Free Web NovelChapter 30: New Followers [2]
The first light of dawn broke over the jagged rim of the city’s landscape, cutting through the heavy volcanic smog in sharp, crimson-gold needles.
The morning sun here didn’t bring warmth; it only illuminated the thick layers of ash drifting down like gray snow over the locked-down streets of Tempest City.
Up at the apex of the fortress, Lord Manuses stood motionless before the massive, panoramic opening of his private office.
The Tiger Lord was draped in a heavy, floor-length coat woven from the raw silk of golden sun-spiders.
The fabric caught the first rays of the sunrise, gleaming with a brilliant, metallic luster that made his massive, broad-shouldered frame look almost divine against the dark obsidian walls of his sanctum.
Yet, despite his regal appearance, his posture was rigid.
His thick tail twitched rhythmically against the stone floor, a silent giveaway of the exhaustion weighing on his mind after a sleepless night of fractured defenses.
He stared out at the quiet, bleeding city below, his amber eyes tracking the thin plumes of smoke still rising from the eastern smelting pools.
"A quiet morning," a smooth, level voice spoke from the center of the room. "Though I doubt the peace will last until noon, Tiger Lord."
Manuses didn’t flinch, but every muscle beneath his golden coat coiled into hard iron.
The temperature inside the office didn’t drop, yet the ambient air suddenly carried an immense, crushing weight—a passive presence that filled the cavernous room without making a single sound.
The Tiger Lord didn’t turn around immediately.
He kept his eyes fixed on the sunrise, his clawed hands tightening slowly inside his sleeves.
His slit pupils narrowed to razor-thin lines as his Peak-stage enlightened cultivator instincts screamed at him, realizing that the reinforced defensive wards guarding his private sanctuary hadn’t tripped a single rune.
Roy stood a few paces behind him, right in the center of the dark obsidian floor.
His hands were casually shoved into the pockets of his clean, tailored black coat, completely indifferent to the lethal aura beginning to radiate from the Tiger Lord.
A few stray, golden-crimson mana particles drifted around his shoulders like sun-flies, humming faintly in the morning quiet.
"Stepping past a Martial General’s perimeter without a sound," Manuses rumbled, his voice a low, vibrating growl that rattled the glass vials on his desk.
He slowly turned his head, his fierce, scarred face catching the golden morning light as he looked back over his shoulder. "You must be the architect who design the slaughter of my vanguard and the Troll priest."
"Me?" Roy chuckled, "I’m honored to be seen in such light, but I had nothing to do with that battle."
"It was all done by my subordinates," Roy said.
"Your subordinates?" Lord Manuses inhaled deeply, "They must be quite powerful."
"That Troll priest was a sorcerer. For him to be killed, it meant divinity was truly involved," the Tiger Lord sighed.
He glanced at Roy for a moment before turning his back once again, staring at the world beyond his office. "You came just as you said you would."
"Yes, I am." Roy stepped forward, "Two days is enough time for you to make a decision. What is your answer?" Roy questioned.
"Before I give you my answer, I have a question to ask," the Tiger Lord said.
"Please do," Roy smiled.
"If you fought against the Troll King right now, are you certain of his death?" Lord Manuses slightly turned.
His eyes flickered as he observed Roy’s reaction.
"Yes." A dark grin was written on his lips, "I am an Apostle of the God of Beasts. Regardless of the Troll King’s blessings..."
"If we fought at this moment, he won’t last a minute against me," Roy stated.
That was no lie.
Roy is not a mortal.
He is a Level 2 False God.
A Divine Spirit capable of laying waste to the entirety of the Hudeii Desert if he truly wanted.
Killing one measly mortal shouldn’t be a problem to him, be it a divine blessed or not.
They’re all insignificant worms before his divine might!
"I see." Lord Manuses’ lips curled faintly, "Then I’ll tell you my decision."
"The people of Tempest City shall follow the God of Beasts, Lord Varanus!" the Tiger Lord declared, "I’ll cut all ties with the Troll King, release the enslaved beastmen from their slave pens..."
"And I’ll personally execute all remaining vassals of the Troll King," Lord Manuses declared.
Roy heaved a sigh of relief. free𝑤ebnovel.com
Although he would benefit from both scenarios, he still preferred having Tempest City under his control.
They will increase his follower count and he would also accumulate faith points from them following him.
"You’re truly a wise man," Roy nodded with a smile, "Lord Varanus is pleased by your devotion to your people."
"Although you’ll be punished for your sins against the beastmen, death shall never find you," Roy stated.
"Do you speak ancient Lydora?" Roy asked.
"Yes," Lord Manuses answered, "Must I pray to the God of Beasts using the language of the spirits?" he asked.
"Yes," Roy grinned. He was happy to have someone as dignified as Lord Manuses under his command.
"Repeat after me with your eyes closed," Roy instructed and Lord Manuses obeyed.
"Blessed hath thou O Great Eternal One," Roy’s lips twitched as he spoke in ancient Lydora. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
"Blessed hath thou O Great Eternal One," Lord Manuses repeated.
"Thy name, Varanus, is the truth."
"Thy name, Varanus, is the truth."
"You are the Great Primordial of the Feral Domain."
"You are the Great Primordial of the Feral Domain."
"You are the Principal of the Fractured Mind."
"You are the Principal of the Fractured Mind."
"You are the God of Beasts and Men, Who Shall Devour All."
"You are the God of Beasts and Men, Who Shall Devour All."
[Ding!]
The status window shimmered before Roy’s eyes.
[You have gained a new follower]
[You have gained 5 Faith Points]
[Accessing Target’s Faith]
[Notice...!!]
[Due to the circumstance of finding Follower’s Faith lacking, he cannot receive a divine blessing]
"Hmmm..." Roy’s eyes narrowed.
"Is there a problem?" Lord Manuses asked.
"I’ll ask you a question, Tiger Lord." Roy stepped forward, his eyes flickering, "Why do you lack so much faith?" he questioned.
"I lack faith?" Lord Manuses’ eyes widened in shock.
"Yes," Roy answered.
"The God of Beasts cannot give his blessings to a follower with little faith," he sighed. He turned his back to leave, "When you truly believe in Lord Varanus....Then you will receive his divine blessing!"
"Prove yourself to the God of Beasts"
