1616 Monster Invasion?

In a beautifully bronze-themed decorated space, several people met each other, nodding tactfully.

Many wake up at 4:30~5, first saying silent thanks to Adonis, praying for more vitality and blessings from him.

Following this, a brief breakfast was in order.

They ate as fast as they could, their long moist hair dangling about their faces.

The heat was insufferable, and they became sweating even before they woke.

Many were in an extra rush because today would be the beginning of the next heated breeze blowing about the scene.

From morning till the sun goes down, this breeze will blow every 2 hours.

Damn.

Everyone had already gobbled down their meals like people starved for days. And the most vital thing they did was to drink as much light ale as possible.

In this heat, dehydration could indeed crack their lips, dry their throats and make them weak.

Water was a no-no since many feared getting illnesses in this dangerous weather.

The reason they loved ale was that it was treated and far safer.

Ale had several ranks and types, some good for toddlers and others suitable for adults.

That's right.

Children, even at the age of 3, drank ale, but not the powerful ones.

And for them going out for their daily shifts, they indeed drank ale deemed for toddlers/children.

There was no way they would get tipsy or lose their sanity with these, even if they drank 20 Tankards.

(*/// A Tankard is a mug used in these times, similar to many medieval mugs in the past. Some tankards are made of wood resembling wine barrels, while others are made of iron, making louder noises when hit against bar tables.)

Several people quickly stored additional rum in their horn tubes, calling the mouth with a massive wooden stopper.

When out there in this heat, it's best to be prepared for anything.

But that was all they carried. They also had thick ropes with them.

It was already a little over 5 AM. And the sun comes out by 6:30~7.

And for some, their duty posts were 2~3 hours away on horseback, meaning they might meet these dangerous tornado storms.

So to deal with this matter, they followed the typical Omanian's methods of latching the legs of their horses, wagons, and carriages to the many thick metal poles strategically placed across the city.

Again, they could also secure their horses to trees if near forest regions.

All in all, they held onto their ropes with everything they had, knowing it was their main survival gadget for the day.

At least after today, the next terrible storm won't arrive till 3~4 days later.

It would be their resting period.

Alright.

Several people nodded tactfully at each other, meeting themselves in the vast open room space.

Eh?

Many were taken aback, seeing a particularly well-known personnel on the scene.

"His Holy Kardinal!"

Words couldn't describe their feeling, going on their knees with thumping hearts.

'I can't believe I'm privileged to see Kardinal Yu after not seeing him for months now.'

How lucky! How fortunate they are!

The eyes of many twinkled like stars, their mouths frozen in a gapped shape. '0'

You think it's easy seeing a Kardinal?

Please! Don't be ridiculous.

They could see Holy Battlefords daily.

Holy Generals were just up that alley, followed by Holy Monkards, and then... The Kardinal.

It's believed that the higher one's rank, the closer they are to Adonis.

So seeing the Kardinal was also an experience for many.

It was akin to how people back in Landon's former world would travel far and wide to see the pope or Cardinals.

If Landon had to be truthful, he would say the Supreme Leader in this world had a more terrifying influence on his people than the pope in this former world.

Hell! Even Kardinals here had far more powerful control of their people than back in his former world.

If one of these Kardinals told these people to commit suicide on the spot for no reason, the person would willingly slice their own throat, thinking it was Adonis' wish.

This was what made these Adonis people dangerous.

And they were now going on their religious crusade, wanting to win the entire world for their God, Adonis.

Of course, when they first arrived in Soma, they were a larger group, led by the 7-rank ranked Kardinal Everett the VII.

But where was he now?

Of course, Everett continued with a larger group towards the Capital, taking over other cities, towns, and villages along the way.

And the 3-rank Kardinal Yu was left to oversee things here in Riverre Coastal city.

"His Holy Kardinal!"

"Holy Kardinal!"

With knees to the ground, the gathering saluted Kardinal Yu.

"Rise. Adonis is with you all." You said, sweeping his hands nonchalantly.

"Thank you, Holy Kardinal."

"Hmmm."

Yu didn't focus too much on the congregation, letting 2 of his trusted aides beside him to hurry everyone along.

It was still pitch black outside.

The darkness seemed to represent his current feelings.

Today, Adonis has sent me troubling sensations.

Years and years of honing his instincts have always led him to the right path.

It might be the strange stars in the sky or the uneasiness in his heart that made him troubled.

Either way, Yu felt they had to double-check on things lest some giants were preparing a devious plot.

"My lord. Should no reply return, I propose we prepare." The slashed-face Magro cautioned.

They had already sent their shadow guards to hastily check up on the city's border lines, including that close to the shores.

If no response returns from any one of the 16 shadows within the designated time, then it can only mean one thing.

Kian's face was heavy. "My lord. I agree with Magro. But while the wait is on, we must reinforce and protect ourselves too."

Getting on his horse, Yu narrowed his gaze at the estate walls ahead.

"No... Not yet. Let's first give it time."

Give it time?

Kian and Magro looked at each other but said nothing.

They also understood their lord's thoughts.

Even if there's an enemy around, they don't want to let the enemy know they know they are here.

With their skills, they felt their people should be able to handle any few giants that dare to revolt.

If there is indeed an enemy, the shadows know how to send word fast.

They had already erected many massive forces across the city.

If Landon saw the scene come to play, he would say it resembles the scene in Mulan when the torches on the Great Wall were lit, telling the people of the Hans trespassing across the border.

Again, it's not like they won't alert the others.

They plan to wait things out for a bit. And if they don't get the first confirmation signal, they would sound the alarm, being the first to spot the flaming torch and send word out.

They even had a few of their servant boys ready their armor too.

Their Armor sets were indeed cumbersome and heavy, needing several deviant boys to bring them over.

But they needed to do so discreetly, not alarming everyone else until they gave the signal if things didn't go right.

Hmmm.

Kardinal Yu reached the estate walls, standing high in observation.

'I might be wrong... But for now, we wait.'

Like so, Kardinal Yu was restless... As restless as several others closer to the docks.

Rumble~

Suddenly, there were slight and noticeable roaring sounds in the distance, causing many practicing outside the court field to pause their training with their swords in hand.

What was that?

Even the veterans were perplexed, not liking the feeling of having any situation slip out of their control.

If the source of that noise isn't found, they will continue having butterflies churn in their bellies.

The lead personnel who was training the others also frowned.

He was Battleford Ezekiel, the same Battleford known to many as the Punisher.

His methods were cruel, and his gaze was always unfeeling.

Many have also said he was an example of the saying: The more good-looking a man, the cruder his ways.

It's because of his skills and methods that he was stationed in this training manor in the lower region of the city, just 17~20 minutes away from the docks on horseback.

Ezekiel barked with authority at the frozen men. "What the hell are you f**king pieces of trash doing? Quickly! Someone check it out! I want ans--"

Before Ezekiel could finish his sentence, the loud, shocking exclamations of the guards on the manor walls rang out.

"Holy Sh**!"

"What sort of monstrosity is this?"

"Ahhhh! Monsters! Sea--"

Booommmmm!

Everything happened so fast that those on the walls didn't have time to comprehend it all.

At this moment, they collectively covered their ringing ears with a haunted look.

It's over... It's over...

They have been invaded by monsters!

Monsters?

Ezekiel heard their screams before the thundering claps bellowed out.