1022 Answer
Amidst the violent hurricane, Viscount Stratford was like a helpless leaf that was pitifully thrown about as though he could be torn to pieces at any moment.
In this state, he couldnt react at all, much less speak. All he could do was rely on a Disciplinary Paladins powerful body to barely hold on, hoping that he wouldnt lose a limb or head inside this terrifying hurricane.
He originally believed that the hunt had succeeded and that Trissys capture was at hand. Furthermore, he was extremely certain that his target didnt have helpers; hence, all his attention was focused on Shermane. To his surprise, he suddenly became the prey and fell into a trap without any prior warning.
Upon realizing that the hurricane was beginning to weaken and that he had only suffered some damage from the impact and didnt receive any fatal wounds, Viscount Stratford hurriedly tried to regain control of his body in preparation for the upcoming battle.
At that moment, he felt a stabbing pain in his head which felt as though a sharp dagger had been impaled into it before being twisted a few times.
This feeling was something that Viscount Stratford felt was both familiar and unfamiliar. This was because, although he had never experienced it directly before, he had attempted it on several targets to observe their reactions.
This was one of the Beyonder powers he was most proficient with!
Psychic Piercing!
Bang!
Upon being attacked, Viscount Stratford, who had failed to adjust his physical state, slammed into the ground hard as the bronze cross loudly fell several meters away.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Xio held Wintry Blade and took a huge stride, dashing straight for Viscount Stratford who was struggling to get up.
As for Fors, she had already flipped through Leymanos Travels and flipped it open to a page that resembled a goatskin parchment.
As her fingers slid across the page, Viscount Stratfords shadows, which had surfaced once again, came to life, condensing into black chains that wrapped around its target, binding him tightly.
Viscount Stratford, who had just managed to catch his breath and become alert, still hadnt had the opportunity to choose the target for his punishment and apply certain restrictions when he once again lost his freedom. Even his mouth was bound by a shadow chain.
Abyss Chains!
It was Abyss Chains from the Sanguine or Moon pathways Mid-Sequence Beyonders!
Fors had used it once and was rather fond of this Beyonder power. She found it very useful, so she had spent gold pounds to get Mr. Moon, who had become a Viscount, to record it.
Bang!
At this moment, Viscount Stratford suddenly unleashed power that surpassed his previous strength, tearing the shadow chains apart.
He had chosen the bindings restricting him to be the target of punishment!
But at that moment, Xio had already rushed in front of him like a high-speed train, thrusting that transparent triangular blade.
Amidst a splotching sound, the Wintry Blade stabbed into the targets abdomen.
Viscount Stratfords body stiffened once again as his eyes glazed over as though he had turned into an ice sculpture.
Xio released her hand and allowed Wintry Blade to remain stabbed into the stomach of the captain of the royal guards, seemingly hoping that the wraith which mightve existed on the weapon would continue Possessing her target and forcibly bring him under control.
Right on the heels of that, she swung her arm and slammed a punch right below Viscount Stratfords ear.
After two heavy blows, Viscount Stratford fainted without even letting out a grunt. His stiff body collapsed once again.
After completing this strike, Xio left her back to Fors and immediately moved past the staggering Viscount Stratford, who had Wintry Blade in his stomach, and dashed to Sherman who remained sitting on a wooden crate.
Fors flipped through Leymanos Travels once again, using other Beyonder powers to add another layer of restrictions onto Viscount Stratfords body. Then, she walked out of the row of wooden crates she had been hiding behind and first approached that bronze ancient cross.
The scene she saw made her suspect that it was an item at the demigod level. In the parlance of official Beyonders, it was a Grade 1 Sealed Artifact.
And with Viscount Stratford carrying and using it, she believed that the negative effects of the cross werent that direct. She could attempt to pick it up.
Of course, as a former Astrologer, Fors took out the pure crystal ball as she walked, quickly doing a divination. There are no problems... Fors glanced at the outcome and quickened her pace.
At this moment, Xio had already rushed in front of Sherman. Looking at this friend who had turned rather beautiful, she was momentarily at a loss for words.
To her, Shermans condition was in a terrible state.
This Demonesss hair was floating up with each strand turning thick as if they were tiny snakes.
On the ends of the tiny snakes, some had eyes or mouths. They appeared extremely bizarre and terrifying.
On Shermans face, a black paint-like mysterious pattern suffused out of her skin and was rapidly spreading across her body.
Her slightly vacant eyes quickly reflected Xio as she gradually recovered her spirit and, along with that, also came a little confusion and pain.
She opened her mouth and stuttered, Xio... Im in so much pain...
Xios vision instantly blurred.
Although she was still lacking in many of the details regarding the mysterious worlds general knowledgesince the Tarot Clubs discussion was just way over her head, and the information she got from MI9 was mostly about secret organizationsshe still knew quite a bit about losing control. Among unaffiliated Beyonders, it was something that couldnt be avoided.
Therefore, Xio knew that Sherman was beginning to lose control. It was irreversible, and the situation would only worsen.
Sherman seemed to sense her state as she gasped for breath, revealing a weak smile. She said with difficulty, Kill me... Ive done... too many unspeakable sins... Ive also obtained... what Ive wanted...
Xios tears dripped down. Without hesitation, she flipped her hand, drawing her backup weaponan ordinary revolver. She then placed the revolver at Shermans forehead.
Sherman smiled as a mesmerizing charm appeared in her eyes once again.
Call me... Call me Shermane...
Shermane. Xio couldnt help but frown as tears brimmed in her eyes.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
She repeatedly pulled the trigger and fired the bullets inside.
Fresh flowers bloomed at once, red and beautiful.
Fors pursed her lips unknowingly when she saw this.
After two seconds, she let out a long sigh. She bent down and reached out for the bronze cross.
Just as her fingers touched the item, it felt like she had touched fire. It was hot and scalding, hot enough to burn the soul.
Fors instinctively retracted her hand, feeling alarmed and puzzled.
She remembered that Viscount Stratford had never acted in such a manner before.
As her thoughts raced, Fors glanced at Viscount Stratford and kicked the bronze cross towards the nearby Xio.
Give it a try.
Also, we have to leave immediately. The commotion from earlier will definitely attract the official Beyonders! Also, who knows what the person who left the message will do!
Xio, with her reddened-eyes, didnt say a word. She bent down and picked up the bronze cross. She didnt feel any sense of discomfort the entire time.
Uh... Fors didnt ask why as she walked to the stiff Viscount Stratfords body and warily looked around.
After Xio put away the bronze cross, she picked up Shermanes corpse and returned to Viscount Stratfords side.
That item is very precious. His status is also very important. Well definitely be the targets of the royal familys pursuit efforts. We need to do some interference... Fors looked down at Viscount Stratford as she muttered to herself in thought.
She quickly made a decision. She raised her hands, lowered her head, and began piously chanting Mr. Fools honorific name.
She didnt believe that them giving up the bronze cross would stop the royal family from pursuing them due to being perceived to have lower priority. Therefore, without any hesitation, she prayed to Mr. Fool for help.
To her, sacrificing the item to Mr. Fool was better than staying there.
Almost at the same time, she saw a holy angel with twelve pairs of fiery wings.
A phantom projected out of the angel as it descended from the sky, wrapping her and Xio in layers of flaming wings.
Once this was over, Fors was just about to say something when she felt her body quiver. She felt a particular sense of horror and evil permeate from the void.
Her eyes focused as she didnt hesitate to crouch down, reaching out her hands and grabbing Xio and Viscount Stratfords calf.
At the same time, the final dark green stone with burn marks on her bracelet emitted a blue and illusory light.
In the blink of an eye, the bodies of Fors, Xio, Viscount Stratford, and Shermane turned transparent as they vanished from the spot.
In seconds, they left the docks area and appeared on the outskirts of St. George Borough.
During this process, Fors had even used her Beyonder power as a Scribe to RecordMTraveling.M
After observing her surroundings and confirming that there was no one around since they were in the forests, Fors released Xio and Viscount Stratford and straightened her body.
With the blessings of Mr. Fools angel, there shouldnt be much danger. The person who left the message wont be able to lock onto us. Fors heaved a sigh of relief before saying with a lingering sense of fear, The person who descended upon us towards the end was definitely a saint. Thankfully, we quickly escaped...
Xio gently lowered Shermanes corpse and said in thought, If the person who left the message was monitoring Shermane, then she mightve already found out where we live. We cant return there.
Yes, we need to change our residence, Fors said with great experience. Then, she cast her gaze at the unconscious Viscount Stratford. You can interrogate him now. Make every second count.
As she spoke, she handed Leymanos Travels to Xio and exhorted, Theres Telepathy on it and its used with candlelight. Also, start with the simple and unimportant questions to lower his resistance.
Xio received the spellbook with a solemn expression. However, her wrist trembled, unable to hold Leymanos Travels. Pa!
The bronze notebook dropped onto the ground as Xio said with a frown, Its like fire...
Fors had the same experience earlier, so after some thought, she said, Throw that cross away and try again.
Xio followed her suggestion and successfully picked up Leymanos Travels.
It cannot be held with other mystical items... Fors said with a nod when she saw this.
Xio didnt harp on this problem as she quickly prepared a lit candle.
Then, she drew Wintry Blade and relieved Viscount Stratford from his stiff and dazed state.
After the captain of the royal guards gradually awakened, she triggered the corresponding page in the notebook. Viscount Stratford instantly fell into confusion, and only the faint candlelight remained in his eyes.
Why did Shermane try to approach you? Xio asked the question she had just thought of.
Viscount Stratford replied blankly, She was investigating who Im loyal to.
Xio was taken aback as she instinctively asked, Who are you really loyal to?
Viscount Stratford slowly said, His Majesty, of course.