Chapter 42

The Theocracy of Holy Light. The Holy City.

Towering white walls stood defiant against the sky, bathed in a perpetual, sanctified glow.

Inside the Cathedral of Holy Light, the Saints gathered, and the Emperors convened.

For the first time in five thousand years, the rulers of the Three Great Human Empires, the Elven Empress, and the Pope sat at the same table.

Pope Farragut sat at the head. To his right sat the three Human Emperors. To his left sat the Elven Empress. At the foot of the table sat the Lord of the Dwarves, representing the smallest of the major powers.

Seventeen Holy Archbishops stood in a circle around them, chanting sacred hymns in low, reverberating tones. Golden light illuminated the vast chamber.

Outside, eighteen Grand Magi and twelve Ninth-Rank Elven Masters joined forces to manipulate the ambient mana for dozens of kilometers, weaving it into iridescent clouds that hung high above the city—a display of overwhelming power.

"I am gratified. After more than five thousand years, the races are united once more," Pope Farragut said with a benevolent smile.

"Dealing with the Demon Race is our highest calling," Curtis Thebes, Emperor of the Thebes Empire, stated firmly.

"Indeed," Theia Silvermoon, the Elven Empress, spoke slowly, her voice melodious but edged with ice. "Although the Elves suffered grievous losses due to that... 'accident' five thousand years ago, forcing us into isolation to lick our wounds, we have never forgotten this mission."

The tension in the room spiked for a moment, reminding everyone of the betrayal that had shattered the previous alliance.

"The Continent of Rodinia is the world we all depend on for survival. We cannot allow the demons to encroach upon it!" Frais Balan, Emperor of the Balan Empire, interjected with a diplomatic smile.

"Speaking of which," Reguo Nix, the Dwarf Lord, grunted, "how is the Hero's cultivation progressing?"

"With the help of the Water of Life provided by the Empress, the Hero has completed his baptism and advanced to the Fifth Rank of Knighthood," answered Melton Velvet, the Sage of the Magic Association. "He is currently being tutored by Vice-President William Leonard, the Soul Saint. He should reach the Fifth Rank of Magic shortly."

"Only Fifth Rank?"

Hooke de Morris, Emperor of the Morris Empire, looked at the Pope with a face etched with worry. "Are we acting too hastily? How can such a weak Hero oppose the Demon Lord?"

"The demons will not give us much time... Hooke," Farragut shook his head slowly. "Furthermore, the Hero needs to temper himself in the fires of war. Therefore, we must form the Alliance Army and march!"

"But the Conscription Order has just been issued. The new recruits have no combat capability, and supplies are not yet gathered," Hooke argued.

"We will not march immediately. We have six months," Curtis interrupted impatiently. "The Alliance Army will formally assemble and invade the Demon Realm next spring!"

"This... very well. I hope the Hero achieves something by then," Hooke sighed, his anxiety unabated.

"Hmph. Hooke, you have grown soft. Even without the Hero, we alone are enough to crush the Demon Lord!" Curtis declared arrogantly.

"Then how did you let her escape?" Hooke countered sharply. "The power of a Domain is vastly different from an Authority. If she could escape your grasp before ascending to the Saint Realm, imagine her power once she succeeds!"

"That is precisely why we must act fast—to strangle her in the cradle before she ascends," Farragut intervened solemnly. "Hooke, I know Morris has declined in recent years, but you must fight this war well. Otherwise, there will be no future. The entire continent of Rodinia will be destroyed by our hesitation!"

"Very well..." Hooke closed his eyes and whispered his assent.

"Then, gentlemen. Under the infinite glory of the Lord of Light, The Rodinia Grand Alliance is hereby re-established!"

Farragut stood up, raising both hands high.

The Archbishops mirrored his movement. Brilliant pillars of light erupted from their bodies, shooting through the cathedral roof and piercing the sky.

Eighteen beams of light agitated the fabric of space-time. From the unknowable void above, a magnificent, terrifying Will descended.

BOOM.

The world shook. It felt as though a boulder had been dropped into a calm lake.

Mana roared and surged. Wind, fire, thunder, and rain manifested and annihilated each other in the sky. A torrent of magical energy, visible to the naked eye, swept out for a thousand kilometers.

"KILL... DEMON... KIND..."

Three syllables, loud as the tolling of a celestial bell, descended from the heavens. They echoed between the earth and sky, refusing to fade.

Moments later, the Supreme Will withdrew, and the world slowly returned to calm.

"That was... the Lord of Light?!"

Curtis clenched his teeth, cold sweat streaming down his face as he stared upward.

"I thought... the descriptions in the ancient texts were exaggerations. It was... real?!" Hooke turned pale, his voice trembling.

"This is... the gap between Gods and Mortals..." Theia murmured, humbled.

"Correct. That is the Lord of Infinite Glory, the Supreme Lord!" Farragut said, his eyes shining with fanaticism. "The Lord has granted His permission! Now, I shall outline the invasion strategy!"

"Frais, Hooke!"

The two Emperors straightened.

"You two will attack from East to West, launching from the Fortress of the Western Reach!"

"Understood!"

"Reguo, Curtis! You will attack from West to East, launching from the western end of the Magdeburg Line!"

"Understood!"

"Finally, Melton, Theia, and I will lead the Hero from the south of the Magdeburg Line. Three prongs advancing simultaneously to utterly annihilate the Demon Race!"

Farragut shouted, his voice echoing in the sanctified hall. "Under the witness of the Lord, we shall eradicate the scourge that has plagued Rodinia for ten thousand years!"

___________________

Southern Border of the Morris Empire.

"Bad news! Lilith! The Alliance has formed again!"

Cossette burst into the room, panic written all over his face.

"Panic... for what?!" Lilith began to scold him, then froze. "What did you say? What formed?"

She rushed to Cossette, grabbing his shoulders. "Say it again!"

"The Alliance... The Rodinia Grand Alliance... is established! They are invading the Demon Realm next year. They plan to wipe us out completely!" Cossette shouted.

"Damn it!!" Lilith tore at her hair, pacing frantically.

"What do we do? Our injuries haven't healed. We can't fly back..." Cossette sighed. "Should we... try to infiltrate the Alliance Army?"

"You are seeking death!" Lilith retorted angrily. "Any High-Rank Knight could identify you at a glance. How would you blend in?"

"Then what? Do we wait here to die?" Cossette spread his hands helplessly.

"Damn them..." Lilith gritted her teeth. "They couldn't find Her Majesty, so they decided to invade our home to cut off our last hope? Despicable humans..."

"Let's go! Even if we have to crawl, we will crawl over the Dragonspine Mountains!"

After a moment of hesitation, Lilith made up her mind.

"Is that wise? In our current state..." Cossette hesitated.

"Either wait here for death or gamble on the climb. You choose! As for me, even if I die, I want to die on the way home!"

Lilith dropped the sentence and walked out without looking back.

"Seriously... fine! I'm coming! Wait for me!" Cossette gritted his teeth and ran after her.

_________________________

Ironwood Keep.

Charlo sat at his desk, reviewing documents. Suddenly, he snapped his head up, looking toward the Southwest.

Just now, without warning, he felt a wave of inexplicable power sweep over him. It was heavy, ancient, and terrifying.

"My Lord? Is something wrong?"

Lawrence, startled by Charlo's sudden movement, looked over.

"Lawrence, did you feel that? A wave of power just swept over us from the Southwest!" Charlo's expression was grave.

"What? I didn't feel anything!" Lawrence was surprised. "What is happening?"

"I don't know... but I have a feeling it isn't anything good," Charlo said heavily, his gaze piercing the stone walls, looking toward a future filled with smoke and fire.

"We need to speed up."