Fighting on the wide plain highlighted the difference between regular army and bandits. Garrison's Guard continued to advance while Crimson Standard Gang repeatedly retreated. Nicholas Gates' fierce bandits had been roaming the sentry hills for some time and were known for their recklessness. But today they encountered someone even more reckless than themselves. It made him wonder when the supply department had produced such a powerful troop.
Nicholas Gates was unaware that Cole Garrison's subordinates, dressed in layers of heavenly silkworm armor, had gone crazy by the time they reached the battlefield. Based on intelligence from his scouts, he concluded that there was an expert among them.
The scouts reported that there was an extraordinary eighth-order warrior among them, but it was likely underestimated as no one could remain unscathed amidst the horn call of demons even at eighth-order.
At least it must be a breakthrough into[Ninth-Order Sovereign]!
Only a Ninth-Order Sovereign could defeat the Wolf King Lan Ya who had ruled over Thorn Forest for a century.
Only a Ninth-Order Sovereign could protect the entire convoy during a massive attack by crazed monsters.
Only a Ninth-Order Sovereign could heal all wounded soldiers immediately and bring them back to battle.
Sword King?
Archmage?
Pharmacist?
Nicholas Gates silently counted all of Wind Country's ninth-order sovereigns in his heart but couldn't figure out which one came to help.
"Found the enemy general, kill him quickly and pay our respects to Prophet Connor!"
Garrison's Guard vanguard found Crimson Standard Gang's camp and discovered Nicholas Gates lost in thought. They swung their broadswords at him without hesitation, causing Nicholas Gates to dodge as he fought back with his own blade - only to feel numbness in his hand from its impact against theirs.
But this wasn't even the scariest part.
The snippets of information he gathered from their conversation made his blood run cold.
After the enemy was repelled by his guards, Nicholas Gates asked one of the scouts beside him, "Did you hear what they said earlier?"
"It seems like they mentioned something about a prophet?"
Nicholas Gates suddenly realized and took out a sheepskin scroll from his pocket, jotting down a few lines:
"Urgent: The fourth ninth-order sovereign in the country has appeared in the military department with the code name[Prophet]."
He ordered the scout, "Quickly send this message back to the capital city."
…
The coordinates of Crimson Standard Gang's main camp were completely exposed. Connor rode Lilith into the sky and pursued them. When the silver wings spread out and reached for the sky, blocking out the sun, Nicholas Gates was even more certain of his judgment. Only a ninth-order sovereign could ride a Sky Dragon as their mount.
Since there was a ninth order present, no matter how cunning their tactics were, it would be like a moth rushing towards the flame. In front of absolute strength, all strategies were just child's play.
War cannot be won.
But they also cannot surrender.
The Gates family had been playing a major game for years and it cannot be ruined here. Did they think being a ninth-order sovereign made them invincible in the world? Not necessarily.
He looked back and pointed to where the demonic energy rose - Nexus Citadel's location.
"Pass on my orders. The entire army will retreat 250 yards and set up camp here."
Nicholas Gates smiled decisively. "I want to see who is stronger - you ninth-order sovereign or Nexus Overlord!"
Garrison's Guard naturally pursued Crimson Standard Gang when they saw them retreating en masse. They chased after them for hundreds of yards until they were about to wipe out the gang entirely. Cole Garrison suddenly realized something was wrong: "No good! Retreat quickly! This is Nexus Overlord's territory - Nexus Citadel!"
But it was already too late.
The unstoppable Garrison's Guard with blood-red eyes became like sharp spears that pierced through Crimson Standard Gang's main camp while realizing that they themselves had arrived at the center of Nexus Citadel above ground level.
…
Nexus Citadel, the Demon King's Palace. The acting city lord, Serence, emitted dark golden demonic energy that was solid and strong. The intensity of this demonic energy far exceeded that of a ninth-order sovereign and had already reached the realm of "Transcendence". This was a "Tenth-order Legend".
Now, the true legend followed by 100 guards of the Shadow Army wielded various long-handled weapons with assorted rags on them as they conducted serious yet lively cleaning activities.
"Report to Lord Serence! Today's 16th round of cleaning has been completed! Please review it!" One shadow knelt outside the palace.
"Well done everyone. Rest for half an hour and then start the 17th round of cleaning immediately. His Majesty is enduring humiliation by infiltrating enemy territory; we must ensure that his home will be warm when he returns."
Suddenly another shadow appeared: "Reporting to Lord Serence!"
"Long Legs," who was responsible for guarding outside the city and had eight levels of strength in body techniques stuttered slightly due to nervousness but otherwise showed no problems in loyalty or ability.
"What is it that makes you so panicked?"
"There are two human forces fighting above our city territory!"
Serence frowned without even lifting his head as he bent down to make his bed. He waved his hand lightly and said, "Oh, it's not a big deal. Go out with your people and take care of both sides. Don't interfere with our hygiene."
"But..."
"What 'but'? Do you not know what's more important between cleaning up after His Majesty and getting rid of those outsiders? When His Majesty comes back, what if there isn't a thick mattress for him to lie on or clean air for him to breathe? Don't think about preparing all these things after he comes back - too late! We must be loyal to His Majesty even in daily details."
Serence paused and raised his fist towards the sky. "We must be attentive to details in daily life as we are loyal to His Majesty. As for the guards outside, capture or kill them as you see fit. There is no need to be so frantic in reporting this kind of trivial matter from now on. Deal with everything according to Nexus Citadel's regulations."
"Yes, yes…yes…Your Majesty. Your Majesty and Lilith are also in one of the forces."
"Oh my!"
Serence threw down his bed sheet, and even his tongue began to knot.
"Quick…quick…quickly open the city gates and welcome His Majesty back!"
With Serence's orders, the barrier above Nexus Citadel roared open and a gigantic black vortex appeared on the ground.
"Oh no! The other side wants to destroy everything!" Cole Garrison's reaction was too slow; as the Garrison's Guard tried to retreat, they felt their legs tighten and were dragged down towards the ground. It was like being stuck in quicksand.
The situation was even worse for Crimson Standard Gang. Many of their members' faces had already sunk into the ground.
Cole Garrison released all his power from his mid-grade seventh-order fighting spirit but it was completely useless against the pulling force that dragged them deeper underground.
The last thing he saw was Connor, who had been riding a giant dragon in the sky, diving down in an attempt to save him. However, the Demon King's power was too strong and instead pulled Connor down into the earth with him.
Cole Garrison's vision went dark. He found himself outside of the first palace - Pisces Palace - which was located on the outer circle of Nexus Citadel.