The Divine Armor of the Old Century（Book 1）

Chapter 186

It was a force beyond imagination, a supernatural eeriness that transcended the void of illusion to reach reality, bringing with it a salvation born of sin. The surging corruption pressed upon all life within its range, its influence continually expanding, claiming everything it could touch as its domain.

Selu fell to the ground in terror, and then she heard it—the rhythmic beat of war drums echoing from atop the corpses.

"Yes, it is not yet Lloyd's time to die."

A voice spoke from the void, and thus everyone noticed her presence. Twisted flesh reared its head from the sea of flames, Lawrence's head severed, but the hateful, grotesque tumor continued to climb. It replaced where the head once was, like a new body, warily watching in Lloyd's direction.

It had no consciousness, but instinct warned it that Lloyd's presence threatened its existence. So, with its twisted form, it picked up a shattered piece of metal and slowly moved toward the source of the corruption. Meanwhile, another wave of corruption spread from its body, carrying an aura of extreme madness.

Forbidden powers intertwined, creating a vortex of destruction that swallowed everything.

"Damn it, what's happening?"

Arthur shouted, the Geiger counter screaming like an alarm. The indicator light shifted from a steady green to a glaring crimson red with no delay, as if sanity had plunged into the abyss in an instant.

"Two... two sources of contamination!"

Someone yelled from the command room. No one was dead; despite the horrific onslaught, Lawrence and Lloyd were still alive, moving further into the forbidden zone.

Arthur took a deep breath, making a fierce decision in an instant.

"Notify Buller, prepare for a second bombardment!"

"We are within the blast range as well!"

Red Falcon shouted.

"Doesn't matter! If this isn't stopped here, it will only bring greater trouble!"

Arthur said indifferently, but another voice, panicked, spoke up.

"Communications... communications are cut off!"

The interference from the demonic corruption was immense, turning the battlefield into a death trap.

Arthur was momentarily stunned, but then he made a rational decision.

"Check the ammunition supply. We must kill it here."

"But... we might be able to trust Lloyd."

The corruption had reached them, and Red Falcon's voice wavered.

"Lloyd?"

Arthur didn't understand.

"Two sources of contamination, right? The other must be Lloyd."

"But Hunters have never released such corruption..." Arthur realized something, his words stopped, and he slowly spoke.

"He has surpassed the critical threshold... this damned Hunter is turning into a demon too!"

This was discussed during their candid talks with Lloyd; the controllable range of a Hunter's secret blood was only up to 30%. Beyond this, a Hunter would begin to demonize, and upon reaching 60%, there would be no turning back.

The corruption battered every rational being within range like tidal waves. This was what Lloyd had always feared—once he surpassed the threshold, Watson would escape through his corruption into the outside world. But now, Watson showed no intent of using others as a stepping stone for escape. Instead, she searched for something until she found it behind layers of steel.

"Take off first; we need to get out of the corrupted zone!"

After a brief struggle, Arthur made his choice. This place was already a hellish island; he had to use his limited strength to keep these uncontrollable demons here forever.

Engines roared, and the giant sails adjusted their angles, causing the entire vessel, Dawn, to start ascending.

"Wait... the hatch is opening."

Someone said, trembling, before their fear turned to madness. They shouted,

"The hatch is open!"

"What's going on!"

Arthur was at his wit's end; everything meticulously planned was spiraling out of control.

"No... I don't know."

The person slowly released their grip, revealing that no one was operating the console, yet the buttons and levers moved as if controlled by some unseen force.

They continuously entered different commands, the machinery whirring and running efficiently.

From the flashing indicators and rapidly changing meters, one command after another was decoded:

Keys input correctly.

Cables cut.

Fuel injected.

Safety lock disengaged.

Hatch open.

Everyone's hearts went cold as if the warship had come alive.

It seemed like a divine hand controlled everything, determining everyone's fate. Then a cold female voice echoed through the silence.

"Black Angel entering battle sequence."

"Black Angel entering battle sequence."

"Black Angel entering battle sequence."

"..."

Like a warning from the depths of hell, she repeated the words endlessly. No matter how the operators tried to override it, the icy voice would not cease.

Finally, Arthur's hands began to tremble uncontrollably as if caught in a massive whirlpool. Forbidden powers devoured everyone who came close.

"Is it... Galahad?"

Red Falcon asked, feigning lightheartedness. He knew very well that without the command room's authorization, he couldn't even start the ancient god armor.

But humans always try to deceive themselves to avoid terrifying truths.

"No, it's not me."

At some point, the command room door had opened, and Galahad stood there with a grave expression, his chest heaving as if he had just sprinted from somewhere.

"Not you?"

Arthur was shocked.

"How is that possible!"

Who else but Galahad could momentarily control that terrifying power?

"Who's in the god armor?"

Red Falcon shouted, regaining his senses.

He knew the current technology couldn't verify the identity of the operator within the ancient god armor, but it was as if some dreadful idea urged him on.

Maybe the one controlling the god armor wasn't human...

The operator stepped aside, allowing everyone to see the indicator.

Heart rate: zero.

Blood pressure: zero.

Brainwave activity: zero.

Zero.

Zero.

All readings were zero. All tests indicated... there was no one in the god armor.

No one was operating it, and it couldn't operate itself because the first command of the ancient god armor was to sever the demon's brain. But now, it was as if an ancient spirit had arrived, donning the demon's god armor, giving an ethereal consciousness a physical form.

The fear of the unknown gripped everyone.

Like a sacrificial ritual, Lloyd killed himself, summoning an angel descended from heaven.

So, the black steel wings spread wide, resembling the cross of divine judgment.