Chapter 61
Doubts started gnawing on the populace’s minds. And as the four churches pushes their propagandas even further with the secret help from the Sect of the Void, this doubt grew increasingly bigger.
Questions like whether the war was justified or not started appearing on most people’s minds. Many more are asking themselves if they are really doing the right thing by supporting the war against the four gods’ religion.
And despite the three alliances’ best effort, they could no longer stop the wheel from turning. It was now growing increasingly obvious that the four churches have gained the momentum. If things are left to continue as it is, the war might end sooner than most had anticipated – ending with the three alliances armies crumbling from the inside due to the differing opinions from within its own ranks.
But when the members of the four churches are about to celebrate their imminent victory, something unexpected happened. The ‘land titan’, Titan Andes had arrived in the battlefield in support of the forces of the three alliances!
What’s more aggravating for the four churches though was the fact that Titan Andes didn’t just went there to support the three alliances in battle but also to expose the four churches’ lies!
Titan Andes made a declaration, a declaration that could be heard far and wide, that the four gods that the four gods religion are worshipping, did indeed turn its back to the flight of the world when the avatar of the god of the void descended several months ago!
Worse still, Titan Andes also revealed that the four churches are working with the Sect of the Void. And it was due to their interference that the forces of the three alliances had suffered greatly not too long ago. The fact that they were the ones helping the four churches to spread their propaganda was also revealed.
The titan’s declaration sends the entire continent into an uproar once again. And that was to be expected. After all, the declaration came from a titan’s mouth. And if there’s one other thing that titans are known for besides their overwhelming power is that titans don’t lie!
Yes, titans only spoke the truth. It’s in their programming. And anyone with a bit of knowledge about these legendary beings knew this fact. It was for this reason that the effect of Titan Andes’ declaration was so effective.
“Hahaha! Serves them right!”
King Horas and the other leaders of the three alliances are in a light mood. And how could their mood not be light? The effect of the titan’s declaration was more effective than they anticipated. Opinion of the populace that was previously swaying in favor of the four churches now sways in their favor.
“You all did a marvelous job. I don’t know how you did it but you convinced the titan to interfere and speak for us,” praised the emperor while looking at the five men that was standing respectfully not too far away.
The five men, the envoys that were sent to convince Titan Andes, looked at each other awkwardly after being given such high praise. Unfortunately, they couldn’t take credit for the titan’s action. The reason being was that they weren’t the ones who convinced the titan. No, it was someone else that did that.
“We are very grateful of Your Majesty’s praise. It’s just that we’re unworthy of such praise. Truthfully, the titan’s action had absolutely nothing to do with us five at all,” One of the envoy explained while lowering his head.
The admission of one of the envoys shocked everyone present. How could it not be them? Did someone else have the same idea as they have? Could it be the sorceress?
No, it couldn’t be…
The leaders of the three alliances both reached the same conclusion that the sorceress might have her hands on this. After all as someone that could communicate with the will of the world; she would be the best candidate to speak with the titans.
But from the reports they’ve received recently it couldn’t be the sorceress. The reason being was that she never left her airship due to her duty as the eyes and ears of the Order. Without her presence, the mysterious forces, now revealed to be from the Sect of the Void, could mount another surprise attack.
Even though they had made preparations to avoid suffering the same casualties they suffered before, it’s still not as effective as the sorceress being present.
But if it wasn’t the sorceress, then who was it?
With that question in mind, the emperor and the other leaders, look at the five men to explain further. Fortunately, the five envoys didn’t disappoint as they do know who convinced the titan, Andes.
“It was an avian monster coated in silver,” said the same envoy that spoke earlier.
“An avian monster coated in silver? Ah, so that’s how it is…”
Upon hearing that a silver-colored flying monster was responsible for convincing Titan Andes, the king of Farcell, King Rutney, suddenly understood something and nodded his head repeatedly. And since he spoke out loud, everyone heard him and realized that the king of the gnomes most likely knew what’s up.
****
“King Rutney, your reaction right now seemed to indicate that you knew something. Care to enlighten us?” asked Emperor Darius IX.
King Rutney simply shrugged his shoulder in a casual manner, and answered. “Sure! I’m not trying to hide it anyway,” he said. “The silver-colored avian monster that the envoy described is most likely referring to the silver falcon called Sol.”
“Silver falcon? A monster king?” The king of Forst asked, frowning.
“That’s right, a monster king!” King Rutney confirmed.
A looked of surprise appeared on everyone’s face which was expected if one thinks about it. Monsters kings, although could not be considered humanity’s enemies could not be considered their friends as well. These powerful beast are unlike regular monsters as not only are they powerful on their own right, they’re also extremely intelligent.
If regular monsters only follow their instincts, the monster kings are more than capable of rational thoughts. And with the exceptions of very cruel ones, most monster kings could be reasoned with. It was for this reason that accounts of ordinary people surviving an encounter with a terrifyingly powerful monster were very common.
But still, a monster king negotiating to a titan for the sake of the world was definitely unheard of.
While the leaders of the three alliances are mulling over this extraordinary event, one of the elders from the Council of Elders, Elder Zelma has a strange expression on her face.
“A monster king… a silver falcon named Sol? Is that just a coincidence?”
The reason Elder Zelma has such an expression is because her only student, that had gone missing several months ago also have silver falcon which was also named Sol as a familiar!
Elder Zelma knew of Sol’s existence was because before her only student, Rennel, went missing, she’d received a letter from her narrating her adventures. And among those letters was a letter detailing her new familiar, the monster king named Sol.
“It couldn’t be just coincidence, right? After all, there couldn’t be two silver falcons with the name Sol!”
Elder Zelma let out a sigh. She regrets not asking Sorceress Cassandra about it. The sorceress should know more about the silver falcon because she was present when her precious student vanished. It couldn’t be helped though. Elder Zelma resented the sorceress for leaving Rennel behind to fight one of the envoys of void, who later became the avatar of the god of the void.
Of course she’s fully aware that the sorceress is not at fault. After all, Rennel stayed behind on her own free will. It’s just that as a teacher she couldn’t accept the fact that their group returned safely while her precious student went missing.
“King Rutney, would it be possible to meet this silver falcon called Sol?” The emperor asked with eyes full of curiosity.
“I’m afraid you’re asking the wrong person here, Darius. You should instead forwards your request to Elder Zelma,” answered King Rutney while smiling mischievously.
“Elder Zelma? Why her?” asked the king of Almena.
“The silver falcon is someone’s familiar.”
“Oh?”
The eyes of the other leaders turned towards Elder Zelma who was currently giving the king of the gnomes a death glare. Being glared like that by Elder Zelma who also happened to be a powerful arch-mage terrified the heck out the king of the gnomes. He couldn’t help but think that his joke might have gone too far.
“Please don’t be mad, Elder Zelma. I’m not trying to put you in a tight spot. It’s just that no one here besides you and that black-haired girl who’s constantly on the sorceress side could summon Sol. If anyone else tried, the silver falcon would most likely ignore or attack them,” explained King Rutney with an awkward smile on his child-like face.
“Hmph! You think you could escape punishment by saying that? In your dreams!” Elder Zelma exclaimed angrily. “Just you wait. I’ll get back to you later so don’t even think of running away, you runt!”
King Rutney almost fainted when he heard the elder’s threat. Knowing Elder Zelma’s personality, she would certainly make good of her threat. That said King Rutney is still a king as such he’s hoping that the punishment won’t be too severe…
Everyone was amused by the banter between the two. In their opinion, King Rutney had dug his own grave. Most people on the continent knew the infamous female elder’s temper. When her temper flares up, very few could stop her. Even the emperor would think twice before angering her.
“Forget Rutney’s punishment and whatnot for now, Zelma. How come we’re unaware of this silver falcon? Is it your new familiar?” Elder Theodore asked.
Elder Zelma let out a sigh before shaking her head. “No. Sol is not my familiar. She’s the girl’s familiar. To be honest I only knew of Sol’s existence through her letters,” explained Elder Zelma rather gloomily. “If you really want to meet Sol, I could arrange a meeting.”
“The girl… I see.” Elder Theodore was deep in thought. He was aware that the girl went missing inside the Dark Sea after accompanying the sorceress and the gnomes in their quest to find the then missing prince of the gnomes, Russell. “Have you heard any news of the girl's whereabouts recently?”
Elder Zelma shook her head and no longer spoke. Listening to the conversation, the people inside the room seemed to have realized something and simultaneously gave the king of the gnomes a dirty look. They finally understood why the female elder was so furious earlier. It seemed that the female elder's student went missing not too long ago. King Rutney’s joke was indeed tasteless.
Seeing the dirty looks the others are giving him, the king of the gnomes felt wronged. They were the ones who wanted to know about the silver falcon so why is he the only one suffering?
****
True to her words, Elder Zelma did indeed arranged a meeting between the leaders of the three alliances and Sol. She did this by contacting Pina, and asking her to send Sol to Radford Castle. But before the meeting could be held, a piece of important news arrived. It was news that concerned the Titan Andes and the god Tehran.
According to the news, the Titan Andes and the god Tehran had started battling on a plain not too far away from the four holy cities!
When everyone in Radford Castle heard the news, no one was really surprise. Pretty much everyone in the continent understood that after Titan Andes revealed the truth, the titan would undoubtedly become the four churches most hated enemy.
After all, the titan had revealed the four churches’ conspiracy and lies – damaging their reputation for good. The damage to the churches’ reputation was so thorough that recovery is no longer possible. Also, without a shadow of a doubt, Titan Andes had singlehandedly changed the course of the war in favor of the three alliances.
Although the leaders of the three alliances wanted to see the fight between the titan and the avatar of the god Tehran personally, their current situation prevented them from doing so. As the leader of their respective forces, they must always think of the big picture and calculate their every words and actions. As such they could not just leave Radford Castle as they please. Of course that doesn’t mean that they could not watch the fight.
Even if they could not be physically present, it’s still possible to watch the fight between the titan and the god Tehran in the safety of Radford Castle by using a special artifact developed by the magicians of Nuathl city. It won’t be the same as personally seeing the fight but it’s better than nothing.
Also, watching the battle within the conference room of Radford Castle has it advantages. For example, it will allow the leaders of the three alliances to prepare a countermeasure in the chances that the titan loses the fight.
They're not being pessimistic but realistic. Although the titan is strong and could match a dragon, it’s facing a god in battle even if that god is just an avatar.
Truth be told, the leaders of three alliances have not confident that the titan would win against the god Tehran. After watching the recorded scene of the massacre initiated by the avatar of the god Tehran, the leaders became fully aware of the terrifying power of the gods.
Although the truth is painful to accept, it’s a fact that to the gods, all mortals are just insects that they could crush whenever they wanted.
****
To be continued
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