Chapter 161: Deserted by Allies

"Resist? How do we resist?"

"With the handful of people we have?"

"Forget about Father... even his elite guards alone are enough to slaughter us! The only reason we're still alive is because we might still be useful."

"This time, we can't escape!"

...

The princes were all extremely pessimistic, and the most terrifying part was that they were speaking the truth.

The fourth prince, who had been somewhat spirited earlier, collapsed instantly: "Then why don't we just surrender? Sacrifice ourselves for the country?"

As soon as he said this, the other princes and princesses, who had been speaking despairingly, immediately fell silent.

Even ants cling to life, let alone humans, especially those who had been pampered and enjoyed so many of life's luxuries from a young age.

Expecting them to sacrifice themselves for the country? Impossible!

"I don't want to die, and I don't want to sacrifice myself."

"Father, you are already a legend, please spare us!"

"Do you really want to eradicate your own descendants?"

The princes and princesses were all terrified, begging their father for mercy.

The players nearby listened in increasing shock. These princes and princesses were only pleading for their lives, not condemning their father for refining their bloodline into elixirs, as if that was perfectly natural.

However, seeing the cowardly demeanor of the princes and princesses, the masses became even more furious.

"Why are you so afraid of death? As members of the royal family, you must bear your duties and responsibilities!"

"You can't possibly win. You'll only cause more casualties in the country! Why not surrender?"

"You've enjoyed the Empire's resources for so many years. It's time to give back!"

...

Some tried to persuade them earnestly, while others hurled angry insults.

In the end, the voices merged into a single, overwhelming cry.

"Princes and princesses, please go to your deaths!"

...

The princes and princesses, though increasingly terrified, continued to tremble and retreat. Some even dared not stand at the gate anymore and turned to flee deeper into the mansion.

At this moment, the Emperor stepped forward, waving his hand. Instantly, the citizens, nobles, and soldiers all fell silent, staring at those inside the Prince's Mansion.

The scene became even more eerie, amplifying the psychological pressure.

Octavius's face was solemn: "Since you remain so obstinate, don't blame me for being unkind."

Then, he turned and addressed the inter-world warriors: "Brave warriors from other world, you must see clearly that this is merely an internal effort by the Divine Mountain Empire to achieve prosperity and strength."

"We only wish for this country to become better."

"When you first joined my child's ranks, wasn't it also for this very purpose?"

"However, the situation has changed. They, for their own selfish reasons, are unwilling to sacrifice their lives and are dragging you into it."

So, he boldly disguised himself, altering his identity.

As for those two civil officers and the military general, they actually intended to launch a surprise attack to kill Sterl. Sterl effortlessly killed them with two shots of Star Point Finger and tossed their bodies into a small world. Then, he disguised himself as one of the civil officers to stir up trouble.

Even after hearing the story of the Divine Mountain Empire, Sterl thought that while the idea of a blood sacrifice was pretty outrageous, the rest of it wasn't too bad.

The fourth prince he knew seemed to have some political acumen and was a decent person, but he was probably no match for the old emperor.

Sterl figured that if he were just an ordinary person, he would support sacrificing the princes and princesses for the greater good.

But he was only here for the rewards and to take advantage of the second class ritual's completion.

Naturally, he thought, "What does the Divine Mountain Empire have to do with me? Not a single reward from my missions should be lost!"

"How dare you!"

"Your Majesty, you gave him a chance to surrender, but he doesn't cherish it at all. He deserves to die!"

At this moment, a player who had already defected to the emperor's side rushed forward with red eyes, looking all righteous and indignant.

These players had already lost the rewards from the fourth prince's faction. Now, they just wanted to quickly gain the old emperor's favor. Maybe they could even get some extra tasks to make up for their losses.

In a flash, several third-class players surged with their auras and charged at "Nathan." One, wielding dark purple lightning, lunged at "Nathan" with fingers spread like claws aiming straight for his heart.

Another drew a long sword, slashing down from above.

The last one, a mage by demeanor, had originally been preparing to chant a high-power spell. Seeing that the kill was about to be stolen, he quickly switched to casting an instant Ice Sword.

Three attacks, all in the blink of an eye, targeted "Nathan's" vital points.

At that moment, many ordinary people and nobles hadn't even reacted!

Only NPCs of second class and above showed a hint of approval in their eyes, thinking that these players knew how to earn merit even after surrendering. Well done, they did not waste the emperor's leniency.

As for the princes and princesses, only a few who were strong enough realized what was happening. They could only watch in horror as the last loyal minister beside them was about to meet his end! They had no time to help!

They couldn't help but feel a wave of despair, similar to the sorrow one feels when witnessing a kindred spirit's misfortune.

"Forget it!"

"There's no time to save him, so we won't. If he dies, he dies. We'll be joining him soon enough anyway."

The princes thought, resigned.

However, just at that moment, with a faint flash of light—

"Nathan" merely raised his hand slightly, and no one knew what he did.

In an instant—

The surrounding chaotic energy dissipated.

The three players' attacks stopped abruptly! The glow of their skills vanished like illusions in water.

Then, each of them widened their eyes, blood slowly trickling from the corners of their mouths!

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

With three dull thuds, the three third-class players, who were considered high-level combatants in the Divine Mountain Empire, fell to the ground instantly.