The banquet was sumptuous, and no one could tell that Cold Shadow City was a city lacking in resources. Of course, as the lord of the city, Chesam's life was much better than others. Even if all the citizens of the city were eating wild vegetables to fill their stomachs, Chesam's table would still be filled with meat and fish. If power couldn't satisfy one's desires, then people wouldn't fight to the death.
When Chesam blocked Adolf, he was very rude, but in front of Han Jin, he became much more friendly. If given a choice, no one would want to make an enemy out of Han Jin. The scariest thing in the world was to face an enemy that couldn't be killed. That feeling was like a bone stuck in one's throat, making one feel uneasy. Although Chesam had a happy smile on his face, he was very conflicted inside. It wasn't that he hadn't thought of going all the way and killing Han Jin right here and now, but after thinking it over and over again, he gave up on that idea. It was too dangerous! When Dragon City and Prudence of the Elves set up a death trap for Han Jin, Han Jin was still able to come out unscathed, and even took advantage of the situation to kill Maxwell. Chesam didn't think that he had the ability to keep Han Jin alive. Furthermore, Adolf the Ascetic's respect for Han Jin made his heart hang in the air. Everything had a cause, so why would a pure believer lower his proud head?
Han Jin didn't sit at the same table as Chesam, not because Chesam was impolite, but because of his size. Chesam's table was almost two meters tall, and the huge armchair was big enough for several Han Jin to sit side by side. If Chesam insisted on letting Han Jin sit next to him, then it would be an insult to Han Jin.
After eating enough, Chesam couldn't hold it in any longer. He wiped his oily mouth and said with a smile, "Lord Raphael, I … have always been a bit impatient. Let's not beat around the bush. Let's be honest, you came to my place …" Chesam didn't mention the slave merchant group from beginning to end, because it was meaningless.
"I came for peace," Han Jin said with a smile.
"Peace?" Chesam rubbed his hands together. "Can you be more specific?"
"Let's stop fighting with Depew City. There's no need for us to kill each other." Han Jin went straight to the point. He realized that his tone was a little harsh. To avoid irritating the patient, he added, "Of course, this is just my personal suggestion."
"Armistice with Depew City …" Chesam looked up at the ceiling of the hall and muttered to himself. No one knew what he was thinking. After a while, he chuckled and looked at Han Jin from the corner of his eyes. "If I really wanted to take down Depew City, I would only need three days to kill everyone in Depew City. Do you believe me?"
"Oh?" Han Jin was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Then why did you let Ma Lishen go? Could it be that you have a personal relationship with him and cannot bear to hurt him? "
"Personal relationship? Who does he think he is, to talk about friendship with me?! " Chesam looked a little restless. He tore open his shirt, revealing his steel-like chest muscles. He then looked seriously at Han Jin and slowly said, "The problem is … I don't know what I should do after I take down Depew City."
Han Jin was silent for a moment. He understood what Chesam meant. After Chesam took down Kuman City, he had successfully opened up a communication line. However, he did not take advantage of the situation to attack Depew City. He only sent out a small army to harass the city because Cold Shadow City had suffered a great loss. Furthermore, he did not understand the situation outside. Therefore, he sent out a slave merchant group to show his power, and also to test Depew City's strength. He needed a year to rest and recuperate for the next year.
In the second year, when Chesam was preparing to launch an attack during the winter, the situation had changed drastically. The Elven Alliance had been formed, and the beastmen had joined the battle. They had the momentum to sweep across the entire continent. This made Chesam feel a little helpless. After taking down Depew City, he would have to face the armies of the elves and beastmen. He did not want to show his weakness in front of the enemy. Therefore, although Chesam had launched the war according to his own plan, he did not fight resolutely. He did not even send out his main forces. Otherwise, Chesam would not have said what he did.
"Actually, after the elves and I annihilated the beastmen army, we also thought of attacking Depew City," Han Jin said with a smile.
"Oh? Then why didn't you send out your troops? Is it because you have a personal relationship with Malishen? "Chesam asked with a smile.
"No." Han Jin said faintly, "I have the same concerns as you. After taking down Depew City, what should I do?"
Chesam was stunned for a moment, and then burst into laughter. He laughed so hard that he rocked back and forth, and even cried. Then he raised a large glass of wine, signaled to Han Jin, and drank it up.
Han Jin's meaning was obvious. He admitted that Chesam was a powerful opponent, so he did not want to attack Depew City, lest he face Chesam directly. This was a form of respect, respect from the enemy. Of course, it was more precious than the respect from his clansmen and ice mages. Chesam was very satisfied and happy. He felt that Han Jin was much more pleasing to the eye than when they first met.
"To be honest, Lord Raphael, I thought that your Holy Crown City would only last half a month at most, and then it would be conquered by the allied forces of the elves and the beastmen. But I didn't expect …" Chesam sighed, "You are the final victor."
"Haha … I have to thank the beastmen. They regarded the elves as their enemy from the very beginning. They didn't take me seriously at all, and gave me a winter to grow stronger," Han Jin said with a smile, "I'm still very young, and I don't lack anything except time."
Chesam couldn't smile anymore. If Han Jin could become so powerful in one winter, then what would happen in a few years? And now Han Jin was already a demigod. What would happen in the future?
Han Jin's words didn't sound threatening at all, but Chesam felt a great sense of crisis. His silver eyes flickered, obviously thinking about something.
"You should ask me why I said … let's not kill each other," Han Jin calmly changed the topic, "This is the real reason why I came to fight for peace."
"Why?" Chesam asked.
"Because the Abyss World is about to launch an invasion," Han Jin said slowly.
"What did you say??" Chesam was stunned for a moment, and then he almost jumped up and asked sharply.
"I said, the second world war is about to break out," Han Jin said.
Chesam's body turned into a stone statue, and he stared blankly at Han Jin. The surrounding Titans and dozens of ice mages were also stunned. The atmosphere became deadly silent.
"This is a war where there will be no compromises. All the races on the surface must abandon their prejudices and unite to fight against the Abyss World. Otherwise, what awaits us will be complete annihilation." Han Jin said slowly, "Of course, this is also a glorious war, a war that tests the will of the people and humanity. Some of us may become heroes who save the world, and some of us may become cowards who are laughed at by others. No matter what, we have no way out. Either we make the Abyss World go back underground, or we —"
"Lord Raphael, where did you get this information? Is it accurate? "Chesam suddenly cut off Han Jin's words.
"Do you think I came here just to tell a joke?" Han Jin asked.
"Why is it happening now? I've heard that the Abyss World has always been in chaos. Where did they get the strength to launch an invasion? "
"We don't seem to be that strong." His name is Donald. Although he hasn't unified the Abyss World, his influence is unimaginable. At the very least, he can form an alliance and summon all the Abyssal Races to join this war. "Han Jin smiled and continued," Your information is outdated. His name is Donald. Although he hasn't unified the Abyss World, his influence is unimaginable. At the very least, he can form an alliance and summon all the Abyssal Races to join the war.
"Donald … World Leader?" Chesam also understood the ancient elven language. This name sounded very funny, but Chesam didn't want to laugh, nor could he laugh. Han Jin was right. The strength of the surface races was at its lowest because of the years of chaos. "Lord Raphael, you know the Abyss World very well?"
"Yes." Han Jin nodded. "In Donald's original plan, he didn't want to start a war so soon."
"Why did he change his plan?" Chesam hurriedly asked.
"Because of the Church." Han Jin whispered. "No one can deny that the Church can play a decisive role in the war against the Abyss World. Sadly, Nicholas launched a war against the Church. He joined forces with the Dragon Field and launched a large-scale attack on The Rising Sun Mountains. Countless followers of the Church were killed. As you know, the Church has moved to my Holy Crown City. Now there are only a few hundred Knights of Light left, and only a dozen Cardinals left in the Priest Group. If you were Donald, would you let go of this opportunity?"
Adolf's eyes were filled with sorrow. What he wanted to do most was not to go to the Holy Crown City to reorganize the Church, but to go to the southwest and make Nicholas pay the price. However, he couldn't avoid the responsibility of being an ascetic. Compared with the future of the Church, revenge was secondary. He couldn't let the seed of faith be extinguished.
"No." Chesam's gaze fell on Adolf. He didn't like followers at all. He wanted to take the opportunity to mock Adolf, but when he thought about the war in the future, he didn't have the mood to gloat at all. "So … the war is really going to break out soon?"
"Yes." Han Jin nodded. "Perhaps, they are hiding underground right now." When Han Jin said this, he didn't expect his words to come true.
"I heard that the Abyss is a hot and stuffy world. I want to know how they are going to fight against us Titans on the ice field!" Chesam said with a smile. At this moment, he had already calmed down. He was telling Han Jin that he wasn't afraid, he was afraid of them! In the early and middle stages of the war, the Abyss World wouldn't have any ideas about Cold Shadow City.
"This is a war between worlds. No life can stay out of it," Han Jin said calmly. "Is the ice field really your shield? I remember that a long, long time ago, the holy land of the Titans was Cloudtop City, located at the peak of a snowy mountain. That was also the golden age of the Titans. What happened in the end? Haha … Cloudtop City turned into ruins, and the endless snowy mountain turned into a burning hell! "
Chesam's expression changed greatly. He stood up abruptly, the silver light in his eyes growing brighter and brighter. From this angle, Han Jin knew that Chesam was staring at him, or rather, was glaring at him.
Everyone had their own pain, and it was the same for every race. The battle of Cloudtop City was an untouchable wound for all Titans. The battle of Cloudtop City was also the watershed that marked the fall of the Titans from their glory days.
"I didn't mean to offend you. I just wanted to tell you that since Donald is deliberately starting a war between worlds, Black Dragon Valentine will also lead his Black Dragon Clan into the war." Han Jin's tone was still indifferent, as if he didn't care about Chesam's anger. "The ice field won't be able to stop those Black Dragons."
Chesam took a deep breath and slowly sat back down. He tried his best to control his desire to be angry. The Titans around Chesam were all trembling slightly. It wasn't because of fear, but because of hatred, a hatred that had been accumulating for countless years.
Black Dragons and Titans were mortal enemies, just like angels and demons. No matter when or where they met, a battle would immediately break out between them.
The Titans had enough reasons to hate the Dark Dragons. It was the Dark Dragons who had destroyed the pride of the Titans, Cloudtop City. Countless clansmen had fallen to the Dark Dragons' breath, and the Dark Dragons also had enough reasons to hate the Titans. If the Titans had not been arrogant and had repeatedly offended Lord Valentine to the point where he could no longer tolerate them, how could the Dark Dragons have fallen to such a state?
In reality, the Black Dragons held the greatest authority in the original unified Dragon Clan. They were born with absolute immunity to magic, and their strength surpassed that of Gold Dragons of the same level. Gold Dragons would be hurt by forbidden spells, but Black Dragons could ignore all magic. In other words, if a Gold Dragon and a Black Dragon fought, the Gold Dragon could only use its claws to hurt its opponent, while the Black Dragon could use magic against the Gold Dragon. This was a completely unequal battle!
It was precisely because the Black Dragons had suffered so many casualties in the battle of Cloudtop City that the Gold Dragons took advantage of this opportunity. Right after the battle of Cloudtop City ended, the Gold Dragons suddenly turned hostile. As a result, not only did the Black Dragons lose their right to speak, they were also chased underground. Although the continent wasn't small, there was no place for them to stand.
"Valentine, huh …" Chesam muttered to himself in a daze.
"Since you're so straightforward, I'll be honest with you." Han Jin smiled. "It's impossible for you to avoid a war and preserve your strength. I'm here because I sincerely want to form an alliance with you."
"It's too late today, Lord Raphael." Chesam came back to his senses and forced a smile. "Give me some time to think about it. I'll give you an answer tomorrow."
"Then it's settled. Tomorrow!" Han Jin said slowly. "I can't keep waiting here, because the war might break out tomorrow."
"I understand." Chesam's tone was very depressed.
Just like that, the banquet ended abruptly. Although the rooms in the castle were very large, there were still rooms suitable for Han Jin to rest in. A few ice mages respectfully led Han Jin to a room. Adolf's room was arranged next to Han Jin's. After finding a few maids to serve him, he politely excused himself.
Han Jin sat on a chair, quietly thinking about today's gains and losses, as well as the possibility of forming an alliance the next day. Adolf didn't return to his room to rest. In fact, he didn't need to rest. He silently followed beside Han Jin the entire time. Han Jin didn't have much to worry about, but Harley didn't have a chance to show his face. He didn't dare to show his face either. At this moment, he was constantly cursing Adolf in his heart.
"My Lord, do you think Chesam will form an alliance with you?" Adolf asked softly after an unknown amount of time.
"I'm sixty to seventy percent confident, but the most important thing is tomorrow." Han Jin said. "Haha … I can understand Chesam's feelings."
"His feelings?"
"When the Titans were at their strongest, the other weaker races all tried to obtain their protection. In other words, the Titans didn't even need to do anything themselves. They only needed to say the word, and people would rush to deliver it to them." Han Jin smiled. "But now? They're trapped in Cold Shadow City, and they still have to fight for survival resources with the humans. Haha … Thinking about today's hardships, and thinking about yesterday's triumph, the Titans' hatred for the Black Dragons must have reached its peak, right? “
"My Lord, you're a little …" Adolf could tell that Han Jin was taking pleasure in his misfortune. This didn't match his feelings. After all, taking pleasure in others' misfortune was a human emotion.
"What's wrong with me?" Han Jin asked with a smile.
"Nothing." Adolf didn't know what to say, so he could only avoid the topic. Unlike Jeddes, he would lie when he needed to.
Han Jin frowned slightly. Using the battle of Cloud Top City to provoke Chesam should have achieved his goal. Even if Chesam still wanted to take advantage of the situation and preserve his strength, the other Titans wouldn't agree. If Chesam forced the Titans to stay out of the battle, it would definitely damage his personal prestige, and might even cause internal strife.
Of course, forming an alliance was only the first step. The most important thing was what kind of alliance was formed.
A so-called alliance needed a leader. Otherwise, if everyone did whatever they wanted, what was the point of an alliance? In this aspect, Chesam wouldn't give in easily.
This was the contradiction. Han Jin wanted to control the alliance, and Chesam wanted the same. Even if he knew that he was inferior, he still wanted to retain absolute autonomy.
Han Jin pondered for a long time. He felt waves of restlessness coming from the Soul Devouring Orb. Harley wanted to say something … but didn't dare to come out. Only then did he realize Adolf's existence. He raised his head and said, "Your Excellency Adolf, it's getting late. You should go back and rest."
"Yes, my Lord." Adolf responded and slowly walked out of the room. After he gently closed the door, he didn't leave. He stood straight outside. He was indeed preparing to rest. Just like before, he could fall asleep standing up.
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