https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-773-Merogass-Has-Spoiled-the-Great-Demon-Clan/12585316/
Chapter 774: Sybillian Returns to Where It All Began
Chapter 774: Sybillian Returns to Where It All Began
Outside the window, the wisteria petals danced with the wind, scattering in a colorful array on the ground.
Antanas counted the number of people with her fingers.
"Did Natalia also come in with Lanchi?"
She could never quite keep track and there was always one person too many or too few.
Even with the five of them who had entered through their door and Lanchi and the Tabby Cat Boss on the other side, the numbers still didn't add up.
"I think so, maybe," Pranai mumbled, seemingly distracted.
"If you say so, then it's probably true..." Antanas mused, guessing that Pranai's clairvoyant abilities had once again kicked in, granting him a glimpse of this shadow world.
That was why Divination was considered the most prestigious attribute—diviners always seemed to have access to information that was far too ahead of its time.
When Pranai wasn't in the midst of an episode, he was a force to be reckoned with in the shadow world.
However, to prevent the leakage of heavenly secrets and the resultant butterfly effect that could alter the future and the best course of action, diviners often spoke in riddles.
This tended to frustrate those around them, sometimes driving them to attempt to read the truth from the diviner's mind.
"Pranai, are you holding back because you saw something more dangerous? Is that why you chose to be the 'big brother' of the throwaway account instead of accompanying Sybillian to Purgatory City?" Antanas narrowed her eyes as she studied Pranai.
A few days ago in Thurin, when they had gone to watch the Empire's opera performance in Nestro, Pranai had suddenly disappeared. Antanas had suspected him then, and her suspicions hadn't lessened.
"No, why would I?" Pranai replied, his voice devoid of emotion. "It's just that Sybillian might encounter Lanchi and Talia. There's nothing dangerous about that."
Sinora chimed in from the side, offering her perspective.
"Hmm," Antanas hummed in agreement.
The three of them had learned to live harmoniously together, despite the occasional hiccup.
"Then what if Sybillian can't enter the ancestral land in Purgatory City?" The Ice Snow Witch, ever the worrywart, continued to fret about Sybillian.
Although she didn't usually display overt affection towards Sybillian, maintaining a cool and intellectual distance, she had long considered Sybillian her treasure. The thought of Sybillian venturing alone into this unknown demon world filled her with anxiety.
According to the intelligence Antanas had gathered in Necaris yesterday, the Desecration Lord was a highly sadistic, cruel, and unethical arch-demon. The purer a creature was, the more the Desecration Lord yearned to defile and destroy it.
The Ice Snow Witch could tell that the Desecration Lord held a particularly twisted desire towards Sybillian.
She dared not imagine what would happen if Sybillian, in her naivete, angered the Desecration Lord and fell into her clutches.
"It's fine," Pranai reassured, shaking his head. "Talia and the others are probably heading there as well."
"Your plans are indeed foolproof," Antanas commended, giving Pranai a thumbs-up. With Lan Mom there, things would surely be alright.
"Wait, so you did see Talia and Lanchi together? And who's the other challenger?" Antanas furrowed her brow as she realized something was amiss.
"A best friend like her won't come our way again..." Pranai stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the falling wisteria petals outside. His eyes took on a distant look as he spoke, his voice tinged with emotion.
"I don't understand," Antanas admitted after a moment's thought, still perplexed by Pranai's words.
On the tea table were arrayed demonic snacks from an era they had never seen, even in the present world.
The cookies, adorned with rare demonic berries, exuded a mouthwatering aroma, while the layered cakes, filled with expensive nuts, were crisp and delicious. There were also three boxes of pudding in various flavors.
"Looks like we can only rest well in Necaris and then head back to the present world to ask Syb again," Antanas said, popping another pudding into her mouth to savor.
Compared to this shadow world, which seemed to be brimming with impending storms, the present world was peaceful to a fault.
The only thing they could do was review and analyze past events.
"So, is the goal of this shadow world still related to us?" The Ice Snow Witch still couldn't shake the feeling of unease.
She didn't understand how Antanas and the others could be so nonchalant about slacking off.
After not seeing each other for so long, the noble pride that once defined these three arch-demons had been largely eroded. Now, they seemed content to either laze around or coast by.
"The art of 'coasting' is a profound study in itself—it's all about reaping the rewards in the shadow world while putting in minimal effort," Antanas explained earnestly to the Ice Snow Witch.
As a support-type, the witch often found that the most important thing for her to do was to identify the team's main damage dealer and support them. However, ever since they had met the Stand-in, she hadn't needed to worry about how to win anymore.
"Let's just prepare for three weeks and then head back to the capital of the Kreise Empire, Bliarda, in the present world," Sinora suggested, sitting upright on the sofa and taking a delicate sip of her red tea.
Bliarda was the true main battlefield.
Being in this shadow world, the ancient capital of the Demon World from ten thousand years ago, felt like a dream to her.
She had never even imagined visiting such a place, let alone on a tour.
This treatment was akin to that of a specially-appointed professor at the Protoss Royal Magic Academy.
Ever since they had followed Lanchi, they hadn't experienced any hardships. Every day felt like they were in an amusement park, and they only had to lift a finger on rare occasions. Lanchi always ensured their safety and was the first to rush to the front lines when trouble arose.
If Lanchi had any ambitions of being a behind-the-scenes manipulator and conquering the world, his subordinates would have no choice but to devote their hearts and souls to him.
Unfortunately, Lanchi was too laid-back and indifferent to worldly desires, almost inhumanly so.
"So, I really don't have to do anything from now on? I just have to pretend to be loyal to the Desecration Lord and then wait for the shadow world to end?"
"Are you not concerned at all about how our contributions will affect our rewards?" Ice Snow Witch felt that they were taking it too easy in this shadow world.
Even though Sybillian had initially said that she would take them on a 'baby bus' tour, Ice Snow Witch thought she was joking, but now it seemed that they were actually going through with it.
Pranai had also become more abstract, and it was difficult to discern his true thoughts just by looking at him. If they weren't all shadow world challengers who knew each other's backgrounds and allegiances, she would have suspected Pranai of betraying them because he was afraid to face the Desecration Lord.
"I, Antanas, am honest and upright. Why would I want so many rewards? I'll just wait for the welfare handouts from the shadow world." Antanas would be happy if the shadow world remembered her as incompetent. If she ever had to challenge the shadow world again in her lifetime, perhaps she would be assigned more powerful teammates.
It didn't matter if the rewards were meager. For them, long-lived demons, simply surviving the shadow world was a huge gain. An eighth-rank shadow world guaranteed a level-up from level 81 to 82, which was already a significant profit.
"Also, we're not just slacking off. We're restraining quite a few powerful demons in Demon King City, keeping them confused. As long as only Chensi and Chunzi are left in this world, we can achieve unity and harmony. We're playing a very important role in the Demon World right now." Antanas put down her wine glass, blinked, and leaned back on the sofa, joking.
They might seem like inferior horses, but they were actually performing the role of superior ones.
Then, their superior horse, Lanchi, could lead the way with Niu Ma Cat Boss and wreak havoc.
"So, Almise, don't worry. Just follow us, and it'll be hard for you to lose when the Goddess of Fate wants you to win." Antanas reassured Ice Snow Witch.
With Fate herself sending a hang-up brother to guide them, what was there to worry about?
"Alright." Ice Snow Witch picked up her teacup, parted her red lips, and sipped the fragrant floral tea.
She was all in.
At most, she would be mocked by Talia when she returned.
But seeing how Antanas and the others had changed, Ice Snow Witch believed that the noble demon princess Talia was probably used to such behavior by now.
"Almise, you're right. We might only be related to the third task." Pranai thought for a moment, looking at the overlapping shadow world information on the glass.
He agreed:
【Task Objective 1: Protect the little spark left by Kaliyera.】
【Task Objective 2: Understand the state of mind of Black Sun Lanculos: 2.71%. (To be continued)】
【Task Objective 3: All challengers survive until the 21-day time limit ends.】
Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometers away from Demon King City Necaris.
Sybillian was also looking at the newly updated shadow world intelligence.
Far from the hustle and bustle of Necaris and Lisis Island, as far as the eye could see, there were colorful wildflowers swaying in the breeze, and beyond a cliff was an abyss that seemed to stretch to the horizon, shrouded in mist.
She was worried.
The second task objective kept changing, and it made her heart pound.
In her opinion, understanding the state of mind of the Black Sun Lanculos was not a good thing.
The Black Sun had endured too much inhuman torture, and no one knew what state he would be in at the end of his curtain call.
If there was one person who could understand the Black Sun the fastest, it would be Lanchi, who was playing the role of the Black Sun.
What lay at the end of understanding?
Sybillian was afraid.
No matter what, she didn't want Lanchi to fall into the darkness of the Black Sun.
Sybillian shook her head firmly and continued forward.
They were fated companions, and she would always support Lanchi and bring him inner peace.
The fresh air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and grass.
In this cliff-top meadow, Sybillian cautiously made her way towards Purgatory City Pasquale, following the route Pranai had indicated.
After traveling a few more kilometers.
Sybillian found a flat rock to sit on and took out a clean handkerchief from her backpack. She carefully placed the little gray cat from her arms onto it.
The little cat had been quiet the whole journey, curling up silently in her arms, its gem-like eyes warily observing their surroundings.
Sybillian kept worrying about the little cat and had to take it out of her chest to check on it from time to time.
"Tamisha, it's time to eat." Sybillian spoke gently to the little gray cat, afraid of scaring it.
"......"
The gray kitten was as unresponsive as if it had no life.
Sybillian felt that before she could build a good relationship with Tamisha, she wouldn't see her in her human form.
Tamisha would not transform back into her demon form until she let down her guard, even if it meant dying as a cat.
It was only at dawn today that Sybillian had heard from Antanas about Tamisha's background.
Tamisha's father, Mist Lord Orion, had already fallen in battle before she was born to her mother, True Night Lord Esmod.
Later, when the vampires invaded Demon King City Necaris, True Night Lord Esmod, fulfilling her duty as a Great Demon, defended the city even while she was pregnant and ended up badly injured.
To ensure the safe birth of True Night Lord and Mist Lord's children, Kaliyera had given a portion of her origin life soul to Esmod.
After giving birth to the twin sisters, True Night Lord Esmod also passed away soon after.
The more lively and amiable older sister was adopted by the retired Thunder Lord, while the quieter and less sociable younger sister, Tamisha, was personally raised by Kaliyera.
But Kaliyera was often busy with Demon World affairs, leaving her alone in the Demon King's Palace.
She gradually became a little cat that curled up in a corner all day.
Kaliyera soon disappeared as well.
No one was left to take care of this child.
Sybillian knew that Kaliyera was not an irresponsible member of the demon tribe; she must have encountered something that prevented her from returning to the Demon King City, even dying with regret and worry in her heart.
Just thinking about it made Sybillian's heart ache.
"Tamisha, you must be hungry, right?"
Sybillian said as she took out some dried meat from her backpack.
She guessed that Tamisha hadn't eaten in a long time.
"Once we reach the ancestral land, we'll be safe. Let's fill your tummy first."
Sybillian looked up at the sky, where a few wild Demon World pigeons were circling and cooing.
The valley was filled with white mist, and the silhouette of the ridge could be faintly seen.
Sybillian had thought about shooting down one of the pigeons to eat, but since she still had some rations left, she decided against it.
"Come on, try this. I prepared it especially for you."
However, when Sybillian brought the dried meat close to the little gray cat, the kitten turned its head away, its eyes filled with disgust and distrust.
"Oh dear, I won't hurt you..."
Sybillian sighed helplessly.
The gray kitten's dislike for her might be due to the faint trace of Desecration magic similar to Lanchi's that lingered on her.
Sybillian thought for a moment and then took out a small bottle from her backpack.
The bottle was filled with fresh sheep's milk.
"You have to eat to survive. You are the continuation of Kaliyera's life; don't waste your own life."
Sybillian coaxed gently as she carefully brought the bottle to the little gray cat's mouth.
"Be a good girl and open your mouth. I'll feed you."
The little gray cat seemed hesitant.
It still refused to open its mouth.
Taking advantage of this moment, Sybillian gently pried open its mouth without using much force and carefully poured the milk into its mouth.
Sybillian watched as the kitten's throat moved up and down as it swallowed, letting out a soft purring sound, and she couldn't help but smile.
"What a stubborn little thing."
She caressed the little gray cat lovingly.
If there were such a little gray cat in the present world, she would be healed by it every day.
"Cough, cough!"
Just as Sybillian's attention wavered, the kitten started coughing.
Sybillian realized that she might have overfed the kitten and forgotten to give it time to breathe, causing it to choke.
"......!"
The kitten pawed at the milk bottle, glaring at Sybillian with resentment.
It seemed to have realized that while this female demon wasn't inherently malicious, she truly didn't know how to take care of other demons.
"I'm so sorry, I really didn't mean to!"
Sybillian quickly apologized to the little gray cat.
She bowed her head in guilt.
In the past, when she saw Tata taking care of others, she hadn't thought it was difficult, but now that she was doing it herself, she found that even feeding a child was a challenge.
What if she became a mother in the future? She couldn't rely on Tata to help her raise her child.
Sybillian made up her mind to start improving her "feminine skills," beginning with taking good care of this little gray cat.
She carefully resumed feeding the kitten.
In the future, when she returned to the present world, she should also find a cat that could substitute for an infant and practice feeding it milk. Not a mature cat like Cat Boss, but a more mischievous and adorable house cat.
Sybillian thought to herself.
After clumsily finishing the feeding, Sybillian carefully wiped the kitten's mouth with a handkerchief to ensure there were no milk stains left.
Then, she hugged the little cat close to her chest again.
"Alright, let's be on our way."
Sybillian took a deep breath and looked towards the distant Demon World landscape, her eyes shining with determination.
"We still have a long way to go."
She stood up, dusted off the dirt from her clothes, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and continued on her way.
The mountain path was rugged and winding, sometimes steep and difficult to navigate, and sometimes smooth and gentle.
Sybillian carefully avoided the sharp rocks and thorns, making her way along a hidden trail.
Along the way, she would occasionally look down at the little gray cat in her arms with a caring gaze.
The kitten seemed to have eaten its fill and curled up into a ball, sleeping soundly on Sybillian's chest, leaving only the soft sound of its breathing and an occasional murmur.
Based on her experience with shadow worlds, Sybillian believed that the different task objectives would eventually converge. Perhaps Kaliyera had left something behind in Purgatory City, and this little gray cat was the key. Lanchi might need its help.
"Will the Corridor ever return to where it all began?"
Sybillian whispered to herself, clenching her fists.
"Rest assured, Lanchi. I'll see you in Purgatory City."
She would help Lanchi bring Kaliyera's little spark with her.
She remembered Lanchi once saying that his biggest regret was not being able to spend more time with her at the Purgatory Corridor Academy.
In truth, she had always wanted to explore the school with Lanchi without any constraints, but for the sake of their cultivation, she had never told him.
Perhaps this wish would finally come true this time.
Thinking of him, Sybillian's eyes softened.
She continued on her journey, heading towards Purgatory City.
The mountain wind howled, ruffling her silver hair and cloak.
The figures of the young woman and the kitten gradually disappeared among the layered peaks, leaving only a vague mist in their wake.
(End of Chapter)
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