CHAPTER 1003: CHAPTER 522: BREAKING THROUGH THE SIEGE OF FATE (PART 1)

"Humanity will endure forever."

"Let’s go!"

——

The team marched grandly out of the canyon between two immense barren mountains, arriving upon this boundless wilderness.

Rod turned back to look, the towering mountains and canyon stretched endlessly beyond sight.

They flew the whole way, never leaving the mountains and canyon.

This must be what they referred to as the special route.

Otherwise, Trolian could never have found Sagus Ancient City.

Eight thousand kilometers, that’s beyond Trolian’s exploration limits.

In such a deep dark place, the Black Fog is exceedingly thick.

A strong pollution aura hit them, causing Rod to feel somewhat unwell.

The group’s lamps were all held by the Bishop, these were specially crafted Spirit Lamps, lit not with Residual Glow but Residual Fire. The power of the fire emanated outward, enveloping the team, but the powerful Black Fog compressed the firelight’s range to the edges of the team, any slight carelessness and it would touch them.

Rod felt briefly, then saw humanity rapidly declining, his fingertips already stained black, if looked closely, one could see boiling small black insects jumping on the fingertips.

"They are already nearing the level of Black Water."

Rod’s tone was very grave. Black Water is the derivative second only to Source Black Fog, with extremely strong pollution and corrosion ability, and it does the most harm to fire.

He searched for a moment with his sight, and indeed saw the congealed Black Water.

Olivia solemnly said, "This is a place eight thousand kilometers from the Royal City, belonging to the deep reaches of the Dark World. According to our practice, the further from the Royal City, the thicker the Black Fog."

Rod asked in surprise, "Is this due to the influence of the Holy Fire?"

Olivia glanced at him.

"Of course, what else could affect the Black Fog besides the Holy Fire?"

Professor Bins said, "Fire and Black Fog are like light and shadow, the stronger the light, the fainter the shadow. The closer to the Holy Fire, the weaker the Black Fog; the further from the Holy Fire, the stronger the Black Fog. This should be easy to understand."

Rod nodded slightly: "I wanted to ask, does its influence have limits?"

Olivia briefly answered: "So far, we’ve found no limits."

Rod said incredulously: "So you’re saying the Holy Fire’s influence range is at least eight thousand kilometers... Even before it was enhanced, and surely larger after enhancement."

Professor Bins softly said: "Little Rod, in the Dark World, Black Fog is like an endless ocean, Holy Fire is like a bottomless whirlpool, the sea level near it will lower."

Rod frowned: "Then we are the center of the whirlpool."

"Exactly."

Professor Barrett replied.

"The moment the Holy Fire ignites, we become the center of the whirlpool. Those who surrender or shrink away are complete trash, no matter how they hide it’s useless."

Olivia sighed lightly, "Little Rod, this was originally planned to be told to you after you returned to the Royal City."

Rod looked at her: "What do you mean?"

Olivia’s expression grew serious.

"Since you realized it, let me briefly explain, it’s mainly about the responsibilities of Special Level Combatants."

"You’ve already learned the Holy Fire’s range is extremely large, so you can guess within this range the monsters could be alarmed by the breath of fire, rushing towards its source."

"This is an unconscious action, monsters will wander towards it, it has no inherent meaning, it’s merely instinct."

"You should know the most serious problem Trolian faces is the invasion by King Level Monsters."

"Combat targeting King Level Monsters is called the campaign of kingslaying, but with our strength, kingslaying campaigns cannot occur frequently."

"Guarding against King Level Monsters, keeping them from getting close to Trolian, is the principal responsibility of Special Level Combatants."

"Our combat locations are usually very far, like the Giant Tower, the Dragon Tomb, the Giant Dragon Great Wall. Due to being too deep in darkness, we often fight alone, without aid or support."

"But that’s the mission of Special Level Combatants, and the reason for our elevated status."

Olivia looked at Rod.

"Though you’ve become the Fire Son, having a title doesn’t mean having power. You have a long way to go to take on this responsibility."

Rod clenched his fist: "I understand! I eagerly await the moment to fight alongside you and share the duty of guarding Trolian. Push me further! I can’t wait any longer!"

Olivia did not reply, but there was a brilliant moonlight flickering in her eyes, seemingly overflowing with anticipation.

She led the team down from the mountain, arriving at the front of Sagus City.

From the front, this ancient city is vast and ancient, standing in darkness, full of eerie and horrifying aura.

"Enter from here."

Olivia pointed to a section of collapsed city wall not far away.

"Based on last time’s experience, this area should be free of monsters, we can rest inside a bit, then officially start searching and exploring."

Rod asked: "What monsters are in the ancient city?"

Professor Bins answered: "Primarily greedy and bizarre Fallen Divine Envoys, plus some Black Fog Symbionts. Theoretically, it shouldn’t be as difficult as last few times."

Olivia sternly said, "Remember, never leave my sight at any time."

She glanced at the sky shrouded by heavy Black Fog, showing a faint smile.

"Tonight is a full moon, it’s time for you all to see the pure radiance, the true strength of Moon Knight Olivia."

"Let’s go."

She led the way inside.

Rod and Lucian followed closely, Mephit at his side, the three crossed over the collapsed city wall, entering the ancient city interior.

Inside Sagus City, the structures are neatly arranged, though the buildings are very severely damaged, one can see its layout used to be quite meticulous. The broken roads adhere closely to the residential buildings, stretching straight into the depths.

There are quite a few damaged statues on either side, Rod quickly recognized one of them as belonging to Heragotos, the Ancient God of Flesh Rebirth.

"That’s the Nameless God, there’s no information related to Him."

Professor Bins pointed at the statue.

"That’s the Ancient God of Destiny, in despair of destruction, he dismembered himself here, hoping to provide strength to later borns, but unfortunately, his remains are scattered only a small part outside, the rest have existed within the ancient city."

"Therefore, we infer it is a Divine City of the Second Epoch, the gods it worshipped are the Nameless God and the God of Destiny."

Rod was about to speak when Lucian suddenly came up and whispered in his ear.

"I found a suspect."