https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-711-Deadly-Battle-on-the-Sky-Bridge/12977666/
Chapter 712: The Grim News
Chapter 712: The Grim News
A sudden battle erupted, as unexpected as its abrupt conclusion.
Minutes later, Lindsey and Alice, both in the sixth stage of awakening, returned to their camp with thirteen captured prisoners.
But the once-hospitable Mr. Kanding now sat inside, his previous composure gone.
"A Righteous One," he muttered, gazing at Alice.
This young woman, Alice, was a Righteous One, and she had reached the sixth stage of awakening!
Did she come from the City of Law?
No! During the banquet, she had asked him about traveling to the City of Law.
So, was she a returning Awakener from the outside world? What was her purpose? Was she here to restore order, claim dominance, or perhaps pursue her ideals, pushing an already complex and chaotic world further into the abyss?
Mr. Kanding was merely an Awakener guarding the border.
In reality, his thoughts rarely ventured beyond the conflicts between city-states and his own future.
He had never given much thought to the topic of Righteous Ones.
So, when Alice stood before him, these thoughts overwhelmed his mind, leaving no room to ponder the events unfolding before him.
"Mr. Kanding, do you know these people?" Lindsey interrupted his thoughts.
He pointed to the captured Awakeners, specifically the two leaders:
"These thirteen guys came with malicious intent, planning to attack our camp. The two leaders are fifth-stage Awakeners."
"Since you're guarding the border and well-informed, you should know what's going on, right?"
Lindsey's question finally snapped Mr. Kanding out of his thoughts.
He nodded and shifted his gaze, scrutinizing the pair before him.
One lay on the ground, deeply unconscious, devoid of any consciousness.
The other was a man with a refined appearance and a clean-cut face, though his pupils lacked focus at the moment.
"Hmm, he looks somewhat familiar," Mr. Kanding murmured.
As memories surfaced, recollections from four or five years ago gradually emerged in his mind.
"That's right, I remember now!"
"He's Max, a craftsman from Stan City, and a fifth-stage Awakener!"
"..."
"Max? A craftsman?" Lindsey's eyes widened with curiosity.
The craftsmen he knew were all low-stage Awakeners.
Though he had heard of their immense power and even their own world capital, he had never met one of such a high caliber.
Alice, sensing Lindsey's curiosity, offered an explanation:
"Craftsmen can create incredibly powerful items after reaching the fifth stage, giving them the confidence to protect themselves or defeat their enemies."
"If they have enough time to prepare."
"With an abundance of unique equipment, they are among the strongest in their respective stages."
Lindsey nodded, deeply resonating with her words.
After all, his current strength, aside from the boost from gaming skills, largely depended on various equipment.
It was no surprise that craftsmen could achieve such feats, and their strength was expected to be formidable.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kanding approached the dazed craftsman:
"Max, what's happening here?"
"Stan City has always had a good relationship with us, and we even have a defensive alliance. Why did you suddenly bring soldiers to attack us?"
Mr. Kanding's gaze shifted to the warrior:
"That's right, I remember him too! He's a warrior like me, and he only came to Western Ring Island a few years ago!"
The Western Ring Island mentioned by Mr. Kanding referred to the Pillar Archipelago surrounding the Middle Ring World.
Due to its geographical location on the western side, people colloquially referred to this place as West Ring Island.
The despondent craftsman shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He recognized the man before him and a pitiful smile crept onto his face.
"It's you, Kanding."
"I heard there's a Fifth Stage Awakener guarding this place, but I never expected it to be you."
Mash remembered the man before him. They had once shared drinks in the city, and he had even accepted Kanding's forging commission.
But never did he expect their next meeting to be a life-or-death situation.
Kanding continued his interrogation:
"Mash, tell me, what exactly happened?"
The craftsman shook his head slightly.
"What happened? It's the kind of thing that happens in the Middle Ring World every day."
His light response made Kanding's expression turn grim.
"How is our city doing now?"
"If it were a time of siege, you two Fifth Stage Awakeners wouldn't have the luxury of leaving. So, your presence here means the city has fallen, and you're here to reclaim these borderlands under orders!"
Mash nodded.
"Yes, if I recall correctly, you receive a monthly supply transport and trade with the city. The last shipment left here was three weeks ago..."
Before the craftsman could finish, Kanding shouted:
"Impossible!"
"I didn't hear of any signs of siege, and how could taking a city be so swift? We have a powerful lord, too!"
Mash interjected:
"Because the Silver Witch was defeated!"
"She retreated to the Middle Ring World's border and chose our West Ring Island as her comeback!"
Kanding was even more perplexed:
"Then why attack here?"
"Loyalty to a Seventh Stage powerhouse is natural. If we knew of this, we wouldn't dare resist!"
The craftsman suddenly shook his head, his tone even carrying a hint of pity:
"Kanding, unfortunately, your side is the main battlefield."
Kanding fell silent.
The Silver Witch was a Seventh Stage powerhouse and a renowned lord in the Dust Path World.
Defeated, she retreated to the borderlands, needing to reestablish her authority and perhaps vent her rage.
As the main battlefield, the city...
In short, the situation was dire.
Kanding and his companions hailed from that city, where their relatives, friends, and families resided.
Battle? Siege? Slaughter?
Loss and devastation?
Kanding thought of these words.
Other cities' border islands might have been peacefully annexed.
But for those already caught in the cycle of hatred, they faced cleansing and disposal.
Kanding's body went limp, and he retreated a few steps, feeling powerless.
Just minutes ago, he was enjoying a banquet with two powerful individuals, but in those fleeting minutes, they revealed their Sixth Stage Righteous One status, and even more devastating, the floating island before him brought news of his hometown's slaughter.
Kanding tried to steady his trembling voice:
"Tell me, how is my home doing now?"
The craftsman simply replied:
"If I were you, I'd leave the borderlands immediately and find refuge in the Outer World."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
