Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
In the solemn and grand conference hall of Grey Fortress, First Prince Bai Leferun sat at the head.
Beside him stood Earl Karallant, a burly man with a full beard, whose lion-like eyes scanned the surroundings.
A massive map of the Royal Capital was spread across the conference table, detailed to the point of showing every guard post.
A dozen or so Great Nobles, some clad in ornate armor and others in luxurious casual wear, were seated around the table.
The lowest among them held the rank of Earl, while other minor nobles had brought chairs and were seated elsewhere in the hall.
Karallant’s lion-like gaze swept the room. “I believe everyone who wished to attend is here. There’s no need for those who don’t to wait any longer.”
“Since everyone is prepared, let us begin.” Sensing a slight laxity in the hall’s atmosphere, Karallant’s expression turned stern.
His gaze lingered on Xi Wei for a moment before piercing the minor nobles like steel blades. He said coldly, “Stop discussing irrelevant matters. Unless it pertains to the discussion, I expect absolute silence during the meeting. You all have your own territories; your time is precious.”
At Karallant’s words, the minor nobles in the hall lowered their heads and quickly quieted down. Even the Great Nobles at the conference table stopped idly trimming their fingernails.
“You all are far from the Royal Capital and are not well-informed. You know little about the current situation. I will first share two pieces of news: one good and one bad.”
“The bad news is that Your Majesty King has returned to the embrace of our Lord Balda. The Kolon Empire has now lost both the Legendary Swordmaster Karallant and His Majesty King, leaving no third Legendary-grade expert.”
“Furthermore, the Pope is attempting to usurp royal power, merging divine and royal authority to become the sole dictator of the Kolon Empire.”
“I believe you have all heard of the Holy See’s methods. Although they also believe in our Lord Balda, the people of the Holy See are utter madmen.”
Karallant’s words struck the assembled nobles like a physical blow. Their eyes were dull and disbelieving, their previously composed faces replaced by panic.
Without Legendary experts, the empire lost its deterrent power against neighboring countries. Not only were other human empires eyeing them greedily, but the Orc Empire wouldn’t remain indifferent. At such a critical juncture, the Pope, instead of considering the greater good, sought more power through a coup, severely weakening the Kolon Empire’s remaining strength.
With the nest overturned, how could any eggs remain intact? If the Kolon Empire were invaded, they, the lords, would be the first to suffer.
Seeing the nobles in the hall in disarray, their faces etched with fear as if the enemy was already at their doorstep, Karallant frowned and boomed, “Silence!”
“Look at yourselves. Do you resemble glorious nobles of the Empire?”
“Has your comfortable life in your territories made you forget the honor of a knight?”
“A bunch of useless people!”
The hall fell silent again. Although their faces were grim due to Karallant’s unsparing reprimand, no one dared to retort. He was a genuine veteran Sky Knight, and he had a foul temper to boot. If he were truly angered, he wouldn’t hesitate to chop you down, and you’d have nowhere to cry.
“Now for the good news.” Karallant felt the atmosphere becoming too desperate and somber. He softened his tone, cleared his throat, and continued, “Although the Pope has made thorough preparations, it will still take time to fully conquer the Royal Capital and exhaust the Empire’s reserves.”
“Moreover, with so many of us lords united, we are not without a chance.”
“In addition, a group of Foreigners who can repeatedly resurrect have reached an alliance with the First Prince. They will help us defeat the Holy See’s main fighting force.”
Karallant’s words astonished the nobles. They could hardly believe that beings capable of infinite resurrection existed in this world. Weren’t they even more terrifying than the Undead?
Xi Wei was utterly stunned. Those Foreigners who could repeatedly resurrect must be Players, right? How did these Players, without making a sound, get involved with the Royal Capital? Didn’t they return to Dawn Town?
“I know you find this hard to believe. To reassure you, His Highness the Prince has specially invited some Foreigners to demonstrate their resurrection abilities.”
As Karallant spoke, he turned his gaze towards the guards at the hall entrance and called out loudly, “Go and invite those Foreigners in.”
Soon, accompanied by the sound of hurried footsteps, the guards led in several Players whose faces screamed “I’ve never seen the world before.” Leading them was none other than Xin Ji Zhi Wa, one of the Player representatives.
“Good day, Your Highness.”
“Good day, everyone.”
Faced with the curious and questioning gazes, Xin Ji Zhi Wa showed no stage fright, bowing politely. His eyes discreetly scanned the crowd, finally landing on Xi Wei. A faint smile played on his lips, as if silently saying, “We meet again, Lord of Eagle Territory.” But the moment was fleeting, and his gaze quickly retracted.
Xin Ji Zhi Wa took out a Resurrection Crystal from his System Backpack and placed it on the ground. The crystal gradually shifted from ethereal to solid over half a minute. He then turned around and said to the assembly in a humble yet confident manner, “Esteemed Lords, please observe this Temporary Resurrection Crystal. It possesses strong resistance to physical attacks. Even a Great Knight would take considerable time to shatter it.”
“We Foreigners also resurrect through this.” As he spoke, Xin Ji Zhi Wa exchanged a look with the Players behind him. The Players understood immediately. They removed their equipment, revealing their bodies bathed in Holy Light. Then, with smug expressions, they glanced at the nobles in the conference room. Under the shocked gazes of the nobles, they decisively drew daggers from their waists and, with smiles of willing sacrifice, slit their own throats. Another Player ran a few flashy laps and, amidst gasps, let out a “quacking” sound as he leaped directly from the hall’s ten-meter-high balcony.
Several nobles seated by the windows immediately leaned over to look, only to see the Player’s corpse bleeding profusely in the castle’s garden below. Servants who happened to witness the scene screamed in terror. The conference hall was a scene of carnage. If not for the somewhat friendly expressions of Karallant and the First Prince, the nobles might have thought this was a demonstration meant to intimidate them.
“By Baldar on high, these are truly madmen…”
“This…”
“But they haven’t resurrected yet?”
Xin Ji Zhi Wa smiled enigmatically at the ensuing doubt. The Players’ bodies had already begun to dissipate into gray particles. Many sharp-eyed nobles noticed this, shouting in alarm. Soon, under the shocked gazes of everyone, the seemingly dead Players reappeared around the Resurrection Crystal, smiling smugly, enveloped in radiant Holy Light, and appearing in a shimmer of light.
