Chapter 404: The War Begins

Chapter 404: The War Begins

A crimson stream of light appeared in Lu Ke’s hand, moving so fast that no one could detect or stop it.

He weighed the final crown, covered in blood and rust, and a chaotic fluid that seemed to encompass all colors and possibilities surged from his body, directly integrating the crown into his system.

In the next second, his brown eyes turned a pure, iron-black, and his red hair darkened to a blood-like hue.

A wild and conquering aura was about to surge into the sky, but the surrounding air grew deep and dim, concealing everything in secrecy and bringing an incomprehensible sense of the unknown.

Lu Ke raised his head leisurely, looking above the clouds, his tone indifferent.

"War breaks out the moment I obtain it. Is this a manifestation of the Hunter’s spread of disaster?"

Where his gaze fell, the sky above Barkeland, shrouded in a perpetual mist that even midday sunlight couldn’t completely dispel, grew even thicker.

As the speech below continued with great fervor, a small section of the dense cloud suddenly collapsed, and dozens of cold, metallic objects fell.

Although almost everyone was focused on George Iii’s speech, the crowd in the square was simply too large.

Under the watchful eyes of countless people, a few sharp-eyed individuals noticed the rapidly descending shells and instinctively let out cries of fear.

"Air raid!"

Boom!

Before the heart-wrenching screams could echo, the sound of intense explosions already filled the air.

Light and heat blossomed in the sky, dispersing the thick mist and revealing a vast, orderly fleet of cold, steel-gray airships. The exposed fleet continued to drop shells, causing continuous, violent tremors!

The airships of the Fusac Empire, once the pinnacle of technology in this era, had approached from the northern sector, using the "War Fog" cast by the War Bishop to conceal themselves, and now they hovered above this "City of Cities."

...

In the Soniah Sea region.

The thick, white "War Fog" spread like a monster, enveloping the area. Under the fog, large, sail-festooned warships appeared one after another.

At the forefront of the fleet, a War Bishop gazed intently, his eyes connecting the entire fleet, a smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

No one understood war better than a War Bishop!

A single War Bishop was not particularly outstanding at Sequence 3, but with an army under his command, he could briefly rival an angel.

This was an invincible fleet!

He directed the fleet, breaking through the blockade, and set course for the Intermar Region of the Loren Kingdom.

...

As if a domino effect, the boundary between the Horanichs Mountains and the Central Highlands also underwent a transformation.

The territory of the Entis Republic was also shrouded in "War Fog", whether by the Republic’s tacit consent or because the "War Fog" had deceived them.

The towering, fierce Fusac forces emerged from the fog, their battle cries echoing, igniting the bloodlust of every soldier. Without hesitation, they charged toward the border with the Loren Kingdom.

A nation that worshipped the God of War knew no fear, and the high-ranking Hunters were the best commanders, leading their armies to victory!

In an instant, the Fusac Empire launched a three-pronged assault by sea, land, and air.

...

Outside the ancient ruins, at the mausoleum.

The moment William I sensed Ammun, he activated two Edicts.

The first Edict prevented Ammun from invading the mausoleum until William I retreated or died, and the second Edict sealed the core ability of the Thief, "Steal."

He knew he couldn’t defeat the Blasphemer, but if George Iii became the Black Emperor, the situation would turn in his favor.

Even the mightiest Angel King could not match a true god!

As he activated the second Edict, Ammun raised his right hand.

The Edicts, in their entirety, were the core of the Arbiter’s pathway. Even Ammun couldn’t steal them instantly, but stealing some of their branches was much easier.

William I felt himself instantly lose the Edicts of "Seal", "Restrain", "Teleport", "Whip", and "Exile", as well as the "Majesty" that increased with Sequence for the Arbiter pathway.

At the same time, Time Worms began to fall from Ammun’s body.

Not being able to "steal" didn’t mean he couldn’t "parasitize."

"You are guilty!"

William I’s tone was serious, but he lacked the authority to make the judgment.

The Arbiter pathway could lock onto crimes and, through a guilty verdict, grant the enforcer of the law a boost. The Blasphemer’s plague-like combat style made Him an extremely terrifying sinner!

His aura rapidly escalated, and he clenched his right fist, issuing a less solemn decree.

"Intrusion is forbidden here!"

The effect of the "Law" spread, and the imperceptible, fine particles in the air seemed to weaken. Transparent, twelve-segmented, ring-shaped worms began to reveal themselves, surging from all directions, with some already burrowing into William I’s body.

"Death!"

The "Law" that could lock onto targets withered the "Worms of Time" in the air, but the part already inside William I’s body seemed to exploit some "error", successfully initiating the parasitic process and shaking his sovereignty. New "Worms of Time" were already approaching.

William I continuously used various "Laws" to delay, but maintaining "Intrusion Forbidden" and "Theft Forbidden" was extremely draining. Restraining an "Archangel" was incredibly difficult.

Various "Laws" were used, only to be exploited by different "errors." William I’s body grew sluggish, and his eyes showed signs of struggle.

Ammun pinched his monocle and smiled faintly. He did not immediately steal or destroy the "Law" of "Intrusion Forbidden" that covered the area but spoke leisurely.

"No need to rush. I don’t mind playing with you a bit longer. It’s been a long time since I’ve encountered an angel like you, one whose combat abilities are not strong but who doesn’t flee upon seeing me."

"A Sequence One is still worth collecting."

William I’s struggle became more intense. The gap between him and Ammun was too great, and breaking free from the parasitic process was difficult. However, parasitizing a Sequence One Archangel in a short time was not easy either.

As long as he could delay a bit longer, the "Black Emperor" would be born. The high-Sequence nobles, such as Dreinc and Prince Grove, who carried "0-36", and other demigods were on their way...

William I steeled his resolve. As the founder of the Loren Kingdom and an ancestor who had protected the royal family for countless years, he forcefully suppressed the "Worms of Time" within him and raised his right hand.

With his movement, the battlefield and the tomb were divided into two separate zones, a capability possessed only by the "Hand of Order."

Then, he pronounced a name, one word at a time.

"Le-o-de-ro!"

Rumbling!

Terrifying thunder descended from the sky, raining down like a deluge. Silver lightning transformed into an ocean, completely submerging the entire battlefield.

...

The gears turned inside Saint Hillan Church.

Several peculiar-looking turrets, seemingly from a different era or even a different world, emerged from the church’s tower.

When Lu Ke lifted the "Unknown" from the "Knowledge" he bestowed, it was partly to signal Stiano and partly as a reward for his intervention!

Now, the Steam Church possessed technology several tiers ahead of its time. Although manufacturing limitations prevented widespread dissemination, using extraordinary abilities to overcome industrial issues for limited production was not a problem.

Bonwa walked down the stairs of the tower, his face expressionless. His slender fingers pointed at the enemy fleet in the sky, and the cannon barrels followed suit.

—

A pure white laser beam shot out, and light and heat erupted again. With just one strike, the entire fleet was completely vaporized.

...

In the waters of the Soniah Sea.

Waves crashed against the hulls as the fleet of the Fusac Empire sped through the mist, led by the "War Bishop", who connected all the warships, forming an invincible maritime dominion.

Suddenly, his pupils contracted, and he raised his hand to halt the fleet’s advance.

Ahead, a massive cruise ship appeared, with two figures on its deck.

The first was Snake, the "Singer of the Divine" of the Grand Cathedral of Holy Wind, clad in a black robe with storm symbols, his face square. The second was Emilus, the naval admiral of the Soniah Sea, who had once had his "Law Mage" Extraordinary Trait stripped by Lu Ke.

The "Singer of the Divine" smiled faintly, his tone calm.

"I hear that the 'War Bishop’s' army has always been invincible and unbeatable?"

"I wonder if that holds true on the sea, facing the 'Sea King'?"

The archbishop of the Storm Church raised his hands as if in prayer, invoking the favor of the storm.

As he moved, the sky was covered in dark clouds, and a powerful gale blew, bringing raging waves—catastrophic scenes!

Emilus stepped forward, his brow furrowed, seemingly haunted by some psychological trauma. But he still pursed his lips and gritted his teeth, using the "Law."

"Here... mysticism enhanced, reality diminished!"

Spiritual Energy surged, and the howling wind intensified, the towering waves rising to overwhelming heights, casting a shadow of destruction that seemed to threaten to engulf everything.

......

The boundary of the Horanichs Mountains.

Pale death and deep darkness blocked the mist, halting the frenzied and valiant troops.

"Who would have thought it would come to this in the end."

Azik, with his tanned skin, soft features, and a tiny black mole below his right ear, let out a sigh.

"As long as people live, there will always be wars and conflicts. This is the fundamental logic of the world, and no one can stop it..."

Crestai, with his short chestnut-brown hair and eyes as dark as a moonless midnight lake, stood beside Azik, silently watching the enemy demigods and armies emerge from the "Fog of War."

"I hope this is the last war in the world."

After saying this, Azik's gentle expression turned cold and merciless, his aura gradually rising.

At this moment, He seemed to return to His role as the "Death Chancellor" of the Bairan Empire, sitting on a high throne with countless undead creatures kneeling before Him.

Crestai extended his right hand, and the dark tide and pale mist merged, surprisingly well-suited, bringing a pale and silent death.

......

A deafening explosion sounded, stirring the inner fear of death and the desire for life.

The square erupted in chaotic noise, with cries, wails, and screams filling the air.

At this moment, a strong wind blew, dispersing the smoke.

People then realized they were unharmed; the bomb seemed to have detonated prematurely before it even landed, and even the debris had vanished.

"There's no need to panic, everyone."

"The madmen of the Fusac Empire have been expected to invade. The path to happiness is always fraught with obstacles, but no one can stop the rise of the Loren Kingdom!"

"The more they try to wage war on us, the more it shows their inner cowardice. A life of plenty and peace is just around the corner; we only need to overcome this final hurdle."

George Iii on the screen spoke with a deep and solemn tone, the cannon fire reflecting His fearless, dignified, yet kind and loving gaze.

"My people, I will march with you into a new future!"

The final words were so full of emotion, so stirring, that everyone's heartbeats seemed to synchronize.

At least for this moment, every citizen's loyalty to the king reached its peak.

The ceremony was executed perfectly.

......

In the mausoleum of Barkeland Site One.

Hearing the rumble of thunder, George Iii's face, which had been darkened by the arrival of the invaders, lit up with a smile.

William I might die, but this strike would definitely hold back the "Blasphemer." The time required to reassemble his body, combined with the imminent arrival of other reinforcements, would be enough to achieve godhood.

The cheers of all His subjects echoed in His ears, these continuous voices immediately solidifying the consciousness that roamed the Ocean of Order, successfully finding the best foothold.

George Iii seemed to see a massive black throne, with Himself sitting on it, wearing the Emperor's crown, proudly overlooking reality, ruling over the people, and standing equal to the gods.

He continuously rushed toward the black throne, a figure passing before His eyes.

The figure was just a step away from the black throne but was enveloped in a crimson light. He struggled to stop before the throne, seemingly suppressing His power, not fully awakening.

The Emperor of Rossel?

George Iii smiled mockingly and was about to reach out toward the throne.

Clap, clap, clap.

Clear footsteps echoed from the darkness, each one causing George Iii's heart to throb as if in struggle.

He forcibly withdrew part of His consciousness, His eyes filled with disbelief and shock.

A young man in classical mage robes, wearing a pointed soft hat and a monocle, with a broad forehead and a gaunt face, stepped out of the darkness, smiling at the king who was about to ascend, his lips slightly curved.

"Want to guess when and how I got in?"

......

At the same time.

The bright sunlight suddenly dimmed, and a burst of orange-red light rushed in, quickly occupying most of the sky, blocking the sun.

The area around Barkeland instantly entered twilight!

Sensing the disadvantage in the battle and the imminent godhood of the "Black Emperor", with the complex and volatile situation, the "War God" could no longer hold back, launching a true offensive.

Dense darkness then appeared on the other side of the sky, bringing silence and peace, reclaiming more than half of the occupied sky, colliding with the orange-red twilight.

The divine battle had begun!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end