Just as Cheng Yu raised the Main City into the sky, news of the war in the Northern Borderlands had already spread far and wide.
The Karen Empire.
Karen VI stared at the intelligence in his hands, his expression shifting. Repelling an army of ten million led by the Merfolk King was far beyond what a newly risen power should have been capable of.
Moreover, Yuri Constantine, the leader of this power, was disturbingly mysterious. Never mind his sex-even whether he was human was uncertain.
Kadrian had once sent his niece to probe him, yet he had rejected her outright. That suggested Yuri Constantine might very well not be human.
After all, that girl was so beautiful that even Karen VI's son, the rising star of the continent, had lost all interest in food and drink over her. Supposedly, no man could resist her beauty, apart from those lunatics in the Jebel Theocracy.
And if he remembered correctly, Constantine seemed to be a noble surname among the Abyssal Demons. Yet according to his informants, the people of the Jebel Theocracy were just as puzzled. Were his informants not high-ranking enough?
That seemed unlikely. Judging by the increasingly fierce clashes along their shared border, the possibility was slim. Could they be providing cover for the Northern Borderlands? That was even less likely.
After all, the man guarding the gateway to the Northern Borderlands was Kadrian himself. As a man of Kadrian's generation, Karen VI knew all too well how terrifying that kindly-looking man truly was.
Karen VI was an exceedingly proud man, but he also knew that the only person in the entire Karen Empire who could reliably defeat Kadrian was his own son, Help.
Yet even his son, now hailed as the strongest on the continent, would have to pay a considerable price to ensure victory over Kadrian.
After all, Kadrian was one of only two people on the entire continent capable of summoning god-level beings. The other was his son, Help.
In Karen VI's eyes, the Kurland Kingdom was merely a loose alliance of foolish nobles, each pursuing their own interests. Without Kadrian keeping them in line, its territories would long since have splintered into rival domains embroiled in war.
Of course, Red was also a capable king. The Kurland Kingdom was far better off now than it had been forty years ago. Still, that did not change the fact that everything rested upon Kadrian's formidable personal strength.
Unfortunately, Kadrian was ultimately a man of his own generation. Though the physique of a demigod knight kept him looking young, Karen VI knew he could never outlast his son.
But that also showed just how terrifying the man was. No power could plant such a foothold right under his nose. So was everything truly as Constantine had claimed? Had he come to this world in search of something?
Heh. Presumably, he also intended to turn this world into a pasture for the god he worshipped. Some gods needed believers, and Constantine's god was clearly one of them. Otherwise, why would there be apostles and a religious order?
Having mentally classified Cheng Yu's power in the Northern Borderlands, Karen VI prepared to take a "thorough" look at this mysterious force entrenched there.
Unfortunately, Help was still on the front line of the border clashes. Otherwise, he could have entrusted the matter to him. His son had mentioned wanting to visit the Northern Borderlands anyway.
Something occurred to Karen VI, and he shook his head with a chuckle. He was certain that Help had actually wanted to visit Twilight Fortress to meet Kadrian and see which of them was stronger, then "drop by" to see the pearl of Kurland.
The Tower of Truth, Xipu Federation.
Lundo stroked his thick white beard and dismissed the words hovering in the air, then transmitted his voice to the middle-aged apprentice on the floor below.
"Urgently summon the Council members to the Council Hall in my name."
The middle-aged apprentice immediately replied.
"Yes, Master."
In the Council Hall, the white-haired woman occupying the first seat looked at Lundo.
"Lundo, why have you summoned us so urgently?"
Lundo rose and swept his gaze around the Council Hall. With a casual wave, he conjured a string of text in the air.
Everyone paled after reading it. A knight who had only recently been promoted to the last seat even slammed his hands on the table and sprang to his feet.
"Good heavens! They wiped out the Merfolk King's army of ten million in just a few days? Are we sure this is a newly risen power?"
Lundo shook his head as well.
"I also find it hard to believe, but the accuracy of this intelligence is beyond question, everyone."
Frank, who occupied the seventh seat, asked.
"May I ask where this intelligence came from, Lord Lundo?"
Lundo answered.
"The Naga Empire and His Highness the Prince."
Frank frowned.
"The Naga Empire?"
Lundo continued.
"We have detected that the Naga Empire is no longer clashing with the Jebel Theocracy. Furthermore, there are signs that its elite members are relocating to the Deep Sea Empire in large numbers."
Frank nodded, then asked another question.
"Then why did His Highness the Prince pass this intelligence on to us?"
Lundo said softly.
"Perhaps His Highness wishes to draw us into the war that is about to erupt."
At that moment, the first seat asked.
"War?"
Lundo sighed.
"Yes, First Seat. War. Upon receiving this intelligence, I cast Composite Casting toward the Northern Borderlands: Mage's Eye and Reversal Spell.
"I saw His Highness order his troops into the Northern Borderlands. His interference prevented me from hearing what they said, and he withdrew his troops shortly afterward. Yet the number of soldiers at Twilight Fortress increased."
As soon as Lundo finished, Frank added.
"Yes, First Seat. Intelligence received this morning reports large-scale troop movements within the Kurland Kingdom, with Twilight Fortress as their destination."
After that, Frank and Lundo fell silent, seemingly waiting for the first seat to make a decision.
After a moment's thought, the first seat rose and spoke.
"The Xipu Federation will adopt a wait-and-see stance on this incident. Furthermore..."
At this point, she looked at Lundo and Frank.
"Lundo, Frank, the two of you will have full responsibility for affairs in the Northern Borderlands. At the next Council session, I expect to see intelligence on Yuri Constantine and the army under his command."
Lundo and Frank placed their hands over their chests.
"We will do our utmost, First Seat," both said.
The Jebel Theocracy Central Cathedral.
The childlike Abyssal Pope was praying before a faceless Demon Statue.
Then he suddenly spoke.
"Lanchi, you know I dislike being interrupted while praying."
Standing a short distance from the Abyssal Pope, Lanchi Lubel placed a hand over his chest and spoke.
"Please forgive my impudence, Your Eminence. I have some intelligence that I believe may interest you."
The Abyssal Pope rose and turned to face Lanchi.
"Oh? If even you say it will interest me, perhaps it really is intriguing. Let me see it."
Lanchi again placed a hand over his chest.
"My apologies, Your Eminence. This intelligence can only be delivered orally. There must be no written record."
The Abyssal Pope narrowed his eyes and smiled.
"Now you have made me even more interested. Speak."
Lanchi began slowly.
"The army of ten million led by the Deep Sea Empire's Merfolk King was routed within five days by His Highness Constantine of the Northern Borderlands."
The Abyssal Pope's eyes flashed.
"Is the intelligence reliable?"
Lanchi answered.
"Very reliable. It was obtained by our highest-ranking spy within Kurland's royal household. His Highness the Prince also sent us this intelligence. I cross-checked the reports; there were no discrepancies."
The Abyssal Pope pondered for a moment before speaking meaningfully.
"It seems no noble of the Abyss has descended after all. Yet he does dare call himself Constantine. This intelligence is indeed most interesting, Lanchi."
Lanchi placed a hand over his chest.
"You flatter me, Your Eminence."
Then Lanchi asked.
"What are your instructions, Your Eminence?"
The Abyssal Pope smiled.
"We will lend His Highness the Prince a hand when necessary. After all, appropriating the surname of an Abyssal noble is true heresy to our Abyssal Cult. I trust His Highness will make the correct decision when the time comes."
Lanchi smiled as well.
"Indeed. While we crusade against heresy, we will also help His Highness eliminate a grave threat. Surely he will not refuse."
Within the vast, dim cathedral, a "child" and an old man exchanged smiles. It was as though a mass of darkness was creeping toward the land of light.
Inside the Beast Emperor's great tent in the Orc Empire.
The Beast Emperor, Edwin, tossed the intelligence to the ground and muttered to himself.
"Another powerful, unknown force has risen. Has the balance lasted only a few decades before being shattered again? Where does the future of the Orcs lie?"
An elderly Orc entered the tent, picked up the parchment from the ground, and spoke softly.
"The future of the Orcs lies in your hands, Edwin."
Seeing the old Orc enter, the Beast Emperor hurriedly spoke.
"Teacher, what brings you here?" As he spoke, he moved to support the old Orc.
The old Orc declined his help and looked at him.
"Do you remember what you told me back then, Edwin?"
The Beast Emperor's expression grew solemn.
"Of course. I swore before you that I would lead the Orcs to glory."
The old Orc smiled in relief.
"Indeed. I still look forward to that day, and I believe our people will attain glory under your leadership."
The Beast Emperor straightened, pounded his fist against his chest, and declared loudly to the old Orc.
"I, Edwin Orc, swear to you! From the day I became Beast Emperor, I would shoulder the hopes of all my brethren! I will lead every one of them to glory!"
The old Orc spoke with a smile.
"Indeed. Do you know, my child? I once again saw that day ten years ago, and the fearless Edwin you were then. Remember, while you shoulder your brethren's hopes, they also stand behind you. Whatever choice you make, we will follow in your footsteps, because you are our emperor!"
With that, the old Orc knelt and bowed deeply before Edwin, proclaiming loudly.
"I shall follow my emperor! Even if death awaits ahead, I shall have no regrets!"
While Edwin was still reeling at his teacher's actions, a group of Orcs dressed in various lavish furs rushed into the tent and knelt before him, bowing deeply.
"I shall follow my emperor! Even if death awaits ahead, I shall have no regrets!"
"I shall follow my emperor! Even if death awaits ahead, I shall have no regrets!"
Looking at the chieftains and generals of the various clans, Edwin suddenly recalled his teacher's words.
While you shoulder your brethren's hopes, they also stand behind you. Whatever choice you make, we will follow in your footsteps, because you are our emperor!
Even as the burden upon him grew heavier, the uncertainty in his heart faded. For just as his teacher had said...
The future of the Orcs lay in his hands.
The Elves' Land of Life.
Inside an immensely tall tree.
The Elf Queen, Brittany, placed a leaf covered in golden writing on the broad wooden table before her. Her delicate brows drew together as she sighed softly.
"Will the flames of war rise again? Can we escape them this time?"
Another female Elf, who bore some resemblance to her, came to her side and spoke.
"Mother, is something troubling you?"
Brittany drew her into her arms and said softly.
"Nothing. I was merely reflecting on how unpredictable the world is."
Then she released the female Elf.
"Go and play."
The female Elf smiled sweetly and left the great tree. Watching her daughter's retreating figure, Brittany murmured.
"No matter what happens, I will do everything in my power to keep it outside the Land of Life."
Meanwhile, Cheng Yu was sleeping soundly in the Steel Main City, utterly unaware that his name had reached the highest leaders of every power on the continent. It also meant that, since entering this world, he had officially stepped onto the stage called the world!
Before you continue