Chapter 291

The beach on the northern coast, the sun is shining brightly, the calm sea tide rolls with fish-scale ripples, and a fishy and salty smell emerges under the waves.

Everything is no different from the past.

It makes people wonder if the "catastrophe" in three days will really come.

However, in the attitude of believing it exists rather than not, Tichi still honestly followed the Demon King's will, and together with other players, packed up the junk on Deadwood Port, preparing to transfer to the Sun Staircase Mountains...

I think that lord had planned it long ago, so there was no major repair or construction on Deadwood Port, and the only fortress was just built with a wall, and it was chosen on the nearby hills with higher terrain.

Stuffing the last bag of luggage into a wooden box, Tichi, wearing a captain's hat, dragged it with a belt to the mud by the beach, and then threw it onto the steam trailer parked there.

This carriage "wearing a chimney" is one of the novel magic devices of the Great Graveyard, it is said to be called a tractor, and it can pull anything.

Tichi doesn't know much about magic and doesn't understand the principle, only knowing that this thing is similar to the thing on the steamship, but it doesn't swim in the water, but runs on the ground.

Sensing the movement on the car, the skeleton sitting on the head of the car in a daze woke up instantly and called out mechanically behind him.

"100 Underworld coins!"

"Put it on the Demon King's account."

This guy is the servant of the Demon King's servant, just a summoned object without a soul, he doesn't need to be polite to this guy.

Tichi replied casually, and then knocked hard on the carriage, making a clanging sound, signaling it to get lost.

It seems that it received the mission reward for its master.

The skeleton remained silent, activated the magic circle to ignite the boiler, held the joystick and steering wheel, and went towards the small road leading to the mountain.

Watching the crooked ruts spread to the mountain, Tichi doubted whether this clumsy guy could safely deliver his luggage.

But it doesn't matter.

Anyway, there is nothing valuable in it, treasures like gold, emeralds, gems, etc., that lord had already sent to the Great Graveyard via the teleportation array.

Tichi, who had finished everything, didn't leave immediately, but returned to the seaside, intending to say goodbye to his "tavern".

The broken cabin was like a whale stranded on the beach, the wooden hull had almost rotted under the blowing of the sea breeze. The deck was covered with graffiti and crossed-out price lists, and the table made of wine barrels was still tilted with a deck of cards that hadn't been collected in time.

Lifting the sun-shading sail, Tichi sat on the wooden box by the door, squeezed the last few drops of turbid rum from the tilted wine barrel into a cup, and had a drink with the leaky door panel.

"Cheers!"

He raised his head and drank the wine in the cup, then threw the cup in his hand fiercely towards the beach where the waves were rolling not far away.

Finally going to say goodbye.

He hated this broken ship to death.

If he hadn't bought this thing, if he hadn't believed the ghost talk that spreading faith could upgrade the soul, if he hadn't believed the bullshit propaganda that the colony was full of gold, he would probably be lying in a luxurious manor now, sleeping on the knees of maids, enjoying black tea with milk or milk with red wine... he wouldn't have become the Demon King's dog in a muddle.

Okay.

The last thing is actually not that bad.

And, although he hated the bad luck this broken ship brought him, it happened to be the one that accompanied him through the most difficult period.

Pushing all the problems to a guy who can't speak seems too extreme, it was he himself who made the choice... because of the greed in his heart.

Thinking that he was about to part with this guy, a trace of reluctance actually grew in his heart.

"Any more?" The voice from behind interrupted Tichi's thoughts, the latter looked back subconsciously, only to see Lumier walking towards him.

"None, that was the last drop just now."

"I mean your luggage." Lumier pointed to the bar of the tavern.

"... I was talking about luggage, it's all on the car."

Tichi coughed dryly, covering up his embarrassment.

And at this moment, he suddenly noticed that the old acquaintance standing in front of him seemed to have undergone earth-shaking changes in his temperament.

Especially those eyes.

Compared to a month ago, the greenness in his eyes had clearly faded, just like lapis lazuli after polishing.

A month ago, this guy wasn't like this.

Although he was fierce and cunning and hard to deal with at that time... but that degree of cunning was more like the bluffing of thugs in the slums, not like now, like an experienced and tested explorer.

If he faced him again, I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to suppress him just by force...

Seeing Tichi staring straight at him, Lumier cast an inquiring look at him.

"Is there anything?"

"No..." Tichi shook his head, hesitated for a moment, and finally couldn't help but ask, "Speaking of which, why haven't I seen you recently, what have you been doing lately?"

Lumier didn't cover it up and said frankly.

"Lord Demon King arranged for me to go to the living areas of various tribes to investigate their living habits and population numbers, paving the way for the missionary work later. That lord said, he wants to build the Great Graveyard's temple in every tribe, every village, and every tent area, so that the power of the Great Graveyard forms a new condensation nucleus at the grassroots level, replacing the old faith."

Tichi grinned.

"That's probably a lot of expenses."

Devoutly placing his right hand on his chest, Lumier said in a calm tone.

"He has his ways."

Tichi didn't comment on his statement.

After all, even in the Shengcheng, it is impossible to build so many churches.

But at this time, he noticed other unusual things from Lumier and opened his mouth subconsciously.

"Your soul has been upgraded?"

Lumier nodded.

"Yes."

"... Damn, I knew it, it really is this reason," Tichi sighed, and while suddenly realizing Lumier's change, a look of envy also appeared in his eyes.

He remembered that this guy showed the strength of the Black Iron level shortly after the Demon King's army arrived, and then was sent to the forest to perform tasks.

In this way, this guy should have the strength of the Bronze level now!

This level is not enough for nobles, but it is basically the peak of most ordinary people, belonging to the rank that will get the "attention" of the gods, in other words, the kind with a system.

As long as there is no accident like dying in a labyrinth, or getting lost in the depths of the sea like himself, there is a high probability that he will be able to enter reincarnation again and get a good arrangement in the next life.

For example, being reborn into a wealthy family, for example, becoming the illegitimate child of a great noble, or becoming a "planned" child of a country baron, or even getting the opportunity to inherit titles and fiefs. And even if none of these good things happen, being an adventurer is also a way to get ahead.

This guy is considered to have made it!

Looking at Tichi who was full of envy, Lumier knew what he was thinking, and a playful smile appeared on his serious face.

"Lord Demon King never treats his subordinates badly, as long as you offer loyalty to him and make contributions to the Great Graveyard... you will get his promotion."

"Even me?"

"Even you."

Tichi swallowed, although he didn't fully believe this tempting big pancake, a look of expectation still appeared in his eyes.

What should I do?

He asked Lumier with his eyes, trying to find clues from that devout face and get the method to please the Demon King.

Seeing his heartbeat, Lumier continued.

"You don't have to worry, Lord Demon King will arrange new work for you... like you, a capable person, even if you want to rot on the beach, he won't allow it."

"Great..." Tichi grinned, his eyes burning as he said, "I'm almost bored to death on this beach... tell me, what does that lord need me to do."

He endured humiliation and burden in this ghost place as a nominal tavern owner, doing the work of collecting junk, wasn't it for this moment?

Now His Majesty the Demon King finally noticed his value!

He couldn't wait to show his skills!

As long as it's not going to Hell, he's willing to do anything!

Looking at Tichi who was eager to try, Lumier smiled slightly and opened his mouth.

"Go to the Empire."

"...?"

The air was subtly quiet for a while, leaving only the sound of the sea breeze blowing over the wooden boards, and the occasional long cry of a seagull.

Looking at Lumier who said that sentence with a serious face, Tichi was stunned in place, losing his speech for a while.

Go to the Empire?

"Go to the Empire? Me?! Are you serious?!"

"And me."

"That's even worse!" Tichi held his head in pain, as if a rope had been put around his neck, "We will be hanged at the port together!"

Looking at this desperate captain, Lumier asked calmly.

"Why?"

"Why? You actually ask me? Does this still need to be asked? Think about whose person you are?!" Looking at this guy who had no self-awareness, Tichi began to suspect whether this person's brain had been broken by the Demon King.

"Demon King, but no one knows, right?" Looking at Tichi who was complaining in despair, Lumier was unusually calm and continued clearly, "I have been to Sardo Port before, drank with the guards there, bought war prisoners from the prison and sent them back to Hell, using coins printed with the Emperor's head and the Saint Xisi church emblem... but I am still talking to you here now, no one found out."

"You compare the Empire's mainland with the colony..." Tichi muttered to himself, "Do you know how many clergy there are?"

Although their churches are not built in every village, the faith of Saint Xisi absolutely covers every inch of the Empire's land.

Once their identities are exposed, they will absolutely die without a burial place!

Lumier smiled faintly.

"We are not going back as the Demon King's envoys, nor are we driving your broken pirate ship, but letting you bring the gold and gems looted from Assam City, driving a luxury giant ship produced by the Lei Ming City shipyard to return home in glory."

Tichi: "You think too simply!"

"The words 'Demon King's servant' won't be written on the face, it's you who treat the Empire too sacredly... even if it's the Shengcheng, it's just a city, the people living there are just a group of people, not gods."

Looking at Tichi who was stunned, Lumier smiled faintly and continued meaningfully.

"And, if it were really as sacred as you imagine, where did those traitors who sold their souls to demons and even chaos time and time again come from?"

Tichi's brows twitched, and he said in a hoarse voice.

"But they were all hanged..."

"Yes, but if you have dealt with creatures like cockroaches, you should know that the bugs you step on are always just the tip of the iceberg in the house."

Looking at Tichi who couldn't speak, Lumier withdrew his gaze from him and looked at the sea not far away.

The waves washing the beach were still calm, just like an oil painting flowing on the canvas, but the more so, the more it showed that the storm hidden under the undercurrent was more mighty.

"The Demon King didn't let us leave immediately, we have enough time to prepare... or, if you are afraid, quitting is also possible."

Leaving Tichi who was tangled and hesitant, Lumier turned and walked towards the forest at the edge of the beach alone.

"The sky is changing."

"We should go."

The sky has changed.

This time it has really changed.

The waves washing the beach gradually turned into giant waves more than ten meters high, and the strong wind howling between the Sun Staircase Mountains was like an endless dragon roar. The land of seven million square kilometers was like an isolated island standing in the storm, bearing the tearing of the turbulence blowing from the subspace.

No one doubted.

Only silent prayer remained.

Central Desert, Sand-Ridge tribe camp, the Sand-Ridge lizardmen with curled tails were rushing around, moving the last bit of supplies underground.

The sky-filling yellow sand rose from the ground, blowing into clouds that covered the sky and the sun, and the cold strong wind was like dancing blades, as if to tear the whole land apart.

The dazzling sun had completely disappeared, leaving only a trace of blood-colored residual light, sprinkled on the gathered and tightened tents and bare stone houses.

There were only a few hours left until the "Three-Day Agreement", and the collapse of the Great Barrier seemed to come even earlier than the time declared by the Demon King.

The priest of the Sand-Ridge tribe looked up at the sky, her turbid pupils reflecting the howling yellow sand, her lips trembling slightly.

Too similar...

The picture reflected in her pupils at this moment was exactly the same as the catastrophe of a thousand years ago carved on the murals!

"Lord Demon King is above..."

Is this your power?

Deeply conquered by this pressure, she prayed silently in her heart.

No one knows.

That is not the Demon King's power.

Nor is it anyone's power.

But everyone.

The teleportation array on the outskirts of the camp glowed, and then a faint green light flickered, and a golden figure appeared on the teleportation array instantly.

As soon as Asermatha Hamaka appeared, she raised her hand to cover the strong wind and flying sand in front of her, her robe blowing loudly in the wind.

Her gaze turned, and she soon crossed the boiling sand and dust, seeing General Kasa commanding the tribesmen to evacuate in the camp.

At this moment, she was waving the bronze curved knife in her hand, leading the elite warriors in the tribe, leading the migration team to transfer to the underground passage on the south side of the sand dune.

"Water bags first! And fuel! We will spend at least seven days underground, maybe longer! The Demon King will support us, but we can't always count on others to help!"

"Fourth search team! Go to the camp and check again, a mother can't find her egg! Move fast!!"

"Kasa, General."

Kasa turned around immediately upon hearing the sound, saw it was the matriarch, and knelt on one knee immediately.

"Matriarch! You finally returned safely, I almost sent someone to find you—"

"No need for courtesy, get up, and then tell me how the evacuation is going? No one got lost, right." Asermatha didn't wait for her to get up and asked directly.

"Everything is going according to plan! The main force has taken the tribesmen into the underground refuge passage, except for a few careless guys who lost their eggs, there are no omissions! Currently, the camp is all the cleanup troops, only the last two formations are still loading supplies—it will be completed in at most a quarter of an hour!"

Kasa got up while pressing hard on the hood on her head, the sand and dust hitting her leather armor with a creaking sound.

Before she finished speaking, a thunderbolt suddenly lit up in the sky, tearing the black clouds in an instant, followed by a heaven-shaking explosion, making her chest tremble and her heart and soul fluctuate.

Kasa looked up suddenly, her pupils shrank, and a look of fear couldn't help but float in those firm pupils.

She asked herself that she was not afraid of anyone, even if the enemy was many and she was few, she dared to charge behind the 100,000-strong army of the Holy Armored Dragon Kingdom.

But that pressure coming from the sky was ultimately not the power of a mortal...

She felt it.

A terrifying existence is watching them.

"Matriarch... is this... is this really the Demon King's power?" Swallowing hard, Kasa said tremblingly.

Asermatha looked up at the sky torn by lightning, with astonishment and panic in her eyes... but in the end, it all turned into awe and devotion, as well as final peace.

"Yes, Kasa... that is Lord Demon King's power."

Withdrawing her gaze from the sky, she looked at the general who was showing fear, and said in a majestic rather than awe-filled voice.

"But don't be afraid!"

"His roar is to break the shackles that have been on our necks for thousands of years and take us out of the swaddling clothes bestowed upon us by the Dragon God."

The howling strong wind became more and more surging.

Asermatha closed her eyes, held her claws together tightly, and prayed with unprecedented devotion on her face, like a fanatical believer.

"At this moment, we only need to offer our prayers to Him—"

"Our rebirth will come after the baptism of the storm!"

The strong wind on the surface was blowing.

The underground was also deafening!

The solid granite wall shook uneasily, and the lizardmen curled up in the corner closed their eyes tightly and prayed silently.

Looking up at the trembling dome, an Armored Dragon priest looked at Zel Tua beside him and said tremblingly.

"Zel... the barrier, it seems to have really been shaken! Our, our world is collapsing, I seem to have heard the Dragon God's wailing!"

This is of course an interpretation.

But if everyone thought so, then the "end of the world" would really come.

"Maybe that's not wailing, but a blessing."

Borrowing the dim candlelight, Zel looked up at the pitch-black dome silently, a bitter smile suddenly appeared on his face, and he sighed.

"Also... don't call me lord, I'm just an ordinary citizen living in the United Kingdom."

More than a hundred kilometers away, the Sun Staircase Mountains, the roaring strong wind scraped across the mountain ridge like a dragon roar, as if to flatten the mountains one by one!

The tribesmen of the Wind-Roar tribe had left Thunder Cliff where they had lived for generations.

Those figures who once looked down on the mountains and soared over the cliffs could now only curl up in the depths of the cave, becoming each other's reliance together with other tribes near the Sun Staircase Mountains, and enduring the boundless suffering together.

Standing at the entrance of the cave with his wings folded, looking at the sky with rolling black clouds, a trace of fear flickered in Urga's eyes.

Will all this really end?

Or is it...

The world will collapse completely at this moment, and this eternal night without darkness will become the doomsday for all of them—as a punishment from the gods for them breaking the contract and trusting outsiders.

The rolling thunder was like a battle axe shattering shackles, and like the unwilling roar of the old gods, making him lose his direction for a while.

After all, it was not just the barrier that divided the land that collapsed, but also the barrier in his heart—as well as the load-bearing wall that housed the unstable spirit of the Wind-Roar tribe.

He had soared in the storm countless times, facing the roaring thunderclouds and Uranus's test for him, but he had never been as terrified as he was at this moment, and felt lost about the future.

"It will end."

As if seeing through what he was thinking, Prophet Uyana of the Tidal tribe walked behind him and said in a soft tone.

"There is no storm that never stops, and there is no sea tide that only rises and never falls."

Urga glanced at her sideways, quickly restrained the timidity in his pupils, and a mocking and far-fetched cold smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"The Sea God told you?"

Uyana shook her head, her fins swaying gently, like butterfly wings, and cast her gaze to the distance outside the cave.

"The Sea God never tells us where the fish schools are, and where the ocean currents will take us. But we still believe that He will take us to where we are going... because the power of belief allows us to keep looking, even if this storm doesn't end on the seventh day, it will end on the eighth day, or the ninth day."

Urga smiled and said.

"This doesn't sound like something that should come out of a prophet's mouth."

Uyana smiled slightly.

"Maybe, but I think... this is exactly the greatest function of a prophet. We are ultimately not gods in the sky, but we can unite in the name of the gods, so that we don't fall on the eighth day."

Urga was slightly dumbfounded, looking at her in astonishment.

Speaking of which, he hadn't noticed it before, and only now did he discover that the Tidal tribe also seemed to have wings...

That was not unique to the Wind-Roar tribe.

Looking at the silent Urga, Uyana changed the subject.

"Just now a child asked me, he said... he wanted to exchange something with you with fish."

"Exchange what."

"Information about fish schools. You fly in the sky and can see very far... he wants to share his prey with you, as long as you can take him to find more."

Urga glanced at her and moved his gaze away, throwing it into the black clouds outside the cave.

"Let's talk after the storm passes... I have no opinion anyway."

Uyana smiled and nodded.

"Then let us pray together for the future after this."

On the ruins of Assam City.

Luo Yan, holding the dragon egg in his arms, sat on Arakdo's back, letting the chaotic airflow mess up his bangs and blowing his cloak loudly.

Looking at the changing sky, a smile couldn't help but hang on the corner of his mouth.

"Sure enough, I guessed right."

The dragon egg in his hand was faintly hot, as if responding to his declaration of victory.

Floating beside Luo Yan's shoulder, Hearing You You, who was also looking up at the vision in the sky, sighed softly.

"It's terrifying, the collective prayer of a group of lizards can actually cut off a continent... if everyone imagined the world destroyed, wouldn't this planet be torn apart?"

Luo Yan smiled.

"This question is very interesting, all atoms are in endless motion, but have you seen the dragon egg in my hand crack?"

Although the power of "everyone's thoughts" is terrifying, most of the time this power is in a dynamic balance.

The wishes of "people who want sunny days" and "people who want rain" will cancel each other out, and this is just a difference in one direction.

The things people think about every day are not just the weather, and any of their thoughts diluted in twenty-four hours will become insignificant.

Unless there is an extremely strong belief that can condense everyone's thoughts, exert force in the same direction, and dissolve all obstructive forces.

Just like the Dragon God used the lizardmen's fear of the outside world to seal the Gana Continent, Saint Xisi used people's fear of death to shoot down the Underworld, essentially using the same principle.

Including at this very moment, he used the knowledge absorbed from Gustaff's diary to cast the "Heart Spear" belonging to all lizardmen of the Gana Continent...

It is also based on the same power!

Isn't this much more awesome than some demigod?

Just when Luo Yan was immersed in the pleasure of being above transcendence, Hearing You You's voice suddenly came from the side, interrupting Luo Yan's thoughts.

"Lord Demon King..."

That voice carried a trace of surprise, making Luo Yan look at the air beside him sideways without realizing it.

"What's wrong?"

Hearing You You didn't answer immediately, just stared straight at the egg in his arms, until it confirmed that the crack crawling across the scales was not an illusion.

It whispered.

"The egg in your hand, it seems to have really cracked..."

(End of chapter)