CHAPTER 544: CHAPTER 489: 2 MONTHS LATER_2

On the sea, there was even a "Galliot-type" heavy cruiser sent by the Kingdom. Although the plans were only received at the end of last year, with the help of Wizards from the Alchemy School, the first prototype ship had already been successfully launched, arriving at the Southern Continent to provide reinforcements.

In fact, if Aiven’s newly "invented" iron-ribbed wooden ship technology were used, it could greatly shorten the drying time of the ribs, and with the steam drying of the ship planks, the production cycle of a warship could be shortened from years to just a few months.

Without the need for the Alchemists’ assistance, it could be mass-produced quickly.

This battle also served as a real-world sea trial.

On land, the Oyo People, supported by the alliance’s new firearms, Wizards, and elite forces, advanced with unstoppable momentum.

Originally, the Oyo People primarily practiced pastoralism alongside agriculture. Leveraging the wealth brought by continental trade and the high-quality warhorses sold to Oyo by the Heimar merchants, they could organize elite shock cavalry.

Assisted by their unique Extraordinary Profession, [Yoruba Heavy Swordsmen]

They were equipped with large shields, swords, and spears. The shields were 1.2 meters long and 0.6 meters wide, covered with the hide of the demonized long-tusked elephant, capable of resisting arrows and bullets.

Since they were called Heavy Swordsmen, each of them was, of course, a master of swordsmanship. The near-square heavy swords, 0.9 meters long, were wielded with mastery in their hands.

Typically, they carried three javelins each, capable of three rounds of gold-splitting, rock-cracking throws at a distance of 30 paces.

Meanwhile, the Oyo People also embraced martial prowess nationwide, viewing victory in battle as a matter of course. In the event of a setback, the leading General would commit suicide in apology. Dahomey was the only one around capable of giving them a taste of defeat.

After many years of fighting, they knew their arch-nemesis Dahomey very well, with predetermined solutions for the Reanimated Corpses, Mysterious Spirits, and Voodoo Dolls.

Even before the arrival of colonialists from the Old Continent, Oyo and Dahomey had been at odds, with victories and defeats on both sides, yet neither could obliterate the other, demonstrating the balance of power between them.

After nearly two months of fierce fighting, they finally broke into the Dahomey Royal Capital, "Great Adela."

After the Rose Sword Saint took down the opponent’s peak force.

The ordinary soldiers had entered the fray.

Here, Knights, Yoruba Heavy Swordsmen, Alchemy School Wizards, Dahomey Female Warriors, Spiritual Warriors, and Voodoo Black Witches among other Extraordinary Professions clashed in a melee.

With victory in sight for one side and no chance of retreat for the other, they were in a do-or-die situation.

However, as the war had progressed to this point, Dahomey’s elite forces had been nearly depleted in previous skirmishes. In the eyes of the Tulip Officers and the Oyo People, their resistance now was nothing but a final desperate struggle.

The fiercest resistance was before the throne of King Agoli Agbo of Dahomey.

Boom——

The heavy axe-gun with golden inlays shattered the polished marble floor within a three-meter radius.

In the flying sand and shaken earth, a muscular arm wielded the hundred-kilogram axe-gun as if it were a light straw, executing a flawless sweeping motion.

The violent turbulence tore apart the already pitted stone slabs, transforming the debris into a storm of dirt and stones, as potent as bullets.

As the opponent dodged, the heavy axe-gun transformed sword techniques with swift precision into an upward slash, aiming to disembowel the foe.

Swoosh——!

A figure in a captain’s cloak nimbly dodged, landing tiptoed on the axe-gun’s blade, standing steadily.

[Secret Technique: Instant Flash]

Having fought through the Guard Army with only his sword, Aiven surveyed the last opponent defending the King.

She was a typical Dahomey Female Warrior, yet she wore a jeweled Golden Crown of Old Continent style, and a finely crafted battle skirt woven with gold threads and plant fibers.

Her features were exquisite, with countless small braids tied in her hair. Although her skin was still very dark, it shone like a black pearl, her graceful muscles resembling a sleek black panther.

Furthermore, her skin was adorned with geometric patterns reflecting a silver luminescence, exuding an exotic and mysterious beauty.

She was a Tier 3 Extraordinary [Female Priest], taking on some priestly duties within the Dahomey Female Warriors, alongside [Elephant Hunters] and [Skull Hunters].

Judging by her attire, she was likely the Queen Plaka of Dahomey mentioned in intelligence reports.

Even by Nimansite standards, she was undeniably a rare beauty.

"What a shame... she’s about to die soon."

This powerful female warrior didn’t consider her opponent’s thoughts.

Her axe blade suddenly flipped, transforming into a fierce storm cutting towards Aiven, covering him from every direction.

Within the small area, shadows flickering with electric light deflected the raging slashes one by one.

Female Priest Plaka furrowed her brow, unleashing her ultimate power.

Boom! Boom! Boom!...

Suddenly, orange-red cannon fire flickered from the axe-gun.

Illusory projectiles fired in rapid succession from the gunpoint, unleashing a point-blank bombardment at Aiven with a single axe-gun.

[Ability: Axe-Gun Linked Cannon]

The Tier 3 core ability [Fantasy Weapon]: it could imbue any weapon with the traits and functions of any other weapon. Swords, spears, bows, firearms, cannons—none were beyond its reach.

With the scent of singed hair curling at his nose, Aiven noticed the surrounding sounds of battle cries gradually fading. His slender rapier, shimmering like snowlight, trailed with white mist. In a series of quick motions, "Clang, Clang, Zing," the axe-gun was severed after three strikes.

"Ah!"

Taking advantage of the momentum, he thrust his sword through the female warrior’s right lung. With a cry of lament, the [Divine Power] and Sword Qi ravaged her wound, temporarily incapacitating her.

"Long live General Galliot!"

"Ha ha ha..."

The mass of Oyo soldiers who had fought their way here cheered and were about to swarm this honorable Queen.

In this world, no allies are perfectly just. The greed in these people’s eyes was barely concealed.

They coveted the Queen’s beauty, noble status, and formidable strength... In the slave-dominated Southern Continent, she was the perfect slave candidate and trophy.

It wasn’t hard to guess her fate once taken by the Oyo People.

Sighing softly, standing beside her, Aiven lowered his gaze, murmuring in Hilus:

"Die like a warrior!"

In the incredulous eyes of those Oyo soldiers.

Thunk!

The piercing Sword Qi in his hand shattered her heart.

"Thank you."

Plaka uttered her first and last words to Aiven.

Only then did Aiven notice that King Agoli Agbo, dressed no differently from a Nimansite noble, had stabbed an ivory-handled dagger into his chest and had been dead for some time.

He retained the dignity of a monarch.

Since they chose to appeal to Hilus and turn against the Kingdom, their fate was sealed.

All Aiven had to do was to grow stronger, to make the Kingdom prosper and to bear its weight, so as to avert similar fates.

Without further delay, Aiven turned and walked away.

Thick swarms of soldiers followed him.

At the gates of the palace, they too joined the ranks of those taking part in this struggle.

Thus, the capital bid its farewell, and so too did Dahomey.

At the palace gates, having also joined the fight was the Queen of Plaka.

Olivia.

"""