CHAPTER 344: CHAPTER 344 - THE CUNNING LORD STRIKES BACK

Edrik continued calmly, "That kind of ability can only be used when there aren’t many allies nearby. The curse spreads indiscriminately, corrupting any living being caught within its range. Even those with high resistance can suffer backlash if they’re too close. That’s why Morganna works alone when she uses it."

He continued. "it’s a wide-area spell fueled by her blood aura, and it doesn’t distinguish between friend or foe. As for why she only does it at night, it’s because her power draws strength from lunar energy and the shadows themselves. In daylight, her control over the blood essence weakens, making the ability unstable and far more dangerous even to her."

Ember let out a quiet sigh afterward. "I’m sure she could’ve killed them in another way," she said softly. "But she chose this one."

Atlas fell silent. Watching her from the screen, he couldn’t help but think that perhaps Morganna was... enjoying it. The infected turned violently on the survivors, forcing them into a desperate battle against their own comrades. The clash of steel, the screams, the flames. All merged into a nightmarish chaos.

Meanwhile, Morganna hovered high above, wings spread, silently watching the carnage below like a dark goddess of judgment.

Atlas finally spoke. "You should tell your assassin to pull back now, Luna."

Luna nodded slowly. They had already seen enough to understand what was happening there. There was no need to watch it to the end.

They then switched the view to another location. One of the other target islands where the same operation was unfolding that night. There were five targets in total. Morganna had taken the first, which they had just witnessed.

The next belonged to Dullorak. When the screen changed, the scene revealed the man standing atop a high cliff. Around him floated ten severed heads, orbiting his body.

Behind him stood Selvara and five others, all clad in dark robes. Selvara raised her hand toward Dullorak, and the others followed her lead, their palms glowing faintly.

The heads began to spin faster, their eyes burning crimson. A sharp, inhuman scream pierced the night as one of the heads opened its mouth wide, spewing a thick, massive cloud of black smoke that spread rapidly across the area below them. Another head, resembling a dragon, roared before unleashing a torrent of blazing fire. Explosions erupted in rapid succession, shaking the ground.

Then, it was as if hell itself had opened above them. Flames poured down like molten magma, devouring the land below. The night sky turned to blinding light, the inferno’s glow as bright as day.

Even Selvara, who quickly wrapped herself and the others in layers of water aura, struggled to endure the searing heat. Steam hissed around them, and the air shimmered from the intensity. Eventually, they were forced to retreat, slowly stepping back from Dullorak’s terrifying display of power.

"Monster..." Ember muttered quietly after witnessing the devastation. "He’s seriously a monster."

"No," Luna replied with a small teasing smile. "Dullorak’s not a monster. He’s an undead. A headless undead, remember?"

Ember gave her a side glance, lips twitching. "Your joke’s funny, Luna. But hey, Dullorak’s got plenty of heads. You’ve got it wrong."

Luna chuckled softly. "Yes, I suppose I did."

They continued to monitor as the other assaults unfolded across the remaining islands. In one location, Milo, accompanied by Zara and a few others, transformed into Raze, unleashing havoc upon a heavily populated camp all by himself.

Raze moved like a wild beast, unstoppable and merciless. Every strike he delivered tore through his enemies with brutal precision. No matter how many attacked him, he didn’t seem to take any damage at all, his fury only growing stronger with every hit he dealt.

Elsewhere, Krythalis handled his assigned post alone too. Not exactly alone, his vast insect army swarmed the skies, darkening the night as thousands of wings beat in unison. The air shimmered with the faint, eerie glow of his control magic as his creatures descended upon their targets.

And on another island, a larger-scale operation was underway. Orren fought alongside Brigid, Mira, and their respective units. Most of Gacha Haven’s assassins had been deployed that night, carrying out their missions in perfect silence.

The night belonged to them. A night of quiet extermination, where shadows and blood intertwined under the cold gaze of the moon.

"None of the lords were found at any of the five locations we attacked," Edrik said after a moment of silence.

"Yes," Luna replied. "Just as we expected. They’re overly protective of themselves. It’s no surprise they feel so superior to us."

Tessa spoke next. "It’s also possible that we’re not their only enemies. People like them often attract a lot of enemies. Maybe they’ve been targeting weaker groups to avoid risks. But if they misjudge even once, those they consider weak might just turn the tables on them."

"Exactly," Ember added with a faint smirk. "Like what’s happening now. Picking a fight with Atlas was their biggest mistake. They thought they were clever, playing their little games in the shadows. But they’ve forgotten who truly deserves the title of the most cunning lord."

Atlas glanced at her, his expression unreadable at the mention of his new title. "I’m only this cunning so our alliance can win."

"Don’t use the alliance as your excuse, Atlas," Ember replied with a teasing smile. "You know, watching all this is actually quite entertaining." She let out a soft giggle, her eyes glinting playfully.

The Nimbus Carriage continued speeding through the night until it neared a floating island in the distance. When they were close enough, the group leapt out swiftly, landing on Atlas’s floating throne midair.

The flying throne shot forward at high speed while Edrik cloaked their position in the sky, a barrier wrapping around them to keep their presence completely hidden from anyone below.

Before long, they reached a range of tall hills. From above, Atlas could clearly see dozens of tents scattered across the high ground, guarded by several soldiers standing watch outside. Similar to the other camps they had seen from the screen.

The floating throne came to a stop, hovering quietly above the encampment. Atlas gazed downward, his sharp eyes noticing the subtle shift in the soldiers’ movements. They were suddenly becoming alert.

"It seems they’ve already received word that other lords in their alliance were attacked elsewhere," Ember said softly.

Luna nodded. "This time, I’m sure of it, Atlas. The lord is here."

Atlas turned his eyes toward Edrik.

The man gave a slight bow. "Master Kurogasa has been on this island since noon, and yes. Bolin is down there."

Atlas nodded slowly. He began equipping his full armor and summoned his Wavebreaker Spear.

Tessa and Elyndra readied themselves beside him. Luna too stepped forward, her hands beginning to glow as she prepared her spell.

"Atlas, I’ll apply my Celestial Vanguard Transformation on you," she said. "You’ll get a boost from this."

Atlas glanced at her briefly. "Can I at least choose the outfit design? Make it black and blue. And not too flashy and shiny like those magical girls in your unit."

Luna raised an eyebrow, her voice firm. "Do you want it or not, Atlas?"

"Yes, please, Lady Luna," he replied finally.