Chapter 196: This is an Honor
“Participate in a ritual? What's going on?”
Ta Jiana, astonished, grabbed her friend's arm and said anxiously, “You're one of the family's most elite Dark Elf warriors. How could the family choose you as a sacrificial offering?”
Vinya shook her head. “This ritual is different from the past. The God Queen's Messenger will descend to save Spider City.”
“Only the most devout Dark Elves can participate in this ritual. We will become part of the Envoy, defeat that Wizard, and then return to the God Realm together!”
Looking into her friend's fanatical eyes, Ta Jiana's face paled slightly, filled with confusion.
Why were they so devoted to a being that had disappeared over twelve hundred years ago?
It was as if they had lost their minds!
“Vinya, you'll die!” Ta Jiana couldn't bear to watch her friend sacrifice herself.
“It's okay, Ta Jiana.” Vinya revealed a genuine, joyous smile. “Death isn’t scary. As long as I return to the God Realm, I'll be reborn through the power of the God Queen and obtain eternal life.”
“Don't say any more, Ta Jiana!”
“We are the God Queen's most loyal subjects, so naturally, we should obey her Edict. This is my honor!”
After saying this, Vinya turned and walked towards the Central Temple.
Ta Jiana stood rooted to the spot, her expression filled with bewilderment.
Meanwhile, Dark Elf warriors surged toward the Central Temple from all over Spider City.
Dark purple Demon Fire burned and surged between the stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling, illuminating the outline of the temple below.
The enormous temple loomed like a monster coiled in darkness, opening its maw and waiting for its prey to willingly present themselves.
Bank City.
As the city-state closest to Spider City, it was also on the front line directly facing it.
To slow the advance of the Star Alliance, the Dark Elves, before retreating, not only took all the slaves from the city but also demolished the city walls and most of the buildings.
The Star Alliance had to temporarily halt their advance to repair the city-state.
But this was precisely what Xie Man wanted.
He hadn't intended to attack Spider City too quickly, so he could simply halt the assault now and take a month or two to repair the city walls and buildings.
Upon leaving the Meditation Room, Xie Man headed straight to his study.
Although he had to oversee the battles, he had not neglected his cultivation and studies.
This was the foundation of the existence of Other: Wizard Apprentice.
Participating in wars was a way to earn more Contribution Points and exchange them for resources to enhance his strength; the latter was his fundamental goal.
Xie Man wouldn’t put the cart before the horse.
As he entered the study, A'Tier was inside, engrossed in reading battle reports, so focused that she didn’t notice someone approaching.
It wasn't until Xie Man entered that she snapped back to reality, looked up, and smiled.
"You’ve arrived at the right time. There are a few documents here that need your signature."
As the commander of the army, Xie Man's approval was necessary for many documents, while A'Tier served as his deputy.
He took the documents, glanced over them, quickly signed his name, and then inquired, "What about those two Secret Puppets?"
"A new batch of Magic Stones has just been delivered; they’ve gone to 'recharge'."
The term "recharge" referred to the process of infusing Magic Stones into their bodies.
A'Tier later learned that although the two Secret Puppets were powerful, their energy consumption was alarming.
A single battle could consume about ten mid-grade Magic Stones, worth nearly ten thousand Gold Coins (the Star Alliance's Magic Stones were all supplied at market price)!
They were practically bottomless money pits!
A'Tier then asked, "Which Secret Puppet are we sending out for the next battle?"
Xie Man contemplated for a moment before responding, "I just took down a Spiderfied Elf a couple of days ago, and it hasn't fully recovered from its injuries, so let’s send out Number 2 next."
To avoid frightening Spider City and causing the Dark Elves to lose their will to fight entirely, Xie Man had always made a point to deploy only one Secret Puppet at a time to face each Spiderfied Elf.
Besides, both Secret Puppets could change their appearance, so as long as they maintained the same form, the Dark Elves wouldn’t be able to distinguish between them.
"Oh, right, the teacher has new orders." A'Tier handed him a roll of parchment.
Xie Man took it and examined the contents; his expression immediately turned very peculiar.
A'Tier had long since read the contents of the document and asked with confusion, "What exactly is Master planning? He told us not to push Spider City too hard before, but now he wants us to encircle them without attacking."
Xie Man, equally bewildered, replied, "Master must have his reasons. We just need to follow his orders. It's a good opportunity for us to spend more time cultivating."
"That's true," A'Tier agreed with a nod.
Earning merits while cultivating—such an opportunity was rare.
"I heard that Cole and Ethan are making good progress and achieving several major victories."
"After all, they have two more Medium and Golem Legions than we do. The so-called Falling Star Alliance stands no chance against them."
"Maybe the war on the Northwest Region's side will end even faster than ours."
The two were chatting when suddenly a soldier rushed to the entrance of the study and bowed to them.
"My Lords, the scouts at the front report that Spider City's army is heading this way."
Xie Man paused and met A'Tier's gaze, which also showed surprise.
Spider City had previously abandoned their subordinate City State to avoid the full force of the Star Alliance, concentrating their troops to defend Spider City. But now, they were abandoning their defensive advantage and taking the initiative to attack. What exactly were those Dark Elves up to?
"They're not here to surrender, are they?" A'Tier joked.
"If that were the case, it would be a feigned surrender," Xie Man replied, having no trust in the notoriously cunning Dark Elves. "Besides, no one brings an army to the gate to surrender."
After sharing a few more jokes, the two wasted no time and hurried towards the city gate.
When they reached the top of the city wall, they saw the Dark Elf army forming ranks in the distance.
"This number... Spider City has come out in full force!" A solemn expression appeared on A'Tier's face.
Xie Man's brow furrowed as well.
From their formation, it appeared that the Dark Elves were treating the upcoming battle as their last stand.
But what he couldn't understand was, where did the Dark Elves draw their confidence from?
They were at a disadvantage by taking on the role of the attacking force.
This move was undoubtedly very unusual.
However, after glancing at the Secret Puppet who had arrived beside him unnoticed, Xie Man felt a slight sense of relief.
No matter what the Dark Elf was planning, there was no need to worry too much with those two Secret Puppets present.
Soon, the Dark Elf's army launched their attack.
As always, the Slave Troops served as the vanguard. Once the cannon fodder had mostly been exhausted, the Minotaur Troops and Lizard Cavalry would launch a fierce offensive.
Boom!
The city gates opened, and the Golem Legion advanced onto the battlefield with precise, measured steps. They stood like a massive wall in front of the gate, blocking the enemy’s relentless assault.
The two sides swiftly engaged in a chaotic melee, the deafening cries of battle echoing across the battlefield.
Xie Man's gaze remained fixed on the rear of the battlefield.
The Dark Elf's confidence in attacking Bank City definitely didn't stem from these troops alone; they surely had other trump cards hidden away.
Were there more Spiderfied Elves? Or perhaps something else?
Xie Man's questions were soon answered.
A black shadow suddenly shot up from the direction of the Dark Elf's camp. After a brief pause in the air, it darted towards them like a bolt of lightning, finally halting above the battlefield.
The light emanating from the Fluorite quickly illuminated the figure.
“Spiderfied Elf? No, that’s not right.” A'Tier's pupils constricted slightly. “What kind of monster is that?”
The creature in the sky resembled a Spiderfied Elf, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that her spider lower body was even larger than those they had encountered before. Its color was much darker as well. From a distance, it appeared as a black hole suspended in the air, with eight long, spindly limbs slowly swaying in the void, glinting with a chilling light like sharp blades.
Above the spider's body was the graceful form of a Dark Elf woman.
Her body, entirely devoid of clothing or armor, was bare. Her black, jade-like skin was covered in strange, blood-red markings, faintly interwoven to form hideous, scarlet spiders. Under the light of the Fluorite, they exuded a sinister beauty.
Xie Man regarded the Half-Spider Monster with a mix of shock and uncertainty.
For some reason, the creature instilled in him an incredibly strong sense of threat, far greater than any Spiderfied Elf he had encountered before!
While Xie Man and A'Tier were in utter astonishment, the Half-Spider Monster let out a sharp shriek and, like a cannonball, hurtled toward the city wall.
Midway, two Elite Steel Golems noticed the Half-Spider Monster. A flash of light emanated from their chests as they unleashed the Shattering Sound Wave and Magic Missile simultaneously.
However, the Half-Spider Monster didn’t even glance at them. Its massive spider body effortlessly crushed the twisted sound waves and Magic Missile as if they were made of foam. Then, its eight legs slashed in a cross, unleashing eight crescent-shaped blades of light that descended from the sky, cutting the two Elite Steel Golems into pieces.
A Mithril Golem activated its Levitation Spell and shot into the air to intercept the Half-Spider Monster. Its two iron fists, enhanced by magic, unleashed an overwhelming force, yet the Half-Spider Monster simply waved its scimitars and severed the Golem’s arms.
In an instant, cold glints flashed, and the enormous Mithril Golem was reduced to several parts.
All of this unfolded in an instant, so rapidly that Xie Man barely had time to react.
Without dwelling on the loss of the Golem, he hurriedly ordered the remaining Golems to distance themselves from the Half-Spider Monster.
This creature's strength was clearly not lower, and probably greater, than that of the Spiderfied Elf. Ordinary Golems stood no chance against it.
As the Golems retreated, the Half-Spider Monster ignored these subordinates. Its momentum unimpeded, it flew toward the city wall, its gaze fixed intently on the Secret Puppet Girl.
Without needing Xie Man's instructions, the Secret Puppet Girl had already discarded her gray robe and leapt off the city wall to confront it.
In an instant, surging flames and violent lightning erupted simultaneously, crashing down on the Half-Spider Monster.
The power of the spell that the Secret Puppet Girl unleashed was on a different level from that of the Elite Steel Golems. The Half-Spider Monster, which had traditionally taken direct hits, now deftly evaded and approached the Secret Puppet Girl like a phantom. Its scimitars and legs struck simultaneously at her.
Fearless, the Secret Puppet Girl wielded her Enchanted Longsword and met the attack head-on.
In the blink of an eye, the two were engaged in a fierce aerial battle, the intensity of their combat escalating into a white-hot frenzy.
Secret Puppet Girl held a sword in one hand and a spell in the other, expertly combining physical combat techniques and spells, showcasing astonishing momentum.
The Half-Spider Monster, despite its lack of spellcasting ability, held an advantage in the sheer number of weapons it wielded. The bloody patterns adorning its body seemed to possess some form of defensive capability.
Each time the spell struck the Half-Spider Monster, those bloody patterns would flash, dissipating the spell and leaving the creature completely unscathed.
For a time, the two sides found themselves in a stalemate.
After an extended battle without gaining an advantage, the Half-Spider Monster appeared somewhat annoyed. It let out a sharp shriek, and a violet demon fire suddenly erupted around its body, causing its aura to surge dramatically.
The eight legs of its spider-like form were cloaked in a layer of purple demon fire, swinging out countless illusory blades that enveloped Secret Puppet Girl.
With each impact, a faint distortion rippled across the surface of Secret Puppet Girl's body.
Xie Man and A'Tier, witnessing this, could not help but feel shocked.
Only they understood that this was a sign that the Extreme Protection Ring's defense had plummeted in an instant.
Just moments ago, it had effectively withstood the Half-Spider Monster's attacks. How could the power of that purple demon fire be so terrifying?
Xie Man frowned, his gaze fixed on the demon fire emanating from the Half-Spider Monster.
For some reason, the aura radiating from that purple demon fire instilled in them an inexplicable sense of heavy oppression.
"It's not like elemental energy or spiritual power; it's an energy property I've never encountered before!" Xie Man's heart was filled with suspicion and uncertainty.
As the Half-Spider Monster unleashed its demon fire, Secret Puppet Girl was quickly driven into a disadvantageous position!
A'Tier widened his eyes in astonishment.
It was important to note that Secret Puppet Girl was a puppet comparable to a formal wizard level. What was the origin of this Half-Spider Monster that it could actually suppress Secret Puppet Girl?
At the same time, inside the Dark Elf Camp, the Matriarch of the Twelve Families had her gaze fixed on the sky above the battlefield, intently monitoring the Half-Spider Monster's performance.
Seeing the Half-Spider Monster completely overpower its opponent, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, their faces filled with relief and joy.
"As expected of Master Envoy, that wizard is no match at all!" Philia Matriarch's eyes sparkled with fervent excitement.
"It was not in vain that we made such a significant sacrifice."
Oroli stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing what she had almost said, and quickly shook her head, dispelling such disrespectful thoughts about the God Queen.
How could this be a sacrifice?
It is an honor for those Dark Elf warriors!
Fortunately, the other Matriarchs were filled with wild joy and did not notice her slip of the tongue.
Lesta Matriarch smiled and said, “Once that Wizard is killed, the Star Alliance will be like a flock of headless dragons. They will certainly fall into chaos for a time. We can seize this opportunity to launch a counterattack!”
Philia Matriarch nodded emphatically, “That’s right! As long as that Wizard is dead, the Star Alliance will pose no threat!”
The rest of the group shared in their excitement.
With Lord Envoy's presence, Spider City would surely unify the Southeast Region—and indeed, the entire Underworld!
Boom!
A figure crashed to the ground like a meteor, pulverizing over a dozen Dark Elf warriors and Golems who were too slow to dodge. A massive crater instantly formed in the ground.
Secret Puppet Girl lay at the center of the crater, looking disheveled, with wounds covering her body. Her left arm had been severed at the shoulder.
Half-Spider Monster hovered above, her cold eyes looking down at Secret Puppet Girl, her gaze radiating lofty indifference.
"We’ve won!" Philia Matriarch declared, her face breaking into a confident smile.
Cheers of victory erupted from the Dark Elf Camp, interspersed with recitations of poems in praise of their triumph.
The Dark Elf Matriarchs did not scold their warriors, who also wore expressions of joy.
The outcome was decided!
In the sky above the battlefield, Half-Spider Monster raised the curved blade in her hand, and the spider body beneath her lifted its sharp leg-like limbs.
In the next instant, she plunged downwards, crashing toward Secret Puppet Girl like a falling star.
Judging by her stance, she clearly intended to end the battle with one deadly strike!
Clang!
Unexpectedly, Half-Spider Monster's attack was blocked.
A tall, slender figure stood before her, hands gripping a sword that now braced against the falling curved blade and spider legs.
In the distance, Philia Matriarch looked at the young woman lying in the crater and then at the other young woman standing in front of Lord Envoy. A look of astonishment mixed with confusion spread across her face.
Comments