Wreath of Desolation

The Fog Sea, somewhere far from safe shipping lanes.

A thick, grayish-white Fog filled the area, obscuring the view so much that the scenery could no longer be seen even at a distance of just a few meters.

"Splash..."

An island rises slightly from the sea, silently accepting the pounding of the waves. The island is about several tens of square meters in size, covered with thick soil and lush vegetation, with dense clumps of shrubs growing among them, and bright, plump berries dotting the landscape.

Numerous pale blue specks of light floated around the island, serving as the only decoration in this monotonous and the Star Fog. They seemed almost alive, sometimes gathering, sometimes scattering, sometimes rising and falling with the waves, creating a magnificent and enchanting sight.

"Creak..."

Suddenly, strange noises emanated from the depths of the Fog. The sounds were different from the sound of tides; they were like pieces of wood pressing against each other. Before long, a huge black outline emerged from the curtain-like Fog and gradually grew larger.

"Call!"

The blue specks of light that had been peacefully floating around the island seemed to be startled, abruptly retreating beneath the seawater and disappearing without a trace.

The black outline gradually magnified, finally becoming completely clear.

They were two enormous sailing ships. One had a unique design, its surface seemingly shrouded in a dreamlike glow, with many translucent Servants bustling about, pulling the sails, washing the deck, and operating the rudder. The other was entirely black, exuding a strange asymmetry, as if its very existence was synonymous with Order.

The "Dawn" and the "Black Throne"! The two sailing ships sailed side by side, their target the small island ahead. They were incredibly fast, and in the blink of an eye, they were in front of the island.

Immediately afterwards.

As if to welcome their arrival, the blue spots of light reappeared on the sea surface, looking like a dream. Surrounding the two giant ships, the lights grew brighter and larger, finally breaking through the sea surface and emerging into the air.

"Whoa!!"

Those were actually countless translucent Tentacle, Tentacle tips emitting a blue light—the true form of the previous speck of light.

"Boom..."

Along with the Tentacle, the small island also rose to the surface. Beneath the reef was a conch-like structure, with a thick, hard shell that twisted and coiled, and hidden in the gaps were a pair of Greed and malicious eyes that controlled the Tentacle to sweep towards the two sailboats.

The island itself is actually a sea monster!

Before this, countless sailors lost in the Fog had escaped countless Catastrophe and finally saw land and vegetation, hoping to escape to the surface for refuge, only to be attacked by sea monsters that had set traps and become food.

"Swish swish swish!"

Tentacle spread out in all directions, attacking from all sides.

It looks like the sea monster is going to grab onto the sailboat and drag it to the bottom of the sea, drowning all the passengers! Thud.

Just then, a blood-red figure appeared on the foredeck of the Black Throne.

With his black hair and blue eyes, handsome and brooding, Luther calmly watched the attacking Tentacle, seemingly unconcerned about the impending Catastrophe.

Unlike usual, he was wearing a peculiar laurel wreath on his head at this moment.

This crown, Weaving from Vines and flowers, has a simple style and exudes an ancient feel. The crown looks quite strange; some of the Vines that make it up are emerald green, as fresh as if they were just picked, while Vines are withered and hard, as if they have been dead for thousands of years. Even the flowers on it are somewhat bright, while some are withered.

Death and New Life, two diametrically opposed concepts, coexist within it.

What's most striking is that the laurel wreath is stained with some very bright red marks, like freshly spilled blood. As the Vines constantly change, shifting between withering and New Life, the bloodstains tremble slightly, as if they are breathing.

Wearing a strange laurel wreath, Luther slightly raised his head as he faced the surging, dense Tentacle.

"Seize."

He spoke in the ancient and primitive Jotun.

The next instant, a strange power surged forth from the laurel wreath!

Centered on Luther, an invisible domain rapidly expanded outwards, extending into the depths of the mist. Within this domain, everything lost its color, becoming dull and lifeless. "Sizzle..."

As if frozen in place, the Tentacle, which had been writhing violently just moments before, suddenly stopped, stiffening in mid-air. As if all the moisture had been sucked out, the Tentacle rapidly dried up from their tips until they turned into complete powder.

Its own body, the island, also underwent a strange change. The soil on the island dried up and cracked, the vegetation withered, and the sturdy shell beneath gradually crumbled and turned into dust.

Within this realm, the seawater has dried up, and all life is dying rapidly, as if the very concept of "being alive" is being forcibly Deprivation!

The only living creature remaining was Luther at the bow of the Black Throne.

The laurel wreath on his head had turned completely emerald green, and the bloodstain was still vividly red.

"The items in City of Silver are really amazing."

Luther thought to himself.

Indeed, what he was wearing on his head at that moment was High Sequence Sealed Artifact from City of Silver, called the "Wreath of Desolation."

After Elder Lovia demonstrated the [miracle] to the chief of City of Silver, in order to please both the Fool and the Blood God and thus cope with the pressure of exploring the "Giant King’s Court," Colin Iliad provided her and Derrick with a list of some of City of Silver's precious collections.

Luther didn't know what Klein ultimately chose, but he did choose the crown.

"Wreath of Desolation" is suspected to be crafted from the Beyonder Characteristic of Sequence 2 of the "Planter" Pathway, and its overall design leans towards a female style. Its main abilities include "Desolation," which can cause all life within a 30-kilometer radius to rapidly perish until death. Not only life, but even Beyonder Ability will gradually wither and be weakened as a result. Those who are no longer alive and enter this area will quickly return to the earth.

In addition, there is--

Luther raised his hand, and the laurel wreath flashed with emerald light, releasing a surge of life force that he poured into the body of the previously dead Monster. The Monster's body, like a melting candle, suddenly began to change, being kneaded and reconstructed by him into a creature resembling an orca.

The second ability of "Wreath of Desolation" is "Life Alchemy"!

A maximum of four dolls can exist simultaneously in this way, and the highest level they can reach is Sequence 3 Demigod.

Furthermore, while wearing this crown, Luther can also manipulate the dead, either turning them into terrifying undead or Soothing and allowing them to return to the earth.

As for the side effects...

Luther looked down and could clearly see that his chest was gradually swelling.