Chapter 159: The Border
Daina looked at Ace, who was lost in thought, and smiled with admiration. Her fluffy flaxen hair was pinned up, and her bright black eyes gazed at Ace with infatuation. The unique, fresh scent of a young girl drifted faintly in the air.
To be like this forever, always by Teacher Ace’s side, is happiness enough, Daina thought, giving a big smile to Ace, who was absentmindedly chewing on roasted meat.
This group of nascent Wizard Apprentices, under the leadership of Ace, the Torch-Bearer, was finally reaching the end of their arduous migration. A new future was just ahead.
The border where the Northern March met the Royal Territory was now the dividing line between the Abyssal Projection and the normal world. Crown Princess Athena, Great Hero Arnold, and Dikens, who served the quasi-Treasure Artifact, arrived here leading 15,000 troops.
These 15,000 people were the last military force of Medimus City-State. The colossal lion, the manifestation of the city-state’s Authority, followed them, protecting them. This was the battle that would decide the fate of the city-state.
If they failed, if the Goddess of Elegance and Pontos failed, the Abyssal Demons, led by Abyssal Archon Dorkabach, would advance south, converting the entire southern Salia Peninsula into an Abyssal Projection!
Not far away, Alexius Rona, the leader of the dark worshipers, was waiting with a massive horde of Demons. Granted grace by the titled Abyssal Archon, Dorkabach, Lord of Darkness, he had transformed into a true Great Demon.
A Great Demon is equivalent to the Great Hero tier. Above that are Advanced Demons, equal to Legendary Heroes, and above that are Demon Archons, whose strength is comparable to Demigods.
The so-called titled Abyssal Archons, like the Lord of Darkness, are powerful Demon Archons who possess an Abyssal pseudo-Divinity and pseudo-Authority. Their strength lies between an ordinary Deity and an ordinary Chief God.
Although Alexius transformed into a Great Demon, he retained his basic human form. However, a Great Demon’s single horn grew on his head, massive bat-like wings sprouted from his back, and pitch-black shadows followed him. His entire body radiated shadow and ominousness.
His strength was already at the peak of a Great Demon. Once the Abyssal Projection stabilized, he would automatically evolve into an Advanced Demon.
Even a powerhouse like him dared not stay long in the Abyssal Lair, nor dared he get too close to the Abyssal Archon.
The Abyssal Archon radiated an innate, invisible whisper and the corrosive power of chaos. Staying too long would turn him directly into the Abyssal Archon’s kin, causing him to lose his self-identity completely.
“The Master’s power is too immense. Even as a projection, restricted by the pact between the Deities and the Great Source, it is difficult for Him to cross the barrier intact. We must stall the army of Medimus City-State and give the Great Lord sufficient time!”
“As long as the lair is completely finished, the Master’s projection can break through the barrier intact, and we will sweep across this Salia!”
Alexius’s eyes burned with desire and pursuit for power, status, and strength. Behind him, several Great Demons, hundreds of ordinary Demons, and nearly ten thousand small Demons were gathering.
In the Abyssal Extermination Legion camp of the city-state, Athena, Arnold, and Dikens were discussing strategy in the Plenipotentiary Military Officer’s tent.
“We cannot delay. We must march immediately! The Abyssal Archon’s complete descent takes time. Before He fully descends, while He is immobile, He is a target for the Goddess!”
Arnold Bain understood the rules of Abyssal Projections well. The Inner Plane of the world inherently detests the Abyss. Abyssal creatures must pay an extra price to cross the barrier of the Inner Plane, which gave the legion an opportunity.
“You are right, but Teacher, the tangible evil and ominousness are approaching. If we do not defeat them, the power of the Abyss will directly invade the Royal City!” Dikens bowed to Arnold and said.
“Then let us split our forces! To resolve the Abyssal Archon, we ultimately rely on the power of the Ancestor Goddess and His Excellency Pontos. You stay here to organize the army and block the Demons’ invasion.
I will head straight for the Abyssal Lair in the former Northern March Fortress alone!”
Athena’s ruby eyes sparkled. She wore skirt armor condensed from divine power, her sky-blue hair pinned up, and a shining divine helmet. She spoke to the two men.
“I have no worry about Your Highness’s strength, but you lack experience traveling outside. You need someone to accompany you.”
Arnold, stripped to the waist, wearing red trousers, pulled at his black cloak and said.
“Your Highness, let me accompany you. I returned from the Northern March Fortress and am familiar with the terrain and routes. Moreover, I possess The Frost Blessing, so I won’t be a burden to you.”
Dikens stepped forward, holding the ice crystal short sword.
“No. The more people, the easier it is to be exposed. Both of you stay here. I have the Goddess’s guidance and will surely reach the destination fastest. Dikens, lend me The Frost Blessing.”
Athena’s eyes began to flash with a pale golden light as she spoke to the two.
“It is my honor, Your Highness.”
Hearing this, Dikens did not hesitate. He respectfully held The Frost Blessing flat with both hands, kneeling on one knee, and offered it to Athena.
The ice crystal short sword shone brightly. The golden-eyed Athena grasped the short sword. Her eyes burst with light. A beam of divine power shot from her eyes, reflecting onto the ice crystal short sword.
She held the short sword and elegantly drew a circle. Clang!
Accompanied by the sound of metal and stone, the short sword, enveloped in divine power, flung out both divine power and ice crystals. In just a few seconds, an ice crystal statue identical to Athena appeared.
The golden-eyed Athena returned the ice crystal short sword to Dikens. Her fair hand gently stroked the ice crystal statue. Accompanied by divine power, the entire statue became exactly like Athena and came to “life.”
The ice crystal Athena moved her wrists and ankles, her movements slightly stiff.
“Dikens,” the golden-eyed Athena said with elegance and majesty, “use the ice crystal short sword to control the divine power puppet and confuse the enemy. It bears a divine imprint; the Demons on the other side cannot distinguish the real from the fake. You do not need to annihilate them, just pin them down!”
Arnold and Dikens looked at the golden-eyed Athena, feeling the divine might. They solemnly knelt and bowed: “Your will is our command!”
That night, Athena transformed into an elegant wind, quietly leaving the Abyssal Extermination Legion camp under the cover of darkness.
Dikens controlled the ice crystal Athena, patrolling the camp. Several Eye Demons were spying from a distance. After spotting them, Dikens and Arnold remained calm, manipulating the ice crystal Athena to deliberately walk into areas where the Eye Demons could spot her.
In the Demon gathering place, Alexius sat on a high bone throne, embracing several Shadow Succubi.
He was actually extremely worried inside. Although the Goddess’s projection could not appear continuously—like the Abyssal Archon, She had restrictions—
If She appeared even once, he might lose his life. Even if he were reborn in the Great Lord’s shadow, how different would he be from the pitch-black figure behind him then?
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