Chapter-177

Sia's countenance underwent a swift transformation as the weight of Julia's revelation settled upon her. The color drained from her face, leaving her visage pale and her eyes wide with a mixture of disbelief and horror. It was a moment of reckoning, where the boundaries between myth and reality dissolved, and the unfathomable became starkly tangible.

The notion that the Mangeur D'os tribesmen were, in essence, ghouls sent a shiver down Sia's spine. Her mind raced to process this unsettling revelation, grappling with the unsettling implications it carried. Until that moment, she had regarded the existence of ghouls as a trope of fantasy, a macabre element found within the pages of horror stories and whispered legends. To consider that these creatures were not confined to the realm of fiction but were living, breathing entities in their world was a staggering realization.

In her mind's eye, Sia conjured images of these tribesmen, their sinister appetites and insatiable cravings for human flesh. It was a grotesque tableau that she had always assumed to be the product of human imagination, never suspecting that it could manifest as a chilling reality. The very idea that these individuals took pleasure in the consumption of human meats was enough to send her emotions into turmoil.

The enormity of the situation weighed heavily upon Sia. It was a revelation that transcended the boundaries of their mission to rescue Lita Woodenburg. It delved into the realms of the unknown, where the lines between myth and reality blurred, and the unimaginable became tangible. It was a stark reminder that their world was fraught with mysteries and dangers beyond their comprehension.

Julia's revelation had pulled back the veil of ignorance, exposing Sia to a reality she had never fathomed. It was a testament to the complexities of their mission, where the adversaries they faced were not only ruthless but also entities that defied conventional understanding.

As Sia grappled with the enormity of this revelation, she couldn't help but wonder what other secrets lay concealed in the shadows of their world. It was a sobering moment of awakening, a reminder that their journey was fraught with uncertainties and moral ambiguities that transcended the boundaries of their training and principles.

In the silence of the balcony, beneath the tapestry of stars that adorned the night sky, Sia's mind raced with questions and apprehensions. She had crossed a threshold of knowledge that could not be unlearned, and the implications of this newfound understanding would continue to shape their path as they ventured deeper into the unknown, on a quest that had transcended the boundaries of myth and reality.

Sia's mind, still reeling from the revelation that the Mangeur D'os tribesmen were, in fact, ghouls, took a harrowing turn as she realized the potential implications for Lita Woodenburg, her dear childhood friend who had been cruelly kidnapped by these malevolent beings. A chill swept through her, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of dread at the thought of what might have befallen her friend.

In a trembling voice, Sia turned to Julia, her eyes reflecting the fear that gripped her heart. She needed answers, needed to know if Lita had suffered the same gruesome fate as the unfortunate souls devoured by the Mangeur D'os tribe. Her voice quivered as she posed the agonizing question, "What happened to Lita, Julia? Please, tell me she's safe."

Julia's response held a mixture of relief and apprehension. She relayed that Sin had gleaned information from Lobias, the tribesman they had encountered earlier. Thankfully, the news was not as dire as Sia had feared. Lita had not met the same gruesome end as those unfortunate enough to cross paths with the ghoulish tribe.

The weight of that revelation lifted a heavy burden from Sia's heart, and she released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The relief was palpable, and for a moment, it felt like a ray of hope had pierced through the darkness that had enshrouded her thoughts. Lita was alive, and that knowledge was a lifeline in their treacherous journey.

However, the reprieve was short-lived, for Julia's words carried a new layer of concern. It wasn't the fate Lita had escaped that troubled them now; it was the future that loomed ominously ahead. Julia's next words hung in the air like an ominous specter, casting a shadow over their hopes. "But the bad news is," she began, her voice heavy with gravitas, "Count Murmur, who can also be called the devil Count, wants to marry Lita."

The mention of Count Murmur, known as the devil Count, sent shivers down Sia's spine. It was a name she had heard in whispers and hushed tales, a name that carried a reputation steeped in darkness and malevolence. In the annals of their world's legends and myths, Count Murmur was a figure of terror, a being whose name invoked dread and foreboding.

The realization that Lita was now entangled in the sinister designs of Count Murmur was a grim revelation. Sia's heart ached for her friend, for the uncertain and perilous path that lay before her. It was a fate no one should be subjected to, a fate that threatened to cast Lita into the clutches of a malevolent entity.

As Sia absorbed the weight of this new revelation, a determination ignited within her. She couldn't allow Lita to be swallowed by the darkness that surrounded Count Murmur. She knew that their mission had taken on a renewed urgency, for they weren't merely rescuing Lita from captivity; they were shielding her from a terrifying destiny that beckoned like a specter in the night.

The balcony, once a place of quiet contemplation, now bore witness to their resolute determination. In the face of the looming threat posed by Count Murmur, Sia and Julia found themselves united by a shared resolve—to rescue Lita, to defy the devil Count, and to ensure that the darkness that lurked in the shadows would not claim another innocent soul.