The field before the walls was a sea of corpses. The roar of war echoed in the distance, yet amid the chaos, the silence felt heavier than any scream.

  From the largest portal, Langris Beika emerged — Nightmare Number 0. His black pupils burned with a perfect crimson zero glowing at their center. Each step sank into blood and shattered bones as if he were crushing wet sand beneath his feet.

  — Zero is the beginning and the end. — His voice was dry, emotionless. — There is nothing before me. Nothing after.

  On the opposite side, Luiz Fernandes spun his spear. The heart-shaped insignia carved at its tip gleamed, and his crimson aura flared to life, blazing like living embers.

  — Then let’s see if this “zero” can bleed when facing a Copas. — he growled, blood staining his teeth. — I’ll show you that even a perfect number can break.

  He charged first — a thunder of muscle and fury, his steps cracking the ground. The spear carved a flaming arc toward Langris’s neck.

  The Nightmare raised one clawed hand, intercepting the strike. The clash made the air explode, light scattering over the corpses around them. Luiz didn’t yield — he pushed harder, his whole body straining against the defense.

  Langris smiled.

  — Strong… for a rat.

  He twisted his arm, flinging Luiz several meters back. The Copas dug his spear into the dirt to stop his fall. Blood dripped from his mouth, yet his eyes burned brighter than ever.

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  From the charm at his waist, a flickering light burst forth. A tiny Lumpa spirit — Arlec — appeared, laughter echoing like a manic chime inside Luiz’s mind:

  — Hehehe! Look at him, my King of Copas… he’s gonna break you to pieces! Let’s laugh till we bleed, right?

  Luiz spat blood, grinning.

  — Yeah… Arlec… let’s laugh till the end.

  He lifted the spear again; his crimson aura ignited, flames dancing around his body.

  Langris spread his black wings, shadow and mana pulsing as one. The air stank of iron and raw power.

  From atop the walls, Lukas watched the duel, and Morgana’s voice echoed in his mind, smooth and wicked:

  — That “Zero” is special. Anatoly’s blood flows through him — he’s a direct conduit between the Nightmares and the Original Disaster. One misstep, and Luiz will be devoured.

  César answered, his tone steady:

  — He’s a Copas. They don’t fall that easily.

  On the battlefield, Luiz began to laugh — louder and louder until his laughter drowned out the screams. His aura flared brighter, wilder. His red hair caught fire, glowing like evaporating blood.

  The smile that followed wasn’t human. It was the grin of a jester in hell — savage, but still aware.

  Langris moved first. Luiz met him head-on. The impact carved a crater into the ground. Black and crimson blood sprayed together.

  And through fire and dust, Luiz’s laughter echoed once more:

  — You may be Zero… — he snarled, eyes blazing — but I’m Copas. And Copas don’t fall.

  The entire field went still. Even the wind paused.

  Arlec twirled above him, shrieking with delight:

  — THAT’S IT, MY KING! LET’S LAUGH TO THE END! HAHAHAHA!

  Crimson fire rose like a banner. Langris spread his wings, ready for the next strike.

  And Luiz smiled — a smile that mixed pain, rage, and something deeper: pure will.

  The Copas charged. The Nightmare roared.

  And the ground of Sorriso trembled.

  End of Chapter 33