The storm pounded against the cracked window, tracing tangled streams of rain across the glass.
The principal's office—supposedly the safest place in the entire school—was still within the range of the Dragon King's spiritual domain.
The transparent glass reflected a face: old, but unwavering. His silver hair was combed meticulously, and his thin frame stood tall in a sharp, neatly pressed suit.
Just standing there, he was like an unsheathed blade—radiating a killing intent so intense it made one's heart tighten. In his blazing golden eyes, it was as if molten lava churned.
He was the founder of Cassell College, the greatest dragon slayer in modern history, the last surviving member of the original Lionheart Society.
Hilbert—Hilbert Ron Anjou. For nearly a century, his name had been the nightmare of countless dragon-corrupted Death Servitors, and the most hated figure among the secret hybrid factions.
Now, despite being over a hundred years old, his eyes were still sharp as ever.
The fire of vengeance burned in his chest, threatening to devour everything—even if it meant consuming himself entirely.
"Old friend, it's the final battle. Will you fight alongside me one last time?"
Hilbert didn't turn around. His eyes burned with battle spirit as he spoke in a hoarse voice.
Sitting lazily in a chair in the office was another elderly man, wearing a colorful plaid shirt, legs crossed like he didn't care about the world.
It was hard to believe this casual old man was Cassell's vice principal—Leonardo Flammel—Hilbert' trusted friend and right-hand man.
Rumor had it Leonardo was even older than Hilbert, and his bloodline was second only to the Four Monarchs themselves.
Leonardo tilted his head at him, deep wrinkles folding over his face as he sighed, "You're really in such a hurry to bury yourself?"
To him, Hilbert' decision felt like choosing his own grave.
"We can't always let the young ones charge into battle alone, can we?"
Hilbert chuckled lightly, his tone carrying deeper meaning. "The old era is ending. Fossils like us should be buried with it."
Hearing that, Leonardo was stunned.
Then he saw the killing intent in Hilbert' eyes and seemed to realize something. His body trembled slightly.
"Hilbert… you're going to make a move on the Secret Party?"
"That's not quite accurate.
It's not that I will—I already have."
Hilbert' voice carried a chilling edge, filled with cold killing intent.
"Guess what those people will do when the era of the Dragon Clan ends?"
"Seize power."
Leonardo answered without hesitation.
"Exactly."
Hilbert looked out the window, his voice soft.
"The slayers of dragons… will eventually become dragons themselves.
Once the Dragon Kings are gone, it's like removing the Damocles' sword hanging over every hybrid's head.
At that point… what will a species that surpasses humans in every way choose to do?"
"But… wiping out the entire Secret Party feels a bit extreme, doesn't it?"
Leonardo sucked in a sharp breath, his face twitching.
Even though he could imagine it—once the Dragon Kings were truly gone, the whole Secret Party world would fall into a mad scramble for power…
Maybe even go as far as starting a world war.
"No. I'm not that cruel.
And I wouldn't go that far."
Hilbert shook his head and said calmly,
"The only ones I'm eliminating… are the Board of Directors.
As for the remaining hybrids and Secret Party members—
They'll continue to exist, but in a new form."
"A new… form?"
Leonardo froze.
But quickly, he fell into deep thought.
"Is this connected to your recent actions in Europe?"
Ever since the Japan mission ended, Hilbert had completely shifted his focus away from dragon slaying.
As Vice Principal, Leonardo knew some of the inside story… but he never understood Hilbert' true intention.
After all, Hilbert suddenly began rearranging things in Europe.
Using the influence of the Board of Directors, he directly changed the papal appointment rights in the Vatican.
Under the joint approval of the Pope and twelve Cardinals, the annotations of scripture were rewritten—
Even the image of 'God' was replaced with a completely new symbol.
The incident caused a huge uproar—
But in the end, it was suppressed under the authority of the Church.
To the Secret Party, it all seemed incredibly strange.
But because of the Board's vast power and Hilbert' personal authority,
The smaller factions of hybrids didn't dare question it.
Now that Hilbert was bringing it up again,
Leonardo couldn't help but feel even more suspicious.
"Hah, as expected of my closest friend—you really figured it out."
Hilbert grinned and turned to look at Leonardo. "I'm planning to use the Vatican as the center to redefine 'faith' and 'doctrine', and to establish a secretive Twilight Hermit Order. This Order will serve to govern hybrids in the future."
"That's impossible! Are you insane?!"
Leonardo's first reaction was clear—Hilbert had completely lost his mind.
Using religion to control hybrids?
That's just a joke, right? Religion is nothing more than a web of lies spun by politicians—how could it possibly control a powerful race like hybrids?
"This isn't a joke, my old friend."
Hilbert spoke softly, "In fact, not just Catholicism—the doctrines of Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity, and Protestantism will soon merge into one."
"Hilbert, what exactly are you planning?" Leonardo stared at him seriously, his unease growing stronger.
If the three branches of Christianity merged, it would mean controlling over half of the world's believers. With such a massive base of faith, was Hilbert planning to reenact the Crusades?
Or... was he preparing to use that power to stand against the Secret Hybrid Party?
"What I'm doing hasn't changed from the beginning."
Hilbert said calmly, "I've always aimed to bring the era of dragons to a complete end. Everything I do is for that goal."
"Even merging the three faiths?"
Leonardo asked with a deep frown.
"Of course."
Hope glimmered in Hilbert's eyes as he muttered, "Very soon, the era of dragons will end completely. There will be no more hybrids. No more dragons."
Hearing that, Leonardo couldn't sit still—his face changed dramatically. "Hilbert, tell me the truth—what's the point of merging the three religions?"
"The point?"
Hilbert burst out laughing. "To bury the old era, of course— and start a new one!"
As soon as the words fell, the room seemed to be enveloped by an invisible domain. The howling wind and pouring rain—everything slowed down.
The elder in a sharp suit stepped forward.
In that world where time crawled, he left behind a determined silhouette for Leonardo—one that would never return—as he walked straight into the storm.
********
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