Volume 6, Chapter 23 – Hidden Beneath the Light Screen

The blinding white light gradually dissipated, and the continuous rumbling in the sky grew faint. When the dust settled, a deep canyon appeared abruptly before Fia’s eyes. The width of the canyon was far less than that created by [Spatial Rift], but its length stretched endlessly out of sight. The sword energy, formed by magic power, had sliced through the entire Weeping Mountains with indomitable momentum.

“Phew…”

Resisting the fatigue brought by [Overload], Fia dismissed the [Enchanted Blade] and exhaled lightly.

The spot where Davis had stood was now just a deep ravine. The ornate longsword he used lay scattered a little further away. There was no longer the aura of a second person in the entire sinkhole.

He’s completely gone.

I wonder if the power I displayed just now satisfied Davis.

Although Fia felt that using magic like [Hellfire] and [Spatial Rift] would have been enough to make Davis disappear from this world, out of respect for him, she ultimately chose [Overload]. As a fellow outsider stranded in this world who rebelled against the gods, he deserved it.

Fia used [Telekinesis] to pick up the ornate golden longsword left by Davis. This sword had been knocked away in the previous battle and hadn’t disappeared with him. Then, she picked up the recording crystal half-buried in the dirt. This was the proof that Davis had existed. The swordsmanship Davis displayed was enough to prove to outsiders that he was indeed from another world.

After doing all this, Fia mourned for the late hero in silence for a moment. Then she looked up toward the top of the sinkhole.

It’s about time to go back.

Nola had returned faster than she expected. With her here, it wasn’t convenient for Fia to continue investigating what lay behind the gray light screen. She could come back at night.

Fia spread her wings and returned to the top of the sinkhole. Then, she saw Nola guarding outside, staring blankly into the distance. Her look of self-doubt was amusing. Fia could roughly guess Nola’s inner thoughts. Although Nola hadn’t said it, her recent behavior showed she wasn’t aware that Fia had actually caught all the Demon Generals in one fell swoop. In her eyes, the only Demon Generals Fia had killed were the Gluttony Demon General and the Watcher.

It was only natural for her to be surprised seeing Fia deal with an eighth-rank undead now.

However, what surprised Fia was that the monsters in the valley didn’t scatter and flee even after witnessing the strike just now. Not only that, but they began to emit warning growls again, slowly approaching her.

Normally, after realizing the huge gap between enemy and self, monsters would flee out of survival instinct. Seeing them like this, Fia guessed that either someone or something was controlling them, or they had an instinct to protect something, similar to guardians of ruins and tombs.

With the most troublesome Davis already dealt with, they couldn’t stop her if she wanted to run. Fia ignored the monsters and focused on Nola. The corners of her mouth curled up in a playful arc, and she quietly approached Nola from behind.

Holding her breath until she was right behind Nola, Fia deliberately lowered her voice, imitating Davis’s deep tone.

“Stu-pid-fire-cat.”

“Ugh?!”

Reflexively, Nola shuddered all over. A fist carrying a powerful wind went straight for Fia’s face. Fortunately, Fia guessed Nola would probably strike subconsciously and was prepared, catching Nola’s fist with her palm.

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“Hey, you’re not cute at all.”

“Wha—? Tsk, it’s you. You scared me.” Nola, who had been readying her next move, gave up the pursuit. She glanced at Fia grumpily. “What cute or not cute? Anyone would be scared.”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant. Normally, a girl’s first reaction after being scared should be to scream ‘Kyaa?!’, then accidentally slip and fall. Then I would play the hero saving the beauty, pulling her into my arms. Finally, our eyes would meet for a few seconds, and we’d both blush shyly and look away. That’s the normal process.”

Completely failing to understand Fia’s words—or rather, Fia’s process could only be understood by transmigrators—Nola crossed her arms and curled her lips.

“…I don’t know what kind of ‘normal process’ you’re talking about. I only know that if you don’t react in time when facing danger, you’ll be killed by a sneak attack very quickly. Besides, only lovers blush from looking at each other, right? We’re both women; what’s there to dilly-dally about?”

Even though you and Claire are both women too.

Fia shook her head and sighed earnestly.

“That’s why I say you’re not cute. You don’t understand romance at all. If you were one-tenth as cute as me, Claire wouldn’t have failed to notice your feelings from beginning to end. Ah, don’t misunderstand, I’m not mocking you. This is guidance from a senior’s perspective.”

“Hmph, I don’t need your guidance.”

Nola frowned slightly, clearly starting to get unhappy.

Fia shrugged and teased.

“Don’t forget that you can’t judge an elf’s age by appearance alone. Don’t let my looks fool you; I’m actually close to a hundred years old, almost the age of adulthood for elves. No one will like someone who only knows fighting and killing. You have to learn to dress up, and be frank and shy when you should be. Otherwise, you definitely won’t be able to get married.”

“If I have to marry someone weaker than me, I’d rather stay like this,” Nola said, glancing secretly at Fia, her tone lacking much confidence. “Besides, I still have a chance…”

“Hoh~ Hoh~ Still haven’t given up? I’m relieved you’re still so energetic after being rejected. But the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. Giving up early is the release. Alright, this isn’t the place to talk. Let’s change locations.”

As she spoke, Fia nodded her chin toward the monsters gathering in the distance. They had slowly approached within a fifty-meter range.

Only now did Nola realize the question she had been wanting to ask had been derailed by Fia. She took a step forward, looking at Fia seriously.

“Did you do all that just now? I mean that magic with unprecedented power. I’ve never seen anything like it. How strong are you exactly? Eighth rank? Or ninth rank? Are you this strong because you became a witch?”

“Well… I did do it, yes. But the magic just now had some side effects. If I didn’t use magic with side effects, I couldn’t have unleashed such terrifying attacks either.”

“Side effects…”

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Hearing this, Nola’s expression gained a hint of relief, but also a hint of solemnity. she muttered to herself.

“Even with side effects, I can’t beat her anymore… No, now isn’t the time for that. Is that undead dead?”

“Mm, dead.”

“Huh?” Nola’s eyes widened in disbelief. She was stunned for a moment. When she came back to her senses, her eyes looking at Fia were filled with joy. “Even an eighth-rank undead wasn’t your match! Um, can you still use magic? If not, I’ll carry you out. Your magic just now weakened the illusion barrier a lot. In this state, we can fly straight out!”

“Okay.”

Saying this, Fia took the initiative to take a step forward. However, to her surprise, Nola grabbed her. That determined face, full of exotic charm, was filled with reproach.

“Didn’t you say you used magic with side effects? How can you still plan to fly out on your own? I’m not just a decoration.”

As she spoke, Nola crouched down in front of Fia, exposing her back, clearly indicating for Fia to get on. The fiery red cat tail swaying left and right made it hard to look away.

Magic with side effects was very common on the World Tree Continent, and Nola knew quite a bit about it. Take herself for example: the [Phoenix] and [Descent of the Holy Son] she used against the Gluttony Demon General and the Demon General of Absolute Death were magic with usage limits that brought a huge burden to the body. After using those two spells back then, she couldn’t move normally for several days, let alone use magic.

And for Fia to use such an earth-shattering attack, the side effects must be unimaginably huge. Nola naturally assumed Fia was just acting tough in front of her, when in fact her body was already broken down.

Thinking of this, self-blame and guilt arose in her heart. If Fia hadn’t been worried about her following, Fia wouldn’t have encountered that eighth-rank undead, nor would she have been forced to use magic that harmed herself. For a moment, she couldn’t help but bite her lower lip tightly, her gaze lowering in shame.

“We can talk about making amends when we get back. Hurry up and get on.”

“No, I’m not a child. I can walk by myself. Why do you have such a guilty expression anyway?”

“Didn’t you use magic with side effects?”

“Huh?”

Nola’s serious expression stunned Fia for a moment. Then she immediately realized Nola’s inner thoughts—she must think Fia was too weak to walk.

Fia couldn’t help but find it funny. She walked to Nola’s side and pulled Nola up by the arm—while casually stroking Nola’s swaying fiery red cat tail. Although this girl had a prickly personality, the fur on her tail was very soft, comparable to Tilulu’s.

“That magic does have side effects, but it’s not as exaggerated as you think, Nola. Let’s go.”

“Wait, you.”

Not waiting for Nola to finish, Fia used [Flight] to leave the ground. Nola, whose hand was being held, had to follow. When the two rose to a height of three hundred meters above the ground, Fia threw down a final spell.

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“[Inverted Cross Flash Thunder].”

In an instant, a wild wind blew. Thunder that made one’s skin tingle flashed with blinding light, turning the valley into a burial ground.

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If the Elf Royal Castle was magnificent and solemn, revealing royal elegance and luxury everywhere, then this place could be called exquisite and magnificent. The holy aura was so thick it made people subconsciously want to prostrate themselves in worship, giving rise to reverence, as if bathed in the Goddess’s brilliance.

In the deepest part of the Weeping Mountains, there existed a splendid underground cathedral. Although no outsiders came here, its exterior and interior showed not a single trace of laziness. Delicate and complex carvings covered every part of the pure white outer walls. The high, pointed vaulted ceiling was covered with stained glass interwoven with blue and cyan. The spacious and bright interior, coupled with the statues and pews that revealed a solemn atmosphere everywhere, would make even a drunken madman close his mouth and keep quiet upon arriving here.

However, the person standing in this massive cathedral was not a priest or a nun. If someone from the Milcandis Holy Kingdom saw this scene, they would definitely grab their sword and attack, because the person praying was a pitch-black demon with black horns and gray wings.

This short, slightly hunched old demon, dressed in white priestly robes, was praying to an empty altar. Before long, a tall woman with dark purple long hair and an explosive figure walked into the temple. Although the praying old demon was not as strong as her, her eyes revealed respect from the bottom of her heart.

“Lord Galil, my mission is complete.”

“Hehehe… Thank you for your hard work.” The priest demon, bowing in prayer, slowly opened his eyes. Joy appeared on his wrinkled, aged face. “My strength is far inferior to yours. I should be the one calling you ‘Lord,’ Lord Helian.”

“Nonsense. Although I am stronger than you, you are the core of the plan. The Sovereign said our future is in your hands. You are a scholar; respecting you is only natural.”

“Lord Helian is too modest.”

Although the priest demon said this, his face was full of smiles. Clearly, Helian’s flattery was very effective. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the priest demon looked at the gray sky screen in the distance and spoke slowly.

“Was the commotion just now your doing, Lord Helian? I believe I warned you not to kill that false Holy Son. She herself is not a threat, but if you anger the person protecting her, everything will become quite tricky.”

“No, that wasn’t my doing. It should be that thing slumbering in the Weeping Mountains waking up.”

“That thing woke up…”

Seeming to remember something, the priest demon stroked his beard, as if thinking of a countermeasure.

Helian knew the priest demon was hinting for her to deal with the fallen Holy Son, but Helian had her own difficulties. She lowered her head and said troubledly.

“The battle in Blossom consumed too much of my magic power, and I am still recovering. I must regain my full strength as soon as possible. Otherwise, if I run into those two outsiders, I won’t even have a chance to flee.”

The subtext was that Helian couldn’t waste energy dealing with the fallen Holy Son.

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“Sigh,” the priest demon sighed deeply. “You have your difficulties too. Fine. That thing probably won’t notice me. But just in case, my plan needs to be advanced. What about your side? Have you concealed it well? Don’t let the Holy Son lure that woman back; then all the preparations would be wasted.”

Mentioning “that woman,” Helian’s charming eyes became exceptionally serious.

“Everything is concealed. That woman has never seen the Fire Cat Holy Son in her true form. This was convenient for me. I deceived her with half-truths, saying I might never return and telling her not to look for me. I think even if she returns in the future, it will only be to pay respects to that woman, and she won’t do anything conspicuous.”

“That is good.”

A brief silence surrounded the cathedral. Helian was quiet for a moment, then bowed to the priest demon.

“If you have nothing else, I will take my leave first. The Sovereign’s strength has not yet recovered; I must protect his safety.”

“I recall The Sovereign is still in the Silvar Kingdom. Is his health well? Two monsters of that magnitude have entered the World Tree Continent, and there is also Absolute Evil eyeing us covetously. I am truly worried about The Sovereign’s safety. Even if that Lord is spurned by thousands, he hasn’t given up on them. He is more like a god than the gods, yet he has to face so many powerful enemies. That plan to bring hope to the future, sigh…”

“Lord Galil need not think too much. We only need to do our best.”

“True. By the way, Lord Helian, if you can see The Sovereign, please pass this list to him for me.”

As he spoke, the hunched priest demon took a stack of papers from his breast pocket and handed them to Helian.

Helian’s eyes lit up. She understood that since Galil was a scholar, what he brought out would certainly not be simple. This was a symbol of significant results in his experiments.

“May I know the contents?”

“Of course. These are the lists of species I currently lack. Most of the creatures I can find myself. The problem is some rare kinds, like vampires and Stellacryst Beasts. Without leaving Cold Night, it is almost impossible to find them. Although the plan can proceed without them, it goes against The Sovereign’s original intention of not letting anyone go. Within a month, I will trigger ‘Hope.’ I hope The Sovereign takes this seriously.”

“Alright, I will hand it to The Sovereign. Is there anything else you need?”

“Only one thing.” Without waiting for Helian to ask, the priest demon squeezed out a smile uglier than crying. He placed his aged right hand on his chest, surrounded by an atmosphere of piety. “May good fortune be with us.”

“Same to you.”

Smiling noncommittally, Helian stuffed the note into her bosom. Then, she bowed to the priest demon and walked slowly out of the empty cathedral.