Chapter 597: Act 342 – Glory VI
Two Ascendants, Fire Giant, two Radiant Hornblowers, Unicorn Knight, Flow Loss, Wave Gem, Dawn.
Plus, the Blade of White Sun in hand, Doom Guard, an Ekronia Weaver, and two Lightning Storms.
Once the cycle is completed, the process of Adversity Paradise begins to accelerate—
The flame-patterned long sword in Williams’ hand strikes solidly against Anrodus’s sacred ring, generating a spray of sparks on the platinum light arc. At the same time, a Radiant Martyr in a white robe, wearing a sun crown, and holding a golden staff enters the field under the golden glory battle flag, reaching level 62 (Truth-side) strength.
The Deputy of the Knight Templar has to step back, but before that, he cleanly slays the newly entered Vampire Duke. Meanwhile, a multitude of Doom Guards begin to appear on the battlefield; in the valley, the Northern Coalition shows its first signs of wavering and retreating…
Brendel displays Ascendant.
Despair Wooden Horse resets, Ekronia Weaver resets, Nightmare Furnace Construct resets.
The next Dawn enters.
Hand card Ekronia Weaver enters, tapped.
Light Element Pool: 24/50 (previously only copied 8 Nightmare Furnace Constructs, Anrodus’s sacred ring 10 cost)
Dark Element Pool: 49/60 (2 Dawns in the graveyard)
Paying 10 Water, Wave Gem enters. Then sacrificing it, the Wave Gem’s ability triggers, causing Radiant Hornblower to enter.
A maiden, clad in a Greek-style white linen gown, wearing a laurel crown and holding a golden trumpet, appears on the field. This is the seventh card of Adversity Paradise, possessing only level 49 (Golden Upper) strength under the golden glory battle flag, but her special ability allows her to tap and pay 1 dark, selecting any creature card from the holder’s hand to enter.
Brendel commands her to sound the horn, and then the second Radiant Hornblower appears on the field.
Once more a horn is blown, and Unicorn Knight Medisa appears on the field.
“Lord!” The Silver Elf Princess exclaims happily upon seeing Brendel, as she realizes her return to the battlefield signifies the completion of the Adversity Paradise cycle.
Brendel smiles at her slightly.
Everything prior happens in an instant, as Williams retreats, nine Templar Knights immediately advance to encircle Brendel. But with a flash of fire, the Infernal Giant appears between them and Brendel.
Fire Element Pool: 43/78.
Before anyone can change their expression, the unfortunate Infernal Giant rushes into the crowd again to self-destruct, and Brendel can almost hear its complaints before its death.
But this is unavoidable.
He has no large creatures to summon; if he did, it wouldn’t come to this. Once the Despair Wooden Horse cycle is completed, it would directly send these Crusians out of the game.
An explosion resonates through the forest.
Three of the nine Templar Knights are blown away, and the remaining six mostly find themselves covered in dirt. Sacrificing the Fire Claw Hornblower and the Fire Claw Spearmen, as Ropal isn’t on the field, these lizardmen have lost a tier of strength, making them unsuitable for this battlefield.
The Vampire Faux’s strength suddenly rises to the upper levels of the Truth side, and this time her strength is only a realm apart from Williams. When she reappears on the battlefield, even the patterned moths fluttering around her turn into golden patterns.
Bang bang bang bang.
The sounds of clashing resonate, and two Templar Knights are knocked away. But after exchanging an attack with Williams, Medephis retreats, Williams stepping back three paces while Medephis retreats ten, a flush rising to his handsome face.
Yet Williams looks up to find he has unknowingly been pushed back over thirty meters by Brendel. A vague premonition arises in him that he cannot retreat any further or he will lose his last chance.
In fact, this is indeed the case.
Brendel places a Lightning Storm, then Ascendant, and then another Lightning Storm.
He no longer cares if the spells hit. They just need to join the filter card sequence; he once again strips a protective spell from Mage Gherlok using Energy Drain, casually tossing it to Medephis.
Two Ascendants, two Lightning Storms, Energy Drain, Dawn, six spells.
Alongside the Ekronia Weaver, two Doom Guards, Radiant Martyr, Vampire Duke, Wave Gem, two hornblowers, Unicorn Knight, Fire Giant—fifteen spells.
The pure white light flashing on the two Life Codices re-entering the battlefield seems to connect into a single beam; a spectacle appears where no matter how powerful the attack, as long as it strikes a soldier on the Princess’s side, the wound instantly heals, even forcing steel swords out of the regenerating flesh.
At that moment, the morale of the Northern Coalition completely collapses, and they begin to slowly retreat.
Brendel removes one Life Codex from the field, washing all cards from the graveyard back into the library.
Then he starts to draw cards.
Eighteen cards.
Three Ascendants, four Lightning Storms, Vampire Duke, Wave Gem, Radiant Hornblower, Fire Giant, Highland Servant, Wolf Den, Fire Claw Spearmen, four Dawns.
Brendel looks up, his eyes gleaming with an exceptionally bright light. He flashes a toothy grin at Williams, resembling a beast selecting its prey.
Eighteen cards, eleven spells, which means his next draw will be thirty-three cards.
This is the core meaning of Adversity Paradise; as long as the accelerated thinking remains on the field, the mage’s cycle will continue to speed up without limit.
Finally, the speed at which he casts spells will only relate to how fast he cuts his deck—nothing else will matter.
This is the storm.
He taps the Despair Wooden Horse.
The Life Codex is re-entered onto the field.
This is the deadlock.
The killing move of Adversity Paradise.
…
Williams finally recognizes the issue at hand. He kills the Vampire Duke, slays Andrigraphis, and takes down Ropal; his subordinates have also eliminated the Fire Claw Spearmen and the Arcane Summoner.
But it is meaningless, for they are gradually moving away from Brendel.
The foes they have taken down often re-emerge on the battlefield within a second, at a speed and variety that border on outrageous. Everyone in the forest is left dumbfounded, all harboring a singular shock:
Is it possible he can summon creatures without exhausting mental energy?
But there is also another possibility; historically, Queen Saint Ausoor was known for her integration of magic and martial prowess, said to possess endless magical power, enabling her to create sword techniques like the Wind’s Nine Radiances.
And Brendel can also use the Wind’s Nine Radiances.
Could he truly have received her complete legacy?
Ever since Williams had called out that name of sword technique, everyone in their hearts couldn’t help but entertain that thought. Yet these were not enough to shake them; what truly astonished everyone was Brendel standing alone, facing ten genuine peerless masters.
Nine Templar Knights, one super-stronger at the peak of the realm of laws.
But Brendel stood alone against them, forcing them to retreat step by step.
Every detail of this moment will be etched permanently in the hearts of everyone present, as the nightmare of his enemies, the legend spoken of in tales.
Williams felt this deeply. He discovered he could not even approach Brendel; even from a distance, his attacks were thwarted by the nightmare-like white light, as Anrodus’s sacred ring rendered his efforts futile.
He could hardly suppress his tears.
In fact, the ‘Vampire Girl’ he had been battling was rapidly growing stronger; previously, he could easily swipe her into the forest with one strike. But now he could only engage her in a grappling battle, sensing that she was showing signs of breaking through to the peak of the Truth side and entering the realm of peak laws.
Is there any justice in this world?
He had witnessed her metamorphosis from the Enlightened Element to the Truth side, and from the Truth side to the peak of laws. He finally understood it wasn’t hidden power, but she was—becoming stronger bit by bit in battle.
Yet, Williams did not understand that there exists a combat race in this world; otherwise, he would surely think that Medephis was the legendary combat race! The more adversity she faced, the stronger she became.
Of course, that was merely an illusion.
The real reason was that Brendel was constantly sacrificing non-black creatures, and the three battle indicators’ boosts resembled the Wolf Den card affixed to Charles; every experience indicator now appeared as a fixed experience value boost. Although Medephis’s liveliness slowed down, it couldn’t keep up with Brendel’s accelerated cycle.
Finally, at that moment, the Vampire Faux entered the peak realm of laws.
A wave of supreme aura rose from the battlefield.
Causing all the strong individuals present to turn.
Someone actually broke through on the battlefield?
Medephis howled—though Brendel found the sound soft—yet to the Northern Coalition, it was heart-shaking. Suddenly, a pair of demonic wings sprouted from Medephis’s back and a silver bloodline—her family’s insignia—manifested on her forehead.
“Enough!”
Williams, unable to contain himself, let out an enraged roar. He had tried to kill Medephis in one strike, but Brendel had lightly sacrificed the Radiant Martyr, nullifying all his efforts. Moreover, under the nearly unified healing effect of the Life Codex, killing a peak realm existence is incredibly challenging.
This leader of the Templar Knights finally understood that he had truly reached a dead end.
He suddenly realized the meaning behind Brendel’s gaze.
His heart went cold.
There was one last opportunity.
At that moment, Williams’s aura suddenly transformed, the golden lines surrounding him turned pure silver, ablaze with platinum flames.
Medephis raised her head in surprise, looking at this deputy of the Templar Knights. In her perception, Williams seemed to have vanished.
No, he should not exist beyond this boundary.
Extreme Realm.
“Brendel, be careful!” Otales suddenly shouted in his mind: “—Flash Sword!”
Flash Sword.
Among three swords, Wind’s Nine Radiances represents the supreme magical sword, showcasing multiple shadows with magical power, creating an illusion of speed. But in fact, the fastest sword among the three is the Flash Sword of Gilt, the King of Flames.
What principle allows the Flash Sword to achieve a speed surpassing Wind’s Nine Radiances with physical properties? This question Brendel had asked Otales more than once.
But today, he finally understood the answer.
At that moment, he felt the line of laws tremble, it was the space; the Flash Sword pierced through the boundaries of space, allowing the next attack to appear in any position. Its spatial property was astonishingly similar to his own.
The next moment, Brendel saw Williams appear beside him, his eyes changing to silver, coldly watching him.
He met his gaze.
He held Anrodus’s sacred ring, unafraid of any attacks from Williams.
Yet Brendel miscalculated slightly; Williams did not attack him. Suddenly, a vast aura spread across the heavens and the earth as if endless power extended in all directions, and in an instant, the boundary between heaven and earth vanished.
A gray-white.
Extreme Plains.
This time, Brendel was truly astonished; Williams had actually cruelly chosen to burn his life using the secret technique of the Temple of Fire. From this moment on, this former sword genius of the Crusians would have no room for further growth.
He boldly chose to do so; no wonder he is a master at the peak of laws, resolute to the end, truly strong-willed.
Brendel couldn’t help but marvel. Williams pulled him into the Extreme Plains, and within the opponent’s domain, aside from his hand cards, all his summoned creatures were cut off outside.
This indeed presented a problem.
His library and hand cards had only one-third remaining, but the real issue was that with the Despair Wooden Horse and Life Codex left outside, the cycle would shatter. Though merely temporary, it was fatal for Brendel.
With all honesty, Williams is indeed a seasoned swordsman; although somewhat foolish in social matters, his innate sharpness in battle is second nature. The moment he strikes, he seizes on Brendel’s weakest link.
That is himself, the mage.
Williams slashes at him, the light of Anrodus’s sacred ring flickering once again. But the Deputy of the Templar Knights relentlessly pursues him with another strike, this time Brendel’s image shatters beneath his sword like a reflection in a broken mirror.
Wind’s Nine Radiances.
Williams, instead of being shocked, is overjoyed, unable to refrain from cackling: “Hahaha, you truly cannot keep casting that spell. I want to see how many times Wind’s Nine Radiances can save you!”
What he referred to was Anrodus’s sacred ring.
But Brendel looked at this guy with some pity.
If outside, in a one-on-one against him, Williams would surely be stomped like a dog. But this guy, in a desperate attempt, had actually pulled him into the Extreme Plains.
No, this is not the true Extreme Plains. Rather, it’s a domain belonging to Williams after reaching the Extreme Realm. In other words, this is his maximized world of laws, where within, his laws encompass everything.
This is his home turf, a world woven from his rule lines.
“Williams,” Brendel couldn’t help but sigh.
This Deputy of the Templar Knights was briefly taken aback.
Then he noticed Brendel’s eyes suddenly igniting with blazing black flames, followed by his hair and hands, and in an instant, a pair of wings burning with abyssal fire spread from Brendel’s back.
Moreover, Brendel’s voice became hoarse and deep: “You really are a fool.”
Williams almost bulged out his eyes in disbelief: “This… cannot be! Fool!… Fool! The legacy of the Dark Dragon!”
He pointed his sword at Brendel and uttered an incredulous scream: “You… you are actually the Dark Dragon.”
“No,” Brendel shook his head: “I am Brendel.”
“Die!” Williams’s face turned pale, roaring in anger: “Heretic!” He raised his longsword, preparing to charge at Brendel.
But his action suddenly froze.
Because he saw Brendel pulling out a short, about three-inch-long, golden, conical item.
This is the God-Slaying Demon-Breaking Cone—an consumable artifact that prohibits all elements, magic, and unnatural powers, which Brendel obtained from Amann.
And now, he is about to return it to the Temple of Fire.
In another way.
“No, this is impossible.” Williams could hardly believe everything he saw. How could such a convenient circumstance exist in this world?
The legend speaks of the God-Slaying Demon-Breaking Cone created by Fanzan being the nemesis of all laws, with the only weakness being that it must hit to take effect. In the hands of a being of equal level, it feels like a nuclear weapon in the magical world, but in Brendel’s hands, such a thing held little deterrent to true strong ones.
Except for Williams.
This guy’s face turned ashen, sweat breaking out on his forehead. In his stronghold, within the realm of laws—where he should have an absolute advantage, it now appeared as if he was a fish on the chopping board.
Thus, this is his Extreme Plains. A world woven little by little from his lines of laws.
But also for the same reason.
He cannot escape.
“This is possible,” Brendel replied: “You chose the way to die.” Saying this, he casually thrust the Demon-Breaking Cone into the gray-white ground—
The golden spike immediately found its mark against Williams’s rule line.
“Ah!” Williams let out an earth-shattering scream. The entire world seemed to tremor with a terrifying shudder as Brendel stood up, drawing forth the Sword of Earth.
He felt the world gradually collapsing, Williams’s elemental power disintegrating.
“You have only one chance to survive, Williams,” Brendel raised his sword—its blade engulfed in the same dark flames—and coldly asked: “What was the true mystery of the November War in the last Holy War?”
“Ah, ah, ah…” Williams clutched his head in pain, his laws swirling chaotically in his mind, as if they would explode at any moment. But even then, he still gritted his teeth, his eyes red, and roared at Brendel: “You want to know? Dream on…”
“I… will never tell you!”
“Then please die!”
“This sword.”
The world began to fade, the surroundings returning to the scenery in the Angerk Mountains.
“It is for Princess.”
Brendel thrust forward, the blade of the Sword of Earth, sharp and burning with black flames, pierced through Williams’s body. The sword saint of the Temple of Fire let out a scream, looking up, the silver glow in his eyes fading rapidly, leaving only an expression of disbelief.
In that instant, the realm of the Extreme shattered completely.
…
(PS: 5K, please cast your votes, and by the way, today I recommend the Heart Hunter King’s right. Well, speaking of which, many people in the group already know this fellow; this book is from Qidian~) (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com); your support is my greatest motivation.)
