With the help of Conis, McKinley, and others, Caelan and his companions boarded Sky Island's unique transportation, the [Waver], and sped toward Enel's location.
"This method of transportation is amazing. It moves without wind and at such high speed!"
Nami looked at the Waver gliding across the sea of clouds and couldn't help but marvel.
"This uses a wind dial, something unique to Sky Island. It stores wind energy and releases it as propulsion when needed."
"We also have flame dials, light dials, impact dials, and more. Dials are essential energy sources here on Sky Island."
Conis explained with a forced smile. She was still anxious about what awaited them ahead.
"If they're that useful, maybe you can give me a few after I defeat Enel."
Caelan sounded relaxed.
He had taken a liking to these dials. If installed on the Wind Rider, they could increase its speed and ease the workload for Nami and the others.
"Of course. If you truly defeat Enel, we'll reward you generously. A few dials would be nothing in comparison."
Conis and McKinley replied together, hope flickering in their eyes.
"Then get ready. Caelan will definitely win!"
Vivi smiled.
The other women nodded in agreement, clearly full of trust in Caelan.
"I hope so..."
Conis nodded softly, still uneasy.
Enel had ruled Sky Island for six years. With his Observation Haki spread across the island and his power over thunder, he was a terrifying opponent.
Soon, with the Waver's speed, they arrived at Enel's temple—located in the sacred land of Upper Yard.
"This is strange... this area isn't made of clouds, it's actual earth."
Nami stared at the familiar yellow soil, surprised.
Everything on Sky Island was usually made of clouds, even the plants grew from them.
Suddenly seeing a landmass felt completely out of place.
"They say this land suddenly appeared 400 years ago and is now considered sacred. There used to be natives here, but Enel drove them out when he came."
"They've never given up on reclaiming it. They attack from time to time. They're much braver than us."
McKinley said with a bitter smile.
Compared to the Shandians, the Sky Islanders had always felt cowardly.
"A landmass that appeared 400 years ago... fierce tribal warriors... this must be the part of Jaya Island that was blasted into the sky."
Robin's eyes gleamed with understanding, recalling Noland's travel log.
Conis and McKinley led Caelan and the others into the Lost Forest, where they discovered several dead bodies and signs of battle.
Among the dead were men in winged uniforms, and others dressed in fur and painted faces.
"Those are Enel's men... and Shandian warriors. Looks like they're fighting again."
McKinley observed the scene and spoke with a mix of awe and tension.
Unexpectedly, today was another Shandian offensive. It meant more strength had gathered.
The group quickened their pace.
Higher up in Upper Yard, the Shandians had gathered their elite warriors for another attempt to reclaim their sacred land.
"We swear to the great warrior Kalgara, we will reclaim our land and reignite the light of Shandora!"
Wyper raised his spear and sword and roared with determination.
"We must win! We must win!"
The warriors of Shandia shouted in unison, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.
"Split up. Watch yourselves out there!"
Under Wyper's command, the elite warriors dispersed to hold off the priests. Wyper himself led a squad to strike directly at Enel, aiming to decapitate the enemy.
Warashi and Kamakiri led one group and were quickly intercepted by Priest Shura and his Divine Soldiers.
"Ignorant savages, this is the Ball Trial. The survival rate is only 10%!"
The rotund Priest Shura sneered, tossing spheres filled with various weapons.
Kamakiri's face was grim as he led his warriors into battle.
Elsewhere, warrior Braham led a team against Priest Gedatsu of the Swamp Trial, and warrior Karuha clashed with Priest Ohm of the Iron Trial.
Unfortunately, the priests all had access to Mantra. Shandia's elites were clearly at a disadvantage and began to fall.
Wyper, charging straight toward the temple, was stopped by Priest Shura of the String Trial.
"Ignorant savages. You're nowhere near worthy to face God."
Shura smirked in disdain.
These attackers had come more than once, and they had always failed. This time would be no different.
Wyper's eyes burned behind his mask, undeterred by Shura's mockery.
This time, he had a trump card—a special Impact Dial that was ten times stronger than normal. No living body could withstand a single strike from it.
With that power, he was determined to defeat Enel and reclaim his homeland.
"Go! Tear down everyone in your way!"
Wyper roared, red-eyed, and fired a cannonball straight at Shura.
Boom!
With the sound of cannonfire, the Shandian warriors surged forward like men possessed, clashing with the Divine Soldiers.
After a fierce battle, Shura was finally defeated, though all of Wyper's warriors had fallen.
Wyper leaned against a tree, breathing heavily. The brutal fight had sapped his strength.
"Well done, War Demon Wyper."
Wyper's pupils contracted as he turned to the voice.
A man over two and a half meters tall approached. Four thunder drums marked with magatama hung on his back, and long ears drooped beside his shoulders.
"Enel!"
Wyper's muscles tensed instantly.
"You've dealt with my priest. I'll give you a reward—three minutes. You can attack me freely for three minutes."
Enel held up three fingers, smiling contemptuously.
He sensed that Caelan was approaching. Warming up with Wyper would pass the time.
"Bastard!"
Wyper snarled, firing a cannonball at Enel.
Boom!
The projectile passed harmlessly through Enel's body, striking the woods behind him.
"Your attacks are useless."
Enel sighed with mock disappointment.
Enraged, Wyper launched a wild barrage of attacks.
But under Enel's Mantra, none of them landed. Not even one strand of his robe was touched.
Finally, Wyper closed in, aiming the Impact Dial in his left hand at Enel and unleashing a massive blast.
A faint smile curled on Wyper's lips. Even stone shattered under that force. No so-called god could withstand it.
Boom!
But to Wyper's shock, Enel turned into lightning, completely avoiding the impact.
"You have a good idea, Wyper. But it's useless."
"Now it's my turn."
Reforming from lightning, Enel appeared beside Wyper. A sphere of dazzling blue-white lightning formed in his palm.
"Two million volts... Discharge."
The blinding lightning engulfed Wyper instantly, turning him charred black before he collapsed.
Wyper's chest barely moved. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw three priests dragging Kamakiri, Braham, and Karuha in defeat.
The Shandian counterattack had failed completely.
"Enel is... invincible..."
Wyper muttered, lying on the ground.
His carefully prepared trump card had failed. All his comrades had been captured.
Even with his unyielding will, he could no longer imagine any hope of defeating Enel.
A power that could predict attacks. A body immune to harm. Lightning that destroyed everything…
Enel really was a god. An invincible god.
"...You've arrived?"
"Good. The warm-up is over. Time to begin."
Enel turned to the forest, his expression growing serious.
Who was it?
Wyper, still conscious, heard the words and looked toward the forest too.
As the strongest warrior of the Shandian tribe, he had been used merely as a warm-up. Who could possibly draw such focus from Enel?
The priests also tensed. The man from the Blue Sea who had destroyed God's Judgment... had arrived.
(To be continued.)
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