Chapter 55: Revelations and a Royal Confrontation

“After Logue departed, I used the incantations from the book he left behind to shift the passage leading here.” Aric continued, his arms crossed and eyelids lowered as he leaned against the wall. “Beyond that, I watched as an alternate dimension, once as vast as an ocean, crumbled into a space smaller than a forest.”

“Simultaneously, I remained hidden within the Imperial Capital, rescuing survivors from the great war decades ago and striving to locate those imprisoned by Novas, the Emperor of Candilac.”

“It was during my routine search for hidden places where survivors, captured either during or after the war, were held, that I stumbled upon you three, apprehended by Ketia.”

Aric let out a sigh, recalling the close call when he had stood on a rooftop, observing Ketia and the prison cart he was pulling, nearly exposing himself.

Seated on their stools, Qi Lin and the other two remained silent, each lost in their own profound thoughts.

The sheer volume of information Aric had divulged was overwhelming, leaving them momentarily speechless, unsure how to begin.

Amidst the quiet, Qi Lin’s mind inexplicably drifted to the Black-Robed Figure she had encountered in the park, back when she had not yet become a Bloodline.

‘Why do I feel like I’ve encountered this Sin Annihilation Sect before?’ she mused. ‘Could it be that my transformation into a Bloodline was also due to this troublesome sect?’

‘If so, then that test tube might also be a product of the Sin Annihilation Sect. If I follow this line of thought, won’t I inevitably cross paths with these individuals in the future?’

‘Wait, could Novas have captured me because the Sin Annihilation Sect discovered my existence as a Bloodline?’

Clenching her teeth, Qi Lin unconsciously curled into a ball.

“Qi Lin, what’s wrong?” Nia asked, her tail wagging as she noticed the change in her companion, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Huh? Oh, I’m fine,” Qi Lin replied, quickly shaking her head as she snapped out of her thoughts.

“? Oh?” Nia blinked her large eyes. Though still puzzled, she did not press further.

“So, the War Fiends originated from the Sin Annihilation Sect, and all the calamities that have plagued the continent for decades were orchestrated by this very sect?” Ailin asked, stroking his chin.

Although Aric didn’t understand why Ailin posed this question, he nodded solemnly in affirmation.

“Understood,” Ailin murmured, closing his eyes and crossing his arms as he sank into deep contemplation.

“Have you encountered anyone from the Sin Annihilation Sect since that day?” Qi Lin asked, her eyes wide as she gazed at Aric.

Aric shook his head, spreading his hands. “No, I haven’t. Since then, I’ve been hiding here, searching for prisons holding large numbers of people and keeping an eye out for anyone from the Sin Annihilation Sect, as Logue mentioned. But there’s been no progress.”

“Is that so?” Qi Lin murmured, pressing her lips together.

‘It seems the Sin Annihilation Sect hides themselves quite deeply…’

“Alright, go upstairs and pick a room to get some proper rest, and try to digest everything I’ve told you.” Aric clapped his hands, drawing their attention, before speaking slowly.

Hearing Aric’s words, Ailin pressed his lips together, a frown creasing his brow as he spoke. “The situation is far too grim for us to rest.”

Aric offered a reassuring smile, knowing Ailin’s concerns. “Don’t worry, the Empire won’t find this place anytime soon. You all just focus on resting well and recuperating your strength!”

Since Aric had spoken so decisively, Qi Lin and the others could only nod in response.

Seeing their agreement, Aric led the way upstairs.

The trio exchanged silent glances, a sense of helplessness washing over them, before following closely behind.

Although Aric genuinely wanted them to rest for their own good, having just received such a deluge of information, they found themselves utterly unable to relax.

****

Bright sunlight illuminated the land, yet it failed to bring warmth to Candilac, a kingdom nestled in the frigid north.

Icy, bone-chilling winds swept through the streets, prompting Candilac residents to secure their doors and retreat into the warmth of their homes.

Suddenly, a vortex-like door materialized on the street.

In less than a moment, the vortex dissolved into a flurry of snowflakes, vanishing as if it had never appeared.

Outside the Imperial Capital’s inner city,

A Maiden stood silently, her ear-length dark green hair framed by a reversible bucket hat. She wore a royal brown robe over a knee-length dark green skirt, her eyelids drooping as her black-green eyes intently observed the Candilac Imperial Palace, built into the side of a low mountain within the inner city.

“Who are you? What are you doing here?” one of the Candilac Knights guarding the city gate demanded, his voice sharp as he stared at the green-haired Maiden who had appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

“Is Novas inside?” the Maiden asked, tilting her head. Her voice was devoid of emotion, as if she hadn’t even registered the Knight’s wary stance.

Hearing the Maiden address his Emperor by name so directly, the Knight gripped his weapon with both hands and pointed it straight at her.

“By law, those who call His Majesty by name shall be executed.”

As if sensing the Knight’s murderous intent, the Maiden’s previously half-closed eyes now opened completely.

The moment her eyes fully opened, the Knight felt a sudden, oppressive weight settle upon his shoulders.

Swallowing hard, the Knight’s gaze sharpened.

A red magic array, formed by three intersecting triangles, materialized beneath the Knight’s feet.

A continuous surge of power coursed through him. The Knight tightened his grip on his spear and charged, striding purposefully towards the Maiden.

Watching the Knight lunge at her with his spear, the Maiden closed her eyes, appearing as if she were simply awaiting death.

The spear tip halted mere centimeters from the Maiden’s pale neck.

‘What’s happening?’ the Knight thought, bewildered. ‘It was only a few centimeters from the short-haired Maiden’s neck!’

A profound terror seized the Knight. No matter how much force he exerted, the spear refused to advance. Moreover, he felt as though he had been completely frozen in place.

*Splatter.*

A sharp, distinct sound of flesh being pierced suddenly echoed in his ears.

Hearing the sound, the Knight’s face registered confusion before he slowly toppled to the ground. The continuously flickering magic array beneath his feet transformed into shimmering motes of light, scattering with the biting wind.

Soon, vibrant blood began to pool on the ground.

A five-meter-long, purple, strip-like object, stained with crimson blood, materialized seemingly out of nowhere and coiled itself around the short-haired Maiden.

The Maiden’s lifeless eyes briefly observed the Knight’s corpse. Then, her eyelids drooped again, and she stepped over him, continuing her path directly towards the Imperial Palace.

Just a few seconds after her eyelids drooped, the long, strip-like object slowly receded and vanished into her body.

The remaining Knights, having witnessed their comrade’s demise before their very eyes, raised their hands and fired a red magical projectile into the air.

The projectile exploded in the sky, revealing the image of a wolf howling towards the heavens.

Palace guards on patrol, seeing the image in the sky, rushed forward in droves, quickly encircling the Maiden.

Tilting her head slightly, the Maiden surveyed the guards surrounding her. She seemed to genuinely not understand why these people were corralling her.

Pushing through the crowd, Ketia, clad in a set of dark plate armor, stepped forward and fixed his gaze upon the Maiden.

“Who are you?”

“I want to see Novas.”

The Maiden did not answer Ketia’s question. Her words sounded like a soliloquy, yet they were directed at him.

“Why?” Ketia asked, his gaze icy as he stared at the Maiden.

“Hmm~” The Maiden gently tapped her chin, falling into thought. ‘Why exactly did I come here to find Novas again?’

As she pondered, her previously droopy eyes snapped open.

“To demand something from him!”

The Maiden broke into a radiant smile.

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