Chapter 96: Facing the Divine
Finance Minister Nahum ultimately yielded. When Su Xiao re-entered Warehouse No. 1, he saw Nahum with tears and snot streaming down his face.
"My dear friend, is he alright?"
Kaiser asked tentatively. This was a secret weapon he had invented by leveraging his innate advantages. After studying 'Alchemy' for so long, it seemed he had made some gains.
Su Xiao did not agree. With his level of alchemical expertise, he could clearly see that Kaiser's talent in alchemy could only be described as terrible.
In Su Xiao's view, the yellow powder Kaiser concocted for sprinkling into shoes was not an alchemical creation, but it seemed somewhat related to alchemy. He felt that this 'unique skill' Kaiser had mastered was likely a variant born from learning alchemy incorrectly.
What exactly this thing was, Su Xiao wasn't entirely sure, but judging by its power, it inflicted massive mental damage.
Maintaining a safe distance, Su Xiao examined Finance Minister Nahum's condition. After an initial observation, he frowned slightly. In his assessment, the injuries Nahum had sustained had even affected the soul level.
"What did you add to those powders?"
"Many things: 0.17 ounces of hydrogen selenide, the foot matter of pinworms, decayed viscous souls, and..."
Kaiser wanted to continue, but Su Xiao raised his hand to stop him. Just listening was unpleasant enough. He took out D·Assassination, aimed at the Finance Minister's head, and fired a single shot.
Seeing this, Kaiser said, "I'll help bury him."
Kaiser took out a small bottle and poured the powder inside onto Finance Minister Nahum's corpse. The body visibly dissolved into blood, eventually evaporating.
Watching the mist disperse into the air, Kaiser sighed and said, "I'm always so kind."
Hearing this, Steel Fang, who had been following along as an errand runner, twitched his mouth.
Capturing Free City brought many benefits. In Ferdinand's view, Su Xiao would detain the dependent civilians here and force them into labor.
Although Su Xiao needed Free City to continue operating to ensure sufficient resources in the rear, he wouldn't let the dependent civilians stay here, as it would cause all sorts of trouble. So he planned to drive over 95% of the dependents out of Free City and send them to "Loyash."
This would both burden Loyash and save a lot of trouble. The remaining 5% of dependents were irreplaceable talents at this stage.
The first thing Su Xiao did was order Hausmann to lead 150,000 boar riders back to Steel City. Afterwards, each of these boar riders used their own mounts to carry one dwarf boar or Sun Citizen, totaling 75,000 dwarf boars + 75,000 Sun Citizens.
The dwarf boars needed no explanation; some with sharper minds even started doing business. As for the 75,000 Sun Citizens, they were formerly female pig-heads, many of whom had spent time in the Sun Faction.
The reason for bringing them was to take over the factories and such within Free City. These dwarf boars and Sun Citizens had more initiative and execution ability.
Additionally, the Sun Fortress needed to be moved here. There were many pig-heads in Free City. Once the Sun Fortress arrived, it could inevitably use these pig-heads to transform a massive number of Sun Citizens.
The more Sun Citizens there were, the higher the profit for Su Xiao. They were a group that could contribute Faith Power: Sun every day.
This felt like planting trees. As long as there was sufficient territory, more 'Sun Trees' could be planted. These 'Sun Trees' would bear fruit called Faith Power: Sun every day.
Currently, the [Sun Lord] title was a big eater, consuming a massive amount of 'fruit' daily. But when this glutton was finally full, the 'Sun Fruit' harvested daily from this territory could be allocated by Su Xiao, such as 'processing' it and selling it.
The glass-structured elevator ascended rapidly and stopped at the 37th floor. This was a room prepared for honored guests by the watchtower. The sight before him was even more luxurious than a presidential suite.
It wasn't as dazzlingly golden as imagined, but had a sense of the times, with furnishings exuding nobility. The room's biggest feature was a fully glass-structured large pool extending outside the building, making one feel like swimming a hundred meters in the air.
Seeing this pool, Su Xiao recalled a scene from a certain movie and gave up the idea of swimming in it. Bubu Wang, however, jumped in joyfully and started dog-paddling, utterly delighted.
Su Xiao stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking most of Free City. No wonder so many people were dazzled by power; it was indeed tempting. Power was a way to stand at the pinnacle of all beings without needing individual strength.
Before long, Amu walked over carrying a large leather bag nearly 1.8 meters long. Opening it revealed the 'Sleeping Beauty,' Lieutenant Colonel Wenna.
Lieutenant Colonel Wenna had been in a state of precognition. When she woke up, the [Fate Coin] would take shape. However, the name [Fate Coin] was Su Xiao's own speculation; what exactly would appear depended on the final result.
If Lieutenant Colonel Wenna couldn't wake up, then nothing would be gained.
Just as Amu returned, Baha also came back. He had gone to retrieve the supernatural resources hidden by Finance Minister Nahum, which were buried somewhere underground in Free City.
Opening the metal box Baha brought back, various items were revealed.
[You have obtained Active Crystal ×370.]
[You have obtained Soul Crystal (Complete) ×127.]
[You have obtained Drifting Paper (Fragment) ×3.]
[You have obtained T5 Fortress Structure Blueprint ×8 (Core life structure blueprints for 8 basic fortresses).]
[You have obtained Coin's Alchemy Notes.]
...
[Coin's Alchemy Notes]
Origin: Second Era: Alchemical Civilization.
Quality: World-Class
Category: Knowledge Record
Reading Requirement: Second Era Alchemy Lv.40 or above (Achieved).
Introduction: Coin Morber was one of the five most renowned alchemy mentors of the Second Era: Alchemical Civilization. He made numerous achievements in 'Alchemical Mechanism Studies' and 'Alchemical Biology.' In his later years, he facilitated the writing of the 'Alchemy Codex.' Most of the knowledge inheritance regarding alchemical mechanisms and biology in the 'Alchemy Codex' came from this alchemy mentor. In this regard, he was the most knowledgeable scholar of the Second Era: Alchemical Civilization.
In his later years, besides advocating for the writing of the 'Alchemy Codex,' Coin Morber also developed a strong interest in pharmacology, which he had not been interested in earlier.
This note is one of three alchemy notes written by Coin Morber, recording his experiences and summaries of pharmacology from his later years.
...
Seeing this alchemy note, Su Xiao immediately opened it and previewed a few pages.
If the [Alchemy Codex] was a standard 'textbook' filled with knowledge of Second Era alchemy, it was comprehensive and advanced.
Everyone had limited energy, and Su Xiao was not a full-time alchemist. He was a Shadow of Law Destruction, a combat type, and couldn't devote all his energy to alchemy.
What to do? No problem. Among the many disciplines of alchemy, he would major in one and minor in another, and just get by with the rest.
Su Xiao majored in pharmacology and minored in biology. The two complemented each other, which was precisely why Apollo's iterations were so slow.
If Su Xiao had majored in bomb-making, he could have upgraded Apollo once every world progression.
Su Xiao delved into alchemy for three reasons: 1. Alchemy was indeed fascinating, 2. Pharmacology helped him grow stronger, 3. Among all alchemy schools, pharmacology had the most financial prospects.
As a technique-type, Su Xiao was already poor enough. If he specialized in expensive disciplines like mechanism studies or bomb-making, he felt he would truly die poor.
This alchemy mentor named Coin Morber was worthy of respect. Just his advocacy for writing the 'Alchemy Codex' showed his character. Not all knowledgeable people were willing to pass down what they had studied all their lives before death, especially to future generations with whom they had no connection.
Coin Morber specialized in 'Alchemical Mechanism Studies' and 'Alchemical Biology,' only developing an interest in pharmacology in his later years. This note recorded knowledge in pharmacology.
If the pharmacology in the Alchemy Codex was textbook-standard, then Coin Morber's note contained a lot of personal insights.
After comprehensive study through the Alchemy Codex, Su Xiao greatly needed such personal insights. Although Coin Morber's specialty wasn't pharmacology, he was one of the five most accomplished alchemy mentors of the Second Era: Alchemical Civilization.
After reading for a while, Su Xiao reluctantly closed the alchemy note, planning to read it carefully when he had time later.
Taking out the 'Sun Ring,' Su Xiao noticed its change. The amount of faith power converging into it was now about twice as much as before.
Developing Sun Citizens was a wise choice. If the Sun Faction's population reached tens of millions, the daily output of Faith Power: Sun would be very considerable.
If Sun Citizens exceeded 50 million, given their devotion to the sun, Su Xiao estimated that before long, the [Sun Lord] title, which absorbed all Faith Power: Sun, could reach seven stars, or even be pushed to eight stars.
After capturing Free City, with the guarantee of military force, the Sun Faction would radiate to the surrounding areas before long, until it hit the territory governed by 'Loyash.'
The territory under the Inquisition's control seemed small but was wedged between the territories of the Watchtower and the Dependent Alliance.
Su Xiao's next goal was to capture 'Loyash' to gain more territory for planting 'Sun Trees,' i.e., using the Sun Fortress to transform more Sun Citizens.
He wouldn't bother with other aspects, but basic housing and food resources, plus land for subsequent planting, still needed to be taken first.
The floor-to-ceiling window gradually rose. Su Xiao leaped onto the back of the Storm Wyvern. It was now 2 PM. His army had completed its rest and was marching at full speed, expected to arrive at 'Loyash' by tonight.
Under Su Xiao's orders, his cavalry army, replenished to 500,000, set out again, heading straight for the coastal city of Loyash.
Along the way, Su Xiao saw many dependent civilians fleeing. Such was war; there was no mercy. The Sun people celebrated in their newly won homes of 'Steel City' and 'Free City,' while the previously well-off dependent civilians were now fleeing to 'Kwab Ring City.'
This was cause and effect, a cycle. If the dependents had strictly controlled the pig-head business, today's scene wouldn't have occurred.
With Free City's fall, the dependent armies in the surrounding areas either retreated to the coastal shores on both sides of the continent, crossing the sea, or immediately pulled back.
The loss of Free City meant the resource supply chain was nearly cut off. As for the rear resources from 'Loyash,' these dependent officers inherently distrusted them.
The Inquisition was most famous not for justice and severity, but for its vampire-like judges and bureaucrats.
The dusk sunset appeared on the horizon. When Su Xiao arrived in front of 'Loyash' on the Storm Wyvern, what he saw slightly surprised him.
There were no expected defenders, nor the rumored strongest heavy cannon weapon, 'Law Guardian.' From his vantage point on the dragon's back, he saw chaos inside the city: streets filled with all sorts of debris, many buildings on fire, and occasional gunshots from some corner of the city.
Witnessing this, Su Xiao immediately ordered the boar riders to charge into the city and drive all dependent civilians out.
He didn't care about their infighting, but if they burned buildings, where would the Sun Trees... ahem, the Sun Citizens live? Building houses was expensive; using existing ones was best.
Amid shouts and the thunder of cavalry charges, the rioters in the city fled in panic. They dared to bully civilians of their own race, but faced with the boar riders, they fled in terror.
Before long, the boar riders had occupied various checkpoints and key locations. Su Xiao directed the Storm Wyvern toward the Inquisition headquarters.
The grand Inquisition building was empty, and any valuables inside were naturally gone.
[Prompt: You have occupied Loyash.]
[This is a historical event in this world.]
[As the battle has not begun, re-evaluation in progress.]
[You have received Victory Medal ×1 (This is the basic reward).]
The Inquisition had fled without a fight. Interestingly, Chief Justice Fow hadn't chosen to surrender.
It seemed Chief Justice Fow knew he couldn't stop the Sun Legion, so he took the troops from 'Loyash' and retreated to the more rearward 'Kwab Ring City.'
The shape of the entire continent was hard to describe, but overall it was elongated, with some parts wide and others narrow.
This also meant that the territories of various factions were arranged from top to bottom on the map: humans at the top, below them the Aurora Council, then the Dependent Alliance, then the Watchtower's Free City, further down the Borderlands, and at the bottom the Beast Clan's territory.
Now Su Xiao had broken through the Watchtower and the Inquisition, occupying about a third of the Dependent faction's territory. The next obstacle was 'Kwab Ring City.'
That was the foundation of the Dependent Alliance. Additionally, the Aurora Council behind them would surely send all their forces to garrison 'Kwab Ring City' and help defend it.
This was understandable. 'Kwab Ring City' had a vast horizontal area, and that land was a narrow part of the continent, like the waist of a gourd.
This also meant that 'Kwab Ring City' blocked that area. Interestingly, this ring city, not a fortress, now stood like an immovable fortress, firmly blocking the Sun Legion's advance.
From the Steel Fortress to now, Su Xiao felt no pressure. This was the power of an eight-star War Lord combined with the developed Sun Faction.
Leaping off the dragon's back, Su Xiao walked into the hotel diagonally opposite the Inquisition headquarters. He remembered Tide Hunter mentioning that he had been ambushed here by contractors from the Holy Light Paradise.
Finding a clean guest room, Su Xiao sat by the window, blowing the night breeze while pondering his next move.
From various traces, the garrison of 'Loyash' had retreated to 'Kwab Ring City' after Steel City was breached.
Clearly, Chief Justice Fow was well aware of the Watchtower soldiers' combat effectiveness. When he learned the Watchtower would stubbornly defend Free City, he had mocked: 'The Alliance army got beaten so badly they don't even recognize their own mothers. Watchtower, just give it a rest and hurry back. Stick with the Alliance daddy and defend Kwab Ring City together.'
After the Watchtower's 'I refuse,' it became the Sun Faction's second owned city, following Steel City.
As Su Xiao pondered his next move, Baha flew over and placed a communicator on the windowsill. Su Xiao checked the frequency; it was from the human side. He answered, and the Black Robe's slightly hoarse voice came through.
"White Night, how have you been lately?"
After saying this, the usually stern Black Robe even chuckled.
"Not bad."
Su Xiao lit a cigarette, the night breeze dispersing the smoke he exhaled.
"There's something I want to discuss with you."
"What is it?"
"Recently, I'm planning to vigorously develop manufacturing and mining industries. I have the technology, you have the resources. For the profits, I'll take one-tenth, you take nine-tenths, and I'll provide free technology sharing..."
The Black Robe's meaning was that the human side was willing to provide manpower, effort, and invest significant funds to build factories on Sun Faction territory.
Not only that, they were willing to share technology, ultimately taking only one-tenth of the profits.
No matter how you looked at it, the humans were taking a huge loss. This was practically helping the Sun Faction develop rapidly.
"What do I need to give in return?"
Su Xiao didn't believe in free lunches, especially from the human ruler who had once turned against him.
"For development, you need peace. You now occupy a third of the Dependent territory, plus the Borderlands. That's enough for long-term development. As long as you say the word, the Beast Clan is willing to give up at least half their territory. By then, your governed territory will be the most vast among all factions, enough for development."
The Black Robe's implication was for the Sun Faction to immediately cease hostilities with the Dependents.
"I'll stop after I capture 'Kwab Ring City.'"
"Stop now. What's there to attack in 'Kwab Ring City'? Behind it are just rivers and forests."
"What if I insist on attacking?"
"White Night, we're friends. I don't want my side to have to ally with the Dependents to jointly resist the Sun Fortress. I'm waiting for your news anytime. Think it over."
After saying this, the Black Robe hung up.
A very ironic scene emerged: the Dependents and humans, who had blood feuds and generational hatred, were about to ally to jointly defend 'Kwab Ring City.' The two sides were now so close they might as well embrace, with no trace of their former enmity.
Why was this? It actually reflected the astuteness of the human high command. They absolutely would not allow the Sun Faction to defeat the Dependents. After the Sun Faction destroyed the Dependents, it would border the humans.
When the lips are gone, the teeth feel cold. This was the most intuitive manifestation of the humans' current situation. They were willing to participate in the war, sending their most elite troops to reinforce 'Kwab Ring City.' The reason was not just unwillingness to border the Sun Faction, but something more important.
At first glance, the humans could do nothing and be fine, but this was valuable intelligence only obtainable by viewing the overall situation and understanding the Sun Faction's goals.
From the human perspective, the Sun Faction first plundered resources wildly, then faced the Dependents, drove them back, signed the 'Border Treaty,' then turned around and beat the Beast Clan until they knelt and called 'Daddy.'
After that, the Sun Faction brazenly tore up the 'Border Treaty,' first broke Steel City, then defeated Free City, and with terrifying marching speed, headed straight for 'Loyash,' occupying it upon arrival.
After witnessing all this, how could the humans not be afraid? In their perception, the Sun Faction was an extremely aggressive and powerful force, far more terrifying than their old enemy, the Dependents.
When the Sun Faction wanted to attack someone, there was no need for discussion or debate. Su Xiao on the dragon's back pointed his dragon lance, and the Sun Legion immediately attacked. The Sun Legion didn't need reasons or causes; they only obeyed, killed, and occupied Su Xiao's orders.
Any normal faction encountering such a combat-oriented force would be panicking. Whether the Sun Faction attacked them depended not on the situation or other factors, but on Su Xiao's will. In the humans' view, this was the most terrifying part.
Moreover, judging by the Sun Faction's momentum, it clearly found the Beast Clan territory and Borderlands too poor and wanted to occupy the Dependents' territory. Would the Sun Faction continue westward to attack? The human high command wasn't sure.
The human high command dared not gamble the entire race's fate on Su Xiao's personal judgment. Rather than facing the Sun Faction alone after the Dependents were destroyed, they chose to band together with the Dependents to jointly resist the terrible evil force of the Sun Faction.
The previous communication was a probe. The humans were testing whether they could pay a great price to stop the Sun Faction's advance. It felt like, 'You can be the big boss from now on, but can you stop fighting?'
Su Xiao couldn't say he wasn't tempted by the humans' offer, but he had to capture 'Kwab Ring City.' Only by breaking through 'Kwab Ring City' could he defeat the Dependents, ensuring that the 'Sun Trees' planted wouldn't be uprooted after he left this world.
Moreover, without breaking 'Kwab Ring City,' the Dependents clearly wouldn't submit, making it impossible to pressure Count Gold and seize [Dark Haze].
Su Xiao checked the time. Even with the Sun Legion's marching speed, they wouldn't reach 'Kwab Ring City' until the middle of the night. It was better to rest in 'Loyash' for now and set out early tomorrow morning for the final decisive battle against the triple alliance of the Dependent Alliance, Aurora Council, and humans at 'Kwab Ring City.'
...
Kwab Ring City, Inner District, Council Hall.
Alliance Marshal He Condiway sat at the head seat. To his right was Chief Justice Fow, to his left was Ferdinand's empty seat. Further out, all 14 members of the Aurora Council were present.
Additionally, there were three human representatives. Next to these representatives sat Di Zong, the patriarch of the Xin clan, and Xin Dorothy, who was chewing bubblegum.
Previously, she was just Dorothy, but now she had a surname and a powerful grandfather.
Di Zong and Dorothy were here hired by the human high command as bodyguards, given the previous enmity between humans and Dependents.
"Mr. He Condiway, our troops have arrived behind Kwab Ring City. How far from the ring city should they be stationed?"
Human representative Burke spoke. Hearing this, everyone present felt emotional.
"Let the human troops enter the city. After their long journey, we will provide maximum material assistance."
He Condiway's words made the dozen or so council members look strange. This friendly relationship with humans was truly unfamiliar.
Not to mention them, even human representative Burke felt a bit awkward. He wanted to say something but ultimately gave up.
One person present had the most distinctive attire: Tribal Witch Woroy from the coastal archipelago of the continent. She was one of the four strongest indigenous people in this world.
Don't harbor too many illusions. Tribal Witch Woroy's arms were thicker than most strong men's legs. Sitting there, she gave off an inexplicable sense of security.
"Everyone, what did you call me here for?"
Tribal Witch Woroy looked around at those present. One council member said, "The Sun Fortress is a disaster for all of us, so we should..."
"Stop, stop, stop. Our tribe is even poorer than the Beast Clan. Why would Kukulin Bai Ye attack us?"
This statement left the council members speechless.
"If there's nothing else, I'll go back."
"Wait a moment."
He Condiway spoke, tossing a necklace onto the table. Seeing this necklace, Tribal Witch Woroy's expression turned cold.
"We only recovered this. I deeply regret what happened to your brother."
"Who did it?"
Tribal Witch Woroy asked coldly.
"..."
He Condiway didn't speak, just stood up and walked deeper into the hall.
Dorothy, who had been watching the show, vaguely understood something. She whispered to her grandfather Di Zong:
"Grandpa, are you going to fight Mr. White Night too?"
"Yes."
"Should we defect to his side? We've always cooperated with them."
Hearing this, Di Zong smiled approvingly and said, "Silly child, we only accept commissions; we have no stance. Sometimes, it's not about choosing a side to be the final winner. Like when I assassinated Chief Justice Fow, but look, he hasn't retaliated against us."
"Oh, I get it, old man. You're telling me we need to have value to be needed, and being needed means safety."
Dorothy looked enlightened.
"No, I'm telling you that strength is the truth. As long as you're strong enough, you can solve anything."
"Huh?"
Dorothy, not the sharpest tool in the shed, scratched her head.
Meanwhile, in the ninth underground level of the Council Hall.
This was an empty, sealed metal room with rust-stained walls, ceiling, and floor. An old chair sat in the center, occupied by a figure with graying temples.
A mass of flesh, dry on the outside but seemingly churning inside, hung above this person. Dozens of tubes extended from this flesh mass, their other ends piercing into the person's arms, pumping dark red blood into him.
With a creak, a hidden door opened, and He Condiway entered this empty, sealed metal room, looking at the person on the iron chair.
"Rez, how are you?"
"Still... alive."
General Rez's eyes opened. With a crack, fine cracks appeared at the corners of his eyes.
Seeing this, He Condiway said, "The blood of the ancestral half-beast is hard to bear. It's not too late to give up now. According to my spies, your daughter Wenna isn't dead yet. I can offer some chips to trade for her from Bai Ye."
"Daughter...? Did I have... a daughter?"
General Rez's now slit-pupiled eyes looked at He Condiway in confusion.
"Then... what are you doing this for?"
He Condiway looked at his old friend.
"For... what?" General Rez's tone shifted from confusion to determination. He said, "For... the Dependent Alliance."
Hearing this, He Condiway wanted to say something but ultimately just nodded.
The silver moon hung high. The night before the decisive battle was exceptionally quiet. Tomorrow would be the time to determine the final victor.
...
The next morning, 11 AM. Weather: Overcast.
In front of 'Kwab Ring City' were multiple tiers of defensive lines, composed of the most elite soldiers from the Dependent Alliance, Aurora Council, and humans. Looking out, one couldn't even see the edges of the lines.
He Condiway stood on the outer city wall. Although he already knew from intelligence that the Sun Legion would arrive at noon, seeing the vast cavalry force approaching was unavoidably heavy.
Besides a few hundred of the most elite military police, others stood on the outer city wall: Fow, Di Zong, Dorothy, Tribal Witch Woroy, and many nobles from the Aurora Council, all watching. This battle concerned each of their fates.
Among these nobles, an uninvited guest had mixed in: Holy Poem from the Holy Light Paradise, disguised as an Aurora Council noble.
Holy Poem looked at the heavy cannon weapons on the wall, the endless defensive lines below, and the Sun Legion pressing in from the front. Her mouth twitched, and she had a strong feeling that the guy named Kukulin Bai Ye, also from the Paradise camp, seemed to be playing a different 'game' than her.
The sky was covered with dark clouds, the sun hidden behind them, dyeing the gaps in the clouds a hazy yellow.
Under the gaze of everyone on the wall, a Storm Wyvern with dark blue-black feathers flew over. The person on its back held a dragon lance.
As the Storm Wyvern flew, the sun, blocked by clouds, gradually emerged. In the view of He Condiway, Holy Poem, and others, the sun seemed to be right behind Su Xiao standing on the dragon's back.
"This... is the Sun Lord."
The nobles of the Aurora Council all gripped the pendants on their necks. Unlike the Dependent Alliance, they believed in deities representing light.
But after witnessing the scene just now, these Aurora Council nobles felt as if they were fighting against a divine being.
The Storm Wyvern soared overhead, bringing the sound of wind pressure. The sun once again hid behind the clouds.
The sun's disappearance made not only the Aurora Council nobles but even He Condiway and Fow breathe a sigh of relief. This feeling of facing a divine being was overwhelmingly oppressive.
Crack!!
Golden lightning struck down from the sky, entering the dragon's back, and finally attaching to the front half of a dragon lance, turning it into a lightning spear.
The overcast sky, the golden world lightning flashing briefly through the clouds, the roaring Storm Wyvern in the sky, and the person on the dragon's back holding the golden lightning spear—all of this had a strong epic feel, pressing down on everyone on the wall.
The final decisive battle was about to begin.