CHAPTER 543: CHAPTER 1: TO THE EMPIRE

Three months later, late at night, in Siwalant.

A group of people wearing black cloaks were running swiftly through the jungle, panting heavily. Even though their bodies felt like they were about to fall apart, they did not stop, nor did they dare to look back.

They could hear the echo from deep within the jungle, resembling the sound of metal scraping against rock, approaching like a soul-reaping emissary, getting closer and closer to them.

Ahead, there was nothing but an endless expanse of trees. Sensing the imminent threat, a few men with red runes painted on their faces gritted their teeth and stopped, watching the crows startled in the depths of the forest, they changed direction, adjusting their breathing.

"You must go to the Empire."

The man at the front drew his longsword with both hands, assuming a stance for confrontation. The red patterns on his face glowed with a dark crimson light, which extended to the blade he was gripping tightly.

The old woman in the black robe hesitated for a moment, then nodded, immediately grabbing the little girl by the arm, running towards the distance without looking back.

"For the Father of War!"

Such a shout echoed from behind them.

The shouts reverberated long in the jungle, until they merged with another flock of startled crows.

The approaching scraping sound and disturbances in the forest ceased, but this hard-earned silence didn’t last long. Soon, it resumed, pursuing them with increased speed.

They couldn’t run anymore.

Their eyes were full of despair. How could human bodies possibly outrun machines powered by energy?

This thrilling escape plan eventually went awry. According to the original plan, once they left the borders of Siwalant, a transport team would meet them at the ravine. This was the first night in three months since the King of Gold’s arrival banished the night from them. Whenever they looked up at the sky, it was always the same unchanging golden sky.

The sky fortresses that continually pierced the sky had become a new sun hanging above them. Under its brilliance, the subjects of the King of Gold no longer needed sleep or rest. The golden masks maintained their bodily functions, allowing them to serve the Golden Kingdom tirelessly like busy worker bees.

And now the "Hunters" pursuing them were created by their own hands. As creators, no one understood the terror of the "Hunters" better than they did.

The transport team supposed to meet them at the ravine must have been discovered by patrolling "Hunters". When they arrived at the designated location, all that was left was a mess.

It seemed the mercenaries of the transport team had engaged in a fight with the Hunters. Despite their efforts to resist, they couldn’t change their fate—being forced to wear the golden masks by the "Hunters". These were "improved" versions, with six tubes fitted with spikes along the edges. Once someone was forcibly masked, the spikes would pierce into their heads, and the unshakable will of the King of Gold would crush their spirits in an instant.

Everyone realized the gravity of the situation.

Once the transport team was taken back to the border city, their long-planned escape would be exposed immediately, and all of them would become targets of the "Hunters".

But Siwalant was too far from the Empire. Separated by mountains and forests, even without resting, it would take two days to cross the forest on foot. If they were fortunate enough, they might encounter the Empire border patrol once they left the woods.

It was said to be the only safe place for now.

After more than three months of civil war, with the combined efforts of the Academy, Astrology Guild, and Neseriel Sanctuary, the claws of the King of Gold were finally driven out of the Empire’s border.

"I can’t run anymore!"

Finally, someone uttered a low growl, overwhelmed. They weren’t known for their stamina; each was mechanically taking one step after another. No one thought about whether they could escape the forest, or how much further they had to go. Because once they started thinking, reality would plunge them into the abyss of despair.

More people stopped.

They heard the sound of flowing water, but it was not a good omen.

They had finally completed two-thirds of the journey, with their stamina and nerves at the limit. However, the sounds made by the "Hunters" were already nearly at their backs, they could even see the swaying trees.

The old woman made a decision. Holding the little girl’s hand, she led her to the stream, finding a recess for her to hide in.

"I can buy you some time."

She looked deeply at the girl, her eyes full of reluctance and helplessness. "Keep following the stream downstream. If you meet someone from the Empire, tell them you are looking for someone named Ethan. They won’t trouble you."

She clasped the girl’s hands with her calloused ones.

Next, they would be found by the "Hunters," then forced to wear the golden masks. Fortunately, they had run far enough, and it would take the "Hunters" half a night to transport them back to Siwalant. By the time the border city interrogators found the girl, she would have likely reached the Empire’s border.

Then, the old woman heard the scratching noise come to a halt.

What followed were frantic cries and the sound of axles rotating.

Someone took out a musket, bullets striking the towering metal in the forest, sparks flying. Eight metal limbs taller than trees plunged into the soil, atop which a spherical golden form surveyed all present from above.