Chapter 154
Ryan, still in the distant Kingdom of Lotte, is watching this war through the game.
The train has arrived in Silvermoon City, the capital of the Kingdom of Lotte. Yesterday afternoon, when Amabena stepped off the train, the entire capital city cheered enthusiastically for her return.
A thousand Holy Blood soldiers sealed off the train station, clearing an absolutely safe road from the station to the castle. Amabena had never imagined that she would one day actually enjoy 'royal treatment'. She looked out from the carriage at both sides of the road, where the cheers of the royal citizens were endless.
Amabena was practically fainting with happiness.
Upon her return, Amabena, following Ryan's instructions, mobilized all the royal army and launched a ruthless purge of the nobles who had sided with Frank.
This was a bloody massacre.
By this morning, no one in the entire royal city dared to question Amabena.
The next task is to rebuild the royal army. As for the lords in various regions, they can only be punished, not eliminated, for the time being. Because everyone harbors rebellious intentions. Although Frank's demise was a heavy blow to everyone, a large-scale purge would cause those lords to fight back desperately. Once they unite, they will be a villainous force no less powerful than Frank.
More importantly, the area is too large. The Holy Blood Legion only has four thousand men, and they couldn't handle it even if they ran themselves ragged.
Therefore, we should first impose penalties and suppress them, and then, once the situation is stabilized and we have greater military support, we can settle scores one by one.
Most of the nobles were hoping for the best; as long as Amabena didn't give the final order, they wouldn't openly rebel immediately.
Ryan specially transferred Angiya over to temporarily manage Silvermoon City, and even promoted her two ranks, from viscount to marquis.
There are too few talented people, and loyal ministers can be counted on one hand. So, of course, we should keep talents like Angiya around and use her to her full potential, exploiting her relentlessly until she is foaming at the mouth and can no longer work.
At this moment, Amabena is giving a magnificent speech. She needs to personally take charge of winning over the hearts and minds of the people after her return. 'Shally' leads the Holy Blood Legion to temporarily take over the security of the royal city. Ryan breaks away from the mode of the Prime Minister taking care of the children and focuses his attention on the Imperial Capital, Baron.
Through 'Vainay's' perspective, one can see the terrifying battle erupting in the distant castle. In terms of raw power, the Grand Duke is indeed far superior to Caslathdi, but he was still defeated in the game. It can only be said that the protagonist group is truly invincible.
Of course, this is also related to the Grand Duke's straightforward nature. It would be impossible for her to speak well of the people of Gate of Janus and try to win them over. The Grand Duke is only good to her subordinates. As for others? She can talk about cooperation, but if you ask her to run business, there's no way!
While pondering, Ryan had 'Vainay' release the puppet she had been keeping for a long time.
These puppets were transferred from him to 'Shally', who used only a small portion of them during the Southern Territory Expedition, and now they have been transferred to 'Vainay'. The appearance of the puppet army of thousands immediately made them the largest force dominating the battlefield.
Of the 30,000 Imperial troops near the city gate, only a small portion managed to enter. Under the chaotic charge of the Ironblood Cavalry, they were unable to form an effective fighting force. 'Vainay' led the puppet army straight toward the castle. The Fire Chasing Supernatural Being encountered along the way had no thoughts upon seeing the puppets and simply turned and left.
Are you kidding me? This puppet army is enough to give even Sixth Tier Supernatural Being below the Sixth Tier would be trembling with fear. The puppets may not be good at one-on-one fights, but they can fight in groups. Ten against one, twenty against one, how about that?
Taking advantage of the travel time, Ryan immediately switched to the 'Lin Qi' interface. At this moment, the Saintess was leading the people of Gate of Janus to the outside of the castle.
It has to be said that the Pope's influence is truly remarkable. This assist brought another Sixth Tier Supernatural Being to 'Lin Qi', and there are also twenty or thirty Supernatural Being from the third to fifth tiers. In addition, the Gate of Janus forces that were already lurking in Baron have spread everywhere with 'Lin Qi's' command. Otherwise, they would not have been able to stop the people from the Chasing Fire headquarters.
This also shows that the Gate of Janus has a very strong foundation. It should be noted that the entire religion has a total of eleven cardinals, each of whom is at least at the Sixth Tier. The top three cardinals are even more powerful, and it is said that they have reached the Seventh Tier Transcendent.
As for the Pope herself, no one knows exactly how strong she is, but she is certainly very strong.
Otherwise, how could the Gate of Janus have such influence that it spread throughout the entire continent?
At this moment, Lin Qi was surrounded by more than a dozen people, including a Sixth Tier Templar Knight responsible for her safety. Another Sixth Tier Knight was Andeni, but he was currently leading a group of paladins in a game of hide-and-seek with the members of the Burning Covenant.
"Caslathdi hasn't arrived yet?"
Ryan did not allow 'Lin Qi' to attack rashly. His original plan was for Haino to bring Caslathdi over and launch a final offensive against the castle in the name of the Princess Royal.
The Old Emperor hasn't appeared yet, he must be planning a blood sacrifice. Speed is of the essence in war. Hasn't Rainbow Bridge criticized Haino enough?
Just then, a beam of holy light descended from the sky and transformed into Haino's appearance.
"The Princess is watching the battle from a distance," she explained to Lin Qi.
Because she was worried that 'Lin Qi' would kill Caslathdi after the deed was done, she did not let the latter come.
"She still hasn't sprayed enough." Ryan was certain; this woman was just asking for it, and the game's character design was spot on.
Whether Caslathdi comes or not won't affect the overall situation; having Haino, a seventh-tier Holy Word Master, is enough.
After a while, the puppet army of 'Vainay' also successfully joined together.
Haino looked at 'Vainay' with some doubt. If he remembered correctly, her puppet should have been given to Ryan. How did it end up in 'Vainay's' hands?
Few people knew this secret, but the puppet that Haino himself sent out naturally knew it, though 'Lin Qi' offered no explanation.
"Magana is on our side for now," she told everyone.
"Our side?" The Templar Knight Lillard was somewhat surprised. Weren't they here to help Caslathdi rise to power?
Although he was puzzled, the Pope had instructed him to obey the Saintess's orders in everything.
Haino wanted to ask but didn't. She had disobeyed Lin Qi's orders by not bringing Caslathdi along, and she felt a little guilty, fearing that the latter might suddenly pull out the Pot of Greed and spray her with it.
"Let's take action."
With a command from Lin Qi,
Lillard led the people of Gate of Janus out first, followed by the puppet army pressing in. Their arrival instantly shattered the balance between the Iron Blood Army and the Imperial Guard. Magana, who was engaged in fierce fighting, frowned slightly. She saw 'Lin Qi', then her gaze fell on 'Vainay'. The Soul Singer used the Power of Death to convey the latest situation to her.
Seeing that the puppets were only attacking the Imperial Guards, Magana didn't care anymore. Soon, Haino appeared and cast a holy light spell, shattering the defenses supported by the Court Mage.
Magana sneered, "Haino, you're like a bitch! Didn't you say you'd help Caslathdi become emperor? Why are you wagging your tail at other people now?"
Haino's gaze was icy, wishing he could unleash a powerful holy light to strike Magana hard.
"And what makes you any better? The mighty Iron-Blooded Grand Duke, aren't you just working for someone else? I think you're just part of the Iron-Blooded Labor Corps."
Caslathdi could not become Empress, but it was clear that Haino could see that Magana was also an employee and not Empress either.
"Hmph~ This Grand Duke naturally has things he desires. The Grand Duke? I don't care for that at all! Even without that chair, Grand Duke will still be the Emperor of the Western Territory. But Her Highness the Princess? If she can't become Empress, then she'll only be a slave girl, hahaha!"
The Grand Duke's triumphant voice was even more grating than the devil's, making Hainuo Naizi's heart ache with anger.
"You shorty who'll never grow tall!" she couldn't help but curse. Ugh, she'd had enough, absolutely enough! 'Lin Qi' was one thing—after all, he had leverage over her. But what was this white-haired dwarf so smug about?!
At this moment, all Hainuo wanted to do was vent his frustrations, forgetting his usual elegance and poise as the vice dean.
"What did you say?!" Magana exploded.
"Is your head heavier than my chest? What Iron-Blooded Grand Duke? You're just a little kid who'll never grow tall."
"Are you asking for it?!"
The Grand Duke is never afraid of any opponent's provocation, but one thing is absolutely forbidden: to say she is short!
"I'm so angry..."
Ryan covered his face in front of the screen. "Grand Duke, please stop arguing with people, okay?"
When have I ever won an argument? Not even once. And I always have a habit of getting angry, so every time I end up exploding with rage.
He quickly had 'Vainay' hold Magana back, while 'Lin Qi' also relayed the message to Haino: 'If you keep doing this, I'll take out the pot.'
Ultimately, the two chose to let each other go, as they had more important things to do.
Although Haino was difficult to work with, her strength was undeniable. With her help, the combined forces of the Court Mage were instantly defeated. Magana killed four people with three axe blows, and the remaining one died and one was injured, retreating back to the castle.
On the other side, the imperial garrison was also routed by the puppets and iron cavalry. Countless corpses piled up like mountains, and blood flowed and spread along the ground, like a spreading river.
"Um?"
Just as Magana was about to rush into the castle, she suddenly noticed that the blood seemed to be slowly seeping into the ground.
"Something's up."
Hainuo also stopped.
Through the Death Black Mist, Magana observed the current situation in the entire Baron City and discovered that blood-red runes had risen in several locations at some unknown time.
These array patterns surround the castle, and their power is gradually merging. Under the influence of the Power of Blood Sacrifice, the Death Black Mist is also being dissolved little by little.
"It really was a blood sacrifice."
"How can there be so many?!"
This is all the Old Emperor's trump card, so no one was surprised, but the way this blood sacrifice was performed seems to be different from the past.
Boom!
Bloodlight shot into the sky from within the city!
The Blood Array of the four major urban districts—east, south, west, and north—radiated a captivating light. Finally, under the watchful eyes of everyone, these four forces gradually merged into a larger array, covering the sky above the castle.
At this moment, the war taking place in the Baron City became the best key to initiating the blood sacrifice. The souls and blood of the dead continuously converged towards this Blood Array, and under the blood-red sky, a powerful sense of oppression, visible to the naked eye, permeated the air.
"Damn it, they've even stopped using salt, huh?"
Ryan knew that the Old Emperor had a backup plan.
Not a single member of the Blood Cult has shown up. Where did they go? Even someone as smart as Amabena could figure it out: they're probably carrying out some big operation on the Old Emperor's orders.
This wave of blood sacrifice was expected, so Ryan was not surprised. He immediately ordered the cancellation of the characters' 'shock' aftercast animation, allowing Magana and Heno to launch an attack on the castle.
The power of blood sacrifice eventually converges here, so the way to fight it is clear.
Magana rushed out first, but her axe was deflected by the power of the Blood Array.
"It's so hard, like a tortoise shell."
Haino frowned, silently chanting a spell, and a huge lightsaber suddenly appeared— Kael's Sword of Judgment!
Whoosh!
The power she unleashed far surpassed that of Caslathdi. The clash between the Sword of Judgment and the Blood Array, the stalemate of light and blood, split two enormous rifts in the sky above Baron. But in less than a moment, the Sword of Judgment finally exploded with a bang, the released Magic Power surging outwards from the castle, blowing away buildings one after another.
Haino stared in astonishment at the Blood Array; its power was simply unbelievable... Wait! She turned her head to look into the city, and the powerful Mental Power of a sorcerer allowed her to immediately discover something amiss.
"The power of this formation comes from the people within the city!"
"Many people died."
Magana frowned. When that sword fell, she could feel a large number of souls appear in the entire Baron City in an instant. It was clear that the Blood Array had eliminated Haino's attack through blood sacrifice, and the price was the death of those sacrifices.
The entire city was a sacrifice!
She didn't care whether these people lived or died.
However, with them around, the power of the blood sacrifice is inexhaustible.
Just then, a large amount of crimson blood surged out from the castle, gradually staining the palace. Those glaring patches of bright red were blood. Then, skulls emerged from the blood, piling up from the bottom of the castle until, finally, what appeared before everyone's eyes was an enormous Bone Fortress!
Hiss~~
Crimson lightning crackled above the pile of bones, and before everyone's eyes, a throne of bones suddenly appeared.
And the figure of the Old Emperor slowly emerged from beneath the blood.
"Magana, Caslathdi, and... Janus, you hypocritical believers! I have tolerated you for so many days, do you really think I have no way to deal with you?" The Old Emperor's expression was frantic. "Behold this magnificent scene! I am about to step into the God-given realm. From this day forward, the Augustus Empire will be invincible under my leadership!"
Finally, this moment has finally arrived!
At this moment, the Old Emperor's face showed not only excitement, but also a frenzied anticipation for what was about to happen.
"Hey! You old fool!" Magana cursed, "You actually willingly became a slave to the Blood God, you've completely disgraced the Emperor's dignity!"
"Dignity? No, Magana, you are wrong! I am the Emperor of Augustus, and I will be the Eternal Emperor. This world is God-given. I have merely walked ahead of you and personally brought about miracles."
"Kahn, the Blood God's Power is not something that can be obtained so easily," Haino said in a deep voice. "Behind the gift of immortality are countless corpses, and you will drag Augustus into the abyss."
"Shut up! I can't be wrong, I absolutely cannot be wrong!!"
The Old Emperor walked to the throne made of skulls, his excited eyes filled with a bloodthirsty madness. "Watch! The divine favor is about to fall!"
After saying that, he plopped down on the Skull Throne.
The next moment, the crimson array poured in an incredibly terrifying power. Bathed in this crimson power, the Old Emperor's body began to rejuvenate at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Hahahaha! Do you see that? I am gaining the Power of Eternal Life! Once my strength advances further, you will all die!" The Old Emperor laughed maniacally.
"That bastard!"
Magana, in a fit of temper, charged forward.
Boom!!!
The fatal blow was blocked by the power released by the Old Emperor's raised hand. He sat on his throne and controlled the crimson power generated by the priest to launch an attack on Magana.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
The Blood-colored Power transformed into beams of light that shot out. Magana hurriedly retreated to dodge, and her battle axe slashed out with a moon blade, leaving a trail of explosions in the path she passed.
"Give up, Magana!" the Old Emperor declared in a commanding voice, "Before the Blood God's Power, even the Death Chosen must submit. Do you see? This is my power now!"
Magana, who became the Death Chosen, was very powerful, but she was still no match for him, which made the Old Emperor feel extremely happy!
"Father!"
Caslathdi arrived from afar.
The Old Emperor glanced at her indifferently. "Caslathdi, my daughter, I will allow you to repent for your crimes one last time and let your people leave. For your mother's sake, I will spare your life."