228

[Ancient S.H.I.E.L.D. VS HYDRA]

"Looks like we need to attack Hydra," Forseti said.

The mage responded, "I'm afraid there is no need... Hydra's Inhuman army is already advancing towards the Third Sanctuary. What we face next will be a defensive battle."

Forseti asked, "How many are there in Hydra's forces?"

"More than 10,000 Inhumans. Under the control of the Hive, these Inhumans exhibit absolute obedience and discipline, and they are not afraid of death, which is very terrifying," the mage explained.

"Are there any ordinary human soldiers?"

The mage shook his head. "No, although many human legions in the Maya Empire expressed their willingness to surrender, the Hive refused to accept ordinary humans. Not only that, he also slaughtered humans."

Forseti and Agamotto exchanged glances before Agamotto said, "Notify the First and Second Sanctuaries. Each sanctuary should leave only three people behind, and all remaining mages should gather at the Third Sanctuary to defend against Hydra."

"Yes."

Not long after the mage left, two portals opened one after another, and mages from the Hong Kong Sanctuary and the London Sanctuary walked in.

To Forseti and Agamotto's surprise, in addition to the mages, there were some warriors in golden armor who emerged from the portal of the London Sanctuary, led by Aristotle, who they had not seen in a long time.

"Aristotle, why are you here?" Forseti asked.

Agamotto was expelled from the Brotherhood of the Shield, so the strained relationship between Agamotto and Aristotle was understandable. Forseti didn't expect to see Aristotle coming to the Sanctuary today.

Agamotto remained silent while Aristotle merely glanced at him to avoid an awkward exchange.

Aristotle addressed Forseti, saying, "We of the Shield also shoulder the responsibility of defending the world. We've heard about the Hydra Rebellion, and we are naturally obligated to help... I will not be like Menehmos, staying in my homeland and not venturing out."

Menehmos didn't come to help, but that was understandable. After Plato, the Brotherhood of the Shield was divided into three. The combat power was concentrated in the Supreme Sanctuary and the Shield Division, while those remaining at Akademi College were primarily scholars and teachers without combat skills. Even if they came, they wouldn't be able to contribute effectively.

Since Agamotto found it difficult to speak, Forseti took it upon himself to be more polite, repeatedly expressing his gratitude, "The Shield truly is a gathering place for the brave."

The Shield of Macedonia could be regarded as the ancient SHIELD. This upcoming battle would mark the first contact between SHIELD and Hydra in ancient times.

At this time, it was 335 BC, and Alexander the Great, one of the greatest monarchs in Western history, had already ascended the throne. The Macedonian kingdom, which had been silent for a long period, was about to usher in a historical era.

As the teacher of Alexander the Great, Aristotle held a high status and great authority. His wave of reinforcements brought hundreds of warriors, greatly enhancing the defense of the Third Sanctuary.

Although Agamotto had a strained relationship with him, he finally spoke, "Thank you."

Under the absolute control of the Hive, Hydra operated very efficiently. Just a few days later, its 10,000-strong Inhuman army arrived at the Third Supreme Sanctuary and launched an attack.

"Kill!"

Tens of thousands of Hydra Inhumans charged at the Supreme Sanctuary.

The magic cloak fluttered behind Forseti as he swiftly ascended into the sky on flames.

Looking at the Inhuman army below, he reached out and took a few Terrigen crystals from the Sanctuary space, which glowed faintly with holy light.

Not long ago, Forseti discovered that imbuing the Terrigen crystals with holy light and detonating them resulted in a much greater explosion than any object he knew of, making them perfect for creating Holy Light bombs.

Just in time for the war, Forseti had converted most of the Terrigen crystals captured by himself and the Supreme Sanctuary at the Kree base into Holy Light bombs.

Hovering in the air with the Terrigen crystal in his hand, Forseti couldn't help but shake the blond hair above his handsome face, creating a dramatic visual effect.

He raised his hand, tossed the Terrigen crystal, and then pointed a finger.

Art is an explosion!

"Boom boom boom!"

Several Terrigen crystals detonated one after another, creating golden light circles in the Hydra team, killing nearly a hundred Inhumans right away with considerable power.

"Boom boom boom!"

Forseti followed up with several more waves of Holy Light bombs. The golden circles opened repeatedly, and the loud noise continued.

Before the battle officially started, nearly 500 Hydra Inhumans were dead, equivalent to one-twentieth of their total force.

If an army composed of ordinary people lost one-twentieth of their force before the battle even started, their morale would plummet instantly.

But these Inhumans held absolute, unconditional loyalty to the Hive. They would carry out any order from the Hive to the end, leaving no room for hesitation. Casualties could not affect their morale at all.

After a few waves of Holy Light bombs, the Inhumans didn't seem to notice the death and injury of their companions at all. They continued to charge at the Supreme Sanctuary fanatically, like martyrs.

"Long live Hydra!"

"Destroy humans, the world belongs to Hydra!"

The war broke out, and the first confrontation between SHIELD and Hydra began in earnest in the open space before the Supreme Sanctuary. The two sides clashed fiercely.

Forseti hovered in the air, about to continue throwing Holy Light bombs when more than a dozen flying Inhumans ascended into the sky, heading straight for him.

Most of these Inhumans had wings, resembling half-human and half-bird creatures. Forseti dealt with them while intermittently dropping Holy Light bombs.

"Boom boom boom..."

Unfortunately, the number of Terrigen crystals was limited. The few Kree bases they had breached allowed Forseti to make fifty or sixty Holy Light bombs in total, so he couldn't keep bombing indefinitely.

After dropping the bombs, he focused on dealing with the Inhumans besieging him.

Engulfed in flames, Forseti wielded the sword of Rivendell, turning into a fiery meteor and charging into the cluster of Inhumans.

Blessed Sword!

The Hammer of Blessing transformed into the Sword of Blessing, a golden sword shadow sweeping in a spiral, beheading all nearby Inhumans, blood splattering in the sky.

Other Inhumans flew from the surroundings. Forseti raised his hand and released a blinding light, causing some Inhumans to lose their sight immediately, flying like headless flies.

Forseti rushed forward and slashed quickly with the sword of Rivendell.

After a while, he killed almost all of the dozen or so flying Inhumans, leaving only the last one.

Forseti didn't kill him directly but grabbed his throat, letting out the holy light between his fingers. After filling him with Holy Light, he dragged the Inhuman and threw him into the enemy group.

Holy Shock!

"Boom!"

Immediately, a golden circle of light bloomed within the Hydra team.

Forseti landed on the ground and slashed an Inhuman with his sword. Suddenly, he looked down and saw that the Holy Light pointer was indicating a position behind him.

He turned around and saw that the Hive was quickly retreating within the Hydra team, staring at him vigilantly.