Bear School Astartes

Chapter 894 - 876: The Subjugation of the Abyssal Depths

"Get down here!"

Before Lann could figure out what was happening, Leonard, who was watching the events from the outer circle, seemed to panic.

He banged on the heavy armor of the Winged Knights and squeezed inside, then pulled Lann down from the bed.

Lann didn’t feel any danger, so he followed Leonard’s lead and got off the bed.

It was then he realized where he had been lying.

He touched the back of his head but made no comment.

The Goddess seemed more spirited than when she was lost in her world of sorrow.

"It seems you are fine. Here is your sword."

A Winged Knight handed Lann his [Muddy Stream·Destruction] with both hands.

In truth, even for a Winged Knight’s build, the size of this greatsword was exaggerated.

Lann nodded in thanks, then seemed to notice something, and studied him carefully.

"This voice... you are that night’s..."

"It’s me." The Winged Knight’s wings fluttered, as if showing off to Lann. "See, I told you. I would become an Angel."

"Then congratulations."

Lann patted the Winged Knight’s shoulder armor, causing a clang of metal plates.

This Winged Knight was the Maggot Man who spoke to Lann the night he joined the convoy.

Now he had fulfilled his wish and become an Angel Warrior with wings.

Among the three knights, he was the only one wielding a mighty, formidable giant halberd, and when Elderidge slapped him to the other side of the cathedral, he appeared unharmed, looking quite fierce.

After exchanging pleasantries, the Winged Knight suddenly turned his head towards the direction of the Rosalie Goddess, as if awaiting instructions.

"The Goddess has something to say to you."

His tone became solemn as he spoke to Lann.

"Please pay your respects to the Goddess. I will relay the message."

"Really?"

Lann looked confused as he glanced between the Winged Knight and Rosalie on the bed.

He eventually set down his [Muddy Stream·Destruction] and knelt before the bed, raising his right hand.

This was the posture he had seen other believers and Leonard use when meeting the Goddess.

The Winged Knight stood beside him, acting as the intermediary, conveying information between the divine and the human.

But seeing Rosalie’s lips open instinctively beneath her black veil, it was evident she still preferred to speak directly to those in front of her.

Except now she had no tongue, unable to speak.

"You have been infected by the Abyss."

The Winged Knight’s gruff voice immediately made Leonard, who was listening on the side, grip the hilt of his Crescent Curved Sword nervously.

Seeing this, Rong Buqiu bared his teeth while standing on the Qilin’s back.

But Lann, the Winged Knight, and the Goddess herself all remained very calm.

Just as expected.

Lann thought to himself.

One reason for his slight disorientation since waking up was feeling his [Spiritual Vision].

Its functionality was perfectly fine, even more enhanced than before.

Peering into Elderidge’s essence had truly advanced it.

With the current level of [Spiritual Vision], compared to the past, he estimated that on the New Continent, a first encounter with an Ancient Dragon would allow him to instantly locate the dragon orbs within them.

Unlike his past struggle with the Extinct Dragon, where he had to engage in numerous exchanges and observe various wounds to understand the internal energy pathways.

However, alongside the enhancement of [Spiritual Vision], Lann also noticed a certain dark and profound presence lurking deeper in his vision.

That should be the knowledge of the Abyss, chasing after the enhancement of his vision.

The Winged Knight continued.

"The Goddess is surprised; you seem different from ordinary humans, even the Divine Race. The Abyss’s erosion on you is far from strong."

"Therefore, the Goddess could use [Sunshine Moisturizing] to suppress those shadows."

[Sunshine Moisturizing]... Is that the name of the earlier [Great Miracle]?

Far beyond any book’s description of recovery-type [Miracles]... What kind of magnificent, or perhaps gentle and loving, story could it be?

Lann’s thoughts didn’t affect the Winged Knight’s relay.

"The power of the Abyss is supposed to cling to all who are infected, or even those who come into contact or hear of it."

"It is the darkness that cannot be burned by fire. Fire can only burn [fuel] and suppress shadows born of burning, but cannot eliminate shadows. Thus, within Elderidge, only that darkness remains as it was in its prime."

"If you wish to completely eradicate the darkness in your eyes, go and defeat Elderidge."

"Now, the terrifying era prophesied by him—the Deep Sea Era—is far off. The darkness is neither ’Deep Sea’ nor even ’Abyss’, but merely ’Abyssal’. "

"So as long as you defeat Elderidge, you will remain unaffected."

Lann kept his head down, conducting a series of intel summaries and logical analyses with Mentos in his mind.

’Abyssal’ is not the name of a specific power, but the name of a power in its infancy stage.

If the situation worsens, the fire dims, and the darkness expands and accumulates, then ’Abyssal’ will become ’Abyss’, and eventually enter the ’Deep Sea Era’ prophesied by Elderidge.

Ultimately... it’s still the [flame] that can curb the darkness.

Truly in line with the world’s creation manner.

In conclusion, to rid himself of the darkness lurking in the depths of his [Spiritual Vision], he must thoroughly eliminate Elderidge.

Damn, the [Lords of Cinder] truly are the linchpins of the world. Just one glance at that essence, and he was completely tangled with it.

Lann secretly pursed his lips.

But when he lifted his head, he brushed aside the silver hair that had fallen down his forehead, and looked at the goddess who sat slumped on the bed.

"Thank you for informing me, I now at least have a clear goal. But why..."

Lann’s gaze was somewhat puzzled.

Rosalie was already too deeply immersed in her own sorrow. Earlier, Elderidge almost devoured her, yet she remained indifferent.

Why did she speak to me so much today?

The Winged Knight beside him remained silent. Lann turned to look, finding this fellow who had once talked so freely with him now scratching his helmet, seemingly oblivious.

So Lann simply tried a test, pinching a hand seal towards Rosalie.

Variation [Yakxi Rune]—Two-way communication.

Rosalie’s head, which had been hanging low, slightly lifted, as if she felt this mental connection.

"You make me... somewhat nostalgic."

Just like that visage beneath the black veil, a gentle and amiable female voice, made its way into Lann’s heart.

Then came some mental memory images.

On that overwhelmingly grand and vast battlefield, in the era when Divine Beings were still numerous.

Lann saw two incredibly powerful warriors!

They appeared to be father and son, tall, robust, dignified, and both had heads of white hair.

The father wore a towering crown, and on his muscular, knotted arm gathered a radiant spear made of golden lightning.

The son held a gigantic golden sword and lance, also gathering golden lightning.

Although these memories were just static images, the unparalleled strength of these two men and their respective perseverance and will seemed to burst forth through their hair and pores!

Enough even to make observers tremble all over!

"The way you wield lightning... the way you protect me... all make me feel nostalgic."

The gentle voice continued.

"So much time has passed... I’m grateful that you let me recall those distant times. In these harsh days, memories are especially precious."

The goddess on the bed silently bowed to the Demon Hunter in front of her.

This was Rosalie’s gratitude.

Others did not know what they talked about, just inexplicably watched as neither Lann nor the goddess spoke.

It wasn’t hard to communicate with the goddess, or even to let the goddess who lost her tongue make meaningful sounds through magic or miracles.

It’s just that the goddess had previously always refused to communicate.

"You are a noble knight, Lann. Standing against the darkness to protect certain things, there’s nothing more righteous than that behavior."

The goddess continued speaking.

"But the apocalypse is unforeseen and has arrived..."

"You should go, Lann. To solve your problem, the darkness those eyes have glimpsed. So even if the abyss runs rampant in the future, your uniqueness can let you last a while longer."

"I bless you, knight."

Saying this in her heart, Rosalie’s hand also extended from under the long black veil, lightly touching Lann’s uplifted right hand.

Just a touch, and then withdrawn.

The Demon Hunter looked up suddenly.

But on that bed, the goddess had already reverted to her original state, seemingly unwilling to engage in any communication with anyone.

"The audience ends here, Rosalie is tired."

The Winged Knight raised his hand in front of the bed, indicating not to disturb the goddess anymore.

Lann didn’t insist either.

Just kept watching the goddess who lowered her head again, slowly stood up, and exited the quarters.

Only three Winged Knights remained in the room with the goddess, and the huge door was closed again.

Lann moved his gaze away from the door and carried Rong Buqiu down from Qilin’s back, rubbing its helmet.

"Thanks, Rong Buqiu. You were quite fierce just now!"

Although Lann did not think Leonard would really unsheathe his sword, he was still grateful that Rong Buqiu bared its teeth at Leonard to protect him.

"It’s my duty, meow! I’m a Companion Cat!"

Rong Buqiu awkwardly adjusted its helmet.

After settling it and Qilin aside, Lann then walked over to Leonard.

This Goddess Knight still stood right next to the closed big door frame, leaning against it with arms crossed.

Seeing Lann approach, he spoke first beneath his silver mask.

"What did you and Rosalie say in the end?"

"At least we’ve fought alongside each other just now." Lann didn’t answer immediately but spread his hands, "Can’t you speak more politely? Sounds like an interrogation."

"If you also want to communicate with the goddess, I can think of a way for you."

"Ha." Leonard laughed indifferently.

"If I truly wanted to talk to the goddess, there are plenty of ways. I just don’t want the goddess to suffer any more harm."

"Thus, one must be more prepared."

"Even against me?"

Lann opened his arms, indicating he was completely harmless.

And Leonard retorted: "Especially against you!"

"To evoke others’ precious memories in this doomed world... heh, I can’t think of anything more cruel."