CHAPTER 57: AFTER THE WAR
Kai and Terex emerged from the cave and faced the horrifying scene before them.
There was no longer a kingdom before them, but hell itself. The sky was ash-gray. The ground was covered with a layer of dried blood and ash. In the distance, the ruins of Nexan Palace were still smoking. There was no sound of any living thing. Only the howl of the wind and the smell of burning...
Kai's eyes filled with tears. His voice trembled: "King Swain... He... he's dead, Captain."
Terex placed his hand on Kai's shoulder. His voice was soft but firm: "Hey Kai, don't give up so quickly. Swain sacrificed himself so we could live. He saved us and all his people. If he were here and saw you like this, he'd give you a good scolding."
Kai shook his head. "But still... was this sacrifice necessary?"
Terex's eyes grew serious. "If it weren't for that sacrifice, we would all be dead, Kai. King Task wouldn't have left any of us alive." He paused for a moment, his voice lowering: "I'm sorry."
Yisun came to his two friends. "The Captain is right, Kai. Don't grieve anymore."
Gusion added: "Yes, if you let yourself go any more, you'll never recover."
Terex looked into Kai's eyes. "They're telling the truth, Kai." Then he lowered his voice, speaking in a more serious tone: "Besides, we're now facing an even greater threat."
Kai's head suddenly lifted. The tears in his eyes hadn't dried, but his gaze had sharpened. "An even greater threat?"
Terex took a deep breath. "I guess you don't know the rumors about the Infinite Fortress, Kai." He began to explain: "King Task probably attacked Nexan for the Infinite Fortress. The reason is, there are dozens of demons in the Infinite Fortress. But they all need a body. And now they've all been released." He fixed his eyes on Kai: "So we might see very powerful beings soon."
Kai's curiosity was aroused. "Are those demons that powerful, Captain?"
Terex's answer sent chills down Kai's spine: "They're so powerful... Powerful enough to instantly raise an ordinary soldier to the Sovereign level. "
These words wiped the sorrow from Kai's face. In its place came determination and alertness. He straightened up, threw his shoulders back. "Then we need to be more careful now."
Terex nodded in agreement. "You're right, Kai. Very powerful beings will emerge in the world now. And if we don't want to lose to them, we must unite."
Kai looked toward the horizon. His eyes were fixed beyond the ruins, toward an unknown future.
HORTEX – FORT LEVIATHAN – MAIN NAVAL BASE
A sailor ran through the corridors and came to the main chamber door. He was out of breath. He knocked.
"ENTER!"
The sailor immediately rushed in, bowed, and began to speak. "S-Sir! VERY BIG NEWS!"
Kaizen was sitting at his desk. He asked calmly: "Speak."
The sailor spoke excitedly: "S-Sir, Nexan..."
Admiral Terizla impatiently interjected: "Speak, damn it!"
The sailor finally blurted out: "Sir, Nexan has been destroyed! "
All the Admirals and Kaizen, including everyone, jumped to their feet.
"WHAT!!!! " The words came from all their mouths at the same time.
The sailor continued: "Sir, according to incoming information, King Swain released the power of the Infinite Fortress. "
Kaizen's face turned white. "How is this possible? Using that power was absolutely forbidden!"
The sailor bowed his head: "Sir, King Swain also died."
Kaizen froze for a moment. Then, slowly, he spoke: "Is that so... Then the demons inside are now free."
The sailor hesitated, then added: "Sir... We have an even bigger problem."
Kaizen's brow furrowed. "What bigger problem could there be than this, you fool?"
The sailor spoke with difficulty: "The Forbidden One-Demon... is here, sir. "
Deathly silence immediately filled the room.
No one could speak, no one could move.
And then, the door knocked.
KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
Kaizen barely managed to speak: "C-Come in."
The door opened.
The Forbidden One-Demon and Argus entered.
Everyone who saw the Forbidden One-Demon instinctively swallowed. The sailor couldn't bear it and immediately lost consciousness, collapsing to the ground.
The Forbidden One-Demon's single eye scanned the room. Saliva was dripping from his mouth. He stopped, looked at Kaizen.
"Ahhh... I guess you're Kaizen, the one Argus mentioned." He sized him up from head to toe. "You look strong." He spoke with saliva dripping from his mouth: "YOU'VE PIQUED MY INTEREST. "
But Fleet Admiral Kaizen didn't show his fear. On the contrary, he maintained his composure, standing tall. "Forbidden One-Demon, isn't it? If you think I'm afraid of you, you're very wrong." His eyes narrowed, his voice becoming threatening: "And if we fight, the one who comes out worse will be you."
A momentary surprise appeared in the Forbidden One-Demon's eye, followed by a wild glint. "HMMPP. IS THAT SO?" His body tensed, taking an attack stance. "THEN LET'S TRY IT. "
Just then, Argus intervened: "Forbidden One-Demon, no! Have you forgotten the Five Elders' order?"
The Forbidden One-Demon paused for a moment. Then he grunted: "Hmmpp... Right, there was the Five Elders' order." His eye scanned the room. "Which one of you is Shim?"
Admiral Shim, swallowing hard, stepped forward. "M-Me."
Argus immediately gave instructions: "Admiral Shim, take five warships with you and set out for the Ice Kingdom. You'll go through Nexan, don't forget that."
Kaizen interjected: "Argus, I guess you haven't heard what happened. Nexan is destroyed."
Argus's eyes widened like saucers. "WHAT? HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?"
Kaizen explained with a pained voice: "Swain released the power of the Infinite Fortress."
Argus's face turned white. "This is a very serious situation. I must inform the Five Elders immediately."
He suddenly turned, left the room, and quickly headed toward Fort Leviathan's passage.
Meanwhile, the news was spreading all over the world.
HORTEX – ACNOLIA CITY – KING LOKI'S PALACE
A soldier ran through the corridors and entered the main chamber. Inside were King Loki and Laoi. The soldier immediately knelt and began to speak.
"My King! Nexan has been destroyed!"
King Loki jumped to his feet. "What? HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?"
The soldier bowed his head: "King Swain released the power of the Infinite Fortress."
Laoi's eyes widened. "Then this means... The demons are now free."
Loki's face darkened. "This is very bad." He asked: "Do the Five Elders know about this?"
Soldier: "Not yet, my King."
Loki murmured thoughtfully: "I wonder what will happen when they find out?"
The soldier hesitated, then added: "My King, there's more news."
Loki: "What is it?"
The soldier spoke with difficulty: "They've released the Forbidden One-Demon. "
The room immediately fell into deathly silence.
Loki's face turned white. "W-What do you mean they've released him?"
Soldier: "My King, I think they're heading to the Ice Kingdom."
Loki: "Heading there?"
Soldier: "With Admiral Shim."
Loki took a deep breath. "It seems the real war is beginning now." He waved his hand: "Alright, you may leave."
Soldier: "As you command, my King."
After the soldier left, Loki's eyes fell on the table before him. Four wanted posters were lying there.
Morde: 100 Million Bel
Kai: 100 Million Bel
Sovereign Impernos: 400 Million Bel
Captain Rocks: 500 Million Bel
Laoi asked curiously: "My King, why are these wanted posters before you?"
Loki picked up Kai's wanted poster. He examined it for a while. Then, he spoke meaningfully: "Do you recognize this person?"
Laoi, astonished: "M-My King, that's Kai."
Loki fixed his eyes on the poster: "Yes, Kai..." He paused for a moment, then added: "I'll be meeting him soon."
NARRATOR: In the Hortex Kingdom, there are two governing bodies. One is the King, and the other is the Five Elders. The King represents the Five Elders. Because the Five Elders do not appear directly. But the main ruling power is the Five Elders.
HORTEX – HOLY LANDS – RIVO CASTLE
Argus passed through the passage and quickly arrived at the Holy Rivo Castle. He was out of breath. He immediately headed toward the chamber where the Five Elders were.
But he suddenly stopped.
In front of the door stood three figures: Holy Knight Bay X, Holy Knight Doa, Holy Knight Drenius.
And at that very moment, a fourth figure emerged from inside: Holy Knight Sabo.
There were a full four Holy Knights in front of the door.
Argus walked slowly and asked: "Holy Knights... What business do you have here?"
Bay X turned to him with his familiar laugh: "AAA! Are you coming too, Argus?"
Argus, confused: "Coming where, sir?"
Bay X explained: "To Nexan. We've detected a few Sovereigns there. We're going there so they don't take advantage of the chaos." He winked: "Are you coming too?"
Holy Knight Doa interjected mockingly: "Come on Bay X, Argus doesn't even know what's happening yet, do you?"
Argus, embarrassed: "Y-Yes, sir."
Holy Knight Drenius asked: "Argus, what did you come for? To deliver news?"
Argus: "Y-Yes, but you seem to know already."
Drenius said proudly: "Of course we know. After all, we are Holy Knights. We have to know everything."
Argus: "Yes, sir, you're right."
Holy Knight Sabo said impatiently: "Come on, stop prolonging things and let's set out."
Bay X immediately jumped in: "I'm coming too, by the way."
Sabo frowned: "Sorry Bay X, but the Five Elders didn't tell me anything about that."
Bay X said indifferently: "No one asked for permission anyway."
Sabo stiffened: "I still can't allow this."
Bay X's eyes narrowed. "Do you want to fight? I'm fine with that."
Doa immediately intervened: "Don't do that! If you fight here, the Five Elders won't like it at all."
Bay X insisted stubbornly: "Like it or not... I'm coming too."
Drenius turned to Sabo: "Sabo, don't be so serious. Besides, he's also a Holy Knight, what's the worst that could happen?"
Sabo's face grew serious. "You underestimate the Sovereigns too much." In his eyes was the shadow of a fear from the past. "I once fought one of them. And I returned from the brink of death. I almost died."
Doa, astonished: "What? You were defeated?"
Drenius also asked curiously: "I know you've killed several Sovereigns without much difficulty. How did you struggle so much?"
Bay X, as if remembering something, interjected: "Ah, yes! I know who you're talking about." His eyes lit up: "Impernos, isn't it?"
Sabo nodded. "Yes, that's right."
A wave of joy and excitement spread across Bay X's face. "I hope I get to encounter him too!"
Sabo, wanting to end the conversation: "Anyway, do whatever you want. I'll take three hunters with me and set out." He turned and looked at Bay X: "What about you?"
Bay X: "Yes, I'll do the same."
Sabo gave one final warning: "Just don't get in my way, do whatever you want."
And then he immediately set out, heading toward the Hunter Unit.
Bay X also headed in the same direction, toward the Hunter Unit.
Meanwhile, the Forbidden One-Demon and Admiral Shim had already set out. The ships glided over the sea.
The Forbidden One-Demon asked curiously: "Hey Shim, why are these ships so fast?"
Shim answered proudly: "Because they run on my power."
The Forbidden One-Demon said thoughtfully: "Then we'll be in Nexan very soon. I'll go the rest of the way on foot from there. See you in the Ice Kingdom."
Shim, astonished: "You're going to walk the whole way?"
A wild glint appeared in the Forbidden One-Demon's eye. "Don't worry, I'm fast."
ASHURA – CAPITAL– ARENUM
Dragon knocked on the door slowly and calmly, then entered. And he immediately knelt.
King Arthur raised his head. "Have you brought news, Dragon?"
Dragon: "Yes, my King."
Arthur: "Speak, then."
Dragon spoke with difficulty: "My King... The Nexan war is over."
Arthur immediately jumped to his feet. "WHAT WAS THE RESULT? "
Dragon was having trouble speaking.
Arthur grew impatient: "Speak, Dragon!"
Dragon bowed his head: "Nexan has been destroyed. "
Arthur remained silent.
One minute.
Two minutes.
Three minutes.
Then, slowly, he began to speak: "How did this happen?"
Dragon: "My King, according to incoming information, King Swain released the power of the Infinite Fortress. And the energy that emerged from there turned the entire Nexan Kingdom into wasteland. They say it's like hell."
King Arthur fixed his eyes on the distance. "So the Infinite Fortress has been released..." He took a deep breath: "We are now entering a new era. The name of this era is... CATASTROPHE. "
ICE KINGDOM – NORTH – THE UNRULED CAMP
A scout ran to the main tent. Inside were the leader of the Unruled, Ampilo, and his soldiers. The scout entered and spoke excitedly:
"Lord Ampilo! I have great news!"
Ampilo: "Speak."
Scout: "Sir, the Nexan war is over!"
Ampilo asked with great curiosity: "What was the result?"
Scout: "Sir, Nexan has been destroyed... But there is no winner. That bastard Task retreated. So there's no clear winner, but the losses are enormous."
A sly smile appeared on Ampilo's face. "That's good!"
Scout: "Sir, there's more..."
Ampilo waved his hand: "The rest doesn't concern us. The Ice Kingdom has lost many soldiers. Our time is approaching now." His eyes shone with ambition: "Soon they'll all be in shock, and we'll overthrow that bastard Task from his throne!"
ICE KINGDOM – CAPITAL – FROSTHOLM
King Task and his army had finally managed to reach the capital through the portals. They were tired, exhausted, wounded.
Seeing them, the people panicked.
"My King! What happened? Did we win?"
"What is this state? Did we lose?"
King Task took a deep breath, composed himself. He raised his voice:
"Don't worry, my people! We won this war! All of Nexan is destroyed! Victory is ours!"
A spark of hope lit up in the people's eyes.
Task continued: "Our state is normal, because we entered a very challenging battle. But rest assured, the winner is THE ICE KINGDOM! "
All the people shouted in unison:
"LONG LIVE KING TASK! LONG LIVE THE ICE KINGDOM!!! "
In the midst of the crowd, Morde stood tired and exhausted. He turned to Task:
"King Task, I'm tired. I'm going to my room."
Task nodded. "Alright Morde. You've done enough already. Go rest."
Morde, with heavy steps, headed toward his room.
IELIAN – CAPITAL – FLORIS
A soldier ran, knocked on the door, and entered. Inside were King Tsur, Wise Wizard Asewr, and Commander Kair. The soldier, in a hurry, bowed and began to speak:
"My King! The Nexan war has ended!"
King Tsur asked excitedly: "What was the result? Who won?"
Soldier: "There is no winner, my King."
Tsur, astonished: "What do you mean there's no winner?"
Soldier: "Sir, the Nexan Kingdom has been destroyed. The Ice Kingdom retreated. There is no winner."
Tsur's eyes widened: "What do you mean Nexan has been destroyed?"
Soldier: "My King, King Swain released the power of the Infinite Fortress. "
Wise Wizard Asewr's eyes widened like saucers. "What do you mean he released the power of the Infinite Fortress? That's forbidden!"
Soldier: "We think he did it to avoid losing and to protect his kingdom from the Ice Kingdom, sir."
King Tsur took a deep breath. "So that's the situation." Then he asked what he was really curious about: "What about Kai?"
Soldier: "My King, we don't know exactly. Our scouts fled before the explosion. But I think Kai escaped with Captain Terex."
A look of relief appeared on Tsur's face. "Good." He immediately ordered: "Kair! Take a battalion of soldiers to Nexan immediately and bring Kai here. Immediately!"
Kair bowed respectfully: "As you command, my King."
Tsur fixed his eyes on the horizon: "The real war will begin soon. I'm sure of it."
At this time, Admiral Shim and five naval warships approached the shores of Nexan.
Shim called out to the Forbidden One-Demon: "Forbidden One-Demon, you wanted to get off here. You get off, we'll go directly to the Ice Kingdom port."
The Forbidden One-Demon got off the ship and stepped onto the land that had turned into wasteland. He looked around. Everything was covered with a layer of ash. But his eye saw something else.
"It really is all wasteland..." he said, saliva dripping from his mouth. "But THERE IT IS! I SENSE A LIVING BEING! "
Shim asked curiously: "A living being? In these lands?"
The Forbidden One-Demon shook his head. "No, it's a human." The red glint in his eyes flared up even more. Saliva was dripping. "You go ahead, I'll follow you immediately."
And he started running. At an incredible speed, he disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Shim stared after him. "What is that speed?" he murmured. "This man... is very dangerous."
And with his five naval warships under his command, he began to advance toward the Ice Kingdom.
The person closest to the Forbidden One-Demon was Commander Amper, walking alone through the wasteland.