Chapter 678: Empty Framework

Deep night.

Seven hundred kilometers east of Xianshui City, a village named Chak.

Chak Village faces the Delinbil River flowing straight into Jianwan Bay, with the complex terrain of Huifeng Mountain Range behind it—a perfect stronghold for defense and guerrilla warfare.

Inside the village, an abandoned, damp wine cellar.

Twelve chairs surrounded a worm-eaten wooden table; the only candle on it flickered uncertainly.

At the head of the table sat Carter, former Grand Commander of the Conscription Corps, his face etched with exhaustion and grief.

He scanned the faces seated around the table.

Three months ago, this underground resistance group had nearly a hundred active members. Now, including the sentries on patrol, only forty-seven remained.

He tapped his knuckles against the table.

“The seventh full assembly of the Wings of Light is now in session.”

Carter’s voice was low, like an echo from underground: “First, let us observe a moment of silence for our fallen comrades.”

He closed his eyes; the young faces surfaced in the darkness, then reappeared one by one with the expressions they wore at the moment of death.

Though he had seen such scenes countless times during his years in Aitheron, watching these young men—men he had personally recruited—lose their lives, he could not find peace.

—All because of that stupid ambush.

“The moment of silence is over.”

A cold voice abruptly pierced the silence; the tall, blond young man’s blue eyes swept over the group.

“Carter, what we need to discuss is how to seek revenge, not wallow in sorrow.”

Carter’s expression remained calm; his weary eyes turned to the young man.

—Renaldo Veller.

One of the first members recruited by the Wings of Light, a former knight caught in the purge triggered by the Igao Cult’s seizure of power; his parents and entire family perished in that purge.

A radical consumed by rage.

He was also the one who led the attack on the Igao Cult’s branch church in Xianshui City.

“Revenge?”

Old Borges coughed, “Last time we listened to your ‘lightning tactics,’ how many of us did we lose?”

Renaldo shot to his feet; the chair scraped harshly against the floor.

“But our results were impressive, weren’t they? Many more people now know of the Wings of Light—we even made the front page of the minstrels’ newspaper! Our actions should be bolder! Target key facilities in major cities! Not hide like turtles in these backwater corners! I’m not targeting you, Carter—I’m just voicing what we’ve all been thinking!”

Several young members nodded in agreement.

Carter silently shook his head.

Wherever there is an organization, there are factions and disagreements—it’s always time to seek common ground and eliminate division.

Even with Luo De’s financial backing, money was never why these people joined.

And in such an organization, those with strong personal reasons for joining will always be the core.

He had to admit his mistake.

He had underestimated how urgently his members craved revenge.

Carter spoke slowly: “We are not an army—not yet. In the dark, until—”

Carter said slowly: “We are not an army, not yet, in the dark, until”

Another of Renaldo’s followers interrupted him: “You say wait for the right moment, Carter, but the Igao Cult kills every single day—and performs cruel experiments on civilians under the guise of resisting interdimensional threats!”

The temperature in the wine cellar seemed to spike.

“Renaldo has a plan.”

Glen, the blacksmith, spoke suddenly: “We should hear him out.”

Renaldo turned to Carter, a strange smile on his lips.

Carter’s expression didn’t change; he had seen that smile too many times—usually before someone made a foolish decision.

The support from several radical youths confirmed it to Carter.

Even with a behind-the-scenes patron, an organization built on ideals and beliefs could still be sidelined.

I’m sorry, Mr. Luo De. It’s my fault. I always treated this like a military unit.

Carter pinched the bridge of his nose.

“The Holy Descent Festival.”

Renaldo unrolled a parchment showing a detailed map of the underground sewers beneath Silvermoon City: “In one month, the church in Silvermoon City will hold its festival. The local priests, clerics, and bishops will all gather in one place—we can wipe them all out at once!”

Renaldo unfurled a parchment bearing a detailed map of Silvermoon City’s sewer system: “In a month, the churches of Silvermoon City will hold a festival; the local priests, monks, and bishops will all gather—we can net them all!”

Carter felt his blood freeze in his veins: “Are you mad? That’s suicide! And there will be countless worshippers there at the time!”

“Necessary sacrifices,” Renaldo said coldly.

Another follower added: “If we keep following your way, Carter, soon there won’t be any innocents left.”

“Let’s vote,” Glen said, avoiding Carter’s gaze.

“Those in favor of Renaldo’s plan, raise your hands.”

One familiar arm after another rose, outnumbering the opposition decisively.

Carter shook his head. He could no longer stay here. He grabbed his longsword from the wall.

As he pulled open the heavy wooden door of the cellar, Renaldo’s voice came from behind: “Sometimes, Carter, you must use darkness to fight darkness.”

Carter did not answer.

Outside, darkness enveloped him. He frowned as he saw two familiar figures approaching from a distance—the sentries had brought them.

Catwoman Koi and mage Doris.

Liaisons from the Hero Alliance assisting the Wings of Light.

“Hey, Uncle Carter,” Doris waved.

Koi looked awkward; her hearing was sharper: “Your internal situation isn’t splitting apart, is it? I’ve seen plenty of organizations collapse like this.”

Carter shook his head: “No organization starts with perfect unity. Failing to balance and adjust is my fault. Even if we formed another group, the same problems would arise. Running away from every problem would only disappoint that noble patron.”

“Silvermoon City isn’t as lax as Xianshui City—and you’ve already got a track record.”

“I’ll do my best to salvage this. And, optimistically, trying a different strategy might help chart a better path forward.”

Carter gave a bitter smile.

Doris didn’t fully understand, but she crossed her arms and said, “I don’t get all this strategy and human hearts stuff, but if it comes to fighting, as long as that guy from the Far West Forest is around, we’ll be fine, right? Carter, you’ve got to learn to ask for help.”

The next day, Dimea successfully advanced to the Seventh-Rank Legendary Mage.

Early that morning, she joyfully came to the forest to find Luo De, eager to test her spells over the Death Desert.

Since the Maze of Insertion, the Witch Lady had drastically reduced her visits into the maze; even when she needed to find Luo De, she used the [Chain of Far Speech].

But this time, she rushed over in such high spirits that she clearly forgot about the demon’s habit of eating breakfast in bed.

When she pushed open the forest ranger’s cabin door with Sharon, Tally was lying back, devouring an egg pill—its long tail sprawled across her face, dominating nearly half her small features.

Dimea turned pale with shock and fled in panic.

Only the open door, the embarrassed Luo De, the still-eating Tally, and the smirking Sharon remained.

Tally was tilting her head back, eating a large dumpling that lay across her face, terrifyingly covering most of her small features.

Dimea turned pale with fright and immediately fled in panic.

After the Witch Lady returned, blushing and apologizing, the trial of the Legendary Spell could finally begin.

(End of Chapter)

One hour later.

Only after the witch lady blushed and apologized again did the trial casting of the legendary spell officially begin.

(End of Chapter)