While all major powers were busy with post-disaster reconstruction, news about the divine artifact quickly spread across the entire continent.
The truth of the news couldn’t be verified in a short time. But for a group of elderly antiques, it was a lifeline, something they must try regardless of the truth.
For a while, various divine exploration teams appeared one after another. Secret battles surrounding the divine artifact were even more frequent.
Even within the Kingdom of Alpha, several divine exploration teams joined the fray. Hudson, the kingdom’s foremost strongman, was excluded this time.
According to the claim that integrating the divine artifact could make one a deity, the number of divine artifacts left by the gods must be extremely limited, likely only offering a single chance for divinity in one Kingdom of God.
With such a backdrop, former friends could turn into rivals. Once the divine artifact appeared, everyone involved in the treasure hunt could become competitors.
"Duke, rumors about the divine artifact are escalating, with all major forces joining the struggle. The nearest Kingdom of God is just over two thousand miles away from us. Should we send someone..."
Before Jose could finish, Hudson interrupted: "The existence of the divine artifact is uncertain, let them fight over it first.
The divine spirits are not as invincible as you imagine. Even if someone becomes a deity by luck with a divine artifact, they’d be just an upstart.
If the divine artifact were as good as rumored, the Dragon Race and the Elf Race would have wholeheartedly pursued it, rather than letting the news spread.
Let’s wait and see; there must be more to the story!"
Unable to judge its authenticity, it’s better not to verify at all. Anyway, just by watching the two ancient species and their reactions, we’ll know.
These two ancient races, who know the divine spirits the best, have not vied for the divine artifact, proving how baseless the rumors are.
Hudson wasn’t the only clever one. Most strongmen chose to watch and wait, while those truly participating were mostly aristocrats below the Sanctuary level.
Each fantasized about achieving divinity with the divine artifact, completely oblivious that the strongest, most informed peak strong, were not participating.
After Hudson rejected the idea, the topic of vying for the divine artifact soon vanished within the domain.
In an era of the gods’ downfall, divine spirits were no longer supreme. While it was good for domain people to become divine spirits, with their noble lord uninterested, naturally, the subordinates wouldn’t be forced to pursue.
Days passed by, and in a flash, more than half a year had gone by. The number of teams invading the Kingdom of God increased, but fewer than one in ten returned alive.
No one yet knew what the divine artifact looked like, but the danger of the Kingdom of God was universally acknowledged across the continent.
All major powers involved suffered heavy losses. Cumulatively, the losses calculated showed that over a dozen Sanctuary Powerhouses perished in the Kingdom of God, with hundreds of Eighth-order Strongmen dead.
Hudson felt indifferent about these cold numbers. Though the total loss was significant, once spread out, it seemed inconspicuous.
If he had to care, it was only that the Orc Empire lost a Sanctuary Powerhouse and a dozen Eighth-order Strongmen.
Clearly, these recent years had not been wasted by this arch-nemesis of the kingdom.
The orc species, having completed their own legacy, had birthed many strongmen and were no longer the weaklings lacking high-end power, forced to take hits.
The kingdom would face considerable trouble from these newly emerged Orc Sanctuaries if it wanted to destroy the Orc Empire.
"Marshal, a military coup has occurred in the Falcon Kingdom, and Your Majesty requests your presence in the capital for discussions!"
This unforeseen news left Hudson bewildered.
The Falcon Kingdom had undergone a coup a few years back, restoring power balance after civil strife, and its development rate had since been outstanding.
Under normal circumstances, a nation in rapid development should not experience a military coup. Even with internal conflicts, the benefits of such progress usually overshadow them.
The fall of the Kingdom of God indeed impacted the Falcon Kingdom significantly, but it was a natural disaster beyond human control.
The subsequent post-disaster reconstruction by the Falcon Kingdom government was well-managed, without causing major upheavals.
Based on the information at hand, Hudson couldn’t fathom a reason for the Falcon Kingdom’s coup. In the absence of social unrest, it must have been the result of some ambitious individual’s machinations.
"Who initiated the coup?"
Hudson inquired with concern.
For the King to convene an emergency meeting, the coup in the Falcon Kingdom must have been successful, and the initiator likely did something shocking again.
The last coup resulted in a king’s death; if another king were killed this time, it would likely provoke the entire monarchic world to fury.
Marshal, this information didn’t come from the Department of Foreign Affairs. The rebel army has taken control of the Falcon Capital, and we’ve completely lost contact with the embassy.
If not for Queen Marisol escaping the capital and calling for aid, we wouldn’t even know the Falcon Kingdom was in turmoil!"
Hearing the ambassador’s explanation, Hudson was speechless. Having been driven out of the capital and still not knowing the coup initiator, this queen was in her own league.
Yet, despite his internal complaints, Hudson still understood Queen Marisol. A king who had been sidelined would be lucky to hold onto their position, much less fully control the kingdom. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦•𝘯𝘦𝘵