Chapter 136 Blood and Shadow of the Abyss
The fluctuation of magic far surpassed the cold moonlight, spreading across the sky like a black ocean, like a pitch-black galaxy churning in a vortex. Appearing in Seraphina’s eyes, the tall mage was none other than the “Magic Monarch,” Patter!
As the Magic Monarch appeared, a black tide of spells surged forth, the oppressive aura of the spells carrying a dead, cold darkness, yet also like the ferocity of a fierce beast and a potent life force. These opposing energies intertwined within the torrent of demonic power.
“Elis said you were alive… As expected, Seraphina, it’s been a long time, old friend…”
The mage’s low and drawn-out voice drifted from afar. He said with a smile, tinged with wonder and excitement, like black snow – these were not words of life, but the song of magic.
Within the music, the emerald palace transformed into a dream, and the fluctuations of demonic power continued to erode. Seraphina’s pupils contracted slightly as she gazed at the black-robed mage formed from black smoke, her fingertip touching the strings. The emerald harp’s melody began but then abruptly stopped. The invisible magical melody solidified the harp’s music.
Patter waved his palm, black spells flowing from his fingertips. These were not the common “secret arts” or “forbidden arts” seen by mortals, but simply pure magical language. However, in Seraphina’s eyes, they were the essence of magic, almost pure “law.”
“However, you are alone. The Light of Life, and our leader… oh, now the Princess of Flame, they are not here. Singer, you chose to block me for them?”
Ignoring the elf maiden’s sudden contracted gaze, Patter’s long hair was caressed by an invisible wind. He smiled and his gaze fell upon her.
“Words become deeds, this is the authority of a true god. To expound ‘laws’ with the substance of magic… have you reached such a realm?”
Seraphina whispered, “But Sylvia said that two years ago, you were defeated by Moon, and even the Flame Goddess’s blazing flames were extinguished by sacred light. What realm is he?”
“Moon? Just an usurper.”
The Magic Monarch scoffed. “However, Singer, you overestimate me. The essence of magic, the laws of gods… hehe, if I were truly as you say, how could I have been defeated by that tainted holy light?”
As his voice fell, Patter waved his hand, his black robe billowing, revealing his pale, thin wrist. The magical light flowed, not of true flesh and blood, but still showing the remnants of magic.
“Veer said you allied with the dark elves, coveting the power of the Goddess,” Seraphina said, raising her face.
“The authority of life… it is indeed remarkable. Life originates from the creation of the world. For a hundred years, even though I have studied countless beings, I have still been unable to truly unravel it. Singer, you should be able to see how much more I still lack.”
Patter’s originally gentle and elegant expression seemed ignited by the fervor in his heart, his burning, shining eyes showing excitement.
Seraphina bit her red lips, her slender fingers touching the harp strings again.
“However, I was mistaken. It wasn’t your goddess in the Tree of Life, but the Light of Life was taken… Looking at it this way, the Elf Queen must be somehow connected to the Voice of Life?”
The Magic Monarch mused, the heat in his eyes disappearing, returning to a calm like wind and clear sky. “A friend has arrived. Singer, my target is not you, move aside, my magic does not need to resonate with you.”
“No.”
Seraphina said resolutely. She raised her pupils and saw a surge of blood light behind the Magic Monarch. The shadow of blood wriggled, and across thousands of miles, it was constantly approaching. Suddenly, she revealed a cold smile:
“Patter, is there still the aura of the Demon Race behind you? This is the shadow of the former King of Mourning Blood, the Blood King. You actually let him come to our world…”
“You see correctly.”
Patter said. “I took him in. In exchange, Lord Medantso delivered to me the knowledge and swordplay of the Blood Race.”
“Is that truly it? So, you were the one who revealed our whereabouts to the Demon Race a hundred years ago? Heh… Back then, when Lancaster suspected, I actually defended you.”
Deep disappointment appeared in Seraphina’s emerald eyes. She gripped the harp lightly in her hand, her pure white chin raised high.
“Listen, Patter, I will not move aside and let you catch up to the Queen and Veer. Let me witness your magic… and your so-called friend’s ‘Sword of Blood’!”
Patter did not make a move, instead showing an elegant smile. “No, no, Singer, as I said, my magic will not resonate with you. What needs you is my ‘friend’.”
Seraphina looked up. Patter’s magic was silent in mid-air as he had said, and the wriggling shadow of blood was still distant and faint, seemingly thousands of miles away, beyond the veil of the world.
Suddenly, a gloomy shadow coalesced, and amidst all the dark and tainted emotions, a tall figure emerged. Seraphina’s pupils constricted. The youth before her also held a harp; he was a Bard.
“Your Majesty Patter, thank you for bringing me before the Lady Singer.”
The Bard bowed respectfully. The Magic Monarch nodded noncommittally. Dylan smiled slightly, turned, and looked at the elf maiden whose face was etched with solemnity, saying, “Lady ‘Emerald Singer’ Seraphina, the Saintess has ordered me to convey her greetings to you.”
—
Space twisted, shattering even the divine radiance that pursued them. Only when a startled cry sounded in her ears did Verafia regain consciousness, her small, delicate body falling into the young man’s strong arms.
The cold, dark moon still hung in the sky, but on one side of the firmament, under the icy moonlight, the Sacred Tree collapsed. What appeared in Verafia’s sight now was the immortal World Tree, its golden branches and leaves still brilliant, like an invisible boundary. One side was the verdant Emerald Forest, clearly separated from the Sacred Spirit Mountain Range.
However, the moonlight and the dark night had long since broken this boundary.
But Verafia’s mind was clearly not on this. Worry was smeared across her magnificent gold eyes as she looked towards the distant cold, dark moon: “Seraphina—”
Ig’s warm hand grasped the girl’s slightly trembling, young, tender little hand. He had also suffered a significant impact from the spatial teleportation, but Ig understood the girl’s worry and comforted her, saying, “Lady Seraphina chose to stay and block them; it was one of the few choices at the time. Besides, she was once your equal. Even the Demon King couldn’t kill Lady Seraphina. Veer, don’t worry, she’ll be fine.”
Verafia looked up at the young man’s eyes, which trembled. She knew that Ig’s words were just to comfort her… and she also understood that other than worrying here, she could do nothing. She knew what the most important thing was for her.
The girl lightly bit her tender red lips, her slender hand clenched slightly, and she nodded. She strained to turn her head and looked at Sylvia beside her.
“Then, Miss Sylvia…”
“This is the World Tree,” Sylvia said. She hid the emotions in her eyes and looked down at the girl. “Goddess Shilusalis is within.”
—
PS: Since the Demon Realm arc was cut, to bring it to a satisfactory conclusion, the demon characters had to be forcibly inserted here… (It’s indeed a bit cramped.)
(And there are so many characters to write about… it feels difficult to wrap up, my head hurts…)
