The kings each had to face, and Bloodborne (double feature)

Franca.

The Imperial Palace.

"Yes, Your Highness Rosalind..."

The Guard lowered his head and replied, "However, the king we encountered was quite different."

"Not quite the same?"

Rosalind rubbed her temples and asked, "What exactly is different?"

The Guard quickly replied, "According to the message sent back before the Third Legion was wiped out, the legion encountered a humanoid monster with intelligence and agility. It possessed terrifying attack power and the ability to hide. However, the king in Nine Provinces is said to be a mountain of flesh."

A mountain of flesh forcibly kneaded together from countless writhing masses of flesh, shattered steel warships, and whale skeletons, which also produces countless offspring with tangible forms from the corpses of frontline monsters and intangible forms from shadows, possessing the characteristic of widespread mental pollution.

... A mountain of flesh? Offspring?"

Rosalind's breath hitched. "Then how are they doing? No... since they were able to warn us, that means their situation is completely under control, or even resolved... so they've resolved it?"

The specific details are unclear.

The Guard shook his head. "The Nine Provinces Foreign Affairs Department only provided this basic information, but according to our intelligence personnel... not long ago, in Nine Provinces's Sea City, countless players witnessed Lu Xiu leading an elite squad into the monster Assimilation Zone. They were even wearing complete sets of equipment from Monster Hunter dungeons. Shortly after they entered the Assimilation Zone Assimilation Zone, anomalies began to appear. A dungeon that Lu Xiu had previously constructed seemed to appear in Sea City —a majestic ancient Anor Londo —accompanied by a sunset, and finally, Eclipse..."

Players in Nine Provinces are clearly very familiar with the dungeon that appears in reality; it's said to be a group battle scene from the Nine Provinces Arena Battle, and they call that dungeon... Dark Souls.

"The dungeon where the world is about to be destroyed, and the player sacrifices themselves as Kindling?"

Rosalind recalled the information she had seen before and asked a question.

Compared to local Nine Provinces players.

Players from other regions can only guess about the dungeons Lu Xiu built before creating the multiplayer dungeon, relying on searching for discussions among local players, making it difficult to have an accurate understanding.

This is the most troublesome part.

"Yes, these photos were collected from the forum."

The Guard brought up the System Panel and then sent Rosalind several photos of the scene collected from the Nine Provinces Forum.

Rosalind tapped her finger in mid-air, opening the photos.

The first photo shows Lu Xiu and her team setting off. The Strategy Group members are dressed in black and red gear, exuding a strong sense of intimidation.

The second photo shows dilapidated modern buildings in the foreground, but further away, a magnificent, sprawling city with spires piercing the clouds suddenly appears, completely unlike anything in reality... Not only are the buildings unlike anything in reality, but even the sunlight is different. While the surroundings are bathed in normal daylight, a setting sun hangs over the city.

The giant city stands in the city center, its spires and arcades carved from massive stones casting shadows in the afterglow of the setting sun, making it truly magnificent.

If it weren't for the surrounding modern buildings, you'd believe this was a scene from a dungeon called Rosalind.

Rosalind swiped her finger to look at the next photo.

Next one.

Above the Anor Londo, a Dark Sign hung high in the sky, obscuring the light... The sky was gloomy, and a crimson halo, like pupils, looked down upon the earth, blurring the outline of the Anor Londo. It was as if reality itself was beginning to collapse; even looking at the photograph, one could feel the suffocating atmosphere of this scene. Rosalind's pale fingertips lightly traced the window, her gaze fixed on the magnificent ancient city in the center of the image, and she murmured, "Lu Xiu... Did Lu Xiu also create this?"

I just overheard what the Guard said.

She had assumed that the so-called Anor Londo was a building of the same size as the Franca Royal Palace.

But when she saw the pictures, she realized how naive she had been... This Anor Londo was far more magnificent and imposing than the Franca Royal Palace.

Rosalind was aware that Lu Xiu could project dungeon scenes into reality. During her time in Nine Provinces Nine Provinces, she learned that the forest they encountered and the Astera that could produce powerful weapons were all Lu Xiu's creation.

She just hadn't expected it.

That wasn't even Lu Xiu's limit... Lu Xiu could actually do this! He could directly project such a magnificent and vast Anor Londo into reality, almost splitting the Assimilation Zone in two. This was like a world-changing power, a method that seemed to directly bring a divine kingdom into reality. No wonder the Nine Provinces could withstand that terrifying-sounding mountain of flesh...

"This is the true strength of Nine Provinces..."

Rosalind withdrew her finger and let out a self-deprecating sigh.

Faced with a mountain of flesh and its offspring that sounded countless times more terrifying than a humanoid monster, and despite the mental pollution, Nine Provinces not only didn't collapse, but instead managed to pull out such a miraculous response, directly creating a home ground in the Assimilation Zone to confront the monsters...

I have to say, that's outrageous.

Unlike Franca, whose entire legion vanished after just one reconnaissance mission.

Architect.

Or to be more precise, Lu Xiu represents the true essence of that region.

If Lu Xiu were Frans...

Rosalind shook her head, not wanting to dwell on the impossible.

"... Nine Provinces and Franca faced completely different rulers."

Rosalind turned her gaze back to the Eclipse photograph, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly as she murmured, "It seems that Nine Provinces is facing a monarch of the Calamity type, while we in Franca are facing an assassin type focused on hunting... So the monarchs born on the front lines of each nation are different. I wonder what kind of monarchs the Red Tide and Canaan are encountering?" Thinking of this...

She raised her head and looked at the Guard: "Go and contact Canaan and Red Tide, and other countries. They should have received the notification from Nine Provinces as well. Ask them what kind of ruler they encountered, and at the same time, share our intelligence with them."

The Guard immediately agreed, then continued, "Your Her Royal Highness the Princess, the Nine Provinces Foreign Affairs Department also mentioned something—Miss Lu Xiu's speculation." Rosalind looked up. "Lu Xiu? What speculation?"

The Guard's expression stiffened as he said, "Miss Lu Xiu suspects that King's Scion may possess the ability to evolve and learn. If left unchecked, they might undergo a second or even a third transformation."

Evolution?

Rosalind took a deep breath, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "That makes sense. Since they are intelligent monsters, they can't remain unchanged... Notify the First, Second, and Fifth Legions to prepare to hunt down the king on the Franca front. This time, I will lead the Royal Household Royal Guard. As for the Guard I promised Lu Xiu, it seems that 10,000 are not enough. Leave 1,000. Prioritize those with Architect status; they won't be of much help on the battlefield anyway." The Guard were stunned upon hearing this.

A few seconds later.

She suddenly realized what was happening and immediately said, "No! Your Highness! This is too risky! You know the situation with the Third Legion! They were wiped out in less than half an hour after encountering that monster! Not to mention you're going with them!"

Upon hearing this, Rosalind calmly retorted, "So you want to see our monarch continue to evolve until it becomes an unsolvable entity? This period is the best opportunity. Didn't the Third Legion report that they injured that monarch? That proves that it can still be injured and killed. This is our best chance."

But if Lu Xiu's guess is correct, things might change in a while... And I am one of the top players in the country, a member of the royal family with the highest success rate in Blood Frenzy Art. With such a formidable enemy, am I supposed to just sit here and wait for news instead of trying to contain him?"

The Guard grew even more anxious upon hearing this, their Fox Ears perking up. "We can't just gamble everything! Your Her Royal Highness the Princess! Not to mention you're taking a risk. Other tribes are already dissatisfied with the royal rule. If something happens to you and the army... even if the king is ultimately killed, the country will definitely face major problems!"

Guard paused, swallowed hard, and continued, "There must be other ways. Isn't Your Highness on good terms with Miss Lu Xiu? Perhaps we could seek her help. Since she can..."

Rosalind shook her head and interrupted directly, "Lu Xiu is from Nine Provinces, not Frans, and Nine Provinces's territory is much larger than Franca's. Do you think she has the energy? Even if she does, do you expect Lu Xiu to squeeze through the National Border Barrier and come to Franca herself? Do you think Nine Provinces would agree to that?" The Guard opened his mouth but couldn't say anything.

Rosalind looked at the Guard before her and continued, "I will seek help from Lu Xiu Lu Xiu, but we can't rely solely on her. Anna, we can't expect to do nothing and have something fall from the sky, or for someone to solve all our problems for us. Remember this saying... God helps those who help themselves!"

Rosalind slowly stood up, causing her elaborate and gorgeous court dress to flutter. "As for the other races... I am a noblewoman, and we Silver Fox rule the entire Franca. This is my duty as a princess. I need to be responsible for this ruled country. If the legion and I really have an accident, then let the other races overthrow the rule of the Silver Fox. It is the end of the life of our Silver Fox Clan."

But we can't do nothing just because there's a risk of being overthrown. In any case, I am still the princess of Franca. Even if they secretly call Silver Fox Slave Race and me Slave Princess, at least in public, in front of me, they have to respectfully call me "Your Highness" and acknowledge my Her Royal Highness the Princess status. I must fulfill the responsibilities that come with this status.

Moreover, other races cannot remain neutral! Apart from the three legions, I will personally direct the other races to send their people to the front lines. They can overthrow Silver Fox's rule afterward, but until then, as long as Silver Fox rules Franca, they must submit!

"I will personally persuade Emperor Father about this matter!"

That's all.

Rosalind turned and walked away.

At the same time.

Red Tide.

The capital, Redscale City. Unlike the classical luxury of Franca.

Red Tide is a bit more primitive here, as it is the earliest practitioner of the survival of the fittest after gamification.

This place is very close to a post-apocalyptic environment.

City center.

The Supreme Leader's Palace of Ulysses.

"... Oh shit."

Ulysses was covered in blood and wounds, even half of his scalp had been shaved off. He was taking pills while cursing, "This shit system! Strengthening frontline monsters isn't done like this! It's not giving us a way out! Shit!"

As the medicine takes effect.

On his head, where half his scalp had been shattered, granulation tissue began to writhe and intertwine wildly, finally managing to stop the horrific bleeding. "Supreme Leader!"

At this moment.

An Adjutant, also sporting striking red hair and missing an arm, rushed in from outside. "News has arrived from Nine Provinces and Franca."

"What news? They were attacked by monsters too?" Ulysses immediately looked up.

"Right!"

The Adjutant relayed the message he had received to Ulysses.

Ulysses immediately looked at it, and after a long while, he raised his head. "King... bullshit! No wonder he's so difficult to deal with! We've encountered a king who can father children, just like the Nine Provinces! It's just that we've encountered a power-type king!"

"Damn system! Are they treating the Red Tide people like animals?! Nine Provinces has Lu Xiu! What do we have?! Why are we also facing a monarch capable of fathering children?!"

In fact, this was back when Ulysses was directly confronting the King's Scion of the Red Tide.

He realized something was wrong.

That's incredible!

And there are just too many!

These are far superior to the monsters on the front lines before; the Mutation species are all inferior to those King's Scion and their offspring.

The first thing he did upon returning from Nine Provinces was to organize people to go to the front lines to investigate the situation, and then they were almost overwhelmed by a sea of monsters!

That's why he looks so disheveled right now. "I feel it's not quite the same."

The Adjutant hesitated for a moment, then said, "What we encountered were physical beings of flesh and blood, while those in Nine Provinces are intangible entities tainted by spiritual corruption. Not to mention, their ruler is a mountain of flesh. We don't even know how we'll manage to fight them..."

"You're actually glad you got in, aren't you?"

Ulysses kicked his Adjutant, cursing, "Flesh monsters are easy to deal with? Do we have Lu Xiu? If you can establish a Anor Londo in the Assimilation Zone, then I'll be celebrating with you."

"No."

The Adjutant quickly said, "Supreme Leader, what I mean is, when we were breaking out... we were clearly on the verge of collapse. If that king had shown up, we would have all perished. But during our breakout, that king never appeared. It's just that his descendants have become even more frenzied. This doesn't make sense."

"... Do you think our rulers are only strong and numerous in terms of offspring, but their own strength is average?"

Ulysses narrowed his eyes, realizing what was happening. "Incubator type?"

"Possibly."

The Adjutant nodded vigorously. "At least for now, its true strength seems average, but according to Miss Lu Xiu's speculation, if the monarch really can evolve... then things might change in the future."

. l"

Ulysses cursed a Red Tide nationality vulgarity, then slammed the Recovery Item container in his hand on the ground. "Thousands upon thousands of offspring, each stronger than the Mutation. If the monarch were to further enhance them, what would be the point!" With that, he finished speaking.

He stood up abruptly. "Go contact the leaders of those Warlord Factions under Xia, tell them to come to Crimson Scale, and keep them informed. If they don't come, tell them! Let them all die together! I'll immigrate to Nine Provinces immediately!!"

People may fight each other to the death in normal times, but what's the point of fighting if the country is gone?

In fact, it's not just Franca and the Red Tide.

Other countries also encountered the Monarch Monster, and each country encountered a different Monarch Monster.

After Nine Provinces informed them of the intelligence, intelligence from other countries also arrived and was quickly relayed to Lu Xiu.

Witch Forest.

Wooden Cabin.

Lu Xiu was resting her head on Jian Li's lap, but she moved the pillow that had been covering her face away. The reason she hadn't immediately started Construction Space was because she was waiting for news. And after reading the message forwarded by the Coordination Bureau...

Lu Xiu frowned slightly and murmured, "Indeed, every country has a different monarch. The monarch of Nine Provinces is the most difficult to deal with..." The monarchs of other countries, whether they are the assassin type from Franca or the hatching type from Red Tide, are at least manageable for ordinary players, and they can even try to fight them. But the monarch and his King's Scion of Nine Provinces... If she hadn't built up a high level of Mental Strength through Constructed Instance, if she couldn't place the Dark Souls dungeon, those soldiers on the Nine Provinces front lines probably wouldn't even have had a chance to fight the King's Scion to the death...

If you can't even look directly at someone, then there's no way you can fight with all your might.

This might be related to the Regional Rating? Currently, Nine Provinces is the highest-rated region, so its ruler is also the strongest?

As Lu Xiu pondered this, she looked at intelligence reports from different countries.

A few minutes later.

She closed the window and fell into thought.

For the other regions, it's up to them to decide for now.

She was powerless to intervene... after all, she still needed to find a way to deal with the ruler of Nine Provinces.

If this most powerful monarch could truly evolve, who knows how far it would evolve?

The Bloodborne Dungeon must be completed as soon as possible.

Thinking of this...

Lu Xiu was about to get up.

But just then, a soft click came from the bathroom, accompanied by a wisp of steam. Shen Nian walked out with bare legs, drying her shoulder-length wet hair with a towel.

She had just looked up when her gaze fell on the sofa, and she paused slightly. On the sofa.

Lu Xiu rested her head on Jian Li Li's long, slender, white thighs, while Jian Li lowered her eyes slightly, her fingers naturally combing Lu Xiu's long hair. Shen Nian watched this rare scene and continued forward, asking curiously, "I was just taking a shower... what happened?" "Nothing."

Lu Xiu sat up.

She was indeed a little embarrassed because of the accident, but she calmed down and came to terms with it afterward.

It was purely unintentional. The more I tried to hide it, the stranger it seemed. I'll just be more careful next time. There's no need to make things difficult for myself...

"Real?"

"Real."

As Lu Xiu answered, she gathered her long, flowing hair and began to tie it into a high ponytail.

Shen Nian sat down next to Lu Xiu, and upon seeing this scene, paused. "Are you about to enter the Construction Space?"

"Um."

Lu Xiu tied her hair into a high ponytail and flicked it gently. "I've already received the news from the other areas, and I understand the general situation. We don't need to wait anymore."

Having said that, Lu Xiu stood up, barefoot on the carpet. Without further delay, she summoned the System Panel and looked at the two of them, saying, "Get ready... the Bloodborne Dungeon will be released soon."

Shen Nian and Jian Li nodded at the same time.

The next moment.

Lu Xiu transformed into a beam of Bai Guang and vanished.

Shen Nian continued drying her shoulder-length wet hair, hesitated for a moment, and then turned her head to look at Jian Li.

Jian Li brought up the System Panel again, her cool face expressionless.

"Jian Li, could you help me dry my hair too...? Don't glare at me, and don't look at my thighs, I'm scared. I really didn't mean to bite Lu Xiu just now."

Shen Nian crossed her long, shapely, snow-white legs and leaned to one side. "I'll apologize to Lu Xiu! And I'll go with you to find dungeons that reward Mental Strength attribute points! Please!"

Jian Li looked at her for two seconds, and finally raised her hand.

On the other side.

Lu Xiu landed gracefully in the Construction Space, then looked down at the T-shirt and shorts she was wearing.

... She had completely forgotten to change. Lu Xiu sighed, took out spare clothes from her system backpack, and changed directly in the Construction Space.

After it was done.

She brought up the System Panel again.

The next moment.

Lu Xiu then appeared in Yharnam, a place renowned for its outstanding people and beautiful scenery.

Dark and cramped streets, towering spires reaching into the clouds, a pale moon forever hanging in the sky, and a faint smell of blood in the air... In fact, Lu Xiu had already finished this dungeon before setting off for Sea City.

So there aren't many things she needs to change now that she's back in.

It's simply a matter of enhancing the Insight gameplay and giving it one last test.

Standing on the cobblestone street, Lu Xiu looked around and murmured, "Let's try to get it done in three hours!"

As for whether players from other countries will be able to participate in the Class Contest Instance after it goes live, given the threat of the King-level monster... Lu Xiu wasn't sure. There was nothing they could do if they couldn't participate.

The most urgent task right now... is to deal with the King of Nine Provinces!

Thinking of this, Lu Xiu slowly raised her hand.

Time passed.

evening.

Franca, inside the magnificent and luxurious main hall of the royal palace.

Rosalind stood before the enormous French windows, arguing with the King of Franca, her father.

The Red Tide on the other side.

In the Supreme Leader's Palace Redscale City, Ulysses was cursing loudly, while on the other end of the communication panel, Xia, the leader of the strongest Warlord Factions in the Crimson Red Tide, remained expressionless.

As for Nine Provinces.

The lights were already on in every household.

On the front lines in Sea City, countless soldiers who had been on edge all day finally breathed a sigh of relief.

They put away their newly acquired Yama series weapons and prepared to go to eat in shifts.

As for the regular players, they're all doing all sorts of things: some are preparing for dungeons, some are training, some are cooking, some are browsing forums...

And it was during this seemingly ordinary time of year, yet turbulent undercurrents arose because of the birth of King-class Monster, that the Oma Time arrived.

Bite!

The system notification tone sounded without warning.

Its sound not only resounded over the Nine Provinces, but also echoed over every country in the Vast Firmament.

Immediately afterwards.

An announcement popped up.

[Regional Announcement: The Berserker Class Contest Instance, Bloodborne, will officially open in three hours!]

[Open to eligible Vast Firmament players.]

[Go hunt! Prove you are worthy of this profession! Face the progenitor of the Berserker! Hunter!]...

Looking at the announcement that popped up in front of me.

Inside the Franca Royal Palace, Rosalind paused, then her beautiful eyes lit up with disbelief.

"It seems that even with Lu Xiu, the rulers of Nine Provinces are not easy to deal with, and even their majestic Anor Londo may not be able to stop them. Lu Xiu has even opened the Class Contest Instance ahead of schedule..."

In her opinion.

Lu Xiu's decision to open the Class Contest Instance ahead of schedule seems completely abnormal.

This, combined with the characteristic that the rulers of Nine Provinces and their offspring would cause mental pollution... makes it easy to deduce a possibility.

That means Lu Xiu needs the Bloodborne dungeon to be released as soon as possible, so she can strengthen herself or the players of Nine Provinces... After all, the promotional video for the Bloodborne Dungeon looks very disturbing.

Are you going?

On his throne, King of Franca looked at his daughter and asked.

Rosalind nodded without hesitation. "Go! The dungeon battle will only last a few hours... Maybe I can gain the power to change the course of the battle! Even if not, being able to change my class to Berserker would definitely be a good thing."

at the same time.

Redscale City.

Ulysses withdrew his gaze from the sky and murmured, "The entire Vast Firmament is open..." Then...

After a brief moment of surprise.

Ulysses looked at Xia on the other end of the communication panel and said, "Let's put the plan on hold for now and go to Lu Xiu's instance! We're all going!!" As for Nine Provinces...

Soldiers on the front lines, pedestrians on the streets, and countless Nine Provinces players stopped what they were doing the moment the announcement was announced, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation.

... It's finally here!

The dungeon where you can obtain the Berserker is finally here!

At the same time.

In the southeast of Nine Provinces, near the Frontier of Sea City, several figures were silently crossing the border, quickly traversing the edge of the desolate Assimilation Zone.

To avoid the Anor Londo of the Dark Souls, they deliberately took a long detour, first entering the Red Tide and then returning to Nine Provinces from Red Tide, going to great lengths.

The moment the district-wide announcement was broadcast.

The figure at the front suddenly stopped, staring silently at the announcement, falling into silence.

A few seconds later, she snapped out of her daze, scrolled past the notice in front of her, and looked away.

"Keep going... that king must still be there."

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