Not to mention Star Continent, a world lacking modern industrial weapons.

Even if we were to perfectly transplant the industrial system from the previous world into this one, it would be difficult to achieve ideal defensive results.

The existence of space rifts allows enemies to easily bypass outer defenses and directly engage on homeland territory.

If no effective way to curb the rifts can be found, defending alone can already exhaust any nation.

Moreover, this world's ultimate weapons rely on individuals with supreme power.

Nurturing top-tier experts requires considerable resources, but that's not the most daunting part.

It takes too much time and cannot be produced on a large scale, and that's the real problem.

Without solving this issue, nipping dangers in the bud is exceedingly difficult.

From this perspective…

The threat of the largest Gate of the Abyss on Star Continent is so significant that it necessitates the emperor staying on the throne, which ironically is a form of luck.

If that Gate of the Abyss were split into 50 small gates scattered throughout the Ense Empire, the threat would be even greater.

"Oh emperor, did you foresee all of this?"

Previously, he would have thought the emperor foolish.

No need to consider so much, just rise for your own interests.

But now he thinks differently.

From Tunisia to the Monet Kingdom, even the undeveloped Giant Demon Tribe, everyone fulfills their duties.

Before Fox went to Tunisia to seal the rift, its knights were always suppressing the otherworldly creatures that came through.

In the Monet Kingdom, before the capital was bombed, they were even suppressing the Eye of Fear.

Even in the seemingly barbaric and irrational Giant Race, there are likely small rifts in their territory as well.

After all… Bone Morphs' growth environment doesn't match the Giant Plain where the Giant Demon Tribe resides.

Bone Morphs typically appear in a bone-laden skeletal realm.

In other words, the Bone Morphs tormenting the Giant Race probably also came through some rift.

Perhaps this rift is right in the Giant Demon Plain.

It's not that the empire must bear the pain of an otherworldly invasion.

Only countries capable of bearing such pain can become empires.

Understanding this, he felt at ease.

No need to overthink.

Just look for a suitable solution as best as possible.

He cannot currently assist the emperor.

But if he can persuade a new major crime to stand with them, or eliminate one likely to side with the Abyssal Church…

That's also good.

On this point, he aligns with the Black Swan's interests.

At this moment, the barrier enveloping the entire Shadow Country has been lifted.

But within the barrier, there are still numerous traps based on negative energy from the shadow realm.

Louis, however, doesn't mind.

The workings of the Sin Dragon Armor are unknown, but its resistance to negative energy and curses is remarkably high.

Or rather, these things are its food.

Thus, those following Louis into the Shadow Country experienced what is called a whirlwind assault.

The basic operation cycle was as follows ——

Walking along, accidentally triggering a dangerous curse →

Louis, with the activated Sin Dragon Armor, steps forward and slaps the curse hard →

The curse becomes food for the Sin Dragon Armor →

Continue to trigger the next curse!

In such operations, quickly, Louis and the team tore through various defense systems of the Shadow Country based on negative energy.

Louis held the hand of the little swan and led her forward.

The little swan tried to resist.

But Louis didn't let go of her wrist.

Unconvinced, the little swan asked what he was doing, and Louis gave a response that left her speechless:

"You're too inexperienced, afraid you'll fall here. Following me, at least in this place, I can protect you."

As for the other investigators following them, they didn't dare to utter a word.

Even if Louis pointed at their noses saying "Train more if you're weak, an ant is an ant, a crab is a crab," they could only nod in agreement.

Your fists are bigger, so you're right!

In this awkward atmosphere, Louis finally saw the members of the initial exploration team trapped in the Shadow Country.

He closely observed this group.

Soon he spotted the one known as Chloe.

The Black Swan had given him Chloe's appearance details.

Louis quietly approached, looking at the young man collapsed on the ground.

He seemed to be severely injured, lying there, his chest heaving unevenly.

Louis then turned to the other conscious members of the exploration team:

"What's his condition?"

One member, missing an arm, replied:

"We were attacked by an unknown entity in the temple, Chloe shielded us from the attack. Sir, can you save him?"

Louis hesitated momentarily:

"I can't guarantee to save him."

Seeing Chloe's pitiful state, he felt anxious.

To explore this guy's true nature, he ultimately decided to help.

— Or rather, to confirm whether this guy was a major crime while providing aid.

However, to his surprise, he didn't detect the power of major crime on the unconscious Chloe.

But… there was a lingering aura of major crime.

"Not a major crime? Could he be associated with major crime, or can the identity of major crime be transferred?"

Louis furrowed his brow.

If so, he'd need to awaken this guy to understand the specifics.

Louis tried healing Chloe for a while, then helplessly shook his head and waved Grace over.

Grace approached:

"Mr. Caesar, need any help?"

"You're more professional in saving lives," Louis said.

Grace nodded, her priest's staff emitting a faint glow.

Chloe's pained expression gradually eased under the flickering light.

Louis observed Grace, a pensive look in his eyes.

The Sage's Sword does have techniques for healing comrades.

But Louis had tried earlier.

In the temple, an unknown entity left a bafflingly tainted force on Chloe.

Common healing methods had no effect on him at all.

If Louis were still a legend, there might have been a chance to save him.

The Justice Strike, a level-9 combat skill of the Devoted Flow, once successful, releases a healing spell.

To many unfamiliar with combat skills, the level-9 skill appears terribly ineffective.

But Louis had studied this skill before; he knows well that, in terms of pure healing, the Justice Strike truly doesn't differ much from a basic healing spell.

It's even inferior to some major healing spells.

Given the high level required to learn a level 9 skill, if it's only equivalent to a healing spell, then this skill would seem entirely inadequate.

Therefore, the skill's crux lies not in healing quantity but in the strength of the healing spell.

Just like Chloe's situation now, entangled by an unknown vile force.

Performing basic healing spells provides no normal healing effect.

This is a failure of divine art determination.

But Louis is certain, if he can unleash the Justice Strike, it would surely provide the relevant healing effect.

Indeed, the healing effect of Justice Strike is of extremely high priority, capable of piercing through any curse and forcing the healing spell to take effect.

This is why the skill is placed within the tier of level 9 skills.

He then looked at Grace, persistently applying her healing art.

Truly worthy of being a future Saintess.

The blessings from the God of Glory and Justice greatly amplify the priority of her divine art.

Against such ludicrously prioritized curse types as this slow-cutting meat curse, every healing method he currently has is invalid.

Yet every divine art, no matter its level, that the Saintess employs can achieve the desired healing effect.

No wonder, during their time in the Fallen Shadow Nether Realm, Master Rogen, though exemplary, refused to endure her skills.

The level suppression almost doesn't exist with Grace.

Getting hit means being injured.

Applying healing means it works.

The Saintess' divine art is almighty!

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