The Witcher: Start with the Lord Marrying a Wife.

Chapter 585-Awakening
Those creatures seemed to have their deepest inner flame ignited, but it burned with painful twists rather than warm incense.

Their bodies began to contract and deform violently, each breath accompanied by a tearing scream, and their eyes quickly became empty and gray, as if they had lost their souls.

In an instant, countless figures turned to ashes, which scattered in the wind and became dust, with no possibility of resurrection.

The crisscrossing streets were filled with horrific screams and the sudden stillness that followed; the earth itself seemed to tremble as if roared by a giant beast from the shock.

The remaining dilapidated buildings shook and collapsed, and countless rune marks were shattered and obliterated by this force, washing away the marks that the church had once left behind.

David remained unmoved, calmly observing everything. He felt the divine power within him surging like a tide, each heartbeat causing subtle vibrations in the laws of the universe.

He is no longer the human who only knows pain and struggle, but a demigod, a new being who bears the destiny of the multiverse and the authority of judgment of destruction.

His fury is raging and cannot be desecrated!
This is a one-way street to thoroughly cleanse the defilers and to resolutely retaliate against the brutal crimes of the invaders!
Every remaining ray of holy light will vanish into nothingness under his judgment!

On the distant battlefield, those survivors who tried to resist could not stop this absolute crushing force no matter how hard they struggled.

They once prided themselves on their unwavering faith, but now, faced with the power of a new god that transcends mortal boundaries, they could only kneel in despair and beg for mercy, yet no one showed them any mercy.

This massacre showed no mercy, no pity, and no compromise!
As night deepened, the ruins of the Silver Moon capital were still filled with the scent of embers. Traces of blood and fire remained, and the violent aftershocks of the apocalyptic judgment still echoed in the air.

At the top of the tower, Lena, frozen and sculpted with unwavering resolve, is an undying beacon of faith in the hearts of countless people.

At this moment, though she has been transformed into a frozen statue of a deity, the sacrifice and vow she carried are like an inextinguishable flame scattered by the north wind, burning brightly in the hearts of all beings.

On this land stained red by gunpowder and blood, a figure slowly rose into the air, hovering high above the ruined capital.

That was David, shrouded in the radiance of a demigod formed from the power of chaos, his gaze deep and cold, like a newborn judge who had pierced through the rules of all things in the heavens.

His every move affects the invisible forces at work.

David stood atop the night sky, slowly raising his hands.

As his palm slightly clenched, a desolate yet vast spiritual wave spread through the air like ripples.

This wave of spiritual power had no specific form, yet it penetrated all the magic arrays set up by wizards from all humans, magical beasts, and even distant countries, like a heavenly chant, carrying its voice to thousands of miles away—every corner of the Silver Moon Kingdom, every state on the continent, and even remote valleys in foreign lands could hear this soul-stirring voice.

"Fellow mortals! Hear my words!" David's voice was deep and majestic, like the roar of thunder, or like the ancient rage surging from the depths of the earth. "The Holy Light Church that you believe in has become an unjust shackle that blasphemes life and tramples on order! They uphold divine authority, yet ruthlessly place faith above kinship, friendship, and all living beings, placing all people on the brink of enslavement and destruction!"

His gaze swept across the war-torn land and the wailing crowds, those with tears in their eyes yet unwilling to submit seemed to be reborn from these ruins.

He continued, “You should know that in order to protect our companions and to protect the future, our dear friend Lena used her life as a shield and her soul as a sword to fight against the torrent of destruction. She burned the indomitable will deep within the bloodline of her entire race!”

She was the last line of defense for this land; her courage alone gave you the lifeline you still have today!

The voice gradually rose, each word piercing the hearts of the crowd like a sharp arrow: "But we cannot stop here! We cannot merely become slaves, controlled and enslaved, nor can we allow the so-called 'god' to continue manipulating our destiny and souls!"

"Tonight, I announce—for the awakening of mortals, for breaking the shackles of divine authority, I will publicly reveal the basic version of the Bloodline Meditation Method. This is a popular version of the forbidden profound knowledge after removing the dangers and taboos. It is the necessary path for everyone who desires to master their own power."

At the same time, I will also provide a free, simplified version of the improved Life Rune Mark, allowing all patriots to strengthen their bodies and minds with the power of the runes to resist external oppression of their free will.

As he finished speaking, a powerful shockwave emanated from his body. It was not just power, but also a promise, a declaration, and a revolution!
David frowned, but his eyes shone with a determined flame. He knew that this was not only a new starting point in the fight against the evil religious authority, but also the most crucial blow that would allow ordinary people to awaken and break free from their shackles, thus setting off a new era of storms.

"Everyone, no matter where you come from or what your background is, please unite your will and walk with us!"

"Let us take freedom as our sword and faith as our shield, and together walk out of the long night of darkness!" Before he finished speaking, he looked up at the sky, and the vast stars seemed to feel this fervent call, responding silently in the dark universe.

At the same time, people across the continent who received the message from his spiritual power were awakened: ordinary people looked up at the starry sky with tears in their eyes, warriors gripped their weapons and regained their faith, and high-level wizards passed on messages to each other, rapidly spreading this message that touched the core of their souls.

In an instant, from towns to wilderness, from plains to mountains, various forces were secretly brewing the prelude to a revolution...

Cynthia stood inside the ruins, her expression complex, yet revealing a long-lost resolute smile.

"This is the beginning of a new chapter... and also the darkest hour before dawn. But with you, with us, there is hope." Lia stood at the core of the altar, her eyes shining with a clear light. She had now completed the sixth ring of the breakthrough ritual, and the essence of it had merged into the abyss of consciousness.

She felt a heavy responsibility for the future mission, but also received unprecedented and powerful support.

"The future belongs to those who bravely stand up."

Under a sky full of stars, countless people trembled in the shadows, listening to the invisible vibrations. The voice, like an ancient divine oracle, penetrated to their very bones, awakening both their long-suppressed desires and fears. Those who had just struggled to survive in the ruins, upon hearing that the "Bloodline Meditation Method" and its accompanying simplified life rune imprints were available for free, burst into tears. They saw a long-lost and fervent hope.

Meanwhile, on the other side of this land where hope and fear intertwine, royalty and nobles from various nations sat in ornately decorated council chambers. The flickering candlelight reflected off the gleaming marble floor; their brows were furrowed, and their handsome faces were etched with solemnity.

“This…this is a fatal blow to the very foundation of our rule!” Alvin, the chief advisor of the Kingdom of Calder, gripped the table tightly, his voice filled with unease. “If commoners were to wield such power, all the glory and authority that we nobles have accumulated over centuries would be destroyed in an instant.”

A duke standing nearby, dressed in a long robe embroidered with gold and with a cold expression, sneered contemptuously: "David is nothing more than a demigod. It's one thing for him to stir up a storm, but for him to spread the so-called 'forbidden secrets' basic version is tantamount to releasing monsters and beasts into the palace. When all the common people awaken, those who were once trampled by us will swarm up in droves. Will we still be able to sit in peace then?"

The atmosphere in the council hall grew increasingly oppressive. Although no one dared to speak easily for a moment, they all understood that this represented the approach of a revolutionary new era.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the continent, within the Moonshadow Sect, a large, secretive wizarding organization nestled amidst clouds and towering ancient trees, a meeting was in full swing.

Among the sect elders, a man with wrinkles but sharp, hawk-like eyes slowly spoke: "David's actions are a subversion of tradition, but also an opportunity. His public teaching of the basic version of the 'Bloodline Meditation Method' and the simplified version of the rune markings has undoubtedly opened a new path for mortals to reach higher levels."

The younger but more experienced witch next to her immediately chimed in: "That's right. I think we should embrace this change and let more of our disciples master these powers in order to deal with any new situations that may arise in the future."

Before the words were finished, an elder dressed in black robes with an inscrutable expression angrily rebuked, "Have you all gone mad? This is the most direct blasphemy against the Church's traditional laws! The Holy Light Church regards the 'bloodline taboo' as the foundation of its order, and David's actions are tantamount to rebellion! If we do not stop him, it will trigger a witch-exterminating catastrophe, and we will inevitably become the prey!"

The debate intensified, and a consensus was slow to emerge. Some were excited and anticipated the possibilities brought by the new power, while others were deeply anxious and fearful of future conflicts. But they all shared one thing in common: turmoil was inevitable for the entire Shadow Wizarding world.

Meanwhile, in the Holy Light Church, hailed as a pillar of the Bright Continent and possessing immense power, a massive altar of holy flames burned in its high-level conference room. Before the altar sat the Pope in white robes, his eyes as clear as sapphires, yet filled with rage and resolute determination. He slowly rose, his steps steady and deliberate, each step seemingly striking a solemn and majestic rhythm.

"This is blasphemy, this is betrayal!" His voice was hoarse but firm. "David has openly challenged our sacred authority, spreading forbidden mysteries to the mortal world. This has not only crossed the line of tolerance, but is also provoking a full-scale holy war!"

He waved his scepter, adorned with radiant holy light, and declared, "In the supreme name of the nation, I hereby issue the order for a full-scale punitive expedition! Bishops of all territories, mobilize all your armed forces and spare no effort to annihilate any who spread the 'Bloodline Meditation Method' and its variants!"

As the order was given, thunderous applause and cheers erupted in the hall, but a deep sense of unease and solemnity also settled on everyone's face. This meant that the entire continent of Light was about to enter an unprecedented, large-scale, and extremely protracted phase of conflict—the so-called "Total Holy War," which was not merely a war of faith, but a life-or-death struggle concerning the collapse of the old order and the birth of a new era!

The streets of the Silvermoon Kingdom are still shrouded in embers and dust, but the young soldiers' eyes shine with unwavering resolve. Some have even begun to secretly study the techniques refined from the Bloodline Meditation Method, hoping to quickly enhance their strength to cope with the impending catastrophe. Meanwhile, news of unrest has spread to many border towns. Numerous civilians, exhibiting abnormal physical characteristics in the early stages of awakening, are being hunted or ostracized. Various resistance organizations are also stirring, hoping to seize this opportunity to change the course of their fate.

In the distant wilderness and forests, rumors circulate that the spirit beasts that once hid deep in the mountains are gradually awakening. They seem to be tainted with some strange aura, resonating with the bloodlines of those who have obtained rune marks and improved their bloodlines... This further strengthens the inevitable trend of tearing apart the old world order.

As this momentous upheaval brewed, various factions tested each other's limits and constantly adjusted their stances. Some nobles secretly funded resistance organizations in an attempt to control the emerging forces; others sought to contact clandestine wizarding sects to try and use magic to block the spread of information; and a very few lords chose to refuse to participate in the conflict, preferring to observe the situation and protect their territories. But all these actions could not stop the surging tide, and the history of the continent was about to be rewritten after this thunderclap!

As the night deepened, the emotions in people's hearts began to churn. Everything appeared calm on the surface, but beneath the surface, a turbulent undercurrent, like a raging river, was about to erupt at some point, ushering the world into a new era?

Cynthia gazed at the distant starry sky, a resolute smile playing on her lips. "Dawn may be far away, but it will eventually come."

Lia closed her eyes, sensing the surging spiritual energy within her. She murmured softly, "The future belongs to those who dare to break free of their shackles."

The night was more tranquil than ever before. The faint starlight scattered on the water seemed to be swallowed up and dimmed, while a sudden and immense mental fluctuation came from the surging waves—a complex feeling mixed with surprise, scrutiny, and barely concealed anxiety.

Atlas slowly opened his eyes, which were as calm and deep as amber, his gaze seeming to pierce through endless darkness and reach even the source of the otherworldly tremors. His figure was magnificent, like a sculpture on a giant rock, exuding solemn majesty in the deep blue realm.

“Chaos…” he murmured to himself, his voice deep and filled with ancient mystery, “A completely new existence… that can shake the delicate balance between many realms. The taboos of the past have begun to erode the old order, and this power may very well rewrite the trajectory of the laws of the multiverse.”

As he gently traced the surface of the water with his fingers, invisible ripples spread out in subtle vibrations, as if responding to the raging torrents erupting from a distant continent. He looked up at the other side of the sparsely starlit atmosphere, at that land torn apart by the power of chaotic gods.

“The mortal world is on the eve of change.” Atlas’s eyes were solemn. “If this force continues to spread, it will have unpredictable consequences… perhaps even we gods will have to intervene.”

Meanwhile, on the other side of a distant continent—deep in the dense forests of the elven ancestral lands—a colossal life form, towering into the sky and with branches stretching for thousands of miles, swayed slowly. This was the World Tree, "Itheril."

Ysera nestles on the ancient land, its roots penetrating deep into the earth's core, touching every inch of the lifeblood;
(End of this chapter)