Pivot of the Sky-Chapter 218: The test never ends
Celia was the chief priest of the Hittite Kingdom’s Anu Legion, so she should be in Meso at this moment. How could she appear here, and why was Seagull with her?
Seagull was by far the latest disciple to receive Amon’s guidance, therefore, he was the most junior among all the divine emissaries in Garden of Eden, but due to Crazy’Ole, his identity was incomparable to the other disciples. Similar to Amon, he had received Nietzsche’s guidance, only decades earlier, and when Amon met him, Seagull already had the eighth level of achievement.
Seagull had not trained the power of two sides, and he was actually an eighth-level mage or rather, an eighth-level bird spirit, and as such, he had many differences compared to ordinary people. His training was extraordinarily difficult, but at the same time, he also had many special talents. When Seagull accepted Amon’s guidance, he followed Gabriel to the Garden of Eden, and then to the city of Salem.
Knowing his connection with Amon, the disciples took good care of Seagull. Amon only had time to guide Seagull in the training and testing process regarding the power of origin before he went off to the Underworld of Osiris, so there were many specific magic arts as well as body arts which were not yet taught, but the disciples were willing to instruct Seagull whenever they were free. Seagull had a very good temper and was curious about everything on earth, just like a good-natured, hard-working child.
The bird spirit that just came to the earthly city from the deserted island needed to learn a lot of things, and Aesop did not arrange any specific affairs for him to be responsible, but Seagull was very enthusiastic and willing to help with everything, so he was also very popular with everyone. He had decades of uninterrupted training and a pure mind, so after getting guidance in the power of origin as well as everyone’s various teachings, he progressed rapidly. In less than a year’s time, he was able to achieve the eighth level.
But this eighth-level divine emissary was still inexperienced in all aspects because he had not experienced much besides living on the island, so he naturally could not be compared to someone like Metatro, who had followed Amon since training the power of two sides all the way till now. But Seagull also had an advantage, he had not thought about anything else at all in these decades, just single-mindedly training without stopping, so his magical power was very strong.
When he arrived at Salem, it was when the Hittite Kingdom’s Anu Legion entered the Plains of Duc to fight with Marduc City, and the two armies were in a stalemate, and the Hittite army also built Meso in the south of the Plains of Duc. The city of Salem was the logistical transit base for the Hittite expeditionary force, so there were frequent movements of people.
About a year ago, Princess Celia came to Salem, and of course, Aesop had to receive her grandly. The meeting was attended by all the important people in Salem, and Seagull was also present. It was the first time Seagull attended such a major “diplomatic” occasion. He was a bit nervous to meet the princess and was afraid of embarrassing himself.
Sometimes, the more afraid one is of something happening, the more likely it would happen. It was also partly because Idu did not tell Seagull about Princess Celia’s history clearly. All of them had known each other for a long time, and only when they came to Seagull did he make a special introduction. Idu first introduced Seagull to the princess, only saying that he was the new disciple of God Amon since it was inconvenient to say that he was a divine emissary in the Garden of Eden.
Then Idu said to Seagull: “This charming and beautiful princess is also a powerful eighth-level mage and a famous master of summoning magic on the continent.”
This was just a normal compliment, but when Seagull heard it his face turned pale and his legs turned weak, causing him to sit on the ground! What happened? Seagull was no longer as timid as he was when Amon just met him, but there was a sentence which had long been deeply imprinted into his mind, like a brand on the soul.
Before Crazy’Ole left the island, he told Seagull that the far continent was dangerous, and there were powerful summoners who would place a brand on his soul and force him to serve as a summoned beast. Seagull was so afraid that he did not dare to leave the isolated island in the sea for decades. This was the only nightmare in his pure heart, and the powerful summoners on the mainland had become a devil-like existence in his mind.
He was already nervous at this grand occasion, and to hear Idu say these words out of the blue was like seeing the devil in his nightmare standing in front of him. As a result, his legs went weak subconsciously and he fell to the ground, giving Celia a startle.
Celia curiously asked Seagull what happened, and Seagull honestly explained. As the beautiful princess listened, she giggled in laughter, finding Seagull simple but cute. Although the explanation was clear, Seagull would still get nervous whenever he saw Celia, and whatever she said he would listen carefully as if he was afraid of being branded on the soul.
When Idu saw Seagull like that, either as a joke or as a way to train his guts, he appointed Seagull as an official reception officer for the city of Salem, making him stay by Celia’s side to protect the safety of the princess. In reality, he would simply help Celia with anything she needed, and he also accompanied the princess to hunt in the wilderness.
The more Celia looked at Seagull, the more interested she became. Whenever she spoke a little louder, Seagull’s face would become reddened and he would become very nervous. This was not fear of her status as princess of the kingdom, but purely an instinctual reaction. Later on, Celia called her summoned beast ballad Rulio to spar with Seagull, but it turned out that Rulio was not a match for Seagull at all. To think that this shy disciple of Amon would actually be so strong!
After Celia finished her business and was about to return to Meso, Aesop sent Seagull to escort her, and his main task was to oversee the convoy of supplies. Celia asked Aesop what position Seagull held in Salem or the Salem Legion. The result was that Seagull was currently idle and still studying and training, so the princess took the opportunity to make a request to borrow a person from Salem.
This request was just what Aesop wanted, as Aesop was thinking of sending Seagull to Meso. At that time, the Hittite army had been building a dock in the inland lake, and the Meso was still under development, so Aesop was eager to improve the relationship between the two cities and understand the dynamics there, so it was best to send a person who could be trusted by both sides.
This person must not have a shady background, will not cause suspicion, but must also be absolutely loyal to Amon, while at the same time be capable of obtaining the goodwill of the other side. Therefore, Seagull was the perfect candidate. The astute Aesop could also see that Celia seemed to like Seagull, and Seagull really needed more experience, so he immediately agreed.
Seagull came to Meso, and Raphael guessed Aesop’s intentions, so he suggested that the princess appoint Seagull as the captain of her personal guards. The original captain was an imperial general who happened to be transferred to the frontline because of the needs of the war, and Celia happily agreed. Indeed, there was no one who would be more dedicated to his job than Seagull, as he did not even know the meaning of slacking off.
Seagull was originally a seagull that activated its spiritual wisdom, and he later gave himself the name Seagull, but Celia told him that this should not be his name but his surname instead, as it indicated his origin. So Seagull gave himself another name, Michael, and his full name was Michael Seagull.
Before the outbreak of the great war between Salem and Enlil City, something happened to the merchant route in the Charcoal Marsh. This route was also one of the logistic passages between Meso and the Hittite Kingdom, so Princess Celia also paid attention to it. As she was always very helpful with the situation in Salem, she sent Rulio to assist El Mar in guarding the Charcoal Marsh. Rulio was a descendant of merfolk, so the swampy area was also suitable for him to use his innate talents.
Immediately after the battle between Salem and Enlil City, the situation was precarious, and Lord Aesop sent for help from Princess Celia. Normally, according to the official procedure, he should have requested help from Meso or the Hittite Kingdom, but instead, Aesop asked Princess Celia directly.
At that time, the one who held the authority was the Anu Legion’s Head of Legion, Aemi. When Celia approached Aemi and asked him to send troops to rescue Salem, Aemi refused reluctantly, for two reasons. First of all, the king’s order was necessary to mobilize the army, and the army commander could not do it without permission.
Secondly, there was an agreement between the city of Salem and the Anu Legion that the regular combat troops of the Anu Legion would not be allowed to enter the city of Salem, which was a precautionary measure of mutual respect, but now it became an excuse. In fact, the Hittite Kingdom’s attitude towards Salem was only wait-and-see, giving logistical support but no direct military support, and even if King Asher knew about this, he would not launch a large army.
Seagull cried in anxiety and told Princess Celia on the spot to let him go back to save Salem by himself single-handedly. At that moment, a highly respected old man came to the city of Meso, and it was none other than Golier. Celia hurriedly asked Golier for advice on what to do, and Golier frowned and said: “It is also the kingdom’s decree that the Head of Legion Aemi cannot move a large army without permission. But Her Highness can ‘visit’ the city of Salem in a private capacity, which does not violate any agreement, and you also have the right to bring your own guards to protect your own safety.”
After these words, Golier looked at Celia, who understood what it meant to visit Salem with her personal guards at this time, and it all depended on whether the princess had the heart and the courage to do so. As a result, Celia slapped the table and ordered Seagull to gather her personal guards and set off immediately, nearly moving Seagull to tears again.
When Aemi heard the news, the princess had gone, and Aemi was shocked. Celia was the Chief Priest of the Anu Legion, and also had the responsibility of supervising the army, not to mention her identity as the princess of the kingdom. If any accident were to occur, Aemi could not escape the responsibility. Even if the princess were to return unharmed, she could use this matter as a reason to impeach him, so he hurriedly asked Golier for advice with a bitter expression.
Golier stroked his beard as he said: “The princess will be in danger when she visits Salem since it is in the midst of war, and whether for personal or official reasons, you should still send some men to protect her. Remember, this is sending people to protect the princess, so it is entirely proper to do so!”
Aemi responded at once and immediately sent 500 cavalrymen out of the city to protect Princess Celia. The number of Princess Celia’s personal guards was already quite large, and because of the battle, it was expanded to three hundred elites. The cavalry sent by Aemi was also the elite main force of the legion, and these eight hundred troops went to the frontline of the battle between Salem and Enlil City.
Although Aemi did not receive orders to send troops to participate in the war, he was only sending people to protect the princess. If the princess took the cavalry units to the battlefield, and the king wanted to blame someone for it, the princess had to bear the consequences herself, not to mention Golier was also a witness. Even King Asher had to listen to Golier!
After the cavalry was sent out, Aemi was still a little uneasy, so he said to Golier with concern: “The princess has not really been on the frontlines of battles, I am afraid that once she arrived in Salem with her personal guards involved in the battle, although there are quite a number of elite troops protecting her, accidents might still occur. Lord Golier, do you agree…?”
Golier waved his hand and said: “That’s really worrying. How about this, I’ll also go to Salem and see what’s going on there in the name of a private visit.”
Aemi finally breathed a sigh of relief and thanked Golier! If even Golier had gone, he definitely would not be blamed for anything that happened, so this arrangement was already very considerate to him. In actual fact, the intention of Golier was to save the city of Salem, so he tried his best to send as many soldiers as he could. According to the current situation, it was too late to send infantry, and it was impossible to mobilize the chariots, so 800 elite horsemen were the best result he could achieve.
Golier gave a few more words of advice to his student Raphael before he left. He took off after Celia left with the cavalry, but arrived at the frontline first and took over the command of the battlefield at the most appropriate time. When the two armies were fighting at a critical time, Celia and Seagull arrived with eight hundred elite horsemen and inserted themselves into the battle, becoming the final force in deciding the victory.
There was also something interesting that happened on the battlefield. Celia really hadn’t fought on the frontlines before, and it was unlikely with her status. This was her first time leading the cavalry to charge in from the flank, but as a supreme mage, she actually rushed to the front by herself, ditching her personal guards behind. They did not manage to lay a wedge-shaped guard formation in time to protect her, and in the chaos of the situation, it was very dangerous.
Seagull was also inexperienced on the battlefield, but after taking one look at the situation, he also realized the danger that Celia was in. He immediately uttered a loud cry and rushed into the sky, transforming into a giant gull and then plunging straight towards the front of Celia’s horse. Many soldiers of the Giant Legion were terrified and roared: “Horus, it’s Horus, the sky god of Ejypt!”
The speed of Seagull was very fast as he swooped down from the sky, and there was no time to tell whether it was a gull or a hawk in the midst of fighting. Back then when Amon fought against the Uruk Legion, Horus had turned into a giant eagle to assist with the battle, and this incident was spread across the continent as a “legend”. When Seagull appeared as a giant gull on the battlefield, the majority of people’s first thoughts were that of Horus, and one could imagine the shock in their hearts, who would have the time to think about how Horus could appear here?
Seagull also did not expect that what he did in a panic to cover Celia’s charge would have such a good effect on the enemy, and Celia took the opportunity to lead the cavalry through the enemy lines. Her personal guards as well as cavalry behind her also had no choice but to desperately rush forward to follow behind her. Since the princess had already rushed to the front, the only thing they could do was to stay near her so that they could protect her.
Princess Celia was unharmed, but Seagull was seriously wounded. When Naqia saw the cavalry led by Celia suddenly arriving, she realized that something was wrong, so she shot an arrow at Celia. The huge black arrows used by Naqia were very precious, and it was impossible to shoot many arrows in a row, so only three were prepared. The other arrows had already been used in the battle, and this last huge black arrow was shot at Celia, the supreme mage who had left the safety of her guards.
If hit, Celia would have been unable to block the arrow, but fortunately, when Seagull transformed into a giant bird and landed by the side of Celia’s horse, he received the arrow with his body. He was seriously wounded on the spot, but he was quickly saved by the cavalry behind. When Seagull woke up, he was already lying on a bed in Salem, with Princess Celia sitting at the table in front of the bed, her hands on her chin, looking at him with tears in her eyes.
In this battle, the Salem Legion finally repelled the Giant Legion, killing and capturing more than 2,000 enemy troops. The Giant Legion’s Chief Priest Lucien was killed, and the remnants of the enemy fled into Enlil City, turtling inside and relying on the city defenses to survive. While covering the retreat of the remnant troops, Gugalanna was also shot down by Gilgamesh. But the Salem Legion also paid a huge price, with nearly a thousand killed and countless wounded.
Seagull was seriously wounded, but he managed to survive, while Metatro and Idu were also wounded, and three of the twelve Judges following Idu’s charge were killed, so the losses were heavy. After this battle, it was impossible for the Giant Legion to fight anymore, but the Salem army was also unable to launch an attack for the time being.
It was a sad victory, and there were still a lot of matters to deal with in the aftermath of the battle. Aesop allowed the Giant Legion to send men out to collect the bodies, and also buried the bodies of his own fallen soldiers, treated the wounded, and rewarded the meritorious personnel. God Amon appeared only once on the battlefield, and then never again. The rest was earthly affairs, and his task as the patron god of the city had been completed.
Amon flew from the battlefield to the Syah Plateau but did not catch up with Enlil. Apparently, he did not want to fight Amon now, and after sending his divine emissaries to fight, he stepped into the void and disappeared to an unknown location. Mourrin caught up with Amon, and she asked Amon about his process of becoming a god before telling him two things.
The communication between gods was simple, and the information imprinted into the soul could explain the complicated process. She never thought that Schrodinger was a distant god of the Olympus divine clan, Artemis, and even had the achievement of a Creator now, and was willing to guide Amon to join the Olympus divine clan. The only problem was that before Amon had time to answer, he was summoned to the battlefield.
Mourrin told Amon that he was not yet a match for Enlil, who not only already had the achievement of a Creator but had also been the king of the divine clan for a long time with many years of training. No matter how powerful Amon was right now, it was impossible for Amon to defeat Enlil at this time. The reason why Enlil retreated was that he had been used to planning before making any moves, so in the absence of clear information regarding Amon’s abilities, he would not take any action rashly.
Enlil had waited so many years before taking action, and the moment he did, he turned the Plains of Duc into a thousand kilometers of fertile land again and managed to beat back Marduc’s influence, forcing his believers into retreat. From this, one could see the guile and cunning of this god. The gods who have transcended eternity and possess a truly eternal life are used to using various covenants to solve problems, and will never fight or do anything that could harm them until they are forced to or when they are very sure of the outcome.
