Ex rank talent Awakening: 100\% Dodge rate-Chapter 199 - : DEMON WAVE XI

[You have been commanded by the Oracle of the Celestial Camp—a high-ranking commander within the camp. As someone aligned with the Celestial Camp, you are mandated to obey your superior.]

Brian stared at the system prompt, anger swelling within him.

The man standing before him was none other than the Oracle of the Celestial Temple.

Brian's eyes were cold as they locked onto the Oracle, who acted all high and mighty, trying to force him into sending a message. Brian knew the true purpose behind it. Obeying the Oracle would only shatter what little image he had left—reduce him to a puppet in the eyes of the Grey Empire knights. A weakling. A man who bowed his head to authority, stripped of pride and self-respect.

This was the heaven above the heaven—that was the spectacle the Oracle aimed to create.

Emperor Augustus watched the unfolding scene with a rare smile playing at his lips. He waited patiently, curious to see what choice Brian would make.

"I refuse," Brian said coldly, his gaze unwavering as it pierced the Oracle's.

[Warning! Player is refusing the command of a superior!]

[Player must obey the command or receive a penalty for insubordination!]

"I refuse," Brian repeated, his voice firm. He didn't care about penalties anymore. He wasn't going to return to that life. Something deep inside him had begun to shift—quietly, but decisively.

"I refuse to be used," he declared, voice resolute. "I will no longer bow my heart or allow others to use me as a stepping stone—a pawn to be discarded. No more!"

[Player decision has been made. Penalty applied: 50% of player's contribution points have been deducted for disobeying a high-ranking superior.]

"System," Brian spoke, eyes still on the Oracle, "I wish to leave the Celestial Camp and join the Neutral Camp."

[Leaving the Celestial Camp will result in a penalty. Are you sure you want to proceed?]

[Y/N]

Without hesitation, Brian selected Yes.

[Player has left the Celestial Camp. All contribution points have been deducted as penalty.]

The system message rang out like a declaration of war.

The Oracle's brows furrowed in irritation. He hadn't expected Brian to act so decisively. Few were willing to lose their entire contribution point balance—especially not someone like Brian, who had earned so much.

"Now, if you'll excuse me," Brian said calmly, "I do not wish to obey your command."

The Oracle remained rooted in place. He couldn't afford to leave. Doing so would damage his image while simultaneously elevating Brian's. That was unacceptable.

"I'm not giving you a choice," the Oracle growled. "Either you comply... or I force you to."

He signaled, and the Celestial Knights began closing in, weapons drawn and pointed directly at Brian.

The tension in the castle skyrocketed. From the bizarre act of locking out the foreigners by the war commander, to Brian destroying the gate, sitting casually before the emperor, and now standing his ground against the Oracle—everything was spiraling.

"I won't do it willingly, and you can't force me either. So give up," Brian said coolly, still seated.

"In case you've forgotten," the Oracle hissed, "the Empire can't hurt you... but I can. My Celestial Knights can. If you don't want the wrath of the Celestial Temple upon you, you'll obey right this moment!"

The Oracle wasn't entirely sure why Brian's defiance infuriated him so much. Perhaps it was the image of someone so strong doing absolutely nothing while a war raged on. Perhaps it was the close ties between Brian and the Grey Empire. Even if he knew the reason, he would likely suppress it.

But Brian didn't flinch at the threat. "I don't care. I'll cut them down, just like I cut down the demons. I'll keep cutting until I become their nightmare," he said with unwavering conviction.

The Oracle stood in shock, taken aback by such audacity from a mere foreigner. "You—! Very well, you leave me no choice. Attack him!"

The Celestial Knights surged forward, weapons gleaming with divine energy. Brian remained seated, sword in hand, ready to rise and fight.

But just before the clash, everything froze—literally.

A massive wall of ice formed instantly between Brian and the advancing knights.

"Don't you dare touch him… or you'll have me to contend with," Elizabeth said as she strode slowly toward the scene.

Emperor Augustus frowned as he observed the interference. His frown deepened with curiosity as he noticed something different—something changed—in the aura surrounding the Ice Princess.

Elizabeth moved with an eerie calm, each step leaving behind a crystalline trail of frost. The temperature dropped around her like winter's breath. Her lips were pale, skin white as snow, and her hair, now completely white, shimmered under the light. Despite the starkness, her beauty was mesmerizing—almost otherworldly.

She no longer wore her knight's armor. It was gone, replaced by a sleek, blue dress that hugged her form. Her heels clicked against the ground, her posture composed, her movements graceful and cold. Like a queen born of frost.

She walked past the stunned Celestial Knights. The icy wall behind her crumbled as she came to stand beside Brian, her frosted gaze meeting the Oracle's.

"As I said," she spoke icily, "if you wish to fight him, then count me as your enemy as well."

"Count me too," came a new voice.

Chris teleported in beside them, his body restored, his fatigue gone. He was back to full strength.

The Oracle stared at the trio, carefully weighing his next move. It wasn't fear that gripped him—it was caution. Elizabeth wasn't just anyone. She was the daughter of Emperor Augustus, and her involvement shifted the balance entirely.

He turned toward the emperor, searching for guidance. His eyes met Augustus's... and there was an understanding in that silent exchange.

The Oracle turned back to the trio, his tone calmer but firmer. "You all have the strength to defend this castle. I'll say this once more—either you fight to protect it… or you are no longer needed here, and I will destroy you."

The Celestial Knights waited silently behind him, tension at its breaking point.

BOOM!

A blinding light exploded across the battlefield, illuminating the entire castle. For a moment, there was only silence.

Then, all the demons disintegrated—turned to dust in an instant.

A voice rang out through the fading brilliance.

"What do we have here?"

Descending from the sky with two radiant white wings was a figure cloaked in divine light.

The Celestial Messenger had arrived.