Halochassis

Chapter 54 - Scorched Earth

The courtyard of Cathedral Exa overflowed with adventurers from every corner of the Adventurer's Guild. Thousands of men and women packed the vast stone plaza shoulder to shoulder, their polished armor gleaming beneath the afternoon sun while colorful banners fluttered lazily in the warm breeze above them. The air carried the mingled scents of steel, leather, sweat, and burning incense drifting from the cathedral's towering halls. Conversations rippled through the restless crowd like waves across an ocean before gradually fading into silence as every eye turned toward the elevated podium.

Standing upon the grand platform were the remaining members of the Celestial Wardens—Alexander Goldheart, Lireina Ashford, Saint Elwyn Logress, and Qinglong Yin. Though only four remained, their presence alone commanded the attention of the entire gathering. Their cloaks swayed gently behind them, and the weight of recent tragedy was etched across their expressions. Above them, the cathedral's stained-glass windows reflected brilliant streaks of crimson, sapphire, and gold across the polished stone floor, giving the solemn gathering an almost divine atmosphere.

Alexander Goldheart stepped to the front of the stage, his golden cape flowing behind him as silence settled over the sea of adventurers. He rested one hand upon the hilt of his radiant sword before lifting his gaze toward the thousands who admired him. His usually composed face had hardened into one carved from grief and restrained fury, while his golden eyes burned with an intensity that silenced even the whispers carried by the wind.

"The Celestial Wardens are bleeding to death, my friends," Alexander declared, his voice echoing through the cathedral grounds. "Cattleo Vi Examillenia... Zerova... and now Garruk Stonehill. Those three warriors were not merely my comrades—they were my dearest friends. They stood between this world and annihilation countless times. They were your protectors, your heroes, your saviors. Yet wicked souls chose to hunt them down for reasons born of malice and cowardice. They laughed together, they endured hardship together, and they shed their blood so that every child, every family, and every innocent soul in Empyrea could live another day. And for all their sacrifice, those uncivilized bastards repaid them with murder."

A heavy silence settled over the crowd. Some adventurers lowered their heads in mourning while others tightened their grips around their weapons until their knuckles turned white. The only sounds that lingered were the distant cries of birds circling the cathedral towers and the soft clinking of armor shifting as emotions stirred among the assembled warriors.

While Alexander continued his speech, Shin quietly threaded his way through the densely packed audience. He slipped between towering knights, cloaked mages, and seasoned hunters with practiced ease, careful not to draw attention to himself. His sharp eyes occasionally wandered toward Lireina, whose calm yet sorrowful expression remained fixed upon the crowd. Although that was the excuse he had given himself, his true purpose lay elsewhere. Every instinct warned him that Alexander's public address concealed something far greater than a memorial. He had come to uncover whatever plan the leader of the Celestial Wardens was about to unleash.

"But now," Alexander continued, his voice rising with renewed conviction, "the time for mourning has ended. The time for retribution has begun. The Iron Bandits murdered our friends, believing they could hide behind the darkness they created. Today, we will drag them into the light. I have gathered every adventurer in Empyrea for a single purpose—to erase the Iron Bandits from this world and destroy every Halochassis they possess."

Shin forced a faint smile, though a bead of sweat slowly rolled down his temple despite the cool breeze. His eyes never left Alexander. To everyone else, the Warden appeared calm and dignified, every word measured with unwavering confidence. Yet Shin could see beyond the composed exterior. Hidden beneath that disciplined expression simmered a storm of vengeance. Alexander's golden eyes glowed with a fierce determination that bordered on obsession, as though every heartbeat carried another promise of bloodshed.

Looks like he's finally getting serious, Shin thought, his smile fading as unease settled in the pit of his stomach.

Without warning, Alexander stretched both arms toward the heavens.

A blinding golden light erupted behind him.

Hundreds of radiant portals blossomed into existence, each one swirling with shimmering streams of golden mana that illuminated the cathedral courtyard. Their brilliant glow reflected across polished breastplates and drawn blades, bathing the stunned crowd in warm light while gusts of magical energy swept across the plaza. The portals hummed with immense power, their resonant vibrations rumbling beneath everyone's feet like distant thunder.

"Today is the day of retribution!" Alexander proclaimed. "We have located the Iron Bandits' hideout within the Luminous City Slums. They infest its alleys, its trenches, its tunnels, and every shadow where cowards believe they can escape justice. We will show them no mercy. We march with vengeance in our hearts and justice in our hands!"

He thrust his fist high into the air.

"Vengeance!" the adventurers thundered in unison.

The deafening roar shook the courtyard, echoing against the cathedral walls before rolling across the surrounding city like a clap of thunder.

"Together, we fight!" Alexander bellowed. "For justice!"

"For justice!" the multitude answered, their voices merging into a single earth-shaking cry.

"Onwards!"

Alexander surged forward without hesitation, raising his golden sword high above his head before disappearing into the nearest portal. One after another, the assembled adventurers followed, lifting swords, axes, spears, staves, and bows as battle cries erupted from every direction. Qinglong Yin strode through one of the portals with unwavering resolve, while the remaining adventurers disappeared into the sea of golden light alongside the army they had rallied.

In the next instant, the portals deposited them at the entrance of the Luminous City Slums.

The atmosphere changed immediately.

The clean marble streets and towering cathedral vanished, replaced by narrow dirt roads, weathered wooden shacks, crumbling stone walls, and rusted metal rooftops patched together through years of desperation. Smoke drifted from makeshift chimneys, carrying the smell of charcoal, damp earth, and cheap stew simmering over open fires. Thin children froze mid-step, clutching scraps of bread, while exhausted laborers stared in stunned disbelief at the sudden arrival of thousands of heavily armed adventurers. Mothers instinctively pulled their children behind them, and frightened whispers spread through the crowded streets as countless bewildered faces turned toward the glowing portals.

Alexander's expression remained cold.

He pointed his gleaming sword toward the slums.

"Kill them!" he roared, his voice cutting through the stunned silence like a blade. "Kill them all! They are all Iron Bandits!"

"Kill them!" the adventurers echoed in a deafening chorus.

The command swept through the ranks like wildfire. Thousands of armored warriors surged into the maze of narrow streets, weapons drawn as steel flashed beneath the gray afternoon sky. Heavy boots pounded against the uneven roads, shaking loose dust from crumbling rooftops. Panicked screams erupted almost instantly, drowning beneath the clash of metal, splintering wood, and the frantic cries of people scrambling for cover. Mothers clutched their children and fled into winding alleys while elderly residents stumbled through the chaos, desperately searching for somewhere—anywhere—to hide. The once-lively slums dissolved into confusion as terrified civilians collided with one another in desperate attempts to escape the advancing army.

Towering above the commotion, Qinglong Yin leveled his spear toward the heart of the district. Azure energy crackled around its blade, sending sparks dancing across the air.

"Give me Azazel!" Qinglong roared, his voice rolling across the slums like thunder. The challenge echoed between the weathered buildings before fading into the growing cacophony of battle.

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Back at Cathedral Exa, the golden portals continued to shimmer beneath the afternoon light as the second and third waves of adventurers marched through without hesitation. Each portal hummed with immense magical energy, swallowing entire battalions before releasing another stream of soldiers into the battlefield far away.

Unlike the others, Lireina Ashford remained rooted near the edge of the podium.

Beside her stood Saint Elwyn Logress, who casually brushed a few strands of silver hair from her shoulder before dusting off the sleeves of her pristine white robes. Her expression remained remarkably calm, almost detached, as if the distant sounds of war belonged to another world entirely.

"This is nuts," Lireina muttered under her breath, unable to tear her eyes away from the glowing portals. "I never imagined Alexander would launch a full-scale operation against the Iron Bandits... let alone one involving the entire Adventurer's Guild."

Saint Elwyn folded her arms.

"It was always meant to be a surprise offensive," she replied evenly. "Scorched earth. Shock and awe. Strike before the enemy even realizes they're under attack."

Lireina frowned, her stomach tightening.

"Are they really going to attack everyone in the slums?" she asked quietly. "Most of the people living there are innocent civilians. They don't deserve this."

Saint Elwyn's gaze drifted toward the portals, watching another column of adventurers disappear into the golden light.

"The problem," she said after a long pause, "is separating the innocent from the guilty. Intelligence reports claim many of the slums have sheltered Halochassis operatives and supplied the Iron Bandits for years. Alexander believes leaving any refuge untouched will only prolong the war."

Her voice remained calm, almost clinical.

"I don't know whether he's right," she admitted. "But I understand why he believes drastic measures are necessary."

Lireina lowered her head.

Her teeth dug into her lower lip until she tasted blood.

Alexander... what are you thinking?

She had fought beside him for years. She knew his compassion, his discipline, and the impossible burden he carried as the leader of the Celestial Wardens. Yet the man she had watched upon the podium moments ago had looked different. Grief had hollowed him out, leaving behind someone driven less by justice than by vengeance.

If only she had realized how far he had fallen before today.

Perhaps she could have stopped this.

Perhaps she still could.

"Maybe it's not too late," Lireina whispered, more to herself than to anyone else. "Maybe... I can still change Alexander's mind."

Saint Elwyn glanced sideways.

"So you're going in?"

Lireina nodded, though the hopeful smile she forced onto her face carried little confidence.

"Yes," she answered softly. "But I'm not going there to fight. I'm going to stop Alexander before this goes any further. And you?"

Saint Elwyn let out a quiet yawn, covering her mouth with one hand.

"I'll enter after the last wave," she replied lazily. "I'm a priestess. My place is behind the front lines, keeping everyone else alive."

Her indifferent tone contrasted sharply with the urgency surrounding them, making the silence between them feel even heavier.

Just as Lireina stepped toward the nearest portal, a thought suddenly crossed her mind.

Shin.

She quickly turned toward the crowd still gathered within the cathedral courtyard.

Thousands of faces blurred together.

Then she found him almost instantly.

Despite standing among hundreds of spectators, Shin's familiar face caught her eye. Their gazes met across the sea of people.

"Go back to the Librarium!" Lireina shouted, her voice carrying above the restless crowd.

Shin didn't argue.

He simply nodded once.

It was enough.

Lireina offered him one final glance before taking a running start and leaping into the nearest golden portal. The brilliant light swallowed her whole, and within a heartbeat she had vanished, leaving only shimmering ripples in the air where she had stood.

Shin remained motionless for a brief moment, staring at the empty portal.

Then he turned and pushed against the flow of people.

While adventurers hurried toward the battlefield, he forced his way in the opposite direction, weaving through the crowd until the sounds of cheering and marching faded behind him. His heartbeat pounded in his ears as urgency consumed every thought.

I have to warn them.

By the time Alexander's army reached the Iron Heaven, it might already be too late.

But even a few minutes could mean the difference between escape and slaughter.

He refused to abandon his friends without trying.

Once he reached a narrow alley beyond the cathedral grounds, the noise of the gathering became little more than a distant echo. The alley smelled of damp stone, old timber, and rain-soaked earth. Shin knelt beside a weathered wooden crate, his trembling fingers digging into the small leather pouch fastened at his waist.

He withdrew a folded sheet of paper, followed by a small bottle of ink and a worn quill.

Without wasting a second, he spread the paper across the crate and hurriedly wrote three enormous letters.

RUN.

The ink was still wet when he folded the message.

Raising two fingers to his lips, Shin released a sharp whistle that echoed between the narrow stone walls.

For several tense seconds, nothing happened.

Then the beating of wings cut through the silence.

A glossy black crow descended from the rooftops and landed upon a nearby wooden post. Its dark eyes fixed upon Shin as though awaiting its next command.

He hurriedly tied the folded message around the bird's leg with a thin piece of twine before leaning close enough for only the crow to hear.

“Go get this to Risha or Adzeel. Quick!” Shin ordered, thrusting the message toward the crow.

The bird answered with a sharp, raspy squawk that cut through the heavy air. It hopped once, its glossy black feathers catching a faint glimmer of light before its powerful wings unfurled with a rush of feathers. A gust of wind brushed against Shin's face as the crow launched itself into the sky, climbing swiftly above the treetops until it became nothing more than a dark silhouette disappearing into the horizon.

As soon as it was gone, Shin knelt and hurriedly rummaged through his worn leather bag. His trembling hands brushed against folded maps, bundles of dried herbs, and small tools before finally closing around the object he had been searching for. He slowly pulled out the Halochassis glove, its metallic surface gleaming with an eerie luster despite the dim surroundings. The engraved lines running across its frame seemed almost alive, reflecting faint streaks of light as though the relic itself was silently waiting for its master to make a choice.

“I need to save them,” Shin muttered, his voice barely louder than a whisper.

His heartbeat pounded violently against his ribs, each pulse echoing in his ears like the relentless beat of a war drum. The rush of adrenaline coursed through his body, making his fingers tremble as he slipped the Halochassis glove over his hand. The cold metal clung tightly to his skin, sending a chill crawling up his arm. He drew a slow breath, parted his lips, and prepared to utter the activation code. Yet before a single word escaped him, the confidence in his eyes faltered. His voice caught in his throat, and hesitation settled heavily in his chest.

The memories came rushing back with merciless clarity. He remembered every desperate struggle, every impossible battle, and every sacrifice that had led them to this point. This was not simply another dangerous mission—it was a war destined to end in defeat.

Facing thousands of adventurers was already overwhelming enough, but confronting the Four Celestial Wardens was an entirely different nightmare. Time and time again, they had struggled merely to hold their ground against Lireina, never once finding a reliable way to defeat her. Qinglong remained an even greater mystery. Despite everything they had learned, they still had no idea how to kill the ancient dragon. As if those odds were not hopeless enough, the strongest of the Celestial Wardens, Alexander Goldheart, would also be joining the battlefield.

Alexander Goldheart—the Chosen One—possessed a blessing unlike any other: the unique skill known as The Autonomous Victory.

Shin had spent countless hours studying ancient records within the Librarium, and its description remained etched into his memory. The Autonomous Victory was horrifying in its simplicity. It granted its wielder victory in any battle, regardless of the odds or the opponent standing before him. No hidden weakness had ever been documented. No strategy had ever been recorded to overcome it. Every page Shin had read pointed toward the same grim conclusion—they had no countermeasure. Against Alexander, defeat was not merely likely; it was inevitable.

The weight of that realization settled over him like an iron chain. The fierce determination that had driven him only moments ago slowly drained away, replaced by a suffocating sense of helplessness. After a long, unsteady breath, Shin carefully removed the Halochassis glove and tucked it back into the depths of his bag, concealing it beneath the other supplies. His shoulders slumped, and he stared silently at the empty sky where the crow had vanished.

“I guess I'll just head home,” he said quietly, forcing a faint, bitter smile that failed to hide the despair lingering behind his eyes.