CHAPTER 1609: STATUE OF THE SILENT CONSORT

Rex stopped to look skyward for a moment, contemplating.

There are three layers to form a complete Original Echo—in my case, the Blood Moon Echo. Blood is the catalyst to form the first layer, and also the other two layers. Aiming to complete only one isn’t fitting for such a perfect opportunity.

It would be a waste to only aim for one layer.

At least, he should complete two layers since time wasn’t on his side in the first place.

According to the System, the demand for blood lessens with each completed layer since, in order to form an Original Echo, one must start at the very core of the Echo. The first one would require an enormous amount—more than any of the others. After that, it supposedly gets easier. So, the first layer... that’s the real trial.

Rex narrowed his eyes as if the answer was written in the darkened sky.

System... If I complete the first Chain Sudden Quest, will that be enough to finish the first layer?

Notice: It depended entirely on the Voidal Monsters’ size as blood is the catalyst. Assuming the size of the Voidal Monsters averages at the size of a Giga Skull Crusher, completing the Chain Sudden Quest will only amount to roughly 40% completion.

If used along with the Immortal Blood Pool, it would amount to roughly 55%.

A frown creased his face.

Killing tens of thousands of Voidal Monsters and using their blood to supplement the first layer wasn’t even enough to complete the first layer. Not to mention, that’s taking into account that all of them are the size of a Giga Skull Crusher, which was easily the size of a tank placed vertically. Most of the Voidal Monsters are probably going to be snakes, and they hardly have blood.

Rex exhaled through his nose, fretting about the situation.

He could focus solely on the stronger Voidal Monsters—their blood was undoubtedly more potent, more worth it for forming the first layer—but even then, he wasn’t confident it would be enough. Heck, I’ll be lucky if I complete the first layer at this rate.

But then, the worry was flushed out of his features.

It was almost as if the switch inside him had been flipped as a realization struck him.

I see how it is... The System always operated that way. It always gave me the answer to the question I asked exactly, so the phrasing matters. I only asked for a way to create an Original Echo, but I didn’t ask how I can quicken the process.

Rex smiled inwardly.

Since he now had a lot of gold in his pocket, he could probably buy any information he needed.

System, how do I quicken this Original Echo creating process?

Does the user want to purchase the information for 1 million gold?

Yes.

Affirmative.

To hasten the process, the user can absorb other Echoes, but it has to be Unique Echoes.

The user can only offer up to three Echoes as sacrifices to the Original Echo. A limit that, once reached, cannot be undone. To do this, the user must use the Original Echo to influence the targeted Unique Echo to open up its defense and guide its transformation. Once aligned, the Unique Echo would then absorb as much blood as possible before it’s finally merged into the Original Echo.

Rex read through the answer and nodded.

As expected, there was a way—the System always has a way for him to achieve his goals.

"Unique Echo, huh... That’s going to be tough to find," Rex shook his head, remembering how he used the selection ticket for others. Then, he scanned the area around him. "I doubt the Voidal Monsters we’re going to face have one. Regular soldiers wouldn’t have something like that. There’s only one group I can think of that might..."

"Sir Rex...?"

A voice seeped from behind.

Rex already knew that someone was approaching his way, but there was no malice from this person.

So, he paid this person no mind.

But as it turns out, this person was approaching him.

Rex turned around and saw a man wearing the same exact armor as the other soldiers in the city.

One thing that he wore differently was the white arming scarf around his neck—that serves more of a decorative item than armor. His face was smooth, no sign of any battle scar or hardened look of someone who had gone through countless battles.

"Yes? Do you need something from me?" Rex raised a brow—his face remaining neutral.

"Let me introduce myself," The soldier said, scratching the back of his head with a sheepish smile. "I’m Ethan—captain of the legion you’ll be leading. I’m here to assist you throughout the mission, help you adjust, and show you around... and serve as your second-in-command."

Rex listened to him with a blank face.

Even when Ethan finished, Rex remained fixated on him.

He scanned Ethan up and down and then tilted his head.

"Is this supposed to be a joke?"

"A joke?"

Rex turned his body to face Ethan.

Then, he crossed his arms and looked at Ethan directly in the eyes.

"You look young. You don’t look like a captain, don’t act like one, and frankly, you barely even carry yourself like a soldier. There’s no fire in your eyes—that tells me you’re inexperienced," Rex said, his voice turning cold and cutting. "I meant it exactly as I said. Is this some kind of joke?"

Hearing this, Ethan’s smile cracked.

Every single word that came out of Rex’s mouth was akin to a dagger into his chest.

He was brutally honest.

Realizing the problem, Ethan immediately straightened his posture and saluted like a real soldier.

’I heard he’s a new knight... I didn’t expect him to be this strict.’ Ethan smiled acutely, remaining stiff in his saluting posture as if his face depended on it. "I apologize for the unsightly sight, Sir! But this is not a joke. I’m telling the truth!"

Rex frowned as this kind of person wasn’t what he expected to meet.

He expected someone capable, not a brat.

"Who sent you?"

"Lady Mira asked me to accompany you, Sir!"

"Mira?"

Rex massaged his forehead.

I did ask Mira to gather a few soldiers for me to work with, and I understand the request came suddenly, barely had any time to prepare. But this...? Ethan? How am I supposed to work with someone like him? An amateur through and through.

Not even entertaining this any longer, Rex walked past Ethan without saying a single word.

He was heading to where the commotion was originating from.

People grunting and yelling, which should be where the legions and the other knights were gathered.

Ethan turned around and looked at Rex’s back in puzzlement.

Ethar stood frozen as Rex walked away, his boots tapping sharply against the cobblestone street.

Instinctively, the young captain turned slowly, watching Rex’s back grow smaller with distance as well as sheer indifference. He blinked. Once. Twice. His mouth opened, then closed again like an actual fish, not knowing what to do.

Rex didn’t say a single word.

Just walked off as if Ethan weren’t worth the air between them.

"Am I supposed to follow him? Stay put? Vanish and reevaluate my choices?" He whispered wryly.

Ethan took a tentative step forward.

Then stopped.

Took another.

Froze again.

He looked around, hoping someone might whisper the answer to this strange riddle.

But no one did.

"Ah, fuck it," He huffed and jogged after Rex, armor clinking with every step.

Was it the right move to follow Rex? He didn’t know. Does he want to follow Rex? Probably not.

But at least he was moving.

Along the way, Ethan explained to Rex about the situation.

Due to the area they needed to cover, basically circling the Voidal Monarch, they needed a lot of people who could fight off any Voidal Monsters that the Voidal Monarch produced. And thus, there will be ten legions that will be deployed.

Rex’s legion was under them, and also the lesser numbered.

It wasn’t a surprise since he was not known, and also hadn’t formed a legion of his own.

Of course, he wasn’t planning on making one, but this is one of the disadvantages of being a new knight.

"Fortunately, there are still a thousand of us," Ethan said, keeping pace with Rex’s steps. "Five hundred of them come directly from Duke Lorrcan’s forces, so they should follow your lead without a problem—assuming you were well-liked back in your own territory."

He stole a quick glance at Rex’s face, trying to read his mood before continuing.

"As for the other half... they’ll be tougher to manage. You’ll need to do something." He added.

Rex listened to him without saying a single word.

Frankly, he already knew what he needed to do even before Ethan said anything.

Respect is the utmost currency in a military setting.

Rex knew that dearly, one of the obscure things he learned from being in the military himself.

None of his officers cracked even in the face of a dangerous situation, and always handled matters with strong conviction, which made the soldiers respect them. And naturally, Rex has to do that too. But I need to have their attention first before that.

Displaying strength should do the trick.

The Spirit Realm is the same as the Mortal Realm, a strength-based, unforgiving world.

So, it wouldn’t be hard for him to earn their respect.

However, what stopped Rex was the fact that he needed to find the one traitor among them.

If I came on too strong, the sheep would retreat into hiding. And even if it didn’t shy away, coming out too forcefully would likely offend the other knights and stir up chaos. In that chaos, the sheep would be stoked and wouldn’t show itself. But if I came across someone too weak, it would simply ignore me.

Rex wanted to earn the soldiers’ respect and find the culprit at the same time.

But he needed to think of a way to do that effectively.

Going in spontaneously would not work this time; he needed to be strategic.

Just as he made a turn to reach an open space prepared to host the legions, he stopped and looked up.

Rex was greeted by a massive structure that was attached to the walls; it was a statue that was at least ten stories in height, carved with a mixture of stone and gold. It loomed like a divine sentine, a divine woman with ten feathered wings and a golden sword-lance in her hand, pointing skyward.

She depicted the sword of heaven, unflinching against the darkness.

For a second there, Rex stopped to inspect the statue.

She loomed like a divine sentinel over the city, carved from pale stone yet gilded with reverence.

Behind her were ten golden wings, each feather gleaming like blades of sanctity.

Upon closer look, Rex realized that there were wounds on her wings—and the top edges were tainted with blackness that seemed to be weighing down on her shoulders. The wings extended in perfect symmetry, five on each side, arching outward and then folding inward, forming a celestial crown.

From the people surrounding the statue, clearly, it was no ordinary statue.

It was a monument.

A massive angelic effigy was fused into the outer walls of the city itself.

Its body leaned forward as if peering down upon the people. Its expression was stern, eyes cast in silent judgment, yet not without a hint of sorrow carved into its stone lips. One arm held the sword-lance, the other outstretched as if embracing the entire world or holding something heavy.

None could say for certain.

At its feet, where the stone met the cobbled plaza, fresh flowers had been carefully arranged.

The base overflowed with offerings—wild blossoms, woven garlands, and tokens of gratitude.

Some soldiers came seeking protection, others gave thanks for deliverance.

Rex’s pupils trembled at the sight of this statue.

Not because it awed him in a good way, but because this statue eerily resembled the monsters that were running rampant in the Mortal Realm. "An Angel...? Are there Angels in this realm?"