The Sacrifice of Flesh and Blood

Nelson, the commander of the Flame-Particle Light Lance Launching Array, led his men to Sea Suppression Castle.

After all the refraction PRISM were destroyed, the Flame-Particle Light Lance had lost its offensive capability. Unable to contact Sea Suppression Castle, he decided, after much deliberation, to withdraw from the Flame-Particle Light Lance position.

He wanted to personally investigate his master's whereabouts.

But shortly after leaving the fortress, he was hit by a barrage of long-range rockets, losing most of his men on the spot. Now, less than a hundred people have followed him to Sea Suppression Castle.

The tall and majestic castle gates are right in front of us.

The birds, startled by the mere twang of a bow, looked up in disbelief.

This is Sea Suppression Castle, the island lord's residence, and the place where he entertains his most distinguished guests. The rumors about this place are secretive and terrifying, yet they also arouse the restless desires of those who want to discuss it.

It is said that one of the biggest daily consumables here is intelligent life.

Here, people are also consumables, used to satisfy the various bizarre hobbies of important figures, for their enjoyment, amusement, and even consumption.

No amount of extravagant description or fantasy can capture the scenery, the exquisite wines, the unparalleled delicacies, the alluring beauties, the ingenious utensils, and every imaginable form of entertainment. It is reserved for the world's most exclusive transactions of money and power. Everyone discusses, is curious about, and even yearns for things within this castle. For these employees, one of the greatest motivations for their hard work is being allowed a day to enjoy the first floor of Sea Suppression Castle as a reward for outstanding performance.

Now the gates are tightly shut, the legendary music that never stops playing is no longer heard, and the castle entrance, once filled with laughter and joy, is deserted, making the entire castle appear particularly eerie on the desolate mountaintop.

Nelson and his men exchanged uneasy glances.

They even hesitated, unsure whether they should knock on the door.

Just then, a familiar voice rang out from the communication stone atop the statue at the top of the castle. "Nelson, why are you here? Why have you abandoned your post?"

Nelson immediately showed relief and knelt before the statue. "Master, great island lord, it is not that I have neglected my post, but the enemy's alchemical weapons are too powerful. All the refraction PRISM have been destroyed, and the Flame Particle Light Lance Array can no longer strike our enemy... I was unable to contact you, and the messenger I sent has not returned. That is why I decided to withdraw and come in person to confirm your orders."

"If you give the order, I will lead your most loyal troops down the mountain and fight to the death against the evil Cathayan who are invading the Broken Isles, to repay your kindness!"

Loyal subordinates demonstrate their determination and will.

The statue remained silent for a moment, then the island lord's voice rang out. "I see, Nelson, you did a good job. As for the messengers, I haven't received any messages from them; it seems they haven't come."

Nelson paused, then his face darkened with rage. "Disgraceful! Master! I'll capture them, skin them alive, and throw their corpses away..."

"Alright, Nelson, we don't have time to dwell on this now."

With a heavy, muffled thud, the door slowly opened.

The island owner's tone was eerily calm. "Now, come in quickly. I was just about to order you to retreat immediately, but I didn't expect you to arrive already. Very well, we're leaving."

Nelson asked blankly, "Leave?"

"Yes, child," the island lord's tone somber, "You know, we are about to fail. Kang De has unleashed a ferocious monster to devour and attack our people. The Cathayan of Aurora have used their powerful ships and cannons to force open our gates and plunder our wealth. We are far too weak to withstand his ferocity. The situation is urgent, and we have no choice but to leave temporarily and expose his hateful crimes to the whole world..."

The loyal fortress commander revealed a look of shared hatred. "A lord's disgrace is a lord's death," he gritted his teeth and said, "I am deeply ashamed, my lord. I wish I could offer everything I have to the gods in exchange for great power to slay your formidable enemy..."

"Good child, I've watched you grow up. I've never doubted your loyalty, your will, and your feelings. I've seen them all. Now, come in quickly, there will be an opportunity, there will be..."

The gate was fully open. Nelson stood up, unsuspecting, and waved his hand, saying, "Hurry up and go in! Be grateful for the island lord's mercy! You all have a chance to escape!"

A nearby spellcaster whispered, "Something seems off..."

Nelson glared at him. "What?"

"I just feel..." the monk couldn't quite put his finger on it, "... I feel a bit..."

Nelson's expression darkened. "You don't want to go in? What, you want to stay?"

This decision to keep it was absolutely brilliant.

The spellcaster immediately shook his head and said, "No, no, no..."

"Then hurry up and go in!"

After this brief standoff and pause, footsteps sounded from behind the gate, and a small squad of light infantry, fully armed, jogged out, saying anxiously, "Quick, follow me! Don't keep everyone waiting!"

The initial worry vanished.

They hurriedly followed the guards through the castle gates, which slowly closed under the transmission of the alchemical mechanical structure. The castle, comparable to a palace or imperial city, stood majestically, but when Nelson looked around, the arrow towers and watchtowers were all undefended.

The fortress commander casually asked, "Have the guards gone down too?"

"Yes, Lord Island Lord is taking us all away," the leader of the guards said gratefully. "We will repay his kindness with our loyalty!"

As they walked up the carpeted steps, they strolled through the courtyard of Sea Suppression Castle. The beautiful gardens, the manicured lawns, the masterfully crafted gilded corridors and stained-glass domes—all the decorations and embellishments were pleasing to the eye. But today was not the time for leisure, and those who entered could not slow down to appreciate the sights.

The enormous statue in the center of the castle's forecourt had been moved aside, revealing a huge entrance where people were waiting and waving. "Hurry up! It's about to begin!"

People quickened their pace and followed the massive underground entrance. The interior was brightly lit, like daytime. The walls, steps, and ceiling were inlaid with clean white ceramic tiles, and magic crystal lamps twinkled. The deep corridor stairs led down, but the light shone all the way.

Nelson was also surprised. "There's such a place beneath Sea Suppression Castle?"

"I'm afraid the entire mountain has been hollowed out!"

The captain's tone was tinged with pride. "It must have been the secret planning and preparation of successive island lords, all for the most dangerous moment. I've heard that the Shelter beneath the castle has enough food to feed 20,000 people for five years, and there's even a secret dock maintaining ten large ships!"

He said smugly, "In any case, we are safe! Because the island owner was prepared!"

Although these words came from a guard captain, they were reassuring because they were good news, especially since this group had just escaped the nightmare of being bombarded by rockets. They needed reassuring words and phrases, and upon hearing them, everyone showed a joyful smile.

They descended into a vast mountain world, expansive and empty, like an underground palace. A mage looked up at the dome in the sky, where magic crystal lamps shone like stars.

"How magnificent..." he exclaimed, "Is this something that mortals could accomplish?"

Exquisite colonnades, magnificent houses built against the mountainside, they even saw stables, a dining room, and gardens. Artificial light sources simulated sunlight, making it feel like an underground city, only empty and deserted. They were guided along the way and continued forward.

"Let's Star Worship Square."

The captain of the guard explained, "Everyone is there. The island lord is going to give a speech to establish order, and everyone must listen, because our future and our lives are given to us by the island lord."

Nelson nodded and said, "That's true."

After passing through two more small-town-like areas, a cacophony of voices arose ahead. A castle-like gate opened, revealing a huge square teeming with people, shoulder to shoulder.

The noble figures occupied a spacious area, while the ladies used delicate folding fans to cover their faces and looked at the dense crowd with disdain. They all sat on comfortable benches, and not far away, strong and powerful guards formed an outer circle to guard against any disturbances or offenses from the commoners.

More often, however, are ordinary-dressed, timid people. They are service providers, producers, consumers, and tools. No matter where they are, whether on the ground or in the mountains, no matter the circumstances, their status remains unchanged—and they even believe so in their hearts.

Nelson and the others were led to the area between the powerful and the commoners.

The fortress commander spotted the island lord in the center of the square at a glance.

He stood there all alone, facing a huge, well-like object.

There was no other figure within a hundred meters, ignoring the surrounding noise and discussion, and no one dared to approach and disturb him.

Because here, his authority and prestige have reached their zenith; he holds the entire hope of everyone escaping and surviving this disaster or even war.

Everyone was waiting, waiting for the island lord to give a speech and issue orders.

They can resume a stable and comfortable life here until rescue arrives or a turning point occurs.

They all hoped and looked forward to this.

Just then, a deep, calm voice suddenly rang out, silencing all the noisy discussions.

"You pray, you labor, you offer."

But it doesn't belong to the island owner.

The air suddenly became still.

Suddenly, a figure appeared before the island lord.

Under the silent gaze of the crowd, the de facto ruler of the Broken Isles, who controlled countless riches and interests and whose friends spanned the world, knelt down devoutly without hesitation.

He responded loudly, "Yes."

The crowd fell silent instantly, everyone's mind went blank, and some even felt like they were hallucinating—their brains refused to process this absurd and unimaginable scene.

The figure circled the island owner's aged but not decaying body, chuckling softly.

"I ask you, you lowly servant, do you remember the mission of passing down your bloodline from generation to generation?"

"Remember."

"Did it act as a nail, severing the connection and communication between the Mud People of the two continents?"

"Holding firm to this day."

"Do they feed the centipede-like creatures of the deep sea with their own blood?"

"Every single day!"

A buzz of discussion and panic erupted from the crowd. Even the dignitaries who were guests there stood up. Some were questioning and shouting loudly, while many more were at a loss.

But the two people in the center of the square were completely undisturbed by the outside world.

The question-and-answer session continues.

"So..."

The figure, kneeling in devout worship, stopped in front of the island lord.

He asked, "Tell me, servant who gazes at the sky, what else have you done?"

"In accordance with the will of the Star Palace, holy rulers, we establish our foundation here, guard the deep sea, isolate the eastern and western continents, and manage this sea area."

The island lord bowed devoutly.

"We manipulate people's hearts with money."

"We started the war with our wealth."

We use money to incite desire.

"We have turned this sea into a paradise for the fallen, twisted righteous souls, allowed sinful desires to spread, and reverted hypocritical creatures back to their animalistic origins..."

"We lied, we cheated, we exploited, we seduced."

"We have summoned countless souls to this place, whether noble or lowly..."

The so-called ruler let out a hoarse, satisfied laugh.

He placed his hand on the island owner's head.

As if this were the highest reward, the island lord trembled with joy.

"Then, my faithful servant, I ask you."

The other person lowered his head, so his face remained obscured, even though he wasn't wearing a hood or a mask.

But people could never clearly see what he looked like.

"On this land that we cherish and favor..." he asked slowly, "Are intelligent beings still fighting and killing each other?"

"Indeed! Noble gods!"

The island owner raised his arms high, like the most fervent believer.

"Are the strong still tearing at the flesh of the weak?"

"Yes!"

Are the rich still plundering and exploiting the poor?

"Yes!"

Do people regard money as a god?

"Yes!"

Have people lost their sense of shame?

"Yes!"

Is morality still a joke?

"Yes!"

Is law merely a tool?

"Yes!"

Are all souls falling into depravity?

"Yes!"

"Whether noble or lowly?"

"That's right!"

The questions and answers were getting faster and faster. The artificial light sources and magical crystals on the dome and stone walls seemed to be flashing on and off. Anxiety was spreading. Even the most stupid and numb slaves would feel uneasy about what they saw. Their faces gradually became panicked. Everyone was like this. Whether they were noble or lowly, skilled warriors or highly accomplished mages, they all felt extremely uneasy.

This is the most common thing they have in common as human beings.

Even though their statuses are worlds apart, and their power is vastly different, deep within their bodies still lie the instincts of living beings and animals.

Seek advantage and avoid harm; perceive danger.

They sensed that the most terrible danger was approaching.

"So..."

The ruler, residing high in the Star Palace and descending to the Mortal World, asked increasingly satisfying questions.

Are they in pain?

"Indeed, Your Majesty, so be it!"

The island owner responded fervently, bowing devoutly. He spoke and shouted as if he were insane, recounting how he had built and operated this sinful money empire over the years, witnessing all the evils of this rich land.

He cried out, "This land echoes day and night with the helpless screams of the weak, used, plundered, toyed with, and torn apart by the strong!"

"Swords! Beasts! Instruments of torture! Men! Unbridled desires run rampant here! Primal bestiality surges forth! The noble bare their fangs, the hypocritical cast aside their masks, and all guests confront themselves here! They revel in a feast of unbridled flesh and blood! They gorge, they indulge, they torture!"

"We have established this place! We follow the teachings of the Star Palace, managing and herding!"

"We bind them with desire and profit! We make them crave, we make them obey, we make them degenerate! They devour each other, layer upon layer, the strong bully the weak, the weak bully the weaker, everyone wants to climb higher! The honest are despised, those who lie and deceive gain more! This is the kingdom we have built, offered to your world, which pleases the Star Palace!"

"All these desires! All this numbness! All this pain! All this indulgence! Spreading from the Broken Isles to the whole world! This is our finest offering to the Star Palace!"

The mountain trembled, and someone let out a scream. The scene became increasingly chaotic, accompanied by the island lord's fanatical roar. The suffocating sense of oppression grew stronger. Some people had already tried to escape, but several gates had already been slammed shut. The only area that was calm to the point of being almost sacred was where two people were kneeling and accepting.

The ruler who descended to the Mortal World praised with satisfaction.

"Your tribute," he smiled, "Has indeed been received, Great Lord of the Veil. When the apocalypse arrives and the King of Void Spirit appears, you will receive an unparalleled reward..."

The island lord kowtowed again. "My highest honor, great ruler."

The visitors from the Star Palace turned their attention to the chaotic crowd.

He gave a cruel smile, "Now... it's time to feed it."

Several spellcasters were approaching, their hands gleaming with elemental light. "Lord Island, you must provide an explanation, or else..."

The next moment, a violent tremor spread from the seabed all the way to the mountain's belly. Amidst the deafening roar, countless slender black tentacles suddenly burst forth from the huge deep well next to the island lord, like a blooming black flower, suddenly blossoming in this enormous underground plaza!

The mages only felt a blur before their eyes, and their bodies were entangled by tentacles. An unimaginable, terrifying force suddenly lifted them up and dragged them toward the deep well!

Amidst screams and cries of agony, occasionally punctuated by flashes of Magic Power light, countless tentacles lashed wildly in all directions, dragging struggling bodies into the deep well. A feast of flesh and blood, countless sacrifices, all became food for the hungry beast!

Amidst this terrifying spectacle, the extraterrestrial visitors to the Star Palace were simply captivated by the sight.

"There are too many variables, so we had to release it ahead of schedule. According to the original calculations, it would take another twenty years for it to subdue that group... Hmph, they should be mostly dead by now."

His gaze turned in another direction, as if piercing through the thick stone wall to look out into the outside world.

"Another Fire Thief has appeared so quickly... and even my god is taking notice of him..."

He revealed a cold smile, "But it doesn't matter, it has awakened, and you will inevitably step into Sea Suppression Castle... Fire Thief, this will be your burial ground."

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PS1: Ah... that's amazing... even if I started writing early, I'd still get distracted halfway through...