Flap flap—

In the explosive flash of red light, a dozen leaves on a tree transformed into black crows, cawing eerily as they took flight.

Bang! Bang! Bang!...

Fire lines shot out in an instant, blowing apart these newly reborn crows before they could enjoy their newfound freedom.

A hundred meters away, Milan wore a black customized "Venom Armor" that outlined his muscular curves, elegantly twirled two large-caliber revolvers, "Black Steel", and holstered them at his waist.

This large-caliber revolver, handcrafted by Aiven, used bullets weighing 22 grams, with an initial speed of 602 meters/second, and initial energy reaching nearly 4000 joules, capable of piercing through 3 cm of steel plate within a hundred steps.

The gun barrel featured a blade, making it not only a long-range weapon but also effective for close-range slashing, truly a king of single-soldier hot weapons of its era.

Coupled with Milan's own spatial power, he solved the cumbersome problem of revolver ammunition loading, turning "Black Steel" into a dreamlike, infinite-ammo battlefield divine artifact in his hands.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

He turned to look at Aiven, who was clapping beside him, and with a stern and resolute face unlike his usual playful demeanor:

"Although the outcome of the war is still unclear, if all goes as we wish, this will be the battle that dethrones Hilus, the battle that makes Tulip the new maritime overlord, and an excellent opportunity for my promotion.

This might be the best opportunity in the past two hundred years, absolutely not to be missed!"

Seeing the expression on Milan's face that seemed like he'd either succeed or die trying, Aiven almost patted his shoulder and comforted him warmly to match the mood: "Go ahead, my friend, your wife and I... ahem..."

"The old man in the 'Clock Tower' might not hold on much longer; releasing a powerful Ancient God is nothing, but the 'Mysterious Source' alongside its countless treasures has nothing to do with us."

"Most importantly, we've been tricked by that cunning old man; by then, there might be more than just us fighting for his inheritance."

Both of them sighed simultaneously.

At that moment, Milan suddenly drew his gun and fired behind him.

Bang! Bang!

Two passing mountain sparrows turned into blood mist five hundred meters away, a distance beyond "Black Steel"'s effective range but still hit with perfect accuracy.

Just as the last chief Graham, who had the potential to become the "Truth Embodiment", said, once you completely master the changes of time and space, you will find: what is called "Destiny" has already been predetermined.

Once weak Milan, after obtaining the "Clock Tower" Inheritance Secret Scroll, was now incomparable to his past self.

...

Thump... thump...

In the Wizard Tower of the "Curse School", the "Golden Olive Triple Crown" made of gold was now significantly more damaged than before, with several cracks running through its upper, middle, and lower layers.

The black viscous stream continuously emitted from it carried the fear and reluctance at the end of human life and all things, constantly merging into a phantom black gemstone above.

The "Death Messenger", resembling a skinny old man, was full of joy.

He never wanted Hilus to become supreme among humans, but after a brief moment of peak.

The rapid collapse of the strongest empire of the human race, the power from flourishing to decline, from sinking into decay, from absolute strength to weakness, from being all-powerful to falling into the mire.

Thus born the world's strongest curse—"Black Orlov"!

Moreover,

A curse ceremony strong enough to affect at least a million people is required for a wizard of the "Curse School" to ascend to Tier 4, also known as the "National Curse".

It can be executed through witchcraft, leveraged through strategy, or simply rely on pure luck.

Clearly, the "Death Messenger"'s luck has arrived.

"First world's strongest country, don't struggle anymore. Transform into my power obediently, bwahaha..."

...

Southern Continent, Saint Louis City.

Princess Diana, dressed in a white silk nightgown, lazily lounged on Prince Clement's shoulder, her warm, jade-like body fragrant and her breath orchid-like:

"Dear, has His Majesty replied?"

Members of the "Curse School" have been passive and slack lately, watching as Hilus' situation gradually slides into the abyss, but at this critical moment, they don't hesitate to leverage momentum.

Almost sixty-year-old Prince Clement pulled his princess into his arms amidst her giggles, lightly kissing her crystal-clear earlobe, and laughed heartily:

"Baby, you truly are my lucky star. His Majesty has agreed to send the "Legendary Battleship: Red Dawn" to help us fully capture Hilus' last colony, Lobito.

Expanding our territory to 8.7 million square kilometers, becoming the leading power in the Southern Continent."

"That vast land will be our son's playground. Are you happy?"

Diana's eyes shone brightly. As a core member of the royal family, she already knew the details of this Legendary Battleship, reputed to be the fastest in the world, with miraculous skills like the [Legendary Battleship Skill: Dawn Companion].

This means it can sail as fast as the dawn, especially when traveling east to west, remaining constantly within the dawn's shroud. If there were no storm belts to obstruct it, it could complete a global circumnavigation in 24 hours at full speed.

"I look forward to that day."

After the complete retreat of the Hilus Empire from the north of the continent, it wasn't without downsides; the "Anti-Hilus Alliance" established in the New Continent was rapidly collapsing.

The relations between the nations, always superficial and discordant, became even more delicate.

The ambitious Sak Empire was no longer content with solitude.

Not only was it contesting the last disputed area belonging to Hilus in the north of the continent — the world's premier silver mine "Potosi" — but also wrangling with Galliot Duchy, Hilus's successor in interests.

It was also scheming to take advantage of the last Hilus colony in the Southern Continent.

"A Continent Empire dreams of dominating the seas, while an Ocean Empire harbors ambitions of conquering the continent."

In the entirety of the Old Continent, there are only two countries that dare to call themselves empires: the Sak Empire and the Hilus Empire.

To wear the crown is to bear its weight!

At this moment, countless people worldwide wish to see the downfall of Hilus, which has gained too many benefits, so they can feast upon its bounty.

...

In the Dome Palace of Hilus, known as the World Museum.

Ding dong! Ding dong!...

Making melodious sounds was a beautifully crafted golden "Peacock Self-Sounding Clock."

On a lush oak tree over three meters high, a beautiful peacock stood. To its left was an owl caged, its eyes made of gemstones; to its right, a proud rooster.

They exhibited graceful postures, lifelike and intricate, appearing priceless in every detail.

Below the tree, twelve round mushrooms grew in a staggered arrangement. At the top of the largest mushroom sat a golden dragonfly poised to take flight, its two pairs of wings as thin as paper, an exquisite craftsmanship.

On every full hour, the peacock on the golden stump would slowly spread its beautiful golden wings and revolve 360 degrees.

Various plants and animals around it would also perform dynamic displays, accompanied by the clock's melodious chime, creating a dramatic scene that awed the audience.

Nearly two hundred years ago, this "Peacock Self-Sounding Clock" was crafted by skilled artisans to commemorate the kingdom's conquest of the Peacock Islands.

Made entirely of gold and silver and adorned with gemstones, the craftsmanship was meticulous to an extreme, a regal piece among clocks!

Expressionless, Philip II leaned alone against the carved oak chair adorned with ivory, silently gazing at this symbolically significant large clock.

His fingers tapped the armrest in rhythm with the clock's ticking, unintentionally leaving a small dent with his Tier 3 Great Knight's strength.

Evidently, the imminent decisive battle was giving His Majesty the Emperor immense pressure.

Mumbling to himself, he recited the empire's assets, a routine he had followed daily for some time now:

"My Invincible Fleet comprises more than three hundred ten Level 3 and above main battleships, with a total fleet size exceeding two thousand two hundred ships.

Even after losing half of the Second Fleet a year ago, we still have over two hundred fifty Level 3 battleships, unmatched globally!

[Sea Monarchy], [Royal Alfonso], [Divine Grace], [Golden Bird], four legendary battleships unrivaled by other nations!

I also have the ancestors 'Supreme Knight,' 'Steel Melting Furnace,' and 'Bone Shattering Warhammer,' three Titled Knights, with two having already nurtured their Sacred Artifacts.

There's also the loyal Great Wizard Anduin from the Curse School, who signed a contract; wizards from the Elemental Breath School, who bear grudges against the rebels, have joined the imperial war effort; in the decisive battle with Frisia, the Yellow Sand Sect's Deceitful Fate Wizards (Chapter 215) promised to restrain Heimar's forces. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

I, the greatest Emperor in the human world, will not lose, will not..."

Just then.

Clang! Clang! Clang!...

The clock's melodious chime struck the hour again.

Whether from the passage of two centuries being too long, the large clock seemed somewhat poorly maintained.

Right before Philip II's eyes, after a few rotations, the exquisite peacock's head suddenly... fell off.

Thud—!

Although it landed on the ground, it simultaneously struck at Philip II's heart.