The Shining Star Above The Heaven-Chapter 393: The Incoming Army

At this moment, several cultivators stood atop the city walls of Caritas, their gazes fixed in the same direction. A chill ran down their spines, and sweat dripped from their foreheads as they beheld the things approaching their city. Silence hung between them—they all knew what was coming.

At first, they saw only four black dots in the distant sky, emerging from the horizon. But as the dots grew larger, their fear intensified. When they finally discerned the approaching entities, terror gripped their hearts. The four objects had a rectangular shape with numerous sharp angles along their edges. Each objects was a kilometer long and 500 meters wide. Their black surfaces were adorned with glowing runes, glowing as they advanced.

At the front tip of each flying object, a giant white sphere was embedded. On top of its body, there was a glass-enclosed area where the controllers of the flying object were stationed, allowing them to see everything below.

"Flying Fortress." Someone finally muttered.

A chill ran through their bodies as the four massive flying fortresses advanced in an arrow formation—neither too fast nor too slow. The forest beneath them was briefly cast into darkness as the enormous structures blocked out the sunlight. The sight was truly intimidating, and the deep humming sound they emitted as they passed only added to the oppressive atmosphere.

The people began to step back as the giant flying fortresses reached a distance of 15 kilometers from the city walls. They knew that the arrival of these fortresses was a clear sign—the second prince was serious about taking over the city. Many turned and fled in the opposite direction, fearing they would be caught in the impending battle.

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Inside the control room of the leading flying fortress, a brown-haired middle-aged man gazed at the city, now fully within sight. His knight’s armor, paired with the red cape draped behind him, made him appear gallant. A confident smile played on his lips, though there was a hint of mockery in it, as if he were looking at something unworthy of his full attention.

This man was Duke Alikin, the one tasked by Second Prince Wilmar to reclaim the city. His orders were clear—capture Aldrian if possible; kill him if not.

"My lord, we are now within range of the lightning cannon and ready to attack at any time," someone reported from nearby. The man stood in front of a spherical object embedded in a small pillar, which functioned as a control device to assist in maneuvering the flying fortress. Several others were stationed at similar controls, each responsible for steering the massive war machine.

"Begin preparations for the lightning cannon," Duke Alikin ordered.

"Preparing the cannon," the man responded.

Duke Alikin then turned to the man beside him, an emperor-stage cultivator like himself, clad in knight’s armor.

"Harison, I will deploy your troops here. Be ready to breach the city if that bastard refuses to surrender."

"As you wish, my lord," Harison replied with a slight bow before departing.

Duke Alikin turned back to gaze at the city. With his sharp eyesight, he could see many people fleeing from the city walls. A mocking smile curled on his lips as he watched them.

"You all in this city will serve as an example to anyone who thinks they can escape His Majesty or oppose him," he thought.

His orders were simple—retake the city and capture the man who dared to mock their power after challenging the second prince’s authority. As for the citizens or anyone seeking refuge within the city? He didn’t care. He would make an example of them, sending a clear message to other factions: defying the second prince would not be tolerated.

Not long after, the three flying fortresses behind the lead fortress descended, landing in the forest below and flattening the entire area beneath them. As they settled, massive doors on their undersides opened, extending pathways to the ground.

One by one, troops marched out in neat formations, their numbers rapidly increasing. In no time, their ranks swelled beyond ten thousand, yet the deployment did not cease.

Twenty thousand. Thirty thousand. Finally, the number reached forty thousand before the three fortresses sealed their doors and ascended once more, taking position behind the lead fortress.

On the ground, the troops were led by General Harison, one of Duke Alikin’s most trusted men. Hovering at the front of his vast army, he was flanked by ten king-stage cultivators, who floated behind him.

Surveying his troops, he raised his voice and shouted.

"We will trample anyone who stands in our way! We will raise the glory of His Majesty, and we will show those rebels that His Majesty’s authority cannot be challenged!"

Harison unsheathed his sword and raised it high into the sky, his voice loud with fervor.

"Glory to His Majesty, Emperor Wilman! Glory to the Atria Empire!"

"Glory to His Majesty, Emperor Wilman! Glory to the Atria Empire!"

The troops roared in unison, their voices echoing across the land. The sheer force of their battle cry carried all the way to the city walls, striking fear into those who heard it.

With that, tens of thousands of soldiers began their march forward in disciplined formation. Above them, Harison floated, overseeing the vast army below. As his gaze fell upon the city, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pity for that man and for anyone foolish enough to stand by his side.

"Blame yourself for being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

In his opinion, the amount of firepower they had brought was excessive just to capture a single person. But he understood the second prince’s true intent.

This was a show of force.

A warning to anyone, anywhere, that meddling in the internal affairs of the Atria Empire would lead to the same fate. Even with this overwhelming army, it was still not the full might of the second prince’s faction. The message was clear, and with so many eyes fixed on this city, it would undoubtedly spread far and wide.

When they were just seven kilometers from the city walls, the entire army came to a halt as a thunderous voice echoed from the lead flying fortress.

"To the one who has seized His Majesty’s property and dared to challenge his authority—show yourself and surrender, and we will spare your life!"

"You have one minute to come forward and face me. Surrender now, or we will have no choice but to destroy you and the city."

Duke Alikin’s voice echoed throughout the entire city, sending a wave of fear through the people. At that moment, they all understood—another battle was about to erupt.

Families rushed to hide inside their homes and establishments, praying to the heavens for their safety. Those who had first spotted the flying fortresses had already fled to the teleportation station, desperate to escape.

The people behind the city walls could now see the four massive flying fortresses hovering just seven kilometers away. Though the distance was considerable for mortals without cultivation or low-level cultivators, the sheer size of the fortresses made them visible even through the broken city walls, which had yet to be fully repaired.

"Mother, what’s happening?" a child asked, nestled in his mother’s embrace inside their home. Seeing the fear on her face, he couldn’t help but wonder what was wrong.

The mother, though terrified of what might come, forced herself to remain strong for her child. She gave him a reassuring smile and gently stroked his head.

"It’s nothing, dear," she said softly. "Just some people with bad intentions. But don’t worry—I believe our new city lord will take care of everything."

The child, trusting his mother’s words, smiled back and nodded innocently.

Scenes like this unfolded throughout the city as people clung to hope, praying to the heavens that the one they now considered their new city lord would emerge victorious in the coming battle.

They all waited for the person at the center of it all to step forward and they were not disappointed.

A figure suddenly appeared atop the city walls, his presence commanding immediate attention. He wore a mask and noble attire that enhanced his charisma, exuding an aura of mystery that left many wondering just who he truly was.

Standing tall, he gazed out at the vast formation of troops in the distance. His back was straight and unwavering. To the people watching, this scene appeared heroic, he was not just a leader, he was also their savior.

Many claimed that the new city lord was a young man, according to witnesses who had seen his face. However, this time, he chose to conceal it behind a mask.

Duke Alikin was momentarily stunned by the sudden appearance of a figure atop the city walls. From the flying fortress, he couldn’t sense anything, but his confidence in his army and his own strength remained unshaken. Even if this man could defeat an entire army from Caritas City, could he truly stand against such an overwhelming force?

A single flying fortress was enough to contend with a mid-level Emperor-stage cultivator, and they had brought four. On top of that, both he and Harison were Emperor-stage cultivators themselves.

In Duke Alikin’s eyes, this foolish man, ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth, would be subdued in no time.

As he observed the masked figure standing there with nothing but a calm eyes in the face of such a massive army, he couldn’t help but find his arrogance infuriating.

Then, a composed voice rang out, carrying across the area.

"Where is the traitor that I asked for?"

Aldrian’s words resounded with an undeniable authority.