Chapter 66: Chapter 52: Bountiful Harvest, a Sign of Corruption? Loyalty
According to classified intelligence.
The Imperial Rebel Army’s Death Battle Group, which is under the command of the Seventh Group, will arrive in the northern region of Grillers World’s Lanshi Province via the Radiant Waymark under the pretext of reinforcing the Imperial garrison.
The third echelon of the Radiant Angel Legion, the Steel Wings Mobile Combat Team, is under orders from Ludwig, the Lord of the Empire, to support the Imperial reinforcements stationed here, purge the Scaya Dragon Descendants, and crush the Death Battle Group’s plot to occupy Grillers World.
Perhaps sensing the overwhelming disparity in power, a piercing shriek suddenly rang out from deep within the Scaya Dragonfolk’s rear, echoing for a kilometer through the sky!
Every Dragonfolk Soldier who heard the piercing sound shuddered before turning to retreat north without looking back.
Reinhardt’s brow furrowed.
He had expected the Scaya Dragonfolk to fight to the death, but their retreat was so decisive it caught him completely by surprise.
However, his stamina was severely depleted. Even with the Morphic Armor’s second trait replenishing a minuscule amount of energy—just enough to keep the Destruction Force Field operational—the long battle had still consumed nearly two-thirds of his stamina.
Even so, Reinhardt’s gains from this battle had been substantial.
The last two Mixed-blood Dragonman Warriors had granted him a significant number of Heart Steel Layers, and his Slaughter Points, which could be used to upgrade his gear with Imperial Technology, were also steadily climbing.
He called up the system interface.
[Giant Devouring Current Layer Number: 2,385]
[Physical Enhancement Coefficient: 2.385]
[Total Slaughter Points: 177]
[You can continue upgrading the Black Cutter’s Imperial Technology enhancements or purchase new ones. Upgraded Imperial Technology provides more powerful attribute bonuses.]
[Currently Available]
[Oscillation: A specialized upgrade for dealing with the armor of Scaya Dragonfolk warriors. The High-Frequency Oscillation generated by Witchcraft Power can easily shatter their resistant scales. Cost: 120 Slaughter Points.]
[Steam Power: A popular choice among the main Knight Orders of the Imperial Legion. Sturdy, durable, and deals multi-stage impact damage. It is highly versatile, effective against enemies from Abyssal Demons to Scaya Dragonfolk. Cost: 120 Slaughter Points.]
[Spring-Loaded Chain Axe Handle: A specialized upgrade for the Black Cutter. A chain fixed inside the handle allows for rapid retrieval after you throw the Giant Axe. The premier choice for a Body Technique Knight. No enemy will escape your pursuit. Ruthless Iron Hand! Cost: 120 Slaughter Points.]
[Your weapon’s current grade cannot support more upgrade options. Please upgrade the ’Solid’ technology. Cost: 120 Slaughter Points.]
Reinhardt’s physique was now more than twice what it had been at Frostfire Fortress—a level of physical development that would have otherwise taken him three, or even five, years of arduous training to achieve.
Even though his stamina was severely depleted, strength surged silently through his muscles and blood. With it, the intensity of his Power rose once again!
Though it still fell short of a Five-star Military Rank Knight, his Power had already surpassed the Four-star level. The aura it generated manifested as a surging wind pressure that constantly radiated from his body.
As he considered how to spend his Slaughter Points and grant his Black Cutter a new Imperial Technology, the low growl and roar of steam engines sounded behind him.
Reinhardt dismissed the system interface and exhaled heavily.
The massacre at Frostfire Fortress.
The betrayal of the Seventh Group Army.
He held no goodwill for the Empire’s reinforcements.
The dark purple, living material of the Morphic Armor receded beneath his skin. Reinhardt stood expressionless amidst a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, watching the Scaya Dragon Race Army retreat toward the northern mountains like a receding tide. In a heavy tone, he said, "You’re late."
In the Radiant Empire.
Reinhardt was likely the first third-rate knight from the Empire Border to ever dare speak to a Radiant Angel in such a manner.
Because anyone who had tried it before was already dead.
Personal guards of the Lord of the Empire, the Imperial’s Sword, Soul Examiners, the Radiant Capital Guard Corps, a legion boasting the most arena champions in its service, angels of slaughter to the Alien Races—their collective combat strength ranked in the top two of the entire Empire!
Even the High Table Great Nobles of the Radiant Holy City had to bow their heads upon seeing a Radiant Angel!
This was the Radiant Angel Legion.
If any other knight had dared to be so disrespectful, a Radiant Angel would have shown him, through action, the meaning of respect for the Imperial’s Sword.
But the indomitable courage deep within Reinhardt’s spirit, along with his strength rivaling that of an arena champion, had earned the Radiant Angel’s respect.
He had earned the right to utter such disrespectful words.
To lead a weak Mercenary Corps of fewer than a hundred men and delay the Scaya Dragonfolk invasion on the Empire Border for two long hours—
Such a feat was worthy of an Angel’s respect.
The Radiant Angel’s face was hidden beneath his Full Coverage Armor. His heavy footsteps crushed the corpses of Scaya Dragonfolk as he came to a stop beside Reinhardt.
"The Regent Council and Karloman have betrayed this country. We were under orders from the Lord of the Empire to break through the rebel encirclement of the Radiant Holy City. It took too much time and came at a heavy cost."
A cold wind, thick with the stench of blood, blew between them.
The Radiant Angel tightened his right hand on his sword hilt. His cold voice was devoid of emotion. A powerful aura, befitting his Six-star Military Rank, wove itself into an inescapable net, bearing down on Reinhardt with crushing pressure!
Though he sensed courage and indomitability in Reinhardt’s soul, a sense of humanity’s great radiance, he could not perceive any Loyalty.
This was an unspoken sign of corruption by the power of Avernus!
The Abyss’s corruption is never a matter of promised benefits or cheap verbal temptations. It happens when your every word and deed, during a time when you can no longer see yourself clearly, unknowingly draws you closer to the Power of Concept that Avernus commands.
Wrath, slaughter, doubt...
Degeneration and the final fall into the Abyss are only a matter of time.
He had seen too many former brothers-in-arms fall into the Abyss due to betrayal and death, only to become Fear Knights—daggers aimed at the heart of the Empire.
Only a very few knights, after falling under the gaze of Avernus, could resist the corruption and master the terrifying power of the Abyss!
He admired the young knight’s fearless struggle.
But as a Radiant Angel, he could not allow Reinhardt to continue growing, only to fall into the Abyss and become a great enemy of the Empire!
"Young knight, answer my question. Though we face hardship, though betrayal and malice trample our beliefs and ideals, are you loyal to the Empire and to the Lord of the Empire?"
Reinhardt could feel the powerful knight’s intent to kill him with absolute clarity. It was a terrifying pressure, so heavy it felt tangible!
But the Radiant Angel was met only with silence.
The wind did not cease.
The blood had not yet congealed.
The pool of blood at their feet rippled in the gradually dimming light of the Radiant Waymark.
As the Radiant Angel drew his longsword and took a step toward Reinhardt, the young knight gave his answer.
"The Empire will rot and fester. The rulers of this nation will fall into the Abyss. But the light of human courage will forever shine in my heart, Knight.
This is the answer my teacher and my friends taught me with their lives."
