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Chapter 113: Faith Trampled

People often see Cultists as brainless, irrational lunatics, but based on Roland’s notes and Roy’s experience, that perspective is somewhat flawed.

Cultists have brains; they just aren’t very bright—there’s some semblance of reason, but they also seem to be a touch… unhinged.

Opponents devoid of reason can’t be manipulated, but Cultists are different.

What do they believe in?

All Things Wither.

Rumor has it that it embodies the opposite of life’s essence, a personification of decay and withering, bringing demise to all living beings. As a manifestation of their power, they have withered plants that can absorb life force.

That’s their faith.

Roy had a simple task for Douglas and the others.

Shame them!

Shame them thoroughly!

Set the mountains ablaze, deforest recklessly, tear up the vines, and ideally, uproot those plants and stomp them to pieces!

Such acts would be akin to using a foreign flag to wipe one’s shoes—it’s the ultimate provocation!

“Disrespectful maggots! You dare trample on the blessings of the Mother Goddess! Everyone, make them pay!”

Sharon’s furious shout echoed through the forest, prompting countless Cultists clad in dark green robes to spring into action.

At first, Douglas was skeptical about whether this method would work.

But when he saw the once-numb Cultists erupting with rage as if they were avenged by a loved one, he realized the effectiveness of this strategy.

Though, maybe it was a bit too effective.

“Stop it, you shameless worms!”

“Who’s afraid of you bunch of matchstick men!”

On one side were the young Extraordinary Beings who had been simmering with frustration since the Trial, the pride of Veszyra, and on the other were the fanatics with their faith insulted. As soon as they met, conflict erupted instantly.

At this point, Roy’s plan had officially begun.

Douglas thought about this and couldn’t help but look grave.

There was no doubt that they had the numbers, but those Cultists had the backing of a barrier. They were not only immune to pain but could regenerate even if limbs were severed. More deadly, they were surrounded by a toxic miasma.

While the students were trading blows with the Cultists, Douglas knew very well that without the high concentration holy water Roy provided to resist the miasma, they wouldn’t even have the right to confront the Cultists.

From this moment on, their lives were formally entrusted to Roy and Nia. If those two failed, they would undoubtedly perish too.

Douglas swung his heavy fist, covered in quicksand, sending an enemy flying, his gaze drawn to the depths of the forest—an ominous place where the miasma was denser than anywhere else—and he couldn’t help but murmur, “It’s up to you now.”

Meanwhile, Roy and Nia, who were hiding near the barrier, sprang into action as soon as they confirmed that the number of Cultist guards had dwindled.

Before the elemental barrier completely failed, they had stealthily arrived ahead of everyone.

Nia, true to her golden bloodline, wielded her core ability Wind Wraith, manipulating the flow of wind to disperse the miasma and conceal their presence.

Although not on her level, Roy with his Mist Cloak and holy water won in a lottery could achieve similar effects.

The area near the barrier was engulfed in miasma, and at its center stood a towering, decayed tree. The tree’s surface was utterly rotten, covered in cracks, oozing putrid, foul-smelling pus, its leaves withering like ashes ready to fall, exuding an ominous aura and an extraordinarily deep power.

The tree’s thick branches provided a natural platform, allowing the two to ascend.

“That’s the secret barrier of All Things Wither, Sea of Fallen Trees. The center of the barrier is at the very top crown; if we destroy that, the barrier will temporarily lose its efficacy,” Roy squinted at the top and gestured.

At the bottom of the massive tree, numerous roots were slowly siphoning the life force from the entire forest.

Without such a mechanism, All Things Wither wouldn’t be able to continuously heal wounds and release such an outrageous range of barriers.

The best way to deal with it would be to destroy the bottom of the tree, but since it was buried deep underground, they settled for attacking the center of the barrier.

This was all mentioned in Roland’s notes.

Nia was curious why Roy was so determined against the Cultists, but she wisely didn’t ask further and smiled knowingly, “Once the barrier is down, the rescue team can come charging in.”

Once the barrier falters, the rescue team composed of various forces would undoubtedly arrive promptly. Even All Things Wither, without the barrier’s support, would end up with nothing.

“But, how is such an important barrier left completely unguarded?”

No sooner had she spoken, a cold, hoarse chuckle echoed through the layers of withered branches and leaves.

Roy glanced at the girl beside him and couldn’t help but twitch his lips: “Your wish for guards has come true.”

“I was just speaking casually!” Nia stuck out her tongue, looking guilty.

Then, along with a wave of extraordinary fluctuations, a striking figure cloaked in deep green emerged from the yellowish-green miasma.

The priest of All Things Wither, Sharon Blackwood!

However, her true form was far from appealing.

Sharon wore nothing at all. Her black hair resembled withered wood, her skin like decaying bark, and she didn’t have human legs; instead, plant roots surged like veins. Every step she took created a ghastly “swish” sound, utterly chilling.

Roy and Nia drew their swords simultaneously, on high alert.

“No wonder she has to parasitize others. With a look like that, she truly has no face to show,” Nia provocatively shouted.

But Sharon just smirked, unfurling her body and proudly displaying her putrid form: “You, bound in your fleshy prison, could never comprehend a higher beauty!”

Nia was at a loss for words, nearly gagging.

Roy, on the other hand, coldly chuckled, “A higher beauty? You mean something that can be burnt to ashes with one flickering flame?”

Sharon’s expression turned slightly cold, but she quickly laughed again as countless vines twisted behind her.

“The blood of the False King, you only managed to defeat a puppet I was parasitizing, do you really think you can…”

In an instant, dark golden lights flickered in Roy’s black eyes, unleashing a terrifying pressure that startled Sharon’s body and even the swirling vines around her.

“You go on ahead and destroy the barrier!”

Seizing the opportunity, Nia leaped without hesitation to another branch, soaring upward like a nimble nightingale.

She took one last glance at the young boy in the distance, noticing the trust and encouragement in his eyes.

Nia averted her gaze, a slight smile gracing her lips, her fear dissipating.

The sound of slicing wind filled the air, coupled with an incredibly alarming aura, but with her trust in the boy, Nia paid no attention, racing along the twisted branches, carried by the wind, shooting upward like a brilliant shooting star.

In no time, she reached the top of the tree.

“The center of the barrier is right here… Yikes!”

At the tree crown, an eye-catching floating magic circle made of decaying branches stood out as her target.

However, before she could reach it, countless humanoid monsters made of withered wood, dripping with pus and ravenous for flesh, lunged at her.

Sure enough, it wasn’t going to be that simple.

But a little challenge makes things interesting.

Nia sighed wryly, her eyes sharpening the next second as she brandished her twin blades.

“Sorry, but I’ve got no interest in you ugly creeps!”

 

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