Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

At first, Avia did not intend to settle the score in one battle immediately, after all, the treacherous terrain of the Iranian plateau was not convenient for setting up a decisive battle, and he could only wait for the right opportunity.

Therefore, he made targeted deployments based on the Iranian plateau, requiring all regions of Fars to adopt a scorched-earth strategy.

Although the locals were not interested in Avia, who was a Hun, they found him somewhat agreeable compared to the Indians and Hephthalites, as he was unlikely to change their beliefs. Naturally, the Zoroastrians were not interested in the Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism of the Gupta Dynasty.

After all, compared to the change of royal power, the struggle in the realm of spiritual beliefs during the classical period was undoubtedly more deadly and intense.

In short, under the scorched-earth strategy, as time went on, the combined forces of the Gupta Dynasty and the Hephthalite Empire began to struggle. After all, with so many people in a foreign country where uprisings were constantly occurring, logistics were simply a matter of life and death.

Therefore, when the Gupta and Hephthalite allied forces gathered in northern Fars, intending to capture Istahel, the capital of Fars and an important stronghold of Zoroastrianism.

At the same time, Avia also understood that the time for the final battle had come.

In May of 427 AD, the final battle of the three-year war took place in the north of Fars, fought by four major empires of Asia and Europe.

Both camps are alliances between so-called barbarians and civilized people, each with a force of 500,000.

Looking at the world, such a decisive battle was extremely rare, not only in the late classical period but also before the industrial age.

Both sides knew that the daily logistics costs for such a large army were astronomical, and that they could only fight quickly, or they would have to wait for one side to be worn down first.

The Huns-Sassanids have many fantastical species such as Dead Apostles, Werewolves, and Three-Headed Dragons, as well as sorcerers. The Gupta-Hephthalites, on the other hand, also have their own local fantastical species and unique magicians.

The Iranian plateau grew increasingly cold. When the blinding light suddenly pierced the eyelids of the Gupta-Hephthalite soldiers, they couldn't help but open their eyes. What they saw was a scene they had never imagined in their lives:

Like a tsunami crashing ashore, the waves collapsed, and countless white figures, like a sweeping tide, covered the endless horizon, turning everything white, as if the Asuras from Indian mythology were eyeing this place menacingly.

The silver-haired man at the head of the group, whose radiance seemed to blind the light, rode up on horseback with an expressionless face. This gave them the illusion that even though this person was falling, his radiant light would still keep villains like Wuyun and Lenghan from approaching. They could only surround him, watching him from afar in the shadows, waiting for his death.

The decisive battle began with the spirited roar of warhorses.

The sounds generated by countless people gathering together spread like wildfire, forming overlapping and continuous waves of sound, producing blood enough to stain the earth. However... if it were a ritual to destroy the world, this might just be the prelude to the opening.

It was a bright and sunny day, but the sunlight was red. As far as the eye could see, the battlefield was covered with blooming red flowers, a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

In an instant, Avia and Attila, who were fighting side by side, met each other's eyes.

Those blood-red eyes and blue eyes.

"It's been so long since we fought together."

"really."

On the battlefield, Avia replied in a calm tone.

"Then let's fight together from now on."

With overwhelming force, Avia, clad in Typhon armor, and his massive army could probably be described as utterly devastating.

The Gupta-Hephthalite coalition suffered a crushing defeat, with almost all of its soldiers perishing here.

King Gupta and King Hephthalite, who personally participated in the battle, were captured, but they were not mistreated; instead, they were treated kindly.

Soon, representatives from both empires came to Avia to negotiate a treaty. Just like with the Sasanian Empire, the silver-haired youth offered very favorable terms for peace, which were not harsh. He did not cede any territory or make any unreasonable demands; he only asked for money and to withdraw from the Sasanian Empire's territory.

The two defeated empires naturally accepted the situation, but as a result, King Chorichi, who had brought the Gupta Dynasty to its peak, died in grief and indignation a year later. Without King Chorichi's restraint, the Gupta Dynasty became unstable and began to split internally. The king gradually lost control of the nobles and began to decline.

The Gupta dynasty referred to Avia, the Hun king who had defeated them, as:

That is the source of destruction of all worlds, the god of death who came to destroy this world, the destroyer of all worlds.

Similarly, the Hephthalite Empire was forced to settle for competing with the Gaoche people for the Junggar Basin and the areas to its west, and gradually lost its ability to control other nomadic groups in the region.

The Sasanian Empire was no exception. Although it preserved the territory of the entire country, the plunder caused by the three great empires made it teeter on the brink of collapse, resulting in economic recession, heavy taxes, religious disputes, rigid social classes, and the growing power of landowners. As a result, it lost its status as the hegemon of West Asia.

At this moment, the Hunnic Empire, under the leadership of the two Hunnic kings, single-handedly led three empires that should have been powerful to decline.

Meanwhile, within the bustling Roman Empire, no one could see or anticipate that on the Eastern European steppes, the Hunnic Empire, returning laden with spoils, was still watching them with predatory eyes.

142: The Promise and Gift Before Heading to the City of a Thousand Years

Winters in Eastern Europe are harsh winters that can freeze the soul.

However, thanks to the rich rewards of previous war victories, the Huns are now living better lives than before.

Although Avia, one of the Hunnic kings, had many things to do, it was quite easy for him to take a break.

"If you're free and don't mind, Attila, how about we go out?"

"Yes, I'm free, I'll go."

The white-haired girl, having finished her training, nodded vigorously as if trying to express something.

Stepping out of the royal court, one finds various tents, but neither Avia, who invited them, nor Attila, who was invited, had any specific purpose.

After all, this was a common stroll for the two of them. They wandered through the market where Romans and Germans mingled, stopped to admire the street performances by well-trained artists, and the girl was even drawn to strange dolls of unknown origin, staring at them for a long time.

"Speaking of which, where's Typhon? Isn't she always by your side?"

"She said that winter was coming and she wanted to sleep a little longer."

"...Well, it's not that I'm overthinking it, but Typhon is a dragon, not a human, but he takes the form of a young girl who's always sticking to you in your tent. I think that's very unfair."

The white-haired girl put on a serious, stern face.

"Attila, aren't you pretty much the same?"

Upon hearing this, Avia couldn't help but laugh.

Upon hearing this voice, Attila inexplicably felt much better, and her expression softened.

Because of their prestige, the two kings would often brush past unfamiliar faces in the crowds, but the Huns who knew them would greet them briefly, such as, "Ah! It's the kings." or "Your Majesty, the food here is very delicious."

As a nomadic empire, under Avia's leadership, it continuously absorbed the cultures of surrounding countries. The travelers on the road were mainly Huns, as well as some Germanic peoples, Romans, and even Persians.

"By the way, when we have time in the future, let's try out some survival methods other than those for soldiers."

"........Um."

Attila's heart skipped a beat when she heard this from Avia's side.

Is life outside of being a soldier about traveling the world on horseback as a free traveler? Is it about tilling the land, cultivating wheat, and baking bread in a hot oven?

Is it hunting beasts and birds? Is it learning that thing called writing, and compiling books recorded by it?

That was a life the girl had never seen or experienced before, a life other than killing. This was by no means a sign of her disgust for herself as a warrior.

It's just that I'm curious about what kind of life I would have led if I hadn't been born a warrior.

One day, when the time comes... we'll go together.

...Just the two of us?

The white-haired girl couldn't help but think this way, but quickly shook off the thought after she came to her senses; now was not the time to let her mind wander.

But her pace quickened uncontrollably, and just then, a glimpse of the grassland scenery made her slow down for a moment.

The crowds moving through the streets, and the many unfamiliar flowers and grasses, swaying in the wind under the clear winter sky, make this cold blue expanse seem full of life.

Where are the two of them now?

Perhaps, it is in a world where winter has arrived, yet for some reason spring is in full bloom, with hundreds of flowers in full bloom.

...........

Sometime earlier, after the war with the three great empires ended.

“Fu”.

Awakened by the white demon dog, Altrouge subconsciously glanced around the room.

"What are all these things...?"

She was puzzled as she looked at the pile of dried flowers, hand-woven trinkets, and small ornaments on the table.

It reminded her of the things she hadn't had time to pack up in Constantinople, and she thought back to those years in Constantinople.

While humans may exchange items, Dead Apostles do not.

Moreover, she couldn't remember receiving anything from anyone before.

Could it be the guards and knights who did it? Or is it because they've seen too many human customs?

She tilted her head and accepted the gifts. A faint, sweet fragrance wafted through the air, indicating that the fruits had been freshly picked and preserved using magic.

The flowers that were delivered were dried flowers, but they were arranged in a variety of colors. These colors and the light fragrance were pleasing to the eye, and she couldn't help but exclaim in amazement. Before she knew it, she realized that she had been completely captivated by them.

"Fu!"

"........"

After being reminded by her pet, Ji Jun realized who had delivered the bouquet.

Avia, a human with whom she had a pact, said it was a gift as an ally...

Perhaps it was just a simple attempt to curry favor, and besides, sending me to that secluded valley last time was clearly a deliberate attempt to embarrass me...

Despite her thoughts, a radiant smile had already crept onto the girl's lips without her realizing it.

After that, these gifts were displayed on the wall, just as they had been in Constantinople.

Perhaps this was the first time she had received a gift that was neither a joke nor had any ulterior motives, but was simply a gift of pure care.

"I'll express my gratitude in person next time... I'm very happy... Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

After some time, in his room in the Hunnic royal court, which was almost devoid of personal belongings, luxurious yet empty, and without even luggage, Avia opened the moonlit tent and went outside.

On nights when the temperature drops sharply, the thick, silvery clouds are forced to dissipate, and only then can you see that the night sky overhead is adorned with snowflakes. This season has fewer colors than spring, but it is still very beautiful.

However, winter brings people not only beautiful scenery, but also a season of death, food shortages, reduced sunshine, and biting cold.

"I'm going to the City of a Thousand Years, do you want to come with me?"

Hearing the soft sound of footsteps on the thin snow, Avia's gaze shifted forward.

He looked at the black-haired girl who had walked up to him and stood quietly in the very faint shadow cast by the moonlight.

"Since we are allies, it's not appropriate to refuse."

"Ah."

There wasn't a trace of gentleness in Ji Jun's words, only her usual indifference, yet she continued speaking naturally.

"You must stay close to me, Avia, and I am very happy...and sincerely grateful for your acceptance of my invitation and the gift you sent."

143: The Gatekeeper of the Thousand-Year City

The castle soars into the clouds, its outline appearing and disappearing in the blue aurora, like a hazy painting.

Around the lake, white flowers swayed gracefully in the moonlight, exuding a captivating fragrance. Occasionally, some small, fantastical species would shimmer with a faint light, like twinkling stars in the night sky, adding a touch of dynamism to the tranquil night.

This was the ancient city that, in the distant past, was occupied by the Moon King, Zhu Yue, for a thousand years.

The place where the Thousand-Year City is located is not the highest point above the ground, but it is the closest to the moon. It is an ancient mountain city that cannot be reached by sunlight and is filled with moon and star flowers that can grow only by moonlight. It is also the place where the True Ancestors first appeared.

Originally a building located on the surface of the earth, it was moved to the inner sea of ​​the star after the great war in 300 AD.

Since Zhu Yue's death and Ji Jun Ertuqi's departure, the remaining True Ancestors have enjoyed hundreds of years of peace.

But today, the Death Apostles, whom the True Ancestor regards as “servants” and “controls”, will, just as they did in 300 AD, ignite the flames of war.

Led by Princess Eltrauge, White Wing Duke Tevanm, and Demon City Van Fem, most of the Dead Apostles who survived the Church's extermination will face the remaining two hundred True Ancestors and their forces.

Most of the twenty-seven Dead Apostle Ancestors belonged to the Dead Apostle camp, but some chose the True Ancestor camp, such as Mei Lian, the twentieth seat who originally cooperated with Van Fim.

Therefore, the True Ancestor naturally had some expectation of the Dead Apostles' attack.

The true ancestors are on a high platform, from where they can see a large group of dead disciples gathering.

Just as thick, dark rain clouds obscured the sun, casting a dark shadow over the entire world, this relentless onslaught of darkness swept across the ancient city, stretching endlessly across the river—like a nightmare.

This large-scale army of deadly apostles is probably comparable in size to the ancient Battle of the Thousand-Year City.

Even though they had some idea of ​​what was going on, the True Ancestors all watched the march in silence, probably because they could imagine how brutal the battle would be.

"So, just like Typhon said, you've actually always been inside me?"

At this moment, in Ji Jun's territory, Avia looked at the Flower Magician that had appeared before her and said.

Although it is also located in the Starry Sea, perhaps due to the Thousand-Year City, it is isolated from the other inner areas. At the same time, the mystery is not so great that it cannot be accepted by the human body, so even the physical body can enter openly.