Chapter 229: The Twilight Pursuit (1)
In the barren outskirts of the Kingdom of Altail, there lay an unnamed wasteland. Within it stood the ruins of an abandoned village, dating back to the days of the old royal dynasty.
Once prosperous, the settlement had withered away after a long drought dried up its water source. The people had fled, leaving behind only crumbling bricks and piles of rubble. It was the perfect refuge for the persecuted followers of the Black God.
The cultists claimed the ruins for themselves, naming it Avaros and establishing it as their base of operations. The cultists commanded legions of evil spirits and monsters to commit all manners of atrocities.
Neither the local nobles, the army, nor the priests of the goddesses could contain their rampage. The people’s suffering pierced the heavens, their tears flowing like rivers. But the cultists' reign of terror did not last forever.
***
A fierce battle was taking place in the isolated ruins of the wasteland. Through the harsh, sand-laden winds, figures clad in gray robes charged forward. With shouts of fury, they extended both hands, unleashing jet-black energy. "Die, servants of darkness!"
On the opposing side stood a man in black robes, Damis, the branch leader of Avaros. He who snapped in disbelief. "What nonsense are you spouting!"
It wasn’t the label minions of darkness that enraged him. After all, they worshipped the God of Death and Darkness, Tesranach. Being called the servants of darkness was practically a badge of honor.
What irritated him was the hypocrisy: these gray-robed zealots were using necromancy themselves, yet had the gall to brand his side as servants of darkness.
"You lot use the power of darkness too, do you not?" he roared.
The gray-robed men scoffed. "Hah! Fool! You do not see clearly!"
Then, raising both hands high, they drew forth power and proclaimed proudly, "Does this look like darkness to you?"