https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-862-The-Cat-Boss-Takes-a-Dark-Turn/12937165/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-863-Sigrid-and-Lance-s-Adventure-Part-2-/12937167/
Chapter 863: Sigrid and Lance's Adventure (Part 1)
Chapter 863: Sigrid and Lance's Adventure (Part 1)
In the depths of the Northern Border Province, nestled amidst mountains towering several thousand meters above sea level, stood a city-state named Bandra.
The city was surrounded by steep cliffs and rugged mountain ranges, creating a natural barrier. In this wintry landscape, eternal snow and howling winds intertwined, while biting frost blanketed the land.
Several kilometers south of Bandra, in the vast snowfields, snowflakes danced like graceful fairies, drifting towards the boundless earth or disappearing into deep ravines and cliffs.
Breaking the tranquility, a black shadow of a demon fox from the Demon Realm pulled a sled across the pristine snow, leaving behind a trail of golden flames on the immaculate surface.
"We're here," Lance announced as he brought the sled to a halt beside a frozen lake.
The lake's surface was mirror-like, perfectly reflecting the pale sky above.
Along the lakeshore stood several towering trees, their branches twisting like dragons, laden with thick layers of snow, resembling crystal clear cloaks of jade.
As the sled came to a stop, two figures leaped off.
"According to our calculations, the investigation team set off much earlier than us. If their route is similar, we should have been able to gather some information about their return journey," Lance mused, instructing the Cat Boss to put away the portable and durable sled as he gazed thoughtfully at the distant city.
In the midst of the swirling snow, Bandra City appeared as a colossal dark gray statue carved into the ice fields, standing tall and unyielding. The snowflakes danced in the air, but they couldn't even leave a trace on the towering steel walls of the city.
Lance had expected to feel more at ease upon reaching a large city-state, but the solemn atmosphere emanating from Bandra was a hundred times more oppressive than the imperial capital, Helrom.
Even from a distance, the imperial military music from within the city was clearly audible, its melody piercing through the howling winds. It bore a resemblance to the orchestral music at the Helrom Mana Station, but upon closer inspection, numerous dissonant notes could be discerned. It was a grand symphony that could never return to gentleness or tranquility, forever trapped in a state of unrest.
"Cut the drama, you cat!" Cat Boss exclaimed, putting away the sled and cursing as he watched Lance's immersive performance.
This guy even recited the lines from that time with utmost seriousness.
"Before we left, I had already made preparations to protect you. As long as I'm alive, you won't die," Sigrid assured Lance, maintaining a slight distance from him.
At this point in their relationship, they were still not very familiar with each other, but they had been having a great time on their journey.
Cat Boss: "..."
"You Lance people are like that. You marry each other, and you can't stand outsiders, and outsiders can't stand you," Cat Boss said, feeling like slapping himself for being tricked by these two Lance people into returning to Saint Kreith Monastery.
"At this point, we need to review the background story. I'm sure you've forgotten most of this old instance, Cat Boss," Lance said, grabbing the little black cat by the scruff of its neck.
Although Lance had challenged numerous Shadow Worlds far beyond his level during their journey, this time was different.
To put it in level terms, the Infernal Corridor Academy was like a level 45 instance, the Cathedral Banquet was level 55, and the upcoming Northern Border Front was recommended for level 89.
Even at the end of their journey across the Northern and Southern Continents, it remained an ultimate challenge.
Back then, Lance and Sigrid had no chance against the enemies, and they barely escaped with their lives.
The investigation team, led by Captain Van Le Ku, a level 70-plus officer, had already encountered misfortune according to their estimates.
At this moment, the truth behind the greatest conspiracy in the northern border of the Protos Empire was within reach. The only person who could unravel the mysteries surrounding the Empire's conflicts with the northern countries was Loch MacCay.
The mastermind behind this war must not have anticipated that an Archbishop of the Overlord Church would be implicated, much less a Grand Duke.
At this point, Sigrid, an 88-level teammate, was Lance's most trusted ally.
Now, in their second playthrough, with Sigrid at level 89 and Lance at level 70, they were significantly stronger than before.
"You don't need to remind me; I remember. We were really close to dying back then!" Cat Boss covered his ears, feeling particularly irritable today.
"But at that time, although I didn't see you in action, I felt your confidence," Sigrid said with a smile.
The mental state of someone with confidence is vastly different from those without.
As she reflected on their journey through the snowfields, she realized that she had overlooked some basic information about Lance due to his excellence. Even if she only considered him as an artist, she was quite satisfied.
"I told you I was a Sealer, and you didn't believe me," Lance recalled, remembering how Sigrid had never expected her Holy Son to be a Sealer, the type of person she despised the most.
She had never imagined that one day, she would take in a Sealer as her disciple.
"But then I thought, if this rare species from the underworld is on our side, they become especially adorable," Sigrid patted Lance's shoulder in praise.
"You're such a hypocrite. You hate other Sealers as disgusting bugs, but you're a cute rare species," Lance sighed and shook his head.
"So what if I'm a hypocrite? I love you, and that's that," Sigrid declared confidently.
"To be precise, this isn't hypocrisy. I'm different from those eerie Sealers of the Annihilation Bishop. My sealing techniques are warm and passionate, born from love and peace," Lance asserted.
"If I hadn't seen your wolf, I might have believed you," Sigrid nodded, hugging herself to indicate her readiness. "Shall we go?"
"Yes," Lance replied, taking a step towards the city on the border, his expression filled with determination. "I couldn't kill Askan, and no one could. I later realized that perhaps it was the only way, and neither of us had a choice."
…
As Lance and Sid stepped through the layers of barriers and entered Bandra City, the battle song, a fusion of drums and orchestral music, resonated more clearly in their ears.
The city gate was heavily guarded, and the silent and stoic Empire officers meticulously checked their identities before reluctantly allowing them to pass.
As they walked out of the city gate's suspended corridor and into the upper levels of the city-state, they could feel the sharp gazes of the guards and officers behind them, closely monitoring their every move.
"We should be able to see him in about 3 minutes and 20 seconds," Lance said.
They weren't surprised by this.
Lance looked up at the towering tower in the distance and spoke in a low voice to Sid beside him.
The architecture of Bandra City was heavily influenced by ancient Helrom, with soaring spires, intricate stained glass windows, and elaborate stone carvings everywhere.
The sturdy and thick walls were interspersed with watchtowers and arrow towers at regular intervals, exuding an air of authority.
The streets, though wide, were winding and twisting, with buildings on both sides competing to reach higher, as if vying for the scarce sunlight.
"Hold back for now. I'm going to take back what I couldn't win before," Sid said in a calm tone.
"I'll help you with the black-robed man if he shows up," Lance added.
Based on their analysis, Askan was likely an 88th-level opponent, while the black-robed man, though also 88th or 89th level, might not have the same combat strength as Askan.
Sigrid, now at level 89, was undoubtedly much stronger than she was at level 88, but facing both Askan and the black-robed man, Duke Morotian, would still present a significant challenge.
Just as it wouldn't be easy for 89th-level Sigrid to defeat her 88th-level self, defeating Askan, who was on par with 88th-level Sigrid, wouldn't be a simple task.
The two walked along the road for a long time without encountering any ordinary residents.
They were currently in the upper levels of the city-state, where the street beneath their feet was actually a wide suspension bridge, offering a clear view of the lower levels from the side.
Snowflakes drifted in the air, carried by the wind, dancing for a long time before finally settling in the alleys below the city.
Looking down from the upper levels, there was a height difference of about 60 to 70 meters, as if they were standing in the clouds overlooking the land below.
Finally, some small markets and shops appeared below, with occasional glimpses of residents hurrying by.
Everything they needed for daily life, from food to magical appliances, could be found there.
"This is probably the place. The upper suspension bridge where we will encounter Askan," Lance said, looking at Sigrid.
On this street paved with dark grey stones, he could only see heavily armored Empire soldiers patrolling and robed priests of the Annihilation Branch wandering around.
On the surface, everything seemed normal, at least among these people, there were no apparent issues.
If something had indeed happened in this city-state, the most obvious evidence might be hidden among the residents.
The stairs leading to the lower levels were still some distance away, and jumping down directly would be impossible without exceptional physical abilities or flight magic.
"Now it's my turn to take you to the sky," Lance said.
Before Lance's consciousness could detect the subtle changes around him, a slender yet powerful hand suddenly wrapped around his waist.
"Wait..."
Lance remembered that Sigrid was supposed to grab his arm and fly with him.
Just as he was about to speak, a powerful cold air current enveloped him.
The oppressive feeling from the air above confirmed that Sigrid had taken him into the sky once again.
"It's coming," Sigrid said.
High in the sky, Sigrid's amethyst eyes gradually penetrated the clouds, gazing at the entire Bandra City.
Only the entrance they had just passed through still maintained a false sense of tranquility, while the city's depths were already shrouded in an ominous darkness.
The city center, sealed by illusions, was hazy and unclear, but even without looking, they could sense the presence of countless undead and corpses, like a snowy demonic realm.
Amid the collapsed buildings enveloped in black fog, withered limbs and bodies of the elderly, women, and children were piled up like mountains, turning the entire border city into a sacrificial post-death feast.
Under the pale daylight, an oppressive sense of absurdity and surrealism enveloped the entire Bandra City.
Suddenly, a transparent barrier enveloped the two of them!
Sigrid's speed suddenly slowed, and she stopped in mid-air.
She glanced sideways, noticing a figure that had appeared behind them out of thin air.
"Well, what do you two think of this beautiful scenery?"
A cheerful voice echoed above the city-state.
Lance followed the eerie melody and looked back.
The lead-grey clouds in the sky were churning, and Bandra City was immersed in deathly silence.
Occasional flashes of lightning illuminated the fog, casting a grim light on the majestic buildings within.
On the top of the soaring spire of Bandra City, a tall man in a dark grey coat stood, gazing at them.
His skin was so pale it was almost transparent, devoid of any trace of blood.
Apart from the suffocating magic emanating from him, when he sealed the space around the two, the atmosphere seemed to freeze at that moment.
As he stood there, an invisible terror emanated from him, making all living beings feel insignificant and helpless.
And when he took action, all stability would crumble in his wake.
The surrounding air was filled with profound light, and countless black stars danced within, like a living magical entity that could strike at the soul, existing outside of reality.
"A seventh-level Seal Master? How come I've never seen you before?"
As if sensing Lance's gaze, the man turned to look at him.
His deep grey eyes were like bottomless abysses, capable of gradually ensnaring and corrupting souls.
Askan smiled as he stared at them.
"..."
Sigrid glanced at the unmoving Lance.
Since she had deliberately concealed her aura, Askan, for the time being, couldn't identify her true self, just as he hadn't been able to before.
And Lance didn't even try to hide it, his Chronomancer job class was easily identified by Askan, who was of a higher tier.
【Celestial Hourglass Expertise】
【Category: Soul Engraving】
【Grade: Orange Epic】
【Attribute: Sealing】
【Class: 0】
【Passive Effect: Mana Attribute +2%, Mental Attribute +28%, Sealing Magic Mana Cost -25%】
In Askan's eyes, a pure support-oriented specialized Sealer wouldn't be that powerful, even at the 7th tier, and posed no significant threat. He could break all sealing techniques.
However, Askan noticed that the young man's lips were quivering, as if he was trying hard to suppress a smile, containing an indescribable joy.
Thunder rumbled and echoed in the skies above Bandra City. The sudden appearance of the Annihilation Bishop turned the city-state into a desolate, eerie ruin in an instant. The imperial military music accelerated, transforming into a shrill, ominous melody that reverberated through the dead streets.
The lower levels of the city, once filled with illusions, now shattered like broken mirrors, gradually distorting and collapsing, revealing the true scene hidden behind the illusion—countless corpses of residents piled up in disarray, like countless small black fingers, desperately climbing, yearning to reach higher, their lifeless eyes turning into bottomless black holes, and their slightly open mouths seemed to silently warn all passersby—this place had become a dead end with no escape.
Before the inevitable battle began, Askan curiously observed the two trapped in his spatial confinement, showing no urgency to eliminate them.
"Besides the imperial investigation team from the capital, there are other unexpected guests."
Askan sighed, seemingly reminiscing about Captain Van Le Ku's unfortunate fate.
"Are you sent by the Empire's Grand Sage Isis, or are you from the Duke Berenhard's family?"
Askan raised his eyes, his voice calm and deep.
"..."
Lance, trapped, fell silent, staring intently at Sigrid's every move.
Thanks to the Change: Human spell Lance prepared for Sigrid, even Askan couldn't immediately see through Sigrid's disguise.
More importantly, the Annihilation Bishop would never have dreamed that at this critical moment, the Overlord Archbishop, whose headquarters were in the south, could personally infiltrate the heart of the north.
Askan fixed his gaze on Lance.
Obviously, only this mysterious 7th-tier Sealer could answer his question.
The young man seemed to know him, and his emerald eyes were filled with complex emotions that Askan couldn't quite decipher.
"If you don't answer, I'll have to deal with you first..."
Askan slowly pointed at Lance and Sigrid.
As he moved, the air he pointed at began to distort, forming deep gray cracks. Gray lines intertwined in space, sealing off their survival space.
Anyone who touched these void resonances would be pulverized instantly.
The next moment, a black centipede charm crawled onto the young man's right cheek. He grabbed the gray crack and detonated it, protecting the girl behind him.
"..."
Askan had never seen anyone intentionally touch the void resonances, as any sane person would know the consequences.
When the dust settled, the young man with the black centipede charm was unharmed, not even a scratch on his hand. Only the mocking eyelids and the emerald eyes shining with a cold light were visible.
Cat Boss watched from another dimension, his eyelids twitching.
You're being a bit too much by using Black Sun Tyrant's Perpetual Punishment.
Askan wanted to ask, what kind of version is this?
"..."
Askan was certain that the young man had just used a sealing technique, completely blocking the void resonances' defense-ignoring explosion.
What he couldn't understand was that he also saw the glow of the primal tablet seal on the young man.
How could there be two sealing tablets in this world?
"Don't worry about the details, Askan."
Lance casually pressed the Storm Dragon's Roar, cleaning up the battlefield and pushing them away, and the Divine Era tablet's wind glow once again confused Askan.
"Look, I can imitate the wind tablet too. Just pretend that my special effects are fake."
Lance said casually.
"No, didn't you go a bit overboard?"
Sigrid turned to look at Lance and asked.
It was as if he had used the wrong skill.
"Showing off a bit of error tolerance."
Lance replied.
He saw Lassan's happiness and didn't want to go all out.
"You two... Don't you look down on me?"
Askan's facial muscles twitched noticeably, and a flash of anger crossed his cold, ruthless eyes.
As the top sealing master of this era, he had never seen such a unique sealing magic.
What puzzled him even more was the sudden appearance of such a talented and gifted sealer.
Before Askan could react, Sigrid's eyes underwent a dramatic change.
Her carefree amethyst eyes were instantly covered by a frosty, murderous intent, filled with unwavering determination and ferocity.
In the next moment, Sigrid, who was previously trapped in mid-air, transformed into a raging storm, slamming her fist into Askan's body.
Her explosive power instantly toppled the tower Askan was standing on, collapsing like a surging tide.
The two cardinals clashed after a long time, their speed surpassing even thunder, shaking the entire Bandra City! The ground trembled violently, and cracks appeared on the stone-paved streets, as if they were about to be swallowed. The Helrom-style architecture shattered under their collision, and the finely carved sculptures and stained glass shattered into countless pieces, scattering in the wind.
"Sigrid!!!"
Askan, flying through the ruins, stared at Sigrid in disbelief.
He clearly didn't realize that this seemingly frail girl possessed such terrifying power.
But this time, after Askan reacted, he wouldn't give Sigrid another chance to ambush him.
Askan, enraged, had just suffered a near-fatal blow, but he was equipped with numerous damage reduction and life-saving gear.
He quickly stabilized himself on the ground and in mid-air, and the square magical emblem on his dark gray coat began to emanate a dark purple lightning glow, like the raging anger in his eyes. An invisible magical barrier unfolded in front of him, blocking Sigrid's fist, and the metallic humming and shockwaves created ripples of disturbance once more.
"You're really tenacious, Sigrid."
Askan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, each word heavy and cold, like a curse.
Dense, dark gray diagonal lines of magic slashed through the dimly lit ground, leaving scars and sealing off all the space between Sigrid and him.
"This time, I will definitely beat you myself."
Sigrid, with unwavering determination, punched towards Askan.
"Very good, this time we'll settle old and new grudges. Thanks for walking right into my trap."
Askan gradually calmed down, and as he defended, he glanced at someone in the distance.
Sigrid had even brought along a Sealing Master as a companion, and for her to be so close to this wolf girl, perhaps she had already won her heart.
The 7th-rank Sealing Master was also shrouded in the same illusion magic as Sigrid, disguising his appearance.
Even the most profound demon-breaking techniques couldn't see through his true face, let alone guess his real identity in the Protos Empire.
However, it didn't matter who Sigrid's boyfriend was.
"Sigrid, I never thought you'd fall for someone else. Let me make your wish come true today."
Askan glanced at the sky; it was still a long time before nightfall.
As long as he could make the Overlord Archbishop and her little boyfriend both perish here today, this little storm wouldn't pose any real threat.
A bolt of lightning tore through the sky, illuminating the battlefield amidst the swirling snow.
Behind the magical barrier, Askan spread his palm, and a black vortex formed in his palm, attracting terrifying divine-like magic power. It was compressed into a ball of energy that flickered with black electric light.
It could devour all the light around it, and if this 8th-rank damage-type sealing magic were to affect it, even the largest imperial army would turn to ashes in an instant.
"You're quite the matchmaker, Askan."
Sigrid could ignore Askan's provocation, but when she heard these words, she couldn't help but react.
A violent gust of wind blew, strong enough for Lance to feel it even from the distant sky.
"Is this the strongest Sealing Master in modern times?
(End of Chapter)
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