The God of Glory and Fame unleashed a scream of utter agony as his form twisted and contorted, transforming into a stream of energy that flashed into the distance at overwhelming speed. In less than a second, the wounded deity had left the airspace of the capital, but his screams still echoed in the skies.
Jormungandr’s cold, calculating eyes watched as the god fled, but he made no move to chase him. Despite his formidable appearance and majestic aura, the small yellow cat was truly burned out and on the brink of collapse.
Of course, if the God of Glory and Fame were still a significant threat to the Xaos Kingdom, exhaustion alone would not have been enough to stop Jormungandr. The Depraivta of Gluttony would not have hesitated to risk his life in order to finish the enemy. However, he did not pursue the god because he knew his attack would eventually take care of the deity.
To summon those memory-eating flames, Jormungandr had been forced to channel the full power of his Depravita of Gluttony abilities, consuming every last iota of his Flame of Falsehood Devil Bloodline. The attack had come at a significant cost, and a wave of weakness assaulted him the next second due to the loss of his bloodline, but there was no regret in his eyes.
Jormungandr knew he could always regain his bloodline thanks to Vlad’s dealings with the Legendary Devil. Yet, the God of Glory and Fame would not be able to recover those memories or stop the dementia that would erode his sanity. Maybe the deity could survive but would definitely not remain a threat.
After one final glance at the vanishing figure of the God of Glory and Fame, Jormungandr turned his gaze downward and saw the Depravita of Wrath plummeting toward the ground. It was clear that Vlad had fallen unconscious due to the overwhelming damage to his vital organs from maintaining the Heart of Wrath at full power for so long.
Jormungandr wasted no time. His flaming wings flapped with full power as he dove toward Vlad, catching the young man in mid-air. Without hesitation, he retrieved a vial filled with a potent red liquid that exuded bursting vitality and carefully poured it down Vlad’s throat.
As soon as the Peak Rank 2 Alchemy Potion entered Vlad’s system, his skin began to regain some color, his heartbeat grew more potent, and his lungs began to work again. Jormungandr did not relax until he heard the voice of the A.I. Chip, which had thoroughly analyzed the state of the Depravita of Wrath.
[Beep! Target’s vital signs have stabilized. He will remain in a coma for a period of two to three weeks and unconscious for two months.]
A small smile appeared on Jormungandr’s face as the A.I. Chip declared a favorable prognosis for Vlad. Being in a coma for two weeks was very good for the young man, considering that his vital organs had shut down just a moment ago. The Depravita of Gluttony knew that the only reason Vlad would heal so quickly was due to his Depravita Racial Heritage and having already awakened his Depravita Sky.
With that taken care of, Jormungandr finally noticed the thousands of eyes focused on him, all waiting anxiously to know what was happening.
The Depravita of Gluttony channeled his energy and shouted with a voice that echoed across the battlefield, "The God of Glory and Fame has fled like a coward, but my flames will consume his memory and drive him insane! Our king is unconscious but already healing!"
He paused, letting the gravity of the moment sink in as he glanced over the capital, its once-majestic structures now scarred by the fierce battle, its imposing walls shattered. With a solemn voice, he declared, "The war is over. We have won."
The forces of the Xaos Kingdom erupted in cheers, their voices a mighty roar that reverberated across the entire capital. Soldiers who had fought tooth and nail raised their fists to the sky in elation, their faces lit with smiles of triumph.
"King Vlad! King Vlad! King Vlad! King Vlad! King Vlad! King Vlad!"
The soldiers of the Xaos Kingdom chanted Vlad’s name in unison, their voices blending into a single, powerful cry that seemed to shake the very earth beneath them. The thrill of victory surged through their ranks, the weight of their sacrifices lifted by the knowledge that they had triumphed against the massive force that was the Azarin Empire with very few losses, considering the massive scale of the war.
On the other hand, the surviving forces of the Azarin Empire presented a stark contrast. They stood frozen, their faces pale and their eyes hollow. This was not just a military defeat for them but a spiritual annihilation. As soldiers of a theocracy, their faith had been the cornerstone of their strength and resolve. But with the defeat and flight of their god, that faith was shattered beyond repair.
Some soldiers fell to their knees, their weapons slipping from their hands as the will to fight drained from their bodies. Others simply stared blankly into the distance, their minds unable to process the magnitude of their loss.
The god they had worshiped, the divine being they had believed invincible, had been brought low and forced to flee. For many, this loss of faith was too much to bear, leaving them in a state of utter despair. Some even lost the will to live, their spirits crushed by the weight of a world that no longer made sense.
Jormungandr allowed a small smile to grace his face as he observed the troops of the Xaos Kingdom, their spirits high and their hearts filled with the vigor of victory. However, his expression quickly shifted to one of concern as he turned his gaze toward the defeated soldiers and civilians of the Azarin Empire. Their faces were etched with despair, their eyes hollow and lost.
This had not been a war of annihilation, and the Xaos Kingdom had no intention of massacring these people. Yet, if they intended to integrate them into their ranks in the future, it was clear that this would be a long and challenging process.
The thought weighed on Jormungandr’s mind, but he quickly pushed it aside. His immediate priority was getting Vlad to Nagan Mountain, where he could use the Molten Demonblood Essence to expedite his recovery. The aftermath of the battle and the management of the Azarin soldiers could be handled by someone more suited to the task.
Focusing his thoughts, Jormungandr connected with his A.I. Chip and sent a message: "Overlord, can you handle this?"
The response was immediate, the ancient voice of the A.I. Chip Clone resonating in Jormungandr’s mind with calm authority. "Yes, everything is in order. I will immediately begin the recovery process."
Jormungandr nodded, feeling a wave of relief. With a powerful flap of his wings, he took off into the distance, Vlad securely in his grasp.
The soldiers below watched in brief confusion as their leader and the Depravita of Gluttony vanished from sight, but there was no time for questions. Within moments, a myriad of orders began to cascade through the ranks of the Xaos Kingdom’s military.
Overlord, connected to every leader on the battlefield through the A.I. Chip network, efficiently communicated the necessary commands. Each order was clear and precise and left no room for hesitation. The soldiers, trained for discipline and efficiency, immediately sprang into action.
The Golden Wave Legion, responsible for maintaining order within the capital, began the pacification process. Soldiers moved swiftly through the streets, ensuring civilians remained in their homes and quelling any signs of unrest before they could escalate. Their presence was firm yet measured, aiming to restore a semblance of calm in the aftermath of the chaos.
Meanwhile, the Obsidian Phalanx Legion and the Shadowstrike Legion, both elite forces of the Xaos Kingdom, turned their attention to rounding up the remaining soldiers of the Azarin Empire. Although these soldiers had lost the will to fight and the war was effectively over, it was crucial to maintain control. The Xaos Kingdom’s forces detained them systematically, ensuring that there would be no resurgence of resistance or disorganized retaliation.
It did not take long for the streets of the capital to be cleared, and the soldiers of the Xaos Kingdom maintained a vigilant watch over the defeated. Overlord’s commands were executed with military precision, and the A.I. Chip Clone’s influence ensured that every soldier acted with purpose and efficiency.
The civilians, though devastated by their loss, were kept under control by the presence of the Golden Wave Legion. The shock of their defeat and the flight of their god had left them disoriented, but there was little will left in them to resist. The Xaos Kingdom’s forces moved methodically, ensuring that order was restored without unnecessary violence or bloodshed.
End of Book 3 - Fight between Depravitas and Gods