Chapter 171: The Black Reaper's March
In a certain lawless stretch of land, deep within the borders of the Duskharrow Kingdom, misery was the norm. This was a place where war, poverty, and chaos had long since devoured any sense of order. Whether because of centuries of conflict, cursed geography, or the influx of criminals, demons, and demonic beasts, the land was unsustainable.
Once, generations ago, a powerful lord tried to tame this land and carve out a dominion here. But war, attrition, and death forced him and his successors to retreat. All that remained was the cursed reputation of the land — a forsaken place that sprawled across borders into neighboring countries throughout the southeastern reaches of the Red Desert Continent.
This land was Grimhollow Valley.
Officially, 40% of its territory was claimed by the Duskharrow Kingdom. In reality, even that kingdom's questionable politics and weakened armies had long since abandoned it. The valley's notoriety stemmed not only from its poverty and lawlessness, but from the fact that it was one of the most dangerous passageways toward the Middle Region's southeastern expanse. Cults, invaders, demonic beast hordes, and renegade sects thrived here.
And now, amidst the ongoing war against the dimensional invasions sweeping across the continent, Grimhollow Valley had grown bloodier than ever. Sects and armies from across the lands threw themselves into battles near the valley's borders, yet within its depths, nothing had changed: only the strong could carve out survival.
At this moment, one such strong force stood in silence.
A masked army clad in dark masks with gold stars occupied a makeshift town built upon fresh corpses. Human and beast remains alike littered the earth. Captives — bruised, bloodied, bound — huddled together, some in defiance, others in silent despair.
Inside one of the sturdier buildings at the town's center, twelve figures sat in conference. Every one of them radiated the aura of a Gold tier expert. Nine sat loosely surrounding three seated at the center.
On either side of the man in the middle sat a pair of twins — Kageha and Kuroha. Both studied the visiting guest with keen eyes.
The man they flanked was none other than Daoist Dark Devil Blades — Zoro.
"So something like this is happening…" Kageha muttered, rubbing his chin. "Jeez, even without being here, Blue Heavens Aniki, Star Eyes Anego, and Lady Shayleaf keep making waves…"
The guest across from him snorted. "You say that as though the Black Reaper Corps hasn't been just as reckless. Not to mention that madman, the Dragon Spear Hero."
"Well, I can't deny that." Kageha grinned faintly.
The guest straightened, his voice serious. "In any case, according to Shia's will, I have conveyed Lady Erica's thoughts and plans to you. I hope you'll follow them, Daoist Dark Devil Blades."
Zoro leaned forward slightly, sharp eyes gleaming beneath his mask. Silence hung for a moment before he chuckled.
"Heh. I understand. Truth be told, I already had similar thoughts to Erica. It's about time I started cutting down certain people, especially those fools scheming behind White Star Radiance's back. I wouldn't mind your assistance either. It would make things faster. What say you, Joe-Pine?"
The guest revealed beneath his robes was indeed Joe-Pine, the fanged elf, clad in white-and-blue robes with a white mask etched with golden stars and a banner across his chest.
"Hahaha! Zoro, you actually want me to help? I thought you were the lone wolf type," Joe-Pine laughed.
"Ordinarily, yes. But given your skills in diplomacy, you're leagues ahead of this ragtag bunch of murderers I drag around." Zoro gestured vaguely at the other masked experts.
Joe-Pine smirked. "True enough. Alright, I'll lend a hand. Still, it amazes me that you're already a Golden Lord, while I'm only Gold tier 3. You guys really are monsters."
Zoro said nothing, his silence its own acknowledgement.
Soon after, the meeting adjourned. The Black Reaper Corps dispersed, their campaign continuing in Grimhollow Valley. And before long, shocking news spread.
The Black Reaper Corps, under the banner of White Star Radiance, had conquered a swath of the valley — and rumors claimed that they had slain a Mortal Shedding Realm expert.
Few believed the latter. How could they kill a Mortal Lord without one of their own? Had Dark Devil Blades ascended? The rumors proved false… yet the conquest was undeniable, as were the countless forces absorbed into the Corps' ranks. The region was on high alert.
Days later, more chaos erupted. The Black Reaper Corps launched an assault on a Nights Light Devouring Church stronghold hidden in the valley. The branch was destroyed utterly.
In the battle, a Mortal Lord Deacon of the church fell to Zoro's blades. The man was none other than the war criminal who years ago had nearly killed Zoro, only to be grievously wounded by the scar-chested warrior with the massive greatsword. Those wounds had never healed. Though still technically a Mortal Lord, the Deacon's body had long since rotted from within. Now, against Zoro, he succumbed.
The news shook the valley.
And only days after that victory, yet another branch of the Nights Light Devouring Church, burning with fury, mobilized against the Black Reaper Corps.
A devastating clash erupted — one that would leave Grimhollow Valley itself trembling.