Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The gigantic mushroom cloud slowly disappeared, but earthquakes were still coming over from deep down like soundless cries. The violent wind raised dust that carried the air of death, making everyone feel that their faces were burning.
It was not one mountain but a group of mountains here. At this moment, having sensed such obvious aftermaths when she was outside of the mountains, Natasha had a new understanding about the power of ‘Eternal Blaze’. “It’s almost as good as Dracula’s Scream…”
She had once entered the Dark Mountain Range and observed the place where Lucien fought Dracula with the Observer’s Castle. She was shocked by the broken environment, and she had the same feeling today.
“There’s still a huge gap. When the spell Eternal Blaze turns into ‘atomic fusion’, it will probably be as powerful as God’s Arrival.” As an earthling, Lucien had natural fondness of fusion magic, and he felt regretful that he could only perform it once with the strength of Alterna. In order to be a human-shaped hydrogen bomb, he would have to reach level three of legendary, which was where most of the grand arcanists were at. Also, the power of the magic was only limited by the user’s capabilities and understanding about its mechanism. It wouldn’t be strange that he could directly destroy the world someday.
By then, the Congress of Magic would have to solemnly swear that they would never use ‘Lucien’s Big Ivan’ first.
“The temperature at the center. The sunlight it produced suppresses spectres and devils as well.” Alterna said gravely next to him.
She had changed to a new hairstyle. The long gold hair had been combed to the left side of her head and dangled down from there, revealing her pure and beautiful face. Plus her white robe, she looked much more like a princess than Natasha did.
While Lucien was very curious about whether Alterna understood the special theory of relativity and the mass-energy formula he wrote, or she had inferred the power and status of the magic based on the structure of the magic and his description for it, the secret involved a demigod, and he could not predict the consequences if he asked recklessly. Therefore, he calmed himself down and asked with a bitter smile, “Your Excellency Alterna, didn’t you say that you needed seven days to absorb the remains of the mysterious existence of the World of Souls?”
Lucien suddenly grew anxious as he said that. He had thought that Alterna was one of the silly guys who acted based on their instincts. Together with their natural closeness, he was bold enough to whine. However, she was apparently one of the scheming guys, and she was also an honorable demigod. Would she be infuriated by such a question and even kill him?
If he survived all the disasters, only to be killed by the Silver Moon for a complaint, he would definitely die with regrets.
Well, would she prefer to be regarded as a male than a female?
Alterna replied solemnly, “I needed seven days if I were to eat it slowly.”
She said with a ‘I didn’t lie to you’ look on her face.
Lucien and Natasha both felt awkward, because she could’ve digested it in one day or shorter. He asked, “Why didn’t you eat faster if you could absorb it quickly?”
Both of them understood that Alterna did it for the purpose of attracting the masterminds behind the curtain. It was only a subconscious question due to the fear and anxiety in the past days.
Pressing her face with the right hand, Alterna replied equally solemnly, “I ate it slowly because I was waiting for the main dish.”
The main dish? Lucien understood that it referred to Maltimus, the Lord of Hell. However, the central area of Eternal Blaze had such a high temperature and such an intense release of energy. His projection that hadn’t reached the peak of legendary yet couldn’t have survived at all. What was there to eat?
If the purpose was to weaken him so that she could fight him in hell, the loss of a projection could only cause a minor injury at best. Under the enhancement of hell, Maltimus would still be able to compete with Alterna who was not in the home field.
According to the congress’ descriptions on ‘Lord of Hell’ and ‘Will of Abyss’, they were slightly different from Alterna in that they seemed to be limited to the worlds they lived in. Therefore, they could not arrive at the main material world freely. Even if they did, they would be weakened. The only exception was the War of Dawn, when Maltimus gathered enough strength and sacrifices with a terrible scheme and opened the gate of hell, descending on the main material world. It was a pity that he was blown back by the pope’s God’s Arrival.
On the other side, their strength would be boosted in hell and in the abyss. They were the places that the Church had the weakest influence in apart from the alternate dimension controlled by other organizations.
Thinking about that, Lucien suddenly felt regretful. If even two experts in the legendary level couldn’t have left any traces, there couldn’t be any items or materials that survived the disaster.
Alterna seemed to have seen through Lucien and Natasha’s confusion. She remained as solemn as before as she replied, “The roasted goat? He was not the main dish; the qualities he displayed were my target.”
The qualities displayed? Lucien and Natasha looked at each other in shock? Was it the Lord of Hell’s understanding about the nature of the God of Truth, the method that he briefly broke the limitation of arrival by twisting the space with the projection of Mountain Paradise, the skill with which he improved a level-eight radiant knight to a level-three legendary one, or the extraordinary abilities such as ‘Life Deprivation’ that he demonstrated during the battle?
The moment she recalled it, Natasha couldn’t have seemed more torn. She found it unacceptable that the Lord of Hell could indirectly make the projection of Mountain Paradise arrive. Her faith was greatly shaken.
Lucien was more inclined to the first speculation. “God of Truth?”
Alterna neither nodded her head nor did she shake it. Instead, she said very, very carefully, “Do not walk on that path, for it may be wrong.”
After that, she looked at Lucien’s left hand. “The rest of my power and the ‘cake’ has melted into your left hand. You can take a look at it.”
Thanks to the powerful recovery of the Silver Moon, Lucien’s left hand that was ripped off had been restored. Hearing that, he focused his attention and moved his spiritual power over to examine it.
Before he knew it, Lucien had the illusion that he was viewing everything from an unimaginable perspective high above. Also, he seemed to have touched the mysteries of death and spirits for real and established a vague connection with the World of Souls.
However, it was still just a feeling. Lucien woke up very soon. He saw a silver moon rising before him, leaping into the sky and illuminating a corner, resonating with the sunrise in the east.
Under the illumination of the silver moon, the frozen, monochrome illusion popped up, and a pair of gigantic bat wings seemed to be rising inside.
In the next instant, everything was gone except for the sun.
“Mr. Rhine is finally unshackled.” Lucien remarked in delight. Whatever role he played in Alterna’s plan, whether he was tricked or directly involved, the fact remained that he was a friend who offered Lucien great help.
Looking at the sky quietly, Natasha suddenly said with a smile, “You played a lot of roles and tricked many people. Did you see it coming that you would be tricked by such a beautiful and seemingly harmless girl without noticing it at all? This is truly remarkable.”
While the Silver Moon was genderless, Natasha obviously preferred to regard her as a girl.
Lucien explained with a helpless smile, “I just felt that a demigod could’ve attacked me directly if she meant any harm, and no tricks were needed. That was why I fell for it.”
“There’s no need to explain.” Natasha said in amusement, “Didn’t you say when you comforted me that the girls who seemed silly, soft, cute and beautiful, tended to be dark inside? Haha. Your theory has been proven.”
Lucien could only smile now.
“Right, what abilities does your left hand have?” Asked Natasha curiously.
Pondering for a moment, Lucien replied, “The greatest benefit is that I can study the nature of a demigod’s power and slightly sense their understanding about the world. My connection with the World of Souls is also strengthened. In the meantime, this left hand should be able to nullify magic, divine powers, elements and other abilities. However, since there is not much power left, it can only affect abilities no higher than the eighth circle. Also, unless I have groundbreaking research products in the field, there will be no way to improve it in the future. As for the rest of the abilities of the left hand, I have to figure them out during the usage.”
It was similar to Bloodline Elimination, but could not deal with the natural effects caused by extraordinary powers, such as the mountains collapsing by magic, or the illusionary gaps of space from Natasha’s sword.
“That’s great. You have earned a lot. Your spiritual power must’ve reached the eighth circle, right? Natasha said rather enviously.
Examining himself, Lucien nodded, “It only just stepped into the eighth circle, but I haven’t even constructed a seventh-circle magic yet.”
Then, he comforted Natasha, “You’ve done a great job in the test of life and death this time. Your chivalry and willpower have both been trained. Also, with your bloodline, you will meet few obstacles before you enter into legendary after you become a radiant knight. Chances are that you will advance into level eight very soon.”
“Chivalry…” Natasha suddenly sighed, “I don’t even know how to face the Lord now.”
Her chivalry was partly built on her faith. The collapse of faith tended to result in the plunge of willpower. She would not die of it, but further advancements would be very difficult.
Lucien comforted her in a gentle voice, “Sympathy, courage, protection, justice and other spirits of chivalry, are they all the bliss from Mountain Paradise? In your heart, is there not sympathy for the weak, the protection for your family, friends and subjects, the hope for order and virtue, the courage to fight enemies and difficulties, and the determination in your opinions and glory?”
“Natasha, all the virtues and spirits originate from our heart. The real Lord is not out there, not on Mountain Paradise, but in your heart. Each of us have a Lord that solely belongs to ourselves in our heart. Unless you give up on yourself, he will never be gone.”
Natasha put on a smile that covered up her gloom. She said lightheartedly, “Lucien, you are very fit to be a priest. Well, I need time to review my mind. Alright, let’s go. Your Eternal Blaze was too noisy. Perhaps, His Excellency Varantine is coming.”
“I’ll stay in the northern mountains and wait for my teacher and Her Excellency Hathaway to come. Considering the uniqueness of my fate, it will be difficult for Varantine to locate me.” Although Lucien hated to say goodbye, he still said toughly, “You need to get out of here fast and return before the Church discovers this.”
“Okay.” Natasha did not hesitate.
Right then, a stormy roar echoed far away, “Lucien Evans!”
The roar seemed to be from a place far, far away. Lucien couldn’t hold back his smile, “My teacher does have a loud voice…”
The transmission of electromagnetic waves was limited in this world, but soundwaves remained unaffected. Therefore, the Lord of Storm decided to search for him with ‘Lord of Storm’s Roar’, a ninth-circle magic, which was the most effective way.
However, it was still amazing that the voice was delivered so far away. Lucien could only remark that his teacher was not scared that he would be discovered by the Church at all.
“I’m going to meet Grandma Hathaway, too.” Natasha’s eyes glittered.
