Capital City, Parliament
The atmosphere in the parliament was charged with tension. Metheus, who seemed to dominate the room, regarded a middle-aged man standing silently at the front.
This man was well-built, with long black hair cascading around his shoulders and a beard that hinted he hadn't shaved in days. There was an air of quiet intensity about him. His cold eyes flickered with emotion as he observed the projection of the white epidemic displayed before them. He turned to Diane, his gaze steady.
"Come with me," he said. "There are valuable insights to be gained from our outing. The students are waiting for you at the teacher's location."
Without acknowledging the legislators further, he turned and exited the chamber with deliberate calm.
Diane, momentarily taken aback, glanced at the projection before rising to follow him. "Yes, Lord Roman," she replied softly.
Once they had departed, a collective sigh of relief swept through the legislators.
Metheus stroked his beard, his voice relaxed. "Is it nearly time? The other border cities require our support. Let's send reinforcements."
The members exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of solemnity and relief. The presence of the legendary madman, Roman, seemed to overshadow their internal divisions and reform debates. His singular focus was to fulfill the Sword Saint's will, striving to prolong the Sword Saint's life above all else.
Of course, they knew better than to oppose him. Roman's notorious temper was well-known, and any dissent would likely be met with severe consequences. Their relief stemmed from the fact that Roman had broken through to the sixth tier due to the resurgence of magic—a significant boon for the entire federation.
Yet, the seriousness of the situation weighed heavily on them. The white epidemic posed a formidable threat, and the power he wielded had the potential to devastate their city. If the 500 transformed creatures were unleashed within the capital, without Roman's presence, the Sword Saint would be compelled to intervene—and that could lead to disaster.
The legislators understood that while they could combat chaos, losing the capital would cripple their industry and their influence.
In the projection, the spokesperson for the ancient god fought valiantly against the transformed beings, but with each kill, his own soldiers fell, illustrating the harsh reality of their situation.
Despite agreeing with Diane's mission, the legislators hesitated to issue any commands. They continued their slow discussions regarding new laws, waiting for the right moment. They anticipated the outcome of the upcoming law change announcement from Dongwu City.
Diane's operations often required days to convince supporters, and if the legislators did not reach a consensus, the top geniuses would remain unpersuaded.
The purest among them were the half-elves, known for their unwavering principles. Should Tobu City lack the power to enact change, the Federation would still adjust its laws—but these changes would stem from private negotiations rather than a unified front.
If Tobu City could effect change, however, the Federation would still realign itself, but in accordance with the discussions they had been having.
Ultimately, the legislators were simply re-dividing resources to benefit the most influential individuals in the capital.
"Indeed, the Federation needs swift stabilization. Let the dissenters quiet down," nodded the master of Renchu.
The other members voiced their agreement. A golden virtual sword materialized in the center of the chamber, pressing down with authority.
Suddenly, in the capital, elite soldiers from the law enforcement teams began mobilizing toward the teleportation array, initiating a broader purge.
With over a million rebels already eliminated, the fate of the remaining dissenters seemed inconsequential. To the parliament, these unaligned beings were merely part of the larger Federation.
"Reports are coming in of rebels plundering minerals and unique resources across cities like Bei'an, Hexiang, Qiyun, and Biyue! The looters are moving at an alarming speed!" a communication soldier reported, beads of sweat forming on his brow.
The legislators were momentarily stunned. Lott Zhengquan's expression shifted as he connected the dots. "What are the characteristics of these looters?"
The soldier's voice trembled. "They wield powers of extreme dirt, controlled solely by the one in Dongwu City."
The legislators exchanged glances, speechless. Were they really being outmaneuvered?
Metheus sighed, a hint of frustration on his face. "Let's assess the situation in the border cities first. If the pressure is manageable, we'll assign someone to monitor it."
"Agreed," the assembly responded in unison, an unprecedented show of unity.
Dongwu City
The players were less than 20 kilometers from the monstrous threat but hesitated to advance. The sheer scale of the battle before them was overwhelming; each blow from the monsters could spell instant death.
Yet, players are inherently driven. Despite the pause, many rushed forward, eager to engage without needing any command. A confrontation between players and monsters was imminent.
Bai Ying watched the unfolding chaos with a calm demeanor. He had spent eight days in the Kingdom of Night, where time flowed differently. In that span, the 500 transformed beings had reached their limit; each transformation required a silver-level host to endure the immense power, and resources were dwindling.
With 500 transformations costing around 3 million gold coins each, Bai Ying was running low. Despite this, he had achieved level 64 and was on the brink of level 65, though the experience required was a staggering eight million.
"Kill!" a voice bellowed.
"Overthrow the tyranny of the white epidemic and reclaim our rights!"
In an instant, a long-planned rebellion erupted within the inner city. The white epidemic glanced back, unfazed. In a world governed by extraordinary powers, collective rebellion held little weight against individual strength.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As rebels emerged, the Apocalypse Legion remained steadfast, their loyalty bolstered by the rewards given by the white epidemic. Their military salaries far surpassed those of other legions, ensuring that none chose to abandon their posts.
Sifu, now level 48, was not the strongest in the Apocalypse Legion, but he possessed considerable power. Drawing his sword, he addressed the rebels with chilling calm. "Kill them all!"
His voice echoed, igniting fear and madness in the eyes of the insurgents. Most were wealthy merchants who resisted reforms, hoping to profit from the chaos. They were unprepared for the fierce loyalty of the Apocalypse Army.
"Kill!" echoed behind Sifu as his officers and soldiers surged forward, overwhelming the rebels in an instant.
In Dongwu City, the absence of gold among the populace meant that the well-equipped Apocalypse Legion had the upper hand.
With a decisive clash, the massacre began, the number of monsters dwindling as their roars faded.
Though some ancient gods and abyss lords remained, their power waned against the onslaught of transformed beings. Bai Ying, confident in his strategy, prepared for the inevitable confrontation.
The battlefield trembled as Bai Ying commanded, "Show your face."
Rumble.
The walls of Tobu City quaked, and an extraordinary presence surged forth, catching the attention of the powerful entities poised to attack.
A towering 300-meter mecha materialized behind the three legions, a sight that evoked awe rather than fear.
"Admand, support the spectacle!" Bai Ying commanded, and 70,000 troops rallied, weapons drawn, charging toward the battlefield.
The Apocalypse Legion, bolstered by superior combat power, surged forward, ready to reclaim their ground.
With a clarion call, the players felt their resolve strengthen, pushing back against the tide of chaos.
"Try to eliminate those four legends," Bai Ying instructed. "If it becomes too much, retreat."
As the mecha roared to life, a surge of power radiated from it, igniting a fervor among the troops and players alike.
[Attribute conversion successful, the highest attribute of combat power: sun!]
[End of Chapter]