Chapter 91: The Black Death: Like a God Coming [VIP]

Boom—rumble!

Just as she tried to push him into the pool, a huge and scorching impact came, like a heat wave from a sea of ​​fire, directly hitting the flower fairy Miranda!

"ah--"

Miranda was burned by the high temperature and fell to the ground, with half of her body broken and charred.

“You, you…”

"You've been exposed after all!"

Xiao Yun said coldly, and kicked Miranda into the sticky liquid that could corrode demons.

"No! No! Come on! Come on! You can't do this to me!"

Miranda, whose charred body began to emit white smoke as soon as it came into contact with the slime, pleaded in a suffocatingly sharp voice: "I can fly! If you kill me, you won't be able to leave this place! I am your only hope of escape! I..."

"Yeah?"

Xiao Yun looked at him with disdain.

Seeing this, Miranda changed her tone and said, "Your 'Golden Blade' works on demons, but just now, when I approached you disguised as Lina, the 'Golden Blade' didn't react at all. Don't you want to know why?"

"I'm right—"

"I put Lina's skin on my body!"

"What did you say!"

Xiao Yun was shocked.

Miranda's expression was filled with evil and resentment. "I deceived that girl... an innocent and defenseless girl. I entered her body and dissolved her internal organs, bones, and muscles into nutrients, leaving only her intact skin... Then I donned that skin and appeared before you, easily deceiving you! Lucien, you are an upright and kind person. You have no idea how many horrific methods the dark world holds!"

"You demon!"

"——Don't be so quick to call me a demon, because I'm going to give you a piece of advice."

Miranda, whose body was gradually being invaded by the corrosive slime, closed her eyes and shouted in a voice full of evil and despair.

"Once you're free, kill your brother immediately! Once those who covet your power realize your brother isn't the secret elixir that will make them eternal gods, he'll be nothing more than a hostage to threaten you! They'll do everything they can to lure him, torture him, make him suffer all the suffering in the world, and until he's completely destroyed, he'll voluntarily fall into the depths of darkness! That's what I plan!"

"you--"

As soon as she said that, Miranda's body was completely covered in mucus, soaked in it as if dead, motionless, and quickly rotting and decaying.

Seeing this, Xiao Yun's voice trembled slightly: "...Maybe you're right, but I believe I can find a better solution."

[A better solution? The best solution is to give me your power! I will mercifully devour all of you brothers, allowing you to merge into one in my sea of ​​consciousness, forever inseparable!]

Terrifying sounds rang out from all directions, and then a tall and thin black shadow appeared in front of Xiao Yun again.

"Dragon Emperor!"

[You are always in my body, and I see your every move.]

"……really."

Xiao Yun spoke calmly, his tone neither disgusted nor trembling, "I knew from the beginning that I was trapped in the body of some gigantic monster, but I didn't expect it to be your body. More precisely, I didn't expect that such an exaggerated and hard black pyramid would actually be your body!"

Using the biological standards of Ella to measure all intelligent life is both foolish and arrogant. I am not a life bred on Ella, so I don't have to abide by the laws of life on Ella.

"What is this dark thing that's talking to me now? Your soul?"

What am I?

The black shadow made a strange sound, and the dry hands hidden in the cloak suddenly slashed vigorously—

Bang!

The smelly and warm mucus rushed towards Xiao Yun!

【Become one with me! 】

"I refuse!"

Xiao Yun raised his sword, and the energy in his body exploded instantly, turning into a hot and dazzling white light that enveloped his entire body. All the smelly liquids that flew towards him evaporated and vaporized the moment they came into contact with the white light, disappearing without a trace.

[——What a magnificent energy! You truly possess a star within you, hotter than the sun of Ella! But it will eventually become my strength! Just like you brothers will eventually be devoured by me and merged into my sea of ​​consciousness!]

"I don't want to merge with a monster like you!"

Xiao Yun emphasized angrily.

His anger caused the energy in his body to explode more thoroughly. The already dazzling and blazing white light instantly surged tenfold and a hundredfold, filling the entire space!

「──Ah! You……who the hell are you!?」

The black shadow, fearing the white light, retreated madly as if being bounced away, and its unwilling throat let out a hoarse and crazy scream.

"Why do you possess such powerful energy? Why?! This isn't a power humans can possess! Such a massive amount of energy! More powerful than tens of millions of suns combined! The human body simply can't, it's impossible—"

[Thing! Monster——]

The black shadows disintegrated in the white light, and the space was unable to contain the ever-expanding white light.

…

…

"I feel like I'm going to die... This damn, damn rat plague... How long will it last?"

"I don't know! I feel a rat!"

“…”

Similar complaints were heard in countless streets and alleys of Ted City.

While cursing and roaring in hatred, people, led by the army, fought against the surging and crazy tide of rats.

They were so exhausted that they even forgot that there was an extremely strange black pyramid hovering above the city.

Sudden--

boom--

A deafening roar sounded overhead, and the violent tremor made everyone forget about the battle and look towards the source of the sound.

In fact, not only were humans completely focused on this sound, but tens of millions of rats fighting against humans also stood up straight as if they had received some mysterious signal, staring at the sky with their red eyes.

The sky was now filled with white light, as if countless suns were lined up side by side on the clouds. The light it emitted was exceptionally bright yet unexpectedly gentle. Not only did it not sting the eyes, but it also evoked a sense of familiarity deep in the mind, as if...

Long, long ago, they too had been bathed in a similar warm white light...

The white light stopped spreading and began to shrink. Within the light, a cross-shaped pale golden figure gradually emerged... becoming clearer and clearer...

“Oh my God!”

"That's—"

"That's a person! That figure is a person! It's—"

In an instant, everyone's minds were seized by an unprecedented sacred emotion. They were choked like stone statues in the deepest part of the Death Desert, their brains were blank, and they looked up at the sky in confusion and disbelief.

The world also fell into silence at this moment.

Even the rats that were constantly buzzing throughout the city were frozen in time, forming a spectacle of total silence and total stillness, along with the people who had suddenly fallen into a daze.

In the nearly suffocating silence, a slender figure emerged from the depths of the white light, landing gracefully like a large, elegant golden bird. The white light followed behind it, transforming into the most gorgeous and extravagant wings of light in the world...

…

…

"—Lucien is a duke! Lucien!"

With more and more intense shaking and shouting, Xiao Yun's consciousness slowly returned to his body. He felt a splitting headache, his body was sore and painful as if it was falling apart, and his eyelids seemed to be covered with glue and he couldn't open them.

“I…I…Ah!”

Something cold and pungent slid across my lips, and the soreness and boredom that had swept through my body disappeared instantly. I jumped up from the bed in excitement as if a basin of ice water had suddenly been poured on me!

"Hey! Who—Alans! Why are you here? What did you just feed me?!"

Xiao Yun was shocked.

This is his room in Winter Castle, and all the furnishings have been rearranged to his liking.

The pharmacist of unknown origin, wearing a brown cloak, stood beside the exquisite and elegant bedpost, looking out of place and terrifying upon closer thought.

What's even worse is that there is only—

Xiao Yun leaned over and tried to spit out what had entered his throat.

"I won't do something as meaningless as poisoning you. Any poison—whether medical or magical—will be melted by something in your body the moment it enters... although I don't know the nature of that thing..."

Alans looked at Xiao Yun, his cobalt blue eyes flashing with disbelief.

"I'm surprised. I can't believe that a human body can contain such powerful power... Lucien, what are you? Why does a miracle like you exist in this world?"

"I……"

Xiao Yun thought for a moment and asked Alans: "How did you get in?"

“No one can stop me from entering the room I want to enter.”

Alans smiled slightly, looking very comfortable.

"What about the other people in the room? Are they alive?"

"I don't kill innocent people."

Alan paused. "The Order has officially issued a ban, never accepting commissions to assassinate Lucien al-Saintes, no matter who the other party is or how much the price is."

"Because Yaris offered you an offer you couldn't refuse?"

"No, because you are you."

Alans added: "If someone offers a high price for your brother's life, we will accept the order normally."

"you--"

Xiao Yun quickly regained his rationality from his anger: "What's the situation outside now?"

"The storm has passed, and the city is recovering. Although Adlon is old-fashioned and stubborn, he is indeed a lord who cares about his territory and his people. The Dalavians are also simple and open-minded. They will complete the reconstruction work soon."

"You don't sound like an assassin at all..."

"oh?"

Alans seemed lost in thought as he spoke slowly, "Lucien, you are an incredible being... Not only did you shatter His black pyramid, but under the gaze of everyone in Teide City, your entire body shimmered with golden light, and you landed gracefully like a deity descending to the mortal world... At that moment, I was certain I had received a perfect reward far exceeding the value of the rat poison..."

"Anyway—if one day you brothers can't make it in the Western Continent, you can bring your brother to the Eastern Continent to find me. I will ensure you a lifetime of wealth and prosperity."

"Eastern Continent? Are you one of His?"

"How is that possible!"

Alans smiled and said, "When you get to the East Continent, you'll know who I am."

"Wait a minute! Is the Dragon Emperor still alive?"

"Of course he's alive. The one who appeared over the city of Teide riding the black pyramid is only the most insignificant part of His many consciousnesses."

…

After Alans left, Xiao Yun fell into a long silence.

(I knew from the beginning that Alans was no ordinary wandering pharmacist. Combining the information about the "Assassin's Cult" provided by Yaris, it was reasonable to assume that he was a cult leader... But the promise just now... It's clear that his position is more than just a cult leader...)

Who is he? What is his relationship with the Dragon Emperor? Why would he dare to do this to me?

Coo, coo, coo——

The stomach makes an inopportune sound.

Realizing that he might not have eaten for a long time, Xiao Yun picked up the bell beside his pillow and shook it gently.

The attendant immediately pushed the door open and entered, his young cheeks flushed with excitement: "Sir, you are finally awake."

"Have I slept long?"

Xiao Yun was surprised.

"You've been in a coma for two days and two nights. Although almost all doctors and magicians said you were fine, just too tired, we still... still..."

The attendant wiped his tears as he spoke.

"We are so glad that you are safe. We were all worried about you...very, very worried about you..."

"That battle... indeed..."

Xiao Yun thought for a moment and smiled confidently: "Don't worry, I won't die. I am the one chosen by fate."

Hearing these words, even the guard outside the door who was trying hard to hold back his tears could no longer suppress the urge to cry, and his excited emotions turned into hot tears that burst out.

In the center of people's vision blurred by tears, the golden figure of the young god of war descended from the sky, shining like the darling of fate, and always aroused overwhelming cheers and joy of victory wherever he went.

…

…

After bathing and eating, Xiao Yun went to the hall to meet Adlon and others.

As soon as he entered the hall, Adrien rushed forward like a lovely whirlwind, shouting excitedly: "Lucien is back! I'm back! Back to Dalavia!"

"Adrien—"

Xiao Yun quickly opened his arms and hugged Adrian warmly. The boy's innocent cheeks and clear, moist eyes reminded him of a clingy golden retriever.

"When did you come back?"

"Last night."

Adrian said excitedly, "Five days ago, I finally received the tragic news that Dalavia had been struck by the Black Death, and that Duke Lucien was coming to the rescue with a large amount of supplies. As the Lord of Dalavia and a knight who had pledged his sword of loyalty to the Duke, I have an obligation to return to Dalavia immediately!"

"Aren't you afraid—"

"A knight is born for his faith, and must die for his faith!"

The boy blurted out.

(It is indeed a puppy.)

Xiao Yun couldn't help but think about it, and suddenly realized that although the Dragon Emperor and the rat plague he created were temporarily dispelled, Dalavia was destined to be unable to recover from the destruction brought by the Black Death in a short time, and he immediately fell into deep thought.

Seeing Xiao Yun's thoughtful expression, the simple-minded Adrien quickly asked, "Lucien, why are you so depressed? Is it because of the epidemic in Dalavia? Or because of your father's attitude?"

Upon hearing this, before Xiao Yun could say anything, Adlon beside him had already frowned.

"Adrien—"

"Father!"

Adrien turned his head and looked at Adlon, his big, wet eyes filled with tears. "You are the father I respect the most, but Duke Lucien is the master of my Sword of Loyalty. If he is treated unfairly by you, I, I... I will challenge you to a duel!"

“…”

"You can't do this! Adrien!"

Xiao Yun quickly shook Adrian's hand: "Duke Adron is a respectable man. I admire him very much. We get along very well."

"Really?"

Adrian didn't believe it: "Everyone in the empire knows that my father hates His Highness Yaris..."

"Duke Adlon does have some personal prejudice against my brother and me, but he is a man who clearly distinguishes between public and private matters, and his heart has always been loyal to Dalavia. When he learned that we brothers might be the only ones who could help Dalavia overcome the crisis, he and I became best friends."

Hearing this, Adrien finally calmed down, his freckled cheeks flushed. "Father, you finally understand that my choice is the right one, right?"

"...At least regarding the Black Death epidemic, Lucien did bring an incredible miracle to Dalavia."

Adlon said hesitantly.

At this time, Duke Dalavia's chief of staff, Haras, stepped forward and said to everyone with great apology: "I just received a royal communication. His Majesty the Emperor and His Excellency the Prime Minister will also attend this meeting."

"His Majesty?"

(Edmund? He came to Dalavia?)

Xiao Yun subconsciously reached out for his sword.

"Just like His Royal Highness, we communicate remotely using the magic crystal."

Haras hastened to add his explanation.

"oh."

Xiao Yun breathed a sigh of relief.

Adlon also showed a relieved expression.