**Chapter 543: Sandstorm**
West of Adus, Karnak.
In the central district of Karnak, the battle between Revolutionary Army soldiers and the Savior Faction militants was drawing to a close. The last remnants of the Savior Faction were being suppressed in the city center, and under the overwhelming advantage of the Revolutionary Army, it was foreseeable that the Savior Faction would meet its demise in a short time. Just as the Revolutionary Army soldiers were about to launch their final assault, an unexpected occurrence took place.
Amidst the chaos of battle, the howling of a raging wind drowned out the sounds of gunfire and cries of battle. Hearing this massive sound, all the soldiers instinctively paused their actions, simultaneously gazing toward the unusual wind noise coming from the north. What met their eyes was a sky filled with swirling sand and dust, forming a massive dark yellow wall of wind and sand that was rapidly approaching Karnak. Terrifying faces appeared within the wall, instilling an unprecedented sense of immense pressure among all soldiers present.
Faced with such a horrific sight, neither Revolutionary Army soldiers nor Savior Faction militants could continue fighting for a moment. Awestruck, they confronted the approaching terrifying force in panic, unsure of how to respond.
Meanwhile, to the north of Karnak City, at the forefront facing the oncoming sandstorm, the leader of the Adus Revolutionary Army, Shadi, stood there. He raised his head to gaze at the gradually approaching terrifying giant face. The frenzied wind ruffled his clothes, while his nearby attendants struggled to keep their eyes open against the gusts. Confronting the violent disaster of the undead, Shadi murmured within himself.
“Please, Saitutet!”
“Ah… it is that familiar moment again…”
After a brief exchange with Saitutet, Shadi extended his hand forward, and his eyes began to turn icy blue, with a halo of fluorescence forming around his pupils. The temperature around him rapidly dropped. After once again relying deeply on Saitutet, Shadi unleashed powers that surpassed the White Chalk Tier.
“Frost…”
Murmuring, Shadi began to extensively use his abilities. Under the influence of his intangible spirituality, the entirety of Karnak and some surrounding areas began to be affected. The temperature plummeted swiftly. The soldiers within the city suddenly felt the sweltering heat around them transform into a growing chill, eventually able to see their breath as white mist.
As Shadi and Saitutet influenced Karnak’s temperature, it rapidly descended by over ten degrees in a short time. Utilizing his knowledge, Saitutet created a localized high-pressure environment in Karnak using the low temperature, forming a wall of air pressure to halt the advance of the sandstorm. This strategy quickly proved effective, as the massive swirling sandstorm that had been closing in began to slow down abruptly, the entire whirlwind storm coming to a near standstill.
“It works! Lowering the temperature truly affects that thing! What’s the principle behind it?” Shadi thought, feeling exhilarated by the sight of the swirling sandstorm slowing down, while Saitutet responded immediately.
“Simply lowering the temperature isn’t sufficient… it involves many detailed operations. In any case, the knowledge in this realm cannot be conveyed clearly in a short while. If you’re willing to be a student, I can explain it to you slowly when we have time. For now, our first priority is to deal with that thing.”
Saitutet conveyed to Shadi, then he began continuously adjusting the temperature to fine-tune the localized high pressure. This way, while weakening the massive whirlwind sandstorm, he aimed to divert it in another direction, steering its path away from Karnak.
On the other side, the spirit of Diadeen, which was forming the sandstorm, seemed to sense that its advance was being obstructed. After several attempts to forcibly break through without success, feeling that it might be deflected, it grew furious and made new movements.
Upon the massive wall of wind and sand obstructing its path, the enormous face of Diadeen Baruch opened its gaping maw, from which emerged a hauntingly slow and sandy voice, resonating throughout the environment.
“I am King Diadeen… I am the King of Adus… my subjects… I have returned from the dead… I shall account for the rebels…”
The sandstorm, transformed by the spirit of Diadeen, spoke. Its words struck terror into the hearts of every soldier present. They immediately understood the nature of this monstrous sandstorm—it was their once king, the last tyrant of the Baruch Dynasty.
“King Diadeen… this can’t be real, that’s actually King Diadeen!”
“No way! He… he’s supposed to be dead! How can he be here!”
“The undead… it’s the spirit of King Diadeen returning for revenge!”
…
As the undead sandstorm approached, the soldiers in Karnak City fell into panic. They finally understood to whom that enormous sandy visage belonged, realizing the source of this horrifying storm was the rightful king who they had overthrown, the tyrant of the nation.
The deceased tyrant returns as a sandstorm, vowing vengeance. This scene profoundly shocked countless soldiers within Karnak City. Whether they were the Revolutionary Army or the Savior Faction, all were seen as rebels against Diadeen. Consequently, the soldiers were engulfed in terror, and amidst the oppressive aura of dread emanating from Diadeen, many began to drop their weapons and flee the battlefield. Simultaneously, fear intensified their recognition of King Diadeen, particularly the concept that he was truly the king of Adus.
Furthermore, Diadeen’s influential voice crossed vast distances, directly reaching the faraway Dosa and surrounding towns.
His words echoed in the air above Dosa, causing the citizens who had been leading normal lives to panic upon hearing them. Having never experienced such a phenomenon, they were momentarily stunned, then began to discuss fervently in every corner of the city.
What was that voice? Was it really King Diadeen claiming to be him? Didn’t King Diadeen die? How could he speak in this miraculous manner now? Could it be that the Revolutionary Army had deceived them? Did King Diadeen return now with an army?
In an instant, rumors spread through every nook and cranny of Dosa, with countless people engaged in heated discussions about the truth behind the voice. No matter how they debated, the conclusion began to settle in their minds: King Diadeen was not dead; he was now returning, with many subconsciously believing that Diadeen was indeed the king of Adus.
Following that widespread transmission of words, the recognition that Diadeen still existed and remained the king of Adus became clear in the hearts of countless soldiers and civilians. They believed that King Diadeen had returned from the dead, and the whirlwind sandstorm bearing his essence gained immense strength at that moment.
Visibly, the swirling sandstorm with a human face began to accelerate rapidly; its scope expanded significantly, becoming larger and more violent.
In an instant, the entirety of Karnak was engulfed by the aftermath of the sandstorm, the air thick with dust, fierce winds howled, and the sound of wind and sand roared. Countless soldiers desperately sought shelter from the cold sandstorm, their fear overwhelming. Some even began to pray and repent to Diadeen, who now appeared god-like, further enhancing his power.
“What… what is happening, Saitutet? Why has he suddenly become so much stronger? He’s moving toward us again; I feel we won’t hold out much longer!” Shadi shouted inwardly toward Saitutet, who replied with a grave expression.
“His increase in power… is related to that declaration of royal authority just now. The reach of that declaration was quite extensive; it not only affected the soldiers in the city but also the common people in distant towns. Their perception has changed because of this declaration, leading to his increase in power. This special spirit of his might relate to the citizens’ recognition of his royal authority.”
“Ah… he gets stronger because of recognition? How does that work?”
“It should be achieved through a highly sophisticated and profound soul modification procedure. This alteration fuses the soul of the last king with the concept of the nation of Adus, allowing the perception of the citizens to bolster him. However, it seems that it is still far from perfect.”
“Ah… such an interesting modification technique! Deep rewriting of the soul itself, reconstructing to expand its dominion over other entities is clearly related to the domain of ‘Silence.’ Transforming ordinary people’s objective perception into power… that falls within the realm of ‘Lamp.’ Merging a soul with the concept of the nation… this isn’t just constrained to ‘Lamp,’ it touches on ‘Enlightenment’ as well. I want to see the designer of this modification procedure…”
Saitutet mused within Shadi’s mind, and his reflections made the already tense Shadi anxious, leading him to exclaim loudly.
“Stop musing about theoretical matters; what should we do to stop this thing now?!”
“Given the current situation, there’s no way; this thing has the foundation of Adus citizens… it might even be supported by the legal principles of the Baruch Dynasty for seven hundred years. With our current capabilities, there’s no way we can win. It’s best to prepare to flee; escape is still a possibility.” Saitutet responded to Shadi, who felt even more urgency upon hearing this.
“Flee? Are you suggesting I leave tens of thousands of soldiers behind?”
“What else can we do? As long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood, kid. While it’s still far away, let’s go!”
Listening to Saitutet, Shadi fell silent. After a moment, he slowly spoke.
“No, if we’re going to leave, I must arrange for a retreat plan first. With so many people, we should withdraw as many as possible; a haphazard retreat would lead to unnecessary casualties. Saitutet, can you hold on for a little longer?”
Shadi earnestly pleaded with Saitutet. After a brief pause at Shadi’s words, Saitutet sighed deeply and replied.
“Fine… in the end, I won’t be the one dying, so do as you wish.”
“Thank you, Saitutet.”
With that, Shadi continued to gaze toward the massive sand wall of wind approaching, loudly calling to his attendants who had been blown away to convey his orders.
…
Meanwhile, earlier, inside the Rahmann Royal Tomb in Dead Eagle Valley.
Within the inner sanctum of the palace, Nephnis sat in a small tomb constructed from cold stone, positioned at the center of a magical array made from bone powder. She quietly closed her eyes in meditation. Before Nephnis’s array lay three differently shaped bone fragments, while Doro, veiled, and her several zombie puppets, sat beside her, observing the scene. Not far from Doro, a semi-transparent elderly spirit hovered, the shaman Uta from the Tupa Tribe.
After meditating in the array for a moment, Nephnis slowly opened her eyes, a hint of bewilderment flickering within. Then, a pale, translucent lynx spirit emerged from her body, floating gracefully in the air. This was none other than the Wilderness Soul Whiskers. Upon seeing the Soul Whiskers, Nephnis’ confusion disappeared, replaced by a smile.
“Thank you, Soul Whiskers; the ritual has been successful!”
Nephnis declared, and the Soul Whiskers floated before her, licking its lips. Nephnis understood what it meant and promptly took out three iron coins, placing them before the Soul Whiskers. Upon seeing them, the Soul Whiskers immediately began to happily lick.
Nephnis then turned her attention to Doro and Uta, still smiling as she announced, “You two, the ritual has succeeded; I have successfully advanced and become a Soul Contract Holder.”
In preparation for a more significant ritual to follow, Doro and Uta decided to have the only and important Nephnis advance on-site, elevating her to a White Chalk Tier Soul Contract Holder, increasing the margin of error.
The advancement ritual for a Soul Contract Holder required three pieces of bone that contained at least Black Tier souls, a soul capable of suppressing within one’s own body that was at least White Chalk level, and a ‘Silence’ conducive environment as the ritual location. Now, Nephnis had gathered all these necessary conditions.
The inner sanctum of the Rahmann Royal Tomb was entirely crafted from cold stone, located at the deepest section of the tomb, naturally providing the most suitable spiritual space for the undead. The White Chalk Tier-strength spirit was accompanied by its familiar partner, the Wilderness Soul Whiskers. As for the three bone fragments containing at least Black Tier souls, they had been generously provided by the treasure raider Atif and his followers, who had once invaded and kidnapped members of the Neph family.
Finally, with everything in place, Nephnis ascended here as a White Chalk Tier Soul Contract Holder. Now Nephnis’s body could harness the abilities of the reliant soul more effectively, even enabling slight alterations to her body in accordance with the properties of the attached soul. She would also be capable of spirit extraction, allowing her own soul to attach to and control others.
“Well then… everything is ready; let’s begin, Shaman Uta.”
After nodding, Doro instructed one of her zombie puppets to speak to Uta, who nodded and slowly floated upwards.
“Prepare to receive the reliance, recognized by the Soul Whiskers, young lady.”
Saying this, Uta floated toward Nephnis, merging with her body. After closing her eyes and accepting Uta’s spiritual reliance, Nephnis reopened her eyes, which now reflected a sense of weariness and timelessness.
Meanwhile, Doro began to control her zombie puppets, following Satraya’s provided method, quickly erasing the control array that had damaged the edges of the stone coffin. Once the array was fully destroyed, Doro gathered all her zombie puppets to one side of the massive coffin, placing her hands on the coffin lid before collectively pushing it open with effort.
With a booming sound, the heavy coffin lid hit the ground, and large quantities of gray-black spiritual mist erupted from within, almost instantly filling the entire tomb chamber. A chill swept down the spines of all the living present.
From within this spiritual mist, a hazy shadow filled with resentment flickered in and out of view, emitting a twisted, grotesque sound.
“Are you here once again for your foolish, despicable survival? My decayed royal offspring…”
