"Angie!"

At his call, Angie, who had been waiting outside the hall, entered promptly.

"Convey my will. Order the Western Army Corps to march towards Pood Empire at full speed," Aurek issued a new command.

By continuing to exert pressure on Pood, it was essentially the same as pressuring the Tassidy Temple behind it. This would further promote the formation of the Eastern Domain alliance.

Stellar rank, Sage rank? He was never short of them.

Is 500,000 not enough? He could muster a million!

Pood Empire.

Will's face was as dark as storm clouds, his expression radiating a sense of foreboding. Valentin stood beside him, unable to do more than sigh in helplessness.

No one had expected Crossbridge Empire to produce such a powerful force capable of manipulating space, pushing the Empire forward with relentless pressure.

If they refused now, Crossbridge Empire's legions would likely initiate a full-scale war. The Eastern Domain alliance was still in its infancy, and Pood Empire would likely be the first to fall.

However, if they accepted Crossbridge Empire's terms, in addition to allowing Crossbridge's legions to enter their territory, all the royal family members would have to travel to Crossbridge's Eryndor City and present the imperial authority to Emperor Aurek. The fate of the royal family would be completely under Crossbridge's control.

"Since Aurek has made his terms clear, we must agree to them," said an elderly voice that seemed to tear through the space itself.

The old guardian of Pood Empire, Coleb, had silently appeared.

Emperor Will bowed deeply.

"Greetings, Ancestor!"

Valentin also immediately paid his respects.

Coleb's voice, ancient yet calm, spoke with an air of one who had seen the rise and fall of many empires.

"The Skyborne Church has already taken the lead. Actions against Crossbridge Empire will soon begin. The royal family only needs to hold out until that time."

"Move the true strength of the royal family secretly, and once the time is right, it can be brought back."

His deep, piercing gaze swept over both men as he continued.

"This battle between Crossbridge Empire and the Eastern Domain will either cripple Crossbridge or shatter the Eastern Domain alliance."

"If Crossbridge Empire loses, Pood will naturally be able to break free. If the Eastern Domain loses... at least Pood will preserve its bloodline."

Hearing this, Emperor Will felt bitterness rise in his heart, but he had finally made his decision.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Domain:

White Wing Abbey had also been dragged into the vortex by Lucio's machinations.

For Crossbridge Empire, the first priority was to destroy one of the Eastern Domain's giants. Whether it was the Skyborne Church or White Wing Abbey, once one was taken down, the other would no longer pose a threat.

With Eureka's covert instigation, the Eastern Domain's hegemonic and semi-hegemonic forces were all swept into this storm.

The Skyborne Church was scheduled to convene a meeting atop the Ulin Holy Mountain in two days to discuss the deployment of forces and the cards each faction would lay on the table.

A portion of the Skyborne Church's plans was carried out according to Lucio's arrangement. However, they were also secretly preparing contingency plans in case of unexpected twists.

No ancient force, one that had existed for millennia, would be foolish enough to entrust its very foundation to an outsider.

Lucio understood this well.

At the same time, after conquering the Goldflow Empire, Philip secretly mobilized 100,000 imperial soldiers and deployed them around the outer edges of Godfall Gorge. He himself ventured deep into the gorge alone.

In the deep part of the gorge, in front of a simple wooden house, an old man in a worn cloak was carrying a hoe as he walked out.

He looked up and saw Philip, his expression a little surprised.

"Why have you come to this desolate gorge?" he asked.

"I came to see you, Lord Adolf," Philip replied with a smile and a respectful bow.

The old man put down the hoe and chuckled.

"You're stirring up a storm outside, busy as can be, and yet you still have time to visit an old man like me?"

"How rare. Speak your mind," he added.

Philip cleared his throat and grew serious.

"It seems you're aware of the situation outside, Lord Adolf."

"Then you must also know that the Shadow Tribe is once again setting its sights on Godfall Gorge. Now, even those from the upper planes have started intervening. The situation is looking grim."

"Right now, Crossbridge Empire is at the height of its power, with momentum that cannot be stopped. Only they have the strength to confront these forces."

"So, I humbly ask for your assistance when the time comes."

Adolf paused, thinking for a moment.

"What do you want me to do?"

Philip responded, "All I need is for you to advise the ancient beings within the Skyborne Church and White Wing Abbey when the moment is right."

"Once you've persuaded them, who will guard this gorge?"

The old man narrowed his eyes, his expression full of meaning.

Philip, however, answered confidently, "My skills in astrology may not be impressive, but I can still predict part of Crossbridge Empire's future fate."

"Please believe me. Crossbridge Empire has the power and the will to protect this Godfall land."

Adolf raised his head, gazing at the sky as he picked up his hoe and began walking out.

After taking a few steps, he turned his back and said without looking at Philip, "Help me clear the weeds in the field, and perhaps I'll have some time to consider your request."

Philip smiled at these words and immediately followed him.

Pood Empire.

Emperor Will, leading the core members of the royal family, stepped out of the grand palace doors.

Under the watchful eyes of countless citizens, they walked towards the swirling portal that hovered in mid-air.

Even with all the unwillingness in his heart, there was no other choice now.

Will turned and gazed at his people, his voice filled with a mix of passion and sorrow.

"My people of Pood! I... could not protect this empire, nor could I safeguard you."

"Now, I can only avoid the flames of war and bloodshed by taking this step."

"Pood Empire has stood in the Eastern Domain for tens of thousands of years, enduring countless changes and hardships. Only those of us who live on this land can truly understand."

"Generations of ancestors built this empire with their blood and sweat, all to ensure we can live in peace and prosperity!"

"I never imagined a day would come when it would end like this..."

His voice choked with emotion. The bitterness, helplessness, and indignation in his words touched the hearts of every listener.

"Your Majesty!"

Countless citizens knelt to the ground, crying out in grief.

"If I must bear all the humiliation, I will gladly give my life for it!" Will's voice rang out again, echoing far and wide.

"Wherever I am, I will always pray for the well-being and prosperity of the people of Pood!"

The people of Pood cried in despair, their sobs reverberating through Eryndor City.

Will cast one last lingering look at his capital before resolutely stepping into the portal.

Chuck frowned slightly.

He wasn't sure whether this was a genuine outpouring of Will's frustrations or a ploy to win the hearts of the people.

But whatever the case, once he entered that portal, there would be no turning back.

Once all the royal family had entered, he too followed them and disappeared into the swirling vortex.

"..."

"He has bet the fate of the entire Pood Empire on a gamble with only two outcomes: life or death."

The powerful members of the Tassidy Temple watched from a distance, their hearts heavy with sorrow.

Although the temple had always supported Pood Empire from behind the scenes, they too were helpless in the face of such a dire situation.

"Let's hope the meeting at Ulin Holy Mountain reaches a consensus soon. Every moment of delay brings unbearable pressure to both Pood Empire and our temple," said one temple member in a grave voice.

Their temple master had already gone to the meeting. The outcome would be revealed soon.

They could only hope that it would come quickly. Only then could the Tassidy Temple avoid the suffocating destructive force that Crossbridge Empire's hundreds of thousands of Stellar rank warriors might bring.

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