Chapter 854
Then it’s a fight to the death.
On the other side, Alistair reappeared.
She was back on top of the bell tower, the same position she was in when she first entered this painting.
The bell tower was still intact, but the surrounding buildings showed signs of bombardment. Compared to the scene still in her memory, it could be seen what this city had experienced.
However…
“…It doesn’t seem like the bombing was that severe.”
Alistair commented critically.
Although many buildings had collapsed, the outline of the original building complex could still be discerned. Over seventy percent of the buildings with intact frames remained, with only most of the tall buildings gone. The lower residential and commercial buildings were almost all complete, and even the streets were not overturned.
Looking around, the bell tower had become the tallest building in the city.
– Rather than being detonated from the ground by something like missiles, it was more like a meteor shower falling diagonally from above. Therefore, the higher things would be damaged first.
“…How surprising.”
Alistair looked up at the purplish-red sky, her expression satisfied and excited.
Light purple halos instantly appeared in her pupils, making her scarlet eyes reflect a color very close to the sky.
Alistair muttered in a low voice, “I thought they would choose a Fallen Heavenly Envoy or a Shadow Heavenly Envoy…”
…But not necessarily.
Because there was another possibility – that they didn’t know about the “Endless Knot.”
They descended on August 8th, and “eight” was the sacred number of the Father of Snakes and the Endless Knot. As long as they paid attention to the date, it would be easy to ask for the information that “the Father of Snakes is dead.”
Although for most people, they couldn’t know the true reason for the Father of Snakes’ abdication was to break through the Twilight Wall… but it was strong enough for a 4 to 5 ascension, so they should at least know about the change in “Royal power.” It was not impossible for the former Silver Crown Dragon to replace Supreme Heaven, nor for a new Pillar God to replace the Father of Snakes.
This was especially true for the Ascenders who had come from the previous two paintings.
The first painting told the story of the Banquet Master’s ascension. The three endings of the second painting described the ascension of the Silver Crown Dragon, or the ascension of Hengwo, or the ascension of the Wing Heavenly Envoy and the Lord of Scales and Feathers. Even if it followed “the same tone,” the third painting should also contain content about the succession of Pillar Gods.
But if they hadn’t followed the plot honestly over there, and hadn’t realized the identity of the “Endless Knot”…
…Then in the eyes of most Ascenders, the Endless Knot, who was not one of the Nine Pillar Gods and had no “Heavenly Envoy” title, was at most just a Disc.
They voted for the Endless Knot precisely because they wanted to reach the simplest ending!
This was not because of their courage… but rather because of their fear.
“How interesting.”
Alistair couldn’t help but laugh, “Clutching at timidity and choosing to escape, yet instead stepping into the most difficult river to traverse.
“Is this fate? To give the weak an invincible enemy, to give the cowardly a dead end from which there is no escape…”
However, fighting against a Ring Heavenly Envoy… it was too absurd for a 4 to 5 Ascension Ritual.
What could a group of Fourth Tier Ascenders do?
– I would fight a Heavenly Envoy? Really?
The Ascension Ritual could not have a main quest that could not be solved no matter what. As long as this quest existed, it meant that it was theoretically possible to complete it, which meant that at least the three endings of the third painting could be completed.
However, this painting gave the most points and was the most difficult.
It was very likely that there would be combat involved.
…Even if a Ring Heavenly Envoy descended, at most it would be fighting the minor monsters summoned by the Ring Heavenly Envoy.
For Alistair, combat was never a problem.
She only knew three words – Fight! Awesome!
Alistair was looking forward to the arrival of the Ring Heavenly Envoy simply because she could no longer stand the Ring Heavenly Envoy’s riddles.
She wanted to ask the Ring Heavenly Envoy a few questions face-to-face – are you planning to devour me? Is my life being manipulated by you?
– If so, then declare war!
Absolutely not to surrender!
She would fight no matter what, and even if she couldn’t win, she would still tear off a piece of flesh from him; if his “grand plan” required Eivass and Alistair to exist, and not even the Pillar Gods could save them… then she would rather explode with him than let his conspiracy succeed.
Only those with something to lose are bullied.
To be feared, one must have nothing to lose and be unscrupulous. Only by showing such ferocity, when the other party realizes that she would really fight to the death… would they take a step back and negotiate properly.
Just then, Alistair heard footsteps from below behind her.
Someone was walking up the spiral staircase inside the bell tower, step by step.
The Night Demon, which had originally turned into a crow and was perched on the handrail, immediately flew up and turned its head with Alistair.
“– I have no ill intentions.”
It was a woman’s voice, “Excuse me, may I come up?”
“…Come up.”
Alistair pouted and replied indifferently.
When she first heard the footsteps, she thought Eivass had come to find her.
They hadn’t separated yet, they were still Eivass and Alistair.
It was here, with Isabel, that Eivass watched Janis paint the last painting before leaving Avalon.
For Eivass, Alistair, and Isabel, this bell tower held special significance.
Soon, a middle-aged woman with her hands raised slowly walked up.
She looked to be in her thirties, with a black ponytail. She was wearing a low-key and old-fashioned ladies’ suit.
Although she only looked like an older young woman, as an Alchemist who could refine age-reversing potions, her actual age would only be higher. The woman had the calm, kind, and smooth demeanor of an official, and wore gold-rimmed glasses… she looked more like a polite lawyer than a scholar.
“…The Royal Alchemist, right.”
Seeing that it was not Eivass, Alistair said lazily, losing some interest, “Are you looking for me?”
“No, I just feel… this bell tower might be the key point.”
Crown Princess Noel said softly, “Laro told me that you are Alistair Crowley… the hero who killed the Red Phase.
“I am Noel Valentine. Thank you.”
Saying that, she bowed deeply to Alistair.
Seeing that the visitor was not here to fight her, Alistair completely lost interest.
She waved her hand, “Whatever, it’s all the same… That old dog was a man. For his sake, I won’t lay a hand on you. If you want to wait here, wait, but I don’t recommend you wait here.”
“Because the enemy will appear here later, right?”
Crown Princess Noel suddenly spoke.
Alistair looked at her with some surprise.
Noel continued, “All the sufficiently tall buildings in this city have been destroyed, leaving only this bell tower intact, with no signs of bombardment. It’s obvious that this place is too abnormal. If it doesn’t have some key item, then it must be the final battle location chosen by the Host for us. Since there is nothing here, it can only be the latter.”
“…What, do you want to die?”
Alistair mocked, her previously friendly and gentle demeanor gone, unlike in the preparation room, “Do you know who your opponent will be? If a real fight breaks out, I won’t protect you.”
For some reason, she suddenly felt a wave of panic and annoyance.
A baseless anger made her noticeably more irritable.
But the Crown Princess said calmly, “I am not here to seek death.
“On the contrary – I am here to seek [Courage].”
The last few words spoken by “Sun” surfaced in her mind:
“–Don’t you want courage?”
“–Then I will give you courage.”
Now, I have courage, Noel thought.
And I still need more courage, the courage to face all difficulties.
This is a trial – and I will surely emerge from it.
“…Humph.”
Alistair snorted coldly, but her attitude softened somewhat.
“Then be careful, protect yourself.”
“…As expected, you are all good people.”
Noel subconsciously said in a low voice.
“–Hmm?”
Alistair’s gaze sharpened slightly, and she keenly caught a detail, “Wait a moment…
“Your Highness the Princess… what did you mean by ‘you all’ just now?
“Who is ‘you all’?”
(End of Chapter)
