Chapter 540 – The Mad Fantasy
On the other side of the chaotic battlefield lit by flames, ‘The Makeup Artist’ held a small and exquisite gem short sword in her hand, slowly approaching this group of people. Her steps were unhurried; the gem short sword revolved in large arcs along her arm in the air, then white flames ignited around her body.
Although her strength was only at Sequence 6, she was a rare and powerful profession: Angelic Sequence 6·Gem Flame. Practitioners of this profession could use the ability of gem flame, which was as bright and crystal-like as special flames, highly effective against distortions and evil entities, while also having extremely high temperatures. After being burned, it would leave behind white ashes resembling gem fragments.
The short sword in her hand directed these gem flames like a baton. Under her guidance and waving, the gem flames flowed like light, tracing graceful trajectories in the night sky, colliding with enemies and suddenly exploding, illuminating everything around, blinding anyone who looked directly at them.
A group of former priests emerged from their ranks, holding sacred texts and chanting together. Then they raised their staffs, and gusts of wind rushed towards the black-robed woman.
The winds carried dust, flames, debris, and other objects, constantly colliding, making it difficult to open one’s eyes. The hood on ‘The Makeup Artist’ was blown up, revealing the golden hair underneath.
[Door of Prohibition]
She gave a low shout, turning the short sword in her hand as if using a key to lock a door. A pale gold door appeared before her, blocking the gusts of wind.
But the other group did not stop. Some wielded swords and knives, rushing forward from two sides, shouting incomprehensible slogans, their faces deranged and beast-like.
[Door of Creation]
‘The Makeup Artist’ held the gem short sword and solemnly drew a cross in the air, then another pale gold door unfolded before her.
This wasn’t over yet. Another door opened in front of her.
Thus, the doors advanced like dominoes, pushing back the enemies in front of them.
As this group prepared to attack the doors, ‘The Makeup Artist’ pushed off the ground with her foot, her body shooting forward like an arrow. The doors opened abruptly as she passed through.
With each door she passed, her speed increased. In an instant, seven doors seemed to open simultaneously. The black figure vanished in a flash. The dazzling gem short sword cut through the chaotic crowd, leaping to the far end.
Her hood was lifted by the airflow due to her violent movements, revealing a strand of golden hair.
Time seemed to slow down at that moment. The priests casting spells from behind were startled, their mouths slightly agape as they watched the black-robed golden-haired woman leap. The flames beside her stopped flickering.
In that instant, the short sword in her hand burst forth with dazzling light—
Then, when those around recovered from the blindness, the priests casting spells from behind had already fallen to the ground, warm blood oozing from their neatly sharp wounds.
—
On the northern side of the valley, closest to the center.
Snap—
A glove stained with blood twisted the enemy’s head and casually tossed it aside.
‘Red Hat’ shook off the blood droplets on his hand. Dozens of corpses lay around him. Except for him, only the old man in the center remained standing.
“I know you, Bishop Kestlin. We met five years ago, but you were on the high platform giving your retirement speech, saying you wanted to return to the southern region to retire, living a simple life in your last days.”
“Unimaginable, to meet you again here after a few years. Truly sorrowful.”
“Oh. Perhaps I’ve seen too many familiar faces. I don’t know which junior you are.” The old man coughed as he stood in the firelight, looking at the man hidden under the black robe. He knew his time was limited and wasn’t afraid of death.
“The old companions of the Judgment Department are still as keen as ever. Cough… but I have fulfilled my mission, even if I die…”
Suddenly, his voice was interrupted. ‘Red Hat’ rushed forward, tightly choking the old man’s neck and lifting him up. His wooden staff fell to the ground, rolling into the blood and flames nearby.
“Do you think death will come easily?”
“Do you know how many people—how many families—how many lives have been lost because of your selfish desires and illusory fantasies?”
“How can I let you off so easily!”
‘Red Hat’ tightened his grip, speaking each word distinctly, as if hammering nails into the other’s consciousness with a giant hammer.
The old man’s head turned dark red due to the rush of blood, his body struggling continuously, but unable to shake off the iron-like arm.
After more than ten seconds, when the old man’s resistance weakened, ‘Red Hat’ released his grip, letting him roll to the ground.
“Cough… cough… you, you foolish and pitiful fool… cough…”
“Oh, where am I pitiful, Master Kestlin?”
‘Red Hat’ slowly pulled out the dagger from his hand, lightly piercing, causing a blood flower to bloom on the old man’s shoulder, splattering a little flesh and causing another cry of pain.
“You will all eventually be swallowed by the chaotic tide, and we will enter a new heaven.”
“Heaven? What a distant and unfamiliar term. I seem to have only read about it in ancient texts. When the soul and consciousness vanish, where else can we go? This world is our heaven, and death is our hell.”
Another blood flower bloomed on the old man’s wrist, tiny droplets splashing onto his face, making him look grotesque.
“Pity, ahahaha.” The old man laughed wildly, several more blood flowers blooming on his body.
“We are all bugs trapped on the ground. You live in a cage, feeling smug, completely unaware of the vast and beautiful expanse of the Ganges sands.”
“Death? Dispersal? So what? The ladder of evolution is built step by step with blood. Does the stable environment you usually enjoy make you dream too much? Believe me, this world is cruel, and there will always be sacrifices. I merely make their deaths more meaningful.”
‘Red Hat’ stepped on the old man’s calf, the sound of bones breaking, followed by another shrill scream.
“I thought you weren’t afraid of pain.”
“Is your idea of meaning making them lose their minds, turning them into mindless beasts and corpses?”
“Hahaha, yes, exactly. I know you want to extract more from me, but why not tell you?”
“Yes, we want to let the chaos of disaster sweep the earth again, cleansing the world. This is our own sin.”
“But!”
“In the world after everything is destroyed, new life will adapt to chaos, and that will be a new future. I believe in the possibility of life.”
Slap—
Another arm was crushed by ‘Red Hat’, spilling pale bones and blood.
“What if your plan fails and no new life is born?”
The dying old man vomited blood, thrashing on the ground. His face was covered with dust and blood, his hazy eyes staring at the burning flames nearby.
“You are not a deity. How can you extinguish hope?” His consciousness gradually faded.
Behind the flames, a slender figure in a black robe approached. As he exhausted his last bit of strength, he raised his gaze. Finally, the silver hair and starry eyes came into focus in his blurred vision.
How beautiful.
(End of Chapter)
