Star Forge Titan

The evacuation work was much more difficult than expected. The fighters patiently persuaded people, but how could the civilians who had been in hardship for a long time easily give up their money, even if it was just a patched tattered piece of clothing?

The Freedom Fist fighters may be incredibly famous, but right now, there's no movement at all. Is a fight really about to break out? No way.

However, when the blue pillar of magical flame rose from the throne area, everyone realized that something was wrong.

The desert's excellent elimination mechanism once again demonstrated the results of its long-term operation.

More than 90% of the people who heard the Fist Fighters' call, regardless of whether they had previously hesitated about what to take with them, now only did the one thing they did, turning around and rushing away from the throne area in the center of the city, rushing at full speed.

Horse-drawn carriages, donkey-drawn carts, lizard-drawn carts, and the most common No. 11 bus, everyone, with their families, ran desperately in the direction of the Flame Pillar with their backs to it.

Magic as a technology can greatly improve productivity, but in this backward and primitive desert, the more widely known aspect of magic and the extraordinary people who master various talents and abilities is its direct display as a military force.

Apart from the unavoidable blood tax and the Living Water Festival that everyone looks forward to, ordinary desert dwellers may not have seen much that has anything to do with magic in their entire lives.

In the Silent Desert, anything related to magic usually means fighting and conflict. And it's not just a small conflict like robbers or carnivorous bee tribes slaughtering one or two caravans. Once magic appears, it is usually a big event that will cause trouble for all oasis settlements within a radius of dozens or even hundreds of kilometers.

For the five only city-states, the frequency might be higher and the impact would be smaller, but this is also based on the premise that the troublemakers are just one or two crappy mages who can throw fireballs.

When people see the Fist of Freedom fighters appear in person, they may still feel lucky. After all, the fighters always take the lives of ordinary people very seriously, and some of their behaviors may even be considered overreactions in the eyes of others.

But when the pillar of magic fire rose, this little bit of luck immediately disappeared.

Although I don't understand magic, that thing is definitely not something that a crappy wizard who can only throw two fireballs can create!

As long as a normal desert dweller is not stupid enough to do something like putting his hand in a hot stove and roasting it, without knowing what fear is, he can immediately make the above simple and easy-to-understand inference in his mind.

Run, run, run! If you don’t run now, are you planning to run on two or four brand new legs in your next life ten years from now?

Just as civilians on the outskirts of the city began to evacuate, in the aristocratic district closer to the city center, an area that was difficult for fist fighters to infiltrate on a large scale on a normal day, an ominous red light rose rapidly like the morning mist, covering more than 90% of the entire area in a faint light curtain.

There were no screams, no wails, not even the chirping of birds or the chirping of insects. Everything became extremely quiet in an instant, as quiet as death.

The blood tax extraction device rose from the ground. It looked like a retro-style gas street lamp with a long pillar and a wide cover above that opened like an umbrella.

Below the cover is the hollow part of the pillar. Bright blood-red light is constantly seeping out from it. It is refracted by the fan-shaped cover and covers a large area around it in a faint red light curtain.

The once ornately decorated aristocratic mansions lining the streets were as silent as the surroundings. Through the small windows in the front of the mansions, one could see that there was no one inside either. Only empty sets of clothing were scattered on the ground, and fine white sand could be seen around them.

Seeing this scene, there is probably no need for further explanation.

When the owner of a farm is extremely hungry, he will not care whether the pigs he raises are for meat or for viewing. Even if the pig is a high-end pig that can write, do math, and help manage the farm, he will still kill it and eat the meat.

Can pigs be more noble than humans?

In a small area outside the range of the red light, the nobles or wealthy businessmen who were lucky enough not to be involved cried for joy, knelt down and kowtowed towards the throne area where the Shaye Palace was located, and chanted words of praise to the Witch King in a loud voice.

Little did they know that the reason why the red light of blood tax collection did not rise in the area where they were was because some kind-hearted fist fighters destroyed the blood tax collection devices in part of the noble area, thus saving a few individuals.

At this time, the Witch King Menes, who was unable to absorb enough vitality, seemed very calm.

She sat upright, waving her two thick tentacles casually, easily causing visible changes to the surrounding terrain.

On the other side, Brad summoned the Steel-Armored Phantom Eagle-Headed Winged God. Any action he took at this moment could trigger a violent magical impact, and his boxing skills were intensified to an exaggerated level that was unimaginable under normal circumstances. He was like a giant statue made of tornadoes and sandstorms, and every move he made could stir up violent storms.

But the actual situation was far from smooth as planned, and these powerful moves were completely unable to reach the area within a ten-meter radius around the Witch King.

A layer of light red light curtain stood up straight like a city wall. The Barrier of Despair, this tactical-grade super-large magic barrier fueled by the lives of living people, perfectly blocked all attacks launched by the fist fighter.

"..." Brad's eyes were solemn, which seemed different from the situation when he fought with another Witch King before.

"It seems that Senedd's desire for death has created an illusion in you." Menes held his chin with one hand, his delicate and beautiful face full of boredom and ennui.

"I feel that even mortals can punch the sky."

Chapter 130 Scarlet Smile

The Barrier of Despair makes the enemy despair and the innocent despair.

Behind the wall of despair lies the cold and ruthless, corrupt monarchy that the Witch King has preserved for hundreds of years.

The winged god with an eagle head and a human body had two virtual fists wrapped in visible magical light, like two high-speed rotating spherical hurricanes, which continuously struck the despair barrier opened by the second wizard king Menes.

Even a fist that can break a city wall is powerless against this thin layer of light.

But Brad was not discouraged. As early as when facing the Witch King Seened, the fighters of the Fist of Freedom had experienced this kind of despair.

The most powerful thing about the people of the desert is their adaptability and tenacity. Since this despair doesn't kill me, I will adapt to it, and then persevere as always, and never turn back even if I hit a wall.

If one or two punches can't break it, then a hundred punches! A thousand punches!

I'm risking all the magic power within my body! If that's not enough...

Then, I still have life!!!

"Hahaaaaaaaaaaaa!" The loud roar shook the sky, and the eagle-headed winged god's fists, wrapped in storms and magical light, began to explode at several speeds.

In an instant, the huge steel-clad phantom that Brad summoned through the Sky-Breaking Fist ritual seemed to have transformed into the legendary giant with a hundred arms, with an incalculable number of arms striking out countless heavy punches.

The heavy punches fell on the Barrier of Despair like a storm, finally causing the thin red light curtain to begin to tremble slightly!

This was not easy, because the two vines, as flexible and cunning as snakes, kept attacking from various angles, and Brad's remaining energy except for punching was seriously consumed.

Inside the Fortress of Despair, as the magic barrier in front of him showed signs of wavering, the bored expression on Menis's face finally began to change.

A faint smile appeared on that beautiful yet distant face.

"Very good, young man, you are indeed full of energy." As he said this, the Second Wizard King slowly stood up with the slow movements of an old man.

Along with this extremely simple movement, the third, fourth, fifth... a total of more than twelve terrifying vines as thick and long as ancient pythons broke through the ground and rushed out. The rapidly waving vines vaguely revealed a weapon skill that was comparable to Brad's boxing, forcing him to retreat and dodge repeatedly.

As expected of the Witch King's beastly form...

Brad's expression became extremely serious. Having seen the beast body of another witch king, he naturally would not think that just two vines were the entire body of the other party. Even the twelve huge vines in front of him might only be a part of it.

What's more, during the bloody seven days more than ten years ago, the witch king in front of him used extremely powerful spells to slaughter many fist fighters.

Sure enough, after using twelve huge vines to force back the Eagle-Headed Winged God, the Witch King Menes stepped on one of the vines and rose to a high place.

At this moment, the Witch King was no longer dressed in that simple white gauze dress.

The desert-style necklace, made of a large number of gemstones polished into square shapes, was casually hung on Menis's slender neck. The bright magical glow flowing and flickering inside the gemstones showed that this ornament made of precious metals and gemstones was not only expensive but also a high-level magical equipment.

The equally slender gold and silver bracelets hanging on the Second Wizard King's slender wrists also shone with the unique glow of magical equipment.

Menes, with her nearly silvery platinum hair, wore a magnificent headband made entirely of the rare metal adamantium. The headband was carved into the shape of a king cobra with its body curved into a ring, and in the center of the carved snake head were two brilliant gemstones, so bright red they looked like they were burning.

As an animal with a special status in the desert, the image of snakes often appears in murals and statues related to rulers because they are the protectors of kings in mythology.

Therefore, in addition to its lifelike and beautiful appearance, this snake crown is also a high-level magical equipment of inestimable value.

However, these high-level magic equipment seem relatively dull compared to the staff held in Menis's hand.

This is an exquisite work of art made entirely of gold, yet it does not appear heavy at all. The slender staff is decorated with azure lines, which are decorations found only on the scepters used by gods and pharaohs in the traditional desert Ennead belief.

At the end of the scepter is a blooming blue flower. If you look closely, you will find that it is entirely carved from a single huge piece of sapphire. A gem of this size is definitely a rare treasure, not to mention that it is a magical gem containing powerful magic power.

Its shape also comes from the traditional desert Ennead belief. It is the flower staff used by the original goddess Tephmut in the local creation myth, symbolizing life and beauty.

It is ironic that the Flower Staff, which has a beautiful meaning in mythology, is now used as the image of the Witch King's scepter by the Witch-King who does not care about the disappearance of life.

With so many advanced magical equipment activated at the same time, the Witch King Menis was completely engulfed by the bright blood-red glow.

In the dazzling light that was too bright to be seen, as strong as the harsh and cruel desert sun, Menes said indifferently in a voice that everyone present could hear:

"Bloom, then die."

Twelve vines as thick as the pillars of large buildings were like poisonous snakes about to attack, with their slightly swollen olive-shaped ends raised high and aimed at the ground below and the eagle-headed winged god summoned by Brad.

The next second, those swollen olive-shaped ends opened their green outer skin like blooming flowers, revealing a scarlet internal structure that looked like the internal organs of a living being, with a huge crystal embedded in the center.

Ivan's expression also changed. His magical vision could see more things. A huge amount of magic power continuously flowed out from the Witch King's body, which even ordinary fourth-level crown wearers might not be able to master. This magic power flowed rapidly along the vines under her feet, and it took less than a few seconds to reach the inside of the crystals at the end of all twelve vines.

The large amount of magic power accumulated in the crystal was forced to be compressed to a terrifying level, and when the Witch King uttered those indifferent words, all of this magic power turned into a red burning beam filled with destructive high temperature and shot out!

Destruction falls from the sky!!!

The ground hit by the beam was immediately carved into a deep gully comparable to a canyon, and the soil, rocks and sand at the edge all turned into dark red lava.

There were twelve such terrifying beams of light! It was like a death net woven from red light, and anyone or anything that touched it would be doomed.

The earth melted and the city burned. The residual heat generated by the beam of light alone ignited a large number of houses and buildings. The flames that instantly shot up into the sky and the red light emitted by the magic beam dyed half of the sky with the color of blood.

Ismailia, a city of commerce and trade once known for its spices and flowers, known as the Desert Rose, was transformed into a hellish city filled with fire and death in the blink of an eye.

And all this was just because of a spell cast by the Witch King.

Chapter 131: Galloping Iron Horses

Ismailia, in flames!

The gushing crimson beams, like a paintbrush wielded by a naughty boy, instantly destroyed one-tenth of the city of Ismailia, known as the Desert Rose.

This may not seem like a large proportion, but you have to know that this is a huge city-state with a population of one million. Even if it is only one tenth of it, it still occupies a very considerable area.

Not to mention, the destroyed urban area was the most essential downtown area of ​​the entire city-state, and its value was beyond the scope of what could be measured by money.

However, such a huge loss is not even worth frowning on for the city's current owner, the Witch King Menes.

It took Ismailia nearly a hundred years to reach its current level of prosperity. But this length of time was only apparent to ordinary people. In the eyes of the Witch King, whose mystical powers allowed him to live nearly forever, the achievements of nearly a hundred years of development constituted only a small part of a long life.

Even if it was completely destroyed, let alone only one tenth, it would only take another hundred years to rebuild it. But time is the least valuable thing for the Witch King.

Especially the second wizard king, Menis. Even if she did not have any secret magic, she was born into an elf tribe with a long life. As long as she did not leave her hometown for a long time, she could use the elves' unique golden apple technology with the help of professional spring priests to maintain her physical condition at its peak for a long time.

For the same reason, all members of the ancient families in the aristocratic district were ruthlessly and thoroughly drained of their magic power by the Witch King Menis in order to maintain the huge consumption required to build the Barrier of Despair.

This exploitation was so thorough that the remains left after their death were completely stripped of their vitality and turned into meaningless grains of sand. The so-called nobles were now even worse than commoners in the eyes of the Witch King because their numbers were insufficient.

She didn't even care about the city that took a hundred years to build, let alone the population resources that could be grown in just a dozen years.

People are like rice in a wheat field. Even if they are completely used up this season, they just have to wait for the next season to grow.

At least in the eyes of the wizard kings, human life is such a cheap and fast-growing economic crop.

But the fighters who are born as humans obviously don't think so.

At this moment, Brad was feeling the intense pain of being engulfed by flames. Although the Steel Armor Void could provide almost all-around protection, it was, after all, a skill developed based on the research of Soul Armor. While resisting attacks, it would also cause great pressure on the user on the mental level.

Brad felt like his teeth were about to break, but compared to the heavy mental burden, the anger swelling in his heart was even hotter!

"What on earth do you think of human life?!!" Brad roared at the top of his lungs, the magical light gushing from his eyes almost turning into two nearly tangible lightsabers.

As a fourth-level crowned person, Menis could still see the grief and anger on the fist fighter's face through the blazing flames.

As a result, the smile on her face, which was already charming, became even more intense, to the point that her expression began to distort, revealing a kind of sick and weird look.

"Human life?" The Second Wizard King lightly tapped his vermilion lips, as if he was thinking carefully about the question raised by the other party.

After a few seconds, she slowly gave her answer.

"Just some extra change."

While saying such sensational words, Menis's gaze fell on the outer city area, and she showed some surprise again.

"Descendants of the Dark Iron People, you have worked very hard. You were able to destroy over 70% of the tax stations in an instant."

Alchemical explosives, a new thing that has only been developed in Lind in recent years, is obviously somewhat unfamiliar to the Witch King.

The alchemical explosives that Freedom Fist had just detonated simultaneously, though their total yield was extremely limited due to the vast geographical distance they had to travel, confining their impact to a very small area. However, this destructive power was enough to inflict sufficient damage on the blood tax extraction device, or what the Witch King called the tax station.

Therefore, the magic power that Witch King Menes could draw from the blood tax was nearly 90% less than usual. Even so, the magic power reserves she revealed when she released magic earlier were still astonishingly huge.

As more vines rose from the ground, a palace constructed entirely of transparent glass gradually emerged behind the Witch King Menes. This was her chamber—the Glazed Hall. The astonishing number of vines actually moved the entire palace to the Witch King's side.

In the sunlight, this glass palace reflects countless tiny rays of light, as if it itself is glowing.

In the center of the Glass Pavilion, which was built into an artificial greenhouse, the amber that was as calm as a mirror was now showing ripples.

A glass hourglass of astonishing size rises from the lake, filled with a large number of angular and colorful crystals.

"Magic crystals!" Alvin stared at the colorful crystals stored in the glass hourglass with wide eyes.

He was no stranger to these things. The most expensive currency in the virtual world of Palladio was a magical crystal in this form. It contained a considerable amount of magic power, and the manufacturing process consumed at least twice the magic power of the storage capacity.

Apart from being very versatile, magic crystals have absolutely no value for money among magic gems.

In the true sense, it is something that can only be made by a wealthy spellcaster whose magic power and financial resources are like the wind.

At this moment, Alvin realized that he had to do something, but because he had dodged the previous attack, he was now some distance away from the Witch King and Brad.

Fortunately, the detailed discussion before the plan was implemented allowed another thoughtful collaborator to prepare for this situation in advance.

Pululu, accompanied by a not very majestic but very familiar strange cry, a companion who had not been seen for a long time appeared beside Alvin.