So… Law Mysteries could actually be fused?
And once fused, their power could become this terrifying?
Locke was still only a God. Yet Ryan was certain that once Locke broke through to the Highgod realm, he would be able to kill him instantly.
This battle had completely broadened Ryan's horizons.
If the fight continued, Ryan felt that he might even brush against the threshold of Law Mystery fusion himself.
But—
The moment Locke drew out a Highgod artifact, Ryan made the wisest possible choice: surrender.
Just moments ago, in order to neutralize the damage caused by spatial rifts, Ryan had already expended a significant amount of divine power.
Now that Locke had taken out a Highgod weapon, and judging by the terrifying spatial void forming at the spear tip, it was obvious—
with his Highgod defensive artifact already shattered, he simply couldn't withstand more than a few strikes.
Rather than waiting to be gravely injured, humiliated, or even risking death, it was far better to concede now and preserve some dignity.
"…It's over."
The moment Ryan, Vice City Lord of Rockpeak City, admitted defeat, the manager of the Violetjade Castle branch in Rockpeak City felt his vision go black, nearly fainting on the spot.
When Locke earlier revealed that he was only a God, the manager had still clung to a sliver of hope, praying that Vice City Lord Ryan could turn the tables.
But now, there was nothing left to hope for.
This wasn't some trick or scheme.
Lord Locke had openly and decisively defeated Vice City Lord Ryan—
as a God, defeating a Highgod.
That level of strength already surpassed the vast majority of Highgods.
And if one also factored in the power of the forces behind Locke…
Even if the manager were given a hundred lives, he wouldn't dare offend both the Violetleaf Sovereign and Locke at the same time.
Now, all he could do was pray that Violetleaf Castle would "buy" him at a good price—
so that the fallout wouldn't drag down his family, or at least wouldn't destroy it entirely.
Otherwise, he would go down in history as the sinner who ruined his clan.
"Vice City Lord Ryan… lost."
"Yes… that Lord Locke is far too terrifying."
Ryan's surrender was shocking—but not incomprehensible.
From the very start of the battle, Ryan had been steadily forced back by Locke's overwhelming offense.
It was almost unimaginable that Locke was merely a God, yet his attacks were stronger than Ryan's, a Highgod.
After all, even Vice City Lord Evi—also a Highgod—had been crushed by Ryan in a short time, barely able to resist.
And yet, in terms of raw offensive power, Ryan had been completely outclassed by Locke.
If Ryan hadn't relied on his superior Highgod speed to regain some initiative, he might have been defeated in less than the time it took to burn a stick of incense.
More frightening still was Locke's soul attacks.
Everyone had seen it clearly.
At the height of the battle, when Ryan and Locke were evenly matched, Ryan had suddenly frozen in midair.
That was when Locke's soul attack had taken effect—
Ryan's defenses collapsed entirely, and his Highgod defensive artifact was shattered almost instantly.
In other words, no matter how fast Ryan was, as long as Locke could unleash a soul attack before Ryan struck, Ryan had no path to victory.
"Locke, is it?"
Ryan put away his massive blade and slowly descended in front of Locke.
"I lost. You're stronger than me."
"I acknowledge that you're qualified to ignore Rockpeak City's rules in my presence."
"But the strongest being in Rockpeak City… isn't me."
"Of course, whether the City Lord himself can defeat you—that, even I'm not sure."
"After all, the last time I fought him, he was only slightly stronger than me."
"I see. Thank you, Ryan."
Locke nodded.
He understood—this was Ryan extending a gesture of goodwill.
And it also gave Locke greater confidence.
Ryan, judging from his performance, was already close to the upper limit of a Highgod without fused Law Mysteries.
As a special lifeform, Ryan's physical body was far stronger than ordinary Highgod defensive artifacts.
And from the very name Rockpeak City, Locke could already guess that its City Lord was also a special lifeform.
As long as the City Lord hadn't fused Law Mysteries, no matter how strong he was, he wouldn't be much stronger than Ryan.
"Then… could you help me contact the City Lord?"
"There are some matters I think are best discussed face-to-face."
"No problem."
After losing to Locke, Ryan behaved with remarkable ease.
In Hell, strength was reason.
Before Locke demonstrated his power, Ryan had attacked him to uphold Rockpeak City's rules after Locke killed two guards.
But once Locke displayed strength surpassing Ryan himself, Ryan openly acknowledged Locke's right to disregard those rules—at least in front of him.
Of course, if Locke went too far and drew down a Sovereign projection, that would be another matter entirely.
Just as Ryan was about to contact the City Lord, a calm, unfamiliar voice echoed beside them.
"No need."
"Ryan—and this unfamiliar powerhouse as well. I've already witnessed your battle."
"Ryan, I'm currently in the City Lord's Manor. Bring this esteemed guest here."
"Yes, City Lord."
"Let's go, Locke."
"Alright."
Ryan took the lead toward the City Lord's Manor, while Locke rose into the air to follow.
Just as Locke was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and turned back toward Little white.
"Little white, I'm going to the City Lord's Manor to discuss a few matters."
"Wait here for me."
"And don't collect the winnings yet."
"When I come back, I'll personally go claim them."
"Understood?"
"Yes, Lord Locke."
Little white bowed his head.
He knew Locke wasn't worried about him running off with the money—
he was worried about Little white's safety.
After all, the sum Locke had wagered was enough to drive countless gods insane.
At five-to-one odds, the payout would be 2.45 billion inkstones.
A mere Demigod carrying that amount would be like a child holding gold in a crowded market.
The moment Little White stepped out of Violetleaf Castle with the winnings, he would almost certainly be ambushed and killed.
But if Locke personally claimed the payout, there would be no such danger.
After all, the power Locke had just displayed was enough to extinguish even the boldest greed.
Vice City Lord Ryan himself had been defeated—
what Demigod or God would dare make a move on Locke?
They might not even finish forming the thought before dying silently to Locke's soul attack, just like the God who had mocked him earlier.
After giving his instructions, Locke followed the trace of Ryan's aura.
Perhaps out of spite, Ryan—despite knowing Locke was only a God—went all out in speed, leaving Locke far behind.
Fortunately, Rockpeak City wasn't particularly large, and the distance from the combat arena to the City Lord's Manor was well within Locke's soul perception range.
So even without seeing Ryan, Locke followed his aura all the way to the gates of the City Lord's Manor.
"Lord Locke, Lord Ryan—please come in."
"The City Lord has been awaiting you."
As Locke descended, the gates of the manor were already open.
A God dressed like a steward bowed respectfully at the entrance, welcoming both Locke and Ryan.
Clearly, under the City Lord's orders, the steward had placed Locke—a mere God—ahead of the Highgod Ryan.
After walking through the manor for about three minutes, they arrived at the grand hall.
"Hahaha! Rockpeak City hasn't welcomed a true powerhouse in many years."
"Lord Locke's arrival truly brings honor to this city."
Contrary to Locke's expectations, the City Lord was nothing like Ryan.
From his build and manner of speech, he didn't resemble someone who dominated through physical strength at all.
Compared to the rugged Ryan, the City Lord appeared almost refined.
Yet his blood-red hair and the terrifying aura surrounding him made one thing clear—
The City Lord of Rockpeak was a Highgod who cultivated the Laws of Destruction.
From Ryan's attitude, Locke could also tell that the City Lord's mastery of Destruction Laws had likely only just reached the Highgod level.
Otherwise, given that Laws were slightly superior to Edicts at the same level, the City Lord wouldn't have merely been slightly stronger than Ryan.
"You flatter me, City Lord."
Locke shook his head.
"I can't really be called a powerhouse."
This wasn't false modesty.
In Locke's view, only those with Prefecture Lord–level strength could truly be called strong.
His current power barely brushed the lower edge of Five-Star Demon territory.
"…Ah."
Locke's words caused the City Lord to pause awkwardly.
After all, his own strength was at best comparable to Locke's—
perhaps even slightly inferior.
If Locke didn't count as strong, then what did that make him?
Still, the City Lord could tell that Locke genuinely didn't see himself as powerful.
Which meant Locke's background was likely even deeper than he had imagined.
Only those who had witnessed power far beyond their own could truly understand how weak they were.
Otherwise—
before Locke appeared, if someone had pointed at the City Lord and called him weak, the result would have been obvious.
(End of Chapter)
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