Chapter 118

Chapter 118: Declaration of Ceasefire

A squad of armed personnel clad in purple cloaks marched through the streets carrying torches. They were the guards from Karithes’ three main fleets, and among the strongest forces available. Since Karithes focused on shipbuilding and maritime trade, their elite troops were mostly assigned to naval duties.

As the Tisiphone family’s elite forces went to attack Karithes and partially blockaded the northern part of Hope Lane, their own headquarters became relatively vulnerable.

A group of black-clothed crossbowmen had set up defenses on the streets, but the landing guard from Karithes charged forward quickly with round shields.

Speed was crucial in battle. Although a few people were shot down during the charge, most of them quickly approached the Tisiphone family’s defensive positions. After a series of sword and axe strikes, the Tisiphone family’s crossbowmen and a few guards holding spears were immediately cut down and fell into the blood.

Amidst the flickering flames, stepping on the blood on the stone floor, the Karithes guards continued advancing. The warm breaths of the soldiers formed a mist in the cold night air. Ahead lay the entrance of the Tisiphone family’s headquarters.

In the main hall of the Tisiphone family’s headquarters…

Listening to the sounds of cannon fire and fighting outside, the old patriarch opened his slightly clouded eyes.

“Now what do you plan to do?” he asked his two sons beside him.

At this moment, many buildings of the Tisiphone family’s headquarters had been hit by artillery fire; some were still burning while others had collapsed. Everywhere there were guards running around putting out fires and moving about.

Wick did not answer immediately but turned his gaze towards Adley.

Adley leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the table before answering after a while.

“The arrival of Karithes’ fleet is indeed unexpected, but it is still within our control.”

“The master within our organization will intervene, and Jerald previously suggested burning the city, which gives us a legitimate reason for interference.”

As Adley tapped his fingers, the ring on his finger emitted a faint blue light. The gemstone embedded in the ring seemed to be transmitting some kind of message.

After saying this, he stood up and picked up the long curved knife on the table.

“However, I will also prepare for battle.”

“After all, if one wants to be the master of Hope Lane, they must show their strength.”

His black hair revealed a bloodthirsty smile beneath it.

As he walked out of the hall, the two squads of elite guards who were waiting inside followed closely behind. These elite guards wore tight leather armor and were completely black, even their heads covered with black masks adorned with eerie red patterns. They moved extremely fast, blending into the shadows amidst the flames and ruins.

Screech—

The curved knife was drawn from its scabbard, emitting a cold gleam. There were deep red patterns on the blade that seemed to flow like blood under the moonlight.

The Tisiphone family’s walls had long been breached by artillery fire, with gaps everywhere and the purple-cloaked guards pouring in.

Following Adley, these elite guards wearing black and red masks moved swiftly and ruthlessly, cutting down the enemies entering the headquarters. Blood splattered everywhere.

—

On the tower at the Karithes headquarters, Lolan Hill watched the cannon fire roaring and blasting the enemy lines. The morale within the headquarters surged, driving the enemy out of the walls. Finally, the heavy stone in her heart fell, and the giant wind ball above her head slowly dissipated.

The Nisos family’s forces, after being attacked from both sides, finally decided to retreat. They moved north and then returned to defend their headquarters.

Seeing the Nisos family withdraw, Lolan Hill ordered not to pursue them and instead focus more manpower on defending against the Tisiphone family’s attack, as they were the primary threat.

With the return of the guards from the fleet, the counterattack from the Karithes headquarters began. Taking advantage of the artillery bombardment, they disrupted the enemy formation. The cavalry quickly charged into the enemy ranks, followed by infantry rushing in to engage the enemy, making it difficult for the enemy’s firearms to be effective.

Loading muskets required a relatively stable environment, and their accuracy was low. When the two sides engaged in close combat, the probability of hitting their own people increased significantly. Thus, the advantage of firearms could not be utilized, and they were quickly suppressed. The Tisiphone family’s attacking forces found themselves in a desperate struggle.

The ultimatum had already passed half an hour, yet the Helios family, who had not received the person they demanded, gradually filled the sky over the city with camellia flowers, resembling a sea of yellow clouds, emitting a dangerous glow.

At this point, not only the neutral individuals within the city, but even those on the Karithes side started to worry. However, they dared not provoke this ally too much, fearing they might lose control.

Just as an hour was nearing its end, the bright yellow camellia flowers began to burn and blossom in the sky. The atmosphere became oppressive and hot, as if the air itself was distorting, as if seen through colorless flames.

A ghostly blue light column flashed from the night sky, sweeping across the sky. The burning camellia flowers instantly crystallized into ice and shattered from the sky.

After several such cycles, the originally flower-filled night sky cleared up. At the same time, a ‘giant’ stood up somewhere in the city. Its gray granite-like body emitted a ghostly blue glow, and its large core in the chest gradually dimmed after releasing the light column, returning to the same color as its body.

A robed alchemist stood on the shoulder of this ‘giant.’ With the aid of extraordinary power, his voice spread throughout the city.

“I am Zanep, an alchemist from the country of Rourna. I should not interfere with the internal affairs of Vergha, but due to the actions of the Helios family posing a threat to the safety of all residents and myself, I have no choice but to intervene.”

“Now, adhering to the principle of preserving strength and unity within the Snowflower Seven Nations, I declare an immediate ceasefire between both parties. The right and wrong of the matter will be judged fairly by the alliance guild later.”

“If either party continues to stubbornly attack, I will join the other side and punish them.”

As the words fell, the crowd looked up at the towering golem several stories high, causing a brief silence in the city.

“Disgusting, phew!”

A captain from Karithes spat disdainfully after hearing the declaration from the other side.

This seemingly fair statement was far from fair. Why did Karithes headquarters remain silent when it was almost taken over, and now, when the Tisiphone family was struggling, did they come forward?

What about the so-called future judgment by the alliance guild? Anyone could guess that something was wrong within the alliance guild. Who knew if the one coming to judge would be human or ghost? If the Tisiphone family and Yubaire had made arrangements beforehand, would the guild coming to judge still be the original one?

Wouldn’t it be better to take down the Tisiphone family now rather than wait until they recover and call for reinforcements?

Although everyone felt somewhat discontent, they gradually stopped fighting like their enemies, awaiting orders from their respective family heads.

Thank you all for your support and donations. I will compile a list of thanks later.

There will be another chapter tonight.