MMORPG: War God, You are Invincible Again
Chapter 389 - 144: Goodbye Caesar

Chapter 389: Chapter 144: Goodbye Caesar

The crux of the problem still lay in the Sacred Empire’s conflict with the sea clans. Lu Hong’s prolonged stay had not solved the troubles brought by the Disaster Church, so there was no need to dwell on it excessively.

Although his mission was not accomplished, Lu Hong still lingered in Umbra for several days before, led by his adjutant, he returned to the long-missed Divine Plane.

The empire now, with its territories on the Continent of God’s Grace reduced by more than half, was constantly under assault by the sea clans, as was the Snowy Region. Thus, the two sides had temporarily allied, supporting each other like mutual horns, barely managing to halt the sea clans’ onslaught.

No sooner had he set foot in Jinrui City than Questasa sought him out and bowed slightly, "Baron Lu Hong, His Majesty is waiting for you."

Lu Hong looked at the two weary adjutants beside him and spoke, "Thank you both. Lord Questasa, please see to their accommodations."

"No problem." Questasa beckoned, and the Black Guards approached, "Take them down to rest."

"At once!"

After arranging for the adjutants, Questasa said, "Baron Lu Hong, your actions in the Alliance were truly astonishing. His Majesty is very pleased. Without you, it’s likely the Alliance would have reached our very doorsteps by now."

"That might be an exaggeration," Lu Hong laughed lightly, "Even if I hadn’t won the championship, the Alliance would still be bogged down in its own crises."

While they talked, the two quickly made their way through the palace and arrived at Xuan Chen Hall.

"You’re back?" Konstantin personally came out to meet him, taking Lu Hong’s arm, "Baron Lu Hong, you’ve worked hard!"

"It was alright," Lu Hong accepted Konstantin’s kindness, having indeed suffered no small amount.

"Come, take a seat," Konstantin gestured for Lu Hong to sit and then inquired, "According to the spy reports, it seems the Alliance is trapped in certain dilemmas?"

"Yes, there’s been the emergence of a demigod, an old devil within the Alliance, nearly causing its destruction." Lu Hong shared with Konstantin what he had seen and learned, including the Brahmins guarding the Death Zone.

"No wonder we’ve been unable to find him," nodded Konstantin, "So he went to the Eagle Alliance."

"There’s more," Lu Hong paused, "Duke Lei Shan of the Eagle Alliance is actually a minion of the infernal realm. I’ve discussed this in-depth with Duke Nuoshan. I fear that the infernal realm might be the largest hidden force beneath the Star Sea, and those who plotted against the tower masters are likely their operatives."

"The infernal realm..." A cold light flashed in Konstantin’s eyes, "The records of the Sacred Empire may not be as extensive as those of the Eagle Alliance. It’s said that the entrance to the infernal realm is very secretive, known only to four human families under the command of the Infernal King. There was once such a family on the frontier, but I regretfully didn’t pay enough attention to the legends of the infernal realm at the time and missed the opportunity. It now seems Lei Shan’s family must be the second of the Infernal King’s subordinates."

"That would seem the case," Lu Hong spoke gravely, "Compared to the Bai family on the frontier, Lei Shan’s infernal lineage should not be underestimated."

"Indeed, at least Lei Shan has been exposed. But the other two infernal families, where might they be hiding? Are they within the heart of my Sacred Empire, or still lurking behind the Eagle Alliance? That’s the real fear. How powerful are these two families, and could they land us a deadly blow at a pivotal moment? These are the most worrying aspects." Konstantin analyzed, "As for an invasion of the Star Sea by the infernal realm, that need not cause panic. The Star Sea isn’t only home to the Sacred Empire and the Eagle Alliance. If the infernal realm invades in large numbers, the Beastman Empire and the Snowy Region won’t sit idly by. In fact, I hope the infernal realm invades sooner, which would force the sea clans to redirect their assault, potentially gaining the empire a chance to breathe."

Konstantin’s analysis was sound, so Lu Hong didn’t linger on the subject of the infernal realm and instead inquired about the current situation, "How fares the war now?"

"Not good at all, close to collapse at any moment," Konstantin shook his head, "I truly don’t know where the sea clans are drawing their forces from; they seem infinite. Despite splitting our forces into thirds to rotate defenses, it still leaves the soldiers with too little rest. If one legion falls, the remaining two won’t last many days."

"What does Caesar say?" On the way back, Lu Hong had already learned the major developments in God’s Grace from the two adjutants, and Caesar was among the most critical.

"I’ve sought him out, but he does not plan to assist," Konstantin sighed, "He says he will only show himself when the Naga Queen appears."

"What about asking him for help with the tower masters’ dilemma?" Lu Hong continued.

"Still no," Konstantin expressed his displeasure with Caesar quite bluntly, "I initially wanted Caesar to go rescue the six tower masters, but he refused that as well."

"That’s a no as well?" Lu Hong was surprised. Refusing to combat the sea clans was understandable, but refusing to rescue the six tower masters seemed unreasonable.

"Where is he now? I’ll go ask."

Konstantin looked curiously at Lu Hong, "Are you close with Caesar?"

"Somewhat. We have some rapport," Lu Hong chuckled, hesitant to assert he could persuade Caesar based on hearsay.

Konstantin appraised Lu Hong anew, "You lad, you really are full of surprises!"

As he spoke, Konstantin wrote down an address and handed it to Lu Hong, "I am aware of the secret location where the six tower masters are hiding. I’ve told Caesar too, but to avoid any leaks, I’ll say no more. If you can persuade him, he’ll go himself."

Taking the slip of paper, Lu Hong glanced at it. It was the old place, the adventurers’ outpost next to Tuzhui City.

Applying slight pressure, Lu Hong crumbled the paper into powder.

Questasa also stood up at the same time, "Your Majesty, let me take Lu Hong."

"Yes, you just need to bring him to Tuzhui City," Konstantin nodded. He didn’t distrust Questasa, but now that Caesar held the Holy Emperor Sword, if those who were after the Tower Master’s people set their sights on him, and the sword was lost, the empire could really face extinction.

It took about half an hour for Questasa to bring Lu Hong through spatial transmission to this once prosperous city that had been baptized by war.

The current Tuzhui City was very desolate. Before, the Sea Clan had breached the city, causing a massive death toll among citizens. Almost no original residents survived, and now those humans living there had relocated from other places.

"The Sea Clan managed to reach this place?" Lu Hong’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. Because the city was sparsely populated, the city defenses had not been repaired, and the devastation from that battle could still clearly be perceived.

"Yes," Questasa nodded. "Had it not been for Caesar’s defiance against the Naga Queen, Tuzhui City might never have been regurgitated by the Sea Clan."

"I understand. Go on with your business; I will look for Caesar and then head back to Jinrui City." Lu Hong parted with Questasa and left Tuzhui City, heading straight for the adventurer’s market.

Thinking back on the market where the Scars Mercenary Group had once been stationed, he wondered if the beautiful deputy commander, Louise, was safe.

As Lu Hong’s strength increased, it didn’t take long for him to reach the small town he had once passed through.

If Tuzhui City couldn’t escape the Sea Clan’s purification, this small town would not have been spared either. The once scattered houses had long collapsed, leaving only ruins in the current town.

"Gone?" Lu Hong was stunned. With the town gone, where would he go to find Caesar?

Or could it be...

Following his original memory, Lu Hong found his way to the ruins of Caesar Hotel. Looking at the overgrown weeds, it seemed the place hadn’t been disturbed in a long time.

No matter, he thought. Best to find something first. Just as Lu Hong was about to start digging through the rubble, a shout stopped him.

"What are you doing?!"

At the familiar voice, Lu Hong turned his head and smiled, "Isn’t this me looking for you?"

"Looking for me?" Caesar’s eyebrows raised. "If you’re looking for me, why don’t you use the token?"

"Eh... I forgot," Lu Hong fumbled his reply. He had considered contacting Caesar using the token, but decided to meet him in person after hearing some rumors to better understand Caesar’s current thoughts.

Faced with Lu Hong’s return, Caesar showed little joy and frowned, "Come on."

He opened a portal and both of them stepped into the once-secret underground chamber.

"You’ve come to see me as a mediator for Konstantin?" Caesar had already learned about Lu Hong’s return from Black Pupil, and to a certain extent, he had guessed why.

"I don’t understand, why won’t you help the empire rescue the six trapped Tower Masters?" Seeing that Caesar was clear-headed, Lu Hong didn’t beat around the bush and decided it was best to ask straightforwardly.

"Have you not considered the potential consequences?" Caesar said evenly, "Rescuing the six Tower Masters is an overreach. They’re besieged by a group of peak powers, and even if I were to go there, I wouldn’t be much help. The Holy Emperor Sword isn’t omnipotent. Away from the God’s Grace plane, it’s merely a sharp blade. Moreover, even if we rescue the Tower Masters, those mysterious powers might pursue us back to God’s Grace. Then, we’d have to contend not only with the Sea Clan’s powerhouses but also this band of mysterious ones. Tell me, is it better to go or to stay?"

Lu Hong grimaced, of course it was better to go; Danni was still in there! But he didn’t voice this thought: "Why don’t you tell Konstantin this?"

"He is the Great Emperor and needs to grow on his own, not be taught. Understanding the nature of things, their pros and cons, is a skill that a qualified human emperor must master. Right now, he’s caught up in anxieties about the battle situation, too obsessed with a certain hope—it’s understandable, but not something that can be resolved through persuasion."

Caesar’s explanation eased Lu Hong’s mind. He had been worried that Caesar would lose his way amid power, which would have indeed been dangerous.

"So by your reckoning, what should the empire do now?"

Lu Hong took a sip of the tea on the table and asked.

Caesar chuckled. "That’s the tea Nightingale left when she was here yesterday. Is it good?"

...

Left yesterday? Why is it still hot?

Lu Hong then noticed a tiny magic array carved under the teacup, acting like an automatic heater.

What a setup, not pondering the empire’s predicament but rather indulging in small inventions – living truly a carefree life!