Chapter 40: I’m Going to Launch an Awesome Attack!

How interesting… But why does that incantation he’s chanting sound so familiar? Is this the holy magic developed by the Holy Empire in the new history?

While pondering such things, Miss Vilyric surveyed her surroundings.

Rashid’s use of holy magic was indeed effective, but it couldn’t instantly eliminate the influence of the expanding aura. As it stood, despite everything happening around her, two people remained completely unaffected aside from herself.

Accompanying her was the somewhat mysterious Sea Priestess Silisa… and Miss Le Qiao Qiao, who still didn’t have a clue as to what was going on?

“Eh, eh eh? What’s happening here?!”

Completely oblivious to the tainted aura spreading from the island, the thief girl finally reacted to the unexpected situation, but could only panic and whirl around anxiously by the side of the visibly stressed Hong Yan, ultimately casting a desperate glance at the black-haired girl, who seemed unfazed.

“Boss, stop watching the show! Help us already!”

“Oh, don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. Other big shots are already stepping in to solve this~”

But to be honest, the outbreak’s occurrence was pretty much anticipated by Miss Vilyric. She had sensed some astonishing power brewing in the center of the island upon landing, like a collection of high-concentration pollution trying to manifest in a more tangible form in this world.

It was as if something like the “Spirit of Laws” was in search of a suitable vessel; that aura just now was merely a ripple from their first attempt.

Of course, that entity’s form and composition appeared more complicated than just a simple “Spirit.” This endeavor was clearly not something that could be accomplished in a short time, so as long as they could arrive before it fully materialized and gained the ability to interfere with the real world, there should be a chance to stop it.

That said…

The Priestess turned with a slight scrutinizing gaze, ultimately landing on Miss Le Qiao Qiao.

“For everyone else’s situation, I had some predictions, but you… I seriously didn’t expect you to be completely unharmed. Is it because your head’s already empty, so you can’t be led astray by confusion or nonsense, huh~?”

The thief girl blinked in surprise, suddenly coming to understand the situation, and immediately got flustered and stomped her feet in frustration.

“Hey! What’s the time now, and you’re still joking around! And I’m not an idiot!”

“Ah, you say that, but being an idiot has its perks. There’s a saying that ignorance is bliss, and it seems that’s quite true right now.”

Just as Miss Le Qiao Qiao was being skillfully distracted by someone’s remarks, Hong Yan had straightened her back again, slightly gasping for breath as she stood firm amidst the continuously merging pure light, suppressing the lingering dark colors in her eyes.

“Ah, Xiao Hong Yan, are you alright?”

“I’m fine… I’ve faced something like this before… I can hold on.”

Shaking her head, the swordswoman exchanged glances with the Priestess.

“There’s something… Miss Vilyric, they are nearly identical.”

“Mm, it seems we are getting quite close to the truth behind the mystery of this sea area~”

Nodding with a smile, Miss Vilyric glanced at the team, which was reorganizing under the guidance of Your Majesty and Rashid, as well as the “Ghosts” around them, who were gradually returning after the strange worship ritual was coming to an end, and suddenly brought up an unrelated topic.

“Hong Yan, how much of that power do you currently control?”

The girl paused for a moment, then quickly understood.

“You mean the ‘Absolute Sword’ driven by the Void Law? After the practice during our last journey through the seabed, I’ve gained some insight into the timing of drawing my sword and energy control; what I lack now is foundation, but if I exert all my effort, perhaps…”

“Mm, that means you can’t really use it yet… I suppose I was a bit too demanding, it’s fine.”

Thinking for a moment, Miss Vilyric quietly slipped a light golden, tear-drop capsule resembling a pure crystal into Hong Yan’s hand.

“I might leave the group soon to handle something. If you face a life-and-death crisis during my absence, just crush and swallow this. It will allow you to… how should I put it, launch a really awesome attack, powerful enough to take out any enemy within reason, but only one chance.”

As she broadly described the effect, not intending to explain too much, Miss Vilyric then became serious.

“But remember, it’s best to only use it when absolutely necessary or when you feel it’s essential.”

“To be honest, I haven’t conducted enough experiments with this thing, and your compatibility with… the power it contains isn’t particularly high. If something goes wrong, your body could essentially explode from that power, do you understand what that entails?”

Noticing their little interactions, Miss Le Qiao Qiao hurriedly leaned in, curious like a hamster eyeing a new toy.

“Is that for real, Boss? You dare to use something so dangerous for little Hong Yan?”

Miss Vilyric shot her a glare.

“It’s precisely because it’s dangerous that I’m only giving it to Hong Yan. She knows when it’s appropriate to use it and when it’s not, unlike someone with no sense, do you get it?”

“How unfair! I told you I’m not an idiot!”

“In reasonable circumstances… eliminate any enemy? Miss Vilyric, can I ask what exactly qualifies as a reasonable circumstance?”

The swordswoman instinctively assessed the tiny golden tear-drop crystal in her palm—so small that she could easily drop it without noticing—and appeared a bit hesitant since someone’s definition was rather vague.

“Ahh… don’t ask too many questions, just know that whatever you can imagine is a reasonable circumstance should suffice!”

“Alright then…”

It looked like a crystal, but it wasn’t particularly hard; it had a somewhat gummy, semi-soft texture when lightly squeezed. Upon careful observation, one could notice it was completely hollow inside, with a tiny amount of light red liquid gently sloshing around.

Hong Yan keenly felt that mysterious liquid was likely the source of the “Strength” the Priestess had mentioned.

But honestly, she was a bit skeptical whether this tiny drop could produce an effect that could be described as astonishing. Even a divine elixir must follow some basic principles, right?

Though she didn’t quite understand, since it was something Vilyric specifically entrusted her with—and having witnessed plenty of her incredible feats—Hong Yan naturally didn’t dare dismiss it and immediately tucked it away in her closest pocket, nodding earnestly.

“Got it, I’ll make sure to use it wisely. But Miss Vilyric, are you planning to leave the team at a time like this…?”

The Priestess shook her head, glancing at the approaching “Deep Sea Ghosts,” swiftly cutting off the girl’s continued inquiry into the topic.

“This isn’t something you should meddle in, just be prepared for battle, and also… remember to watch your back.”

The girl’s sharp, sword-like eyes slightly narrowed as she discreetly scanned all the other companions, subtly nodding in acknowledgment.

“I will be cautious.”

   

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