Chapter 121: The Fall of the Deity
“Alright, let’s once again give these geniuses a round of applause!” Siva exclaimed cheerfully. Everyone was caught up in the atmosphere. Even though it was the end of the competition, they were still incredibly excited.
“Lastly, let us invite Duke Falexis to say a few words.”
Applause erupted from the audience, although many people were also annoyed by this long and drawn-out ending, but under the momentum of the situation, one couldn’t help but applaud and cheer.
“Right.” The Duke of Falexis nodded slightly, scanning the audience and judges below with his eyes, and said loudly.
“I suppose nobody likes an old geezer rambling with a long-winded conclusion in such a setting. Let’s not deny it, I used to think the same when I was young. The patient ones might just doze off, while the irritable ones might start cursing.”
The first three sentences from Falexis already caused chuckles among the audience below, and even the initially disinterested spectators were drawn in by this fresh opening.
“Like you all in the past, I used to sit in the audience listening to the old folks above spouting supposedly righteous and grandiose principles. You know, speeches about how on such a beautiful sunny day like today, holding such a grand event has such profound significance. I don’t know about you, but I’d usually be dozing off.”
“Hahaha,” finally someone couldn’t hold back their laughter, but since the Duke of Falexis was the ruler of a nation, no one dared to laugh out loud.
“Today, I stand up here, facing all of you whom I don’t know, and I have something to say.”
Everyone perked up their ears to listen, eager to hear if the Duke would offer any refreshing insights.
At this moment, the Duke of Falexis smiled faintly, then very naturally pulled out a prepared speech, saying.
“Tonight, with clear skies spanning a thousand miles, the stars adorn the sky, and the shimmering moon illuminates the earth. Holding such a grand event on a day like this holds special significance, akin to a quote from Count Koldo three thousand years ago, ‘Non…'”
Upon hearing this, everyone nearly collectively fell over. They thought, “Duke, after all those heartfelt words, you still end up with this cliché ending. It seems that no matter what people think when they’re young, they all end up the same when they grow up.”
Yuehai couldn’t help but chuckle, surprised by the Duke’s playful side. It was as if he had turned the entire audience of over a hundred million people into a whirlwind of amusement.
Tyr made a similar gesture, and it seemed like most people found it amusing. There were only a few naturally indifferent individuals with a low sense of humor. As for the little elves, they just innocently didn’t understand why everyone was laughing.
The Duke of Falexis continued to read his speech with conviction, unaffected by the laughter of the audience. Some of the Duke’s loyal subjects even smiled knowingly, understanding his usual demeanor.
However, at that moment, a sudden change occurred!
The sky abruptly changed, transforming from a cloudless night into broad daylight. The air became thick, and cries of anguish echoed from all directions.
Everyone was suddenly at a loss, but the Duke of Falexis frowned slightly and shouted loudly.
“Don’t panic, we’re here!”
This statement was clearly the best reassurance, and everyone finally realized it. Even if the sky were to fall, there was someone tall enough to hold it up, and they could seek refuge under his protection.
“Your Grace, this is!” Zamiyah’s expression was equally solemn. Several judges immediately stepped onto the stage, looking up at the bleak sky.
Wails echoed incessantly, and Yuehai could clearly sense the trembling of the elements in the air. At this moment, attempting magic would carry an extremely high risk of failure.
Then, without warning, the sky began to rain blood. There were no dark clouds, just the pale sky seeming to shed tears of blood. This familiar scene caused some people in the audience to shout out.
“I remember now! This is the ‘Day Blood Rain’! It only appears when a deity falls!”
“Gods don’t die,” some exclaimed, puzzled. “Haven’t they transcended the concept of death? How could they perish?” As they pondered this, the astute among them quickly arrived at an answer.
“There’s only one reason for a god to die,” they reasoned. “It’s being slain by another great being.”
“If a god chooses to withdraw and remains unprovoked, even if the world were to crumble, they wouldn’t age a day,” they continued. “So the only possibility for a god’s downfall is being slain by someone.”
“Gods falling!” Yuehai and the others were equally shocked. She knew Mr. Kaming’s strength; just casually imparting some martial skills to her would make her invincible at the same level, and even capable of slaying opponents of higher ranks effortlessly.
For a god of the same level as Mr. Kaming to be killed was beyond Yuehai’s imagination. Perhaps she would never even consider how to kill a god in her lifetime, as it seemed absurd.
“Don’t panic, everyone! The fall of a god is a major event. Our superiors need to discuss this at length. Everyone, disperse for today. Although the blood rain is harmless, we can’t stay under it indefinitely. Please leave the square in an orderly manner!” Duke Falexis decisively commanded, dispersing all the spectators with a loud shout. However, the gravity in his eyes never dissipated as he turned to the surrounding staff.
“Everyone, go and help evacuate the crowd!”
“Understood!”
“Prime Minister Simira, have you received any news on your end?” Duke Falexis inquired. Simira shook her head, indicating that even with the extensive powers of “Avalon,” they hadn’t received any intelligence.
“You all should go back for today,” Duke Falexis smiled and nodded to the girls and warriors behind him, who naturally retreated. After all, none of them dared to interject in such a major event as the fall of a god. Even Yuehai felt a hint of panic deep inside.
“It’s been many years since a god fell,” Duke Falexis muttered to himself as he watched Yuehai and the others depart. He had a feeling deep in his heart, like an alarm bell poised to ring. Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, that alarm would indeed sound.
And then, what major event is about to unfold…
“Time passes.”
The softly murmuring girl looked up at the gradually dissipating blood rain and daylight. With her amber-colored eyes, she welcomed the soaking rain as if receiving a baptism, and the girl smiled as if renewed.
A gentle breeze brushed past, lifting her green curls. If Yuehai were here, she would surely recognize her; this girl was none other than the mysterious disciple of the Garden of Azure, Lajess T. Jallinia.
“Clearly, if you had remained in seclusion in the Burial, none of this would have happened. A mere shrimp trying to shake a tree. Your ‘justice’ is laughable… Caminster, the executioner of the divine realm.”
