Chapter 499: Fight for Me (10,000 words updated today)
After hearing the words of the Great Guardian, Stranger immediately felt a sense of pressure coming towards him.
Being stared at by the Great Guardian of Avalon with those tired and bloodshot eyes, Stranger felt his face stiffen.
...Did he kill all those people?
Stranger's pupils dilated with fear. He could clearly sense the lingering murderous intent from the blond knight.
The murderous intent was not directed at himself, but filled the air like the remaining smoke after a gunshot.
"...If I say I want to go back, are you going to kill me?"
After a brief silence, Stranger asked softly, "To prevent the Star Antimony people from obtaining my wisdom and technology...you want to kill me here?"
He himself didn't know why he said such dangerous words.
He wasn't acting, nor was he speaking in a sarcastic way to save himself. Saying this would undoubtedly be like putting the Great Guardian in a difficult position, which would be contrary to his goal of "surviving."
——He just wanted to ask that.
A strange throbbing feeling, like a premonition, made him want to seek the answer to a question he himself did not understand.
After staring at him for a while, the Great Guardian smiled helplessly.
"Won't."
The Great Guardian opened his lips, which had become dry from not eating or drinking for a long time, and answered very briefly.
"……Why?"
"No reason... because you are a civilian."
The Great Guardian stood in front of the door curtain, his posture upright and his eyes calm: "It is also because I am a knight - I am a knight bestowed with glory by Her Majesty the Queen, and I will protect her glory until my death.
"I can't possibly attack civilians, Master Nobel."
Hearing this, the stranger was vaguely touched. He felt lost, but also felt that something was missing.
But the Great Guardian's next words made Stranger subconsciously clench his hands:
"—After all, you have nothing to do with this war."
"…Is it irrelevant?"
The stranger smiled self-deprecatingly.
The Great Guardian replied word by word: "It has nothing to do with your origin, nationality, or wishes. You did not participate in this war, you are not a soldier, so you are a civilian.
"It's a shame I can't escort you to Star Antimony. But I won't take you back to Glass Island either... Since you've already escaped here, you probably don't want to go back.
"I'll leave two soldiers behind to look after you. You can continue on to Xingbi. They'll protect you and keep an eye on you. I'm about to carry out a covert operation... I need to prevent you from leaking secrets. Please forgive me if this seems disrespectful."
"……etc."
Stranger always felt that something was wrong, as if he had overlooked something.
Why did Covert Operations tell me...
And soon, he felt where that sense of disharmony came from.
The Great Guardian seemed so calm... but now the Queen is dead, the Princess is missing, the Palace of Silver and Tin has been destroyed by the Balrog, and the capital of Avalon has been invaded by the Star Antimony army.
Why can he still be so calm?
Master Nobel is an expert in developing explosives. If his technology were mastered by the Star Antimony people, it would undoubtedly become a weapon of massacre on the battlefield...
…It’s like a technology I invented myself.
"Are you going to die?"
Stranger blurted out.
Hearing his words, the Great Guardian frowned slightly and his eyes became serious.
Just by doing this, the stranger felt a strong pressure that almost suffocated him.
It was as if his lungs had forgotten how to breathe, his chest unable to expand - his brain felt the lack of oxygen, and his cheeks were flushed and hot.
The Great Guardian didn't even need to attack him. Just by frowning and staring at him, he could be suffocated to death.
In the near-death feeling caused by lack of oxygen, the stranger's brain was working abnormally rapidly.
"The princess is not dead!"
He immediately guessed what the Great Guardian was thinking and shouted out.
At that moment, the pressure dissipated immediately.
Stranger gasped for air, his palms numb from fingertips to palms. Stars flashed before his eyes, and his head felt like cotton was expanding, leaving him staring blankly.
"What did you say?"
"Princess Isabel is still alive. The Grand Inquisitor has rescued her. They are now heading to the Theocracy!"
Stranger immediately added.
"That's impossible," the Grand Guardian frowned. "The sky from Avalon to the Theocracy is filled with gargoyles. They're so densely packed together, they obscure the sky like dark clouds."
Stranger guessed immediately that it was the gargoyle that rose from Star Antimony's ship.
Xingti transferred the charging device "pile" that carried the gargoyle to the warship. The huge charging pile that was difficult to carry on the land battlefield could be easily moved on the sea.
Gargoyles were cheap to make; a second-level Twilight Path Transcendent and a first-level Demonologist could create one in three days at most. He had previously sensed that another army of gargoyles might be behind Star Antimony... but now it seemed they were all piled up at sea.
Gargoyles inherently possess anti-magic abilities, allowing them to negate a wide range of spells below Level 2. Even though their flesh and blood shells lack this power... as long as they're airborne, they can effectively block the griffin's vaunted elemental mobility.
As long as the griffin remains in its elemental state and happens to hit the gargoyle, the gargoyle with anti-magic ability can directly remove the griffin's elemental state, thereby directly knocking the griffin into its form, and even directly knocking it into a bloody mess at high speed.
These gargoyles were placed in the sky to prevent the griffins from flying around, just like "mines" in the sky.
Originally, these griffins could carry some bishops, and by expanding the sanctuary, they could neutralize the gargoyles, or compress the gargoyles' activity area, and then slowly crush them with storms.
After all, the gargoyles' anti-magic ability cannot weaken the griffins' innate spells much, just as the third-level and above law spells are also effective against gargoyles.
After all, white-feathered griffins were transcendental creatures, starting at the fourth energy level. While stone was insulative and difficult to inflict effective damage with thunder, the sharp wind blades were still effective against them. Simply slashing them would prevent the unbalanced gargoyles from flying.
But now, the gargoyles were able to resist dispelling and could even launch limited counterattacks with machine guns. Even if the knights in blessed armor weren't particularly afraid of those bullets, that didn't mean the flesh-and-blood griffins could withstand a barrage of machine gun bullets and charge forward without using elemental transformation.
...There is no doubt that this should also be a technological application developed by this world itself.
With these gargoyles, it would be impossible for Princess Isabel to fly to the Theocracy via griffins.
Gargoyles also provide vision for the rear, as well as night vision. Under their surveillance, even traveling by boat is dangerous... Once discovered, a large number of enemies will immediately descend. Even for a fifth-level transcendent, not all paths possess the ability to lead people across the sea.
Thinking of this, Mo Ke was also stunned for a moment.
...That's true.
So how did Princess Isabel get to the Theocracy? Was she teleported there directly?
But if Princess Isabel had already been teleported there, then the promotion ceremony should have ended...
Then there is probably only one answer.
"They must have gone there by boat."
Stranger replied, "You can see that I'm telling the truth—I did see Princess Isabel. She appeared at Moriarty Manor earlier. She must have left with Bishop Moriarty."
"...Evans? No wonder..."
The Great Guardian murmured, "That kid Aiwass sent me a letter a few days ago, saying that the Star Antimony might be making a move and asking me to be extra vigilant. That's why I was able to rush to the border and stop the Star Antimony army...
"I can't leave now. If I turn back, the front will be immediately pushed forward. Once the main force lands, there will be no hope."
Seeing the Great Guardian's expression relax, he started talking more.
Only then did the stranger confirm it... The Great Guardian was indeed determined to die.
He believed that the Queen and Princess were dead, and Prince John was probably dead too. Since Avalon was essentially lost, there was no need for him to continue living—because he didn't want to live in Avalon controlled by the Star Antimony people.
The words that the Great Guardian said to "Master Nobel" were like his last words.
...I don't know how he plans to die.
If it's a knight...
For some reason, a picture suddenly appeared in Stranger's mind - the Great Guardian riding his griffin, alone under the dark clouds, facing the armed gargoyles in the sky.
That was a charge to the death. Or rather, it was a charge that was certain to lead to one's death.
He didn't use martial arts to avoid damage, nor did he call upon spells. That charge seemed simply to say, "I'd rather die than stand with you." So, instead of transforming into an element, he accelerated infinitely and slammed into them with his physical body.
The picture was so clear, it was as if the prophet had transmitted what he saw into his mind.
With a surge of blood rushing to his head, Stranger suddenly said, "I know the gargoyle's weakness."
"……oh?"
The Great Guardian perked up: "As expected of a Nobel Master, you saw through their true colors so quickly!"
"...Of course. The person who created this thing must be a vain and ignorant fool. He has no real strength, just a little cleverness.
"Unlike the Rune Colossus, the Armed Gargoyle's weakness is very fatal."
Stranger suppressed his discomfort and spoke slowly, "He must have known about this thing's weakness long ago and simply kept it hidden. This is undoubtedly an extremely risky move. If someone discovers the weakness on the battlefield... like me right now, then the front line will be in jeopardy."
Anyway, this is just a promotion ceremony, he consoled himself.
If it were in the real world, no matter how dissatisfied he was with Xingti, he would never give the Avalon people the weakness of the armed gargoyles.
But now all this is fake.
...In that case.
Then let’s destroy them and see what happens in this falsehood.
Will I feel heartbroken, lost... or relaxed?
With this thought in mind, he pulled out a bottle of blood-red potion from the suitcase beside him. It looked only the size of a baby's fist and could be held directly in the palm of an adult's hand.
It was "Life-V," the most potent healing potion currently available, made only at the fourth energy level. Even for a fifth energy level transcendent, it could effectively restore vitality... There were only two bottles in the box, and he had originally intended to leave them for his teacher and Grape.
Since we have to fight, let's help heal the Great Guardian first.
The Stranger handed it to the Grand Guardian.
The Great Guardian had no doubts at all and drank it all in one gulp after taking it.
Seeing the Great Guardian's spirits immediately improve, Stranger slowly spoke, "These armed gargoyles resist dispelling with the flesh beneath their metal armor. That flesh is alive... so any spells or divine arts directed at them will be blocked.
"A single strong current passing through it would instantly kill the flesh. While it doesn't physically destroy the flesh, and may appear to be useless from the outside, it has already killed it, thus directly destroying the gargoyles' ability to resist dispersal. Simultaneously, the high temperatures caused by lightning could detonate bullets or destroy machine guns... and the metal cages they wear, at high enough altitudes, will automatically attract lightning.
"In other words, all it takes is a thunderstorm. A thunderstorm that's completely useless against ordinary stone gargoyles, but highly effective against armed gargoyles, will cause them to lose all their special properties and become ordinary gargoyles again."
——The Stranger had long known the fatal flaw of his invention.
But as he criticized himself - he was so vain that he hid this shortcoming.
The significance of inventing an armed gargoyle is completely different from inventing a "transitional product" with fatal flaws.
Or it can't be said to be concealment, because he did not deliberately fabricate any data, but handed it over to professional testers.
If they don't test it out in the end, it can't be my fault, right?
Strangers in the real world undoubtedly have this kind of lucky mentality.
As a result, the armed gargoyles in this world line were actually deployed... I don't know whether they tested out this shortcoming, but still deployed it in large quantities; or whether they did not make any improvements in the end.
"…Surprisingly, it's that simple."
The Great Guardian's expression was somewhat complicated.
For any other country, summoning a thunderstorm that stretched for dozens of miles would be extremely difficult. But for Avalon... it was a piece of cake.
The Grand Guardian alone could accomplish this feat.
"I have one condition, Your Excellency the Great Guardian."
Stranger spoke, saying seriously, "Please let me fight with you."
"…Are you serious?"
"I have a Storm Adaptation Potion, which can convert a small amount of mana into wind attributes. Take me with you, I won't be a burden... I can also provide you with other potions."
The Stranger pleaded, "I just... want to be with you. Witness you lead a charge. I want to see these gargoyles destroyed up close."
"...You really hate the person who invented this thing."
The Great Guardian looked at him and easily read the Stranger's true feelings.
"really."
Nobel twitched his lips, revealing a rather awkward smile: "Now I only want to invent things that benefit the people's livelihood... things that can make people happy."
The Great Guardian rubbed his face, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.
The blond knight smiled confidently once again.
After learning that the princess was still alive and knowing the weaknesses of these gargoyles, he seemed to come back to life from his zombie state: "Since Princess Isabel might be able to ferry her... then we should go and meet her.
"Just you and me—how about I do an experiment with you, Master Nobel?
"Let's see if the thunderstorm can destroy these damn gargoyles!"
The Great Guardian grabbed the Stranger's clothes and looked up at the sky. The huge griffin Philip landed again without waiting for the call, and he grabbed the Stranger and jumped directly on it.
"If that's not possible," Mo Ke said with a serious look, "then let's die together!"
He died on the way to charge towards his own creation!
"Hahaha, no way."
The Great Guardian smiled kindly: "Even if I die, I won't let you die."
"...Even if I'm a Star Antimony?"
"Even if you are a Star Antimony!"
The Great Guardian answered with a resounding and unwavering confidence: "Whether you are a Star Antimony or an Iris Person—as long as you are not a giant, I will protect you! I can protect you!
"Hold me, we're about to take off—"
The white griffin turned into a storm and roared up.
The Grand Guardian will charge.
The other side.
Shortly after the Shadow of Avalon ritual was initiated, Isabelle suddenly heard the sound of death knell.
She suddenly opened her eyes wide while taking a nap, and her whole body woke up. Her expression immediately became serious.
She remained motionless, listening quietly for a long time, but there was no second death knell. All she could hear was the gentle sound of the tide.
So she stood up quickly, put on her coat and walked out of the cabin.
When I opened the door, I ran into Shafiya.
"Get ready, we are heading to the Theocracy at full speed now."
Isabel ordered sternly.
Shafiya frowned. "That might not be convenient... Xingti's main force is searching for us up ahead, Your Highness Isabel. My invisibility spell won't work if we're close enough. Considering we might be confronted by a large force if we're discovered... With our small boat, which can only travel 7 knots, it might be safer to slowly circle around them."
In the distance, the dark clouds in the deep night were stirring, and the layers of dark clouds were becoming thicker and thicker.
The abnormality of the dark clouds reminded her of someone...an old friend whom she desperately hoped would appear in front of her immediately.
But if he hadn't come... this abnormal weather would have been even more disadvantageous to them.
Because the rumbling thunderstorm made the gargoyles fly lower and lower.
This might actually make it easier for them to spot the small boat, obscured by her spell.
"--No."
Isabel was unexpectedly firm and rejected Shafiya's more conservative suggestion.
Her eyes were bright and her tone was firm.
The little princess, her face pale from seasickness, answered word by word, "Since they're blocking our way—let's just attack them. With you, Lord Moriarty, and the two elves protecting us, there's no reason for us to retreat here."
"I must reach the Theocracy as soon as possible, otherwise Aiwass's life will be in danger. Therefore, as the future queen, I now command you, Your Excellency the Grand Inquisitor:
"I want to achieve victory as quickly as possible, and I want to reach the Eternal Kingdom as quickly as possible.
"I need you now to fight for Avalon—
“—Fight for me!”
...It was the first time that Shafiya saw Isabel so strong.
It was also the first time that I saw her make such a clear request and use her own power.
She stared at the little princess and suddenly laughed.
After receiving the Queen's order, her weakened authority was restored for a brief moment.
This means that Isabel already has the awareness and cognition of being a monarch - only when the monarch they are loyal to issues orders personally will these extraordinary people on the path of authority be strengthened by the orders.
She felt a little helpless, yet a little relieved.
...As expected. Love makes people stronger than fear.
So Shafiya breathed a sigh of relief, knelt on one knee, placed the staff horizontally, and saluted respectfully.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, and a silver-white glow shone in her pupils:
"—Then, as you wish... My Queen.
"In the name of Avalon, I will secure victory for you."
I started writing as soon as I got up today, and I have been writing until now... A total of 10,300 words have been updated. The extra words are my New Year's gift to everyone!
Happy New Year everyone!
(End of this chapter)
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