Chapter 124 Shaya, Back Against All Beings (Two-in-one)
Escarnia, Valley of Termination.
The wilderness wind howled through the vast canyon, carrying an aura of decay and corruption.
A clad man stood by the military camp at the canyon’s entrance, his jet-black armor seeming to devour all light.
Anyone who saw the man’s face would surely be struck with shock and disbelief.
Vortigern.
The Vile King who had usurped the throne and plunged Escarnia into the mire of war.
According to intelligence from scouting knights, Vortigern should have been stationed in Escarnia’s royal capital, yet here he was, on the battlefield in the border wilderness.
A crunch of dry leaves was heard approaching.
A gentleman, dressed in opulent and elegant attire, appeared remarkably composed. However, the paleness of his face was unnatural, betraying his Blood Race heritage.
His ability to appear by Vortigern’s side without a ripple of expression indicated a high standing within the Blood Race.
A Blood Race Prince of Legendary rank.
“Flander, what’s the status with the Dawn Holy See?” Vortigern asked indifferently, not even turning his head.
“It’s the same as before. The Cardinal’s mental energy remains fixated on the royal palace; they clearly still believe His Majesty is on his throne.”
“He’s just an ordinary Cardinal, after all. He only broke through to Legendary rank thanks to the blessings of Dawn’s favor.”
“A subpar Legendary, achieved through external means, will never surpass this level. He can’t even discern that His Majesty has deployed a half-body of Legendary combat power right under his nose.”
Blood Race Prince Flander chuckled coldly.
Throughout history, the Blood Race and the Holy See had been mortal enemies, with the Blood Race consistently holding the top spot on the Dawn Holy See’s list of heretics to hunt.
Thus, Flander naturally harbored a strong dislike for the Cardinal.
“Speaking of which, a mere coalition of rebellious dukes… I didn’t expect His Majesty to take them so seriously.”
Flander’s words carried a hint of disdain.
“A rebel leader, who hasn’t even reached Legendary and only rallies followers with a so-called Sword of Choosing Kings, dares to claim the title ‘King of Knights’.”
“How utterly laughable.”
Within the circles of Legendary beings, ‘knighting’ was an exclusive domain that transcended the Throne realm.
“Even a lion hunts a rabbit with all its might.”
Vortigern, clad in black armor, spoke without contempt.
Despite being merely a half-body, the oppressive aura Vortigern exuded was in no way inferior to that of the Blood Race Prince of Legendary rank.
“Based on the feedback I’ve received from this land… that Artorius, who calls himself the King of Knights, is indeed a threat to my current rule.”
“Furthermore, that Holy Sword he obtained from the lake is no ordinary artifact.”
“Of course, what I value even more are the ‘Dawn Organization’ and that Black Knight, ‘Cain’.”
It was at this point that a flicker of seriousness finally appeared in Vortigern’s withered, dark eyes.
Although he had usurped the throne through ignoble means, as king, he had gained the authority and protection of this land, allowing him to acquire information that outsiders could hardly obtain.
While the King of Knights was powerful, and the origin of the Holy Sword, along with its hidden mysteries, made Vortigern inwardly tremble, that was merely individual prowess. As the king of this land, he was confident in suppressing all foreign enemies.
What was truly terrifying was the human heart.
It was the ideology transmitted by the organization known as “Dawn Organization.”
A rebel army would collapse if its leader was killed, but as long as the Dawn Organization’s ideology persisted, even if this rebellion was suppressed…
Without the King of Knights, there would be a Conqueror King, a Hero King…
As long as the Dawn Organization’s ideology existed, the flames of rebellion would never be extinguished on the land of Escarnia.
“Remember this, the most crucial targets for this encirclement operation are Artorius and Cain. The other Great Knights, noble lords, and commoners can be ignored.”
“I will deal with Artorius. Cain will be your responsibility, Flander.”
“I hope the Prince of the Blood Race will not disappoint me.”
Vortigern’s calm voice echoed.
He had even prepared himself to abandon killing Artorius if Flander proved incapable, and personally eliminate Cain.
The other party’s importance was simply too high.
As long as Cain lived, Vortigern could not have peace of mind.
“Cain is merely a petty Fourth or Fifth Ring existence… not even Titled.”
“If I personally handle it, he won’t stand a chance of survival.”
Flander glanced at Vortigern with some confusion, completely unable to understand why Vortigern was so concerned about Cain.
However, with Vortigern’s strength and status evident, he said no more.
“Since we’ve chosen to cooperate, I will naturally go all out.”
“I only hope…”
“That after this is accomplished, Your Majesty will uphold his promise and assist us in apprehending the escaped True Ancestor, ‘Black Princess’…”
“This is not just my personal request, but also the will of our Progenitor, the Crimson Moon.”
“Of course.”
Vortigern glanced at Flander beside him.
In the current chaotic Western Continent, countless orders and organizations existed.
As a Prince of the Blood Race, Flander also had a corresponding background.
“Crimson Moon.”
Not a demigod, but an Ancient God on par with True Gods in terms of status.
If that were not the case, with Flander’s ordinary Legendary strength, he would not have the qualification to negotiate with Vortigern as an equal.
He looked up at the dim sky.
“There are two hours until nightfall. We will then enter the Valley of Termination, proceed through it, and launch our encirclement…”
“I initially thought the Vile King Vortigern was a hot-tempered, brainless tyrant… but it seems he has a bit of intellect after all.”
“With a Blood Race Prince’s status, he should be able to withstand regular sunlight outside of noon… yet he still chooses to attack only after nightfall to avoid weakening his combat strength.”
“But then again, how could a Vile King who usurped the throne not have some shrewdness and strategy?”
“If that fool Gawain had really come with me, he’d probably be lying dead by now.”
Suddenly, a hazy, indistinct voice resounded throughout the vast, silent Valley of Termination.
Vortigern and Flander looked up sharply.
They saw a figure clad in a black robe adorned with red clouds from the Dawn Organization, wearing a swirling mask that revealed only its eyes.
It stood silently on the high ground of the Valley of Termination, bathed in the dim, yellowing twilight.
Like a pitch-black demon.
The soldiers in the camp behind them cried out in alarm; everyone recognized this black-haired figure.
The founder of Dawn Organization.
The Black Knight—Cain.
Shaya stood on the heights, the Dawn Organization robe behind him rustling in the wind blowing through the canyon, looking down at the ant-sized figures below.
“One, two… Good grief, there are even multiple Lord-level Abyss monstrosities hiding in the camp. Combined, they form another Legendary combat force.”
“To deploy three Legendary combat forces at once, you truly think highly of me.”
Vortigern’s half-body’s face remained as calm as an ancient well: “Cain.”
“You masked your divination and prophecy abilities, yet did some information leak?”
He surveyed his surroundings but found no clues.
“Artorius has prepared some reinforcements here?”
“Ancient Holy Relics? Divine Descent ritual? Or a large-scale formation?”
Vortigern listed them one by one, yet showed no signs of nervousness.
Although this was merely a half-body condensed from a Holy Relic, its rank was genuinely Legendary. Ordinary traps and schemes posed no threat to him.
However, in response to Vortigern’s questioning, the figure in the black robe on the valley’s height merely shook its head slightly.
“Reinforcements? Why do you think I would bring such burdens?”
A cold glint flashed from the eyeholes of the swirling mask.
“I came alone.”
“But only one person is needed.”
A sudden surge of pitch-black magic erupted.
Despite bearing the name of a king, Vortigern’s attack was as dishonorable as his title of “Vile King” who usurped the throne.
In an instant, the light-devouring pitch-black magic enveloped Shaya.
The rocks beneath his feet shattered, turning into countless scattered fragments of earth and stone.
Almost simultaneously, the soldiers stationed in the camp began to flee in disarray.
This was Vortigern’s own command… He knew the Black Knight Cain possessed a special explosive ability, often using it in past wars to propel himself into the heart of an army, causing massive casualties before safely escaping.
While the power of such an explosion was not a threat to a Legendary being, it was a potent weapon for slaughtering low-level soldiers.
If Cain were to seize an opportunity and detonate in the military camp, the soldiers deployed this time would suffer heavy losses.
However, in the next instant.
Although the earth and stone beneath his feet had shattered simultaneously, Shaya’s figure flickered rapidly.
Then, he stood once more on a still-intact cliff pillar.
Standing on the pillar, he indifferently looked down at the fleeing soldiers and demon army below.
“Can you escape?”
Almost as the words left his mouth.
A light golden radiance spread across the ground.
It was a golden barrier, its kingly pressure instantly enveloping the hearts of every soldier, making them feel as if they were bearing immense weight.
Vortigern snorted.
The next moment, the spreading golden barrier shattered violently under the Legendary pressure.
However, during that brief moment of delay caused by the kingly domain.
Thousands of piercing shrieks tore through the air, flashing simultaneously.
Golden gates materialized one after another in the soft night sky behind Shaya.
These were gates involving space laws, connecting to the sub-dimensional realms created by the Sparkling’s “Spatial Pocket.”
Following that.
Azure silver streams condensed.
Thousands of azure silver particles were analyzed and manufactured in the atmosphere.
Then, based on Yui’s intelligence…
Under the effect of the Crimson “Bone of Swords,” countless free metal particles were transformed into metal swords.
Like a meteor shower of thousands of shining silver lights, they shot out from the golden gates into the night sky.
*Sla-sh.*
*Sla-sh.*
The sounds of flesh being pierced echoed.
Despite the thousands of swords shot out simultaneously, under Yui’s intelligent guidance, each one unerringly struck a vital area of its target.
Whether it was the back or the neck.
The sound of bodies falling resounded.
Under the silver rain of swords, nearly all soldiers and Abyss monsters below Fifth Tier in the military camp were instantly annihilated.
The ground was littered with corpses.
“Interesting.”
Vortigern’s voice echoed softly.
He did not erupt in fury at the death of his subordinates; he merely addressed Shaya: “From my perception, the total amount of magic in your body is not very high, only around the Fifth or Sixth Ring.”
“However, by combining various peculiar abilities, you can exert power far exceeding that of a cultivator at your level.”
“What is this space ability called?”
“You can call it—Unlimited Blade Works.”
Shaya replied indifferently, still standing on the towering stone pillar.
This was a newly created combination skill, utilizing the Sparkling’s “Spatial Pocket,” the Crimson “Bone of Swords,” and Yui’s “Metal Creation” together.
However, there was an unexpected development during the naming of the skill.
Crimson preferred the name “Unlimited Blade Works,” while Sparkling insisted on calling it “The King’s Treasure.”
The final choice fell to Yui.
Thanks to the bond of plastic sisters, “Unlimited Blade Works” ultimately won out.
…
Hundreds of miles away, in a rebel coalition city.
In the Lord’s Mansion, Isadorella slowly opened her eyes, the Holy Sword in her hand emitting a dazzling light.
She felt that her and the Holy Sword’s compatibility had deepened further in this space-time.
The shackles that had previously bound her had also vanished, allowing Isadorella to exert her full strength, as if in reality, within this special space-time.
“Fortunately, I made it in time.”
Feeling the city still peaceful, Isadorella let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, the encirclement had not yet begun.
As a ruler, she should not be indecisive, nor should she allow personal emotions to influence decisions critical to the overall situation.
However, that was no reason for her to stand by and watch Cain perish.
Now that the shackles restricting her strength had been unlocked, it meant she truly possessed combat power comparable to a Legendary.
Even if Vortigern’s encircling army included Legendary beings, Isadorella had the confidence to fight and win.
No longer needing to break out like a stray dog, but to face the enemy head-on.
In this way…
Cain wouldn’t have to die…
The moment this thought arose.
In the next instant, Isadorella heard the sound of hurried footsteps rapidly approaching from a distance.
“My King.”
“Lord Cain has vanished from his residence.”
The soldier knelt on one knee, speaking rapidly.
“Patrolling knights saw him heading west, in the direction of the encircling army, but Lord Cain’s speed was too great for anyone to stop him.”
Spreading pressure erupted at that moment, startling everyone in the Lord’s Mansion.
“Lord Tristan.”
His stern voice carried a hint of bewilderment.
“I understand.”
The red-haired knight, who had been waiting for a long time, strummed his organ, quickly activating his ability.
He was a Beast Tamer specializing in perception and reconnaissance, and his Holy Relic, shaped like an organ, was his contracted Familiar.
In the next moment.
Accompanied by the organ’s pleasant melody, a screen-like image gradually materialized in the void.
The image displayed a black-armored man exuding Legendary might, and a pale-faced Blood Race Prince…
Behind them lay countless fallen soldiers and monstrous corpses.
On the other side, a slender figure clad in a black robe with red clouds, wearing a swirling mask.
Black hair, black eyes, back against all beings.
Alone, yet seemingly carrying an army of thousands.
