Witch, Fireball and Steam Evil God

Chapter 268 Going to the Empire
Three months later, late at night, in Sivarantin.

A group of people cloaked in black ran quickly through the jungle, panting heavily. Even though their bodies felt like they were about to fall apart, they did not stop or look back.

They could hear echoes from the depths of the jungle, approaching the sound of metal rubbing against rocks, like a soul-snatching messenger drawing ever closer.

Further ahead lay endless trees. Sensing the approaching threat, several men with red runes painted on their faces gritted their teeth and stopped. They watched as crows were startled into flight from the depths of the forest, then turned around and took a deep breath.

"You must go to the Empire."

The leading man drew his two-handed swords, assuming a fighting stance. The red markings on his face emitted a dark red glow that extended all the way to the blade he gripped tightly.

The old woman in the black robe hesitated for a moment, then nodded, grabbed the arm of the little girl accompanying her, and ran off into the distance without looking back.

"For the Father of War!"

Such shouts came from behind.

The shouts echoed through the jungle for a long time, until they merged with another flock of crows that had been startled into flight.

The approaching scraping sounds and the commotion in the forest stopped, but this hard-won silence didn't last long. Soon, the sounds resumed, chasing after them at an even faster pace.

Can't run anymore.

Despair filled the eyes of the people. How could a human body possibly outrun an energy-driven machine?

This thrilling escape plan ultimately took an unexpected turn. According to the original plan, once they left the border of West Varandin, a transport team would meet them at the edge of the valley. This was the first night in three months. Since the arrival of the Golden King, the darkness had been far away from them, and whenever they looked up at the sky, it was always that unchanging golden sky.

The sky fortresses that kept tearing through the sky transformed into a new sun hanging above their heads. Under its radiant light, the people of the Golden King no longer needed sleep or rest. Golden masks maintained their bodily functions, allowing them to serve the Golden Kingdom like busy worker bees at all times.

The "Jackals" hunting them down were created by them themselves, and as their creators, no one understood the terror of the "Jackals" better than they did.

The transport team that was supposed to meet them at the edge of the valley must have been discovered by the patrolling "hunters." When they arrived at the designated location, all that was left was a scene of devastation.

It appears that the mercenaries of the transport team have engaged in battle with the hunters. Despite their best efforts, they could not change their fate—they were forced to wear golden masks by the "hunters." These masks were "modified," with six spiked tubes along the edges. Once forced to wear the masks, the spikes would pierce their heads, and the unshakeable will of the Golden King would crush their minds in an instant.

Everyone is aware of the seriousness of the problem.

Once the convoy is brought back to the border city, their long-planned escape will be exposed, and they will all become targets of the "Hunters".

However, Sivarandin is too far from the Empire, separated by mountains and forests. Even without resting for a moment, it would take two days to cross the forest on foot. If they were lucky enough, they would encounter the Imperial border patrol after leaving the forest.

It is said to be the only safe place at present.

After more than three months of civil war, thanks to the joint efforts of the Academy, the Astrologers' Guild, and the Netheril Sanctuary, the minions of the Golden King were finally driven out of the Empire's borders.

"I can't run anymore!"

Finally, someone let out a low growl, unable to bear the strain any longer. They were not known for their physical strength to begin with, and each of them was now just mechanically taking steps. No one thought about whether they could escape this forest, or how much further they had to go, because if they did, reality would plunge them into the abyss of despair.

More people stopped.

They heard the sound of flowing water, but this was not a good sign.

They had finally run two-thirds of the way, their physical strength and nerves were at their limit, but the sound of the "Jackal" was almost right behind them, and they could even see the swaying trees.

The old woman made a decision. She took the little girl's hand and led her to the stream, where she found a hollow for her to hide in.

"I can buy you some time."

She gazed intently at the girl, her eyes filled with reluctance and helplessness. "You must continue downstream along the stream. If the Imperials ask you, just say you're looking for someone named Ethan. They won't make things difficult for you."

She held the girl tightly in her calloused hands.

Next, they would be discovered by the "Jackals" and then forced to wear golden masks. Fortunately, they had run far enough that it would take the "Jackals" half a night to transport them back to West Valantin. By the time the interrogators in the border city discovered the girl's presence, she would most likely have already reached the border of the Empire.

Immediately afterwards, the old woman heard the scraping sound stop.

This was followed by panicked shouts and the sound of the axle turning.

Someone pulled out a musket, and the bullets struck the massive metal structure towering in the forest, sparking as they struck. Eight metal limbs, taller than the trees, sank into the soil, leaving behind a round, golden sphere that looked down upon everyone present.

They also discovered the people who had been left behind to cover the retreat not long ago.

They had been fitted with golden masks, and golden threads bound them to metal frames.

The hunter found its prey and emitted an insect-like hiss.

These are weapons used in war, and they are not something they can contend with with a few muskets.

The King of Gold is preparing for a war; two more kingdoms remain to be conquered on his territory.

The unequal battle did not last long. The girl hiding in the trough held her breath and waited patiently for the screams to subside. She also saw the huge metal limbs sweep across her head, and refugees wearing golden masks were tied to them like trophies, including the old woman.

Her head and hands hung limply, the mask completely obscuring her face, the spikes leaving horrifying holes in her face and head.

This is punishment for traitors, but the Golden King is a "merciful" monarch. He will not execute traitors; instead, he will give them a chance to atone for their mistakes—by using their minds and bodies to serve the Golden Kingdom forever.

……

The next day.

"What? You mean your entire refugee group was wiped out, and even your servant who took care of you was captured by the metal monster!?"

Early in the morning, his signature loud voice pierced through the doors and windows of the manor, drawing the attention of the guards.

Immediately following was the Baron's rebuke, "Hagrid, I can hear what she's saying, you don't need to emphasize it again!"

The Baron's expression was grave.

Although the girl didn't say it explicitly, it's not hard to tell from her few words that she has a special identity and that she was once a refugee from the capital of Sivarandin.

A princess of a fallen kingdom?

What a troublesome identity.

However, based on his understanding of that place, it wouldn't be inaccurate to say that the country had fallen. Their king had put on a golden mask and bowed down to the Golden King. The entire process lasted less than three days. In his knowledge, no war of national subjugation had ever ended so quickly.

However, this is not their fault; it is the same in most regions. The castles that exist in the sky are completely beyond their comprehension. The golden mask descends with golden light, and people are bathed in the light, thus accepting the call of the Golden King.

Thinking of this, the Baron glanced at the cartoon figure hanging in the window.

It was a chibi-style female character with seven eyes and a three-headed figure. She was giving him a thumbs up and sticking out her tongue, and even he, a descendant of the Iron-Blooded Knights with fighting genes, found her adorable.

When this cartoon doll was first brought to Riverwood, the servants and guards in the manor were all enamored with it, but they also wondered if such a cute doll could really withstand the radiation of the golden beam.

The baron instructed his servants to hang the chibi-style dolls in front of the manor windows as requested. However, one night, while getting up to use the restroom, he discovered the dolls' terrifying nature. He happened to come to the window and saw the dolls' shadows reflected outside the manor by the gaslight.

The writhing tentacles were enormous, like a gaping maw that could swallow the entire town of Riverwood whole.

He was so frightened that he almost fell to the ground.

That was absolutely the most terrifying thing he had ever seen in his life, not even comparable to the witch who once threatened Riverwood.

In his letter to Ethan, he raised questions and learned that the chibi-style doll was named "Shadow Lamp," and that the energy it contained was a natural opposite of the King of Gold.

“Your Excellency, she says she wants to see Ethan.”

Hagrid's reminder brought the Baron back to reality.

"I understand. You can settle her in the manor first. I'll call Ethan in a bit."

The baron waved his hand.

"By the way, Your Excellency."

"what happened again?"

"She said she wanted creamy baked mushroom pasta, and Earl Grey tea with four sugar cubes in it."

..............................

"Old Sen, you have a phone call."

Just back at the operations command center, Bye-on brought news from the border for the staff: "It's a call from Baron Gladys of Riverwood."

"Senior, can I ask to answer a phone call?"

Upon hearing this, Ethan raised his hand and applied to the Ice Element senior student, who was leaning against the door of the meditation room with her arms crossed and a serious expression.

On the morning of the day the Golden King descended, the Ice Element Senior returned and solemnly conveyed an order that could not be refused.

—You need to practice!
This simple sentence set Ethan on his long training journey.

Starting with six hours a day, the senior student would stand at the door of the meditation room like a wooden doll, staring intently. If you were to lose focus or accidentally fall asleep, you would receive a stern reminder from the senior student on the back of your head.

As the starter Pokémon, the Fire Elemental remained ruthless and taciturn, leaving behind only the words, "Practice hard, I'll handle the Empire's affairs," before departing.

According to his seniors, he must make thorough preparations before facing the King of Gold.

Since then, many rumors have circulated throughout the empire.

For example, some people claimed to have seen Ethan descend from the sky riding a divine bird, while others saw Ethan, radiating golden light, purify the golden artifacts that attacked the borders of the Empire.

Some have also pointed out that Ethan secretly made out with Winter in the alleys of the Empire at night, their tongues entwined for several minutes.

Only the last rumor is true.

It is said that Ms. Luo, a witness, was attacked and retaliated against by unknown people on her way home from get off work the next day, and a large bump swelled up on the back of her head.

This is enough to show that their level of vigilance towards the Golden King is even higher than that towards the Old Gods. Before he went to visit the three Old Gods, the senior students had never stopped him as seriously as they were now.

At least in terms of "recruiting believers," the Golden King's expansion was much faster than that of the Old Gods. The massive aerial fortress conquered the empire and cities outside the Western Continent in just three days. Cynthia said that this was already considered slow progress—before this, no civilization had ever been able to hold out against the Golden Kingdom for more than a week.

This was thanks to the advent of the "shadow lamp" technology; no one could have imagined that the followers of the Old Gods would become the guiding light under the rule of the Golden King.

They have a natural resistance to the Golden King's radiation; the first wave of radiation had almost no real effect on them. However, as the Golden King's fleet arrived, new golden masks appeared. Once the spikes connected to the tubes pierced their skin, even the most steadfast believers in the Old Gods would succumb to the Golden King's will.

To ensure that the Western Continent remains free from the control of the Golden King, Old An has temporarily returned to Ophira.

"Go."

Ice Element nodded slightly, granting Ethan's request.

Baron Gretchen briefly recounted the story of the refugees from Sivarantin over the phone, who claimed that a princess from a neighboring country had come to them seeking assistance.

Furthermore, the princess of the fallen kingdom mysteriously brought a token that could only be shown to Ethan. Gladys warned Ethan on the phone to be cautious, as this might be a conspiracy by the King of Gold.

According to intelligence from the border, the royal family of Sivarandin has been completely controlled by the Golden King, who suspects how a mere princess of a fallen kingdom could have escaped to the border of the empire.

"It seems you'll have to make a trip to Riverwood."

A crackling sound of electricity filled the air. After the call ended, an electric elemental appeared before Ethan, carrying a plastic bag. "Here you go, a double-skin milk pudding and chicken leg burger combo."

Electric Element hasn't been idle these days either; while Ethan was in seclusion for spiritual practice, he took the initiative to take on the job of delivering takeout.

However, in his opinion, Ethan's training progress was not smooth.

Perhaps a change of environment will have a surprising effect.

He and the Ice Elementalist had different views on cultivation strategies, but he could understand the Ice Elementalist's feelings. She wanted to minimize the risks. If a confrontation was inevitable, then what they needed was a decisive, crushing victory.

"Brother Ethan, what insights have you gained from your recent cultivation?"

"To be honest, no."

Ethan lowered his voice to avoid being overheard by the Ice Element Senior. His basis was the skill proficiency panel. After the elemental upgrade was completed, the skill proficiency would no longer increase. His control over the element seemed to have reached the highest level.

You must transform the power of the elemental ascension into your own strength.

The Ice Element senior had emphasized this to him more than once.

The key question is, how can this be done?
As an elemental shaper, how can he wield those powers without using elemental magic?
(End of this chapter)