CHAPTER 484: CHAPTER 372: FATHER GOD, WHERE IN THIS WORLD IS A CROWN PRINCE OF 70 YEARS?_2

Standard cult antics, the enemy of the world. This unexpected discovery actually made Byron’s eyes light up, and he also saw more possibilities in the bright and beautiful Violet, the would-be witch.

If the world rift could be not only defended but also repaired, then the title of ’World Repairer’ would surely suit the girl’s main profession, [Artisan], perfectly. Working to repair the great ship called ’world’—it’s an exhilarating thought. But Violet hasn’t even completed her second bloodline sublimation ritual yet, so these ideas are still too far off for now.

Byron temporarily suppressed this idea and continued perusing the intelligence.

The visitor was the Archbishop from the Southern Continent of the Rift Monastery—a Fifth-Order Pseudo-God, [Father of the School of Sharks] Bonaparte. His rank was consistent with the likes of [Abyssal Horror] Dagon and the Cardinal Archbishops from the College of Cardinals of the Creator’s Church.

He spoke of the "Luanyan Epoch," a revelation supposedly from the Old Gods. Even the Divine Son and Goddess weren’t very clear about it. All they knew was that it seemed to be a natural phenomenon in the Supernatural World, like the ebb and flow of the tide—unstoppable by anyone.

As for his suspicion that something had gone wrong in the process? Others might not be clear, but Byron and Violet knew full well. Of course, it was all the work of the East Coast Pirate King, [Whale Hunter] Jack Harold!

Just as, at this moment, [Ocean Throne] Barbarossa, who had finally broken through the shipping route, had no idea that he would encounter another "gun-toting Hunter" at the end of his journey. The cultists hadn’t expected the Colonizers to arrive so soon either. Both sides were caught off guard, which also disrupted their respective meticulous plans.

The dispute began the very moment they met unexpectedly. They calculated against each other’s transcendent knowledge, Human Nature, raw power, Heavenly Time, and Old Gods’ Secret Realms... but in the end, there could only be one winner.

If the Pirate King couldn’t break through and devour the biggest piece of the pie during the window between late June and early July, then his many years of silent effort would simply be making a wedding dress for someone else. He absolutely couldn’t tolerate that.

And the deep-sea front line formed by the two Sects wouldn’t give up the territory they had already occupied. By holding the fort during this window, all they had to do was wait for the perfect moon phase to use their geographical advantage and bury any invading enemies in one fell swoop.

[Whale Hunter] had started planning many years ago with the help of another Pirate King. Today, at last, it bore fruit.

Mr. Harold has been quietly advancing overseas expansion; there must be some purpose we’re unaware of. Compared to myself, a mere ’Offshore Balancer,’ this big shot—whose name is known but whose face is unseen—is more like a true grandmaster laying out pieces across the world. With a mere wave of his hand, he can stir up the situation on an entire continent. And [Whale Hunter] surely knows far more secrets than I do. If Captain Jack weren’t Violet’s father, I would have subconsciously labeled him a behind-the-scenes mastermind—the kind who doesn’t need a knife to kill.

Whatever his intentions, he can be considered one of us. No matter how powerful his methods, he probably won’t come at me with swords drawn... right? But as Byron considered his true identity—a scoundrel coveting someone else’s lovely daughter—he couldn’t help but feel a chill on his neck.

Upon hearing [Father of the School of Sharks] Bonaparte’s analysis, [Abyssal Horror] Dagon nodded and said, "There’s no need to ponder the reason for the unexpected developments. Conquering those Colonizers, turning them into Mermaid’s Tears, and then converting those tears into our strength—that’s what’s most important. The Colonizers, if they want to lead a large force onto the Southern Continent, must pass through here. To devour this prize, they have no choice but to engage us in a battle of attrition, one they are ill-equipped for. If we successfully consume this first wave of mid-to-High Sequence Transcendents and an entire Miracle Fleet, our two Sects’ strength will swell to a degree that no latecomers could ever hope to shake."

Seeing [Father of the School of Sharks] Bonaparte’s expression relax, Dagon continued, "We will emulate the massive Mystic Forbidden Zone known as the ’Devil’s Triangle.’ Using the ’Living Hatch’ at Fortress Bridgehead, our Deep Dive Church’s stronghold at ’Luanyun City,’ and your Rift Monastery’s ’Chasm Trench,’ we will form the sacrificial ritual: [Nightmare Triangle]. This will summon the power of two Old Gods. We don’t need to win. We just need to hold them off until the moon phase begins. At that point, forget a ragtag army—even Castilia’s Invincible Fleet would be wiped out in an instant! The Red Rose Lancaster family, easily annihilated last year, are still obediently waiting in our Lord’s belly. Once their supplies are cut off, it won’t be long before they’re completely digested."

Byron frowned deeply upon hearing the strategy this side had prepared, yet he had to admit Dagon was right. The seas were perilous, filled with Secret Realms and no-go navigational areas, leaving only a limited number of safe routes. One of the Bantaan Archipelago’s most famous forbidden areas is the ’Devil’s Triangle’; anyone who dares enter never comes out alive. Just as ancient armies on the march had to storm cities and seize strongholds, and just as they had to brave dangerous passes, these locations are the equivalent chokepoints in the Supernatural World. Large forces have no choice but to pass through here.

To clear a path, they would have to level the territories of both Sects. How could such a feat possibly be accomplished in just a few days? No wonder the two Sects were so confident.

"Gentlemen, take your battle positions. Before the Colonizers’ main force arrives, their scouts and cannon fodder will surely be sent ahead to test the rules of the Secret Realm."