Chapter 75
75 Storm Contract
The Joshua siblings looked at the scorched earth in shock.
They knew that there were people in this world capable of magical powers. They had even seen them before. A few years ago, when there were bandits near Red Spring Town, the mayor had raised money to hire a magic chanter who could ignite flames out of thin air.
After the bandits charged into the town, the magic chanter they had hired at a high price turned the invading bandits into charred corpses single-handedly.
Joshua still remembered the deafening explosions and flames dancing everywhere that night, as well as the mess after the battle.
However, compared to the scene he was seeing now, the ‘monumental scene’ he thought of back then was as laughable as a child playing house.
“Amazing. He’s just like the hero of the Doomsday Watchers in the stories...”
Joshua couldn’t help but mutter to himself. He didn’t have a clear concept of magic, so he could only compare it to the legendary stories he had heard from the bards.
William, who was standing behind him, curled his lips but didn’t say anything.
After the last mighty strike, Cass first stood rooted to the ground in confusion for a while before sighing and pulling out his sword before rushing back.
He walked straight to William and didn’t even notice the two children’s fervent and adoring gazes. He apologized and said,
“Sorry, William. I subconsciously...”
“You failed that round. Your last strike has probably reached the strength of a Legendary, right? Do you feel that your mind has been affected?”
Cass shook his head, indicating that he was fine.
“Then how do you usually address me?” William asked calmly.
Cass’s expression froze.
“No, Presiding Judge, I just...”
Cass’s expression kept changing. He originally planned on explaining himself, but he finally sighed and admitted it.
“Do you understand now? Sometimes, it’s difficult for even you to realize the influence. Remember, before you completely control this power, you have to control the scale of the power. Obtaining any power comes at a price. Since you’ve stepped into a realm that others might not be able to reach after decades of bitter cultivation, you have to face a backlash that others won’t encounter.”
William patted the other party’s shoulder.
People from the Bronze Age reminisced about the visages of myths and discovered shadows that could turn themselves into myths through ceremonial magic, starting the Demigod Age. People from the Golden Age learned to restrain their strength through oaths and subsequently entered the Hero Age. In the Platinum Calendar, mages and scholars further dismantled the mysteries of the authority in myths and created modern magical theory, entering the Mortal Age.
It looked like the inheritance of strength was disappearing bit by bit, but in fact, people were slowly escaping the influence of the past and creating a path that belonged to them. At the same time, more and more mortals could come into contact with the mysteries of the world, and not all powers were in the hands of a few.
Humans had also progressed step by step from the Bronze Age of the blood-thirsty tribes to the point where they could build an empire that spanned the entire continent.
Of course, many things had been reverted in the past thousand years.
With this in mind, William said to Cass, “Let’s go. According to them, that town has already been occupied by the Bloated Church. You still have a chance to practice in the future, but you have to get used to it quickly. It won’t be a small matter like this.”
William felt that he had to hurry up and make arrangements.
Previously, they had ruined the three Void Sovereigns’ decade-long plan in the Holy Sepulchre. With Their characters, revenge was a given. It had only been less than two weeks, but such a large Moon Realm parish had already appeared.
The Bloated Church was Camilla’s parish that would spread with hunger.
People tortured by hunger could become forgetful and hungry under the Lady of Starvation’s “blessing.” Of course, the so-called symptoms meant them becoming bloated zombies that ate anything.
This was only a prelude and a sign.
Since it was the Lady of Starvation’s turn this year, She would definitely increase Her efforts in the Blackwater Swamp. The worst William could do was make good use of the Moon Realm rift to invade.
With the current military strength of the Blackwater Swamp, it would be an understatement to call it worrisome when facing an invasion... It probably wouldn’t even be able to withstand the small-scale invasion that happened thousand years ago.
As for counting on the Empire’s help... After William found out about the so-called disaster chronology, he even felt that he had to prepare for the entire Empire’s upper echelons to defect to the enemy.
The most important thing now was to repair the Moon Realm anchoring function of the Twilight Fortress. He also had to quickly build a magic network based on the Eighth Holy Spirit’s faith.
Otherwise, even if he transformed into a fire rescue team and ran around 24 hours a day, he wouldn’t be able to deal with the invasion of the entire Blackwater Swamp.
“Let’s go to the Sealing Temple first.”
...
Platinum Palace, the empress’s bedroom.
After reviewing another dossier, Erin, who felt a little tired, covered her mouth and coughed lightly.
Perhaps it was because she was too thin from being sick all year round, even her cough sounded ethereal.
At this moment, Erin’s aura was far from the dignified Ominous Empress who usually sat on the throne wearing a Bronze crown.
It was more like a woman her age.
When the maidservant behind her heard the cough, she hurriedly picked up the coat hanging at the side and planned on draping it over the empress, but she raised her hand to stop her.
“No need. I’m fine.”
“Your Majesty, the Morning Moon weather hasn’t warmed up. It’s better to keep warm. After all, your body determines the well-being of the Empire’s ten million citizens.”
A deep voice sounded from behind.
Erin turned her head and happened to see the Empire’s Prime Minister, York, push open the door with a smile and walk in.
She seemed to have expected the other party; she asked, “Any news?”
The other party nodded slightly.
Upon seeing this, Erin first gestured for the maids behind her to leave. After they left, she slowly asked, “What was the other party’s answer?”
“She wants us to give it a try. She also wants to see if the storm in the Shattered Sea will really stop because of the Eighth Holy Spirit’s anger. It won’t budge,” York replied.
Erin nodded and said, “I long expected such an answer. I’ll immediately draft a decree to inform the Second Legion to continue making preparations.”
“Your Majesty, forgive me for being blunt. Isn’t it a little rushed to decide on an attack of Ava State, especially if we can’t calm the storm?”
“We can’t delay any longer...”
As Erin spoke, she stood up.
“If we can’t control Ava State before the Valley Moon, do you know how many people will starve to death in Emerald Province to complete this year’s wine trade agreement with the Damon Continent’s tribal alliance?”
As she spoke, she walked to the window and looked at the scenery outside Platinum Palace before continuing,
“As for the Shattered Sea storm, you don’t have to worry. It will soon cease.”
Regarding this, Prime Minister York asked in confusion, “Why? It’s said that the storm was an ancient contract signed by Ava State’s Shadow Queen and a Moon Realm Overlord. As long as she remains in power, the storm in the Shattered Sea won’t stop for a day.”
Empress Erin didn’t answer. York didn’t plan on asking further after waiting for a moment because there was nothing else to report. He bowed and planned on leaving.
However, before he left, he couldn’t help but ask, “Your Majesty, if you really control Ava State, will the Blackwater Province also...”
Erin cut him off.
“The Blackwater Province is different. It’s a promised land chosen by the Astral Laws. We have no right to interfere.”
With that said, she closed her eyes.
“Therefore, I can only hope that the Holy Spirits will bless the fate of the Blackwater Province.”