Brutal, A True Warrior Dares to Face a Sea of Fire

"Serena!"

"No..."

"Serena!"

"Serena..."

The moment the flames shot up, before anyone could react, three figures leapt from the viewing platform with such speed that even the trained soldiers nearby were secretly impressed.

These three were Ninth Royal Uncle Nolan, William Wang Jinling, and Prince Nathan of Southlyn. They dashed toward the horses, seized mounts from the guards, and sped toward the scene of the disaster.

"Faster!" Prince Colin clenched his fists, watching the three shoot toward Serena like arrows, then collapsed heavily back into his seat.

At this moment, the crowd finally snapped out of it and shouted, "It's on fire! How could the water suddenly catch fire?"

"This is bad—Miss Feng and Miss Su are both still on the bridge!"

"Quick, hurry, save them!"

Everyone on the viewing platform panicked, urgently ordering the guards to save them. But the entire surface of the water was aflame—how could the guards rescue anyone? Serena and Su Rou were stranded on the bridge, right in the heart of the fire. How could anyone reach them?

"Ninth Royal Uncle, don't come any closer—it's too dangerous!" Dominic Zhai was nearest, and when he saw Nolan charging forward, he instinctively tried to block him.

The entire water surface was burning, stretching for miles—there was simply no way to break through. Even if they charged in, they couldn't save anyone.

"Move!" Nolan ignored Dominic Zhai completely and charged ahead, not caring if his rush might knock Dominic aside.

"Jinling, stop Nolan! Don't go crazy too—there are guards here, and they're already trying to save them. Rushing in won't help." Dominic Zhai, frantic, didn't dare to confront Nolan head-on and could only steer his horse aside.

"If you're really my brother, don't hold me back." William Wang didn't even glance at Dominic, spurred his horse after Nolan, his eyes red and glistening—tears seemed to flash by...

Dominic Zhai wasn't wrong—charging into the fire would do no good. The blaze had completely engulfed the bridge, and the water was a sea of flames. There was nowhere to stand except that tiny bridge. Even if they rushed over, they might not be able to save anyone. But even so, they still had to go—because...

Serena was there!

Charge—charge through, rush into the sea of fire, and bring Serena out!

If the Emperor was shocked the instant the flames erupted, now he was secretly delighted.

The Emperor hoped Nolan and William Wang would charge even faster—ideally, they'd both die in the fire, and everything would become much simpler.

He'd considered killing Nolan and William Wang with such a crude, direct method before, but it had never worked—until now, when it finally seemed possible.

Ninth Brother, Ninth Brother, today I finally understand—you really have feelings. For a royal man to fall in love... should I call you a fool or an idiot?

The Emperor sneered, his gaze sharp as arrows. The Grand Preceptor and Grand Protector, who had just asked him to order a rescue, instantly fell silent, not daring to say another word.

If they couldn't guess the Emperor's intentions, they really ought to resign and go home to sell sweet potatoes. As for what the Emperor was thinking, neither official expressed an opinion—because if Nolan and William Wang died, it would be a boon for Eastlyn, or at least for the loyalist faction.

Nolan and William Wang were only about fifty meters from the sea of fire. The Emperor’s eyes were bloodshot, his nerves stretched taut with tension.

Faster, faster—charge in, charge in!

The Emperor shouted inwardly, so tense and expectant that his hands unconsciously clenched into fists, waving them slightly. Prince Jason was just as eager for Nolan to die in the fire—except the Emperor still cared about appearances, while Jason made no attempt to hide his excitement.

Prince Colin watched all this unfold, his heart growing ever colder, and his worry for Nolan and Serena mounting. If they really died in this fire, just to please the Emperor, it would be a terrible waste.

Forty meters...

Thirty meters...

Nolan, William Wang, Dominic Zhai, and Prince Nathan of Southlyn drew ever closer to the sea of fire, while the Emperor grew more and more excited.

At last, Eastlyn's three biggest headaches would be solved by a mysterious fire—just like that. Hahaha...

Unfortunately, the Emperor rejoiced too soon—reality never bends to human will, even if that human is an emperor.

Ten meters... Nolan was only ten meters from the flames. The heat was intense, scorching his cheeks, but he seemed not to feel it, charging onward without hesitation.

The horse's nose was nearly touching the sparks. The Emperor's wish was about a third fulfilled—when suddenly, a dramatic scene unfolded: a blazing figure burst out from the sea of fire.

"Move! Move!" The blazing figure was astride a horse, shouting hoarsely. Though she was wrapped in flames and her voice was rough, the crowd nearly wept with joy at the sound.

"Serena!" Nolan's voice was unlike anything anyone had ever heard—trembling with terror and joy, a tone he'd never used before.

But no one noticed; everyone's attention was fixed on the figure that had burst from the flames.

Serena galloped out of the fire on horseback. The instant she cleared the flames, she leapt off the horse and rolled on the ground.