Chapter 225

Chapter 225: One Man, One Sword, One Formation

No words were exchanged. None were needed.

The Imperial soldiers attacked immediately.

The Delos Empire warriors knew Midi Asreks’ power better than anyone—their "Hand of Nightmare" had been slaughtered mere weeks ago. Now facing this enemy who’d breached their main camp, they showed no hesitation.

Within ten seconds of alarm bells ringing, roaming gunslingers and gunners formed lethal trapezoid formations, unleashing coordinated fire. Elemental mages and magic scholars completed chants, erecting defensive shields while hurling fireballs, ice arrows, and Magic Missiles from all angles. Paladins advanced frontally, Demon Swordmen closed ranks behind, cavalry flanked both sides—Midi stood encircled.

No orders were issued. None were necessary.

The Empire’s commanders had one goal: kill Midi Asreks, their greatest foe.

Their efforts proved futile.

Amidst roaring gunfire and crackling spells, Midi casually unsheathed his Black Sky sword. A single flick of his wrist released a golden-red glow that erupted like solar flames. Nearby soldiers staggered from the blinding radiance and suffocating heat. Bullets, shells, and magical projectiles vanished into the swirling light. When Midi retracted his blade, every attack had been atomized—not a single fragment remained.

Sword Soul Awakening Skill: Storm Sword.

And this was Midi holding back. During his clash with the Exiles, full-powered aerial strikes had slain dozens. How could unawakened Imperial soldiers—many below level 50—hope to withstand this?

Casually deflecting hundreds of attacks, Midi declared: "I’ll spare lives today. You can’t stop me."

"Kill!" An Imperial general roared, longsword thrust forward. This wasn’t blind hatred. To seasoned warriors, their blood-soaked nemesis invading the command center for "talks" reeked of deception. If Midi could penetrate their defenses, assassinating the commander seemed inevitable. Protecting leadership took priority over parley.

Cannons boomed. Spells crackled. The second assault came instantly. Midi’s golden-red radiance surged again, effortlessly dissolving the barrage.

The veterans’ shocked gazes satisfied him.

In his past life, Midi had barely escaped Imperial blockades to awaken using a common crystal. Though stronger post-awakening, he’d remained just another fish in the rising tide—no advantage over rivals awakening simultaneously.

This life differed. The Extraordinary Awakening granted transcendent power. After battling Exiles and comparing himself to past legends, Midi confirmed this awakening surpassed all others—even his once-coveted "perfect awakening" seemed feeble by comparison. This foundation would propel him to apex strength.

Yet the Imperials’ stubbornness irked him.

After weeks of conflict, hadn’t they realized? Lord Segarth of the Light City—the immortal magical entity claiming Sky City as his domain—was the true enemy. He sought to suppress all awakenings, threatening every practitioner across the continent.

Not only that, looking further ahead revealed more problems.

Though Sky City appeared as a small world, it was essentially just a passageway.

A massive passageway connecting the Sea of Clouds to the Arad continent.

Soon, as the shadows in Dark Corridor at Sky City’s peak faded, Arad’s practitioners would face a new cloud world – the closest realm to the heavens, inhabited by powerful races like Dragonkin and cloud beasts, all at Awakened level.

Against such overwhelming forces, humanity could only survive by uniting to claim new territories and seek advancement.

In Midi’s past life, the Delos Empire had been his sworn enemy alongside Fina and Alice. Yet now he realized it was this aggressive Empire that spearheaded every expansion effort.

The Empire didn’t act for justice or honor, but pure self-interest – often using others as cannon fodder. Still, objectively speaking, without this colossal Empire, humans couldn’t have contended with the endless powerful races from clouds, underground, and heavens.

This life had changed drastically due to Midi’s interference as a reincarnator.

The Delos Empire no longer dominated the continent. Faero Bay survived, Belmar rose powerfully. Yet none matched the previous timeline’s continent-unifying Empire.

Continued internal strife risked humanity’s decline.

To regain past glory without bloody conquests, only one path remained –

Alliance!

Midi’s solo approach to the Imperial army camp wasn’t truly about fighting Lord Segarth of Light City, but testing alliance possibilities.

The results looked bleak.

Imperial soldiers glared at him like he’d murdered their parents, stolen their wives, and haunted their nightmares.

Was this necessary?

Midi felt wronged. He’d set aside past-life grudges to come negotiate, while they’d merely suffered foiled plots and failed attacks in this timeline. Why the bloodthirst?

True, charging into their formation was dramatic. But showing his strength was also showing sincerity. If truly hostile, he’d have flattened their camp already instead of standing exposed!

If talks failed… maybe slaughter was simpler.

An icy glint flashed in Midi’s eyes.

Alliance remained preferable but not essential. If refused, he’d gladly massacre them here.

Having reached their core formation, returning empty-handed wasn’t an option.

Such was the confidence of an Awakened One of Extraordinary Awakening – moving freely through armies with just the Dragon Sealing Sword in his heart.

Suddenly, Imperial attacks stopped.

A guard unit of peak-level 50 soldiers appeared. Silent and deadly, they flanked Midi while tracking his every move.

From their center emerged a young Imperial marshal. Ignoring aides’ protests, he approached Midi unprotected.

Courageous.

Midi nodded slightly, observing the golden-haired, ice-eyed youth who stood tall as a pine. His sculpted features blended elegance with ruggedness.

Unbelievable that this man barely older than Midi commanded Sky City’s campaign, earning even Kelvin’s praise. Briefly, Midi suspected a body double.

Yet upon closer look… something felt familiar.