Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
In a small city near the border of the Crete Empire, Lu Zhiyu stood by the side of the Nami River. This wide river had nourished countless people across many countries.
Housewives had washed their clothes in its waters, while children played along its shores. One would hardly believe that, on the other end of its waters, lay a scene of total carnage.
Countless people, who were fighting to protect their city, had died within the slaughter. Flames from the carnage burnt the heavens crimson, as Babus became a city of the dead. Neither sadness nor fury would lead to the city’s salvation.
Lu Zhiyu sighed with great disappointment in his eyes. He looked towards the heavens and located the weak rays of a star, which was less than a kilometer wide, in the bitwall. It was one of the countless stars from Maria’s World.
Suddenly, the star, which was floating far away in the great nothingness, was condensed, as if it was being controlled by a greater power. It was then guided away from its original route, as if drawn to the earth, and fell.
As it crossed the space of the bitwall, it accelerated until it reached Maria’s World. It then passed through the ozone layer, creating a bright light from the intense friction. The path of the star was dazzlingly beautiful, as it made its way to its final destination, the southwest region of the Alen Continent.
———
Within the Monar Palace in Babus, after Adonis had left, the remaining Death Knights surrounded the survivors. The original 30 priests had been severely incapacitated by the army led by the six special class Death Knights. Less than ten of them were left, all of whom had grievous wounds.
“Please, please don’t kill me!” an elaborately dressed noblewoman shrieked.
A moustached aristocrat then turned toward Adonis’ departing figure and asked, “Why are you doing this, Adonis? Aren’t you our King? Why are you treating your people like this?”
“I don’t want to die!”
“I beg you, spare me! Please spare me! I’ll do anything you want, please!”
No matter what kind of prayers or curses were flung at him, Adonis did not even pause. Many Death Knights formed his entourage, their long swords drawn and their crimson eyes staring coldly at the crowd. They were in the center of the magnificent royal garden amid countless rows of armored Death Knights.
The last one hundred survivors were in the throes of despair, many having collapsed on the ground, not even having the guts to stand up again.
“Enough, Adonis!” A familiar voice was heard from the distance. Adonis turned back. Although the owner of the voice’s figure wasn’t visible yet, he could sense a familiar mind power frequency.
Boom!
The wall of the garden instantly collapsed, as the Death Knights outside were gored by stone spikes. The entire corridor was covered with the bodies of Death Knights, as they had been impaled by the spikes.
Edward stepped over the corpses. moving towards the opening within the garden. He was walking towards Adonis. As he made his way, the Death Knights parted to allow his passage.
Edward hadn’t changed his outfit for several days and the bags under his eyes were extremely dark. He looked as if he hadn’t rested in a very long time, as if he had been diligently preparing for something. Yet, he was not too fatigued for his eyes to continue holding a strong sense of determination.
The elaborate King’s robe, which Adonis was wearing, had already become tattered. As he watched Edward approach him, Adonis suddenly burst into laughter for some reason, as if he was greeting an old friend.
Adonis dug through the rubble to uncover the throne. It was unscathed, even after the battle, so he sat atop it and looked at Edward. After a casual greeting, he asked, “Why didn’t you leave?”
Edward stood before him and looked at the face that he knew so well. It was both familiar and mysterious to him, having the greenish pale tint of a monster and eyes that were bloodshot and crimson.
Staring at the speechless Edward, Adonis began to mutter to himself. “Haha, this throne really is both hard and cold. How boring.”
As if he finally saw Adonis for what he truly was, Edward finally spoke. “Was it worth turning yourself into this wretched form? To give up sunlight, poetry, the warmth of the earth, even to give up all of the desires of humanity, just to live forever in an icy prison?”
Adonis lounged on the throne, then tilted his head to look at Edward. He then asked, “If life was tied to a pile of rotten meat, wouldn’t it be quite meaningless? What is called life, is merely the pursuit of the meaning of your existence. I have found that.”
Adonis continued to explain. “I want to become stronger. I want to control my own fate. I want all of my fears, my hate, and my pains to disappear. That requires immense power, as only the strong can master their fates. Wizards were not meant to lead the people…”
Edward lowered his head, then lifted it again after a long time. His face was twisted and warm tears fell from his face. He was so agitated, spittle flew out when he spoke. “Does your strength come before the lives of others? Is that a reason to kill millions of innocents? To turn the world into a living hell?”
As Adonis solemnly met Edward’s gaze, he saw his fury, pain, and sadness. Adonis then licked his lips and enunciated two words clearly, with deadly serious eyes, as he stood up from the throne. “Of course.”
Adonis looked toward the survivors and the Death Knights. Then, almost as if all of the Death Knights within the palace could sense his gaze, they each stopped mid-step and kneeled towards Adonis.
The civilians of the city were extremely confused, as they looked towards the direction that the Death Knights were kneeling towards, then spotted the palace. It was as if these demons from hell were welcoming their king. Yet, theirs was not a king of men, but a ruler of the dead.
“Life is brief and insignificant. Only death is eternal. As such, I will bring everyone into an eternal kingdom of death. All shall join my kingdom and bow to my power, as I am the Master of Death!” Adonis decreed.
Edward pursed his lips and spoke with red-rimmed eyes, “You’re wrong. Your path is wrong!”
Adonis spoke back, unphased. “I am right, and I have always believed it to be so!”
Edward pointed at Adonis as he roared, his voice breaking. “I will not let you succeed! I will never let you turn your delusions into reality!”
Adonis looked at Edward and finally screamed his name. “EDWARD!”
Then, a few frigid words were minced out from the ghastly white teeth. “You cannot save anyone!”