The Last King Of Darkness
Chapter 442 - 292: Hero Arrives_3

Chapter 442: Chapter 292: Hero Arrives_3

Moreover, unlike the flame of the Guardian Fire, the allure of the Holy Fire Seed far exceeds the monsters’ natural aversion, drawing countless monsters to vie for its possession.

The monster that ultimately holds the Holy Fire Seed must be the most powerful creature in that region.

"Can’t we just assassinate it?" Rod couldn’t help asking, feeling uncertain about battling such a formidable enemy.

The King shook his head slightly, "Impossible, once we cross into the non-human stage, our souls shine like bright lamps in the darkness, continuously attracting monster attacks. Thus, high-rank combatants rarely fight far from Trolian."

Archbishop Horus added, "Unless we use a powerful talisman or an imprint to hide the soul, but that is very costly and generally not used."

"Most importantly, it’s almost impossible for us to stealthily enter Tasnia Starry Sky City. Even if we were lucky enough to get into the Holy Fire Sacrificial Ground, we couldn’t possibly kill the monster that devoured the Holy Fire Seed in one strike."

"The battle with it would be incredibly long and difficult. By then, the entire Starry Sky City would be alerted, and countless monsters would swarm in, ensuring the mission’s failure. If high-rank forces were to suffer losses, that would be unacceptable for us at this time."

Rod suddenly understood.

"So we can only attack Starry Sky City head-on, clear the entire city, and then surround and annihilate the monster at the Holy Fire Sacrificial Ground, right?"

Horus revealed a friendly smile, "You’re absolutely right, young Rod."

Rod sighed, "This truly is a grand plan. No wonder you were convinced the Elder Council would never agree to it."

Horus scoffed, "I’ve dealt with them for decades. The moment the elders stick their backsides up, I know what crap they’re about to pull."

The King, laughing, shook his head, "Horus, you shouldn’t say that. The Elder Council is the foundation of Trolian, the last safeguard to ensure Trolian doesn’t perish. Of course, their excessive conservatism sometimes hinders progress, but it’s not really their fault; it’s simply the nature of their responsibilities."

Horus snorted, "King, you’re always speaking well of them, but some in there are already rotten to the core."

The King’s expression turned serious.

"True, some have indeed fallen. If Trolian were a giant, its long-standing hardships have caused its flesh to rot. It’s our duty to scrape away the necrotic flesh and allow new tissue to grow."

Turning to Rod, the King continued, "This is one of the reasons I’ve called you back to the Royal City."

A chill ran through Rod’s heart: "Do we take direct action? I’ve disliked them for a long time. Without crushing them completely, I can’t let go of this pent-up frustration."

The King laughed, "Don’t be so brutal. The cruelest methods must be executed with the finest precision. The therapy of flesh cutting and bloodletting has always been performed with the sharpest knife. Our strength is precious; with such a significant battle ahead, we must preserve every bit we can."

Rod frowned, "What do you mean? As long as we don’t wrong the innocent, isn’t it okay to catch the bad ones and kill them one by one, clearing out these tumors without any loss?"

Horus said, "Young Rod, it’s not as simple as you think. We’re not like the Elder Council, only considering costs and benefits. Indiscriminate killing only intensifies doubt and division among humans, which is counterproductive."

He sighed deeply and began to elaborate on the various considerations of the bigger picture.

The complicated relationships, the unspeakable frustrations, their past glories, the contributions they made for humanity, their tremendous prestige, and the King’s traditionally benevolent image—destroying it means the collapse of belief, and so on,

leaving Rod feeling dizzy with confusion.

Seeing Horus about to pour out years of pent-up frustrations, Rod, unable to bear it, waved his hand dismissively.

"What’s with all this roundabout nonsense? Why not just root out and finish them off one by one?"

Horus, his carefully crafted speech interrupted, couldn’t help feeling angry.

"What do you know, you young fool? What do you mean by ’finish them off one by one’?"

Rod briefly explained his "Soul Blast" technique.

As long as a soul lacked defense, one strike would be lethal. Since human souls, unlike monsters’, don’t always maintain Spiritual Energy, just getting close enough without their guard up could end them.

Horus angrily said, "Am I talking about this?"

Rod countered, "Isn’t it?"

Horus, infuriated, "Young man, don’t be too smug. Although your strength has grown rapidly, you still have a long way to go to surpass me. And my experience and wisdom are heights you’ll never reach."

"Oh, is that so?"

Horus scoffed, "I ask you, after you kill him, then what?"

"Then I’ll root out the next one."

Horus yelled, "Do you think the Royal City is lawless?"

"Otherwise? You’ll kill me?"

Horus was momentarily speechless.

Rod smiled and said, "Archbishop, don’t forget, I’m this year’s brightest rising star, a super newcomer who is nearing Third Level combatant in less than a year with boundless potential. I’ve just made incomparable contributions to humanity."

"I ask you, for the utilitarian Elder Council, between a dead has-been and a genius with an unlimited future, whom will they choose?"