Trials, p.8
Trials, page 8
It was for these reasons that Xeal decided to make a spectacle out of his and the 3,000 players who were supposed to be attempting their tier-7 tribulation. They would all also be wearing their items that disguised their levels as it would allow the rumors to really get going and confuse the situation between the three main possibilities. Those being the two failure scenarios and the reality that FAE had lured Abysses End in to attacking them. The beauty in this plan is with just a bit of effort, most people would believe the version that they agreed with and waste theirs and Abysses End’s time as they pushed their narrative. Thereby increasing the noise and obscuring information in the short term and possibly lasting long enough for Xeal to actually reach tier-7.
So it was that with a few messages everything was set in motion, as Amser led the operations to counter Abysses End abroad. Meanwhile, 80% of the available forces went to hold the line on the Paidhia and Nium border, and Xeal and the 2,999 others arrived at the Habia and Nium border. As they did so, there was once more over 5,000,000 players assaulting it as the defenders used everything at their disposal to attack them while Xeal received the same quest as last time. Along with the 3,000 players, Queen Aila Lorafir arrived with 1,000 tier-7 spellcasters that could wield high-powered electrical spells. This was about every single one of such spellcasters in all of Nium and it had taken quite a lot of convincing to get them all to be available for this stunt. King Victor was expecting a spectacle that would convince the populace of all three kingdoms that just having Xeal already meant that Nium was destined to win.
Xeal, however, was just hoping that all the training that he had done with Levina had paid off, especially as it had been a hassle and a half to continue it while carrying out this ruse. Still, it was time to see if he could handle the insane levels of power that were about to be channeled through him. Especially as he wasn’t holding anything back as he descended the wall the moment he arrived, as all 1,000 spellcasters prepped their first long chant spell. As Xeal started to slowly walk the ten feet between the wall and the force shields, he just smiled as he drew his swords and let out a dragon’s breath at the nearest players. With that, there was no doubt on who Xeal was and looks of dread spread across the nearest players as they forgot to even attack the barrier. As Xeal paused just before crossing into the enemy ranks, he spoke in a low and even tone.
“This isn’t personal, but you all are about to die in a rather gruesome display.”
As he finished saying those words, Xeal felt the surge of power from all 1,000 spells entering him as he realized that Kate and Levina had been pulling one over on him. These 1,000 spells felt like only a third of what he endured at Levina’s hand, as he held on to the power while waiting for the other two rounds of spells to hit him. At seeing him not attacking, the players across from the barrier were confused for a second before a few realized what that meant. Judging by how quickly they tried to escape, Xeal could tell they had at least been present at the last assault and once the medium chant spells arrived, the whole area near where Xeal was standing was empty. Xeal just smiled as he stepped through the barrier a moment before the short chant spells were due to arrive. Instantly Xeal saw thousands of arrows, rocks, spells, javelins and whatever else that attackers had on hand that could be launched at him. However, before any of them could reach Xeal, he had already received the 1,000 short chant spells inside of his body.
The next instant slowed down to a crawl by Xeal’s perception. All around him were desperate players that just wanted to have access to a teleportation network. Most probably didn’t even care if Nium, Habia, or Paidhia won the war, or the state of the continent after it was over. All they were worried about was the ability to play ED while enjoying their time, but instead they found themselves as pawns on a chessboard. As this moment ended, Xeal unleashed a massive bolt of electricity that shot right through the mass of players before him as if they didn’t exist. One after another, each of these players didn’t just die. No, they were turned to dust and in all likelihood their gear would be ruined as well. As it traveled through the players, Xeal received a system notification.
(Congratulations, you have killed 20,000 humanoids with a single attack. Rewarding title: Annihilator and 15,000 renown.)
Xeal found himself surprised by this notification and was curious about what this new title did, but he didn’t have the time to worry about that as he observed the results of his attack. The bolt had been around 20 feet wide and he had aimed it towards the area that he knew the main command unit was. To say that it was like looking at the first row of wheat after harvest would be an apt comparison, if the rest of the wheat wasn’t running in fear. As for the command unit, it had survived, but Xeal could see the look on Atius’s face as he looked at the destruction that had cleared a path directly to him in an instant. He looked frantic, if not slightly insane, as he shouted and tried to regain control of the millions of remaining players. Meanwhile, Xeal gripped his blades while activating elemental blades and getting a bit of electricity back in his system, that he used to create an effect of his still having more electricity to release. This took the shape of bits of electricity jumping in and out of his body as he slowly walked forward as the players surrounding him simply worked to create distance between them and him.
None of the invading players even tried attacking like they should have and Xeal just smiled as the real issue with human wave tactics reared its head. None of those present were anything special, with the vast majority of them not knowing how to react to the sudden devastation that Xeal had inflicted on their ranks. No, they were not the type to fight a boss monster that could kill them with a single attack, as they lacked the ability to exist on that knife’s edge. It was only players like Takeshi and Amser who would be willing to take on such challenges with a smile, as they came out on the other end unscathed. This was a category that Xeal didn’t even place himself in as while he liked his odds against any player in ED, it was only due to how broken his stats and abilities were. Even now Xeal knew that all it would take was the players nearest him rushing him and he would die and waste the drop of phoenix blood that he had protecting him. However, he smiled as the first 17 short chant spells entered him and he began releasing it all around him such that anything that came within 20 feet of him would be engulfed by it as he started running at Atius.
Ten seconds in and the first wave of medium chant spells entered Xeal and he increased the field around him to 35 feet. Finally, when the long chant spells entered him, the field around him increased to a full 45 feet in every direction from him as he charged forward. As Xeal ran, any player who was unlucky enough to find themselves in contact with this field didn’t even last a second before dying. This surprised Xeal slightly as even with it basically being the combination of around 50 tier-7 spells, it still shouldn’t have been that effective against the stronger players in his way. Though Xeal just assumed that it was a side effect of his new title and kept running forward. However, Atius wasn’t just going to sit there and wait for his doom to arrive as Xeal closed the distance.
No, he knew that there was nothing to gain from allowing Xeal to kill him as the rout had already begun and the 200,000 players that had just descended the walls behind Xeal only added to the chaos. For a brief moment Atius thought of having the millions of players pay the price for not holding their ground until the 60% casualty mark had been met, but he couldn’t blame them. Xeal’s single attack had exceeded anything that should have been possible by his own understanding. They had been ready for Xeal’s tactics from the last battle and even rejoiced at seeing what seemed like a limit to his ability to control electricity, which was still a sore spot for Abysses End. They had sent multiple complaints through every channel they had about just how broken it seemed to be, only to be shut down at every turn. All they were able to learn was that he had gained it through an unlikely sequence of events that were extremely difficult to achieve and unrealistic to be done by anyone again.
Atius and the rest of Abysses End had their own theories, knowing everything that they did at this point. This included the generous supply of phoenix feathers that Xeal had been using and his inclusion in the godhood quest that was absolutely top secret. Luckily, Frozen Sky wasn’t loyal to the shell of the workshop that Jingong had once been. Instead, he had reached out quietly and made deals to counter Xeal. It had been him who warned of Xeal already being far more than any player could hope to face one on one right now, even when he wasn’t in top form. Abysses End had told him that he was exaggerating things at first. That changed after he easily beat several of their top players and then told them that Xeal had defeated him even more easily. It was this that had convinced Abysses End that they had to go all in to remove Xeal and FAE as a threat now and join the war effort in both Habia and Paidhia. Yet it seemed that even their most unrealistic estimates had been short of Xeal’s true power and it was with this thought that Atius ordered the full retreat.
As the orders spread, it was only a matter of minutes before every player had used their return scrolls, or found themselves being attacked by one of the players that followed behind Xeal. As this happened, Xeal just smiled as a message came in that the assault at the other border had suddenly ended as well. Still, he looked at his stamina and frowned as the five minutes of activity that he had just done had him down to 66%. At that rate, 15 minutes was all he could handle while using the method he had just executed. Xeal also took a moment to investigate the details of his new title.
Title: Annihilator: when using any attack with an area of effect, or more than 100 targets, all damage is increased by one plus the difference in levels divided by ten. With a minimum multiplier of one and maximum multiplier of three. Killing 1,000, or more, humanoids with a single attack induces a fear effect on all enemies and an inspiration bonus to all allies.
Xeal looked at this title and couldn’t help but frown as he typically didn’t walk around with the needed support to pull off what he just did. Even his dragon’s breath was technically a single-target attack, unlike most other breath weapons that he had seen. Xeal knew that it had to do with the beam nature of whatever Watcher’s element was, though if Xeal had to guess it was plasma. Still, if he could vary it and use it in a cone, even if it would become less powerful on its own, with this new title it could be far more effective. Xeal was still thinking about this and if he had any ways to easily pick up a skill that would allow him to gain an easy AOE attack when Queen Aila Lorafir landed and started to speak.
“It seems that your training was effective.”
“Yes and no. I still need to fix my stamina issue, but my ability to control large amounts of electricity has certainly improved.”
“Yes, well, I am not sure I could have survived that attack you unleashed to start this battle and it was definitely the most destructive attack I have ever witnessed.”
“I doubt any but Levina could take that attack and not come out significantly worse for it. It killed over 20,000 of the attackers and I got a title out of it…”
Xeal shared his new title and his thoughts on it to Aila who stayed quiet as she took on a thoughtful expression before responding.
“You are quite possibly more valuable as a siege weapon than anything else at this point. Even the best magic cannons that have been recovered from lost ages would be nothing compared to what you are. Though you are right that you need to find a way to use it outside of a full-scale battle. It is just a question of how and do you do it now, or later.”
“I need to find the time to really see what my options are as I have never thought about picking up any such skills. My goal is to only take on large groups when I have the support of others who can supply me with the electricity I need.”
“Xeal, you never know when you will need to deal with a large group and anything that relies on others is at best situationally useful rather than another trump card.”
Xeal paused to think as other members of FAE started to make their way over to him as he thought over his options before he responded to Queen Aila Lorafir.
“It is something that I will need to consider in another month, or so. For now, I need to make sure that FAE’s holdings are doing well.”
“Alright, shall we get you back to the fort then?”
“In a second. I need to send a quick message.”
As Xeal input his message that was set to go to every member of FAE, he smiled. All it said was “counterattack.” With that single word, it gave all of FAE notice that Xeal was personally taking command over the current operation. A second later, a message from Taya came in instructing every level 190 to level 197 member of FAE to report to guild headquarters for assignments. At the same time, all level 198 and level 199 members were to stand by in case any other actions were taken in Nium. With that taken care of, Xeal found himself being transported back to the fort before he teleported back to Nium’s capital and headed straight for the royal palace with Queen Aila Lorafir in tow. When they arrived, they were greeted by a pair of nervous royal guards as they looked at Queen Aila Lorafir with concern as one of them spoke.
“I am sorry, my lady, but-”
“But nothing,” interjected Xeal. “She is with me and is an ally of Nium. If you fear that King Victor will hold it against you for letting her through, then feel free to go check as we waste time here.”
“Duke Bluefire, you know that-”
“Anyone more powerful than the king’s guards are not to be allowed to meet with him without prior arrangements. Is that going to include me now?”
“Excuse me?”
“Xeal, word of your exploits at the border have yet to reach here,” commented Queen Aila Lorafir. “Though once they do, I wonder if it will gain you friends, or simply make them fear you.”
Just then a messenger came running, as the man came closer and realized who was standing at the palace gates. It was clear that he didn’t know how to react as he came to a halt. Queen Aila Lorafir just smiled as she continued to speak.
“It seems that we arrived a tad early, though it is convenient as we can now just send him to see if King Victor wishes to allow my entrance today.”
Xeal could see the messenger tense up as he looked at the other guards, before one of them told the messenger to get a move on and Xeal found himself waiting. So, rather than stand idly, he started checking over the progress of the fight outside of Nium and the transferring of personnel through the temporary teleportation gate that was connecting Muthia and his guild’s headquarters. Xeal was grateful that Empress Sakurai Jingū had been more than happy to allow FAE access in such a way, despite the drawbacks. Included in these was the real possibility of war coming to her lands as Abysses End had already positioned itself to attack both the Muthia and Huáng empires when the time was right. Lucy and Gale were also slipping into Muthia to gather and return with the dozen or so divine scions that were currently gathered there.
Once the deployed players were in Muthia, they would be transferring to all over Eternal Dominion and in total some 60,000 members of FAE would be participating in repelling the attacks. Additionally, Kate had activated the clause in all the contracts that she had required the other parties to assist to ‘sustain endeavors in times of constraint to ensure continued production post constraint.’ This move had been met with a fair bit of complaints and pushback on this notion, especially as it was essentially forcing them to aid in the effort to push Abysses End back. However, when it became clear that both Fire Oath and Salty Dogs had been caught by the same clause, the others had stopped making noise. This was for two reasons. The first was that they didn’t want to insult either of the super guilds and the second was that they were enjoying seeing the super guilds fall for the trap as well. Fire Oath was particularly upset as they were in the process of cutting ties, but were roped in until they had paid off the debt in full.
Even so, the one who was most irate was surely Abysses End as they found themselves not just being forced to back off, but losing territory that they had held for years in ED now. In one single motion, Kate had managed to set Abysses End back years and force them to take a defensive stance, as they were forced to abandon their operations in several countries altogether. Especially when others who had a grudge against Abysses End took advantage of the situation to join in. Once FAE’s reinforcement arrived, it was going to be time to see just how far Abysses End could be pushed back, but before that they needed to meet with King Victor. Thankfully, the messenger had returned with an irate King Victor, who wasted no time in letting his mind be known.
“If I need to make it known that Duke Bluefire is trusted to pass with, or without, Queen Aila Lorafir accompanying him when they are returning from defending our lands again, I will hold you two personally responsible. So, ensure that that is made known to all who need to know!”
Xeal had to hold in a chuckle with how fast the two guards let Xeal and Queen Aila Lorafir pass, as they found themselves walking with King Victor as they made their way into the palace in relative silence. Once they were in King Victor’s private study, he sighed before he spoke to the room as a whole.
“Zylah, please join us for this discussion.”
At that, seemingly from nowhere, Zylah appeared with a frown on her face as she spoke.
“I don’t see what I have to add to this discussion. Your brother-in-law and my apprentice’s husband is a true monster, end of story.”
“Please, the amount of prep I need to do to pull off what I did-”
“Doesn’t change the fact that you did it,” cut in Queen Aila Lorafir. “Xeal, I don’t think you fully appreciate your current situation. You displayed an attack past what we would expect for even a deity. All any can do against it is avoid it, or hide behind something made of stone like the palace and hope it holds.”
