Chapter 64: Shaya, The Profanation of Abundance!
After being picked up by Count Violet’s carriage, the knife in Novella’s hand remained pressed against her neck the entire time, leaving multiple scratches on her delicate skin.
According to Lady Violet’s original personality, suffering such injuries would likely have made her cry, as she was most afraid of pain.
However, at this moment, in order to buy time for Octave and to give Shaya a chance to protect himself, she was calmly doing things she had never dared to imagine before.
When a person dares to be ruthless with themselves, perhaps they are on the verge of growth.
Sometimes, for a person to grow, it may only take a few minutes, a book, or a single sentence.
Novella was one of them.
At this moment, her past frailty and submissiveness seemed to have completely vanished.
“Are your hands tired?”
Inside the carriage, Count Violet cast a concerned glance toward Novella from the other end of the seat.
“Isn’t it hypocritical to ask me that now?” Novella smiled lightly, “By the way, can I ask you a question?”
“Go ahead.”
Count Violet pulled a bottle of red wine from a storage box inside the carriage, poured a glass, and handed it to Novella.
Novella ignored his insincerity and stated directly, “In the twelve years since you took me from Xifi City, marrying me or giving me Violet Manor, has any of these actions been your true intention?”
“Did you ever consider me your wife?”
Novella’s calm gaze was like a sharp sword, piercing through Count Violet’s heart.
For some reason, perhaps out of jealousy or hesitation, Count Violet’s heart felt a wave of repression at that moment.
“You never used to ask such questions.”
He irritably removed the bow tie from his collar and unbuttoned his coat, muttering.
Perhaps because he felt that Novella had undergone an earth-shattering change during their few days apart, a change that had never been exhibited during their time living together in Violet Manor.
What did that guy do to her?
“Yes, the old me was like an object manipulated by others, without needing my own will, merely living in the manor day by day, waiting for the day your plan matured, to become the nourishment for the ritual.”
“But such a life is no different from that of livestock.”
Lady Violet scoffed.
She gently took off the expensive wedding ring from her ring finger and, seemingly uninterested, tossed it onto Count Violet’s chest.
“From today onward, we part ways.”
After saying this, Novella fell silent, quietly waiting for the carriage to reach its destination.
Feeling the atmosphere grow heavy, Count Violet drank the red wine he had originally prepared for Novella, then set down the glass and left the compartment.
Clearly, as the eldest son of Duke Latouss, the renowned Count Violet’s carriage was far more luxurious and spacious than the one his daughter Selly had.
At this moment, the Mysterious Man in the Black Robe was sitting in another compartment, resting with his eyes closed.
“She has become someone I find somewhat unfamiliar.”
After taking a seat across from the Mysterious Man, Count Violet spoke in a low voice.
“It doesn’t matter; anyway, after today, she will no longer exist in this world in her current form,” the Mysterious Man replied indifferently. “Moreover, as a vessel for the ‘Master’ to descend, she was never meant to have her own will. It’s already a tremendous favor that a mortal consciousness can occupy that vessel for thirty years.”
“……”
Count Violet nodded lightly.
After a moment, as if remembering something suddenly, he proactively reminded, “The commotion has gotten a bit loud today; my father’s name may not be enough to suppress it. The Judgment Tower may not be able to contain it.”
“Therefore, the actions of the ritual must be swift. As for the nutrients needed to nourish the Mother Tree of Abundance, there are plenty of outsiders and adventurers without backgrounds near Menden Street.”
“Although the commotion may be significant, she is the first deity able to walk freely among mortals, and the mundane laws and notions of good and evil no longer have the right to judge her.”
Count Violet seemed to be speaking to the Mysterious Man but also addressing himself.
The Mysterious Man nodded: “By the way, is she still pure?”
“She should be.”
“That’s good; otherwise, if the ‘Master’ were to become dissatisfied due to defects in the vessel and lead to errors in the fusion process of divinity, all efforts would be in vain.”
“Understand that what we are about to do is a great act of wickedness.”
…
Shaya, clad in dragon scale black armor, lowered his head and gently opened the book “Jane Eyre” in his hands.
The inscription on the front page was still the words he had written in a moment of inspiration, which didn’t hold much meaning; he simply felt it matched with Lady Violet, so he wrote it down.
“May you bloom like summer flowers and die like autumn leaves in quiet beauty.”
Next to this sentence, two traces of tears faintly smudged the page.
“……”
Shaya sighed softly and flipped to a random page.
Staring at the densely packed elegant handwriting in the blank spaces, he suddenly froze.
Clearly, while reading this book, Lady Violet was not merely reading; she also wrote down many insights and reflections along the way.
“Jane Eyre, what a self-reliant woman; only a great author like Mr. Cain could create such a profound character, right?”
“When depicting Rochester, did Mr. Cain reference some experiences of his own?”
“Hehe, then he must be a handsome young gentleman, especially charming to girls, but a bit of a flirt.”
“I really want to meet Mr. Cain…”
“This is the eighth time reading this part, and it’s still so touching; after all, it’s Mr. Cain’s work; there’s a certain charm that makes people want to read it repeatedly.”
“Bessie, what a kind character; surely Mr. Cain must have such a considerate maid in real life, right?”
“A perfect ending, let’s celebrate; looking forward to Mr. Cain’s next masterpiece!”
“Mr. Cain…”
“Mr. Cain…”
“……”
Shaya was somewhat silent.
To him, every book written under Cain’s identity was merely for making money, especially since this was a piece of unoriginal work; he never took it seriously.
However, after silently flipping through Lady Violet’s reading notes, he suddenly realized.
Sometimes, words that you think are worthless can be a source of spiritual nourishment for someone else, accompanying them through countless nights.
Along the journey, even Lady Violet herself hadn’t noticed, though they had not communicated before, her life was filled with traces of Shaya’s existence.
He subconsciously turned to the last page of the book in his hand.
“If, if you can see this, then I am very happy, because this is our last ‘conversation.'”
“There are many things I want to say and do, but since we can’t meet, it’s better to let it go.”
“Listening to Miss Octave’s introduction, your real name is Shaya, Shaya Adelaide, but you’re only 16 years old. Honestly, I was very shocked when I heard this.”
“Borrowing a phrase from one of your books, can this be considered ‘an old cow eating young grass’?”
“Well, just joking, I hope you don’t mind.”
“Mr. Shaya, my life may end here, but your future is still long. The forces entangled behind the Violet Family are quite complex, even involving the royal family, and the Count is merely a spokesperson they have put forward.”
“So, for your safety, forget everything related to me.”
“Do not worry, do not add to the sorrow.”
“By the way, it seems that since we met, I haven’t introduced myself.”
“My name is Novella, Novella Yuleya.”
Similar to a farewell letter, the text ends here.
Shaya took a deep breath.
At the same time, the sound of official guards finally arriving belatedly could be heard nearby.
Dressed in black knight armor, Shaya slowly clenched his fists and gradually stood up from something.
“Don’t move!”
A squad of city guards gradually surrounded Shaya, glancing at the scene before them, feeling a bit terrified.
At this moment, Shaya was sitting on top of a high pile of corpses, coldly surveying the soldiers gathering around him.
Just moments ago, he had been reading the book left behind by Novella on top of this horrifyingly tragic pile of corpses.
“Novella, what a beautiful name.”
Shaya whispered.
Then, he leapt high, disappearing into thin air before everyone’s eyes.
“Don’t let him get away!”
The city guards were about to pursue when they saw a small box falling from the sky.
“Thud.”
As it hit the ground, the box opened, revealing a medal quietly lying inside.
It was the high patrol officer’s medal belonging to Selly.
At the same time, a faint voice echoed in the air.
“Immediately report to the Judgment Tower, below the center sewer on Menden Street in Burton North District, and in the underground wine cellar of Violet Manor, an unknown force is holding a ritual for the Evil God!”
…
When Novella stepped out of the carriage, she found herself in an exceptionally damp and cold cave without knowing how she got there.
Surrounding her were many members of the organization dressed in strange patterned cloaks, preventing her from committing suicide or escaping.
She frowned slightly, feeling a wave of heat and inexplicable impulse within her body.
At the same time, the tree-shaped mark on her chest became incredibly hot.
This was a situation that had never occurred in her many years before.
“Familiar?”
At that moment, a voice came from behind her.
Following right behind and stepping down from the carriage was the Mysterious Man in the Black Robe, with a golden incomplete sun embroidered at the collar.
“Does it feel familiar?” As if thinking Novella hadn’t heard clearly, the Mysterious Man spread his arms, as if embracing the entire space, “Here, everything here, you should have some impression.”
“After all, thirty-two years ago, when I inadvertently discovered the ‘Root of the Incomplete Mother Tree of Abundance’ that survives relying on the life force of countless inhabitants of the royal capital, you had just been born.”
“Over the years, I and the organization have spent countless resources and finances just to barely revive this root and establish a connection with a fragment of the ‘Master’s’ consciousness.”
“Do you not have any memories?”
As he spoke, the Mysterious Man directed his gaze toward the depths of the cave.
Novella instinctively turned her head and followed his gaze to where he was pointing.
Then, her whole being felt as if it had been struck by lightning!
“W-What is that……”
She stood there in a daze, her hands hanging limply, unable to grip the weapon in her hand anymore.
Seeing this, a few members of the organization moved to control her, but the Mysterious Man waved his hand, signaling it wasn’t necessary.
“That is you,” the Mysterious Man answered her confusion, “Of course, more accurately, that is a part of the ‘Master.'”
Deep within the cave, countless vines and tree roots were firmly anchored into the hard stone walls, stubbornly growing and spreading in all directions, as if encompassing the world above them within a radius of several thousand meters, absorbing nutrients belonging to the living.
The Mother Tree of Abundance is the embodiment of the Goddess of Abundance and the symbol of life flourishing in the world.
At this moment, a uniquely feminine and gentle face was peacefully smiling, attached to the incomplete trunk.
That face looked exactly like Novella’s.
The Mysterious Man walked beside her, standing shoulder to shoulder: “What we are about to do is a great undertaking; it will surely involve many unnecessary sacrifices.”
“We will remember you, remember everything you have done for the ‘Twilight of the Gods.'”
As he spoke, the Mysterious Man gently pushed Novella’s back.
In the next second, her eyes blurred, and she found herself suddenly traversing dozens of meters, arriving at the foot of the Mother Tree of Abundance.
Upon closer inspection, it could be noticed that this tree was merely a small incomplete part, with a girth that would take several adults to hug; if it were to descend into the world in its original form, it would be an extraordinary sight.
Novella blankly raised her head, staring at that familiar face on the trunk.
“Boom——”
Countless memories not belonging to her suddenly exploded in her mind!
“Ah!!!”
Novella uttered a tragic cry, covering her head as she slowly knelt on the ground.
Amidst those vast and intricate memories, Novella seemed to completely transform into another existence, looking down at the world from an unprecedented angle, with everything feeling so strange.
At the same time, countless evil murmurs and bizarre whispers gradually amplified in her ears.
Novella felt immense pain coursing through her body, as if something was gradually reviving from within her.
Although she didn’t understand exactly what was happening.
But one thing was certain.
The ritual about to begin, and that indescribable Master, was definitely not a kind presence from the lawful camp.
Novella felt as if she had been contaminated by some mental pollution.
That was… the Evil God.
“Indeed, the Master has already fallen.” Watching the scene before him, the Mysterious Man let out a pained exclamation, “And this fragment of consciousness carved out from the Master has also been tainted by a fallen aura.”
“This was information we had suspected long ago, wasn’t it?” Count Violet, standing beside him, spoke softly, “Therefore, unlike those rigid ‘born factions,’ we ‘God-making factions’ are the orthodox of the organization; our thoughts will ultimately be perfectly interpreted.”
The Mysterious Man nodded.
After a moment, Novella seemed to slightly adapt to the spiritual pollution, staggering to her feet, wanting to find a place to escape.
But the path from the Mother Tree to the exit had already been sealed by the Mysterious Man’s dimensional enchantment, allowing entry but not exit.
Watching Novella crying with her knees hugged under the tree, all present felt no emotional fluctuation.
“The altar over there can start.”
At a certain moment, the Mysterious Man suddenly said.
Count Violet took one last deep look at Novella and nodded.
Then he activated an ancient cursed object in his hand.
Simultaneously, in the underground wine cellar of Violet Manor, countless members of the Night Shadow Association were kneeling reverently on the ground at the restructured altar, praying while kissing the damp soil.
They were all reciting a common phrase in unison.
“He will return to the mortal world, bringing the gospel of abundance…”
“He will return to the mortal world, bringing the gospel of abundance…”
“He will return to the mortal world, bringing the gospel of abundance…”
These prayers seemed to possess some strange power, and under the priests’ guidance, the magic arrays on the altar and countless precious materials began to emit dazzling brilliance.
On the ancient stone tablet in front of the altar, the tree-shaped mark and ancient runes slowly glowed.
Resonating sounds echoed in the air, and in response to the ritual materials, an ancient breath that seemed to be sleeping was awakened.
“Boom——!!!”
In the world unseen by countless ordinary people, a pillar of light shot up into the sky from a certain point in Violet Manor.
Then, a strong life force gradually spread to the surrounding areas.
For some reason, many passersby unconsciously felt a surge of heat rising within them.
They instinctively generated an impulse to procreate.
On the way to the center sewer of Menden Street, Shaya felt the source of the anomaly and, without saying a word, quickened his pace.
…
“Damn it, why so sudden?”
“Is there a hint of the Evil God’s whispers within the aura of abundance?”
In the Judgment Tower, the Chief Judge Rod, who was cultivating in his own dimensional space, noticed something was wrong, his hair standing on end.
This was the royal capital, the place with the largest population flow in the Hiren Empire, and also the center of commerce and politics.
If anything were to happen here, it would be a devastating blow to the entire nation!
As the presiding Chief Judge, he immediately activated the red emergency disaster response plan.
Meanwhile, within the entire Judgment Tower, countless figures prepared for action.
“All Judgment Knights, mobilize; we must stop this disaster!”
…
“Is… it them?”
Inside the Heretic Tribunal, Chief Judge Nidro also sensed the suddenly emerging divine降气息, appearing instantly in the sky above the royal capital, gazing down at the scene before him.
From his perspective, an ethereal colossal tree was stationed in the northwest corner of the royal capital, seemingly slowly reviving and absorbing the life force of the surrounding humans.
The divine and evil auras emanating from that tree made him tremble.
“After all these years, they are still just as mad.”
A gleam flickered in Chief Judge Nidro’s eyes as he muttered to himself.
…
“Has the ‘God-Making Faction’ truly taken the lead?”
Inside a mansion, Mevis, quietly reading a book in her study, spoke blandly, seemingly unshocked by the unfolding events.
The influence of the secret organization Twilight of the Gods extended across the entire Rand continent, deeply infiltrating every country.
After carefully operating in the royal capital for so many years, many power centers and the national machinery had been corroded.
They could promise much.
Besides power, money, and women, even a so-called eternal life.
Thus, when disaster struck, almost no one was prepared to respond.
Of course, Shaya’s interference played a part in this.
If it weren’t for him taking Novella away, perhaps the plan would have been implemented later instead of being so rushed now.
After all, the battle with Octave had far-reaching effects; there was no way to hide it.
They could only turn the situation to their advantage and begin the ritual immediately.
“In that case, let us ‘born faction’ take a good look at whether your choices are right or wrong.”
Mevis lifted the cup in her hand, took a sip, and spoke softly.
…
“All students, immediately gather in the central square!”
The sudden disaster alert stunned everyone within the academy.
Under the operation of Dean Lucius and the tutors, as the most valuable future assets of the Hiren Empire, they had the priority to evacuate the royal capital safely more than anyone else.
“Sister Deyora, let’s hurry; the dean is reportedly going to activate the teleportation array to transport us to safety; I wonder what exactly is happening…”
Outside Shaya’s apartment, Xivista spoke with some concern.
“But… what about the young master?”
Deyora anxiously gazed at the sky, feeling like a storm was about to sweep over the prosperous city.
“Shaya told me to inform you to follow everyone’s actions and not to worry about him.”
Xivista reassured her.
“That’s true; after all, I can’t help with much.”
Deyora lowered her head, smiling wryly at herself.
…
In the underground cave.
With the revival of ancient energy, the vines and roots embedded in the cave walls began to twist subtly, as if responding to the altar beneath Violet Manor.
At the same time, the ground trembled slightly, and countless rubble fell from above the sewer.
But none present felt any urge to escape.
Not to mention there was a sorcerer-level dimensional magic user present; moreover, witnessing the miracle of the “Master’s” consciousness descending onto the Mother Tree of Abundance was enough to make them weep uncontrollably.
Sensing the intense life force within the royal capital, the Mother Tree of Abundance frantically absorbed and grew stronger.
The once broken trunk gradually sprouted new buds, twisting with an evil motion, looking incredibly unsettling.
And on the trunk, the gentle little face began to lift the corners of its mouth into a strange smile.
Soon, the eyes slowly opened.
“Bow down!”
The Mysterious Man quickly commanded.
No need for him to remind; all present automatically knelt down, like the most devout believers, praying for their faith.
It is an iron law passed down over a thousand years on Rand continent: one should not directly gaze at the divine.
They had no doubt that the moment they locked eyes with that gaze, they would immediately fall into madness and rampage.
Then, a wave of incredible energy pulsed, as if a heart beating rapidly, continuously radiating a mysterious power that made their hearts race.
“Ah—————！！！！！！”
The trunk of the Mother Tree of Abundance contorted, its face identical to Novella’s warping into a scream!
Almost instantaneously, many of the weaker beings present lost consciousness, bleeding from their seven orifices, their faces twisted in pain as they collapsed to the ground, eventually losing awareness and slipping into brain death.
Vines shot up from the ground, wrapping around those corpses, frantically absorbing their remaining life force.
As if unsatisfied with merely this meager power, the roots of the Mother Tree began to churn violently.
Meanwhile, a strong earthquake shook the entire northwest region of the royal capital!
At this moment, Novella seemed to revert back to that little girl who had once been trapped in Violet Manor, hugging her knees and weeping softly.
The previously disguised strength had vanished completely.
Voices echoed continuously in her ears, and memories not belonging to her gradually revived in her mind.
“Mr. Cain, I feel, I feel so much pain…”
The lady who had always feared pain unconditionally muttered unconsciously.
Then, that face locked eyes with her.
Vines wrapped around her body, accompanied by some wondrous rhythm, slowly lifted Novella, bringing her to eye level with the face on the trunk.
“Do you remember what our plan was?”
Observing the scene before him, the Mysterious Man lowered his head and spoke to Count Violet.
“At the moment when the deity’s ritual descends upon the vessel, and the divinity is about to merge with the host, we will kill the vessel that has absorbed all of my master’s pollution and consciousness, take the divinity, and you will devour it, then instantly ascend to the Great Sage, stepping into the demigod realm.”
“This is the ‘Artificial God Project.'”
The remnants of power seized by humanity certainly would not allow him to reach the level of a deity, nor even replicate a tenth of its might.
But that would be enough.
Enough for him to gain eternal life and unparalleled power.
The Mysterious Man nodded: “At that time, I will grant you power and eternal life.”
As soon as his words fell, an intense light erupted, burning all gazes like a sun, slowly radiating brilliance!
This was the incomplete divinity carrying a fragment of the consciousness of the Goddess of Abundance, and upon closer inspection, one would find gray mist intertwined within.
These whispers and murmurings originated from this.
Although this divinity was merely a fragment and not完整, it was also a force no human could bear.
Moreover, it contained the supreme thoughts of the deity, as well as the evil and pollution generated after the fall of the Goddess of Abundance.
To put it plainly, even a sorcerer would immediately fall into a horrid existence that was neither human nor ghost if they came into contact with this pollution.
Even if Novella was the vessel of the Goddess of Abundance with the tree-shaped mark, the chances of maintaining her sanity after being contaminated by these auras were absolutely impossible.
The greater likelihood was transforming into a rampaging Evil God, followed by punishment from other deities after wreaking havoc upon the continent.
But it was evident that the Mysterious Man was already prepared for this.
Twilight of the Gods existed precisely for this purpose.
“Look, the divinity has already descended!”
Ignoring the pain of his eyes being seared by the bright light, the Mysterious Man stood up, tears of emotion flowing down his face, raising his hands to the sky and shouting.
The glowing sphere slowly detached from the face on the trunk and began to drift toward Novella.
At the same time, the tree-shaped mark on her chest emitted a dazzling radiance, as if it possessed a powerful attraction, drawing the divinity in that direction.
In the last moment before her consciousness faded, she gently closed her eyes.
“Novella, I am Novella Yuleya.”
She softly spoke, not knowing to whom.
A shadow flashed.
“Boom——!!!”
Accompanied by a thunderous sound and the howling of fierce winds, an unexpected visitor, clad entirely in black armor, broke through the encirclement, killing many who tried to block him.
Then, before anyone could react, he soared over the head of the Mysterious Man and charged deep into the cave!
“Stop him!”
The Mysterious Man, stunned by the unforeseen event, stood up and shouted angrily.
A Totem Knight shattered the ground, disappearing from sight before reappearing right behind the black-armored knight.
【Point allocation successful.】
【Would you like to ascend to “Totem Knight”?】
【You have ascended to “Totem Knight”, please select your battle totem.】
“Knight Power Field!!!!”
“Combustible fighting spirit!!!!”
With a furious roar, an overwhelming aura erupted from the black-armored knight, breaking through the shackles of his original realm.
He slightly turned to the side, dodging the attack of the Totem Knight, then like a claw of a beast, his right hand shot out like lightning, grabbing the Totem Knight’s face and slamming it into the ground!
“Boom——!!!”
Accompanied by blood and brain matter splattering, the ground shattered and trembled!
Meanwhile, realizing the dire situation, the Mysterious Man unleashed an incredibly powerful spatial sorcery.
“Dimension·Void Strangulation!”
A vortex appeared out of thin air on the path the black-armored knight was taking; with an intense space distortion, a mere touch would instantly reduce anything to dust.
But that knight charged towards the vortex, seemingly unafraid of death.
“Swish, swish, swish, swish——”
Countless dimension blades instantly sliced him into innumerable pieces, which then turned into white light and vanished from the spot.
“Unaware of the danger!”
But before he could finish his words, the Mysterious Man was astounded by what unfolded before him.
A flash of white light appeared, and the black-armored knight seemed unscathed, reappearing at the location and, at a speed beyond anyone’s reaction, shattered the ground and leapt high.
He smashed through the barriers that blocked his path.
Then, with fragments of the shattered barriers, the knight crashed into the ritual range of the descent of the Goddess of Abundance.
The radiant divinity was right at hand.
With somewhat blurry consciousness, Novella heard the commotion beside her and gently opened her eyes.
The helmet of the black-armored knight fell away, revealing a handsome and delicate youthful face.
“Novella, what a lovely name.”
Shaya smiled lightly.
Then, before the astonished gazes of all, he reached out and swallowed the radiant divinity into his abdomen!
