Chapter 110

Chapter 110: The Catastrophic Cage.

On the outskirts of Borough City, under a torrential downpour, Lucy, wearing a straw hat, was drenched by the heavy rain as she walked toward Borough City.

On either side of her were two shadowy figures cloaked entirely in black, one on the left and the other on the right, following her closely.

A gust of wind blew past, carrying away Lucy’s straw hat. As she reached up instinctively to steady it, her hand found nothing but air.

The lost straw hat seemed like the final straw that broke Lucy’s spirit. She stopped, looked up at the swirling clouds above, and sighed.

Raindrops, large as beans, splashed onto her face, rolling down her cheeks, making it impossible to tell whether they were tears or rainwater.

“Let’s go, we’re almost there,” Tara said, stepping ahead of Xia’er to address Lucy after sensing that Lucy had halted.

“I told you to bring an umbrella, but you didn’t believe me,” Tara continued.

Lucy turned her head stiffly toward Tara, whose clothes were already tattered with several holes. After a moment of silence, Lucy replied, “If I had used an umbrella, wouldn’t that bolt of lightning have struck me instead?”

“This is no ordinary lightning,” Tara’s expression grew serious as she glanced toward Xia’er and spoke devoutly, “It’s…a trial from the Goddess.”

Lucy: “Then when the lightning strikes me later, could you help take the test for me?”

Tara: “No.”

Lucy sighed and continued walking forward.

Her current state was deplorable, and she couldn’t possibly resist these two Tribunal members before her.

Not just her— even if all the investigators from various factions within Derton Manor combined their strength, they probably still wouldn’t be able to defeat these two harbingers of doom.

Most of them were merely first-rank individuals or common personnel.

Actually, if she insisted on resisting—even in this severely wounded condition—two second-rank Extraordinaries wouldn’t be able to hold her back.

Before leaving, Lucy had performed a simple Tarot reading.

Although she only used the simplest single-card spread, the card she drew urged her to follow the steps of the two people.

The Wheel of Fortune.

This card indicated that despite how dire the situation appeared, the wheel of destiny was turning, offering a chance for things to improve.

Lucy slowed her pace, trailing behind the Tribunal officer named “Tara,” trying to keep some distance from the red-haired girl. Lowering her head, she began to ponder.

What exactly would change her luck?

The “Strong Fortune Coin” was useless now.

She had already used both chances today, and it would take some time before the ability refreshed. Therefore, her fortune’s shift must not come from the “Strong Fortune Coin.”

Three Extraordinary beings shrouded in Doom rules had gathered together…

Would her lucky moment occur here?

No matter what, she needed to observe carefully…

At this point, Tara slowly approached Xia’er, walking beside Lucy.

Due to the heavy rain, the sound of raindrops hitting the hoods and the thunder made communication difficult unless one was close enough.

Yes, speaking clearly was essential so the Mother Goddess could hear her words distinctly.

One shouldn’t mumble when addressing deities.

Tara tiptoed closer to Xia’er’s cheek and whispered, “M… May I call you Lord Xia’er directly?”

“Hmm.” Xia’er nodded.

The cool night rain contrasted sharply with the warmth of Tara’s breath, which seemed unusually hot. Whether it was Xia’er’s perception or not, she felt Tara’s breathing grow heavier.

As Xia’er felt slightly uncomfortable and was about to push Tara away, Tara’s next words froze her hand mid-motion.

“Lord Xia’er… Regarding the Doom Rule mentioned by Lucy, after my investigation, I do recall something vaguely… It might have been written in an ancient text or scripture, but due to the long passage of time, I can’t remember clearly…”

Tara then apologized, saying, “I’m very sorry, Lord Xia’er, I may not be able to provide you with an answer before midnight… Please forgive my limited knowledge…”

“To make amends for my fault, I am willing to offer every inch of my flesh and bone, wishing only that my soul may ascend to your divine realm…”

Tara’s voice was filled with self-reproach, as if she regretted not memorizing the content of the book earlier, and without hesitation, she decided to sacrifice herself to Xia’er.

Hearing Tara’s words, Xia’er was somewhat surprised.

Could there really be records about the Doom Rule?

Xia’er had only intended for Tara to try her luck, but unexpectedly, the knowledgeable Tara did uncover something…

Unfortunately, Tara herself couldn’t recall the specific details. To truly understand, Xia’er would need to visit the secret monastery of the Arrival Sect.

“We’ll discuss it later,” Xia’er responded calmly.

“Yes, Lord Xia’er,” Tara replied, somewhat disappointed, lowering her tiptoed feet.

Truly worthy as the earthly vessel of the Mother Goddess, aside from the warm aura emanating from her body, even her scent was extraordinarily pleasant.

From afar, Lucy, who was following them, wanted to quicken her pace to eavesdrop on their conversation about whatever tormenting plans they were discussing, but dared not get too close to the red-haired girl.

However, soon Lucy noticed a tall, slim figure holding a lantern standing nearby on the road.

That figure also seemed to notice the three approaching, directing his gaze toward them.

He was dressed in worn-out clothing, standing in the heavy rain with his light golden hair plastered against his face, looking utterly disheveled—somewhat resembling Lucy’s current state.

How could it be him?

Isn’t that Obold? Why does he look like a beggar?

Lucy furrowed her brow; she’d never seen such a pitiful appearance from him before.

Obold’s eyes scanned over the trio, clenching his fists tightly as he asked, “Where’s Aivana? How are you two here instead?”

Finally, Obold’s gaze locked onto the girl with dark red pupils, and black armor plates began spreading across his hands: “It’s you…”

Clang!

A massive black tower shield, almost as big as a door, was gripped in Obold’s right arm. He placed the shield on the ground with a dull thud.

“You’d better give me an explanation…” Obold’s anger flared, glaring fiercely at the three before him as he gritted his teeth, “She promised there was a way for me to return safely to An Su…”

Seeing the disheveled prince, Lucy roughly understood the situation.

So the other person affected by the Doom Rule was this son of the prince…

But judging by his demeanor, his temperament wasn’t particularly agreeable at the moment.

Lucy took several steps to the right, creating distance between herself and the two Tribunal officers, raising her hands slightly as she said:

“Good evening, Count Sadrius. I was forcibly brought here by these two Tribunal officers. I don’t know what’s going on.”

Lucy quickly distanced herself from the two Tribunal officers to avoid any accidental harm.

At this moment, the four stood facing each other in three different directions, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense.

Obold looked at Xia’er and slowly said:

“The Salvation Goddess Religion confirmed with me that you’re not from the Tribunal.”

“What is your purpose?!”

Boom!

A streak of lightning tore through the night sky, striking the center between the four, burning and scorching the barren earth and grass beneath it. Almost everyone felt a tingling sensation that made their hairs stand on end.

Not from the Tribunal?

Lucy frowned, glancing toward the red-haired girl, then shifting her gaze to lock onto the white-haired girl.

Not from the Tribunal…

Almost instantly, everything that had happened clicked into place in Lucy’s mind. She took a deep breath.

Slowly, she pulled out a silver shilling from her pocket, flipped it into the air, caught it, and opened her palm.

A queen’s head crowned with laurels faced downward, while the crown and shield images faced the night sky.

Reverse.

In an instant, she hurled the silver coin directly toward “Gusi’s” direction while shouting loudly: “Gusi!!!”

At the moment the silver coin landed by Gusi’s feet,

A bolt of white light descended from the sky, striking the coin dead center. Almost instantly, a white figure emerged behind Gusi, shielding her.

BOOM——

The delayed thunderclap sounded, and Lucy’s expression grew colder, her gaze filled with murderous intent:

“Damn it! A freak from the Arrival Sect!”

They… were members of the Arrival Sect!!!

Simen had not betrayed me! He was forcibly brainwashed! That “Gusi”! She’s a damn Missionary!!!

In an instant, the situation became extremely tense as two third-rank individuals glared at the two second-rank girls.

…

About 2 kilometers away on the road, Nia stood holding a large umbrella, while in front of her, Aivana held a monocular telescope, observing the distant commotion.

This was a professional nautical telescope that allowed Aivana to see what roughly happened over there.

“Hmm? Why are they arguing? Nia, what did they say?”

Aivana adjusted the magnification of the telescope while asking.

“They know Miss Xia’er is pretending to be from the Tribunal.”

Nia paused slightly before continuing, “Lucy is cursing the lady beside Miss Xia’er as a ‘freak from the Arrival Sect’… implicating Miss Xia’er as well.”

“Ah?”

Aivana looked back at Nia with some confusion and continued observing through the telescope.

She couldn’t understand how they connected Xia’er to the Arrival Sect… Xia’er and her organization had directly massacred an entire Arrival Sect outpost.

“Miss, I think we need to retreat a few more kilometers.”

Nia looked into the distance and spoke slowly.

“Why? With this heavy rain, if we go further, we won’t see anything.”

Aivana didn’t want to just hear about what was happening; she wanted to see it herself.

“Look at the sky, Miss.”

Nia pointed upwards. Following her finger, Aivana slowly looked up, her mouth gradually opening wide.

…

Facing the two third-ranks, Tara’s heart raced with panic. If she were alone, she would have chosen to flee.

Neither “Fate-Bearers” nor “Crown Guards” were skilled in pursuit. If she scattered the silver coins and ran, she could definitely escape.

But now, the earthly form of the Mother Goddess was also present.

She couldn’t let the earthly form of the Mother Goddess suffer any harm…

Compared to the somewhat panicked Tara, Xia’er’s mind remained unusually calm.

If the two third-ranks attacked, the worst consequence would only be death. In the simulation, death wasn’t terrifying.

What was terrifying was dying without obtaining any useful information.

Now, three people affected by the doom rule stood together. Her body already carried a terrifying amount of bad luck, and others had broken the rules to meet here…

What would happen?

Xia’er slowly looked up at the sky.

The storm clouds churned above, and besides the storm clouds, there was a monstrous shadow with a wingspan almost a hundred meters disturbing the clouds.

This apocalyptic scene even made Xia’er’s heart feel a slight shock.

It came.

In Xia’er’s vision, the terrifying shadow dove down, rushing towards the three people below.

With such speed and size… there was no way to avoid it.

After making this judgment, Xia’er made no attempt to escape. She took out a stopwatch from her pocket, unaware that the “Strong Fortune Coin” fell out when she grabbed the stopwatch, rolling against all logic towards Lucy’s direction on the uneven road.

The shadow blocking the sky crashed to the ground, completely enveloping the four people in its shadow.

By this time, Lucy and Obold seemed to suddenly become aware of the shadow’s existence, but it was too late.

A series of bizarre characters composed of shadows appeared before their eyes, as if being written directly into their minds.

These characters caused no spiritual pollution to Xia’er, but Xia’er also couldn’t understand them.

“Is this… ancient An Su language?”

Tara muttered beside Xia’er.

“…Life calamity three… device?”

“Change…”

“Rules perhaps… unclear…”

“Severe consequences… irreversible…”

“First… trial…”

Fragmented ancient An Su phrases made Xia’er frown slightly. She temporarily couldn’t understand the full text in front of her, but she quickly memorized the characters like pictures in her mind.

Suddenly, purple-black phantom threads emanated from Xia’er, Lucy, and Obold.

Uncontrollably, these threads surged toward the shadow above. The most threads came from Xia’er, looking like bundles of chaotic phantom cables being pulled toward the sky.

What was this?

Xia’er vaguely realized that these things emerging from their bodies, which had no side effects or loss of strength, were like… the physical manifestation of misfortune?

Lucy noticed something was wrong first.

Without hesitation, she turned around and ran as fast as possible toward Derton Manor. But at that moment, her foot tripped over a simple pebble, causing her to fall face-first onto the ground.

BOOM—!

A lightning bolt nearly two to three meters thick struck from the sky, exploding right in front of Lucy!

The lightning was less than a meter away from Lucy’s head. It was precisely that stumble that saved her from fatal injury.

The electric current spread through the rainwater, and the contact voltage caused the electricity to surge into Lucy’s body, stopping her heart almost instantly and damaging her nervous system.

If she hadn’t fallen, she would have run directly into the center of the lightning strike just moments ago.

BOOM—!

Without pause, the second lightning bolt struck toward where Obold was standing. Almost simultaneously with the Spiritual Alert ringing out, Obold’s entire body was covered in black armor, hexagonal phantom plates coalescing above his head.

A white light enveloped him.

At this moment, Xia’er quickly acted. Shadows emerged beneath her, rapidly dispersing in four different directions.

Buzz—!

A loud buzzing sound rang in Xia’er’s ears. She felt a tingling sensation transmitted from the ground, even her hair tingling as if it might float in the rain.

She quickly chose the shadow farthest from the others. Xia’er’s figure began to fade, but the transformation was too slow, and it was too late. A white flash had already completely enveloped Xia’er.

A hundred meters away, Xia’er’s figure gradually solidified as she looked curiously at her hands.

Why wasn’t she attacked?

Xia’er turned to look at the direction she originally stood. The Tara who had been beside her had vanished without a trace, leaving only some extraordinary traits and items undamaged by the lightning strike, not even bones remaining.

In that brief decision-making moment, Tara had realized Xia’er couldn’t escape the lightning strike. Without hesitation, she used the ability of the “Reformed Monk,” transferring the attack to herself…

The calamity was far from over.

The accumulated calamity erupted violently after the three of them gathered together, unleashing fierce and terrifying attacks.

The storm clouds above illuminated the entire sky like daylight, the deafening thunder shaking the earth.

Xia’er didn’t hesitate and fled, but she had barely taken a few steps when she collided with something soft.

This was a shadow, the shadow that had been circling in the air earlier.

Xia’er turned sharply, looking into the distance.

The three of them were trapped like beasts in a cage, confined within a space that was certainly not spacious, allowing the calamity to rage uncontrollably upon them…

As if trying to decide a victor…