The Approaching Nightmare, a Turning Point
The second line of defense fell after holding out for five days—this time, it was no surprise. However, they did not lose heart, because this defeat was not due to problems with the fighting forces, but rather to some more irresistible force. A powerful earthquake struck the United Kingdom again, causing heavy losses not only to them, but also to the Scourge legions. Just as the two sides were engaged in battle, the earth shook and cracked open, swallowing most of the undead creatures into the Abyss's fissures. The defense line itself was not spared either; not only did the walls collapse, but even the immobile catapults were damaged. Because of this, after taking stock of the casualties, the commander decisively ordered a full retreat. Although this order was not the best course of action, it was a good choice from the perspective of preserving strength.
Even so, during the retreat, a third of the soldiers were still wiped out by the Scourge Legion under Angela's command. However, the survivors managed to return to the third line of defense, preserving a considerable portion of the United Kingdom's fighting force. These soldiers had no time to rest; they were quickly ordered by Catherine to be dispersed among the troops within the defensive lines. This was to allow them to impart their experience fighting the Scourge Legion to newcomers who had never faced undead before, and to prepare them for the future.
In these few short days, the soldiers were busy repairing the next few lines of defense. After all, the disaster wasn't limited to just one area; even in the royal city of Dideyasi, many houses collapsed. Fortunately, the city itself was sturdy enough to withstand the damage. No one knew where these repeated disasters came from. People couldn't see the violent tremors occurring in the Outer Planes, but they had their own explanation: evil was approaching, annihilating everything in the world. If they couldn't defeat evil, the entire world would be plunged into eternal destruction.
Eternal destruction is inevitable, but it will not be brought about by the Magic Empire.
This time, Angela suffered a significant loss. According to her original plan, she intended to send her skeletal giants out to shatter the enemy's defenses. However, this sudden disaster not only caused her to lose many undead creatures, but even her giant bone soldiers were severely injured in the earthquake. Although these giant bone soldiers possessed immense strength and enormous bodies, their speed and balance were extremely problematic. Therefore, on the violently trembling earth, the undead creatures were like scarecrows unable to maintain their balance, quickly collapsing to the ground and shattering into pieces.
This unexpected turn of events forced Angela to temporarily halt her bloody and brutal battle. However, Li Lin clearly didn't care. He was already aware of the battle currently taking place in the Outer Planes and was supporting the Prime Material Plane, trying his best to prevent it from being affected. This was no easy task for Li Lin.
"Perhaps I shouldn't have spoken so harshly; it seems I've hurt the pride of those gods."
Li Lin was not in his study as usual, nor was he in his bedroom. At this moment, he was standing in the underground chamber where the power of the God of Magic was stored. Nisi was also standing beside him, chanting incantations in a low voice. Under Li Lin's guidance, the power of the source of magic had been drawn out to the maximum extent to protect the balance of the entire Prime Material Plane.
"I really don't know if these guys have considered that if they continue fighting so fiercely, this place will probably be almost completely destroyed before Mount Celestia collides with the Prime Material Plane."
"We cannot continue to hope that the gods will exercise restraint," Li Lin.
Nia has reverted to her Eternal Library form and is guiding the flow of the twelve factions' Power of Origin. She needs to transform this power into the purest Magic Power essence and then hand it over to Li Lin, who will then support the entire Prime Material Plane. After learning from the Elf Goddess what the gods were doing, Li Lin abandoned his concern for the frontline battles and came to this underground chamber, entrusting all matters concerning the Ringwraith City and military affairs to Suoxiate. He himself then devoted himself entirely to maintaining the security of the entire Prime Material Plane.
A continuous stream of magical power flowed from the magical origins of the twelve schools, converging within the Eternal Library. The shimmering light purged away any unwanted elements, transforming them into a single, pure power. This power, through Li Lin and his Magic Tattoo, invisibly diffused to the outer layer of the Prime Material Plane, enhancing defenses and mitigating impact. Only Li Lin, possessing full magical attributes and Power of Manipulation, could accomplish this. Arcane Mage like Nisi, specializing in a single school, could offer little help in such a situation.
"We must take our own destiny into our own hands."
"That's why we are monks."
Hearing Nia's words, Li Lin revealed a gentle smile.
That's why we're here.
What about Miss Angela?
Nisi asked somewhat uneasily. Although she hadn't personally observed the battle on Angela's side, under Li Lin's deliberate tutelage, this elven mage was increasingly developing the awareness of Arcane Mage. She was gradually learning to see things from the perspective of Arcane Mage, from the perspective of the Ringwraith City, and from the perspective of the Magic Empire. Therefore, although Nisi wasn't qualified to interfere in the current battle situation, she had still made an effort to understand it.
"The little one will be alright."
"We will continue to maintain the protection of the Prime Material Plane," Li Lin replied.
"She's more rational than you, me, and everyone else imagines... but most of the time, she doesn't need rationality to destroy her opponents. For a little one, wasting brain cells thinking about useless people is a foolish, outdated, and shameful act. So, I believe she can definitely make judgments that benefit us and carry them out."
I hope that's really the case.
Nia's voice carried a hint of pleasure.
"Then let's witness her methods."
Angela had no idea what Li Lin and Nia were talking about behind her back, because at that moment her face was gloomy, and she was looking angrily at the ground in front of her.
"Those damned charlatans!"
She complained through gritted teeth.
"If they wanted to die so badly, they could have just quietly died in a stinking puddle like a dog. Why did they have to make such a big fuss? What were they trying to demonstrate? That damned spirit of self-sacrifice, freedom, democracy, and justice? It's all those bastards' fault! My entire planned entrance has been ruined!"
"I believe Miss Angela, you must have your own thoughts."
Suoxiate floated beside Angela, her formulaic, unchanging smile on her face, and said, "You can never tell which words are genuine praise and which are just a timely retort, but for Suoxiate, it seems to make no difference."
"Of course I have my own thoughts."
Angela's bright red eyes darted around, then she looked at Suoxiate with a sly smile.
"Sister Suoxiate, how are things progressing with Big Cow and the others?"
"Because they need to activate the concealment effect of the floating city itself, their speed is a little slower than planned."
Suoxiate hesitated for a moment before giving his reply.
"However, they will form an encirclement before their master's plan begins."
"Very good."
Angela subconsciously licked her lips, a sign of extreme excitement.
"In that case, Sister Suoxiate, don't you think it's time for those mages to learn how to fight alongside my Scourge Legion?"
"You want to use a mobile fortress? At this stage?"
Suoxiate raised her objection for the first time. Although she obeyed Li Lin's orders unconditionally, Suoxiate clearly did not intend to adhere to any master-servant etiquette when facing Angela.
"I don't think this is a good idea, Miss Angela. The mobile fortresses are our last trump card. If the United Kingdom sees them before we do, they'll likely flee without a fight... After all, I don't believe these primitive barbarians can withstand the power of the mobile fortresses. And if you intend to deliberately sacrifice those precious mobile fortresses to continue deceiving those primitive barbarians, then my suggestion is that you must first report to the master. I will only carry out this order after receiving permission."
"What you win first is paper; what you win later is money."
Angela pouted.
"Whether now or in the future, my breasts will never be as big as a cow's. Why do you always treat me like a brainless fool? Sister Suoxiate, your level of trust in me truly saddens me."
"I was just doing my duty."
Despite Angela's complaints, Suoxiate remained all smiles, unchanged, as if she would remain so until the end of the world.
"If Miss Angela has any other better ideas, then you can naturally ignore what I said; that's not a problem."
"..."
Faced with Suoxiate's answer, the little girl was speechless for a moment. She blinked, turned her gaze back to the blood and corpses on the ground, and then resumed her original state.
"Of course I have a better way."
Angela took a few deep breaths, then revealed a sinister smile.
"In fact, apart from Master, I think those mages are useless. They're just skilled workers hiding in turtle shells, fiddling with levers, earning thirty yuan a day. Although the upcoming battle will be more troublesome, it's not invincible for me... Those damned skeletons have really disappointed me, so I plan to use secret methods in advance."
"Secret methods?"
Hearing this, Suoxiate was also taken aback. She had only recently taken over command of the daily and military affairs of the Ringwraith City and did not know what Angela meant by "secret means".
However, Angela did not answer Suoxiate's question immediately. Instead, she turned her head and gave a mysterious smile.
"Sister Suoxiate, do you like pudding?"