Chapter 218: The Weeping Serpent (Part 8)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 218: The Weeping Serpent (Part 8)
"I am in position."
On the outskirts of the ritual altar meticulously crafted by the evil cultists, a skinny figure hid within the shadows atop a high tower, peering down at everything unfolding on the altar below.
It was the Silencer, Jin Ze.
After receiving orders from the old man, he had not participated in the general offensive against the cultists tonight. Instead, using a specific Ancient Artifact to mask his presence, he had bypassed the layers of blockades formed by cultists and Moon Beasts to reach this core area alone.
He had only one mission: to kill the key figure, Anna Kabulin, at the critical moment.
He had originally thought this would be an easy task. He had reviewed all the intelligence on Anna Kabulin and understood her combat style and strength. With his own abilities and the tools he currently carried, he could have killed her with ease even if she were ten times stronger.
But now, Jin Ze’s forehead was beaded with fine sweat, and his throat felt inexplicably parched.
Since becoming a Silencer, he had faced countless horrors created by evil gods and their followers, yet he had never been as tense as he was at this moment.
Before his eyes, through a small, specialized magic telescope, he beheld a scene of haunting beauty.
Under the ethereal blue moonlight, a girl with a serpent’s tail floated silently. Her purple skirts fluttered, making her look like a mermaid slumbering in the deep sea.
But Jin Ze was in no mood to appreciate beauty. Through the specialized telescope, he could clearly see wisps of light—far deeper than moonlight and resembling misty silk—emerging abruptly from the void and slowly merging into the girl’s body.
As those wisps of light entered her, the girl’s aura began to grow terrifying.
That terror did not stem from an increase in her realm of power. In fact, at this distance, no matter how skilled Jin Ze was, he couldn't accurately gauge her level.
It felt more as if the girl was undergoing an ultimate sublimation of her very existence—as if an insect were evolving into a bird destined to soar through the heavens, looking down upon lowly creatures like them as if they were mere ants.
"Damn it!"
Even Jin Ze, who usually remained calm in the face of any crisis, could not control his emotions and cursed under his breath.
As a high-ranking member of the Silence Bureau and the Sword Bearer’s most capable subordinate, how could he not see what the Silent Moon was trying to pull?
The Divine One intended to use Anna Kabulin as a vessel to descend into the mortal world!
Is this what makes Anna Kabulin special? Is this why the cultists didn't hesitate to attack the Silence Bureau branch just to get her? A perfect adapter for the power of an evil god?
But even if an evil god creates a perfect vessel, so what? It’s impossible for the Divine One to descend completely. A deity’s true body cannot pass through the World Barrier; that is an absolute rule!
If only a portion descends, what use is it other than weakening the main body? The Divine War is about to begin—isn't this just seeking death?
Unless... the Divine One is giving up on being a god?
A ridiculous thought suddenly took shape in Jin Ze’s mind, causing him to let out a scoffing laugh despite the gravity of the situation.
A deity’s true body could not pass through the World Barrier, but their will, Authority, and power could seep through.
Therefore, logically speaking, descending by ceasing to be a god made sense to a certain extent.
But how could that be possible? How could an evil god abandon their divine body and status, lowering themselves to become a lowly, base creature of the lower realm—the very things they despised?
Even a three-year-old would laugh at such a fantasy, calling it a pipe dream.
But...
No matter how low the probability of such a wild idea was, as a qualified Silencer, he had to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
Jin Ze silently pulled out the silver cane-like case the old man had given him earlier.
After a complex authentication process, the intricate sealing matrix engraved on the case finally dissolved. Jin Ze took a deep breath and solemnly opened it.
Inside the case, an arrow that looked as if it were carved from crystal entered his sight.
The tip of the arrow was crystal clear, like a shimmering ruby, but sealed within that ruby was a terrifying power that made Jin Ze’s breath hitch.
The Origin Stone.
The name of this ruby surfaced in Jin Ze’s mind.
This was a terrifying weapon of slaughter personally crafted by that Grand Magister who could not leave the Academy. It was her sole contribution to this war between Belland and the evil gods.
It contained the full-power strike of the world’s only remaining Origin-Tier Grand Magister. The miracle of "Certain Death" had been engraved upon the gemstone, forging a "Death Arrow" that could, in theory, kill any existence.
No matter what the Moon was planning, as long as the vessel it relied upon vanished, everything would come to naught.
Therefore...
Loading the arrow into a similarly specialized long-range sniper crossbow, Jin Ze slowly took aim at the mermaid-like figure.
Through the scope, Jin Ze could see the fear and struggle between the girl’s brows. It was a pitiable sight, but he took a deep breath and quickly suppressed his emotions.
His hands, which had been trembling slightly, became as steady as steel in an instant.
"Heavy rain, no wind, low visibility."
"The target has not detected my presence."
"Mana elements are relatively stable; observation is clear."
"No obstructions in the line of fire. Ready to shoot."
"Please give the order."
With his preparations complete, Jin Ze reported into the specialized miniature Voice Transmission Stone in his ear.
Static—
However, for a long time, there was only the sound of static from the stone.
On the other end of the transmission, the old man who held the final authority remained silent.
"Please give the order," Jin Ze urged.
Before his eyes, the Moon seemed to have sensed something. Thick black mist began to spread, rising from the bottom and slowly covering the entire altar.
That was... the Dark Moon Mist that isolated everything.
Jin Ze’s breathing quickened again. As terrifying as the Origin Stone was, it still needed to hit its target to be effective. If the Dark Moon Mist was allowed to shroud the altar, he would have to stand by and watch the Silent Moon complete its plan.
"Please give the order!"
This time, Jin Ze was nearly shouting.
"Sigh—"
Finally, the aged voice came through the transmission stone.
"Jin Ze, tell me... which is more important: one person, or millions?"
"That’s a stupid question! Millions, obviously!"
In his urgency, Jin Ze didn't even notice his own rudeness.
"Please, give the order quickly! The Dark Moon Mist has covered a fifth... a third... half... it’s about to block my line of sight!"
"Is that so?"
A multitude of thoughts swirled, ultimately condensing into the old man’s helpless, bitter chuckle.
"I suppose so. Perhaps I’m just overthinking things... In that case, then—"
"Wait?!"
The old man was about to give the order when he was interrupted by Jin Ze’s startled cry.
"What happened?"
"How is this possible?" Jin Ze exclaimed in disbelief. "That person... that’s Muen Campbell, isn't it? Why is he here?"
"Muen Campbell? Are you sure?" The faint sound of a chair being knocked over came through the transmission stone.
"Yes, it’s him."
Jin Ze stared intently through the scope. At this moment, his focus shifted from the mermaid-like girl to the outskirts of the altar.
The blond youth had appeared there at some unknown point, pacing around the Dark Moon Mist.
Suddenly, he seemed to make up his mind and strode into the mist without looking back.
"Is he insane?"
Jin Ze was dumbfounded.
Even a Crown Bearer would get lost in the Silent Moon’s Dark Moon Mist. What was a pampered son of a Duke doing going in there? Wasn't that just suicide?
Wait?
How did a pampered Duke’s son, who didn't seem to have any Ancient Artifacts to mask his presence, manage to get past the layers of cultists and Moon Beasts to reach this place?
He didn't have time to ponder that. Jin Ze’s attention returned to the main issue. The Dark Moon Mist was about to close completely. A decision had to be made!
"Forget it. Put the crossbow down for now," the old man’s command came through the stone.
"What?"
Jin Ze thought he had misheard. "Are you mad? This is our last chance!"
"It’s not the last chance," the old man said.
"Even in the worst-case scenario, where the Moon truly abandons its divine body and status to descend into Anna, it will still be at its weakest during its 'birth.' The Origin Stone will still be effective."
Jin Ze gave a bitter laugh. "But the probability of hitting a stationary target versus a moving target is worlds apart."
"It won't be a moving target," the old man said coldly.
"No matter how strong the Moon is, once it loses its divine status and body, it won't be able to fully exert its Authority. It won't be hard to stall it for a while... it just means... sacrificing something.
"But if even that foolish boy, who clearly had a bright future ahead of him, can abandon everything to come here, then what does an old man with one foot in the grave like me have to fear?"
On the other end, the old man stepped out of the dilapidated little shop. His aged eyes opened, bursting with a brilliance that was hard to look at.
He looked up at the ethereal blue moon in the sky and said with a sigh of emotion:
"I’ve fought evil gods my whole life, my hands are stained with blood and sin, and I’ve never believed in miracles. But in the end, I still can't help but want to dream a beautiful dream."
"Muen Campbell, this old man will join you in your madness this once."
"You must... bring back that silly girl who only knows how to cry by herself."
*
"Senior Sister, you’re in there, aren't you?"
Within the vast space, Muen circled the pitch-black mist before him, certain that the inexplicable sensation he felt was pointing directly inside.
He knew this was the Dark Moon Mist, and on a scale far exceeding what the Banshee had used earlier. Even a Crown Bearer might lose themselves within it.
But he took a deep breath and stepped inside without hesitation.
"Senior Sister, I’m here to save you."