Beneath the sea, hundreds of figures moved stealthily among the fish, blending into the constantly shifting schools as they swam near the east side of the ocean, away from the land. Standing on the defensive stronghold above the sea, there was an offensive base about a hundred kilometers away. In order to bypass the attack troops of the divine race, the Human Alliance forces disguised themselves as a school of fish.
Approaching within five hundred meters of the light ring would surely alert the enemy. Hence, a joint Magic was constructed five hundred meters away to pierce through the light ring. A squad of assault troops clad in white armor burst out from the seabed with incredible speed of five hundred meters per second, passing through the defensive barrier. Artificial elements emitted light particles, and the gunfire instantly ignited the stronghold. The Angels soared with wings spread wide, and the agile movements of the armored soldiers were sufficient to evade the Magic attacks of the Angels. Therefore, the armored soldiers had lower defense capabilities, requiring minimal armor and firepower, with most particle usage focused on enhancing mobility.
In just over a month, the mass-produced particle armor of The Human Realm entered the battlefield, developed strategic armor and weapons targeted at the divine race, increasing both offensive and defensive capabilities. The series of artificial elemental weapons caused severe headaches for the divine race. Retreating after the initial defeat, the divine race launched a backup plan to conquer several countries across the ocean, needing to reorganize their front lines while fending off attacks from The Human Realm, causing great distress to the divine pantheon.
In the later stages of the assault, armored soldiers abandoned long-range weapons in favor of close combat, engaging in blade-to-blade melee combat against the defensive Angel forces skilled in mid-range attacks.
"A bunch of sword-wielding children," Geirerofi sat on the gates of the divine realm, observing the divine race's defensive line. Though the distance was great, it was not difficult for him to see clearly due to his abilities. Having waited here for a long time to regain his lost memories, he found entertainment in witnessing the battles that played out on the sea every day as a mere spectator.
"The Angels of the defensive army excel in heavy defense and long-range attacks, suppressing attackers by keeping them at a distance to protect the advancing supply lines. Close combat is their weak point," Xiang stood beside his master, also observing the battle scenes. The combat prowess displayed by the Human Realm's high-mobility weapons was truly captivating.
"We should have asked Reisgolo for a ring back then."
"Particles also affect the power of the dragon race, this artificial elemental stuff is really powerful."
Geirerofi flicked his hand, and two wine glasses landed on the gate. The fatty had recently learned to make wine, and his Magic shortened the brewing time.
"Come, try my recipe."
"We stone spirits have no sense of taste, it might not end well for me to drink with my master."
"It's fine, it's just for the sake of entertainment."
The two sat together, drinking under the moonlight. The fatty's recipe had a strong kick, which complemented the fierce battles on the battlefield very well.
The melee combat of one of the armored soldiers was impressive, constructing a long sword with particles and infiltrating the Angels in the battlefield alone. With swift strikes from left and right, the Angels were caught off guard by this soldier's unique markings on the armor, probably indicating a squad leader.
After ten minutes of the assault squad entering the stronghold, a powerful sixteen-winged Angel launched an attack, wielding dual rings under its massive wings. Each ring had ten blades that detached and attacked independently. The highly mobile, low-defense armored soldiers were unable to evade the onslaught, leading to a forced retreat with their mission over seventy percent complete, focused on disrupting enemy supplies by breaking through the lines.
"Looks like another fierce battle with the sixteen-winged Angel... Xiang, what's wrong with you?"
Xiang looked in the direction of the country across the ocean, feeling inexplicably uncomfortable.
"I don't know why, every time I look in that direction, my heart aches."
"Do stones have hearts now? Seems like you've had an awakening."
"I dream of returning to our old home with Hong..."
The two fell silent as they drank, the distant battle still raging on. The Sixteen-Winged Angel, no longer a defensive Angel but lacking close combat ability, threw out their weapon, disengaging from particle weapon status as the squad leader evaded, reassembling it in their hands. Fueled by artificial elements, they engaged in an intense close combat fight.
At that moment, a flashbang was shot from the armored soldiers. It was just a signal, but the squad leader, quick-witted, distanced themselves and turned their particle weapon into a shotgun. They avoided the flash and swiftly cut towards the disoriented Angel. As the flash dazzled the Sixteen-Winged Angel and sensing imminent danger, instinctively they clapped their wings, creating a powerful whirlwind. Hindered by the lightweight of the armor, the squad leader momentarily couldn't break through the dazzling wind head-on. The Angel retracted the double-edged blades and spun them at high speed, slashing towards the squad leader.
In the nick of time, three armored soldiers provided fire support, allowing them to break free from the entanglement. The soldiers had already been entwined with the blades for quite some time, and the retraction of the blades provided them with a chance to catch their breath.
Under the cover of the flashbang, the armored soldiers retreated back to the sea. Their timing was just right - as soon as their mission time was up, they had to retreat regardless of the mission's status, as they needed to maintain some particle acceleration to escape the battlefield due to the reverse ocean current.
"Timely retreat, but that captain just didn't have a bit more luck, otherwise, he could have become the hero who killed the Sixteen-Winged Angel."
Lislophy sighed at the squad leader's luck, which was just a hairbreadth away.
"But the morale of the gods will be hit once again."
"As the war on this side concludes, it's time for the human side's morale-boosting performance, any sign of Jiang Moana today?" Geirerofi turned to look towards the west coast of the ocean, where the frontline soldiers retired to the rear. The celebrity's morale-boosting visit was a way to uplift spirits. In times of war, if a celebrity couldn't do something for the soldiers, they would be criticized.
In the backstage of the morale-boosting performance, Situ Liyao rarely participated. Until she formally exited the stage, it was necessary for her to maintain her brilliance.
"I heard Miss Situ is going to become a duchess, congratulations." Constant congratulations poured in from the actors in the backstage to Situ Liyao, and she was not unaware of their intentions. Situ Liyao was incredibly popular, a prominent figure in the industry. If she were to exit in the future for the title, there would inevitably be a fierce battle among her fans, similar to the situation with Li Yeho when she announced her successor, dividing her youthful fans while mature ones continued to increase, much to the annoyance of the older female stars.
Jiang Moana's fame was extraordinary, and the organizers did not dare neglect her, giving her a quiet place to rest. Situ Liyao now needed a quiet place more than ever.
"Mind if I borrow a spot?" Situ Liyao couldn't clearly see who was there, but she was eager to find a place where her title was not mentioned. No one else knew the trials and tribulations she had faced in inheriting that title, carrying the stigma of her father's betrayal and being one of the causes of the previous emperor's downfall.
"Of course." Jiang Moana gave a friendly smile.
In that instant, Situ Liyao locked eyes with Jiang Moana. It wasn't their first meeting, yet in that one look, Situ felt a sense of unfamiliarity she had never experienced before, but after the second glance, the feeling dissipated.
"Since that day, we haven't shared the stage, have we?"
"That stage... was a source of sorrow for millions."
Recalling the events of that day, from the entertainment extravaganza that gripped the entire city to the tragic disaster that struck homes and claimed lives, just over a month was not enough time for the local people to escape from the shadow cast upon them.
There seemed to be some tension between the two, but neither knew how to broach the subject.
Situ Liyao's phone suddenly rang, and after answering the call, she said flatly, "Qin Yang has stirred up The Demon Realm, changing three demon kings in a month. The consolidation of the demon clan is truly significant."
"He's in The Demon Realm?"
"Haven't you seen him again?" Situ Liyao clearly remembered that day when Qin Yang, sitting in a wheelchair, cheered on Jiang Moana making her debut on stage. At that moment, she longed to ask if there was something more between them.
"No, maybe that was the last time we met." Jiang Moana subconsciously grasped the necklace fragment on her wrist, a shard of a dragon tooth that had caused Qin Yang to spend time in a wheelchair.
"I thought you two were a couple. He's the kind of guy who won't let the girls around him slip away."
"We met using aliases. Without the disaster of that day, I probably wouldn't have known that he was the most scandalous high school student from the Othrie Empire."
As they talked, there seemed to be no issue between them, but the tone suddenly shifted.
"So, are you also interested in sparking gossip with him?"
"Haven't you done that before?"
Situ Liyao gazed at the dragon tooth on Jiang Moana's hand and said, "No, we never got caught fooling around in the amusement park. If there is any useful gossip to stir up by being with him, that would be great, but the reality might be different."
"Then are you suggesting I do it? But, how would you feel if I did have a connection with him?"
"Me? What feeling could I possibly have? He killed my brother! My father's dearest wish was to see him pay for it."
"But your father and brother are no longer here. You are on your own now, free to make your own choices, and there's no reason to fulfill someone else's wishes anymore, right?"
"True, but I still advise you not to get close to this person. You're not equipped to handle the impact he may have on you."
Jiang Moana rubbed her finger over the dragon tooth, "I know, but you don't need to tell me that because you're not the dragon queen."
"Your tone suggests you're indeed interested in having a relationship with him. Are you not listening to reason? Do you remember that day?"
"I do. You were also involved in attacking Qin Yang that day, but I could tell you didn't want to harm him. You're tired of living, just like the Duke and the stage now; you can only choose one."
Jiang Moana checked the time, realizing it was almost time for her performance, and without giving Situ Liyao a chance to reply, she turned and left.
"It's strange, she seemed so timid that day, but today she's even backtalking." In Situ Liyao's recollection, when Jiang Moana pulled out the dragon tooth for Qin Yang, the panic and fear she displayed were enough to prove her timidity. Yet in her memory, she stood on the side that harmed them. Perhaps in Jiang Moana's heart, Situ Liyao had long been an enemy, whether or not this enemy intended to harm them.
