Chapter 208: Chapter 166: Unexpected Information_1
The events in Locques Town have come to an end, but the mission is far from over. At the very least, all Duanmu Huai knows right now is that the vampires have conducted some sort of ritual here, trying to modify the Divine Artifact known as the Star of Azura. However, the reason why they picked Locques Town remains uncertain. Maybe it’s simply because it’s remote and unlucky?
Anyway, for now, the danger facing Locques Town has been removed. After returning to the surface, Duanmu Huai lets Old Bent negotiate with the townsfolk and sends someone to inform the local Lord about the situation, while they, along with the Watchman, set out for Azura’s altar.
The altar of Azura is located on top of the mountain, surrounded by snow. Passages there are difficult due to the snow accumulation, but this is the least of Grey’s concerns.
“In fact, these abnormal behaviors of the vampires did not start just now. About two months ago, we noticed that the vampires have begun to frequently appear in various towns. This is quite inconsistent with their usual propensity to hide from the world.” The Watchman begins to speak in a low voice as they trudge up the mountain.
“Therefore, we believed that the vampires were likely planning something significant. However…not everyone trusts our judgment. Some senior members of the Hall of the Watchmen believed the vampires are just causing occasional disturbances. In their opinion, these vampires have always been erratic—staying quiet for a while before suddenly causing strange troubles.”
At this, the Watchman clenches his fists.
“But now, the situation has obviously changed. These vampires even created so many hounds and conjured a large number of undying spirits. This is definitely not a small disturbance; they are certainly planning something big!”
Just at this moment, the statue of Azura comes into sight.
Atop the lofty mountains, a female statue over ten meters tall stands. In her left hand, she holds the moon, and in her right, the sun and the stars. She is the Mother of Roses, the Queen of the Night Sky, the goddess of dawn and dusk—Azura.
Standing in front of Azura’s altar is a priestess clad in a black robe. She stands at the end of the steps, looking at the arriving group.
“Azura has foreseen your arrival. Adventurers, it is not curiosity that has brought you here, but the arrangement of destiny.”
“Fine, whatever you say.”
For the priestess’s words, Duanmu Huai didn’t say much. Truthfully, many Demons or Demigods like to torment players in this manner. For instance, a certain God of Trickery likes to pop up after the player has everything sorted out and tell them it’s not a coincidence. Everything is going according to plan, everything is destiny’s arrangement, and you cannot escape destiny or the plan, no matter what.
In the beginning, players would be infuriated, but after multiple experiences, players have developed their own coping mechanisms.
Likening it to this priestess professing it was destiny, hey, we wouldn’t know. You said you foresaw our coming, but how would we know what our destiny is?
You say everything is going according to plan, but we really don’t know what your plan is.
So the root of it is, we don’t know anything, be it plan or destiny, what concern is it of ours?
So the only coping mechanism for players when encountering such situations in the future is one.
Yeah, okay okay okay.
No matter what the other party says, just play along, don’t bother arguing.
Whether you say it’s destiny or according to the plan, whatever you say is right, okay?
“It seems to be your master’s possession.”
Duanmu Huai took out the Star of Azura, which emitted a red glow, and passed it over. The priestess on the other side took the Star of Azura, reverently placed it on the altar, and then raised both hands.
“Azura, Mother of Dawn Star, goddess of dusk and dawn, the warrior you chose has returned your stars to you!”
Then, the priestess kept silent for a moment, then turned to look at Duanmu Huai.
“She wishes to speak with you personally. So please place your hand on the altar, and you will be able to hear her divine decrees.”
“…Alright, I’d like to hear what she has to say.”
While saying so, Duanmu Huai reached out and placed his hand on the altar.
But what he heard first was an exclamation—followed by an earth-shattering roar.
After a brief moment, a woman’s voice finally reached Duanmu Huai’s ears.
“It’s hard to imagine that there would be such a being in the mortal world. Even in the Domain of Oblivion, I’ve never seen one like you…”
“If that’s all you wanted to talk to me about, then I’ll be on my way.”
Duanmu Huai’s face fell slightly upon hearing this. He could somewhat guess that Azura had been shivering a bit from his Fearful Aura just now. However…if we avoid the topic, we can still be friends, Sis.
“…Then, let me tell you what you want to know.”
Azura seemed to consider her earlier reaction a little exaggerated, smoothly passed over the awkward round, acting as if nothing had happened.
“The Star of Azura is my Divine Artifact. It can absorb the souls of any non-sentient beings without limit and store them. However, the Bloodline is trying to modify it, turning it into a being that can control all the souls it absorbs…”