"What is this? A sacrifice? Or the resurrection of the dead?"
Allen watched with an expression of sheer astonishment as the Princes' corpses twisted under the influence of post-mortem Nen, transforming into unknown entities with hideous expressions, bulging muscles, and an appearance reminiscent of Trolls.
He could sense that these corpses had truly been revitalized; specifically, the hearts beating within their chests were stronger and more vigorous than when the Princes were alive. Furthermore, the armor and weapons they bore were no ordinary items, exuding a distinctly dangerous aura.
"This is a Summons! A summoning of the strongest warriors who stood by the side of Kakin's first King! To protect this nation, they used a living sacrifice to infuse the Urn with their post-mortem Nen, preserving it forever. In times of dire peril when facing a formidable foe, the King can summon them, provided he fulfills the condition of slaying his own descendants. Now, feel the true power of the Kakin Royal Family," Nasubi replied with a cold sneer.
"A living sacrifice? Summoning by murdering your own kin? I feel like your royal family has strayed further and further down the wrong path. Do you really believe these mindless puppets can pose a threat to me?" Allen countered with a mock-serious expression.
"No! You don't understand at all! The strength of these Guardian Warriors shifts and adapts to their opponent! No matter how many types of Nen abilities you master, they will rapidly alter themselves to fight in the way that best counters you. And once you are dead, all your Nen will be dragged into the Urn to become nourishment for the victor of this Succession Contest."
After saying this, Nasubi clutched the Urn tightly to his chest and issued the attack order to the Guardian Warriors.
In less than a second, these distorted, exaggerated humanoid monsters charged forward like heavy tanks, brandishing their weapons.
Still in Dragon Form, Allen wasted no time, opening his maw to unleash a torrent of white-hot Flame of Life. Just as he thought he would incinerate these warriors as easily as he had destroyed post-mortem Nen before, one of the warriors, bearing a shield, leaped out. He activated a strange ability that enveloped the shield's surface.
The moment the scorching Dragon Breath touched the shield, it was blocked by an invisible film. Meanwhile, the other warriors flanked the Great Dragon from both sides, thrusting their spears viciously toward its massive body.
BANG!
With just one hit, the Aura surrounding the dragon's body was breached! If not for the protection of the solid dragon scales, this strike would likely have drawn blood.
Undoubtedly, aside from the fact that these Guardian Warriors' own Nen was bolstered by the Urn, it was also due to the conjured weapons and equipment they wielded.
"Vaelastrasz! What was with that spear just now?" Allen asked with a grave tone while using his claws and tail to drive the creatures back.
"That spear can ignore Nen defense and strike the opponent's body directly. Be careful, these warriors' armor, weapons, and shields are all imbued with specific Rules," Vaelastrasz explained hurriedly.
As they spoke, one of the warriors leaped high into the air, hurling a javelin that radiated an extremely hazardous aura. Given the Great Dragon's massive frame, dodging was out of the question.
Without hesitation, Allen instantly deactivated Dragon Form, reverting to his human shape clad in his red dragon plate armor. He barely had time to think, immediately using Feign Death and dropping a Frost Trap on the ground before drawing his bow to begin an indiscriminate volley of suppressive fire.
In seconds, a hail of Thorium Arrows swept over the enemies like raindrops. But no matter how severe the injuries they sustained, as long as they had a breath left, they would rapidly recover. It was clear their lives were tethered to the Urn. As long as the Urn remained intact, these warriors were, in theory, immortal.
Even worse, they possessed a vast array of Nen abilities, from Enhancement to Specialization, Transmutation to Manipulation, covering almost every category and constantly shifting.
After a brief probe, Allen realized that a war of attrition would be severely disadvantageous. He immediately activated the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva, striking all the opponents away at speeds invisible to the naked eye.
Once certain no other enemies were nearby, he turned his gaze to Nasubi and asked with a cold sneer, "Tell me, do you have any last words before you die?"
"Die? From the moment the Succession Contest began, I was already dead! For Kakin's new King! For the future glory and honor of our clan, you shall come to Hell with me!"
Nasubi roared, using a dagger to slit his own wrists, allowing a torrent of blood to pour into the Urn's gaping mouth.
In the blink of an eye, his entire body began to twitch violently. His eyes glowed with a chilling blood-red light, and a terrifying Nen erupted from his body, covering the entire first deck. This staggering volume of Aura caused the stout man's feet to leave the floor as he floated slowly into the air.
The ceiling above was blown clean off, revealing the star-studded night sky. Allen had Vaelastrasz manifest a pair of wings and gave chase.
The two floated high above the ocean, one behind the other, as the Black Whale sailed through the turbulent waters below. Everyone on the first deck, including Kurapika, looked up at this astounding scene, unable to believe what they were seeing.
"That's the King and Allen! What on earth is happening?" a bodyguard assigned to the first deck by the Hunter Association shouted.
Before anyone could answer, Bodoro, clad in heavy armor, rushed out and bellowed at the top of his lungs: "Allen! Has the plan been initiated?"
"Yes! It's initiated! In the name of V5, purge all members of the Kakin Royal Family and their die-hard loyalists! Aside from those who voluntarily renounce their royal status and accept the arrangement, leave not a single one alive!" Allen replied without a moment's hesitation.
"Understood!"
Without another word, Bodoro raised his shield and charged at the remaining wounded guards and officials, turning over a dozen people into pulp within seconds.
"Dammit! Just as Ging predicted! This actually happened!" Kite complained helplessly, but he quickly joined the fray.
Meanwhile, Baise followed Allen's previous instructions and sent a message to the V5 intelligence personnel in the lower tiers.
The retaliatory strike against the Kakin Royal Family had finally begun in earnest. Whether it was V5 or Allen, both intended to make the Kakin Royals vanish from the world completely, so neither side showed any mercy.
In the second deck, Chimera Ant hybrid soldiers disguised as wealthy merchants and political aides shed their disguises. They rapidly seized control of the passages between first deck and second deck and began taking over the entire Black Whale. Anyone who dared to resist or refuse orders was executed on the spot.
As for the summoned warriors, Nasubi had long since drained all their Nen, leaving them as cold corpses on the ground once more.
It was a deep irony: the Chimera Ants had originally been released by the Kakin Royal Family, yet now, those very ants had become their executioners.