Way of the Knights

Chapter 788: Always One Step Ahead

The Swallowing Laws…

Such law is something unique to the Abyssals and their vassals. In fact, it is the tool that made them the way they are…locusts.

Swallowing Laws…does exactly what it implies. Those who understood how the technique works can swallow Laws. It doesn’t sound much to ordinary people but to those who understood the peculiarities of Heaven and Earth, it’s a completely different matter.

Laws are the ones that maintain the order of things be it small or big. Everything that exists…exists because of Laws. 

Should someone who can swallow Laws does manage to do their thing, everything will fall into chaos. And this is precisely why the Abyssals are the most terrifying enemy that any realm can face. 

It’s not like they were being forced to do this for sustenance or to become stronger, no. They just do it because they could…and because they think that the taste of Laws are the top most delicacy there is. 

They travel through the various galaxies, be it small or big, they will invade and once they’re done, they will leave nothing behind aside from scraps. Hell, consider it a miracle if they even left something intact. 

They don’t have the habit of wiping out civilizations, they just swallow whatever it is that causes that civilization to exist and leave – which basically the same as ending their existence without deliberately killing them. 

After all, without Laws, how can those species survive? 

This is why they have a ton of vassals, ranging from one race to the other. Its not like they brought them in, these races were their victims and they begged the Abyssals to take them in hopes of surviving – these are the most pitiful ones. 

In Raven’s previous life. The Abyssals nearly succeeded on swallowing Divine Realm’s Origin Laws. If it weren’t for his mighty confrontation with the Abyssal Emperor, they might’ve already won. That being said, Divine Realm was greatly wounded from their attacks. Even though it looked like he was able to stop the Abyssal Emperor from destroying the Divine Realm, it will still take eons for Divine Realm to hear. 

Of course, this is under the premise that whatever’s left of mankind back then could still defend against the remaining army of the Abyssals. 

***

Raven shook his head as memories of past life re-surfaced on his memories. Seeing how the trapped Allfather still tries to use the Swallowing Laws to uproot the foundations of his formation, triggered the slumbering memories from his mind. 

But instead of feeling a bit apprehensive about the technique being displayed, Raven instead felt an absolute confidence. 

‘It’d be a different case if I was facing a real Abyssal right now. But since I’m not…well, there’s no way this meager imitation can uproot the foundations of my runes.’

Right. What the Allfather was displaying right now wouldn’t even be considered as the real one since he himself isn’t an Abyssal. If anything, it’s just an imitation. A weak one at that. Raven couldn’t even be bothered to stop this fruitless endeavor since the Allfather was desperate. 

‘…in hindsight, at least I got another infinite source of energy.’ Raven muttered to himself as he remained on his seat while reading a book. ‘This Allfather is also an Immortal. Plus, his body was possessed by the Devil Emperor. Since I used the main body as an energy source, I might as well include the one who got away.’ 

Inside the formation, the Allfather looked extremely wretched. 

He wondered to himself, how long has it been since he got trapped here? He felt like he just got here but at the same time, he also feel like it’s been so long. 

The Allfather tried his best. He truly did. Using the imitation of Swallowing Laws isn’t easy. He’s not an Abyssal, this body is that of a human. The technique itself is rejecting him due to this so forcing himself to use it is the same is putting himself in danger. 

Never mind using it multiple times a day, even just once will cause a terrifying backlash. With multiple uses, he is damaging his own Divinity, the source of his strength and sustenance. He is literally killing himself. Yet he endured and pressed-on. 

For what exactly? The answer lies to the smallest chance of succeeding…

If he could just free the main body…everything will be worth it. If he could just free his true body, he can get rid of this pathetic vessel and fuse together. He will be whole again! He could recover faster and once again, stand at the top of this world! If he could just reach the main body…

Unfortunately for him…Raven ruthlessly stomped on his hopes and dreams. The Allfather couldn’t even see how he did it. 

His situation really makes one wonder what would his reaction be like if he could see his main body right now? 

Raven would be lying if he said that he wasn’t interested to see that. After all, he isn’t one to give any kind of mercy to those he consider ae his enemies. 

The Allfather’s confidence had been shattered into pieces. All hopes of putting it back together was lost. At this point, he can’t use the Swallowing Laws anymore. If he even tried to do that, he will explode at the next second. 

“What is this damned formation!?” The Allfather roared indignantly. “How can it be this tough! I don’t believe it!!”

The Allfather summoned everything out from his spatial ring. He has all sorts of weapon with all shapes and sizes. He activated them without holding back, trying his best to at least poke even the smallest hole into this damned formation so that his hope can be re-kindled. 

Unfortunately…

“Nice try buddy.” Raven voice echoed out of nowhere again. 

His voice caused the Allfather’s body to shudder visibly from disbelief and great anger. Even after the endless volley of attacks from all sorts of treasures and weapons he possessed, none of them even left a mark on the formation. 

The only thing that caused some form of reaction from the formation was the Swallowing Laws, something that the Allfather cannot use anymore. 

The Allfather despaired. He collapsed on the floor, looking wretched and hopeless as he stared blankly at the formation that trapped him.

Seeing that caused Raven’s lips to form a ruthless sneer. He gently closed the book he was reading. He then said: 

“…you caved-in a little too fast. How boring…”

“Who are you?” The Allfather asked softly. He didn’t even had the strength to feel angry at this point. All he could feel was numbness from this overwhelming sense if defeat and failure. 

“See this is the problem with you…you’re too inattentive.” Raven admonished, “I already introduced myself earlier, yet you’re still asking me who I am.” 

The Allfather couldn’t refute that. After all, he is aware that he fell to an extremely obvious trap. He made a rookie mistake which was extremely humiliating for someone who’s considered as a Divine Knight. 

“…how could someone like you exist? How could something like even be possible? Hell, how did you even know what the Swallowing Laws is? I’m sure you’re not their agent because if you were, then you wouldn’t do this to me. But how…how are you aware of them? How do you know them?” 

“Cause I’m ridiculously smart.” Raven replied smugly, causing the Allfather’s expression to turn dark. “Well, you surely aren’t expecting to squeeze some information out of me now, are you? Don’t forget your current situation, buddy. You’re a prisoner and soon, an endless power supply. Nothing more, nothing less.” 

“…oh, and I advice you to stop entertaining any thoughts of escaping from here. I can see that you have a Switch Rune on your palms. That’s not going to work, believe me. You already suffered the proof yourself. You who can’t even analyze the formation in front of you. What makes you think that you can use such a petty tactic to deceive me?” 

The Allfather shivered and smiled mirthlessly. At this moment, he knew its hopeless. He was truly done for. His last hope of escaping was exposed this easily. He should’ve known but he still hoped. Now though, Raven once again ruthlessly crushed his hope. 

The Switch Rune was his final hope. This is something that he can use to retreat safely, preferably with the Devil Emperor. 

By activating this rune, he can appear to the massive formation he set up outside. The same one he used to forcefully expose the Ancient Elysium Sect so that they can invade it. This will make their escape easier. 

How could Raven, someone who mastered everything about Runes and Formation, let something like that happen? He’s already a step ahead of the Allfather. 

He already tampered at the formation outside in way that nobody could fix. Even if the Allfather tried, the Switch Rune wouldn’t work. 

This whole invasion was a mistake in the first place. The Allfather’s overconfidence was a mistake and now, he suffering because of it. 

The moment he dared to step foot on Raven’s territory…he already signed the agreement for a slow and painful death. 

It’s as simple as that.