Chapter 203: Chapter203-The First Time with Leslie


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    Leslie couldn''t hold on any longer!


    As Taylor was about to leave, this thought suddenly crossed his mind. Regret flooded his heart.


    If he had endured just a little longer, even with his severely injured body, Leslie-whose level was far below his own and who had burned her mana core-would have been left completely helpless, a wounded husk, at his mercy.


    Yet, fear of death and Leslie''s unwavering resolve had forced him to retreat.


    Throughout their intense battle, Taylor had sensed Leslie''s strength waning.


    However, each time he believed she had reached her limit, Leslie had somehow managed to persevere.


    This repeated disappointment instilled a sliver of fear deep within him.


    Her willpower was unmatched by any Middle Earth warrior or ascetic he had encountered.No?v(el)B\\jnn


    It was as if nothing could stop her once she set her mind to something.


    Damn it!


    In a mix of anger and regret, Taylor was swallowed by the space portal, leaving the battlefield and returning to Middle Earth.


    This spatial escape was his greatest trump card-his safeguard in case of life-threatening danger.


    However, using it now made him wish he had no such option.


    He couldn''t shake the feeling that things would''ve been different without it.


    After Taylor disappeared, Leslie''s airborne body trembled violently before she crashed to the ground. If not for the spear she leaned on, she wouldn''t have been able to stand at all.


    She was drenched in blood, her once pale skin covered in burn marks. Her entire body seemed withered, her face deathly pale.


    She licked her parched lips, watching as Taylor disappeared through the spatial portal back to Middle Earth.


    Only then did she allow herself a small sigh of relief. If not for the last burst of strength that had forced Taylor to retreat, she would have been completely defenseless against him in her current state.


    Looking down at her burning, aching body, Leslie sensed the remains of her mana core within her.


    Once her wellspring of magic, it had withered, though it had not yet crumbled like sand in the wind.


    A wave of dread surged through her as she tried to summon mana to stabilize the core.


    If her mana core dissolved, she would lose her magic forever and become unable to practice again a magical cripple.


    Despite her best efforts, no mana responded to her commands. Instead, the remaining magic within her began to leak out, dissipating along with her failing core.


    "Your Majesty!"


    The guards from House Ravenwood and the palace, having arrived at the scene, saw the state Leslie was in, and many of them had tears in their eyes.


    Although some people had called Leslie a ruthless tyrant, they knew that since ascending the throne, she had improved their lives, showing concern for both the soldiers and the common folk.


    She was the queen who had propelled Azure Kingdom toward its rise.


    But now, the queen had burned her mana core, becoming a cripple who could never use magic again!


    The vitality radiating from Owen was unlike any healing magic she had ever encountered-far more precise and powerful.


    Her injuries had been severe, with deep, bone-revealing wounds and mana-induced internal


    damage.


    Even with regular magic, it would have taken a long time to recover.


    Yet, under the influence of Owen''s magic, most of her injuries had already healed.


    Only her severely damaged internal organs and her destroyed mana core had not yet


    recovered.


    When Leslie awoke, Owen exhaled a long breath of relief.


    The Order of Life truly lived up to its reputation as the strongest healing force. Although


    Owen had only begun to grasp its power, it had already managed to heal the majority of


    Leslie''s injuries.


    "Owen, thank you," Leslie said softly, her expression filled with gratitude as she regained her


    voice.


    "You''re my fiance?e-no need to be so formal," Owen replied, somewhat uncomfortable with Leslie''s politeness. In his mind, Leslie was already his wife.


    What Leslie said next left Owen stunned.


    "Owen, I''m a cripple now. I can no longer use magic. Let''s call off our engagement."


    Leslie''s voice was calm at first, but when she reached the words "call off our engagement,"


    her lips trembled slightly.


    She knew Owen''s talent was boundless. The continent was merely the beginning for him.


    He was like an eagle destined to soar higher and higher.


    Before, Leslie had been confident in her own abilities.


    She had believed she could stand by Owen''s side and explore the vast world together.


    But now, as a cripple with a burned-out mana core, that dream was gone.


    Since she could no longer accompany him on his journey, she would let him go, even if she


    loved him deeply.


    Owen''s mind buzzed as he realized Leslie''s intent. She didn''t want to hold him back.


    Without hesitation, he pulled Leslie into his arms and kissed her passionately, his embrace


    both commanding and resolute.


    In that instant, it was as if the two of them had ignited, their kisses deep and intense, as if trying to merge into one another completely.