Free Web NovelChapter 449: Chapter 54: You, with your thick brows and big eyes, have turned traitor too?
BOOM BOOM BOOM—
A dull roar echoed from the distance. One after another, meteor-like Rune bombs erupted from the heavy cannons, streaking across the sky with brilliant, colorful trails of light before landing in the Magic Forest.
BOOM—
With a deafening crack, the earth trembled from the massive explosion, a shudder so violent it felt as if it could shatter one’s heart. A surging wave of flame roared and rolled out, consuming all nearby thickets and Ancient Wood Armor.
But even after the continuous baptism of heavy artillery, the trembling of the earth did not cease. Towering war constructs of all kinds advanced from the rear, clearing a path through all obstacles. No matter what lay ahead, the Riding God Giant Statues would unleash [Annihilation Light Punishment] with their Spiral Lances, plowing the earth first.
The constructs that followed would then scorch every inch of air and soil with Blazing Flame until not a single blade of grass remained. It was as if every molecule on the ground had to be annihilated.
Only then would the low-altitude fleet slowly drift over to deploy Techniques for purification and stabilization.
Only after this insane, formulaic advance would the Royal Court Alliance Army proceed. Even so, damaged Armor would occasionally burst into the crowds, frantically attacking everyone.
However, this resistance was easily suppressed. Soon, a Witch would inscribe the [Circle of Clear Skies] Technique onto a tower that shot up from the ground. Although this was an Anti-Chaos System, its power source originated from the Demons, which happened to neutralize the power of the Master of Armor Tomb and cordon off a patch of purified land.
Westheid’s prediction had been correct. After entering the [Burning Amber], the Forest of Serenity fully revealed its aggressive nature. In comparison, its previous expansion seemed positively gentle.
Fortunately, the Royal Court Legion was also fully prepared. The investment of resources, regardless of cost or consequence, had brought this war for the Royal Court’s liberation to its peak.
Not since the great unification under Emperor Qianlu had this land seen such a fierce battle. Before the weapons of war created by mortals, even the might of nature seemed less terrifying.
And in the face of the Forest of Serenity’s full-scale assault, the decision made by the commander-in-chief, Westheid, was—a counterattack!
Once all the war machines and supplies were brought up from the rear, the Royal Court Alliance Army began its Reversed Celestial Spirit, taking the initiative to strike deep into the Forest of Serenity and conquer its territory.
Stepping out of their comfort zone to strike the enemy’s heartland—that was Westheid’s answer.
’Demons are not Chaos! If this were a Chaos Domain, Westheid wouldn’t have even considered taking the offensive; he’d just build a permanent defensive line. But a Demon Realm can be defeated. It’s not an infinite, boundless domain.’
’The Thousand Laws Royal Court had no more time to waste in a war of attrition. The longer it dragged on, the harder it would be to repair the Thousand Laws Ceremony. Westheid had already obtained the Talent and authority he wanted; he had no time to keep floundering in the quagmire of the Demon’s Frenzy Banquet.’
’Besides, when an enemy turtles up and retreats, you have to go up and smash its shell! Are we supposed to just stare at the turtle?!’
"Halt. We’ll advance this far for now. There’s no need to press further."
Westheid raised a hand, and the massive Expeditionary Army came to a stop.
On the Floating Platform, Yolanda squeezed through the ranks of adjutants and came before Westheid.
"Lord Brother, this area has also been suppressed. If we advance any further, we’ll encounter a City in the Lake."
"Mm, I know."
Westheid nodded, his gaze grave. He looked toward the city’s silhouette on the distant horizon and rolled up his sleeves. Shocking, scarlet cracks spread across the man’s skin, and every breath brought a burning sensation.
It wasn’t just him; all the surrounding Military Officers also looked troubled.
Thus far, the Royal Court Alliance Army had only managed to tear three Cities in the Lake from the Domain occupied by the Forest of Serenity, and each siege had been an incredibly painful battle.
If Westheid didn’t personally take part in the siege of a City in the Lake, the Royal Court Legion would struggle to make any progress, no matter how many sacrifices they made.
But the moment Westheid made a move, he would be hit with three hundred debuffs at the node controlled by the Demon. Then, an avatar of the Master of Armor Tomb would descend directly, having given itself three hundred buffs, thoroughly disgusting Duke Qinghui.
Even if he fought against many and ultimately slayed the avatar, it would inevitably force Westheid to use his last resort, the [Soul Burning Technique].
A glorious victory in the style of Durham Archbishop.
The loss ratio was completely unbearable. The bit of avatar authority the Master of Armor Tomb lost was perhaps only one percent of its total, powered purely by enhancements from the Thousand Laws Ceremony.
But what Westheid consumed was his difficult-to-recover soul and Divine Energy. He was truly getting fleeced.
’Master of Armor Tomb, you truly are despicable!’
Westheid had rarely met an opponent who could outlast him in a battle of attrition, but this Demon Demigod had managed it. This greatly displeased Duke Qinghui, who had always prided himself on his endurance, but he was helpless to do anything about it.
Seeing this, a trace of pity and heartache flashed through Reiya’s magnificent cang-tong eyes. She shook her head and said:
"West, we can’t... go on fighting like this."
"That’s right. Which is why I don’t intend to be led by the nose any longer."
Westheid dismissed the surrounding Military Officers and whispered to those close to him:
"...Serralis is also under siege. That Holy Spirit is fighting a war with us while also devouring other Demon Realms."
"Serralis can hold out for a while longer. I’ve already informed Anise and told her to hold on for as long as she can. If the Master of Armor Tomb wants to take down Anise, who is also a Demon Demigod, it will have to go all out."
