1482 — The Land of the Severed Path "Young master, doing this will seriously damage our reputation…"
An elderly steward standing beside him asked hesitantly.
"We are eternal, glorious, and illustrious nobles. The dirty work is done by the trading companies under us. Understood?"
Erik shot the steward a meaningful look.
The steward bowed respectfully and withdrew, leaving only Erik, who gently swirled the transparent goblet in his hand. Through the blood-red wine, he seemed to glimpse two beautiful faces that haunted his dreams.
"Just you wait… you'll both be mine soon enough. My possessions…"
A flush crept across Erik's cheeks as he murmured in a somewhat sickly tone…
Thanks to the Black Moon Trading Company's covert tip-offs, overwhelming pressure immediately bore down on the Nien Trading Company. Under Rafinia's leadership, the Paladins launched a massive operation, demolishing several of the company's hidden strongholds and even searching as far as
With the Church's support, Rafinia had grown far more cautious in dealing with the Serpent Church — and far more cunning. Nearly every squad now included high-ranking clergy, and she and the legendary powerhouse who had arrived as reinforcement were on constant standby. Even if they encountered Barbara again, things would not play out the way they had before.
In terms of accumulated strength, the Church of Justice was far superior to the Serpent Church. This was not merely a matter of whether one's deity was more powerful — it also came down to the passage of time.
"This is a provocation! An outrageous provocation!"
After seeing off an envoy from the Black Moon Trading Company,
"I'm now certain — those Paladins were brought here by the other side!"
Anya paced uneasily through the parlor. "The earlier breach of our outposts was only a warning. If we refuse their demands, a far more devastating strike will follow…"
"Heh heh… how ignorant and foolish these people are, walking ever further down the path of death…"
Barbara set down the letter in her hands, a confident smile on her face.
"They want to absorb the Nien Trading Company and demand cooperation with our Church — even requiring you to go there in person as a show of sincerity.
"My lady…" Anya's face showed hesitation, her heart growing more anxious.
"We must deliver a resolute counterstrike!" Barbara's voice was firm.
"Indeed! Any sinner who dares offend the Holy Lady shall be punished by the fires of Hell!" The legendary devil hunter, Fix, also entered the parlor.
"The problem is… the Black Moon Trading Company's underground connections run deep and wide. Baron Erik himself holds the noble title of a great aristocrat. His family's influence ranks among the top three in the entire Silvermoon Alliance…"
A glimmer of fear appeared in Anya's eyes. Even the Black Moon Trading Company alone was more than the Ban Family could handle, to say nothing of the ducal family standing behind it. Compared to them, their own meager forces were nothing but a tiny ant.
Only by relying on the Serpent Church did they possess the power to fight back.
"That's not all. Erik's father, that ruling Grand Duke, is also a seasoned legendary powerhouse!" Fix murmured with a grave expression.
"If the gentleman were to act personally, what would our odds be?" He turned to the legendary devil hunter.
It was clear that Fix's diplomatic efforts had borne fruit. Even this proud devil hunter gave the matter serious thought before answering in stiff Common Tongue: "I have the confidence to kill him — but only if there are absolutely no interruptions. That's simply impossible within New Silvermoon City…"
"Exactly. There are also Queen
Fix sighed. The Silvermoon Alliance had once been the most magically advanced region on the entire continent, a holy land in the eyes of countless mages. It had produced any number of powerful spells, and even many Legendary-class figures had studied and trained there.
Among them was Leilin himself! In the eyes of many ordinary people, this youngest legendary mage had clearly achieved his breakthrough through the abundant accumulation and opportunities Silvermoon City had provided.
The accumulated magical power this represented made the Silvermoon Alliance a terrifying existence. It was the countless high-ranking mages and legendary mages that allowed Silvermoon City to stand to this day — single-handedly sustaining the war against the Orc Empire.
And within New Silvermoon City, the concentration of high-ranking mages was the greatest of all. Their combined power could rival the incarnation of a deity!
Under such circumstances, whether it was assassination or a sudden attack, either would be the height of recklessness.
"Moreover, even killing Erik and this legendary Grand Duke would accomplish nothing. The family is enormously vast, with influence spread across the entire continent. All it would do is bring us more enemies…"
Fix sighed. Erik's family was the real colossus — hidden branches and powerful figures beyond counting, spread throughout the Material Plane. Even if the patriarch and heir were slain, the family would quickly select new leadership and pursue the enemy to the ends of the earth.
To destroy such a family, one would need to sweep them all up at once, root and branch. Otherwise, the consequences would be endless.
Compared to them, the Ban Family's disparity was like that between a countryside landowner and a king.
But then again, if the Ban Family possessed that kind of power, they would never have been pressured by the Church of
"On that point, you need not worry at all!"
Barbara rose to her feet, her expression carrying an unprecedented solemnity and majesty.
A layer of hazy divine light descended. Somewhere in the unseen, the will of a great existence had begun communing with Barbara. A golden gleam flashed through her eyes, and a look of understanding settled on her face.
"The Black Moon Trading Company and Erik's family that follows are digging their own graves! Under the will of my god, they shall be utterly and completely destroyed!"
Barbara's expression was resolute as she delivered the divine oracle.
"That… was that just now… the God of Slaughter descending?"
The moment Barbara had risen, the devil hunter had already fallen to his knees, praying fervently like a zealot. Anya and Fix, meanwhile, had been overwhelmed by the tremendous majesty, flattened against the floor, their bodies trembling uncontrollably. Even the draconic aura of a legendary dragon paled before the majesty of a True God — a mere fragment of will could bring mortals to their knees.
After that great will withdrew, Fix finally regained his composure and asked shakily: "Was that… my Lord
In her mind, if the deity she worshipped had made a prophecy, then their destruction was a foregone conclusion.
"So this is the power of a True God? Even a colossal family entrenched in the Material Plane, with legendary powerhouses standing guard, with limitless hidden and covert strength — their annihilation is a simple matter… That's right! How could I have forgotten — no matter how tolerant and gentle this deity's priests and followers may appear, this is still a mighty god who holds the divine portfolio of Slaughter…"
A dazed look flickered through Fix's eyes, while beside him Anya's gaze burned with fervent desire.
This kind of power — dominion over countless lives — was what she truly craved…
…
Beyond the void, one of Leilin's avatars had descended upon the Northern Territory.
"A land steeped in the aura of war, perpetually watched by the gaze of a mighty divine power…"
His eyes glinted as he grasped everything in an instant. Leilin let out a cold laugh and strode directly into the bounds of the Material Plane. Now that he had ascended to True Godhood, he was virtually fearless — there was no longer any need to skulk about.
"The faith threads here have been maintained rather well. Must be the lingering influence from before, plus Barbara's efforts…"
Leilin extended his perception slightly, and countless golden threads from the void wound toward him, carrying intense emotions and soul-force. Before his eyes, they coalesced into scene after scene.
He casually selected one, and his gaze shifted to Barbara's stronghold — the place where children were sheltered. There, a thin, frail young boy was praying before Leilin's divine statue: "Great Lord of Slaughter… I pray to you, grant me courage… and… and the strength to protect Sister Barbara!"
Lens's gaze was unwavering, carrying a hint of steely resolve. "For this, I am willing to give everything!"
"What excellent conviction. This level of faith is nearly that of a zealot…"
For a deity, this was prime material — someone who must be carefully cultivated. A True God cared only about the sincerity of one's faith, and every zealot was an invaluable treasure.
"Let me take a look…"
Leilin's divine consciousness descended, and without Lens noticing in the slightest, he drew up every memory the boy possessed.
"Hmm? Connected to the Black Moon Trading Company as well — driven to ruin and turned into a refugee by Erik?"
Seeing this dark memory, Leilin actually smiled. He sent a wisp of thought streaming downward.
In the midst of his prayer, Lens suddenly felt himself enveloped by a tremendous torrent. A voice filled with majesty resonated deep within his heart: "I am the God of Slaughter, the Sovereign of Devils, the Establisher of Order — Kukulkan! Devout believer, was this your request?"
The majesty and yet the warmth of that voice left Lens in no doubt that this was the deity he worshipped. That even his own humble prayer had been instantly answered brought tears streaming to his eyes.
"I have seen the future. Erik shall wail in the fires of Hell, and you shall receive power enough to protect what you hold dear…"