The Last King Of Darkness
Chapter 684 - 397 Arrival_2

Chapter 684: Chapter 397 Arrival_2

Anna had set up all the Spiritual Power Instruments and crystals.

The base was finally taking shape.

Rod was surprised to discover that she was so capable, organizing everything methodically; the instruments and crystals were neatly arranged, their functions clear at a glance, and there had been no issues during assembly.

"Anna,"

Rod said approvingly, "it seems you have functions beyond being a horse, huh?"

Anna replied angrily, "I am a centaur! How many times must I say it? Don’t treat me like a horse. Or do you just want to ride me every day?"

Rod chuckled, "Aren’t centaurs part-horse too? With your speed, who wouldn’t want to ride you?"

"Shut up!"

Although Anna seemed fierce, she wasn’t truly angry.

Being treated as a horse wasn’t a problem as long as she could be of use, which was certainly better than, say, eating shit.

Anna simply didn’t want to openly admit it, as being ridden was a bit embarrassing.

After settling in initially, other combatants gradually arrived, and one base after another lit up around them.

Anna had a small Fog Disk in her hand through which she could monitor the nearby Spiritual Energy activity.

What was once an area of complete darkness now had multiple points of light appearing across it, eventually forming a line like a string of shiny pearls.

This was the Western Front.

Behind the line of battle, there was the brightest point of all – the Rock Lighthouse, where the command center was situated.

During this period, the Rock Lighthouse had been in constant communication with them, providing additional information and details of the combat plan.

It was only after Guardian Jon arrived that Rod truly understood what they were up against.

Guardian Jon and Guardian Lily were the two Guardians stationed at the front; they would provide support in the case of a crisis, but generally would not engage unless necessary.

At the level of Guardians, the rules of the Royal City were to engage as little as possible and to let others do the work whenever it could be avoided.

If they had to take action, it meant a severe crisis was at hand.

For those even higher up, like the Fire Sons, the criteria were even stricter.

Unless faced with a crisis that could affect the survival of Trolian, they would not be deployed.

It had been a long time since Rod had seen Jon; he had shared a significant history with the King Candidate, having been adversaries for a time before coming to an understanding. Jon had aided Rod in establishing Star Town, and they had since developed a friendship and trust.

Jon had always hoped Rod would join his camp, but Rod detested the very idea of the struggle for the throne and refused to get involved.

Jon didn’t mind Rod’s refusal; he was confident he would emerge victorious and ascend to the throne to create a stern, iron-fisted, and efficient Royal City.

Regardless of Rod’s agreement, a place for him in Jon’s future was assured.

Jon’s cold employment principle was also a characteristic of his.

He firmly believed that Rod would create miracles, just as he was convinced that he himself would become King.

"Brother Rod, even though you have become a Second Level combatant, you must not take this battle lightly,"

Jon said with gravity.

"I’ve reviewed your past victories and they are indeed remarkable, but you haven’t fought the monsters deep within the Black Fog, and thus, don’t realize their strength. Your rapid growth has left you with inadequate foundation. If it were not for the Royal City’s desperate need for combat power, you would not have been able to reach this battlefield so easily."

A chill ran through Rod’s heart as the words ’deep within the darkness’ struck a nerve.

Whether the Soul Devouring Nightmare or the Dark Stars, both claimed to be beasts from the depths of darkness.

Their strength was undeniable, and without the suppression of the Dream Realm and his companions’ help, he could never have won.

If he encountered them in the Main Material World...

A slight coldness crept over Rod.

Apart from stealthily slipping away, it seemed there were no other options.

"Now, let me tell you about the true threat that Trolian faces,"

Jon raised his hand and pointed to the west.

"Over there, about sixty thousand yards away, lies the castle of the Soul Devouring King."

Rod exclaimed in surprise, "The castle of the Soul Devouring King?"

Jon slowly nodded, "Yes, that’s an incredibly terrifying castle, home to countless demons, the Fallen, pollutants, and Corpse Ghosts. They fight and devour each other, gradually giving rise to some extremely powerful entities. In the more than a thousand years since Trolian was established, humans have never ventured there, with Storm Pass being the farthest they have reached."

Kashan asked curiously, "Your Excellency, the Guardian, why is it called the castle of the Soul Devouring King?"

Jon said solemnly, "The legend speaks of an ancient Holy One who stood alone here against the Black Fog. The people he protected were able to evacuate, but his reinforcements never arrived. He was abandoned by his king, and those people, gripped by fear, only wanted to flee to a safe place to hide, not knowing the Black Fog would invade the whole world."

"The desperate Holy One exhausted his Spiritual Energy, and as the Black Fog corroded him, his soul fell, thus was born the monstrous Soul Devouring King."

"A strong instinct drove it to consume spirituality everywhere, both from monsters and humans alike, and the remaining husks and residual souls were sealed by it, piling up in its lair, becoming bricks and branches."

"In time, the castle of the Soul Devouring King was built in this manner."

Jon’s words sent chills down Kashan and Anna’s spines, but Rod and Mephit remained calm.

Rod furrowed his brow and asked, "Your Excellency Jon, if the Soul Devouring King is so brutal, why are there still so many monsters gathered around its castle?"

Jon said calmly, "The Soul Devouring King fell silent more than a thousand years ago. It’s the sealed bodies and residual souls that attracted many monsters. The spirituality of the Soul Devouring King still influences, making these monsters extremely agitated, attacking and devouring each other, eventually leading to this state."

He paused for a few seconds then continued in a serious tone, "However, in recent years, the slumber of the Soul Devouring King has become unstable. The Spiritual Energy fluctuations are chaotic, and soul disturbances frequent, it could awaken at any moment."

Kashan blinked her large eyes, "Is the Soul Devouring King really powerful?"

"Powerful?"

Jon shook his head slightly.

"To counter its threat, at least two Fire Sons or Great Knight Captains are always on standby in the highest combat sequence,"

"This is a King Level Monster, theoretically on par with a King."

"It has the capability to destroy Trolian; one must be extremely careful. Brother Rod, the moment you detect its awakening, you must immediately report it."

Rod bowed his head, "I understand."

Jon continued, "To the north of the castle of the Soul Devouring King lies the Land of Despair, which also harbors two King Level Monsters—the King of Light and the King of Night. They possess terrifying characteristics and Spiritual Energy, their very presence warping time and space, and the Black Fog gathers here, attracting even more powerful monsters."

"And even farther, to the south and west, there are more terrifying entities, but they are of no concern to you."

"Your only task is to guard your station well, preventing the stirred-up Strong Monsters from attacking the core legion from behind. If you accomplish that, you have done your duty. Fire Son Luo Weiya is very powerful and fierce. The battle at Storm Pass won’t last long; you needn’t worry too much."

Rod answered solemnly, "I know."

Jon patted his shoulder, his large hooked nose especially prominent in the firelight.

"Brother Rod, you must survive. When I ascend to the throne, I will show you a more prosperous Trolian and a stronger humanity."

Rod hesitated for a moment but still asked, "Your Excellency Jon, why do you trust me so much?"

Jon smiled, "To strike down the Chief Judge in front of everyone for the sake of what’s right in your heart has shown your integrity and your refusal to compromise. And for a cleaner Royal City, you cleverly devised a scheme to purge a great many maggots from the Royal City, proving your adaptability and ruthless determination."

"You and I are of the same kind; we are the hope of humanity. Qingyu should just stay aside and bear your children; she need not get involved."

Rod scratched his head, not knowing what to say.

Anna appeared disdainful, yet out of the corner of her eye, she stole glances at Rod, as if seeing him for the first time.

Kashan’s eyes shone brightly, her clenched fist indicating her desire to catch up to Rod’s strides.

Mephit remained indifferent and expressionless, as if he cared about none of it.

Jon said no more and took his leave—he had many things to do before the war arrived.

Quiet returned to the station.

Everyone watched their pocket watches, waiting for time to pass.

Finally, the moment arrived.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.