Chapter 339 [Event] [Dolphian Kingdom Under Ruins] [25] Reaching The Horn

Chapter 339 [Event] [Dolphian Kingdom Under Ruins] [25] Reaching The Horn

"Who are you?!" one of the guards exclaimed in alarm as Lomar and Nora burst into the palace.

"This is the Palace!!" another shouted futilely before Lomar swiftly dispatched them with a powerful swing of his legs.

"Is it here?" Lomar asked, his gaze fixed on Nora, whose appearance had shifted to resemble Doria's.

Nora nodded, her features morphing back to Doria's. "Yes, it's here," she confirmed, pointing towards a nearby wall.

"Good." Discarding Doria's lifeless body, Lomar brandished his sting and drove it forcefully into the wall.

With a deafening explosion, a surge of Prana energy emanated from Lomar, obliterating the wall and the mana circles guarding it. Seizing the Queen with his tail, he descended the dark staircase with Nora in tow.

Meanwhile, a few meters away, Celeste crouched behind a pillar, her face drained of color as she observed the scene unfolding before her.

A sense of foreboding washed over her as she felt an overwhelming pressure emanating from the depths below—a dark, ominous mana that sent shivers down her spine.

Though she knew descending into the unknown depths would be perilous, especially with the dangerous individuals below, she couldn't remain idle, not when the Queen was in jeopardy—Amelia's mother.

Glancing at her phone, she saw Victor's urgent message, urging her not to proceed further. Yet, despite the warnings ringing in her ears, she couldn't ignore the gnawing sense of responsibility.

It seems that they were also reaching for the Palace and he was accompanied but she couldn't stay still now.

Determined, she clenched her fists, steeling herself for what lay ahead.

...

...

...

The descent down the seemingly endless staircase plunged into darkness, devoid of color or light. Yet, Lomar and Nora pressed on without bother.

Celeste trailed behind them discreetly, her hand tracing the cold walls for guidance in the blackness.

Gradually, a faint glimmer of light pierced the darkness, drawing nearer as they progressed. Peeking from her vantage point, Celeste observed Lomar and Nora standing before a colossal door, encircled by layers of unique mana barriers.

Though she couldn't comprehend the mystical symbols etched into the circles, she surmised they served as safeguards for whatever lay beyond.

"Ugh..." Suddenly, a sharp pang lanced through Celeste's head, her vision clouding with vivid flashes of insight. It was her Prophetess ability, stirring with heightened intensity.

'Not now...' she shook her head in an attempt to dispel the unsettling visions. But they persisted, a premonition of impending danger.

Nora approached the door, her hand poised to breach the barrier. As the circles parted to admit her, enveloping her form in a luminous glow before dissipating, a single bigger barrier remained.

"These circles are more resistant than anticipated. Even your abilities seem ineffective," Lomar said narrowing his eyes.

Nora shot him a sharp glance before conceding, "What do we do?"

A sadistic grin twisted Lomar's lips as he lowered the unconscious Queen to the ground. With a swift, cruel thrust of his tail, he impaled her abdomen, a sickening spurt of greenish poison staining the air.

"AGHAAAAHA!"

The Queen's agonized screams pierced the silence as the toxic venom ravaged her body, corroding her very cells.

Ignoring her suffering, Lomar lifted her limp form and thrust it towards the remaining barrier. As the circle shimmered with recognition, it dissolved, allowing passage.

"Ah..ah..." Celeste's breath was ragged as she glared at Lomar.

"I-I won't let you."

***

"Are you serious, Amael...?" Victor's expression betrayed his incredulity.

Selene's frown mirrored his disbelief.

"Yeah, they're after the Horn of Behemoth. You've heard of it, right?" I affirmed.

"Yeah... I mean, it's in the books. The legendary battle recorded in every historical tome of Sancta Vedelia. But I always thought those tales of the three Horns were just fiction," Victor admitted.

"Not at all. It's all too real. Sometimes, it pays to believe in the wisdom of your ancestors," I remarked with a chuckle.

"Right..." Victor nodded, scratching his cheek.

"Anyway, we have to prevent them from seizing the Horn. Fortunately, the King is holding off the most annoying enemy, but there may still be dangerous opponents to contend with. Don't underestimate them," I warned them.

Among them were undoubtedly Commanders of Behemoth, strong foes indeed.

"How do you know all of this?" Selene said suddenly, her tone tinged with suspicion.

I couldn't divulge the truth about my knowledge of the situation—that I had gleaned it from playing a game.

"Intuition," I replied shortly.

"Do you really expect me to believe that?" Selene shot back.

"Not at all," I replied with a smile.

"I... don't really care how you know, but I trust you, man," Victor chimed in, grinning as he gave my shoulder a reassuring pat.

He was sure more reliable than Jayden-

"Huh...?"

I halted abruptly, my attention drawn elsewhere.

"Amael?" Victor's voice called out, but I remained silent.

My gaze fixated ahead, towards the looming silhouette of the palace now visible in the distance.

Tremors coursed through my hand as I raised it, a sense of familiarity tingling in my senses.

That mana...

I recognized it.

I could never forget her mana nor her presence.

'Cleenah?!'

[<It was hers... yes.>]

It was Nevia's mana.