Chapter 26: The Forbidden Voice

In the end, Miss Vilyric had the two girls next to her wear protective devices, while she herself chose to decline.

Not because she was particularly conceited or arrogant, but simply as a necessary form of contact and experimentation. If Priestess was not mistaken, this madness-inducing “pollution” was likely directly linked to the dangerous nature of the “Ghost Sea,” which was a place of no return.

Miss Vilyric remembered clearly that when she used magic above level 8, anyone who witnessed it at close range with weaker powers and insufficient willpower could suffer similar hallucinations or even long-lasting mental effects.

This was the information pollution brought about by such immense and profound skills, but what if that influence could worsen to the point of being transmitted through other means?

It was necessary to validate the difference between the two.

Seeing the Priestess’s insistence, Queen Anies hesitated slightly but decided not to say much. After all, the impact of brief exposure to the source of pollution was comparatively limited and wouldn’t be too dangerous. Moreover, testing Miss Vilyric’s limits through this opportunity wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for Her Majesty.

Thus, the group, now ready, began to approach the algae mats that housed the patients.

Perhaps others didn’t feel much due to the隔绝 of the protective devices, but Miss Vilyric, completely exposed to the “pollution,” could clearly notice that as they drew nearer, the sensation in the air described by Miss Le Qiao Qiao as “sticky” was rapidly intensifying.

Very interesting; this was indeed not some elemental energy, nor a gas or some invisible soul energy. If one had to classify it specifically, it could indeed be categorized as “sound,” right?

Sound is like that—the closer you are to the source, the clearer the content becomes to your ears.

Through Ming Xi’s inherited yin-yang eyes, Miss Vilyric could “see” the notes vibrating in the air like waves from a more ineffable perspective. However, this sound was akin to ultrasound—completely imperceptible and incomprehensible to normal biological ears, only able to passively bathe in it, listening without awareness, and accepting.

The burden placed on the brain, even the soul, was likely the reason why the agile-fingered Miss Le Qiao Qiao felt the air was very sticky.

So this is what is called “pollution,” an information… information that can’t be understood by people.

But the information itself was not harmful, thus the issue should lie within the content represented by that information.

It wasn’t until they got within a few meters of the patients that an old merman wearing a specially made long hat hurriedly approached, greeting Queen Anies with deep respect.

“I pay my respects to Your Majesty.”

“No need for such formalities, everyone. Allow me to make an introduction.”

She supported the old man lightly, addressing the guests with respect.

“This is Old Longbei, the leader of the three-finned merman tribe, the most knowledgeable scholar in the East Sea Pearl, the court’s chief healer, over four hundred years old.”

“The three-finned mermen are quite perceptive; they can sense many things that ordinary people cannot through their innate tail fin. They are one of the primary sources of healers and scholars within our merman tribe. Many methods to combat ‘pollution’ and ‘Deep Sea Ghosts,’ such as this protective device, were developed under Old Longbei’s leadership—he’s truly deserving of praise.”

The old merman quickly smiled wryly and shook his head.

“Your Majesty overstates it. I am unable. Despite exhausting my knowledge, I still cannot find a cure for the plague. Such a heavy heart I bear; achievements are a distant thought…”

Queen Anies simply smiled noncommittally, choosing not to discuss the matter further. She turned to introduce Old Longbei to the others.

“Leader Longbei, these three are representatives from the merchant caravan that provided that important batch of supplies. I intend to establish deep cooperation with them and specifically invited them to witness the upcoming ceremony.”

Old Longbei nodded slightly, quickly shifting his gaze to the only one not wearing a protective device, Miss Vilyric, and pondered.

“Since it is Your Majesty’s decision, I naturally dare not say more. However, this young lady…”

Not willing to waste time on lengthy explanations, the black-haired girl stepped forward and got straight to the point.

“My name is Vilyric; I’m a priestess. May I observe the patients up close?”

“A priestess? Oh… the little ones who worship the source on the mainland and like to use light attribute magic for healing. I’ve indeed seen some in the past; they are rather knowledgeable. In that case, allowing you to try and come into contact is not absolutely impossible…”

Old Longbei subconsciously glanced at Mingjiao, the queen standing beside him. Seeing her nod subtly, he assumed a professional demeanor and said seriously:

“This young lady, are you currently experiencing any dizziness, tinnitus, slight disorientation, or hearing or seeing anything ambiguous… any of these symptoms? Please don’t push yourself or deceive me; this is not a joking matter.”

Hmm… what he mentioned should be the early symptoms after a normal being’s mind is polluted. It seems Old Longbei is indeed quite experienced.

Seeing Miss Vilyric calmly shake her head, he continued to observe for a moment, and the tightly furrowed brow of Old Longbei finally relaxed a bit.

“It seems Miss Vilyric indeed has quite remarkable skills in sacred magic. Even I, standing here, can sense the naturally holy aura emanating from you… Please proceed, but do remain cautiously vigilant.”

After reiterating his advice, the compassionate old man turned and led Miss Vilyric closer to the figures lying side by side on the mats, while the others waited at a safe distance.

The Priestess quietly expanded her perception and used Spiritual Points to protect herself, just in case.

As expected, as she continued to approach, the soundless waves, or rather the murmurs surrounding the air, intensified significantly, and Miss Vilyric was finally able to confirm one thing completely.

This “sound” was emanating from within those patients.

Choosing a merman girl who dressed in a priestly robe and looked quite similar to Miss Silisa, Miss Vilyric squatted down and activated “Information Detection” on the one who appeared to be in a coma.

Lines of information quickly appeared before her eyes.

There were no notable external injuries, and vital signs were stable, but through her yin-yang eyes, she observed that there was some strange impurity mixed into her soul, as if ink had been poured into clear water, clouding it.

Such anomalous changes in the soul could indeed lead to mental confusion and drive one to insane actions, but it seemed the mermen had forcibly calmed her to sleep with magic potions.

This was information that “Information Detection” could not reveal.

Ming Xi’s ability was indeed convenient; previously, it would probably have taken half a day of research to clarify the situation.

While pondering, Miss Vilyric glanced up at the old merman standing beside her.

“This won’t do. Even if you continuously suppress her mental activities with calming potions, it cannot make her truly calm down. Her soul has already undergone some unclear aberration due to the pollution’s influence, appearing to be transforming into something else.”

“I can sense that this is a change that, once begun, cannot be stopped or reversed. This ‘pollution’ probably possesses the ability to self-replicate with the soul as its nutrient, so although you temporarily suppress it, you can only delay the process… right?”

Old Longbei was momentarily stunned, and then, the elderly eyes, which had solely focused on observing Miss Vilyric’s expression, suddenly sparkled with two bright glimmers as his mood shifted abruptly.

“Did you deduce all of this yourself? In such a short time? It wasn’t revealed by Her Majesty or anyone else, was it…?”

The black-haired girl chuckled.

“Isn’t the answer already in your heart?”

Old Longbei nodded vigorously with deep agreement.

“Yes, yes! Even for Her Majesty or myself, we’ve merely speculated vaguely about the potential essence of the ‘pollution.’ Such precise and concise language could only derive from truly unveiling its truth…”

The old merman murmured, and his demeanor grew exceptionally serious and solemn.

“This… Miss Vilyric, you are entirely correct; this is a malady that involves the essence of the soul. With my current capabilities, I can only hope to defend against it and cannot cure it, merely delay the worsening of these tribesmen’s symptoms.”

“So in your view, is it possible to reverse this pollution?”

   

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