Chapter 477: [Corrupted Data]
Earth-brown gloom pressed down oppressively upon the heavens, colossal dust storms erupting from the ravaged ground as if reaching toward the clouds themselves—a spectacle of apocalyptic grandeur.
Viktor stood at the epicenter of this swirling maelstrom, his expression serene as arctic ice.
With masterful precision, he wielded wind elemental forces to construct an nearly invisible barrier, ruthlessly deflecting the surging sandstorm that threatened to engulf him.
The towering dust waves crashed over Viktor's diminutive form like tsunamis, sweeping outward in all directions with devastating force, obliterating everything within hundreds of meters.
Countless surrounding structures, debris, and metalwork collapsed in thunderous ruin under this baptism of raw power.
Even the meticulously laid cobblestone streets were annihilated beyond recognition.
From aerial view, this vast capital center now resembled a lunar wasteland—jagged stone formations jutting skyward amid scattered earth and rubble.
And erupting from the very heart of this devastation rose a brown mountain range, blazing circular pupils bursting with brilliant luminescence through the choking dust clouds.
Merely half a head visible, yet the terrifying aura it emanated crashed down like a collapsing skyscraper, bearing down upon Viktor with crushing intensity.
Viktor's expression remained unshakably calm, multicolored radiance shimmering behind him while his raven-headed staff blazed with dazzling golden light.
Now, he possessed complete capability to battle the colossal adversary before him.
Due to the demons' earlier manifestation, the capital's residents had already been evacuated under the knight corps' leadership.
Though personnel remained safe, countless buildings throughout the capital had suffered catastrophic destruction in mere moments.
Such devastation would strike terror into any witness.
Horrifying—this was beyond horrifying.
Following this battle, the entire imperial capital would undoubtedly require complete reconstruction.
The expense would be astronomical—sufficient to bankrupt every noble house in the empire.
In essence, confronting the Earth Calamity might demand the entire capital as payment.
A staggering loss indeed.
Fortunately, Viktor remained utterly indifferent to such concerns.
His personal losses amounted to merely a few commercial establishments—pocket change given his current financial resources.
Moreover, the true architect of this catastrophe was Liboat, whose machinations had orchestrated everything.
Had Liboat's conspiracy not manipulated the Second Prince into bringing demons to the capital, resulting in elven contamination.
Had he not further sealed Erica within that radiant golden ice, triggering nature's wrath and summoning the rampaging Earth Calamity.
None of these disasters would have transpired.
Therefore, when the time came, the Carencia Trading Association would bear full compensation.
He had absolute confidence that once Zora assumed the association presidency, she would pay this enormous restitution without hesitation.
Viktor stood within the sandstorm, absorbing the impact of oncoming dust waves while glancing back at Erica—still sealed within her golden crystalline prison.
Liboat possessed intimate knowledge of the calamities' existence and understood the mystical connection between Erica and these entities.
Otherwise, he would never have imprisoned her in such a manner.
While merely injuring elves would indeed provoke nature's fury, it wouldn't suffice to summon the Earth Calamity itself.
The critical factor remained Erica's presence.
"She who senses calamities... can also be sensed by them."
Calamities were intrinsic components of nature itself, and when demons appeared to wound the elves, nature had delivered its punishment.
Yet during this process, nature discovered the sealed Erica.
Thus, the final remaining calamity descended.
Remove demons, elves, or even Erica from this equation...
This ultimate calamity would never have manifested within the capital, erupting with such apocalyptic rage.
"Cunning deity indeed."
Viktor murmured softly.
Even under such disadvantageous circumstances, that entity had still found opportunity to awaken the slumbering Earth Calamity.
Liboat... no, Hermes—it seemed impossible he hadn't orchestrated everything from the beginning.
Unfortunately for him, despite all his calculations, he'd failed to account for Viktor knowing every detail of his true identity.
Viktor chuckled quietly.
Though he'd exposed Liboat's scheme, the furiously enraged Earth Calamity before him remained an immense threat.
With this realization, Viktor slowly raised his head, gazing upon that incomparably massive stone skull.
He had to defeat the enemy before him.
However, since Viktor's earlier war magic, the Earth Calamity seemed to have lapsed into contemplative silence.
It remained perfectly motionless—like a colossal mountain range permanently claiming this territory.
Even Vega grew curious about this statue-like calamity, arching an eyebrow to inquire:
"Why has this behemoth stopped moving?"
This differed dramatically from the calamities Viktor had previously encountered.
Those earlier entities had regarded Viktor like their father's murderer—launching attacks the instant they met.
Yet this Earth Calamity had merely emerged partway before entering some kind of trance.
And Viktor, observing its behavior, refrained from attacking.
At this moment, Vega heard Viktor's calm explanation:
"Because it's controlling the remainder of 'itself,' systematically destroying other structures throughout the capital."
The Earth Calamity, as guardian of the earth itself, apparently viewed any constructions built upon the ground as abominations that shouldn't exist.
Within Viktor's immediate vicinity, everything had already been reduced to rubble.
Therefore, it currently had no need to assault Viktor directly.
In its perception, Viktor was merely an insignificant insect capable of inflicting minor scratches.
That war magic's impact barely registered as discomfort, let alone actual pain.
Such a reaction was entirely predictable.
Viktor lifted his gaze toward that earth-brown stone skull.
His windcoat billowed dramatically in the fierce atmospheric currents, as though flames were reigniting along its edges.
Chaotic multicolored energy saturated the sky as terrifying magical power erupted from his body, instantly flooding the entire devastated landscape.
Intricate magical pattern networks interwove through the air, constructing complex runic formations embedded within aerial array systems.
Twisted space spiraled around him, generating vibrations that resembled anguished wailing.
Terrifying magic circles layered beneath Viktor's feet in ascending tiers, vast energy rings expanding westward.
Stretching beyond hundreds of meters while continuing to grow exponentially.
His dancing windcoat appeared even more wild and untamed within the surging air currents.
"However, I must express gratitude for its contempt."
As his words concluded, Viktor's eyes blazed with stunning azure radiance.
Infinite magical power throughout the surrounding atmosphere transformed into various elemental energies, continuously converging toward his form and gradually enveloping him in supernatural light.
"It has provided me with ample preparation time."
The crowded central square had cleared a spacious area.
Countless elves and nobles had finally reached safety here.
Upon arrival, anxious nobles immediately began frantically searching for their families within the crowd.
"Vince! Vince! Where are you?"
"Smina! Are you here somewhere?"
"Father! Please tell me you're safe!"
They searched while calling out desperately.
Most noble families residing within the capital had reached the central square first under the knight corps' organized evacuation.
Due to their privileged status, nobles' children and relatives had received priority safety evacuation.
"Daddy! I'm over here!"
A young boy with tear-filled eyes waved his small, tender hands frantically.
"Vince! My precious child!"
The noble father collapsed to his knees in overwhelming relief, embracing his son while gently stroking his hair.
Tears flowed unconsciously down his cheeks as his entire body trembled with emotion.
"Thank God you're safe... thank God you're safe."
The nobleman exhaled a prolonged breath of relief, his anxious heart finally settling.
Witnessing these noble families reunite, the First Prince stood apart in contemplative silence.
At this moment, a group of commoners gradually approached him.
Upon recognizing the First Prince, radiant smiles illuminated their faces.
"Your Highness the First Prince!"
Their voices overflowed with reverence and joy.
The First Prince enjoyed legendary status among the populace as the "Perfect Hero," so these residents displayed exceptional excitement and enthusiasm upon seeing him.
The First Prince observed the approaching enthusiastic family, momentarily stunned.
A family of four.
Behind the father walked his wife and their two young children.
Confronted by this scene of domestic happiness and harmony, the First Prince fell into reflective silence, his heart stirring with complex emotions.
The woman smiled warmly, affectionately patting the children flanking her sides:
"Your Highness, our children have heard tales of your legendary deeds, so they hold you in the highest regard."
Children naturally gravitated toward heroic figures—entirely normal.
The First Prince understood his tremendous popularity among young people, so he offered the two children a gentle smile.
Both children immediately beamed with ecstatic happiness.
Naturally, their enthusiasm wasn't limited to the children.
Their father also grasped the First Prince's hand, expressing fervent gratitude:
"Your Highness, we cannot thank you enough for the advance warning that allowed us to evacuate swiftly."
Everyone throughout the capital had felt that earthquake.
That unnaturally violent seismic event—had they still been sleeping...
They would certainly be buried beneath those ruins by now.
"You are truly the hero of us all."
Hearing their words, the First Prince unconsciously smiled.
"Please, it was nothing—merely fulfilling my duty."
At this moment, observing so many residents gathered within the central square, the father inquired with obvious confusion:
"Your Highness, what exactly has transpired?"
The capital's recent events remained bewildering.
A sudden earthquake had struck the capital, forcing all central district residents to urgently seek refuge in the central square.
The First Prince opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, the man continued:
"However, regardless of how terrible these events become, Your Highness and His Majesty will surely resolve everything successfully."
"My goodness, living within this empire is truly our greatest blessing."
The words the First Prince had prepared died in his throat—he found himself unable to utter a single syllable.
Even the two children beside the woman nodded enthusiastically, addressing him with worshipful admiration:
"Exactly! Your Highness will definitely solve everything, right?"
"The First Prince is a real hero!"
The First Prince stared blankly at the father, then lowered his gaze to the two children.
Confronted by their adoring expressions, he somehow couldn't find his voice.
His breathing gradually grew labored, his lips unconsciously pressing together in barely concealed anguish.
At this moment, a sudden realization struck him.
The northern and southern district disasters were being addressed by Gwen and his mother Claudia respectively.
Yet he, as a prince bearing the sacred duty to protect nation and people...
Could accomplish absolutely nothing.
Exactly as Liboat had revealed to those nobles.
Even his legendary dragon-slaying achievement was fabricated.
He yearned to respond confidently to those children, yet his heart overflowed with crushing doubt:
How could someone like him possibly deserve the title "Perfect Hero"?
Just as he wrestled with these thoughts, a knight squadron led additional civilians flooding into the central square.
The knights worked frantically to assist one another, exchanging hurried greetings.
The father from earlier, witnessing yet more newcomers, muttered in bewilderment:
"Good heavens, even more people arriving... what in the world is happening..."
He closed his eyes, shaking his head helplessly while releasing a deep sigh.
However, at precisely that instant...
An extraordinarily violent tremor suddenly erupted beneath their feet.
His eyes snapped open as he stared down at pebbles bouncing and colliding across the ground.
A terrible premonition seized his heart.
Suddenly, his wife's hand fell upon his shoulder.
Feeling her palm trembling uncontrollably, the man turned with confusion.
But his wife's next words left him frozen in absolute terror:
"Darling... you need to see..."
"Look ahead..."
At that moment, screams and cries of horror erupted from the crowd behind them.
"Dear God... what... what is that thing..."
"This can't be real—no creature like that should exist!"
"Someone help us! HELP US!"
Panic spread through the masses like wildfire, even the nobles' faces draining of all color instantly.
The First Prince spun around, following the crowd's terrified screams.
The moment his vision cleared, his eyes widened in absolute shock, his mind going completely blank.
"That's... the giant from the reports?"
Accompanied by devastating seismic activity, a colossal entity covered entirely in earth-brown stone erupted from the ground directly behind the refugee crowd.
That massive rocky form resembled a moving mountain range, its enormous bulk carving deep fissures across the earth.
Like a titanic shark cutting through ocean waters, its dorsal fin cleaving the surface.
In exactly that manner, it pursued the knights and civilians, charging inexorably toward the central square.
Everyone present seemed paralyzed by shock, their minds rendered completely blank.
Bodies stiffened as cold perspiration soaked through their clothing.
On that day...
Humanity remembered the terror of living under the shadow of giants.
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