Chapter 51

Chapter 51: The Xianzhou Arrival II

"Our crusade begins here! Glory to the hunt!"

"Glory to the hunt!" In groups, several men, clad in armour descended from their ships in large numbers.

Despite their heavy armour, that didn't deter them from jumping on one Wingmaker on two.

They were like fanatics, seeing the one thing they hat the most. Much like a certain goblin slayer. That was the situation here.

"Glory to the Xianzhou, mudaf*cker."

One particularly zealously said those words as he raised up his naginata, swinging it down against a poor Wingmaker, who was caught off guard, distracted by the chaos caused by the Xianzhou Cloud Knights.

"Hii... Lady Astia... help—!" The Wingmaker's cry for help was cut short, by the splatter of warm liquid red substance on the white snow of the planet.

The battle continued like that, mostly with the Cloud Knights cooperating with the Silvermane Guards.

While the Silvermane Guards weren't really as experienced as the Cloud Knights. The Silvermane Guards, however, put up a decent fight against the Wingmakers.

Perhaps what even surprised them the most was the red energy-like barrier that was protecting the huge city within.

"Greetings friend."

Approaching Seele, who stood in front of the rallied Silvermane Guards. The captain leading the crusade came forward, extending a hand towards Seele.

"Captain of Cloud Knights Army. I've been dispatched in accordance with the agreement between Xianzhou and Belobog."

The captain of the Cloud Knight Army was respectful as he greeted Seele in front, who—though she didn't want to—shook his hand.

"...It's good to have you here." Seele replied curtly before continuing. "Milord is currently on duty, hence his absence, if that isn't any problem."

Hearing Seele's words, the captain shook his head and replied.

"That's no problem, but I would like to meet with him. Is that too much to ask for?"

Seele. Hearing this squinted her eyes slightly at the captain but soon froze over. She took an eerie pause for a moment, accompanied by a nod.

"Alright."

Then, turning towards the slightly surprised captain of the Cloud Knight, Seele spoke again. "Milord has given me the orders. Please follow me."

Several series of invincible question marks appeared on the captain's forehead. Seele's reactions and actions back then were odd.

It was as if she was taking commands from... 'The Supreme Guardian, eh?' The captain mused.

He had been ordered by the Great General of the Xianzhou Luofu to witness for themselves just who this mysterious ruler was.

After all, this is a man who is subconsciously able to affect other people's thought processes without even being present.

And as a trained Cloud Knight, while he might not be as strong as the General of the Luofu... he was a qualified high-ranking solider in his own right.

He didn't believe he'd be affected that easily.

Seele motioned for him, and the few Cloud Knights accompanying him followed, while the rest, along with the Silvermane Guards, dealt with the abundance.

Approaching the amber barrier, they all phased through it.

"It's... surprisingly warm." The captain muttered. The outside was cold——not too cold for them, but inside the barrier, it was actually warmer.

What sorcery is this?

"This is just a mere fraction of the powers the Supreme Guardian of Belobog posses. It's thanks to him that that we're able to enjoy the current luxury we're enjoying."

Seele was not one to brag, but simply stating facts. However, there was an undoubted underlying proudness in her tone.

"I implore you... When it comes to that man. Do not try to use logic to understand his words or actions."

Seele said such words with a flat tone before she continued walking off.

Okay. This is getting strange. The captain thought, but still followed. Then he took two steps forward.

"On the hunt's name. The Jianmu—Ambrosial Arbor—That is the Jianmu."

The Cloud Knights, behind the captain, all raised their eyebrows in shock... He wasn't in a better state either.

"Excuse me, young lady, but that tree, since when has it been there?"

Looking northeast, a huge tree as tall as a building, just a few meters higher, stood there grandly.

By its appearance, it looked like a tree that had been growing for decades. However, much to their surprise—

"Oh... That tree that milord causally planted a few days ago?"

Seele casually spewed such words with a tilt of her head, causing disbelief among the Xianzhou's.

"Young miss. I'm sorry, I... I don't think I heard that right."

"Do you think I'm lying?" Much to their disbelief, Seele didn't look as if she was joking. Her expression was dead serious.

Their words hang in their throats as they just silently accepted it for now.

Xianzhou's Cloud Knight Captain couldn't help but swallow down as he thought.

'Perhaps the general wasn't playing when he said those words.' He dryly commented.

With Seele leading them...

... They soon entered the city of Belobog.

Despite the ongoing chaos outside, the people under the barrier were going about their way as if nothing was happening.

Normally, shouldn't there be a procedure like an evacuation procedure and all? No. There wasn't any here.

It was as if... the city wasn't under siege.

"Ca-captain... this..."

"I know." The captain rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Before letting out a chuckle. Even Xianzhou, if attacked, wouldn't be as lax as this.

Remembering Seele's words, he then nodded. 'I guess the young lady wasn't kidding. Throw logic out the window, huh?'

"It seems like we'll be facing a pure supernatural entity. General Jing Yuan, is this a good idea?"

The man couldn't help but shake his head.

It wasn't the Master Diviner, nor was it the Helm Master, but a mere soldier like him. "Haha. What a drag." He mumbled with a dry laugh.

Qilpoth Fort—Supreme Guardian's Residence.

Inside his office. Much to Adonis's boredom, he simply rested his head on his hand.

He was already aware of Xianzhou's arrival and the crusade they were currently carrying out on the poor Wingmakers.

Naturally, because the Silvermane Guards had already been exhausting their strength. The Cloud Knights simply swooped in and stole the kill.

Oddly, at the end of every kill, the Cloud Knights would chant, "Glory to the Xianzhou," "Glory to the Cloud Knights," or even "The Hunt bless you," with almost glowing red eyes.

It was scary, honestly.

Adonis couldn't help but shudder.

"The hate runs deep, I guess, well, not like I can blame any of both parties too." However—"It's no fun, General Jing Yuan."

Adonis muttered with a bored tone.

"Sending your minion over."

Even though he said so, he didn't want to think much about it, as his powers would make it happen under the pretence of "Miracles."

He had grown increasingly cautious about making wishes or even casual remarks, as they often came true unless necessary.

*KNOCK! KNOCK!

'Just in time.' Looking over at the door, without bothering to adjust his position, voice out. "Come in."

As soon as he gave the command. The door creaked open.

The first person to enter was Seele naturally, who was being accompanied by four other people behind her.

"My Lord. I have brought the representatives of Xianzhou to you."

Seele spoke up as she lowered her head slightly.

***

Entering the Supreme Guardian's office.

The moment Seele finished her words, they heard a young voice replying. "Good work, Seele." He paused before continuing.

"By the way, you should probably take a rest. You've been on the battlefield for a whole day now. Jepard and Bronya can take care of the rest, no?"

However, in contrast to Adonis's concern, the girl simply shook her head respectfully.

"You've already done so much for us Belobog, I can't afford to be lax while our enemies looms above us, I shall don my part and eliminate yours and Belobog's enemies."

Hearing this from Seele, Adonis couldn't help but be emotional. But procedures calls for procedures, formalities calls for formalities.

They were currently in front of guests, so he couldn't act causally. "Well then, I wouldn't keep you here further."

"Yes, I'll take my leave then." The Cloud Knight watched as Seele left the room, leaving them alone with this young ruler.

Watching Seele saunter off. The Cloud Knight Captain finally turned over to Adonis.

However... Something happened... the moment he refocused his gaze on him. 'Kuh! This is...'

Perhaps he didn't notice it before... but after taking a closer and deeper look at the young ruler in front of him,.

'This is bad.'

The Captain of the Cloud Knight Army, who had been through multiple wars, couldn't help but break a sweat. 'This guy is bad news.'

'He's just every bit as intimidating as the General.'

Make no mistakes—Adonis wasn't releasing any pressure on them, nor was he passively doing it.

For the soldier, it was merely the instinct of somebody who had witnessed many powerful people in battle.

There is this sort of air around those really strong people, and you'll know at a glance that- ah, that guy is strong.

That was what the feeling he was having.

'For someone this young to have that... presence... General, I'm afraid this is far above my pay grade. Haha.'

'I did not sign up for this...'