Chapter 620: Defensive War (Part 2)

The entire world held its breath as they watched a single woman, who looked thin and fragile, stand there and control the battlefield. The first swing of her sword easily reaped the lives of dozens of her enemies.

“Euaaaaaaack!”

“Keuhaaaaaaaaack!”

“Keheeeeeeeeok!”

The second swing of her sword caused the ground to be dyed red with blood.

“Aaaaaaaack!”

“Keuhaaaaaaaack!”

“Stop heeeeeeeer!!!”

The third swing of her sword pushed back her enemies.

“Ughhhh…!”

“M, monster…”

Ellie, who was covered in blood from head to toe, continued to move forward and cut down her enemies one after the other. A tempest of sword lights flew out of her sword and swept away the enemies in front of her. Creating a gap, Ellie charged towards the two million strong troops fighting against her.

[The entire world is holding their breath in front of Ellie’s majesty and dignity.]

[Strong. Ellie is incredibly strong. I believe this proves why Ellie is called the Sword Emperor.]

[The elegant swan has turned into an eagle that bites and claws its prey.]

[However, we already know the problem here. She will definitely fall from exhaustion before even being able to deal with 100,000 troops.]

This was a fact that everyone was certain about. Everyone was aware that Ellie would be deposed today. But how would that story unfold? That was when words started to appear above Ellie’s head. Then, a beautiful and divine voice spread in the area.

[The woman wanted to become an emperor that protects her people.]

The players could tell. Only when Ellie was supposed to face a new change would her story appear. The full-fledged story of the Continental Emperor Ellie was about to begin.

Swooooooooosh—

Letters and words continued to appear above Ellie’s head as the divine voice spread out, while she charged and stabbed three of her enemies in one go.

[The woman has never let go of her sword ever since she was a child.]

[Someone said to the woman…]

[You are not fit to be an emperor.]

[You will not be able to become this nation’s pillar.]

[But the woman held onto her sword tightly. Even when her hands bled and got torn. She could not and did not stop.]

Slash, slash, slash, slash, slash, slash—

Huge sword lights broke apart the Luvien Imperial Army’s armors and pierced through their chests. All of the enemies were appalled at the horrifying look in Ellie’s eyes.

Shwaaaaaaaaaaaa—

Ellie raised her sword and flew towards her enemies, her sword ripping the skies.

[Finally, her father recognized her and bestowed upon her the ‘Phoenix’s Sword’ as she became emperor.]

The phoenix was the symbol of Eivelis Empire, it stood for a burning and passionate emperor that would never go down. As for the Phoenix Sword, it was a legendary sword that had been passed down through several generations and went through the hands of several emperors. It was the symbol of Eivelis Empire’s emperor.

[Many were after her life to the point that she had to stay awake every single night.]

Shwaaaaaaaaaaaaa—

“Uwooooooooooooh!”

Ellie pierced through one of the soldier’s chest with her sword. Then, she grabbed him and dug in deeper, allowing her to go faster.

Ping—

Spurt—

The small cuts and injuries that she incurred all over her body stretched out and widened.

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaang—

“Ugh!”

[She survived as an emperor and kept many by her side.]

Ellie flew back after being hit by the mages’ explosive magic. After vomiting a mouthful of blood and staggering back…

Crack, crack, crack—

Crack, crack—

Slash, slash, slash!?

…the Eivelis Empire’s Phoenix Knights ran through the gaps of the enemies and surrounded her, guarding her and protecting her.

“…I told you that those that do not retreat would be given an immediate judgment.”

“…We will gladly accept punishment for our crimes.”

“We will accompany you even to the depths of hell.”

“It was an honor to serve you, my lady Ellie.”

[She was a cold-hearted ruler.]

[But behind that cold-heartedness, somewhere far away from the public’s eye, she had always lived for them.]

[Ellie took in the son of a poor farmer, Luvarc, and made him into the Phoenix Knight Commander of the Eivelis Empire.]

“For Her Majesty!!!”

[A war orphan became a knight and found a new family by her side.]

“Don’t let a single one of their fingers touch Her Majesty!!!”

[Many people gathered around her. She continued to make policies for her people. Because of that, the number of poor decreased and many dream of becoming knights under her rule.]

“Yes, sir!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Yes, sir!”

The Phoenix Knights rode their horses towards the enemies and charged in, even if they knew they were to die an honorable death. Knowing that made Ellie’s heart turn heavy. But they were strong. They were desperate to protect Ellie and would never back down.

[She was their pillar.]

[She was their idol.]

[She was their emperor.]

“Kghhhhk! Don’t let them take a step towards Her Majesty!!!”

“Keuaaaaaaaack!”

The pride and stubbornness to pierce their swords through the hearts of their enemies, even at the risk of their own lives, was something that they had learned from her.

However, everyone knew that the fact that her life story being told here meant that this chapter was about to end.

[But she was lonely.]

[She was able to experience a passionate love with her Imperial Chef, but that love soon left her too.]

[Perhaps it has always been the ‘Phoenix’s Sword’ and the ‘People’ for her.]

Words did not appear for a long time after those phrases flashed.

Everyone held their breaths. Their eyes followed Ellie as she continued to charge towards her enemies. Half a day passed by just like that. And in that time, many players and NPCs tried to break in through the gaps of the enemies to save Ellie.

However…

[The Main Episode is about to begin.]

[Someone has accessed control of the systems!]

Many people, including Beyond the Heavens’ Genie, were shocked. She thought,

‘The system is being controlled when the main episode is about to start…?’

In the first place, Ellie’s deposition might have already gone underway the moment those ‘texts’ appeared.

“Minhyuk, it’s already too late,” Genie bit her lips tightly.

Someday, Minhyuk and Ellie might meet again. Ellie would wander aimlessly and unite the continents. But the workings of the world were uncertain. Perhaps, by that time, Minhyuk was already a chairman and could not play Athenae as freely as he did now. Or perhaps his eating addiction might cause him suffering and prevent him from accessing Athenae.

That was right. Now might be the last time that Minhyuk and Ellie could see each other. But then, at that moment…

“It’s not too late yet, Unnie.”

“…”

…a girl’s beautiful voice rang loudly. That girl was looking at a huge blue barrier that arose from the moment she took control of the system. Her name? Elizabeth, the God of Snakes that had the power to control the system.

***

Joy Co. Ltd. had suddenly become busy.

“We can expect Continental Emperor Ellie’s episode to begin soon!”

“Just like we expected! The scenario is proceeding normally!”

“The signs?”

“Not yet.”

The ‘signs’ that Joy Co. Ltd.’s President Kang Taehoon were the signs of the beginning of the completed episode. The sign was the final phrase that would appear when Ellie’s ‘Phoenix’s Sword’ broke apart into pieces.

President Kang Taehoon looked at Ellie with a bitter expression on her face. Simply put, Ellie’s deposition had already started the moment those words appeared above her head. Soon, she would fall with a sword piercing through her chest, after which, one of the Gods would save her out of pity. According to the story, she was supposed to wander around after being saved by the god.

At that moment, President Kang Taehoon was itching for a cigarette. However, he was able to withstand the urge until he finally arrived in front of Athenae. With a bitter look still hanging on his face, Kang Taehooon asked Athenae, “Is there a chance that the episode will be interrupted?”

He already knew the answer but he still asked. The episode had already begun. In fact, the players and the NPCs’ positions were already being arranged. Asking the probability of things changing when they were already in this situation was truly hope against hope.

[0%]

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Athenae replied firmly.

But then, at that moment…

“What, what the hell?!!!”

“What is this notification?!”

“…?”

A clamor broke out from the outside. Kang Taehoon’s expression turned puzzled. Then, at that moment, the door burst open and Team Leader Park Minggyu came inside.

“President.”

“What’s going…”

Before Kang Taehoon could turn around and finish his question, Athenae said…

[30%. The chances have increased by 30%.]

“What…?” President Kang Taehoon blurted out, disbelief coloring his face.

Then, Athenae said…

[The system is being taken under control.]

“What do you mean? Who in the world…”

[God of Snakes. Elizabeth.]

“…!”

The episode was about to change.

***

Half a day. Ellie had fought the enemies for half a day. None of the Phoenix Knights that charged in to protect her were alive. The Phoenix Knight Commander Luvarc looked at Ellie worriedly until the very end.

Ellie fought until the very end so that their sacrifice would not go to waste. She wanted their deaths to be meaningful, glorious, and honorable. The number of enemies that she cut down?

[Sword Emperor Ellie has created a new legend. Her story of cutting down 600,000 enemies in one go will go down in history and will be sung in tales for a long time to come.]

The phrases, which became dormant for a long time, began to appear above her head again. And the moment she wielded her sword against her enemies…

Clang!!!

The Phoenix’s Sword in her hand broke into pieces. Just like a scene in the movie, everything slowed down in front of Ellie. It could be seen how Joy Co. Ltd. prepared for this with this movie-like scene.

The Phoenix’s Sword symbolized the Eivelis Empire and its emperor. As it shattered, beautiful patterned snow flakes began to fall on the ground, as a pike pierced through the left side of Ellie’s chest.

Stab—

“Urk…!”

Ellie immediately took a step back and twisted the enemy’s neck.

Collapse—

The entire world was filled with countless thoughts as they watched her fall to her knees. The things that she would show them in the near future. When she would show up as the Continental Emperor. Would the Eivelis Empire, the pillar of Asgan Continent, turn into a wasteland after its collapse?

The same thoughts filled Ellie’s mind, a bitter laugh escaping her lips as she thought,

‘I have been swinging a useless sword for the longest time, Father.’

That was right. The Phoenix’s Sword had long lost its power. Was there a sword that could be around for a very long time? Of course there was none. A sword that has been bathed in blood over and over again and kept on being repaired would eventually weaken and lose power.

The Phoenix’s Sword was a sword that has been passed down from one emperor’s hand to another for 500 years. It was a symbol, and a heirloom for the generations of emperors. Still, she did not have any regrets. The people that Ellie cherished dearly would forever live in her heart. Well, there was actually one thing that she found disappointing.

‘That rascal…’

Ellie wanted to see that guy’s face once more, while he was looking or eating delicious food.

One thing that everyone could see here was the fact that Ellie was much stronger than most people think. Would anyone believe that someone like her was wielding only the power that had the strength similar to that of a Unique-ranked sword? Ellie had been able to cut down 600,000 enemy troops with just that sword. Even after it shattered, she continued to swing it because it was the last strand of her pride, and the Eivelis Empire’s pride.

“Hooo…”

It was as cold as winter. Her breath gushed out and bloomed into white smoke in front of her. And right now, one and a half million enemies were pointing their weapons at her. Some of them showed her courtesy by just standing there silently and just observing her. There were some that felt relieved that a monster like her, a fierce beast, had finally collapsed. Each and every single one of them were sporting complex expressions on their faces.

However, there was one thing that was for sure. There were millions of weapons pointing at her. There were 200,000 archers standing as they took aim.

Swooooooosh—

As their bowstrings got pulled tightly, the final chapter of Eivelis Empire’s Empress Ellie began to unfold.

[She broke up with her beloved and ended up being alone.]

[She continued to fight for her empire and her people alone.]

[She took on a lot of things alone.]

[And she remained alone even until the moment she died.]

The words that flashed above her heads made everyone’s hearts pound.

“Fir…!”

Just as a man was about to give the order, the final phrases that would decorate the final moments of Ellie’s life appeared.

[But even though she was alone, she would wander every corner of the world to become the Continental Emperor…]

[Something unexpected has happened!]

[The system is being controlled!]

[The system is being controlled!]

[The system…!]

[The great being that can take control of the system is involved!]

Then, a strange thing happened. The phrases that appeared above Ellie’s head started to disappear and scatter away like sand in the wind as new words appeared above her. That was when a blue barrier was erected around Ellie, and the voice of a man spread out in the area. The voice was something that was easily recognized by everyone. It was the voice of none other than the ‘Food God’.

[But she was not alone.]

[There was always a young man that stood by her side who cared for her, respected her, and loved her dearly.]

[The young man grew up and matured with Ellie’s teachings.]

[The young man became a king with Ellie’s teachings.]

[The young man was the only one that called Ellie his ‘noona’.]

[And the young man cared for her more than anybody else.]

Swooooooosh—

The one and a half million troops were in a buzz. And the commentators from all over the globe were very excited by the sudden changes in the system. Then, the blue barrier that protected Ellie from the one and half a million troops started to melt away. And along with that…

“Kihyeeeeeeeeck!”

“Kyahaaaaaaack!”

“Graaaaaaaaaa!”

“Kihyeeeeeeeeee!”

Hundreds of dragons appeared and covered the skies. Amidst those dragons was Elder Velach, who was descending rapidly. And on his back stood a man, pulling something that was hanging behind his back and wrapped tightly with a cloth. Then…

“Noonaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

…he threw it at Ellie with everything he had. As the item flew to her, the cloth that wrapped around it unraveled. The cloth flapped in the wind as Ellie snatched the item with her hands. It turned out to be a sword.

Grab—!

The moment Ellie grabbed that sword…

[The Main Episode’s direction is being changed!]

[Continental Emperor Ellie’s story might be rewritten right here, on this day!]

Ellie just grabbed the sword and…

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!

…a blast of red energy exploded and devoured 200,000 of the troops that surrounded her.

[Another Continental God, a different Sword God from Sword God Valen, has appeared!]

[Her new name, the name that was being rewritten right at this moment, is Sword God Ellie!]

A new God had descended to the world.