Village Head's Debauchery

After hearing his words, Aurora observed Orion's expression beside him, and her concern grew. Frustration and anger tightened her features as she wondered why she couldn't do anything to help Aegis of the Arctic Deity and the floating territory. Wasn't there something she could do besides standing by and watching?

"You don't need to blame yourself. Aegis of the Arctic Deity would prefer knowing you're all safe rather than risking your lives needlessly; after all, he is the divine shield," Aerialia said softly, her words directed at Aurora as she shifted her gaze toward Aegis of the Arctic Deity enduring the stormy assault from above.

She concealed her emotions and anger, deciding not to add to their worries at such a critical time.

Aerialia understood that Orion was deeply affected by her decision, so showing her own worry in addition to their already dire circumstances might lead to impulsive actions from him.

"But mother, won't she try to attack us after taking down Aegis of the Arctic Deity?" Aurora asked, concern etched across her face as she glanced at Aerialia.

"Humph! Have you forgotten what Aegis of the Arctic Deity said before? Our territory is currently within the Primordial Barrier, so we'd be unharmed even if she risked her life force to attack us. Unless we face any true gods, we might be in the world's most secure and safest location," Aerialia replied confidently.

"Yes, she's right. Aegis of the Arctic Deity mentioned that the Primordial Barrier will also blend in with the surroundings to hide our location, so even if a god comes, they won't easily discover us. If they emerge victorious, whether she's willing to wait for us to attempt to leave the Primordial Barrier is something we'll have to wait and find out," Orion replied, agreeing with Aerialia's assessment. Given Aegis of the Arctic Deity's sacrifice, he felt justified in being selfish about his life.

"Right now, all we can do is keep our emotions in check, watch how things unfold, and strive to become stronger regardless of the outcome," he continued, unconsciously clenching his fists.

After witnessing everything that had happened, he vowed silently to grow stronger no matter what it took.

In a world where gods shape destinies, he was determined to shape theirs himself, whatever it took.

Outside the barrier, Aegis of the Arctic Deity finally pinpointed the location of his assailant.

He instantly disappeared and reappeared behind a slender woman draped in a robe woven from ethereal clouds. Whirls of air swirled around her form, and feathery wings of translucent air extended from behind her back. Her skin was as light as wispy clouds, and like tempestuous winds, her hair billowed like wind-blown clouds.

Her expression shifted from surprise to fear and caution as Aegis of the Arctic Deity suddenly appeared behind her. Her eyes, shimmering with the colours of a sunrise sky, widened as she tried to widen the distance between them, but it was too late. Aegis of the Arctic Deity wrapped his right arm around her, locking her in his embrace.

"LET ME GO!!" Grylen screamed in fright, struggling against Aegis of the Arctic Deity's grasp.

Despite her attempts to break free, he seemed determined to hold onto her.

"You should have run away when you had the chance. Now, this will be your burial ground," Aegis of the Arctic Deity responded calmly. "Mirror realm," he added before detonating his body, sensing another presence suddenly appearing within his senses.

He didn't have time to check if they were the gods he had predicted would come due to the impacts of their battle or another Vylkr spawn before throwing them into the 'Mirror realm.'

As their surroundings shattered like glass shards, a deafening explosion split the clouds, shaking the sky and spreading out into the Mirror realm, tearing it apart because the Mirror realm had not yet fully formed; meanwhile, the remaining force of the explosion scattered into the natural world, ripping the atmosphere apart - clouds were overturned, and winds split and spread outward, following the shockwaves as they expanded, extending their grip into the distance. Fixtures appeared, cracking open the space around them.

For a brief moment, the Vylkr Veil Phenomenon was torn apart, revealing the bright, beautiful, sunny sky above and a strange cyclone of Vylkr energy trembling and dissipating before reforming.

Gradually, as if time had reversed, the Vylkr-infested clouds covered the sky again, darkening and submerging the area with countless Vylkr vine variants.

…....…..

Outside the Vylkr Vine Phenomenon, the catastrophic event had also reached them, forcing everyone to the ground as they shielded their eyes and ears, struggling to control their spasming bodies.

After several minutes, they regained their composure and began to rise one by one, while others remained weakly on the ground, needing more rest.

Azarot extended his hand to his Captain as she stood up, watching as she grabbed onto it to pull herself up.

"Thank you," appreciatively said the Captain of the 1st Unit Vanguard Team of the 'Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise' Runaway City.

She dusted off the dirt and tore away the one-star and two-

star Vylkr vines that had tried to ensnare her while temporarily disoriented.

Azarot nodded in response. "If you choose to fall back now,I'm sureno one would blame you. I'm certain even they must have felt the devastating impact from their end," he said with a gruff tone, shifting his attention towards the 'Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise' Runaway City in the distance, which seemed to have been shaken slightly by the sudden impact, alongside the Sleeping Fox Runaway City.

He then refocused on his Captain and the Vylkr Veil Phenomenon, which seemed to disappear momentarily before reappearing.

"Of course, I know that. However, abandoning the task we've been given will not only risk severe punishment but also, despite our reasons, we will surely be mocked by others for abandoning our mission out of fear and returning home," the Captain responded.

She sighed heavily, "Also, since this involves a divine artefact, we shouldn't depend on their reasoning."