693: Chapter 621 I Understand (6400, 2nd Update)_4 693: Chapter 621 I Understand (6400, 2nd Update)_4 That was the Duke of Sorin.
He seemed to be saying something; it was but a projection from a vastly distant place, manifested here by the strength of a Fifth Energy Level being crossing endless distances.
Thus, when the grand and resounding declaration that seemed like the simultaneous voices of countless people arose, Ian could only hear the latter half.
“…So, this is our despicable human nature,”
The silver figure in mid-air stated passionately to the empty void of the sky and earth before him, his head slightly bowed, his eyes firmly closed, yet his voice carried a heart-shaking power: “In our times of misfortune, we always ponder if it is the fault of outsiders, or if there will be a savior to rescue us.
But when the savior truly arrives, no one wishes to speak for him because what he aims to do is not to remove our personal misfortunes, but to change this hellish world.”
“Therefore, no one can understand, no one has the patience to wait for him to correct things righteously.
We always stray from the right path—yes, there might be scholars who want to argue with me, saying that history progresses in a spiral, that taking three steps forward and two steps back is the norm.
But when hell is right in front of us, where is the time for us to slowly make progress?”
“My people, we have missed once the chance for redemption.
In the past decade, we have become the buffer zone in the war between The Empire and Fiery Flame Land.”
Our fate is to become the sacrifice crushed to dust in the struggles between great powers; it is inevitable because I am not strong enough to protect you.
I can only do my utmost to seek aid and resources from The Empire, but all they think about is exhausting me, draining the blood of the entire Grand Duchy until we become weak, unable to resist their will, becoming only a subservient weakling.”
“Fate decrees this, we cannot resist, we are bound to fail.
But even in a destiny where failure is inevitable, we must face it with heads held high—that is the will of a true powerhouse.”
“They want to turn our homeland into hell, so let us step into hell first.”
“My people, there’s no doubt that this choice will bring about innocent sacrifices.
It is not that this is the only path I could have chosen, but it is the path I have chosen—”
Everyone felt perplexed by these words, except for Ian, who felt a wave of pity.
He stared at the humbly bowing figure above, showing no hint of apology, wishing only to sigh.
—Finally, he had begun.
Because of the changes he brought about, was it an acceleration of his plans?
Or, with Adalbert and himself as the ‘successors,’ was the Duke of Sorin now able to carry out his will with no reservations?
But the outcome was the same.
“Do not fear death, for death is rebirth.
I will create a new world, a homeland named hell,”
As the Duke of Sorin’s projection in mid-air became increasingly solid, layers of distinct silver ripples turned into ripples, spreading throughout the firmament, much like raindrops falling upon the earth, perpetually expanding in mid-air.
It was about to touch the Imperial Capital, yet deep within the Imperial Capital, a pure white light devoid of any impurity rose and suppressed the silver glow.
The sky suddenly became crystal clear and transparent, the original firmament utterly vanished, and the blue sky instantly turned into a ring of pitch-black cosmic firmament as the Earth’s atmosphere was directly punctured by the collision of wills between the powerful.
If one were to view from the perspective of outer space, Terra Continent, the direction where the Setar Empire’s Imperial Capital was situated, the atmosphere would show a perfectly cylindrical void.
A portion of the planetary gases were knocked away, forever escaping Terra’s gravitational pull to form diffused clouds in the cosmic void.
Aside from Ian, everyone present felt a tremor stemming from the depths of their souls.
Even if they did not understand the meaning of these words, they knew that some change was about to happen—a change that far exceeded their imagination and would steer the future of all beings towards an unknown direction.
The Duke of Sorin’s projection raised his head, and at this moment, he seemed to be gazing directly at the will behind the pure white brilliance, and the man who could be called frenzied began to laugh: “The Setar Empire is no longer the glorious and ancient center of human civilization from the past.
What remains here is but cowardly still water, no longer worthy of my waiting or belief.”
“Out of respect for the ancient covenant and the Logos, I, Splitt Sorin, the current Duke of Sorin, the last Duke of Sorin, here declare independence, relinquishing all the Authority, status, and honors of human kingdoms,”
“Rest assured, Guardian, I do not covet your territory; I only want my people.
They must live safely, waiting for my covenant to be fulfilled.”
“Axel—we shall meet again in hell in the future.”
The silver light gradually receded, falling like rain, soaking into the earth, right down to the Earth’s core.
All instinctive tremors and fears subsided, but the fear informed by wisdom began to rise.
Not a soul dared to make a move, not a sound dared to be made.
For, that was the declaration of war from a reborn Fifth Energy Level being against the Monarch of the land’s mightiest nation.
After what seemed like a lifetime of silence, an indifferent voice tinged with weariness rose from deep within the Imperial Capital.
In response to the Grand Duke’s declaration, the Emperor of The Empire indifferently said, “I see.”
And then all things once again had a voice.