Chapter 322: Our Team is Simply Extraordinary
A dazzling white light suddenly erupted, its pressure-laden waves shattering everything in their path.
The surrounding space remained distorted for what seemed like an eternity.
The scorching, rarefied air appeared to fold and crumple upon itself before scattering in all directions.
The canyon crumbled into chaotic floating rocks, while the drifting black clouds dissolved into nothingness.
The sky transformed into a canvas of pure darkness.
Massive azure clouds dotted the heavens, scattered sparsely across its expanse.
They tilted their ethereal forms outward, like autumn leaves carried away by an unseen wind.
A dense sea of stars adorned the vast night sky.
A pristine white moon lay quietly in the darkness, silently radiating its brilliant light.
The surroundings became incredibly still, even the gentle whisper of the breeze was distinctly audible.
That colossal golden holy angel had vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed.
In the wake of that brilliant attack, not even a hint of the viscous, foul odor remained in the air.
Only a simple coolness lingered, along with the acrid smell of burning.
Under that power that seemed to purify all existence.
This airspace appeared untouched by crisis.
Only the damaged floating train bore witness to the extraordinary events everyone had just experienced.
The entire magical carriage gleamed like a shooting star against the night sky.
The ministers remained suspended inside the floating train.
The knights steadily rose to their feet, their gazes fixed on the sky in astonishment.
They all stared wide-eyed, as if the incredibly shocking scene still played before their eyes.
Words failed them as they tried to describe the overwhelming sensation in their hearts.
Though the white light had long since dissipated, not a soul on the train uttered a sound.
While the carriage remained silent, everyone's hearts surged like thousand-foot waves, completely overwhelming their rational minds.
Almost everyone present was witnessing Viktor's close-range combat for the first time.
At this moment, they finally understood.
Why could Viktor truly deserve the title of the Empire's strongest mage?
They slowly looked skyward.
The black form of the Goddess of Justice still dominated the heavens.
Her ebony form nearly merged with the night sky, her massive wings seeming to blot out the entire firmament.
Her immense presence naturally radiated justice and majesty in all directions.
Those veiled eyes appeared to pass judgment on all existence.
Before the giant goddess, Gwen floated serenely.
She too beat pure white wings, creating a striking contrast with the dark angel behind her.
Until a gentle breeze stirred, passing through the chaotic starry sky and through the gradually dissipating form of the Goddess of Justice.
The huge form began to scatter like ashes from a black flame.
The obsidian armor shattered into fragments, falling through the air like cinders.
As the Goddess of Justice dissolved, as if all power had fled.
Gwen's form, high in that celestial expanse, began to waver.
The white wings behind her gradually folded, transforming into motes of golden starlight that dissolved into the consuming darkness.
The golden crown above her head unraveled, its threads pulling apart until only two golden strands remained, dancing in the night breeze.
Only Gwen remained, eyes sealed shut, body tilted as she plummeted straight down from the heavens.
Everyone's hearts seized as they watched Gwen, wreathed in orange flames, fall like a shooting star.
From such a height, impact with the canyon floor would surely prove fatal!
But in the next instant, a figure pierced through the night sky.
With a ripple in the surrounding space, Viktor materialized directly beneath Gwen.
He simply extended his arms, one hand supporting her legs, the other cradling her back.
Holding her securely in his embrace.
Gwen had expended too much power, and this was her first experience with such intense combat.
She had fallen unconscious, her strength completely spent.
However...
"You performed admirably."
Viktor held Gwen while hovering in the air, his eyes reflecting both satisfaction and tenderness.
This scene was witnessed by all within the carriage.
The prolonged silence was finally broken, but this time by collective gasps of wonder.
In the sky above, Viktor's coat billowed gently as he floated amidst the shattered canyon.
Only serenity and composure remained, like water flowing through the world.
At some point, Aurelianne gazed through the carriage at the wheeling starlight above.
Her eyes fixed only on Viktor's familiar silhouette,
Full of yearning.
......
Three days later.
Red-tiled brick houses nestled within the forest, with pedestrians strolling leisurely while scattered vendor calls echoed from various directions.
The evening street lamps twinkled like fireflies, casting cool light upon passing pedestrians.
But in the Kingdom of Kante, regardless of gender, all wore long swords at their waists beneath their elegant attire.
Several nobles in magnificent court dress gathered at the magic train station.
Like all travelers, they too wore slender swords at their waists.
They had assembled to welcome some expected arrivals.
Some showed signs of impatience, frequently checking their timepieces with furrowed brows.
Then, they would inevitably direct their attention to the man at the crowd's center.
He was a composed middle-aged man with a thin, well-groomed beard.
He carried no weapons, simply standing there with an elegant cane that emphasized his noble bearing.
A single glance was sufficient to convey this gentleman's extraordinary status.
A noble approached him, his gaze sweeping over the three star medals adorning the man's chest.
With a respectful bow, he inquired:
"Count Laurien."
The man addressed as Count Laurien acknowledged him with a slight nod.
Only then did the noble straighten and voice his concern.
"Has the Empire... perhaps decided not to come?"
"They were expected this morning, yet evening approaches, and we've waited so long..."
The Count regarded him with calm disapproval:
"Why such haste?"
"We await a princess of the Empire, not some commoner demanding payment at your door."
"Until the Empire explicitly declines, we shall maintain our vigil - be it until tomorrow or next month."
The chastened noble fell silent, retreating in embarrassment.
Count Laurien nodded with satisfaction, resuming his dignified watch.
Both hands rested upon his cane as he awaited the train's arrival.
After an interminable wait, when patience had worn thin.
Suddenly, magical tracks materialized in mid-air, extending gradually toward the station.
The nobles brightened at this sight, their long wait finally rewarded.
Their anticipated guests had at last arrived!
As the magical tracks fully manifested, even Count Laurien's attention was drawn.
Then their collective gaze fell upon the train whistling in from the horizon.
At that moment, all present stood transfixed in shock.
Could this wreck truly be the magical train they knew?
The entire vessel was severely damaged - carriages warped and dented, metal plates barely clinging to the frame, the whole appearing perilously unstable.
The bent wheels turned unevenly, wobbling as they rolled along the tracks.
Black smoke leaked continuously from beneath the carriages, rising in dark clouds.
It resembled nothing so much as a carriage salvaged from a scrapyard.
The train ground to a halt, and with the final shudder, an iron door broke free and crashed to the ground with a resonant clang.
The nobles waiting on the platform stared in wide-eyed disbelief.
Even Count Laurien's elegant composure slipped, his eyebrows twitching noticeably.
Finally, the train that resembled little more than an abandoned iron box creaked open.
Like a giant beast's maw parting, a cloud of dust billowed forth.
A group of Imperial diplomatic ministers emerged from the carriage.
Upon reaching solid ground, they erupted into simultaneous coughing fits.
Upon spotting the elegant middle-aged man, they quickly composed themselves, exclaiming joyfully:
"Mr. Laurien!"
As these ministers frequently represented the Empire on diplomatic missions to various nations to maintain international harmony.
They were naturally familiar with many foreign nobles.
The middle-aged man before them held particular prominence.
Laurien Nisse.
He served as subordinate to the mysterious Grand Duke of the Kingdom of Kante.
Moreover, he was a renowned three-star count.
In the Kingdom of Kante, noble status, honor, and authority were determined by their "star level."
Three-star nobles like Laurien were counts who governed territories.
This hierarchy extended to four-star marquises and five-star dukes.
Each star level carried strict divisions of power and privilege.
This rigorous star system had shaped Kante's unique noble hierarchy.
Should one earn a star through merit.
Even a commoner could rise to become a baron, bringing glory to their lineage.
Stars could be earned through various means.
Through martial might, honorable deeds, or military achievement.
Thus, the Kingdom of Kante was a nation of warriors.
Even common folk openly carried swords at their waists.
Count Laurien straightened formally.
One hand rested atop his cane while the other pressed against his chest.
With perfect grace, he bowed to the ministers:
"Welcome, esteemed diplomats of the Calensia Empire."
The ministers returned the courtesy with equal politeness before continuing:
"Count Laurien, we offer our sincerest apologies."
"Our tardiness is inexcusable, having kept you waiting so long."
"Her Highness the Princess will descend shortly."
The Kante nobles couldn't help but stare again at the ruined train.
Their expressions mixed bewilderment with burning curiosity.
Count Laurien finally voiced what all were thinking:
"This train, if I may ask..."
They desperately wished to know what catastrophe had reduced such a sturdy magical vessel to this sorry state.
However, the diplomatic ministers waved off the question with affected casualness.
They responded as if discussing something entirely mundane:
"Oh, that? It's nothing really."
"We just happened to blow up half of South Gaburnah Valley while passing through, that's all."
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