"Who did this?!"

Wesley's voice was low, filled with suppressed fury.

Lujak and several demon generals looked awkward, their faces displaying confusion as they hesitated.

"I… I don't know."

"When did this happen?"

Wesley turned to Lujak and the others.

Their expressions were stiff, fumbling for words.

"You don't know either?!"

Wesley's fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and the suppressed fury finally erupted.

"So many people are dead here, and not a single sound was made?!"

"Who did it? When did they strike? And you're telling me you know nothing?!"

"What are you all doing?! How is this passage being guarded?!"

Lujak and the others lowered their heads, their hearts filled with grievance.

There truly hadn't been a sound or any signs.

If they had known who did it and when, would it still be called mysterious?!

"It was a highly skilled ambush," Lenon said after inspecting several traces, turning his gaze to the space passage.

"Moreover, the attacker most likely came from over there!"

Wesley also looked at the mirrored passage entrance, a surge of malicious fire rising within him.

Six hundred thousand elite soldiers had crossed the passage, and not a single one returned.

Even top demon generals like Lierlon and Orins had perished, yet they still had no idea what kind of enemy they were facing.

Of course, that was on the enemy's territory.

They had ventured in alone, not knowing the situation, so it was somewhat easier to console themselves if they suffered a loss.

But now?

This was their own territory!

With so many people dead, and still no clue about the enemy, it was like a slap to his face!

How did a small Eura continent become so strange and bizarre?!

What kind of existence was lurking over there?

"Investigate! Use all available forces to find out!"

Wesley gave a harsh command.

They had suffered defeat after defeat, yet still had no idea who their opponents were. This was an utter humiliation!

...

Meanwhile, far away,

Bone Reaper arrived at the location where the Night Apostle and Silent Extinction Apostle had fallen.

He extended his palm and suddenly grasped at the void.

The surrounding magical mist gathered toward his palm, and the lingering special origin power was forcefully stripped away.

After several careful checks, he understood.

The Night Apostle and Silent Extinction Apostle had likely never even touched the Eura continent, let alone entered it. They must have been quietly killed before even reaching the passage's edge.

All of the Temple Guards accompanying them were dead, not a single one had escaped to report.

It could either be that the enemy was overwhelmingly powerful, with absolute crushing strength, or that the Night Apostle and Silent Extinction Apostle had walked right into a carefully prepared trap.

But they had been sent on a reconnaissance mission to Eura, and except for the core members of the Dark Corruption Temple, no one knew their whereabouts.

The possibility of them being ambushed in advance was extremely low.

Therefore, the truth likely was that they had accidentally encountered an extraordinarily terrifying enemy!

But what kind of enemy could execute such a clean and decisive strike, leaving no trace behind?

"Whoever you are, if you dare strike at the Dark Corruption Temple, you'll regret it."

"The Dark Corruption Temple will never let you down!"

Bone Reaper's words were filled with chilling killing intent.

Choosing the Dark Corruption Temple as an enemy would be the biggest mistake of the enemy's life!

...

In the Emperor's Palace,

Aurek had successfully ascended to the rank of Grand Divine Cleric but did not stop there.

He planned to consolidate his rank quickly and push it to an even higher level.

Noticing someone outside seeking an audience, he spoke slowly. "Enter."

An Elemental Assassin entered the hall and knelt to report.

"Master, Lady Natasha has safely arrived in the Abyss Demon Realm."

Aurek pondered for a moment, then ordered,

"Send a command to Suggwoth, instruct him to station troops at Godfall Canyon and ensure that the communication channel with the Abyss Demon Realm remains open. Any intelligence must be sent back immediately."

He wasn't worried about the Eura continent for now, but after the previous battle that wiped out six hundred thousand demon race soldiers, the Abyss Demon Realm was likely on high alert.

Only by obtaining more detailed information from the Abyss Demon Realm would he be able to make the next move.

He had sent Natasha to the Abyss Demon Realm with an even deeper intention.

To seize resources from that world and aid the still-weak Crossbridge Empire!

Aurek's ambition and grand vision extended far beyond unifying the Eura continent.

His ultimate goal was to elevate the Crossbridge Empire into a Crossbridge Divine Empire that would command the laws of the universe!

By then, no threat would be able to make him feel anxious.

However, the path to ascension was as difficult as a mortal becoming a god!

Though the difference between an Empire and a Divine Empire was only two words, the gap between them was more significant than the divide between mortals and True Gods.

According to ancient records from the Chapter of the Empire, a Divine Empire transcends the laws of dimensions.

It could control order, rule the world, and easily suppress chaotic starry seas.

The fundamental difference lay in the level of imperial power!

A Divine Empire condenses the authority of the world, the origin of starry rivers.

Whereas an Empire, and other such forces, only condense the power of humanity and the energies of mountains, rivers, and lands.

This was a fundamental mismatch.

That was the core gap.

Thus, the ascension process was a comprehensive leap in the Empire's national power.

It encompassed territories, citizens, power systems, resources, and other aspects.

But right now, the Crossbridge Empire had only just conquered the Eura continent.

The most significant issue was that, apart from the attribute legions and a few officials who had been granted imperial blessings, most of the Empire's citizens were still mortal.

Even the foundation to support an Empire was not yet in place, let alone that far-reaching Divine Empire.

To change this situation, they needed to either elevate the rank of the Eura continent or draw on the power of higher planes to aid the Eura continent and gradually open up the situation.

Now, the Crossbridge Empire needed time and consolidation.

As for daily affairs on the Eura continent, Philip, Lucio, and others were handling them.

Aurek could focus on his own ascension and closely monitor the Abyss Demon Realm's movements.

...

In the Abyss Demon Realm, Dark Corruption Temple.

Bone Reaper and Wraith Hunter hovered in the air.

Twenty-four Apostles with powerful auras entered the hall and bowed respectfully to them.

"Two Lords, what are your orders?"

Bone Reaper asked.

"Lead two thousand Temple Guards through the passage and thoroughly investigate the situation on the Eura continent," the Wrath Apostle, who was at the forefront, said with a hint of confusion.

"Isn't there any other task?"

The other Apostles listened quietly.

To deploy twenty-four Apostles just to explore a lower-tier plane? Wasn't that making a big deal out of it?

"There is no other task!"

Bone Reaper coldly reminded them.

"But don't let your guard down. The destruction of the sixty thousand Four-Winged Demon Legion there proves how dangerous it is."

"Also, the previous Night Apostle and Silent Extinction Apostles perished. From what I've investigated, it's highly likely that a powerful force from the Eura continent infiltrated and killed them."

He had already learned about the silent slaughter of the Four-Winged Demon Legion stationed at the passage.

Considering the deaths of the Night and Silent Extinction Apostles, he concluded that a powerful force from the Eura continent had entered the Abyss Demon Realm.

The strength required to annihilate two Apostles and hundreds of Temple Guards without leaving a trace could not be ignored.

That's why he sent twenty-four Apostles to investigate.

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