Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 1042: Section 602: Trip to Central South (Part 2)_2

Chapter 1042: Section 602: Trip to Central South (Part 2)_2

"It’s truly wonderful that you’re able to fight alongside us, sir." If just moments ago this middle-aged man thought of Malin as a young man rushing toward his own death, now his impression was that of a legendary warrior from a distant land coming to their aid with his blade drawn.

More and more groups began to appear on the streets, and Malin even saw some women setting up makeshift field hospitals for the wounded in small squares along the roadside.

"Strange, isn’t it?" The Sage’s disciple noticed Malin looking around.

"Yes, it feels... this isn’t like a city; it feels more akin to a military camp." Malin remarked, as the city evoked nothing but this specific sentiment in him.

"The first batch of citizens who came to this city, their forefathers, were originally Thainan Pioneer Troops. They drove out Chaos forces here, gathered the native people struggling to survive in the wilderness, and rebuilt this city. Naturally, their children became soldiers too. But over time, that connection weakened. The legacy of the Pioneer Troops faded as they were reclassified as common citizens. Yet fundamentally, they’re still warriors—always vigilant, always ready to rearm." The Sage’s disciple glanced at Malin and added, "I heard from the envoy in the ship fleet that you’ve had experience establishing military legions in the Western Human World. Your first battle even annihilated a force of tens of thousands of Black Orcs."

"It seems that envoy spoke quite candidly about me." Malin grinned.

"He greatly admires the firearms your workshop manufactures. I’ve seen one myself—a truly remarkable breech-loading rifle. Malin, I’m genuinely curious about your background. But rest assured, my curiosity about you doesn’t surpass my focus on the current Chaos incursion. Moreover, you’re a Legendary figure. Not even my mentor would dare push a Legendary into action—it would defy protocol and court certain death."

"Is that why Sages can only be served by the disabled?" Malin asked.

The young disciple nodded solemnly: "Yes, because power can intoxicate. We Sages must never become enslaved to power."

"Do you think so little of yourselves?" Malin frowned, wanting to understand the mindset of these Sages. "What do you do when danger occurs and you have no strength? If an entire group of Sages were wiped out, then what?"

"Another Sage’s disciples would inherit this branch’s traditions. Rest assured, Malin. Precisely because we Sages are fragile, Chaos cannot control us nor feast upon us." The disciple’s answer left Malin confounded. Why did he think Sages possessing power would be dangerous?

It seemed only after the battle would Malin see if he could get answers from Meng Quyi.

With this thought, Malin followed the disciple onto a low wall. According to the boy, the city hadn’t faced warfare for a long time, and thus, the walls—built halfway decades ago—stood merely three meters tall now.

Defenders lined the walls. The group accompanying the Sage’s disciple was assigned to different sectors and bid farewell before heading to designated areas with other guides.

"Leading the enemy formation are some refugees swept up from Pioneer outposts. Judging by their appearance, they’re beyond saving. However, we can’t identify which Evil God’s forces they belong to yet. Their main army hasn’t arrived; only scattered Chaotic Believers are here. These Chaos curs bear no discernible markings." A military officer approached on the wall. He wore armor and seemed unsurprised by how the Sage’s disciple merely wore simple cloth robes. But when his gaze fell on Malin, he paused for a second look: "Sir, who might this be...?"

"Malin Gaiate, from the Western Human World."

"Ah, so from the Westland. Are you a Sage as well?" The middle-aged man eyed Malin’s short robe.

"In a way. Look—our enemies have arrived." Malin pointed beyond the wall. Following his gesture, the officer and disciple spotted the chaos battle flag.

It was an image of a red cross with a horizontal stripe at its base, further adorned with skulls below.

"It seems we’ll face the challenge of Confucius’s dogs..." The commander muttered before issuing orders: "Prepare the Dragon Gun Squad at the city gate! Heavy Infantry to the walls! Musketeers to the rooftops behind the walls for free shooting! Inform the Crossbowmen—they need to focus on the Bleeders!"

The orders were swiftly executed.

Malin watched as these pitiful captives, manipulated by Chaos, were herded toward the city.

"I warned our officials that Chaos’s invasion was imminent. Isn’t this something those Diviners from Cloud City could confirm? I now have ample reason to suspect they’ve fallen." The Sage’s disciple furrowed his brow. "I’ve seen their Great Demon—a colossal Bleeder, a terrifying warlord. We lack the strength to confront them. Malin, I fear you shouldn’t die here. This is a Thainan city, and you’re not a Thanan."

"But I am a God-chosen Champion. Let me show you a grand treasure." Malin spoke, as Mana transformed into a bracelet on his left wrist.

Then, both his hands reached into Subspace. The Blood God Sword first emerged, and upon seeing it, the Sage’s disciple grew a horn atop his head.

Soon after, the Lord of Justice’s sword was drawn, cutting off the chance for the horn to develop further as it fell to the ground.

Having narrowly escaped death, the startled disciple wiped his forehead, noticing no injury before bending down to pick up the fallen horn: "Lord Malin, what are those items you hold?"

"Oh, they’re weapons granted to me by Confucius and Master Wu. I’ll be right back." Malin said, casually jumping off the wall and striding toward Khorne’s war band. "Come out! You coward! See who stands before you!"

The Chaos army halted, and a hulking figure emerged from their ranks. Were it a champion of any other Evil God’s Great Demon, they might have fled. But the one before them? They worshiped Confucius.

Malin recalled a forum discussion about reincarnating under one of the Four Merchants as a Great Demon. It concluded with many suggesting that following Khorne was simple—just fight and kill. Malin’s reply would’ve been: "How laughably naive. When faced with powerful foes, you cannot escape nor win; that’s the true tragedy."

Had this been a Great Demon of the merciful Parrot Xinglij, they’d have vanished the moment Malin showed up.

Only Khorne’s Great Demon stood this fiercely, face twisted in agony like they’d swallowed dung, yet still gripping their sword and charging forward, yelling to embolden themselves.

But what good would self-cheering do, my friend? You’re still destined for a grisly defeat.

As the Great Demon closed in, Bippo giggled, casting a debuff that bypassed its magical defenses—a Slow Spell.

Mana, now braced on Malin’s wrist, pulled out a .50 caliber Revolver from his belt, emptying all four chambers of its cylinder within a second.

To block the bullets, the Great Demon had to swing its weapon. When it raised its Longsword, Malin’s dual swords simultaneously chopped into its knees.

The Great Demon, crying out in pain, collapsed onto its knees. Malin seized its sword hand, snapping its fingers and wrenching away the weapon, then impaled its skull with the blade.

Pulling out the Lord of Justice’s sword, Malin decapitated the Great Demon.

A skeletal hand emerged from the Subspace rift, snatched up the severed head in one motion.

Then Ails’s face peeked out with a grin, looking exceedingly pleased.

"Ails... It’s been so long." Malin greeted the Lich while stowing away his weapons.

Only to be met with Ails’s confusion.

"Lord Malin, what nonsense are you spouting? I saw you just two months ago."

Ails, however, followed with a chuckle.

"But you’re right—two months. That is quite a long time indeed."

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