As he spoke, Grand Duke Barlow gently tapped his cane, his gaze tenderly fixed on Priscilla's dazed expression, and slowly said:
"If a wound has become festering, there should be no hope of it being healed."
"Removing it is what you should really be doing."
"The power your father gave you was not just for self-defense."
At that moment, Priscilla's eyes widened even more.
A hint of confusion flashed in those blood-red pupils, and her voice trembled slightly:
"Then... what should I do?"
Archduke Barlow steadied his cane and calmly responded:
"Leave the territory, or go hide in the Empire with your aunt?"
It was a rhetorical question, but Priscilla had already discerned the deeper meaning in Archduke Barlow's words and instantly understood what she should do next.
She nodded firmly, her eyes flashing with determination:
"I understand, Grand Duke Barlow!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Priscilla's body trembled slightly, and three pairs of blood-red fleshy wings instantly unfurled from her back.
Crimson wings soared high in the sky, obscuring the light of the setting sun.
A shadow fell over the territory's road, followed closely by crimson blood, staining the earth red.
In an instant, the terrifying aura unique to vampires condensed in the air.
Like a giant bat suddenly awakening, it unleashed unparalleled power and ferocity.
The crimson shockwave draped a dark red veil over the surrounding air, like a waterfall flowing upstream, suddenly rising into the sky.
A thick, pungent smell of blood rose slowly with the air currents, permeating the entire territory.
At that moment, Priscilla looked up at the dim, yellowish sky.
She spread her wings and soared into the sky.
Enveloped in a crimson aura, she hovered in the air, gazing into the distance.
The gaze passed through the center of Shulburn and locked onto the black goddess of justice high in the sky.
Six wings vibrated on the wind, and a sharp explosion suddenly rang out from the sky.
At the same time, Priscilla transformed into a streak of crimson light, traversing the vast sky and heading straight into the distance.
Grand Duke Barlow on the ground looked up at Priscilla, who was gradually disappearing into the distance.
He placed his cane firmly on the ground and slowly began to speak:
"That's about it, I should leave too."
"So……"
Turning around, his gaze fell on Lia, who was sitting on a garden chair, lost in thought and silence.
A small, white fox with pinkish tinges was lying on the leg of a chair, gently stroking her delicate calves with its paws.
But Lia seemed oblivious, her head bowed, looking completely lost.
She has been in this state ever since she learned that Gwen is actually Libra, the goddess of justice.
It seems that for Leah, it is difficult to accept that her friend of many years is not actually human.
Grand Duke Barlow slowly turned around and walked towards her, leaning on his cane.
The crisp sound of the cane hitting the ground made Lia gradually raise her head, her gaze meeting that of the approaching Grand Duke Balo.
And the Grand Duke then spoke up and asked:
"And you, are you planning to seek refuge in another territory, or return directly to the Empire?"
"Whichever you choose, I might be able to help you."
Lia was silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice:
"Gwen...will she come back?"
Upon hearing this question, Grand Duke Balo looked intently at Lia and nodded gently:
“My domain of the dead cannot confine her for long.”
In reality, Grand Duke Ballow's claim that he could release Gwen by killing those innocent souls was nothing but a ruse.
The real goal is to make her stay willingly and not leave easily.
But if Gwen decides to leave, it won't take half an hour.
The entire realm of the dead will be forcibly expanded under the influence of her divine power.
After all, Grand Duke Barlow was just a mortal.
Despite possessing the power to slay gods, he still felt powerless when facing beings like the Goddess of Justice who transcended human limits.
Then, Lia took a deep breath, and under Grand Duke Balo's gaze, her voice gradually became firm:
Can I stay here?
"I want to stay here and wait for her to come out."
The Grand Duke gave Lia a deep look and replied quietly:
"Can."
"But I can't guarantee what will happen if she, who is determined to leave, is influenced by the goddess who is about to return."
Lia's eyes widened slightly, somewhat astonished.
"Was the return of that goddess of justice inevitable?"
Grand Duke Barlow nodded calmly.
The believers have sacrificed so much for the return of the goddess.
Most importantly, even churches of other gods are supporting the return of the Goddess of Justice.
The return of the goddess of justice may indicate that other gods may also have the opportunity to return.
Therefore, this movement about the return of the gods is not something that Viktor can stop.
Grand Duke Balor reminded Lia again:
"It might be dangerous for you to stay here."
"...No, it's okay."
Leah suddenly smiled:
“If there is any real danger, I still have this.”
She extended her right hand and gently waved it in front of the Grand Duke.
On her slender hands she wore a glove inlaid with iridescent gemstones, the gems shimmering as if they contained immense power.
Upon seeing this item, Grand Duke Balo was slightly surprised, then heard Lia continue speaking:
"I don't really understand anything about gods or faith, after all, I'm an Imperial citizen."
"All I know is that Gwen is human and is my friend."
Lia took a deep breath, as if building a fortress for her soul.
With a gentle, resigned smile, he said:
"After all, I need to bring my sister-in-law back with me."
"She has to consummate her marriage with my brother."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
