The soldiers all looked up, gazing in the direction of the royal palace.
"Look at the world around you! Magic is drying up, the earth is becoming barren! We struggle like rats every day just to survive!"
"And what about them? They are high above, monopolizing the sky, treating us like slaves! We only want to strive for unlimited magic, only want our descendants to no longer have to worry about magic!"
"For the future of humanity! I hereby announce the official launch of the ETD— The Exceed Total Annihilation Plan!"
These words were like a shot of adrenaline, piercing deep into the soldiers' minds.
The soldiers, who had been panicking, froze, and then someone shouted out first.
"For the future of humanity!"
Immediately afterwards, the entire capital erupted in a thunderous roar of cheers.
"Kill those beasts!"
"Long live Your Majesty! Long live Infinite Magic!"
Lu Chongwei stood on the city wall, looking at the group of soldiers who had fallen into a frenzy, and suddenly burst into laughter.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
His laughter, imbued with a magical power, instantly drowned out the cheers of the entire audience, reaching clearly into everyone's ears.
"What a huge joke!"
Lu Chongwei gripped the Ryujin Jakka one hand, his eyes filled with intense mockery.
"For the future of humanity? Don't try to glorify yourself, Faust!"
"You're just trying to satisfy your bottomless greed! You keep saying you're lacking magic, but look at this capital city!"
"You squander all the stolen magic on these meaningless decorations to maintain your ridiculous vanity of rule! Is this what you call survival?"
"You are not saving the world, you are only accelerating its destruction!"
These words were like a resounding slap across Faust's face.
Faust, inside the palace, was ashen-faced. He snatched the megaphone and the Roar angrily.
"Shut up! You piece of trash from Earth-land! Don't try to sway the morale of the troops!"
He pointed in Lu Chongwei's direction and shouted at the top of his lungs.
"All troops, listen to my command! Kill him! Whoever takes his head, I will reward him with an inexhaustible supply of magic for a lifetime!"
A generous reward will surely attract brave men.
The soldiers, who had just been brainwashed, went berserk again.
Thousands of soldiers from the Royal Army, wielding magical spears, surged towards Lu Chongwei like a tidal wave.
"Kill them!"
Lu Chongwei's face turned completely cold as he looked at this group of reckless fools.
"Since you enjoy being cannon fodder so much, then I'll grant your wish."
He tucked the Ryujin Jakka back into his waistband and swiftly formed hand seals in front of his chest.
A violent spiritual pressure erupted from his body, causing the surrounding air to violently turbulent.
" Hado #11, Tsuzuri Raiden!"
Golden lightning instantly coiled around Lu Chongwei's fingertips.
But that wasn't all; he pushed forward with both hands.
" Hadō #73, Renso Sokatsui!"
Two terrifying blue flames, interspersed with golden lightning, erupted from his palms and merged in mid-air into an enormous yellow-blue pillar of fire.
" Koka!"
Lu Chongwei gave a low shout.
"Boom--!!!"
The pillar of fire, carrying a devastating force, crashed directly into the formation of thousands of the Royal Army.
There were no screams, no struggles.
Wherever the pillar of fire passed, all the soldiers, armor, and even the hard bluestone of the city walls were instantly vaporized by the high temperature.
Just one strike.
Thousands of elite Royal Army were wiped out!
The remaining soldiers stared blankly at the scorched furrow that had been plowed out, their weapons falling to the ground with a thud.
"A monster..."
Lu Chongwei didn't even glance at them; he turned to look at Nancy on his shoulder.
" Nancy, take me upstairs."
Nancy swallowed hard, immediately spread her Lu Chongwei's clothes, and soared into the sky, flying directly towards the Legion Squadron that were still circling in the air.
" Ryujin Jakka "
Lu Chongwei drew his long sword mid-air.
Golden flames instantly enveloped the blade.
He didn't use any wide-range Shikai skills because mana regeneration is slow in this world, and he had to conserve his energy.
Even so, the terrifyingly high temperature of Ryujin Jakka is enough to be fatal.
Led by Nancy, Lu Chongwei charged into the Legion Squadron like a tiger among sheep.
"Whoosh!"
A single slash was delivered.
The massive Legion, along with the soldier on its back, was cleanly sliced in two. The cut was charred black, and the blood dried up before it could even spurt out.
Using the head of one Legion as leverage, Lu Chongwei swung his sword backhand and severed the wing of another Legion at the root.
He weaved through the behemoths, and with each swing of his blade, a Legion fell.
The fluid, satisfying feeling of slashing Lu Chongwei realize that his connection with Ryujin Jakka was becoming increasingly close.
The flames on the blade seemed to come alive, responding to his will.
"This feeling..."
Lu Chongwei casually killed a soldier, a flash of understanding crossing his eyes.
He could clearly sense that the barrier between Shikai and Bankai was gradually loosening.
He's getting closer and closer to Ryujin Jakka's Bankai!
The top floor of the palace.
Faust stared intently at the golden figure outside the window, which was wreaking havoc in the sky, his forehead covered in a fine layer of cold sweat.
"What... exactly is this thing?!"
His prized Legion Squadron was as fragile as paper in front of this man!
Faust suddenly turned around, his previously terrified eyes instantly transforming into a crazed and ruthless expression.
He grabbed Byro the collar and the Roar hoarsely.
"I can't wait any longer! Prepare Troma Arnim for me right now! I want to personally grind this bastard into mincemeat!"
In the dark, damp passages of the palace dungeon, the air was filled with the pungent smell of rust.
"Hurry up! Don't dawdle!"
Laxus roughly shoved the Royal Army captain who was walking in front, his tone clearly showing impatience.
The captain was pushed so hard he stumbled and almost fell flat on his face.
His face was filled with terror, and he was trembling like a leaf, not daring to even turn his head.
"Yes... yes, sir!"
He never expected that while he was patrolling the palace, he would suddenly be captured by this terrifying man whose body was covered in golden lightning, and forced to lead him to the dungeon.
"Hey, which way is the dungeon?" Laxus asked coldly, lightning already dangerously crackling at his fingertips.
The captain shuddered in fright and quickly pointed with a trembling finger to the fork in the road ahead.
"Left... left side! It's at the very end of the left passage!"
Upon hearing this, Gray, who had been walking ahead, immediately quickened his pace.
He turned the corner and immediately saw the heavy, tightly closed door made of pure steel at the end of the left passage.