After the Lord of the Abyss Awakens - Chapter 44.1

“Just give it a try, if it doesn’t work, we’ll run away immediately, understand?”

“Inpos, is the instant teleportation artifact you mentioned really useful?”

“Okay, let’s randomly set a point first and take a look, make sure it’s far from the palace, find a place with no one around.”

“Can this robe shield the level detection? Is it a divine artifact you found in the abyss? Good.”

The above conversation took place before the start of the operation in the bookstore.

The front door closed, the small ragdoll cat brought out a super-large box from the void, rummaging through it, tossing a set of clothes to the left and a set of jewelry to the right.

Today will be a historic day!

The whole world will be watching! Watching!

Buer’s eyes shone brightly, her mood was extremely excited, her motivation was crazily charged.

Charge, charge, charge, let’s cause a ruckus!

On the other side. 

Around 9 o’clock in the morning.

The Continental Human Alliance received a distress call from the Aust Empire, and immediately launched an investigation.

There were already their subordinates near the border, the local situation was already under their observation, and they had already received the rumors about the suspected appearance of the hero.

But they didn’t expect that the suspected hero figure attacked Sword Saint Ferrol in the black mist, and then chased out of the black mist, shooting down the scout ship sent by the Aust Empire.

It turns out that it was not an illusion, but a real thing, able to detect their situation, and even hunt them down.

If Sword Saint Ferrol had not been agile, he would have either died or been seriously injured. As a current rank 73rd combat powerhouse among humans, an opponent capable of making him so disheveled can be imagined.

They don’t know if it’s because they escaped a distance away, away from the black mist, that the Wang Chang’er didn’t catch up.

They almost got wiped out, completely unprepared for this, who would have thought that a Sword Saint would also be on the warship.

The opponent is at least a human powerhouse above level 95!

The Continental Human Alliance is short-handed, so they dispatched a investigation team consisting of Wilkin, Simon, and Lia.

Wilkin is young but powerful, at level 96, currently ranked 11th among humans, with him, most tasks can be resolved. Simon is old, his strength has declined somewhat, but he is experienced and knowledgeable, which perfectly complements Wilkin’s shortcomings.

Lia, as a veteran who has inherited the title of Sword Saint for more than a decade, upon hearing the rumor of the appearance of the first generation Sword Saint Wang Chang’er, couldn’t help but want to see what it was all about, so she actively volunteered to go.

Before going to the Aust Empire, the three had a small discussion.

Wilkin thought the resurrection of the hero was absurd, especially Wang Chang’er, whose disappearance was not a sudden disappearance, but a clash with the Otherworldly God No. 002 thousands of years ago, being severely wounded and on the verge of death, and disappearing together with It.

Normally, this should not be understood as a disappearance, but as death. The hero profession is not like the mage, even if only the spirit remains, it may still be alive.

Moreover, the historical records show that the space in that place was torn apart, the time was mixed, which was not a place where life could survive.

So, in the cognition of most people, Wang Chang’er has already sacrificed in that war against the gods, only a few people still have a glimmer of hope that Wang Chang’er will miraculously revive.

In Wilkin’s view, even if Wang Chang’er could survive in such a situation, there is no way he could have the peak strength. Like the Hero Luo Jie, he succumbed to the passage of time and his strength declined by 70-80 levels. If Wang Chang’er is still alive, in the normal flow of time, he would at most be a few levels higher than Luo Jie.

What Ferrol said sounded too magical. But he thought about it and didn’t say that, but said: It’s not impossible.

Simon and Lia looked at each other.

Simon felt that the information was too scarce, making it difficult to make a judgment.

Lia also said, “Still need to go to the Oedipus Empire to find out.”

Upon hearing this, Wilkin suddenly changed the subject, saying in a deep voice, “The Intelligence Agency said that the one who ranked number one in the ranking also happens to be in Oedipus.”

The waves caused by the ranking incident had not yet settled, and many people were still brooding over it, especially Wilkin. He took on this task just to go to Oedipus and see what kind of person this “number one in the ranking” was, how he suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and how he could surpass the others. Was there a problem with the brain of the God of Rankings?

Both Simon and Lia were curious about this. If the other party was not suddenly coming from subspace, then the other party must have advanced from being ranked below the top hundred to being number one in the ranking within a year. Is this possible?

Absolutely impossible.

This was not a matter of miracle or not, but rather a violation of common sense.

However, that level of existence was not easy to approach. Investigating the other party behind their back, if discovered, would lower the favorability no matter how good-tempered they were.

And that kind of existence would most likely know that you were investigating them.

But Wilkin questioned, “It’s probably that the God of Ranking made a mistake, so he ran away and can’t be found anywhere.”

Lia frowned slightly and couldn’t help but ask, “What’s your reason for thinking so?”

Wilkin turned his head and stared at her, saying, “Do you know the previous number one in the ranking?”

Lia didn’t know him. Even Simon had only heard of him.

Wilkin said seriously, “I’ve seen him, I know him, he has already taken that step. I dare say that no one among humans can surpass him. He is the strongest in history, surpassing Luo Jie and Wang Chang’er. He is absolutely the strongest human.”

He was too certain, speaking firmly and eloquently, as if preaching the truth. He was also a strong one, not easily admitting others’ strength, but that person was different, he was the absolute ceiling, not on the same level as all other humans.

Wilkin couldn’t understand at all how there could still be someone stronger than him.

“The God of Ranking may not be absolute either. I heard that the empire where the number one in the ranking is from is already looking for him everywhere. Then we’ll know the truth.”

Simon was silent for a few seconds. In his view, having one more strong human was a good thing, but he was afraid that this strong human might not be friendly to humans, and might even be anti-human.

However, Simon could also see that the essence of Wilkin’s questioning was jealousy. It is well known that among humans, only the young can make leaps and bounds in their strength. If the sudden appearance of the number one in the ranking is true, then the other party is most likely a young person, a competitor in the same race as Wilkin.

Lia slowly stood up, placing her hand on the hilt of the sword at her waist, and said solemnly, “Guessing is meaningless. We’ll talk about it when we get there. Although the reputation of the Sword Saint Ferrol is not good, his strength is not weak. He was killed with a single sword strike. I advise everyone to focus on the mission, lest you lose your life there.”

The air suddenly became tense, and then fell silent.

Half an hour later.

They arrived at the imperial city of the Oedipus Empire as the representative team of the Continental Human Alliance, just in time for a military meeting.

“Go.”

Simon led the group, walking in the front at first.

Suddenly, Wilkin quickened his pace, taking the lead.

The captain appointed by the Alliance was Simon, but Wilkin clearly had no intention of obeying the Alliance, and placed his own strength above Simon, refusing to yield to him.

Lia was speechless, and a clear disdain flashed in her eyes. Those who are gifted and have fast breakthroughs are usually like this – their strength is in a league of their own, and so is their self-esteem.

But Simon saw this and deliberately slowed down a few steps without saying anything.

The foreign diplomat recognized Wilkin and immediately fawned over and praised him, saying that he was so strong at a young age, and that being number one would be no problem in just a few decades.

But this flattery missed the mark, and Wilkin’s expression darkened. He even said bluntly, “The number one human in the ranking is in your Oedipus Empire. Your country is really powerful. If the ranking continues, with that human in your country, your country will definitely be number one.”

The foreign diplomat was embarrassed and laughed awkwardly, “That person should not be our citizen, so he doesn’t count as our combat power.”

Wilkin’s words had undertones, and he glanced sideways and said, “Oh? So it seems you know who it is?”

The foreign diplomat shook his head, “No, no, we have no idea. If there was really such a strong one among our citizens, we would be more than delighted.”

Wilkin’s expression was dissatisfied as he coldly snorted, “Hmm, is that so.”

His gloomy mood persisted until the round table meeting.

Dozens of important figures were present, including King Levin, and the heavily injured but persistently attending Ferrol.

Seeing Wilkin and the others arrive, the imperial side expressed full respect, serving tea and water, being extremely careful, fearing to provoke any dissatisfaction.

But Wilkin’s attitude was not one of mutual respect. He had a frowning and tense expression throughout, making the people present feel the pressure.

Levin glanced at Wilkin out of the corner of his eye, puzzled in his heart, but unable to speak directly.

The intelligence officer finished reporting the basic situation, without any new information, because after Ferrol was attacked, they never encountered the mist hero again.

Hearing the report, Ferrol couldn’t wait to speak, “Without a doubt, that was the Hero himself. They came back from subspace to kill us.”

Except for Wilkin, the expressions of the others all changed. They couldn’t understand this claim at all. They’re the heroes who have saved humanity! Why would they come back to kill humans for no reason?

Simon and Lia looked at each other, feeling that Ferrol’s mind seemed a bit unhinged after having his arm cut off.

Ferrol said, “I don’t know the specific reasons, but about the motive, don’t you all understand?”

This question scared the others.

Indeed, those who have read history know that the seven heroes all came from another world. At the time, the human kings had summoned them, but failed to send them back, which was essentially deception and exploitation.

To kidnap those foreigners in the name of righteousness, how could this not be a fault? The heroes certainly had reason to hate and curse the humans. Even if the humans were retaliated against by the heroes, it would be understandable.

But to retaliate only now?

Ferrol supported himself with one hand on the table, his face cold and gloomy, “Anyway, I’ve said my piece. Whether you believe it or not is up to you. Representatives of the Alliance, if you treat this as a normal abnormal incident, you will pay the same price as me, or even worse.”

The others glanced at his missing left arm, which was severed and cursed, likely unable to heal for life. For a hero, losing a hand is no ordinary matter.

But Levin didn’t understand why Ferrol insisted that it was the heroes, without any evidence, just based on a feeling.

Could it be because… he knew that even if he was wrong, the missing heroes couldn’t retaliate against him.

Even if the heroes later returned and learned of this, given the noble deeds of the heroes in the history books, they wouldn’t do anything to him.

Thinking about this, Levin felt disgusted. Ferrol could talk such nonsense only because the sole surviving hero, Luo Jie, had died. If Luo Jie were still alive, how could he possibly allow Ferrol to recklessly defame their reputation.

At this time, Simon and Lia exchanged glances, about to speak up in refutation.

Unexpectedly, Wilkin actually picked up on Ferrol’s point, saying, “It’s indeed possible that it was the heroes themselves.”

“What, are you going crazy too?” Simon stared wide-eyed.

Lia was also stunned.

The air suddenly became heavy.

Only Ferrol responded, saying, “Lord Wilkin, you indeed have remarkable insights.”

Wilkin half-smiled, “Sword Saint Ferrol is the only one who has had close contact with the other party, so naturally Sword Saint Ferrol’s judgment should be the standard.”

Simon’s expression turned dark.

Levin was completely bewildered.

The silent Prime Minister next to them seemed to have already seen through it all.

Wilkin continued, “Even if it was the heroes themselves coming to kill us, everyone doesn’t need to worry too much. Times have changed, the rankings of humans are rising, and our strength is increasing. The heroes are from the old era. This era is the Humans Era, the era belonging to us local humans. If they want to retaliate against us, we will fight them. We local humans are not inferior to them.”

What kind of shameless remarks were these?!

The meeting room fell silent.

Simon didn’t know whether Wilkin was stupid or evil to come up with such baseless accusations, essentially turning the heroes into suspects just because they were missing or dead.

Taking advantage of their disappearance to slander them like this?

Simon was furious, but before he could speak up, Levin stood up first, angrily saying, “Lord Wilkin, your words are inappropriate.”

As a king with little weight, he actually dared to confront the 11th ranked human. The other Oedipus people were also stunned.

Some were directly worried in their hearts, because offending Wilkin was no joking matter – this guy had the power to destroy a country!

But Levin’s mouth was too fast. Staring into Wilkin’s eyes, he said bluntly, “We were able to get to where we are today all thanks to the original heroes. You are making groundless speculations, what do you mean by that? And even if they have become weaker, is strength the only standard?”

The air became tense in an instant.

Ferrol glanced sideways.

Wilkin stood up smiling, his eyes gleaming with power. “Strength is the only standard. Didn’t your family teacher teach you that, little king? As a king, being so reckless, how long do you think you’ll live?”

This was a direct life threat.

His words also carried an absolute sense of superiority, making everyone else break out in cold sweat, let alone the face-to-face Levin.

Levin was drenched in sweat, his knees trembling, fear crawling all over his body.

And just then, an unexpected voice rang out – a light chuckle.

Everyone paused and turned to look at the source of the laughter.

Suddenly, a gray-robed man emerged from behind the wall.

A male figure, the cloak covering his face, his lips curving upwards slightly, as if he had heard something amusing.

Everyone looked at him, not knowing how he appeared, and immediately on their guard.

The bodyguards on both sides were about to stop him.

But he seemed to be looking at Wilkin, and said indifferently, “You say the heroes of the old era are no match for today’s people?”

His emotionless words inexplicably sent shivers down everyone’s spine.

At this time, everyone activated their systems, trying to determine the mysterious man’s level.

However, the result that appeared made everyone’s faces turn pale.

It was “Existence beyond comprehension, impossible to fathom”!

Meaning he was most likely a being of Level 95 or above!

Wilkin suddenly changed his arrogant attitude, secretly preparing for an attack, “I was questioning, who are you and why are you appearing here?”

The gray-robed man slowly approached, stopping less than two steps away from Levin, his ghostly steps making the bodyguards completely unable to react.

“Who I am is not important, I’m just passing by. What’s important is that your words were quite interesting.”

The gray-robed man seemed to have no ill intent, his tone always carrying a touch of amusement.

Wilkin clenched his fists, his gaze sharp as a blade. “Interesting? Being prepared for the heroes turning against us, what’s the problem? They’ve been gone in the subspace for so many years, maybe they’ve already been assimilated by subspace creatures, so they came to attack us.”

He was clearly flustered, deliberately confronting with his words.