Chapter 570
The cheers of victory echoed through the valley.
Chapter 570 The cheers of victory echoed through the valley.
Hundreds of kilometers away from the Wanren Mountains, outside the city at dusk, the autumn wind swirls withered yellow leaves into the dried-up moat.
The judges and theologians, clad in black robes, had assembled outside the city walls, surrounded by hundreds of majestic griffins ready to take flight.
They either scratched at the hard ground with their sharp claws or preened their needle-like feathers with their sharp beaks, looking completely indifferent.
Standing before the assembled griffins, Chief Referee Jiménez slowly put on his leather gloves.
Those who know him well can tell that the chief referee is in a very good mood today.
The "cleaning work" in the Twilight Province is basically complete, and the St. Clement Cathedral has also acknowledged his contribution.
Under the wise command of Lord Jiménez, the heretics who had been entrenched on this land were swept away like leaves cut down by the autumn wind, leaving no trace.
A perfect report of victory was lying in his pocket, which he carried close to his body.
When he returns to the Holy City, this victory will become one of the most dazzling medals on his body.
The only downside is that winter seems to have come earlier this year than usual; the ground was already covered in frost in October.
However, thanks to the early frost, the poor harvest this year can be attributed to bad weather.
The city gates of Twilight City were crowded with citizens who had come to bid farewell to the Court of Justice.
The faces of the ordinary people in Lane either showed relief or confusion about the future.
Overall, however, they should still be grateful, otherwise they wouldn't have come here to say goodbye.
Just as Jiménez was pondering who to visit first upon returning to the Holy City, a chilling sensation suddenly swept in from the southern horizon without warning!
It was not the bleak autumn wind, nor did it resemble the aftershocks of magic; rather, it was more like a tremor that struck the very soul!
It was as if a giant hand, towering above the sky, had forcefully torn apart the stone pillars supporting the sky.
"scare--!"
The flock of griffins, which had been listlessly shaking their heads, suddenly erupted in a collective scream of terror.
These sky overlords, whose strength is second only to the dragons, seemed to sense the arrival of their natural enemies, and they all lowered their huge bodies, with some of the more timid ones even tucking their heads into their wings.
The judges' expressions all changed, and Jiménez's fingers froze in mid-air as he abruptly looked towards the direction of the Wanren Mountains.
Only the theologians, who possessed no extraordinary powers, looked around blankly, not understanding what was happening.
And those city dwellers at dusk.
Their souls were too weak, like duckweed on the vast ocean, unable to feel the surging power, only wondering why the south wind was blowing in autumn.
Jiménez's expression shifted between light and shadow, his vulture-like eyes fixed intently on the south.
That aura...
What on earth is this thing?!
Just as he was unable to make up his mind, a referee who was accompanying him rushed over in a panic, his face pale as he stood before him.
Clearly, the young man was also quite frightened by the sudden oppressive aura.
Although he was indeed a seasoned Tribunal knight, heretics of this caliber were not usually the Tribunal's job; they mainly dealt with more conventional opponents.
"Sir, there seems to be trouble in the south."
Jiménez said with a cold face.
"I know."
Seeing the referee's uncertain expression, the referee hesitated for a moment before tentatively continuing to ask.
"An aura that could frighten the griffins like this... this is probably no ordinary disaster. Should we send someone over to check it out?"
Jiménez did not answer immediately, but only glanced at him indifferently before turning his gaze to the distant horizon.
Should we go take a look?
Are you kidding me?
He already had the report of victory written in his pocket. Did you expect him to tear it up and rewrite it?
Moreover, this concerns not only his own future, but also the group of people standing behind him at this moment.
The brothers are here to gain experience, not to die.
Besides, this is the outermost edge of the empire, the territory of the Ryan barbarians. If anything strange happens here, it's the fault of those blasphemous creatures.
Although the court had executed thousands of people, Jiménez knew in his heart that these people were just a fraction of the blasphemers.
Even in Twilight City, there were quite a few who slipped through the net, not only the lackeys of the Salvation Army, but also the lackeys of the Green Forest Army... especially the latter, those are the kind of creatures who would rip out people's hearts and livers and eat them.
Jiménez had no sympathy for these barbarians.
They should have known this day would come when they slaughtered priests and desecrated nuns.
The vast majority of people who do not believe in retribution eventually suffer retribution.
Apart from those who came with a mission.
In just a few seconds, the astute chief referee had already weighed the pros and cons in his mind.
"No need."
He turned around, mounted the griffin, looked down at the judge, and continued speaking in an indifferent tone.
“The Wanren Mountains are the territory of the dwarves, not under the jurisdiction of the Holy Light. If our dwarven friends need help, they will naturally come to the Holy City to find us... There is no need for us to create unnecessary trouble.”
The referee lowered his head deeply, not daring to say another word.
"Yes, my lord."
As he said this, he felt a mix of regret and helplessness, but also a sense of relief.
Watching his men return to the ranks and mount their griffins, Jiménez turned his gaze toward the setting sun.
"set off!"
At his command, hundreds of griffins took to the air amidst a cloud of dust.
The enormous wings flapped through the air, whipping up howling gusts of wind that even knocked down several dilapidated shacks in the distance.
The judge and the theologian rode together on a griffin, and the procession of over a thousand people, under the watchful eyes of the citizens of Dusk City, returned triumphantly towards the Holy City, carrying victory and glory.
Once those people had gone far away, the militia of the Holy Light Council came out and called out to the citizens who had been summoned to make up the scene.
"Alright, alright, that's enough for today, everyone can go home."
The crowd scattered in a panic, not wanting to stay there for even a second longer.
After all, it's cold enough outside, and the city of Twilight has been devastated, with many businesses in ruins. Not everyone has an old coat to wear.
The regional bishop of the Twilight City Cathedral sighed and silently made the sign of the cross in prayer.
"By Saint Sith..."
If those endless calamities were divine punishment sent down by you, may your people have already paid for all their sins.
Don't let it come again.
On the other side, Ellaric, the governor of Twilight City and the president of the Holy Light Council, was standing at the very front of the crowd seeing them off.
He looked up, watching the black dot disappear into the horizon, and a barely suppressed smile gradually spread across his face.
They've finally left.
The shackles that bound the hands and feet of the man of twilight.
He straightened his gold-trimmed governor's uniform with both hands and approached the assembled councilors with a smile.
"Alright, gentlemen, our time has finally come... There is still a lot of work to be done. For example, we must first feed the hungry people, otherwise they will be abducted by that saint in a few days."
He was clear-headed, paused, and continued.
"The harvest from the fields is certainly hopeless, but fortunately there are still quite a few merchant ships on the Benliu River, so we can buy some from our old friends. As for the funds for purchasing grain... I'm afraid we'll need some donations from you all."
The members of the Holy Light Council exchanged glances, their expressions showing some reluctance, but they generally agreed with the speaker's point of view.
They understand that the price of being stingy is "the loss of everything."
Besides, this money wasn't donated to the king, but spent on their own territory, so it's not that hard to accept.
As for the specific amount to be raised, we can discuss it during the meeting...
Unlike the optimistic Speaker Ellaric, Theron, standing at the edge of the crowd, wore a faint sadness on her face as she gazed in a direction that the Chief Justice had deliberately ignored.
Although he couldn't sense the terrifying aura, his keen observation skills allowed him to read the expressions on the judges' faces.
Something bad has probably been born there...
"Relax, my friend."
Just then, a large hand landed on Theron's shoulder, interrupting his thoughts.
Alaric had somehow walked up to him and winked at him.
"We've weathered the toughest days, so how can tomorrow be any worse than yesterday?"
"Hopefully, I'm just overthinking it..." Theron sighed, looking at Speaker Ellarick. "Then, Mr. Speaker, I think we need to consider more than just how to get through this winter; we also need to consider the longer-term issues. Have you thought about our future?"
Although the Council of Holy Light has hundreds of members, in reality, only the former governor and three counts truly have the power to decide the fate of Twilight Province.
Considering that the other two counts were both useless, Theron, the only tall one among the dwarfs, couldn't expect those two useless men to offer any constructive suggestions.
Should he answer Campbellburg's expectations and establish the Duchy of Twilight, or should he heed Roland's call and return as governor to report for duty...?
Ellaric understood the deeper meaning in Theron's voice, and the smile on his face gradually turned into a struggle.
In fact, maintaining the status quo is the best outcome for the Holy Light Council. However, he also knows in his heart that this situation cannot continue indefinitely.
"This matter needs to be decided carefully... I want to observe first before making the next move."
"Observe what?"
“Roland City, as you know, has been quite turbulent lately. Even if we were to turn against the king, now is not the ‘best’ time.”
Theron understood his implication and nodded knowingly.
"Then let's get through this hurdle first."
……
Regardless of what the citizens of Twilight City and the members of the Tribunal thought, the Carrion Clan ratmen who had survived Mok's gaping maw scattered like birds and beasts.
Moke is dead.
Also dead were the clan rats' fantasies about "Gluttonous Rat" Gello.
For at least a few days, the little mice will stop muttering His name.
The rats of the Carrion Clan scurried across the battlefield like headless flies, squeezing into every crevice they could find.
Looking around, the entire hillside was littered with their discarded armor, as well as unused magical artifacts and scrolls.
Since these items are all produced by Xuebang, there are quite a few high-quality products among them.
This actually benefits the players in the Great Graveyard.
It's a pity this game doesn't have an auto-pickup function, otherwise they could have collected all the equipment dropped by their allies.
"Damn, guys, don't pick them all up! Leave some for me!"
Watching the group of animals pushing carts and collecting equipment, the one-headed [Go to the docks to pick up some seagulls] was so envious his soul fire was practically glowing red. However, his wailing didn't quell the other players' anxieties; instead, it only fueled their excitement.
Calabash's Child: "By the time you run back from your corpse, it will have been many days."
Lighter: "Exactly!"
Advertising space for rent: "Kick him away, so he won't get in the way."
Go to the pier and count the seagulls: "@#&!"
On the other side, the warriors of the dwarves and humans also erupted in a thunderous cheer, but their cheers were a completely different style compared to those of the "dragonborn" of the Kingdom of Gutaf.
"Oh oh oh!"
"victory!"
"Long live Campbell!"
Long live the Mountain Kingdom!
Bathed in the cheers of the crowd, Eileen watched as the mountain of flesh gradually collapsed under the scorching black flames, and slowly sheathed the "Light of Praise" in her hand.
As the battle ended, the power she unleashed by burning her life force also receded.
Although she had just successfully broken through her own bottleneck and entered the hall of amethyst-level powerhouse, the exhaustion that followed almost drained her completely.
My eyelids felt heavier than ever before, and the scene before me began to blur, as if the world was spinning upside down.
Eileen swayed and her body tilted backward uncontrollably.
Just then, a pair of strong hands supported her shoulders and pulled her swaying body into a warm embrace.
“…Colin?” A scent of books wafted into her nostrils, and Eileen struggled to open her eyes.
Seeing that face so close to hers, her cheeks flushed slightly.
Luo Yan lowered his head and said apologetically.
"I'm sorry I'm late. It took some time to treat the wounded from the Kingdom of Gutaf... I wish I had come earlier. I had to leave you to face that monster alone."
At this moment, he had taken off the black cloak and changed back into his usual clothes.
Although his magnificent coat was stained with a little dust, it did not diminish Prince Colin's elegance in the slightest.
Seeing Colin caught in self-blame, Eileen quickly comforted him.
"Please don't think that way, I'm fine, just... a little exhausted. Rather than supporting me, I'd rather you protect those I can't take care of. It's thanks to your help that I can wield my sword without any worries..."
These are Eileen's true feelings.
However, as she said this, her thoughts drifted to the mysterious figure who had stood on the edge of the cliff and rained down black fire upon the chosen one of the Gluttonous Rat, Gello.
It was with that person's support that she was able to swing her sword forward without any hesitation and sever the exposed heart of the Chosen of Gellow in one fell swoop.
Perhaps it was a hallucination caused by exhaustion, but two figures uncontrollably overlapped before her eyes.
And it wasn't just two shadows.
Behind those overlapping phantoms, the shadow of another man also appeared before her eyes.
'My name is Luo Yan... We will meet again.'
Her thoughts were a jumbled mess, like a tangled ball of yarn. Eileen felt her mind was in chaos, momentarily frozen in place, her emerald green eyes becoming unfocused.
Until that concerned voice came from in front of her.
"Eileen?"
"...Ah, I'm sorry, I...I'm probably a little tired."
Seeing Colin looking at her with concern, Eileen immediately snapped out of her daze and hurriedly looked away, feeling so ashamed and angry that she wished she could disappear into the ground.
She actually thought of another... no, two other men in front of her beloved Prince Colin.
This is utterly blasphemous!
"Are you... really alright?" Luo Yan asked with concern, looking into those evasive eyes, but he felt a sense of relief.
The Demon King has a proven track record of success when it comes to "striking first".
When faced with something that cannot be explained, the best approach is not to elaborate further to make things worse, but to shift the focus from "I have a question" to "You have a question."
Although he felt a little sorry for Eileen, Luo Yan also had his own difficulties... He could always make it up to her later.
"I, I'm really okay..."
Eileen's eyes darted around, her panic reaching a point of utter embarrassment. After her lips moved for a long time, she finally thought of a way to change the subject.
"Oh right, just now! I think I broke through my bottleneck!"
"real?!"
Faced with this 180-degree turn in the topic, Luo Yan showed just the right amount of surprise, which then turned into genuine joy.
"By Saint Sith... Congratulations! Eileen, your bravery has been recognized by the Holy Light, and you have surpassed your father!"
Does the Holy Light acknowledge this...?
Eileen scratched her cheek with her index finger and said with a slight sense of shame.
"No... I am still far behind my father. He became a diamond-level powerhouse entirely through his own efforts, while I always receive help from others."
It's not just about receiving help from others.
She has also become a non-human being... and this has always been her pain.
Luo Yan smiled gently and said.
"It's not a bad thing to receive help from others. No one can exist alone in this world. I have also met many benefactors who have helped me."
After resting on Colin's shoulder for a while, Eileen finally regained her strength and left his embrace with a flushed face.
This is a battlefield, not a place for flirting.
Especially since pairs of eyes were already fixed on the two of them, whether they were dwarf soldiers, human soldiers, or the "dragon descendants" of the Kingdom of Gutaf... their eyes were filled with a knowing smile of ambiguity, and some even whistled.
The hero and the princess are an eternal topic.
Miss Irene Campbell, who held high the "Light of Praise," won the heart of her beloved after bringing victory to everyone, and the two lived happily ever after... Such an epic is not only enjoyed by the Campbells and the Lions, but also by the dwarves and the dragonborn.
however--
Not everyone is happy to see this.
For example, Miss Vivian, who comes from hell, cannot stand idly by.
Just as Eileen was about to muster the courage to ask the question that was bothering her, a purple blur, accompanied by a saccharine scream that sent chills down her spine, shot towards her like a cannonball.
"Pigeon~ pigeon—!"
Before Luo Yan could react, Vivian was already clinging to him like a koala, frantically searching through him.
"Are you alright? That aura just now was terrifying. Quick, let Miss Vivian check you out!"
"I'm fine—"
Before Luo Yan could finish speaking, Vivian interrupted him.
"Please don't be stubborn! Brother, whether it's serious or not is up to the 'doctor'! Vivian is the Grand Master of the Hospitallers, you can always trust Vivian!"
"...?"
It's not just about interrupting.
Those swift, nimble little hands were restless, searching all over his chest, waist, and even thighs, and were already touching the buttons on his collar.
Those scarlet eyes gleamed with a cunning and intoxicating greed.
Vivian felt even more pleased when she took advantage of Eileen's misfortune in front of her, and her little hands rummaged through drawers and cabinets even more excessively.
"...And also, check under the clothes, what if there are internal injuries!"
Luo Yan was immediately speechless.
Although he could guess that Vivian had sensed something through her connection with her familiars and was playing along to interrupt Eileen's impending question, wasn't this girl's behavior a little too presumptuous?
"That's enough, Vivian."
Luo Yan grabbed the increasingly audacious little hand and sighed. His tone was stern and helpless.
"I'm fine, not even a scratch. Instead of worrying about someone who didn't even play, our doctor should focus on Eileen, who truly needs our attention. She defeated that terrifying monster head-on; she's our hero today."
"Tch... what kind of hero is she..."
Vivian pouted and muttered under her breath, clearly very unhappy that her brother had given the credit to another woman.
That might fool others, but don't even think about fooling Vivian.
She's incredibly smart.
"That was clearly a chirp!"
Before she could finish speaking, Vivian clutched her smooth forehead and cried out in pain, looking tearfully at her brother who had withdrawn his finger.
His aggrieved look was heartbreaking.
However, Luo Yan was also a top-tier intelligent demon king. He could tell with his magic wand that this guy deliberately created a "flaw," then got beaten up and pretended to be pitiful, and then dared to do it again next time...
Until one day he's forced to show some real skills.
Ignoring those pitiful yet sickly eyes, Luo Yan turned his head and looked apologetically at Eileen, who couldn't get a word in edgewise.
"I'm sorry, I've spoiled my sister, and she always speaks without thinking... I believe that's not what she really thinks."
"It's okay, I understand... But speaking of which, you two have such a good relationship." Eileen smiled a little shyly, fiddling with the ends of her hair that were hanging down on her shoulder armor with her index finger.
Vivian's outburst interrupted the strong sense of déjà vu that had been lingering in her mind, making her even feel that her guess was somewhat absurd.
That "Flame King" not only possessed godlike power, but also exuded an aura comparable to that of a god. That being, completely stripped of humanity and reduced to nothing but divinity... seemed to be a completely different person from Prince Colin.
And that "Luo Yan" too.
They are similar only in the form of their power; their personalities, temperaments, and even the style of their perfumes are completely different.
Maybe... it really is just a coincidence.
After all, there are many adventurers on the continent of Os who practice the secret arts of the dragon god, and the black sacred fire of the Kingdom of Gutaf must be of the same lineage as the secret arts of the dragon god.
Perhaps it was just learned by that demon named "Luo Yan".
Upon hearing Eileen's answer, Luo Yan's smile became somewhat subtle.
Are they on good terms...?
maybe.
As far as hell is concerned, he might be the most abnormal one.
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(Thanks to reader "jiejiejie桀" for the generous donation!!!)
(End of this chapter)