Awakening：The Infinite Evolution of My Talent as a Low-Level Awakener - Chapter 547

Chapter 547: Chapter 547: Boris Appears, The Art of Psychological Warfare
It’s only natural—though mortal wars often employ various methods to achieve victory, gods are far from brutes. Every god has lived for at least several hundred or even thousands of years. Even if most of that time was spent in cultivation, just a small fraction of time dedicated to study and reflection far exceeds the accumulated knowledge of mere mortals.

Sterl observed the array of weapons, equipment, and formations on the city walls. Once Ashen’s army was broken, these things would unleash terrifying destructive power in an instant. Moreover, Sterl could sense that, after the Colossal War Beast’s appearance, a massive presence was also gathering power above the Orichalcum army.

Soon after, through his followers’ marks, Sterl quickly accessed Boris’s memories. Before long, he knew all about Ashen’s strategies and some of their hidden trump cards.

Of course, to guard against Boris potentially turning on them, many of the hidden cards and details were kept from Sterl. But that didn’t matter.

For Sterl, his involvement in this battle wasn’t to help Orichalcum win—it was an opportunity to harvest souls. Using the Soul Devourer Sphere, he planned to acquire a pure form of Soul’s Power while secretly controlling a group of followers through the Blood of the Ancient One.

Thus, no matter what hidden cards or weapons Ashen might have, it wasn’t his concern. Let Eterna and the others worry about that. What Sterl needed to do was control the situation on the battlefield while harvesting souls, ensuring that the fight didn’t become one-sided. If Ashen’s forces became too strong, he would step in to eliminate a few. If Orichalcum gained the upper hand, he would find a way to restore balance. Only by maintaining that balance could the battle be dragged on long enough to reach the boiling point of a grueling, all-out war. The best outcome for him would be a mutual annihilation—where both sides destroyed each other.

“ROAR!!!”

The Colossal War Beast let out a deafening roar, its terrifying voice carrying an oppressive force that surged toward the Orichalcum side. However, Orichalcum’s massive royal city, as if embodying the very boundary between heaven and earth, emanated a faint glow that completely negated the intimidating and weakening effects carried by the Colossal War Beast’s roar.

Then, it enveloped the army with an amplification aura, boosting their courage, fighting spirit, and even enhancing the four basic attributes and physical strength of the troops to a certain degree.

This could be considered a small skirmish before the official battle began. Sterl, through the map module, clearly observed that around the main battlefield, there were already numerous elite squads engaged in intelligence gathering or setting up trap formations, fighting amongst themselves. Battles were never just about the final confrontation; these smaller clashes were equally intense, and strong warriors could fall at any moment. Among those involved were soldiers from both Orichalcum and Ashen.

The balance of victory constantly swayed between the two sides, and what might seem like a small advantage in one area, when accumulated, could potentially become the deciding factor in the grand scheme of things.

At that moment, a powerful surge of Divine Power emanated from Ashen’s side. In the next instant, a towering figure cloaked in Divine Power appeared, surrounded by the forces of Curses, Desert, and Battle divine authorities.

The moment they laid eyes on this figure, the soldiers of Orichalcum were struck with disbelief, their faces paling in horror. Even the gods among them were enraged. The figure was none other than Boris, the most dishonorable traitor of Orichalcum, the god who wielded the powers of Curses, Desert, and Battle!

“That… that’s Boris, the God of Curses, Desert, and Battle? Why is he with Ashen? Could it be…”

The soldiers widened their eyes in shock, unable to believe what they were seeing. Most of them had no idea about Boris’s betrayal. Had they known, those factions that had chosen to join Orichalcum would have likely reconsidered their decisions.

No one was a fool. When a high-ranking, influential god betrays, it doesn’t just mean the loss of a powerful deity’s combat strength. The most critical loss was the intelligence leak!

A god like Boris would undoubtedly possess critical information about the royal city’s secret methods and trump cards. If all of this knowledge was passed to Ashen, Orichalcum would essentially be fighting with its hand exposed, its cards laid bare.

“I am Boris, once a god of Orichalcum, the God of Curses, Desert, and Battle. But Orichalcum, in its folly, has decided to harm me, a loyal servant, for the sake of an outsider. This betrayal, this abandonment, has shown me that the royal city… is already decaying!”

Boris spread his arms wide, loudly proclaiming, “Remaining in Orichalcum will only drag me into the endless abyss, to be torn apart in the Endless Void! The victory of this war has long been decided. Now… I am the leader of Ashen’s divine temple! Those who surrender to the Mechanism will be generously rewarded, and may even earn the chance to become gods themselves!”

As Boris spoke, several massive giants carefully set down a huge, heavy chest and slowly opened it. Immediately, a dazzling array of treasures and rare artifacts burst forth from within, their radiant glow lighting up the area. Even though the chest was placed a hundred miles away, the soldiers—none of whom were mere mortals—could still clearly make out every detail.

At this moment, many of the soldiers could no longer stay calm. It felt as though their minds had been struck by a heavy hammer. Boris, a god with three divine authorities, was openly declaring that the royal city had already decayed and that he had betrayed it!?

Could it be true? Had the royal city truly abandoned a god who had served it for so long, all for the sake of an outsider? If that was the case, weren’t those who had pledged their loyalty just cannon fodder for the royal city? Once they were used, would they be discarded?

As for who this outsider was, there was no need to think twice. It had to be the hero of the royal city, the mysterious Hades! Only he could be the reason why the royal city valued him so highly, to the point where they didn’t even care about a powerful god with three divine authorities.

The most shocking part was that Ashen had accepted Boris’s defection and even appointed him as the leader of Ashen’s divine temple, giving him the same status as Eterna of Orichalcum! The level of importance placed on him was simply too high. Did this mean that if they switched sides now, they would be highly valued and rewarded by Ashen?

The thought caused many soldiers to waver. Some factions that had staked their futures on Orichalcum began to hesitate. If Orichalcum really was a place that abandoned those who had served it, then they would have to seriously reconsider their future.

“Come! Join us! Status, power, strength, wealth! We have everything you desire! And this is your chance to survive! Otherwise… wherever our legion goes, nothing will be left standing!” Boris’s voice was powerful and persuasive, his words carefully balanced with promises of reward and threats of destruction. His approach, mixing both carrot and stick, was a psychological blow to the heart.

At that moment, many soldiers hesitated. Looking at Ashen’s massive forces, they began to wonder if perhaps everything Boris said was true. After all, how could so many people be willing to join Ashen and form such a terrifying army, unless there was some truth to what he was claiming?

The morale of Orichalcum’s army began to rapidly decline. But that wasn’t the end of it. Suddenly, several legendary warriors from the Orichalcum side shot forward, flying toward Ashen’s ranks.

“I—I am willing to surrender! I want to join Ashen’s divine temple!”

“Me too! I’ve had enough of Orichalcum’s ways. How dare they use us for their own gains!”

“Please, Lord Boris, don’t let us down!”

These legendary figures, utilizing their legendary abilities, moved with astonishing speed, escaping Orichalcum’s ranks. At this moment, the divine guardian overseeing the army became furious and was about to intervene, but Boris acted first. It was as if he had anticipated this moment. He swiftly appeared beside the defectors, blocking the incoming attack from the god and then instantly capturing the legendary warriors, taking them away with him.

When Boris reappeared, he had brought the traitorous legends directly before Ashen’s army.

“A wise man adapts to the times,” Boris declared with a booming laugh. “I swear, anyone who joins my forces will be under my divine protection and will not die! As for you few,” he continued, his tone growing more dramatic, “I told you that anyone who willingly swears loyalty to Ashen will receive all the rewards they desire, even the chance to ascend to godhood. And this,” he gestured grandly, “is the reward you all deserve!”

With a grand wave of his hand, Boris revealed several glowing orbs, each radiating an otherworldly light. “These are Law Crystals, each containing a divine authority. By absorbing these crystals, you will gain the power of the divine authority they hold and achieve the rank of a god. Now, they are yours!”

As Boris spoke, the Law Crystals floated toward the traitors. Their faces lit up with ecstasy as they eagerly seized the crystals. Dropping to their knees, they bowed before Boris and said, “Thank you, Lord Boris, for your divine gift! Thank you, Ashen’s Temple, for this opportunity! From now on, we will serve the temple with all our hearts!”

The legends, thrilled beyond measure, continued to sing praises of Ashen and Boris, caressing the Law Crystals with reverence. Their joy was almost uncontrollable, and it took a long time before they could finally be led away from the scene.

“Did you see that?” Boris boomed, his voice full of triumph. “Anyone who joins me is forgiven for their past deeds. Even gods can find a place in Ashen’s Temple!”

His aura swelled even further, making him seem almost divine, like a being filled with endless hope. His very presence was overwhelming, as if he truly were a god bestowing salvation upon the world.

At this moment, many in Orichalcum’s army couldn’t help but waver. The seeds of doubt had been sown, and it seemed as if the allure of Ashen’s promise was too great to resist.