After the Lord of the Abyss Awakens - Chapter 17

Imperial City, at this moment.

The Hero Luo Jie was flipping over his system panel. He possessed numerous legendary-grade weapons, but now he could barely lift them, let alone find fellow humans strong enough to wield them.

Legendary weapons often had temperaments and were not easily wielded by just anyone. Moreover, using them without sufficient aptitude exacted a heavy price—even one’s life.

The Divine Kingdom of Light had launched an assault, and the Imperial Army sought to borrow these weapons. Each soldier willingly risked their lives, knowing they couldn’t withstand the magical power of these weapons. In the face of a formidable enemy, life and death were secondary concerns, the cost was irrelevant.

Luo Jie sighed. If only he were a few hundred years younger, he wouldn’t need to strategize—he’d charge into battle himself.

“But no matter how much we prepare, it might all be in vain.

Luo Jie’s eyes were fixed and solemn.

He was wondering if he could find a helper.

Yet, it was challenging. The situation was tied to the Aust Empire’s fundamental nature. The previous king had been a war maniac, aggressively invading and occupying neighboring lands. The empire had alienated nearly everyone, even withdrawing from the “Continental Human Alliance.”

Now, neighboring countries reveled in their misfortune. How could they extend a helping hand beyond national enmity, especially when the wise and intelligent Empress ruled? Even if the Divine Kingdom of Light destroyed the Aust Empire, the next target would likely be another human nation. But convincing ministers and citizens to fight for another country was no easy task.

Ignoring the empire’s strained relations with its neighbors, leaving the Continental Human Alliance was a foolish move. The alliance housed an abundance of human powerhouses—the highest-ranked individuals of the current era. They safeguarded humanity, transcending borders to protect wherever crises arose. Even when short-staffed, they acted as think tanks, devising solutions within their capabilities.

In a sense, this era was the “Human Era” largely due to the existence of the Continental Human Alliance. Yet, the former king’s arrogance led to their expulsion. He even nearly killed a visiting envoy, completely alienating the alliance.

As a result, the Aust Empire was effectively exiled from the alliance. They couldn’t rely on its aid during this crisis. 

Even if the brave Hero Luo Jie spoke, no one would lend a hand.

This was also karmic retribution. While the Aust Empire had brought its misfortune upon itself, the problem was that the king of that year had already died, and Empress Anna had come to power. The Aust Empire had undergone many changes.

“Old grudges…it’s also difficult to deal with.”

After much thought, Luo Jie considered the empire’s main reliance might only be the half-step divine realm Great Magician. 

Abyss Lords were capricious beings, unlikely to extend aid, despite the miraculous actions of Aelioge.

Thinking of this, Luo Jie thought for a moment and said, “Since Aelioge seeks the empire’s help in rewriting history, surely he won’t just sit idly and allow its destruction, right?”

Luojie seemed to have thought of the key, however, Aelioge’s motivations remained elusive.

Just then, a voice echoed from outside.

“Teacher Luo Jie.”

Luo Jie turned to find the young prince, Torila, his face etched with worry.

Luo Jie immediately put on a calm and composed expression in front of the child and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Torila tightened his grip and said, “There won’t be any trouble, will there?”

Luo Jie smiled, ruffling the prince’s hair. “I can’t guarantee you, but you have to trust in the empire’s strength and your mother.”

Torila, the first prince of the Aust Empire, wasn’t the direct heir—the distant Princess who explored the subspace held that position. Unfortunately, communication with her was impossible, leaving the empire unaware of its current crisis. Despite his youth, Torila had already faced much adversity.

Looking up at the aging hero, Torila asked, “Can I ever become as powerful as you one day?”

Luo Jie’s smile softened. “With effort, anything is possible.”

While talent played a role, Luo Jie himself had overcome low aptitude to alter his fate. Although it was also due to excessive overdraft, his power had now almost lost. He used to be so powerful that his magic spanned continents, but now it could only cover as far as the borders of the Aust Empire. He never expected that as a retired hero, he would still have to ‘work’.

Torila seemed puzzled by the concept of “effort.” and asked, “How long will it take?”

Luo Jie replied calmly, “It depends on how hard you work.” His words echoed those of his mentor, Xiu Si.

That short few years of adventure may seem like a blink of an eye in thousands of years of life, but for him, it was the most vivid stroke. He would never forget his companions, as well as his elder brother who took care of him the most. For some reason, when people miss someone, they instinctively imitate their words and actions.

Torila paused, smiling with newfound understanding. 

“Hmm. I see.”

As the young prince departed, Luo Jie’s gaze dimmed and a sense of determination emerged in his heart.

****

On the other hand, inside the palace.

The Great Magician Eilinson stood guard behind the Empress, observing her conversation with the figure in the mirror.

“I understand Your Majesty’s intention, but the Alliance truly has no one available to send. The subspace has been unstable recently, with A-level and above disasters occurring frequently. The Alliance’s personnel are spread across the continent, and there is currently no one who can be dispatched to the Aust Empire..”

The white-bearded old man in the mirror spoke slowly, his tone devoid of any ripples, and his eyes, marked by the trials of time, bearing the weight of too many years, revealed no emotion.

He was one of the council members of the Continental Human Alliance, a respected elder who once wielded immense power, repelling the invasion of the Zerg army from the subspace with a single sword stroke.

Unfortunately, he was a warrior by profession. Generally, warriors decline with age, unlike the magician profession, which becomes more formidable with age.

His words were neither true nor false, and the Aust Empire couldn’t definitively determine whether it was due to a lack of manpower or simply a refusal to intervene.

Eilinson furrowed her brows, lips pressed together, and her brown eyes bore into the white-bearded old man.

“Are you suggesting that we should first test the truth of the Divine Kingdom of Light?” 

Her tone was cold, lacking any respect for the old man. It was only natural—they were peers, and there was no need for deference among equals.

The old man raised his gaze, smiling enigmatically. “Why would we plot behind the scenes when humans are in trouble?”

Eilinson scoffed, seemingly unconvinced by the old man’s words.

However, Anna cut to the chase. “Do you know anything about the situation of the God of Light?”

This intelligence was crucial—it determined whether their chances of success were 0.1% or almost nonexistent.

Against the Archangels, there was a glimmer of hope.

Against the higher-ranked divine beings…perhaps only a dead end awaited them.

The old man stroked his beard, his expression serious, and the wrinkles on his face deepened.

He replied, “We’re not entirely sure. There’s no evidence to confirm or deny His awakening.”

Anna pressed further. “Even you couldn’t find out?”

The old man fell silent, then suddenly said, “Logically, if the God of Light had awakened, the Aust Empire would likely no longer exist. But here you are, still talking to me. That suggests He hasn’t awakened yet. If I were an angel from the Divine Kingdom of Light, at this very moment, I’d be doing everything in my power to awaken Him.”

The words hung in the air, silence settling over the room.

Minutes later, the conversation ended, leaving only Anna and Eilinson.

Anna lowered her gaze. “Will the fate of the empire end here?”

Eilinson’s voice resonated with determination. “No, I’ll wager everything to protect the Aust Empire.”

****

On the other side.

Archangel Achilles hurriedly opened doors, striding toward an incredibly magnificent hall.

Above him stretched the sky, and the high walls were adorned with countless gems.

To be precise, these weren’t gems; they were fragments of humanity—fear, weakness, morality, love—extracted through war or direct plunder.

Since ancient times, the divine beings had collected aspects of human nature. Humans were precious—small yet wise, a miraculous species. Their multifaceted humanity was endlessly fascinating.

But the Archangels’ purpose in gathering these fragments wasn’t mere amusement, it was for the revival of the God of Light.

Achilles’ gaze fell upon the colossal golden trough, energy continuously filling it, nearly overflowing. A frigid smile played on his lips.

“I shall celebrate my father’s awakening with the destruction of an entire nation, proclaiming the resurgence of the Divine Kingdom of Light!”

****

Meanwhile, time arrived at noon.

Xiu Si was chatting with the cubs.

The white cat was already too tired, and had fallen asleep, snuggled up in the dorm room. The black cat had disappeared somewhere, seemingly busy with something.

Only the red cat and the gray cat remained, still full of energy, showing no signs of fatigue.

Morax had already noticed that his father was learning magic and had magic fluctuations on him!

Xiu Si nodded. “You mentioned magic, right? Yes, rebooting the system requires magic. Although I don’t know why, after awakening, I can now control the magic within my body. But speaking of which, having magic means I can try using spells, right?”

Because Inpos was well-versed in magic, having taught many human great magicians by his visual identity, teaching magic to his father was a straightforward task!

The gray cat approached, moving its paws as if tracing patterns in the air.

The red cat blinked, observing their interaction.

Xiu Si was astonished. “Are you suggesting I try running magic like this?”

The gray cat nodded softly, its lake-green eyes shining.

“Okay.”

Understanding, Xiu Si attempted to run magic within himself. He imagined circuit diagrams within his body. Soon, he felt warmth flowing through him. Instinctively, he opened his palm, and black flames flickered, materializing in an instant.

Even Inpos was momentarily stunned by the astonishing speed. Wasn’t that just a matter of seconds? His father had achieved it so effortlessly? Inpos had taught countless students over the millennia, but none had learned this quickly.

When his father woke up this time, he really changed a lot!

Inpos was overjoyed.

Morax found it incredible as well.

Xiu Si looked at them, puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

The cubs were at a higher level than him now, surely they understood better.

Inpos shook his head and gestured with his paws.

Xiu Si nodded, half understanding. He closed his eyes, then opened them. The flames in his palm shifted, taking on the form of an animal.

Both Morax and Inpos were astonished.

Inpos continued to dance his paws in excitement.

Xiu Si committed it to memory. Closing his eyes again, this time he didn’t rush. After a minute, he opened his eyes, and the flames in his palm transformed into water, pooling there.

He had successfully changed the nature of the magic!

Xiu Si felt elated. Could he really use magic at will now?

But the greater surprise was Inpos.

It’s unprecedented for beginners to achieve such a rapid transformation in nature!

But why?

Inpos pondered, dancing his paws even faster.

Xiu Si tried hard to remember. In a short time, he cooperated with Inpos to change dozens of magical properties.

Morax initially observed, but then his eyes widened visibly with delight.

Could his father finally empower himself?

Inpos saw more than Morax did. He realized that his father’s most closely aligned magical property resonated almost identically with their own characteristics. If his father leveled up, perhaps someday he could wield the magic of all their kin, even their authority!

Inpos couldn’t contain his excitement. He realized something else.

His father might become an unprecedented all-encompassing magician in history! Wasn’t this the true strength of the Creator profession?

A few months ago, Inpos had conceived the idea that ordinary beings could only control three magical properties; any more would lead to uncontrollable magic fluctuations. But if someone could master all magical properties under controlled conditions, perhaps that magician could transcend the “Divine Realm.”

Yet unexpectedly, such a gifted individual was not far away but right before his eyes—his father!