No Return

When Li Lin returned to the city, everything was over. Angela, Anna, and Nia were waiting for his return in the square. There was not a single corpse in sight, only a black shadow that was constantly struggling and writhing.

"Master, this is the worthless wretch who led the army to attack you."

Angela raised her voice, then kicked Kane hard in front of Li Lin. The soldiers who had entered the city as scouts had already been wiped out by Anna and Nia. Although Angela had taken the lion's share, she wasn't very happy—after all, there was a difference between commanding the undead legion to kill and doing it herself. So in the end, Angela only received a few pitiful deserters. In fact, if Kane hadn't given his name, Angela might have killed him along with him—after all, in her view, it wasn't a particularly important task.

However, upon hearing Kane identify himself as the commander of the army, Angela immediately changed her mind. Thus, the unfortunate commander-in-chief did not die like the others, but was given a brief chance to survive.

He was breathing heavily and coughing as he endured the powerful force of Angela's kick.

Kane finally had time to turn around and take a closer look at the terrifying mage.

He looked very young, perhaps just over twenty, and the mage's robes didn't make him appear any more imposing, but his face left a very deep impression. He seemed to suit the robes well, and he didn't look like the type to act violently.

Of course, these were just superficial illusions, and Kane would never forget. Just moments ago, this terrifying mage had destroyed his entire army with a powerful spell. He knew he had fallen into a trap and was now like a moth caught in a spider's web, struggling helplessly. However, he still stared intently at the man before him, trying to find his characteristics and weaknesses.

"Who are you?"

Li Lin looked at the soldier in front of him and asked.

Clearly, Kane had no intention of answering. He closed his eyes, turned his head away, and used his actions to demonstrate his non-cooperation.

If he had heard the rumors that Arcane Mage never took prisoners, he might have made a different choice.

Seeing that the other party was clearly not cooperating, Li Lin naturally had no intention of asking any more questions. He reached out and pressed his hand against the other party's forehead. Then, magical runes appeared on the back of his hand and recombine.

A powerful force easily invaded Kane's brain. His eyes widened, but he couldn't utter a sound. The power Li Lin unleashed was like burning magma, flowing through his thoughts into every part of his body, burning away all his nerves. Li Lin ignored Kane's struggles, immersing himself in the man's mind, searching and extracting the knowledge he needed.

He quickly found everything he needed in the mind of this poor, uncooperative person.

It seems the Xialuo Kingdom has indeed reacted drastically, just as I expected. Moreover, their action was so swift, bypassing the official meeting of the Five-Nation Alliance. I wonder what their reaction will be this time, once they learn of the complete annihilation of their 100,000 troops and civilians?

"Just as we expected."

Li Lin withdrew his hand, clapped twice, then turned to Nia and said.

"The Five-Nation Alliance is finally getting serious. This is what they call 'not shedding tears until they see the coffin.' I want to see who dares to say we're just some clowns who popped out of nowhere and only know how to threaten others."

"What should we do next, Master?"

Angela looked up at Li Lin, her excitement evident. She gazed at the commander-in-chief, who was slumped on the ground with a dazed look in his eyes; her reaction spoke volumes.

"The real battle has only just begun... We still have a lot to do."

Li Lin sighed, reached out and stroked Angela's hair, then patted Anna's little head—he had already noticed the little one's displeased look earlier. These kinds of things require treating each other equally to nip any potential arguments in the bud, although for these two possessive little ones, starting a new battleground was only a matter of time.

"Given the current situation within the Five-Nation Alliance, it won't be easy for them to make a complete ruling. At least we don't need to consider Kudel. As for Dideyasi... it's better to keep a backup plan, since we don't yet know how the Temple will react."

Although Nia's words were subtle, everyone understood that she was referring to the Holy Princess, who was currently in the capital city of Dideyasi, like a hidden viper, waiting for the perfect moment to launch a fatal attack. This Holy Princess was not stupid to begin with, and now, having become Li Lin's captive, both physically and mentally, she wholeheartedly assisted the mage in achieving his horrific goals. It must be said that Angela's methods of twisting minds were extremely skillful. Whether it was Weijia or Catherine, she could find the weakest point in their hearts and launch a ruthless attack, forcing them to kneel and submit at her feet.

Everyone has weaknesses deep within them, and these dark sides are always deeply hidden by themselves. Even those closest to them, like the books they read, cannot possibly know these things. Only those who truly understand themselves can make them willingly give up everything and become their most loyal slaves.

"This is like rape."

Li Lin still remembers the cold smile on Angela's face when she said those words.

"Virgins always resist the most fiercely, but after one time, they become less agitated... Humans are always prone to violation, as long as the force is strong enough to overwhelm them. The one who completely conquers their deepest, most vulnerable parts becomes their eternal master, for whom kinship, love, family, and friends are irrelevant. Because they haven't won over his weakest point, they can't gain his loyalty."

The current standoff between Dideyasi and the Temple was orchestrated by Li Lin. Although Angela preferred a direct confrontation, Li Lin rejected the little girl's idea after considering their current strength. In fact, he was somewhat surprised to find that Catherine clearly "loved" him more than Angela. Even issuing commands to her through illusions made the saintess blush and feel as happy as an unmarried girl. It was as if the man standing before her wasn't a man who had forcibly possessed and violated her body, but rather her most beloved partner.

In response to this, Angela merely remarked coldly, with a hint of jealousy, "A female dog is a female dog; she becomes much more obedient once she has an owner."

Currently, Catherine is using her influence to gradually affect the feelings of the residents of Dideyasi towards the Temple. She is not deliberately trying to sow discord between Dideyasi and the Temple, or between Dideas and the Five-Nation Alliance. As long as her influence spread in the shadows is significant enough, it will make her father and mother focus on how to eliminate the hidden dangers of this covert confrontation, rather than paying too much attention to what is happening within the Five-Nation Alliance.

"Let's pack up and get ready to go home."

Li Lin didn't give Kane another second glance, which essentially gave Angela the opportunity to dispose of him at will.

"We don't need this place anymore. After suffering such a huge loss, even if the Xialuo Kingdom wanted to send people again next time, they would probably think twice. Anyway, the people from the Five-Nation Alliance are going to die sooner or later, so there's no need to push them too hard."

"Moreover, our new weapon test this time was very successful."

Nia gazed at the still-ruined city gate in the distance, carefully assessing the true power of the magical missile.

"With such weapons, we can indeed launch attacks of considerable scale."

"This is enough for now. We don't have enough manpower for further occupation plans, so let them relax a little longer."

As he spoke, Li Lin turned around and casually drew a few intricate hand gestures in the air. Soon, the dark clouds began to slowly dissipate, and the terrifying form of the massive floating city "Garden of Silence" hidden within them reappeared before everyone.

"Angela, it's time to get ready and send your lovely soldiers back."

"Of course, Master."

In response to Li Lin's order, Angela chuckled softly, then walked to Kane's side, grabbed his hair, and dragged the unfortunate man away.

"But before that, I would like to reward these lovely soldiers."

The contact between his body and the cold ground gradually cleared Kane's somewhat dazed mind. He opened his eyes and saw the sky and white clouds drifting behind him.

What exactly happened just now?

Kane strained with all his might, trying to find answers in his memories, but his previous recollections seemed fragmented and impossible to piece together. He could only vaguely recall his troops being attacked, followed by images of lightning, thunder, and death flooding his mind. Where was he now? What had become of his troops?

Kane turned his head with difficulty and looked at the plain before him.

There, he saw his troops, the soldiers, covered in blood, yet still standing silently on the ground.

They're not dead? Why didn't they obey orders to attack?

Kane looked at his soldiers with a puzzled expression, wondering what they were thinking.

Then he saw the soldiers slowly walking towards him.

"What... what are you doing... help me up right now...!!"

Kane struggled to speak, his voice so hoarse he could barely utter a word.

"Quickly, reorganize the army..."

The soldiers remained silent, their steps slow and disorderly.

"Whoever among you is of the highest rank, report to me immediately...!!"

No one responded, not even a sound of breathing.

Kane then realized that the soldiers in front of him seemed unusually quiet.

He struggled to move his arms, trying to stand up, but he couldn't. The soldiers slowly walking towards him also made Kane feel uneasy.

"What are you doing? Get back in formation immediately... Hurry!!"

The soldiers approached him and surrounded Kane.

Only then did Kane realize with astonishment that their ashen faces revealed a bluish-green hue that no living person could possess, and that their eyes gleamed with a bright red light.

"You..."

Kane stopped there.

A burly soldier pounced on his body, roaring as he tore at his armor, licking and gnawing at his skin. Then, one undead creature after another joined in, excitedly sensing the vibrant life force, enjoying the robust muscles and body. They then buried their heads in it, greedily savoring this rare piece of flesh and blood.

"Hoo hoo hoo... You've all done your best. I hope this food is enough to satisfy you."

Angela gazed triumphantly at Kane, who was surrounded by a sea of corpses, and smiled happily. Then she turned around and stepped into the colorful portal.

The Ringwraith City remained as quiet as ever, but when Li Lin stepped out of the portal, he saw a large group of silent mages standing in the square and on the city walls, silently watching their leader.

Then, they bowed deeply to Li Lin, performing the most solemn salute a monk could receive.

As souls reborn through Li Lin's magic, these mages were unable to leave the city. They couldn't personally avenge their enemies, using their blood to atone for the anger and sorrow in their souls. However, this didn't mean they would give up. Like Li Lin, they had witnessed their partners, family, and friends die at the hands of the Five-Nation Alliance's army. Their boundless rage wouldn't be satisfied by mere words. Originally, their souls should have lingered in the mortal world forever, carrying this grief and resentment. But now, Li Lin had returned, bringing them a glimmer of hope once more.

"Great Arcane Mage, please allow us to express our gratitude."

An old mage solemnly approached Li Lin and bowed to him, speaking. Many of them had witnessed the previous "live broadcast" and the annihilation of Xialuo's army through magical illusions. To these mages, what Li Lin was doing was exactly what they had always wanted to do. Having wandered the world as souls for thousands of years, their greatest desire was revenge. And now, their revenge had finally begun.

This is just the beginning.

Li Lin raised a hand, signaling the old mage to remain silent for the moment. Then, he looked up at the mages, some of whom he had met years ago, but most of them he had not. But now, they were connected to him, belonging to the last legacy of this empire.

Then, Li Lin spoke.

"I think you all saw it."

"..."

"I have suffered the same pain as you. You lost your families and friends in the attacks of the Five-Nation Alliance. You may have even watched them die, powerless to stop it. You watched them being ravaged, trampled, and screaming, but you couldn't do anything to help them. And then, you too died with regret... just like me."

At this point, Li Lin paused for a moment, then clenched his fist.

"But now I'm back! And you're back too! You're no longer just ghosts; you can do what you want! The past cannot be changed, but we have the present and the future. Mistakes cannot be ignored, but we can make amends and change them. For the continent now, our Magic Empire has become a fragment of history. But as long as we exist, the Magic Empire will never perish. No matter how many enemies we annihilate, no matter how many corpses we trample over, the Magic Empire will exist forever, unless we all turn to dust in this multiverse. Otherwise, I will never abandon this country, even if only one citizen remains, I will revive its existence. No matter what obstacles..." "No matter what, I will not stop. The Magic Empire belongs to me, to us mages. The destruction of the past is merely an opportunity for us to rise again. New saplings will sprout from the decaying trunk of the great tree... I think you have all seen it, my lords, this is a war. A war that only victory makes it meaningful. They once drove us into the shadows and forgot our existence, but now, we will return to this world and tell them with blood and fire that we have not been destroyed. The destruction of a single city cannot extinguish the flames of our anger. The hatred that our Magic Empire will never forget, and how should we face this hatred!"

Those who offend me will be repaid tenfold!

Upon hearing Li Lin's question, all the mages straightened their backs and stared intently at the Arcane Mage before them.

"The Five-Nation Alliance will be destroyed! Not conquered! We will let the blood of our former enemies, the blood of their wives, the blood of their children, the blood of their relatives, stain this land! There will be no survivors. All the people of the Five-Nation Alliance will feel the wrath of our Magic Empire. We will make them watch their loved ones die in the most tragic way before their eyes, watch their innocent children turn to ashes in flames, and watch their parents hanged! Those who stand in our way will die! Enemies will be killed on sight!"

Li Lin lowered his hand, a barely perceptible hint of excitement appearing in his cold and composed eyes.

"I will not give up, even if it means destroying this continent, until the last bloodline of the Five-Nation Alliance is destroyed and annihilated. And what about you? Will you stay with me until only corpses remain of the Five-Nation Alliance, until the Five-Nation Alliance is completely destroyed? Will you wait with me for that moment to come? Will you listen with me to the final lament of the survivors? Like in Casablanca, the helpless, desperate cries for help, the wailing that brings victory?"

"Kill the enemy on sight! Kill the enemy on sight! Kill the enemy on sight!"

In response to Li Lin's question, the mages shouted loudly. Merely admiring them in the illusion was no longer enough for them. They longed to kill these hateful invaders with their own hands, to see their blood and their corpses rotting before their eyes, and to hear their final screams and pleas for mercy. Only in this way could they calm their burning anger—this was the meaning of their existence.

"This is a long war, and we may not be able to win quickly, but we will eventually win."

Facing the excited mages—the souls of the mages of the Magic Empire — Li Lin spoke with unwavering resolve.

"We absolutely cannot fail, we absolutely cannot allow ourselves to fail."