Chapter 365: Clamor and Silence
After confirming that the strong enemy in the south had been defeated, Betty excitedly announced:
“Fellow Wizard Apprentices , our leader, the guide on the path of magic, the Firelinker Lord Ace , has advanced to a 3-Ring Wizard and defeated the Punisher Organization invading from the north and the Shadow Demons invading from the south!
“We cannot completely relax our vigilance yet. Everyone, please continue to stay alert and perform your duties.”
Despite her words, upon hearing the news, the people of the High Tower Territory turned into a sea of joy, forming a stark contrast to the heavy and oppressive atmosphere from before. One second, everyone was torn between defending the High Tower or boarding the Magic Brig to flee; the next second, the crisis was basically resolved, and they began a spontaneous celebration.
Every household decorated with lanterns and streamers. The residents of the High Tower Territory marched naturally. Young girls and young wives came out happily to sing and dance. The Wizard Apprentices used magic to create brilliant fireworks, making the night at the High Tower incredibly clamorous.
Betty accompanied Arno to deliver the two ice coffins to the West Tower. She spoke in a low voice to the silent Arno:
“I am very sorry. Lord Ancestar was an excellent Knight, a man of noble character. I am also deeply saddened by his sacrifice. Donna’s death makes me even sadder.
“But I am not the best person to announce his sacrifice and achievements. All of this should wait for Lord Ace to announce. I hope you can understand, and please accept my condolences.”
Arno’s eyes flickered with dark red light as he whispered, “Although I am sorrowful, I believe this is what the Melancholy Uncle pursued. He wanted to protect this clamor and joy of the High Tower. I just feel ashamed before him, too ashamed to face him.”
Betty was very sad about Donna’s sacrifice, but it was what Donna sought, so she respected it.
However, she was somewhat puzzled by what Arno said. Betty tilted her head and said with some confusion, “You have obtained power comparable to a Great Hero. As for the nature of the power, what difference does it make? As long as you are stronger and can better protect the High Tower and the people around you, that is enough.”
Hearing Betty’s words, Arno’s eyes gradually brightened, and his dark red pupils regained some luster. He murmured, “As long as I can save them, that is enough. As long as I can protect them, that is fine. Whether it is virtue or sin, both can serve as the power to protect.”
The aura of hatred on Arno changed, seeming to smooth out and return to a special state. He revealed a sunny smile and said to Betty , “Thank you, Betty. I am going to merge into the clamor of the High Tower. Goodbye.”
Betty tilted her head, watching Arno run away, and whispered, “Silly.”
..
The next day, sunlight spilled into Nightlight City. After a night of clamor, people fell into a deep sleep, and the entire city was unusually desolate.
Arno looked at Nightlight City, which had fallen from clamor into silence, as deep power of hatred surged within him.
He transformed the dark light of hatred into bat wings, residing high above the clouds. He murmured in a low voice, “Where there is light, there is deep darkness. Someone always has to gaze into the abyss; someone always has to bear the burden of the abyss. Why can’t it be me? From today on, I transform into the abyss, and with Hatred as my creed, I command the seven deadly sins of Pride, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, and Lust. I shall be the Abyssal Knight.”
Rumble!
A thunderclap in a clear sky. The holy light was angry, and the abyss was roaring.
Abandoning virtue, forsaking the holy light, usurping the abyss, and commanding the multitude of evils—calling himself the abyss yet being detested by the abyss. Various anomalies lingered around Arno, and his aura continued to rise. The holy light hidden in the Sea of Illusion and Reality seemed to be splitting, actually gradually breeding deep darkness.
“Where there is fire, there is light; where there is light, there is darkness. The Knight’s Path is not just the path of virtue; there should be a path of the abyss. Whether abyss or virtue, the heart of the Knight remains unchanged—it is all for protection!”
That deep darkness completely split from the holy light , yet light and shadow were inseparable, finally merging into a unified and harmonious Knight’s Path.
Arno , the only living Grand Knight in the Kaya World, split the Knight’s Path into two, stopping evil with evil and countering corruption with corruption.
In the West Tower of the Magic Castle, Daina stared infatuatedly at Ace lying on the down bed, holding Ace’s hand tightly. Her eyes were fixed on Ace’s silvery-white hair, her gaze full of sorrow.
Aleias stood quietly to the side, creating a strange atmosphere between the two.
Ace felt very thirsty and his whole body ached. He seemed to have had a very long dream, but upon waking, he couldn’t remember anything.
There seemed to be a warm hand holding his cold hand all this time.
“Water, give me water…”
Ace opened his eyes groggily and drank a mouthful of sweet and viscous liquid. He looked carefully and found that the person in front of him was actually Daina, and the pendant he had given her was swaying.
Daina said to Ace gently and joyfully, “Teacher, you’re finally awake.”
Aleias , standing to the side, half-knelt reverently and said, “Lord Ace, you are awake.”
Ace sat up weakly. Daina said to him, “This is a nutrient agent specially made by Logan. It is very effective for restoring vitality. Please drink a few more mouthfuls.”
Ace looked at the milky white liquid and drank it all down in large gulps. The magical nutrient solution entered Ace’s body, turning into vibrant vitality, rapidly nourishing his dried-up body and allowing him to recover slowly.
After his body recovered slightly, Ace said pleasantly to Daina , “I need to go meditate in the air and restore my strength as soon as possible. Daina , you and Betty are responsible for the territory’s vigilance. Activate the Regional Magic Councils in the seven states of Salia to inquire about the movements of the Great Heroes. I am worried they will unite to invade the High Tower!”
Daina looked at Aleias and wanted to say something, but in the end, she didn’t say it. She stomped her foot rarely and said awkwardly, “I understand.”
After speaking, she turned and left angrily.
Ace didn’t understand why and said coldly to Aleias, “You are responsible for guarding. Do not let anyone approach me.”
Ace flew out of the West Tower, arriving at the top of the Magic Castle and hovering above it.
His mind slowly immersed into his Mental Imagery World. The entire Mental Imagery World was mottled and damaged. The rules within the dream world were in chaos, and the lake of Mana was nearly dry. Ace’s True Spirit began to operate the 3-Ring Spell “Astrological Meditation Method”.
Stars shone in the sky of the Mental Imagery World, and the sun and moon also blossomed with brilliance. Under Ace’s control, the Glazed Heart Fire began to re-refine the large remaining portion of the “Star of Ultimate Evil.”
Time passed. Massive amounts of Mana and sin were separated and refined from the “Star of Ultimate Evil.” The Mana repaired Ace’s damaged Mental Imagery World, while the sin constantly elevated the Glazed Heart Fire, seeming as if a mutation and transformation were about to occur.
As the Mental Imagery World was repaired and perfected bit by bit, the brilliant stars of the Mental Imagery World gradually manifested. At this noon hour, they appeared particularly unusual and charming. The awakened Wizard Apprentices and Formal Wizards observed quietly, trying to understand this great magical miracle.
The stars on the Inner Plane of the world gradually connected and resonated with the stars manifested by Ace , and specks of exotic star Mana surged into Ace’s Mental Imagery World.
Advance chapters at Nightjar Reads · nightjarreads.com