The Creators: From Night City

Page 342

"Boom boom boom!"

Under Deckard Kane's watchful eye, Jiang Bing gently tapped the barrier of holy light.

"Old man, open the door and go home. This is not a good place to sleep."

The barrier of holy light began to dissipate, eventually converging on an intricate necklace emblem in Deckard Kane's hand.

"You've come to rescue me?"

"It's obvious that Akara of the Blind Sisterhood entrusted us to rescue you. She said that the demonic knowledge in your head can help us better defeat the demons."

Jiang Bing reached out to stop Litan from tearing open the teleportation scroll, and waved his hand to open a spatial rift in front of him, using 'Heimul' as a springboard to return to the Rogue Encampment as usual.

However, the time it took to open the door this time was unusually long, but thanks to Heiml's efforts, the spatial rift eventually opened in front of everyone.

"It's you?"

As soon as they stepped out of the portal, they were greeted by Kasha, who held a blue longbow and an arrow with intricate patterns on its bowstring.

"You actually managed to break through the camp's spatial sealing array, Lord Sabur, you really are a hidden talent," Kasha teased speechlessly.

It was all a misunderstanding. The alarm was lifted, and Kasha waved his hand to disperse the group of Rogues who had formed a circle around them, freeing the camp from a state of combat readiness.

It's not surprising that the other party reacted so strongly.

Teleportation magic is a common surprise attack tactic for demons. Although the Rogue Encampment is rudimentary, it still has all the necessary anti-space teleportation methods. In fact, the entire camp and a large area around it have been sealed off by Akara to prevent demons from launching surprise attacks.

However, it's hard to say whether the demons can be defended against; Heiml and the others certainly couldn't.

Fortunately, neither Akara nor Kasha, the two leaders of the blind sisters, intended to delve into the matter. Instead, they skillfully focused their attention on Deeka Cain, who was wearing a dirty robe.

“Welcome to Rogue Encampment, Scholar Deckard Kane. As you can see, the conditions here are rather basic, but I think we need to have a proper chat.” Akara extended an invitation for tea.

The scholar who had been frightened by the demon for several days was perfectly acceptable.

Unidentified leaves tumbled and leaped in the hot water, swirling and dancing.

Under Jiang Bing's watchful gaze, a fine powder of spices was sprinkled into the teapot. Steam rose, and a fragrance that invigorated the mind and cleared the thoughts wafted out.

“Holy oak tea, I never expected to find such a good thing in this environment.” Deka Kane, as expected of a renowned scholar from eastern and southern Kanduras and parts of the west, came to this conclusion just by smelling the tea before it was even brewed.

"It's not some rare magical drink, just a pot of calming tea," Akara said modestly.

"You flatter me. In a land ravaged by demons, it's truly a rare treat to be able to drink something like this. After all, mistletoe is probably nearly extinct due to the corruption of dark forces. But with this, I'm sure I can get a good night's sleep tonight." Deckard Kane rubbed his eyes wearily, patted his aching back, and offered just the right amount of flattery.

The old man has traveled all over the country for many years, and he is very skilled in all aspects of interpersonal relationships.

Chapter 697 Horadrim Amulet

"Darkness has shrouded the earth for a long time. If this continues, all things will inevitably wither and be dragged into hell. Master Kane, as you said, these tea leaves are still my previous stock. After all, the Great Monastery has long been defiled by demons and no longer has the conditions for mistletoe to grow."

Akara, being a highly skilled alchemist, would not choose to brew this tea casually. After all, mistletoe, which only grows near ancient oak trees or various sanctuaries (such as chapels, monasteries, wise men's monuments, and pure springs), contains extremely weak but pure natural energy that can dispel the negative emotional pollution caused by the whispers of demons.

Akara noticed Deckard Kane's fatigue, which is why she specially prepared refreshing tea for the group.

This stuff has remarkable effects, but it tastes surprisingly like mint tea. Naturally, the cool, refreshing taste is quite invigorating.

"So, the demons have broken their pact with the higher heavens and officially returned to the mortal realm?" Deckard Kane concluded.

“That’s an obvious question, scholar. Tell me something we don’t know,” Kasha asked directly.

Deekka Kane took a few sips of tea, let out a soothing sigh, and then selectively revealed the historical truth he knew to the crowd.

"The one sealed within Aidan is Diablo, one of the three Prime Evils of Hell. It was originally sealed beneath the Zakarum Cathedral by an organization called the Horadrim, and the sealing artifact was a high-level Heavenly artifact called the 'Soul Stone'."

"Now, Diablo has returned to the mortal realm through Aidan's body. The reason he has traveled eastward is simple: to liberate his two other sealed brothers, the Lord of Hatred and the Lord of Destruction."

"If we cannot stop it before it releases other demons, then a cataclysmic disaster awaits all of humanity."

"How did you find out about this?" Kasha continued to ask.

“It’s very simple,” Deckard Kane said, pulling out a metal pendant shaped like the number 8, but with a yellow compass-like eye embedded in the hole at the top.

"This is the token of the Horadrim Brotherhood, and I should be considered the last Horadrim in this world."

This pendant emitted a holy light shield, protecting Deckard Kane from the demons' attacks.

“I often heard my mother tell stories of brave Horadrim heroes. I used to think these were just ancient legends, but I never imagined that these seemingly unbelievable stories were actually true.”

“I think you should face those stories squarely and find some knowledge that we can use from them,” Kasha said, as pragmatic as ever.

“Of course,” the old scholar said, taking a few sips of tea.

“Jered Kane, my ancestor was a core member of the Horadrim, and I have read many of the books he left behind.”

"The book records that after an epic war called the War of Original Sin, Heaven, Hell, and our world signed a peace treaty, agreeing to never wage war again. However, soon after, the three Prime Evils of Hell (Baal, Lord of Destruction; Mephisto, Lord of Hatred; and Diablo, Lord of Dread) were betrayed by the other four Prime Evils (Andariel, Lord of Pain; Duriel, Lord of Torment; Belial, Lord of Lies; and Azmodan, Lord of Sin), and were defeated in the war, banished from Hell, and exiled to our world."

"But now that I think about it, this was probably a conspiracy orchestrated by the three demon gods of Hell, in order to bypass the higher heavens and break into our world from within."

"At that time, an archangel named Tyrael saw through the demon's plot and descended to our world to warn humanity. With His help and mobilization, several tribes of mages, warriors, and scholars from the East formed the Horadrim to resist and seal the three Prime Evils of Hell."

"And the Soul Stone on Aidan's head is one of the three artifacts that this archangel brought down from the High Heavens."

“These historical secrets are indeed fascinating, but what we need now are reinforcements, not these ancient mysteries,” Kasha insisted on her pragmatism.

"Knowledge originates from power," Deckard Cain uttered a proverb widely circulated among mages, which served as his answer to Kashya's question.

Of course, the essence of his discussion of these issues was not to show off his knowledge, but rather because he genuinely had his own considerations.

“This archangel named Tyrael once descended to earth to establish the Horadrim and help humanity resist the invasion of demons. I wonder if we can contact Him and use that to seek help from the higher heavens.”

Kane finally revealed his plans.

“This proposal may sound a bit far-fetched, but it’s still a feasible plan. However, how do you intend to make contact with those high and mighty angels?” Kasha continued to discuss the feasibility of the plan with the other party.

However, she didn't notice that as she asked the question, Akara's fingers involuntarily gripped the emerald relic 'Blindness' on her chest.

"That talisman," Jiang Bing suddenly spoke up, interrupting the discussion.

Akara shuddered violently.

“This amulet was made by some being from the High Heavens.” Jiang Bing pointed meaningfully at the amulet that Deka Kane had taken out, giving his professional opinion. After obtaining Deka Kane’s consent, he took the amulet in his hand, his eyes gradually being filled with golden flames, and soon gave everyone an unexpected conclusion.

"It is essentially a beacon, and an activated one at that. I bet it is sending some kind of pre-arranged signal to the Higher Heavens."

Jiang Bing returned the amulet to Deckard Kane without a second thought. The old scholar couldn't help but run his fingers over the amulet's cold surface, lost in thought.

“Things are getting interesting. Kane, it seems your plan has already started on its own without us having to put in the effort.” Kasha nodded with a smile.

“But our situation is still very critical. After all, no one can guarantee that this amulet will be able to contact that archangel. Even if it can, will the higher heavens intervene, and how long will it take to send reinforcements?” Akara poured cold water on everyone’s hopes.

"Don't be influenced by the doctrines of the Zakarum and the Church of the Holy Light. Those high and mighty angels don't love people." A cold voice came from outside the circle. The speaker was none other than Zul, the necromancer who had returned from the Burial Grounds.

“In fact, these high-ranking angels once wanted to wipe out all of humanity in Sanctuary.” Zul, the priest of Rasmar, seemed to know a lot of shocking historical truths and was not optimistic about Deckard Cain’s proposal to seek angelic support.

"In fact, they would love for us all to die at the hands of the devil."

Chapter 698 The Petty-Minded Andariel

The necromancer looked around but couldn't find a place to sit, so he simply stood with his hands behind his back.

"Instead of placing your hopes on some ethereal deity, you should rely on yourself."

Akara pushed a cup of tea in front of Zul.

The necromancer nodded his thanks to the other party, but instead of picking up his teacup, he first explained his plan.

“I just returned from the Burial Grounds. Andariel sent a corrupted Rogue elite archer to guard the place, but I took care of him.”

Zul summoned a raven-shaped skull mask stained with blood and showed it to everyone.

This white bone contains a large amount of death magic; with a little processing, it would obviously be a decent piece of necromancy equipment.

“Blood Crow, Morena,” Kasha said, looking at the mask with a complicated expression, revealing the identity of its owner.

The owner of this mask was once the most elite archer in Rogue and a close friend of Kashyapa. She had fought alongside Aidan to defeat Diablo in the Catacombs of Tristram (which was actually Diablo's plan). However, she was corrupted by demons in the years that followed. When Andariel led his demon army to attack the Eastern Gate Fortress, she suddenly rebelled, not only opening the gate to let the demons in but also slaughtering many of her comrades in the battle.

"You killed her?" Kasha asked.

“I gave her soul peace,” Zul replied in the style of a necromancer.

"That's fine too."

“I have an idea,” Zul continued, outlining his plan.

“The Burial Grounds contain the remains of countless warriors. If Andariel can use this, so can we.”

Akara reacted instantly: "You want to use necromancy to resurrect the corpses of those warriors? No, I cannot allow you to desecrate their slumber like that."

“The dead must make way for the living,” the priest of Rasmar emphasized.

“It is much better to use them to attack the fortress and fight the demons than to fill the gaps with human lives. The demons’ blades do not discriminate between living beings and the undead.”

The necromancer looked around at everyone, his gaze finally settling on Kasha's face.

"The undead army can effectively defend us against the demons' offensive and reduce their numbers. Compared to the lives of the Rogues, a little honor must give way to them."

Kasha looked conflicted. Her reason told her that Zul was right; under the current circumstances, any assistance to the Blind Sisters should be seized.

But on the other side lies the honor of the warriors and the reputation of the Sisterhood of the Blind, a price that is equally heavy.

Zul clearly understood the reason for the other party's hesitation.

"Just pretend I was never here. I'll handle things myself. Anyway, a necromancer's bad reputation won't make a difference."

Some things are like a heavy weight that can be overwhelming if weighed too lightly; Zul's approach is undoubtedly the wisest one at present.

But before the two decision-makers of the Blind Sisters could express their opinions, a piercing whistle rang out from afar, and a firework made of magic was clearly visible even in broad daylight.

That's the direction of the Blind Monastery (formerly the East Gate Fortress).

"It's in the direction of the Taimo Mountains!" Kasha's expression changed, and she immediately tensed up.

In fact, the entire Rogue Encampment instantly tensed up. The drawbridge was raised, personnel took their positions, and everyone was ready for battle.

Flavi ran back to the camp like a gust of wind, bringing bad news that made everyone's hearts sink.

The demons of the Temor Highlands were summoned and were surging toward the Rogue Encampment in droves.

War is imminent.

In this life-or-death situation, Kasha could no longer care about anything else and nodded in agreement to Zul's plan.

The necromancer left silently.

“Master Kane, I have prepared a place for you in the very center of the camp. You can rest for a while and then contact the High Heavens as you wish.” Akara then settled Deka Kane in.

There's no need to choose one over the other; they can proceed simultaneously.

"Raise the ballistae, inspect the log walls, reinforce the watchtowers' protective shields with another layer, and ensure all firing positions have a sufficient number of arrows." Kasha began to methodically arrange the defense.

The entire camp was busy yet stable. The main force of defense was undoubtedly the Rogues, but the other survivors in the camp also sprang into action, doing logistical work such as moving supplies, building fortifications, or starting fires and cooking.

No one harbored any illusions; the demons would not accept human surrender. Once the camp was breached, everyone would face certain death.

There are no eggs under the covering nest.

“After all the casualties we’ve suffered, we’re severely understaffed!” Kasha complained to Akara.

"If all else fails, we will have to abandon part of the outer area of ​​the camp and hold our ground behind the makeshift wooden wall."

As a temporary camp, the outer walls of the Rogue Encampment were all made of large logs. Compared to brick and stone walls, the defensive capabilities were not ideal. Apart from being surrounded by water on two sides and a man-made moat around the perimeter, the entire camp was basically defenseless.

"I do have a plan, but I don't know if you agree," Jiang Bing, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up, attracting the attention of the two overwhelmed women.

Jiang Bing, observing the faint malice emanating from the direction of the monastery, understood that this monster siege was clearly Andariel's doing to seek revenge.

The Rogue Encampment's strength was indeed so weak that it was almost unbearable to look at, and if left unchecked, there was a high chance that the camp would be breached by the demons.

Therefore, Jiang Bing plans to deploy some armed 'forces' belonging to [Anti-Entropy].

The 'Black King's Apostles' undergo rigorous daily training and painful transformations for this very moment.

To help [Anti-Entropy] and the Black King eradicate evil and filth, and clear away all obstacles.

Jiang Bing also took this opportunity to train his troops and let the apostles experience a real 'big scene'.

Akara directed her staff to carry healing potions out of her tent to distribute to the city's defenders, working up a sweat as she did so.

"Mr. Sabur, please feel free to share your ideas. This is precisely the time when we need to cooperate sincerely."

Jiang Bing smiled slightly: "That's right, I have a plan, a big plan. On behalf of [Anti-Entropy], I am willing to give full support to the Blind Sisters, and the two sides will form an alliance to work together to resist the demons."

"【Reverse Entropy】?" Akara chewed on this imported term. Although she didn't understand its meaning, she quickly realized that it represented the power behind the man in front of her.