Chapter 27: The King's Fall
Time slips through our grasp as the once-pristine world is relentlessly devoured by voracious ants. Jiang Ping was overwhelmed by a profound sense of sorrow that resonated from the very core of every being in his small world.
The spirits of the indigenous inhabitants of the world throb in harmony, reverberating with the anguished cries of their slain protectors. We, their progeny, stand united, and the ravenous ants, in their audacious defiance of the natural order, hover precariously on the brink of ushering forth the apocalyptic annihilation of our world.
In a mere span of five days following the birth of the Ant King, a catastrophic 80% of the world's creatures have been mercilessly slaughtered and obliterated. The landscape now bears witness to countless lifeless corpses, stretching across vast distances. No description, regardless of its vividness, could adequately capture the extent of this primordial slaughter.
Once thriving continents now lie devoid of life as innumerable billions of creatures have succumbed to these ravenous ants. Mighty factions that had persevered for millions of years, such as Beamon, Chimera, Tianma, and the Cthulhu, have vanished into oblivion.
On the frontline of the mainland, tens of millions of coalition forces gather, united by their unwavering resolve to halt the advance of this dire menace. Among them are the reclusive powerhouses of the human race and the remnants of various tribes. Leading them is Jing Shan, the paramount figure of the Alliance.
"Today, there are no adversaries standing before us, no hierarchies to divide us. Tens of thousands of years ago, our ancestors waged a decisive battle against the universal enemy—the devouring ants—and emerged triumphant!" Jingshan's resolute gaze scans the assembled allied army before him.
"Today, we shall once again conquer the ant horde. This is a righteous struggle, and justice shall prevail!"
"Justice must triumph!"
"Justice must triumph!"
The resounding chorus reverberates through the air. Fueled by an ardent desire to safeguard their homes and nations, these warriors stand as the final bastions of their ancestral continent, bearing the collective hopes of all races.
Soon, the shoreline teems with swarms of ebony soldier ants. Their presence heralded by an eerie cacophony that pierces the very fabric of space.
Thousands of valiant warriors grasp their spears with unwavering determination, fearlessness etched upon their hearts. Each combatant capable of taking the field stands at the ready, confronting an adversary both indomitable and terrifying. Meanwhile, those unable to engage in battle—be they elderly or young—congregate, devoutly offering prayers and paying homage to the colossal statue of the divine creator, their reverence unwavering.
"Ohh Lord, God Almighty, we beseech your blessings upon our intrepid warriors. Under your divine guidance, we shall vanquish this adversary that threatens all life and salvage our world." Countless devout believers offer their solemn supplications, their unwavering faith manifesting as a torrent of power that flows into the heavens above, permeating the statue of the Great Creator.
The imminent clash draws near, as tens of billions of ants surge forward, obliterating the distinction between sea, land, and sky, casting an ominous darkness upon all.
Crack! The resounding echo of alchemical firearms fills the air, yet even these devastating weapons exact only a partial toll on the swarming ants, who themselves have evolved to counter such assaults.
From the ranks of soldier ants emerge peculiar, grotesque creatures. Bloated and unwieldy, they rely on the support of their brethren to move, their gargantuan jaws looming ominously.
These are the specialized units devised by the ant queens in the aftermath of the cataclysm—the Gun Ants.
Crafted through the ant queens' tireless study of alchemical firearms and the principles of detonation, these creatures remain a work in progress, with potential for further refinement. The queens had intended to perfect this unit before launching their invasion anew, but the birth of the Ant King has shattered the delicate balance of the world in one fell swoop.
The Gun Ants diligently consume ore gathered by the worker ants, fusing it within their distended abdomens. The resulting concoction ignites, and with gaping maws, they discharge colossal fireballs tinged with crimson hues.
Arcing gracefully through the air, these fiery projectiles plummet into the ranks of the colliding forces, triggering ferocious explosions.
The aerial variant of the Cannon Ants, strategically positioned above the battlefield, poses an even greater threat as it unleashes destruction from on high. Only through Jingshan's strategic deployment of elite air forces can this menace be somewhat contained.
Cold sweat breaks out among the fighters, as they comprehend the true terror of the devouring ants. Never did they anticipate the evolution of such formidable species, an evolution seemingly akin to the interstellar Zerg. This explains how the ants have managed to subjugate all races for countless years.
The enemy numbers in the tens of billions, while our forces amount to mere hundreds. To compound matters, the enemy's ranks teem with formidable mutants. The coalition forces find themselves gradually retreating, with casualties mounting with each passing moment.
If courage alone were sufficient, there would be no need for the utilization of force. If justice guaranteed victory, the efforts of the malevolent would be rendered futile. Moreover, who truly defines justice, and who embodies evil?
To the devouring ants, all races are abominations, and they spare no effort in their relentless pursuit of extermination. In their eyes, there exists nothing in this world that cannot be slain.
"Leader, we must depart swiftly! Time is running out!" urged the chief guard, his voice laden with urgency, as he implored Jingshan to make haste.
The coalition forces suffered an irreparable defeat on the battlefield, as predicted prior to the commencement of war. With the sudden emergence of the Ant King, the ravenous ants surged forth with unparalleled fervor, treating the coalition's formidable artillery units and air force as mere trinkets, effortlessly decimating them.
Undeterred by the looming demonic figure before him, Jing Shan displayed unwavering resolve. "To retreat now would precipitate the instant collapse of the coalition forces, leaving the rear even more vulnerable! Moreover, my presence here can indefinitely impede the Ant King," he proclaimed with unyielding conviction, his footsteps unwavering.
Raising his hand to halt the guard, Jing Shan reasoned, "Every individual is bound by their own destiny. With soldiers fighting valiantly, how can I cower in the face of an escapeless reality, irrespective of the vast expanse of the world?" His countenance exuded utmost dignity as he turned his gaze to the chief of the guard. "As the supreme leader of the Holy Alliance, I issue a direct command!"
The chief of the guard trembled, his frame quivering, as he knelt on one knee. "The Royal Guard of the human kingdom acknowledges your command!"
"You must expeditiously retreat to the ancestral land and relay to Gai Feng that I have fulfilled my entrusted duty, successfully stalling the enemy army for four days. He must fulfill his mission, rescuing the world and safeguarding the human race! " Jing Shan's voice resounded with authoritative gravitas.
"Yes!" The chief guard, tears welling in his eyes, solemnly replied, "Take care, Emperor!" With those words, he departed without hesitation.
Jing Shan fixed his gaze upon the distant Ant King, tightly gripping his resplendent golden saber. "Soldiers from every army, rally with me in the battle against our common foe! Fighting alongside each and every one of you is the greatest honor of my existence!"
"Our highest privilege is to stand alongside you, combating the foe!" The soldiers of myriad armies bellowed with tears streaming down their resolute faces.
Clank! The highest commanders simultaneously unsheathed their swords. "Follow the lord, break through the encirclement, and vanquish the Ant King!"
Slay! Slay! Slay!
Thousands of soldiers surged forward, launching an unwavering assault, their war frenzy attaining its zenith as their imposing physiques transformed into even more ferocious embodiments of battle.
A flicker of surprise crossed the cold gaze of Ant King Beiou. This mortal army possessed an unyielding momentum? His eyes fixated on the approaching figure of Jing Shan, a cruel smile curling his lips.
"The leader of the Holy Primordial Alliance? Let us witness if you can reach me, the King, before meeting your demise!"
As they drew nearer, Jing Shan, summoning every ounce of his strength, fiercely hurled his golden saber with his right hand.
Whoosh! The golden saber traced a grand arc in the air, impaling the Ant King with indomitable resolve.
In Jing Shan's final gaze, the King's Sword—forged from innumerable celestial rarities and imbued with the pinnacle of alchemical artistry—shattered upon contact with the Ant King, its tip disintegrating into a shimmering cascade of golden particles, carried away by the wind.
"That's right," were the last words that resonated in Jing Shan's ears before his demise. Subsequently, he was interred by the elite warrior ants. Uncertainty shrouded whether the Ant King's commendation dealt the final blow or if it left a faint trace of victory upon his lifeless form—the King's Sword.
"Gai Feng, I place my trust in you. May this King not herald the era of subjugation, nor be the ultimate ruler of all races..."
Gai Feng, perceiving an ominous presence in the distant ancestral land, held his unwavering gaze, as the artifact he wielded emitted a heightened brilliance once again.
Abruptly, Gai Feng turned his head towards the gate, as the sound of hastened footsteps drew near from beyond.
"The Lord has fallen in battle!"