https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-843-Lan-Chi-s-Final-Showdown-in-Blood-Moon-City-Part-2-/12937114/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-844-The-True-Turmoil-of-the-Kreth-Empire-Part-2-/12937120/
Chapter 844: The True Turmoil of the Kreth Empire (Part 1)
Chapter 844: The True Turmoil of the Kreth Empire (Part 1)
Brillada City.
As the sun began its descent in the west, the sky painted a magnificent golden hue, and the twilight bathed the thin layer of snow atop Ostro Peak in a divine glow, enveloping the entire mountain range in a sacred aura.
"As long as I can escape, as long as I can reach that place..."
Duke Rahal fled in disarray, certain that with the National Festival just concluded, the War Gods would soon return to the Divine Lineage Hall.
Once those War Gods returned, they would surely protect him.
The setting sun was about to dip below the horizon, and once the night of the Kreth Empire arrived, he would regain his 9th-rank powers.
The winter breeze rustled through the dense pine forest, creating a whispering sound. The wind swept up the withered leaves on the ground, sending them swirling in the air before gently falling, forming a golden carpet. At the end of Ostro Peak stood a majestic ivory-white structure, towering into the clouds. It was built entirely from ancient divine stone bricks, their surfaces shimmering with dazzling golden light like flowing lava.
The indestructible miracle stone bricks had endured millions of years of erosion yet remained intact, without a single crack or blemish.
Layer upon layer of holographic defense barriers enveloped the entire building, protecting the temple within.
Special patrol troops, clad in black military coats, vigilantly scanned the corners of the area. The setting sun cast long shadows on their uniforms, making them resemble hunters in the dark, ready to capture their prey at any moment.
This was the location of the Kreth Empire's military headquarters and command center.
Deep within the other side of the military building, there existed a vast circular space known as the "Divine Lineage Hall" by the people of Kreth.
This was the meeting place of the Empire's twelve War Gods. With the War Gods' permission, one could only visit them here, and to venture further into the core area, one must possess a War God's token or be a War God themselves.
However, at that very moment, a faint, elusive shadow appeared outside the Divine Lineage Hall, right under the watchful eyes of the guards and barriers.
Initially, it was just a vague phantom, but gradually, the shadow became clearer, eventually solidifying into the form of a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy.
Duke Rahal, in his 9th-rank state, intended to sneak quietly, confident that these imperial soldiers would never detect his presence, especially since he was intimately familiar with the defense layout around the Divine Lineage Hall.
Rahal's transformed appearance had fair skin as white as snow and soft, fluffy brown hair that shimmered with a golden hue.
His slender frame was enveloped in a pure black velvet gown, and on the lapel was embroidered the ancient emblem of the Kreth Empire in golden thread—the family crest of the Roland family, a griffin with its head held high.
At first glance, he seemed no different from any wealthy young man in Brillada City, perhaps just a curious soul who had stumbled into the outer sanctum of this sacred hall by chance.
But upon closer inspection, one would realize that this was far from the truth.
His eyes were a pair of distant red orbs, like bottomless pools of blood, containing wisdom and a depth of time far beyond what his youthful appearance could suggest.
The Third Ancestor, Duke Rahal, appeared here with a particularly chaotic aura, his eyelids drooping as if he had just endured a fierce battle.
He leaned against the temple wall as he moved, avoiding the scorching sunlight that seemed to burn his skin.
The golden sunset filtered through the window lattice, casting a side shadow that made him appear frail.
"Landry... You must be exhausted too... I want to see how you'll fare against War Gods at full strength..."
Duke Rahal clenched his teeth, his eyes still bloodshot.
Although he had managed to escape by abandoning Blood Moon City, he had also lost a significant amount of magic power and vitality in the battle and was exposed to the sunlight. He desperately needed fresh blood to recover.
He knew that he must find a place where Landry couldn't reach or capture him before Landry caught up, gather his strength, and then counter-attack the exhausted Landry and the others.
Ignoring his injuries, Duke Rahal continued his stealthy approach, making his way to the Divine Lineage Hall, which could be considered the second stronghold of their Blood Clan.
When Duke Rahal reached the outer entrance of the hall, he took out a backup seal engraved with amethyst—it belonged to Marquis Rayen, bearing the emblem of the Ninth War God, Marquis Rayen. Duke Rahal pressed his general seal into the groove on the door, and instantly, the heavy restrictions were lifted, granting entry to this esteemed visitor.
The next moment, Duke Rahal's figure vanished from sight as if he had never been there.
The entire process was executed with fluid precision, without a sound or a trace, even escaping the notice of the guards outside the hall.
Within the Divine Lineage Hall, a serene and harmonious melody echoed.
The pure and ethereal sound of the harp resembled a heavenly chorus, reverberating through the hall.
At times, it soared in high notes, and at others, it hummed softly, like angels singing in the clouds, soothing every soul. Intertwined with the harp were the crystal-clear sounds of wind chimes, reminiscent of sprites dancing on treetops, bringing a hint of subtle joy.
The flute's melody was both lofty and lingering, as if echoing from a distant realm, narrating ancient legends and singing of distant memories. Various instruments wove together, creating a harmonious symphony, sacred and lofty, majestic and melodious, rising with the setting sun's glow, reaching the heavens.
The music seemed to be a celestial chant, or perhaps the joyful song of all living creatures.
The slanting rays of the sun filtered through the tall rose windows of the Divine Lineage Hall, landing on the marble floor like heavenly diamonds, illuminating the ancient divine murals on the walls.
Duke Rahal cautiously avoided the columns of sunlight.
At this point, Landry couldn't catch up to him.
His face was hidden in the shadows of his hood, revealing only a pair of blood-red eyes, burning with vengeful fury.
"I will search every corner of the Kreth Empire, even if I have to dig three feet into the ground, to find you, you cunning professor, and make you suffer a fate worse than death..."
Duke Rahal clenched his teeth, listening to the five o'clock chime.
He was determined to gather the strength of half of the Empire's War Gods at any cost to capture the mastermind who had driven him to the brink of despair.
Professor Landry, the soul of Lanclos, would be eradicated.
However, in the densely populated city of Brillada, on a National Festival day when all the War Gods were gathered, Duke Rahal dared not use his powerful psychic magic to contact the War Gods under his control, as it would undoubtedly attract the attention of the other War Gods and possibly reveal his location.
If a war broke out among the War Gods, and Landry added to the chaos, it was a scenario that neither Landry nor Duke Rahal wished to see.
He had to keep a low profile, avoid attention, and distract the uncontrollable War Gods before seeking revenge on Landry.
So, Rahal activated a false identity he had prepared in the Kreth Empire, pretending to be a distant relative of Marquis Rayen's mother, the Ninth War Deity. He hid within the temple, shielded by the empire's highest-grade barrier, secretly contacting the War Gods and gathering those under his control.
The War Gods should have just finished the blessing ceremony at the Kreth Memorial Plaza and were about to return to the Divine Lineage Hall after guarding Saint Baldor's closing speech for a while.
Rahal looked up, glancing at the setting sun in the hall.
Soon, very soon, night would fall.
Only when darkness completely engulfed the sky would he feel truly at ease.
In any case, fighting during the day was too disadvantageous.
It was because Landry, that despicable man, had seized this weakness that he was able to force Rahal into this desperate situation.
"Landry, our second round has just begun..."
As Rahal secretly congratulated himself on his strategy, the Divine Lineage Hall suddenly shimmered with silver radiance.
Like a bright silver moon rising, the entire hall was enveloped in sacred brilliance.
"Huh?!"
Rahal was startled but dared not move too much, fearing exposure to the scorching sun.
It was the aura of the Moon Goddess, as if the pureland of heaven had descended upon the temple, filling the area on this side.
Although this pure moonlight was not as deadly as sunlight, Rahal still felt physically uncomfortable, his internal organs churning.
He could barely keep his eyes open in the sunlight, only seeing a blurry figure outside the silver light, slowly approaching him.
"I... I'm a visitor, I'm looking for Marquis Rayen..."
Rahal could only suppress the alarm bells ringing in his heart and express his lack of hostility to the other party.
Logically, at this time, if a War Deity had returned to the Divine Lineage Hall, it was likely that they had abandoned their duty of guarding Saint Baldor and were engaging in irregular and irresponsible behavior.
But the logic behind the other party's return made Rahal's heart sink with a sense of foreboding.
"Third Ancestor, there's no need to hide, I know it's you."
Water Sapphire Viola had set up the Moon Goddess Pureland Barrier and was walking towards Rahal's hiding place, holding a silver staff.
The clear sound of the staff's rings made Rahal's heart tremble in sync.
"Viola... why is it you?"
Hearing the other party call out his identity, Rahal confirmed the War Deity who had appeared in the Divine Lineage Hall.
She was the person he least wanted to see.
She wore the long robe of the High Priestess of the Moon and Healing Goddesses, her deep indigo hair cascading like a waterfall to her waist. She was also the Sixth War Deity, Water Sapphire Viola, who could enter any area of the hall without question.
Among the twelve War Deities of the Kreth Empire, Water Sapphire Viola was one of the most gentle-natured. She also refused to engage in warfare and, even after the Kreth Empire went to war, she resolutely refused to go to the frontlines, staying in the rear at Brillada to handle logistics and protect the empire's hinterland.
However, for the Vampires, her high-ranking Wolf Witch bloodline represented endless trouble.
"Landry was right, you Vampires have harmed the empire for too long. Not catching you earlier was indeed my dereliction of duty."
Viola acted without hesitation, silver moonlight swirling around her as her voice rang out like heavenly music, yet with undeniable authority.
Ice pillars, like chasing a rat, blasted Rahal out from behind the pillar in the corner.
Rahal struggled to support his body, and after seeing Viola's location and her grim intent, he dashed behind another pillar.
"Landry, it's Landry again..."
Suddenly, Rahal shouted with relief, his laughter echoing eerily in the empty hall.
Wherever he fled, it was always Landry! He must be a specter!
"But, Viola, since you've chased me here, you must have the intention of capturing me, right? Going to such lengths, you must have also considered the consequences!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Rahal, no longer holding onto any hope, was enveloped in a dark red magical aura, his blood energy swiftly gathering and transforming into sharp weapons.
He was already at the end of his rope.
At this moment, whoever came to hinder him would face his wrath!
"The empire's sun hasn't set yet."
Viola's expression was cold as she gently waved her staff, and the moonlight transformed into a giant net, covering Rahal's head.
The Divine Lineage Hall, shrouded in dusk, became a battlefield filled with divine colors.
The blood-red setting sun reflected off the marble floor, and the twelve pillars cast long shadows, like giant fingers crisscrossing on the ground. Above, countless shining immortal crystals glowed, and the ancient, unchanging starry sky witnessed the epic battle between the Wolves and the Vampires.
High Priestess Viola of the Moon Goddess held the silver staff, her purple eyes reflecting two clear pools of water, chanting divine incantations, each syllable carrying the power to pierce gold and shatter stone.
Two races, two forces, met at this hall, a destination spanning tens of thousands of years.
Rahal's blood-red claws spread from the ground, transforming into residual shadows reaching for Viola.
"Die!"
Rahal let out a shrill howl.
Viola gently waved her staff.
An ice-blue fan-shaped defense appeared, blocking Rahal's path.
The cold light burst forth, forming an ice net in mid-air.
Rahal's body staggered, and the blood-red hand he controlled struck the ice net like a sharp blade.
In an instant, ice crystals splattered and turned to powder.
"In the sunlight, you're only slightly stronger than an ordinary 8th Rank, and I'm no weaker than a Cardinal of the Resurrection Church."
Viola's response to Rahal was a crisp snap of her fingers.
The next moment, all the ice crystals retreated like a tide, turning into stardust and dissipating in the twilight.
Rahal felt as if these ice crystals had drained his magic power.
"Despicable Wolf Witch."
Rahal never expected that the Third Ancestor would be forced into such a predicament by a mere Wolf Witch priestess.
This female Wolf Witch's magic, instead of directly harming her opponent, subtly depleted her opponent's magic power with the power of the Moon Goddess.
And for Rahal, a founder of the magic system, this was undoubtedly a deadly threat.
If he were in his peak condition at night, he would be much stronger than Viola.
But he was injured, and under the refracted sunlight in the temple, he would be extremely weakened.
Cornered by Viola's Moon Goddess Spell and ice magic, he had no choice but to fight back. He was being suppressed and attacked by Viola in the light!
"This is all your fault, Viola—"
Cornered and desperate, Rahal roared in fury.
He could only use psychic control to force other War Gods to quickly return to the Divine Lineage Hall to help him kill Viola!
Even if this would expose his existence to the other War Gods, ruin his years of careful infiltration and erosion, cause chaos in Brillada, and possibly allow Professor Landry to catch up to him, Rahal had no other choice!
Even if it meant dying together, he would take High Priest Viola and Professor Landry, as well as the innocent citizens, with him.
But just as Rahal was about to use Blood Mind Control with all his might.
He discovered that his psychic magic seemed to be blocked within the Moon Goddess Pureland Barrier of this hall.
"It's not transmitting...?"
This barrier almost severed his psychic link with the other War Gods.
It prevented him from summoning any War God to his aid.
"Viola, what is this?!"
Rahal furiously questioned Viola.
"Rahal, do you think I would fight you here without any preparation?"
Viola waved her silver white staff, creating a gust of wind that turned into countless sharp frost auras, whistling through the ice prison and rushing towards Rahal.
"I've already prepared a way to counter your psychic control. I don't know which War Gods you've controlled, but I won't let you summon any more, nor will I allow you to harm the empire's innocent citizens. You'll stay here and atone for your sins!"
Viola said, her eyes glinting coldly as she stared at Rahal.
"No! I won't lose to you, you despicable wolf!"
Rahal roared in anger, forcefully activating the remaining mana in his body, and raising a dark red shield in front of him.
The frost auras struck the shield, creating a muffled sound, and the blood-red shield trembled violently, gradually showing spider web-like cracks.
Rahal put up his final resistance.
As long as the damn sun didn't set, he was certain he could defeat Viola.
But that brief sunset seemed like an eternity to him.
Just as the shield was about to shatter, a flash of blood-red light appeared in Rahal's eyes, and he suddenly thrust out his right hand, actually catching a frost aura.
The frozen blood dripped from Rahal's fingers, but he was unaware, his gaze fixed on the frost aura as he clenched it tightly, and dark red mana surged crazily into Viola's staff through the frost aura.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
