Chapter 67

EXTRA CHAPTER- THANK YOU ALL FOR THE POWER STONES

In Backlund, North District, St. Samuel's Church.

In the Grand Prayer Hall, a lady dressed in a simple linen robe sat quietly in the first row of pews on the right side of the aisle, her eyes devoutly fixed on the altar ahead.

There were no statues enshrined there, only a massive dark holy emblem.

Its deep black background was adorned with brilliant specks, encircling the crimson moon that symbolized the Goddess.

Behind the holy emblem, the wall was punctuated with numerous holes. Moonlight from the outside filtered through, converging into pure, miniature points of light. They merged with the almost night-like surroundings, transforming into a sublime starry sky.

Yet these crimson moonlights seemed to encounter some kind of obstruction, unable to approach the lady even slightly.

From beginning to end, the lady was shrouded in deep darkness.

Under the veil of night, the lady slightly lowered her head, her lips moving as if whispering softly.

It seemed like she was talking to herself, or perhaps confiding.

"Goddess, your devotee has already discovered the connection between the royal family and Capin..."

"This arose from an accident."

"While investigating a series of murders, he accidentally uncovered the businessman Capin, who secretly dealt in human trafficking."

"..."

"He met a woman named 'Xio Derecha' and entrusted her to investigate Capin's subordinate forces in the Eastern District."

"..."

"Although the royal family has tried to cover it up, 'Xio Derecha' might still uncover more clues."

"Stop him?"

The lady slightly raised her face, revealing a somewhat puzzled expression under the moonlight.

I don't understand, wasn't it your hint of the 'Black Emperor' that urged him to continue the investigation?

"Is the timing wrong?"

"I understand, I will arrange other tasks for him to delay the investigation as much as possible."

"..."

"Besides, I have been staying in Backlund for too long, and His Holiness seems to have noticed something unusual."

"..."

"The Earth Mother Church is as usual, but the vampires in Backlund have become increasingly active, seemingly searching for something."

"The Church of Knowledge has no special actions, the world they guard remains undisturbed."

"..."

"The Three Sisters are still waiting for the return of the King, everything in the painted world is normal, no one is trying to leave."

"..."

The lady reported in a low voice the events that had occurred over this period.

Until that mysterious presence quietly departed, the darkness retreated from her surroundings, and the crimson moonlight spilled around her.

The lady slowly opened her eyes, placed her hands on her chest, and made four clockwise points, outlining the shape of the crimson moon.

Then, she devoutly whispered.

"Praise the Goddess."

"Lady Arianna."

Archbishop Anthony appeared in front of the altar at an unknown time, bowing respectfully.

Arianna looked at the elder before her and slowly spoke:

"The Goddess has just issued a divine oracle."

"Praise the Goddess."

Anthony's expression instantly became solemn and reverent. He quickly made the sign of the crimson moon on his chest, his voice small but devout.

...

"Ashen One, hearest thou my voice still?"

The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting dappled shadows in the room. The Ashen One sat at the edge of the bed, his mind replaying the most profound words from his memory.

He seemed to have had a very long dream.

"I will find you."

After a long time, Ashes finally came back to his senses from his memories.

He took a deep breath, his voice low and determined.

"Knock, knock, knock~"

The sound of knocking came from the door, pulling Ashes from his thoughts.

"Come in."

"Click~"

Fors pushed open the door while yawning, and the semi-transparent jellyfish sister Clara floated above her head, diligently massaging her head and shoulders with her tentacles.

"Morning."

Fors greeted him, then looked at Ashes with a somewhat strange expression, "You got up later than usual today. Don't you need to go to Earl Hall's house today?"

"I'm not there every day."

Ashes stood up and walked towards the door. Hearing this, he couldn't help but shake his head.

Fors looked at Ashes strangely, her face full of disbelief.

The two walked to the living room together, where Xio was already busy preparing breakfast.

Of course.

It wasn't really necessary to prepare breakfast specifically.

Because breakfast for the people of the Ruen Kingdom was usually very simple, nothing more than bread.

If you had no money, you ate black bread. If you had money, you could switch to white bread.

If you had a bit more money, you could add a glass of milk and change the bread to a sandwich.

And even for the nobility, it was just a matter of adding some sausages or fried eggs.

Of course, there were indispensable desserts and fruits.

After all, even the nobility didn't consider breakfast as important as a full meal.

"Morning."

Xio expertly poured herself a glass of milk, holding it in her hand as she drank a sip. Noticing Ashes walking towards the dining room, she asked, "Do you want something to eat?"

"A sandwich, a glass of milk, thank you."

Ashes nodded slightly, pulled out a chair at the dining table, and sat down.

Xio lightly nodded and began to prepare Ashe's breakfast.

The reason it wasn't prepared in advance was that Ashes usually didn't eat breakfast at home.

"A rare guest indeed."

Fors sat down beside Xio, her eyes never leaving Ashes, as if looking at some rare species. While watching, she kept teasing, "You never stayed for a meal before."

"That's because the food at Earl Hall's house is better."

Ashes glanced at Fors, his tone indifferent, "And, unlike you, I am at least a viscount, I can't solve all three meals with just bread."

"You..."

Fors was furious, wanting to act but realizing she wasn't Ashe's opponent, so she puffed her cheeks and glared at Ashes angrily, "I don't just eat bread for all three meals, okay?!"

"Can you cook for yourself?"

Xio looked at Fors with some curiosity.

"No, but I can freeload."

Fors raised her head proudly, "Mrs. Muse next door is my book fan, she invites me to dinner every night."

"Are you sure she's not trying to find a match for her son?"

Xio couldn't help but be speechless, teasing while handing the plated sandwich to Clara.

Clara skillfully extended her long, milky-white tentacles, placing the breakfast Xio had prepared in front of Ashes.

"Plop~"

Ashes glanced at Clara, then at her sister Kula, who was providing special services to Fors. Suddenly, he shook his head, "I suddenly feel that lending Kula to you was a mistake. Why don't you return Kula to me, and I'll find another for you."

"No way!"

Fors glared back, hugging Kula tightly, "I just want Kula, no matter how strong the replacement is, I won't change!"

(End of Chapter)

75 Power stones = Extra Chapter only for this week