Damn, I Have to Marry the Strongest Antagonist at the Start? - Chapter 400

Chapter 400: Chapter396-Sargeras’s Advice
The gods are descending!

News of this spread like wildfire across the Pure Land, affecting every faction.

For the more powerful and established factions, this was a moment of triumph. The returning gods were their champions, powerful beyond measure, and their arrival would only amplify the influence of these factions.

Meanwhile, the struggling and fading factions saw this as a beacon of hope. Their current circumstances were dire, with threats such as The Celestial, the Trickster God Loki, and Sargeras of the Burning Legion looming over them.

However, the return of their mighty ancestors could reverse their fortunes, even restoring them to their former glory.

As factions across the Pure Land rejoiced, the tension at the Emerald Dreamscape reached a peak.

On one of its peaks, Owen suddenly vanished from sight.

Before anyone could register what had happened, Leslie’s expression turned grave. Her usually calm and radiant eyes now carried a rare trace of worry as she gazed out into the void beyond the Emerald Dreamscape.

The previously tranquil void began to seethe with restless energy, like an approaching tide of death.

As the aura surged closer, figures of the Burning Legion appeared.

These towering beings exuded a far more terrifying presence than the earlier hell flames.

Behind them, a twisted portal materialized, warping the space around it with its malevolent energy.

Owen reappeared, staring at the hundred-meter portal with a solemn expression.

“The Burning Legion… Sargeras!”

He murmured softly, “If you’ve come, then show yourself!”

As his words faded, a pair of fearsome demon horns emerged from the portal, followed by a massive body radiating overwhelming pressure.

The very sight of Sargeras made many feel as though they were trapped in a nightmare. Even their mana wavered in his presence.

“Sargeras! The leader of the Burning Legion has truly arrived!”

“It’s said he’s a Throne Celestial, standing at the pinnacle of celestial god-tier. With the addition of fel energy, he’s among the strongest of his rank. Can Owen really stand against him?”

“Who knows? Both of them are extraordinary. Until they truly clash, it’s impossible to predict the outcome.”

“Owen is undoubtedly a peerless genius, unmatched in talent and combat ability. But against such overwhelming power, even he might not stand a chance…”

“I hope Owen can win, but it’s not going to be easy. After all, his opponent is Sargeras!”

Across the Pure Land, countless mages speculated and debated.

From the most powerful celestial god-tier mages to the weakest apprentices, all eyes were fixed on this unfolding confrontation.

Owen’s victory would ensure the safety of the Time Array, allowing the return of their ancestors and predecessors.

But failure would mean its destruction and the permanent loss of their hopes.

As Sargeras emerged fully from the portal, his gaze locked onto Owen.

“The greatest genius of the ages—Owen.”

A faint smile played on his lips, as though he knew Owen intimately.

Owen, in turn, studied the towering ruler of the Burning Legion.

As a Throne Celestial, Sargeras had reached the apex of celestial god-tier, standing just shy of the ultimate threshold. Even the Trickster God Loki couldn’t fully control someone of Sargeras’s caliber. His strength was simply too overwhelming.

Their eyes met, and sparks seemed to fly. The auras surrounding them surged violently, colliding like roaring tides.

After a moment of silent tension, Sargeras spoke, his tone serious.

“You are as powerful and unfathomable as the rumors claim—perhaps even more so. It seems you’ve been underestimated.”

Owen remained composed. “If you retreat now, perhaps we could even become allies.”

“Allies?” Sargeras chuckled. “A lofty and ancient notion…”

A flicker of nostalgia crossed his face before his gaze sharpened.

“It would be a shame for someone like you to die here. Abandon the Time Array and join me. Together, we can reshape this world. What do you say?”

Sargeras extended an olive branch.

Owen’s thoughts briefly turned to Leslie, Madelyn, Rachel, and the others. His eyes firmed as he shook his head resolutely.

“I’m afraid I’ll have to decline.”

“If you refuse, you will die by my hand,” Sargeras said gravely.

Unfazed, Owen replied, “I won’t deny that you’re among the strongest I’ve encountered. But if Loki couldn’t kill me, neither can you.”

At this, fel energy swirled in Sargeras’s hand, forming a massive green-flaming sword that he pointed at Owen.

“By defending the Time Array, do you realize you’re only paving the way for others? The gods returning from the eras past—they’re powerful beyond measure. Even the Lord of Stars couldn’t truly command them. They won’t obey you!”

Owen merely smiled faintly. He had already considered this possibility.

He wasn’t maintaining the Time Array for their allegiance. His goal was to complete the system’s mission: summon the Goddess of Beauty and obtain the system’s reward, the Flame Sword, the weapon of Surtr the Fire Giant.

It would allow him to open Pandora’s Box, the source of Owen’s hope.

Seeing Owen’s calm demeanor, Sargeras frowned slightly.

“This gains you nothing. Why persist? Even if you don’t die by my hand, The Celestial and the Forbidden Zone won’t let you live!”

Sargeras’s eyes gleamed with killing intent.

Owen squinted, a hint of amusement in his gaze.

“With both The Celestial and the Forbidden Zone targeting me, it seems I’m destined to die. No faction strong enough to oppose them both exists.”

Sargeras nodded slightly.

“To be targeted by both is a testament to your brilliance as the greatest genius of all time. Not even the God of Light, the Lord of Stars, or the War Goddess—legends of countless eras—could achieve that.”

Sargeras’s tone grew icy.

“My attack is merely the beginning. To The Celestial and the Forbidden Zone, the returning gods are nothing but a rabble. You, however, are the real threat. Dying by my hand should be your honor.”

As he spoke, his aura surged explosively, spreading waves of oppressive fel energy across the void. The Emerald Dreamscape trembled, cracks spiderwebbing through its once-pristine surface.

Owen, calm as ever, raised his hand and beckoned mockingly.

“If you want to kill me, go ahead and try.”

Sargeras burst into laughter, his fel-flaming sword blazing brighter than ever.

Meanwhile, Owen gripped the Godslayer Sword, his aura surging skyward to meet Sargeras’s.

The two forces collided, splitting the heavens in two, dark clouds swirling as lightning flashed and thunder roared.

Spectators held their breath, unable to tear their eyes away from the battle about to erupt, knowing this clash would go down in history.

“If it weren’t for the hostile energy, you’d think they were friends having a heated debate,” Ysera commented in surprise.

After all, in her memory, Sargeras was a destroyer—one who spoke only of annihilation. For him to exchange so many words was utterly out of character.

“There’s something unusual about this… but I can’t quite put my finger on it.”