Chapter 231: Dawn

Chapter 231: Dawn

Before dawn came, Nicole habitually stood before the Divine Statue, ready to lead everyone in prayer. But an unexpected person stopped her—her cousin Mela. They stared at each other in silence, and finally Nicole took a small step back.

Nicole’s retreat did not bring Mela any joy. Only the most devout could stand before the Deity, and Nicole was clearly no longer suited for that position. For Nicole’s sake, for the family, for everyone here, she had to step forward.

They had always been good sisters, and Mela believed Nicole would understand her. She didn’t dare seek Nicole out for a talk on the night the Deity descended, because such whispers were a blasphemy against the Deity.

Since childhood, she had feared the dark, until Light found her. In her dreams, that Light left no shadows in her world. Not long after, she became a Wizard, a useless Wizard. She could summon a soft glow in her palm, a light that was neither dazzling nor warm. It was just cold, gentle, much like her own personality.

With the light for company, she finally escaped the clutches of the night. This slowly made her more cheerful and bold, but it was far from true courage. Compared to Nicole, her boldness was more like a timid child peeking out from behind her parents’ back.

In the former Sitong Town, she was the first to kneel. There was no reason, just instinct. That youth had appeared abruptly in the middle of the road, with Darkness spreading around him. No one knew what she saw. That abyss-like Darkness had already swallowed everyone whole, just hadn’t chewed yet.

The following days were the most agonizing of her life. Until the Light descended, and the tiny glow within her leaped with joy. She saw Light and Darkness walk side by side, saw Light hold Darkness in its palm…

She piously prostrated herself at the feet of the Light, for that was her destiny; she humbly curled up within the Darkness, for it was powerful. The Light accepted her devotion, the pendant hidden against her chest was proof.

The Darkness in Twinwing City had long since departed. That day, the tiny glow within Mela surged—she knew the Light had driven away the Darkness. Her ability wouldn’t lie to her, her intuition wouldn’t lie to her, that tiny glow that had accompanied her for years wouldn’t lie to her—the Darkness was gone.

She followed the army, witnessing real blood and fire. She witnessed her cousin—Nicole—sinking deeper into darkness.

This was wrong!

But as a Mortal, how could she dare question a Deity. She had to make her cousin recognize her mistake, make her understand the greatness of Light. Sooner or later, her cousin would understand her good intentions.

Today, she wore plain White Robes. How could an Apostle of Light be stained with the color of Nightfall?

She gently cradled the pendant hidden at her chest. She wanted to proclaim the Deity’s favor to the world, she wanted her cousin to understand this was the Deity’s will. And she had no choice!

A speck of light glowed in her palm. Fate had already shown her the path.

The ritual ended, and she turned her gaze to her cousin, hoping for a sudden realization, but was met only with a departing back.

…

After a day of work, in the square of Yong’an City, Nicole stood before the Divine Statue of Nightfall, dressed in black. Everyone watched her, with doubt, with a hint of distrust.

A token! Mela has a token bestowed by the Deity. Do you have one? If not, why should you stand closest to the Deity?

Nicole ignored the gazes behind her. She slowly lowered herself to the ground and began the prayer. Her voice carried the chill of the Night, echoing in the silent square, but no one joined in.

Last night, she finally witnessed the grandeur of Light, but she didn’t like it, not at all! That Light was too overbearing and tyrannical, and she finally understood the coppery, salty taste she sensed when Light descended upon the former Sitong Town—it was the taste of blood.

When they entered the city today, Yong’an City held no living creatures. Last night’s Light had taken everything. That Light was cold and piercing, allowing no refusal, no escape, not even surrender. Lacking Nightfall’s tolerance, that Light was too severe.

Nicole meticulously completed the prayer, then walked through the crowd toward her tent. As she left, the prayers gradually began, the voices still uniform and loud, but lacking a touch of piety.

How could the will of a Deity be understood by Mortals like us? Last night, the Light did not force her to abandon the Darkness, and the Darkness did not make her turn away from the Light.

So Nicole paid no mind to anything outside herself. She simply prayed in her heart: I am an Apostle of Nightfall, walking beneath the Darkness, within the Mist. I offer the Light while dwelling in Darkness. When punishment comes, I give you a choice—life or death.

Nicole ignored external matters, but they came to her. Mela demanded that Nicole hand over military authority.

Facing this unreasonable demand, Nicole shook her head. “My authority was granted by the Deity. Last night when the Deity descended here, no Divine Decree was issued. And you dare challenge the Deity’s authority?”

Nicole’s words startled Mela. The Deity had granted her no authority, and she had foolishly forgotten that. With a panicked look, she backed away from Nicole and ran to the Divine Statue of Light to whisper her confession.

After a night of confession, Mela looked somewhat haggard, but she still led everyone in prayer at dawn. She temporarily gave up thoughts of power struggles, only hoping Nicole wouldn’t publicly mention last night’s words.

Now—she had neither proper title nor rightful claim. She just hoped to avoid trouble and get through this period peacefully. But fate was unkind. As evening fell, someone stood between Nicole and the Divine Statue.

Things were different now. Everyone was a servant of the Deity, with no clear distinction in status. Mela had set a bad precedent; she had opened the door to everyone’s ambition. And Nicole’s compromise had let some see an opportunity.

Nicole knew she couldn’t draw close to the Light, but she didn’t believe anyone here was more qualified than her to draw close to the Darkness.

She raised her voice and said, “The Deity will deliver judgment, and you are not worthy to stand in my way.”

Someone snorted disdainfully.

Disdainful—even if directed at Nicole, this was before the Divine Statue. Amid the horrified looks of the crowd, the Divine Statue stirred. Countless Souls of the war dead emerged from the statue, transforming into a whirlwind of Souls that surrounded Nicole and the others.

The wind carried howls and screams. No one could see what was happening inside. When the whirlwind vanished, only Nicole remained standing there unharmed.

The Darkness had never left; it had always been by her side. When enveloped by the whirlwind, a warmth rose from the pendant at her chest, gently shielding her. The shrieks of Souls became soft whispers, praising the peace within the Night.

Nicole stepped over the filth on the ground and walked to the foot of the Divine Statue. She raised her head, looked at the face shrouded in Mist, and showed a gentle smile.

Mela stared at her cousin’s back, watching her raise her head to face the Divine Statue, listening as prayers gradually rose. She began to mechanically chant the prayers along with the crowd, her fingernails slowly digging into her palms…