Chapter 404 Until Everyone is United

"They're so quick to act! It's true that the Scourge are always the most impatient."

Beneath the city-state, Fulidan tore off a thick root and then, without hesitation, walked away from the sacred tree. The Gospel Kingdom's expansion made no distinction between friend and foe, and in Lavaeva's eyes, it was also an "enemy." If there was a good opportunity to exploit it, she wouldn't mind converting another god.

The gods present shared this stance, so even as the city-state soared into the sky, the combatants mostly engaged in mild, innocuous probing. Everyone waited for the sacred tree to perish before grabbing the biggest share. Now, Lavaeva, eager to leave first, saved him the trouble.

But it also doesn't mind helping the Virgin Mary again.

"It's almost time to start again... the same routine before every battle."

Fulidan blew out a puff of purple smoke, letting it penetrate the bark of the sacred tree. It fell contentedly into the sea of ​​light, using the smoke to carve out a place for itself, looking forward to the grand demise that was to come.

·

"Captain! We can't contact the team on the front line..."

"The communication line is faulty! An operator is dead!"

In the center of Mansa Star Fort, in the ruins of the Supreme Procuratorate, Rico desperately flew towards the captains, delivering new bad news to them who had just finished fighting: "Dad, all communications have failed! The citizens participating in the battle can't communicate with the team members, and we have no control over the situation in the city!"

This was Fulidan's malicious gift, a disruption to the city's communications system. Having battled the Divine Tree for years, it knew its tactics all too well. If the Divine Tree wished to survive, it would undoubtedly seek the support of all citizens.

Therefore, it prematurely destroyed the communication network. As long as the sound can't reach, no matter how brave it is, it can't unite its scattered forces. And now that the sacred tree is struggling to take care of itself, who has the energy to dispel its signal smoke?

"Got it." Trek raised his hand. "Captain, please."

The captains heard the news, but there was no great commotion. They simply looked solemnly at Benintic, who drew his sword and placed it on Trek's shoulder. His voice was resounding.

"Currently, the city-state of Jingsha has entered a state of wartime emergency. The Speaker of the House of Lords has died unexpectedly. As the current Captain-in-Chief of the Divine Guard, I should be in command of the entire situation, but I lack the ability to lead the city-state to victory in war. Therefore, in accordance with Article 45, Clause 3 of the Constitution, I propose to temporarily transfer the position of Captain-in-Chief to Jas Trek, the former Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Force. I now seek the opinions of the captains."

“I agree.” “I agree.” “I agree!”

Benintic simply tapped Trick's shoulders and sheathed the Sword of Law, which marked the end of the inauguration ceremony and the beginning of the final plan.

"Now you're the captain." He smiled, a rare smile. "Begin your inaugural speech!"

Trek took a deep breath, feeling the power of order and structure pouring into him from that moment on. It was a power that could bring a person close to godhood.

This was their final trump card. It wasn't the divine power of the Thorn Tree, but rather the power of rules and civilization accumulated over thousands of years by the city-state, a civilization on the Floating Light Road. It empowered the Speaker, a mere mortal, to battle a demigod. It also enabled Trek, now a mere figure, to break free from the shackles that had plagued him for twenty years and ascend to the level of a Sephiroth 6 Oracle.

However, Trek pushed away this power and did not use it on himself because he knew that the current city-state did not need a new Sephiroth Six, but rather the courage of a group.

He used the power of order to teleport, sending the fragments of the Speaker's mask deep into the city-state. Then he let the power fly to all parts of the city-state, into the hearts of every citizen.

Thus, people were able to hear his voice without having to use the disturbed divine power network.

"Citizens of the city-state, I am former Commander Jas Trek. The city-state is currently facing a critical moment. As a citizen, I am launching a petition for a re-vote on the Independence Act. If there are souls willing to fight for the city-state, please share your names."

In a split second, Trek felt tens of millions of voices echoing throughout the city, hundreds of millions of names flooding into his mind. Divine power allowed him to see everywhere in the city simultaneously, seeing those striving consciously, those praying anxiously, those wandering blindly, those in panic and pain.

The number of signatures was sufficient, and a re-vote could be initiated at any time. But he was in no hurry to speak. With 1 minute and 20 seconds left, he wanted to make his final words to the city-state.

"I want to tell you the truth about the current situation, because you have been blinded by love for too long. Everyone has the right to know the truth."

"Our city-state is on the brink of destruction. From the Empire of Truth to the Spiral Tower, from the Divine Kingdom to the Sea of ​​Illusion, every heretic faction has sent its gods to join the fight. The total number of heretics on the battlefield may already exceed the number of our entire population. Not since the ancient wars have there been such a difficult battle."

"Originally, our chances of victory were very low. We had a high probability of dying before the battle line, and the outsiders would breach our walls and destroy our homes. Speaker Parriman took this into consideration and resorted to all means to withdraw the city-state from the battle line, hoping to save everyone's lives."

People looked up.

Whether they were hesitant or sad, whether they advocated for fierce battle or longed for independence, people with different opinions all looked towards the center of the city... towards the light of justice that still shone brightly to this day.

"Yet, even now, we are still alive. Because the city-states are not the only ones who are right in this world.

"Longquan Township and Shura Island have sent us their most elite reinforcements. Dustless Land and Qiuqu Paradise have also given their all. Even the small and medium-sized dust islands, which you have always disregarded, have dispatched soldiers on their warships."

"This is for self-preservation, because they will also face threats after the city-state is destroyed. But this is also selfless dedication, because this is a crisis for the city-state, and they have no obligation to fight for us!"

Trek clenched his fists and addressed his citizens, "They are willing to come to our aid because they are a 'civilization' like us!"

"The Jingsha city-state has over 3,000 races. Many of your ancestors were beasts thousands of years ago. Their power then wasn't much different from what it is today, and the intelligence of many races hasn't fundamentally changed. So what enabled them to rise from beasts to citizens of the city-state? What led them from barbarism to civilization?"

Beasts looked at the sharp claws, birds at the bright feathers. Many citizens remembered their sense of superiority over their "poor relatives," fellow beasts who were not citizens but were not themselves citizens.

They are different, and this difference is etched in everyone's heart. Yet few can articulate the source of their sense of superiority: wealth? education? identity? environment?

No. It's something more fundamental, something that's embedded in everyone's heart...

"It's love."

"For the love of our children, for the love of our friends, for the love of our city-state. Beasts only know the 'love' of self-preservation, but we advocate the 'love' of consideration for others. We fight for love, we thrive because of love, we have a sense of community, and because of this, we understand sacrifice and risk. It is because of our willingness to sacrifice for others that our city-state has become an enduring civilization!"

"Today, the city-state once again stands at the crossroads of a decisive decision. The choices you make will literally alter the course of the entire world. But I never worried that you would regret your choices. I know that we all hold within our hearts a love and pride for our city-state.

We will endure conflict and discord, we will overcome sacrifice and pain, and whether in ancient times or now, we will always strive tirelessly."

He faced the city and shouted loudly: "Until everyone is united!!!"

The citizens of the city-state roared with ecstasy. The cries of 1.7 billion people pierced the sky, echoing throughout the center of the battlefield. And yet, the rising city-state suddenly stopped, frozen in the air amidst the cries!

High above Mansa Star Fortress, Wang Quan paused, allowing himself to be struck by Chu Hengkong. He sensed that Jingsha had previously given up supporting the city and instead focused on re-submitting the bill. However...

"The city-state...didn't fall?"

"Perriman's independent program design is close to perfect, but unfortunately he left a fatal omission." Chu Hengkong laughed, "The premise of his design is that the sacred tree must support the independence of the city-state, but..."

"As long as there's another person who can support him, Jingsha will have a chance to turn the tide!"

Deep within the city-state, Old Jingsha has stepped down from his pedestal. Yet, the illusory continent remains, held up by another deity. It's an ancient dragon the color of cherry blossoms!

"After all, I am a god, and I can still bear this weight." Yinglong shouted, "Old friend, now is the time!"

The Jingsha Sacred Tree straightened up, raised its withered and frail hands, and straightened its chest, thin as a corpse's.

He was so weak, near death, that he even led his own funeral procession. Yet his eyes still shone, and his voice was still full of energy. That voice had accompanied the citizens' ancestors through their growth and decline, through the city-state's repeated wars and reconstructions. It was a voice etched in the hearts of all, the voice of the god who protected them all!

"The petition to re-vote the bill has received support from 1.676 billion city-state citizens." Old Jingsha's voice was as resounding as a bell. "It is now 04:34 on August 8, 3001 in the Candlelight Calendar. In the name of the Jingsha Sacred Tree, the first citizen of the Jingsha city-state, I initiate a re-vote on the independence bill!"

A weak, timid voice came first.

"Support the bill." "I want to escape." "I don't want to fight." "I don't want to die!" "I'm an independent, but..."

"but……!"

However, that voice was gradually infected by the powerful voice of enlightenment.

"But my friends are soldiers." "But my parents are on the battlefield." "My brother..." "My dead father..." "My old comrade before I retired." "My good friend I just parted with." "I can't just stand by and watch." "I don't want a cowardly death!"

"I want to help them."

The voices of all living beings gradually grew louder.

Face fear and reality.

Full of love and courage!

"I oppose the Independence Act." "No to escapism!" "Fight to the death!" "How can citizens of a glorious city-state flee in fear?" "Oppose the bill." "Join the war!" "Fight!" "Go to the front line—"

“——Fight the heretics to the bitter end!!”

The calls of all living beings turned into an emerald green wind, which blew towards the decaying sacred tree.

Bring together a collective mind and a cohesive will.

Thus, after 20 years of decline, the Jingsha city-state finally united once again!

"34,615 votes in favor of independence."

"Against independence, 1,732,876,126 votes!"

"The Independence Act has officially ceased implementation. The Jingsha City-State has returned to the front line of despair!"

34,615 rays of light leaped from the city-state, crossing the ocean and landing on the Dust Island behind. These were the citizens who refused to participate in the war until the very end. Jingsha respected their will and protected them as they returned to the safety of the rear.

He now possessed this strength, for more points of light surged towards his body, a full 1.7 billion brilliant rays. His voice grew louder, his eyes gleaming with divine light. His skin, once loose as cloth, tightened again, his shrunken body heavy and powerful.

His strength returned, and his bones hardened, his muscles regenerated, and his emerald heart beat strongly again. He stretched out his arms, and his limbs, which were as thin as clothes hangers, grew into the thickness of a child's wrist, into the thinness of a young man, and into the robustness of an old man.

It's still going on, the muscles are still growing, exploding again, the strong legs are so thick that even the hands can hardly clench them, and the strong arms are enough to hold up the entire sky!

It was a perfect body that had been tempered through thousands of trials and tribulations, making even the strongest warrior pale in comparison. Ancient scars spread out on the surface of the skin like dark flowers, and the surface of the strong muscles exuded the luster of strength and beauty. The long white hair was scattered behind the head like a cloak woven by time.

The immensely spacious divine robe was finally lifted up again, revealing its owner's true form. The God of Unity, who had stood guard on the desperate front for thousands of years!

"Then I'll leave it to you."

A soft sigh echoed from behind Old Jingsha's head. Another face, formed from the long-cherished wishes of all living beings, now peacefully closed its eyes, transforming into a gray point of light, merging into the fragments just teleported by Trek.

Jingsha pressed the fragment against his forehead. It melted into a murky color, running down his cheeks like a sharp blade... It was the last vestige of Parriman's remaining power of love, the cohesion of shifting public opinion. In this moment, "Jingsha" and "City-State" finally stood together again!

“Here we go…the power of unity!!!”

Old Jingsha laughed heartily and threw a powerful punch. His fist pierced through the illusory continent, and the shadow of the city-state disintegrated and flew towards him, wrapping around him in green armor!

He roared to the heavens, then stomped the ground and flew up. He reached the highest point of the ancient city-state and pointed upwards. The eyes of all citizens converged on this single point!

"Everyone, are you ready?!"

The shouts of the crowd reached the sky, and Lao Jingsha punched hard.

"Come on! The divine tree merges!!"

(End of this chapter)