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Chapter 91: War Begins, The Disaster of Masks!

With Tilysha and Little Dragon Daughter temporarily leaving, the room of Priestess and Eudora finally fell silent. Vilyric could once again focus her attention and began to observe Eudora’s condition and changes in form.

Demonization, as a racial transformation, is not something that can be completed overnight. Even before she was brought here, the girl had exhibited symptoms for three days. Now it appeared that various physical signs had nearly completed their growth, but thorough metamorphosis of the inner race would likely still require some time.

As for how long it would take, Vilyric couldn’t be certain. It could be resolved by morning, or it might take another three days, or even longer. After all, this was her first time treating such a condition.

Regarding the principle behind the so-called demonization phenomenon that Vilyric had been curious about, after investigating it with her cheat-like skill,【Information Detection】, she now had some clues.

This girl named Eudora inherently possessed demonic factors, or, in simpler terms—a bloodline.

If Vilyric guessed correctly, she was likely a child born from the union of a demon and a human. Although it surprised Priestess that there was no reproductive isolation between the two races, the existence of children like Eudora explained everything.

Of course, it could also be that some folks, through special means, gave birth to such offspring using a human female as a host. Thus, Eudora as a demon child is distinctly different from a typical half-demon.

Unlike Min Chen, who is a genuine half-demon with a true demonic lineage, this type of offspring from demons and humans seems to present traits either overtly or covertly.

That is to say, they are either entirely demons or completely human, with the other half of their bloodline completely hidden, not mixed together like those so-called half-demons.

No wonder that besides Min Chen and his offspring, there seem to be no other half-demons in this world. It looks like true demon-human hybrids can’t be normally conceived.

Hmm, so reproductive isolation does exist after all!

For those born by special means, individuals like Eudora, if born in a true demonic form, would either be taken back to the demon realm or hidden away in places beyond the Holy Empire. More likely, they’d have been “purified” right on the spot. Only these individuals presenting as humans can temporarily survive here.

Perhaps it is also because of the hidden demon gene that Eudora cannot approach the light or cast faith-based magic. Most crucially, this bloodline… was recently catalyzed by some external force.

It seems the girl seen in Holy Star City, as well as those like her protected by Kleisius, might be in similar circumstances.

Interesting… Who exactly is deliberately doing this?

How did they manage to accurately locate these special children? How could their reach extend so far, spanning the distance from Holy Star City to Mingguang City?

Although only similar cases have been observed in these two cities, Vilyric wasn’t naive enough to think that demonization phenomena only occurred in two places. It was likely that this had become a widespread norm, perhaps even the source of rumors about “demons infiltrating the western Holy Kingdom.”

After thoroughly investigating Eudora’s physical condition again with【Information Detection】and confirming that she indeed couldn’t wake up in a short time, Vilyric decided it was time to leave.

Although the current situation in the Holy Empire seemed as chaotic as a swamp with frogs jumping around everywhere, with the three divine offspring having their own ideas, the Lingyin Merchant Association, demons, the possibly lurking Throne of Immortality, the odd masked attacks on the Temple Knights from last night, and even those strange machines beneath the Holy Spirit Path—it was all one big mashup.

However, unlike before, this time the Priestess was not at the eye of the storm but rather assumed the role of an observer, ready to intervene at any moment since she was now just【Xī】.

In any case, one must eat bit by bit; those lurking in the shadows would not hide forever. As long as they had their ambitions, they’d likely take new actions soon.

For the time being, staying aboard the grand ship of the Saint of Bright Light and observing the situation before unfolding the next steps wasn’t a bad choice.

Shifting her gaze from the little succubus lying in bed, the Black-haired Girl in White Robe glanced out at the deep, boundless dark night and exhaled softly. She left behind a sustained spellcasting node and then put on her little fox mask before turning to leave the room.

“Well then, let’s see who cracks first ~”

…

As night deepened, a bizarre figure strolled once again through the empty streets.

“Doo doo doo ~ doo doo loo doo doo ~ doo doo loo doo loo doo doo ~”

It hummed an incomprehensible melody, casting long shadows under the moonlight.

In a corner of the shadows, more bafflements re-emerged.

“Hehe…”

Their masks revealed a delightful yet eerie smile.

“Hehe hehe hehe…”

“Hehe hehe…”

“Hehe hehe hehe hehe hehe…”

They walked, they searched.

Thus, they melted back into the shadows, their hollow bodies staggering beneath the black and white masks, spreading… new absurdities.

…

“Under lockdown? Why?”

Early in the morning, Vilyric was startled by Layla, who rushed in hurriedly.

At first, she thought someone had discovered the little succubus hidden in their room, but after listening carefully, the girl realized that wasn’t the case.

Mingguang City had issued the latest curfew and wanted notices, drafted personally by the Saint of Bright Light, Yuna Summerfield.

The wanted notice spreading throughout the streets showed a black and white mask with a bizarre, eerie grin, becoming the latest hot topic for people’s chats.

Of course, this pattern was promptly delivered to Vilyric by Layla, who had set out early in the morning to gather information.

The white-haired girl, with half her angelic identity hidden, wore a serious expression.

“Miss Xī, the situation has deteriorated too quickly. I heard that last night in the nine districts of Mingguang City, there were reports of sightings of figures wearing black and white masks in more than half, with the attacked and missing residents rumored to reach over a hundred overnight.”

“Now, all nine Temple Knight squads have sprung into action, beginning to set up monitoring on the streets. This morning when I went out with my sister, we encountered an overwhelming seven or eight checkpoints. It seems this incident…”

“Wow… looks like the first to lose their cool is actually these guys, preparing to formally declare war on Mingguang City? Multiple simultaneous sighting reports…”

Listening to Miss Fox’s self-talk, Layla didn’t say much to interrupt the girl’s thoughts but solemnly inquired.

“Miss Xī, should we intervene?”

Vilyric pondered for a moment.

“Mm, since I promised the Saint of Bright Light to help her solve this problem, I can’t just talk empty words. I will personally go to the Temple of Bright Light to investigate this matter, and for you guys…”

“Let’s see, you and Renée should head to the Xingxiong District where you encountered that female Holy Knight yesterday. If… I mean if there really is more than one of those black and white masks, the reason it deliberately led【Soul】away… will become clear.”

“For this mission, I authorize you to take action freely. The goal is to uncover the hidden secrets there all at once. It could be a bit dangerous, but you will definitely reap substantial rewards… How about it, can you handle it?”

Showing no hints of hesitation or cowardice, the white-feathered girl nodded firmly.

“Of course! Leave it to us!”

After reminding them of some precautions and watching Layla head out, a tall silhouette of a certain Little Dragon Daughter suddenly appeared by the side of the white fox girl.

“Master, do you need me to follow them?”

Vilyric shook her head.

“… No need. Since you’ve decided to truly participate in what we do, be prepared to face danger. Let them act freely; I’ve already arranged some backups in advance.”

“Xiao Guang, your task is simple: just keep an eye on Eudora with Tilysha temporarily, don’t let her get into trouble or be exposed. If she wakes up, just soothe her for now. Everything… we’ll discuss when I return.”

“Understood.”

The Little Dragon Daughter obediently nodded and quickly asked.

“Where is Master going?”

“To the Temple of Bright Light, of course.”

A slight smile of delight appeared on the masked lips of the white fox girl.

“Since someone couldn’t hold back and acted so quickly, then the chain reaction brought on by that will surely follow. How could I miss such a good show?”

 

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