Chapter 237: Proliferation

Chapter 237: Proliferation

Unlike cautious Nicole, Mela saw Sweetwell Town, even with its larger population, as nothing more than a gathering place for refugees. In this harsh world where the stronger preyed on the weaker, only those without any strength needed to hide in such a place. She didn’t believe true power existed here, and luckily, her guess seemed right.

After a few clashes, these people’s strength appeared even lower than she’d anticipated. Those willing to fight back were always the minority, and courage to resist often had little to do with actual strength or status. She had personally witnessed similar scenes before; back in Sitong Town, it was those with the highest status and strength who gave up resistance first. Or rather, dared not offer any resistance at all. In that regard, she still admired Nicole; after all, Nicole had tried to fight back.

So she understood Nicole and did not doubt her courage. Nicole managed a huge army relying on order and discipline; taking risks was always the last resort. Their differing positions naturally led to different actions. That Nicole herself led her elite forces and joined the operation had already surprised Mela.

But something even more surprising happened before sunset. Nicole gathered all the townspeople and preached the greatness of the Deity. Whether they believed it or not, the towering pillar of light that night was clear proof; the fact that those of them who had converted to the Deity were here was clear proof. They fought for the Deity, not for the Northlanders as the townsfolk believed.

Nightfall’s Embrace has offered you a chance. Hope you cherish it.

Listening to Nicole describe the grandeur of Divine Abode City, seeing the devout expression on her face, Mela felt bewildered. Was this at the Deity’s instruction, or was Nicole acting on her own? If it was the Deity’s command, which Deity had issued the Divine Decree?

Nicole merely incorporated the group into her system out of habit, making them easier to manage. When Nicole and Mela left, the elite squad in black stayed behind in Sweetwell Town.

While Nicole and Mela had it easy, Rio encountered trouble. Their scouts came and went like rolling barrels. There was no flight as Rio had imagined; everyone who went out returned. In this constant movement, a feeling none of them had known for a long time rekindled – trust.

This road was not only the Deity’s test for them but also their test for each other. Carried along by the Insect Swarm for too long, surrounded and monitored for too long, they finally had the chance to act independently, to introspect.

The Insect Swarm’s tactics of gathering, scattering, and combined assaults had deeply influenced them. As they moved forward, the group gradually spread out, stretching longer and longer along the winding mountain path. Until the scouts returned, reporting that a large force was lying in wait, ready and arrayed at the mountain pass. Upon hearing the news, Rio felt momentarily adrift.

Previously, breakthroughs like this were always handled by the Insect Swarm; they were merely the minor players orbiting the edges. Even later, when they formed their own groups, they only faced scattered and weak forces.

The obstacle ahead caused the long, straggling group to close ranks and bunch together. Rio and a few leaders huddled, trying to argue out a solution. With so few of them, charging head-on against a well-defended formation was obviously unwise. They carried no heavy siege equipment, nor much rations.

Turn back?

Rio looked at the people around him, hesitation clear. After a long time, he enunciated each word slowly, “Scatter. Go around!”

This was gambling their lives. Though they were indeed people fighting desperately to survive, they usually did so only when cornered. Now, the way back was still open; Yong’an City lay behind them.

They looked at Rio, eyes probing, questioning. Rio understood their thoughts – for a moment, even he had considered retreat. But alongside those thoughts appeared figures: the imposing young woman, the casual-looking young man.

Rio softly repeated the command and asked in return, “Can we retreat?”

Someone said through clenched teeth, “That would be suicide!”

Rio thought of the young man who had appeared when he’d truly been cornered before. He murmured softly, “There is still a sliver of hope.”

Silence fell upon them once more…

After a long while, someone asked, “What are we?”

Rio thought for a moment, his voice low. “I have witnessed an ocean-like Insect Swarm sweep like a tide, but most turned to dust. In the Deity’s eyes, they were nothing. Until I saw a part of the Divine Kingdom manifesting in this world, saw an Insect King dwelling within it.

Us? Worthless. But… I want to enter the Divine Kingdom, even if it’s only to exist at its edges. And this is the price. If we retreat now, this chance is lost forever. This is my only hope for salvation. To sacrifice our lives for the Deity with each other’s blood, to seek its mercy.

I am nothing. One more or less of me in this world makes no difference. But I want to enter the Divine Kingdom.”

The Cannibals held a frenzied celebration. Afterwards, they slipped away into the dense forest in twos and threes. From this day on, they would be a new kind of Insect Swarm, scattering and gathering, sacrificing each other’s lives for that glimpse of the Divine Kingdom.

…

The believers’ fanaticism didn’t affect their Deity at all. Twinwing City remained desolate and empty, just filled with a few more wolf howls and the cries of hawks. Lily sat atop the High Tower, recalling the scene when the siblings met.

They were both there. So why was her brother affected by the erosion, while she remained untouched?

Lily pondered every detail, feeling like her brother was missing something. But what was missing?

Yeah, what was missing? Bran was pondering that very question. He too had noticed the differences between himself and his sister; she seemed far too relaxed and carefree.

He kept contrasting the differences. The erosion of Mana shouldn’t only impact him. Even accounting for the vast difference in their Mana attributes, the Sea of Magic was complex, and one constantly needed to resist its impact.

The wings! The wings behind his sister. Thinking this, Bran lifted his hand and slapped himself. The Mist. He had treated it like a Fruit, like something separate, something he even released outside his body for others to play with. His Mist was still up on the High Tower, acting as a sparring partner for his little sister.

It was a key. A key in and out of the Sea of Magic. And also the most stable boat, allowing him to drift and rest upon that sea. Yet he always let his habit of overthinking, his habit of doubt, overshadow his intuition. His power had allowed him to turn himself into a key, a rather unreliable little boat.

Close call! He couldn’t help slapping himself again.

“Why do you keep hitting yourself?” the Ancient Tree inquired, seizing the moment as Bran snapped back to reality.

“I’m such a fool!”

“Hmph. It’s fine. I’m here!”

Bran was speechless for a long moment. After a good while, he remembered a more critical question, “Where exactly are you heading?”

“East. I plan to see the sea.”

Bran shrank his neck in. “Stop! You know who I offended out there, right?”

“It’s fine. I’m here!”

“One casual wave from them is bigger than you. Turn back.”

“I wanna try!” The Ancient Tree waved its vines, brimming with confidence.

“Weapons. Neither you nor I brought weapons. We need to go home, get properly geared up, and fight another day.”

“I don’t need them!”

“I do! And don’t you miss Huahua? Don’t you miss Danny? And that new person you met recently… what’s their name again?”

“Shajia!”

“Yeah! Don’t you want to tell them all about what you’ve seen lately?”

Under Bran’s earnest pleas, the Ancient Tree finally turned around. Bran didn’t particularly care whether they went to the coast or not; he was suddenly consumed with urgency, having just grasped a potential use for his Mist.

…

Xirui was also getting very anxious, eagerly hoping her brother would hurry back and rescue her. She thought going back to the Castle would only take a few days, but instead, he’d vanished without a trace.

Her behavior appeared to have awakened something primal in Huahua. She was like a true pet cat now, hugging her beloved little white ball, unwilling to let it go. If it rolled even slightly, she’d pounce and gently retrieve it with her mouth, clutching it tightly once more. Occasionally, after eating her fill, playing with the ball became her main amusement.

This was unbearable!

Pleading with Danny produced no effect at all; she’d even called her ‘sister-in-law’! The result was just a sharp poke on her forehead.

It wasn’t like I wanted to say it! That idea came from Mary. Just you wait! Once I break free of this trap, you’re going down, Mary!

Xirui seethed within the Tower. Huahua lazily swung her tail nearby, perfectly at ease.