Chapter 1021: Cross

Xio hesitated when she heard Fors's question.

"We were discovered..."

They had said something similar before, but they were repeating it again

now. However, it didn't have the same meaning. Previously, it was

referring to being discovered by the guardian or monitor when she

recognized Sherman. Now, the crux of the matter was that their choice

and corresponding actions were expected and arranged by the person

behind the scenes. They had no secrets to speak of.

This meant that the chance that Xio had been longing for might've really

appeared, but what lay behind this matter was inconceivable.

"If we follow the intention behind this 'message.' The final outcome

will depend on whether she has good intentions, but that's not something

under our control," Xio added from a rational angle.

The reason why she had used "she" to represent the person behind the

scenes was because she had recalled the fragrance she smelled when she

lost Sherman the other time.

Fors listened quietly and nodded in agreement.

Yes, we're too passive in this matter. The best option is to leave this

place..."

As soon as she finished speaking, she looked at the warehouse. She

opened her mouth but didn't say anything further.

She was reminded of the possible situation Sherman was in, and she

suspected that "he" was in grave danger. However, she deliberately

ignored it in the end and didn't mention it.

To her, Sherman was a person who existed in Xio's descriptions. He was

no different from a character in a novel. If she had the strength and

opportunity to save him in passing, she was willing to do so, but to

bear the risk because of that and allow her friend to be rash, putting

her life in danger was definitely not something within her

considerations.

Xio nodded and said, "Alright, we'll leave now.

"However, the person who left that 'comment' definitely wouldn't be

happy to see us do so. She will definitely hinder us.

"Uh, let's do it this way. We'll escape in different directions and make

that person choose one person. Whoever successfully leaves this area

will immediately cause a commotion and attract the official Beyonders."

"Why don't we directly cause a commotion here?" Fors subconsciously

raised a question.

"It will definitely be stopped or foiled!" Xio gave her excuse.

Fors nodded thoughtfully.

"Makes sense.

"Alright, let's not delay it any further. Let's begin."

Xio didn't say another word as she took out her transparent, nearly

invisible triangular blade. With her back bent, she leaped out of her

hiding spot and ran out of the harbor amidst the shadows.

The triangular blade was a mystical item she had spent 500 pounds

through Ma'am Hermit to get the Artisan to forge with the ancient

wraith's powder and remnant spirituality. It was called Wintry Blade.

Anyone hit by this weapon---even if it were a gentle touch---would be

frozen stiff. They would even lose control of their thoughts as though

they were possessed by a wraith. At the same time, once the battle

continued, Wintry Blade's enemies would gradually have their thoughts

turn sluggish and their actions become rigid and dull, even if they

didn't touch the triangular blade.

And Wintry Blade's negative effects wasn't that terrifying. Furthermore,

there was only one---the wielder would slowly lose their body

temperature and transform into an undead. Once a certain time limit was

exceeded, this process would become irreversible.

Therefore, Xio had recently enjoyed jogging more or riding a bicycle at

lightning speeds to generate heat to resist the loss of temperature.

But even so, she had only managed to extend the time it took before she

kept Wintry Blade away from her body from three hours to four hours.

After running a certain distance, Xio turned back and realized that Fors

had already passed through a wall and departed. She had vanished from

where they were hiding.

After staring for two seconds, Xio bit her lip and suddenly turned

around and changed direction.

She headed straight for the warehouse!

Soon, she arrived beside her destination, but she wasn't in a rush to

enter. She looked up and observed the area above her, seemingly trying

to find another passageway, one that was less noticeable to the people

inside.

At that moment, her keen senses made her turn her head and see a figure

appear around the corner of the wall.

The figure wore a black dress with a head of brown, curly hair. She had

a pair of light blue eyes. It was none other than Fors Wall.

Didn't you leave?" Despite being surprised, Xio didn't forget to lower

her voice.

Fors curled her lips and said, "Weren't you fleeing too?"

Xio was momentarily at a loss for words. After a few seconds, she asked,

"How did you notice it?"

You didn't even mention Sherman. That's completely unlike you! I've

already prepared a reason to persuade you!" Fors quickly replied.

Xio was taken aback as she said with a complicated expression, "You

didn't have to come back."

Fors ignored her and pressed on the wall of the warehouse and said, "If

we keep talking, perhaps we will no longer need to be stumped because it

would already be over.

"Man, I actually didn't think of such a good idea just now. I should've

immediately insisted on going with you to save her. You definitely

would've persuaded me otherwise and would think of doing it yourself. If

we repeated the conversation a few times, everything would've ended on

its own."

Xio gave her friend a look and, without any hesitation, stood by her

side with Wintry Blade in hand.

Fors immediately flipped Leymano's Travels and augmented her friend with

Beyonder powers. Then, she put away the spellbook and grabbed Xio's

shoulder with one hand, pressing the other on the wall again.

While Xio was waiting for Door Opening, she realized that Fors hadn't

immediately used her powers.

This best-selling author took a deep breath and quickly said, "After

entering, we'll hide and observe. After confirming that there's a chance

to do something, we'll take action.

"If there's really no chance, or if we can't seize an opportunity for

sure, we'll leave as soon as possible. That way, we can at least avenge

Sherman and not be buried alive with him!

"Only by being alive will all kinds of possibilities open up for us..."

Xio immediately nodded and replied in a stern manner, "Okay."

Fors wanted to say a few more words, but considering how she had wasted

some time and couldn't afford to waste any more time, she "opened" the

illusory door and passed through the wall with Xio, coming behind a row

of wooden crates.

With her no longer being a greenhorn in such operations, she

instinctively crouched down and pulled out Leymano's Travels and flipped

to a particular page.

Xio similarly didn't dash in. She bent down and moved her eyes to a gap

between the crates and observed the empty region.

The female-looking Sherman was sitting on a wooden crate without any

signs of anger. Her brown hair was gently fluttering in the wind.

And standing in front of her was Viscount Stratford. This captain of the

royal guards tightened his collar and was surveying the area, a mystery

as to what he was looking for.

"Unfortunately, you're only a Demoness."

"Don't worry. I will let you die without any pain. You will be

completely purified."

As he spoke, he took out an item from his inner pocket.

Xio used her enhanced vision from the Interrogator potion, and she

clearly identified the item.

It was a cross accessory covered in bronze. There were a few sharp,

jagged protrusions, looking as though it had once impaled someone.

Its style and characteristics were things that the various nations in

the Fifth Epoch's Northern Continent didn't possess. It exuded ancient

vibes.

Very good. You know that resistance is futile," Viscount Stratford said

as he pressed one of the fingers he used to hold the bronze cross onto

the spike.

His bright red blood immediately flowed out and was absorbed by the

spike, seeping into the object.

The mottled bronze on the cross's surface disintegrated, revealing a

corporeal form beneath that was a blob of light.

In just a second or two, the item Viscount Stratford held had turned

into a resplendent cross!

It emitted a pure and flawless glow, illuminating the surroundings in an

abnormally bright manner.

The wooden crate's shadows quickly receded as the dark splotches on the

wall evaporated like water.

Beside Shermane, the countless spider webs that originally belonged to

Trissy floated up and struggled in the fire, melting in just mere

seconds.

The light grew brighter, but they weren't blinding. Black flames burst

out of Shermane's body along with crystalline ice. They turned dim,

transparent, and eventually vanished under the illumination.

Within the range of the resplendent cross, there weren't any traces of

evil or abnormalities present. Not one inch of darkness remained!

Seeing Sherman's expression slowly distort, Xio couldn't help but shoot

Fors a glance.

She could clearly sense the terror of the resplendent cross, and she was

beginning to waver about saving her.

Fors also noticed what was happening and pointed to Leymano's Travels.

She raised her left index finger and whispered into Xio's ear, "There's

only one chance.

"I will work hard to create it for you. If it's not successful, or if

you can't be certain of it, we will give up."

Xio didn't hesitate as she nodded solemnly.

Fors immediately straightened her body and flipped Leymano's Travels to

the charred-yellow page.

This page was filled with complicated, twisted, indescribable symbols

and labels. It gave one the feeling of a strong gust of wind.

Sailor pathway's demigod power---Hurricane!

After observing her surroundings once again and confirming that there

weren't any other enemies, Fors's gaze penetrated through the gap in

between the wooden crates and locked onto Viscount Stratford. She then

slid her finger gently across the charred-yellow page.

With an exploding whoosh, a visible hurricane soared up beneath Viscount

Stratford's feet and rushed upwards.

The captain of the royal guards wasn't able to maintain his balance from

this sudden attack. He was lifted up by the hurricane and was slammed

into the warehouse's ceiling.

Boom!

The warehouse's ceiling was torn apart by the hurricane as portions of

it collapsed. Some of the fragments spun around amidst the wind as they

flew higher and higher.

Viscount Stratford nearly fainted from being slammed, and he failed to

hold onto the resplendent cross, allowing it to fly out of his palm.

When the spike with a sliver of his blood left his finger, the mottled

bronze covered the cross's surface once more.

The flawless light vanished in turn.

Upon seeing this, Xio didn't hesitate to rush out of her hiding spot.

Her eyes first reflected Viscount Stratford's figure before two blinding

bolts of lightning lit up.

Psychic Piercing!