Star Iron, conquer the world from Omphalos

Page 66

The next moment, as expected, a large number of rift space creatures rushed out from those rift spaces!

The will of the star core obviously gave up controlling Cocolia. It released the remaining power in the latter, triggering the rift space, and wanted to forcibly swallow up this city-state under the protection of the protective power.

The screams rang out again.

"Silvermane Guards, listen up!" Bronya shouted, "Protect the citizens and evacuate to a safe area!"

After saying that, she looked at Ash in the huge pit.

"Sir Ash, please release Jeppard and the others!"

The entire Beloberg is suffering from the erosion of the rift. If it is allowed to expand, everyone will die here!

Ash raised his brows slightly. He didn't expect that the Star Core would use such a trick in the end. However, the purpose of this thing was to destroy the entire Yalilo. It was normal for him to be furious when he saw the conspiracy shattered.

In fact, with the power of the star core, it would be too easy to destroy Beloberg. The reason why this city-state has not been completely destroyed is not only due to the efforts of generations of Beloberg people, but also thanks to the protection of the protector.

But now, seven hundred years of erosion have left the high city walls riddled with holes. Even without the help of Cocolia's body, the power of the star core can still destroy this place.

"This is my new territory. If you want to mess around, you're dreaming!"

Ash controlled the sand soldiers to disperse and destroy those creatures that had broken through the boundaries.

At the same time, Bronya came to Jeppard and others, who woke up from the chaotic noise and had no idea what was going on.

"Jepard!" Bronya said succinctly, "Beloberg is suffering from the erosion of the Rift. Mother was corrupted by a terrible power and issued the wrong order. Now that power has been suppressed by Ash, but the cold wave and the erosion of the Rift have completely erupted. I command you to immediately summon all the Silvermane Guards to defend Beloberg!"

"Lady Bronya..."

Jeppard looked around.

"There's no time to hesitate!" Bronya said sternly, "The Grand Guardian has fallen into a coma. As the next Grand Guardian and commander of the Silvermane Guard, Jeppard, trust me and execute my orders!"

"...yes!"

There was no time for hesitation. Indeed, as an officer fighting on the front lines, no one knew better than Jeppard the terrifying effects of these Rift Creations expanding. He also realized something: if the situation inside the city was like this, what would the situation be like on the outer frontiers?

Instead of worrying about who is right and who is wrong between Cocolia and Bronya, it is better to deal with the crisis quickly. At least, there is nothing wrong in surrounding the people of Beloberg.

Soon, the Silver Mane Guards, under the command of Bronya and Jeppard, began to protect the people's evacuation, but the expansion of the rift was too fast. If it weren't for the sand soldiers controlled by Ash who resisted most of the attacks, the casualties would have been unimaginable.

But Ash's sand soldiers only numbered five or six thousand, and it was impossible for them to defend the entire city-state. So Bronya had to ask the Iron Guards to gather the citizens for protection and build a shelter in the city with Krippenburg as the center.

About an hour after the first wave of world-ripping creatures erupted, more than 80% of the citizens had been gathered. The remaining small number of people who were unable to evacuate in time because they were too far away could only rely on their luck.

At this time, in the hall of Krippenburg.

"How could this happen? The entire city-state is suffering from the rift... and the lower areas, I wonder what's happening there."

Bronya's face was a little pale, and Cocolia fell into a coma. She took over control under the dual pressure of chaos and crisis, and her mind was now in a mess.

"Sir Ash, do you have any other ideas?" She turned her gaze to Ash standing beside her.

"There is indeed some trouble."

Ash pondered for a moment. He had already drained Cocolia. Realizing it couldn't compete with him while occupying her body, the Star Core completely severed its connection with Cocolia. With the rift expanding, defense alone wouldn't be enough. Over time, the soldiers would suffer casualties and fatigue, and Beloberg would eventually be dragged to his death.

Therefore, we still have to solve the problem fundamentally.

Using Cocolia's body as a medium to extract the power of the star core was a safe and efficient method for him. Because of the protective power and the effect of the mark, the star core was suppressed by Beloberg and could not resist at all.

If we were outside of Beloberg and faced the power of the star core, it would not be so easy.

"If the star core explodes completely, I'm afraid I won't be able to suppress it head-on," Ash pondered. He had absorbed a lot of power before, but he was still a long way from becoming a Master. Mastering was a qualitative change, so how many Masters were there in the entire Star Iron?

He took out his cell phone and tried to contact the Black Tower to inquire about the situation of the Starry Sky Train, but unfortunately the intensified cold wave caused the signal to be too poor and the message could not be sent out.

The current situation is that they either continue to wait for the Starry Sky Train, or they launch a counterattack on their own.

The arrival of the train will definitely solve the crisis, but there are various uncertainties in space travel. Although it only takes a few minutes from the jump to arriving at Beloberg in the game, it is much slower in reality.

How long does it take to arrive, check the situation, choose a landing point, and then get to Beloberg?

We can wait for them to come, but we can't just do nothing here. The only method Ash can think of right now is to create an ascender!

After all, the Star Core doesn't dare to come directly into the city. It will also be scared after being sucked in by Ash, so the current crisis is nothing more than the Rift Creations that are causing chaos everywhere.

There are too many of them, and it is difficult to deal with them relying solely on the Silver Mane Iron Guards and the Sand Soldier Legion. The bigger problem now is that we don't know what's going on in the lower areas, plus the pressure from the Beloberg front battlefield. Once the front-line defense collapses, the rift creatures outside will rush into the city in an instant, making a mess here.

If there is an ascender, and if the state obtained by ascension is strong enough, an ascender can even guard a rift.

"Bronya, there is indeed a way now, but it depends on whether you are willing to try it." Ash said.

"I'm willing!" Bronya said without hesitation, "As long as it can solve the crisis of Beloberg, I'm willing to do anything!"

"Even if Beloberg is no longer the same as he is now?"

"What's the meaning?"

"Miss Bronya, as I've said before, I'm an emperor. An emperor has his own duties. I came to Beloberg to help you through this crisis, and naturally I want what I want, such as... having this planet fall under the Empire's rule."

Ash confessed his purpose, "My country is called Shurima, and the sun is the highest faith. If I bring the power of Shurima here to help you overcome this crisis, then in return, this place will become part of Shurima's territory from now on. Do you understand?"

While he could conquer Beloberg by force, it was too far from Omphalos to be governed by anyone. Killing all the Belobergs wouldn't benefit Ash in the slightest, so he decided to strike a deal with Bronya and spread the Imperial Truth's faith there.

He was frank about the pros and cons, and Bronya was a smart person and knew what to choose.

If he refuses, then there is nothing much for Ash to say. He just needs to achieve his goal.

It would be even better if you agree.

Conquest and expansion do not necessarily require the use of force. After all, Ash himself is not a natural emperor, and he does not need to specially force himself to play the role of an emperor. No matter what, as long as he feels comfortable, that's enough.

I feel uncomfortable and depressed. I don’t even want to be the emperor!

Having the ability to protect the people of the kingdom and bless those who follow him, this is the essence.

"Sir Ash."

Bronya was silent for a long time, and finally said under Ash's gaze: "The Imperial Truth is preservation, isn't it?"

...

In fact, Bronya knew very well that there was no kindness in the world without reason.

What was Ash's purpose in coming here? He couldn't possibly be just trying to help someone in need, could he? Everyone has their own goals, and that's perfectly normal. So, right now, they were just trying to get what they wanted.

She needed Ash's power to help Beloberg overcome the crisis. As long as this could be achieved, as long as Ash's purpose was not to harm Beloberg, that would be enough.

After all, there is simply no other way to go now.

Persist? Resist? What's the point?

Continuing on the same path that Beloberg had followed for hundreds of years would only bring despair, and she knew this all too well... Mother, you must have felt this way a long time ago.

Bronya suddenly felt that she was very similar to Cocolia. Wasn't the fundamental reason why the latter was bewitched by the Star God because she wanted to save Beloberg?

Because they have something to ask for, they are used by the star core.

She also wanted to save Beloberg, but Ash and Star Core had fundamentally different goals. Star Core wanted to destroy everything, which Bronya could never allow. Besides that, she could accept any price.

However, her willingness to accept alone does not mean much. If you want the Beloberg people to recognize Shurima's rule, it will take a long time to subtly change their...beliefs. This is the best way, because the Beloberg people firmly believe in preservation, so when the imperial truth becomes preservation, it will naturally be accepted.

As for how to achieve this process, that is also simple. Right now, Beloberg is in danger. When people are most afraid and desperate, the glimmer of hope they see is everything!

Imperial Truth, the Sun Disc, if these are the powers of preservation, then the one who brought these to Beloberg, Ash, will undoubtedly become the messenger of preservation!

That's right, Bronya decided to shape Ash into a protector, so that the people of Beloberg would believe that the power of Shurima, the country created by the power of protection, would save Beloberg.

To achieve this goal, she must first convince the top executives of Beloberg... well, this is not easy.

"I disagree!"

Inside the meeting room at Krippleburg.

The top leaders of the City Builders gathered here to attend an emergency meeting called by Bronya.

Beloberg's management is composed of city builders. Even the Great Guardian is essentially a city builder. The significance of city building is not only to build the city, but also to guard the city and protect the people from the erosion of the cold wave.

The original Beloberg was built by the City Builders. Now, more than seven hundred years have passed, and the City Builders are still the management and rulers of this city-state.

Although Bronya is the nominal heir to the Grand Guardian, it is only a succession. Cocolia has not given up the throne, and her current power is not enough to command everyone.

When Bronya proposed to use Ash as a protector and bring Beloberg under the rule of Shurima, she was immediately opposed by others.

"What's a Guardian? I've never heard of it!" a City Builder snorted. "Bronya, Lady Cocolia is in a coma, and they asked you to take over as Grand Guardian to save Beloberg, not to sell us all out!"

Ash had only been here for a day, and the problem of the sand soldiers causing trouble did not last long, and then the rift broke out.

Most city builders are still in a state of half-knowledge.

"Yes, Beloberg is in imminent danger, yet you're still trying to get us to join Shurima's rule. Even if that Ash is so powerful, he can only summon some sand soldiers. How can he be the messenger of protection?"

"Bronya, we will not agree to your proposal. Let's wait until Lady Cocolia wakes up before we discuss anything."

Hearing the words of the city builders, Bronya frowned and said, "Before you question this decision, have you ever considered that if it weren't for the help of Lord Ash's sand soldiers, the Rift would have already eroded the entire city-state? My mother has been controlled by the star core and is in a coma. We don't know how long it will take for her to wake up. And now, every minute and every second, countless citizens and Iron Guards are dying at the hands of the Rift. Are we going to wait forever!?"

"Even this won't work." An elderly City Builder, who sat at the upper left of the conference table, said coldly, "Bronya, you are only acting as the Grand Guardian. You have no right to decide the fate of Beloberg. We City Builders have worked hard for so many years to protect Beloberg, not to be traded as toys for you!"

"And that guy named Ash, he's asking Beloberg to obey his orders at this moment, clearly taking advantage of the situation. How could you trust someone like that? Bronya, I seriously doubt your qualifications as Acting Grand Guardian."

"Sir Albert, I never took Beloberg's fate lightly!" Bronya said seriously. "I made this decision knowing that Beloberg's present situation is the result of the hard work of countless city builders. Do you know how brutal the war on the front lines is? Do you know how many people are dying every minute and every second? We sit here, deciding the fate of everyone. The star core will soon destroy everything. There is no time for hesitation!"

"So what?" Albert said calmly. "The Iron Guards' duty is to fight and defend Beloberg's defenses. We've held our ground for seven hundred years. Now, just because something unusual has happened, you're backing down? Think about our ancestors before us, and then look at the present. Ultimately, it's you, the Iron Guards, who are afraid!"

"So what if there are more Rift Creations? As long as we hold on, everything will be resolved once Lady Cocolia wakes up. I believe the great Krippo is also watching here. Sooner or later, Beloberg's crisis will pass!"

Bronya clenched her fists and said angrily, "Lord Albert, do you know what you are saying? The Silver Mane Guards have never retreated. They have been using their blood and lives to resist the enemy's invasion. I will not allow you to slander them like this!"

"If you don't want to be criticized, then show your Silvermane form and fight those monsters to protect Beloberg. Bronya, these are your jobs. Don't waste your time here. Manage the Silvermane Guard. Leave the rest to us. Beloberg's future won't end here."

Wait, just wait. Bronya heard that Albert's idea was to wait for everything to be resolved in time and he didn't want to make any changes at all!

He didn't care how many soldiers died on the front line, nor did he care what kind of changes were happening outside. He just wanted to wait for the disaster to pass. Even if Beloberg was really going to be destroyed, he would definitely be the last one to be among them.

But if they handed over the management of Beloberg, even if it was really saved, they would no longer be the masters of Beloberg.

Pedantic! Stubborn! Cowardly!

Bronya looked at the others.

Most city builders.

Everyone was silent.

Albert was a veteran among the city builders, his prestige second only to Cocolia. Not to mention those who had originally sided with him, some of the city builders even wanted to speak up, but due to formalities, they didn't dare to say anything more.

After all, Bronya's influence is still too weak.

"Alright, Bronya." Albert waved his hand. "Let's end this meaningless meeting early. The Rift is still eroding. Now you go and lead the Silvermane Guard to defend Beloberg. We'll take care of the rest..."

boom! ——

The door to the conference room flew halfway out.

"I told you this meeting was useless, didn't I?" Ash said, standing at the doorway, looking up at Bronya. "In times of crisis, people first think of protecting themselves. The city builders of the past may have been great, but these high-ranking figures have long forgotten the hardships they faced. They've been ensconced behind the walls for far too long."

"You are...Ash?" Albert frowned and asked, "This is the high-level meeting room of Beloberg. Who allowed you to come in?"

"I want your permission?"

"Ash, even if you helped Beloberg, as an outsider, you cannot enter here without permission. Now, as the city builder, I am informing you—"

laugh!

The sand turned into arrows and shot out, hitting the city builder in the middle of his eyebrows. The expression on his face froze instantly.

"Uh-huh..."

Plop.

Fall to the ground and die.

At this moment, the entire conference hall was silent.

Chaos ensued.

"Ash, how dare you kill someone here!"

"Guard! Guard!"