Chapter 656 — The Trap
Blade of Dawn · Page 1 of 4
This would be the most challenging and most dangerous operation since the Cecil army's founding.
But before this operation succeeded, before the secrets behind it could be made public, the vast majority of those taking part would not know its true nature.
Mortals would attempt to hunt and kill a god—though it was only an artificial false god, though the most critical step would be carried out by a powerful ally, the essence of this operation was still nothing short of astonishing. In a world where religions were everywhere and acts of faith were exceedingly common, ordinary people would never dare imagine such a thing. Even the mighty and highly organized Cecil Legion, if confronted with these truths before the operation began, would likely suffer shaken morale and diminished fighting strength.
Most soldiers would know only the orders issued from above; even a great many mid- and low-ranking commanders knew only the content of their own portion of the task. Those who truly knew what they were about to face were only the army's highest commanders, the most senior officials of the Administrative Hall, and the one who had devised the entire plan.
Iron Throne Commander Ma Qi stood within the tactical car of the armored train. Through the shield-covered windows, he saw soldiers bustling across the armed platforms and every part of the defense line, saw the vehicles transporting ammunition, and the war machines rolling toward each node of the line. And behind it all, the sky hung low and gloomy over the edges of the earth, while in the distance the scorched city walls and towers stood silent upon the plains. Everything seemed heavy and oppressive, as if heralding the arrival of a storm.
An adjutant in a black officer's uniform entered the tactical car, saluted Knight Ma Qi, and announced loudly: "General, all units have moved into position, the railway line has been inspected, and all engine crews report normal conditions!"
Ma Qi roused himself from his thoughts and nodded: "Very good—where is that monster now?"
"The target is still wandering to the southwest, but on the whole it is gradually approaching the defense line," the adjutant answered at once. "Currently about fifteen kilometers away."
"Has the 'Brave Ones' assault team reached its designated position?"
"The assault team has arrived and is circling the target's perimeter, awaiting orders."
"Continue standing by..." Ma Qi drew a breath softly, then let it out slowly. "The order will come soon."
"Yes, General!!" The adjutant answered crisply, turned, and returned to the communications station. Ma Qi withdrew his gaze from the window and looked back at the holographic image projected above another magic-net terminal.
That sacred yet eerie, majestic yet terrifying giant deer was wandering restlessly across the plains. Compared to when it had first appeared, it had clearly awakened further. Some power that humans could scarcely comprehend, one that exceeded the common understanding of "magic," shrouded its surroundings. Wherever it passed, within a radius of several hundred meters, anomalies occurred: half the land was scorched and searing, utterly devoid of life, while the other half was overrun with endless blossoms and vines, brimming with vitality—as though the natural principle of life and death had been given some manner of concrete manifestation, unfolding naturally around this monster.
Yet this was no monster. This was a god—the God of Nature, resurrected by the madmen of the Church of All-Ending through forbidden means, at the cost of countless human sacrifices.
Whenever he thought of this truth, Ma Qi felt his heartbeat quicken. In the decades of his life past, he could never have imagined that he would take part in such an affair within his lifetime. Yet as the priests so often said—fate is fickle...
But ironically, if even a god could be manufactured, if even a god could be killed, then did the words of the "priests" still hold any meaning?