Chapter 723 - 451: Crafting a Nuke by Hand (Part 2)

Chapter 723: Chapter 451: Crafting a Nuke by Hand (Part 2)

Further behind were even more colossal Demons. They were so far away that only their terrifying, shocking silhouettes were faintly visible. Yet, even as blurry outlines, they terrified countless people, making their legs tremble. These creatures towered over the city walls; what was a majestic fortress to humanity seemed like a fragile mound of dirt before them, utterly defenseless.

"Activate the Barrier Magic!" the commander of the Holy Hall Church’s Knight Order roared. A pure light then shone from within the city, unfurling like an umbrella. It covered the urban district, spanning dozens of kilometers, and continued to spread in all directions until it also enveloped the twenty-kilometer area beyond the city walls.

The army marched out of the city, followed by heavy Magic Giant Cannons being pushed through the gates. They fired relentlessly at the approaching Demon Tide. Blazing Magic Bullets slammed into the horde, instantly vaporizing countless Demons.

Before long, the vanguard of the Abyssal Army charged into the light Barrier. They were instantly seared by the light, their skin splitting and flesh charring as black smoke rose from their bodies. The bombardment from the Magic Giant Cannons followed immediately, blanketing the battlefield. After several volleys, the vanguard was almost completely wiped out.

But there wasn’t even a moment’s respite before more frenzied Demons poured in. Rows of Magic Giant Cannons fired in volleys, slowing the Demon Tide’s advance, while soldiers gripped their weapons, ready to engage at a moment’s notice.

Michelle merely glanced at the scene before looking away, his gaze fixed firmly on the depths of the Demon Tide.

He sensed a terrifying aura there, one that felt dangerous.

"It’s an Abyssal Spirit." The Magic Master next to him frowned deeply. "Some Abyssal Spirits escaped back then. That thing is one of them, and likely the instigator of this Demon Tide. But we still haven’t seen its true form."

"Will any Kings come to support us?" Michelle asked.

"Certainly, but they won’t act rashly. The Abyssal Spirits are also watching them. Whoever moves first will be at a disadvantage... Where are you going?"

A pair of wings made of wind materialized on Michelle’s back, and he flew toward the battlefield. "I’m going to test my latest research breakthrough."

He flew high into the sky and saw a circling, putrid giant bird. Its massive body and outstretched wings cast a shadow over several city districts. Its Power had even reached the Quasi-King Level.

"Thunder Strike."

No Magic Wand was needed. With just a thought, the formulaic Magic was instantly complete. A thick Thunderbolt descended from the heavens. The putrid giant bird exploded amidst the flash of lightning, vaporized into ash.

On the city wall behind him, countless people were shocked, and the several Magic Masters were utterly flabbergasted. Casting instantly without a Magic Wand, with Power great enough to one-shot a Quasi-King Level putrid giant bird...

The shock gave way to a profound question that echoed in their minds: ’I’m a Magic Master, too. Why can’t I do that?’

The experiment was a success. Michelle nodded in satisfaction, returned to the city wall, and solemnly said to everyone, "I must continue my research. I’ll leave this to you for now. Do not disturb me unless it’s a dire emergency.

"Trust me. My research will be enough to turn the tide of this war."

"Can you guarantee it?" The commander of the Holy Hall Church’s Knight Order walked over and asked with a grave expression.

"I guarantee it with my life, my dignity, and my honor."

"Good." The Holy Knight Commander nodded. Without another word, he turned and left in silence.

And so, Michelle returned to the Library and resumed his urgent research. He remained completely engrossed, unmoved by any commotion from the world outside.

「Seven days later.」

"It’s done! I’ve done it! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

The moment he completed the formula, Michelle burst into laughter. He eagerly rushed out of the Library, only to freeze at the sight before him.

The once-bustling city lay in ruins. Buildings had collapsed, leaving devastation in their wake, and the streets and alleys were filled with the wounded.

"Lord Michelle, you’ve succeeded?" a Holy Knight guarding the Library entrance asked, his voice filled with hopeful surprise. He was missing an eye and an arm.

"I have. How is the war?"

"Not good. The enemy’s assault was overwhelming. We were on the verge of breaking after just one week. Thankfully, reinforcements arrived just in time. Otherwise..."

The one-eyed Knight shook his head, then pulled a pocket watch from his coat and handed it to Michelle. "This was the Commander’s. A memento. He told me to give it to you and to remind you not to forget your promise."

Michelle froze. "He..."

"He sacrificed himself."

The one-eyed Knight pointed upwards. Michelle looked up and saw that the top of the Magic Tower had collapsed at some point, spattered with dried blood.

"The cunning Abyssal Spirit must have overheard your conversation on the wall, so it attacked your Magic Tower. The Commander blocked the critical blow. He didn’t make it after the fighting ended." The one-eyed Knight sighed softly. "He was that kind of man—stubborn. Once he set his mind to something, wild horses couldn’t drag him away. He said he trusted you, and he made sure you wouldn’t be disturbed. He hoped you wouldn’t disappoint him."

In that instant, it was as if a heavy weight had settled onto Michelle’s shoulders. The elation in his heart was instantly doused, as if by a bucket of ice water.

’We’d only met once. We exchanged fewer than five sentences. And yet... he was willing to die for me.’

’All for a single promise.’

’So stubborn.’

"Then I guess I’d better show them what I can really do..." Michelle murmured, looking at the pocket watch as an unnameable emotion ignited within him.

With a somber expression, he went to the dilapidated city wall. The Barrier had shrunk to a ten-kilometer radius, and the area within was littered with the corpses of both soldiers and Demons. The two sides were currently in a lull, and soldiers were clearing the battlefield.

Michelle looked into the distance and easily sensed the Abyssal Spirit hiding in the Darkness. He raised his hand, aiming at that spot.

—Forbidden Curse: World Destruction.

BOOM!

In an instant, the formula activated. From the depths of the Demon Tide, a tidal wave of fire surged into the sky. All Demons within twenty kilometers were instantly vaporized. Piercing shrieks shook the heavens and the earth. Even the once-arrogant Abyssal Spirit was annihilated by the destructive Energy.

A massive mushroom cloud slowly rose.

Then, a second, a third, a fourth...

"Just what in the world did he manage to create...?"

The Magic Masters who had rushed to the scene stared at the spectacular, brilliant light of destruction, so profoundly shaken they were rendered speechless.

Michelle’s bombardment lasted for fifteen minutes. With this single battle, he made his name.

Single-handedly, he had annihilated an Abyssal Army 300,000 strong and killed not just one, but multiple Abyssal Spirits!

The spark of the Second World-Overturning War was snuffed out, but not before Gaia suffered considerable losses. Still, compared to the devastation of a full-blown World-Overturning War, these losses were entirely acceptable.

Immediately after the war ended, Michelle publicly released his "Formulaic Magic" theory, once again shaking Gaia to its core.

The theory of "Formulaic Magic" overturned the old, rigid conventions of Magic Theory and gave rise to modern Magic Theory. It drastically increased Magic’s Power and versatility while significantly lowering the barrier to entry, allowing even those with no talent for Magic to learn it with ease. Furthermore, Michelle refined casting methods, reducing the casting time for all Magic by 30%.

This was, without a doubt, a revolutionary innovation. Magic Theory was completely reshaped, with effects felt across all of Gaia. A great number of genius Mages emerged in just a few short years, with new forms of Magic and Magic Artifacts appearing in endless succession. This golden age came to be known as the "First Magic Revolution."

And Michelle, the man who personally ushered in this new era, was hailed as the Father of Modern Magic.

·

"What did you do to him?"

In the cell, Danika demanded angrily.

"A test."

Carol said, "A test to become a King."

"He’s already obtained the King’s Crown; he doesn’t need to pass any test!" A Magic Staff appeared in Danika’s hand. ’I’ll just kill Zhou Chen now. He can reload his save and resurrect. It’s the simplest, most effective way.’

"A test to become the King of Gaia." Carol’s words made her hesitate.

·

As the light swirled, another life began.

"Magic Level, Level 3!"