n

n

n

nThe desolation in the three theaters was overwhelming, a once fertile land now reduced to a wasteland of ruins and ash. It was evident that this place, once full of life, now bore the

nunmistakable scars of war. The ongoing battle against the Gluttony Army had turned the area into a scorched and barren landscape.

nSmoke lingered in the air, rising ominously from distant fires. Thousands of figures hovered in the sky, engaging in fierce combat, launching devastating spells that shook the very foundation of the land. The ground below was littered with the remnants of war-broken weapons, shattered armor, and fragments of those who had fallen.

nVandal stood at the rear, his expression grim as he surveyed the battlefield. He could feel the overwhelming energy fluctuations saturating the atmosphere, a constant reminder of the brutal conflict. The intensity of the residual energy was palpable, its very presence harmful to those not strong enough to endure it.

nThe cause of this devastation ran deeper. The gods from the Holy Lands had clashed, killing a god from a powerful cult. This battle had further escalated the danger of the region. The aftermath of their divine clash had left the land marred by broken space and distorted time, anomalies that made survival here nearly impossible for the unprepared.

nVandal turned his head and looked at the warrior beside him.

"How's the progress of the battle?

" he asked.

nThe warrior, the First Grain War Leader of the Third Set, responded,

"We're slowly pushing the enemy back, but it will take time. The fifth-stage monsters dispatched by the Angels are fighting on the front lines against the Hero-rank forces of the Gluttony Army. There's also the added chaos from mercenaries searching for the god's remnants.

"

nVandal's gaze hardened.

"What about the supplies from the other Holy Lands?

"

n

"They're increasing the supply flow,

" the First Grain War Leader said.

"They understand the need to contain the battlefield here. However, there's a report from the Holy Land Heavenly Court.

"

nVandal narrowed his eyes.

"What's in the report?

"

n

"They discovered that the Gluttony Army has set up numerous summoning magic circles across the continent. While the exact locations are still unknown, the Heavenly Court has begun taking action to cleanse the Immortal Land,

" the First Grain War Leader reported.

n

"Summoning magic circles?

" Vandal mused.

"So, the Gluttony Army plans to create more battlefields. Are they looking to split their forces? If that's the case, it could make it easier for the Holy Lands to wipe them out.

"

n

"They also warned us about other cults and terrorist groups. Some of them are under the control of Gluttony.

"

nVandal's expression darkened.

"The Gluttony Army has been amassing forces for years, and now we're finally seeing the full extent of it.

" He drew his sword and leaped down from the wall.

"Let's go.

"

nThe First Grain War Leader nodded and followed the Chief Captain of the Third Set. Swoosh!

nVandal's aura as a Seventh Shackle erupted, and his figure shot through the air at incredible speed.

nIn moments, he reached the fierce battlefield before him. Fifth-stage monsters from the Angel Faction clashed violently with several Hero-rank experts from the Gluttony Army. Without a second thought, Vandal dove into the fray. He activated his combat arts, slashing his sword toward one of the Hero-rank experts of the Gluttony Army.

nThe expert, sensing the attack, glanced down and saw a massive energy blade hurtling toward him. Gritting his teeth, he raised his sword and, with great effort, deflected the strike.

nBang!

nHis eyes narrowed as he gazed at the figure below. Something about the man's armor caught his attention.

"A Hero-rank... from Olympus?

"

nVandal didn't respond. Instead, he focused his energy, channeling it into his blade, preparing for another strike.

nHe didn't recognize this man. Most experts who reached Hero-rank were either famous or infamous, even those from cults or terrorist groups. But this one was unfamiliar. Perhaps the Gluttony Army had been secretly training these experts.

nBoom!

nThe air trembled as the Thrones and other Hero-ranks clashed once more. Six Thrones and four Hero-ranks from the Holy Lands faced off against thirteen Hero-ranks from the Gluttony Army.

nDespite being outnumbered, the Thrones and their allies had the upper hand. They steadily pushed the enemy back, largely because four of the Thrones were at the intermediate stage, while the remaining two were at the high stage.

nVandal and the expert from the Gluttony Army locked eyes, a brief moment of acknowledgment passing between them before they vanished from their positions. In the blink of an eye, shockwaves erupted as their figures clashed violently.

nBoom!

n

"You have no idea! If you think you can kill us, then do it! I, Bedas, will not fall easily!

" the man bellowed, laughing madly.

nBedas? Vandal thought. As expected, he hadn't heard that name among the Hero-ranks who had made a name for themselves in the past decades.

nWithout hesitation, Vandal and Bedas charged at each other again.

nBang!

n...

nIn the Champion's Den, the headquarters of Athena's Champion, Souta floated in mid-air in an empty room, his eyes closed. A strange energy flickered around him before vanishing in an instant. Slowly, he opened his eyes.

nHis feet touched the ground as he felt the power coursing through his body.

n

"I've improved my mastery of Douion. I'm getting better at controlling it,

" he muttered to himself, before shaking his head.

nSouta left the room and found Eleni waiting for him outside.

n

"It's time. Follow me,

" Eleni said, turning around without hesitation.

nSouta followed her.

nAfter receiving permission from the Division Commander, Souta had secluded himself for training, remaining unaware of events outside over the past few days.

nSoon, he met with the Division Commander once again.

n

"Here,

" Cicero said, tossing a piece of paper to Souta.

nSouta caught it and glanced at the note. Before he could speak, Cicero continued,

"This is a mission I picked up from the board. Your task is to complete it. Report back tomorrow, regardless of whether you finish it or not; the second trial will begin then.

"

n

"I understand,

" Souta replied with a nod.

nThe mission was straightforward. A coup d'état was underway in a small country under Olympus. The royal family had requested assistance from the true ruler of the land, and it was up to Souta to resolve the situation.

nHonestly, Olympus was indifferent to who ruled the small countries within its territories, as long as they adhered to the laws and paid their annual tribute.

nSome residents of these small countries even came to the Champion's Den, hoping to join one

nof the God's Legions.

nSouta folded the paper and tucked it into his pocket.

"I'll head out now,

" he said.

n

"I'll be waiting for your return,

" Cicero replied, closing his eyes.

nWith that, Souta departed on his mission. He flew directly toward the Creona Kingdom, where

nthe task awaited him.

nOpening his system, he saw the quest displayed clearly in front of him.

nRuler: Choose one of the two groups and make them the ruler of the country.

nRewards: 5 skill points and 50,000,000 experience points

nCicero hadn't specified which group Souta should assist, leaving the decision to him. As long

nas they adhered to Olympus's laws, nothing else mattered.

nSwoosh!

nSouta's figure streaked through the sky with a loud boom.

nSoon, he slowed as he approached the Creona Kingdom.

nPatting his clothes, he glanced around and muttered,

"It's quite a distance from the

nChampion's Den.

"

nThough he couldn't calculate precisely, he estimated he had traveled over five thousand

nkilometers.

n

"It's far. It's just that your speed has greatly increased, so you can cover such distances with ease. If Imperium hasn't changed, you'd be able to move even faster,

" Saya commented.

n

"I know,

" Souta replied with a chuckle. He shook his head and refocused on his task. He entered the country unnoticed. The priority now was gathering information. To complete this task within a single day, he needed to make a quick decision.

nCreona Kingdom was a small country located between the territories of Goddess Artemis and Goddess Demeter. There was nothing particularly notable about it, except that many aspiring warriors from here sought to join the legions of these two goddesses. The people of Creona were fervent believers in Artemis and Demeter.

nThe country had a radius of three hundred kilometers and a population of millions.

nCurrently, the king of Creona Kingdom had died six days ago.

n

"So, there are two contenders: the Crown Prince and the Third Prince. I need to choose one to

nrule this country. The royal family requested help... Haha!

" Souta chuckled lightly as he read

nthe newspaper in his hands.

nThe Holy Lands truly had their ways. They could determine who would rule these countries, and no one would dare oppose it. While these nations appeared independent at first glance, a

ncloser look revealed that they were merely vassals.

n

"Hmm... I think I'll start by observing the Crown Prince.

"

nSouta rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then stood up and tossed the newspaper aside. In an instant, he vanished from his spot and reappeared in the streets near the palace.

nThe streets were eerily desolate, though Souta could sense people inside the houses. What should have been a bustling area now felt abandoned, as if frozen in time. The conflict between the Crown Prince and the Third Prince had clearly impacted the citizens of the

ncountry.

nIn the distance, the royal palace loomed above all the surrounding buildings. Perched on a high hill, it seemed to dominate the landscape, as if it were the very heart of the land.

"The Crown Prince should be there,

" Souta mused.

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