Chapter 1022: Answer

Amidst the violent hurricane, Viscount Stratford was like a helpless

leaf that was pitifully thrown about as though he could be torn to

pieces at any moment.

In this state, he couldn't react at all, much less speak. All he could

do was rely on a Disciplinary Paladin's powerful body to barely hold on,

hoping that he wouldn't lose a limb or head inside this terrifying

hurricane.

He originally believed that the hunt had succeeded and that Trissy's

capture was at hand. Furthermore, he was extremely certain that his

target didn't have helpers; hence, all his attention was focused on

Shermane. To his surprise, he suddenly became the prey and fell into a

trap without any prior warning.

Upon realizing that the hurricane was beginning to weaken and that he

had only suffered some damage from the impact and didn't receive any

fatal wounds, Viscount Stratford hurriedly tried to regain control of

his body in preparation for the upcoming battle.

At that moment, he felt a stabbing pain in his head which felt as though

a sharp dagger had been impaled into it before being twisted a few

times.

This feeling was something that Viscount Stratford felt was both

familiar and unfamiliar. This was because, although he had never

experienced it directly before, he had "attempted" it on several targets

to observe their reactions.

This was one of the Beyonder powers he was most proficient with!

Psychic Piercing!

Bang!

Upon being attacked, Viscount Stratford, who had failed to adjust his

physical state, slammed into the ground hard as the bronze cross loudly

fell several meters away.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Xio held Wintry Blade and took a huge stride, dashing

straight for Viscount Stratford who was struggling to get up.

As for Fors, she had already flipped through Leymano's Travels and

flipped it open to a page that resembled a goatskin parchment.

As her fingers slid across the page, Viscount Stratford's shadows, which

had surfaced once again, came to life, condensing into black chains that

wrapped around its target, binding him tightly.

Viscount Stratford, who had just managed to catch his breath and become

alert, still hadn't had the opportunity to choose the target for his

"punishment" and apply certain restrictions when he once again lost his

freedom. Even his mouth was bound by a shadow chain.

Abyss Chains!

It was Abyss Chains from the Sanguine or Moon pathway's Mid-Sequence

Beyonders!

Fors had used it once and was rather fond of this Beyonder power. She

found it very useful, so she had spent gold pounds to get Mr. Moon, who

had become a Viscount, to record it.

Bang!

At this moment, Viscount Stratford suddenly unleashed power that

surpassed his previous strength, tearing the shadow chains apart.

He had chosen the "bindings" restricting him to be the target of

punishment!

But at that moment, Xio had already rushed in front of him like a

high-speed train, thrusting that transparent triangular blade.

Amidst a splotching sound, the Wintry Blade stabbed into the target's

abdomen.

Viscount Stratford's body stiffened once again as his eyes glazed over

as though he had turned into an ice sculpture.

Xio released her hand and allowed Wintry Blade to remain stabbed into

the stomach of the captain of the royal guards, seemingly hoping that

the wraith which might've existed on the weapon would continue

"Possessing" her target and forcibly bring him under control.

Right on the heels of that, she swung her arm and slammed a punch right

below Viscount Stratford's ear.

After two heavy blows, Viscount Stratford fainted without even letting

out a grunt. His stiff body collapsed once again.

After completing this strike, Xio left her back to Fors and immediately

moved past the staggering Viscount Stratford, who had Wintry Blade in

his stomach, and dashed to Sherman who remained sitting on a wooden

crate.

Fors flipped through Leymano's Travels once again, using other Beyonder

powers to add another layer of restrictions onto Viscount Stratford's

body. Then, she walked out of the row of wooden crates she had been

hiding behind and first approached that bronze ancient cross.

The scene she saw made her suspect that it was an item at the demigod

level. In the parlance of official Beyonders, it was a Grade 1 Sealed

Artifact.

And with Viscount Stratford carrying and using it, she believed that the

negative effects of the cross weren't that direct. She could attempt to

pick it up.

Of course, as a former Astrologer, Fors took out the pure crystal ball

as she walked, quickly doing a divination. "There are no problems..."

Fors glanced at the outcome and quickened her pace.

At this moment, Xio had already rushed in front of Sherman. Looking at

this friend who had turned rather beautiful, she was momentarily at a

loss for words.

To her, Sherman's condition was in a terrible state.

This Demoness's hair was floating up with each strand turning thick as

if they were tiny snakes.

On the ends of the "tiny snakes," some had eyes or mouths. They appeared

extremely bizarre and terrifying.

On Sherman's face, a black paint-like mysterious pattern suffused out of

her skin and was rapidly spreading across her body.

Her slightly vacant eyes quickly reflected Xio as she gradually

recovered her spirit and, along with that, also came a little confusion

and pain.

She opened her mouth and stuttered, "Xio... I'm in so much pain..."

Xio's vision instantly blurred.

Although she was still lacking in many of the details regarding the

mysterious world's general knowledge---since the Tarot Club's discussion

was just way over her head, and the information she got from MI9 was

mostly about secret organizations---she still knew quite a bit about

losing control. Among unaffiliated Beyonders, it was something that

couldn't be avoided.

Therefore, Xio knew that Sherman was beginning to lose control. It was

irreversible, and the situation would only worsen.

Sherman seemed to sense her state as she gasped for breath, revealing a

weak smile. She said with difficulty, "Kill me... I've done... too many

unspeakable sins... I've also obtained... what I've wanted..."

Xio's tears dripped down. Without hesitation, she flipped her hand,

drawing her backup weapon---an ordinary revolver. She then placed the

revolver at Sherman's forehead.

Sherman smiled as a mesmerizing charm appeared in her eyes once again.

"Call me... Call me Shermane..."

"Shermane." Xio couldn't help but frown as tears brimmed in her eyes.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

She repeatedly pulled the trigger and fired the bullets inside.

Fresh flowers bloomed at once, red and beautiful.

Fors pursed her lips unknowingly when she saw this.

After two seconds, she let out a long sigh. She bent down and reached

out for the bronze cross.

Just as her fingers touched the item, it felt like she had touched fire.

It was hot and scalding, hot enough to burn the soul.

Fors instinctively retracted her hand, feeling alarmed and puzzled.

She remembered that Viscount Stratford had never acted in such a manner

before.

As her thoughts raced, Fors glanced at Viscount Stratford and kicked the

bronze cross towards the nearby Xio.

"Give it a try.

"Also, we have to leave immediately. The commotion from earlier will

definitely attract the official Beyonders! Also, who knows what the

person who left the 'message' will do!"

Xio, with her reddened-eyes, didn't say a word. She bent down and picked

up the bronze cross. She didn't feel any sense of discomfort the entire

time.

Uh... Fors didn't ask why as she walked to the stiff Viscount

Stratford's body and warily looked around.

After Xio put away the bronze cross, she picked up Shermane's corpse and

returned to Viscount Stratford's side.

"That item is very precious. His status is also very important. We'll

definitely be the targets of the royal family's pursuit efforts. We need

to do some interference..." Fors looked down at Viscount Stratford as

she muttered to herself in thought.

She quickly made a decision. She raised her hands, lowered her head, and

began piously chanting Mr. Fool's honorific name.

She didn't believe that them giving up the bronze cross would stop the

royal family from pursuing them due to being perceived to have lower

priority. Therefore, without any hesitation, she prayed to Mr. Fool for

help.

To her, sacrificing the item to Mr. Fool was better than staying there.

Almost at the same time, she saw a holy angel with twelve pairs of fiery

wings.

A phantom projected out of the angel as it descended from the sky,

wrapping her and Xio in layers of flaming wings.

Once this was over, Fors was just about to say something when she felt

her body quiver. She felt a particular sense of horror and evil permeate

from the void.

Her eyes focused as she didn't hesitate to crouch down, reaching out her

hands and grabbing Xio and Viscount Stratford's calf.

At the same time, the final dark green stone with burn marks on her

bracelet emitted a blue and illusory light.

In the blink of an eye, the bodies of Fors, Xio, Viscount Stratford, and

Shermane turned transparent as they vanished from the spot.

In seconds, they left the docks area and appeared on the outskirts of

St. George Borough.

During this process, Fors had even used her Beyonder power as a Scribe

to "Record" Traveling.

After observing her surroundings and confirming that there was no one

around since they were in the forests, Fors released Xio and Viscount

Stratford and straightened her body.

With the blessings of Mr. Fool's angel, there shouldn't be much danger.

The person who "left the message" won't be able to lock onto us. Fors

heaved a sigh of relief before saying with a lingering sense of fear,

"The person who descended upon us towards the end was definitely a

saint. Thankfully, we quickly escaped..."

Xio gently lowered Shermane's corpse and said in thought, "If the person

who 'left the message' was monitoring Shermane, then she might've

already found out where we live. We can't return there."

"Yes, we need to change our residence," Fors said with great experience.

Then, she cast her gaze at the unconscious Viscount Stratford. "You can

interrogate him now. Make every second count."

As she spoke, she handed Leymano's Travels to Xio and exhorted, "There's

Telepathy on it and it's used with candlelight. Also, start with the

simple and unimportant questions to lower his resistance."

Xio received the spellbook with a solemn expression. However, her wrist

trembled, unable to hold Leymano's Travels. Pa!

The bronze notebook dropped onto the ground as Xio said with a frown,

"It's like fire..."

Fors had the same experience earlier, so after some thought, she said,

Throw that cross away and try again."

Xio followed her suggestion and successfully picked up Leymano's

Travels.

"It cannot be held with other mystical items..." Fors said with a nod

when she saw this.

Xio didn't harp on this problem as she quickly prepared a lit candle.

Then, she drew Wintry Blade and relieved Viscount Stratford from his

stiff and dazed state.

After the captain of the royal guards gradually awakened, she triggered

the corresponding page in the notebook. Viscount Stratford instantly

fell into confusion, and only the faint candlelight remained in his

eyes.

"Why did Shermane try to approach you?" Xio asked the question she had

just thought of.

Viscount Stratford replied blankly, "She was investigating who I'm loyal

to."

Xio was taken aback as she instinctively asked, "Who are you really

loyal to?"

Viscount Stratford slowly said, "His Majesty, of course."