Chapter 38 Long Time No See
“It’s actually you…”
Verafia’s small, tender hand gently gripped Ig’s arm, and her childish voice softly emerged from her small mouth as her golden eyes stared at the figure walking slowly and smiling.
Holding a harp lightly, he wore a silk robe with golden thread woven into intricate patterns, revealing a certain luxury and elegance. He was like a renowned bard, fostered by a great noble, with a handsome face adorned with a gentle smile.
The bard’s lips curled into a faint smile as he strummed the strings, playing a captivating melody that made people forget even Bezael, who was filled with hatred and madness beside him. However, in his seemingly gentle eyes, Verafia felt an abyss-like coldness.
This was a familiar feeling… The Abyssal Church, traveling the world, usurping the sins of countless beings in this chaotic world, embodying the “Original Sin” of worldly evil.
Back in Lorinc, Verafia had once competed with Verodia, the Witch of “Envy,” for the Creation Divine Spark.
And when “Pure White Saintess” Elise opened the abyss’s rift in Lorinc, Verafia had also seen incarnations of “Original Sin” gather around her.
This was Verafia’s first time seeing an envoy from the Abyss after leaving Peka.
Each incarnation of “Original Sin,” within the Abyssal Church, was perhaps only second to Saintess Elise. They undoubtedly possessed at least Saint Rank strength, even nearing legendary status. Even when she defeated and triumphed over Verodia, it was by no means an easy feat.
And this seemingly peaceful bard…
Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and Verafia’s tender fingertips tightened their grip. Suddenly, she felt her line of sight lower slightly. Ig gently put her down, and with his other hand, grasped the hilt of the End. This was preparation for battle.
“Dylan, why are you here?”
Ig gazed at the other party and said in a deep voice. “Dylan,” this was the name the bard had used when he was with them in Rubiel City.
“Is it because of me and Veer?”
“Lord Ig, if we knew we would meet you and this esteemed Highness, perhaps the Saintess herself would have played this ballad.”
Dylan smiled brightly and shook his head slightly, his fingers plucking the strings, producing a pleasant melody. He chuckled softly, “However, the threads of fate are wondrous. Thanks to the gift of the wind, I am fortunate to see you and her esteemed presence again.”
Ig’s brow furrowed. He didn’t actually want to jest with this former acquaintance. However, even though the other party merely smiled and strummed the strings, Ig could clearly feel the surrounding space and laws solidifying, a heavy pressure descending upon him.
Ig held Verafia tighter as she squirmed in his arms, wanting to be put down. His azure eyes lifted, falling upon the bard and Bezael, whose eyes flashed with madness and hatred.
“You just said this was Bezael’s obsession. Did you manipulate him?”
In his eyes, Bezael possessed his own will. Both his body and the uncontrolled demonic power leaking out were undoubtedly similar to the bard’s.
Perhaps, in another sense, the current Bezael was an avatar created by Dylan.
“Manipulate?”
Dylan chuckled and shook his head, “You overestimate me. Such matters are too complex, let alone using him to offend you and that esteemed Highness?”
“It was merely this noble gentleman’s personal will. He harbored hatred, which is why he killed this poor father with his sword… I merely played a ballad for him.”
Ig’s brow furrowed. He didn’t doubt Dylan’s words.
Perhaps the bard had merely granted Bezael power, driven solely by his own will, which resulted in uncontrollable hatred. However, the other party’s playfully worded statement made him feel a hint of displeasure.
“Was it just a casual act on your part? Then, Dylan, what do you intend to gain?”
“You still misunderstand me,” Dylan said with a smile. “You are my friend. As a poet, hiding has never been my forte, but…”
Suddenly, as dusk descended, a dark night rolled in, like a storm’s rift, and a tidal wave of the abyss surged forth. A tainted aura, like sharp blades, pierced the air!
This indicated Ig gripping his sword. He had never expected to learn Dylan’s intentions from his words, let alone achieve a peaceful conclusion with him, his enemy.
“Ig, let me go quickly!”
Verafia urgently turned her head and shouted.
Ig held her tightly, and the End shimmered with radiance, reflecting the brilliance of the Sacred Sword. With a swing, the surging abyssal tide instantly disintegrated under the sword’s light!
However, Ig’s pupils suddenly constricted.
Following the abyssal tide, it wasn’t a barrage of spells or demonic power, but a pitch-black greatsword!
“Boom!”
The dark swordsman stood before him, silently swinging his colossal sword. However, in his cold pupils, a dangerous and blazing light flickered.
“Ig… long time no see.”
—
The roaring sound of demonic power echoed in Verafia’s ears, making her head feel dizzy. Her small, tender body suddenly fell to the ground, causing her to whimper in pain. Her eyes instantly filled with tears, and she was on the verge of crying.
At the moment the pitch-black greatsword, carrying the chilling abyss and terrifying demonic power, descended, Ig had managed to throw her out, taking almost all the attack from the dark swordsman upon himself.
A throbbing pain spread across her tender skin.
Perhaps it was due to her becoming a child again, but Verafia felt her resistance to pain had also dropped to that of an ordinary little girl.
Just falling to the ground hurt as if her whole body had fallen apart, and she was almost in tears.
“But, that person just now, was it that abyssal swordsman, Hodrea? Damn it, he found Ig…”
Such a thought appeared in her mind. This was also a name that seemed distant but not unfamiliar.
Back in Peka, this former overseer of the Abyss, a disciple of the “Swordsman” Geon, now Hodrea the Dark Swordsman, had personally clashed with her. Even the abyssal brand on Ig in the past was left by Hodrea.
Now, this dark swordsman had suddenly found Ig…
She tried to lift her small face. Ig could hardly spare her any attention. The End clashed with the swordsman’s dark greatsword, and terrifying fluctuations shook the very fabric of space. Cracks spread across the ground, and waves of sword Qi and demonic power seemed to divide the world, leaving only the ringing sound of clashing blades.
The aftermath of the battle wantonly destroyed streets and buildings. The nearby elven residents fled in panic. Just the residual energy from the battle was enough to injure most of the crystals!
Verafia was not far away, and the impact on her, despite her Star Rank demonic power, was not easy to bear, let alone in her tiny body resembling that of a three or four-year-old child.
“This idiot.”
She gritted her teeth lightly. Her tender little hand precariously supported herself amidst the violently shaking, collapsing, and shattering walls and floors. Her slender eyelashes trembled slightly as Verafia tightened her grip on her small hand.
A flash of emerald fluorescence flickered, and a rich life aura blocked the residual energy from the colliding blades. Then, a staff, not overly ornate, appearing ancient and elegantly patterned, appeared in her hand.
