Free Web NovelChapter 2039: Chapter 2039: Nether Moon and Silvermoon
The calm didn’t last long before Mr. Benhart’s ghost reappeared, standing next to the fountain statue, mostly covered by yellow sand in the middle of the square. His silhouette swayed as if moving with the wind, yet the figure remained motionless under the eerie black sun, ignoring the witch standing by the wall.
Earlier, he hadn’t caught Shard. After absorbing part of Grace and Helen’s essence, the effects of the "Red Butterfly Incarnation" and "Red Butterfly Illusion", which were almost turning into innate talents, had elevated to quite a high level. Although undead souls possess great strength in other aspects, their illusion resistance has not reached the level where they can see through the Red Butterfly.
But he didn’t wait long; soon, he raised his head to look ahead. On the slanted building’s rooftop, the magnificent silver bow was fully drawn. In the instant he noticed the bow, a slender silver-blue arrow of starlight had already been released.
The ghostly figure by the fountain vanished and reappeared ten meters away. The arrow passed through its afterimage and directly hit the fountain statue, yet nothing occurred.
The ghost that sensed the illusion had no time to escape because Shard, gripping the "Thunder Spear", appeared directly behind it once the outline had become clear.
This time, there wasn’t even time to react as the [Yggdrasil’s Staff] infused with thunder pierced through the ghostly vampire’s chest. The paralyzing effect of jumping silver-white lightning made it unable to move, but more lethal was the appearance of a pink crystal at the "wound" where it pierced the spiritual body.
The effect of Love God’s Sting combined with thunder couldn’t completely crystalize the ghost due to its exceptionally strong soul, but ultimately, this peculiar soul dissipated in the flash of lightning.
"It’s finally over."
Shard had just caught his breath when he suddenly turned around, shocked to see the pale-faced ghost reappear behind him.
As the ghost reached to grip Shard’s throat, he retreated defensively, evading the ghost’s approach while asking himself:
"What’s happening? Wasn’t that the true form just now?"
[Yes, it was indeed the true form. But how do you destroy a soul that’s already reached its end?]
"You’re not saying the opponent can’t be obliterated, are you?"
Shard asked, startled, but heard only "her" laughter.
"She" didn’t provide Shard the answer; Shard had to find it himself. But Shard had little time left. Staying in the apocalypse world for too long was severely affecting his body and mind. Although the perfume vial could replenish his spirit, the liquid within would eventually be consumed.
"Need help? This enemy can’t be killed by normal means, but if you just want to defeat it, I can help. The time seal is effective against undead souls."
The witch at the doorstep noticed Shard’s current predicament and offered to help, but Shard refused:
"Please wait a moment, I still have one last idea."
Even if it’s wishful thinking, Shard decided to give it a try.
While retreating and dodging, his empty left hand shone with Silvermoon light, gradually growing stronger until a silver light orb floated in his palm.
Basic Sorcery - Light Orb Spell isn’t something Shard specifically learned, but mastering the "Light Spell," he could develop this basic sorcery independently.
After the silver orb appeared, Shard stopped retreating. With a gentle toss, the orb floated behind him, growing larger until its diameter exceeded Shard’s height, making Shard stand like he was before the moon in the vast yellow sand.
Despite the ghost approaching, Shard prepared himself, simultaneously opening his staff-wielding hand and the empty hand to the sides. A massive Ring of Fate appeared from the steam mist, slowly merging with the enormous silver light behind him.
Upon the Ring of Fate, the Whisper - [True Death] emitted an ambiguous and blurry Black Iron Spiritual Light, but under the strength of the moonlight, it seemed to become silver.
Shard didn’t attempt to defend or attack, only opened his arms as if waiting for the soul’s "approach" in front of the moon. He desperately recalled his feelings standing above the waters of "True Death," and when the soul reached in front of him to touch his heart and throat, he softly asked:
"Armand Bernhardt, do you wish to continue onward?"
The young man in black clothes before the "moonlight" asked the soul attempting to take his life within the yellow sand. The silver light seemed ready to melt him, yet also appeared like the gentle silver moonlight hiding behind him. This unique combination created a mystical sanctity, and the sound carried by vibrating air stilled the soul.
The witch at the edge of the square watched this scene, her golden eyes reflecting Silvermoon light. For some reason, she felt an urge to cry.
Under the moonlight, the strange soul’s distorted and blurred face finally cleared completely, displaying Mr. Benhart’s appearance. It said nothing, retracted its hand, and under the moonlight, inclined its head slightly to the young man before it.
Shard hesitated briefly, then gently tapped his shoulder with [Yggdrasil’s Staff]:
"Now, you’ve reached the end point."
The soul scattered into points of light, flying further with the gale and yellow sand. Beneath the faded sky, only cards floated into Shard’s hand with the wind. Behind him, the moonlight vanished, and the Ring of Fate hid again within his soul.
Holding the card, Shard exhaled deeply.
[Outlander, you’ve sent away an unable-to-leave soul; the soul is eternally at peace now.]
[Your soul intensity has slightly increased.]
A brief pause:
[Not bad, how did you come up with that idea?]
"She" gently asked him by his ear.
"Last time I bid farewell to Sloss Edwards and welcomed Laster Edwards back, inexplicably I acquired a soul enhancement from it. Back then I even said, when did I become the Undertaker... Silvermoon, Nether Moon... if everything leads to The End, and even death ceases to exist, then let me bring the last glimmer of Nether Moon’s light to this Space-Time."
[Such arrogance, Outlander~]
"She" said it like that, but her smile grew even more tender.
Shard didn’t look at the card in his hand first, for past experiences showed that once Shard reads the memories of the "Bygone Era" in the card, it signifies the end of this adventure and he would leave this time.
Miss Adel Isabella, with a peculiar sense of pilgrimage, was walking towards him in the square, while Shard took out the pink perfume vial and sipped a little to replenish his consumption. Because of the birthday "party," now the essence concentration in this bottle is so high that the bottle itself can illuminate the night.
"See, I told you I could handle it myself."
With somewhat revived energy, he smiled at the witch in front of him. The Grand Witch of Time pursed her lips, unsure of how to comment on his earlier actions; the sanctity of the moonlight almost made her think a deity had appeared again.
"My earlier thought was to freeze its time, rendering it in a state unable to act, then use sealing skill to banish it outside the square. To me, that soul lacked any possibility of obliteration."
She explained her thought process, then formally looking at Shard, said:
"I admit, Luviya Annette’s vision is always so excellent, her choice in selecting you was indeed right."
With golden eyes carrying a certain stubbornness, she extended her hand to Shard:
"Allow me to formally introduce myself, Adel Isabella, the last Speaker of the Witch Council, this era stepping into apocalypse, in an era that should have been obliterated, there are only a few survivors left, but also the most pitiful ones. I hope to gain your assistance; I hope you are willing to accept my guidance, for the sake of this world, to stop Luviya Annette, and then face the very end."
"For this world, there’s certainly no problem. As for stopping Luviya, it’ll depend on what ’Hope Diamond’ ultimately tells me."
Shard said seriously, also grasping her hand. Miss Isabella was evidently not very accustomed to such contact with a man, but the hand merely trembled slightly and did not cast him away.
Shard then voluntarily released the hand:
"The power of Time is so enchanting; if you are willing to teach me, I am certainly willing to accept. Just that my Sixth Era, and your time eventually have significant differences. Though you said you’d rather not know what happened in my time, I still want to share with you the stories I experienced."
The witch nodded this time:
"Alright."
"Let’s talk at home then, oh, I forgot to introduce, in my time point, No. 6, Saint Delan Square is my home, left to me by my uncle Sparrow Hamilton before he died."
The Grand Witch of Time softly nodded again, though unable to articulate what she wanted to say.
The two then returned to the building, after sitting on the second-floor sofa, Shard began simply talking about the six Chosen Ones that have emerged in the Sixth Era so far. He was increasingly affected by the Apocalypse World, hence this time he couldn’t detail each occurrence. But even just the rough introduction had already astounded this Grand Witch of Time.
The moment she believed Luviya voluntarily gave up her plan this time, she then immediately realized these might all be part of Luviya’s plan. And when Shard summarized the Edwards Family’s story in a few words, he didn’t even get the chance to explain the complex situation of Space Chosen, had to hold his forehead, to resist the intense dizziness.
"This won’t do, you’d better leave first. We will meet again, your stories can be told next time."
The Blonde Witch with a tear mole below her right eye expressed concern, and Shard too knew he couldn’t force it:
"Alright then, next time we’ll continue these stories, I will surely call you out again."
The latter nodded, pursing her lips:
"I will also organize the knowledge I need to teach you, I won’t forget."
"I don’t mean that. I mean, you yourself living in such an apocalypse era, forever alone watching the yellowed sky, if no one consistently talks to you, wouldn’t you eventually lose all humanity no matter you still have the Council’s power to shelter?"
He smiled at Miss Adel Isabella:
"Whenever I come, I’ll chat with you until I have to leave. I should be one of your few remaining conversation partners; you’re willing to teach me knowledge and power, I shall also strive to assist you."
Unfortunately, Shard couldn’t leave any living supplies here, unlike ordinary Time Keys, the apocalypse even blurred the concept of time, deciding that any change he causes here will completely vanish once he leaves.
[No, if it’s just leaving a few items, it should be fine. Of course, just a few.]
"She" rather tenderly reminded.
And listening to Shard’s words, looking at the youth before him even with mental fatigue still displaying a smile on his face, the witch felt somehow, her cheeks unexpectedly felt warm.
