Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Boom!

A deafening roar shook the atmosphere, as if the firmament were splitting in two. Heavy projectiles were continuously launched from the parapets of the fortification, where the artillery batteries demonstrated their mournful capacity for destruction.

“Destroy that aberration! Prevent it at all costs from approaching His Imperial Majesty!”

The military edifice, the fundamental pillar and last line of defense of the Ninth Empire, executed a desperate attack. Popularly baptized as the “Fortress of Destruction,” it possessed a colossal armament, consolidating itself as an indomitable stronghold that not even the insurgent factions dared to harass without preparation.

Boom, boom!

An incessant rain of gunpowder-loaded projectiles collided against the abhorrent colossus. The impacts sought to damage its lower extremities, activating the magic-enhanced chemical compounds to unleash chain detonations.

“It’s working! The creature is starting to stagger!”

“Don’t stop firing! Ignite the projectile charges! If this position yields, the oppressor will be left unprotected!”

Panic dominated the voices of the combatants, who clung to any possibility to justify their resistance, even when the authentic danger did not lie in that amalgam of metal and organic matter they had in front of them.

They acted under the illusion that bringing down that adversary would guarantee them eternal salvation.

However, the situation changed suddenly.

Ssshhh!

“What is that…?”

One of those in charge of the artillery on the wall spotted a serpentine silhouette ascending the defensive structure.

“Thin extensions…?”

He understood the danger too late; those extremities belonged to the monstrosity advancing across the lower terrain. One of them projected itself with violence, piercing his larynx.

“Gah, urgh…!”

His demise was neither quick nor clean. The appendage introduced itself deeply into his organism, taking root inside him. The soldier’s tissues deformed in a horrifying manner, thrashing as if harboring thousands of parasites, until the body completely burst.

The fragmentation of the flesh released what appeared to be countless moving larvae, although their nature was different.

They were embryonic ramifications.

They were filaments of a parasitic nature that colonized their hosts and reproduced at an alarming speed, transforming into a biological aberration that defied any logic of this plane.

“What kind of plague is this?”

“Help! Get me out of here!”

The infected infantryman originated thousands of these extensions, which initiated a systematic slaughter against the defenders of the stronghold. Steel blades proved useless against the threat. The filaments intertwined and increased their volume to such a degree that they blocked the sunlight.

The gunfire ceased completely, allowing the gigantic entity to reach the main accesses of the fortification. Dale contemplated the devastation from his elevated position.

The bastion that once represented the pride of the imperial regime now found itself subdued by a dense network of filaments in constant expansion. The trapped soldiers remained in a limbo of agony, assimilated as structural components of the edifice and of the biomass itself.

A dark and viscous fluid, similar to diluted soot, emanated from their faces.

The creature projected its extremities toward the construction. New extensions sprouted from its anatomy, unifying with the existing network, and began to absorb the military complex in an absolute manner.

The perimeter walls, the internal facilities, and the entirety of the stationed cannons were devoured by the mass.

The process did not discriminate between living matter or weaponry; the entire fortification was integrated into the organism.

The principal city of the Ninth Empire.

Before its borders stood a colossal amalgam composed of living tissue, vital fluid, skeletal remains, and metallic structures.

However, its evolution did not stop there.

The aberrant colossus had assimilated every outpost and defensive center that attempted to halt its march, consuming every resource in its path. The agglomerations of integrated bodies visibly deformed along its silhouette.

The casualties of previous combats, united to the tissue of the colossus by means of filaments, produced a macabre polyphony with their endless laments. The viscous jet-black fluid continuously sprouted from their features.

The biological extensions distributed themselves throughout the contour of the creature, precariously holding together the sections of walls, bones, and metallic protections to preserve its general physiognomy.

Its current volume far exceeded the dimensions it possessed at the moment of its manifestation; it had transformed into a devourer on a global scale.

The nightmare of the Empire.

“What kind of anomaly are we witnessing?”

“We lack precise data! According to the reports from the lookouts, it is an entity that integrates into its being everything it touches…”

No matter how detailed the warnings from the vanguards were, direct observation surpassed any previous description.

In an era characterized by the employment of primitive firearms and muskets, the use of gunpowder was commonplace. Despite this, the concentrated volleys generated no real impact on the target.

Boom!

On this occasion, it was the enormous living mass that operated the artillery pieces. Using its mobile appendages, it extracted the cannon barrels lodged within its organic structure and opened fire with the same intensity as the fallen fortification.

The origin of said weaponry was evident to everyone.

“Are we expected to contain that advance…? What irony.”

For Marquis Rozet, the high-ranking officer responsible for the protection of the capital, the situation only provoked a laugh laden with cynicism.

The inept ruler, who styled himself the Lord of Shadows and governed the destinies of the Ninth Empire, had abandoned the territory much earlier. Nevertheless, he issued incoherent directives demanding the sacrifice of the garrison to hold the city, unleashing the current scenario.

“Transmit my orders to all battalions.”

Declared Marquis Rozet in a firm manner.

“Evacuate the city immediately and fall back.”

“But, Lord Marquis! His Majesty’s will…”

“That ruler can burn in hell.”

Rozet sentenced with total contempt, provoking bewilderment and pallor on the faces of his subordinates.

“I will return to my domains together with my elite forces to coordinate actions with the revolutionary factions. I will not force the local aristocracy to follow my steps. Communicate the resolution to the other leaders!”

After uttering these words, Rozet changed his course without showing hesitation, escorted by his close officers.

At that very instant, the organic extensions climbing the retaining walls halted their advance.

Boom!

When the imposing biological mass finally entered the imperial capital, it encountered a desolate settlement, devoid of military activity. Only those civilians lacking the means to evacuate remained, awaiting the outcome in absolute resignation.

The presence of elite forces or members of the court to confront the intrusion was not detected.

In the foundational period of the State, this metropolis must have flaunted a notable opulence, comparable to that of the great historical kingdoms. However, the vestiges of that past splendor had been completely extinguished.

“The sovereign has deserted his domains…”

From the upper section of the colossus, an individual expressed his thoughts in a low voice.

Ssshhh!

The biological joints that cohesioned the structure of the creature began to yield. Upon the unmaking of the forced bonds, the anatomy of the colossus initiated a process of massive disintegration.

Tissues, fluids, and skeletal remains scattered over the ground, while the sections of integrated fortifications collapsed noisily.

The multitude of souls trapped in the organic structure finally obtained the cessation of their torment.

The monarch had left his territory behind, fleeing the danger. With no opposition in the surroundings, Dale advanced toward the core of the uninhabited capital.

No fortified structure or gate system impeded his march anymore.

Upon taking a step into the void, a series of filaments emerged from the surface to intertwine and consolidate a solid platform. Progressing over this path of living matter that regenerated continuously, Dale delved into the main sector of the city.

The echoes of dread and desperation from the inhabitants who failed to flee propagated through the vicinity. Despite the hostile environment, Dale maintained his advance unalterably.

His objective was the deteriorated and decadent palace of the Ninth Empire.

He moved in absolute solitude, causing the sound of his footsteps to break the prevailing void upon the polished stone floor.

A journey devoid of company and submerged in isolation.

The authentic reflection of an empire plunged into oblivion.

Dale traversed the dark marble pathways and directed his gaze toward the throne platform located at the back of the hall.

“……”

In that place he detected an unforeseen presence, a figure that denoted a subtle intrigue beneath its hooded garment.

An individual occupied the lordly seat crafted from volcanic stone.

It was striking that someone retained the determination to confront him within the borders of the Ninth Empire. Even more so, showing the audacity to install themselves in the seat reserved for the highest authority.

“The monarch abandoned the territory, is that correct?”

“Indeed.”

The subject answered using a tone of voice that was familiar.

──A warrior protected by combat attire in white and scarlet tones.

“You had pledged your word to the Lord of Shadows, did you not?”

“The Lord of Shadows, you mention.”

The warrior let out a light laugh, showing evident amusement.

“How does that incompetent individual dare to claim the identity of the authentic King of Shadows and claim sovereignty over the Empire of Shadows?”

“That is a fair observation. In that case, what is your real identity?”

“A demonic entity.”

“……”

“And I possess the bloodline of Lady Scarlet.”

Upon hearing that designation, Dale held his breath for an instant.

“Did additional descendants exist in the Yuriss lineage apart from Ray Yuriss?”

“That is not the case. The leader of the Yuriss house, known as the Crimson Duke, does not possess paternal ties to me. My progenitor conceived me without external intervention.”

Faced with such a revelation, Dale managed to decipher the mystery.

During the term of the Fourth Empire, a clandestine organization executed rituals with the purpose of transferring a “demonic entity” to this reality. In that group, a being managed to consolidate its transition and survive the subsequent events; an existence that even Dale himself had relegated to oblivion.

The Demon of Evolution, the superior-ranked entity.

“When my progenitor brought me to this plane, I assumed the role of a protector.”

“… So that was the adversary with whom I was measuring my strength.”

“Nevertheless, the outcome was adverse to me against your capabilities. However, the supremacy of a superior entity is not measured by the power of a single component.”

Before him remained the warrior wearing the armor in white and scarlet tones.

“The fundamental purpose of existence lies in the perpetuation of its biological heritage. In my condition as a superior entity, the task consists of safeguarding and giving continuity to the ‘information’ that remains intact through the historical records.”

The combatant proceeded to strip off his metallic protections, revealing a physiognomy that was highly familiar.

The herald linked to the igneous element and to clarity, Michael Lancaster.

“I do not require ascending to a leadership position nor controlling the nations of the globe. My only goal is to guarantee my permanence without becoming extinct.”

“Under that premise, what is the motive for exposing yourself to me?” inquired Dale, seeking to understand the logic of his opponent.

“Are you not aware that this action represents seeking your own end?”

“It happens that I have a duty to execute, beyond the biological directives of survival.”

The Demon of Evolution, a direct descendant of Lady Scarlet and possessor of Michael Lancaster’s appearance, drew his combat weapon.

“To collect the debt for what happened to my progenitor.”

A motivation that held too much similarity to the feelings of mortals to belong to a creature of his nature.