Chapter 735: Make a Choice
“I was already suspicious when Chen Rui first encountered ‘Isis’”. Catherine looked at him quietly, “Judging from this suspicion, you have more and more flaws… The last time I visited the Fallen Angel Empire, you used a powerful subst.i.tute which left me puzzled, but at the first sight of you today, I have completely affirmed your ident.i.ty. “
“I really can’t hide from your eyes.” Chen Rui sighed and shook his head. When Catherine visited the Fallen Angel Empire, he was in the human world and Isabella suggested Zola to disguise as him. If he was there, he would definitely go there in person once he learned about Catherine’s visit. That way, he would be exposed even earlier.
“I finally understand why you refuse to accept my solicitation even when I don’t hesitate to use myself as a bargaining chip. It turns out that Shea has already given you a bargaining chip earlier.” A sense of realization appeared in Catherine’s bright eyes, “This way, the previous doubts are clarified. From reversing the Dark Moon crisis to overthrowing Obsidian, then to the development of the Fallen Angel Empire, you have full control of it, which is equivalent to holding the entire Fallen Angel Empire in your hand. If it weren’t for the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire’s invasion, you will have enough time to develop. The strength of the Fallen Angel Empire will soar to a terrifying level in a few years. Even the Dark Shadow Empire and the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire cannot escape the disaster. The Demon Realm will be completely controlled by you, human! Good means, good scheming!”
Means? A human controlling the Demon Realm? Chen Rui widened his eyes and smiled wryly, “I only have 1 answer, you think too much. You think that a man whom you defined as foolish would have such great ambitions?”
Catherine stared closely into his eyes. As the scenes appeared in her mind – The man’s determination to transmit Broc desperately in the Silent Night Wetland, and he crushed his heart firmly in the Crystal Valley, her deep gaze became soft. Yes, you are indeed a foolish guy.
She immediately turned her gaze to the side and sneered coldly to avoid letting him notice this soft spot, “Maybe I think too much, you are just a dissolute person who is fascinated by females. I now admire Empress Shea for spotting your talents and nature long ago. She did not hesitate to sacrifice her own beauty to make you infatuated. This let the Dark Moon rise from its downfall, defeating Obsidian with an almost impossible performance to regain the throne, and developing the Fallen Angel Empire to this level.”
“Things are not as you think.” Chen Rui shook his head, “Shea and I had a fairly ordinary relations.h.i.+p at first. When I first met you in the Silent Night Wetland, I was still thinking about how to get away from the Dark Moon Estate. After that… a lot of things happened, then only we really got together. To be honest, until now, the degree of intimacy between her and I is… not as good as ours.”
Catherine felt inexplicably annoyed as she sneered, “No doubt the best thing is the one that one can’t get. Shea seems to be much smarter than I thought.”
Chen Rui frowned, “In your mind, you only have vocabularies like value and bargaining chips?”
“A ruler must remain cold and ruthless. The emotional ruler in history will only make the empire decline and perish. I carry the hope of the empire on my shoulders, so I will never be influenced by personal feelings. From the moment I kill my siblings, I have made an oath that I will do everything for this empire even if my hand is full of blood, even if…” Catherine did not finish her sentence. The gradually cold eyes had indicated the meaning. Even if she had feelings for Chen Rui, she would never change her mind because of this.
Chen Rui looked directly at the coldness in Catherine’s eyes, “Are you trying to tell me that this is the real you?”
“This has always been the real me. You don’t need to waste your time to persuade anymore and I won’t take you lightly. I will explain to you frankly and honestly today.”
Catherine’s temperament changed, revealing a solemn expression, “You should be very clear that the Fallen Angel Empire is bound to be defeated, but it is not easy for Raizen to win the Fallen Angel Empire. Plus my secret means, at least half of his troops will be lost. As long as I take down the Dark Moon and Red Spirit Estate, I will just wait for the enemy to exhaust himself and take advantage of the strategic position to put up a strong defence. Within 10 years, the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire will have no spare capacity to deal with the Dark Shadow Empire. If you help, I’m sure that the empire will surpa.s.s the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire in 10 years. Even if Raizen is still there, the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire will not be my opponent. You join the Dark Shadow Empire to help me destroy the Fallen Angel Empire, then destroy the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire to establish the first unified empire in the history of the Demon Realm.”
Chen Rui’s brows moved slightly, and Catherine continued, “You’re the only man I like. I can fulfill all your requirements except for the throne. Once the Fallen Angel Empire is destroyed, with Shea’s temperament, she will surely not live with shame. Even if she doesn’t die, Raizen and I cannot allow her to live. I can tolerate all the other women except her. This is my bottom line and the last chance I give you.
We are smart people, so don’t waste time and delay, I want to hear your answer immediately. “
This kind of condition could no longer be described as ‘generous’. Just the sole condition that the Demon Realm’s top beauty empress would accommodate other women was unimaginable. Very few men in the Demon Realm could refuse it.
Chen Rui was silent for a moment, then he slowly shook his head.
This was a 2-choice question. Although this answer was a one of the choices which was not unexpected, Catherine’s mind suddenly surged with unspeakable resentment as she almost lost her usual calmness, “Is Shea so important? In this situation, if you insist on going your own way, you can only die with her!”
“I don’t know anything about a ruler’s power, I only know 1 thing. If 1 day, even if everything in the world stands on the opposite side of the woman I love, I will still be by her side.”
“Understood.” Catherine took a deep breath as her black eyes settled and exuded faint murderous intent. Her long hair began to flutter without the wind. The courtyard was suddenly full of murderous intent, “Since you refuse, then … I will not tolerate an enemy who is a huge threat to the empire to survive.”
“This yard has a magic circle that isolates teleportation or leaving. I felt it right from the moment I came in. It seems that you have planned to do this a long time ago.” Chen Rui sighed, “Do we really have to get to this point. ?”
“I gave you a choice.” Catherine’s voice was ghastly as the entire s.p.a.ce burned suddenly, leaving only flames in Chen Rui’s eyes – black flames.
Catherine used the strongest [Black Phoenix Territory] without hesitation. In the s.p.a.ce of black flames, 4 golden figures appeared around Chen Rui.
“Boom boom!“
The magic crystal cannons of the Warlock Fortress burst into flames. Wherever the destructive light pa.s.ses, even the customized reflective s.h.i.+eld still could not completely offset the power of this improved version of the magic crystal cannon. The soldiers holding the s.h.i.+elds had turned into nothingness. However, the reflective s.h.i.+eld was not completely useless, and the lethality of the magic crystal cannons were also reduced a lot.
The army of the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire was worthy of being the well-trained elites. Although one after another companions were annihilated or collapsed, the formation was still not in disorder at all. Facing the Warlock Fortress, the Demon Realm’s the largest and the st.u.r.diest fortress city, the soldiers kept their original speed and moved forward unhurriedly, just like how they breached the defense of Town Nimbus previously. This momentum put tremendous pressure on the defense side.
The soldiers of the Warlock Fortress had followed George, the first general of the Fallen Angel Empire, for many years. They were also experienced elites, so they didn’t burst into clamour or panic. They just silently waited for Commander Francis’ orders.
Due to the cooling period, the bombardment of the magic crystal cannons were temporarily stopped. Francis waved his hand and the herald’s magic horn blew out a strange rhythm. The goblin warriors responsible for the long-range strike were all ready to take their place. A row of strange equipment appeared on the fortress’ shooting holes.
“Ballista?”
At the Town Nimbus’ temporary base, the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire’s First General Gustav was watching the battle of the Warlock Fortress through a huge magic crystal mirror. The Great Prince Aleus and Young Prince Teris of the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire were next to him.
Aleus frowned, “Although the ballista has a considerable range, it has already been eliminated from the ordinary battlefield due to the complex loading, slow launch speed, and small range of strikes. At this time, even the magic bows have greater attack rate and killing range than the ballista. It’s hard to believe that George will make this kind of mistake.”
“So there must be something unusual about the ballistas.” Teris said, “In the battle between the Dark Moon and Obsidian, the improved magic crystal cannon used to exert unexpected power. I think this ballista should be 1 of the secret weapons that have not been revealed at that time. I believe we will get the answer soon.”
Teris had guessed it right. Following Francis’ order, countless spear-like crossbow bolts whistled out, and the sky was full of terrifying sounds tearing the air.
The soldiers of the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire raised their s.h.i.+elds together under the command of the commander. However, the reflective s.h.i.+eld, which could offset the energy attack to a considerable extent, was as fragile as a paper in front of the terrifying crossbow bolt. The bolt easily penetrated the s.h.i.+eld and the soldier. The bolt that penetrated the target exploded fiercely, bursting out countless small fragmented arrows which were also highly poisonous. The nearby soldiers fell to the ground 1 after another.
Each arrow shot could take the lives of several soldiers. What’s more terrifying was that the loading speed of this ballista was much faster than ordinary ballistas. Although it was also due to the operation standard of the goblin warriors, the more important reason was the ballista’s improvement.
The b.l.o.o.d.y Empire Army suffered countless casualties under the bolt rain of the ballista, but they still tried to maintain its formation. It was just that their advancement was slowed down.
“No doubt there is something unusual.” Gustav who was in front of the magic mirror slowly said, “The soldiers will not die in vain. We have determined the enemy’s long-range strike range. It should be possible to construct catapults and great s.h.i.+eld barriers immediately. The aerial legion should also start preparing.”
“Yes, the real war has just begun. This will be a great feast that can change the history of the Demon Realm.” Teris smiled elegantly as a strange light flashed across his eyes.
TL: Hmmm, I smell jealousy from Catherine. Are there any more secret weapons to defend the fortress?