Dancing on the golden ashes-Chapter 253: The Million-Strong Army

I watched silently as thousands knelt before me, a sea of familiar and unfamiliar faces stretching out in every direction beneath a sky now painted in chaotic cosmic brilliance. The air trembled gently, carrying echoes of distant thunder, remnants of shattered stars still cascading softly like glittering snow. Many faces had stayed familiar, comforting in a distant way, yet countless others had transformed dramatically—no longer human, each reborn as a powerful demon. Expressions of gratitude and devotion flickered across their features, emotions I could recognize but no longer feel myself.

I should say something…but what exactly? 'Welcome back?' No, that's too simple, too distant. Perhaps I should say I missed them? But with my current state, that might sound even colder. I stood frozen, emotionless, caught in a quiet dilemma. My silence lingered in the air, stretching out endlessly. Yet somehow, without me needing to utter a single word, gentle smiles blossomed on their faces.

"We understand you, Empress. After all, your heart lies within us," a soft yet confident voice spoke from the gathered crowd, gently breaking the silence. "From the moment you willingly gave your heart to us, the common folk, our fates were intertwined forever. Every emotion you experience resonates within us, even if you cannot feel them yourself. You no longer need to search for words to reassure us. Just give us your command, and we shall follow you without hesitation—even if that path leads to the ends of the abyss. We are eternally your family now."

I slowly turned in the direction of that voice. He was familiar—a researcher I had once known—but now his entire body was wrapped tightly in black threads, reaching upward along his neck and nearly obscuring his face completely. Large, crimson demon wings stretched proudly from his back, and his aura was distinctly eerie, pulsating gently like a living shadow. Yet he looked undeniably powerful, his presence clear evidence of someone who had ascended fully into the Eternity stage.

"My heart…inside all of you… family…" I whispered softly, as if repeating it aloud might bring some meaning back into my hollow chest. I know I've sacrificed my heart, but to be connected by emotions like this… It seemed they could sense my emotional states, even without me directly experiencing them. I hope my anger or sorrow won't hurt them. Perhaps as long as I imagine myself happy, they too can share in that imagined joy.

"Seems like we have a problem," Seong-hoon suddenly interrupted, his voice turning serious. His sharp eyes gazed into the distance, nostrils flaring slightly as he sniffed the air. "Around one million people are approaching from every side. They're closing in quickly, and their average level is around 500. They shouldn't be much weaker than us."

I briefly studied him. His enhanced senses were impressive—no doubt boosted by his draconic lineage combined with his own powerful abilities. I wonder how his next transformation will manifest once he taps into those dormant dragon powers.

"What should we do, big sis?" he continued, flashing his familiar teasing grin. "Fight or flee? It's all up to you."

Still the same old Seong-hoon. Whether human or demon, he'll never stop finding ways to annoy me. Even without feeling irritation, the thought was almost comforting in its familiarity.

I didn't need to think long—the answer was obvious. It has always been clear. My decision had already been made long ago, even before I reached the eternity stage. It was set in stone from the very moment I stepped onto this path, carved out from the ashes of everything I'd lost.

This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.

My gaze swept slowly over the countless devoted faces, each filled with unwavering trust and fierce determination. Their eyes reflected not only loyalty but an unbreakable promise—the promise to follow me, no matter where I led them. Even without a heart, even without the warmth of emotion, I could acknowledge the weight of that trust, coldly yet clearly.

"We will fight," I answered clearly, my voice steady yet devoid of emotion. "We will show the one who created this system that we are now independent. His reign ends today. From now on, the Eternal Demon Legion will claim this world and reshape it. Together, we'll reclaim the world that once belonged to my master."

My words echoed into the vast silence, carrying across the crowd and resonating deep within them. Their expressions immediately changed, a fierce flame igniting in their eyes. Thirst for battle surged visibly through every one of my subjects. At that very moment, another powerful presence awakened inside me—a roaring wave of energy resonating fiercely from the beast world, demanding to join the fight. Their auras were overwhelming, wild and fierce, their power clearly marking their own ascension into the Eternity stage.

They wish to stand by my side, just as the demons do. How fitting.

I extended my hand outward, and with a powerful roar that shattered the calm air, five thousand beasts surged forth from their realm. Their massive, mighty forms thundered across the land, shaking the ground and uprooting trees, leaving deep fissures and trails of scattered earth behind them. Now, with their arrival, our combined forces numbered exactly 15,425. Every single individual burned with unbreakable resolve, each soul bound to mine. I could feel their precise locations, their intentions, and their fierce desire to fight.

Our numbers were undeniably limited compared to the immense wave approaching us, but we held something far more precious than raw numbers—we were bound by genuine loyalty, by a sense of true belonging, wielding our own strength rather than borrowed powers. In that moment, under the shattered heavens, we became more than an army—we were a family forged by eternity itself.

"We will fight alongside you all!" the Dragon Empress declared powerfully, her voice echoing like thunder across the battlefield. "Today, we, the eternal servants of our master, shall spill the blood of any enemy who dares oppose her!"

ROAR!

A deafening chorus of roars rose immediately in response, shaking the heavens themselves and vibrating through the air with raw intensity. Her draconic form shimmered magnificently, scales glowing fiercely and eyes blazing with unwavering determination. Even without a single spoken word, as our gazes met, I understood the depth of her loyalty. She would follow me forever, even into the embrace of death itself.