Chapter 550: Both Sides Taking Initiative

This new council meeting lasted for quite some time. After extensive discussion, all agreed upon the strategy of launching a preemptive strike against Phoenix and his forces.

Once the meeting concluded, Lain would immediately notify the rulers of Dawnhaven and Darkmoon City to begin organizing their troops and preparing for battle.

Darkmoon City was nestled within the marshlands of the Barren Wastes—a major power among the human alliance of Crescent Continent.

Interestingly, Simon, chief engineer of the Stellar Empire, hailed from this very city.

Yet compared to the prosperous and advanced Dawnhaven, Darkmoon appeared somewhat backward.

Compounded by years of standing alone against Tharos, the Storm Lord entrenched in the Sorrowful Plains, its situation had grown increasingly dire.

Thus, in this grand offensive, Dawnhaven would dispatch an elite vanguard to reinforce them—especially now that Rowan’s arrival had shattered the previous balance.

The human alliance now boasted one Grand Sage, two Sages, and a legendary dragon. Such strength granted far greater flexibility in high-tier deployments.

After the meeting, every Sage sprang into action. Rowan, too, reluctantly set aside his studies and returned to Soulrest Bay.

This territory served as the Stellar Empire's foothold on the Crescent Continent. Lain raised no objection; instead, he transferred over two hundred thousand soldiers from Dawnhaven to help Rowan consolidate the base.

In truth, Rowan held little interest in further territorial expansion.

The Stellar Empire already spanned vast lands, rich in resources. Crossing oceans merely to claim more ground seemed unnecessary.

Moreover, habitable land on the Crescent Continent amounted to little more than a single duchy in size. The rest either required massive terraforming or suffered magical corruption, rendering them uninhabitable.

To pursue expansion here would mean competing with Lain and others for territory—an unnecessary conflict.

"Sire," reported Ridal, "with the aid of Dawnhaven’s army, we’ve purged the remnants in Soulrest Bay. We executed over 160,000 humans who had been bred like livestock."

"A truly sorrowful number," sighed Rowan.

Elron possessed the power to dispel evil and purify souls, yet even he could do nothing for these wretches.

As Lain had said, though not Deathknight Riders, the Nightmare Taint had seeped deep into their marrow.

When Elron’s light magic touched them, the conflicting energies clashed violently—killing them instantly.

Magic could not restore their minds. Words offered no salvation. Even during detention, violent outbursts led to casualties.

With no alternative, Rowan had no choice but to follow Lain’s advice: exterminate them as if they were a hostile race.

"Give them proper burial," Rowan commanded. "Elron, cleanse the Nightmare Taint from their corpses.

And now that full-scale assault is imminent—Ridal, McKen, prepare your mobilization. Aileen, since you’re close to Sophia, coordinate with her for incoming supplies."

The provisions from Dawnhaven included not only food, clothing, weapons, and armor, but also mana-powered airships, enchanted gear, and mass-produced compact spatial rings to aid troop mobility.

The scale of support revealed no hesitation—no holding back.

Clearly, their sole purpose was to eradicate the Demon God and his minions.

All accepted their orders and plunged into urgent preparations.

Half a month later, every force converged at Bolt Town, ready to cross the mighty Taimuraya River and reclaim Cartago Town.

During this time, the human alliance learned the demons were also amassing troops.

According to Lain’s reconnaissance, Phoenix’s entire host had poured forth—most occupying Cartago, while a smaller contingent deployed north of the Barren Wastes, likely aiming to flank Darkmoon City together with forces from the Sorrowful Plains.

Such deployment made one thing clear: Phoenix intended this war to end in a single decisive blow.

Now, within Bolt Town’s council chamber, Lain once again gathered the human leaders to debate the enemy’s alarming movements.

By all logic, Phoenix should have adopted a defensive, step-by-step resistance to buy time for the Nightmare King’s return.

Instead, he committed everything without regard for consequences—an unnatural move.

Rowan shared this concern. He didn’t believe Phoenix had lost his mind after two setbacks.

There must be another reason behind the enemy’s actions.

*Hum~*

Mid-debate, a colossal ripple surged from afar.

Everyone present, each at least a Sage, recognized such energy instantly.

"Someone has broken through!"

Lain shot out of the chamber and soared into the sky. Rowan followed closely.

His spiritual sense swept southeastward, quickly pinpointing the origin of the surge.

"Over a thousand miles away in straight line… and unmistakably the aura of ascending to Grand Sage."

Lain’s expression darkened. "That location—it must be Tharos, the one in the Sorrowful Plains. He’s ascended!"

An enemy Grand Sage drastically shifted the balance.

At the very least, sending just one Sage-led vanguard to reinforce Darkmoon was no longer sufficient.

"Rowan, it seems you’ll have to go support Darkmoon after all."

Rowan nodded.

In earlier talks, Lain had suggested this, but Rowan had refused.

For him, slaying a Grand Sage to complete his final achievement was paramount. Darkmoon wasn’t the main battlefield—Phoenix wouldn’t be there. So he declined.

But now, things were different. Tharos had become a Grand Sage—he was now on Rowan’s kill list.

Whether it was Phoenix or Tharos, either would serve the same purpose.

"Fine. I’ll take a few people with me," Rowan agreed.

Yet barely had the two settled the matter when another surge crashed down.

Clearer than the last, this wave indicated the breakthrough was much closer.

Rowan and Lain exchanged glances, both stunned.

"This… this is definitely Salonas. He’s broken through too!"

Lain gasped. "How can they keep ascending one after another?"

"Could it be the Nightmare King?" Rowan speculated. "Last time, Priest mentioned the Nightmare King’s power could reach beyond the Exiled Lands."

They vanished instantly, reappearing in the council hall. All Sage projections now wore grave expressions.

Three new Grand Sages on the enemy side—this pressure was immense.

Counting precisely, the humans had only two Grand Sages: Priest and Rowan. Lain still fell short.

"With ‘Silent Annihilation Radiance,’ I can hold off the newly ascended Salonas," Lain declared. "The outcome hinges on you two—Rowan and Grand Sage Priest.

If either of you emerges victorious, our chances rise dramatically."

All eyes turned to Rowan. Had he not arrived in time, humanity on the Crescent Continent might have faced an unprecedented catastrophe.

His knight class was fully leveled. His mage progression stood at a quarter. Each time he ascended—to Legend, Sage, Grand Sage—he endured additional washes of heavenly will, deeper than others.

Though equal in title to Priest, if they fought, Rowan suspected he’d prevail.

So he pondered: should *he* face Phoenix, and let Priest handle Tharos? After all, Tharos had just ascended—his strength theoretically weaker.

Suddenly, his spirit trembled.

In his perception, Theres was moving at blinding speed.

He couldn’t help but warn, “Theres has made his move—does he mean to strike Dark Moon City first?”

The group tensed, each sending out their spiritual force.

“No—he’s already left the position of Dark Moon City and is heading toward the Blazing Gorge.”

Lion said, “It seems they intend to unite their forces and crush us head-on! Since when have these bastards grown so bold?”

“Not a bad turn,” another replied. “Now we won’t have to worry about splitting our battlefield.”

“Exactly. If they gather, so shall we. When the battle begins, we’ll at least be able to support one another.”

Their anxiety eased slightly.

If the enemy had divided their forces, any disadvantage on a single front could have tipped the entire war. But now, with all top-tier warriors converging in one place, aid would be possible whenever someone faltered.

“No—something’s wrong!”

Puris’s hoarse voice cut through the air. “They’re heading toward the Exiled Lands!”

The Exiled Lands—the sealed prison of the Nightmare King. For years, protected by ancient arrays, it had remained beyond reach, no matter how fiercely Phoenix and his kind coveted it. Now they were advancing upon it directly—clearly, they had gained some advantage.

What advantage?

None needed to ask. They all knew—the seal on the Nightmare King must have weakened.

At the thought of the demon god breaking free and returning to the world, every heart leapt into their throats.

And Puris, who had lived through that apocalyptic war a thousand years past, felt despair creeping into his soul.

The demon god was too powerful. Once unleashed, even if they had four Grand Sages instead of two, they would still stand no chance.

What could they do?

A flicker of panic stirred in every chest.

Ronin rose to his feet. “Lion, you go reinforce the Exiled Lands. I’ll intercept Theres. If he’s broken through and is rushing there so desperately, then his power must be crucial. Kill him, and perhaps the tide won’t turn so dark.”

Lion’s eyes lit up, his earlier dread swept away. Even Puris straightened, renewed resolve flashing in his gaze.

“Ronin is right!”

“Can you handle this alone? Should I go with you? Or take Rudar, Elron?”

“I’ll have Carlos with me.”

Even as the words echoed, his figure vanished.

To their senses, Ronin was closing in on Theres at an unimaginable speed.

Puris gasped, “How can he be so fast?”

“Yes—faster than Theres, the Sage of Wind himself!”

“Ronin will kill him! I know it!”

Lion, who had heard Sofia’s tales of Ronin’s legend, had the greatest faith in him of them all.

“We must push harder to stop Phoenix’s plan—don’t let our ally outshine us!”

“Let’s go!”

“The final battle has come!”

Ronin’s action ignited their fighting spirit, quelling the fear of the demon god.

The holographic light in the chamber faded, dissolving as Sages across the land raced toward the Exiled Lands at full speed.

Puris activated the formation array, striving to shift the battlefield outward—toward the vast sea beyond the Exiled Lands.

(End of Chapter)