The Beginning of the Nightmare, a Shocking Turn

Although many soldiers found Catherine's orders unacceptable, they had no choice but to obey. In truth, they understood they were no match for Angela; their actions were merely a desperate resistance against death—not even resistance, just an instinctive escape. Angela did not stop the soldiers from leaving, but her arrogant and mocking laughter lingered in their hearts, following them relentlessly.

The news of the final defensive line's collapse immediately reached the ears of the surrounding civilians. Upon hearing the news, they frantically ran towards the royal city, their immense fear and shock having completely robbed them of their reason. Even those who retained a shred of rationality could not make a different choice, for the royal city was surrounded by flat terrain. If they scattered and ran, they would only become victims of the undead. Now, their only hope lay in rushing into the city and staying by the Holy Maiden's side, relying on the great holy light and the thick city walls.

Driven by this panic, people acted with increasing madness and irrationality. The city gates were overflowing with people, and frequently, those who lost their balance were trampled underfoot, becoming part of the corpses before the war even began. Although the nobles hoped Catherine would close the gates and leave the commoners to fend for themselves, Catherine remained unmoved. She even ordered soldiers to help maintain order so that more people could enter the capital. Of course, not everyone was so panicked. The clergy, seduced and corrupted by the demons, whom Catherine had dispatched, used their sweet words to calm a considerable number of people, persuading them to stay home and await news of peace and victory. Under their sweet whispers, many abandoned rational thought and instead prayed to the great god, hoping to see the dawn of victory soon.

With their defenses rendered ineffective, the Scourge could no longer hold back the Scourge Legion's advance. By noon the next day, everyone was horrified to see the massive, dark mass of undead creatures, numbering in the tens of thousands, arranged in enormous square formations, facing directly towards the capital city of Dideyasi. Although the capital city was exceptionally sturdy, imposing, and formidable, it paled in comparison to the overwhelming horde of undead.

But that's not all.

The once gloomy sky suddenly began to rumble, a deafening roar echoing through the heavens and shaking the earth. As everyone watched in terror, the thick clouds abruptly parted, revealing an enormous city soaring through the sky. Sunlight shone upon it, casting a massive shadow on the ground. Magnificent magical light swirled around the city, enveloping it. By all accounts, it was a masterpiece comparable to the creation of the gods. However, the people on the ground had no time to appreciate this impressive sight; their hearts had sunk to the deepest recesses of their souls with the appearance of the floating city. All along... Some in Dideyasi had suspected that if they were truly fighting the Magic Empire, their floating cities could render all their defenses ineffective. However, there was no concrete evidence of the floating cities' existence. Most of the participants in the war for the Federation had perished, and Casablanca was completely wiped out. Furthermore, the floating cities never appeared in the subsequent battles against the Scourge Legion. Therefore, people mostly treated it as a dubious rumor, like ostriches burying their heads in the sand, preferring to believe it was just idle gossip rather than accept reality. But now, they could no longer escape the truth.

But this is just the beginning.

The crowd had barely recovered from the awe-inspiring, inviolable majesty of the floating city when, before the Scourge Legion, shimmering magic circles suddenly appeared. As the magical light faded, cold, steel structures materialized on the previously empty ground. They were enormous, with eight massive mechanical claws gripping the ground tightly. Brilliant magical lights shone from the tops of the steel fortresses, illuminating the walls of the royal city.

Although no one knew what it was, everyone who witnessed this scene understood the gravity of the situation— the Magic Empire was getting serious, and this might truly be their final battle.

The knights raised their lances, the archers drew their longbows, the warriors gripped their swords, and the priests raised their scepters. Everyone was ready for the final battle, but instead of moving, their eyes involuntarily drifted towards the very top of the royal city. There, Catherine spread her wings and floated quietly in the air, her divine radiance appearing dim against the enormous shadow of the floating city. However, this only served to highlight the tragic grandeur and sacredness—no matter how insignificant or weak justice may be, it will never bow down and yield to the shadow of powerful evil.

Just then, the dazzling light reappeared, and a man dressed in a black mage's robe appeared before everyone. He also floated in the air, looking at the royal city with a solemn and serious expression. Although many people had never seen him before, the shimmering Magic Tattoo on his body said it all.

Arcane Mage! The ruler of the Magic Empire, the Arcane Mage has finally appeared!

No matter how bad the reputation of Arcane Mage was in the rumors, Li Lin's appearance was enough to make everyone feel a heavy pressure. After all, a bad reputation is still a reputation. Even those Arcane Mages were rumored to be only killable and annihilated by the Five Heroes were naturally their nightmares. Angela, with that mocking and arrogant smile, came up behind Li Lin, faithfully displaying the characteristics that a familiar should have.

What do we do now?

Now, what should we do?

No one knows the answer to this question; perhaps only one person does.

"Close the city gates!"

Catherine's authoritative voice reached everyone's ears, and the soldiers quickly obeyed their orders. Although those who hadn't yet rushed into the city cried out, pleaded, and pushed and shoved, the soldiers ruthlessly raised the drawbridge, shutting them all out of the city. Some, clinging tightly to the drawbridge, were crushed to death in the gaps. Their cries were heart-wrenching, but to Catherine's well-trained soldiers, they were meaningless. They coldly closed the final passage, turning the entire royal city into an isolated fortress, awaiting the final battle.

Just when everyone thought Catherine would order a defense, they were surprised to find that the saintess actually flew out of the city and headed towards the Arcane Mage.

What is she planning to do? Is Her Highness going to challenge the Arcane Mage all by herself?

While everyone was still confused, Catherine had already floated to the edge of the city wall. Then, she looked at Mobius, who was also standing there dumbfounded.

"When facing darkness and evil, I need a great knight to protect me, Mr. Mobius. Can you protect me?"

"It is an honor, Your Highness!"

Upon receiving Catherine's invitation, Mobius was immediately overcome with a powerful emotion. Wasn't it every knight's duty to protect the woman he admired and respected and to engage in a face-to-face duel with evil?!

With the aid of divine magic, Mobius floated beside Catherine, following her to where Li Lin was, while everyone held their breath, waiting for what was about to happen.

Finally, Catherine and Mobius arrived before Li Lin.

You've finally arrived.

Angela at Mobius, then turned her gaze to Catherine.

"I thought you, you coward, would endure it for a little longer."

"You are not allowed to be disrespectful to Her Highness, you evil undead!"

Upon hearing Angela's words, Mobius could no longer contain his anger. He stood in front of Catherine, raising his longsword high.

"You lot..."

"I'm so sorry, Miss Angela."

However, the voice of Catherine that came from behind Mobius was completely unexpected for the young knight.

"I can no longer bear to be with those filthy, lowly trash... Even for just a moment, I want to return to my master's side, instead of staying in that ugly, disgusting royal city. Of course, to express my apology, I have prepared a gift."

Chains, accompanied by a storm, suddenly appeared as Catherine spoke, binding the young knight's limbs tightly. This sudden change shocked Mobius immensely. He desperately tried to turn around, completely disbelieving what he had just heard. He simply refused to believe that the kind, noble young woman would do such a thing.

"Your Highness, you..."

"You are nothing more than a pawn needed by your master, Mr. Mobius. Now, it is time for you to sacrifice yourself for your master... Offer up your power, a power that was never truly yours!"

Catherine spoke with a cold laugh, then reached forward, and a longsword gleaming with light formed in her hand. With a powerful thrust, the Catherine, imbued with divine power, easily pierced the young knight's chest.

"The Temple of the Holy Maiden..."

"I have absolutely no interest in you, you worthless scum."

Catherine sneered as she twirled the longsword in her hand.

"You destroyed your master's country, and you must pay the price. Now is the time for you to pay for everything your ancestors did, you foolish idiots! Master, please accept his power!"

"I would have done it even without you telling me."

A slight smile appeared on Li Lin's lips, and then he reached out his hand.

Power, an incredibly magical power, condensed within Mobius's body, then appeared in Li Lin's palm, radiating a strong magical glow. Next, under the influence of the Magic Tattoo, it merged into Li Lin's body. At the same time, Mobius let out a piercing scream, a scream filled with resentment, pain, sorrow, despair, and rage that echoed through the heavens. Catherine's sword strike from behind had utterly shattered the young man's faith. He had never imagined that this woman he respected and deeply loved could harbor such a terrifying and insidious side. He couldn't accept this fact, and could only vent his inner resentment and anger through a roar, releasing his pent-up emotions.

But that's all.

Although Mobius struggled desperately, the chains of the God of Storms were not so easy to break free of. As his final strength departed, his body gradually weakened and withered. His once strong body became completely emaciated, and his once handsome face became old and haggard.

"This is the last one..."

Li Lin paid no attention to the changes in the other party. He simply closed his eyes and felt the fusion of Power of Manipulation. It must be said that Mobius possessed a considerable amount of Power of Manipulation, which was why Li Lin had ordered Catherine to train him to condense his power so that he could absorb it. From a tactical perspective, since a mage would be appearing this time, the biggest source of anxiety naturally needed to be eliminated before the battle began... That was why Mobius was here now.

The chains of the storm vanished, and Catherine drew her longsword with a cold smile. With that movement, Mobius's body plummeted from the sky, crashing heavily to the ground. He struggled to open his eyes, staring blankly at Catherine. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he uttered nothing.

"I'm back, Master. I have completed your mission. The entire United Kingdom has become a rat in a bag, without exception."

Although floating in the air, Catherine still knelt before Li Lin, bowing her head to express her loyalty to her master.

You did a great job.

Li Lin looked at Catherine, who was kneeling in front of him, and gave her a gentle smile.

"Next, Angela will put you in command of 30,000 Scourge Legion soldiers. You should understand what that means, right?"

"Of course, Master."

Catherine answered softly, then turned and gazed at the distant royal city, where the soldiers were still staring blankly in their direction. They had all witnessed what had just happened, but none of them knew what had occurred.

"You lowly people of the Five-Nation Alliance!"

Catherine's lips curled into a sinister and excited smile.

"A thousand years ago, your ancestors destroyed your master's kingdom! And now, it is time for you to pay the price for the sins of your ancestors! Before the great Arcane Mage, there is no place for you lowly people to survive! Your only purpose is to repent with your lives, blood, and corpses for the foolish and barbaric decisions you made! Now, prepare to die!"

The pure white wings dissipated, and Magic Power glowing wings appeared behind Catherine. As she spoke, the Scourge Legion roared deafeningly.

Then, Catherine extended her longsword and pointed it at the royal city not far away.

"By the order of our great master, those who stand in my way shall die, and all enemies shall be killed! Foolish inferiors, accept your fate of destruction and death!"