Chapter 705: Loren's Death (Part 1)
Chapter 705: Loren's Death (Part 1)
Early September.
Deep in the night, within the Valhalla Canyon located about three hundred kilometers outside the eastern border of the Kingdom of Yaloran, the terrain was treacherous with winding valleys and towering cliffs. It served as a hidden shortcut to the kingdom.
Sheer cliffs, thousands of meters high, loomed on either side of the canyon, their sharp peaks piercing the clouds. The rugged gorges were like countless shocking scars, and the moonlight cast an eerie glow on the canyon walls, where strange vegetation swayed in the night wind.
However, the expected tranquility was shattered by the clamor of battle.
Each clash of arms was accompanied by the thunderous roar of falling rocks and toppling trees.
Rampant magic raged through the canyon, forcing the gushing stream to retreat and flow backward in mid-air, emitting a constant rumble.
The ground cracked open frequently, and countless bottomless fissures meandered and split the bedrock of the canyon apart.
Wherever the terrifying aftermath of magic passed, everything turned to nothingness.
This no longer seemed like power that humans could possess.
At the heart of the battle stood a woman in silver armor—Julianna, the Undying Sword Saint of the Kingdom of Yaloran.
Her armor was etched with crisscrossing scars, and bright red blood flowed from the gaps.
Yet, she stood firm as a pine tree, her hand grasping a gleaming longsword, its blade radiating a chilling light as if it could slash through countless illusions.
Facing her was a black-robed figure floating high in the sky.
With his back to the night sky and the moon, he held a mechanical staff, and through the drifting mist, one could glimpse his handsome, cold, and indifferent eyes, which also held a hint of disdain as if looking down on all living beings.
The heart-palpitating magical fluctuations that surrounded him seemed to materialize as a heavy pressure, weighing down on Julianna's heart.
Geyate raised his staff once more.
In an instant, countless black shadows emerged from the void, covering the heavens and plunging the entire canyon into darkness.
They were so black that they shone, their strange shapes resembling thorns with sharp edges, radiating a chilling aura as they rushed towards Julianna's vitals!
Julianna gritted her silver teeth, her eyes fierce.
Just a few dozen minutes earlier, she had been leading a group of light beast riders through the canyon, carrying students returning to the Royal Academy of Yaloran.
Originally, at the end of August, she had been escorting students from the far eastern region, the Kingdom of Hutton, back to Yaloran.
However, their journey had been abruptly interrupted by the outbreak of war. The magic-powered train had been damaged, communications jammed and cut off, forcing them to change their route several times.
Now, they were finally nearing the Kingdom of Yaloran; with just a hundred kilometers left to cross through the hidden Valhalla Canyon and reach the kingdom's territory.
Then, the strange mist had appeared out of nowhere, and that chilling figure had emerged in the high skies of the canyon...
From the very beginning, Julianna had realized that it was the Third War God of the Krexi Empire, the War God of Entangled Agate, Geyate, who had found them!
Logically, the War God of Entangled Agate, Geyate, should have been with the main forces of the Krexi Empire on the western battlefield of Yaloran.
It made little sense for him to go all the way around and appear directly hundreds of kilometers east of the Kingdom of Yaloran!
Encountering the Third War God, Geyate, here could only be attributed to abysmal luck.
Julianna's wrist twitched, and the sword light transformed into countless illusions, shattering the black shadows.
However, the shattered shadows regrouped in the air, transforming into even denser blades that blocked out half the sky!
Julianna swung her sword repeatedly to block, and wherever the sword light reached, the shadows shattered and dissipated into starlight.
But no matter how fiercely she fought, the endless stream of shadows continued to surge forward like a tidal wave, gathering and growing until they engulfed her entirely.
Countless blades pierced Julianna's armor, emitting a piercing friction sound, and blood sprayed from the cracks in the armor, painting arc after arc of blood in the air.
Geyate's illusions and attack magic, intermingling reality and illusion, made it difficult for Julianna to distinguish between them.
"Break for me!"
Julianna brandished her gleaming longsword, and sword energy crisscrossed, sending lightning bolts toward Geyate. Her agile movements and the sword's edge caused rocks to shatter and the ground to cave in, and the terrifying blast swept through the entire canyon for kilometers.
Geyate, however, dodged with calm and ease, his form like a wisp of black smoke, weaving through Julianna's sword techniques. Whenever her sword was about to touch his robes, he would lightly tap his mechanical staff, and illusions would appear from all directions, confusing Julianna's judgment.
Julianna clenched her teeth, her eyes flashing with anger, as she faced the War God once more.
The War God of Entangled Agate, Geyate, excelled in illusions and seals, and his magic power surpassed human limits. His abilities also made it nearly impossible for enemies to escape his grasp. Julianna had no choice but to engage him in close combat, hoping that some of the students could make it back to Yaloran to seek help.
However, even with her strong life force, she wasn't sure if she could hold out long enough against Geyate.
The [Seal] attribute was extremely effective against [Regeneration], and her spiritual attribute wasn't high enough, making her vulnerable to [Illusion]. Geyate's numerous illusions could not only control and disrupt her, but they could also inflict real damage!
Nevertheless, she had no other choice but to fight.
A surging, powerful aura burst forth from her body, sweeping across the heavens and earth like the descent of a god!
It was a power capable of severing cause and effect and reversing life and death—the [Primordial Tablet—Regeneration] unleashed a soul light that had once rivaled the gods!
In just a short while, the injuries on her body healed as the misty energy enveloped her.
"Do you think you're the only one with a Primordial Tablet?"
Geyate raised his hands high above his head and began to chant.
Under the night sky, the entire canyon transformed, and countless purple-black magic arrays formed, devouring everything around them.
An invisible divine radiance from ancient times was rapidly eroding the foundation of the canyon, and the relentless magic currents collided in the turbulence, emitting deafening roars—it was the [Primordial Tablet—Illusion].
Julianna clutched the longsword in her hand, ready to engage the enemy.
Behind Geyate, a massive shadow appeared.
The shadow loomed thousands of meters tall, pitch-black, clad in heavy armor, and wearing a demonic mask, resembling a malevolent god. Torrential magic surged and raged with its roars, black thunder rolled in the sky, the earth cracked and crumbled, and the mountains wailed.
Space warped and twisted, and time seemed to freeze at this moment.
The line between life and death blurred.
Julianna let out a battle cry, and her longsword slashed out, sending a dazzling arc of light that swept forward like a tidal wave.
This was her signature move, a sure-kill sword technique capable of severing souls!
Geyate's expression remained unchanged, and with a wave of his mechanical staff, a black light flashed, blocking most of Julianna's sword energy in mid-air!
She felt an immense force hitting her, and as she faced the giant shadow's fist, her entire body was sent flying and slammed into the canyon wall.
The mountains and trees within a few miles turned to dust, and dust filled the air, blocking out the sun.
Julianna spat out a mouthful of blood and endured the intense pain as she struggled to stand up.
Even without taking attribute advantages into account, the opponent's raw power far surpassed hers.
In mid-air, Geyate spoke.
"Your swordsmanship... reminds me of a middle-aged man I met a few days ago."
Geyate, floating in the air, looked down at Julianna on the ground, his tone indifferent as if he were discussing the weather.
"What are you talking about...?"
Wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth, Julianna defiantly raised her longsword.
She was grateful for the respite, a precious moment to recover, and she intended to make the most of it, even if it was just for a few extra seconds.
"It's similar to a man named Leonard, a seventh-rank general of the Kingdom of Yaloran."
Geyate seemed amused.
Julianna's pupils contracted.
"A few days ago, I encountered a legion named Star Table of Urns in Zeld Highlands."
Geyate continued to reminisce.
The legion of the Kingdom of Yaloran could be considered exceptionally strong. With the fortress's defensive setup, it wouldn't have been easy for the Krexi Empire's vanguard forces to win the Zeld Highlands campaign.
Unfortunately, the Empire's vanguard forces had successfully depleted the energy of the barrier, and Geyate's appearance had instantly broken the balance, leading to the legion's annihilation.
"If you had been there, the outcome of the Zeld Highlands battle might have been uncertain."
Geyate absentmindedly reviewed the battle.
If there had been an eighth-rank powerhouse at the fortress from the start, it would have been challenging for the vanguard forces to deplete the barrier's energy. Or, as long as the barrier remained, the legion could have withstood the pressure and counterattacked with the support of the rear guard. Even if he had to face the fortress's defense, it would have been difficult for him to overpower Julianna single-handedly. At the very least, if they could have endured until the energy cycle was complete and the energy hub had cooled down and reactivated the barrier, the fortress could have continued to mount a counterattack.
Unfortunately, it was impossible for the eighth-rank powerhouses of the United Parliament Alliance of the Kingdom to be present at every strategic location, and those capable of rivaling the Twelve War Gods of their army were even rarer.
"Teacher Leonard... You fought him?"
Julianna's voice trembled as she grasped a fact that she found almost unbearable, yet she desperately tried to deny it.
"Yes, I killed him easily. He was weak."
Geyate stated it as a matter of fact, concluding his review and looking at Julianna as he spoke.
"You're lying! He was the strongest!"
Julianna shouted hoarsely, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.
General Leonard, who had taught her swordsmanship since childhood, was like a father to her. It was because of his guidance that she had transformed from a borderland thief to a respected soldier of the kingdom.
But Geyate looked at her with a hint of pity and incomprehension.
It was as if he were asking her why she was angry.
"Bishop Famu of the Rotten Church specifically requested the Krexi Empire to bring back Leonard's body."
Geyate paused, as if he had just remembered something.
In the past two years, Bishop Famu and Julianna had developed a deep hatred for each other. Bishop Famu had personally ordered the capture of anyone associated with Julianna, and if they fell into his hands, they would undoubtedly be subjected to his forbidden magic and biomorphic experiments.
"Geyate!!!"
Julianna let out a mournful and indignant cry, her entire body enveloped in a dazzling silver light.
Driven by extreme anger, her power peaked, and each of her sword strikes carried the force to tear through space, the terrifying sword pressure causing the entire canyon to tremble.
She swung her sword with wide, sweeping motions, intending to tear Geyate to shreds!
However, Geyate remained unflustered in the face of Julianna's offense.
Sometimes he would create layer upon layer of illusions, causing her to lose her sense of direction in the intertwining of reality and fantasy. Other times, he would counter her with seals, rendering her techniques futile, or he would use teleportation to evade her attacks, toying with her like a cat plays with a mouse.
"One who lacks mental fortitude will never be my match."
Geyate smiled casually, and his mechanical staff glowed with an eerie light.
The next moment, a massive black vortex appeared beneath Julianna's feet, like the gaping maw of a demon, swallowing her whole!
Julianna let out a piercing scream as she felt her inner strength being rapidly depleted.
She couldn't distinguish between what was real and what was illusory, nor could she tell which were feints and which were genuine magical attacks. Sometimes, she could only rely on luck.
The previous attack had been real; it was a trigger seal set up by Geyate, capable of absorbing an opponent's magical power!
Julianna knelt on the ground, her entire body trembling violently.
She exerted all her strength to try and stand, but her limbs felt as heavy as lead.
Julianna let out a heaven-shaking roar, her voice reverberating through the clouds.
She raised her longsword high, the silver light dazzling and illuminating the entire canyon. The veins on the back of her hand bulged, and brilliant golden patterns appeared on her skin as she unleashed her most powerful combat form. In an instant, a formidable aura exploded in the canyon, and the sword energy transformed into an immortal dragon, plunging towards Geyate with ferocious might, sweeping through a hundred-mile radius!
A hint of seriousness flashed in Geyate's eyes as he witnessed the terrifying power unleashed by the Undying Sword Saint in her desperate state.
A cold glint appeared in Geyate's eyes, and he gently pointed his mechanical staff forward.
Eighth-Rank Seal Art: Thousand Layers of Seals.
In the next moment, countless chains suddenly appeared, binding Julianna and her sword energy tightly from all directions.
She swung her hand wildly, and her longsword viciously slashed down, the sword energy crisscrossing and severing thousands of shadows! At the same time, her figure flickered, and she instantly closed in on Geyate, the tip of her sword aiming for his throat!
"Hmph."
Geyate coldly huffed, not liking others getting too close to him.
The mist around him billowed and rapidly spread outwards, fluctuating unpredictably and shadowing his movements. No matter how close Julianna's sword came, it couldn't touch Geyate at all.
On the other hand, Geyate's counterattack was swift. He waved his hand, and a purple-black light shot out from his palm, piercing straight into Julianna's glabella!
Julianna let out a shrill, miserable scream as she fell like a broken kite, plummeting towards the ground.
She felt as if her organs were being clutched, and even breathing became extremely difficult.
This was Geyate's Eighth-Rank Illusion Art: Soul Refinement, which could only be released within a certain distance. It could significantly interfere with an opponent's actions and inflict torturous pain, comparable to the ancient Chinese punishment of lingchi. From a distance, he could keep her at bay and restrict her movement, while up close, he could unleash even more troublesome mental attacks.
Boom!
Dust and debris filled the air, blocking out the moon and stars.
When the dust settled, a deep pit could be seen where Julianna had fallen, seemingly bottomless and splitting the canyon in half! Julianna knelt on the ground like a tattered doll.
Geyate remained floating in the sky, expressionlessly looking down at her.
Although they might continue to exchange a few more moves before the victor was decided, the outcome was clear.
Even the Undying Sword Saint would ultimately be crushed unilaterally.
Geyate didn't say anything further to Julianna.
He quietly gathered his magic, watching the enemy who was about to perish.
The magic array in the heavens and earth rapidly rotated, forming a huge black hole. Countless purple-black light pillars spewed from the black hole, like a plague sweeping through the world, turning everything to dust wherever they passed.
"..."
Julianna gazed at the silver moon occasionally obscured by clouds, feeling that she probably wouldn't last until reinforcements arrived.
Even if the students from the Yaloran Royal Academy were to reach a place without communication interference at their fastest speed, it was unlikely that they could contact other Yaloran reinforcements at this point.
In her life, she had already been very fortunate to transform from a slum thief to a protector of the kingdom.
If she had any regrets, it would be not being able to walk to the end with that person. Perhaps her terrible background made even the Goddess of Fate frown upon her being together with the High Priest.
Things had come to this point, and even if she were to die here, she would inflict the heaviest blow she could on the Third War God, Geyate, the Entangled Agate Throne.
Just as Julianna gripped the hilt of her sword, about to be devoured by Geyate's magic, a sharp gust of wind suddenly ripped through the sky, like an invisible heavy sword, slamming into Geyate.
"Geyate, get back to your Krexi Empire!"
A voice filled with anger echoed through the canyon, a thunderous edict.
In the distant sky, a black-robed priest's figure appeared amidst the swirling hurricane, his body surrounded by pure electric light that continuously triggered electrical bursts. He pointed his finger, and the direction of his gesture seemed to penetrate the heavens and the earth, using the gusting wind like a heavy sword to slam into Geyate.
The void ruptured, and a deafening explosion accompanied by blinding light reverberated through the canyon.
Geyate's figure, wrapped in black mist, was blown away like a falling leaf, crashing into a distant mountain wall and raising clouds of dust.
Julianna stared at the sky in disbelief.
According to recent rumors, just calling Loren's name in your heart would make him appear—like a prank played by the Goddess of Fate, he would always show up where he shouldn't be.
During their return journey, she had also heard that Loren supposedly saved residents from a fire in the city of Pariet.
Initially, Julianna had dismissed these stories as superstition.
She never expected Loren to actually come to her rescue.
(End of Chapter)
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