novelraw Chapter 1179: 491: Black Sands
Chapter 1179: 491: Black Sands
Capítulo 1179: Chapter 491: Black Sands
The fifth layer of the Land of Starlessness, the secret sanctuary of the Divine Basin Church.
Surrounded by numerous believers of the Divine Basin, the Shield Woman slowly drew the short sword from her waist with her left hand, the light sound of metal friction distinctly clear in the silent space. At the same time, an ornate shield with intertwined patterns took form in her right hand.
However, even in her home turf, her expression was not one of excitement but carried an undeniable touch of bitterness.
The Legendary Shield Knight with orange hair lightly pressed her lips together, took her stance, hiding her complex gaze behind the heavy shield.
She neither let out a soul-shaking roar, nor uttered a rallying call to unite hearts, but silently released an presence as undeniable as a mountain.
Opposite her, the Mute Girl, who was merely a Second-Turned Nun, also raised her clenched fists. Beneath the modified, movement-friendly short nun’s clothes, her slender legs were positioned front and back.
The Mute Girl’s breathing was long and restrained, her demeanor calm, like a battle-hardened Martial Monk. Her posture even drew a hint of surprise from the watching believers.
But even in the heart of enemy ranks, her face showed neither tension nor battle intent, let alone killing intent, as if she were an outsider merely smiling faintly at her opponent.
From afar, the Catcher observed this disjointed scene, letting out a barely audible sigh.
His expression showed not the slightest concern for the Mute Girl, instead, his gaze fell on the Shield Woman, his eyes mixed with a touch of pity.
‘Big Sister really has a wicked sense of humor…’
The Catcher genuinely didn’t think the Mute Girl could win.
After all, no matter how mysterious a medical professional might be, she couldn’t possibly defeat a Legendary Knight barehanded.
Even if she received several dungeon blessings, this chasm-like gap couldn’t be easily bridged.
If it were a direct confrontation, victory and defeat would likely be decided within one round.
Of course, the one to lose would be Big Sister.
But the issue wasn’t about victory or defeat.
To the keen-eyed, it was clear that the one isolated wasn’t the Mute Girl but the Shield Woman.
Once the Mute Girl publicly displayed a miracle and the Shield Woman did not intervene but tacitly accepted it, the duel already lost its significance.
No matter who ultimately won or lost, the people of the Divine Basin Church couldn’t possibly allow the Shield Woman to strike the Mute Girl. Let alone seriously harm her, even the initial plan to erase her memory was impossible.
Initially, the Catcher was wary of the zeal of these cultists, but now that faith had become Big Sister’s weapon, instead aiming against the Shield Woman, who should have been an ally.
If this newly minted Noble Lady was wise, she should lay down her arms now, lower her head, and acknowledge the Mute Girl’s status as “Divine Envoy.”
At least it would prevent her from being attacked by the other believers.
But doing so would inevitably turn the Divine Basin Church completely into a tool for Big Sister.
Therefore, the Shield Woman wouldn’t do it.
Although the Catcher knew Big Sister had no interest in the lives of these heretics, and she didn’t even bother to conceal this fact, the Shield Woman couldn’t just trust her “brothers and sisters” to a stranger she’d barely known for half a day with a few words.
To prevent the Divine Basin Church from becoming cannon fodder, she couldn’t back down. She had to persist in this duel, defeat the Mute Girl, and keep the initiative in her hands.
But this power benefits her nothing. In the face of the Mute Girl’s real miracle, the Shield Woman’s insistence would only amplify her stubbornness and ignorance, attracting more attacks. In the end, she’s bound to be rejected by the Divine Basin Church, possibly leading to a sect split.
Although this might prevent some still relatively clear-headed members of the church from being manipulated by Big Sister.
But even such self-sacrifice is just wishful thinking.
If Big Sister wins, it’s uncertain, but if she loses, once back on the surface, she would probably sell all of them to the Church.
She would unhesitatingly report them, while the Divine Basin’s believers might even see it as punishment for the Shield Woman’s defiance of “Divine Will.”
The result is, regardless of the outcome, the Shield Woman won’t have any good ending.
The Catcher’s ability to draw connections as an Intelligence Expert, lets him foresee such a future even if he doesn’t know prophecy techniques.
Everything progresses exactly as Big Sister anticipated.
Unless, the Shield Woman can resolve, at the first moment, to strike with all her might and directly slay the Mute Girl.
But in their brief exchanges, the Catcher could tell she’s not someone who would do that.
Precisely because he understands both of them, he feels a hint of pity for the Shield Woman, currently her enemy.
And at that moment, the two in the field finally started to fight.
Novelnice•com
Without any visible movement, darkness quietly spread from beneath the Mute Girl’s feet.
[First round]
[Mute Girl activates skill: Light-extinguishing Muddy Tears (D Perception +50)]
D145+50=（93）=143
[Shield Woman activates skill: My Heart is Like Fire (D Perception + Charm, no minimum)]
D75+D169=（50+74）=124
The Mute Girl lifted her hand, lightly covering her lids, and curved her lips.
Then, a drop of murky black tear fell onto the moss at her feet.
Instantly, centering around her, tangible shadows swept across.
Unimaginable as a skill enacted by the Church’s clerics, the shadows rapidly engulfed her whole body, leaving only beast-like yellow eyes staring indifferently at her prey in the darkness.
The darkness swiftly spread, extinguishing moss glimmers, dissipating mushroom glows, even the huge holy white stone was quickly covered in black.
Numerous Divine Basin’s believers began to retreat in panic, or cast spells to emit light sources, yet even these lights were extinguished without exception.
In an instant, darkness devoured everything, enshrouding the entire cave.
Having always been the vanguard on the way, the Shield Woman had never seen the Mute Girl attack. Witnessing this incoming dark tide, her pupils contracted.
But she did not retreat a step, took a deep breath, and fiercely glared as she raised her shield, holding up her short sword.
Powerful magic power burst explosively from within her, her mane accompanying the blooming magic light, like burning flames soaring high.
‘For my brothers and sisters!’
Believing her battle was to protect those who had given her a place of belonging, the Shield Woman’s magic and will resonated, transforming into a blazing light of protection that even the Church’s ascetics would praise. Like a lighthouse amid storm winds and rain, or a reef facing unyielding waves, she stood firm in the darkness.
Yet, although the burning flame was enough to illuminate her surroundings, it couldn’t disperse the darkness further away.
As the Mute Girl’s magic completely covered the cave, everything around was stained black, the watching Divine Basin’s believers concealed, disappearing from the Shield Woman’s vision one by one.
Soon, the Shield Woman’s vision contained only herself.
No longer under everyone’s gaze, she felt as if she was the only one left in the world, causing a slight daze, momentarily forgetting she was in a duel.
With no one to heed or guard against, her tense spirit and aimless thoughts automatically pointed inward.
That’s the uncertainty she’d deliberately ignored, and the choice she must face.
—Is my action truly correct?
Various images flashed across her mind.
The vague unease during her collaboration with the Divine Basin, the helplessness felt amidst the noise of the conference room, and—
The suspicion her “brothers and sisters” cast upon her moments ago.
All of it intertwined, pounding like cold raindrops upon her heart.
The faint mocking sound of the Mute Girl’s laugh echoed in her ears like an auditory illusion.
Unable to find an answer, She suddenly felt her vision dimmed as the dark magic took away her sight.
[Shield Woman’s resistance failed, entering dark status, Agility/2, Perception/5]
[Second round]
[Mute Girl activates skill —]
1~4. Human Dissection – Penetrating Power
5~8. Melting Bone Love – Heart Stabbing
9. Self-reflection
10. Great Success/Great Failure
D10=8
♛: Melting Bone Love