Chapter 817: Chapter 421: It’s Time to Begin—the Real Escape Plan
Louis was locked in an intense battle.
Olivia was similarly engaged on her side.
The Lokeshi Empire was also going all out; before long, streaks of light shot into the sky.
These were the Lokeshi warriors, buying time for Bart Jean.
The terrifying impact swept in all directions; the ancient dragon was already powerful and should have been unstoppable.
The combination of human combat awareness and a dragon’s body allowed for a power greater than the sum of its parts.
Yet the existence opposing them was even more terrifying.
The extreme heat released blistered the dragon-shaped skin of Patriarch Bart.
Despite his agonized howls, this lion-like man pressed on.
Because he was Bart Jean.
The spiritual pillar of the entire Jean Family.
"Did you think... I would let you destroy our home?"
Dragon blood splattered.
Bart Jean didn’t hesitate; he directly used the forbidden technique.
[Spirit Gathering and Life Burning Technique]!
The already gigantic body expanded further at this moment.
Even the dreadful mass of the destructive Black Sun dimmed in comparison.
A colossal dragon, like the stars, soared across the sky.
In that moment, he too bore the fierce might of the Cosmic Serpent.
Purgatory Dragon, devour the sun!
He opened his gaping maw to bite at the Black Sun.
Columns of rock, capable of melting cities, were torn from the Black Sun by him.
Yet an invisible force bound the Black Sun, restoring everything to its original state.
Everyone watched this scene in shock.
However, members of the Jean Family were in tears.
The [Eternal Purgatory Transformation] was inherently a desperate measure.
Previous patriarchs wouldn’t easily employ such a means unless at the brink of life and death.
It’s a path to mutual destruction with the enemy, not to be used lightly.
Yet the [Spirit Gathering and Life Burning Technique] wasn’t much better.
It was a supreme incantation that all Lokeshi people had the chance to learn and master.
As its name suggests, it burns one’s own life to gather a colossal incantation body.
With two forbidden techniques upon him, they knew the man who never retreated a single step on the battlefield had begun his countdown.
"Don’t cry, you still have tasks to fulfill."
A calm voice emerged from the clouds.
Then a second blaze of fire shot into the sky.
A giant bird, akin to the sputtering of solar flares, joined the battlefield.
The Patriarch of the Celestial Flame Bird Family had joined the desperate struggle as well.
"Bart, like in the old days!"
An aged voice rang out, the terrifying sound waves continually crashing down on the city below.
At this moment, a terrifying will spread from the Imperial Palace, covering the entire city with rapid speed.
Platinum Giant Elephant Tal Griffin, carrying immense dread, dragged his demiplane into the world.
The scene descended into chaos.
Including the Purgatory Dragon and Celestial Flame Bird who had opened their demiplanes in mid-air beforehand, this made three out of the Five Stoneguard Families that had activated their demiplanes.
How fierce must this battle be before it ends?
However, a strange situation appeared before everyone.
This honorary emperor of the Lokeshi Empire did not choose to launch an attack.
He merely maintained his demiplane quietly, using it as an enormous lid over the Imperial Capital.
"Why?"
"Your Majesty, what are you doing?"
"Please help the other patriarchs."
However, Tal’s voice remained calm.
"No."
That simple voice stunned all the soldiers who were preparing for a fight to the death with the enemy.
Their fervently burning blood seemed to cool off somewhat at that moment.
A legend who soared into the sky even let out a mournful laugh, then pushed his small demiplane towards the Black Sun above as if in despair.
Yet, an invisible force dragged him from the sky to the ground.
This legend was extraordinarily furious.
Not helping was one thing, but stopping others from helping?
He cursed through gritted teeth:
"Traitor!"
Once he spoke, echoes emerged from various corners of the city.
"Traitor!"
"Traitor!"
"Traitor!"
They could not understand it, nor were they willing to accept it.
The thirteen families were supposed to be symbols of the Lokeshi Empire’s honor and spirit.
Yet now, someone from the most esteemed of the Five Stoneguard Families was openly betraying everyone.
How could they accept or understand this?
It was as if their faith was collapsing.
However, Tal Griffin calmly said:
"Don’t go, wait for a more opportune time."
"Abandon the empire everyone has worked hard to protect, Tal Griffin, don’t you feel guilt in your heart?"
"I do not."
Tal looked up at the increasingly intense battle in the sky, his eyes covered with an inscrutable light.
He murmured softly:
"Finally... it has arrived."
At that moment, all members of the Celestial Flame Bird and Purgatory Dragon families felt a pain in their hearts.
Their patriarchs fell from the sky.
Like the setting sun.
Two of the Stoneguard Five Families’ patriarchs had perished in battle.
The lamentation echoed throughout the city.
Unprecedented hatred surged wildly.
And then, a rift suddenly appeared in the sky, like a crack in heaven, endlessly spreading toward the distance.
The Black Sun froze in place at that moment.
In the dazed faces of everyone, it shattered like broken glass into countless fragments.
"Did we... win?"
However, in the subspace, Olivia’s expression suddenly froze, cold sweat dripping down her forehead.
"Something is about to emerge."
Beside her, the goddess who finally allowed Alice to use divine power was furiously roaring in Alice’s mind:
