The First Magic World War

The applause didn't come from anyone beside Charles.

It meant that someone had invaded silently and even Insight had no reaction.

What frightened Charles even more was that he found everyone around him frozen: Taoles, Philedrica, Dobin, Yellow Bear, The Spotted Deer Gwen, and The Wind Wolf Bankroft, along with all the Westwind Knights and the militia of Silver Pigeon Fort were all like wax statues, their expressions vivid but stiff, even the wind had disappeared.

For a moment, Charles wanted to summon the Evil God and die together with this mysterious and terrifying enemy.

With a click, Charles loaded the six Magic-Breaking Bombshell Bullets into the magazine of the Hurkweil Silver Rhino Mk-10 and began to look for the enemy.

An elegant lady, approximately in her forties or fifties, descended from midair, step by step. She exuded a noble and luxurious demeanor, but her clothes clearly indicated her identity; she was not a noblewoman but a female butler.

Charles stuttered as he spoke, calling out, "Mama Karen!?"

"How did you come to Silver Pigeon Fort?"

The Sacred Mama Karen smiled faintly and said, "Anne wouldn't settle down and even had a row with the Earl, so I came."

Mama Karen didn't detail that Anne had broken down in tears when she received Charles's will, the young miss of the Brittany Family had been ready to chase after Charles out of Strasbourg and live or die with him.

How could Earl Brittany possibly allow that?

He had a big argument with his daughter and, facing her persistence, had to make a concession, allowing Anne to promise not to leave Strasbourg, and sent Mama Karen to follow Charles, to protect his safety.

Caught between her emotions and her reason, Anne chose reason. After all, she was a First Rank Transcendent and wouldn't be of much help by Charles's side, but if Mama Karen took action, she could ensure Charles's safe return.

Mama Karen had intended to observe quietly from the sidelines, only intervening when Charles was in danger to save him, not wanting to disturb the war. But Charles's performance just now had been so impressive that she couldn't help but applaud and decided to appear.

Anne had grown up in front of Mama Karen since she was young, and in her eyes, she was like her own daughter, needing careful protection.

Mama Karen hadn't been very fond of Charles nor did she believe he was the man destined for Anne's life. But in this war, Charles's performance had improved with each time, "brave and wise," "commanding with authority," very much like the Earl in his younger days.

Especially since he dared to charge alone and, in the midst of thousands from the South Ceraph Reclamation Army, he killed Jonathan, which made her look upon Charles with new respect and decided to disregard the young man's past.

Although that past...

Well, it's best not to dwell on it.

Mama Karen thought to herself, "What man doesn't play the fool when he's young? Ever since he met Anne, he has reformed and become a new person, and the courage he displayed in the war cannot be faked."

"Especially this time, having made two significant achievements in a row, when the war is over and he returns with honors, he'll be worthy of Anne."

Charles had no idea what the old Mama was thinking; to him, Mama Karen was the most terrifying existence he had encountered since crossing over, second only to the "three Evil Gods." In the presence of a Sacred Order, he was filled with trepidation, always worried that the old Mama would slap him to death on a whim.

It wasn't that Charles was being unnecessarily anxious; Mister Mecklen's past was indeed too unsightly to behold.

Charles, with respectful demeanor, hurriedly said, "Those South Serif people will be attacking the city soon, Mama Karen, please hasten to rest inside the fort, so as not to disturb you, my lady."

The old Mama became even more pleased with these words. At a time when battle was about to commence, Charles's concern was for the elderly, worried she might be disturbed, rather than using her to join the fight. Mama Karen laughed and said, "Don't worry, I'm at least a..."

Suddenly, the world came back to life, and countless chaotic sounds rang out loudly and in confusion.

Charles was slightly stunned by the sudden liveliness of the world and took a moment to recognize these voices.

"Sacred Order!"

"The South Serif people have deployed a Sacred Order!"

"Damn it, these despicable South Serif people, they are too shameless."

"What do we do?"

"Goddess of the Black Moon above, save the poor people of Silver Pigeon Fort."

Mama Karen never expected that someone would steal her lines. The old lady looked up to the sky where a man in his thirties, dressed in coarse clothes with thick eyebrows and big eyes, stood hundreds of meters high in the air, barehanded, his stance tall and straight like a spear, proudly looking down upon Silver Pigeon Fort.

Charles exclaimed in shock, "What's happening?"

Mama Karen calmly said, "A Sacred Order has arrived, I've withdrawn a layer of the Dreamscape!"

Charles finally caught on and asked in a low voice, "Did you also graduate from the University of Georgia?"

Mama Karen smiled and said, "Yes."

Charles sincerely said, "Georgia is a good university."

Mama Karen said indifferently, "I was there when you spoke to Anne."

Charles suddenly became embarrassed and dared not speak; this old lady was really too frightening.

Indeed, a Sacred Order truly deserves the name!

This man in his thirties, dressed in coarse clothing, with thick eyebrows and big eyes—as soon as the Sacred Order made their appearance, it filled everyone in Silver Pigeon Fort with despair.

Only a Sacred Order can contend with another Sacred Order.

And in everyone's hearts at Silver Pigeon Fort, it was certain that there wasn't a single Sacred Order member present.

Taoles lowered his voice and said, "Charles, this is bad for you; if I die, I won't let you off!"

Philedrica also said with a bitter face, "I should've left long ago; I shouldn't have stayed. What was I thinking to defend Silver Pigeon Fort with you?"

Yellow Bear's complexion grew dim as he said quietly, "Captain, if you survive, remember to take care of my family."

Dobin swallowed hard, his heart filled with grief and anger. He had just been promoted to Knight and now he'd encountered a Sacred Order!

Why did it have to be like this?

The Spotted Deer Gwen and The Wind Wolf Bankcroft were old comrades in arms. They bumped fists and said softly, "For Silver Pigeon Fort."

"For our homeland."

"This is our fate..."

The morale at Silver Pigeon Fort suddenly plummeted to rock bottom.

If Charles had first seen the Sacred Order of Lady Southseraph, he would have certainly felt as desperate as everyone else, but he saw Mama Karen first, which gave him a sense of exclusive relief. He smiled slightly and called out loudly, "Don't despair! I will lead everyone to repel Lady Southseraph again, even if they have a Sacred Order."

Taoles exclaimed in a low voice, "But that's a Sacred Order! Have you gone mad?"

Philedrica also uncharacteristically cursed, "Charles! You... bastard. I should have killed you, and I'll take on the task to assassinate you myself."

Charles turned to look at Mama Karen once, the kind-faced head housekeeper who performed an Empire salute, but no one around noticed her presence, just as when she had arrived.

Charles laughed and said, "If I can repel them, you have to promise me one thing!"

Taoles and Philedrica shouted together, "If you can repel Lady Southseraph's Sacred Order, we can promise you anything."

Charles looked up at the sky, full of confidence, and drawled, "At my wedding, you'll come and be bridesmaids for Anne."