stjorthotic Chapter 267 The Great Cave Master is Attacked?
Chapter 267 The Great Cave Master is Attacked?
Chapter 267 The Great Cave Master is Attacked?
Time seemed to stretch out as he saw the guards' horrified faces, the futile attempts of the surrounding warriors to instinctively raise their shields or weapons to block, and the golden light rapidly magnifying in his vision.
"boom!"
Finally, the golden light, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, pierced the ground several meters in front of him!
The immense impact caused the soil and rocks to explode like a fountain, instantly creating a charred crater over two meters in diameter, with the soil around the crater's edges exhibiting a molten, glassy appearance.
The powerful blast of air made August's cloak flutter wildly, and his cheeks stung from the flying pebbles, forcing him to take two steps back to regain his balance.
The guards rushed forward, surrounding him and anxiously watching the smoke-filled center of the pit.
August was still in shock, his heart pounding. However, the next second, he froze, and the expected follow-up attack did not come.
As the smoke and dust dissipated, a three-meter-long trident, its entire body shimmering with a dark golden luster and its jeweled tip radiating a majestic light, was stuck straight in the center of the pit.
The Scepter of Judgment.
It arrived before him so abruptly and quietly, so quiet that it seemed less like a deadly weapon and more like a gift.
Augustus's mind went blank for a moment, then an unbelievable surge of ecstasy erupted like a volcano.
He instantly understood—this wasn't an attack, but a delivery!
Leon succeeded! He not only disrupted the ceremony and rescued Eve, but also defeated his father and seized the scepter that symbolized supreme royal power and strength!
And now, he has handed the scepter to himself, the implications of which are self-evident.
"Great Cave Master, this is—" The captain of the guards also recognized the scepter, his voice trembling with excitement.
August took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down quickly. He pushed aside the guards in front of him and strode to the edge of the pit.
His gaze swept across the surroundings, and many orc warriors who had witnessed the golden light fall to the ground stopped what they were doing and looked over in surprise and uncertainty. Further away, the remaining elven guards near the breach in the city wall seemed to have also noticed the abnormality, and their offensive slowed down.
August reached out and firmly grasped the cold shaft of the [Holy Judgment Scepter]. The gem at the top of the scepter seemed to sense his touch and immediately shone brightly.
Then he pulled hard, and the scepter rose into his hand, which he then raised high above his head!
The next moment, he raised his left hand and slowly removed the bird-beak mask that had accompanied him for many years, symbolizing the mysterious identity of the Great Cave Master.
His long silver hair, now freed from its restraints, cascaded down in the wind, framing a face that bore a striking resemblance to the Elf King Phoenix, yet appeared younger and less sinister. His pointed ears, porcelain-white skin, and aquamarine eyes—all these features proclaimed his identity as a pure-blooded elven royalty.
A moment of deathly silence fell over the battlefield.
Many orc warriors, especially those from small to medium-sized lairs who had never seen August's true face up close, instantly showed shock, confusion, and even a hint of anger at being deceived and an instinctive wariness.
The Great Lord of the Caverns whom they followed, revered, and fought for—was actually an elf? Was he the elven royalty who regarded them as ants and arbitrarily oppressed and enslaved them?
Unrest began to spread among the orcs, with whispers and skepticism buzzing around them.
However, just as this emotion was about to spiral out of control, several highly respected lords of large lairs, who were already aware of August's identity, took action.
A particularly burly bear-man, his face scarred with old wounds, suddenly stepped forward, his voice booming like thunder: "Children! What's the panic! It's true the Great Lord is an elf, but he is also the benefactor who saved countless of our people, gave us food, shelter, and hope for resistance! Without him, our Giant Rock Nest would have been wiped out by the elven patrol ten years ago!"
Another elderly fox-woman with gray hair slowly spoke up: "Gentlemen, bloodlines don't mean everything. His Highness August, the Great Cave Master, lives and eats with us, leading us in our rebellion against the tyranny of his own kind. Isn't that enough to prove that his heart is with us? If he truly wanted to harm us, why would he have waited until today?"
"The Giant Rock Nest swears to follow the Great Cave Lord to the death!" shouted a bear-man warrior.
Immediately afterwards, more leaders and chieftains of the lair who had already been secretly won over by August or who had benefited greatly from his kindness spoke up to reassure the warriors under their command.
They either recounted the specific details of August's rescue of the nest, emphasized his differences from other elves, or directly suppressed dissent with his personal prestige.
The commotion was quickly quelled. The orc warriors might not have been able to fully process the fact for a while, but out of trust in their leaders, their long-held impression of the Great Cave Lord August, and the imposing presence of him wielding the [Holy Judgment Scepter], they all chose to accept and observe for the time being.
The wariness in the eyes of many soldiers was gradually replaced by complex emotions, but at least the camp did not collapse.
August observed all of this and felt somewhat reassured. He knew that it would take time to completely resolve this rift, and right now he needed to stabilize the situation as soon as possible in order to gain the necessary time.
Without further delay, he raised the Holy Judgment Scepter high, facing the city walls, his majestic voice instantly drowning out all the noise on the battlefield, clearly resounding to every corner: "Guards of Avalon! Lay down your weapons!"
He deliberately used a pure Elvish accent to reduce the resistance of the Elven guards: "I, August Starseeker, son of the late King Phoenix Starseeker, heir to the rightful bloodline of the Elven royal family! I declare once again that the tyrant Phoenix, who harmed his own people and oppressed all races, and the usurper Lyhart, have been put to death!"
He paused, letting the message in his words resonate with the nerves of every elven guard, while simultaneously activating the [Holy Judgment Scepter] in his hand. Instantly, the gem at the top of the scepter emitted a dazzling golden light.
"The Holy Judgment Scepter is here; it has recognized my right to be king! Now, in the name of the new Elven King, I declare the civil war over! All guards who lay down their weapons and cease resistance are pardoned! Those who resist will be killed without mercy!"
On and around the city walls, the remaining elven guards stared blankly at the silver-haired prince who held a scepter and revealed his true face.
The aura of royal blood cannot be faked, and the recognition of the Holy Judgment Scepter is irrefutable proof. Now that the old king is dead and the rightful heir has appeared, the strongest symbols of military power and royal authority have changed hands—the meaning for them to continue fighting has been lost.
"Clang." Someone let go first, and the spear fell to the ground.
Immediately afterwards, the sound of metal falling to the ground rang out. The guards on the city wall threw down their weapons and raised their hands. The garrison near the city gate also opened the last barrier and retreated to the sides with their heads bowed.