Pirate Kingship-Chapter 596 - 429: Fortress of Darkness, Habsburg (6200 in one)_2
Atahualpa was eating the meticulously cooked canned beef, marveling at yet another powerful Sacred Relic that Byron had taken out, The First Overseas Expansion Order:
"His Majesty, the Lord of Heaven, although there's less Gold in your Golden Empire than in mine, you do have a considerable number of impressive Sacred Relics. The great Sun God Inti taught us to bestow civilization upon the years, not to bestow years upon civilization. We, the Divine Descendants, are like the Sun. We must pursue greater significance in life and advance the Quechua civilization within our limited time, rather than allowing a meaningless existence to merely endure through long years. I believe that only nations bathed in the light of civilization can produce a multitude of Sacred Relics that influence the course of humanity. This is evident in their weapons, food, and drink. Firearms, canned foods like these, or rum brewed from sugarcane—all demonstrate the strength of the northern civilizations. If I have the opportunity in the future, I must take Sister Aya to see your territories."
He was unaware that the target of The First Overseas Expansion Order was the natives themselves. He also misunderstood that the so-called "civilization" of the Old Continent was not the same as what he had imagined. It was merely the result of continuous wars among nations, leading to a social structure far more advanced than the slave-based Sun Empire.
Byron remembered that the Captain of the Guard had once expressed a similar desire to study in the northern countries. Clearly, as their understanding of the outside world increased, they were becoming acutely aware that the Sun Empire would soon face the first wave of colonial impact. This included military, cultural, and economic aspects, infectious diseases, and more. "Guns, Germs, and Steel" is an unavoidable theme in the colonial wars of any world. Instead of waiting for the Colonizers' cannons to forcibly open the nation's gates, it's better to proactively understand them in advance. As an ally, Byron was pleased to see the Sun Empire's elite showing an enlightened and progressive political climate, rather than following in the footsteps of the old hag from his past life, who had brought endless agony to her people. Of course, all this was under the premise that Atahualpa could emerge as the ultimate victor, or at the very least survive to the end.
Byron, while considerately helping the delicate Queen Violette open a can lid, nodded at Atahualpa,
"If you are able to ascend to the throne successfully, our Sacred Golden Empire and the Sun Empire will be nations of brothers. I would most certainly extend a warm welcome to you and Queen Consort Aya. I believe that Queen Consort Aya would also undoubtedly get along very well with my sister... with my queens."
Atahualpa's expression grew even more intimate as he winked at him, as if to say they were all part of the same kin.
"Marrying a sister as the Queen Consort, I understand!"
Yet Atahualpa was unaware that it was only because Byron was wrapped in the guise of [Lord of Heaven] that he dared to speak of multiple queens. If in the future he returned to the Old Continent and still dared to speak of this openly, it would doubtlessly spark another earth-shattering trouble. The severity of which would definitely be no less than the princes' coronation ceremony held earlier that day. The Church would undoubtedly be the first to leap out and deliver a righteous blow.
The three of them had just finished eating and managed to rest for a short while.
They then saw the Sun at the horizon gradually dip into the lake. The somewhat disordered buildings within the fortress stretched out long shadows under the sunset. It was as if numerous demonic claws danced about, slowly engulfing every challenger. Byron and his group were at the base of the east wall, watching the light gradually fade around them while the shadows steadily grew.
It might have been an illusion, but Byron felt that the shadows here were excessively dark. As they crawled along the ground, they seemed like a pool of dense ink flowing slowly over the surface.
As they watched, the shadow cast from a tall tower across the way moved forward, slowly reaching a glass jar at their feet that still had a bit of soup left at the bottom. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺
RUSTLE, RUSTLE...
Having detected something amiss, Byron noticed something wriggling within the shadow. The soup in the jar disappeared in an instant. The glass jar inexplicably tipped over. Then, the scraps of meat on the ground and the few pieces of water grass they had brought from the previous challenge all suddenly vanished with strange rustling sounds. Finally, they could clearly see the numerous fanged mouths hidden within the shadows. Everything organic engulfed by the shadow was instantly devoured. No wonder nothing grew within the fortress's bounds and not a single insect could be found—everything had been eaten.
BANG!
Violette fired a large-caliber Whale Oil Bullet, but it had no effect, as if it had struck an ordinary shadow. The journal simultaneously revealed the secrets of these strange shadows.
"[Secret Realm - Fortress of Darkness]:
In an ancient sacrificial mishap long ago, a connection was made to a certain Old God outside the usual pantheon, contaminating the entire city with Its power. All the ravenous residents were trapped within the barren mirror city encapsulated by shadows. Over the long years, they became darkness itself, craving everything edible in the Material World.
Daytime is absolutely safe; be wary of nightfall! Only those bathed in light can avoid attacks. With just one flicker of light, you will be devoured by the darkness, filled with countless sharp teeth! Survive until the Sun rises again, and you will automatically earn a Sun Badge to proceed to the next challenge."
Meanwhile, the shadows from the mirror city began to launch wave after wave of attacks on the National Border Lock enveloping them.
