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Chapter 34: Two Places, Two People and a Night Talk

Vilyric destroyed the entire Forgotten Land, turning the old site of Glorious City into a vast pit covering thousands of square kilometers.

Aside from those fortunate enough to be protected, it’s likely that nothing could survive Xiao Guang’s dragon breath.

This is the true power of a level 100 Sacred Crystal Dragon; the land here won’t auto-repair like in a game.

In fact, Vilyric still had many things left unclear, including the fragmented memories stored in her brooch by sheer coincidence—there were plenty of mysteries.

For example, what exactly is the “Seed of Desecration”? Where did it come from? Why does it possess that sort of desecration, or perhaps, reversal power?

Or, what about Afra’s past? What exactly happened in that battle? What did Ulysses go through with her, causing him to fall so deeply in love, even willing to sacrifice himself and the entire Glorious City for a mere possibility?

How was the mirrored world born?

And then there’s the recent sudden upheaval of Ulysses’s desecrated cocoon, affecting Bawo Town and the Xavier Merchant Caravan, along with many innocent people Vilyric is still unaware of?

Given the previous transfer speed and range of the living, if it hadn’t been for Vilyric and Little Dragon Daughter traveling nearby, it would likely have led to a catastrophe comparable to that of three hundred years ago before the United Kingdom officials even realized what was happening.

Moreover, she didn’t think that such a reverse entity, comparable to a pseudo-god, could be dealt with by ordinary humans.

At least one particular archer surely wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Lastly, there’s been that house in Bawo Town, where the girl lives, which has had the Priestess feeling uneasy.

Thinking back now, she could be certain that the person living in that house was not ordinary.

The same transfer, the same Bawo Town, yet she arrived much earlier than anyone else, and after disappearing, no one bothered to investigate.

It’s quite possible that she voluntarily entered the Shadow Land.

“Could it be another vampire…”

A certain vampire that has some connection with Afra, perhaps seeking her out.

Not to mention the three vampires from her memories who perished alongside Afra, Plakaka also mentioned being heavily injured by a female vampire near the Forgotten Land, leading him to join the Throne of Immortality for survival.

This indicates that certain bloodline individuals have been active around the old site of Glorious City, and it’s hard not to connect their purpose to a series of aspects related to Afra.

As for the specifics, that remains unclear for now.

Vilyric also couldn’t just be lurking around the Forgotten Land waiting for the other party.

Ultimately, this was just one of the stories she encountered on her journey, though her initial goal was to find the vampire Plakaka mentioned and lucked her way into this situation.

But since she had seen it, Vilyric would act as she pleased.

The Forgotten Land had already become a tomb for the living, with the remains of the victims aimlessly wandering in this city of the dead forever.

After seeing the memories from three hundred years ago, Vilyric understood the kind of curse and malice involved. If that’s the case, why not let them find release in the ashes?

The Priestess had never claimed to be a god, but if necessary, she wouldn’t mind acting as an Arbiter, delivering true divine punishment like in countless tales.

Ahem… even though it would actually be her pet doing the heavy lifting, it didn’t matter, right? Specializations exist for a reason. Besides, if Lady Vilyric truly wanted to, she could achieve the same effects.

Having passed the halfway point of her journey, she was now set to head straight for the City of Courage, the royal capital.

I wonder how Liliya is holding up over there?

……

City of Courage, Fifth Princess’s Sleeping Palace, Mingluan Hall.

As Liliya’s residence and primary stronghold, just the palace itself covered over a thousand acres. Not only was there a knight order directly under the princess with three thousand members stationed outside, but the royal maids, guards, and attendants also numbered in the thousands.

Truly, she was someone loved by many.

At this moment, their master, Fifth Princess Liliya Meikailande, stood alone by the attic window, gazing into the distant horizon where a terrifying white light, reminiscent of a god’s colossal hand, slowly subsided, her amazed pupils gradually calming.

She turned contemplative.

Having experienced a lot and knowing even more, she managed to retain enough calmness and clarity compared to the panicking mortals.

Though unsure of what exactly had transpired at that location, judging by the booming echoes and the interval before the light appeared, it had to be over a thousand kilometers away.

The divine power she witnessed firsthand on numerous occasions had a certain comparable nature.

Vilyric—a mysterious and magical girl who had suddenly appeared and helped her greatly in her perilous times, earning Liliya’s trust and a fondness mixed with indescribable emotions.

“Is it you…? Using such terrifying power, could it be that you’ve encountered an enemy even you find challenging…?”

“It seems so.”

From the shadows of the attic, a curvaceous figure emerged, a ranger with short crimson hair slowly approaching the princess, a subtle smirk appearing at the corner of her mouth.

“I can’t think of anyone else who could create such a terrifying sight aside from that guy; truly… I had just warned her not to cause too much commotion.”

“Sister Hua, what brings you here?”

Miss Fiery Blossom was hardly the princess’s personal bodyguard, though the two indeed shared a very close relationship. As one of the three legendary adventurers of the City of Courage, while she enjoyed respect, she also had many tasks to handle.

Especially after following Liliya on a trip to the western territory and ditching a pile of commissions; lately, she had been busier than ever.

And who knows… some scheming individuals might be stirring the pot just to keep this legendary master from lingering by Liliya’s side and protecting her.

“I’m no slave of the Adventurers’ Guild; I only take on requests as I please. Today happens to be a day off, so I came to check on you.”

The princess smiled sweetly, giving a noncommittal answer.

She naturally understood Hua’s nature and situation; the first part of the statement might be true, but the so-called “happenstance” was likely not the case…

“Liliya, are you worried about her?”

“Um… a bit, Sister Hua. What do you think Vilyric’s true level of power is?”

The princess looked down at the attendants and guards of Mingluan Hall, who were stirred and somewhat chaotic due to the phenomenon, her expression revealing a hint of indecipherable feelings as she engaged in self-questioning.

“At first, I thought she was a descendant left behind by a god, the so-called half-blood ‘Divine Offspring,’ capable of temporarily summoning true miracles. But then I discovered it was not that simple.”

“Vilyric is too strong, strong enough that I can’t even look up to her and imagine the limits of her power. You see, even for a useless person like me, I miraculously gained a new life with her help.”

Liliya patted the scabbard at her waist, managing a wry smile.

“Sometimes I even entertain the absurd notion that if she truly wished to assist, attaining the throne would be a mere trifling matter…”

Hua lightly chuckled, “In that case, why don’t you plead with her? Maybe she’d soften up and actually agree.”

After pausing for a moment, the princess resolutely shook her head.

“You know I won’t do that. This is one thing I must earn with my own strength. Otherwise… a queen would just be a name without substance, and it would make me feel unworthy to be alongside her.”

“Yeah, I know, but I still want to remind you, Liliya, don’t get too entangled with Vilyric. Don’t be fooled by her smiling and helpful demeanor… her essence is quite cold.”

Miss Fiery Blossom remained silent for a while before adding,

“Perhaps calling her cold isn’t entirely apt. It’s just that, deep down, Vilyric likely doesn’t regard you and me as the same kind of existence.”

“Much like a god looking down from the clouds, she may help, care about you, and become close friends, but she will never remain for you alone. You can be friends, but don’t rely on her.”

“As a human, possessing emotions, I can also sense the chilling divinity deep within her. Who knows… Vilyric might truly be a god playing with humanity.”

“……I know. She’s already given me a direct answer about that, so I won’t harbor any unrealistic delusions. Don’t worry.”

The princess softly explained, almost as if reassuring herself.

An awkward silence settled between them, and to ease the tension, Liliya deliberately changed the topic with a laugh.

“Yet a god… what an ethereal term! Do you think if those guys at the temple saw her, would they fall to their knees and start praying, haha!”

“Pfft… that might actually happen.”

The laughter of the two girls echoed in every corner of the attic, filling the air with a cheerful vibe.

But perhaps the true thoughts buried in someone’s heart weren’t as… lighthearted and breezy as her smile suggested.