The Last King Of Darkness
Chapter 278 - 198: Don’t Let Us Down

Chapter 278: Chapter 198: Don’t Let Us Down

Rod was taken aback.

The King wants to see me?

It had been a long time since their last meeting, and many things had happened in the interim, but Rod’s memory of their last encounter was still vivid.

The King had told him that the Holy Fire was dying.

The intensifying internal disputes in the Royal City were due to his reclusion and the increasingly severe situation outside of Trolian.

The indulgence and tolerance shown by the Royal City towards certain individuals were because their power was needed.

Humans, for the sake of survival, had to give up some things.

In addition, he had discussed the issue of "秒射" with Rod and under his guidance, Rod had learned how to utilize "秒射" actively, significantly enhancing the power of his Spiritual Power Multiple Melodies.

At the end, the King had told Rod that Trolian was very much looking forward to a new star rising, and the more burdens he could take on, the more he would be freed up to change everything and reclaim what had been forsaken.

Hmph.

I’m strong enough now, right?

Isn’t it time you handed some of the burden over to me?

Rod was brimming with confidence.

And indeed, that was the case.

After the Investigation Legion left, the Fire Priest quickly arrived and took him to the Holy Fire Sacrificial Ground.

For the second time, Rod saw the supreme leader of the Human Kingdom.

He hadn’t changed much, dressed in a long robe of gold and white with a pattern of flames, wearing a burning crown of fire, emanating an air of vicissitudes and authority, his eyes, however, were full of gentle mirth.

The first words the King spoke to him were, "I have a major task for you."

Rod smiled and said, "Of course no problem, you must feel my tremendous strength and surging Spiritual Energy. This is the right decision, you can completely trust me with the burden..."

The King chuckled and said, "I’m sorry, little Rod, but I really can’t sense such a minute change in you. I didn’t have any plans for you originally, this mission is far too dangerous for you."

He paused for a moment, speaking softly.

"This is the Dean’s request."

Rod was shocked: "The Dean’s request?"

The King nodded slightly, his gaze turning deep, a flash of sorrow passing by in an instant.

"I received a soul communication from the Dean, he believes you can complete this extremely important task, and moreover, if you have such a merit, it will silence all those who think you are just a vessel for Theodore, and completely clear you of the guilt of publicly killing the Chief Judge."

"In doing so, you will have the qualifications to take on a senior position in the Royal City."

Rod was stunned for a long time before he snapped back to reality.

Dean, so you thought of it too?

Haha, your wisdom indeed rivals mine.

The King said softly, "Although Theodore didn’t tell me the reasons, I trust him. Little Rod, go to the Military War Department. Dalin will arrange everything, and if you truly succeed, there will be many more matters afterward."

Two Fire Priests descended from the sky and lifted Rod up.

Before he had a chance to say goodbye, they flew out of the Holy Fire Sacrificial Ground and arrived at the highest castle of the Military War Department, located directly north of the Sacrificial Altar.

It was an imposing and solemn building, where standardization and meticulousness were its greatest characteristics; identical side lengths and perfect symmetry made it look like a cube enlarged tens of thousands of times.

The inside of the cube was very busy, with countless personnel bustling to and fro, people clutching stacks of papers or hurrying along with quality crystals.

In a massive room at the very center of the castle, Rod met the actual head of the highest Military War Department, the Defense Chief, who managed all the war affairs of the Trolian Human Kingdom.

Jolevi Dalin.

This was the second time Rod had seen him.

He was a middle-aged man with a stern face, a square jaw, and thick brown beard, slightly gray at the temples, carrying a faint scent of smoke around him.

"Please, have a seat."

He said calmly.

"I’m pleased we’ve met again. Since the matter is urgent, I’ll skip the small talk."

"According to the information from the Investigation Legion, there’s a good chance the frontline of the Black Tide will pass through Trolian. Considering our current defenses, it could cause significant damage."

"Fortunately, Liszt has discovered two nodes that may give us a chance to alter the direction of the Black Tide."

"It’s an extremely dangerous mission, requiring the placement of a great amount of Corrosive Material deep within the darkness far from Trolian. Oh, do you know what Corrosive Material is?"

Rod replied, "Highly decomposed Spiritual items, which have a strong attraction to monsters."

"Very good, very good."

Dalin couldn’t help but show a relieved smile and subconsciously took a cigarette from his drawer, lit it with a flint, and took a deep puff.

"You really are different. Just a few months after enrolling in the academy, you’ve been involved in so many significant events, your experiences far exceeding those of typical students. At your age, I was nothing but a kid who knew nothing but chasing girls. My biggest dream was to maintain a harem and have thousands of wives to pamper me every day... *cough cough cough*."

Rod smiled and said, "It’s okay, I’ve thought about it too. All men do."

Dalin laughed, "Kid, once you’re truly married, you won’t think that way. One wife can drain you dry, make you lose the will to think about anything other than work, even sleeping with a woman becomes a nightmare...*cough cough cough* I mean to say, not all men are like that. Take Alan, for instance. He only loved his wife his entire life and turned down countless women who wished to be with him after she passed. He remains alone to this day, and we’re actually quite worried. We’ve tried numerous things to no avail..."

The aide coughed, "Your Excellency Dalin, you’re getting off-track again."

"Ah." Dalin came back to his senses and said with a laugh, "Sorry, whenever I see a promising young man, I can’t help but wax lyrical."

He took a few more deep puffs of his cigarette, his expression turning serious.

"This mission is very dangerous, very important. According to our rules, you wouldn’t normally be allowed to take part in it. However..."

Dalin smiled again, his square face breaking into a grin that was remarkably comical.

"You’re currently carrying the guilt of killing Gregor. The Military War Department has the right to send you on the most dangerous missions. Did you know? There’s a group within the Royal City that particularly despises you. This is the privilege they fought to gain for you, with the goal of putting you in a deadly situation. You must use this opportunity wisely."

Rod couldn’t help but smile, though he felt a bit perplexed.

"Why do they despise me? Because I killed Chief Judge Gregor in public?"

Dalin took a drag of his cigarette, pondering, "Perhaps, but I suspect it’s more to do with Qingyu’s protection of you, making them see you as one of her people."

"Umm, is Qingyu that disliked?"

"No, it’s just that she follows the king’s path, and many want to change that."

Rod asked curiously, "Why? Isn’t Troli much stronger and more prosperous since the King took over?"

There was a hint of coldness in Dalin’s smile.

"That’s true, but some people aren’t doing as well as before."

Rod understood and frowned, "Why not just kill them?"

Dalin slightly shook his head.

"The King is merciful and kind. If we kill people just for having differing opinions, where would his mercy and kindness be? Wouldn’t that be purging dissent? We need to unite all the forces we can. In this dark Epoch, humanity can only survive if we stand together."

The aide coughed again, "Your Excellency Dalin, please stick to the matter at hand."

Dalin smiled apologetically, "I’m sorry, I always get sidetracked, perhaps there’s been too much on my mind lately."

"Young Rod, you will join the ’Iron Furnace City Undefeated’ team led by Demetri as a scout to carry out this mission. Your departure is set for today; my aide will arrange everything for you."

Rod was taken aback, "Today? Isn’t that rather sudden?"

Dalin nodded lightly.

"Yes. Normally, we shouldn’t dispatch a combatant who has just returned from the front lines for a new mission right away, but the King trusts you. He believes you’re fully capable of undertaking this task."

"Young Rod, don’t let him down."

Dalin’s tone became stern, his eyes glinting as if he saw a light.

"And don’t let us down either."