Witch’s Night: Chapter 65 We Shall Never Meet Again
Meanwhile, as Noah’s defense systems were being mobilized, Holy Communion continued.
The situation of Calamity monsters joining forces with mutated giant beasts to attack Noah, although rare, wasn’t unprecedented in Noah’s long, thousand-year history.
Moreover, this kind of direct Calamity was the easiest to resolve, especially since there wasn’t even a “Destruction” level being among the Calamity monsters attacking the defense system.
An ordinary “Peril” level monster, a city-destroying crisis for ordinary mega-cities, couldn’t even cause a ripple in Noah.
As humanity’s last bastion, Noah’s outer defense system could even hold off a “Destruction” level ability user for a while.
Not to mention the “Ark” barrier, built to withstand a second Calamity Tide, and the Sanctuary, which could suppress “Cataclysm” level beings.
Without even “Destruction” level Calamity monsters, this attack could only be considered a minor disturbance, not even enough to alarm the important figures attending Holy Communion.
The urgent news from outside only made His Holiness frown slightly, but nothing more, it wasn’t even necessary to report it to the Saint.
Chris, after several days of separation, was with Luo Yan. Not only because they had formed a sort of friendship in Lannister, at least they were more familiar with each other than the other strangers at Holy Communion.
Also, Chris discovered that, thanks to the Saint’s presence, few people dared to approach Luo Yan for the time being.
Standing next to Luo Yan, Chris could finally avoid the incessant harassment at the banquet and enjoy a moment of peace.
Luo Yan, seemingly out of place at this gathering of high-society figures, sat on the small stool known as the “holy seat,” quietly sipping a small glass of cocktail, personally mixed by Illusion.
It had to be said that Illusion’s skills were truly impressive. Even Luo Yan, who was quite confident in her own cocktail mixing skills, could only admit defeat.
Although she had actually just glanced at the recipe before starting to randomly mix things, she was a complete amateur, not even a half-baked one.
Guinevere stood silently near Luo Yan, like a decorative suit of armor, but the few strands of gray hair peeking out from her shoulders revealed her identity, making this area a no-go zone for the clergy.
Anna seemed to be quite excited, moving around the Holy Communion hall. She was interested in the clothes worn by the many important figures here, most of which were designed by top designers she had only seen in magazines.
As a tailor… or fashion designer, the opportunity to see the world’s top design standards up close wasn’t common.
Cecilia, as usual, stayed by Luo Yan’s side. Although she wasn’t particularly shy, she was… overly so.
The unfamiliar environment, the unfamiliar people, the unfamiliar atmosphere, all made Cecilia nervous, so after entering the church, she had been clinging to Luo Yan.
And at this Holy Communion, besides Luo Yan, the biggest attraction was Illusion.
This Saint, who looked like a little girl, was truly difficult to respect at first glance. Even after learning that her true identity was the renowned Fourth Saint, Illusion, because of the huge gap between reality and imagination, the absurdity far outweighed the reverence they should have felt.
Especially when Illusion, with her face no older than ten, solemnly lectured the aged Pope, this contrast made it hard not to laugh.
But soon, they discovered that beneath Illusion’s childish appearance was an ancient, weathered soul.
Illusion wasn’t the aloof and unworldly Saint that people imagined, someone who would spend her entire life in the Sanctuary.
Before the War of the Witch of Absolute Death, Illusion had already traveled to almost all the mega-cities, and even visited some remote settlements.
Her footsteps had reached the edges of the human world, she knew the histories of the various mega-cities like the back of her hand, and the customs and habits of different places were at her fingertips, as if there was nothing in the world she didn’t know.
Even putting aside her status as a member of the Twelve Saints and her powerful strength, this knowledge was enough to impress and shock the mega-city envoys present, followed by sincere admiration.
The envoys eagerly asked Illusion questions, sharp or confused, but all received satisfactory answers.
Shadow, hiding in Guinevere’s shadow, seeing this scene, couldn’t help but sigh. It was truly her fortune to be mentioned in the same breath as this sister, bearing the name “Shadow.”
However…
Shadow glanced at Luo Yan, secretly observing this mysterious silver-haired girl.
—Actually, she wasn’t so mysterious anymore. Besides the doubts about her true identity within her mortal body, most other aspects of her had been figured out.
Possessing both the characteristics of a conceptual entity and a living being, it was hard not to be reminded of the deceased Saint.
Perhaps because of this consideration, and the name “Luo Yan” that appeared in the Saint’s notes, Illusion, despite the risk of repeating the “Sister Marytis incident,” was determined to take her to the peak of the Holy Mountain.
But why wouldn’t Illusion let her get involved in this matter?
This question, which arose from the depths of Shadow’s heart, had been lingering, unanswered until now.
Just as Shadow was lost in thought, she saw Luo Yan suddenly look up, her pale red eyes meeting hers.
“Discovered?”
Shadow’s heart skipped a beat. She was using Guinevere’s shadow to conceal herself, because the Holy Knight-Captain possessed the aura of the Sanctuary, which could mask her spiritual energy fluctuations.
This method should have been difficult even for Illusion to detect, could it be that Miss Luo Yan’s perception was even stronger than Illusion’s?
But Shadow quickly realized she was wrong. Miss Luo Yan hadn’t discovered her. Those beautiful pale red eyes weren’t focused on her, but on something behind her.
Shadow slightly shifted her perspective and looked back.
—It was a half-open window.
The stained-glass agate window was half-open, revealing a corner of the dazzling starry sky, and the bright moonlight streamed in through the gap.
The usual night scenery, nothing different.
But just then, Shadow heard a soft, childish voice. It was Cecilia, who had been hiding behind Luo Yan,
“Big Sister Luo Yan… are you singing?”
“No, it’s not me.” Luo Yan replied softly, staring blankly out the window, lost in thought. “But this song sounds very familiar… have I heard it somewhere before?”
It was the same ethereal melody she had heard in Lannister, but the singing was a different voice, clearer.
This familiar feeling, as if it came from a part of her consciousness buried deep within, a part she had never touched.
“Singing?”
Shadow was slightly stunned, then listened carefully.
A gentle melody brushed past her ears, and in that instant, she felt a chill run down her spine.
“Eeya eeya…”
Yes, she definitely wouldn’t mistake it! This was the Witch of Absolute Death’s song!
To those who hadn’t experienced the War of the Witch of Absolute Death, this was just a pleasant but incomprehensible song.
But anyone who had personally participated in the War of the Witch of Absolute Death would never forget it. This was the sorrowful melody that filled the battlefield, bringing tears to their eyes, making it impossible to suppress the feeling of despair.
These memories should no longer exist in Shadow’s mind, but upon hearing the song, these erased memories faintly returned, making Shadow feel a long-lost fear.
Had the Witch of Absolute Death revived?
No, impossible!
This possibility was absolutely impossible. The commotion caused by the Witch of Absolute Death’s awakening wouldn’t be so small. Her descent could instantly turn half of Noah into a living hell.
Then, who was singing? Who could actually sing the Witch of Absolute Death’s melody?
Shadow looked at Luo Yan, but Luo Yan was only looking out the window with a puzzled expression, not showing any unusual behavior, let alone singing.
The lively atmosphere of Holy Communion didn’t seem to be affected by this faint singing. Illusion was still surrounded by envoys from various mega-cities, patiently answering their questions.
His Holiness Aslanmode VII seemed to be dealing with this matter, several guards entering and nervously reporting something to him.
But judging from Aslanmode VII’s expression, he didn’t understand the significance of this song, just treating it as an ordinary Calamity.
This was the true song of the Witch of Absolute Death! Even if it didn’t pose any threat, it had to be treated with caution!
Shadow couldn’t reveal herself at this time. She didn’t want to make things difficult for Illusion, and she couldn’t openly discuss this matter.
Considering the envoys’ ability to accept this, if they knew that the Witch of Absolute Death’s song was currently echoing throughout Noah, they would probably flee home in terror.
Of course, this was just an exaggeration, but Shadow knew very well that, for the mega-cities that weren’t mentally prepared yet, directly facing the Witch of Absolute Death, even just her song, was too early.
The most urgent matter now should be…
—Miss Luo Yan.
No matter how much Illusion guaranteed that Miss Luo Yan was absolutely safe, Shadow knew very well that Miss Luo Yan was actually very dangerous.
Her relationship with the Gods was unclear, especially after contacting the Witch of Envy, she had triggered a special Calamity of an undefinable level in Lannister.
If she continued to be exposed to the Witch of Absolute Death’s song at this time, some unknown changes might occur.
So should she take her away?
But where to?
Could it be… directly into the Sanctuary?
The Sanctuary could indeed guarantee safety. The Witch of Absolute Death’s true body had been inside for hundreds of years without any incidents. Miss Luo Yan couldn’t possibly be more uncontrollable than the Witch of Absolute Death.
Just as Shadow was still hesitating, she suddenly noticed that Miss Luo Yan was no longer on the small “holy seat,” and even Cecilia was gone.
Where did they go?
Shadow immediately searched the hall, but couldn’t find them no matter what, and only then did she realize,
“Damn, being able to turn invisible is so troublesome!”
With almost everyone’s attention focused on Illusion, Luo Yan’s “Envy” distortion field could finally take effect again.
She immediately activated the field, enveloping herself and Cecilia, escaping everyone’s notice right under their noses.
So where was Miss Luo Yan now?
By the half-open stained-glass agate window, Luo Yan leaned gently against the windowsill, slightly raising her head to look up at the dazzling starry sky.
Her pale red eyes were tinged with a strange darkness, a faint, gloomy light enveloping her, and the black Manjusaka tattoo on her chest pulsed like breathing, as if resonating with something.
—The demonic offering “Death.”
This was the first demonic offering that had been with Luo Yan since she first awoke in Ghost Town. Even the Eyes of Fear and Envy only appeared later, when she assimilated with the stone sculpture eyes above the small church.
Luo Yan softly hummed along with the ethereal song, and Cecilia, standing beside her, looked up at Luo Yan intently, seeing a faint crimson color enveloping her tailcoat.
“God… of Hope?”
Cecilia tilted her head and softly uttered the God’s name that Hamid obtained from beyond the starry sky.
Her amber eyes became incredibly bright at this moment.
……
“It’s singing again.”
“Ignore It. This song that has continued for hundreds of years without interruption, if it suddenly stopped, it would make us uneasy.”
Within the white temple, the ethereal singing echoed in every corner, reaching the ears of every Saint with closed eyes.
The little girl’s childish singing was very pleasant, but her innocent voice carried endless sorrow and despair. The emotions accumulated over hundreds of years even slightly affected the Saint, and she couldn’t help but shed tears.
Precisely because of the risk of being assimilated by the Witch of Absolute Death, the Saints responsible for suppressing her were mostly in a state of slumber. The few who were awake wouldn’t stay awake for too long, and they might only communicate with each other once every few years, or even decades.
Deep within the temple, guarded by these Saints, a hazy, small, dark figure sat on the ground, her long hair spread out like a dark pool of water, spectral chains binding her limbs, as if she was shrouded in an inescapable black mist.
This wasn’t the Witch of Absolute Death’s ability, but a deliberate act of the Twelve Saints.
Facing the true form of a Primordial Demon was the second most terrifying thing in the world, second only to the truth above the starry sky. An incomprehensible existence could destroy a person’s entire cognitive system, and they might become the most fanatical follower of the Gods.
Although there were no records of the Witch of Absolute Death having any followers, whether in the Old Era or the New Era, out of caution, the Twelve Saints still added a layer of cognitive distortion as insurance.
However, the Twelve Saints didn’t know that the Witch of Absolute Death’s singing was mixed with strange syllables, actually divine words similar to True Names.
It seemed to sense a certain existence and murmured along with the song,
“Little white flower, I miss you so much…”
“But I must not see you, must not meet you.”
“…Just feeling your presence like this is enough for me.”
“We shall never meet again.”
Despair and sorrow overflowed.
