Chapter 254
The atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive.
Lennoks expression tensed as he realized that Agnetta was not merely delivering a message.
This is almost like a complete reproduction of the memories and feelings from that time.
Was it about capturing the sensations she had witnessed and felt, then manipulating the surrounding environment to manifest them as remembered?
The precision of this manipulation technique was almost unbelievable, as if one were witnessing it firsthand.
This was why she had been chosen as a herald of Pandemonium.
The air quivered slowly, and then a faint voice emerged.
[I heard you rejected the offer.]
[I think its a waste of time to even discuss this but I believe you are worth the effort.]
A voice that embodied both masculinity and femininity, agelessness, and an unwavering certainty. There was nothing discernible in that tone except for an eerie, madness-like conviction.
[Its an irrational world, isnt it?] the voice persisted.
[But thats not a reason for this world to deserve destruction. Living and breathing is more precious and valuable than anything. Its like a journey across a great river called fate.]
Surprisingly, the voice from one of the worlds top international criminal organizations was gentler than anticipated.
[At the end of the journey, I was certain. There must be an end to a persons journey, but the worlds time must continue]
[Even if this world does not wish for it.]
A chilly silence followed.
His words carried grandiosity, peering far into the future, and Lennok found himself unable to fully grasp their meaning.
Numerous questions swirled within him, yet Lennok ultimately chose to remain silent.
In this moment, it was Agnetta simply replaying the words of the Pandemonium leader.
[I heard you are looking for a way to handle space and time. If you are seeking such a talent, there must be a reason.]
As he contemplated, the voice continued.
[You might find a decent answer in the sects sanctuary.]
!
[Whether you truly agree with our intentions, I dont know but it doesnt really matter.]
The voice seemed to peer into Lennoks emotions, punctuating its words with a chuckle.
[Lets consider this a gift in anticipation of the coming day.]
Whoosh!
At that very instant, a brisk wind swept through, and the heavy, oppressive pressure that had been weighing down on them vanished.
When Lennok gazed upward, Agnetta had already distanced herself, adjusting her eye patch.
Hoo
The cigarette between his lips had burned down to the filter.
With a wry smile, Lennok exhaled a puff of smoke, and there was a rustling behind him.
Boom!
Evelyn, as if showcasing her strength, had hurled Thurans massive corpse and now stood behind them.
Is it done?
Without a word, Agnetta retrieved a lengthy cord from the giants lifeless body and wound it around Thurans form.
With her ten legs, she effortlessly hoisted his body. With a flick of her finger, dozens of cocoons suspended from the trees tumbled to the ground.
Simultaneously, Agnetta gently placed the Mauser aside and remarked,
Dont trust the Vulcan City Council too much. Im telling you this because I like you, Evelyn.
Those senile old men are, in a way, dirtier and more repulsive than us.
Evelyn maintained her silence, her countenance unyielding.
She was acutely aware that the order and security of the vast city she had strived to maintain might prove to be nothing more than a fleeting illusion, vanishing in an instant.
Nevertheless, her steadfast commitment to living honorably and preserving her inner goodness stood as a testament to Evelyn Marcia.
Agnetta, too, appeared to believe that a lengthy conversation was unnecessary, and she wore a faint smile beneath her eye patch.
I hope when I meet you again, youre not just a puppet of those old men.
With those parting words, she vanished from the spot, carrying Thurans lifeless form, gradually fading away.
Evelyn silently fixed her gaze on the place where Agnetta had disappeared.
Lennok, too, wore a complex expression and contemplated the words she had left behind.
Until the wizards encased in cocoons regained consciousness and began to struggle, the dead forest was enveloped in profound silence.
***
The man walked above the clouds.
Whooooosh!
Its not your fault, Master Mauser, Evelyn responded in a soothing tone.
Its hard to imagine that a direct disciple of the Tower Master would not only collude with Pandemonium but also sacrifice others as food for a murderous maniac. I had my suspicions, but I never imagined it would be this bold.
The number of victims sacrificed to the cannibalistic Thuran in this incident exceeded fifty, including members of the Elders who became prey while unconscious and the rapidly increasing number of missing individuals within the tower, including the delegation from the mechanical city who had disappeared near the volcanic region.
It was revealed that the cave where the mechanical citys delegation disappeared had been a result of Geonis manipulating the heat to steal the furnaces fire, causing an outlet to rupture and extend to the volcanic region.
Reportedly, the intense heat had melted and burned the underground bedrock, forming new minerals.
That may be so. But that doesnt excuse me becoming a burden in this incident. I should have clearly foreseen that scoundrel Geonis would tamper with the furnace
Behind him, there were large bundles, twice as tall as Mauser, swaying as his body trembled.
Though he couldnt immediately transport the bodies of his fallen comrades, Mauser insisted on personally carrying their belongings back to the city.
As the two were about to bid farewell to Mauser and leave, he suddenly remembered something.
Oh, I almost forgot to give this to you.
Mauser delved into his beard and produced two elongated objects.
As Lennok marveled at the astonishing spatial storage ability, Mauser handed each of them one of the items he had been carrying.
These are some of the products our delegation brought as trade items for the Tower visit.
He presented two shotguns with cylinders emitting a striking blue magical energy.
Their basic power is no different from other shotguns, but they can temporarily amplify power and range through charging with mana. They are special products encouraged by the workshop to promote gun use among magic users.
I dont use guns, though
Evelyn attempted to decline with a wry smile, but Mauser insisted firmly.
Just accept this for now.
I may not have much to offer in return, but if you ever visit the mechanical city, Ill make sure to repay you. This is a token of that promise.
Having expressed this, Mauser shouldered his load and departed for the mechanical city. His steps seemed incredibly burdened, as if he were atoning for his inability to protect his colleagues and for neglecting to assess their fate while focusing on repairing the Towers furnace.
As the two observed his retreating figure in silence, a voice tinged with boredom suddenly came from behind.
Did that old man leave already? I heard the furnace inspection isnt finished yet.
The basic stabilization of the power source is complete, and he said thats as far as he can go. If more is needed, contact the mechanical city.
Damn, I hardly know anyone in this area
The voice yawned and then muttered apathetically.
Well, if you say so, it must be right, whatever.
Is it okay to talk like that?
I dont know. Itll work out somehow, right?
A woman with vibrant red hair and sharp eyes, scratching her head, spoke up.
In her mouth was a cigar much thicker than the one Lennok was smoking.
She was one of the five Flame Pillars guarding the Blaiver Tower, a renowned wizard known for her flamboyance and prowess in artillery.
The Flame Witch, Tatiana Chiglet.
Lennok had come across her name in newspapers; she was a prominent figure and one of the active wizards on the central front.
As Tatiana, with her disheveled hair, met Lennoks gaze, she grinned.
I heard about you from the kids. Youre the wizard who humiliated a dead priest, right?
I never humiliated anyone.
Despite Lennoks response, she disregarded it and carried on, idly picking at her ear.
Those idiots never listen when I say not to underestimate those not from the Tower. They only pretend to understand after someone dies.
Her speech was rough and assertive.
Tatianas crimson eyes glinted sharply as they locked onto Lennok.
The booklet that Geonis had. You ate it, right?
That actually belonged to our master. Ill pretend I dont know, so just do me one favor.
What is it?
The tobacco youre smoking. Its not a store-bought product, is it?
While toying with the cigar in her mouth, she raised her hand.
It looks damn delicious. Tell me how to mix it.
Faced with her audacious and unabashed request, both Lennok and Evelyn remained silent.
Blaiver Tower, one of the five Flame Pillars safeguarding the old traditions and regulations.
Without a doubt, the Flame Witch was an eccentric personality beyond imagination.
(To be Continued)
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