by Feng Yue
At the foot of a desolated mountain range in the World of Dark, a saint, by the name of Wagner, was seated on a chair and was staring at the lightning cloud in the distance. The lightning cloud obscured the sky and sun. In the darkness, there was thunder and lightning. Countless roars could be heard from some distance away. He had no idea what might be going on over there.
Compared to the time when he was chased away from the Sacred City by Ludovic, he looked much younger now. The closer he was to the brink of death, the better he looked. In fact, he had not had to take his asthma medicine too often now. Perhaps, this was terminal lucidity. Even he knew that he did not have much time left in this world.
He sat on the chair beneath the trees and stared into the distance as if he was guarding the broken wooden house behind him. There was only silence in the dim wooden house.
The lamp swung slightly as the old Bach was cooking his dinner. He was using the wooden staff in his hands as fire plow as they fiddled with the flames in the stove. The food spun around in the metal pot. They had a weird smell that was unappetizing. Behind him, countless shards appeared out of nowhere before piecing together to form the image of the King of Red. It was like a miracle that he traveled across tens of thousands of miles to reach this wooden house. He looked at the back of the King of Blue. “At this stage, do you still intend to sit by and do nothing?”
Bach lowered his head and looked at the fire before adding two more pieces of wood. After he was sure that the flames would not be extinguished, he stood up and tossed the wooden staff aside before sitting in front of the King of Red. “God should not appear in this world. Isn’t that the lesson that the previous Kings of Blue has been trying to tell us?” He looked at King of Red in the face and asked calmly. “Besides, haven’t I already tried to do something about it? It’s just that I did not succeed.”
King of Red chuckled. He was clearly ticked off by the pathetic excuse. “This is your excuse for sitting by and doing nothing?”
“Even if I were to do something, who should I help?” Bach asked, “According to bloodline, the person sitting on the Anglo throne right now is my long-distance niece and is the only person in this world I can call family. Do you think I should help Anglo?”
The expression on the King of Red was cool. “What kind of fool are you? Don’t you know what is going on? Stop deceiving yourself and stop deceiving me. Bach, compared to the previous King of Blue, you know better than all of them, so stop using that stupid excuse. Tell me, why have you not tried to reign in Caucasian? Isn’t that your duty?”
Bach was silent for a long time before he shook his head slowly. “The wars of mankind should be started and ended by them. As for other aspects, we don’t have much influence over them even if we really want to.” He looked at King of Red with a stern expression on his face. “The more we do, the more mistakes we make!”
The expression on King of Red softened. “I don’t wish to see something like this happen but right now, you are the only who can solve this problem.”
“I can solve this problem? How? Destroy Caucasian? I can do that easily but are you sure?” Bach countered, “You want me to save the Church but that will only show everyone the inhumane side of the Church… In the end, regardless of who wins the war, the Church will have a difficult time maintaining its status as the guide of mankind. At the end of the day, either the Church rules over mankind, or mankind will desert the Church! Regardless of which outcome prevails, the Church would have lost the true purpose and meaning for its existence in the first place! No, from the day when the countries began to rebel, you should have known that the Church’s shackle can no longer hold back the ambitions of mankind…” He paused for a while and sighed helplessly. “Let it go, Sancta Sedes. Let the Church bow out from this in glory while it still can.”
“Are you sure you want to hand everything over to Gaius?” King of Red stared coldly at him. “Bach, don’t you know what kind of a lunatic he is? He doesn’t even know what he really wants. For so many years, he had been like a scale, where more and more people are placing their wishes and weights onto him. He gave up Romulus for the City of Wolf, only to give it up for a greater vision. He gave up the Sacred City for revolution. Ever since he lost sight his own goal, this lunatic had become the wishing well for others. So many people have made sacrifices for him. There is no way he can stop now. That warped sense of duty created a monster like Caucasian. If they are not reigned in, it is only a matter of time before mankind destroys themselves! Now, I don’t need you to destroy Caucasian or Gaius. Let mankind settle their own problems. But it is your duty to eliminate that monster that calls himself the son of God! Stop running away from it!”
“With regards to that child, you don’t have to worry.” There was not a hint of a smile on Bach’s face. He only continued calmly, “In fact, I don’t even need to do anything. He is more naïve than anyone can imagine, and this naivety will cause him to lose sight of his path. One day, he will recognize the distance and difference between mankind and himself. Mankind may create Gods, but Gods are destined to die in the hands of mankind.”
“Are you speaking from experience?” King of Red laughed coldly and his tone was full of sarcasm.
“Perhaps.” Bach stood up and looked at the metal pot that was boiling. “I am going to have my meal now. You should leave. If you believe what I have said, then stop worrying about those problems. Just remember not to interfere.”
King of Red took a final look at him and said, “I will.”
The figure turned into illusion instantaneously as countless shards vanished. He left.
Bach was silent for a long time before he finally pushed open the door. He could hear the roar above the vault in heaven. “It’s going to rain,” he muttered quietly.
…
The lightning clouds gathered. One night later, the sky of Asgard was like a huge bowl that was filled with rust. It hung high in the sky and covered the entire central region. Terrifying beams of light were being cultivated behind the dark clouds. They revealed themselves through small cracks once in a while and were so powerful that they were capable of hurting one’s eyes. At this moment, the sky was occupied by thunder behind the thick layers of clouds.
Under the control of Tree of World, countless waves of electricity rumbled towards the core until they formed rows and rows of Lances of Thunder that aimed in the direction of Anglo. At this moment, under the command of the Emperor, the Tree of World had borne so many fruits of destruction that they filled up the entire branch.
At the top of the white tower, the old musician silently stared down at the lands that were far beneath him. He could feel the final moments of peace before the storm. After a long time, he sighed quietly. “May my sacrifice be worth something.”
He closed his eyes and raised his palms. Hugging tightly to his chest was the mud plate that was in a terrible state. It was trembling and the wedge-shaped music notes began to light up one by one. The music theory and spirituality that had been embedded in the mud plate began to flow out and onto his entire body.
In that instant, he opened his eyes and burning holy light shot out of them. Flaming-red alchemy formation extended from the tower to cover his entire body. He was controlling it with his will and right now, it was turning him into a monster. He took a deep breath in and howled in fury. Countless thunder could be heard everywhere. In the next instant, the fruit of destruction fell from the branch.
…
It was as if countless pieces of glass had crashed against each other. Their screeching and scraping sounds could be heard from the clouds. The ear-piercing sounds were just like a living creature, as if some sort of snake was slithering in the vault in heaven and amongst the clouds, heading towards Caucasian from Asgard. Wherever the invisible screeching sounds passed, there would be countless streaks of lightning left behind above the vault in heaven, as if they were wet traces left behind by earthworms wriggling in the damp earth. Within a split second, it had arrived ab
ove the vault in heaven in Anglo.
In that instant, Ye Qingxuan woke up with a start in the black box. He raised his head and looked up at the vault in heaven. The net of aether released an ear-shattering siren! First, it would be three bursts! Three rows of burning lightning struck from the sky and bypassed the highly-guarded Avalon, as if God had tossed Gungnir down from the clouds!
The islands howled in despair. The Dragon of Gold was roaring in fury as the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth began to glow and blocked off the attack of Gungnir. The first burst might not have achieved its purpose but the thunder had yet to dissipate.
Shortly after, nine bursts! The rust in the bowl of destruction turned into a powerful storm that rained down on all of Anglo!
729 Catina
Mary gritted her teeth as she sat on the throne. The National Defense Front launched. She was the state, and in a flash, her consciousness spread all over the Anglo Kingdom. An empty glow spewed out from the nodes of every leyline. It eliminated the nine bolts of lightning with difficulty, but everywhere the lightning passed there was still enough power remaining to destroy dozens of buildings.
A moan rang out.
The old musician closed his eyes and made a fist.
Gungnir emerged from the clouds…
With 81 bolts of lightning!
Within that moment, York, Hampton, Will, Tyne, Luton… The lightning bolts locked onto 27 cities within the Anglo Kingdom.
“Asgard!!!” Mary roared. She finally understood and was once again infuriated by the cruelty and coldness of this action.
She finally understood… this was no longer a war.
This was destruction.
In that instant, the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth roared like the ocean.
The wrathful firebird spread out from Avalon, rushing out to each of the breaking waves and solidifying the seven seas.
A roar shook the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, emitting an ear-piercing sound. In the deep sea, countless monsters opened their eyes and looked up towards the sky.
A call rang out.
A thick fog instantly rose up from the sea and covered all the Anglo Kingdom.
Dark air was revealed within the glow of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. It invested Mary’s body, turning into a crown of white bones, the shadow of the Kingdom of Death.
Regardless of her agreement with Ye Qingxuan, Mary skipped over the transformation of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth and awakened Leviathan’s most essential power!
Amidst the sharp increase in the dragon’s blood, a cold and cruel will arose from Mary’s consciousness. She sneered, and the harsh sound rang throughout the world.
At this moment, the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth had already transformed into a land of death under the sea, embracing the land of fog, the home of countless lost souls and shipwrecks.
In the winding darkness, half of Mary’s face was still as dignified and holy as usual, but the other side had become dark and grim, and too savage to look at.
In a flash, the throne room was transformed into the legendary Palace of Tragedy.
The shadows of countless sea beasts emerged, roaring in anger towards the sky, resisting the lightning’s unceasing destruction.
Under this complete coverage, seemed to be shrouded in an iron blanket as it endured endless devastation. Even though it could save itself from Gungnir’s attack, it was unable to fight back and could only endure the pain of endless blows.
Such a powerful force under command of the World Tree moved it through the sky with perfect control. The old musician casually thrust forth his hands and locked onto Port Norman that had been invaded by the Caucasians. He threw a spear and then looked back at it, but was no longer able to see it.
His goal today was the absolute destruction of the Anglos.
Since they had the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth and the protection of the leylines, they must be completely obliterated, burned and scorched by the infinite power of Gungnir!
He would reveal where the truth was through their destruction!
Under the protection of the North Wind, all victory belonged to Asgard!
Mary gritted her teeth and closed her eyes.
Her fingers deformed the throne’s armrest as she endured both the tyranny that infected her from Leviathan’s power and Gungnir’s strikes.
As she spasmed in pain, she felt someone standing behind her and gripping her shoulders.
“Just be a little patient.” Ye Qingxuan wiped away some hair that was stuck to her brow by sweat. “It’ll be all right in a moment.”
Mary nodded with effort.
Ye Qingxuan smiled.
When he looked up, he saw Gungnir falling through the sky like a thunderstorm and his expression darkened.
No matter how you put it… this was no longer merely “excessive”.
It looked like they would have to push the plan forward…
He took a deep breath, and started forward, crossing over the former escape route in a single step, and stepped into the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth behind Avalon.
Amidst the brilliant light and shadow, he looked up at the heart of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. The crystal cube slowly descended, and an invisible ladder lifted Ye Qingxuan up. He advanced step by step into the core as he was enveloped by the ocean-blue sky.
Through the countless rotating crystal modules, he could see his blurred reflection.
The music theory of the Heaven Ladder gathered together from all directions and entered into his Scepter. The Land of Dreams expanded in all directions until it covered the Net of Aether of all the nations.
With the resonance that nearly coexisted between the two, Ye Qingxuan was temporarily transformed into a catastrophe.
He opened his eyes and stared into the void before him.
All throughout the Anglo Kingdom, countless instruments of harmonious melody rang out a melody that broke through the cracks in the realm of aether. The music theory of the Heaven Ladder spread out from within towards the higher dimensions…
A flame shone out from the core of the Net of Aether.
Ye Qingxuan lifted his empty hand and his Scepter appeared. The light in front of him suddenly crashed.
Bang! Steel roared.
The roar of iron and gold crashing together rang throughout the Net of Aether and resounded throughout the Anglo Kingdom.
Under Ye Qingxuan’s attack, the arrays on the path of godly ascension in the depths of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth shook.
Bang! The path of godly ascension shook again!
In Mary’s body, the shadow of the sleeping scabbard seemed to sense something, and it appeared from the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.
There was no heat coming from the flame, but Ye Qingxuan was still sweating. In his musician’s senses, it seemed as if in front of him the light of countless suns was gathering together, enough to burn everything to ash.
With the power of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, Ye Qingxuan drew upon the music theory that had been gathered together in the Net of Aether over the past few days. It turned into a violent flame.
In the harsh roar, the arrays on the path of godly ascension, once Hermes’s masterpiece, were stripped out by Ye Qingxuan.
With the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth as a blanket and the Land of Dreams as a hammer, the music theory of the Net of Aether transformed into a flame that dissolved the path of godly ascension, decomposing and forging it into a pure flow of aether.
There was a loud roar.
A sound like the revolving of the blazing sun burst out from the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, setting off towards the sky and the countless bolts of lightning.
The lightning of the music theory of reform shone on the Scepter of the Land of Dreams. With each wave of Ye Qingxuan hand, it plunged into the stream of aether.
A cold iron light emerged from within it.
It seemed as if iron was from growing within it, outlining its glorious silhouette.
It was a sword.
The outline of the stone sword could faintly be made out within it, but the blade was still incomplete. It was still blunt, not like a sword meant for battle. A gentle and mournful glow shone out from the stream of aether, cowing everything into submission.
“Maxwell…” Ye Qingxuan paused and thought of the deceased man. Uncontrollable grief and sorrow appeared in his heart.
Maxwell was dead.
Even if he once again created the stone sword, and once again endowed it with spirituality, the old man who had once held up the heavens for him would never return.
Without his soul, even if he forged the stone sword again it would mean nothing.
What appeared in his hands was no longer the sword of the kings who had ruled the Anglo Kingdom in the past. It appeared completely different.
Amid the roar of hymns as countless elements collided, the blazing stream of aether gathered together and wrapped around the sword.
Ye Qingxuan took a deep breath, and without bothering to wipe away his sweat looked to his side. “Lend me a hand, Old Phil!”
The shadow of the golden retriever appeared from the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. He glanced at him and turned into a giant golden dragon. The bestial nature of the dragon’s soul gathered into a torrent that entered the blade.
Then a dragon pattern appeared on the blade.
The scabbard of the stone sword came flying out of Mary’s body and into the stream of light.
At that moment, the Net of Aether’s power pierced through the Physical World and the realm of aether, opening up a huge gap. A giant shadow was reflected from the higher void dimensions.
It was the Anglo Kingdom!
It was the projection of the Anglo Kingdom into the realm of aether.
Under the pull of the Net of Aether, the projection crashed into the Physical World with a loud bang!
It followed the path of the Heaven Ladder’s music theory as it fell towards the sword in the flame.
Amid the roar, the two became one.
They suddenly disappeared.
Steel clanked.
What emerged from the fire was the accumulated power of the path of godly ascension. It used the Chapter of the Golden Victory to blend the Anglo Kingdom into the realm of aether, forming the sword of the nation.