Chapter 339 - 251: Join the Great Soul Ascension

Chapter 339: Chapter 251: Join the Great Soul Ascension

It was hard to say when it started, but the Loman Empire had become synonymous with mystery.

Once an incomparably mighty Empire, it had gradually sealed most of its borders after falling into decline. Anyone wishing to enter or leave Loman had to undergo a strict and complicated screening process.

A massive Magic Array, with a range that covered the entire territory, constantly watched over its citizens.

The few foreign students lucky enough to get in rarely spoke of what the country was truly like on the inside.

Backward, dark, and violent, squandering the leftover wealth of a decrepit old empire...

This was how many people viewed Loman.

However, the reality was not what most people imagined.

If it were truly that destitute, it would have long since been carved up by other nations.

It certainly wouldn’t dare to support a vassal state in waging war.

The capital of the Loman Empire, Constantine City.

Enormous steam-powered devices ran day and night, and the thick smog formed from their exhaust left the entire city’s sky dark and gloomy.

These were symbols meant to display the Empire’s might, built without regard for profit or cost-effectiveness. As a result, the scale of these mechanical contraptions far exceeded those of the Sutton Kingdom.

The castle in the city’s center looked less like a luxurious Imperial Palace and more like a border fortress.

This architectural style stemmed from Loman’s history of rising through war.

Inside the castle, hurried footsteps echoed down an empty corridor. The dim light from the illuminating Magic Crystal Stones stretched the figure’s shadow long.

The person arrived at a room piled high with books and Scrolls, where an old man in a worn robe was engrossed in his research.

"General, Your Majesty."

The visitor knelt on the floor and said, his voice filled with excitement.

This was a title one would only hear in the Loman Empire.

"Your Majesty" indicated the old man in the room was the Emperor.

As for "General," it was because the Empire’s founder had been a general, so every subsequent Emperor had continued to use the title.

People from other countries thought the title was absurd, but the Lomans insisted on their tradition.

"One must be composed. Don’t be so loud; you’ll disturb the precious knowledge," the old man said without looking up.

"My apologies."

"Speak. What is it?"

"A High Priest lurking in the Royal City of the Sutton Kingdom has already invaded Zog’s consciousness. If all goes well, he will soon seize control and make him a part of the great Soul Ascension."

"Oh?" The old man finally looked up, but his expression remained unchanged.

"So, that High Priest acted on his own?"

"Yes, but this subordinate believes his achievement will make up for his unauthorized action. I beseech you, General, Your Majesty, not to punish him."

The old man sighed, picked up a book that looked ancient, and resumed his studies.

"I will not punish him."

"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty."

"He will soon pay the price for his impulsiveness."

...

Zog quickly realized his current situation was like a fisherman who not only failed to catch a fish but was dragged into the water, rod, Dragon, and all.

He clearly remembered his consciousness fading while he was preparing to take the uninstalled device.

He had also heard a voice endlessly repeating something about "Soul Ascension."

’They really know me well,’ he thought. ’They even predicted I’d touch the device out of curiosity.’

’Curiosity killed the Dragon, I guess.’

Still, Zog’s mood was relatively stable. As a Dragon who had lived through a war of the gods, a scene like this was nothing.

Besides, he had complete faith in Furin’s abilities. As long as it was something that affected consciousness and was related to Illusion Techniques, she would eventually figure it out. It was just a matter of time, and conveniently, his Dragon Race body could hold out for a very, very long time.

Furthermore, Zog judged that the person who had ambushed him probably wasn’t trying to kill him outright.

The space constructed before his eyes was one Zog knew very well. The other party most likely wanted him to lower his guard before trying to negotiate terms.

What Zog saw was a Dragon Nest.

He was in the nest, surrounded by shattered eggshells and several other young Red Dragons.

They were snuggled closely together, sleeping. It was a very heartwarming sight.

Looking into the distance, he could see magnificent structures—the Great Dragon Kingdom as it was in its heyday a thousand years ago.

A Giant Dragon noticed the restless little one who had woken up in the nest and rose to walk over.

"Alright, if you’re planning to play these kinds of games with me, you might as well save your energy," Zog said, as if to himself.

He was confident the other party could hear him.

"As expected of the legendary Zog," a voice materialized out of thin air as everything around them froze. "Most targets would let their guard down in a constructed scene like this. I never thought you’d be completely unmoved."

"I believe a prerequisite for an equal conversation is, at the very least, to be face-to-face."

"I hope you are not offended by this invitation."

Before the voice had even faded, a figure in a purple robe appeared, wearing a gaudy mask like one from a masquerade ball.

’He looks familiar. Gives me a strong sense of déjà vu, like a terminally chuunibyou mystery villain from an anime.’

If Zog remembered correctly, he had helped a batch of people who looked just like this "return to their carbon form."

"And what if I am offended? Will you send me right out?"

"I’m afraid that’s not possible at the moment."

"Then what the hell are you hoping for!" Zog retorted mercilessly.

"You truly don’t pull your punches, do you?"

Zog found the mask on the man’s face irritating. He continued, "And you call this face-to-face?"

"This is but a mortal shell. Who I am, what my face looks like—what difference does it make? In this space, I can become anyone. Like the countless Pious who seek the great Soul Ascension, I have merely taken one step ahead, fortunate enough to become a Priest."