Chapter 265: The Arrival of the Saints

In the multiverse, some gods are solitary, unbound by any ties or connections.

However, besides these, there are family-like gods with hereditary connections, where one god may be another's father or brother. These powerful divine families often act uniformly despite internal conflicts.

Provoking a divine family is almost always ill-advised.

A divine family is akin to a small pantheon, typically comprising at least ten deities, led by a powerful chief deity.

Unfortunately for the Imaska Empire, they are yet unaware of an extremely unfortunate fact.

The most devout slaves within the empire worship members of divine families.

Moreover, the empire has managed to offend not one but two divine families, as many slaves are followers of these two pantheons.

The Mu'erholande (Egyptian) pantheon, led by the powerful deity Ra.

The Mu'erholande pantheon consists of one powerful deity, five of medium power, six of weaker power, eight demigods, and countless hero-deities (quasi-deities).

The Enser pantheon, led by the powerful deity Enlil.

Compared to the Mu'erholande, the Enser pantheon is more formidable, with four powerful deities among its fewer members, making it an immensely fearsome divine force.

The wrath unleashed upon the Imaska Empire comes from these two divine families.

With a total of five powerful deities, further elaboration on the others is unnecessary.

A mere mortal empire on a primary material world has managed to invoke the ire of so many deities – this speaks both to the empire's boldness and folly, and also to its strength. A typical nation would have been easily dealt with by a few emissaries and believers sent by the offended deity.

In the grand, towering temples of the Enser pantheon.

Due to the Imaska Empire's actions, the deities of the Enser family gathered after a long absence.

In the temple's great hall, the Enser gods were seated, their radiance filling the space.

Any mortal present would either be instantly killed by the divine radiance or, in a rare chance, become a sanctified spirit with some divine nature, following the gods.

Enlil, the chief deity of the Enser, shrouded in brilliant light, looked indifferent. Yet, in his eyes flickered a wrathful light. With anger in a god's heart, thunder and storms naturally spawn in space, creating a terrifyingly destructive spectacle.

Enlil rarely shows anger, and when he does, it often leads to devastation.

Enlil's rage was evident to the other gods, making the temple's atmosphere quite heavy.

At this moment.

Inanna, a voluptuously beautiful goddess clad in radiant clothes, spoke up.

"Enlil, our children suffer and are tormented."

"As their gods, we must rescue them from their wretched lives and punish that audacious mortal empire!"

As she spoke, vibrant flowers blossomed at her feet.

Inanna, known as the goddess of love and war, is a powerful deity within the Enser pantheon and Enlil's spouse. She's entitled to advise Enlil first, with most gods in the hall being their children.

"My love, our minds are as one."

Enlil's anger subsided, smiling gently at his spouse.

When the prayers of the slaves reached him, the chief deity of the Enser was enraged, but now he had calmed. However, his wrath remained, suppressed, waiting to be unleashed.

Enlil slowly rose.

His divine gaze, radiant with power, swept over the silent deities.

Seconds later, he nodded slightly, saying calmly, "I see anger in your eyes."

"The same anger as mine."

Pausing, the chief deity's face showed a dangerously cold expression, "The Enser gods have been tranquil for too long. Now, a mere mortal empire dares to step into our world, capture our children, and block their prayers, mocking the gods."

Silver lightning danced wildly.

"This empire dares to violate the majesty of the gods!"

"It's time to show these arrogant mortals the power of the gods!"

"To disrespect the gods invites only the destructive thunder and storm!"

Quickly, the Enser gods reached a unified will.

They swore to make the Imaska Empire pay dearly.

However, a problem lay before the gods – the prayers of their followers had traveled vast distances. By the time they reached the gods, the Imaska Empire had rebuilt the mechanical pyramids, and the planar barrier was heightened to its limit.

The Enser gods lacked the coordinates of the Faelen world.

With the Imaska Empire's deliberate blockage, it was challenging to find Faelen among the vast primary material worlds. It wasn't impossible for the Enser gods but would take considerable time.

The Imaska Empire, a powerful magical empire in the primary material world, had conducted some research on divine power. Ordinary incarnations of gods arriving there wouldn't easily threaten the empire.

Thus, after discussion, the Enser gods decided to manifest in their most powerful avatars – the Saints.

Saints, the most potent incarnations of gods, face grave consequences if they fall, requiring an extremely long time to recover.

Willing to send Saints to a mortal empire indicated their immense hostility and the empire's strength, requiring a serious approach from the gods.

Soon, several Saints were separated.

Most possessed the maximum power permissible in the primary material world – demigod strength.

With demigod strength and divine authority, this force could overturn the continent of Faelen.

The Enser gods then began to scan and listen for anything related to Faelen. While lacking coordinates, they could find it with time and effort.

But before long, a wave of divine power not belonging to the Enser gods emerged, drawing their attention.

Enlil, with eyes swirling with lightning and storms, looked ahead silently.

In the temple hall, under the gaze of the Enser gods, a being radiating golden light, like a sun, materialized from a projection to reality.

"Greetings, mighty Enlil," said Ra, the chief god of the Mu'erholande pantheon.

Enlil saw Ra's purpose in an instant, "Ra, have you come for the mortal empire?"

Ra smiled, dignified, "This empire has also angered me and my offspring."

The two divine families had fought over faith before and were familiar with each other.

Godly communication is rarely polite.

Ra stated his purpose directly.

"I've received an artifact from that primary material world's deity, capable of illuminating the darkness between planes and piercing the planar barrier to lock onto the world's location."

Given the face-saving concerns, the gods of Faelen didn't plan to act against the Imaska Empire anymore.

After all, the empire, staying within its territory and ceasing its expansion, no longer threatened their faith. But the empire's attempt at mechanical deification didn't escape the gods' notice.

They wouldn't allow the empire's success.

With both pantheons set against the empire, they only needed to provide a pathway to Faelen.

"Oh?" Enlil's gaze flickered.

Ra extended his palm, revealing a small light orb.

"The Beacon of Light."

Enlil examined the artifact, its functions and effects clear to him.

He quickly understood Ra's reason for coming.

A vast, powerful world teeming with countless races.

A fertile land for harvesting faith.

But this land already had masters.

It was best to cooperate with familiar pantheons for arrival, providing mutual support in case of unexpected events.

With the Beacon of Light, the Enser gods wouldn't need to spend time and energy searching for Faelen anymore.

Time passed quietly.

Enlil and Ra, leaders of their pantheons, discussed and negotiated.

Soon, they shared a smile, reaching an agreement.

"Enlil, my friend."

"I have the Eternal Ship, which can carry the Saints across planar gaps to Faelen."

"The Mu'erholande gods wish to join the Enser gods."

The Eternal Ship, powered by a vibrant sun, is one of Ra's artifacts.

Facing Ra's invitation, Enlil shook his head slightly, "The Enser pantheon has an artifact similar to the Eternal Ship. We won't trouble you."

In the Enser pantheon, a river and ocean deity had crafted a sailboat capable of easily traversing the darkness and desolation between planes.

"The Beacon of Light will guide the Enser gods."

"We shall meet as Saints on Faelen."

Wrapped in golden light, Ra smiled gently, then his projection dissipated, leaving the Enser gods' temple.

Through his exchange with Ra, Enlil knew the Mu'erholande gods also planned to arrive as Saints, hence their need for the Eternal Ship. Ordinary divine incarnations would struggle against the Imaska Empire's mechanical masters.

The current Imaska Empire, unlike before, had reached unprecedented prosperity.

Thousands of legendary mechanical masters, countless mechanical legions, and gigantic mechanical weapons could annihilate ordinary divine incarnations, disgracing the gods.

Therefore, the arrival of the Saints was the most prudent approach.

Subsequently, two godly ships carrying the divine Saints set sail, leaving their outer planes, heading towards Faelen under the Beacon of Light's guidance.

All this, unbeknownst to the Imaska Empire.

"Whew."

Deep in the ocean of fallen stars, nearly ten thousand meters below, the silver dragon sighed.

In the dark depths, where crushing pressures from all directions constantly assailed, the dragon's silver scales effortlessly repelled them.

Meanwhile.

Garon felt the intense pain on his left side, revealing a shaken expression.

Blood seeped out, tainting the dark, deep sea.

"That was close."

"The Imaska Empire indeed possesses demi-god level mechanical creations."

The scales at Garon's wound, usually far more resilient than other legendary dragons, were completely shattered, with the flesh beneath obliterated. The attack nearly reached his bones.

Residual energy, like relentless parasites, eroded the wound, sending waves of pain.

Garon's time power was nearly depleted.

He used his scarce time power to slowly cleanse the residual energy from the wound.

Rewinding time four weeks earlier – after destroying the mechanical pyramid, Garon escaped the legendary mechanical creations amidst the storm.

He looked around, seeing no pursuers.

From appearance to pyramid destruction, it took less than a minute. He achieved his goal swiftly, then spent another fifteen minutes fleeing Imaska territory, shaking off the pursuers.

Relieved, Garon assessed his location.

He flew west, arriving at unfamiliar lands.

Looking up.

The silver dragon saw a golden sun radiating endless light and heat.

Looking down – an endless desert of coarse sand.

The grains, under the golden sunlight, appeared like crushed golden particles, shining brilliantly, with hot winds blowing. Even thousands of meters high, Garon could feel the heat.

After destroying the pyramid, Garon decided to lay low.

The Dragonjaw Mountains, near the Imaska Empire, had legends about him. The empire could easily discover his presence, so he didn't return there.

"Hmm, dig into the sand and sleep for a while, then check on the Imaska Empire."

Garon wasn't sure how soon the gods would arrive after the pyramid's destruction.

But he believed it wouldn't be long.

Gods act swiftly and decisively once they've made a decision.

Like the goddess of doom, who instantly manifested her divine avatar near the Imaska Empire.

Gods often claim they don't hold grudges.

Because they usually exact revenge on the spot.

Garon surveyed the desert below, spotting an oasis.

A rare greenery in the harsh desert.

He decided to build a temporary lair near the oasis.

The silver dragon circled and descended toward the ground.

In deserts like this, oases inevitably attract various creatures adapted to the harsh environment: dire wolves, giant lizards, rock oxen, griffins. Powerful creatures ruled here.

Mighty beasts and magical creatures with some spellcasting abilities.

Weakness has no place near an oasis.

But now, these dominant creatures, shadowed by an ever-growing silhouette, looked up at the sun-obscuring silver dragon, collapsing in fear, whimpering on the ground, motionless under the legendary dragon's might.

Garon landed near the oasis.

He paid no mind to the silent creatures, scooping a handful of hot sand, letting it slip through his claws.

Remembering the scene with Brass Garon during the time inversion, he thought, "The Dragonfall War. It might be worth visiting that time."

"Perhaps I'll meet a grown Brass Garon."

Garon pondered.

After the pyramid's destruction, he felt the prosperous Imaska Empire's fall was imminent. Once he obtained the Imaska artifact and charged the time-space door, he planned to leave.

After all, he had been here for over twenty years.

Though mostly spent in slumber, Garon longed for the main timeline.

The cold and unfamiliar time river here gave no sense of belonging.

He was a traveler from a future timeline. Once he got what he wanted, it was time to return. He might visit again to witness Nasseriel's glory, but not for such a long duration.

Magic surged.

Garon cast spells to manipulate sand and soil.

Under his will, the grains began to move, his body slowly sinking in.

However, as half of his body was already beneath the sand.

Space shattered a kilometer away, with violent fluctuations.

Crack, crack, crack. Space fractured like a mirror.

A humanoid creature, about 1.8 meters tall, emerged.

Garon's senses caught the spatial change.

His heart chilled, stopping the spell.

Sand fell, his gaze penetrating space, focusing on the uninvited guest.

A mechanical being of silver metal stood there.

Humanoid in form and size, similar to Imaska citizens.

Its face was smooth, reflecting Garon and the surroundings.

Six translucent energy ribbons, like three pairs of strange wings, extended 12 meters behind it, autonomously drawing elemental energy from the surroundings, captivatingly eye-catching.

The Guardian Angel – Imaska Empire's top mechanical masterpiece.

Created by the first emperor, a legendary mechanical master, then improved by successive masters.

It contained the emperor's soul and will, possessing life.

For short-lived humans, eternal life is a perpetual topic.

Nasseriel's archmages have eternal life spells, while Imaska's grand mechanical masters avoid death with mechanical immortality, merging different thoughts in one vessel.

The Guardian Angel is one of the vessels for Imaska's deification project.

It also holds a sliver of faith power, giving it a faint divine glow.

Besides its strength, the Guardian Angel carries two of Imaska's secret artifacts.

A purple metallic crown with a black-blue gem sits on its head, outshining the sun's gold.

Imaska's First Secret, the Imaska Crown.

In its hand, a bronze scepter, topped with a rough, unpolished purple gem.

Imaska's Fifth Secret, the Imaska Scepter.

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