Read Novel Full Chapter 666- Tainted Lands
Chapter 666- Tainted Lands
The second test was passed easily.
Then came the final test.
The Trial of Holy Fire.
Regarding this, was it even necessary to mention the result?
These people had already proved their innocence once before during the holy crusade in Solaris.
Needless to say, they passed through the flames of Yggdrasil without any resistance.
The result was obvious.
The final test. Pass.
And just like that, Kevin, Gwen, Rolan, Delicia, and Vangeance officially became members of the Dawnbringers.
The challenge was easily won by Kevin.
As for Stark, he could only accept the loss and determine himself to get stronger.
The next day, every single member received a package.
Inside the package was a cape.
That said, it was not just any piece of clothing.
It was proof of qualification.
Proof that they had surpassed the harshest selection process and joined Dawnbringers.
"Woah..."
Kevin stared at the white cape handed to him with sparkling eyes.
The design of the cape was made with a single piece of thought in mind. That was to show the determination of humanity.
Pure white fabric lined with faint silver patterns resembling rays of dawn spreading across the horizon.
Around the edges were golden threads symbolizing hope, unity, and humanity’s will to survive.
At the back of the cape was the symbol of the Dawnbringers.
A radiant rising sun breaking through darkness.
It was simple yet imposing.
"Hahaha, do I look cool?"
Kevin immediately draped it on his back and asked.
"Even with the magnificent cape and armor, the aura of an idiot won’t go away from you."
Gwen spoke in a huff, blushing slightly and shifting her eyes away.
Dressed in that cape and armor, Kevin indeed looked quite cool.
"Haha, this is quite durable."
Vangeance too equipped his own cape.
"Although I like the cape of our own order, this one is not bad either. It suits us surprisingly well."
Rolan commented.
The order of the Knights were already used to using white capes.
Hearing their nonsense, Silvia sighed and explained.
"Listen up, you all. This cape is not for fashion. It has been given to every knight for one reason, identity."
"This cape represents something greater than a single kingdom. Under this banner, everyone here is fighting for humanity. We are no longer just the knights of Solaris, Aeterion, or Vesperia. Now we are all members of Dawnbringers."
A few days later, the recruitment closed. The Allied Knight Order finally moved.
The Dawnbringers began their great expedition into the Tainted Lands.
A day that would later be recorded in history as the Beginning of Humanity’s Counterattack.
BOOOOOOM!
The earth shook violently.
Thousands upon thousands of knights surged across the corrupted plains. They rode on their warhorses as they charged towards the demonic horde.
All kinds of skills illuminated the dark sky.
Explosions erupted endlessly across the battlefield.
The demonic horde that could terrify a single nation was swept away under the might of the Dawnbringers.
Achilles Ironheart swung his massive axe. It reduced the upper body of a gigantic high-ranking demon into a rain of flesh.
On another side, Erza Crimsonstar’s crimson blade flashed repeatedly.
Each strike beheaded thousands of demons like flowing scarlet lightning.
Leona Marcela Valkyrie stood calmly surrounded by thousands of demons from all directions.
The next second, the vast starry sky enveloped everything. A meteor shower stormed the area, reducing all the demons into ashes.
It was not just the Heroes and powerful commanders who were distinguishing themselves in battle. Even the level 6 knights fought with energy.
The battlefield trembled beneath humanity’s power.
This was no battle. This was extermination.
High above the battlefield, unfolding his [Wings of Seraphim], Reinhardt observed everything calmly.
A dark stretch of land spread endless before him.
Dark tar-like filth coated the ground. It showcased the corruption of the soil.
Forget about farming. No life form could survive in such condition.
Air was toxic. Even mana here was sparse.
Right now, the knights, being the best of the best of humanity, were still able to resist the slow poisoning.
However, it was only just a matter of time before their conditions started deteriorating.
Reinhardt’s golden eyes scanned the surroundings before landing down on a hill.
"This place will do."
Without wasting time, Reinhardt took out a prepared branch of the World Tree.
Though only a branch, the holy aura radiating from it caused the surrounding corruption to recoil instinctively.
Then the next second.
He drove it into the ground. Planting it deep into the soil.
At that instant, the overflowing aura of the world tree’s branch showed its effect.
A small sapling grew out of the ground. It quickly grew to the size of an average tree.
In this dark desolate world, the signs of life sprouted.
Of course, if this was all the power of the World Tree, Reinhardt wouldn’t have called this expedition.
WOOOOOOOSH!
Emerald light exploded from the ground.
Pure mana burst across the land like a tidal wave.
The black tar-like corruption coating the earth instantly began dissolving.
Hissssss.
Dark mist rose everywhere as the corruption was purified at terrifying speed.
The rotten ground regained color.
Soon grass and young sprouts began growing out of the ground. They filled the place with vitality and life.
Even the sky above slowly cleared.
For the first time in countless years, blue sky appeared over this part of the Tainted Lands.
What’s more, it was just this small part of the land that was affected.
Soon, the purification spread farther and farther.
One mile. Three miles. Five miles. Ten miles.
Everything within the radius of ten miles was completely transformed.
The suffocating demonic energy vanished. Pure mana flowed freely once again.
The effect was so fast and so drastic that the surrounding knights stared in disbelief.
Many even unconsciously took deep breaths. Their exhausted bodies immediately felt lighter.
"This is amazing."
Many of the young and inexperienced knights were still skeptical of the whole myth regarding the World Tree.
Having not seen it with their own eyes, they could only nod their heads when their superiors told them about it.
However, now seeing and feeling the power of the World Tree with their own eyes, they couldn’t help but reel in shock.
What’s more, it needs to be mentioned that what was planted on the ground was just a branch.
If even a small branch possessed such terrifying purifying power, then just how monstrous was the actual World Tree?
How mighty would it be once it was fully grown?
The area was immediately designated as the Dawnbringers’ First Forward Camp.
Tents were erected rapidly to establish a command center.
Inside the command tent, Reinhardt activated the transmission device connected to the fortress headquarters.
"This is Reinhardt, Commander of the 1st unit. We have reached our destination. A base camp has been set up for the time being. What is the situation with the other units?"
For this massive war, the Dawnbringers’ army of over one hundred thousand elite knights had been divided carefully into six major divisions.
Each division held different responsibilities.
The First Vanguard Division, led by Reinhardt himself, served as the spearhead.
Their role was to directly penetrate the Tainted Lands, eliminate large demonic concentrations, and establish purified forward bases using branches of the World Tree.
The Second Vanguard Division, led by Brutus and Sigurd, focused on large-scale extermination and securing territory around the advancing camps.
The Third Vanguard Division, led by Hell Marshal and Vaerion, specialized in rapid assaults, scouting dangerous zones, and eliminating powerful demonic entities before they could organize resistance.
The Fourth Division, led by Vanessa, served as logistical support.
Their duty was transporting supplies, medicine, weapons, and reinforcing newly established camps.
The Fifth Division specialized in defensive fortification and maintaining communication routes between camps and the fortress that was their headquarters.
Meanwhile, the Sixth Division remained stationed at the Dawnbringer Fortress itself.
Their role was to monitor demonic movements, protect the rear lines, and rapidly dispatch reinforcements if disaster occurred.
Every unit had its own tasks and objectives. They functioned like a well-oiled machine.
They did not invade the Tainted Lands recklessly. They came up with a methodical approach.
Of course, such a method could only work because of the existence of the world tree and its branch.
Without it, they would have to approach with the same reckless strategy as the previous Allied Knight Order.
A voice soon sounded from the other side.
"This is Fortress Headquarters. Reporting current battlefield movements. The Second Vanguard Division under Commander Brutus successfully exterminated three mid-scale demonic hordes approximately forty miles west of your location."
A knight nearby immediately marked the location on the map.
"There was no resistance. No casualties from our side so far, only some minor injuries."
Reinhardt nodded lightly.
As expected of Brutus.
The voice continued.
"The Third Vanguard Division, led by Heroes Hell Marshal and Dark Knight, has completed reconnaissance of the surrounding zones. They have finished mapping most of the nearby terrain and demonic concentration areas".