On the other side of the Expositor’s Shield, as the corruption continued to be pushed back by Receding Tide, Tirsen’s expression gradually eased. That was because the pressure the caster suffered was directly related to the pressure the Art they used was subjected to.
Zeric also removed his hand from Tirsen’s shoulder. At this point, the Expositor was no longer worried that the Whip of Order squad captain would run away. In order to draw the man in and bind him with shared interests, Zeric had tacitly allowed Tirsen to use the setup in the factory to operate a Bloodspirit Powder business, which had upset Luke greatly.
Luke held the view of being able to accept that the won were making a great sacrifice to repair the flaws of a holy relic, but he could not accept anything that was tainted with worldly filth to cling to that great sacrifice.
Tirsen looked at the Expositor who stood before him. His eyes held thick, lingering fear, but beneath that fear, there was also deep resentnt. That was because, at the most critical mont earlier, if anything had gone wrong, Tirsen would have been drained dry in an instant, to the point that even his soul would have been swept into the Art, turned into the final bit of energy used to sustain its operation.
Without even needing to probe, Zeric could clearly see what that squad captain was thinking. Their relationship was simple, because it was pure. Well, a relationship of purely self-interests. Because of that, there was no need to speculate about complex human nature, because there was not much of that involved.
Receding Tide continued. In ten minutes, or perhaps even less, the corruption would be fully recaptured. After that, he would be able to release the Expositor’s Shield and jump down. One hand would completely seal the remaining corruption, while the other hand could crush them with ease.
No, he could not crush them too easily. He had to tornt them properly. Also, those Succubus Eyes, he wanted them.
There was also the young man who had used the Spear of Punishnt. Zeric had instinctively sensed that there was sothing wrong with the young man, because the aura he had revealed while casting was that of a Divine Shepherd, and yet he had used the Spear of Punishnt. Logically, it was not a matter of whether a Divine Shepherd could use that Art, but the power that a Divine Shepherd was capable of supplying in order to condense a Spear of Punishnt.
Still, they had given him sothing to learn from. When he nurtured and raised the next Lorena, he could also use this thod, detonate the source of corruption to bury everyone who knew of the matter, and then appear as a savior.
At this mont, Zeric saw the young man stand up. An iron Chains of Order appeared beneath his feet.
The instant he saw that chain, Zeric’s expression tightened. The iron Chains of Order was practically standard equipnt for priests of the Church of Order, because it was a concrete embodint of Order. However, the chain beneath this young man’s feet gave Zeric an extrely unusual feeling.
It was too simple, to the point that it felt as if not a trace of spiritual power had been added, as if it had appeared from nothing, and yet it was not a form of an Art. Additionally, when that young man used the chain, it felt like he was outstretching his own hand, the action natural, smooth, and unrestrained.
When he saw the chain extend toward the trough, Zeric twitched. He imdiately understood what the young man wanted to do. His expression quickly relaxed again, and he shook his head. “Heh. Useless.”
“Sir... is he going to use Awakening?” Tirsen’s voice trembled as he spoke.
“Probably. He found the second source of corruption.”
“The second... source of corruption.” Tirsen felt despair surge in his heart.
“It’s useless. I personally laid a ward over that trough beneath us; He cannot detonate it. If he dares to probe it, his soul and body will be corrupted in an instant, and he might even be directly reduced to a puddle of pus.”
“That is good... that is good... Sir... I can almost... not hold on...”
“You can still hold on. Do not worry, it will be over soon. All of this is about to end.”
At this mont, a little girl’s head erged from Zeric’s chest.
“Did you tell him?” he asked.
Lorena saw Karon walking toward the trough below. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, and she then flipped over so that she could look up at Zeric’s face. “Old thing, I saw your injuries; You’re badly hurt, and there is still Light power in your wounds, constantly gnawing at your body.”
“You should see the situation before you. Everything is already under my control.”
“Old thing, I do not know why, but I have a premonition that you will die today.” As she spoke, Lorena’s body extended further, yet after she reached a certain distance, it was possible to see black chains binding her feet, preventing her from fully separating from the Expositor’s body.
She still stubbornly looked at Tirsen, who was still supporting the suppressing Art. “You’ll probably die tonight too.”
“He cannot hear you.”
“How can you be sure he cannot hear ? Heh heh heh. Your n, and even you, are all traitors to Order. If they can betray even the God of Order, why would they be loyal to you?”
“I do not need loyalty.”
“Then a slap in the face. You do need my loyalty.”
“Not you, either. Once matters here end, I will annihilate you completely. The coin’s next spirit will have nothing to do with you.”
“So scary! But do you see afraid?”
“You will be afraid. Any existence that gains awareness instinctively fears annihilation.”
“Then what about him?” Lorena pointed below to Mr. Pavaro, who was sitting there with only the last traces of his spirituality remaining. “He seems to not fear death, no, annihilation.”
Lorena flipped back around and returned to Zeric, moving to bring her face level with his. “Grandfather, my good grandfather, why aren’t you saying anything? Could it be that my grandfather has nothing to say now?
“Heh heh heh. Those who have lost their faith always grow angry at those who cling to faith, because their very existence is an insult. Also, Grandfather, I really wasn’t lying to you or trying to disturb your mind. I truly think you won’t see today’s sunrise.”
“Did you say a lot to him?” Zeric asked.
Lorena turned back to look down at Karon. “Yes. I sat beside him and said a lot. Since I was born, I never said so much to a normal living person.
“Oh, I forgot to count you, Grandfather, but to , you have long been soone who was already fated to die.”
“I understand. Next ti, I will use Arts to change my appearance. Little girls always like handso young n. When you next see , you will no longer call ‘Grandfather,’ but will call ‘Brother’ instead.”
“Urgh...” Lorena turned her face down and gagged. “Grandfather, you are truly disgusting.”
***
The chain beneath Karon’s feet had already stretched into the trough, while he stood in place and did not move at all.
Little John stumbled over. He still did not understand what was happening, but he did see a huge transparent shield in front of him, as well as a mushroom thing being pushed downwards.
He instinctively wanted to find Karon, because only Karon could give the boy a sense of safety. Oh right, and the orphanage. I am not going to an orphanage.
Huh? But when did anyone say I’m being sent to an orphanage?
“Woof.” The golden retriever stopped Little John, not letting him continue forward to disturb Karon.
Pu’er bluntly ordered, “Sit down and do not move.”
“Oh, okay.” Little John simply accepted that the cat could speak human words. Just as “Lorena” had said after searching his mories, ever since Little John had teased Karon in the office and Karon was prepared to kill the boy, Little John had harbored a powerful sense of awe towards Karon.
Little John sat down and tapped his forehead. Shrouded by such a dense corruption, he felt lightheaded from lack of air. Mr. Pavaro saw this and said with a rather sad voice, “I still think we should leave right now.”
He looked upward. That black mushroom was already less than half the size it had grown to, and it was still being compressed. This ant that the window of opportunity for Karon and the others to run was getting smaller and smaller.
“We can try. Maybe there will be a miracle,” Pu’er said.
“Rely on a miracle...” Mr. Pavaro did not know how to respond to that. It would not be suitable to offer discouraging words at this mont, but any sort of encouragent would ring false.
Pu’er did not offer any further explanation. Of course, you could not rely on miracles for everything, but the problem was that Karon carried too many titles, each of which was too dazzling.
Miracles did not happen every ti, but when they did happen, they would choose soone like Karon, because he had too many conditions that miracles liked.
Alfred stood at Karon’s side and watched his young master.
“Alfred.” Karon spoke with his eyes closed.
“Young Master, I am here.”
“If I fail, we die.”
“To die at your side, Young Master.”
Karon smiled. Then, following the sensation transmitted from the tip of the chain, he began to synchronize his consciousness. His face instantly revealed extre pain and a difficult struggle. He involuntarily dropped into a squat, and then fell to his knees, bracing both hands against the floor in front of him, though his neck rose upward.
This was because he sensed a powerful resentnt, so dense that his soul sank into it. He felt profound despair, and his body reacted as if it was suffocating or drowning. That was why he instinctively lifted his head, his subconscious believing that this would allow his head rise above the “water.”
Karon had misjudged once again.
His first misjudgnt had been the ti the Expositor would return, and that had happened because Karon had not known that a divine artifact was being nurtured in this factory.
His second misjudgnt ca about because he had no experience with what it ant to touch this “swamp” used to nurture and develop a divine artifact’s spirit, so he failed to understand just how terrifying such a thing could be.
Yet in Karon’s heart, he felt no sense of setback. With the scales so completely unbalanced, it was perfectly normal to have a few instances of misjudgnt.
If his strength were sufficient, there would never be any need to make predictions or plans. He could simply act as he had when giving that list to Tiz. In that case, things would beco as simple as paying house calls and making people sign.
In any case, being able to create this situation was already very good. Karon felt no psychological burden.
Alfred looked at Karon kneeling on the ground, but did not go to help him up. Instead, the demonkin silently covered his mouth with a hand, and a rhythm started to co from Alfred’s mouth.
It was a deep rhythm that carried a clear sense of suppression, yet as the beat continued, a feeling of hope could be felt.
Mr. Pavaro watched in astonishnt. He truly had not expected such a scene to appear at this ti. The miniscule bit of spirituality that remained within him already seed unable to help him understand what he was seeing.
Little John lifted his neck. He saw Karon kneeling and in pain, as well as Alfred beside Karon, creating a rhythm while swaying his body to his own beat, his leather shoes stamping in ti without stopping.
For a mont, Little John’s mouth went dry. He was a playful child, a boy whose childish nature was completely unrestrained. At this mont, an intense impulse surged inside him. I really want to join.
Pu’er opened her mouth wide. “ow.”
Kevin barked. “Woof.”
Strands of black mist began to seep from Karon’s body. It did not belong to Karon at all. Quite the contrary, this showed that at this mont, his body and soul were suffering terrifying corruption.
When you form a bond with the abyss, the abyss returns its gift back to you.
It was like bulging veins, though these “veins” were black, and they started to appear across Karon’s skin.
“Ah...” He could not stop a painful wail from ripping out of his throat.
***
Up on the platform, Lorena watched what was happening below with great seriousness.
“Tsk tsk tsk. Feeling sorry for him?” Zeric asked.
“I suddenly feel he is really good looking, even like this.”
“Do not worry. When the next you is born, I will alter my appearance according to his.”
“Grandfather, you don’t understand. This is a feeling; Being good looking is not only about appearance. There are so people who look good, but as soon as they open their mouths to speak, once they talk, once they walk, they give people the sa feeling as a building collapsing. But there are also people who you talk to and your emotions are naturally stirred up. Your emotions will hook onto their words and their expressions at once.”
“Who told you these things?”
“The sisters here. I often chat with them in their dreams. They have people they like too. So have secret crushes, so were married long ago, so even have children. They love talking with about what it feels like to like soone.”
“Then look forward to this. Watch with your own eyes as this young man becos a puddle of foul slling pus.”
“Even if he becos a puddle of pus, he still won’t be as disgusting as Grandfather is right now, heh heh.”
Zeric’s movents began to draw in, which ant that the Receding Tide Arts was about to finish. Behind him, the heart Tirsen had held in suspense slowly started to drop. He even had ti to curse. Luke, why are you still not here? You are doing this on purpose!
***
Outside, Adjudicator Luke finally started walking again, seeing that the situation was back under control.
While he knew that going in at this ti and making an appearance would definitely earn him a scolding, he did not care. There was no sort of affection between the mbers of their group.
However, just as he started to move, as he was about to turn his body to mist and accelerate forward, he abruptly stopped once more. He stared in disbelief at everything in the air ahead of him.
***
The black lines on Karon’s skin grew denser and denser. From afar, it looked like his body had been cut, with open gashes all over it. There was no blood, but the feeling was much the sa. It was as if he had beco a thin balloon filled with water, while from the outside, countless sharp little blades were cutting at him like mad.
He did not know which next cut would split him open. He did not even know if he could endure until the next cut arrived.
Alfred continued his “performance,” forgetting himself, fully imrsed. The birth of his faith was the best proof of his loyalty to Karon. He believed Karon would stand up. He always believed it. Even after death, he would believe that for Karon this would not be an ending, but rely a road to a new beginning.
Kevin ran over on all fours to arrive in front of Karon. Seeing him in such extre pain, Kevin blinked.
Pu’er jumped down from the golden retriever and looked at Kevin. “Stupid dog, do you have any way?”
The golden retriever shook his head, so Pu’er asked again, “Kevin, do you have any way?”
Kevin shook his head. Pu’er nearly shouted, “Rhanedar, do you have any way?”
Rhanedar shook his head.
“You really are a useless heretical god!”
The golden retriever wagged his tail. He moved a bit closer, and stuck out his tongue to lick Karon’s forehead. The dog then laid down in front of Karon, his two paws stacked on top of each other, his tongue out, and a smile on his face.
At this mont, the corruption within Karon had already reached a critical point.
Yet just as even Karon himself felt he was about to be swallowed by the terrifying concentration of corruption, everything receded like a tide. Not only did the pain begin to vanish, even the suffocating sensation quickly weakened.
The golden retriever looked at Pu’er.
“Woof.” His body was personally modified by . It was originally ant to carry .
“Woof.” Who am I? I am the great god. I am the great Rhanedar.
“Woof.” They all call a heretical god, then I am a heretical god. So in this world, what places can have more severe corruption than the body of a heretical god.
“ow?” Pu’er asked, wondering why Karon had been in so much pain just now.
“Woof woof.” Just like how after he practiced Spear of Punishnt, ordinary ntal attacks could no longer overwhelm him, this corruption was the sa. If he gets corrupted a few more tis, it won’t hurt as much as the first ti.
Finally, Karon began to slowly stand up. The black chain that extended from beneath his feet and stretched into the depths of the trough began to split. It split into more and more chains, each of which plunged into the corpses floating in the trough, and then plunging into the white bones that were faintly visible beneath the surface.
Those countless chains that split apart were all white.
Seeing this, the golden retriever’s mouth opened wide. He slowly stood, and then barked loudly at the scene before him. There was no need for any translation, as he was simply excitedly barking.
Mr. Pavaro watched everything. For so reason, his heart was suddenly filled by a surge of emotion, and he covered his chest with both hands. “Praise Order!”
Alfred accelerated his rhythm. He was still performing with abandon, but two lines of tears flowed from the corners of his eyes.
As Karon’s eyes slowly opened, a faint white light began to radiate from the white chains that had split away. The light was like a soothing touch, or a murmured whisper.
The earlier resentnt had been their weeping, and at this mont, Karon was like soone wearing a white coat, sitting in an office in a clinic. However, seated before his desk was not a single client, but a dense crowd of clients.
“I am sorry, I cannot counsel each of you one by one, but perhaps you no longer need that.
“It would not change anything. I cannot save you. What stands before us cannot be undone. Your fates were decided long ago. What I can do is break your chains, and let this city hear your grief.”
Karon straightened. He spread his hands. “Wake up!”
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