Chapter 848: Chapter 26: You Lied to Me!

“What anomaly?” This time it was Lynch asking, his voice calm, but the soldier involuntarily shivered.

“They… they seemed to have been simultaneously drained of their souls, their eyes instantly turned vacant, then… then their bodies began to emit an ominous grayish-white glow! Some fell directly to the ground, breath weakening.”

“Others started convulsing unconsciously, muttering indistinguishable prayers… The guards who approached to control them also experienced slight spirit bewilderment and magic power sluggishness upon contact with the glow! The entire prisoner camp is now under lockdown!”

The news was like a piece of ice thrown into the tent, instantly causing the temperature to plummet. Everyone realized this was no ordinary prisoner riot or disease. On the eve of the decisive battle, such bizarre mass anomaly must be closely related to Erodion inside the city!

A keen light flashed in Lynch’s eyes, and he exchanged a quick glance with Dean Abbas and others.

Abbas indicated with a solemn expression, “Looks like we’ll have to hurry.”

…

Meanwhile, the same anomaly was occurring in various parts of the Ancient Ruins.

Border town, dilapidated church

Under the dim oil lamps, dozens of ragged believers crawled on the cold ground, their coarse fingers tightly clutching cheap wooden Holy Emblems, following an elderly priest on stage, murmuring repetitive prayers. Their faces bore the fatigue from long-term labor and a numb devotion that placed all hope on the elusive “Father God.”

“Merciful Father God, please guide the lost lambs, grant us peace and sustenance…”

The prayer echoed within the cramped space.

Suddenly, an old farmer kneeling in the front row stiffened abruptly, ceasing his recitation, his cloudy eyes widened blankly. Right in the center of his forehead, under the skin, a pale light unexpectedly lit up, swiftly outlining an intricate and twisted, bizarre symbol seemingly tangled by countless tiny runes! The light was not bright, but carried a bone-chilling eeriness.

The old farmer instinctively reached out to touch it, a strange “gurgle” sound emanated from his throat.

Almost simultaneously—

“Ah!”

“My head!”

“What is this?!”

Exclamations erupted successively! Inside the church, all the believers, regardless of age or gender, had the same pale symbol lighting up on the center of their foreheads!

The light merged into one, reflecting the faces of terror, confusion, and agony like specters. Even the elderly priest on stage wasn’t spared, his Holy Scripture dropping to the ground with a ’thud,’ his thin fingers trembling as he pointed to his own glowing forehead, eyes filled with unbelievable fear and the horror of shattered faith.

…

Original Lorent Kingdom, main city of a certain province, solemn cathedral.

Compared to the bleakness of the border town, the cathedral here was grand and somber, the dome towering, stained glass refracting external light. Hundreds of believers, including well-dressed merchants and minor nobles, quietly knelt on benches, listening to a middle-aged priest preach. The priest’s voice was loud and compelling, speaking of the might of “Father God” and the ultimate “Ascension” of believers.

“…when the day of final judgment comes, the devout will wash away the filth of the mortal world, allowing their souls to ascend, merging into the eternal luminance of Father God…”

His words were full of agitation, causing the believers below to have eyes that shimmered with excitement and anticipation.

However, in the next moment, this devout and harmonious scene was completely shattered.

“Buzz—”

A low, soul-deep buzzing sound vaguely echoed.

The priest standing at the podium abruptly ceased his speech. He swayed, grasping the podium to stabilize himself. Below his headband, symbolizing knowledge and authority, on his forehead, a pale symbol, identical to that on the border town’s farmer, suddenly lit up! The light pierced through the headband, clearly visible.

The dignity and devotion on his face instantly shattered, replaced by extreme astonishment and… fear? He seemed to realize something, lips trembling, wanting to speak, yet unable to utter a single word.

Below the podium, a surging commotion spread like waves. One believer after another, regardless of their identity and status, had that bizarre symbol lighting up on their foreheads.

Screams, cries, and the sound of table and chairs colliding replaced the previous solemnity. The lights flickered within the grand cathedral as if countless indifferent eyes simultaneously opened, observing the chaos-ensnared believers. The so-called “Ascension” and “Luminance,” in this moment, seemed so ironic and terrifying.

…

Jade Land coalition forces, highly guarded special detention area

Here, multiple barriers sealed the space, dimly lit, the air permeated with rune fluctuations suppressing magic power.

Dark Princess Margaret was shackled by specially made Forbidden Magic Shackles, imprisoned in a solitary cell completely constructed from Demon-Banning Stone. She hung her head, her flaxen hair draping down, covering most of her face, obscuring any visible expression. Deprived of the Dark Domain’s shelter, she seemed extraordinarily fragile and quiet.

In charge of guarding were two experienced Blue Magic Wizards and a squad of elite Demon-breaking Guards, watchful without the slightest slack, closely monitoring every movement within the cell.

Suddenly, a Blue Magic Wizard’s gaze stiffened, “Energy fluctuation! Be cautious!”

Just then, Margaret suddenly raised her head! Her complexion instantly turned as pale as paper, and those eyes, once filled with languor and sinister charm, at this moment brimmed with unspeakable fright and… a rage from utter betrayal!

In the center of her forehead, similar to the other believers but with more intricate lines, and a faint trace of dark red blood light at its core, a pale symbol appeared uncontrollably, radiating unstable yet strong energy fluctuations!

“No… This can’t be!” Margaret muttered in shock, her voice trembling violently. She understood better than anyone what this symbol meant—

This was the “grace” mark towards the “Divine Domain” promised by Erodion, a symbol of power and glory! He once said that when the final moment arrived, this mark would lead them to rebirth, turning them into Divine Servants of the new world!

But now… this mark was activating uncontrollably, and what emanated from it was no holy power, but a cold, greedy force that seemed set on draining all her essence and soul!

She could clearly feel her hard-cultivated dark origin, and even deeper life forces, being forcibly stripped away along with the mark, directed towards a far and predetermined endpoint!

The so-called “grace,” the so-called “ascension,” the so-called “Divine Servant”… all were lies!

An icy chill shot from the soles of her feet to the crown of her skull, Margaret’s fright rapidly consumed by inexhaustible rage and despair. She seemed to see Erodion’s twisted face, currently exhibiting a calculating and ruthless smile.

With all her strength, she emitted a heart-wrenching shriek full of resentment and refusal, her voice piercing through the layers of barriers, echoing within the detention area:

“Erodion—! You betrayed me!!!”

“`

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