Chapter 129: Slaying the Angel

Sun Licheng stood atop the fortress wall at the mouth of the valley, gazing at the approaching goblin army with a heavy heart. At the forward camp, he had unleashed all his skills and slain many foes, yet the sheer number of enemies before him remained terrifying.

“Boss, we can’t stay on the defensive like this any longer,” said Mr. Dexterous, fluttering to his side.

Sun Licheng nodded thoughtfully. “Do you have a good plan?”

“We could strike at the goblins’ supply lines. They’ve just arrived in Soro; logistics must be a major issue,” Mr. Dexterous suggested.

Sun Licheng considered this, then shook his head. “That won’t do. Attacking supply lines is only a supporting tactic. Given their commander’s capability, they must have brought ample provisions with the army. We can’t touch them in the short term. Moreover, our manpower is stretched thin. If our strike force falls into a trap, it would be disastrous.”

“So what should we do?” asked Vina, the little Medusa nearby.

“Simple: hold the line against their assault,” Sun Licheng replied with a smile. “This is our stronghold. The underground fortress still holds plenty of weapons and magic crystals. Since it’s come to this, let’s wage a war of attrition. I want to see whether their numbers or our magic crystals prevail.”

Hearing his words, the others nodded in agreement.

On a small hill outside the valley entrance, Marshal Gernison observed the valley walls with his subordinates. The wall resembled the forward fortress, clad in metal, though on a smaller scale.

“Everyone, what do you suggest we do?” Gernison asked, pointing to the wall pocked with dark cannon muzzles.

Silence fell. Facing such an ironclad fortress, there was little hope for a good plan.

“Then let’s just give it a try,” Gernison said grimly, turning to Adolf. “Chief Adolf, have the Moon Alliance launch an attack.”

Adolf’s face darkened at the order, but after a moment’s thought, he gritted his teeth and consented.

An hour later, the battle at the valley entrance concluded with Adolf retreating, clutching his left arm, followed by broken troops.

“Father, their firepower is overwhelming. We can’t just throw lives away like this,” cried one-eyed Martin, tears welling in his eyes.

In just one hour, nearly a thousand goblin warriors had fallen outside the valley, many from the Star-Moon Tribe.

Sighing, Adolf had intended to say something to his son but instead looked out over the chaotic goblin ranks and sighed deeply. He had thought Sun Licheng had given his all at the forward fortress, but now he realized they had severely underestimated the enemy.

Just moments ago, Sun Licheng had unleashed a barrage of muskets, cannons, magic crystal cannons, and crossbows dismantled from flapping-winged aircraft, firing magic crystals as if they were limitless.

Under such relentless assault, not only were the charging goblins decimated, but even the Ebercroft Eagles and one-eyed giants suffered heavy casualties. Goblin shamans, intending to aid their comrades, were nearly wiped out upon entering the field and fled in disarray.

Marshal Gernison, after recalling his troops, looked upon the dejected soldiers and sighed helplessly. “Let us pray to the goddess for greater aid.”

In the divine realm of the Silver Moon and Spring Water Goddess, the archangel Olavia reported to Her Majesty: “Your Majesty, the goblins can no longer advance. Sun Licheng has them trapped outside a valley; they cannot move an inch.”

“Didn’t expect these creatures to be so fragile,” the goddess chuckled lightly, as if indifferent to the outcome.

Just then, an angel flew into the temple, kneeling on one knee to report loudly: “Your Majesty, the Wind God has arrived.”

The goddess’s expression tightened. Muttering, “What does this fellow want with me?” she followed the angel out of the temple.

When she returned, Olavia noticed her Majesty’s face was dark with displeasure.

“Olavia, prepare to descend to the mortal realm. For reasons unknown, the gods of the divine realm have discovered matters below and intend to intervene. We must act swiftly to seize the Heart of the Gods and Sun Licheng,” the goddess explained, dispelling the archangel’s confusion.

Olavia nodded and accepted the mission. The goddess regarded her favored subordinate thoughtfully, then waved her delicate hand. A radiant light enveloped Olavia.

When the light faded, Olavia was amazed to find two additional wings on her back—she had transformed into a four-winged angel.

“Go, my child. Take others with you and complete the mission swiftly,” the goddess commanded.

Soon, Olavia led four angels to the mortal realm. They did not seek out the goblins but went straight to the valley entrance.

“Haha! These goblins are utterly useless. This toy before them has them completely helpless. It’s laughable,” sneered Vedesna loudly.

Olavia felt a pang of helplessness. Vedesna was temperamental; not long ago, she had turned a goblin saintess into a hideous monster over a minor issue.

“Not sure if bringing her was wise,” Olavia sighed inwardly.

At that moment, Vedesna’s body shimmered with light. Heavy armor and a massive lance appeared as if from nowhere.

“Watch how I handle this,” she shouted, beating her wings and streaking toward the valley wall like a shooting star.

Before the defenders could react, a deafening explosion tore through the valley wall, which shattered like a volcanic eruption. Countless steel plates, battle automatons, and weapons were blasted into the sky.

“Hmph, how dare these trash defy the goddess,” the triumphant angel sneered at the rain of battle automatons falling like hail. Then she fixed her gaze on the fortress at the tunnel’s mouth.

She leapt high, her body glowing with crystalline light, the lance’s tip dazzling to the point of blinding, and charged at the fortress.

The defenders, awakened by the devastation of the valley wall, began shooting frantically as the enemy advanced.

Seeing the hail of bullets and beams, the angel’s lips curled in derision. She nimbly dodged left and right, evading the barrage with ease, swiftly closing in on the fortress.

Just as she prepared to repeat her devastating strike, a colossal pillar of light suddenly appeared. The beam moved so fast it was instantly before her.

Vedesna hastily raised her shield, but it was too late.

The shield, strengthened by divine power, shattered into countless shards under the beam’s assault. The radiant light pierced through the angel’s body fiercely.

“Why?” Vedesna gasped, blood trickling from her lips as confusion clouded her eyes. Then, like the sun bursting forth, she emitted a blinding white light before a thunderous roar that seemed to shake the heavens, and she dissolved into a flurry of white feathers scattered across the sky.