Hardiman and the others were momentarily stunned upon hearing the words.

They immediately turned around, staring intently.

Though the distance made the figure somewhat blurry, the more they looked, the more the shape and aura resembled someone they knew!

Even though they had only met once, the image and presence of that person had long been etched into their souls!

"This... this can't be possible?"

"How could the president be here…"

An undead race expert murmured beside them.

At that moment, Leo's voice clearly rang in their ears.

"What are you still standing there for? Come over here."

The few of them immediately confirmed it—this was indeed Leo, the president!

The undead race members exchanged astonished glances, their shock evident.

Elizabeth and her group hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects.

"Good day, President!"

"President, how is it that you're here?"

Leo smiled faintly.

"What? Is there a place I can't go?"

"Of course not!"

"It's just…"

Hardiman quickly began to explain, though his mind was filled with questions.

Wasn't the president supposed to be focused on Lady Lilith?

Could it be…

Leo spoke up directly.

"Lilith and the others have already safely returned to Dalton."

Hardiman's heart skipped a beat.

No wonder the president's daughter was so efficient!

Just then, Elizabeth noticed something was off with Hardiman.

She saw him staring wide-eyed, as though he had seen a ghost, fixating on Hugo and Vincent, who stood behind Leo.

His lips trembled, his face was filled with horror.

"Chief Hardiman, what's wrong?"

Vincent glanced at Hardiman with a mocking tone.

"Oh, didn't expect you, old lizard, to still be alive, huh?"

Hardiman, as though stepped on a tail, screeched,

"It really is you!"

"The Son of Starshine, Vincent! And the Lord of the Celestial Dome, Hugo!"

"Shouldn't you both have already perished long ago?!"

These two had been confirmed as fallen legendary figures during the ancient cataclysmic battle!

Even if there had been some contingency, they shouldn't be in this vibrant, even more powerful state before them!

Hugo and Vincent simply smiled faintly, not responding.

In truth, they held little regard for the undead race and divine race, who had chosen to hide during the calamity.

They had nothing but disdain for them.

Hardiman's face darkened under their condescending gazes, and he wisely refrained from pressing further questions.

However, he glanced at the composed Leo and then at the two legendary giants standing respectfully behind him.

An absurd yet strikingly real possibility rapidly took shape in his mind—

Could it be… that these two had already sworn allegiance to the President of Dalton?!

What a joke!

How could that be possible?!

These were lions that had never bent the knee, even against the outside-world invaders!

As he desperately denied this thought in his mind, Vincent, however, spoke to Leo.

"Sir, should we proceed to the Church of the Divine Edict immediately?"

"I sense some unsettling waves coming from Diana's side."

Leo nodded, then glanced at Hugo, signaling him to pay attention to Elizabeth.

Hugo immediately understood.

A sphere of energy, containing the battle insights of the Sky Council, flew toward Elizabeth.

"Thank you for the gift, Sir!"

Elizabeth exclaimed with delight as she caught the sphere.

But what truly shook her was the respectful attitude these legendary beings displayed towards President Leo!

What did this imply? It was clear without needing to say it out loud!

Hardiman, standing nearby, had already turned to stone, his mind a blank.

Am I dreaming?

The master of the Human Mage Tower and the chairman of the Sky Council had not only resurrected but had grown even stronger, and now they had joined Dalton?!

In that instant, realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.

The key lay in that mysterious President of Dalton!

Hardiman immediately put on a sycophantic smile and approached Elizabeth excitedly, whispering,

"Lady Elizabeth! Might I ask you to say a few good words in front of the president?"

"My undead race is willing to join Dalton Town and pledge our loyalty to the president!"

Hardiman was proud, but he was even more discerning.

At the very least, he could tell which people were untouchable.

In ancient times, he hadn't joined the human race in resisting the Clawclash Empire for two reasons.

First, because his entire race was powerless to face the Clawclash Empire.

Second, because the Empire seemed to target only humans and had no interest in his undead race. Thus, he chose to keep his distance and remain uninvolved.

But the post-war developments in the Sakend plane had taught him one undeniable truth:

When the lips are gone, the teeth are cold!

Though he was unwilling to admit it, the fact remained—his so-called undead race pride could do nothing but grovel before the monstrous Clawclash Empire, praying for survival.

This also meant his undead race would never have a chance to enter the broader world!

This was clearly not what he wanted to see, and this very scene before him made him realize something—

The human race's era was beginning once again, and resisting the Clawclash Empire was now inevitable!

Even these two had joined, and if his undead race didn't hurry and cling to the big leg, they would certainly be crushed by the tide of history!

Elizabeth maintained a polite yet distant attitude.

"Chief Hardiman, I will convey your wish to the president, but the final decision rests with him."

Hardiman nodded repeatedly, quickly pulling out two space rings filled with rare materials and handing them over with a forced smile.

"It's just a small gesture, nothing much!"

"I hope you'll take the time to speak well of us!"

Elizabeth didn't even glance at them, pushing the rings back dismissively.

"Chief Hardiman, there's no need for these gestures."

"If the president sees value in your undead race, he will accept you. If not…"

She didn't finish her sentence, but the implication was clear, and Hardiman understood without further explanation.

Holding the rejected rings, Hardiman stood frozen, his face a mix of red and pale.

A strong sense of foreboding filled his chest.

Could it… really be?

He couldn't believe it, but he couldn't ignore the cold truth either.

His undead race, once a mighty ancient clan, now stood on the verge of being discarded as irrelevant in the eyes of the president of Dalton.

Meanwhile, deep within the ruins of the Church of the Divine Edict.

In a judgment hall surrounded by runes, a voice filled with anger and disappointment rang out.

"Vincent! Hugo! You two spineless cowards!"

"You've betrayed our oath! I, Diana, cast you out in the name of the law!!"

The spirit projection of Diana, the Lord of the Sacred Gate, glared at Hugo and Vincent, who stood beside Leo.

The fluctuating lights displayed her extreme rage.

"The brilliance of the law shall forever cast away your souls!!"

"Uh… Diana, please listen to me…"

"Shut up, Vincent! I am ashamed of you!"

After a moment of silence,

Diana, whose injuries had fully healed and whose power had risen to the Sanctuary Decree rank, took a deep breath.

She ran her fingers through her red hair, calming her excitement.

She faced Leo and performed an ancient knight's bow.

"Your grace, I will never forget the grace of your resurrection."

"From now on, my sword and the law in my hand shall be your sword. I will fight for you, through thick and thin, and never hesitate to die!"

A wandering bard once sang:

Justice may sometimes be absent, but the scent of truth is undeniable…

Thus, the last leader of the three great ancient guardians of the human race in the Sakend plane had sworn allegiance to Dalton!

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