Chapter 227

Chapter 227: Return to the Floating City

The Belmar Kingdom allied with the Delos Empire.

The Hawk Brigade fought alongside the expeditionary troops.

Midi Asreks, Belmar’s "Sword of Victory and Guardian," peacefully shook hands with the Empire’s fourth prince, the handsome and elegant Reinhardt!

Though this temporary alliance lacked formal announcements or written contracts—existing only as a verbal agreement limited to the Sky City battlefield—it still created shockwaves.

The Dragonkin tribe remained indifferent, viewing all humans as similar. But for the Hawk Brigade warriors, even after Midi’s prior discussions with Kelvin and others, adjusting to suddenly allying with their greatest enemy took mental effort. After all, they’d fought Imperial invaders in the Forest of Gran earlier that year, then engaged in countless covert struggles across West Coast’s streets.

The Delos Empire’s side felt greater resentment. Beyond Midi’s previous killings of Imperial soldiers, his brazen solo intrusion into their camp and effortless blocking of hundreds’ attacks alone insulted their pride.

Fortunately, both commanders held firm authority.

Midi needed no justification—his flawless strategic decisions and personal prestige ensured absolute obedience from the Hawk Brigade, despite their mixed feelings. Though lacking reputation, Reinhardt had earned soldiers’ respect through recent leadership. Despite political marginalization, he remained a prince of exceptional talent.

Crucially, this timeline lacked the bitter hatred between nations. In Midi’s past life, the Empire had slaughtered Belmar’s people and nobles, driving Midi and Fina from their homeland. Now, though wary as a reincarnator, Midi’s efforts had built a Belmar strong enough to counter Imperial aggression. While West Coast disputes caused tension, true blood-feud hadn’t developed—war’s casualties being expected sacrifices.

Considering these factors, Midi chose alliance, swiftly exploiting fourth prince Reinhardt’s vulnerabilities to steer events his way.

Time flowed swiftly until the seventh day—Midi’s deadline for the Lord of Light City.

Throughout the week, Lord Segarth recalled nearly all Exiles to the Floating City, leaving only surveillance units in the Sea of Three Towers. This wasn’t mercy, but the proud being’s preference for direct annihilation over gradual tactics. Deploying scouts and encircling enemies resembled an armored butcher timidly strategizing to slaughter sheep—beneath Segarth’s dignity.

When Midi demanded a week’s preparation, Segarth granted it as easily as a butcher indulging a sheep’s request to fatten. Midi had shown similar superiority when sparing Imperial soldiers during his camp incursion.

Above Star Mountain’s misty peaks within the Floating City, a silver moon-like radiance hovered—Segarth, motionless as weathered stone for seven days. For this tireless magical entity, such stillness required no effort.

Moreover, while remaining completely still, Segarth had fully mastered the magic flow throughout the Floating City. His scanning range doubled, and the magic he could release instantly also increased.

For the Lord of the Light City who reigned supreme over Arad’s combat strength, thoroughly crushing his foes counted among his rare pleasures.

"Ants with some backbone," he finally spoke after one week of motionless hovering, cold flames flickering in his opened eyes. "At least they didn’t flee and spare me the chase."

His gaze shifted toward the distant Tower of Humanoids at the Floating City’s edge. Slowly raising his right hand, he made a casual flicking motion.

A razor-thin white line streaked across the sky – piercing clouds, shredding air, breaking sound barriers – arriving instantly beneath the tower!

The Delos Empire soldiers who’d just exited and formed up saw only blinding whiteness. No time to dodge, defend, or even think.

But then a black-haired figure erupted from their ranks. A golden-red sword light sliced upward with devastating force, shattering the incoming laser.

Demon Swordman skill: demon slash.

The most basic technique, yet transformed beyond recognition in Midi’s hands.

Where white light met red rays, opposing forces canceled each other. Air boiled. Magic roiled. The very landscape warped.

Though seeming drawn-out, this clash lasted mere moments. The red glow faded first, while Segarth’s white beam fractured into four chaotic magic streams that traced fiery arcs across the sky before crashing down like meteors.

Even diminished, these remnants triggered massive explosions upon impact. Mushroom Clouds billowed black as the ground shuddered.

A direct hit would’ve vaporized three two hundred-man teams instantly.

Just like before, Segarth’s power remained unchanged – still the nightmare who could single-handedly crush three thousand.

But now there was Midi, the Awakened One of Extraordinary Awakening. For the first time, those unstoppable laser attacks met resistance.

Even battle-hardened Imperial soldiers paled. How fight an unseen enemy attacking from the skies with such power?

The previous Necromancer contingent had perished with Wiseman. These Faero Bay elites now witnessed the Lord’s despair-inducing might firsthand.

Their conflicted gazes turned to Midi – this formidable enemy who’d just protected Imperial lives.

Even Reinhardt’s jade eyes flickered uncertainly. Could his trump cards truly restrain such an "ally" post-victory? Would the merciless Sword of Victory and Guardian turn on him after Segarth fell?

No answers came, nor time to ponder.

"Why stand gaping?" Midi’s frown cut through the soldiers’ stupor. "Scatter unless you want death!"

"Leave this to me, Lord Midi." Reinhardt stepped forward, tone calm yet unyielding. He wheeled on his troops. "No overthinking! Your sole mission: achieve victory at any cost!"

"Yes, Your Highness!" The shout jolted soldiers from hesitation. They were warriors – their purpose was battling, not politics.

Another laser came. Midi shattered it mid-air.

This time, Imperials moved decisively, dissolving into two hundred-man teams that vanished into the Floating City’s ruined terrain.

One command to steady troop morale and focus minds – truly worthy of the future Prince of Light.

Midi gave mental approval. With Step One complete, his turn came.

He gazed at the jagged peak piercing the Floating City’s heart. No reconnaissance needed.

There waited Segarth – King Bacal of the Tyrant Dragon’s masterpiece, Sky City’s guardian.

"Begin." The whisper hung as Midi became golden-red sword light streaking skyward.