### Chapter 130: The Withering Angel

In short, after wiping out the Depraved Beings and reclaiming the barrier of Radiant Protection, everyone found themselves back in the “Hatching Chamber,” now charred black.

Everyone had different expressions, each seemingly preoccupied with their own thoughts.

Little Dragon Daughter was simply miffed about not getting to take down those monsters herself. After all, those things had just shrugged off her earlier assault and returned to their original forms, igniting the competitive spirit in Giant Dragon Miss.

However, Vilyric couldn’t just let her wreak havoc here; otherwise, it was predictable that the Magic Island could easily turn into mere historical remnants.

Leila and Renée were just startled by the monsters but not particularly afraid. After all, they were already well aware of their Vilyric’s prowess; whenever this lady got serious, no one could claim victory in her presence.

As for Sigrid and the others, their expressions were somewhat more complex. The strangeness and horror displayed by the Depraved Beings were indeed frightening, but it was Vilyric, who had easily dispatched them even amidst a full-scale attack, who was the true monster.

Sigrid had her suspicions, but being unable to confirm them made her feel slightly better compared to the others. The four other priests, on the other hand, subconsciously kept their distance from the Black-haired Girl.

Whether it was awe or fear of that overwhelming power, Miss Priestess didn’t seem to care much. Bringing these four along was merely a matter of convenience; she had never expected any actual help from them.

Vilyric was gradually becoming more familiar with this world, so there was no longer a need to hide her strength as she had before, allowing a select few to know without risk.

“Alright, if there’s nothing wrong, let’s move on! Look, there’s another door over there.”

Miss Priestess stretched her red staff and pointed towards the vine-covered gate that she had deliberately preserved, identical to the one behind them.

It kind of felt like a level in a video game…

What would the next stage be? Higher-tier elite monsters, or perhaps the final boss?

“You… sigh, fine, I’ll be counting on you, Vilyric… Miss~”

“It’s just a little concealed strength; no need to be so sarcastic…”

They continued forward, stepping on the charred ground beneath them.

The vine gate opened automatically once more. Perhaps the puppet master behind this hadn’t faltered in fear after the complete annihilation of the Depraved Beings, or maybe this was simply some automated mechanism.

As they stepped inside the door, the scenery changed again.

“Hmm? This place…”

Not only Vilyric but even Leila, Renée, and Little Dragon Daughter wore surprised expressions.

This place—it was the very altar located beneath the Forest of Calamity!

Or rather, it could be said to be a replica, a replacement built in imitation of that grand temple standing on the earth, as seen in the illusion space before.

Murals depicting mythological tales adorned the sides, the statue of the Earth Mother Goddess Xi Fu stood in the center, with an altar; everything appeared as if carved from the same mold.

“Looks like this is the final destination.”

Vilyric scanned the area and didn’t see any doors aside from the one near them, then her gaze fell upon the beautiful yet strange figure kneeling in prayer towards the statue of the Earth Mother Goddess.

That was the only living being within the entire temple—if Vilyric guessed correctly, this must be what’s termed the final enemy, the final boss in gaming lingo.

She honestly resembled a Winged Person somewhat.

Though facing away from everyone, her long gray hair tied up and draping over her chest, coupled with her attractive figure, clearly hinted at her gender. The dead gray wings behind her were at least twice the size of a typical Winged Person’s, and what surprised Vilyric the most was…

The wings on this presumably Winged Woman’s head were a pair of small gray wings almost identical to Leila and Renée’s except for the color difference, proving her true identity.

“An angel… no, a half-blood angel with awakened blood?”

To be honest, it felt a bit odd.

It wouldn’t be hard to accept an angel appearing in the temple of a deity, but this was the deepest part of the Magic Island from the Abyss, making the existence of angels resembling guardians and priests feel extraordinarily bizarre.

Moreover, according to those ancient texts, angels of any deity were supposed to bear pure and flawless white wings, embodying a noble existence filled with life and vitality.

Yet this angel… this half-blood angel, leaving aside the fact that there were no genuine angels in the world anymore, emitted an aura that felt profoundly ominous.

Deathly silence, stillness, and withering gray mist continuously seeped from her, enfolding the entire temple in a foggy haze. From her, Vilyric sensed not the faintest spark of life—she was like a puppet made from a corpse, inexplicably endowed with the ability for self-movement…

Probably sensing the intruders, the angel ceased her prayers, stood up, and turned towards them.

A chorus of gasps echoed in the room.

“Hilda-senpai?!”

“Hilda?”

“Oh dear! This is going to be… cough… troublesome.”

Even Vilyric didn’t expect to see such a face at that moment.

Hilda Kurk.

Though they hadn’t interacted much, she had a considerable impression of this high-ranking member of the Free Wings, one of the Four Wings, as they had crossed paths several times.

It was said she had gone missing during the disaster on Spris Island, her fate unknown. While it was said so, considering the Abyss Beast’s endless devouring ability, a person gone missing for a long time could typically be presumed dead.

However, on the Winged people’s side, especially Sigrid, they were reluctant to admit or believe this, constantly insisting that Hilda was merely missing.

To think… she would actually be encountered here.

Or rather, what once was her existence.

Though she still bore Hilda’s face—her hairstyle and figure identical to that beautiful and cunning Winged Woman—she was no longer Hilda.

The hair and wings symbolizing her identity as a White-Winged Person had all turned into a dead gray matching the surroundings, and aside from the pair of ear wings sprouting from her, there was now a gray mark on her forehead resembling intertwining vines.

Most importantly, those once wise and gentle eyes were now merely silent and murky pools, devoid of any shine, just like—an Abyss.

“Hilda-senpai!”

Sigrid cried out urgently, but the one who had transformed into a sort of angel offered no response.

Oh, there was a response.

She raised her hand and summoned an eerie long-handled staff entwined with the dead fog and vines.

   

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