Everyone Is A Lord: My Talent Is A Little Too Strong Chapter 2662: 1264: Truths of the Past (Part 2)
“At the distant end, a colossal statue loomed, its size rivaling that of a modest fortress. Even with its blurred features, it instantly stirred a profound feeling of discomfort and terror.”
“The moment the eagle commander averted his eyes from the creepy statue, Waters had already dropped to his knees in front of the vague colossal figure, resuming his insane ramblings, as though reciting an incantation.”
“Waters’ chants turned increasingly wild and zealous, causing the whole chamber to tremble fiercely.”
“Realizing the peril and moving to intervene, the rest were halted when a bizarre black glow enveloped Waters and his devotees. As the glow faded, Waters and his group were strewn across the floor in a gruesome heap, lifeless as if savaged by a monstrous creature.”
“Stunned, the alliance chiefs and powerhouses had no time to respond before the walls adorned with carvings of Black Robed Mages ignited in dark radiance, followed by hordes of Black Robed Mages bursting forth from the stone, hoods thrown back to expose withered, cadaverous visages with eyes blazing crimson.”
Upon hearing this, Sina blurted out in shock, “So those Black Robed Mages were really roused Witch Demons? And Waters’ earlier ritual was basically a sacrifice?”
“Precisely, it was only then that the eagle commander understood those Witch Demons weren’t mere wall etchings, but concealed within them; post-awakening, they left behind humanoid imprints on the surfaces, as if embedded like stone carvings in the designs.”
Old Gary gave a grave nod, replying, “What followed was obvious: the Witch Demons assaulted with malevolent grins, transforming the hall into a hellscape. Amid the cries and fiendish cackles, only the eagle commander managed a narrow escape.”
“I never imagined it would unfold like that.”
After listening, Loris drew in a sharp breath, his leonine features etched with gravity and intensity.
Confronted by a sudden onslaught from more than ten thousand Witch Demons, the Broken Valley Alliance’s warriors back then felt utter hopelessness, since even the lowliest Witch Demon reached Tier 5 at minimum, and all wielded the dread Taboo Skills.
“In the end, Waters’ hunger for strength made him unleash the forbidden arcane chest under their influence. I fault myself for abandoning Waters there, and even more for placing him in command.”
Old Gary’s tone brimmed with grief and regret, as he let out a deep sigh, “As for the aftermath, it’s clear enough.”
“By the time I returned with my crack troops, the whole Ancient Relics site, the sealed nearby barracks, and even adjacent settlements had fallen, all now playgrounds for the Witch Demons to wreak havoc freely.”
“Those frightful, malevolent entities, akin to plague-like hordes employing necromancy, stripped the land bare and scattered devastation, converting every soul they encountered into undead thralls.”
“Though my vanguard force gained an early edge, we suffered defeat in the end, for the slain among us rose as undead, wielding blades against the very allies they’d battled beside moments before.”
As Old Gary reached this point, Leo Ray gave a subtle nod, echoing the emotion.
He recalled witnessing that nightmarish sight in his clash with the Nightmare Knight at Cyan Town.
Watching your recent battle-mates morph into Skeleton Warriors and savagely direct their arms at you delivers a massive mental and strategic shock to the ranks.
One can picture how those myriads of Witch Demons, in their initial fury, summoned no undead restraint and wasted no fallen body.
“In the final stretch, I fell back gradually, my key commanders and remaining kin perishing one after another, nearly handing the entire alliance to them, save for the Underground City erected beneath the capital.”
Old Gary’s words carried the weight of years and lament, his voice quieting as he gazed at the Stone Spirit nearby, “During the Underground City’s building, I unwittingly employed the heirloom ‘Key of Truth’ to unlock the ‘Gate of Truth’ housing Youyou, and in time, adopted Youyou as my granddaughter.”
Everyone there felt a surge of emotion at these words.
Though the elder chief downplayed it, his account revealed that after losing his youngest son Waters, in retreat he failed to safeguard his realm and saw his other heirs perish, plunging him into total despair. Youyou’s arrival became the sole comfort for this fading patriarch.
“No need for such sentiments toward me; I alone bear the fault for my current plight.”
Old Gary attempted a bitter grin, his jawbone clacking open and shut, before adding, “My only remorse is toward the folk and fighters of the Broken Valley Alliance. As their chief, I personally planted the roots of calamity and proved helpless against the ruin that bloomed.”
“Chief, it’s not on you—we stand ready to battle alongside you until the finish, as we did before and as we do today!”
With Old Gary’s words, the other Broken Valley Alliance powerhouses advanced, voicing their pledge together.
Beholding this, Leo Ray and his companions felt stirred once more.
Clearly, this elder chief earned true devotion and reverence; had the Witch Demons not been so overwhelming, the Broken Valley Alliance would surely stand as a formidable power today.
While all pondered this, Old Gary softly tapped the shoulder bones of the encircling Broken Valley Alliance warriors and resumed his tale.
“To be frank, in selecting Youyou for the Secret Spell, we’d hit rock bottom, so I poured everything into seeking even the faintest chance of triumph, however faint.”
“Through numerous trials, I decisively chose to infuse Holy Engraving into myself; should we perish and rise as foe-controlled undead, we’d strike a lethal stroke when the adversaries least expected it!”
Old Gary’s firm declaration echoed for all to hear, “The rest, as you know, unfolded with some twists—we didn’t rouse right away—but encountering you today confirms our labors weren’t wasted.”
“You honor us, elder chief. Uncovering this legendary saga and the real events of yore has made our travels truly rewarding.”
Leo Ray nodded firmly, a flicker of puzzlement crossing his expression as he inquired, “On that note, if I may be direct, elder chief, since Waters was ensnared to rouse the Witch Demons, who precisely ensnared him?”
As Leo Ray questioned, Sina and Loris shot intrigued looks, this topping their curiosities.
“I’ll conceal nothing from Your Majesty of the Humans; this puzzled me most back then too. Per the eagle commander, the Witch Demons did stir post-Waters’ offering.”
Old Gary nodded pensively, “Thus, I surmise that amid our relic delving, a Witch Demon inside stirred first, then lured Waters, sparking the disaster.”
“Yet, elder chief, Witch Demons lack such enthralling might, it seems.”
Loris creased his brow slightly, compelled to interject.
“I shared that view, hence I pondered an alternative.”
Leo Ray picked up the thread, his forehead creasing further, “Recall the hazy colossal statue the eagle commander described?”