Chapter 978 Obsidian Desert
With a deafening bang, the Cult Leader's demise unleashed a cataclysmic surge of energy, rippling outward and engulfing the surrounding area in a tempest of formidable energy.
This was the aftermath of a god's death—a phenomenon that created the Ruin Battlefields. When a god perished, the immense energy contained within their energy pool had nowhere to go, resulting in a violent burst that ravaged the land far and wide.
Amanikable, having vanquished his foe, withdrew his domain, allowing the chaotic energies to spread throughout the devastated landscape. In the wake of the battle, the once-stable terrain now lay in ruins, its very essence warped and distorted by the remnants of the god's power.
It was a grim reminder of the consequences of divine conflict, leaving behind a scarred and unstable realm where danger lurked at every turn.
Amanikable looked around and said, 'It seems that no one helped the Cult Leader. Gluttony simply tested us.'
The Cherubim and Skadi turned their heads to look in the direction of the Eru Empire. Just one thing was sure: Gluttony was watching them. He must have wanted to know how the large factions would react. The gods were on standby.
"Gluttony learned about our formation, so we need to change it. He knew how many gods were here, so he would prepare if he were to attack," Amanikable said.
The Cherubim glanced at Amanikable and said, "You should've left the Cult Leader's body intact. That way, more mortals would benefit from it."
His voice felt like several people were talking at the same time.
Amanikable cast a wary glance at the monster lord. It was his first encounter with a cherubim, a renowned monster lord from the Angel Faction, known for its extreme danger.
"I really can't do anything about it. You saw him still moving even after I pierced his head. As for the mortals, they can do as they please if they discover the excess energy left by the Cult Leader. Spoon feeding them won't make them great experts," Amanikable remarked.
Skadi glanced at both of them before suggesting, "We could completely shatter the laws binding this land together. That way, we could move it and position it in front of the three theaters."
"That works for me. It would force even wandering experts to join the war if they wish to reap its benefits," Amanikable agreed.
The cherubim remained silent, its reaction indicating complete agreement with their plan.
They wasted no time after reaching their decision. A resounding echo filled the air as they severed the laws holding the land together. Removing a large piece of land, they positioned it in front of the three theaters. The damage they caused surpassed even that of the battle.
As for the area between the three theaters and Blue Apple Territory, it became a void, devoid of anything except severed laws and concepts. The gods of the Aqua Serene Nation were powerless to intervene. It was the joint decision of the three Holy Lands - the Skyworld, Angel, and Asgard.
"It will take considerable time for the area to stabilize, now that we've completely severed the laws," Skadi remarked.
"Don't fret. Once the final burst arrives, the restoration process will be expedited. Gods will then be able to use their power freely without fear of causing further destruction," Amanikable reassured.
Skadi shook her head and added, "In any case, let's depart. We must prepare for the next battle."
With that, the cherubim, Skadi, and Amanikable vanished in an instant. They had to ready themselves for the impending war among the gods. The current battle was only the beginning.
Many experts would flock to the battlefield for the opportunity presented. Amanikable's obliteration of the Cult Leader of the Black Blood Cult had caused a significant shift in the environment. The excess energy scattered by the Cult Leader could prove beneficial to mortals, provided they handled it with care.
In the Eru Empire...
Esquin, seated on his throne, wore a pleasant smile.
"They were prepared in case a god attacked them. I wonder if they plan to attack this place. I'd welcome it if they did," he mused.
The gods aimed to confine all battles between themselves until the final burst of energy. Their objective was to minimize widespread destruction, reserving their true confrontations for when the final burst occurred.
"But I would truly relish it if they were to launch an attack. I desire to slay a few gods before I make my move."
The news of the divine battle near the three theaters quickly spread. The demise of a god became the talk of the land, prompting numerous experts hungry for opportunities to converge near the theaters. Though many harbored complaints, they had no choice but to suppress them, knowing that the gods held sway over the land.
Meanwhile, the other Large Countries began to mobilize in earnest. The appearance of the Cult Leader served as a stark warning that factions led by gods were on the move. As a result, they fortified their defenses and rallied allies in preparation for the looming conflict.
...
Souta, Alice, Eilish, and Amanda slipped away from Ekatoe City without attracting attention. Souta felt it prudent to conceal their departure, given his previous experience of drawing excessive notice.
Meanwhile, Isabella and Torkez delved deeper into their research. Franklin, Vashno, and Eztein undertook missions assigned by Souta. Doranjan and Yuko assumed the responsibility of guiding the monsters, while Gragas continued his tireless work forging equipment. Lastly, Kessa stood vigilant, safeguarding Astros in Souta's absence.
Arriving at the Obsidian Desert, the group beheld a vast expanse of sand stretching into the distance.
"So, this is the Obsidian Desert?" Alice remarked.
Eilish turned to Souta. "Are we planning to visit the Palleo Kingdom?"
Souta shook his head. "There's no need. I'm certain we'll encounter them in the Dream Realm. They may have already departed."
Alice inquired, "So, where do we head next?"
"To the east," Souta replied.
The Obsidian Desert dwarfed the Hall Plains in size but lacked comparable resources. Despite this, numerous formidable forces occupied its expanse, engendering frequent conflicts. Tens of thousands had sought sanctuary in the Hall Plains from this troubled land.
Pressing eastward, the group eventually reached a city where they decided to rest and gather information.
In a bustling pub, Eilish ordered drinks while the others discreetly listened to the conversations around them.
Amanda surveyed their surroundings before speaking in a low voice, "Seems like this place is no different from the others. Conflict is rampant everywhere."
Souta nodded in agreement. This city, embroiled in war with its neighboring counterpart, echoed the chaos prevalent throughout the region. Mercenaries, their voices brimming with tales of battle, filled the air of the pub.
Alice's expression soured as she absorbed the grim reality. She could envision similar scenes unfolding across the continent, though such news seldom reached their ears amidst their preoccupation with the Gluttony Army.
"I suspect there's someone orchestrating these conflicts from the shadows. I've been investigating the other places, and it seems certain organizations are perpetuating strife between these small cities," Amanda divulged to the group.
Eilish interjected, her gaze darting around the room before she continued, "It's to be expected. With larger factions concentrating their efforts on combating the Gluttony Army, smaller entities have seized the opportunity to act out. Look around—most individuals here are of modest strength. If we were weaker, we wouldn't be as at ease. We've begun to prioritize the larger threats while neglecting smaller-scale issues like this one."
Downing her beer in one gulp, Eilish continued, "Amanda's assessment holds weight. The pattern matches the intel she gathered during her mission. Someone is indeed pulling the strings behind these conflicts. Whether directly linked or not, it's likely that the instigator isn't particularly formidable. They could be operating under another influential figure."
In the midst of the chaos, factions boasting Shackled Realm experts, such as the Paleo Kingdom, remained largely unaffected.
Glancing at Eilish, Alice inquired, "So, do we intervene?"
Souta, however, took the lead in responding. With a sigh, he conceded, "Alright, I'll handle it somehow. It's not much trouble for me, anyway."
Unnoticed by the patrons, Souta covertly unleashed his shadows. Seven doppelgangers materialized and swiftly vanished, each equipped with formidable combat prowess.
"Absolutely," Eilish concurred with a nod. "Nipping problems in the bud is often the best strategy. Small issues can snowball into major threats if left unchecked."
Souta, deep in thought, rubbed his chin before speaking up. "Speaking of which, I really need to deal with the Wingless Crows sooner rather than later. Allowing them to continue operating unchecked could lead to complications down the line. They've already attempted assassination once, and I can't risk them interfering with important matters in the future."
Reflecting on their previous encounter with the Wingless Crows in Selnes Country, Souta resolved to take decisive action against them. Intent on eliminating the threat once and for all, he planned to leverage his status as a Hero candidate to muster support for an assault on their headquarters. The Astros alone wouldn't suffice; he would need every resource at his disposal for this confrontation.
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