Chapter 956

The disgusting smell of liquor and the countless empty bottles rolling around on the ground made Duke Vlad turn silent for a moment upon entering Nerva Sephiroth’s bedroom. However, his expression remained unfazed and expressionless as he began to report to Nerva.

“Your Majesty, our Luvien Empire has hunted more than 2,000 of Helenia’s Fragments while the Beyond the Heavens Empire was only able to manage to hunt around 400.”

Nerva, who listened to Duke Vlad’s report with half-open eyes, raised the liquor bottle in his hands.

“Oho. That’s excellent news. It seems like this emperor will finally be able to become the true descendant of the Battle God, huh? Fufufufufufufu!” He laughed like a maniac as he took another swig from the bottle.

“However, based on the information we have received, it seems like the Beyond the Heavens Empire has been lying in wait in the place where Helenia is slumbering to hunt the fragments.”

“So what?! I will be the Battle God anyway!”

“I believe that we should be mindful of the what-ifs. I want to lead the Swords of the Gods and go there.”

In other words, Duke Vlad wanted to interfere with the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

“I know, I know. We should, we really should. Since Duke Vlad will be the one going, I can trust and leave the matter to you.”

Just when Duke Vlad was about to bow and leave, Nerva staggered to his feet and said, “However, I believe the Beyond the Heavens Empire had received the support of the masses. Do you still think it’s okay to do that?”

“...”

Duke Vlad understood what the drunk Nerva was concerned about. If they genuinely went with this, the Luvien Empire would be drowned in spit while the Beyond the Heavens Empire would be heaped with praises.

The Beyond the Heavens Empire was doing this not solely for their good but for the good of everyone. What would happen if the Luvien Empire appeared and interfered with what they were doing? If Helenia descended with her full powers in ten months because of this, then it would still be very hard for the powerful Luvien Empire to survive.

Duke Vlad’s expression changed. He said, “Before worrying about all that, it is better to ensure that Your Majesty becomes the Battle God first.”

It was like Duke Vlad was saying,

‘I will give you the position you have been coveting for so long, so just shut up and do as I say.’

Nerva, who looked suspicious earlier, clapped, shouting loudly, “Right! That’s right! I just need to become the Battle God! Fufufufufu!”

A faint smile appeared on Duke Vlad’s face when he saw Nerva laughing maniacally.

“Aaah. I shouldn’t miss this historic moment, no?”

Duke Vlad’s brows furrowed slightly when he heard that.

“I’ll go with you too.”

“Your Majesty, you’re very intoxicated.”

“I’m quite sober, though?” Nerva said, trying to stand still to pretend that he was fine. However, he still ended up stumbling on his feet. “Let me get my armor and my sword. Ah, I can finally see the ugly and wretched expression of the Beyond the Heavens’ emperor!”

“...I see.” Duke Vlad shook his head as his face grew expressionless once again.

Thud–

Nerva spat the liquor in his mouth on the floor, wiped the foolish smile off his face as he stood in perfect balance, and glared sharply at the closed doors.

Although Duke Vlad did not show any signs, Nerva could tell that the man was highly uncomfortable when he learned that the Beyond the Heavens Empire would block and hunt Helenia’s Fragments. Why? Was it because he was an extreme loyalist who wanted to see him become the Battle God?

No, there was something far more important than that. If Helenia descended completely ten months later, the one most likely to be targeted would be the strongest empire in existence, the Luvien Empire.

‘What in the world are you hiding from me?’

Rålszd’s final wish for him had been unexpected.

–

I hope you can smile brightly.

And Nerva, who had been wallowing in despair while pondering over his beloved subordinate’s words, finally overcame his grief. It had been a few days since Nerva had last sipped alcohol. Compared to a few days ago, he could make rational judgments.

Not long after, the maid brought over Nerva’s sword and armor.

***

Alexander, who watched Helenia’s Fragments charge forward like crazy, triggered his Weapon Explosion. Spears, swords, daggers, greatswords, arrows, axes, and iron maces sprang out and surrounded him. Then, one of the spears shot forward and stabbed through the head of one of the fragments at the vanguard before exploding.

Baaaaaaaaaang–!

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud–!

Like a chain reaction, explosions erupted as the hundreds of weapons pierced Helenia’s Fragments. Alexander, who was confident that the aftermath of his Weapon Explosion was enough to kill almost a third of the fragments here, smiled faintly.

[Helenia’s magic has been triggered.]

[Helenia’s Barrier is protecting her fragments!]

[The HP of all of Helenia’s Fragments has been restored!]

“...!” Alexander’s expression grew ugly when he saw a red barrier appear to protect the bodies of the fragments.

This meant that Alexander’s Weapon Explosion had been used in vain. The worst part? The ones that received the damage from the attacks that Ares, Khan, and Ascar had inflicted had recovered, too.

‘It seems like what we have been worried about has become a reality.’

Helenia’s magic was protecting her fragments. This meant that there was also a high chance that her magic might interfere and attack the Beyond the Heavens Empire members and the rest of the people present here at any given moment. But the worst was not yet over.

[Helenia has bestowed her blessings upon her fragments!]

[The level of Helenia’s Fragments has increased by 5%!]

[All of the abilities and unique characteristics of Helenia’s Fragments will increase to match their levels!]

[The defensive power of Helenia’s Fragments has increased by 30%!]

[Helenia’s Protection has been triggered!]

[There is a 20% chance of the invincible barrier being triggered to protect the fragments!]

Everyone’s expression grew ugly when they heard the notifications.

The viewers and commentators watching the scene all sighed when they saw this. The fragments’ level was already high at around Level 620 on average.

But now? Their levels had increased by 5%. This meant that their average level would be at around Level 650. There weren’t even any players that had reached Level 650 as of the moment. NPCs that had exceeded this level were also quite rare. Then, their defensive power increased by 30%. Worse, the Beyond the Heavens Empire only had around 300 men present at most.

However, it wasn’t as if the Beyond the Heavens Empire did not expect this to happen.

𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Bright light spread from the tip of the staff in the hands of Golden Mage Ali, the greatest mage among the players, as he summoned a disaster in the skies above them. Dozens of gigantic meteors appeared and gathered with a wave of Ali’s hand as he triggered the power that forced God of Shields Valentino’s HP down to zero in just an instant.

“Magic Compression.”

A gigantic meteor fell upon the running fragments.

Baaaaaaaaaang–!

Even though their defensive power had increased by 30%, the attack seemed to have inflicted considerable damage on the fragments.

As for Minhyuk? He stood still and waited by the walls of the fortress.

[The number of Helenia’s Fragments that the Beyond the Heavens Empire has hunted has reached 370!]

[...Helenia’s Fragments that the Beyond the Heavens Empire...reached 371!]

[...Helenia’s Fragments that the Beyond the Heavens Empire...reached 372!]

[...Helenia’s Fragments that the Beyond the Heavens Empire...reached 393!]

[...Helenia’s Fragments that the Beyond the Heavens Empire...reached 398!]

With the Beyond the Heavens Empire’s high rankers triggering their pinnacle skills, they rapidly closed the gap with the Luvien Empire.

Rumble–!

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom–!

A thick cloud of dust covered the entire area as explosions erupted.

However, despite the joint efforts by the Beyond the Heavens Empire’s top rankers, it was still quite challenging for them to hunt the fragments, whose defensive power had increased by 30%.

There was also the absolutely invincible barrier, which only had a 20% chance of getting triggered. It appeared occasionally and reduced the amount of damage that the fragments received.

[Helenia is calling for her fragments!]

“Graaaaaaaaaaaa!” One of the fragments roared wildly. The fragment, which was in the form of the gigantic black-furred wolf, grew even fiercer as its eyes turned red.

[The fragments’ AGI has increased by 1.2x!]

Most of the fragments were already moving at an extremely high speed. But now? They grew more agile and took several detours to evade the Beyond the Heavens Empire members that blocked their path. After all, their numbers were far higher than their enemies.

“...!”

“...!”

Everyone groaned. They had gathered here to prevent them from entering the fortress and reaching the slumbering Helenia.

Dash, dash, dash– Dash, dash, dash–!

The wolf-shaped fragment increased its speed and charged forward like crazy while the rest moved agilely and evaded those who blocked their path so they could reach the fortress gates as quickly as possible.

Even so, Minhyuk remained standing still and did not make any moves. He just watched them atop the walls.

“Roaaaaaaaar!” The wolf roared as it jumped toward the gates.

However, something fell from the sky and moved faster than the wolf. This gigantic existence that was made of solid iron was none other than the Transcendental’s Armored Weapon, the armored weapon that Ethan was piloting.

Slaaaash–!

The Transcendental’s Armored Weapon, which performed splendidly under the hands of Ethan, immediately pressed down the wolf.

“

Hing! Hing!

”

Ethan maneuvered the armored weapon and threw the wolf to the sky. Then, he raised the gigantic greatsword and cut the fragment in two.

Minhyuk looked indifferently at the fragments running everywhere and slowly raised his hand. He then swung his hand down.

Staaaaaaab–!

A spear shot out from one of the siege weapons on the walls and pierced through the body of a fragment shaped like a mantis. The force of the spear sent the fragment flying back until it got stuck in the tree.

Staaaaaaaab–!

“Kihyeeeeeeck!”

Gigantic spears shot out from the siege weapons mounted on the walls of the fortress, stabbing the fragments that evaded the members of the Beyond the Heavens Empire and keeping them in check.

However, as Minhyuk watched the battlefield, he could not help but feel something strange. He saw the jewels, which were supposed to grow larger the more people they had killed, fall from the fragments that had died.

[Helenia is calling for her fragments!]

[Helenia is calling for her fragments!]

[Helenia...fragments!]

Minhyuk turned to look at the fortress where Helenia was slumbering when he heard the notifications ring non-stop. Like before, the fragments seemed to have been injected with something as they roared and charged forward like crazy.

“Kihyaaaaaack!”

“Kihyeeeeeeck!”

“

Click, click, click, click–!

”

“Keuhaaaaaack!”

Despite the rain of attacks sent by the Beyond the Heavens Empire, the fragments continued to charge recklessly forward. They moved as if they could not feel pain and continued moving faster. From what Minhyuk could see, they had grown twice as fast as their original speed.

In just a blink, the fragments, which moved like a tidal wave, bypassed the Beyond the Heavens Empire members and approached the fortress's walls.

“Damn it!”

“Shit!”

None of them could catch up with the fragments’ speed.

Guarding the gate, Ethan jumped and slashed the fragments at the forefront of the wave of monsters.

Shwaaaaaa–!

Slash, slash, slash, slash, slash–!

But even though Ethan cut them down with his greatsword, kicked him with his fee,t and used the body of his armored weapon to block their charge, it was still not enough.

In the end, the fragments reached the fortress's gates. One gate looked like an ordinary wooden gate. With the fragments' size, speed, and power, one could immediately tell that this gate would be broken in just five seconds.

[It’s over.]

[They weren’t enough to stop Helenia’s Fragments.]

People from all over the world sighed when they heard the commentators’ words.

[It’s over...]

[Even if Minhyuk used all of his pinnacle skills, there would still be at least around 30% of fragments that would return to Helenia’s arms. Perhaps he’s not making a move even now because they planned to have his guild members shave off most of the fragments’ HP so that he could sweep them away with his AOE attack skills.]

[But the fragments’ speed, strength, and defensive power are far too excellent. They will never be able to protect that gate.]

[Is this going to be the end?]

[Everything was in vain.]

[Ha...]

But while everyone was shouting,

‘Why aren’t you doing anything?!’

in their heads, Minhyuk continued to watch the fragments. So, why was Minhyuk not doing anything? It was because he was waiting for his turn.

The average level of the fragments after they received the buff from Helenia almost exceeded Level 650. With the 30% increase in defensive power and the barrier effect, they could be considered Level 680 boss monsters based on their defense alone. Furthermore, there were around 4,000 fragments, and only 300 people participated in the battle. The numbers were just far too unfavorable to them.

Minhyuk could draw several simulations of all the situations that could happen just by looking at the area's topography. By using those simulations, he could create a plan.

They had prepared something to kill all of them as they gathered in one place, one of hundreds of plans that the Beyond the Heavens Empire had prepared.

The members of the Beyond the Heavens Empire quickly moved into position. As they watched the flood of fragments charged toward the gates, they began executing one of the hundreds of plans they had in mind.

Flash–!

The idol of all tankers, one of the few players that had risen and taken over the position of a god, flew from the walls of the fortress.

The experts discussed Valentino and the new skills that he had obtained by becoming a god.

[His shield will be at least 1.5x stronger and sturdier than before he inherited the position of god.]

[We haven’t seen him use his newly acquired skills.]

[But as far as we know, there’s a God-rank skill among those skills. As someone who has inherited the God of Shields's position, the shield he obtained would definitely be invincible.]

Valentino held the gigantic square shield with both hands as he landed before the frantically charging fragments. Then, he showed the world the power of the true God of Shields.

“Shield’s Charge!”

This was Valentino’s pinnacle skill, a power fused with the God of Shield’s most incredible skill, Bentino’s Walls. Like Bentino’s Walls, his shield grew until it was as huge as a wall.

Rumble–!

Thud! Thud, thud, thud, thud– Thud, thud, thud–!

The charging fragments collided with Valentino’s wall-like shield. But surprisingly enough, Valentino was not pushed back in the slightest despite the frantic charge of the fragments.

All the commentators and viewers were shocked by the incredible sight. However, their shock grew even deeper as they watched Valentino flex his muscles and shout, “Hyaaaaaaaa!!!”

The Shield’s Charge was a skill that allowed Valentino to charge forward while holding his shield. This power allowed him to instantly send the fragments that collided with his walls seventy meters away from him.

Valentino was an ill-tempered player who did not have a shred of kindness in his body. His arrogance, which knew no bounds, made him gain anti-fans from all over the world. Even so, there was one undeniable fact. Valentino was the greatest tanker in the world. And currently, he was paving the path and leading the players in creating their future. Valentino was a hero.