Chapter 2057: Trap

"For The Queen!"

"For our Home!"

With one shout and endless energy, Sharnoth’s soldiers charged forward.

At the same time—

BOOOOOOOOOOM

A big explosion engulfed tens of thousands of soldiers, not even their ashes were left as the Black Sun Sharnoth had created unleashed its wrath.

What’s even scarier was the fact that the aftereffects of that attack remained. It wasn’t a normal attack, it had the Power of Chaos infested in it.

It instantly turned the field it affected into the Field of Chaos, a field where only Transcendents with Domains could use their abilities. Primordials and lower-level beings, on the other hand, had to rely on their physical strength.

Of course, the conditions were the same for Sharnoth’s men as well, but the difference between them and the defenders was that Sharnoth’s men were prepared for it.

Their formation and troop distribution were made with physical battle in mind. The advantage one single ability gave to them was so absurdly big that even with Khaemorr’s Will supporting the defenders, they were helpless.

What’s worse?

Because it was the Power-infested Chaos, the size of the Field continued to increase. Everything was so perfectly well planned that Sharnoth’s vanguard, people most loyal to her and the army she had invested most of the resources in, moved at the same pace as the field expanded.

It allowed them to remain in the field and lead the charge on their terms.

"CHARGE!!

KILL!!!!"

They shouted, their morale burning brighter than ever.

Their blades cut through enemies like they were made of paper. Black and purple energy danced around the field. No one recognized this energy, neither could anyone understand why their abilities stopped working all of a sudden.

"What is happ—"

"I cannot use m—"

"No! No—"

"Something’s wro—"

Yes, before the defenders could even understand what was happening, they were slashed into pieces.

Bodies fell at a rate much faster than anything the defenders had seen before. This wasn’t the first time they were facing Sharnoth’s army—after all, they were the reason the Heir could arrange a coup in the first place.

Countless battles had taken place before this but...

Now, it felt like they were facing completely different opponents. It was almost as if the invaders weren’t even serious before the Heir was dead.

It didn’t take long for the defenders to realize it.

It was a trap, these people had planned it all.

They had been playing right into their hands all this while. Victory was impossible—heck, even survival seemed difficult.

As these thoughts became stronger amongst the soldiers, panic spread.

"I-I DO NOT WISH TO BE A PART OF THIS ANY LONGER!!"

Nobody knew who shouted and it didn’t matter. The shout started a wave.

"A-AGGGHHH!!!"

"GET OUT OF THE WAY!!"

"I DO NOT WISH TO DIE HERE!!"

"WE CANNOT WIN!!"

"RUN!!"

Just like that, the defenders began to break their already weak formations. The Transcendent Commanders did try to control the situation, but it was already too late.

The panic had already spread, the defenders were losing their will to fight.

The defensive formation shattered, siege towers fell, war beasts screamed and collapsed, and barriers that protected the defenders were being undone.

All this happened because of Sharnoth’s one move.

And...

She hadn’t even used much of her strength. After all, the enemy Eternal still hadn’t appeared. In a war like this, it was foolish to use one’s energy on lower-level beings since even the slightest mistakes could change the outcome.

Sharnoth was being careful of that, and within minutes, the situation had turned into something where the Ruler had no choice but to appear.

And he did.

The air grew heavy, the sky above dimmed. The Chaos field Sharnoth had created disappeared in an instant, surprising her charging troops.

A figure stepped down from the sky like a god. A tall, wiry humanoid figure with rough, pale skin like cracked stone, textured with sharp edges and scars. His eyes were pitch-black slits, glowing faintly red, capable of seeing through illusions and movement.

He was Kethrian Khaemorr, the Skarnethi Leader.

*Picture*

Skarnethi were the race that ruled over Khaemorr. They were also called the World’s Trapper, known for their terrifying expertise in traps, ambushes, and battlefield manipulation.

Skarnethi were not physically powerful, nor did they possess grand magic—but they were fearsome, especially Kethrian.

The moment Kethrian appeared, a sudden silence fell over the place. The pressure he released instantly attracted Sharnoth’s attention.

The two Leaders stared at each other.

Sharnoth’s face turned solemn as well. Kethrian was indeed not an opponent she could look down upon. After all, she had only broken through to the Eternal Stage recently, while he was an old monster who had managed to stay alive in this ruthless world for millions of years.

One doesn’t pull it off through luck alone.

What was even more annoying was that Kethrian also had an Absolute Law, so Sharnoth couldn’t simply overpower him with her domain either.

It would be a one-on-one battle.

A battle that would decide the fate of their people.

And in such an important battle,

Sharnoth moved first, teleporting in front of him and striking with her Chaos-infused blade. Yes, she wasn’t afraid of using Chaos right now—after all, she had no plans on keeping him alive.

Kethrian blocked her blade with two fingers.

BOOOOOOOM

The shockwave sent bodies flying and cracked the earth.

Without a word, Kethrian struck back. Sharnoth dodged, but the blow grazed her arm. She realized that she had to be careful—after all, her opponent was a tricky one.

BOOOM BOOOM BOOOM

Their fight lasted only seconds, but each clash led to an explosion. Countless died. Sharnoth tried to keep the death toll on her side to a minimum.

And Kethrian didn’t fail to notice that.

A light smile appeared on his face. Soon, however, the exchange continued.

Within a minute, both sides knew the result in their hearts. Sharnoth was stronger. If this continued like this, Kethrian would lose.

But...

Kethrian also understood another thing—

Sharnoth lacked experience.

He exchanged a few more blows, then suddenly, Khaemorr’s Will teleported him somewhere else.

Sharnoth frowned. She tried to find him and the moment her senses caught him, her eyes widened in horror.

He stood in front of her vanguard—her most loyal followers.

"Don’t yo—"

Sharnoth tried to move, but suddenly,

"It is a trap."

Zylarith warned.

"What?"

Sharnoth frowned.

"It is a trap. Let them die, let them die, there is nothing you can do."

Zylarith declared coldly.

After all, pawns existed to be sacrificed.

But—

"I am not letting them die."

Sharnoth decided as she rushed forward, ready to step into the trap on her own. Kethrian grinned at that sight.

"I told you it is a trap!"

Zylarith raised his voice.

"I will be fine.

I invested too much in them."

Sharnoth spoke as she stepped forward, and the instant she did—

Kethrian activated the trap,

BOOOOOOOOOOOOM