340 Why Would Dekan Be an Omen of Ill Fortune?

Two months later.

Devil King Tomb.

The once empty grassland now resembled a makeshift open-air laboratory, filled with various equipment, tools, and materials. Some were in operation, some were resting, and sparks were even visible in some places.

The most eye-catching feature is a door-shaped device with a meteorite amethyst suspended in the center.

Dekan stepped forward, adjusted the magical device, and gave an "OK" sign to those behind him with satisfaction.

"Perfect."

After final adjustments, this [Spatial Leap Gate] is now fully operational.

With Dekan, who could wield the Demon King's Magic Power at will, and his ninth-rank assistant Sion, they finally completed this enormous project in a short time.

"My Phantom Canyon..."

Looking at the Artificial Shadow World Initiator that had been dismantled into pieces, Sion muttered sadly.

The repaired [Spatial Leap Gate] not only used the core materials Dekan brought back from the Shadow World, but also a large amount of materials from the Artificial Shadow World Initiator. Furthermore, thanks to Sion's technology sharing, the new [Spatial Leap Gate] was given a phantom disguise function.

After the Resurrection Church version of the [Spatial Leap Gate] teleported away, the device itself also became too conspicuous at the destination.

Now, as long as there is energy support, the Kingdom Association version of the [Spatial Leap Gate] can activate Phantom Mode.

In addition, the [spatial portal] itself can be hidden within space, so apart from Dekan, who possesses the authority of the Pope, no one else can even detect or touch it.

To achieve this modification, their construction period was extended considerably.

However, this is necessary.

Because, in order to send Dekan back to the present world as quickly as possible, the destination after being teleported from the Devil King Tomb will be the "Northern Lands of the Salon Empire".

After completing the teleportation, Dekan needs to temporarily hide the [Spatial Leap Gate] in some corner of the Empire.

In the previous Shadow World, besides uncovering history, Dekan and his team also discovered a truth at the end—

The predecessors of both the Sun God Church and the Resurrection Church were the Holy Rite Church!

This also means that the Holy Kingdom and the Demon Realm are actually the present world tens of thousands of years ago!

However, many key historical events have been erased without a trace over the long course of time.

For example, the Demon Realm.

Dekan and Sion used a portal to leave the Devil King Tomb and briefly travel through space to explore the Demon Realm outside.

The Demon Realm is now a desolate wasteland where no living being can survive. Deadly poisonous fog shrouds the land, and everything has been destroyed, except for this last remaining Devil King Tomb.

According to the map of the Holy Kingdom Demon Realm in Dekan's memory, as well as the current map of the world, only the Demon Realm was destroyed, while the Holy Kingdom was affected but not completely wiped out.

The Holy Kingdom, which was severely damaged in the process, split into the Salon Empire and many other kingdoms, which eventually formed the present world after many years.

Therefore, in the Shadow World, the Holy Kingdom's northern border, which one would normally reach after crossing the Demon Realm, is now the far north of the Salon Empire, and is also the closest location in the present world to the Devil King Tomb's Tomb.

To be on the safe side and avoid being teleported to a completely unknown, borderline void space, or to an extremely harsh, frigid ice field that could lead to immediate death, Dekan also purified some of the Demon King's Magic Power during this time to ensure that he could teleport a longer distance and land safely in the northern part of the Empire.

If they want to continue south, Sion's magical power is far too weak, Dekan will need to spend a lot of time further purifying the Demon King's Magic Power.

Even now, six months have passed in the Shadow World, plus the two months that Dekan spent repairing the [Spatial Leap Gate], and it's unknown where the Empire has annexed to.

If the empire has already annexed the Northern Nations, then Dekan will need at least a few more months to purify enough Demon King Magic Power to teleport himself back to the Southern Kingdom.

If this drags on for that long, the Southern Kingdom will probably have already been destroyed.

After calculation, it was determined that the best option was to teleport to the northern border of the empire as soon as possible.

But that's perfect.

It's not necessarily a bad thing to be within the empire's borders.

Sion wholeheartedly agreed to send Dekan, this pest, directly into enemy territory from an unexpected starting point.

However, where exactly it will land in the empire depends entirely on luck.

If we're lucky, we might end up in a very safe starting position, giving Dekan a lot of room to maneuver.

If you're unlucky, you might even get a direct audience with the emperor.

Everything is ready.

After adjusting the portal, Dekan turned to look at Sion and said, as if they were about to set off.

"Do you want to double-check the energy consumption?"

Sion asked.

"No problem, I know the distance from the Devil King Tomb to the far north of the Holy Kingdom. I've memorized the map that Altis gave me back then."

Dekan, a newly minted historical geographer and Spatial Leap Gate engineer, repeatedly confirmed the safe values for the required energy consumption.

"Now take another look at me. Do you think my disguise is convincing?"

Dekan straightened his collar, then turned around and asked Sion.

Sion scrutinized Dekan's new look, his teeth gradually hardening with rage.

She seemed very disappointed that she didn't have any reporter equipment.

Finally, she sighed helplessly and said:

"While there is a slight theoretical risk, it's not a big problem. Unless someone knows you very well, they won't think of it as 'you are Dekan '."

At this moment, Dekan was completely different.

He has used [Blood Mimicry] to transform himself into a girl, a half-dragon, a race unique to the Empire.

Similar to the dragon demon, but with more pronounced dragon features, including horns on its head, scales on its skin, and completely beast-like pupils.

She also dyed her hair red with a special plant from the Devil King Tomb and added some makeup.

Although his appearance was still somewhat similar to when he was in the Demon Realm Prison, his race and aura had completely changed, and he tried his best to look a little dull.

"I'd like to see just how many more new skins you're going to release."

Sion crossed his arms and continued to scrutinize Dekan's new appearance.

However, she also knew she couldn't chat idly; Dekan needed to set off as soon as possible to resolve the war in the present world.

"Remember to come back and save me."

Sion added.

"Rest assured."

Dekan was speaking, he was about to turn around when he stopped, as if there was something he couldn't bring himself to say.

"What? Are you still a little reluctant to part?"

Sion shrugged helplessly. Although they often teased each other, they were also friends who had been through thick and thin together.

"No, a year has passed. Your [Fate Divination] skill should be ready again, right? Could I use it once before I leave? To make the most of your remaining value."

Dekan said it without any hesitation.

Sion was taken aback by what he heard, then Dekan laughed in exasperation.

Hehehe...

After returning from the Shadow World, this guy is even less like a human being.

"Tell me what you want to have divined. This is only one free divination session."

"... Please do a divination for me regarding the question, 'Are legendary materials a necessary condition for creating legendary Magic Card?'"

Dekan had previously asked Sion about information regarding legendary cards.

Sion told Dekan that Avalon, the legendary Card Crafter of the Kingdom Association and a ninth-tier master Card Crafter, had asked Sion to divine information about the Red Legend many years ago.

The question Avalon posed at the time was, "What is missing between the Crimson Epic and the Red Legend?"

The divination result was. "A lifetime."

After leaving with this ambiguous result, Avalon has yet to successfully create Red Legend.

Even after a long time, Avalon never made any more Magic Card, as if it had abandoned the role of Card Crafter.

Dekan naturally wouldn't ask the same question repeatedly.

Dekan also knew that, just as [Fate Divination] could hardly divination accurately about the tenth-order Shadow World with a ninth-order rank.

Even with its Crimson Epic grade, it's difficult to predict the relevant issues regarding the Red Legend grade.

It has a greater chance of providing a definite answer unless a more specific question is posed.

Without much hesitation, Sion took out a card and began divination. The ninth-tier Crimson Epic transformed into a flowing halo that swirled around Sion's hand, and her pupils instantly turned into flawless pure white, like a god surrounded by stars looking through the truth.

The answer is no.

Soon, Sion returned to normal, completed the divination, and reclaimed [Fate Divination].

Dekan frowned.

He was quite certain that the Crimson Epic had reached the limit of its crafting technology, and the only possible way to improve it was to add legendary materials.

Therefore, he originally suspected that this might be a prerequisite for breaking through to the Red Legend grade.

However, Sion's divination results told him that it was possible to create Red Legend even without legendary materials.

So what he lacks is something else.

"Phew, if only I could talk to Avalon."

Dekan sighed and began activating the [Spatial Leap Gate].

Avalon may have been pondering this issue for many years.

He didn't know when it started, but Dekan felt that there was a Red Legend card waiting for him to create it, as if it were within reach, yet as elusive as the moon's reflection in water.

The closer you get to it, the farther away you feel from it.

If he could figure out the answer, he might have a sliver of a chance to create the Red Legend with his Master and achieve one of the ultimate goals of his life.

Just as he was pondering this.

"Master Pain, hurry and descend upon the Empire! Let those foolish Imperials witness the power of the Pain Pope! I'll just sit here and wait to win!"

Sion, like a cheerleader, waved her arms and encouraged Dekan.

"You're the most unlucky cute girl I've ever met."

Dekan, his thoughts interrupted, disappeared into the Devil King Tomb with a face full of black lines.

Inside an underground temple in the northern part of the empire.

Surrounded by steep stone walls on all sides, this is a hollowed-out space inside the mountain.

However, no one would discover that a dilapidated temple was hidden here.

Several clusters of lights hanging on the stone wall cast flickering shadows.

Inside the spacious, secret chamber deep within, a group of figures in black robes emerged.

They circled an ancient Altar, performing a bizarre dance.

In the dim firelight, their shadows stretched long.

As their ritual proceeded, the space around the Altar seemed to be distorted, enveloped in a chaotic black mist, making it impossible for anyone to discern what was being conceived there.

In front of the Altar, a high priest, seemingly a leader, knelt on the ground, as if presiding over the ceremony.

Suddenly, the door to the secret room was pushed open.

"Oh no, the Imperial army has invaded!"

The messenger, who had just rushed in from outside, finished shouting at the top of his lungs when a sword pierced his chest. His eyes widened, and he collapsed to the ground, spitting out blood.

Accompanied by the thuds of soldiers falling to the ground and heavy footsteps, wave after wave of imperial troops stormed into the secret chamber.

However, none of this seemed to deter the people who were carrying out the ritual.

"Return from hell..."

They chanted in unison, as if ten thousand people were speaking at the same time.

"Great and merciful Lord of Calamity, you are the Lord of phenomena and consciousness, possessing supreme authority. I cannot silently retreat from your protection. Lord of Calamity, please save me, guide me out of the wrong paths and labyrinths. If you reside in my heart, please never leave this place again. May you always be by my side; all is your grace!!"

Hearing the chanting from the secret chamber, the imperial soldiers felt a chill run down their spines, but without hesitation, they charged into the crowd and began to slash.

But the cultists allowed the Imperial army to cut them down, and they did not stop their ritual even when the ground was splattered with scarlet blood.

Finally, at a certain moment.

The earth rumbled! The sky outside the temple seemed to be stained with a blood-red hue.

The clouds seemed to swirl in the sky like a vortex, and the air pressure made it difficult to breathe.

The cultists grew increasingly vocal, chanting bizarre hymns with frenzy, a scene that sent chills down the spines of even the Imperial Army.

"All personnel on high alert!!!"

The officer who had just rushed into the secret room shouted.

Sudden.

A red thunderbolt struck from the sky, growing ever stronger until it reached the altar and the horizon.

Waves of heat, accompanied by smoke and dust, drove away the chaotic cultists and imperial troops.

The imperial soldiers temporarily ceased their slaughter of the cultists. Perhaps they were following orders from their superiors, or perhaps they were simply taking a few steps back instinctively, their hearts pounding as they warily watched the Altar.

The smoke and dust on the ground and the black mist on the Altar dissipated, and it seemed that the things on the Altar could finally be seen clearly.

On the Altar sat a bewildered Red-haired Girl.

After a moment of silence, the cultists erupted in thunderous cheers and then engaged the Imperial army in fierce combat.

The cultists ignored the Red-haired Girl on the Altar and fought the Imperial Army fearlessly, as if they wanted to protect her. The Imperial Army also had no time to pay attention to the girl for the time being.

However, apart from the leader, this group of believers was not very strong.

They were quickly mowed down by the Imperial forces as easily as cutting melons and vegetables.

Seeing the chaos, after a slight hesitation, the spirited female officer loudly gave the order:

"While fighting the enemy, we must do everything in our power to rescue the half-dragon girl who was sacrificed!"

This female officer exudes a completely androgynous beauty; her elegant demeanor is undeniable, yet she doesn't conceal the imposing presence of an eighth-tier powerhouse.

However, many of the other soldiers seemed hesitant about her order.

"Lady Andrea! She! She was likely summoned by these lunatics!"

The officer beside her pointed with some fear at the Red-haired Girl on the Altar.

The female officer slapped her subordinate on the head and angrily rebuked him:

"Don't you have any common sense?! How could you possibly summon the Lord of Calamity out of thin air like some kind of shamanistic ritual? These cultists are idiots, are you an idiot too?"