Chapter 95: The Return of the Hero (Part 2)
“Zizizizi!”
The illusory golden spear collided sharply with the replica holy armor, instantly erupting with dazzling sparks.
“My Lord Hero, how can this be…?” Elweiss stared blankly at the familiar golden armor before her, voice filled with disbelief.
She momentarily froze, then quickly regained her senses, waving her hands and shouting, “Cancel, Holy Spear Phantom, attack canceled.”
As Elweiss commanded, the holy spear phantom in front of Alicia emitted a tremendous light, which shattered into countless golden particles and vanished in an instant.
Seeing Elweiss pulling back just in time, Alicia sighed in relief beneath the golden mask.
With her current strength, she couldn’t fully harness the power of the replica holy armor, and naturally couldn’t block the holy spear phantom before her.
If Elweiss had reacted even a moment later, her entire arm would likely have been pierced by the holy spear.
Alicia gently held Elrose in her arms and slowly rose, her gaze fixed intensely on the illusory girl before her, speaking in a low voice, “Elweiss.”
“My Lord Hero, is it really you…?” Elweiss covered her mouth, tears sparkling in her eyes, unable to hold back her emotions.
On the night of the Star of Ruin’s fall, when she heard that the My Lord Hero had perished, she felt as if she was about to collapse.
That person, who always stood before her with a gentle smile, like a parent, mentor, and friend all in one, had died; it felt as if the sky itself had fallen.
Fortunately, they eventually learned through special means who the culprit behind the My Lord Hero’s demise was—the damned world bug, the hideous humanoid calamity.
The Sacred Domain exhausted nearly all means to find the whereabouts of that monster, even resorting to the immensely consuming “Heavenly Eye,” yet gained no clues.
It seemed as if it had completely evaporated from existence.
Until a week later, news arrived again; the monster had reappeared in Linshire Village of Mornhart.
Thus, some boldly speculated that perhaps the monster had settled somewhere in Mornhart, and afterwards, the Heavenly Eye remained hovering over Mornhart.
Heaven truly does not disappoint those who strive; after waiting for over ten days, she finally got her chance.
Gathering the power of the seven saintesses and thousands of clergy, she created a clone through the Saint Lanya Barrier, instantly arriving at this flourishing border town.
Finally seeing that monster, she found it even uglier than she had anticipated from her previous encounters.
Just a glance at it ignited an impulse to tear it to shreds.
But just as she was about to slay it, like a miracle, the My Lord Hero reappeared before her.
Elweiss felt as if she was dreaming.
Until the familiar voice rang out again, calling her name; she suddenly realized everything was real, she wasn’t dreaming—My Lord Hero was not dead.
She dashed forward, wanting to embrace her, to lay in her arms once more, to feel her gently patting her head, to once again hear tales of her thrilling adventures over the centuries.
But all those fantasies shattered in the next moment.
“Stop, Elweiss.”
Alicia’s voice was utterly frigid, like eternal ice in a frozen tundra; just a touch would send chills down one’s spine.
“M-my Lord Hero.”
Elweiss was momentarily taken aback and abruptly halted.
That esteemed one had never spoken to her this way; even when she had broken a comrade’s relic from mischief, Alicia had never spoken to her with such a cold tone.
It was as if she were her enemy.
Elweiss bit her lip, timidly saying, “W-what’s wrong, My Lord Hero? Why are you speaking to me like this?”
Her heart ached.
So she slowly closed her eyes.
“Blood, activate.”
Visions of Calandia’s tragic demise surged to her mind, and Alicia’s heart, which had softened slightly, hardened like iron. She gritted her teeth, stamped her foot, and an auditory shield rose instantly.
Alicia asked coldly, “Answer me, Elweiss, on what grounds do you think I am dead?”
“Ah?”
Hearing Alicia’s question, Elweiss was momentarily stunned and fell into a panic.
“Is it because of the System?”
Seeing Elweiss stutter, Alicia expressed her guess directly: Because the System disappeared, you all thought I was dead, right?
“This…” Elweiss gasped, pondering for a long time, and finally had to nod lightly, “Yes, that’s it.”
“Is that really the case?” Alicia sighed softly, “So you all think this child is the one who killed me because you saw the last scenes before the System disappeared, correct?”
“Yes.” Elweiss nodded softly.
“You’re actually using the System to monitor me?!”
In an instant, a fierce glint appeared in Alicia’s eyes, and terrifying killing intent poured out, making everyone present tremble uncontrollably.
“You told me it was just a tool to aid my growth, but in reality, it was a means to control me, fearing I would break free from your grasp!” Alicia roared, “Are all of you in the Sacred Domain crazy?”
“No, no, My Lord Hero, it’s not what you think,” Elweiss hurriedly explained, “We were only worried about your safety, truly no other intentions.”
“No other intentions? You really dare to say that?” Alicia gritted her teeth, “Do you know what your Sacred Domain’s System did to me? It sealed my soul and occupied my body, using the Holy Sword to kill my last companion.”
Tears streamed down her face like crystalline raindrops, and Alicia’s heart felt as if pierced by a thousand arrows, excruciatingly painful.
She raised her head, let out a soft sigh, and with all her strength, uttered the words that filled her with despair: “Calandia, she is dead, killed by my own hands!!!”
“What did you say?” Elweiss’s pretty face paled instantly.
She knew well that My Lord Hero didn’t joke around, and she couldn’t possibly use her comrade’s death as a joke; what she said was real.
But this was just too hard to believe!
In an instant, Elweiss felt her heart shatter; she could sense the immense pain and despair emanating from My Lord Hero, yet she couldn’t help in any way.
She didn’t know how to answer Alicia’s questions, nor how to face the hostility reflected in Alicia’s eyes.
And in that very moment…
“Enough, Lady Elweiss, leave the rest to me.”
A magnetic masculine voice drifted in, and another golden illusion suddenly appeared before Alicia.
It was an elderly man with white hair, dressed in a platinum-colored clergy robe, his expression kind, radiating an aura of light.
“Long time no see, My Lord Hero.” The white-haired elder slightly bowed.
“Fanel.” Alicia narrowed her eyes and coldly asked, “What are you here for?”
“Haha, of course, I’m here to mediate,” Fanel stroked his grizzled beard and said slowly, “My Lord Hero, please calm down; Lady Light Saintess has only recently taken the position of chief saintess, and there are many matters of the Sacred Domain she does not fully understand. I hope you can be understanding.”
“What?” Alicia cast a sidelong glance at him and said, “Then Fanel, as the highest archbishop of the clergy, the second strongest in the Sacred Domain, explain to me what the hell is going on?”
“Haha, that is natural, but…” Fanel paused for a moment, then smiled gently, “But it will be quite complicated to explain and will take a considerable time; clearly, this isn’t the right moment.”
Alicia frowned slightly: “What do you mean?”
Fanel slightly bent forward, bowing respectfully, “I, old Fanel, sincerely invite you to return to the Sacred Domain to celebrate with the people, where we will prepare the finest food and wine for your visit.”
“And at that time, I will provide you with a satisfactory answer,” Fanel said slowly.
“Cunning old fox.” Alicia shot Fanel an irritated glance, “Hmph, I somewhat regret handing Elweiss over to you back then; I wonder if she has been led astray by you all these years.”
“Haha, My Lord Hero is joking,” Fanel smiled.
“Fine, seeing you like this, I suppose I won’t get anything out of you today,” Alicia said, “But remember, when I arrive at the Sacred Domain, if you can’t give me a reasonable explanation, I’ll take your head to appease Tia’s spirit.”
“Of course,” Fanel smiled slightly and then looked at the black-haired girl in Alicia’s arms, gently saying, “By the way, how does My Lord Hero intend to handle this girl? According to the revelation of the Holy God, she is…”
“I don’t care about any revelation from the Holy God.” Before Fanel could finish his words, Alicia interrupted, “You know I have never believed in gods; I only believe in myself and my trusted companions.”
“I don’t care what your Sacred Domain’s stance on her is, but at the very least, I won’t allow you to harm her.”
Alicia tilted her head, a sharp killing intent radiating from her eyes.
“Remember, this child, I will protect.”
“If you dare harm her, you will be my enemies.”
“Your fate will be like that of the Witch Church a century ago—utterly obliterated in one night.”
“Understood?!”
