Forge a path to success.

Chapter 404 Until Everyone Is of One Mind

"They've made their move so quickly. As expected, the Calamity species are always the least patient."

Below the city-state, Frudan tore off a thick tree root and then moved away from the sacred tree without hesitation. The expansion of the Evangelical Kingdom did not distinguish between friend and foe, and in Lavaiva's eyes, it was also an "enemy." If there was a good opportunity to take advantage of the situation, she would not mind "converting" another god.

All the gods present shared this stance, so even as the city-states soared into the sky, the participants mostly engaged in half-hearted probing. Everyone was waiting for the divine tree to perish so they could claim the biggest share. Now, Lavaiva's eagerness to join the fray first saved it the trouble.

But it wouldn't mind helping the Virgin Mary again.

"It's about to start again... the same old routine before every battle."

Furudan exhaled a puff of purple smoke, allowing it to seep into the bark of the divine tree. Satisfied, it descended into the sea of ​​light, using the smoke to reserve a place for itself, anticipating the grand demise to come.

·
"Captain! We can't get in touch with the team members at the front..."

"The communication line has malfunctioned! An operator has been killed!"

In the center of Star Fortress Mansa, amidst the ruins of the Supreme Prosecutor's Office, Rico frantically flew towards the captains, bringing them more bad news after the battle: "Dad, all communications are down! We can't contact the citizens and team members involved in the battle, and we have no control over the situation in the city!"

This was Frudan's malicious gift: interference with the city's communication system. Having fought the Divine Tree for many years, it knew all too well the opponent's methods; if the Divine Tree wanted to survive, it would inevitably need the support of all its citizens.

Therefore, it prematurely disabled its communication network. If sound cannot reach, even the greatest courage cannot gather scattered power. And now, the divine tree is preoccupied with its own problems; who has the spare strength to dispel its siege?
"Understood." Trek raised his hand. "Captain, please."

The captains heard the news, but there was little reaction. They simply looked solemnly at Banningtik, who drew his sword and placed it on Trek's shoulder. His voice was loud and clear.

"Currently, the city-state of Thornsa has entered a state of wartime emergency. The Speaker of the Senate has died unexpectedly. As the current Commander-in-Chief of the Divine Guard, I should be in charge of the overall situation, but I lack the ability to lead the city-state to victory in the war. Therefore, in accordance with Article 45, Clause 3 of the Constitution, I propose to temporarily transfer the position of Commander-in-Chief to the former Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Force, Jas Trek. I am now seeking the opinions of all the captains."

"Agreed." "Agreed." "Agreed!"

Banningtik tapped Trek on both shoulders briefly, then sheathed the Sword of Law, signifying the end of the inauguration ceremony and the beginning of the final plan.

"Now you're the captain." He smiled, a rare occurrence. "Begin your inaugural speech!"

Trek took a deep breath, feeling the power of order and system surging into his body from that moment on. It was a power powerful enough to bring one closer to the divine.

This is their last trump card at present. It is not the divine power of the Thorn Tree, but the power of rules and civilization accumulated by the city-state as the Path of Light over thousands of years. It can give the Speaker, who is an ordinary person, the ability to fight against a demigod, and it can also enable Trek to break through the shackles that have plagued him for 20 years and transform into an Oracle of the 6th point.

However, Trek pushed away this power, refusing to use it on himself. He knew that the current city-state did not need a new point six; what it needed was the courage of the collective.

He used the power of order to initiate a teleportation, sending the fragments of the Speaker's mask deep into the city-state. Then he sent the power to all parts of the city-state, into the hearts of every citizen.

Thus, without relying on the disrupted divine power network, people were able to hear his voice.

"Citizens of the city-state, I am former Commander Jas Trek. At this moment, the city-state is facing a life-or-death crisis. As a citizen, I am initiating a petition for a revote on the Independence Act. If there are any hearts willing to fight for the city-state, please speak your names."

In an instant, Trek felt millions of voices resounding throughout the city-state, and hundreds of millions of names flooding his mind. Divine protection allowed him to see all parts of the city-state at once, to see those who were striving consciously, to see those who were praying anxiously, to see those who were wandering blindly, and to see those who were in panic and pain.

The number of signatures was sufficient, and a revote could be initiated at any time. But he did not rush to speak; with 1 minute and 20 seconds remaining, he wanted to deliver his final words to the city-state.

“I want to tell you the truth about the current situation, because you have been blinded by love for too long. Everyone has the right to know the truth.”

"Our city-state is on the verge of destruction. From the Empire of Truth to the Spiral Tower, from the homeland of the gods to the Sea of ​​Illusions, every heretical force has sent its deities to fight. The total number of heretics on the battlefield probably exceeds the number of our entire population. Since the ancient war, there has never been such a difficult battle."

“Originally, our chances of victory were very low. We had a very high probability of dying on the front lines, and the outsiders would breach our walls and destroy our homes. Speaker Parriman took this into consideration, which is why he tried every means to get the city-state off the front lines in order to save everyone’s lives.”

People looked up.

Whether they are hesitant or sorrowful, whether they advocate for fierce fighting or yearn for independence, people with different views all look towards the city center... towards the light of justice that still shines brightly today.

"Yet we are still alive now, because there is more to this world than just the city-states.

Dragon Spring Village and Asura Island have sent us their most elite reinforcements. Dustless Land and Paradise of Seeking Joy have also done their utmost. Even the small and medium-sized Dust Islands, which you have always disregarded, have dispatched soldiers aboard their warships.

"This is for self-preservation, because they will also face threats after the city-state is destroyed. But it is also a selfless sacrifice, because this is a crisis for the city-state, and they have no obligation to fight for us!"

Trek clenched his fist and addressed his citizens: "They are willing to come to our aid because they are 'civilized' just like us!"

"The city-state of Jingsha has over 3000 races, and many of your ancestors were beasts thousands of years ago. Their strength then was not much different from what it is now, and the intelligence of many races has not changed fundamentally. So what made them transform from beasts into citizens of the city-state, and what led them from barbarism to civilization?"

Beasts gazed at the sharp claws, birds at the vibrant feathers. Many citizens recalled their sense of superiority over their "poor relatives," their own kind who were beasts but not citizens.

They are different, and this difference is etched in everyone's heart. Yet few can articulate the source of their sense of superiority. Is it wealth? Education? Status? Environment?

No. That's something more fundamental, a thought rooted in everyone's heart...

"is love."

"For the love of children, for the love of friends, for the love of the city-state. Beasts only know the 'love' of self-preservation, but we advocate the 'love' of caring for others. We fight for love, we prosper because of love, we have a concept of collectivism, and we understand sacrifice and risk because of it. It is because we are willing to give for others that our city-state has become an enduring civilization!"

"Now, the city-state once again stands at a crossroads of choice. The choices of each citizen will literally change the course of the entire world. But I am not worried that you will regret your choices, because I know that we all hold love and pride for the city-state in our hearts."

We will endure conflict and discord, we will overcome sacrifice and pain, and whether in ancient times or now, we will forever strive tirelessly.” He faced the city and shouted, “Until we are united as one!!!”

The citizens of the city-state roared with unrestrained passion. The shouts of 17 billion people pierced the sky and resounded throughout the center of the battlefield. And the ever-rising city-state, at this moment, came to a halt; it stood still high in the sky, frozen in the midst of its cries!

High above Mansa Star Fortress, Wang Quan's movements ceased, allowing himself to be struck by Chu Heng's aerial attack. He sensed that Jing Sha had previously abandoned supporting the city, focusing instead on re-enacting the law. However…

"The city-state...did not fall?"

“Pariman’s independent program design was near perfect, but unfortunately he left a fatal oversight,” Chu Heng chuckled. “His design was based on the premise that the divine tree must support the independence of the city-state, but…”

"As long as there is another person who can support him, Jing Sha will have a chance to turn the tide!"

Deep within the city-state, Old Thorn Robe had descended from his pedestal. Yet the illusory continent had not fallen; another deity held it aloft. That was an ancient dragon, its color like cherry blossoms!
"I am a god after all, I can withstand this weight," Sakura Dragon shouted. "Old friend, now's the time!"

The sacred tree of thorns straightened its body. It raised its withered and frail hands and straightened its chest, which was as thin as a dead man's.

He was so weak he was on the verge of death that even the funeral procession was attended by him personally. Yet his eyes still shone brightly, and his voice remained strong and powerful. That voice had accompanied the growth and aging of the citizens' ancestors, through countless wars and reconstructions of the city-state—it was a voice etched in the hearts of all beings, the voice of a god who protected them!

"The petition to re-vote the bill has garnered the support of 1,676 million citizens of the city-state." Old Jing Sha's voice boomed like a bell. "It is now 04:34 on August 8th, 3001 of the Candlelight Calendar. In the name of the First Citizen of Jing Sha City-state, the Jing Sha Divine Tree, I initiate a re-vote on the Independence Bill!"

The weak, timid voice came first.

“I support the bill.” “I want to escape.” “I don’t want to fight.” “I don’t want to die!” “I’m an independence advocate, but…”

"but……!"

However, that voice was gradually infected by a powerful, enlightened voice.

“But my friends are soldiers.” “But my parents are on the battlefield.” “My brother…” “My deceased father…” “My old comrades-in-arms before I retired.” “My good friend I just parted ways with.” “I can’t just watch.” “I don’t want a cowardly death!”

“I want to help them.”

The voices of the masses gradually rose.

Confront fear and reality.

Full of love and courage!

"I oppose the Independence Act!" "No escapism!" "A fight to the death!" "How can the citizens of this glorious city-state flee in terror?" "Oppose the Act!" "Join the war!" "Fight!" "To the front lines—"

"Fight against the heretics to the very end!!"

The cries of all living beings transformed into a verdant wind, which blew toward the decaying sacred tree.

It brings together the spirit of the community and the will of unity.

And so, after 20 years of decline, the city-state of Jingsha finally united once again!
"Support independence, 34615 votes."

"Against independence, 1732876126 votes!"

"The Independence Act has been officially suspended. The City-State of Thorns is back on the front lines of desperate warfare!"

34615 rays of light leaped from within the city-state, crossed the ocean, and landed on the dusty island behind it. Those were citizens who, even to the very end, refused to fight. Thorn Robe respected their will and protected them as they returned to the safe haven of the rear.

He now possessed the remaining strength, for even more points of light were surging into his body—a staggering 17 billion brilliant rays. His voice grew louder, and his eyes shone with divine light. His skin, loose as cloth, taut once more, and his withered body became heavy and powerful.

His strength returned, and his bones became strong, his muscles regenerated, and his emerald green heart beat powerfully once more. He raised his arms, transforming from withered, clothes-hanging limbs to the thickness of a child's wrist, to a thin young man, and then to a robust old man.

It continues, the muscles are still growing, and they are growing explosively once again. The strong and powerful legs are so thick that they are difficult to grasp with both hands, and the strong arms are enough to support the entire sky!

It was a body honed to perfection, surpassing even the strongest warriors. Ancient scars spread across its skin like dark flowers, and the surface of its strong muscles shimmered with a luster of power and beauty. Long white hair cascaded down its back like a cloak woven by time.

The enormous divine robe was finally stretched taut once more, revealing its true form. The God of War, who had guarded the front lines of the desperate battle for thousands of years!

"Then I'll leave it to you."

A soft sigh came from behind Old Jing Sha's head. The other face, formed from the collective wishes of all living beings, peacefully closed its eyes at this moment, turning into gray specks of light and merging into the fragments that Trek had just teleported to it.

Thorn Robe pressed the shard to his forehead; it melted into a murky color, flowing down his cheeks like sharp blades… It was the last vestige of Parriman's cherished power, the coalescing will of a changing populace. In that instant, "Thorn Robe" and "City-State" finally stood together once more!
"Here comes... the power of unity!!!"

Old Jing laughed loudly and threw a powerful punch. His fist pierced through the illusory continent, and the phantom city-states disintegrated and flew over, enveloping him as green armor!
He roared to the sky, then leaped into the air. He reached the highest point of the ancient city-state and pointed towards the heavens. The eyes of all the citizens converged on this one point!
"Is everyone ready?!"

The cries of the masses soared to the heavens, and Old Jing Sha punched with all his might.

"Come on! Merge with the Divine Tree!!"

(End of this chapter)