Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 589 - 590: Council

Ancient records state that approximately three thousand years ago, a Demon God descended upon the Ancita Continent.

The exact origin of the Demon God remains an unsolved mystery to this day.

Undoubtedly, the appearance of this being brought catastrophic disaster to all living creatures on the continent.

Terrifying power ravaged the land and sky. The Demon God’s endless minions began attacking all living beings on the continent. These minions are what we now know as the Abyssal Demons.

Facing the invasion of the Abyssal Demons, imbued with the Demon God’s power, humans were utterly powerless against this sudden disaster. Both human armies and renowned human warriors were defeated without exception under the onslaught of these Abyssal Demons.

Within just a few days, one-fourth of the continent was occupied by the Abyssal Demons. Not just humans, but other intelligent races including orcs, dragons, and elves, all attempted to combat the Abyssal Demons. However, the outcomes were far from satisfactory, ending only in crushing defeats.

Facing this existential crisis, all major powers and races put aside their past grudges and jointly initiated a ’Salvation Plan’, gathering all elite forces and divine artifacts to attack the Demon God in a bid to capture the king first.

Unfortunately,

This plan quickly fell apart under the unstoppable power of the Demon God.

Warriors of all races were torn to pieces by the terrifying power of the Demon God without exception.

With the failure of the ’Salvation Plan’, an unprecedented despair enveloped all of humanity.

However,

Just when everyone believed that Ancita Continent was about to be devoured by the Demon God’s power, a goddess descended.

Surrounded by golden light, a silver-haired, golden-eyed woman broke through the space and faced the Abyssal Demon God threatening the whole world. The exact details of this epic battle are unknown, as anyone who approached the battlefield was turned to ashes by the aftermath.

On that day,

The sky darkened, the earth cracked, and space itself began to warp and split, as if the entire world was on the brink of annihilation. All that people could do was pray in their hearts, hoping for the return of their commander...

Fortunately, in the end,

Their prayers were answered. The goddess truly defeated the Demon God and expelled the rampaging Abyssal Demons from the continent.

With the golden holy light shining across the land, the greatest crisis in the history of Ancita Continent was declared over.

Afterward,

The goddess did not immediately leave this world but wandered on the Continent for some time. It was during this period that the Asumos Church was successfully established by devoted believers. After that, the goddess disappeared without a trace, seemingly having left this world.

The goddess can be said to be the savior of all living beings on the continent.

For this reason, even to this day, followers of the goddess in the Asumos Church still hold a dominant position on the continent.

After the goddess defeated the Demon God, no trace of the power of Silent Shadow was seen on the continent again.

…

….

800 years ago

Ancient records state that, on the verge of defeat, the demon race, in a last-ditch effort to turn their dire situation around, conducted an experiment on the Northern Winter Forest.

Today’s scholars on the continent widely believe that it was this experiment by the demon race that awakened the remnants left by the Demon God, known as Demon Temple...

With the emergence of the Demon Temple, the power of Shadow once again began to attempt to corrupt the world.

--

At this moment,

Inside the Council Hall of the Red Leaf Empire’s Imperial Palace,

Almost all of the empire’s most powerful figures were gathered.

An elderly man in his seventies, with white hair and a distinguished demeanor, sat quietly on the imperial throne.

Being seated on the throne, the man’s identity was undoubtedly clear.

He was the 37th Emperor of the Red Leaf Empire - Emperor Ojin.

Although not particularly strong, only at the early stage of level 6, his excellent political skills and governance strategies had allowed the Red Leaf Empire to develop orderly under his rule. Thus, this less powerful emperor still enjoyed the support of the majority of his subjects and firmly held the throne.

In the center of the great hall, Emperor Ojin sat with his eyes closed.

Although his eyes were shut, his attention was focused on the center of the hall, listening to the Prime Minister’s report.

"Your Majesty, based on the condition of the soul orb in the palace, our Grand Sorcerer Borulov has fallen to the Sword Demon."

Not far from the steps,

A middle-aged man in grey and red official attire, the Empire’s Prime Minister Panlun, was reporting the collected information to the high-ranking officials of the empire. When he mentioned Borulov’s demise, the Prime Minister’s face showed a grave expression.

However, after reading the subsequent reports, Panlun’s gaze became complicated.

A mix of joy and worry.

"In the attack by the Sword Demon, one-third of the city’s guard troops were lost, and two-thirds of the eastern residential area was destroyed by the impact. The Demonic Dragon that appeared in the Eastern Base led to the near annihilation of the fifty thousand stationed troops. However, due to the Sword Demon’s sudden disappearance and the Demon Dragon being led away by the Chosen One, there were no further losses. But the Asumos Grand Church was attacked."

"Asumos Church? They were attacked?"

Hearing Panlun’s words, the Third Prince Eldric, standing to the side, showed a surprised expression.

"There was no sign of any disturbance, right?"

"That’s because they activated the Protective Great Array, making it impossible for us to discern the situation inside."

"Attacked, and then activating the array? Were they trying to trap the enemy inside? But in that case, how did it end up in such a state..."

Recalling the sorry state of Asumos Grand Church when he had just returned to the imperial capital, the Second Prince Amon, leaning against a pillar, frowned slightly.

"It probably wasn’t that."

Panlun shook his head, denying Amon’s speculation:

"If our judgment is correct, activating the barrier was done by the attackers. Their goal was to capture all the Asumos believers in the Grand Church in one swoop."

"Who is the attacker? Have we found out?"

"According to Pope Kael Korod’s statement and the aura left at the scene, it was Higanbana."

"Higanbana?! That’s impossible!"

Upon hearing this,

Not only did Amon’s expression change dramatically, but other royal family members and important ministers also showed astonished expressions. The Asumos Grand Church was located in the inner-city area. For Higanbana to attack the Grand Church meant she somehow broke through the triple defense perimeter of the imperial capital...

’And we hadn’t noticed such a terrifying entity entering?’

’What would have been the outcome if Higanbana had targeted the imperial family under these circumstances?’

The mere thought was terrifying.

After taking a deep breath to stabilize his emotions, Amon continued to inquire:

"What happened afterward?"

"From the scene, it appears that the Asumos Grand Church has been completely destroyed. Over four thousand paladins, priests, and bishops stationed there were all killed in action. It seems like there was a fierce battle. The only survivors were Pope Kael Korod and two Holy Envoys"

"And Higanbana?"

"She was reportedly repelled by the Pope and then disappeared. Additionally, it seems that Higanbana attacked the church in human form. We can’t rule out the possibility that she blended into the chaotic crowd as she withdrew. Currently, the Generals are investigating the city to see if they can find her."

"Hmm, search thoroughly. That monster is probably at the end of her strength now, and it’s the best opportunity to eliminate her. Also... in human form, huh... It’s the same as Sword Demon’s declaration, that a Demon King can transform into human form..."

Amon mused thoughtfully.

Although the heavy blow to Asumos Church secretly pleased him to some extent, he was more worried. After all, this also proved that the defense lines developed by Red Leaf Empire and the Red Moon Tower over many years were virtually useless.

Feeling uneasy, Amon seemed to remember something and curiously looked at Panlun.

"Speaking of which, Prime Minister. What was the situation with the Asumos believers suffering from severe headaches? I saw that not only in our country, but even in Sadik and Snow Night, the believers experienced similar issues?"

"This... I’m sorry, Second Prince, I am not clear on that matter either; we are still investigating..."

"Hmm..."

...

...

While the imperial officials and princes were discussing the losses from this attack and planning the next steps,

A red silhouette suddenly burst into the great hall with a strong presence.

It was the Queen of the North, Anliya.

Turning towards the old emperor on the throne, Anliya urgently said:

"Brother! I have urgent news to report!"