CHAPTER 202: EVIL GOD’S WILL (PLEASE COLLECT)_2

"I will definitely do what I can!"

"This..." Carl hesitated for a moment, then tentatively began to speak. "I have been collecting Great Divine Grace, hoping to exchange it for a super-grade Dharma Seal from the Duke’s messenger. I don’t know if President Hawke has any on him."

"I could exchange it for something else."

"Great Divine Grace?" Hawke stroked his chin. "Actually, I do have a few."

Carl’s eyes lit up.

「...」

The members of the Sea God Association and the Dragon King Chamber of Commerce gathered, totaling over three hundred. Although not a large number, almost all of them were experts, with nearly half being Knights, including several Great Knights.

They charged toward the outskirts of Freedom Port, plowing through everything in their way, unstoppable even by Legendary Creatures.

Along the way, they attracted many more to join them. By the time they burst through the fog engulfing Freedom Port, their numbers had surpassed a thousand.

However, the prolonged battle had exhausted everyone, leaving barely anyone uninjured.

Even Carl, known for his astonishing defensive power, was no exception.

"HUFF..."

Looking back at Freedom Port, enveloped in thick fog to the north, a mysteriously familiar feeling arose in his heart.

It’s so similar!

Ayala murmured, "Almost like when we left the Black City."

Exactly!

Carl realized. The Black City had been shrouded in that strange fog, forcing everyone to leave, and the same was happening at Freedom Port.

"It looks like Freedom Port can’t be saved."

"Not necessarily." Sea God Hawke, President of the Sea God Association, shook his head. "Freedom Port is very important to Duke Ferdinand. He can’t possibly give it up; he will surely send reinforcements to suppress the threat. After the merfolk are annihilated, it will be rebuilt."

"Suppress?" Conni’s eyes held a complex expression. "This time, the Duke might not be willing to lend a hand."

"Oh?" Hawke raised an eyebrow. "Why do you say that? I’ve heard the legends of the Breaking Wind, and I greatly admire Captain Conni’s experience. You must have your reasons for such a statement, right?"

The others also turned their heads to look at him.

This legendary captain might not be the strongest, but his knowledge of Mysticism far exceeded anyone present.

"President Hawke flatters me." Conni shook his head. "I received news not long ago: Pirate Island, Tortuga Island, has been completely reduced to ruins. The Pirate King died on the spot!"

Most people looked confused by this news, while those who knew the Pirate King’s strength had grim expressions.

Sea God Hawke, known as the strongest below the Legendary rank, could not be sure of victory against the Pirate King. Especially on land or an island, Hawke might even be at a disadvantage.

Moreover, the Pirate King, possessor of the fastest ship in the Endless Sea Domain, had still perished on Tortuga Island.

"Some pirates escaped from Tortuga Island and brought back the final message left by the Pirate King." Conni’s voice was heavy. "He said the will of the Evil God has awakened!"

"Ah!"

"The Evil God?"

"How is that possible?!"

This news caused Hawke, Emma, Crow, and others to pale visibly, and fear was evident in their eyes.

Meanwhile, Lula frowned and asked, "I’ve also heard about Evil Gods, but Captain Conni, what exactly is an Evil God? And why are Evil Gods so terrifying?"

Carl nodded from the side. He was also very curious about Evil Gods; knowledge about such beings was rarely circulated even among Wizards.

"People call the Divine who shelter followers and protect living creatures Righteous Gods; the Divine who destroy everything are Evil Gods," Conni said, hesitating for a moment before adding, "At least, that’s how it’s recorded in the knowledge I’ve encountered."

"Destroy everything?" Lula’s mouth twitched, her face revealing confusion. "What’s the benefit in that for Them?"

"The thoughts of gods are not something we mortals can fathom. Perhaps Evil Gods are inherently twisted existences," Conni shrugged. "It’s just unthinkable that the will of an Evil God lies deep within the Endless Sea Domain, and that it has now awakened."

"Captain Conni," Carl asked, "could you elaborate? Since there are Evil Gods and Righteous Gods, where have the Righteous Gods gone? And why use the word ’awakened’ for the will of the Evil God?"

"We’ll talk as we go." Conni glanced around. Though they had left Freedom Port, merfolk still pursued them, and the skirmishing had not ceased—only the mist no longer provided cover. He walked on, speaking as they moved. "According to my research, this continent once enjoyed the protection of the Divine. Various races thrived here, their civilizations continuing for countless millennia, until the Convergence of the Heavenly Spheres..."

The Convergence of the Heavenly Spheres?

Carl raised his eyebrows. This term had also been mentioned by a scholar named Mengde while they were beneath the Black City. But as to what it specifically meant, even Mengde himself wasn’t clear.

"I don’t know what the Convergence of the Heavenly Spheres is either." Seeing the question in Carl’s eyes, Conni shook his head. "In any case," he continued, "because of this event, numerous Evil Gods and aberrations emerged on this continent, and war also broke out among the various Divine."

"The supreme existence that controlled fate and the blazing sun vanished. The Divine possessing the Death Authority assassinated the Moon Goddess... The Crimson Moon shattered, and the power of the Evil Gods began to corrode this land."

Conni sighed. "No one clearly knows what happened back then. Even the timeline is confused; it was a tumultuous era lost in the river of time. All we know is that from then on, the Attendants of the gods could no longer sense the aura of the Divine. Losing the gods’ blessings, those priests also lost their Transcendent power. Only those with a Divine Bloodline could become Legendary and grow even stronger."

"Fortunately, according to records, before their downfall, the gods left a barrier for this world to prevent the invasion of Evil Gods. The Evil Gods that did invade this world also perished over time, leaving at most shadowy projections or fragments of their will hidden in some corner, occasionally stirring up trouble."