novelraw Chapter 691: Chaotic Guidance
Chapter 691: Chaotic Guidance
"Buzz—!!"
As Pandora's phantom suddenly plummeted from above, a dazzling golden light erupted from her eyes. Among Valentina and the others, Alajina was surprisingly the first to react.
"Go!!"
She shouted deeply, and the Cardinal instruments on her body instantly lit up. The flagship Cardinals waiting in the rear fired countless jets of flames, flying forward rapidly to block their front.
"Crack! Crack! Crack!"
As they obscured Pandora's line of sight, crisp cracking sounds echoed from their bodies. Looking closely, half of them had already turned into stone blocks and could move no more.
At this moment, Jasmine and Valentina finally gathered their wits, their expressions changing as they retreated toward their army in the rear.
Alajina was also dragged into the air by a flagship Cardinal, rapidly flying to the rear.
"Now you know to run?"
Elizabeth sneered, stepping forward to kick over the Cardinals that had turned into stone. Then she reached out and grabbed the hand of Pandora's phantom beside her. As she floated up, she turned her head to instruct the soldiers preparing to follow her,"There is a legion ahead responsible for intercepting them. You all go back to maintain stability and ensure there is no looting or other incidents. If any citizens of Saint-Nazareth die because of this, I'll take your heads."
"Yes, Your Majesty! We guarantee to complete the mission," the leading soldier gave a military salute, but simultaneously said to Elizabeth, "The Navy Admiral recently sent a message. He is terrified they cannot hold off the enemies from the Dragon Court, and specifically requests Your Majesty's next orders."
"Tell them to retreat. Don't go to their deaths for nothing."
"Yes!"
Elizabeth, who had originally intended to give chase immediately, was slightly delayed by this matter. But even if she let her subordinates die against the Mythic Rank Raphaela, it would be utterly useless. Before leaving, Elizabeth instructed once more,
"Have them retreat to other ports and stand by. There's no need to worry about Saint-Nazareth."
"Yes!"
After issuing these orders, Elizabeth was finally dragged by Pandora's phantom toward the direction where Valentina and the others had fled.
For the nineteenth-tier phantom of Pandora, the time they spent escaping was completely negligible. The violent winds brought by the extreme speed pressed Elizabeth's military uniform tightly against her body, yet she remained perfectly still. Gripping the Fluid Sword flashing with golden light, she quickly bit onto their fleeing figures.
Coincidentally, they were also about to rendezvous with their forces.
The outcome above seemed already decided. Although she would be more than happy to play a torturous game of cat and mouse with these bitches, as the commander of the army, she naturally knew that delays led to complications.
Thus, she would annihilate them and their forces right here and now.
"Miss Valentina! Captain Alajina, you're back!"
Aoxi, who was still fighting a bloody battle at the front, floated in mid-air. Suddenly hearing the sound of something tearing through the air, she turned to look, only for Valentina, who was in the lead, to change her expression and yell at her,
"Don't come over!"
"Wh—"
"Crack! Crack! Crack!"
Just as Aoxi was about to say something, a flash of golden light flashed before her eyes, and the cloak on her body began to uncontrollably turn into stone.
Alajina, following behind, turned pale. Gritting her teeth, she frantically overdriven the Cardinal beneath her. Before Aoxi could completely turn into stone, Alajina embraced her tightly against her chest, using the Cardinal to block the golden light from behind.
"Thud!"
The final flagship Cardinal, having turned into a stone block, crashed heavily to the ground, drawing the attention of the Wutong Tree forces immersed in battle. The first sight that caught their eyes was Alajina falling rapidly to the ground while hugging Aoxi.
"Alajina!"
Valentina, in mid-air, slightly stalled. Alajina was of mortal flesh and blood, and as she hit the ground, the sound of fracturing bones erupted from her body. Her face twisted in agony, but she still tightly held Aoxi in her arms, yelling toward the sky,
"Don't stop! Keep flying! Her target is definitely the few of us first!"
Because of Fisher, Elizabeth visibly and intensely despised them. Furthermore, they were the de facto leaders of the Wutong Tree faction, so by both reason and logic, Elizabeth would definitely target them first.
And the downside of Valentina's inexperience in actual combat was revealed once again. Her looking back to care for Alajina was entirely a subconscious act. She quickly grasped the critical danger of this, but in front of a nineteenth-tier entity, a lapse of less than a second was a fatal oversight.
Sure enough, when she belatedly tried to flap her wings and fly again a second later, that chilling sound had already rung out from behind her.
"Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!"
Her wings were turning into stone!
The intense pain transmitted from her feathers caused her body to stiffen as she screamed in agony. Fortunately, at the critical moment, Jasmine leaped forward and fiercely threw her golden longsword toward Elizabeth's incoming direction.
Elizabeth coldly scoffed, and Pandora's phantom by her side intuitively reached out to deflect the golden longsword that arrived with a sonic boom. Looking back there, Valentina, who was turning into stone, had already vanished without a trace.
Looking down, she saw that Jasmine had already rescued Valentina. But the two fleeing individuals were both injured, and no matter how fast Jasmine ran, she could only descend into the Wutong Tree's formation.
'Let's see how you bitches try to run now.'
Elizabeth remained expressionless, but the golden light radiating from Pandora's phantom intensified, threatening to turn every single entity in the formation into stone. Jasmine glanced at Valentina in her arms, large patches of whose feathers had turned into stone, and looked up at Elizabeth in the sky with unwilling eyes.
"Enough!!"
Just then, a Wutong Tree warrior clad entirely in a cloak stretched out her hands to block in front of Jasmine and Valentina. Elizabeth remained unmoved, and the earth below began to turn into lifeless gray.
"Enough!! Sister!!"
Seeing Elizabeth's butcher knife about to fall, the figure wearing the masked cloak trembled all over. Her already unsteady voice was now filled with shaky sobs.
She tore the cloak and mask off her face in one motion, revealing her slightly tanned complexion.
But that blonde hair, that familiar and intimate face even if changed, and those golden eyes exclusive to the Gothrin family's bloodline, all screamed out her identity to Elizabeth.
"Isa... belle."
Elizabeth paused slightly, while the dangerous light on Pandora's phantom dimmed.
"Enough, Sister, it's enough... stop killing people... I beg you..."
Isabelle's eyes were bloodshot. Under Elizabeth's imposing aura, she trembled with fear, but even so, she kept her arms wide to block the Elizabeth before her.
"..."
Elizabeth pondered for a moment, letting Pandora's phantom bring her down. Meanwhile, the army of Naris completely surrounded the already meager forces of the Wutong Tree.
At this moment, they had all passed the Saint-Nazareth Cathedral and arrived at the grand plaza in front of the walls of the Golden Palace.
"Every night since I left Saint-Nazareth, I've had nightmares... nightmares of you killing Brother, nightmares of us lying in a pool of blood, countless hands dragging us down... to hell..."
Elizabeth glanced at Jasmine, who was hiding behind Isabelle and using this time to struggle to heal Valentina. The Gothrin's Blade in her hand swayed slightly, but never rose again. Instead, she fixed her terrifying, hollow gaze upon the trembling Isabelle.
Only when looking at her did Elizabeth's eyes reveal the same fluctuations she showed when seeing Fisher.
"That was just an accident, Isabelle."
"An accident? You planned in secret for so long, Sister. When you reached that step, did you truly not intend to kill Brother?"
"No, Dexter's head was bound to fall that day... But for you to witness it was an accident, Isabelle."
Elizabeth leaned on her sword, looking at the Wutong Tree people who were already at a dead end. As she conversed with Isabelle, she considered how to bring Isabelle back, and then she could slaughter everyone else present.
But Elizabeth saw that Isabelle's left hand was still gripping a dagger. She feared that if there was any sudden change, Isabelle might harm herself.
"You should have obediently stayed at the academy that day, but you suddenly returned. The Golden Palace just happened to be in chaos due to my entry, allowing you to slip in smoothly..."
"How could I not return? With such a major event happening in Saint-Nazareth, I was worried for your safety, and for Brother's safety. I didn't expect to see that scene... He clearly begged you for mercy before he died, but you, Sister..."
"Begged for mercy... Begged for mercy... What meaning is there in begging for mercy?"
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes, trying her best to keep her tone calm.
"If I had spared him that day because he begged for mercy, would he have spared me when I was to be executed later? Would he have spared you if you begged for mercy when you were forced into a political marriage? Years ago, when the Schwari army invaded, and all the generals treated it as a hot potato, didn't I beg him for mercy before I was forced to lead the army out?
"With the affairs of Nari at stake, I yielded to him and our father time and again. We were perfectly amicable in those struggling early days. But when I actually achieved military victories, how did he repay me? He and our father betrayed me and my army. He leaked my whereabouts to the enemy, nearly causing me to die on the battlefield! That is the consequence of his mercy, and having learned that lesson, I will not give him a second chance.
"For power, Dexter could betray the army that fought and bled for this country. For the stability of the situation, our father could betray the familial affection between father and daughter of so many years... Oh, perhaps this affection was only my one-sided wishful thinking, because when I was only sixteen, he was already secretly discussing which nobleman to marry me off to. Amidst the lively drinking parties, one of his daughters became the guarantee to reinforce his exchange of interests with others."
Isabelle's face grew pale. The family ties she had long treasured, laid bare so calmly by Elizabeth, were crushed into dust.
The cruel words made her open her mouth wide, and tears flowed continuously from her eyes.
Those teardrops tracing down her cheeks were perhaps the pain of Isabelle's long-standing illusion of happiness melting away. But it was Isabelle who wept, and at this moment, Elizabeth's heart also ached.
Even though she thought she was already heartless enough, there were still a few rare things in this world that could disturb her emotions and break her composure.
Just as it was when facing Fisher by the sea not long ago, so it was when facing Isabelle now.
Unknowingly, her tone softened.
"For all these years, I simply protected you too well. Anyone who wanted to express an opinion to you had to first look at my face. Because I experienced these things, because I saw them, I didn't want my younger brother and sister to be equally miserable. I wanted you to be happy. So even though you were away for so many years, when I realized you actually didn't want to come back at all, I didn't force you... because perhaps staying with those people from the Sardin Woman's Country would make you happier than staying with me."
Isabelle wiped her tears, shook her head, and said.
"Sister... these past years, I... I never blamed you... I just didn't know how to face you... I know, Sister, you experienced many terrible, wrong things to become like this, but... Sister... what Dexter and Father did was wrong, but their blood debt has been paid. It's enough... please stop killing people..."
She tremblingly reached out to point at everyone beside her, humams and demi-humans alike.
"Everyone from the Wutong Tree, until today, they probably never set foot in Naris. They might not even know you, Sister, and bear no deep grudges. You clearly understand right from wrong, you clearly wanted me away from a flawed family to feel the warmth of love, so why must you add to the grievances and mistakes after everything has ended?
"Even if it is for Teacher Fisher, has the conflict really reached the point where neither side can step down without killing the other? Sister, I beg you, stop. Don't kill anyone else... When will this kind of life end? How much longer must you live like this?"
Elizabeth was slightly startled, looking up at the sky above. The fierce battle there was still ongoing. Even though the situation had reached this point, Fisher still hadn't given up. She opened her mouth and simply said.
"I have wagered everything I have on this gamble. Fisher must have as well. He has to beat me, otherwise, how can he protect the group of women beside him?"
Isabelle pursed her lips tightly, her gaze piercing as she stared fixedly at the Elizabeth before her. After a long, long time, she said sadly.
"From the beginning until now, the only one who wanted to win was you, Sister."
"..."
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. For some reason, she again thought of the words Diane had spoken to her before the war began.
She didn't understand the reasoning behind those words, and even though Isabelle reiterated similar sentiments now, she remained stubborn.
An Empress born from blood and mud did not understand mercy and love. Perhaps to her, her relationship with her subjects was one of duty and obligation; with her sister, it was protection and the grace of avoiding her footsteps; with Fisher, it was a game of possession and non-possession...
Thus, in her eyes, there were only the benefits of winning.
That trace of softness and wavering born from Isabelle was once again occupied by the desire for victory. She looked at her frail younger sister before her, and the blade pointing downwards slowly lifted again. Valentina's condition might be recovering, but there was naturally still time to kill them.
"It's fine, Isabelle... My hands are already stained with blood, so you won't have to stain yours later."
The tearful Isabelle was momentarily stunned, but Elizabeth's expressionless, beautiful face and the once again intensifying dangerous aura of Pandora's phantom made her understand her sister's current choice.
"Sister!!"
Her legs weakened, but she still couldn't help lunging forward to stop her. However, Jasmine behind her firmly pulled her away, distancing her from Elizabeth and their battle.
"Take good care of Princess Isabelle. If anything happens to her, I will hold you accountable."
"Yes!"
The armored knights nearby instantly lunged forward, knocking the dagger out of the struggling Isabelle's hand and restraining her, making all her resistance to no avail.
Elizabeth glanced at Alajina, who was clutching her wounds and struggling to stand on the ground, and said softly.
"Person of the Sardin Woman's Country, although your previous betrayal by the Black Chief was not my instruction, it was ultimately because of my sister. And for these past years, it was you who took care of her. In this regard, I owe you a favor..."
Strands of silver hair fell messily over Alajina's forehead, but they couldn't hide the gaze firmly locked on Elizabeth.
"..."
"I will not kill you. You may take your people and leave. As long as you sever all ties with Fisher, there will be a place for you in the new world."
Alajina remained silent for a moment, but ultimately shook her head and said.
"When I chose to be with Fisher, I would not forsake the feelings between us, and he has not abandoned us either. Furthermore, the people of the Sardin Woman's Country fiercely believe in friendship and conviction. The Wutong Tree took us in earlier and is the future home of my sisters. Leaving Valentina behind now would be an act of betrayal. Forgive me, but I cannot do that."
Behind her, Valentina pursed her lips. Looking at Alajina's resolute back, she couldn't help feeling touched.
Her gaze also turned determined. Leaning on the Phoenix King's sword, she stood beside Jasmine and Alajina, looking at Elizabeth as she said,
"Even if today is our tragic end, we will fight you to the bitter end, Elizabeth."
Watching the increasingly resolute conviction and tacit understanding between Valentina and Alajina, Elizabeth was slightly taken aback. Then, realizing belatedly that these women, who were connected to Fisher, originally had conflicts and rifts between them, had mistakenly managed to find harmony and cohesion because of her existence...
In other words, had she silently helped Fisher resolve his conflicts?
Good, very good...
Thinking of this, Elizabeth's anger arose out of nowhere. The veins on her forehead bulged, and the divine light of Pandora beside her grew incredibly terrifying.
"Buzz—!!"
But just a moment before she raised her butcher knife, from the sky behind her, the explosive sounds of steam tearing through the air frantically descended from the firmament. The target was the Nari army below and the Elizabeth standing before them.
Elizabeth's expression changed slightly. Looking back, she saw a red shooting star engulfed in countless streams of steam. It was none other than the Dragon Queen of the Dragon Court, Raphaela.
Right, earlier she had the naval fleet retreat to avoid meaningless losses, and Raphaela, who had been on the naval battlefield, instantly arrived here to rescue her sisters.
But judging by Elizabeth's rank, making further reactions was already too late.
"Pandora!"
She hurriedly summoned Pandora's phantom to block in front of her. But in an instant, the crimson, elegant figure wielding a longspear had already arrived before her.
"Elizabeth!!"
Although Pandora's phantom was powerful enough, it was commanded by Elizabeth. With her rank, she couldn't react in time to such a sudden ambush.
Consequently, the very next moment, accompanied by an earth-shattering explosion, Raphaela's longspear pierced fiercely through Pandora's phantom. The immense force sent Pandora's phantom and Elizabeth flying through the air, crashing straight toward the walls of the Golden Palace behind them.
"Sister!!"
"Raphaela!"
Carrying immense force in mid-air, the two figures smashed into the city wall, piercing straight through it without stopping. They crashed directly into the front court, the middle court, and broke out through the other side of the wall.
"Rumble—!!"
This tremendously powerful strike directly smashed through half of the Golden Palace. Amidst the collapsing ruins, a cloud of dust was kicked up, leaving everyone frozen in place, staring dumbfounded.
Fortunately, Valentina reacted swiftly. Flourishing the sword in her hand, she shouted with a resonating voice.
"Everyone in the Wutong Tree, break out with me!!"
"Kill!!"
Shouts of battle erupted in all directions once more. Jasmine cast a worried look over there but couldn't break away for the moment.
She knew Raphaela couldn't hold off Pandora's phantom for long, but the battlefield down here probably wasn't the key. The most crucial part was in the Crevice above...
Little did anyone know, above the countless shouts of the slaughter below, the originally scarlet Crevice had at some point already been swallowed by golden light.
Looking up, one could see clusters and bundles of complex rope knots intertwined together, appearing to be in an extreme state of chaotic guidance.