Chapter 605

Chapter 227 The Curtain Falls

“Marguerite?”

The gentle breeze permeated the dark night, and the swaying green grass was dyed crimson by the firelight. In the daze, I clearly saw the slender figure holding the torch, stepping into my sight. Instinctively, I called out her name, and a look of surprise appeared on my face.

Why did she come here…

“Long time no see, Miss Silviana.”

The gentle saint stopped not far behind Angelus, showing no intention to come closer. She just nodded at me from over ten meters away, with her usual stern and solemn expression.

The night wind blew, fluttering her cloak and skirt embroidered with golden lace, making the torch in her hand rustle loudly. Between the flickering light and shadow, a few strands of Marguerite’s azure hair escaped from her tightly wrapped headscarf, brushing against her cool and emotionless face.

I looked at her, feeling somewhat dazed. I wanted to greet her, but for some reason, an odd feeling suddenly arose in my heart. I didn’t know how to speak the words that came to my lips. As I hesitated, another figure holding a torch quietly approached.

“Oh, the beautiful Miss Silviana, it’s truly delightful to see you again.”

It was a man wrapped in a black robe.

He and Marguerite stood on either side behind Angelus, bowing and greeting me politely from over ten meters away.

“You are…”

The man’s voice sounded quite young, but he wore a strange yet familiar bird-beak mask, making it difficult for me to recognize him right away. After a moment of silence, I suddenly noticed a corner of a white Papal Knight’s cloak fluttering from his back.

Ah…

I remembered.

I had seen him before.

“You are… the bird-beak doctor?”

I pointed at him in surprise and said. Then, feeling unsure, I added, “Did we meet once in the Valen Empire…”

“Yes.”

The bird-beak doctor nodded and bowed again, his tone filled with joy. “I am Christian Labre, specializing in gentlemanly conduct and practicing medicine as a sideline. I was invited by Mr. Carlos six months ago to investigate heretics in the City of Winter. At that time, I had a brief encounter with Miss, deeply impressed by her rare beauty. It’s unexpected that after half a year, Miss still remembers me, which makes me feel truly honored.”

“Ah…”

Indeed, it was him.

“After our parting in the empire, I have heard of Miss’s heroic deeds and admire them greatly. If it pleases you, could you give me the opportunity to dine with you?”

“…”

I did not respond, contemplating the purpose of this man’s sudden arrival.

“Of course, before that, Miss should accompany us back first.”

The man saw I was silent and glanced at Angelus. Seeing that His Holiness was also silent, he shrugged and continued, “Please allow me to be frank, Miss Silviana. Your current physical condition is unstable, with chaotic energy within your body, and there seems to be an unknown rejection reaction occurring.”

?

Excessive power? Rejection reaction?

How does he know these things…

“…”

I remained silent.

The bird-beak doctor paused.

“I don’t know what happened to Miss in Dragon Territory, but as a doctor, I judge that what Miss needs most urgently is immediate treatment and prolonged rest to adapt to the power within her body, which seems to exceed human limits… Ah, do not take this lightly; this is all for your benefit. Given your current state, if you cannot receive timely treatment, the consequences might be severe…”

…Severe consequences?

Could it be because of becoming a monster girl…

The drowsiness was intensifying, and my sluggish mind could hardly think properly. In a daze, I only heard the doctor continue, “I am not exaggerating. I believe Miss can feel the discomfort in her body. What I want to tell you is that this is just the beginning. Without timely and effective treatment and handling, I dare not speculate on what further conditions may arise. However, I am very confident in my medical skills and will arrange the best care plan for Miss. Please rest assured about this.”

After saying this, the man bowed to me again.

“So…”

This is something they don’t want me to know.

I’ll leave then.

I blinked, furrowing my brows for a moment, and glanced at Margaret who had been silently standing there after greeting. Then I looked towards Angel.

“So I told you not to rush.”

The Pope spread his hands helplessly, “Look at yourself now. You can’t even stand steadily. Can I let you go? Listen to Dr. Chris’s advice. He’s the best doctor I know. You need him to examine you thoroughly… Don’t worry, Margaret will always be by your side, just like when we were in the royal city. Her healing miracles will greatly aid your recovery. Only then can I truly rest easy.”

As he spoke, Margaret nodded at me.

“…”

I didn’t respond, slowly stepping back.

Something’s off…

Under the moonlight, torches flickered one by one, coming closer from the darkness. Several figures in long robes wrapped in black cloaks appeared, their shadows swaying with the flames, gradually lining up behind Angel, Margaret, and Doctor Beak.

The red flames flickered, revealing their dark faces under the night sky. I quickly scanned those few people, spotting among them the old man in a robe, Ans or something, whom I had fought alongside not long ago.

He was smiling at me, but his smile seemed awkward.

Something’s off…

I remained calm, slowly retreating, my gaze shifting to an old man on the right. There, a short woman stood not far away, and our eyes met for a moment.

She was a strange woman, one glance at her left a deep impression.

She looked to be in her twenties, with delicate features and a childlike face somewhat similar to Sarah’s, yet she wore simple men’s coarse clothing, with a small bag at her waist and a sword with rusted scabbard hugged in her arms. The woman turned her head away silently when she saw me looking, as if she didn’t want to interact with me.

I don’t know her…

I don’t know these people…

But I’m sure they are not ordinary church members, nor a faith group—those knights and heroes who survived and desperately brought me to the dragon homeland have disappeared since I came out.

They are no longer here.

Or perhaps they all died…

And now, before me, whether it was the old man and woman or those in black robes and cloaks concealing their faces, each of them was not to be trusted… I could sense that danger from them.

Definitely something’s off…

The gathering light ahead grew brighter. Besides those already present, I saw clusters of lights approaching from the distant grassland.

“Little Black Charcoal, what’s wrong?”

Angel smiled warmly at the forefront of the crowd, extending a hand towards me, “Have you lost your mind? Didn’t you hear what I said? Why are you still standing there? Come on, follow me. I’ll take you back. Other matters can be handled by my people. You should get some rest.”

“No…”

I instinctively shook my head in refusal.

They were prepared…

Why did Margaret and Doctor Beak suddenly appear here? Why did they look at me with such wary eyes… These people… Angel, they were prepared…

They knew something would happen to me, and they were ready for it…

I must leave here.

Whoosh—

Frost mist rose from beneath my feet, spreading with the wind. I tensed my body, struggling not to fall.

“Angel… I said I need to go first…”

“But I can’t let you leave.”

Pope spoke rapidly, abruptly interrupting me. I saw the smile on his face vanish instantly, his expression turning serious. The change was so quick that it stunned me, leaving my muddled mind unable to react as the man gestured behind him silently.

!

My heart skipped a beat. I immediately turned around, planning to leap out with my Moon Step to escape as soon as possible.

In the next instant, a divine light burst open amidst the firelit grassland.