Chapter 164: Song of the Saintess, Pure Love (Part 1)
Lady Yeris seemed very familiar with the Cathedral. Even in such a dim Environment, her elegant Pace showed no hesitation as she walked deeper from the Prayer Chapel. That area was already a Domain ordinary Monks could not approach. The dim Sense of Oppression filling the Church seemed to grow stronger and stronger. Only the Magic Lamps neatly embedded in the Stone Pillars on both sides slowly receded, like runway lights at a night airport, extending all the way into the Deep darkness.
I don't know how much Time passed. It seemed we had reached the deepest part, a place only the Pope and Archbishop were allowed to enter. Lady Yeris led me, turning several corners, and arrived at a Small Side Room.
"Lady Yeris seems very familiar with the Cathedral!"
"Actually, I haven't been here either. It's just a Feeling, a connection, telling me that my dear Husband is here..."
Lady Yeris spoke with a Tone that even she found bewildered and confused, but her Movement showed no Pause. She went to the inner Wall, her slender hands fumbling over it. Just as I was about to warn her to be careful, I was Interrupted by the rumbling sound of the Wall moving. On the Wall about a few steps away from her, a Stone Wall over a meter wide slowly rose. The Dust shaken off from the Surroundings made people instinctively cover their Eyes and noses.
Damn, do Secret Doors discriminate based on gender too? I recalled the rotating Secret Door in the Barracks that caught me off guard, then looked at Lady Yeris's composed Calmness, grinding my teeth in frustration.
After the Dust settled, a dark Opening appeared In Front of us, revealing a section of a Spiral Staircase leading Underground.
"Let's go..."
Lady Yeris stepped in without the slightest hesitation. I really didn't know what her Guts were made of. Was this the Strength of Love? Watching her Back View slowly disappear around the corner, I quickly followed.
"...Thump-thump..."
The sound of our Footsteps echoed on the dim, narrow Stairs. This was a very classic Spiral Staircase, often appearing in fantasy blockbusters or Games. If I were holding a dim Oil Lamp, and my Expression and Movement were a bit more tense, it would be easy to imagine something like the Underground Secret Chamber of an Ancient Tomb Castle.
Time always feels particularly long in the dark. Perhaps we hadn't walked for long, but it felt like a century had passed. Just as I finally stopped my Footsteps, unable to resist asking Lady Yeris beside me how much further it was...
Suddenly, there seemed to be some Sound. It came from the depths of the dark Stairs, so faint it was like the fine threads of a silkworm in spring, easily crushed by the monotonous sound of Footsteps. If I hadn't suddenly stopped my Footsteps, I wouldn't have noticed it so quickly.
It was impossible to determine what this faint Sound represented, but judging from the soft, smooth Tone, it seemed to be a Song.
In the Moment I was stunned, Lady Yeris, who was oblivious to everything in the Surroundings, passed me with steady Pace, forcing me to put aside my doubts and quickly follow.
"Lady Yeris, did you hear that? What a beautiful Song!!"
I exclaimed from my Inner Heart. The faint Sound coming from the depths became clearer and clearer. Finally, it seemed to gently wrap around my ears, slow, beautiful, mellow, and transparent.
Like the clearest flowing water, washing the mortal Body.
Like the gentlest Wind, embracing the repentant Soul.
Like the warmest Sunlight, guiding the Fallen Soul.
So Holy and moving, like the most beautiful Requiem. The unpleasant dark Aura in the Surroundings was completely dispelled, and my cold Body felt the nourishment of Flame. It was unbelievable that the Strength of a Song could be so immense.
Feeling my Body and Soul elevated, I happily said to Lady Yeris. But she didn't show the agreement I expected, still maintaining that almost emotionless Calmness. Her face was even paler than before, yet her Pace didn't slow down at all.
But as we continued our Approach, besides the Holy and moving Song, a sound of Iron Chains, exceptionally sharp, accompanied by occasional mournful roars, became audible. It was as if they were singing a counterpoint to the Song. The two Sounds constantly clashed, trying to overpower each other. But the Song always had the slight edge, suppressing the Sounds that seemed to come from a bound Demon.
Hey, hey, Madam, the Save you mentioned, could it be this?
I vaguely sensed that the situation seemed bad, looking at Lady Yeris beside me with a dark expression. Didn't you assess my Strength/Power before making this request? Do I really have this Ability? But it seemed there was no turning back now. I could only hope that the owner of the Song, who seemed to represent Justice, could lend a hand when the Time came, although I still didn't know what Matter/Thing would happen...
Even the longest Stairs would eventually reach their End. The Holy Song and the demonic roars, like a single Fish line, guided the two of us to the destination.
This was an empty Circular Hall. There was nothing inside except for the huge Blood-Red Altar in the center, which was particularly striking...
This was an extremely bizarre Altar. It was carved with intricate Sockets, forming a huge circular Magic Array. Dripping red Blood slowly flowed along the Sockets, emitting an extremely evil Aura. In the very center of the Altar was a Stone Slab standing upright. Nailed to the Stone Slab was a green Skeleton. The Blood flowing on the Socket Magic Array gathered here, forming thick Blood Chains that tightly Bound the Skeleton. Above the Skeleton, strands of Black Mist, like ink, permeated the air. These Black Mist constantly struggled and twisted, occasionally forming a huge Skull. The sharp, terrifying roars came from this huge black Skull formed by the Black Mist.
And beside the Altar, in a small Corner, was a snow-white girl, her whole Body emitting a faint glow. The smile on her face carried breathtaking Holy purity and beauty. This was a poetic scene, a perfection that could only be sketched in a painting, now appearing In Front of me.
The girl didn't seem to notice our arrival, still maintaining her kneeling prayer posture. That beautiful Song was slowly sung from her mouth. The melody, capable of purifying the Soul, was gently soothing the massive Black Mist above the Altar, yet it seemed unable to completely suppress it, causing it to be sometimes peaceful, sometimes agitated.
"Madam, this couldn't be your Husband, could it..."
I stiffly pulled at my lips, pointing at the Skeleton nailed to the central Stone Slab. Regardless, this didn't seem like a Matter/Thing within my capabilities.
"Oh, yes, God, he is my Husband, my dearest Alexander Erqitun, oh, heavens! Why is it like this? Why have you suffered such misfortune? Your Pain, I could feel it even in my sleep, my Alexander, who, who could imprison you, who were invincible? Even your Soul cannot rest..."
Lady Yeris covered her face with her hands, as if unable to bear it, but she still looked at her Husband strongly, Imprinting the Pain he suffered in her Inner Heart. Clear Tears continuously flowed from between her fingers. The heavy Sorrow and Pain revealed in her Gaze and words were absolutely not something that could be faked.
"But how am I supposed to Save him? Don't tell me I have to defeat that Black Mist..."
Although Lady Yeris was indeed pitiful, I also had to gauge my own Strength/Power. Otherwise, the number of pitiful people would increase by one.
Silently shaking her Head, Yerith finally withdrew her Gaze from the Altar. She turned to face me, looking carefully. Her Gaze revealed a hint of Meaningless information, which could be described as a "very complex Look".
"Mr. Wu Fan, first of all, I want to thank you for agreeing to my rude request and accompanying me here. You are truly a Warrior with a Kind Heart."
"Not at all. To be able to offer a small Effort for Lady Yeris is my Honor."
I replied with a formulaic platitude. In my Inner Heart, I thought, 'Here it comes, here it comes, the mode of saying nice things first.' Countless experiences of drinking Tea in the teacher's office during my student days made me instantly vigilant.
"Please rest assured, the Method is not as troublesome as you imagine."
Seeing my nervous Appearance, Yerith couldn't help but smile.
"Do you see? Around the Altar, there are five very small Sockets. As long as you inlay five types of Gems into them, and then destroy the Magic Array on the ground, you can Save my Husband's Soul..."
So that's how it is. It sounds quite simple. I confirmed it again. It seemed any Level of Gem would work, and there didn't seem to be a fixed order. What? Isn't this very simple? After confirming the steps, I happily ran towards the first Socket, not noticing the sad, unbearable, yet resolute Gaze of Lady Yeris behind me.
After filling the five Sockets with five different Chipped Gems, I sighed for a while. Fortunately, she met me, this Parvenu. Otherwise, an ordinary Adventurer might not even be able to gather five different Gems.
Next is destroying the Magic Array, right? This is simple. Fara also told me that I just need to destroy the Formation on the ground. "Most of the Time," a destroyed Magic Array won't explode. Uh... I remember he did use the word "most" to describe it, so there shouldn't be any problem, right...
Casually picking up the cheapest Saber, I hacked forcefully at the Blood-soaked Sockets on the ground. These Sockets seemed to be reinforced by Magic, incredibly hard. Watching the Durability on the Short Knife drop rapidly, the Blood dripping from my Heart was almost more than what was in the Sockets. That Fara guy was full of hot air, saying Magic Arrays were easy to destroy! You know, repairing this Normal Saber costs dozens of Gold Coins! I'll have to ask Lady Yeris for reimbursement later.
After a brand new Saber's Durability was almost zero, I finally scratched an opening in the Sockets on the ground. In an instant, the entire Blood-Red Altar erupted with Blood light. The Skeleton, which had been quietly nailed to the upright Stone Slab, also began to tremble gradually. Dark Clouds continuously poured into its Head from above, and the Blood Chains Binding its Body were shrinking at a Speed visible to the naked eye.
"Lady Yeris, something seems wrong. Let's run quickly..."
I stared blankly at the scene In Front of me. This was definitely the scene before a boss descends, right? Don't think you can easily deceive me, this Otaku with many years of Game experience.
"Yes, something is indeed wrong, because one thing is still missing..."
Lady Yeris said from behind me. The next moment, before I could turn around in surprise, a pair of strong hands gripped my neck, slowly lifting my entire Body and pushing me towards the center of the Altar.
"Lady Yeris, you..."
I turned my Head with difficulty. It was Lady Yeris who was gripping my neck. I couldn't believe that those slender, delicate hands could lift my entire Body, and given the current situation, I seemed unable to break free. How much Strength did this require? Did she have Barbarian Bloodline?
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry... Destroying the Altar cannot Save my Husband. Only... only by Sacrificing you can he truly be Resurrected... Please forgive me, this selfish and Wicked Succubus. I just... I just want to Save my Husband, even if I have to go to Hell and receive the most severe punishment..."
Lady Yeris said, sobbing, with Tears of guilt and regret flowing. She turned her Eyes away, avoiding my direct, questioning Gaze, and walked resolutely towards the center of the Altar.
"I don't understand. As far as I know, you were killed by your Husband, right? Why can you still do this to such a Degree for him? If possible, could you satisfy the doubts of a dying person like me?"
I sighed. My Body, held in Mid-air, finally gave up hope, abandoning its futile struggle.
Lady Yeris's Footsteps paused slightly. She seemed not to understand why I knew such a highly confidential Matter/Thing. However, she quickly continued her Footsteps. What did it matter how much more he knew?
"Yes, when he decided to kill me, I truly couldn't understand. My Inner Heart was filled with Pain and resentment, but..."
Her Tone paused, and her Voice became as joyful and gentle as a Maiden in love.
"But, afterwards, I knew he didn't kill me for God, but for me. In that instant, I thought, no one could understand the Joy and pride in my Inner Heart."
"What's the Meaning?" I was confused by Lady Yeris's seemingly paradoxical sentence.
"You are just a Young Person after all, unable to grasp the essence within. I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
Her words were a bit chaotic, but the Meaning was easy to understand, because she was now about to extinguish such a young Life.
"My dear Husband, Alexander, God's most loyal Believer. I don't think anyone is more devout than him, not even the Pope! Although he loved me, I never dared to think that I could occupy even a Single Point in his Inner Heart, which was filled with Faith."
But, in that moment, the instant the knife in his hand pierced my Chest, I saw his Tears. I read from his Eyes a Love I had never dared to hope for... and regret. Only then did I understand that he didn't kill me because my actions angered God, but so that I could receive Redemption after death. He loved me. Compared to me, who was killed by my beloved, he, who personally killed his beloved, was in greater Pain, felt greater regret. Thinking of this, what Reason did I have to resent him? What Reason did I have not to love him..."
Lady Yeris loudly vented the happiness in her Inner Heart with an impassioned Tone.
Being killed for angering God, and being killed so that one could receive Redemption after death – although the Result is the same, the Feelings/Emotions they represent have an essential distinction. Lady Yeris seemed to be intoxicated by the moment she finally occupied a place in her Husband's Inner Heart. This Feeling was so innocent, Pure, and devoted. Alexander, how fortunate you are, and how little you understand how to cherish it!
"Lady Yeris, your Feelings/Emotions are truly touching. Lord Alexander will surely be proud to have a Wife like you. If it were to protect this Feeling, I would be willing to pay a great deal..."
I said silently.
"But, it absolutely does not include my own Life...!!"
In the instant Lady Yeris hadn't yet recovered from my words, a snow-white Figure had already slammed into her, sending her flying.
"I'm very sorry, but I also have my own Goal, and people I love. So it's impossible for me to use my Life to fulfill your dream."
I touched Light Snow 's fluffy Head, who had rushed over, with Praise, and coldly looked at Lady Yeris lying on the ground. Subsequently, Poison Creeper, along with the other four Mutated Ghost Wolves, Lazy Crow, and Oak Sage, all appeared beside me.