In the Name of Empress

Chapter 743 411: Equality of All Beings Under Destruction (Part 2)

Since it's playing dead, then...

Go die!

Voie roared furiously, and a ferocious Frost Giant Dragon flew out from the void, charging at the ice sculpture with a frosty assault.

"Be careful!"

A gentle voice came from the deep void, a warning from the Nether Empress.

Voie retreated without hesitation, but it was too late.

Thorns grew beneath his feet, entangling his legs.

He had indeed considered the opponent's counterattack, never taking his eyes off the two ice sculptures.

But he had not expected that the two ice sculptures were real, yet the spoils inside were fake.

In the instant he summoned the ice, Roland and Sif had already vanished, leaving behind illusions.

Illusion Skill, the simplest magic, can also be mimicked by Extraordinary Abilities, requiring no skill.

Summoned illusions have no attack power, cannot move, and shatter upon contact, often wasting effort.

Yet Voie was still deceived.

Roland and Sif's illusions did not need to attack, only to attract fire.

The illusions should have shattered but were frozen by the storm summoned by Voie.

If Voie had taken a closer look, he would have seen that the ice sculptures only contained shattered illusions forcibly adhered together by frost.

Voie regretted it, but it was too late.

Sif's thorns entwined him, Roland's heavy hammer struck fiercely, Divine Energy tearing into his body.

Their cooperation was flawless, even the always-critical Sofia showed a slight smile.

She could give them nine out of ten, withholding the last point to prevent pride.

Sofia silently rated Roland.

The most potent attack was countered by illusions, like a false face deceived by illusionary runes, instantly changing the offensive and defensive positions.

Voie's hard strength was already slightly inferior, and losing the initial advantage put him at a disadvantage.

He held on through sheer survival instinct, awaiting rescue from the Nether Empress.

He believed the benevolent Judica would surely save him.

Judica indeed cared for her subordinates and did arrive, but she couldn't get close to Voie.

Sofia provocatively summoned an ice wall to block Judica's path forward.

Although she had forsaken the Power of Frosty Winter, Sofia's ice manipulation skills were so refined that she could summon ice walls even using the Power of Destruction.

Ultimately, Judica couldn't pass through the biting cold, stopping before the ice wall.

This ice wall, like a wall of sighs, forcibly separated Judica and Voie, cutting off Voie's hope of survival.

The battle on the other side of the ice wall ended quickly.

The blinding Holy Light in the dim Netherworld was especially dazzling, and Voie's screams filled the advancing Netherworld army with unending dread.

Judica's gaze fixed on Sofia, and she asked in a deep voice, "Who are you really?"

"Theia Plane, Empress of the Frosty Winter, Sofia." Sofia said seriously, inadvertently misleading the other's judgment.

Her cold demeanor, light blue eyebrows, and the recently summoned ice wall, the ice attribute was evident.

Such a person coupled with the title of Empress of the Frosty Winter created a nearly indelible impression.

Judica nodded thoughtfully, calmly saying, "You are proficient in the power of ice and stronger than Voie. If you're willing to surrender, you can take his place."

"What about them?" Sofia pointed to Roland and Sif.

"They can be your lieutenants or return home." Judica said calmly.

Her gaze held a hint of anticipation.

Though Sofia appeared cold, her mind hadn't been frozen by the frost. Judging from the informer from the Netherworld, she always prepared thoroughly, and though domineering, she was not rash.

Sofia was indeed strong, but she wasn't in the Divine Domain, surely not reckless enough to provoke someone who had already stepped into it?

To urge Sofia to make the correct choice, Judica didn't hesitate to display her Divine Power.

She released her domain, Netherworld Power filled the space.

The pure Death Energy made Sofia somewhat uncomfortable.

She was only uncomfortable, but Roland and Sif nearly died in this Death Domain. Sif had to summon the Ginkgo Tree, using shared life to barely sustain, while Roland continuously used Holy Light to heal them both.

"Domain?"

Sofia's expression changed slightly.

"Exactly, since you're familiar with domains, I don't need to waste time explaining. Make your choice, my patience isn't great, I won't wait indefinitely." Judica's lips curled slightly, seeing the wavering in Sofia's eyes, she knew this was secure.

Sofia turned back to look at Roland and Sif, softly asking, "Are you staying or returning home?"

"Going home!" Sif answered almost instantly.

Roland opened his mouth, seeming to want to say something, but no sound came out.

Sofia said nothing more, continuing to ask, "Do you have the gem I gave you?"

"Yes, I've always kept it with me."

Roland quickly took out the black and white gem, feeling its weight in his hand.

Sofia nonchalantly shrugged, smiling as she said, "The Nether Empress has already stepped into the Divine Domain. The power and realm gap between gods and mortals is as vast as heaven and earth, no point in struggling."

"Can they leave first?" Sofia asked.

Judica was somewhat displeased, was this a sign of distrust? But she did not erupt, merely nodded silently, casually summoning a Netherworld Envoy to escort Roland and Sif out.

Sofia approached Roland, covering the black and white gem with her hand, gently stroking it, seemingly reluctant.

After some unknown time, she said softly, "Roland, you know my wish, right?"

"Of course, I swear, I'll give everything, even my last breath, to accomplish it, because it's my wish too."

"That's good, you should leave." Sofia was leisurely, merely waving her hand, no longer looking at Roland.

Seeing her so decisively, Judica felt somewhat relieved, hurriedly signaling the Netherworld Envoy to leave.

The Netherworld was vast, but it had many entrances and exits too.

Under the Netherworld Envoy's guidance, Sif and Roland reached the Netherworld's exit via the passage directly above.

The Netherworld Envoy opened the passage and urged them to leave.

Roland and Sif left silently, feeling conflicted.

They once regarded Sofia as an enemy, yet didn't expect their lives were a gift from her.

Sif held Roland's hand gently, "Roland, don't be sad. She's not dead, just living elsewhere, free from the cycle of reincarnation."

Yes, being a living dead means not dying again.

But was this type of existence truly what Sofia wanted?

Roland found it hard to believe Sofia would compromise or submit.

Could that invincible woman have an insurmountable hurdle?

Feeling restless, he looked back, witnessing a scene he would never forget.

The black light symbolizing destruction filled the entire Netherworld, the Netherworld Envoy behind him was obliterated by a white light in an instant, without even a groan.

"No!"

Roland shouted, wanting to return, but the Netherworld passage had already closed.

He knew Sofia chose to exchange herself with the Nether Empress, but he couldn't understand why.

What on earth had happened?

Roland would never know that the moment he stepped out of the passage, Sofia asked casually, "How much did Tiya offer you?"

Judica was stunned by the question, "How... What nonsense are you talking? Who's Tiya? I don't know!"

An excellent response, just as she suspected.

Sofia's lips curled, the Power of Rebirth in her right eye entirely turned to Destruction.

Seeing the dark domain of destruction surrounding Sofia, Judica's face changed.

"A domain? No, you didn't step into the Divine Domain, it's impossible, no!"

Her mind blanked out, instinctively maintaining her domain.

Without stepping into the Divine Domain, one cannot master a Divine Domain; it's a fundamental principle of the universe, like 1+1=2.

Seeing Judica's terrified expression, Sofia laughed heartily.

Divine Domains aren't invincible. Even a powerful Nether Empress has such weaknesses.

The Destruction Domain expanded rapidly, engulfing Judica, surpassing the Netherworld, devouring everything in its path.

The Netherworld Ferryman opened his mouth, yet before he could cry out, he turned to ashes.

Water ghosts in the river, passengers on ferries, all vanished without a trace.

In the horrible great destruction, vanished also the Nether Empress Judica.

And Sofia herself.

In the face of ultimate destruction, mortals, gods, it made no difference.

Under destruction, all life is equal.