sbdcsierra Chapter 89 False Divine Grace, Cursed Equipment!
Chapter 89 False Divine Grace, Cursed Equipment!
The moment the statue shattered, the entire Starry Sky Treasury shook violently.
The zodiac constellation map on the dome was dim, and the Milky Way beneath our feet was churning and boiling, as if it were about to collapse completely at any moment.
But all of this lasted for less than ten seconds before everything returned to calm.
The hundred-meter-tall crystal statue transformed into countless points of light, like a grand shower of stars, falling gently and abundantly.
Each point of light that lands transforms into a piece of equipment that shimmers with light.
"Splash—"
In the center of the treasure vault, equipment was piled up like mountains.
Blue A-grade light, purple S-grade light, and even a few fleeting orange legendary rays of light intertwined, illuminating the entire space as if it were a divine kingdom.
Behind the golden gate, the surviving knights were initially stunned, then erupted in deafening jubilation.
"A miracle! This is a true miracle!"
"Look! It's the [Siren's Howl]! An S-rank staff!"
"And there's the [Blessing of the Sea God]! An S-rank defensive necklace! My god!"
They no longer cared about discipline or formation. Like a pack of wild dogs that hadn't eaten for three days, they rushed towards the mountain of equipment like madmen, grabbing pieces of top-tier gear with both hands and feet.
Arthur stood atop the mountain of equipment, holding the warm Golden Trident, observing coldly.
The so-called "divine punishment" and "test" were nothing but an elaborate deception. This self-proclaimed "god" Poseidon had no ability to descend in his true form; he could only use the statue as a vessel to enforce certain rules within his authority.
Now, with the vessel destroyed and the rules collapsed, the energy attached to the statue, along with the accumulated power of this treasure trove, has all been released.
"My lord! You...you killed a god?" A lieutenant staggered over, clutching an S-class helmet in his arms, his face filled with terror.
"No." Arthur slammed the trident into the ground, its end deeply embedded in the stone. "I refuse its enslavement."
He watched the knights below wrestling over equipment but did not stop them.
He needs these people, he needs their strength, but he doesn't need them to have too many ideas.
"My lord! This...this equipment is faulty!" A relatively calm knight, holding a Grade A bracer he had just snatched, ran up to Arthur with a pale face.
That was a [Tidal Armguard], with top-tier attributes. The added water magic resistance was enough to allow the wearer to walk sideways in front of an A-rank mage.
But at the very bottom of the equipment description, there is a line of small print written in an ancient oceanic language, so small that it is almost imperceptible.
"The mark of God: You will be bathed in the glory of the sea god and will become a beacon in His sight."
"A beacon?" The knight's voice trembled. "This...this is a curse! We've been marked!"
More and more people have noticed this line of small print.
Panic spread through the population like a plague.
"Have we been marked by Poseidon?"
"Quick! Throw away your equipment!"
Some people instinctively tried to remove their newly donned gear, only to find it was as if it were ingrained in their bodies, impossible to remove. A chilling aura seeped into their very bones from where the gear touched their skin.
The knights, who had just been overjoyed, now looked like prisoners sentenced to death, their faces filled with despair.
"Quiet!"
Arthur's voice was like thunder, drowning out all the noise.
He looked around at everyone, his face showing not panic, but rather a hint of satisfaction.
"A curse?" He chuckled, raising the golden trident in his hand. "You call this a curse?"
He pointed to the small print and proclaimed loudly, "Look closely! This is called 'The Mark of God'! This is divine grace! It is the great Poseidon's recognition of our performance, bestowing upon us supreme glory!"
The knights were stunned.
"Only warriors chosen by God are worthy to bear His mark. This means that from this day forward, we will all be under the protection of the Sea God!" Arthur's voice was filled with seductive power. "With this mark, our absorption rate of water elemental magic will double! The power of our water-based skills will be greatly enhanced!"
"As for the signposts... so what? We are believers in God, and isn't it our duty to guide God on the path to His coming?"
He stepped down from the stone platform, patted the shoulder of the knight who had first noticed the problem, and softened his tone: "The descent of the gods brings divine kingdom and eternal life. What are you afraid of? Do you want to refuse this blessing and continue to be trampled underfoot by nouveau riche like the White Eagle and China in the mortal world?"
These words, like a torch in the darkness, instantly ignited the tinder of "ambition" in everyone's hearts.
Yup!
What are you afraid of?
We are God's chosen people!
No matter how well-equipped the Chinese are, can they compare to a god? No matter how domineering the White Eagle Empire is, would it dare to challenge a god?
The initial panic was quickly replaced by a more fervent belief.
"Your Excellency is wise!"
"We are willing to follow the adults and welcome the gods' descent."
"That's right! This is honor, not a curse!"
Looking at the knights who had become fanatical again, Arthur's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.
A bunch of idiots.
He knew, of course, that it was a curse. The so-called "Poseidon" was nothing more than a sealed evil god, eager to find the coordinates to descend.
But does it matter?
unimportant.
He needs power, an army strong enough to sweep everything away. Whether a god is evil or good, as long as he can use it, it's a good god.
Once he uses this power to sweep away the White Eagle, crush China, and unify the entire Blue Star, he will establish a global faith matrix, gathering the faith power of the entire planet into one.
At that time, what will a mere evil god matter?
"Everyone change into new gear!" Arthur ordered. "Take stock of the spoils. We'll head back in two hours!"
Under Arthur's "inspiration," the knights of the Europa Alliance frantically divided up the spoils of war.
Everyone's strength has improved dramatically. The original A-rank knights, after changing into a complete S-rank set, have combat power that rivals that of former S-rank powerhouses.
Arthur himself, wielding the Golden Trident and wearing a "hybrid divine outfit" that combines multiple S-class legendary equipment, emitted energy fluctuations that surpassed the realm of human comprehension.
As the massive fleet, laden with "divine grace" and "treasure," slowly emerged from the fog of Bermuda, Arthur stood at the bow, his gaze sweeping across the shimmering sea towards the distant east.
He gripped the cold, golden trident, the scabbard beside him—the knight's sword that symbolized Arthur's identity—had long been discarded.
Feeling the surging, almost overflowing power within him, a cruel smile curled at the corner of his lips.
White Eagle, China... are you ready to welcome the new world's masters?