Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 673: Soul Crusher

Chapter 673: Soul Crusher

"The civil war has reached a critical point." A barbarian chief in King Ull’s war council reported while seated amongst his fellow brethren in the meeting hall.

Taking a deep breath, he added. "If we move now, we risk getting involved in the fighting which would be disadvantageous for us. What is the likelihood that Lyssandros would continue his vendetta against Atiphates when he sees us coming?"

"I agree, it is best we wait it out until the civil war is finished, then we make a quick maneuver, finishing off the winner and claiming all the spoils."

It seemed most of the chiefs were in agreement to wait out the fighting until a victor was decided, after which they would swoop in and erase them.

Unfortunately, it seemed King Ull had other ideas.

"There is no reason to wait. We are armed with the greatest weapons known to man. Why, then, should we wait it out?... For what reason should we waste any more time?... We have already conquered one, it is time to conquer another."

"But still, the risk is great." One of the chiefs pointed out.

"It can be easily mitigated."

"With our mobile cities, yours remains untouched."

King Ull glanced at the chief, who spoke out of turn, his expression unreadable as he slowly rose to his feet. "Do you doubt my actions, Chief Olfric?... Do you think them foolish?"

Chief Olfric replied. "No, I am only pointing out that fighting now would result in unnecessary losses. The best thing to do is to wait it out and then, attack when the enemies are weakened."

"So you wish to replace me as head of this assembly."

"That is not my intention."

"Then you will stay silent or else, I will forget that you are a member of my council!"

"How dare you!" Olfric bellowed as he rose to his feet. "The only reason we follow you is not because we fear you, Ull. It is merely because we see a future with your vision. Do not think otherwise."

"... I see." King Ull nodded as he turned only to suddenly attack Olfric.

Olfric was ready as he raised his scimitar forged with Quillion to meet the attack head-on.

The moment the two weapons touched, Olfric was sent flying, crashing into a wall as a result of the explosive reaction that occurred.

The other chiefs shot up to their feet not because of the explosion but because of the weapon Ull was holding.

It was a mace made of bones with its spikes decorated with small skulls, radiating a divine aura.

"Is that not Soul Crusher?"

"What is the prized weapon of the Berserk God doing in your hands, Ull?... Explain this!"

King Ull regarded them briefly before replying. "You all have been wondering what deity I claim to be the son of... Now you know."

Saying that, he took his leave, while the other chiefs exchanged looks with one another.

Meanwhile, Cybele watched the exchange from a balcony above, her expression unreadable as she turned to take her leave.

From all indications, it seemed the Jester’s ascension had accelerated.

Usually, such rituals take quite a while to be completed.

For instance, the Goddess of Automation needed almost three hundred years to complete her ascension ritual while the Goddess of the Deep Sea needed almost two hundred years and the creation of the Storm Wheel to achieve ascension.

For the Jester, it hadn’t even been a year yet.

But the unnatural pacing was understandable.

The Goddess of Automation wasn’t dead yet and her Authority still remained even as it waned, which meant that the Jester’s suicidal attempt had only weakened her.

If she returned before he finished his ascension, that would be the end of everything as she would surely hunt him down and end him.

So, he had no choice but to speed things up.

Even if it ended up being botched, it was better than nothing, and considering the weakening Tenets of Order, there was a chance that even with the horrendous pacing, the ritual would succeed.

In any case, Cybele could only hope that the ascension would be a success.

Only then would she be able to go ahead with the second phase of her plan.

***

As Ana moved across the Henosian skies, using the clouds and Nadia’s spell as cover, Nadia conversed with Arwen, hoping to keep her distracted so she didn’t fall back into her troubling thoughts.

"Do you think she’d hate me?" Arwen suddenly asked, catching Nadia off guard.

"Who?"

"My mother," Arwen replied. "To think that she’d always been so close to me but I never knew."

"You couldn’t have known, Arwen."

"There were signs. Like how she’d always cook for me while I was working in the lab or how she’d try to sing me to sleep. She was a terrible singer."

At this point, Arwen’s eyes turned wet as she muttered. "You know, when I was younger, I was scared of thunder. The sounds were just so... frightening. Ada helped me to overcome my fears by staying with me every night while caressing my hair. How could I not have known?"

Nadia moved in closer and embraced her, allowing her to sob silently.

Just then, there was a golden glow and Elena appeared.

You are here.

Ana acknowledged her presence first with Elena replying.

"Alex sent me."

Her gaze was currently on Nadia and Arwen, with a bit of a judging look sent the former’s way.

"Where are you guys heading?"

"Nysodosia," Nadia replied before pointing ahead. "It’s in that general direction."

Letting out a sigh, Elena closed her eyes, and then... they vanished.

They appeared several miles away from their destination but it was now in sight, which would not have been the case for at least two days if they’d continued flying.

Ana swiftly transformed back into her human form while Nadia continued to console Arwen.

Elena staggered back into a rock before sliding to the ground on her buttocks.

"Are you alright?" Ana asked with Elena nodding in response.

"I just need a minute."