Miserable
Phaethon's murderous aura soared to the heavens, his energy surged and pulsed, and his raging fury shook the heavens.
He stared at Griffin, his eyes burning with a fury powerful enough to incinerate everything in the Mortal World.
The God of the Star Palace possesses an intense and unwavering killing intent.
Griffin was not surprised, but rather delighted!
A thought flashed through his mind, and a look of panic appeared on his face. "What do you want to do?"
Phaethon, who considered himself a god, was schemed against and besieged by Mortal World ants, becoming a prisoner and subjected to daily humiliation in all sorts of ways. Now that he has regained his freedom, how could he possibly let it go?
--It should be noted that Griffin not only tortured him constantly, but also extracted his blood and stripped his flesh for research, repeatedly scanning his use of elemental energy. He tried almost every kind of distorted research method and interrogation method. This treatment and experience can basically be described as being treated like a flesh toilet.
Phaethon considered himself a god, valuing the spiritual over the material. Even if he could disregard his physical suffering, how could he possibly forgive the spiritual humiliation?
Moreover, damn it, it's one thing to have been through all that before, but we finally reached a consensus and were ready to work together to deal with Kang De and redeem ourselves, but who knew that this Griffin was so useless, soft-hearted and stupid, a pig-like companion who couldn't be led at all! He actually ruined such a great opportunity!
The first time I was humiliated and tormented, the first time I witnessed how pathetic and stupid ants of the Mortal World could be, the humiliation of being a human toilet and the hatred of being a useless teammate, the two kinds of anger combined, naturally made me want to kill the other party's mother!
Phaethon roared, "I will burn your soul away bit by bit!"
--Then hurry up and hit me hard!
Griffin was increasingly delighted, but suppressed his joy and calmly continued to provoke his opponent, "In your current state, you are no match for me. Don't forget, I already know your energy manipulation methods and combat abilities inside and out. Today, it's time to..."
"--Then give it a try!"
The God of the Star Palace was indeed caught off guard. He tried to throw a punch and charge forward, but his body froze, and a look of resentment appeared on his face— the Deceleration Field was still active!
We need to find a way to turn it off!
He attempted to connect to the magic energy circuit, but the Grand Speaker bent three fingers of his right hand, compressed a ball of frost to its limit, and then exploded with a bang, sending dozens of ice arrows flying in different stunning arcs toward him.
Phaethon burst into wild laughter, his body radiating a dazzling, immense brilliance of the sun, while ocean waves surged and rippled at his feet. "Though it's usurped power, it's enough to kill you!"
They simultaneously rose into the air, rapidly traversing and circling within the spacious, mysterious sanctuary.
The power of flames, ice, and lightning shifted endlessly around the Grand Speaker. Frost Ray swept back and forth, lightning orbs collapsed and vibrated inward, generating surges of electricity, and Hellfire flickered and flew about. But all these ever-changing spells were annihilated by the surging radiation of the sun's rays!
Light spears pierced, magic orbs bombarded back and forth, elements were deconstructed, spells collapsed, magic shields defended... It was a fierce confrontation on the mystical level, sometimes with thunder and lightning, sometimes as calm as a lake.
The battle became a stalemate, but the aftershocks of the clash shook the Tower of All-Seeing, causing it to tremble. The power of flames and frost spread in all directions, freezing the blood flowing on the ground and pulverizing the haphazardly laid corpses. Under Phaethon's unstoppable offensive, Griffin gradually found himself at a disadvantage.
--But that was an act!
Beneath a solemn, even slightly uneasy and fearful expression, lay an increasingly gleeful spirit... Yes, that's it! Make a mess of the scene! Destroy all the evidence! Yes! Come this way! Crush the bodies of those ten councilors into ashes! Because I was the one who killed them!
Did you see the fear on my face? Did you see my increasingly dangerous situation? Do you feel like you're gaining the upper hand? Do you think you'll kill me soon? That I'll soon be screaming in agony?
That's right!
Keep it up! Focus all your attention on revenge!
Hit me hard!
If Griffin weren't afraid the other person would realize what he meant, he would almost burst into laughter.
He was even somewhat moved.
Because... this guy is a hundred times easier to deal with Kang De!
What a simple and honest "deity" they are.
He couldn't help but sigh.
This Phaethon is so good; he's both useful and easy to fool.
Originally, capturing him was already a huge effort, and imprisoning him was an impossible task—after all, Phaethon's life form was far superior to that of mortals, and even powerful dragons and so-called chosen elves could not compare to him. Even if all the restrictions and curses of the Mortal World were imposed, he could still continuously draw energy and recover from his injuries, and he could easily break free from his cage and escape if he was not careful.
But for some reason, the Arcane Dome Furnace of the Star-Bearing Titan was able to suppress and weaken his power!
Why this core mechanism, inherited from ancient war weapons, could suppress the "gods" from the Star Palace, is something Griffin has never been able to figure out. He has searched through ancient archives, but the records about the Star-Bearing Titan are vague and even incomplete... But who cares?
As long as it works, that's fine.
In addition to suppressing and imprisoning, Griffin used the special ability of the Arcane Dome Core to extract the energy of the God of the Star Palace, suppress and even study his abilities, analyze and simulate the patterns and methods of Phaethon's application of elemental energy, and even directly extract blood and peel off flesh, handing them over to the Council's research department for careful study.
Even when Phaethon was being tormented and driven to madness by the constant draining of energy from the Arcane Dome Core, he seized the opportunity to persuade, brainwash, and suggest to him, ultimately convincing this unruly "god" to become his power, helping him obtain further assistance from the Star Palace, and assisting him in accomplishing this earth-shattering feat.
It can be said that whether as experimental material, a tool for punishment, or a source of joy for amusement and stress relief, Phaethon was very competent.
Everything went smoothly.
The ambitious path to power was smooth sailing in its first half.
Attack, uprising, rumor, echo.
Everything is going according to plan.
Until Kang De launched a phase attack and descended upon Tula Xiaye.
The iron-fisted, resolute, heavy-handed, and decisive coup plot immediately changed its tone.
The Dragon of Cathay, known throughout the world for their Forbidden Spell, alchemy, cruelty, bloodlust, and debauchery, upon arriving in Tula Xiaye, first revealed their Forbidden Spell, and then began to shamelessly act like scoundrels.
But he's about to turn the tide of this seemingly hopeless situation, with war looming!
The Grand Speaker was a decisive and ruthless man, a statesman who established his own faction. Seeing that the situation was not good and Kang De had the upper hand, he immediately thought of making peace—for the sake of the country, this was not shameful.
As for the "covenant" with the Star Palace, there's no need to mention it again. Even Phaethon can be used as a scapegoat and bear Kang De's wrath in exchange for the understanding of the Dragon of Cathay.
This plan was indeed very clever, but fate is unpredictable and beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. Before the Grand Chancellor could put it into practice, Kang De preemptively seized the Star-Bearing Titan using his phase ability!
This not only means that the nation's strategic magical artifact has been lost, making the city's millions of citizens feel that "the Grand Speaker has fled in fear," but also that the power that was once relied upon to suppress and weaken Phaethon no longer exists!
Almost instantly, he found himself in danger.
The plan went smoothly but then botched, the situation shifted from favorable to disastrous—the changes were so rapid...
It was simply because Kang De came.
Since the arrival of the Cathayan, one thing after another has kept Griffin busy and overwhelmed. Only now does he have time to go back and think things through, and the more he thinks, the more he sighs and feels helpless.
Kang De was more than a hundred times better than this Phaethon.
Upon receiving news of the attack on Tula Xiaye, they were able to immediately deduce the cause and effect, perceive the impending threat of war, and then decisively launch an attack, penetrating deep behind enemy lines.
Upon arriving in Tula Xiaye, he didn't waste any words. He immediately unleashed Forbidden Spell. Even though he was suddenly hit by Deceleration Field and the Forbidden Spell was in danger of failing, he remained calm and composed, neither panicking nor running away. He simply blatantly lied, putting on a show of bravado perfectly and thoroughly!
The plane crash and the attack on the Tower of All-Seeing were used to ignite public opinion and fuel war. Even the elves and the empire couldn't avoid such a mess—yet he managed to dodge it and turn the tide!
And they even stole my Titan!
He even went so far as to untie the beast's chain!
Such an opponent... such a person...
Thinking of this, Griffin couldn't help but sigh, his heart filled with emotion.
Seeing that Kang De had reversed the situation and that things were hopeless, he immediately conceived the idea of making peace with Kang De. However, this peace would only be a temporary truce, and another battle would be fought in the future...
But upon reflecting on the cause and effect again, and considering Kang De's response and every step he took in this turn of events, even with his iron will, Griffin couldn't help but wonder, "Should I really be his enemy?"
The Grand Speaker only believed about 30% of Phaethon's account of Kang De's origins.
He only believed the fact that Kang De came from outside the world.
Star Palace is arrogant and regards Mortal World as ants. Whether Phaethon tries to hide it or not, Griffin can see it at a glance... And the Grand Chancellor is also well aware of what Kang De did in Distant Harbor and the Broken Isles.
There's no need to distinguish which side is good and which is evil.
Although good and evil are meaningless at the national level, he couldn't help but wonder what Kang De's purpose was in bringing advanced technology different from the Mortal World to this place and establishing his power.
He had his own ideas and plans regarding the Star Palace, Kang De, and the Council, but today's setback dealt him a heavy blow, and his ideas began to waver.
Perhaps after this matter is over, I should have a proper talk with Kang De...
Just then, the doors of the mysterious sanctuary were suddenly smashed open.
The order of the attacks was "Kang De's henchmen" first, followed by Phaethon. So after the external attack, in accordance with security regulations, the Mysterious Sanctuary immediately activated its defense system, sealed off the entrances, and even lowered the entire Senate to the space between the 28th and 29th floors. Unfortunately, a God of the Star Palace appeared among them, making it like catching a turtle in a jar... And now, the Security Committee, which has taken control of the situation, has finally arrived!
Walls, doors, and even ceilings shattered as figures swooped down. Three arcane hunters, clad in rune armor and wielding heavy Arcane shields, charged in. The three leaders of the Security Committee, along with more than a dozen mages who had earned the title of "Exalted," stormed into the battlefield!
Griffin yelled, "Help! Grab him!"
That was his plan.
That idiot Phaethon... staying here is practically suicide!
This was just the original plan: to execute the cruel assassin on the spot, hand the body over to Kang De, explain the situation and the consequences, and then discuss things later!
As for whether Phaethon would say anything inappropriate before he died... well, someone has to believe him.
As expected, the Council's elite spellcasters saw the Grand Speaker fighting a bloody battle, while the corpses of the councilors were scattered everywhere, with not a single living person in sight... Even the three shrewd and calculating leaders couldn't help but gasp and feel a chill run down their spines!
They launched the attack almost without hesitation.
Just then, shouts from the Cathayan rang out from outside the breach in the wall that had been broken during their assault.
"Since Griffin ran away with the Titan, then find someone who keeps their word and gives an explanation to all the people of Tula Xiaye! Don't let a double for Griffin appear!"
In that split second, Griffin suddenly saw that Phaethon, surrounded by powerful enemies and in a precarious situation, did not show any signs of despair or rage.
Instead, he revealed a strange smile.
The Speaker's heart skipped a beat.
The next moment, his expression changed slightly, because the Age of Gods Mechanism that had raised the Deceleration Field suddenly shut down, and all speeds in the city were no longer restricted. But no one reacted in time. Only Phaethon's body suddenly accelerated, and a sonic boom roared. The God of the Star Palace charged forward like a sharp sword and broke through the outer wall of the Tower of All-Seeing!
A great unease rose in Griffin's heart.
This must have been during the fierce battle when Phaethon quietly seized control of the Age of Gods Mechanism.
The technology originated from the Star Palace, and it's not surprising that Phaethon knew how to control it. However, Griffin's deliberate feigned weakness and protracted battle were merely to delay the arrival of the Security Committee, while Phaethon's silent and secret acquisition of control of the Age of Gods Mechanism was simply for the purpose of escaping now?
At that moment, the Grand Speaker broke out in a cold sweat.
Hundreds of meters in the air, Phaethon spotted the procession advancing on the wide street at a glance—that was the source of the sound... The God of the Star Palace gathered sunlight and swooped down!
Kang De--
He wanted to say, "Kang De, I've killed all the councilors. I've done what I promised you. Remember your promise. I'm leaving now."
First, throw mud at him, then dispel the Deceleration Field. Ideally, Kang De would use Forbidden Spell to raze the city to the ground... and then forge a blood feud with the Council!
But...
"Sheg's arrow!"
Phaethon heard such a sound.
The next moment, he saw Phase Door the size of a person appear in the void, from which Titan Divine Arrow, surging with lightning, shot out and headed straight for him!
The lightning contained a power that terrified even the God of the Star Palace.
Phaethon had no choice but to shut up, and dodged the lightning in a sorry state. The divine arrow almost grazed the Tower of All-Seeing and hurtled towards the sky, while Kang De shouted and yelled below.
"It's terrible! Griffin has attacked the Tower of All-Seeing! The Grand Speaker has rebelled!"
What utter nonsense!
Just as Phaethon was about to speak, he saw Kang De and his soldiers disappear into the void. Before him, crimson flames raged, halberds gleamed like stars, and an elf with fluttering phoenix wings stood suspended in the air. Below him, a red-haired girl clad in heavy armor held a long staff, poised to strike. Both of their powerful auras were no less than his!
Then Phase Door opened from the void, suspended in mid-air. Within the portal, under a blue sky and white clouds, the God of the Star Palace saw Kang De standing tall, beckoning to him and laughing, "My son, do you recognize me?!"
In the blink of an eye, the God of the Star Palace trembled violently.
He let out a scream that was not human, filled with fear and disbelief.
"The Fire Thief-- "
The intense shock and fear gripped his mind. The phoenix-winged spirit had already charged forward, and the Tower of All-Seeing could launch an attack at any moment. Phaethon dared not linger any longer!
He didn't even dare to frame Kang De again—if he had truly uttered that statement, Kang De would surely hunt him down to the bitter end to prove his innocence. So, would the Fire Thief be able to catch him?
Yes! It's definitely possible!
What will happen if I get caught?
--We absolutely cannot end up like that!
We cannot stay here, we cannot die! We must inform Apophis of this! Kang De is the Fire Thief! The Fire Thief is Kang De!
But why?
Why would there be Fire Thief in the Mortal World?
The master is definitely not here!
Phaethon has begun to consider retiring.
But he can't leave like this.
Before leaving, I originally planned to find a way to keep the war going, first framing Kang De, then inflicting chaos and heavy damage on the Council, but now it seems...
At the Tower of All-Seeing, the hunters scattered frantically, checking for survivors, while the Grand Speaker declared decisively, "Don't wait any longer... join Kang De in dealing with this attacker!"
"Will he talk to Kang De...?" asked Angelos, head of the Security Committee Ninth Bureau.
"Absolutely impossible!"
For a fleeting moment, the Grand Speaker considered accusing Phaethon of being a lackey of Kang De, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Looking at the suspicious glances of the powerful figures, he gritted his teeth and said, "I can roughly guess his background. I'll deal with him first, then I'll talk to you! This embarrassing situation must have a resolution! Do you want this Forbidden Spell to hang over your heads forever?"
After he finished speaking, he leaped into the air, preparing to intercept Phaethon from above.
But the next moment, he was struck dumb.
"They're in cahoots!"
Because such a sound came from behind.
It was very faint, but I could hear it clearly.
Weak, in pain, as if screaming with its very soul.
Griffin will never forget that voice.
Not long ago, he had heard it with his own ears, just like now, the voice filled with pain, anger, and disbelief—the pain of betrayal.
He didn't turn around.
Because he dared not turn back.
Hundreds of meters in the sky, with the wind howling, he saw Phaethon turn his head and reveal a cold smile.
At that distance, sound couldn't be transmitted precisely, but he could see the lip movements.
Phaethon said, "Arrogant, conceited, foolish ants, now, who is the joke?"
The hunters shouted, "Chief! Executor Kaliusi is still alive!"
For Griffin Williams, the whole world was fading away; his world was reduced to just one sentence, one voice—the heart-wrenching roar and howl of Executive Officer Kaliusi.
"Griffin, Griffin-- "