Chapter 183. The Full Account (2) (1/2)

Everyone, without exception, said the same thing.

To run. That it was impossible to win. That the valley fortress would get swept away, with not even a single tuft of grass remaining.

The war, in which these things were recognized as undeniable facts, finally concluded. After the bloody battle that disregarded life and death, the valley fortress relayed a simple four phrase report.

Parasites defeated, the Seven Armies’ retreat confirmed, Undying Diligence perished.

And…

Requesting aid for escorting the injured.

Haramark erupted in cheers, and these roars of victory spread to Scheherazade, Nur, Eva, and other cities of Paradise.

At this moment, everyone, regardless of whether they were a Paradisian or an Earthling, rejoiced.

It was the first proper victory they had tasted since the fall of the Empire. Furthermore, Undying Diligence, the infamous First Army Commander, had perished in this great war, making this victory ever so sweeter.

Of course, it was hard to say that this single victory would change the Parasites’ fate or shake their sturdy foundation.

But these were the people who lived their lives trembling in fear of impending doom. Many of them had developed severe anxiety disorders as well.

So no one could blame them for rejoicing at the news that humanity had finally given the Parasite Queen a taste of their power.

This was especially the case in Haramark, which served as the main stage of the battle.

The people strolling around the streets looked noticeably more cheerful.

Talks of the war didn’t stop no matter where one went, and people stormed out to the streets in a festive mood.

Yi Seol-Ah was one of such people.

Given how worried she was, the news of their victory made her happier than anyone else. She ran around the city excitedly and felt pride whenever it was mentioned that Seol Jihu was the hero of the war.

Jang Maldong being so silent was a bit strange, and she tilted her head when Yi Sungjin voiced his doubts to her, ‘Noona, don’t you think Master Jang is in a sour mood?’ But she didn’t mind it too much.

She simply went outside, enjoyed the festival, and waited patiently for Seol Jihu to return.

She daydreamed about pestering Seol Jihu to tell her about the war as soon as he came back.

But that was only until a carriage entered the city.

**

Dududududu!

A carriage pulled by eight Horuses raced through the streets with an earth-splitting force.

Yi Seol-Ah frowned as she saw the soldiers out in the streets. They said they were blocking off the streets to clear the way to the Temple of Luxuria, but such a thing had never been done before.

By now, Yi Seol-Ah noticed something wasn’t quite right.

There were more than a few suspicious points. The soldiers blocking off the streets was one thing, but even King Prihi came to visit the office.

She couldn’t hear the details because Jang Maldong asked her to leave, but she could see how serious the atmosphere was from the single glance she stole.

After their conversation ended, Jang Maldong left in a hurry, saying that he might not be back for a few days.

‘Strange.’

Yi Seol-Ah murmured inwardly and stared at the carriage that had already become a dot in the distance.

Then, as soon as the soldiers opened the streets back up, Yi Seol-Ah raced forward. As expected, the carriage had stopped in front of the Temple of Luxuria.

She could also see several people hastening inside and disappearing. Although they were gone by the time she entered the temple, it was easy to track them down.

Even a Level 2 Archer was still an Archer.

Since she knew that they were inside the temple, tracking a minute old trail barely counted as work.

It was just that two soldiers were blocking the way where the trail led.

“You cannot go beyond this point.”

It was just as she expected. When she tried to sneak in, the soldiers immediately crossed their spears and blocked her path.

“Why?”

“Beyond this point is the intensive care unit. A royal decree has been issued prohibiting all visitations for a while. Only those related to the injured can enter.”

Hearing the soldiers mention a royal decree in a threatening manner, Yi Seol-Ah quickly lied.

“I’m related.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m a member of Carpe Diem. My name is Yi Seol-Ah. Master Jang said he’d go on ahead and told me to come….”

Yi Seol-Ah seemed to have a knack for this as she easily spewed out a convenient excuse.

The two soldiers looked at each other before saying, “…Excuse us, but may we see your Status Window, please?”

Once they confirmed Yi Seol-Ah’s Status, they tilted their heads and opened the way. Since they saw that she was a member of Carpe Diem, they had no reason to keep her from entering.

And just as Yi Seol-Ah successfully stepped past the soldiers…

—Auhuuuaaaaaahh!

A bone-chilling scream of despair resounded in the hallway.

The howling wail sounded like the scream of a deceased burning inside the sulfuric fires of Hell. Hearing this, Yi Seol-Ah paused her steps subconsciously.

Her hesitant eyes headed to the left door at the far end of the hallway, which was the only place where light was leaking out.

—Auuuuu! Huuuua!

The scream rang out once again. She could also hear people screaming, ‘Hold him down! Grab him!’

Gulp. A lump went down her throat.

Next, when she sneaked towards the door and glanced inside—

“Hold down his arms and legs! Don’t let him move!”

A piercing scream struck her ears.

Yi Seol-Ah flinched before quickly falling into a daze.

This was because she saw the physical state of the youth flopping around like a fish, making curdling sounds while panting.

When the smell of blood pierced her nose, Yi Seol-Ah’s eyes widened.

“Uuuk!”

She leaned back reflexively, then fell on her butt. Blocking her mouth in a hurry, she dropped her head unwittingly.

“Uek! Uueeeek!”

Her brain couldn’t process the horrific scene she had just witnessed and forced her to have dry heaves. Tears formed around her eyes rather quickly.