Chapter 204: The Broken River

Seeing that Miss White Fox did not show any obvious agreement or disagreement, the two white-feathered girls behind her naturally dared not interfere and could only obediently remain silent and listen.

Meanwhile, the Temple Knights had been temporarily dispatched by the Acting Captain to investigate other houses.

Thus, in the room with only four girls, Edwina raised two fingers.

“The first possibility is an illusion magic. For example, within half a day since our last contact, Sacheno City could have been breached by demons, encountering some circumstances we are still unaware of, causing its residents to vanish.”

“After that, the demons, to confuse our army, intentionally cast a large-scale illusion magic in the city, creating a false impression that everything was normal, while secretly setting an ambush for us as soon as we entered, launching a surprise attack.”

“…Just like they played their tricks multiple times in the early wars in the Sarnoth Province and Keller Province.”

“I had thought that, but look, the furnishings in this room are very neat, showing no signs of violent intrusion, nor traces of any combat, which proves that the residents here were neither forcibly taken nor suddenly disappeared in a rush, but rather left on their own after closing the doors and windows.”

“If the city was breached, such a situation would be impossible. The demons wouldn’t need to go to such lengths for trivial details, especially since we are already in the city.”

Only then did Miss White Fox, who had been quietly listening, finally nod and say, “That’s a very logical and coherent hypothesis. So, Edwina, if it’s not the demons, who do you think could have done this?”

“…At this point, it’s still uncertain; I can only say we have temporarily ruled out the possibility of the demon army breaking into the city, but whether it’s related to the demons is hard to conclude.”

Edwina rested her chin in thought.

“If the previous hypothesis is wrong, what we saw on the slope is reality, there is no so-called illusion magic here, and perhaps Sacheno City has not completely fallen… what could cause over a hundred thousand people in the city to disappear within an hour?”

Pondering this, the girl voiced the only answer in her heart.

“A strong individual, a super strong individual with certain powerful treasures or abilities, just like how Miss Xī used that treasure seal to gather refugees along the way, some strong individual… must have interfered with the situation in this city.”

“When we arrived, the other party happened to take away the last civilians and personnel from the city in some manner, brushing past us, hence the current situation… that’s what I believe.”

“Sounds quite reasonable~”

Seeing that Miss White Fox remained noncommittal and didn’t intend to add anything, Edwina, realizing the other was deliberately testing her while conveying that she wouldn’t frequently interfere in minutiae, nodded in agreement.

“Regardless, let’s search the entire city first to confirm whether there are any traps or remaining residents. Although this may sound harsh, as long as that strong individual harbors no malicious intent, the emptiness of Sacheno City is actually beneficial to our army.”

After all, with the great battle looming, the presence of the populace was a burden to this small city and the army that was about to become a fierce battlefield. It could also easily become a cover for spies and spreading plagues from the demon side. Edwina had originally planned to ask Vilyric for help to use the [Seal of Rivers and Mountains] to temporarily gather them as well.

After searching several nearby residences and confirming that these places were similarly vacant, the Temple Knight squads dispatched to other areas of the city gradually returned, bringing the latest intelligence from their investigations.

It was indeed an empty city.

Not only the western city gate and western marketplace where Edwina and others had entered, but all three other directions, including the central temple, were completely vacant.

Over one hundred thousand residents of Sacheno City, including the temple officials and guards, had all completely disappeared, leaving no trace.

After confirming safety and that no demon traps remained, Edwina sent the predetermined signal to the external troops and the main force positioned further up the hillside.

Three hours later, the main army of the Holy Kingdom smoothly took over the fortifications of Sacheno City, beginning improvements and reinforcements. As the leaders, Yuna and the others arrived at the eastern city wall, overlooking the Saint’s City and the demon-occupied areas.

“…It seems Acting Captain Edwina’s judgment is entirely correct.”

Silently gazing at the sights before her, the Saint of Bright Light, Yuna Summerfield, couldn’t help but express her awe with a hint of surprise.

Less than ten meters east of Sacheno City lies the grand Star River, which draws a marvelous semicircular arc at this location, almost encircling the eastern part of the city and nearly half the north-south direction, forming a moat-like sight, connected by ferries and a dock to the opposite shore.

And at this moment, the small dock that should have been used for ferrying during a demon attack, as well as the riverbank outside the east gate of Sacheno City…

Had all been cut cleanly.

Yes, it literally means “cut open.”

Starting just a few meters outside the city gate, the riverbank’s land appeared to be cleaved apart by some unstoppable force, with the earth splitting like tofu, a straight slash extending forward into the roaring Star River… and resurfacing on the opposite bank.

Although most of the marks had been covered again by the rushing waters of the Star River, the few wreckage pieces of shattered ships floating and stranded on the river still revealed the terrifying devastation that had descended upon the demon forces rushing toward the east gate of the city.

Just by looking at such remnants, it’s not hard to imagine that when that earth-shattering strike fell, even the surging Star River must have been split apart in an instant, churning waves of terror.

It was like divine retribution descending from the heavens, cleaving the long river with one’s strength—undoubtedly a power far beyond human limits.

Even though the speculations were confirmed, it seemed Miss Edwina wasn’t particularly happy, merely standing beside the equally serious and contemplative Yuna, observing the terrifying traces left by that strike.

“Who on earth could it be… Since the strike was aimed toward the Star River, it indicates that the other party is likely not a strong individual from the demon side. Then why didn’t they directly appear before us and instead chose to quietly take away the residents of Sacheno City? This power to gather living beings…”

“…Why are you all looking at me? Hey, hey, I really didn’t do this!”

Caught off guard by the synchronized “stares…” from the two divine ladies, Miss White Fox, also sorting through certain clues in her mind, quickly reacted and shook her head vigorously to prove her innocence.

“Besides, we’ve been acting together from the start, right? When would I have the time to run off to such a place and do such a bizarre thing?”

“Uh, that does make sense…”

Seemingly convinced by Miss White Fox’s words, Edwina nodded awkwardly, while the saintess beside her, more knowledgeable in the ways of people and speech, subtly shifted the subject and smiled gently.

“Miss Xī misunderstood. As allies and partners, why would we casually harbor doubts? It’s just that the traces left by this mysterious strong individual and their actions are too shocking and perplexing. I wanted to consult you, who possess incredible power… What level of strength do you think they must possess, based solely on this strike?”

“Well…”

When it came to such a topic, Vilyric indeed did not shy away or evade, casually glancing over the gorgeous crown atop the saintess’s head, finally resting her gaze on the sharp, unmatched cut connecting the banks of the Star River.

“At the very least, above the so-called [Pseudo-Gods] you mentioned.”

   

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