Facing the Apocalypse with My Other Selves

The entire nation will fall into chaos.

Even if there truly are benevolent Divine Spirits yet unharmed, at a time like this, how are we supposed to find them? And even if we do, how would we dare to act?

"Mortals are impossible to defy the gods!" Someone suddenly burst into tears, utterly breaking down in the hall, "Even the Goddess can die. What right do we have to survive?"

This was a relatively young King, seemingly newly crowned, and from the moment he entered, his emotions had already approached collapse.

Many kings frowned deeply, yet quite a few wore the same expression of despair.

"This is the war of gods; indeed, we mortals cannot resist."

"Even if we survive this time, what about the next Divine Punishment?"

"The gods need only casually wipe their hands, and together with all the Mortal World, we will vanish without a trace."

"Return, my lords, go back and await death."

"..."

Countless voices rose from atop the hall, some even from kings once highly reputed; the mood of despair was spreading at a terrifying pace.

Until, at a certain moment, Wizard Shen Yu slowly spoke: "If that's the case, then go back and wait for death."

These blunt words stunned everyone present.

But Wizard Shen Yu had already raised his palm and lightly waved it.

Next instant, those kings whose faces bore despair, or who had spoken of surrender, were swept out of the grand hall by an irresistible, mighty power!

It all happened so suddenly that when these people tumbled heavily to the ground, only then did they realize what was happening.

Each wore an expression of burning indignation.

"How dare you!"

Some even rushed directly towards the hall once again.

They lacked the courage to face the gods, but they did have the nerve to confront the Magic Emperor.

Yet, Wizard Shen Yu completely ignored them.

Every king who tried to rush inside was flung back by the Magic Barrier at the doorway.

"Anyone else wishes to leave?" Wizard Shen Yu looked at the remaining people in the hall.

Everyone fell utterly silent.

A number of hearts were deeply shaken.

Though they too resented the demoralized kings, thinking those men lacked all royal bearing, still, such a decisive, ruthless act by the Magic Emperor made it clear: he truly did not regard any of these so-called kings as worthy of his attention.

Some even worried that coming here this time was a grave mistake.

Yet, Wizard Shen Yu's next words made all present snap their heads up in shock.

"If no one wishes to leave, then we will begin to break the curse."

Indeed, Wizard Shen Yu said it calmly, his voice carrying through the Magic Hall, reaching even those kings who had been cast out.

They could hardly believe their own ears.

The Magic Emperor—does he truly have a way to lift the Divine Punishment Curse?

This is a curse, not a plague!

Yet, no matter how they struggled, that thin Magic Barrier trapped them firmly outside.

They could still see other kings inside the hall looking pleasantly surprised.

Regret grew wildly within their hearts.

However, the only reason they still lived, merely driven out rather than killed, was to serve as a warning to the rest.

"The Divine Punishment Curse is easily resolved," said Wizard Shen Yu. His gaze swept across everyone present, "But some things those expelled said were not wrong. Even after the Divine Punishment Curse is broken, there will be another Divine Punishment. To resist the gods with mortal flesh means after one curse comes another, and another, each stronger than the last. At any moment, the gods might act personally. In such circumstances, do you still wish to break the curse?"

"Of course we do!"

The reply came not from another, but from Aivlette.

All knew that this newly crowned monarch of the Violet Duchy was the Magic Emperor's betrothed.

She now rose, swept her gaze about, and spoke solemnly: "Perhaps, in the end, we will fail, and perish in battle. But we shall fall fighting, and die in resistance, not kneeling willingly, offering our vibrant lives for the gods to slaughter!"

Even Wizard Shen Yu could not help but praise Aivlette in his heart.

This wasn't prearranged.

But clearly, Aivlette completely understood the meaning he wished to express.

Including the casting out of those kings who spread despair.

Wizard Shen Yu wanted morale.

At the very least, the morale of those with legitimate authority over the people!

Aivlette's words had a distinct effect, especially after just expelling those doom-sayers.

"Well spoken."

Another King slowly stood up; a burly, armored middle-aged monarch, who had forged his realm with sword and iron blood.

He looked out at all, running his hand over his battle armor.

"Since we are kings, we must possess the courage of kings. How can death cow us? What we should fear is tarnishing the honor of kings!"

"Indeed!" More and more voices joined in support.

"Even if led to the executioner's block, we should resist till the end."

"As kings, we must set an example for all the land."

"In past times, our ancestors died fighting on the field—how could we, their descendants, fall without a fight?"

"Those outside—unfit to be kings! I am ashamed to be counted among them!"

"..."

Just as dread can spread endlessly, so can courage.

All it needs is someone to stand forth first.

Especially after the most cowardly have already been cast aside.

And with Wizard Shen Yu's assurance that the Divine Punishment Curse can be lifted.

The cast-out kings outside heard every word from within; their faces bore a mix of shame and indignant fury.

No matter how they cursed, how they battered the barrier, those inside heard nothing, nor did they care.

Having reached consensus, those within could now easily strip the expelled kings of their 'legitimate aura'.

A sentence—'unfit to be kings'—was enough.

Moreover—

Everyone eagerly fixed their eyes on Wizard Shen Yu.

If this Magic Emperor truly could overcome Divine Punishment again, then this plane might well hail a King of Kings.

Homage from all beneath Heaven!

The atmosphere grew ever more rousing.

As if sweeping away all prior decadence.

"Well said, all of you." Wizard Shen Yu decided it was time to grant them further confidence. He looked at Aivlette and smiled gently, "But you made one mistake, Aivlette. We may perhaps fail, but you shall not die—nor will certain others. In the worst case, I can ensure a portion will survive!"

Such words, while merciless and unfair to commoners,

Yet in this long, feudal world, Wizard Shen Yu did indeed need first to ensure some would retain the will to resist the gods.

In any case, the right to 'survive' was always held within his grasp.

Even if true heroes do not need such privilege, they too have families, and people whom they care for.

More importantly, this means hope.

Just as Shen Yu himself had once said.

The hope of vengeance!

Wizard Shen Yu would use this hope—to rally those truly willing to defy the gods!

But, just as perplexity spread among the crowd and Wizard Shen Yu prepared to display a fraction of the Association's Mighty Power, something entirely unexpected transpired.

From within the hall came a mocking laugh.

"No death? How mortally ignorant you mortals are!"

The voice seemed to emanate from the hall itself, yet also as if from the heavens—like thunder rolling, and at the very instant it appeared, it crashed violently into every soul.

Some kings of weaker Power even spat blood and fell prostrate to the floor.

Horrified and despairing, they gazed up at the sky.

Even the most powerful Mages were now utterly aghast.

Julia's expression changed drastically, struggling to repress her fury; Acosta shielded Wizard Shen Yu, but his body trembled beyond control.

An unspeakable pressure was rolling outwards through the hall, and far beyond.

Announcing the coming of Mighty Power.

A Divine Spirit—descends in their midst!