Chapter 534: The North Did Not Survive

The army headed to the north is two hundred strong. The two hundred strong individuals are consisting of the most powerful of the warriors under King Leonidas and Adrian's group. Five of the royal knights under King Leonidas did not join because of the side effect of Beastification.

The five of those royal knights could still move even after the side effect of Beastification but they will not be in their full capacity which would mean that they could be more likely killed. Although that could also be said for this group as they only have one of the overlords at this time.

Adrian will call upon the two overlords when they reach the location where the Wolf of Disaster is staying. Since there is still two more of the children of the Wolf of Disaster, it has been decided that the eastern and western overlord will deal with them with reinforcements from the group. 

Adrian and the southern overlord will confront the Wolf of Disaster since the latter already had a fight with the Wolf of Disaster. The only thing that worries Adrian is how much strength did the Wolf of Disaster regained since it has been a long time since the southern overlord fought with it.

Thankfully, Adrian already recovered all the necessary cooldowns. He just wishes that everything will turn out in their favor as a world boss is not an easy opponent. It takes about a hundred players that is close to the level of the world boss to kill one. Adrian brought twice that number, but he still has this feeling of dread.

Also, if the Wolf of Disaster is what is described in the legends, then long-range attacks are only half effective against it. They have to fight the Wolf of Disaster in melee range if they ever want to kill it. The only thing that Adrian is scared off is that the Wolf of Disaster is said to become stronger for every divine being or beings with divinity that it devours.

Adrian might not want to admit it, but he and Levin Cloud belong to this group. The Champions and Envoys belong to those who have divinity because they need to utilize the blessings of their respective gods. Even if Adrian can revive, if he dies by being eaten once then the Wolf of Disaster will grow more powerful.

The Instant Revive skill that they have only produces a copy of them that is completely restored but they are still considered 'dead' by the system. If they are considered dead, then the monster that killed them will still benefit. There have been cases of monsters evolving during a raid because of too many players dying.

The thing that they need to avoid right now is the death of many. Adrian cannot revive NPCs back to life as even Levin Cloud is unable to do such thing. They can only hope that the healers that they have will have enough sustain for the whole army.

The march to the north is uneventful as the monsters near the northern territory are basically non-existent. It is not only the demon wolves that made it unlivable due to overhunting but also due to the will of this world. The land in the north is barren as if the drought has visited it and never went away.

Starting with barren earth which stretches miles away, the next scenery is a frozen hellscape that will not make any type of life bloom. Even Levin Cloud frowned once he stepped on the soil of the northern territory. He exclaimed that this soil has no nutrient whatsoever and he could only describe it as dead.

They marched towards the barren wasteland for two hours which is record time since it normally takes about four hours for an ordinary person. The beastkins that are in this journey could only be described as then topmost elites as everyone is all level 200 or above.

The marching army did not encounter problems in the barren wasteland but that all changed when they stepped into the frozen part of the north. Demon wolves that are hidden in the snow ambushed them, but Kanlaon could detect them if they are about twenty meters away. 

Kanalaon could detect them because he is very sensitive towards heat. Adrian is once again reminded that dragons are superior species that need to be raised well. In fact, Adrian already decided to help Kanlaon after this but killing a dragon for their cores is unrealistic unless they are live that earth dragon that they fought before.

The demon wolves hid in the snow well and even managed to launch a few attacks against the marching army. The attacks might be negligible, but the exhaustion is not. The army walked further north until they reached a spot where they could rest. Guards took turns to ensure safety as they do not know if demon wolves would suddenly attack.

"I expected more from the north given it is the territory of the world boss." Lycan grumbled as he always thought that world bosses need cool looking settings.

"You might not know this young lad, but the north used the be the most plentiful territory with resources back then. I might not have been born during that time, but our ancestors have told us that the north had been the land of promise." King Leonidas stated as he heard Lycan's statement.

"If that was the case then why did it become like this?" Creepysoo asked as he loved reading lore about places.

"That is because of the Wolf of Disaster's rejection of the power offered by this world. Th Wolf of Disaster did not become the legitimate Northern Overlord thus the will of this world rejected it. No official overlord means no bountiful territory.

The overlords of this world are not merely guardians but also conduits for this world's progress. Without the world's blessing, the territory will naturally run out of life and a way to sustain itself, but it should not be left alone. If the north will not have another true overlord, then the balance of nature will disappear hence the constant invasions." The Sacred Snake stated.

"But do you think that it is strange that they are not even attacking us but giving us headaches with small ambushes?" Vayu asked as he thought that the Wolf of Disaster is not even moving an inch from his location.

"That should be the case because it is guarding something valuable. A natural treasure that will make it regain or add more to its strength." Ashana commented as she joined the conversation.

"Are you saying that it is time for the miracle herb to bloom once more?" King Leonidas stated as he started to think of the worst-case scenario.

"I can feel it. The Wilde Flower is still in the process of blooming. The Wolf of Disaster is definitely protecting that herb with its life since it might be dying. It wants to extend its futile life. The Wolf of Disaster is nothing like us after all that is born from actual immortals. It still suffers from the cruel cycle of life and that it will die upon reaching an old age. 

Beings that can kill divinity always had a finite lifespan or else the divine will never let them be born in the first place. Even gods are afraid of those that could kill them. Oh! I should not have said that to this group as we have an envoy and a champion in our midst." Ashana stated which left everyone with a deep understanding of the characteristics of the world boss.

"What does this Wilde Flower actually do aside from extending a person's life?" Solstice asked as she has been thinking of picking up Apothecary.

"If you want to know about the Wilde Flower then we should dive a bit farther in the past. This world has a will but worlds having will are unprecedented. It means that an odd world would also be able to produce something odd which is an herb that could cure even the scariest ailment or extend one's life span.

The Wilde Flower is basically the condensed version of world energy. It has always been the duty of the Northern Overlord to guard this herb and provide it to someone worthy should the need arise, or they have proven themselves. The north might not have survived but it does not mean that the Wilde Flower will not." The Sacred Snake explained.

While the Sacred Snake is explaining the details about the Wilde Flower, a powerful shockwave suddenly erupted a bit further from their location. Everyone's senses suddenly tingled and went into overdrive as a powerful source of energy suddenly appeared.

"It cannot be! It is still too early for the Wilde Flower to fully bloom!" Ashana stated as her intuition told her that the Wilde Flower to fully bloom.

"This wave of power is unnatural. That darn wolf must have done something to the Wilde Flower! We must kill the Wolf of Disaster now!" The Sacred Snake shouted but a thousand howls are suddenly heard from their location.

"Your Majesty! We are surrounded!" one of the royal knights exclaimed.