Chapter 239: The Champions of Darkness

Five weapons that were crafted or associated with very powerful beings made Kyros worry. And the last being that even Calaminus couldn't remember made Kyros worry all the more. 

The fact that a god or fallen has been removed from Calaminus's memory means that to hers was an even greater mystery. Even with Kyros's wisdom, the current information is not enough for them to figure out who this god or fallen was.

"Burden?" Kyros tried to consider what the Code of this being was based on the name of the shield.

"Is she a god or fallen that is the aspect and source of weight and heaviness?"

"Now that's just rude." Calaminus frowned.

"Er... Sorry. That was wrong of me. It's just that... Why is the shield named as this person's burden? Is she sworn to carry our burdens?"

"No. That's Lydia."

"... I guess I had that answer coming... Oh well. No use pondering about who this god or fallen is. What's important is that it's powerful. I'm sure they will protect those weapons anyway, considering they would know its worth." Kyros glanced towards the outside of the Temple.

"Those weapons are sealed. If I had not known of the name, I would have mistaken them for Champion ranked weapons made by mortals. So the Nephilim Sealing Temple must have kept it and prepared it for them."

"All according to Fate's design, huh? At least this battle between Beginning and End is not something I will tackle recklessly. Fate and Beginning must have prepared it for me."

"Right. I wonder just how many legacies this Temple has." Calaminus wondered.

"We'll find out soon." Kyros then turned his attention to the concluding pleasantries that the Champions were giving Earl Mezal Steele."

"Everyone, in five minutes, the enemies will arrive. Grandfather! You command the men. Emberdon Champions, please follow along with Grandfather's instructions." Kyros spoke.

"Alright, men! Get acquainted and position yourselves accordingly. The protection of the Temple has created an impressive walled defense. It was smart enough to build upon the designs we placed and even provided more protections on the trenches and the windows of the Temple. I have already received the reports of what the Temple looks like from the outside." Mezal began.

"The current layout of the Temple has improved. Originally, we placed a wall surrounding the entire Temple and created paths on the top of the wall for our archers. But now, it has drastically changed. Instead of the wooden wall that surrounds the Temple, the Temple now has a stone wall that surrounds the Temple. The walls have stone staircases that allow us to move up the top of the wall easily, and passages have been created for an easy retreat down and towards the Temple entrance. There are no gates that block the paths but four wide doorways on each side of the walls for some strange reason. Those doorways will be our chokepoints of defenses. The planned positions of archers are still the same. Those equipped granted by the Temple with bows, please take your positions now!" 

The soldiers and the servants immediately moved. The once nervous servants now had some courage as they had experienced a level up. Those with Mezal's escort and who never experienced the danger of the Nephilim Sealing Mountain had already learned of the dangers. Yet despite that, morale was high.

This was because they had seen how Mezal, Branze, and Aron had grown. And it was rumored that the adopted lord, Kyros was even more amazing. And now, having experienced the miracle of the Temple, the soldiers and even the servants who were trained only of the bow, was confident.

The core members of the Steele family met with the Emberdon.

"The advantages that we now have may indicate the hell that we will soon experience. I'm sure Destiny will throw something that will shock us. So for now, I think we should focus on defending." Mezal suggested.

"I agree." Branze seconded.

"We see what the enemy has to offer first. If we divide our forces and send out a strike team to attack the enemy at the start, we might put everyone in danger. So we observe first, and once we could gauge the limits, we then decide whether to send out a team." Mezal suggested.

"I agree."

The five champions didn't voice out any complaints.

Mezal then gave the orders and commanded each of them to their positions.

The five Emberdon Champions were to be the aerial defenders, and they hovered directly above the Temple, each using their own magical tool to fly. After learning that the Temple could help them recover their magic, they fearlessly agreed to the decision, took to the skies, and prepared powerful spells.

Meanwhile, Kyros retrieved the True Entropy core and summoned a certain golem.

Mardock appeared and bowed before Kyros.

"It is good to see you again, Lord Kyros."

"Mardock. I have been informed of your amazing service." Kyros praised.

"I sensed that two of the knights under your service have fallen. They were very gallant men. But, in all honesty, I'm quite surprised that they even survived." Mardock answered as he watched Martha and the group rushing towards their position.

"I want you to take control of this." Kyros then summoned a certain artifact.

"This...! This is...!"

"Amazing, right? Too bad I can't take it away from the Temple. It is a Pure Light Golem Core. Since my family and everyone else will do better defending the walls, I need someone who can control the golems. Since you have always commanded Golems, I thought it would be easier for you to control them, given your experiences."

"I will not fail."

"Just try to avoid corroding your Entropy to this core." Kyros laughed as he handed the Core.

"I doubt I can. The power in this core is too strong."

"How many Golems can it deploy?"

"It already has deployed them. So there are four light golems that will appear at the entrance. But it seems I can control it manually."

"Can you control the four of them at once?"

"Yes."

"Good. Use your experience to fight it." Kyros smiled.

BOOM! BOOM!

Several thunderous sounds could be heard.

Kyros suddenly flew up high as the wings appeared. He hovered high above the Temple and watched the Steele family servants and knights in their position.

At the furthest reaches of the Life and Death Containing Field, a portal appeared.

And slowly, a large plot of land began to spread out from the portal.

It was then an army of marching creatures came out. Unlike the Shadow ghouls, these figures looked like humans, orcs, lizardmen, and goblins. In the sky, several large winged beasts also emerged and began to fly over the spreading ground.

The ground avoided the Life and Death Containing Field and was slowly creeping towards the floating plot of land that held the Nephilim Sealing Temple.

"At least, it's not an all aerial army." Kyros smiled as he observed.

Suddenly, powerful Force and Magic energy could be felt as the portal brought out several figures. The darkness was creeping and covering it, and with the distance and the army of shadow creatures at the front, Kyros could not tell what creatures appeared.

"Champions!" Demerus cried in shock as he sensed it. 

"There are Champions among them!" He called out to Mezal.

"I know. The Champions of Darkness has arrived.