The Valley of Lightning was an area about six weeks' journey north of The Pure Enclave, at the southern end of the Vinia Empire. Known for its strong elemental affinity with lightning, this region experienced extreme weather effects that contributed to its reputation.",
Despite its size, covering only a third of the area of Scott Province, the Valley of Lightning was smaller than many other regions the group had encountered on their journey.
However, the rocky terrain of the valley was renowned and respected among magicians specializing in the lightning element, making it a perilous destination even for Sovereigns.
The danger arose not only because the area was ideal for training and advancing to the 5th and 6th stages, but also due to the presence of creatures at those levels and the extreme climate, which had claimed the lives of countless beings throughout its known history.
For someone like Vicente, the place was ideal!
The primary issue was its location within the Vinia Empire, home to the Congregation of Revelations—the largest continental organization—which was likely to draw considerable attention from vampires antagonistic towards the magical community.
Thus far, Vicente and his group had not encountered vampires, neither inferior nor superior. However, given their travel to the Vinia Empire, it was highly probable that this would change!
Knowing this, the group set out from the scorching desert where they were with double seriousness, not letting themselves be carried away by everyone's growth.
Everyone in the group was much stronger than when they left Seidel Kingdom. But even with all their improvements, they could all die in a fight against a High-level Paragon or a Beginner Archmage!
Not only that, but if they were to face Sovereigns and Paragons vampires, it would be enough to add a little more terror and risk to all of their lives!
...
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})Meanwhile, in Vinia Empire, City of Angels...
The headquarters of the Congregation of Revelations no longer had the luster it had before the Purification.
Just a few months after the disaster began, this place looked completely different from what the glorious headquarters of this organization had been for a long time.
Buildings were now destroyed, others in pieces, many craters in the streets, and other battle scars had ravaged what had been one of the most desirable cities on the continent.
But while 90% of the continent's population did not know the state of this place and the Congregation of Revelation, the largest magical organization on the continent could no longer be considered such.
Weeks ago, Demien Bloodthorne, the leader of the vampires, the first Archmage of his race of superior vampires in the entire history of the Polaris Realm, had attacked the City of Angels.
His attack was brutal!
In one day of battle, the demon bats, inferior vampires, ghosts, and superior vampires summoned by Demien brought disaster to this city.
In one day of battle, 90% of the members of the Congregation of Revelations who lived or were in the City of Angels were brutally slain in one of the most decisive battles against the vampires.
The victors had obviously been the creatures led by Demien Bloodthorne, who had lost only 35% of those he had summoned to this place to cause the destruction of the City of Angels.
Now, this famous place across the continent lay in ruins, covered in blood and abandoned body parts that were now in an advanced state of decomposition.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})The stench in the area was naturally terrible, with worms and insects here and there, as well as birds like vultures and other kinds of rotting flesh-eating creatures.
In the middle of the city, where the sewage system and drinking water supply had been partially destroyed, there was now a small lake of dirty, foul-smelling water.
The city was devoid of vegetation, and the outskirts of the city were full of 4th-stage monsters.
In the middle of this desolate place, in a ruin in the area, a vault door suddenly opened.
The iron door, which itself contained various formations and defensive mechanisms, slowly rolled aside as far as it could. Unfortunately, debris from the building in question prevented it from opening completely.
The extent to which it opened was enough for a human in the uniform of the Congregation of Revelations to leave what was on the other side of the metal door.
"This can't be…" A middle-aged man with black hair, standing six feet tall and clean-shaven, opened his mouth in surprise, his face turning pale as he witnessed the aftermath of the disaster.
"Master, is there a problem?" A voice called out from inside the security bunker.
The Congregation of Revelations, having made many enemies throughout its history, had constructed a complex underground bunker network capable of sheltering up to 3,000 magicians.
On the day Demien Bloodthorne attacked them, those who chose not to fight and were quick enough to seek refuge could escape the city's massacre by entering this bunker.
Others, unable to reach the magnificent bunker, fled the City of Angels.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})Those who had taken shelter in the bunker bided their time, waiting several months before emerging to ensure the enemies had ceased their pursuit.
Though he had braced himself to find devastation above ground, the sole remaining Paragon at the site could not conceal his shock in the silence that followed his apprentice's question.
Startled, the young Sky Sovereign summoned his courage and stepped forward, reaching the spot where his master stood, staring at the ruins.
"This..." The young man opened his mouth and couldn't say anything, understanding the feeling of desolation of his master and the remaining leader of the religion.
"We were wiped out," the Low-level Paragon said.
"And now? Monstrous creatures surround the city," said the young Sovereign as they scanned the terrain on behalf of the other 2,998 individuals inside the bunker.
"Now all we have to do is get our companions out of here. We'll join our people in the south of the continent," the Paragon returned to his usual restraint as he considered what was available to this group.
The Congregation of Revelations had lost its headquarters and most of its experts!
Yet, there were tens of thousands of the organization's members across the continent. Those in the south of the continent should be expecting notifications with groups close to 100% of their numbers.
No matter how much they had lost, this organization still had hope!
"Let us get the group together and clear this place out. After that, we'll head south to rebuild the temple!"
The two returned to the bunker to inform their companions of the situation outside and what they should do from now on to keep their organization afloat in the Polaris Realm.
