Chapter 169 The Flower that Bloomed Quietly (1/2)
The warrior grabbed tightly onto the greataxe that was gathering endless lights from the surroundings. Then he plunged the axe into the ground.
The silver-white lines instantly appeared on the surface of the gray rocky ground. The holy runes appeared one after another as if they were a huge network that contained the entire world. They were spreading endlessly across the ground.
Meanwhile, a glare broke through the clouds and dispelled darkness in the surroundings.
With Joshua as the source point, a bright and unblinking light was unleashed. That light rose up into the sky straight away like a stream of silver thread, piercing through the sky and the earth as it was connecting the two, tearing a large hole on the sky that was looming with Chaos.
Under the glow of this light, the earth and the floating rock fragments gradually began to become crystal clear. Black Chaos mist was forced out. Gravity began to stabilize again. Layers and layers of ripples were spreading into the surroundings. Green grass was beginning to grow again on the earth that had been corrupted before. Newly grown trees and flowers were also sprouting again all across the land.
The cold wind with the scent of decay had once again regained some warmth and its freshness. The lifeless silent earth had once again returned to its vibrant state.
The wind got stronger.
The bodies of the three Supreme-tier Aragami began to combust and disintegrate under the shine of the radiance. Bit by bit, they gradually turned into red sparks flying in the air all around the place. These sparks went along with the strong wind that was sweeping away almost everything, brushing silently across the surface of the earth, dispersing into the mountains and everything around.
The warm light that was carrying some sparks along with it passed through the entire world. Compared to the power of Order that Joshua used, this light was much more gentle and much more penetrating. The light brushed itself across the plains and the mountains, penetrating through the decayed swarms and the frozen ocean. The light had covered the entire continent.
Quietly being buried down there, 03 had seen the light even though she was completely covered underneath countless rocks. She blinked her eyes and lifted her head. She looked at the light that swept away all the unsettling presences with a feeling of doubt and joy at the same time.
Moreila and Clyre who were slowly digging their way to the surface of the ground had also seen the light. Upon moving the rocks and sands to their back, the two of them looked at the sparks and lights that came through the rocks and dirt to their sides with surprise.
”The primal energy… has been restored?!” The elf had touched the spark. Her body was trembling as if she could not believe it, ”What is going on?”
Meanwhile, the old dwarf felt that the energy in his body had increased tremendously. That sense of fatigue that stayed deep within his bones that he felt since he crossed into this world had completely vanished. He laughed out loud and said, ”It doesn't matter anymore, things are taking a better turn now, isn't it?! Let's dig ourselves out first!”
The light continued to sweep across the land. Countless dimensional passages that were filled with the presence of Chaos were being sealed slowly under the influence of that power. The weaker Aragami were even set ablaze straight away by this power. The combustion of the Chaos had unleashed even more of these sparks and flames which drifted in the wind, with their radiance sweeping and cleansing this world.
Meanwhile, at every corner of the Karlis world, willingly or unwillingly, outsiders that crossed into this world due to many reasons had also sensed the outburst of an enormous power from afar. Right in the middle of a shrine among the ruins, the soul of a lady with silver hair was swept across by the radiance as well. She suddenly woke up feeling a little embarrassed.
”… uhm… how did I end up here? I remember I was just falling asleep…”
She glanced around with a bit of confusion. However, she did not expect to witness some miracle happening around her. Under the radiating silver-white light, the desolated hills and plains were beginning to sprout with green grasses, followed by the blooming of flowers.
Meanwhile, back at the source point where the light was emanating from.
In the final few seconds in the state of the 'King of Searing Soul', Joshua had truly felt what it meant by the 'Guardian of Power'.
Flames were scorching Chaos, returning this world back to Order, reviving the desolate world. That was the true power of the World's Guardian, the true power of the [King of Searing Soul].
However, a sigh was heard right after that.
”As expected, this is still not enough.”
The light began to dissipate, and the flames began to go out. Joshua who just came out from the state of the 'King of the Searing Soul' was slowly pulling the black greataxe out from the ground. The armor on his body returned to normal once again. The sparks and flames that emitted from the cracks all over his armor that looked like flowery pattern were starting to disperse as well. The black Satsui Hadou was also becoming lighter before it turned back into red Combat Aura. After that, even the Combat Aura had disappeared.
Sighing, Joshua felt a little regret as he looked at the radiance and the spreading flames beside him. At that time, because he had come out of the state of the 'King of Searing Soul', the power of Order had obviously lost their source. Everything started to fade along with it.
The green grass that was sprouting, and the flowers that were blooming, everything started to wither and get reduced to dust and sand. The refreshing air was once again filled with the scent of decay. The land was no longer vibrant as everything returned back to their desolate state.
”The Python of Steel is right… My flame is still too weak now. The souls that I've managed to gather so far is still too little.”
The mark of a crown on his forehead was gradually fading. After that, it turned back into a sky-green crystal orb and fell right back into his palm. The Flame Seed in the center of the Azurite was still combusting though. Although it seemed a little stronger than before, however, the flame still looked weak.
”The powers of the Supreme-tier Aragami were scorched away by the Flame Seed's Order energy and are being turned into the power of the 'King of Searing Soul'. There's not even a tiny bit of Experience Points even though the battle was so intesnse… What a shame, and a waste… cough cough!”
After saying that mockingly, Joshua suddenly coughed. He frowned as he could feel that the inner side of his body became hollow.
The radiance of magic power flashed by. The black greataxe in his hand had returned to its original state. Ling had once again appeared right by his side. The young man got closer in order to provide support to Joshua who seemed to be very shaky, struggling to even stand up straight. He helped Joshua to stand still on his feet.
”Master... your face?!”
A confused voice was heard. Ling lifted his head up and looked at his Master's face. He was a little shocked to see that the young face of his Master had now become filled with wrinkles. It was obvious that he looked much older than before.
”Don't worry, this is just the after effects of using the burning power excessively. I'll recover gradually over time. But I cannot simply engage myself in battle in the meantime.”
Explaining slowly with one word after another, Joshua furrowed his eyebrows. However, his mind was elsewhere, thinking about something else.
”According to the Python of Steel, Famine, Plague and one other Evil God without a clear name are currently spying on the Mycroft Continent… It's no wonder that there were so many incidents happening back in the distant north. Based on the numerous incidents that were happening all across the region, it seemed that the gods had managed to fend off the first invasion of Chaos behind the scenes. Upon having some careful thoughts, regardless of whether it was the demons from the dark abyss or the Pentashade Dragons, actually, they are merely the tentacles of the Evil Gods that are attempting to invade the world… So I've already engaged in battles with Chaos many times over without even realizing it?”
There were truly a lot of enemies staying hidden in the dark.
Upon setting his thoughts there, Joshua could not help but clench his fists. Then he spoke in a deep voice, ”It seems that we have a long way to go in the cleaning process.”
Kachak kachak.
Along came the sounds where the dirt and sand were dug.
Not far away, the surface of the ground bulged up. Along with the appearance of golden Combat Aura and the green primal energy, Moreila and Clyre had finally made their way out of the ground after a long time.
Due to the battles that happened a while ago and the unbalanced gravity, across the surface of the entire land, there was no longer the slightest uneven spot. The first thing that the elf and the old dwarf saw after they climbed out of the ground was Joshua, standing right before them. After their eyes met, they quickly walk up to the spot where the warrior was standing. Meanwhile, Joshua and Ling went up to them as well.
When the two sides met, they did not have much words to say or even much to greet. Clyre asked in a gentle yet surprised tone, ”Joshua, your hair… what happened?”
Moreila had also looked at Joshua with the same look on his face as the elf's. Although he was much shorter, however, he could still see Joshua's hair. He was momentarily stunned.
”Joshua, why do you look so much older now?”
Touching his head above his neck with curiosity and plucking one of the hairs off his head, Joshua noticed that the hair in his palm right now was fully silvery-white. Upon remaining quiet for a brief moment, he shook his head and said, ”It's alright. The battle was a little intense just now. So I've used up some of my vitality to battle. I've rested for over a brief period of time, I'm feeling much better now.”
”The elves have the fruits of the mother tree which can restore the vitality of a person. When I return to the distant land in the south, I'll surely give you a few.”
”You have my thanks then.”
Boom!!!
Suddenly, fierce sounds of thunder rumbled across the sky, along with green and white lightning flashing by. A blue door slowly expanded out of the void by the side as if someone was restraining the speed of its expansion. However, even though that was the case, within the gap of time where a few breaths were taken in, the diameter of the dimensional rift had expanded up to ten meters. Meanwhile, a presence that was extremely familiar was felt coming into the Karlis world along with the expansion of the blue door.
”Dimensional rift!”
Fixing their gaze on the door that was linking the two worlds, Moreila had an extremely joyful look on his face. He spoke in a loud voice, ”The rift is reopening again!”
”It's the dimensional rift connecting to the Mycroft Continent.”
The elf clapped her hands in glee then sighed in relief. ”Finally, we can go back.”
”It seems that someone coming to get us from the opposite side.”
Unlike the dwarves and elves, Joshua could sense a different trace of presence coming from the waves of the dimensional rift as he had rich experiences now. Right by the other side of the passage, there was a person who had an extremely powerful strength trying to limit the expansion of the dimensional space, causing it not to get activated too fast while maintaining the stability of the dimensional passage for a smooth travel across worlds.
Without much talk, everyone ran towards the direction where the dimensional rift was located. However, after running for a brief moment, Joshua stopped in his track.
Moreila and Clyre then looked at him with uncertainty written all over their faces.
”You guys go ahead.”