novelraw Chapter 113: This is Also a Facet of the End of the Dharma Era
Chapter 113: This is Also a Facet of the End of the Dharma Era
Westheid had misjudged Mivana. The Imperial Capital’s spaceport, with its peculiar layout and structure, was inherently disorienting. Anyone unfamiliar with it would definitely get turned around on their first visit.
Although, it was true that Mivana was a bit of an airhead.
"Let’s board. Your timing is perfect."
After inviting Mivana aboard the floating battleship, the Recovery Fleet Westheid had assembled was officially on its way.
They weren’t aboard a Blazing Flame-class Floating Battleship. Every inch of those war machines was dedicated to destruction and slaughter. That model didn’t even bother with heavy armor; its defense relied entirely on shields. All other space was allocated to its power supply or munitions. In short, it was the epitome of a glass cannon.
By comparison, the larger, ordinary floating battleships were much more suitable for passengers. Their ample interior space even included a spacious observation lounge, where one could sit on a soft sofa, sip a drink, and enjoy the scenery outside through one-way glass.
Westheid had taken the spot with the best view, gazing at the distant Imperial Capital.
On the horizon, the prosperity and grandeur of the Imperial Capital were almost suffocating. Only when looking down from high above could one truly grasp the astonishing scale of this megalopolis, home to a population in the tens of millions.
"Truly the heart of the Empire. So majestic and grand."
Mivana remarked with awe, standing beside Westheid.
"The capital of the Country of Yonglan is no slouch either, is it? As I recall, that Mountain Peak City built upon a bottomless abyss surpasses even the Imperial Capital in terms of grandeur."
Westheid said, glancing at Mivana.
The Ranger Knight’s expression immediately turned awkward.
"Gale Heart, you mean... I’m ashamed to say I’ve never been. I know less about my own homeland than you do."
"Then I’ll have to take you there when we get the chance!"
Westheid smiled, leaning back against the sofa.
"After all, the Knight King has to go to Gale Heart eventually, right?"
"Huh?"
Mivana thought she must have misheard, but Westheid offered no further explanation. Accompanied by a low WHIRRR—, one floating battleship after another slowly ascended and began to enter the Star Gate.
Each floating battleship entering the Star Gate was coated from bow to stern in a thin film of illusion, vanishing without a trace after passing through.
But Star Gates were not actually Teleportation Gates, and the ships weren’t being directly teleported.
Once the floating battleship Westheid was on passed through the Star Gate, everything outside the window looked as if it were covered by a rainbow-colored filter. A clear stream of light enveloped the vessel, and within this stream, the hull began to move swiftly, like a dragon swimming through the sea.
The scenery outside was immediately stretched into blurry lines.
"Now entering the Spirit Realm. Commencing transit to the next node. Fleet’s estimated time of arrival..."
A mechanical voice announced throughout the ship.
This was the function of a Star Gate: to open a rift between the Mortal World and the Spirit Realm. Floating battleships, specially treated and constructed, could then travel through this rift, achieving an effect equivalent to a hyperspace jump.
"Star Gates are so convenient," Westheid couldn’t help but sigh.
Yolanda said, "It’s all thanks to the grace of the Divine Ancestor. As long as you’re within the domain of a nation blessed by a Divine Ancestor, travel through the Spirit Realm is perfectly safe."
The principle behind Star Gates seemed simple, but was traversing the Spirit Realm really so easy?
The Spirit Realm, which had no physical constraints, was fundamentally similar to a Chaos Domain. The slightest touch of Chaos Erosion would instantly contaminate a vast area of the Spirit Realm. If you dared to enter, you were daring to die.
But in the nations of the Celestial Gods, there was no need to worry about such risks.
Absolute Order enveloped these nations of the Mortal World. Under the Law of a Celestial God, the entropy of Chaos had nowhere to hide. Even the Spirit Realm became a vast, open void that people could enter and exit at will.
The Empire’s vast, boundless territory would have long since shattered if not for the Spirit Realm travel provided by the Star Gates, which enabled communication and logistics between the various Provinces.
Westheid nodded. "Then we should make good use of them. We might not have the chance later."
Yolanda asked, "Why won’t we have the chance? Brother, as soon as we retake Qinghui Territory, we can just set up a Star Gate there!"
The platinum-blonde girl was very optimistic, but she and Westheid were on completely different wavelengths.
The ’no chance’ Westheid referred to was... in the future, when the Celestial Gods no longer manifested, all Star Gates would naturally become gates to hell.
’Strictly speaking, that is the true beginning of the *Poem of Destiny*.’
’An unprecedented Chaos Shock will sever the connection between the Supreme Heaven and the Mortal World. Nearly every Realm of Order will lose contact with their Divine Ancestor.’
’Without the suppression of the Celestial Gods, restless warmongers, hidden entities in the shadows, and the tides of Chaos will all run rampant.’
’The difference between Transcendents and mortals in this world is terrifyingly vast. They can destroy heaven and earth at a whim. Logically, the world should have long ago become a playground for unhinged Extraordinary Powerhouses, with the strong doing as they pleased, violating and brutalizing the entire world.’
’The only reason the nations of the Mortal World can still function in an orderly fashion, with strict laws and an appearance of civility, isn’t because Transcendents have high moral standards. It’s solely because of the existence of the Celestial Gods.’
’With a supreme, great being protecting the nation and establishing the Law, even Legendary Powerhouses will bow their heads and obediently follow the rules.’
’But the departure of the Celestial Gods will tear all this peace to shreds.’
’All past Order will be shattered. There will be madmen, there will be war, and rivers of blood will be commonplace.’
’And that’s not all. One catastrophe after another will follow in the wake of Chaos’s growing activity.’
Westheid’s eyelids drooped slightly as he silently recited the names of those catastrophes.
’The Empire has the Plague of Corruption and must also face the twin trial of the Return of the Dragon Group. The Thousand Laws Royal Court will have to repay the debt their Divine Ancestor owes and will be caught in the vortex of the Demon’s Banquet. The Celestial Vault Kingdom will experience Temporal Chaos...’
’As for the Country of Yonglan’s catastrophe, the Heaven-Devouring Wave... oh, she’s right next to me.’
Westheid looked at Mivana. Sensing his subtle gaze, she turned to meet his eyes. The fluffy beast ears on her head twitched, and she tilted her head in confusion.
"What is it?"
"Nothing. I just think you’re cute."
Westheid’s casual compliment made Mivana’s wolf ears stand straight up. A flicker of astonishment crossed the righteous Ranger Knight’s fair, snow-white face.
Mivana quickly averted her gaze, twirled a strand of hair by her ear, then lowered her hand to stroke the hilt of her sword.
But Westheid didn’t notice this small reaction; he had already lowered his head, lost in thought again.
’In any case, in the future, this seemingly prosperous and peaceful Mortal World will completely devolve into an End of the Dharma Era—an age of anarchy where beasts are led to devour men!’
’Good heavens, how utterly merciless!’
’Even the Celestial Gods... oh, wait, the Celestial Gods really did close their eyes. Well, never mind then.’
’The only way to save the world is for the grand feat of Ascension to occur once more amidst this chaotic age. A new Celestial God, at the moment of Ascension, will reconnect the Mortal World with the Supreme Heaven, allowing Order to return to the mortal realm.’
’This is the destiny of Ascension.’
’My God, they’re practically talking about me!’