Chapter 2161

There seemed to be a power hidden deep within Shannon's divine soul, restlessly stirring. She even had the presence of mind to wonder where the last Doomscourge was, now that three were here. Could it be with Lucan or Benjamin? … What Shannon hadn't expected was that the last Doomscourge, Hundar, was neither with Lucan nor Benjamin. It was in the royal city of Celestria. The capital was shrouded in black fog as the streets were filled with sounds of fighting and chaos. No one could quite tell when things had begun to unravel. All they knew was that by the time people realized it, citizens of the capital had gone mad. Minor frictions escalated into full-blown brawls, while petty squabbles turned into battles with knives and axes. Grudge and malice bloomed with such conflicts. Amid the turmoil in the capital, a large army approached the city gates. The commander at its head was Lucius Corvay, who was supposed to be stationed far away in Luminorth. Lucius bore the last name Corvay and hailed from a branch of the royal Corven family. Back when Benemir had yet to ascend the throne, the former King had sent Lucius to Luminorth. No one would have guessed that now, he would march on the royal city with an entire garrison, when Celestria was under assault from all sides. In the capital, Malcolm and the other courtiers were deep in discussion to respond to the day's upheaval. Fights had broken out across the city, and the city guards could no longer keep up. Even Oracle Council, under the King's command, had been forced to mobilize in full. Just then, they received a report that Lucius had brought his army to the royal gates. Now, atop the towering city walls, Malcolm and the courtiers gazed at Lucius below. His eyes were sharp and commanding as his voice rang out, "Lucius! Are you staging a rebellion to bring an army to the capital without a royal edict?" Below, Lucius wore an expression full of righteousness as he shouted back, "Celestria is in chaos, and His Majesty has led troops to Northreach! I have come with my army to defend the royal city in his stead! Now, please open the gates!" "Nonsense! Before His Majesty left, he entrusted the city's protection to the garrison outside the royal city. You are not needed!" Though old, Malcolm's voice carried great strength as he continued berating, "As acting regent, I command you to withdraw your forces at once! If not, you and your men will be deemed traitors!" Lucius' eyes darkened. Deep down, he sneered. "Old fool. He doesn't know what's good for him." With that, he gestured to his side for a bow and arrow before aiming at Malcolm, standing atop the city walls. The king had entrusted the royal city to Malcolm. If the latter died, the city would fall under Lucius' control. Consumed by swelling ambition, Lucius no longer cared if his actions would draw endless notoriety. He drew the bow taut and fired. The distance was impossible. Malcolm stood atop the city walls, and Lucius could never strike true from here, but he was too blinded to care. Just as the arrow zipped out, a shadowy presence appeared behind him. Hundar's supernatural energy wrapped around the arrow in flight and instantly brought it to life. Driven by lethal force, it sped straight toward Malcolm's heart. On the wall, Malcolm and the officials reacted quickly and fell back as soldiers raised their shields. But to their horror, the arrow pierced through the shields and headed straight for Malcolm's chest. At the very last moment, a figure suddenly appeared beside Malcolm. Just as the arrow closed in no more than inches from his heart, a hand with clearly defined knuckles reached out and caught the muddled-energy-powered arrow mid-flight.