100X Returns System: I Dominate the Age of Gods - Chapter 317. Trial of blood - 3

In the Veridian province, the main city stood firmly like a heavily fortified stronghold, its thick defensive walls stretched across the perimeter and enclosing the entire settlement.

It indicated the preparedness of the city for any invasion or conflict, and at this particular moment, the atmosphere around those walls was tense to the point where even the most disciplined individuals found it difficult to maintain composure.

At the very top of the main defensive wall, the vice deacon of the city stood alongside a formation of soldiers belonging to the knight order, and although they were trained individuals expected to uphold their duty regardless of circumstance, their current state betrayed their fear, as the vice deacon’s legs trembled uncontrollably beneath him, making it difficult for him to even stand upright, while the soldiers beside him were in no better condition; their expressions were pale and their bodies were rigid as they struggled to process what they were witnessing.

Outside the walls, on the open ground that stretched before the city, Empress Selena Sylvaris, the elven empress, stood calmly with a composed smile resting on her face, and behind her stood nearly a thousand elite elven warriors, all prepared for battle and positioned in disciplined ranks that reflected their readiness.

Under normal circumstances, such a number of soldiers, even if elite, would not have been enough to completely break the morale of those defending a fortified city, especially one reinforced by the church, yet the situation unfolding before the defenders was far from normal.

Selena, widely known as the child of the world tree and recognized for her command over life and nature elements, held another element that only a few were aware of, and that was her mastery over a third element—illusion.

The vice deacon and his men were not perceiving reality as it was; instead, they were trapped within an illusion so convincing that it replaced their understanding entirely, and rather than seeing a thousand warriors, they believed they were facing an army numbering in the millions, accompanied by massive energy cannons, artillery units, and weapons of such destructive capacity that it seemed capable of reducing entire empires to ruin.

The overwhelming pressure created by this false perception was enough to break their will, and no amount of training or rational thought could counter the fear induced by such an imposing force.

“Surrender to receive mercy; refuse and face the worst possible death,” one of Selena’s commanders declared firmly, his voice reinforcing the illusion already gripping the defenders.

Within less than two seconds of hearing those words, the vice deacon made his decision, as the psychological strain proved too much for him to endure, and he immediately ordered the massive gates of the defensive wall to be opened.

Once the gates parted, he descended from his position and knelt on the ground in submission, welcoming Selena into the city in an attempt to preserve the lives of its inhabitants.

As the gates opened, the defenders observed that only around a thousand soldiers entered the city, while the rest of the army remained outside, and although the illusion still lingered in their perception, the vice deacon felt a sense of relief, as he was not inherently malicious and had always prioritized the safety of the citizens under his care.

Being a local himself, he had no ill intentions toward the people of the city, and his cooperation stemmed from a desire to prevent unnecessary destruction, especially considering that the region had already faced repeated disturbances from rebel tribes that occasionally attacked the city.

In response to those threats, the church had constructed the defensive wall to strengthen the city’s protection, and until this moment, it had served its purpose effectively.

Selena entered the city alongside her forces, maintaining her calm demeanor, and although only a fraction of her army was visible within the walls, the reality was that she had mobilized a force of nearly one hundred thousand real troops, most of whom were stationed around the outer perimeter of the province to prevent interference from external factions, as initially her approach relied on illusion rather than direct confrontation.

She wanted to see if she could solve it without lifting any finger.

Over the course of several hours, Selena worked methodically to bring the entire administrative structure of the capital under her control, ensuring that key officials were secured and placed under arrest, awaiting further instructions from the Eternal Sovereign Cult.

Once her objectives were completed, she seated herself in the main chair within the mansion of the city lord, taking control of the administrative center while maintaining awareness of her surroundings.

It was during this time that she sensed a distinct presence entering the range of her detection, and the nature of that presence immediately drew her attention, as it approached from the eastern direction.

Turning her focus to a map, she noted that the eastern region connected to both the capital city of the empire and Dawnhold Province as a whole, and based on that information, she concluded that the approaching individual was likely of significant importance.

Without delay, she rose from her seat and launched herself into the sky, moving at a speed corresponding to the lesser godhood stage as she headed toward the detected presence.

Within seconds, she spotted a figure clad in golden robes moving rapidly in an attempt to escape, and upon recognizing him, she let out a soft chuckle.

“Well, that was unexpected,” she remarked as she moved to intercept Winston, the pope of the Light Church.

With a simple gesture, vines erupted from the ground below, twisting and growing rapidly until they formed a massive humanoid structure that appeared directly in Winston’s path, forcing him to halt his movement abruptly.

Winston saw Selena and immediately reacted with frustration, clenching his teeth as he spoke, “Empress Selena, do not obstruct my path. As an elder of the council, I order you to stand aside.”

Selena responded with a light chuckle, her tone almost playful as she said, “Of course, Sir Winston,” and she moved aside, clearing his path without resistance.

Winston’s brows furrowed at her response, as he had not anticipated such easy compliance, but rather than questioning it further, he chose to continue his escape and accelerated toward the border.

However, only a few minutes later, as he continued flying, he noticed another figure approaching him from the front, and his eyes widened in recognition as he identified Anastasia moving directly toward him.

Confusion crossed his mind as he questioned how she had managed to intercept him despite his speed.

Before he could react further, he suddenly heard a voice beside him.

“Bye-bye.”

Turning his head, he saw Selena flying alongside him, casually waving her hand, and at that moment, Anastasia arrived directly in front of him, effectively trapping him between the two.

Anastasia glanced at Selena and spoke with appreciation, “Thank you for bringing him back, Selena. I will visit you once this is over.”

Selena smiled in response, “I will be looking forward to it,” before turning away and leaving the scene.

Winston was left momentarily stunned, as he realized that he had somehow been redirected back to the very province he had just escaped, and the realization unsettled him deeply.

Anastasia did not give him time to recover.

“Moon’s Songster.”

As she activated the spell, a series of melodious sounds began resonating through the air around Winston, and almost immediately, he felt his body growing sluggish as a sense of drowsiness began to take hold of his mind.

He struggled to remain conscious as the effect intensified, and in an attempt to defend himself, he quickly erected a mana barrier around his body.

However, the sound waves were not hindered by the barrier, passing through it effortlessly and continuing to affect him, pushing him closer to unconsciousness with each passing moment.

Realizing that he could not withstand the effect for long, Winston quickly retrieved a talisman from his storage and activated it, teleporting himself behind Anastasia in an instant.

Without wasting any time, he accelerated once again, heading back toward the capital city while intending to take a different route through Solmere province.

As he passed through the capital, he encountered another obstacle waiting for him, as the storm dragon Yun Long and Marcus, the general of the celestial army, stood ready in his path.

Winston’s expression darkened immediately, his brows tightened, and he began considering his final options, understanding that his situation was becoming increasingly dire.

Before they could engage him directly, he chose to avoid confrontation and instead changed direction, speeding toward the imperial palace of the holy sun.

Meanwhile, Anastasia, Marcus, and Yun Long regrouped and exchanged glances as they observed his retreating figure.

“Where is he even going?” Marcus questioned, his tone reflecting confusion as he immediately began pursuing Winston again, with the others following closely behind.

As they continued their pursuit, they saw Winston suddenly pause mid-flight before diving sharply toward the highest spire of the imperial palace.

Their expressions shifted into suspicion as they watched his actions, unable to immediately determine his intent.