Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'-Chapter 1251 - 253: Empire Line: Toward the [Spiritual Deer] Ending (48)

The morning breeze swept across the Empire's sky, bringing the northern chill.

Along with it came an Apostle of Deities, cloaked heavily.

The Chief Apostle Arthur coldly stepped into the spring, arrived at the agreed location, and spoke towards the woods:

"Sorry, I'm late."

"Doesn't matter, everyone seems to want to stand me up anyway."

From the woods, a man emerged slowly, carrying a large number of inexplicable creations on his back. He wore a tattered yellow engineer hat and chewed on a blade of grass, appearing lazy and carefree:

"Apostle Arthur, according to our agreement, you should report on our Greedy Speaker's situation."

"The Endbringer just awoke from a nap, she's very stable. She's quite satisfied with my sudden actions, but as for the alliance with Leoz, just as Lady Gaia foretold: not much has been gained before betrayal was already planned."

Arthur nodded and said:

"Engineer Senator Zhang Fulong, I must admit, you of the Society side indeed have a talent. You can even glimpse into the thoughts of the True God."

"No, it's just Mother Gaia's foresight."

Zhang Fulong shrugged:

"Is there anything else?"

"As promised, I need to probe Leoz. It's taken too long to meet you, even if Redd isn't meticulous, he will still be suspicious."

"No need to hurry, Leoz is a guy you can deal with easily, can't you?"

"...Perhaps."

"Perhaps? What do you mean by perhaps?"

Zhang Fulong was surprised:

"Apostle Arthur, you must be joking. The sword in your hand, even the Soldier's 'Sword of Ares' can't match it—that's Earth's strongest blade. Not only were you not killed, but you defeated the Blacksmith three times, the Starry Abyss's top sword, Leoz's Sword of the Stars was destroyed during the War Beyond the Abyss, to this day, he has yet to have a Divine Artifact to rival it."

"That was in the past. Since Your Excellency Charlgarnia's identity was seized...I permanently lost my Goddess, my beloved's Strength. Redd has never known this."

Arthur said:

"My senses tell me Leoz's Strength is no less than mine at my peak. Coupled with Starry Abyss's restrictions, I could well be defeated by him."

"Hmm... Indeed, Border Abyss's limit only allows you to exert demigod Strength."

Zhang Fulong pondered for a moment, clapped his hands, and said:

"Since you feel you'll be defeated, I'll lend you a hand."

"How to help? You are Secret, directly acting is inappropriate. Besides, you aren't a combat Senator, what will you use against that Tyrant?"

"Watch your words, before I became an Engineer, you faced: the former Director of the Ether Civilization's Construction Bureau, a model worker thrice awarded, a recipient of the human hero Title, a Civilization construction medalist. You can call me Director Zhang, Mr. Zhang, Bureau Chief, all fine, even though I'm already 1357 years old, I've set my persona age at a 20-year-old college student."

Zhang Fulong sternly corrected.

"...Whatever."

Arthur remained silent, coldly said:

"Tell me your plan, Zhang."

"Last time when fighting with Leoz and others, Mother Gaia advised me not to directly act but to capture two hostages. Now, after Secret modifications, they're our loyal Earthlings. It's their turn to act now."

Zhang Fulong drew a butcher knife from his back, carefully slicing open the spacetime rift, within two figures slowly emerged:

"Allow me to introduce: the indestructible shield of Secret, rendering all attacks null, evoking only despair—a fortress—Black Knight Gretto Yegg."

Bang.

The heavy armored suit crushed the ground, a giant over ten meters, entirely encased, with a head resembling a black whale-like knight wielding a shield, towering over the earth.

"And a thief capable of stealing all treasures, seemingly of civilian Origin, yet later matching the Senator's Authority—Thief Narrow Space Mirror."

Zhang Fulong stepped back as the pitch-black Crow Feather fell with the wind, tearing through spacetime's gap, a creature like a frame-skipping moving shadow of Crow Feather instantly landed on the Black Knight's shoulder.

"These two have reached the demigod level, and they'll act at the right time to help you deal with the opponent."

Engineer Zhang Fulong slightly smiled:

"If necessary, I'll act too, you can rest assured to go."

"Lord Arthur~"

"The three Demigods stand by your side, such an arrangement would give even a Speaker of equal rank a headache, Emperor Anpolo couldn't handle a one-on-four back then, and Leoz certainly can't do it now."

However, Arthur just coldly stared at him:

"What do you take me for?"

"——My apologies."

Zhang Fulong smiled slightly, speaking in a gentle tone:

"You dare say that again."

"Standing before you is the former Director of the Construction Bureau of the Ether Civilization, a model worker, a three-time Era Model winner, recipient of the Human Hero Title, and the Civilization Construction Medal!"

"And what are you? Arthur, you are nothing but a dog of Charlgarnia. The method to save Charlgarnia now is in our hands, don't take kindness for granted. You are a hitman, you shamelessly sought me out. I didn't even notify Anpolo about our collaboration. What do you think you are? I can see through you at a glance!"

"I am a knight."

"You're nothing, don't think I haven't checked your files, Arthur Don Quixote. In your life, you were a failed Crown Prince fostered in the home of a fallen noble. If it weren't for the serendipity of finding that Demon Sword in the lake, you wouldn't have survived childhood. You've never been decorated, only Charlgarnia saw you as a little ghost with a sword during the expedition, pitied you, and took you along with the team hoping you could survive by slaying a Different Race."

Zhang Fulong spoke gently:

"Goddess Charlgarnia has been charming and amorous her whole life. Do you think you're the only favored one? I go out to buy cigarettes and meet nine women who've slept with her, and one man. Beyond loyalty and that sword, you offer nothing."

"I have always adhered to the knight's code... Even if I'm never decorated in my lifetime, I still regard myself as a knight. I have my honor, and I collaborate with you merely to help Her Excellency Charlgarnia escape from Redd's cage. This secret is known only to me, and I dare not implicate other Angel Envoys."

Arthur began:

"If I fail, you shall take action. Take the sword away, don't let Redd possess it."

"... I've been curious for a long time, Arthur, what is the origin of that sword?"

"I don't know."

Arthur drew out a sword wrapped in filthy cloth from his chest, speaking calmly:

"But if I die, this sword in your possession will be a great merit for the Secret Council—at that time, you should fulfill the agreement, right?"

"Other Senators can't, but I can. You know, only I can do it."

Zhang Fulong chuckled:

"Who thinks an Engineer's quality is 'dashing'. Gaia took away my sorrow, and so I live a carefree life. To avoid being troubled at heart, I must honestly accept your agreement."

"In the knight's code, this is called: integrity."

Arthur lightly traced a circular cross on his chest:

"Mr. Zhang, as an Apostle of Deities, I can't bless you and Lady Gaia to fulfill Earth's rise, but I can offer blessings for the return of your billion-strong civilization in exile."

"Return home? No, our goal is not to return to Earth."

"I'm curious, too. What is your goal?"

"It's simple."

Zhang Fulong said:

"We are here to liberate Starry Abyss, to ensure all people no longer suffer oppression and pain, this is our Society's obligation!"

"Even if it means war and devouring?"

"You just need to say whether they're still in pain or not!"

"I cannot understand you Earthlings' thoughts—I think even Starry Abyss's most extreme Leoz is a gentle and conservative Holy Mother compared to you."

Arthur turned around, walking towards Destiny Fort, without looking back:

"But as long as I can free my Goddess Charlgarnia, and let Redd Gold find his end beneath the Nether Abyss, I'll cooperate willingly even with you Ether Demons."

"Trading with demons will take everything, you know."

"It's alright."

Arthur raised his head, his deep blue eyes gazing through the forest towards the distant castle where Li Aozi was burning incense and chanting, speaking indifferently:

"Because I was born with nothing, Charlgarnia is the only truth in my life."

"Redd took her from my side, using disguise and beauty to turn my comrades into puppets too."

"I'm not afraid to be deceived by you, Zhang, even if you truly lie, I consent willingly."

"At least, I fought back once."