A Core Ship From The Start
Chapter 1652 - 1102 Celebration Day

Chapter 1652: Chapter 1102 Celebration Day

The parade celebration officially began early the next day.

The Kingdom of Heilixi put a lot of effort into this celebration and even specially prepared a float for Duanmu Huai to ride. Duanmu Huai and the students didn’t need to do anything; they just had to stand on the float and wave at the parade crowds.

On both sides of the street, there were guards maintaining order. Duanmu Huai stood at the front, while the frontline group, including Huang’zen Kumiko, was on the second float behind him. After all, the royal family’s promotion was that of the "Steel Warrior who exterminated the Demon King" and the "Heroes who defended Bastion Fortress from the Demon Army." In this world, without televisions or newspapers, differentiating them would make it easier for the public to know who’s who.

Of course, most of the crowd came for Duanmu Huai. Although he deliberately didn’t wear a helmet, this didn’t scare the people away. On the contrary, upon seeing Duanmu Huai’s fierce face, they cheered even louder, filled with a sense of security that "only someone like him can defeat the Demon King."

This was a rare moment when Duanmu Huai was not feared by others.

But why did he feel something was off?

"The teacher is quite popular,"

Huang’zen Kumiko commented, looking at Duanmu Huai’s back being showered with petals by the passionate crowd, and Kousaka Reina nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, perhaps for the teacher, it’s a rare moment of popularity."

"Reina, if you said that in front of the teacher, I can’t guarantee you would survive."

"I know, that’s why I’m saying it now."

Although most were there for Duanmu Huai, this didn’t mean the students weren’t welcomed. On the contrary, to their surprise, many citizens also offered them thanks and flowers.

"Thank you, thank you for saving my father!"

"I heard from my husband that if it weren’t for you, he might have died there! Thank you!"

Indeed, many in the Royal City had deep connections with Bastion Fortress; many children’s, husbands’ or brothers’ battles were there. If the students hadn’t fought courageously, many would have likely died—oh, considering the presence of the Holy Woman, most wouldn’t perish unless completely gone.

This is why there were quite a number of grateful citizens towards the students. After all, the concept of defeating the Demon King was distant to ordinary people, whereas the safety of their family and friends was close at hand.

Hearing the crowd’s gratitude, some students blushed a bit, yet some waved back proudly at the crowd, creating a somewhat chaotic yet joyous scene.

There shouldn’t be any problem, right?

As time ticked away, the float parade approached its end. Huang’zen Kumiko glanced at Duanmu Huai’s back and touched the hilt of her sword. Although she followed Duanmu’s advice and prepared everyone for combat, nothing seemed amiss for now. The Royal City was indeed cheerful, but there appeared to be no signs of battle.

Moreover, the Demon Army couldn’t possibly come here, could they?

After circling around the city, they reached the end point, which was the Divine Mountain where the Church was located. According to the plan, the Pope who had summoned them to this world would honor the warriors who protected humans and repelled demons in front of everyone, followed by a grand feast.

At this moment, the Old Pope indeed stood on the altar in luxurious attire. He raised his hands and began to speak as the floats approached.

"Brave warriors! You have done it! You have annihilated the Demon King that ravaged the world! You even repelled the demon army’s invasion! Your deeds will be sung forever and never forgotten! In the name of the Pope...!"

"Boom!!!"

However, before the Pope could finish, a sound like thunder erupted, interrupting his words. Startled, everyone quickly looked up towards the source of the sound. They saw the azure sky tearing open with a crack, revealing a pure white door in the clouds and countless high towers on the other side.

"The Supreme Heavens!"

"The angels have appeared!!"

Seeing this, the crowd below screamed and hastily knelt, gazing at the sky with excitement.

Seeing this, the Pope’s face changed slightly, exchanging a glance with Duanmu Huai—these common people might think that the Deity appeared to reward the heroes, but they knew very well that the angels didn’t care about human lives. It was the Pope who used his last power to summon Duanmu and the others to this world.

Throughout this process, the angels didn’t lend a hand at all.

So now, are they here to take the credit or cause trouble?

Duanmu Huai looked at the entrance in the sky, silently extended his hand, and gripped his War Hammer.

At that moment, hundreds of angels poured out, floating in the sky, overlooking the city below. The citizens were still immersed in the joy of seeing the angels, even taking it as a sign of humanity’s victory.

But the next moment, a voice suddenly resonated.

"Foolish mortals!"

A majestic voice sounded, echoing over the Royal City.

"We once held goodwill towards you, believing you to be trustworthy. But now, you have strayed from the path we hoped for! Your crimes are unforgivable! The destruction of the Worldstone is an intolerable sin! Therefore, I declare your doom here—humans, you have no future!"

With the Archangel’s declaration, the angels raised their hands, golden spears appeared in their hands, and they violently hurled the spears of light towards the Royal City!

"Defend the Royal City!"

Before the others could comprehend what was happening, Duanmu Huai already shouted. Hearing his command, Huang’zen Kumiko paused for a moment before quickly reacting.

"Rina! Takanami!"

"I know, leave it to me!"

"Okay!"

Upon hearing Huang’zen Kumiko’s call, Kousaka Rina quickly stood up, while Kiyosumi Takanashi came to her side, reaching out to place his hand on Kousaka Rina. In an instant, a white light enveloped Kousaka Rina, who then raised her hand, aiming at the sky.

"Enhance!"

"Barrier, deploy!"

With Kousaka Rina’s summon, a massive translucent barrier swiftly emerged, enveloping the Royal City completely. The spears hurled down by the angels crashed heavily against the barrier’s exterior, erupting into enormous fireballs. If these spears of light had fallen into the Royal City, one could imagine the city would now be engulfed in flames.

"Aaaaahhhh!!"

At this moment, the citizens reacted, screaming and scattering in panic. Though they couldn’t comprehend what was happening, it was clear these angels meant no good!

"I knew these bastards couldn’t stand the peace, just as expected!"

Looking at the angels in the sky, Duanmu Huai’s face showed an icy intent to kill. He had destroyed the Worldstone, meaning the suppressed power of humanity in this world would soon recover. In a few generations, humans might become the formidable race that even angels and demons feared.

So, what do the angels intend to do? Absorb and join hands with humans? Or simply eradicate them while their strength hasn’t fully recovered?

It seems the angels chose the latter.

And their fate is sealed.

Thinking of this, Duanmu Huai grinned, revealing a sinister smile.

"Mary, take action!!"

The angels flew out from the Holy City in neat formations, weapons in hand, ready for battle. At this moment, the sky above the Royal City was filled with angels, whose next move was to completely destroy this city!

Fortunately, Duanmu Huai had already prepared for this.

"Rumbbblleeee––––!!"

The ground began to tremble. On the hillside outside the Royal City, the earth beneath the Metal Cathedral abruptly split open, revealing a colossal metallic giant, tens of meters tall, emerging from below!

"What is that?"

Even the well-informed angels stood stunned at the sudden appearance of the metallic giant. The massive, sinister metal figure with its skeletal, elongated face, and the blood-red glow emanating from it resembled the eyes of a demon, cold and devoid of emotion, housing only sheer destruction.

Just like now.

"Boom–––––!!"

The flames erupted, transforming into a fiery cloud that instantly enveloped the angelic army in the sky. The Titan raised its hand, and a mournful charging sound emitted from its plasma annihilation cannon. Blue-white flames streaked out like meteors, as the armament fortress on its shoulders mercilessly unleashed high-explosive shells and laser energy beams, tearing the angels unable to dodge into shreds at once.

"What is that creature!"

Watching the angels ruthlessly slaughtered by the relentless artillery, Archangel Inpuruisu couldn’t stay calm any longer. He raised the spear in his hand, glaring at the battlefield below. Beside him, Tyrael merely shook his head.

"Brother, let’s stop this. I’ve told you before, humans are not the same as we imagined."

"Silence!"

Inpuruisu glared coldly at Tyrael upon hearing his words.

"Last time, you saved those mortals. What was the result? The demons ravaged the land, and even the Worldstone was destroyed! This time, I won’t make the same mistake! Humans must be annihilated!"

As he spoke, Inpuruisu issued another command.

"Destroy that damned metallic monster! Obliterate this city, find the culprit who destroyed the Worldstone, and eradicate him completely!"

With Inpuruisu’s command, the angels swiftly changed direction, charging towards the metallic Titan pouring out firepower. Although the Titan’s weaponry was formidable, easily tearing through angel armor and disintegrating them, the angels, relying on their smaller size, speed, and agility, quickly bypassed the Titan’s fire net and charged straight ahead.

"Yes, that’s it, annihilate them! Erase humans completely from this world!"

Seeing this, Inpuruisu clenched his fist tightly, shouting loudly.

Yet, at this moment, a scene beyond his imagination unfolded before Inpuruisu’s eyes.

Beside the space rift connecting the Supreme Heavens and the mortal realm, a massive, bizarre object emerged. It looked like a flying warship with cathedral structures lining its deck. Before Inpuruisu could react, the strange warship burst from the clouds, accelerated sharply, and rushed directly towards the spatial rift before crashing heavily into it!!