.

'The storm is already gathering... it won't be long before those bottom-dwelling scavengers challenge us openly for our territory...' Ragnar thought, his expression darkening as he rubbed his head.

'I have no choice but to assume command as the new leader... Cassius, you fool, you've left me with nothing but a massive headache...' He exhaled a long sigh and shook his head.

Turning back to his subordinates, his demeanor shifted into one of absolute authority.

"All of you, go! Command everyone to watch our borders and double the city's security immediately!" he barked, his voice sharp and commanding.

"Furthermore, if you spot any suspicious activity from rival sects within the city, wipe them out without hesitation."

Following his stern orders, the Red Dragon Syndicate members bowed and hurried out of the chamber.

Once alone, Ragnar took a seat at the table, since his previous chair was now nothing but debris.

"Now... what is the best move? Do I seek vengeance for that idiot? Or do I focus on rebuilding our strength?" he questioned himself, staring at the ceiling with a contemplative frown.

—

In a sunlit, expansive chamber adorned with priceless relics and luxury, a man reclined on a magnificent sofa, a small smirk playing on his lips.

A massive hoard of gold coins sat on the table before him, which he was calmly counting. The pile was so enormous it threatened to spill over the edges.

"The pleasure houses have yielded a fortune this month... the profits have far exceeded our previous records," he whispered to himself, his grin widening.

"Men are so desperate for the touch of a beautiful woman... it is remarkably simple to make them empty their pockets for a moment of bliss... lust makes them so easy to control."

"Once desire takes hold, people abandon their logic. They will pay any price just to spend a night with a beauty. It's an excellent trade, truly. Heh..." He gave a soft laugh as he swept the gold into his magic pouch.

"I've caught wind of a major disturbance in the Green Viper territory. I wonder what triggered such a commotion..." he pondered, looking thoughtful.

Despite controlling the most vast intelligence network, gathering data from the Lawless City’s eastern district was difficult. That area was locked down tight by the Green Viper Organization.

Suddenly, the doors swung open, and a captivating woman walked in with a beaming smile. She wore provocative attire that highlighted her graceful curves.

"My Lord, I have some fascinating news that I am certain you will find delightful," Natalia said with excitement, seating herself on the sofa beside Darius.

"Oh? What have you found, Natalia? Does it involve the Green Viper Organization?" Darius asked, his eyebrows rising in anticipation.

"It does, my lord. Exactly as you suspected." Natalia nodded, leaning her body against his.

She immediately began detailing the events to Darius. Her voice was smooth and enticing, and Darius instinctively pulled her closer as he focused on her report.

A subtle smile touched Natalia’s lips, but she remained professional, relaying everything she had uncovered about the chaos in the eastern district.

"As of now, the Red Dragon Syndicate’s leader and thirty of his men are dead. Wiped out without a trace," Natalia finished, her seductive smile remaining.

"Wiped out? In what way? Was it a high-level spell? Perhaps a Divine Spell?" Darius inquired, confused and seeking clarification.

"I cannot be certain," Natalia answered, shaking her head with a frown. "I wasn't there to witness it personally."

She continued, "Those who were there say Cassius and his followers turned completely black before dissolving into a dark sludge. Then, they simply evaporated like mist."

"I also discovered that the killer was Lady Nyx’s daughter—the one who was missing for years and only just returned."

"The strangest part is that no one felt any mana. They claim it looked like a natural event—a completely baffling phenomenon." Natalia’s report left Darius looking both intrigued and deeply puzzled.

"How bizarre... no sign of mana, not even the smallest hint of magic... Cassius's end is shrouded in a great mystery." He spoke softly, his face clouded with thought.

After a moment of reflection, he stood and walked to a display shelf holding hundreds of exquisite wine bottles.

He selected a bottle and two glasses, one for himself and one for Natalia.

As he polished the bottle with a dark cloth, he looked at her. "Nyx’s daughter... what do we know about her? What is her character, and where has she been hiding?"

"Information is scarce," Natalia admitted, shaking her head. "From what I've gathered, she only recently arrived on this continent. She’s been traveling through various regions with a specific group."

"In fact, she was right here about a week ago with those same companions," she added with a light smile.

"Really? And what was her business here? Searching for her mother?"

"No, not at all." Natalia smiled again. "She and her group were looking for information regarding the Dark Continent. I believe they intend to travel there soon."

"Is that so... The Dark Continent, hmm?" Darius inhaled deeply, returned to the sofa, and handed her a glass. "That is a name I haven't considered in years. I had almost forgotten it."

"Only a madman would go there... nothing but certain death waits for those who set foot on that accursed soil," Natalia remarked, her tone turning grim and heavy with warning.