novelraw Chapter 146 - 144: The Purity Has Been Greatly Reduced
Chapter 146 - 144: The Purity Has Been Greatly Reduced
"Not at all."
Westheid clipped Shadow-Born back to his waist and said with open hands,
"I’m simply considering a worst-case scenario. It doesn’t mean it will actually happen. Perhaps after we Purity People are completely wiped out, the Pure Holy Spirit will merely degenerate into an ordinary [Dirt World Desolate God]—or maybe even something far weaker than a Desolate God, with a negligible impact on the Ring of Clear Skies."
Hecate finally understood.
’Westheid’s meaning, to put it bluntly, is that if one of us falls, the other is exposed!’
’If we Purity People are finished, the entire Borderland will suffer the consequences!’
Miss Witch wanted to refuse with a cold laugh, but reality forced her into a long silence. She then said faintly,
"You’re blackmailing us..."
Westheid was right. The Ring of Clear Skies couldn’t gamble on any possibility that might create a Source God, because every single Chaos Source God was capable of unleashing an earth-shattering catastrophe.
The Realm of Order had the Divine Ancestor’s protection, so its core regions had nothing to fear. As long as the Celestial Gods took action, suppressing a Chaos Source God was a simple matter. Such was the luxury of the Realm of Order.
In the Imperial Center, people had lived in peace for so long under the Divine Ancestor’s protection that they had long forgotten what the threat of Chaos even was.
But in the Borderland, everything would be utterly destroyed. There was no room for chance.
"’Blackmail’ is such an ugly word. I’m merely clarifying the basis for our cooperation," Westheid said with a shrug.
The red-haired Witch mulled it over for a moment before saying:
"You have a point. We can’t afford to take that gamble; we cannot allow for the possibility of a Chaos Source God being born in the Borderland, no matter how small the probability or how long it might take. But the question is... why must we ally with *you*?"
The corners of Hecate’s lips curled up as she gave Westheid a sarcastic smile.
"If both parties in an alliance don’t bring value to each other, and one is just taking from the other, then there’s no need to cooperate. The Ring of Clear Skies can just as easily handle this matter itself, without needing to do it through Duke Qinghui."
’Trying to freeload? Not a chance!’
"Miss Hecate, you are absolutely right."
However, to the red-haired Witch’s surprise, Westheid actually nodded in frank agreement and said:
"If one side is merely begging the other, it certainly can’t be called an alliance. Therefore, we will demonstrate our value... How about we start by liberating Purity Forest? If we can accomplish that on our own, I imagine it should be enough to prove our strength."
Hecate’s beautiful eyes widened slightly. "You... you plan to retake Purity Forest by yourselves?"
’Wait, after all that talk, wasn’t your whole point to freeload off the Ring of Clear Skies’s military strength to help you reclaim your homeland?’
Westheid, a smile playing on his lips, said:
"That’s right. Did you think we’d just stand still and hesitate without the Witches’ aid? Besides, even retaking Purity Forest is just the beginning."
The dazzlingly handsome young man spread his arms and declared magnanimously:
"Chaos has devoured more than just the homeland of the Purity People; it has also taken the homes of other displaced souls. Merely holding back the tide isn’t enough for me. My goal is to press into the Land of Chaos and let those forgotten lands bathe in the sun once more!"
Hearing this, Hecate’s bewitching, alluring eyes widened instantly. She scrutinized Westheid as if seeing him for the first time and murmured:
"Bathe in the sun... once more?"
Westheid had said this deliberately, as he knew the red-haired Witch before him was one of those whose homeland had been destroyed by Chaos.
Hecate’s immense hostility toward Chaos stemmed from the deep-seated hatred of her home’s destruction and her people’s annihilation.
"What, does the Ring of Clear Skies not share this intention? You risk universal condemnation, hiding in the Borderland to study the knowledge of Demons. Is all of that just for self-preservation?" Westheid asked, goading her.
"...As of now, we don’t have such plans. But one day, the Ring of Clear Skies will counterattack against Chaos," Hecate said coldly, but inwardly, Miss Witch was deeply moved.
Everything Westheid said was as if he had pulled her own secret thoughts out into the open. Even her sister Witches in the Ring of Clear Skies didn’t know the ideas Hecate kept hidden deep in her heart.
Duke Qinghui raised his head slightly, and the warm breath he exhaled seemed to brush against the Witch’s delicate nose, causing her alluring eyes to flicker.
"Then there’s no problem. Whether we ally or not, what needs to be done won’t change, and we will both be providing aid to the other. In that case, working hand in hand shouldn’t be so difficult, should it?"
Hecate said flatly, "If you can truly prove you have the strength to be a partner, then as for the alliance... I will do my best to make it happen. However, I remain pessimistic. I don’t believe you can do it."
"Duke Qinghui, do you know... who is currently entrenched in Purity Forest, commanding the Chaos Demons?"
Westheid said, "You might laugh, but when Qinghui Territory fell, we were routed at the first touch. We don’t even know who commanded the Chaos Tide."
Hecate recalled for a moment, then said:
"In my homeland, he was usually called the [Devourer]. A [Dirt World Desolate God] who has existed for over a hundred years and has led Chaos to destroy countless settlements."
An unprecedented hatred surfaced on Miss Witch’s cold, exquisite face. She clenched her teeth and said:
"That vile and vicious monster! He’s nothing like a Chaos Demon. Even among the intelligent [Dirt World Desolate Gods], he’s the most cunning of beasts!"
"Oh ho, a [Dirt World Desolate God], eh...?"
Westheid stroked his chin and said thoughtfully,
"Facing a Desolate God might be a bit tricky, but it’s fine. I’ll win."
The [Chaos Hundred Forms] cannot be accurately categorized using the Extraordinary Tiers of the Mortal World; the two systems are completely different. However, as Chaos Creatures second only to the [Chaos Source God], a [Dirt World Desolate God] is roughly around the Legendary Tier... they could be weaker, or they could exceed it. The variation is enormous.
However, judging by Hecate’s words, this Devourer seemed to be quite intelligent, which meant he couldn’t be a truly powerful Desolate God.
Truly powerful Chaos Demons only carry out their mission to "return to the origin" through pure instinct. A Chaos Demon tainted by the "poison of Order" has had its purity greatly diminished!
"...I truly hope you understand what you’re saying, Duke Qinghui. Or do you have some ace up your sleeve?"
Hecate was astonished by Westheid’s incredible confidence. Thinking rationally, she judged that it was highly unlikely for the current Purity People to defeat a Desolate God. And yet, some of the rumors she’d heard indicated that this Duke Qinghui had a history of creating miracles.
’Maybe... I can trust him a little?’
"If you could determine victory or defeat just by theorizing before a battle, then many fights would never need to be fought at all. This isn’t a question of whether we can, but whether we must," Westheid said solemnly, his eyes slightly lowered.
"Since he is entrenched in my homeland, I must face him and defeat him. I would rather be buried in my native soil than live as one who has lost their home."
Meeting the man’s earnest, violet-blue eyes, Hecate felt as if she were being scorched by his determination and passion, and she couldn’t help but look away.
She pulled her hood back on, concealing her astonishing beauty.
"Since you’ve put it that way, then I shall... look forward to it."
Having reached a consensus, Hecate had no intention of staying any longer. After bidding Westheid farewell, she turned to leave.
Westheid took the initiative to see the red-haired Witch off. The lovely apprentice trailing behind the Witch came up to the man and said softly:
"Duke Qinghui... please succeed. I still have many subjects I wish to consult with you about."
As soon as Liliana finished speaking, a blush seemed to creep across her pure, impassive face. She lowered her head and immediately ran off.
Leaving the town on the Ying Riverbank, the red-haired Witch and her apprentice boarded the same floating airship they had arrived in.
Liliana looked at the Witch, who had been silent for a long time, and tilted her head.
"Teacher..."
Hecate sighed. "As expected of one with the True Blood of the Pure Holy Spirit. His charm is terrifying."
"Liliana, I don’t blame you anymore. Not only are you inexperienced with the world, but your Tier is also too low to resist the influence of the Holy Spirit Bloodline. How could you possibly have escaped that man’s clutches?"
"After spending just a short time with him, even I couldn’t help but change my opinion of him and feel a sense of delight."
Liliana asked, "Teacher, do you like Duke Qinghui too?"
The lovely Witch Apprentice very much hoped her teacher would develop an intimate relationship with Westheid, because then Hecate wouldn’t stop her from going to "study her subjects" with him.
Hecate’s pretty face immediately turned cold. She clenched her fist and said:
"Hmph. Duke Qinghui certainly possesses an incredible charm, but his Talent isn’t as effective against those of a higher Tier. I was merely pleased by his sweet talk, nothing more."
"The only one who could make me fall in love would have to be a great Hero capable of slaughtering Chaos."
"A Hero... who can slay a Desolate God and take back my homeland."