The heartbeat of the [Thousand-Faced Moon] was growing louder, overpowering the blasting sound of cannon fire within the [Mechanical Realm].

Gradually, gears, turrets, and even discarded wrenches on the ground began to sprout flesh, ready to dance to its rhythm and attack the living nearby.

Even some lower-ranked Official Wizards fearfully discovered their hearts gradually resonating with that frequency.

After all, the [Wizard's Garden] cannot compare to the [Truth Embodiment], a [Wizard Secret Realm] akin to the demigod's "Sanctuary", even if cultivated by a "Crowned Wizard" for thousands of years, it cannot fully withstand a demigod's active contamination.

Had the opponent not attacked here directly, but rather encountered them on the road, escaping with one's life before a demigod is the greatest honor for a Tier 4 Transcendent.

Buzz—!

The [Libra Balance Holy Sword] held by Aiven had already begun to hum, eager to drink the enemy's blood, and more so, feast on Aiven's... Golden Lion.

But Aiven merely slightly evoked the weapon's power to shield his allies, preventing them from the pollution of the Evil God.

Partly out of concern for his money, partly because the main adversary hadn't shown up yet.

A deal rushed is a deal not worth making; allies are allies, but without even a glimpse of the main foe, using the Holy Sword seems too cheap.

However.

To Aiven's surprise, the first to act in such a critical moment wasn't the resident "Crowned Wizard" Mennon Watt.

Chirp chirp...

A pleasant sound, akin to the call of a Kingfisher, resounded throughout the [Mechanical Realm], reducing the oppressive heartbeat considerably.

Whoosh—!

A tall, graceful silhouette flashed into view in the sky, facing the Evil God [Thousand-Faced Moon] head-on, attacking without a word.

Her slender fingers lightly plucked at the air before her, brushing, picking, hooking, lifting, plucking... as if the sky were an instrument with invisible strings.

2 3 5 5 61 1 56 21 2....

An ethereal melody began to play along.

A moment later, on countless gray tentacles, from which millions of cannon turrets couldn't eliminate, each head began to close its eyes, and the endlessly stretching tentacles gradually retreated to the ocean.

Like children lulled to sleep by a lullaby.

[Forbidden Curse: Forest of Ten Thousand Forms]

After breaking through humanity's knowledge limits, a "Crowned Wizard" receives not only the [Crown] granted by the World Root Source.

But also the fundamental magic of their path, transcending school knowledge—[Fundamental Skill: Forbidden Curse].

Condensing the immense power of their path into a single phrase, akin to the [Legendary Battleship Skill] of a Legendary Battleship, able to manifest miracles.

This "phrase" may take various forms, like a sentence, a melody, a rune set, or a series of gestures.

Each is merely a manifestation of potent power expressed in the Material World, a side of the "Mysterious Source".

At this moment.

If Lady Kingfisher's melody were translated to human language, it would say: "Unified harmony by the Master of Music!"

Effect: Combining all types of witchcraft from the "School of Truth Gate" into one, freely accessing them at will.

The essence of music is mathematics; different harmonies are, in fact, frequency ratios, the more beautiful the combination, the more harmonious, the stranger the more abrupt.

Additionally, only music among all art forms can directly reach the essence of the soul, stirring emotions without intellectual engagement.

Regardless of nationality, whether Stone Age primitive or interstellar era chief scientist, the distinction is negligible.

Thus, harmony naturally became the best bridge connecting the diverse witch abilities.

Gifted with [Sound], "Crowned Wizard" Kingfisher took this ability to its extreme.

Breaking through to a Crown by contributing valuable knowledge of [Twelve-tone Equal Temperament] to the "Mysterious Source: Truth Gate".

The powerful "old witch" Baba Yaga paled in comparison to such a legitimate witch.

A single stroke of accomplishment.

Facing the [Mechanical Realm], all the heads fell into slumber, unable to be wielded by the [Thousand-Faced Moon].

Ring—!

Kingfisher simultaneously stretched her graceful fingers in a sweeping motion to activate the fundamental skill [Resonant Harmonics].

Boom! Boom! Boom!....

Across the view, countless dormant heads exploded boomingly, nearly dyeing the entire gray ocean white.

The power of the [Forbidden Curse] instantaneously executed a miracle mass slaughter, even against a demigod's sinister minions.

Thud!

After one mighty heartbeat, a voice sharp as a needle, neither male nor female, uttered for the first time since the battle began:

"Unforgivable, these are my years of collection! The great 'Skull Hunter' shall sever each of your heads!"

Clearly, Kingfisher's unexpected appearance in this raid caught it off guard, and clashing paths led to a significant loss.

Yet, the grievous damage genuinely infuriated the terrifying Evil God.

Boom—!

The massive heart emitted more brilliant divine light, its internal three human-like shadow faces surged outward, suddenly tightening the translucent flesh wall, seemingly prisoners struggling to escape the heart.

Manifest fear had already scattered ahead, frightening everyone in the [Mechanical Realm] to involuntarily step back.

Aiven and his companions' eyes wandered, unsuspectingly glancing toward the tower, anticipating the master capable of turning the tide to appear.

Evidently.

Clearly, if those three bizarre entities were to emerge, it would surely spell trouble, not just for Aiven and the others.

There was no disappointment.

The elderly man sitting on the metal chair suddenly appeared beside the Kingfisher.

"Alas!"

Avoiding direct gaze at the Demigod's "Mythical Form," he let out a soft sigh, took out a glittering golden cross from his bosom, and raised it high above his head.

In a barely audible voice, he uttered, "Supreme 'Sea Monarchy'!"

Buzz...

Endless golden radiance turned the entire [Mechanical Realm] into a field of pure gold.

In the next moment.

Towers upon towers of cannons, enhanced by some blessing, and a thousand [Dora Cannons] simultaneously aimed at the gigantic heart in the grey sea's center.

"Hmm?"

Aiven's eyebrow slightly arched.

As a man kissed by the Goddess, he clearly sensed the power of the "Sea Monarchy" under the command of Saint Angel Belenus, and the dazzling, everlasting aura of [Divinity], from that cross.

Indicating that this was no ordinary divine weapon, but a true Divine Artifact like the [Libra Balance Holy Sword]!

[Thousand-Faced Moon], though pausing for a moment, had no intention of retreating at all.

Three faces, seemingly congealed by fear, were struggling to reveal their upper halves.

Whoosh!

With no more hesitation, as the last Tier 4 Transcendent in this [Wizard's Garden] aside from the two "Crowned Wizards," Aiven charged forward, drawing out the [Libra Balance Holy Sword].

Without needing any command from Aiven, the exuberant Holy Sword had already projected a massive scale above Aiven's head, ready to receive the offering from the gold master.

After the offering?

Ha, then I'm your daddy, ha ha ha...

Nodding to the two Crowned Wizards, Aiven thought to himself:

"For a powerful 'Crowned Wizard,' Mr. Watt really seems a bit aged."

With the aspirational Oldest School, despite the high difficulty of embodiment, the "Life Tree School" naturally enters the "Divinity Realm" among the four-level worlds after advancing to Tier 4.

Receiving divinity as a gift from the world, this is a rare powerful ability among the various schools.

However.

Compared to the Epoch scale, the relatively young "Alchemy School" lacks such a foundation.

Even though Mennon Watt has been a Crowned Wizard for many years, he still hasn't independently acquired the representative eternal [Divinity], hence not possessing endless lifespans.

Aiven could deduce.

In recent decades, his focus on developing the steam industry on the Source Continent must be a desperate effort before his lifespan wanes, to achieve [Truth Embodiment].

Over the years, as the "Light of Alchemy" has grown, from observing his friends Anthony and Delis, Aiven knows that the birth of every Official Wizard requires pioneering knowledge as a prerequisite for ascension.

And every Official Wizard in the school contributes resources to the school's "Mysterious Source," with the greatest beneficiary being the current chief.

Through this policy, which appears to be one-sidedly favorable for the school, the "Alchemy School" has at least gained hundreds of Official Wizards and the knowledge they contribute.

Perhaps the birth of the school's [Truth Embodiment] isn't far off.

Seeing the [Thousand-Faced Moon] finally showing some hesitation in the face of three Tier 4s and two Divine Artifacts, Aiven's heart stirred.

Although he had already subdued the strongest nation of the time, he might soon face even more formidable adversaries.

The Evil God could target the "Alchemy School," and might just as well target his own Duchy.

The Tier 4 [Badge Knight] and the Tier 3 Senior Grand Wizard's strength, though impressive, allowed him to tower over all Transcendents below the "Titled Sacred Artifact" level.

But against an irrational entity like an Evil God?

Even the absoluteness of "Titled Sacred Artifacts" and the dreamlike [Forbidden Curses] of Tier 4 Grand Wizards could not be easily resisted by someone of his stature.

A slow retreat could even pose a threat to his life.

A sense of urgency gradually surfaced.

"It's time to consider how to complete the advancement ritual before reaching the Crown, the most fundamental path—[Creation]?"

Just as Aiven was steeling his resolve.

An old, commanding voice suddenly echoed in his ears:

"Strike!"

With the support of the Divine Artifact, various alchemy cannons aimed at the heart in the center roared in unison.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!...

Without hesitation.

With a resonant sword cry, Aiven also thrust the [Libra Balance Holy Sword] forcefully.

Instantly.

The wind ceased its movement, clouds froze in the sky. The golden sword aura, boundless without a beginning or end, filled the entire [Mechanical Realm].

Before the radiance faded, in the perception of the [Eye of Profound Wisdom].

The opposing aura sharply declined, and a sharp, low hum quickly retreated.