Level Up Legacy

Chapter 1464: The Sovereign of Death - Part 17

A long period of silence descended on the flower field. Arthur sat next to the Sovereign of Death, and could feel a chill radiating from her body.

"I never asked... why did you undertake the path?"

"It’s the only way to reach Devaheim without being affected by the temporal expansion," Arthur said. "Here, time slows to a crawl. If I attempt to reach them in the higher worlds, everyone I know would die."

"Is that the only reason?"

"Not at the moment," Arthur said after a pause. "In fact, that’s just a bonus I realized when I learned about the Path. My wife is trapped within a realm connected to the Spirits Realm."

"I see. That’s an excellent plan," she said. "If you want, I can open a realm directly to the one you mentioned. I just need someone who’s been there to pinpoint its astral location."

"That would be convenient," Arthur said with a frown. "But I don’t know anyone who has."

"If you do, then you can come back to my realm and we’ll go together. My army of undead... will aid you."

Arthur was surprised.

"In return for my help?"

"With or without," she said. "I know you’re fighting against the Nameless every day. It’s my duty, as well as the duty of all Sovereigns of the Lower Realms, to aid you."

"It will be with," Arthur said with a smile. "I’ll fight whoever steps into this realm. You can count on me."

"Thank you, Arthur."

"Well then," Arthur said as he rose. "It’s time to meet the others and prepare."

Arthur learned that the attack was foreseen to happen in just two more days. He met with the other generals, who were all heartbroken to see Calvaran gone, but understood nonetheless.

Everyone recognized Arthur’s strength and said nothing when their lord declared him as a valuable ally. They had a meeting where they discussed their preparations and what needed to be done.

According to Vorathis, the Lich, there would be one god, three watchmen, and an infinite number of angels. Arthur and Severis would take on the god, the generals would handle the watchmen, and the undead monsters would fight against the angels.

The Sovereign of Death herself would guard the flower field that the gods aimed to steal. It could all be an elaborate ruse to pull their attention away from the field and someone would sneak inside.

After the meeting, everyone began to prepare. Nyxiel began creating his ultimate soldier with Arthur’s help, a creature that could slay as many angels as possible.

The twin sisters left the realm and visited others to create more statues of villainous men.

The Lich worked together with the undead to create a giant magical circle around the city to protect the citizens.

Arthur left the palace to search for the Knight of Loyalty. He found the man in the same inn that they were staying at, lost in thought while staring at an empty glass. He tapped the man on the shoulder.

"You seem like you just lost your soul," Arthur said. The knight flinched and turned toward Arthur with surprise. "You thought I was dead?"

"From the explosions I heard from above, I thought you would have been gravely injured at the very least," the knight said while examining Arthur from head to toe. "You don’t even have a scratch."

"I’m good at avoiding pain," Arthur said with a shrug. "Listen, Loyalty. I know that you’ve already done enough for me that would make your lord proud, but I need a favor."

"Anything," the knight said. "It’s an honor to help you."

"No need to be formal," Arthur said as he patted the knight’s shoulder. "I’m guessing that Gala has already taught you about the Spirits Realm, correct?"

Loyalty nodded.

"I need you to visit that realm," Arthur said. "I need you to find someone called Master Guffaw. Have him guide you to find Gala, or even the Spirits Sovereign."

Arthur took out a leather envelope from his robes and placed it on the bar. "Take this," he said. "Give it to Gala or the Sovereign. It has detailed instructions."

"As you command, my lord," Loyalty said as he picked up the envelope.

"I’m not your lord," Arthur said with a smile. "Call me Arthur."

Loyalty nodded with a similar smile.

"I hope you would find them in the next two days. If you don’t, then that’s fine too. Just make sure it gets to them."

"I’ll do everything in my power," the knight said and bowed. "I’ll depart now, if there is no more to discuss."

"Good luck, and thank you," Arthur said with a nod. The knight then left, leaving Arthur alone sitting at the bar. He ordered some wine, but he didn’t like the taste.

A knock came on the door. Soldiers of the undead army walked into the bar, declaring that everyone needed to enter the inner city as soon as possible.

The bar closed, and Arthur had to leave. He watched as thousands of families left their homes to seek refuge within the great barrier that Vorathis was building. He saw single mothers carrying their babies, and fathers pulling carts carrying all their belongings.

Arthur vowed to give them back the life they had.

He returned to the Death Palace and sought the courtroom. He found Severis already standing inside, but the Sovereign was nowhere to be seen. The undead general simply stood there and stared at the throne.

"It’s good to see you unharmed," Arthur said from behind him. Severis turned toward him and chuckled. "Are you here to meet your lord?"

"I can only wait for a summon," Severis said as he turned back.

"You look worried."

"Because I am," Severis said. "All this time, the gods didn’t dare to touch this realm because of the role that my lord played in the balance of the universe. But now... they dare tamper with that balance."

"I feel like they’re growing desperate," Arthur said. "It would be best if they are."

"A mad dog has no problem killing its owner for food, even if that means there would be no more food anymore," Severis said. "If they harm the Sovereign of Death, then the entire universe will collapse."

"We won’t let them," Arthur said with a smile. "And believe in your lord too. If anyone wants to harm them, they would need the entire kingdom of gods."

Two days passed in a flash.

The entire realm was relocated to the Death Palace.

Arthur finally understood why the Sovereign collected taxes from the people. The coins used in this realm were her own creation, and she used them to fuel the Death Barrier that would kill any intruder.

As for the undead armies, they were stationed outside inside the valley. According to Vorathis, the portal would open in the middle of the valley when the sun was highest in the sky.

Arthur stood with Severis atop the walls of the palace, overlooking the valley from atop the cliff. Each of the generals was stationed on the ground below with their armies, everyone holding their breath, not that any of them were breathing.

"Thank you, Arthur, for fighting for this realm," Severis said all of a sudden. "Before you arrived, we didn’t have much hope. But now..."

"Say no more, Severis," Arthur said. "I would fight this fight even if no one else was fighting it. If there’s a chance to hinder Devaheim’s plans, I’ll take it."

"The rumors are true. You would do anything to take down the kingdom of gods," Severis said with a chuckle. "If the time comes, then let me fight alongside you against them."

Arthur was surprised. "You would go to war against them? I assumed this realm matters to you more than whatever the kingdom of gods is planning."

"I can’t forgive them for what they did to my lord," Severis said with a furious glare as his fingers dug into the cobblestone of the railing.

Arthur stared at him for a short few seconds but didn’t say anything. At that moment, a portal appeared behind them and the Lich, Vorathis, walked out.

"They should be here at any moment now," Vorathis said.

"Have you cleared the valley of citizens?" Severis asked.

"I have," Vorathis said. "Everyone is inside the barrier. Even if we are defeated, no harm would befall them. The time and effort required to break the barrier is far more than the gods are willing to spare."

"I guess we’re depending on their busy schedule in case things go south," Severis said with a sigh. "Make sure the troops remain in formation."

"Isn’t it better for us to attack as soon as they emerge? We have the advantage," Vorathis said with confusion. Arthur agreed. But Severis had a different opinion.

"I’m sure that their god is waiting on the other side for that possibility. If we rush forward, our troops will encounter the god, not the angels. They would be annihilated for no real reason or benefit."

Vorathis was silent for a moment and then nodded. Then, he snapped his head toward the valley. Arthur sensed the shifting mana as well, and saw the portal open in the distance.

They were here.