Chapter 224: Chapter 221: Breaking Out (Part 2)
End of the World…
When the Demon Realm is left with only one Demon King, he will gain the favor of the Four Dark Gods, chosen as their divine selection and “upgraded” to the Eternal Divine Selection.
Ji Ma felt a moment of disorientation, as if a natural disaster described in history books had jumped out and slapped her.
How many centuries ago was the last End of the World?
This is too fast, like waking up from a dream only to find your mother kicking open your bedroom door, holding a calendar, yanking you out of bed, and shouting, “Tomorrow is the college entrance examination.”
I’m only not even two years old yet…
Ji Ma realized that she found it hard to accept the End of the World. She had a fiancé, a beautiful sister, and another sister waiting for her to conquer.
“Ji Ma?”
“It’s okay.” Ji Ma said, “From ancient times to the present, the old world has survived at least five massive calamities; there will always be a way. And from the history of the Empire, each Eternal Divine Selection has been a stepping stone for the heroes. By the way, the last Eternal Divine Selection of the Four Dark Gods was smashed to death by the Devout with a hammer, right?”
The Emperor of the Empire at that time was nicknamed the Devout, a priest of Sigma, who rallied the masses in a chaotic city in the name of Sigma, eventually making a desperate counterattack and smashing the Eternal Divine Selection to death.
“Right.” Janna said somewhat relieved, “That was seven hundred or eight hundred years ago.”
“One hammer shattered the Demon King’s crown into several pieces.” Ji Ma said, “Even the Eternal Divine Selection wearing the complete Demon King’s crown was defeated.”
A smile appeared on Janna’s face: “I was too anxious.”
“Don’t worry.”
Although Ji Ma said this, she wasn’t really at ease. Every End of the World was a catastrophe; regardless of age, status, or strength, no one could escape death.
The End of the World left a deep imprint on the culture of the Empire. The Empire worships skulls because they symbolize sacrifice—the secret to humanity’s survival—and they also symbolize purity, as human skulls will deform if they mutate.
The two chatted for a while longer, and Ji Ma casually mentioned Eve Frostleaf and George.
“Eve Frostleaf? Although she is arrogant, she has a kind heart.” Janna said, “It’s wonderful that you can cure her curse.”
“Yes, she promised me I could ask for three wishes.” Ji Ma held Janna’s hand; their relationship had become quite good, allowing for more casual touching. Ji Ma was making an effort to extend this casual touch further: “Unfortunately, I can’t ask her to marry George.”
“What a pity—” Janna instinctively replied with a smile, pausing suddenly with wide eyes, looking at Ji Ma: “What?”
Ji Ma showed a smile like that of a rightful wife:
“You also said that Eve is a good girl. Having been with her for so long, I’ve noticed that her love for George is something her arrogance can’t hide; sadly, it’s just a matter of breaking through a thin layer of paper.”
Janna came back to her senses and said, “I’m… a bit surprised.”
Ji Ma held Janna’s hands and asked, “Do you disagree, Janna?”
She appeared to be doing some psychological work.
When did it come to this? It should be her holding Janna’s hand.
Janna said, “I thought about it; it’s quite good. Eve and I have saved each other’s lives…”
“But?”
“But please let me think it over.” Janna said, “I’m not prepared for four people to share a bed and live together.”
“Why live together?” Ji Ma asked. “As transcendent beings, we are extraordinary and do not need to live together like mortals to cope with the pressures of life. Isn’t it better to live independently and gather for a period each year?”
Ji Ma valued personal space; she did not want others living in her home, even her husband. Otherwise, how could she bring other girls home?
“What’s the difference from not being married?”
“Janna, no matter how beautiful love is, once the passion fades, it will quickly be worn down to a dull gray by the daily sharing of the same bed.”
Ji Ma and Janna fell into a debate about future marriages. After twenty minutes of friendly discussion, neither could convince the other.
They agreed that Janna would be on guard tomorrow, ready to be summoned by Ji Ma at any time.
Ji Ma then exited the dream palace.
As the confusion from waking up faded, Ji Ma saw George standing nearby, clad in the light of the stars, leaning on his sword.
Dark clouds covered the moonlight above, and in the distance, Quinas Castle loomed like a giant in the shadows, with faint lights flickering on the indistinct city walls.
Not far away, a line of torches formed a narrow stream, advancing towards Quinas Castle.
George stood like a statue, a puff of warm air escaping his mouth. He asked, “You’re awake?”
“Yes.” Ji Ma yawned.
Her magical power was currently too low to fulfill reconnaissance tasks.
“Rest well; I’ll call for you if needed.” George said, “Are you getting on?”
Unlike Ji Ma, George could rely solely on his physical strength to fight for consecutive days without rest or food, conserving magic power and even restoring it, far exceeding Ji Ma’s endurance.
“Yes.”
The Celestial Warhorse raised its head, snorted a few times, complaining: “As a mount, I must also bear the extra weight of the rider’s mating requests.”
As Ji Ma climbed onto the horse’s back, the Celestial Warhorse trotted while complaining:
“Fortunately, she’s a slender and light Succubus.”
The hooves hit the ground, making a rhythmic sound as they chased after the armed marching army.
The night was cold and quiet. There were no insects chirping, only the monotonous sound of hooves, surrounded by darkness.
“The End of the World is coming.” Ji Ma suddenly said, “The Imperial Star Observation Chamber has already seen the omens.”
“Mm.” George’s calm voice came from ahead, “It was expected; things have become increasingly unstable in the world these past few years.”
“Are you afraid?”
“I am ready to end the End of the World army as soon as possible.”
“According to tradition, as your fiancée, I should express my concern for your life and urge you to protect yourself.” Ji Ma mocked herself, trying to relieve her own anxiety, “But you won’t.”
“Mm.”
“Why not?”
“I was born to end the End of the World army.”
“Divinely ordained?”
“It is destiny.” George said, “Since I was a child, I realized I was different from others. I could grasp a language within a week, and when learning swordsmanship, after watching my teacher demonstrate moves, I could perform them skillfully on the first day, while others were still repeatedly practicing a single move. Do you know about the selection system in the Holy Hall?”
“Go ahead.”
“Every quarter, there’s an assessment, concentrating all resources on those who pass.” George said, “I was always first. When I was thirteen, I was the shortest in my class. In the competition for the title of the prepared hero, all my opponents were geniuses, but they all lost.”
Ji Ma rolled her eyes, almost forgetting that this guy was proud and was boasting about his glorious past, which was even worse because it was all true.
“I’ll quietly listen to your bragging.”
“A question has always troubled me: why am I different from others? To answer this, I spent three years in the library.”
“The answer is that you are the Chosen One?”
“Pretty much.”
“How shameless.”
George continued:
“I believe it is destiny that chose me to end the End of the World army. That’s why, while I was still a nameless illegitimate child, I met Teacher Gregory, why I am gifted, and why I have various adventures. I want to become a capable hero before the End of the World arrives, to return light to the world.”
Ji Ma replied dully: “Oh.”
But she hoped this leg would be strong enough to pierce through the Demon King Marus.
Once they caught up with the army, Ji Ma slept in the only large tent in the camp. After drinking a potion with a sleep-inducing effect, she lay in the constantly swaying carriage, closing her eyes.
She dreamed of the Demon King wearing the complete crown of the Demon King, walking towards her with a glowing red sword.
