https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-840-The-End-After-Meeting-Frey-Part-1-/12937103/
Chapter 839: Houbelia's Resolve (Part 2)
Chapter 839: Houbelia's Resolve (Part 2)
Houbelia navigated through the ruins, using the chaos of gravity and the environment as cover, buying time against the Ancestor behind her.
Houbelia's heartbeat quickened with Ulysses' approach, almost bursting through her chest.
She could sense death drawing closer with each step, but she clenched her teeth, determined to fight until the very end.
"..."
From the intermittent battle reports Houbelia heard, it seemed that the command was in disarray after the western camp was attacked.
Currently, the best situation was on Ran Chi and Sigrid's side.
Ran Chi had no pressure, but he and Rahal were locked in a stalemate, unable to move.
Sigrid, unable to break through the Seventh Ancestor Heritiera quickly, was becoming increasingly anxious as the battle dragged on.
Among the other battlefields, only Toliatos had slightly less pressure, managing to hold his own against the decaying Bishop Farmer while ensuring his own safety.
The Ice Maiden and Ifatia were constantly at risk of falling into a dire crisis.
Undoubtedly, the worst situation was at the Annihilation Palace, where Antonas, Sinora, and Prana were struggling. They were already at a disadvantage against the Marquis of Somerset, and now they had to contend with the eighth-tier summoned beast sent by Marquis Ulysses. The fragile balance they maintained was on the verge of being completely shattered.
"Houbelia, head towards Sigrid or Ran Chi's side..."
The communication from Abigail's side had become intermittent, occasionally interrupted by the roar of a dust-raising storm.
She and Barton were likely hanging by a thread.
Houbelia understood what Abigail's sudden change of command meant.
The western camp was about to fall, and Abigail wanted Houbelia to at least stay alive. As long as she reached Ran Chi and Sigrid, even if everyone else died, Houbelia would have a chance to survive, no matter what.
This sense of guilt was almost killing Houbelia, as she had not only failed to help but also fled the camp alone.
Apparently, Ulysses' eighth-tier summoned creature had already arrived at the western assault team's camp.
Even Barton, the strongest among the seventh-tier, would likely not be able to withstand the eighth-tier creature for long.
"Merogas, lend me your strength!"
Houbelia stared intently at the most dangerous magic card in her hand.
The only possible way to save Abigail's side was for her to injure the Tenth Ancestor Ulysses, or even force him to divert more of his attention to his own body!
This would prevent Ulysses from controlling the Blood Eagle to attack Abigail's group!
But it was at this very moment that the card refused to cooperate.
No matter how she tried, the card would explode with a purple electric cocoon, repelling her.
Perhaps, after the previous misuse, her body had developed an antibody reaction, and just attempting to use it caused her body to attack the Profane Queen's toxins.
"Damn it, Profane Queen!!"
Houbelia's hand felt like it was being scorched by the Profane Queen's card.
Or perhaps the ancient Demon Lord's will residing within the card had decided to be incompatible with her, no longer allowing her to use its power.
Abigail and Barton would soon die.
Once they perished, all intelligence and command would be cut off, and Ulysses would recall his summoned creatures, restoring his full strength.
No matter which battlefield she went to, an eighth-tier creature would be defeated.
Her mother Ifatia, her teacher Armis, her friends Antonas, Sinora, and Prana, as well as the others, would all be killed one by one by the Vampires, and no one would be able to escape from Blood Moon City.
Now, she couldn't even hear Abigail's communication, and the damage to the camp's infrastructure must have reached an unimaginable level.
"Houbelia! Can you hear me?"
A new communication line connected to her.
"Antonas! How are things on your side?"
Houbelia asked anxiously.
After the communication on the western camp's side was lost, she could only contact the nearest Annihilation Palace in the south.
"Quickly use that card and master its power!"
Antonas pleaded with Houbelia.
With communication temporarily lost from Abigail's side, it was up to Antonas to find a solution!
The situation at the Annihilation Palace was also dire.
The only idea Antonas could think of was for Houbelia to stall Ulysses.
The western, southwestern, and southern sides were on the brink of total collapse!
Antonas and Sinora had personally witnessed Houbelia's sheer power when she went completely berserk, a force that could rival an eighth-tier for a short time.
"Please, Profane Queen!"
Houbelia clenched her teeth, ignoring the pain in her hand and the body's rejection, determined to activate the card. She had never imagined that she would need the Profane Queen's help one day.
However, her forceful attempts only caused the card's frenzied mana to explode, blasting her away and slamming her into a nearby floating island, where she rolled a few times before coming to a stop. In that instant, Ulysses' gaze easily locked onto her once again.
...
The blood gem at the Annihilation Palace glowed crimson, bearing the inscriptions of the blood and bones of the defeated Marquis of Somerset, the Eighth Ancestor.
The air was thick with the suffocating scent of blood.
The vast battlefield in the center of the hall was covered in winding cracks, from which fresh red lava flowed, causing the earth to tremble in response to the battle.
"You three are too weak!"
Each of the Marquis of Somerset's punches contained destructive energy, as if a thousand-pound hammer was smashing against Sinora's scythe.
Prana tried to predict the Marquis of Somerset's attack intentions with her magic eye and provide instructions to Sinora, but the Marquis of Somerset's speed was too fast, surpassing even the speed of thought. Before Prana's instructions could catch up, the Marquis of Somerset lashed out with lightning-fast kicks, sending Sinora flying into the hard rock wall of the hall, causing the rocks to shatter and scatter.
Sinora clenched her teeth, standing up with blood covering her body as she supported herself with her scythe. She channeled all her strength into the cutting spell, using offense as defense to block the Marquis of Somerset's second approach.
Countless sharp slashes slashed through the air towards the Marquis of Somerset, but these attacks were as fragile as paper in front of him, disintegrating into dust in an instant.
The Marquis of Somerset landed a heavy punch on the barrier shield in front of Sinora, causing her internal organs to tremble.
Antonas desperately cast support spells from the rear, enveloping Sinora and Prana in a faint golden light to mitigate their injuries.
In front of Marquis Somerset, the three of them struggled together, facing a difficult battle.
"You only know how to gang up on the weak."
A mocking smile appeared on Marquis Somerset's cold face.
He knew he had the advantage, and with a little more effort, he could completely crush these three powerful demonic beings.
"When you gang up on others, don't you feel a shred of shame?"
Prana wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and asked Somerset.
He was well aware that if Marquis Somerset encountered Pope Soul Lant, he would do everything to gang up on him.
"What's it to you?"
Marquis Somerset's gaze suddenly darkened, and with terrifying speed, he charged towards Prana.
Sinora quickly teleported in front of Prana, engaging Marquis Somerset. Her scythe drew a powerful arc in the air, attempting to counter Somerset's offensive.
But the power of the Eighth Ancestor, Marquis Somerset, was far beyond her ability to withstand. Each counter and block made her arms feel like her bones were about to shatter.
He effortlessly broke through Antonas' protective shield and sent Sinora flying once more.
Immediately after, Marquis Somerset easily dodged Prana's Abyssal Black Smoke and punched Prana with his other hand, slamming him into the hard rock wall. The rocks shattered, and fragments flew everywhere.
Before Marquis Somerset could pursue Antonas, Sinora stepped forward again.
They couldn't afford to make mistakes, but Marquis Somerset could make countless errors.
Antonas watched helplessly as the scene unfolded before her. She did her best to protect Sinora and Prana, but her friends were injured, and the pain was felt in her heart as well.
As Sinora struggled, a deafening roar echoed from the horizon.
The shadows on the ground grew larger.
A crimson blood-colored giant bear descended from the sky, crashing into the center of the Annihilation Palace's battlefield.
The earth trembled under the impact of the giant bear.
The three powerful demonic beings stared in awe at the blood-colored beast.
"Ulysses, your summoned creature arrived just in time. Let me quickly finish off these arrogant remnants of the demonic clans."
Marquis Somerset saw Ulysses' blood bear and smiled.
The blood bear roared, its massive body charging towards Antonas.
"Antonas, run! Go find Ran Chi or Sigrid!"
Sinora and Prana suddenly felt the pressure intensify, and the situation became critical.
The worst-case scenario was for them to hold off Marquis Somerset and the blood bear, allowing Antonas to survive.
"No..."
Tears welled up in Antonas' eyes.
She felt that both Sinora and Prana were severely injured and beyond healing.
If she ran, Sinora and Prana would undoubtedly perish.
Even protected at the back, she was already covered in bruises and bloodstains.
The power of the Profane Demon Lord was Antonas' last glimmer of hope.
However, Houbelia couldn't control the power of the Profane Queen.
She didn't know if Houbelia, after transforming, could still accurately target Ulysses or threaten him while in a state of cognitive decline.
Antonas had witnessed too many times how Ran Chi influenced his opponents into a state of cognitive decline, easily securing victory.
Even if she ignored all of this, the power of the Profane Queen seemed incompatible with Houbelia's body, as if they were mutually repelling each other.
Antonas could only watch helplessly as the injuries on Sinora and Prana became increasingly irreversible.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
"You sure have a lot of survival spells, but each one costs you a life."
Ulysses saw Houbelia disappear again after being trapped in Ice Bind, and he leisurely stopped in his tracks, his physical form seeming to scrutinize every corner of the void.
Houbelia held her breath, her nerves stretched to the limit.
"The game should be over, Duchess."
Ulysses' deep, magnetic voice suddenly echoed in the void, drawing closer and closer, making Houbelia's hair stand on end.
Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would leap out of her chest.
She had already heard the situation on Antonas' side of the Annihilation Palace.
After the blood bear joined the battle, she could hear the sounds of Sinora and Prana being heavily injured, even through Antonas' long-range communication.
"Prana..."
Antonas' words abruptly cut off, followed by the sound of rocks shattering.
"Antonas, what's wrong with you?!"
Houbelia's heart was racing, about to burst.
No matter how much she shouted, she couldn't hear anything from Antonas' side anymore.
"Huxuwongwong..."
She could no longer make out the situation on the other side.
As Antonas' voice faded away, Houbelia's pupils contracted.
This moment felt both short and long.
The world seemed to freeze.
Anxious tears rolled down Houbelia's cheeks.
They fell into the bottomless void, creating barely perceptible ripples.
"Oh, aren't you hiding anymore? Have you given up like your friends?"
Ulysses looked at Houbelia, full of openings, as she remained behind the cover of the building. He gradually saw her tearful appearance.
Her broken and shattered state pleased him immensely.
Indeed, her kind and fragile heart was the most valuable thing to be refined.
"They don't seem to have given up willingly."
Ulysses smiled in relief.
"..."
Houbelia's veins on her forehead began to tremble.
Blood Moon, the night, her missing father, and the repeated threats to her life—all of it felt like a replay of yesterday.
Her consciousness kept traveling back and forth, regressing until the moment of her fall, as if her entire body were sinking into the crimson ocean, suffocating her, and her memories surrounded her.
Her friends, Antonas and Sinora, had always protected her daily.
Now, when it was her turn to help Antonas, she felt useless.
"Dare to harm my friends..."
The image of the powerful demonic beings possibly perishing lingered in her mind.
It made her feel like she was suffocating, almost driving her insane.
"Ulysses... You must die!!!"
Anger, pain, hatred, and the demonic nature suppressed in her bloodline since childhood finally burst forth uncontrollably.
Accompanied by a howl of rage, Houbelia, disregarding her life, channeled her mana into this Merogas magic card, biting her teeth in a grimace as if wrestling with the Profane Queen, completely integrating this translucent scorpion-imprinted card, filled with raging mana, into her body.
The laughter of the ancient Profane Demon Lord seemed to echo through this weightless void.
Purple thunder, reaching from the heavens to the earth, illuminated everything in this void of black night.
Even the Tenth Ancestor, Ulysses, raised his hand to block the spreading terror of the poison fog.
As the deep purple thunder rumbled and the pure white mist gradually dissipated, a slender figure rose from the poison fog.
Black hair, sharp demonic horns, and a scorpion tail dragging on the ground.
Beneath the pale neck, purple blood vessels resembling tree branches occasionally drifted by, as her body was being empowered and eroded by the raging toxins.
The scorpion tail's segmented joints stood erect, piercing the building's wall, allowing her to maintain absolute balance at any terrain and angle.
"Who...are you?"
Ulysses furrowed his brows, his gaze finally turning grave.
Although her appearance remained unchanged.
The duchess was now entirely different from the one before.
Even to the Tenth Ancestor, Marquis Ulysses, this duchess and the scorpion-tailed succubus were like two different beings.
The scorpion-tailed succubus suddenly turned her head.
Her fierce eyes were fully prepared to torture the vampire ancestor inch by inch.
In an instant, the succubus darted towards the Tenth Ancestor, Marquis Ulysses.
Ulysses, who had summoned multiple threads of summoned creatures, didn't have time to react before Houbelia's dagger pierced his skull, and her claws viciously tore off a piece of flesh from Ulysses' face.
"Ahhh! You!"
Ulysses let out a painful scream, desperately creating distance between them.
For a moment, he didn't have time to attend to the summoned creatures in the Annihilation Palace and the western camp.
The original strength of this duchess should not have posed a threat to him.
But now, she had transformed into a terrifying force capable of threatening an eighth-tier life form.
"Heh, heh..."
The scorpion-tailed succubus crushed the eyeball she had extracted from Ulysses' skull, and with a flick of her exoskeleton claws, she tossed it into the night sky, where the blood completely vanished.
"Without your sanity, what threat could you pose to me?"
Ulysses covered his bleeding cheek with his hand, his single eye fixed on the fully transformed Houbelia.
His voice carried disbelief.
So ugly, so impure.
This was not the duchess he had adored.
She was now the most insane, most evil, and most wicked of the demon lords.
"..."
Houbelia's eyes had already turned black, tears of black corrosion flowing like crystal poison.
Accompanied by the toxic fog from her breath, she had fully transformed into a demonic being, her waist adorned with the ominous, slender scorpion tail, and her amber demon eyes filled with uncontrollable chaos.
She was no longer like the pure, flawless light of spring, but rather an unholy omen within the cold, filthy pool of blood, unable to find salvation.
Marquis Ulysses, not expecting an answer, suddenly heard a light laughter.
"I feel great! It's just that my father never allowed me to do this when I was young."
Houbelia raised her clean other hand, wiping the black tears from the corner of her eye, a hint of maniacal laughter escaping her lips as she freed herself from her restraints.
Surprisingly, she managed to maintain her consciousness.
She only felt her mind was overly excited and agitated.
"Was your previous kind, weak, and upright self all an act?!"
The Tenth Ancestor, Marquis Ulysses, finally spoke with a peculiar expression, questioning the distant demon.
Looking at this scorpion-tailed demon, he felt nothing but disgust, no longer any affection!
"That was also the real me. Everyone has their dual nature."
Houbelia gently caressed the mechanical messenger on her shoulder, and as she saw her true self reflected in the silver shadow, she no longer hid her appearance.
"But is it possible that my original form as a half-demon with black hair is my true self?"
She spoke with acceptance.
To live in Ekkrite, she had transformed herself into a silver-haired girl like her mother.
Since childhood, her differences from other children had made her feel inferior, like an outcast.
Even when she was forced to reveal her demonic form during the entrance exam at Infernal Corridor Academy, she felt ashamed.
But now, she could face her true self.
She realized she wasn't an ugly duckling, and even in her demonic form, Lan Chi would tell her she was beautiful in the Demon King's Palace.
"You filthy thing, how dare you deceive me?!"
The Tenth Ancestor, Marquis Ulysses, had never encountered such a deceptive art that toyed with him. He clenched his fists tightly against his chest.
Ulysses' fingers trembled slightly, his breathing becoming rapid. As a proud artist, he had never been so mistaken before.
He couldn't tolerate his emotions being deceived.
Soon, he calmed himself.
Since this opponent had no value, such a trashy woman wasn't worth his anger.
"Hmph, you, who only know how to hide yourself, are a cheap woman who will never earn anyone's love. All your efforts are in vain, and you're so pathetic that killing you would be a waste of my time and dirty my hands."
Marquis Ulysses waved his hand dismissively, and the flesh on his cheek gradually healed.
He found Houbelia pitiful.
Since childhood, she had changed herself to accommodate others, constantly compromising and pleasing them, until she became someone even she didn't recognize. Yet, all she gained was false affection, a mere illusion.
So ugly, so pathetic.
"Haha."
Houbelia heard Ulysses' words without feeling attacked.
Perhaps in the past, she would have agreed with his words.
"Even if I am like this, there is someone who will always be true to me. He believes that my original form is also beautiful, and he finds it amusing when I say clumsy mistakes. I know he understands me, so I let down my guard."
If one day, that person saw her no longer with an angelic face but transformed into a bloodthirsty demon, would he still treat her well?
She knew he would, she deeply knew he would.
When she first met Lan Chi, he was just as gloomy, filled with negative emotions and hostility.
The first time she revealed her demonic form to Lan Chi.
The first time she let Lan Chi know she was a true demon.
Lan Chi's kindness towards her was enduring, never changing even a bit.
"What are you thinking about?"
Marquis Ulysses looked at Houbelia's eyes, overflowing with emotions, and it made him burn with anger.
At this moment, Ulysses had hoped to see Houbelia losing her temper and going crazy, but it didn't happen.
Instead, he heard her boasting to him. Where could such a man exist? It's impossible! A saint who would truly accept all of this lowly duchess's flaws and fill the void in her heart!
(End of Chapter)
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