Chapter 164 [Grand Brawl Between Sinners and Heart of the Remains]

Chapter 164: Chapter 56: [Grand Brawl Between Sinners and Heart of the Remains]

The earth trembled.

The rumbling, heavy hoofbeats echoed across the Gray Moss Far Field like an earthquake. The Skeleton Warhorses galloped, crossing the vast wilderness dotted with tattered battle flags and bones.

As the clawed limestone hooves struck the earth, they tore through the surface moss. The crushed vegetation oozed a pale green sap, releasing a cold, damp, botanical scent into the air.

The silhouettes of dozens of chariot-like Skeleton Warhorses drew closer. Their bodies were composed of hollow bones, heavy limestone Molten Stone, and twisted Rusted Copper Tree Roots.

The gnarled roots coiled above their heads to form the shape of Antlers. Bizarre, tentacle-like tongues protruded from their hollow skulls, designed to siphon nutrients from the soil—or the flesh and blood of their enemies.

Upon the back of each Rusted Copper Skeleton Warhorse rode a fully armed Barrel Helmet Knight in plate armor. They hefted heavy Lances, their tattered cloaks—woven from vines, fungi, and moss—fluttering in the grayish-green winds of the Far Field.

Beneath the Barrel Helmets, the Undead possessed no rotting flesh, only pure, dense bone. Fused together by pale-gray Molten Stone, they formed Warrior bodies akin to fossilized giants.

Leading the charge was a massive warhorse comparable to an armored vehicle. Its body of bone, Molten Stone, and Rusted Copper Tree Roots was reinforced by numerous Nether Copper joints, transforming it into a terrifying beast of war.

Astride this behemoth of war sat a rider whose sheer size matched his mount. Burly and towering, his massive, heavy Nether Copper Shoulder Armor featured a rhino-like spike, resembling a Siege Hammer. His robust frame looked like a gnarled, centuries-old tree. The prominent Deer Antler Frog Beak Helmet towered high, welded directly to his breastplate, giving him the appearance of a proud Knight who would never bow his head.

Samael thought, "Up close, the sheer presence is even more terrifying than when viewing from afar... He’s a heavy-armor strength type who stacks defense to the extreme. An enemy probably couldn’t even scratch the surface of his Armor. Although his movements seem a bit sluggish, he can rely on his mount for acceleration.

"No wonder Lahador seemed a bit fearful whenever Anshiba was mentioned. Lahador’s tactical style relies on severing limbs, inflicting massive wounds, and swift reaping—a burst type meant for quick resolutions. However, the slicing and tearing damage of a scythe, as well as the flesh-destroying impact of a Morning Star Hammer, can essentially be ignored by Anshiba’s heavy Armor.

"But once Anshiba begins his charge, the sheer weight of a single piece of shoulder armor would probably be enough to smash Lahador’s light Armor to pieces."

He stood at the border with his Sword and Shield Knights, all wearing Bell-shaped Helmets, waiting for Anshiba to arrive for their meeting.

SCREECH—Amidst a wild grating sound, the giant stone claws within the hooves popped out and dug fiercely into the earth, tearing up a large swath of surface moss. The heavy bodies of the warhorses and Knights barely managed to brake in time. At the forefront, Anshiba slowly dismounted and stood before Samael.

He was half a helmet taller than Samael, but the Antlers decorating his Frog-beak Helmet added extra height and an imposing aura. His Siege Hammer-like shoulder armor was so broad that he looked like a moving wall of Nether Copper.

"Good morning," Samael said with a nod. "I am Samael." He gave a simple introduction.

"Anshiba." The other party’s response was even more concise, lacking Lahador’s flamboyance and dragging tone.

"I have no hostile intentions." Samael held up his hands, showing that he hadn’t readied his Nether Copper Sword Shield.

"I know," Anshiba’s muffled voice echoed from within his breastplate. "You sent a small creature to offer greetings, rather than a Warrior."

He opened his massive Hand Armor; resting in his palm was the Bell-shaped Helmet-wearing Rot Root Ball.

"OYA!" The Rot Root Ball took a few wobbly steps and hopped back to Samael’s side.

"Ah, I thought a creature like this looked quite endearing. It might make me seem more approachable," Samael explained.

"I initially thought it was a scout," Anshiba said. "It slipped silently right up to my tomb. Not a single Barrel Helmet Elite Undead on the outer patrols detected it.

"It could have stealthily infiltrated my tomb to destroy corpses or gather intelligence. But it didn’t; instead, it took the initiative to run out and speak to me. Therefore, I could confirm it was not a scout, but a messenger. And you bore no ill will."

Samael was taken aback. "Does the Rot Root Ball really have such strong stealth capabilities?" he thought.

"Creatures like this are very timid. I tried to catch it, but it was exceedingly difficult. It moved stealthily and nimbly, darting between the roots in the underground tunnels, escaping extremely fast," Anshiba rumbled. "How did you manage to catch it?"

"I... My friend helped me catch it," Samael replied vaguely.

"What is your business here?" Anshiba did not press further. He clearly had no interest in the matter. "Are you just like the rest of them?"

"Who?"

"The other five Ghost Knights," Anshiba replied. "Every one of them wants to defeat the other Knights, rule over the entire Heart of the Remains, and use these Undead to change the world."

"That sounds like a pretty good idea... But why haven’t you all united?" Samael probed.

"What we want is not the same," Anshiba said flatly. "I was tasked with the duty of eradicating sinners. So, I am here to complete my work—to judge the sinners, kill the wicked, and seek a moment of peace.

"Lahador on Lake Heart Island is wildly ambitious. He wants to dominate the world, enslave all the living as a source of corpses, and become the Necromancer Monarch, the Ghost Knight Monarch—that’s why he constantly harasses the other Knights, claiming he can be the boss and demanding our obedience.

"Dekegon in the Jungle Ruins has a terrible temper. He craves passionate, glorious combat to relieve the stress and mania caused by the Spiritual Energy pulses, desiring endless slaughter. Beasts have many interesting organs, and the living possess many excellent Warriors; all of these can satisfy his urge to fight."