Chapter 739: Launch
Late at night.
Sensing the danger, Loki opened his eyes abruptly and saw a pair of black eyes that were incredibly shiny in the darkness. Before he had time to react, the amount of terrifying spirit power already swarmed over like a tide. Loki only resisted for less than a minute before he completely lost consciousness.
A large amount of black smoke came out of those black eyes, enveloping Loki’s body. Traces of black gas penetrated into his body. Loki’s eyes slowly opened, and his pupils turned grayish white.
The black smoke gradually condensed into Broc’s figure. He looked at Loki with gray eyes, showing a satisfied expression.
“Who are you?”
“Loki. Leviathan.”
“What is your real purpose in coming to the Jergal Fortress?”
“On the order of Sir Azgalor, I use the Illusive Demon Shield as a bait to persuade Broc to defect to the Bloody Empire. In the past 2 years, Bloodfall has placed a spy in the Dark Moon that can be used at any time. He is ready to cooperate with the Bloody Empire to attack the Dark Moon internally and externally.”
“The Bloodfall and the Bloody Empire work together? Absurd!” Broc sneered, “Why didn’t I know that the Bloodfall had this plan?”
“I overheard Sir Azgalor’s conversation with a mysterious figure. It is said that this plan was decided temporarily by the leader of the Bloodfall. The Dark Moon is the main target, and the real role of the Jergal Fortress is to attract the attention of the Dark Shadow Empire. If necessary, we can sacrifice Broc…”
“If Broc rejects the plan, I will try to kill Uncle Frentz of the Dark Shadow Empire and his daughter, Medilu. Then, create rumors and blame it on Broc, causing an internal strife in the Fire Blade Legion. Subsequently, combine internal and external forces to occupy the Jergal Fortress, then I can replace Broc and become the controller of the Leviathan Royal Family…”
Loki’s words made Broc’s eyes even colder. Although there are still many suspicious points in this plan, the mysterious leader of the Bloodfall has always been unpredictable and cannot be estimated by common sense. After the Crystal Valley was destroyed, Azgalor went to the Dark Moon and disappeared mysteriously for some time. I didn’t expect that he had been lurking in the Dark Moon for planning. The mysterious leader of the Bloodfall probably wanted to take the opportunity of the turmoil in the Demon Realm to fish in troubled waters. I wonder how many other people are behind-the-scenes.
However, I, Broc, is not an easy opponent either. I have my own plan long ago, and I will not fall victim to it!
“Where is the Illusive Demon Shield?”
“Illusive Demon Shield…” Loki’s body trembled, and his sluggish expression began to change. The white color in his pupils flickered as if he was fiercely struggling. Broc asked a few more questions, and found that [The Eye of Incubus]’s control power became more turbulent. He got this kind of soul-controlled supernatural power in an unexpected situation. Although it was successful, the resistance was relatively strong for Loki who also had [The Eye of Incubus]. If he continued, Loki’s soul power was likely to collapse and die.
Right now is a critical moment. Loki is just a pawn that is manipulated. For the time being, there is still considerable use value, so he is more useful alive.
Thinking of this, Broc’s eyes exuded black smoke which transformed into a shackle shape, sinking into Loki’s chest before the power of the soul control dissipated.
The magic lamp in the room lit up, reflecting Loki’s pale face. After a while, Loki’s eyes opened slowly. Seeing the figure in the room, he said with a hoarse voice, “General!”
Then he remembered something again and showed a surprised expression, “What happened just now?”
“Stop pretending, Loki.” Broc looked at him coldly, “You know my style and methods.”
Loki seemed to be channeling the strength in his body, and his complexion changed drastically, “[Soul Shackles]! You actually applied [Soul Shackles] on me!”
[Soul Shackles] was 1 of the Leviathan Royal Family’s bloodline talents which was similar to the master-servant contract with a limited number of more than 1. The controller could transcend the space limitations to punish or kill the controlled person.
“Where is the Illusive Demon Shield?” When Broc’s mind moved, Loki screamed and covered his chest. The strength that he had just condensed suddenly collapsed. His facial features twisted in pain, and he could only roll around the ground.
Broc turned a blind eye to Loki’s pain as he said lightly, “You should be very aware of the power of the [Soul Shackles]. You can’t even commit suicide now.”
“General, have you misunderstood! Ah…”
“If you say another nonsense, the punishment will be 10 times more intense.”
Loki knew he had failed, so he gritted his teeth and said, “Sir Azgalor won’t let you go!”
“Azgalor? If he can get me, will he let you come alone?” Broc showed a contemptuous expression, “As long as I’m in this fortress, even Catherine won’t be able to touch me. Cut the nonsense, where is the Illusive Demon Shield?”
Loki knew he had to tell the truth, sp he said honestly, “The IIlusive Shield’s whereabouts are unknown, but Sir Azgalor did get the Demon Shield. I have seen it with my own eyes. This time he wants to use the Demon Shield as a bargaining chip to let general betray the Dark Shadow Empire at the Jergal Fortress to attract the attention of the Dark Shadow Empire. Meanwhile, Sir Azgalor will launch a coup in the Dark Moon and occupy the Dark Moon Estate.”
“Anything else?”
“Nothing else…”
As soon as he finished speaking, the [Soul Shackles] began to torment Loki again. Loki hurriedly begged for mercy.
“Why don’t you say that you can sacrifice me if necessary? If I refuse, you will kill Frentz and his daughter and blame them on me? I underestimated you previously. I didn’t expect you to have the ambition to replace me!”
When Loki heard the news, his facial expression became even more unsightly. He said unreservedly, “Everyone has ambitions. Didn’t you also get your current position by killing Sir Manu? You only hide in the fortress all day. Now the empress’ military reform is about to complete. When you can’t fully control the army, there is only a dead end! It doesn’t matter if you die, you can’t bury the entire Leviathan Royal Family! I’m doing this for the benefit of our people!”
“Shameless bragging!” Broc snorted disdainfully, “Do you think Azgalor or the Bloodfall can give you a way to survive? With the current situation, the Bloody Empire is obviously stronger than the Dark Shadow Empire and the Fallen Angel Empire. Catherine did not cooperate with the Fallen Angel Empire for all sorts of considerations or concerns. Instead, she wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to annex the Fallen Angel Empire and compete with the Bloody Empire. In this game, Jergal Fortress is a very important chess piece, and the opportunity I have been waiting for has finally come… …”
Loki knew Broc very well. When he saw his expression, he was slightly shocked, “Are you already…”
“I have never been willing to be inferior to others. I understand Catherine’s fear of me, and I understand better what I should do.” Broc did not go on, “Whether it is Catherine or the Bloodfall, it is just the strength I use. Catherine is still waiting and watching now, but I didn’t expect that the Bloodfall couldn’t hold on anymore. It just so happens that your return is also considered an important opportunity to launch. Therefore, you still have a way to survive that is to completely surrender to me!”
“You really won’t kill me?” Loki looked up dejectedly, showing another expression of hope.
“Once you lose your value, I will kill you without hesitation! With the [Soul Shackles], it’s no use wherever you hide. What you have to do now is to maintain the value of your existence. If you can play the role that I expect in the move this time and help me regain the Demon Shield, I will cancel your [Soul Shackles].”
“Okay!” Loki gritted his teeth and stood up.
Broc nodded slowly, and his gloomy face finally smiled, but he didn’t notice the strange light yellow that flashed in Loki’s eyes.
The next day, Broc officially announced the return of Loki, who was performing a secret mission outside, and he would regain his military power. A military meeting was held in the castle in the afternoon.
At the meeting, Ordogas, the lead spiritual officer directly appointed by Empress Catherine who was at the same level as Broc, was the first to raise the issue, “General Broc, Loki killed 3 high level spiritual officers today under the pretext of seizing power. I need an explanation!”
It turned out that on the first day Loki took office, he used various reasons and methods to remove several ‘thorns’. They were actually the unsafe factor that Catherine placed in the army including 3 high level spiritual officers.
The term spiritual officer originated from Chen Rui, which was actually a political commissar. The superficial duty was to listen to the voice of the ‘basic level’, to appease the military, and to recruit surrenderers. In fact, they were actually responsible for instilling the empress supremacy and other ideological work in the soldiers.
With the implementation of Catherine’s military system reform, now every centenarian in the legion had 1 spiritual officer. The lower level would obey the higher level. The highest level in the Jergal Fortress was the great spiritual officer who was equal to Broc. In this way, the power of the army could be divided. The legion commander only had the right to command soldiers to fight, and he was governed by the political commissar. This avoided the phenomenon that the legion commander had his own soldiers.
“Loki went out to perform secret missions for 2 years. He didn’t know much about the new reforms of the army. Therefore, he had a conflict with 3 high level spiritual officers because of power distribution. His temperament was known to all. He killed 3 spiritual officers by mistake. I feel very regretful.”
Ordogas said angrily, “Just a mistake? According to military law, Loki should be executed to show an example to the public!”
Broc said calmly, “The power of the spiritual officer is just to appease the military. Ordogas, it is not your place to intervene in the specific affairs of the Fire Blade Legion. I have already removed Loki from his post and investigated it in the first place. This matter is quite special. I will personally report to Catherine the Great and follow Her Majesty’s decision.”
Ordogas couldn’t continue on since Broc had mentioned Catherine. Broc began to announce the theme of the meeting to discuss various issues arising from the reform of the military system.
This was an old topic. There had been many problems in the reform of the new military system, and opinions were not unanimous. The strange thing was that Broc did not oppose or reject Ordogas’ request this time. Instead, he conducted more in-depth group discussions which went very smoothly.
Before they knew it, the meeting had been going on for several hours, and it was getting late.
At this time, a spiritual officer walked into the conference room from outside and whispered a few words in Ordogas’ ears.
Ordogas showed a shocked expression as he got up, “General Broc! 2 hours ago, you secretly ordered as a legion commander to withdraw the armed forces outside the fortress and close the protective magic circle as well as early warning system in the east. Why?”
Broc smiled strangely, “This has nothing to do with the meeting. I’ll explain it to you later.”
Ordogas said furiously, “Broc! It’s about the life and death of the fortress! You have to explain right away. What are you trying to do?”
Broc smiled without saying a word. Ordogas immediately spoke to the high level spiritual officers on the side, “Varota, immediately take someone to the east of the fortress and reactivate the protective magic circle!”
Broc waved his hand and the door of the conference hall closed automatically.
“Don’t even think about going anywhere.” Broc’s grim laughter sounded through the hall, and black light began to appear in his eyes. Everyone felt their vision turn dark, and the magic lamp light in the entire hall was dimmed.
TL: What is Broc preparing all along? He is so confident in defeating Catherine?
