Chapter 1262
The Mask of the Crow Guard
Haina finally accepted Eivass’s suggestion.
—It wasn’t a command, of course, but a proposal from a friend.
Just like the confused and fearless Fool, who always needs the advice of “The Magician” to embark on the journey of fate.
And she truly yearned to know her true self, to become a real Human—
So she packed her bag, taking only enough food and water for a few days, and left Holy Spring City openly at noon.
Not a few people saw this scene. Haina made no attempt to hide her tracks. By the time she reached the First Ring, the news had already spread outside the city.
…In this regard, she showed a certain self-awareness of being a strong individual.
However, Eivass didn’t simply let her go off on her own to take risks…
Being used wasn’t the main concern—Eivass worried that Haina, with her limited social experience, might be sold off or assassinated.
It was like teaching a child to go to school on their own. Although you might say, “Be careful when you go out by yourself,” you’d actually follow far behind.
After all, you’d still fear something happening to your child in the blink of an eye. Yet, you’d have to scare them into being more attentive. Otherwise, they wouldn’t take it seriously.
This applied to Haina as well.
Haina needed to have the awareness of death and face dangerous situations alone to truly become serious. Only then could she push out her potential and resolve—even though Haina’s behavior during the Ascension Ritual was somewhat naive, her decisiveness, perseverance, patience, and reaction speed were actually not bad, and could even be described as excellent.
It was like a college student cramming before a final exam; with serious effort, some grades could certainly be achieved. Or like a husky in the Arctic Circle, whose intelligence would regain dominance after its brain cooled down sufficiently.
So, after Haina left, Eivass had Lily follow her from a distance.
Lily’s stealth abilities were practically invincible here—she was enhanced by the complete set of Eagle Eye equipment. Unless it was a Fifth Tier Path of Wisdom or Path of Balance with reconnaissance gear, it would be difficult to even vaguely detect Lily’s presence. The only one in this area who met this standard was probably Fiery Fist Hassan.
And the fact that he could vaguely sense Lily’s presence was actually a good thing for Haina. It served as a deterrent.
Only when Haina encountered a crisis she could not resist would Lily appear to rescue her. In all other situations, Lily would not show herself to Haina.
Both Eivass and Lily could directly guess that kind of future possibility—as soon as Lily appeared before Haina, after a moment of shock, she would happily abandon her brain.
How to put it… abandoning one’s brain could also be considered a warrior’s destiny. In every sense.
On the other side.
Inside Holy Spring City, the Lords had mostly arrived.
Shortly after the two Lords, Mahidifran and Isma’i, left, a Water Crow Guard wearing a crow mask knocked on the door.
“Lord Eivass.”
A respectful voice came from outside the door: “A message from a Forgiver for you.”
“Oh?”
Eivass’s voice came from inside the house.
Since Lily had already left, and Nefertis’s guard was merely the personal guard of the “Encyclopedia” Protino, the one who came to open the door was the old Ritualist, Ibn.
The moment he opened the door, he saw the Water Crow Guard standing at the entrance, dressed in black. He was startled.
Although Ibn was powerful now, he still instinctively feared the Water Crow Guards. It was a mark etched into the hearts of all Anxi people. Even though Ibn had been away from Anxi for so long that he was almost unaccustomed to speaking the Anxi language, he had not forgotten the fear of being stared at by a Water Crow Guard.
He had even had the opportunity to join them back then—though perhaps it couldn’t be called an “opportunity.”
Because once a Water Crow Guard appeared, they didn’t need to present any evidence to take someone away.
They were the embodiment of the “Lords’ Will.”
Those taken by them might be interrogated, might be sold, might become one of their own, or might be used to create Thirst Stones—this was all part of the water tax.
Lord Aimel Nour of Holy Spring City, as the Grand Vizier of Anxi, did not openly appear before others. All his actions were carried out by the Water Crow Guards, and his words were conveyed by them.
Because of this, the will of the Water Crow Guards was absolute.
Holy Spring City did not need written laws—because if others knew the content of the laws and regulations, it might constrain the actions of the Water Crow Guards. Therefore, the “Mask of the Crow Guard” was the law itself.
The Water Crow Guard glanced at old Ibn and immediately recognized him as a local Anxi person.
He said nothing and did not enter. He merely bowed slightly and waited at the entrance.
It was as if no one had come to open the door.
Although he was extremely respectful to Eivass, he showed no courtesy or friendliness to Ibn, an Anxi person. He didn’t even look directly at old Ibn, his eyes beneath the mask showing undisguised indifference and contempt.
Eivass slowly walked over, examining the Water Crow Guard’s attire.
These were the black-robed priests who were manufacturing Thirst Stones when he entered the city.
His mask looked somewhat like the beak mask of a plague doctor from the Black Death period… and its function was probably similar. That beak contained a special reflux tube that could collect and purify the water vapor dissipated during breathing, allowing it to humidify the inhaled air.
This simple function in Anxi signified “a degree of control over water.” Even if it was only a small degree of authority, so small that it could only manage the moisture from one’s own breath, it was a different social class from ordinary Free People.
And the staffs they held, called “Water-Seeking Staffs,” also possessed a special power—they were special canes, similar to walking sticks for the blind. By striking the ground with them, they could sense water in nearby containers from the vibrations.
It was said that this was originally a technique used by Lizardmen and Snake People to explore for underground water. Now, they used it to detect if anyone was hoarding water.
“Kneel.”
Eivass said calmly.
The Water Crow Guard knelt without hesitation, handing the Water-Seeking Staff to Eivass with both hands, and then prostrated himself deeply before Eivass. His forehead remained on the ground, unmoving—meaning that even if Eivass killed him here, he would not resist in the slightest.
This was the price the Water Crow Guard had to pay as a delegate of the Lords, and it was also the reason old Ibn had absolutely wanted to escape this fate back then.
Once one became a Water Crow Guard, one had to swear to give up their personal autonomy. They could not disobey the Lord’s commands, nor could they betray them… they were like machines. They were even partially controlled by the Lords of other cities.
How arrogant he was just a moment ago, how lowly he was now.
Ibn breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Eivass gratefully.
He could tell that Eivass was standing up for him.
Although he was an Anxi person and had long been accustomed to the power and prestige of the Water Crow Guards… he hadn’t even realized he was being deliberately ignored until Eivass got angry.
It was so childish, almost like deliberately pushing someone. Old Ibn even felt like laughing… He probably hadn’t used such methods since he was a teenager. This made him feel somewhat rejuvenated.
“Speak.”
Eivass took the staff and then instructed in a low voice.
“Aimel Nour has a message…”
As the Water Crow Guard began to speak.
A scorching burst of fire instantly swept across the ground, burning their skin.
The moment he opened his mouth, it was like swallowing a mouthful of hot air, and his words were instantly choked back.
That power instantly heated the water inside his mask to boiling. The scalding steam caused his Crow Guard mask to spray steam, burning the young Water Crow Guard’s trachea.
At this moment, an immensely majestic voice sounded from the heavens:
[The Path of Devotion has surpassed its limit, the Material Realm is about to ascend—]
Eivass shivered, realizing what had happened.
…Did Grey really talk Grey into death using speech therapy?
