Chapter 425: The Annihilation Goddess's Dark Scheme (22)

Dawn Fortress execution ground.

Under the protection of the high-energy barrier, Natalie trod barefoot on the scorching ground, her whole body's skin illuminated by the firelight, clear as jade, like a goddess reborn from the flames.

She turned her head to gaze at the black-clad envoy of Thus line: Yueliangcheng on the high platform and proclaimed loudly.

"From today onward, Grey City will no longer belong to Thus line: Yueliangcheng!"

"From today onward, the people of Grey City are no longer slaves of Count Gentgin!"

With the aid of magic, her voice rang like thunder from the heavens, not only echoing in the ears of all spectators but also rushing out of the fortress walls to reach countless Grey City civilians outside.

For a moment, the spectators were horrified, and the execution ground fell into chaos.

Some stood frozen, dumbstruck; some cleverly fled; others, weak-willed, knelt and worshipped Natalie—all kinds of reactions appeared.

After issuing her declaration, Natalie no longer paid attention to the black-clad Rupert.

Because she knew Rupert no longer had any ability to harm her.

She then turned her head to her father, who looked lost and forlorn nearby, and softly said, "Savos Mage, I've brought you great trouble, but just now you didn't hesitate to strike at me."

"So we are even."

Savos's expression shifted rapidly—through shock, contemplation, hesitation—finally turning to fawning.

"Daughter, Father made a mistake~Father had no choice. If Father hadn't done this, he would have died."

He raised his swollen left hand: "Look, this is the punishment Father received because of you; the excruciating pain has lasted until now."

"Father cannot die either, for there are many younger brothers and sisters to care for."

Natalie softened a little, she sighed: "I won't kill you, rest assured."

As she spoke, light and shadow flowed over her, condensing into a veiling phantom robe; she then stepped forward, walking toward Dawn Fortress.

As she moved, an Eternal Guardian stepped forward to follow her, matching her steps closely behind.

By this point, even a blind person could see the situation clearly.

Moreover, those who could come to the execution ground to watch were the mid-to-high ranks of the Mage Association, all intelligent people.

Although we don't know by what means Natalie controlled the Eternal Guardian, this is already an established fact.

This directly caused two terribly frightening consequences.

First, high-level power is no longer exclusive to Thus line: Yueliangcheng.

Second, unless true high-level power is used, Count Gentgin will have no way to harm Natalie.

Upon realizing this, the mages of the Dawn Eye all turned their heads to look at the black-clad Rupert, watching his response.

Rupert instantly felt immense pressure.

Seeing Natalie already arrive at the rear gate of Dawn Fortress, about to enter.

His heart gave a slight jolt, and he immediately guessed Natalie's intention.

He immediately issued an order to another Eternal Guardian.

"Go at once to guard the Grand Teleportation Array; any attack on the Array will trigger the defense retaliation clause!"

According to reason, this Eternal Guardian should have obeyed the order at once, but what happened next plunged Rupert into an icy abyss.

The Eternal Guardian stood motionless, giving no response, as if it hadn't heard Rupert's words at all.

But someone did respond.

A female mage slowly walked out from the crowd.

Light and shadow flowed over her, revealing her true appearance: the former Dawn Hand Gwen, who had recently defected from the Mage Association.

Taking advantage of the chaos Natalie caused, she sneaked into the rear-courtyard execution ground and, using divine arts, seized control of the second Eternal Guardian.

A cold smile appeared on her face: "Black-clad Rupert, we meet again."

The black-clad Rupert was frightened and retreated several steps.

"You-you... you're still alive?"

Gwen's smile grew thicker, but her indigo eyes flashed with a soul‑piercing fury.

"Yes, I am still alive."

"Back then you toyed with my daughter, torturing her to death—did you ever imagine today would come, Rupert?"

Rupert kept stepping back: "Even if you control the Eternal Guardian, you can't kill me. For I have not attacked you, nor violated the Empress's edict."

Gwen laughed heartily: "Actually, you did attack."

Rupert stared: "What do you mean?"

Gwen pointed at the still‑scorching ground in the middle of the execution field.

"The high‑energy shield protecting Natalie was triggered by this Eternal Guardian under my control."

"Thus, you have already fulfilled the condition for the defense retaliation."

Although only five guards directly struck, the attack order was issued by Rupert.

Rupert and his guards form a unit, and the Eternal Guardian possesses enough intelligence to understand this.

"No~~~ no~~~"

Rupert's heart was filled with despair; he felt all his strength being drained away.

His legs went weak, he collapsed helplessly to the ground, uttering soft, pleading cries.

"Please, please spare me, please~~"

Gwen looked down on Rupert with contempt, her heart full of vengeful joy, and also a deep gratitude toward Luosen.

"To the weak you are mercilessly cruel; to the strong you cringe and beg. The mages of Thus line: Yueliangcheng are truly a pack of vile cowards!" "Guardian, slaughter all of this wretched creature's guards."

The Eternal Guardian immediately raised its indigo‑blue spear, assumed a stance, and fiercely thrust forward into the air.

"Siss—siss—siss~~"

A piercing whistle rang out; although the distance between them was over thirty meters, the spear ignored space, striking one foe per thrust—in less than two seconds it skewered all ten of the count's elite guards.

Every guard had the same wound—a huge blood hole in the forehead, and the head was pierced straight through.

No matter how these elite guards dodged or defended, it was all useless.

In an instant, only the black‑clad Rupert remained.

Rupert almost went limp on the ground, his robes underneath warm and damp, and a strong foul smell spread from his body.

This count's envoy was so frightened that he lost control of his bowels and bladder.

Gwynnavier looked at Rupert with increasing contempt.

"I won't kill you now; I will announce your crimes at the trial assembly, then have you hanged in public."

She then ordered the Eternal Guardian: "Disarm him and restrain him."

The Eternal Guardian immediately complied.

After confirming Rupert posed no further threat, Gwynnavier turned to face everyone in the execution ground and shouted:

"The merciful Sun War God will completely dispel the shadows of Yueliangcheng; poverty, chaos, and cruelty will all become history."

"We will reforge the glory of the Eternal Empire upon the ruins, and you—it is time to make a choice!"

"Will you continue to follow Count Gangtejin of Yueliangcheng?"

"Or join the Dragon Mountain Brotherhood to atone for past sins?"

The Dawn Eye mages looked at each other, then at the tall Eternal Guardian, all showing hesitation for a moment.

The situation was still unclear, because Count Gangtejin had not been defeated.

These mages were mostly opportunists, so the vast majority dared not take a stand, fearing they'd pick the wrong side and lose their lives for nothing.

But a minority of mages, less than one‑fifth of the total, stepped out from the crowd.

"We wish to atone! We wish to follow the Sun War God!"

Gwynnavier was very pleased: "Excellent. Then I have to tell you some news."

As she spoke, a tremendous boom suddenly came from inside the Dawn Fortress.

Just as the mages were puzzled, Gwynnavier immediately dispelled their doubts.

"The grand teleportation array linking Yueliangcheng has been destroyed."

"From now on, the connection between Count Gangtejin and Grey City is completely severed."

"I know the count certainly won't accept defeat; he will surely send legions to retaliate, but we have three Eternal Guardians, enough to withstand any assault from him."

While speaking, a mage suddenly shouted strangely.

"Where is President Salvos? Why isn't he here?"

Immediately after, someone else shouted.

"Rupert is missing too."

"I vaguely saw a blurry black shadow, and then Rupert vanished into thin air."

"Who rescued Rupert?"

"Who has the power to snatch someone from the Eternal Guardian's grasp?"

The unexpected turn threw the just‑calmed execution ground back into chaos.

Gwynnavier was both bewildered and alarmed.

Seeing the mages who had just surrendered now showing hesitation again, she immediately prayed in her heart: "Great Sun War God, we have encountered an inexplicable situation."

She quickly reported the strange events that had just happened to Luosen.

Luosen was watching near the Dawn Fortress; he of course knew the reason and immediately explained: "It was the Doomsday Divine Sect; they are also seeking control of Grey City and will be our formidable rival."

He certainly had the ability to stop it, but that would break the Annihilation Goddess's non‑interference rule.

Of course, with his current strength he has a ninety percent confidence in defeating the mortal incarnation of the Annihilation Goddess; if needed, he would not hesitate to break the rule.

But he was somewhat curious, wanting to see what the Annihilation Goddess really intended; on the other side, after receiving the answer, Gwynnavier secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

She fears no opponent in the light; knowing who the enemy is, she just needs to find a way to defeat them.

Thus she shouted again: "It was the rats of the Doomsday Divine Sect who did this; they can only pull such sneaky tricks!"

As she spoke, Aoliangde and Natalie also arrived at the execution ground respectively.

Behind each of them followed an Eternal Guardian, and further back was a group of tattered Dragon Mountain Brotherhood members, numbering over a thousand.

With the Brotherhood's support, Gwynnavier's mind settled completely.

"Mages, make your choice!"

This time, more Dawn Eye mages chose to atone.

Meanwhile, seeing Gwynnavier and company fully in control, Luosen's mind twitched slightly and he followed the footsteps of the Doomsday believers.

After following for a while, he sensed the power of the Annihilation Goddess.

His heart stirred slightly, giving rise to a somewhat frightening idea.

"Uh‑oh, the Annihilation Goddess is probably planning something big!"

(End of chapter)