Everyone Is A Lord: My Talent Is A Little Too Strong Chapter 2616: 1440: Mutation and Astonishment (Part 2)

“Surprising, isn't it? We didn't just predict that the individual unlocking the advanced market would be the Emperor of the Human Clan; we also foresaw your counter-strategy.”

Watching Sina struggle to maintain her composure, Belinda’s malicious grin widened. She added, “In this entire region of third-class forces, the Emperor of the Human Clan is the only one capable of providing such artifacts.”

“How were you so certain the Emperor of the Human Clan could manufacture sixth-order equipment?”

Sina was momentarily stunned, but she quickly connected the dots and cried out, “You found sixth-order equipment on the Dragonborn Queen and the others!”

“Indeed. You truly are my sister—always sharp. Since both you and Loris obtained equipment from the Emperor of the Human Clan, it proves the Emperor no longer suspects you. The conclusion is obvious: you must have identified the true culprit as the Lich.”

Belinda arched her eyebrows with pure contempt. “Unfortunately, you are still a move behind.”

Following those words, the murderous Qi radiating from Belinda erupted. She declared chillingly, “Enough, sister. It is time for your crown to find a new master!”

As Belinda spoke, a battalion of elite Medusas, accompanied by Lucas and high-level Liches, struck from every direction. The air filled with the thunderous roar of colliding energy.

Despite being armed with various trump cards and sixth-order equipment, Sina found herself overwhelmed. Though she initially held her ground, the relentless onslaught from Belinda, Lucas, and their subordinates wore her down. Eventually, her aura flickered and vanished entirely.

While the attackers were preoccupied with Sina, a small, slender figure among the petrified captives of the Desert Alliance began to shimmer with golden light. Breaking through the stone-like restraints, the Masked Man emerged.

Surveying the scene and seeing Sina fall silent, the Masked Man wavered. Realizing he was powerless against so many elites, he bit his lip and resolved to escape.

However, the lingering effects of the petrification slowed him down significantly. He had only moved a few paces when he triggered a concealed magic trap, resulting in a massive arcane explosion.

“A survivor?”

Alerted by the blast, Belinda—fresh from her victory—turned a cold gaze toward her Medusa warriors. She commanded, “Eliminate them immediately. Leave no one alive!”

Obeying her decree, the Medusa elites, dripping with bloodlust, blurred into shadows as they lunged toward the site of the explosion.

...

While Sina’s group faced disaster, Loris and his retinue had returned to the Rainforest Fortress Alliance without incident. They were approaching a fortress housing a teleportation station, where their main forces were gathered.

“Hahaha! This trip has been incredibly profitable!”

Loris moved through the thick foliage, his leonine features beaming with pride.

His expression then soured as he let out a cold snort. “Those treacherous Liches tried to frame me. I won't let that insult slide!”

Despite his boasting, none of his powerful subordinates offered a word in response. Even old Susan, who was usually talkative, remained eerily silent.

“What is wrong with all of you? Surely you aren't jealous that I was the only one to receive sixth-order equipment?”

Feeling secure so close to his fortress, Loris remained lighthearted and spoke jokingly.

However, his words were met with continued silence.

Loris’s face finally hardened. He noticed not only the strange behavior of his men but also a shift in the environment. Based on his internal map, he should have reached the fortress gates by now.

Suddenly, Loris halted. He leaped back to create distance, gripping his new sixth-order giant axe while eyeing the other elites of the Rainforest Fortress Alliance warily.

Moonlight pierced through the canopy, illuminating faces that were completely devoid of emotion. Their hollow eyes were nothing like the comrades he knew.

“Thomas? Old Susan? What has happened to you?”

Loris demanded in a low, growling voice, staring at his top lieutenants.

There was no reply. The powerful figures stood motionless, seemingly unaware of his presence.

“Fine then! Don't blame me for getting rough!”

True to his volatile nature, Loris didn't hesitate. He swung his massive axe, sending a wave of sharp Qi whistling past the heads of his subordinates.

Loris had restrained his strength, intending only to knock them back with the shockwave.

Yet, the elites didn't move. Instead, their forms became translucent, flickering like dying candles.

“Illusions?”

Loris realized the truth instantly. “They were perfectly fine when we left the Shadow Market. When were they swapped? Is this entire forest an illusion realm designed to trap me? Have I even been in the real forest at all?”

As Loris tried to make sense of the deception, a raspy, piercing voice echoed through the trees: “Leader of the Rainforest, quite a surprise, isn't it? You’ve walked right into my snare.”

A tall figure draped in a charcoal-gray hood materialized at the edge of the clearing.

He revealed a face etched with black arcane sigils, looking more like a dried-out corpse than a living being.

Upon his withered brow sat a pale, bone-white crown set with dark gems that pulsed with a malevolent light.

Loris recognized him immediately; they had clashed on the battlefield many times before.

“Witch Demon Leader... so this is your handiwork.”

Fury burned in Loris’s eyes as he snarled, “Do you realize what this means? You have just declared open war against the entire Rainforest Fortress Alliance!”

“Heh. Rainforest Leader, after all these years, your temper is as short as ever.”

The Witch Demon Leader remained unfazed, offering a chilling smirk. “You and that Human Emperor are plotting against me, and you think I would be intimidated by your empty threats?”

“How pathetic. You think this will save you?”

Loris regained his calm and snorted. “You fool, what does stopping me here accomplish? Even if I fall, my people will continue the campaign alongside the Emperor of the Human Clan!”

“You lions and tigers possess admirable loyalty, much like the rest of the stubborn Beast Demons. But take a closer look at these people.”

The Witch Demon Leader’s grin widened as a group of Liches shimmered into view.

With a flash of dark gray light, the Liches shifted their shapes, transforming into perfect copies of Loris, Thomas, old Susan, and the other alliance commanders.

Loris’s heart sank. He realized the enemy intended to use these doppelgängers to infiltrate and seize control of the Rainforest Fortress Alliance from within.

Even Loris himself found it nearly impossible to detect any difference in their Qi signatures.

“This can't be... Liches don't possess such high-level illusion techniques. Who is helping you?”

Loris demanded, his eyes wide with shock. “Who are they?”

“Quiet. That is not your concern.”

The Witch Demon Leader laughed mockingly. “The real show is just beginning.”