Chapter 77
Upon noticing that Meli had returned, Avia turned to look at her. He thought for a moment that centuries later, Bradamante, one of Charlemagne's twelve paladins, had become a devoted fan of the Magus of Flowers after receiving advice from Charlemagne.
The Magus of Flowers's Clairvoyance can only see through the "present" and predict the past and Future based on existing elements. The world is like a painting to her. Could this be considered as planting a stroke in a painting that she has yet to discover?
Therefore, he adopted the same expression as the girl, and with a look of great interest, continued:
"That won't do, Meli. This is a gift from me, but we'll have to wait for the Future to reap the rewards."
The topic was abruptly changed, and by some rather inexplicable means at that. Although Meli inwardly criticized this method of trying to gain favor as too low-level, she still appropriately switched to a satisfied expression on her face.
Then, feigning nonchalance and jokingly replying:
"Then I'll be waiting in the Future."
"I think you won't be disappointed."
Avia chuckled a few times. He could tell that Meli didn't believe him at all, but it didn't matter; he'd let things take their course.
"I'm really looking forward to receiving gifts from the past in the Future!"
Meli handed over the Holy Sword, speaking quietly as she looked calmly at Avia with her purple eyes.
"This is the sword you asked me to find. There's only one in the entire lake; it shouldn't be wrong."
"That was fast! Thank you so much."
To Meli's surprise, Avia didn't examine it closely. After receiving it, she simply put it away, as if she wasn't worried at all that it was fake.
Hmm, this made Meli frown, who had been busy for so long for the first time. She felt like she had done something useless, and wondered if this guy was just trying to get rid of her.
But the White-Haired Girl quickly stopped thinking about it and returned to the Rhine Gold.
Anyway, she just wanted to see the painful, contorted appearance that Avia had promised to show her.
Two months after the two returned to the Huns Empire from the Alps, the event Avia had been waiting for occurred.
That is--
North Africa, the lifeline for food supplies for the Western Rome, was occupied by the Vandals crossed the Strait of Gibraltar.
157: The Wild Hunt Sweeps Through Western Rome (2k5)
North Africa in the Roman Empire refers to the region of North Africa excluding Egypt, which was divided into six provinces from east to Tripolitania: Cyrenaica, Africa, Africa, Numidia, and Eastern and Western Mauretania, roughly equivalent to the present-day countries of Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco.
As early as the Carthage period, the Carthage relied on this region to produce and export textiles, glass, weapons, pottery, perfumes, Wine, and olive oil.
Prosperity relied on the cultivation of wheat and barley, and in regions of modern Morocco, Tunisia, and even Libya, large quantities of crops, vegetables, and fruits were grown.
These regions are considered the most fertile in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily and parts of Spain.
After being conquered by Rome, the region produced more than 5 million tons of Crops annually, Treta Yuga of which was exported.
Carthage, the capital of the province of Africa, is located in the center of the North African side of the Mediterranean Sea, only a three-day voyage from Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire. Most of the grain produced in North Africa was shipped from here to Italy.
Therefore, Carthage, with its advantageous location, has been the economic and political center of North Africa since ancient times. It was a direct territory of the Rome, and controlling Carthage meant controlling North Africa and the food lifeline of the capital Rome.
Since the division of the Roman Empire, the importance of North Africa to the Western Roman Western Rome, which was not as wealthy as the Eastern Rome Empire, is self-evident.
But now, it has been conquered by the Vandals, a Germans tribe that Rome had taken in as its inhabitants.
It should be understood that the Roman Empire, built by the work of Novia and Nero, was still one of the two undisputed great empires even after it had split into two parts in the fifth century. The issue of the migration of Germania peoples to the South over the years could have been resolved with relative ease.
Even now, although Rome is no longer the capital of the Roman Empire, as the main seat of the Holy Church, it remains Eternal City in the eyes of countless believers.
The reason why North Africa was conquered by the Vandals was actually quite simple. Two successive Rome generals in North Africa were fighting amongst themselves under the direction of their respective Church leaders, each trying to gain more benefits for themselves. This gave the Vandals, who had just crossed the sea, an opportunity to take advantage of the situation. In addition, the local Berbers, who had been oppressed for a long time, began to resent the oppressive rule of Rome.
Thus, with the help of both internal and external forces, and the assistance of numerous Phantasmal Species hiding in the Mediterranean Sea to evade the Church's persecution, North Africa fell.
At that very moment, when Avia, far away in the Huns Empire, received this news, he immediately began mobilizing the Huns.
Faced with the loss of North Africa, a vital grain-producing region, and the resulting national shock, this was the perfect opportunity for the Western Rome to launch an attack.
In order to avoid any unforeseen complications from the Eastern Rome, Avia specifically instructed the Sasanian Empire and Huns forces in the Caucasus to keep a close watch on the Eastern Rome in Armenia, and to launch an immediate attack on the Armenia - Eastern Rome controlled territory should any movement indicate that the Eastern Roman Empire was assisting the Western Rome.
Meanwhile, across the sea Island of Britain of Gran, whose Church branch was destroyed years ago by Avia using the Moon God Machine. Therefore, with the Mage's Association, the remaining Phantasmal Species, and the Geatland, unified by Beowulf whom he invited), tasked with isolating the English Channel, the combined forces of these three would cause Rome's rule in Britain to collapse.
On the border of the Huns Empire, hundreds of thousands of Huns soldiers stared intently at the Western Rome border in the distance.
In addition, there were numerous Magecraft, Cursecaster, Three-Headed Wolf, Werewolf, and the Royal Guard, all of whom were Dead Apostle —creatures belonging to the realm of fantasy—among the army.
Looking into the distance, the Sun trembles in the smoke and dust, as if in fear; looking closer, the earth groans beneath the horses, as if being mourned.
The leader of this army seems to possess the ruthless nature of a killer who is an enemy of the Human World.
That was Avia, who was wearing the crimson armor that Typhon had transformed into. In one hand she held the Demonic Sword True World, which was merging with Typhon, and in the other hand she held the Primordial Sacred Sword that had once destroyed the colossus of the Giant God.
Behind him, Attila shook her head, not intending to focus her attention on the sword held by Avia. She felt that the sword... well, it just gave her a very unpleasant feeling.
Suddenly, Avia, who was at the head of the group, stopped, and like the receding tide, the many well-trained soldiers behind him also stopped abruptly.
He then Telepathy in his mind to the leaders of the Magecraft squad, and after confirming that his voice and image could be displayed in front of everyone, he spoke.
"To all the soldiers of the Empire and to all those who share our dreams, I am Avia, the commander of this operation. I speak to you in this manner for no other reason than that there is something I must inform you of."
The King of the Huns's expression was solemn, like that of Warrior about to face certain death.
"I believe, no one dares to believe, that such a vast empire, a powerful empire that has lasted for who knows how long, an empire that has almost crushed all external challenges, actually has someone dare to challenge it!"
"Some may question me, isn't this a death sentence? On this battlefield against Rome, no one dares to claim victory; it is inevitable. I know that what I've given is undoubtedly tantamount to suicide."
After the silver-haired youth finished speaking, he didn't say anything more and continued to stand in front of the army.
If you have any complaints or grievances, just tell him.
He stood there, and that was roughly the meaning behind it; he could completely accept the fear that people couldn't shake off in their hearts.
The silence represented both the soldiers' discipline and their unease about the empire's strength, which had stood for many years.
The people of the Phantasmal Species and those from the Magecraft world are different; they can no longer tolerate the Church's tyranny.
It's unclear how much time passed—perhaps a few minutes, perhaps a few seconds—but eventually, one of the soldiers spoke.
"... Even if we die, you'll take us with you, won't you, Your Majesty?"
With a leader in place, discussions began to emerge throughout the army.
"Yes, it is thanks to the efforts of the two kings that we are where we are today, and we are not starving to death."
"Even after death, the king will still lead us on this journey. If that's the case, then perhaps death isn't such a bad thing."
Death is inevitable, but what war is without its casualties? Everyone knew this, including the Huns.
But their respect and love for their king, who fought tirelessly for their prosperity, is genuine and needs no further explanation.
A discussion suddenly broke out, but it quickly subsided.
Then, the silver-haired youth shouted loudly.
"Since that's the case, let's move forward without hesitation. I'll bear all the infamy."
"Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!"
Everyone roared in a show of force, as if to demonstrate their power.
Avia turned her head and raised her gaze.
Those once clear, ocean-blue eyes are now cold and icy, calm yet stern and merciless, pure Serenity as cold as ice.
Like an ice blade drawn from its sheath, like a ruler of the deep blue battlefield, the merciless Death God will step towards the other side of the battlefield.
"Let the slaughter begin."
The Huns army set out from the Danube, crossed the Rhine, and marched irresistibly into Gaul. The major cities, which had just suffered heavy losses from the uprising, were powerless to resist and fell one after another, suffering devastating devastation.
In the Western Rome, whenever a cold wind suddenly descended at night and a thick fog quietly descended, people would be awakened from their sleep and frantically bolt every door and window shut.
Because they knew this was a sign that the Huns, the embodiment of the Wild Hunt, were lurking nearby.
Amidst the numerous killings, the terrified people called the Huns king a king who came from a distant land of death, King of the Wild Hunt who brought death.
His face was hidden beneath a grotesque helmet, and his heart was as cold as ice, destined to kill all those who cried out in fear. People were destined to be shackled and killed by the King of the Wild Hunt.
Not long after, the Huns army captured Metz and then brought the war into Gaul. The Huns army swept across Northern Gaul, and within a month, their advance reached the gates of Orléans.
At this point, the Western Roman Empire realized the Huns war and, under the leadership of Aetius, the Imperial Guard commander, began a counterattack.
158: The Battle That Decided the Fate of Europe (3k)
In the Northern Lands of Gaul, there are countless burnt and desolate battlefields.
In battles against the overwhelming Huns armies, what remained were often the countless skeletons of the Western Rome.
Without supplies or support, the Rome legions were battered and exhausted. Worst of all, the disparity in strength was so overwhelming that their desperate fighting was futile. One by one, they were killed until only one remained. Surrounded by hordes of Huns, he was eventually torn to pieces.
The broken iron sword—like Nameless tombstone—was stuck in the ground amidst the unusually large amount of viscous blood that gushed out.
But the tragedy was not over yet. Just like the Huns army led by the King of the Wild Hunt, wherever they went, lives were lost.
Slaughter brings fear, and fear brings confusion. This is why the followers of the Western Rome said that the King of the Huns's Rider wore ghostly armor and appeared in a Wild Hunt manner.
Furthermore, the ships under his command in the England Channel were made from dead men's fingernails.
Like a vast army of ocean currents, they entrenched themselves outside Orléans in Gaul, and like pure shadows, they occupied the moon in the night.
"Did Aetius bring the Spear of Longinus?"
Avia gazed at the city's dark silhouette, then looked away and spoke.
Perhaps to boost morale, Aetius, leading the Imperial Guard, kept announcing along the way that he had obtained the sacred Spear of Longinus from the Church.
"However, Lucius is a good teacher. All the time I spent was worth it. The last elite Imperial Guard of Rome, I guess that deserves some credit too..."
From this encampment perched atop a high hill, one can overlook the sea, the harbor, and the city of Orléans stretching out behind them.
In the Future, this is where Saintess Jeanne d'Arc brought a turning point to France, which was on the verge of defeat in the Hundred Years' War. At the age of seventeen, she led two hundred men and destroyed six months of England efforts in just nine days. This was even after Orléans was besieged and ready to surrender, but it was only because the England and Burgundy were arguing over who should take over the city that the opportunity was delayed.
It is important to understand that the prevailing view at the time was that once Orléans was successfully occupied by the British army, John, Duke of Burgundy, as an ally of the British army, would fulfill the wishes of King of England Henry V of England and take full control of France territories on the Europe.
At this moment, according to the original historical development, the Battle of Châlons, hailed as the decisive battle for the Fate Europe, was fought here in the AD.
As a result, Aetius defeated Attila, cleaning up the mess of the crumbling Western Roman Empire and defending its territory.
But this 'Last Roman,' who single-handedly held up the Western Roman Empire from Police Chief twenty years and spared the people of the Western Rome from the ravages of war, ultimately died at the hands of an emperor who was both worried and suspicious of him because of his prestige.
One day, the emperor drew his sword and plunged it into Aetius's chest. Instantly, the emperor's trusted ministers and palace officials followed suit, rushing forward and stabbing him with their swords. Aetius was stabbed more than a hundred times, and this last hero of Rome died on the spot. Afterward, the emperor suppressed the news and lured Aetius's close confidants and friends, who held important positions in the military, into the palace and had them executed.
After the news broke, everyone in the Western Rome despised the emperor. As a result, a few months later, when the emperor was inspecting the military camp, he was assassinated on the spot by a soldier. The other soldiers stood aside, and none of them were willing to step forward to save the emperor.
From then on, the political situation in the Western Rome Empire became even more turbulent and unstable, once again teetering on the brink of collapse. Thus, even though the most terrible Huns crisis had been resolved, the Western Roman Empire instead headed towards its inevitable demise.
However, at this moment, the King of the Huns who was fighting Aetius was Avia, not Attila.
Moreover, he is now fully capable of conquering Orléans before the Western Rome reinforcements arrive, but he specifically intends to fight a decisive battle there. Once the Roman Praetorian Guard is completely annihilated, he can advance effortlessly towards Milan, the capital of the Western Rome Empire, and then, finally, Rome.
"Lord Avia, a foreign god named Zagreus has come to see you."
Sinfjötli Sigurd, the King of Warrior, Present World in the form of Werewolf at Odin's command, came to the hillside and spoke to Avia.
"Zagreus is still here? Let him come up."
"Yes."
While waiting for the Prince of the Underworld, Avia also released Typhon, who was 'very unhappy' about the situation.
Although Typhon didn't say it, he knew the reason: Zagreus had once devoured some of Typhon's fragments, which naturally displeased the Primordial Dragon.
"Why did you call me out? I don't want to come out."
The red-haired girl said this casually at first, then looked surprised:
"This guy named Zagreus exudes the aura of Zeus and... Persephone?! Doesn't Hades care that his auxiliary machine has residual data stored from other machines?"
In Greek Mythology, Persephone is the Queen of the Underworld and the daughter of both Zeus and Demeter, the goddess of agriculture.
"After all, that's Zeus."
Avia answered.
"Speaking of which, you have those things too..."
The red-haired girl trailed off, unable to continue. In her view, although Avia didn't possess the power of the gods, she was imbued with all their essence...