Chapter 56: Kürst...?

What exactly... happened?
The exiles before my eyes no longer resemble the images in my memory. Their state of existence has been thoroughly distorted.
They were surrounded by a dense and overwhelming storm of black flames that covered the sky, sweeping through the sea of corpses and creating wave after wave of bloody frenzied shadows. Wherever they went, there were bodies scattered everywhere, and the landscape was filled with devastation and wounds.
Even ordinary houses and architectural sculptures were not spared. Those hard sandstones and crystals were as fragile as a piece of parchment in front of the deadly blades unleashed by the "Black Swords," easily crushed and severed.
The reanimated corpse group that has been troubling Jie Shi Ka for so long, and has already broken through the Holy Shield, was instantly resolved by this overwhelming bloody offensive launched by the exiles.
No... are they really still refugees? Their condition, their appearance, their dancing figures in the shadows, and the freezing cold aura emanating from their bodies—
The eyes can no longer keep up with their speed. Even if awakened individuals are provoked with rage and recklessly charge towards them, the next second they will instantly move to another safe place, and the razor-sharp, pitch-black dagger will follow, slicing the person's throat.
This is not over yet. The revival that the awakened ones take pride in has also been easily restrained by these three thieves. Before they rise again by absorbing the power of the undead, with extremely precise surgical craftsmanship, they will once again brutally dismember those already incomplete bodies.
It appears to be behavior programmed by a machine, as only a machine could have such fast reaction speed and precise action planning. They are dancers who have perfected the art of slaughter and possibly the most powerful slaughter machines on this continent.
The awakened ones shattered like rice fields, piece by piece. Poisonous blood splattered everywhere, gradually turning the road leading to the uphill town into a sea of blood. Although there were still many awakened ones howling and enticing more human corpses to join the battlefield, the speed at which they replenished their forces was far from being able to match the scale of consumption. Translated content:
Jay will never forget the scene where dark clouds carried the black blades of death. Within this ruin and shadow, hundreds of mini black flame tornadoes swept through the battlefield, cutting it like a crescent moon.
That was a one-sided massacre, a hopeless battle for the undead, the ultimate judgment.
The awakened crowd, numbering in the tens of thousands, nearly turned this highway into a slaughterhouse.
Don't even talk about three, even if it's thirty or three hundred or three thousand exiles throwing away all their hidden weapons, it still wouldn't be enough to achieve such a scale, right?
"You woke up...young man."
The young man behind has already awakened, and Michel has finished singing. Jekyll noticed that a page of the Book of Rael was burned again.
"It seems that all of this is your doing. What did you go through - to create them?"
“......”
The young boy slowly stood up, silently putting away the ancient books.
"He disappeared. Everything about him—everything about emptiness, everything about shadows."
"Who?"
"Black Blade, Black Hags. The God of the Night, revered by thieves as the Eternal. I thought his blessing would be like that of King Harvala, granting me the power to overcome difficulties or perhaps a precious sacred item. But what I didn't expect was that he had no intention of benefiting me in any way."
The young boy murmured, looking at the blurry figures of the three individuals.
"He used me as a conduit to transmit the power of darkness to his followers, Gil, Deltel, and Colin Munch. Helping me might have been only one aspect, but his greater purpose was to rebuild a system of beliefs in the human realm, establishing control and resisting the blasphemous forces of the Renegade."
“所以——他们三个，已经不是原来的自己了吧。”
“没错。那是神的造物，那是神将自己的意志联结在人类身躯之上所诞生的信徒。流亡者对黑格斯的崇拜恰好也加强了这份灌输的联结蕴含的力量，他们便也能短暂企及神的领域，熟练运用那把神器的复制了。”
"Artifact. Black sword, the Divine Slayer Dagger. It was with this that Hecarim conquered countless divine guardians and tread upon the Black Night Sanctum, establishing his own dynasty. And as the herald of his rule, the singer of his will, naturally, I have the right to wield the power of this lineage. But if this is just a mere copy, its original strength is unimaginable, perhaps even surpassing the arrogance of Netease. In any case, we are not qualified to strive for such a thing."
“From what you're saying, it seems like this Hecatus is an evil god," J-style Car sighed softly, brushing off the divine shield of the Holy Light. "Gaining his favor is no easy task, so we should definitely be prepared. It's already a great achievement to have the chance to meet him with the help of Rael's power... Don't worry about those emotions that bring you down."
It's a disappointment indeed. If they have become puppets and slaves to the gods, their consciousness may have already dissipated. Is it really worth it to destroy everything for the sake of worshiping and believing in a god, appearing noble but ultimately irresponsible in sacrificing oneself? If they hadn't completely abandoned their doubts about Hagrid, couldn't they have maintained their clarity and independence?
“If they have no intention of seeking the power of the Harkness, perhaps we would have already fragmented and turned into zombies like the Awakened. Dealing with these monsters who multiply with each kill would require great effort, even if King Harvala himself were to arrive. What they fear is not the light, but the even deeper aura of death than theirs."
The smell of blood in the air was so strong that it made one nauseous. The young boy took a deep breath but ended up dry heaving.
"Ugh, it's really disgusting... The undead are truly the most repulsive creatures in this world. It's already a hassle to kill them, but even after death, they continue spreading plague and bloodshed. It's really concerning, if the awakened ones we encounter at the beginning of our adventure already have such a strong resistance to the Holy Light, then how much chance do we actually have against Jexicus? Shadow and death... do we really have to rely on those things? I really don't know what Hargus' intentions are..."
No one can say for sure. In this grueling battle, I have truly experienced my own weakness and insignificance. I used to believe that the legendary relic of Neta's Pride could purify all evil and darkness. I was just thinking too much.
Jay gently strokes the gold texture of the cross, placing it back on his body.
@ "This battle no longer needs it, nor does it need me. The reapers who have committed slaughter are enough to deal with any remaining awakeners. As for what you said about Hakes, and his followers, I do not know how to analyze them for you. Just like me, who remains ignorant, I cannot fathom the desires of that god. He represents emptiness, coldness, silence, darkness – do you really think you can control any of his thoughts?"
"And ----"
"There's no need to figure out the adult's thoughts. Rui... no, young man."
A completely different black figure, emerging from a realm of nothingness, came into view. Translated content: "
He is Colin Manci. The face under the hood remains calm, but does not contain any emotional fluctuations. You cannot feel his thought process, nor can you feel any wandering body temperature. His eyes and expression are hidden in the abyss of darkness, and what you see is only a glimpse of the truth he wants you to see.
And his hesitation also represents something?
"Manci---"
"To be precise, that is not my name. My real name is Isa Delea Gu. The leader of Kurst, the president of the Wood Federation Parliament. However, in this era, it seems that there is no longer a Federation Parliament."
He shook his head gently. At this moment, he had put away the "Black Blade", and the terrifying black flames no longer ignited.
But this didn't make people feel at ease.
"So that's how it is. Mr. Delaguo... your two compatriots who are still fighting - they are also the two leaders of Külste, right?"
Yes, Master Headhunter. As for their names, I will discuss them with you after dealing with the remaining livestock. However, before that, I have an impolite request to make, if I may.
"What...? A request? You really shocked me there. Mr. Ago, just say it straight- whatever orders Mr. Higgs gives, I will follow them."
The young boy had a bad premonition, which made his hair stand on end and his limbs tremble. Facing Hagrid did not make him feel scared, but for some reason, it was his subordinates that made him feel alarmed and terrified.
I hope it's not too unreasonable of a request.
"I request that you allow me to investigate something of yours."
"What thing?"
"Your shadow. The shadow that emerges under the blood-red light. It hides many things that I need to understand."
He smiled faintly, then raised his black robe slightly, and his old hand pointed at the young man's feet.
"It is about our past and our future."
"Kurst...?!"
The vulture was attracted by the smell of blood and let out an excited scream.
He maintained his poker face.