Chapter 1096 - Fated Accident (1/2)
“Erm… Your Majesty, may I know how much longer will it take before we arrive at Desolate Town?”
Panting as she followed everyone from the back, Cheryl couldn’t hold in her most curious question anymore. She knew that she had the least authority to ask this question among this group of formidable beings. Also, she was only a burden to them and the reason why Rhode was willing to bring her along was just because it was along the way for them. This temptation was huge for her. Only people who personally lived in hell understood how precious peace, hope, and kindness were. Even though she was only an elf who was ill-treated in the Country of Light, compared to the dangers in hell, the malice of the main plane was nothing in comparison…
Cheryl was hesitant about it. After all, this wasn’t her original mission. But now, she couldn’t help but ask because everything before her eyes were too bizarre!
Of course, she had heard more or less about their destination. Desolate Town wasn’t an obscure place in the underworld. But even though their destination was clear, the direction where Rhode’s group was heading to wasn’t ‘clear’ at all. In Cheryl’s eyes, they were heading left, right, straight, and sometimes even backward! There were a few times when Rhode headed back to where he came from without speaking a word and turned the corner that led to another place as though he had taken the wrong route. But despite that, no one raised any objections. They followed his orders completely as though it didn’t concern them. There were several times when Cheryl felt like they were even walking in circles.
Are we really able to reach our destination this way?
“Don’t worry, Miss Cheryl. We will be there when it is time.”
Unlike the worried young elf lady, Rhode sauntered casually, gazing at the pitch-black shadow in the distance with narrowed eyes. That was where Desolate Town stood. If Cheryl walked ahead of the group, she would discover that no matter which direction Rhode took, even if he turned around entirely, the presence of Desolate Town would forever be in front of him.
“This is Bottomless Abyss, Miss Cheryl.”
At this moment, Stefania who walked alongside Cheryl explained with a kind smile.
“Even though this is the highest floor of Bottomless Abyss, this place has no Order, after all. Here, rules in hell don’t apply and one is unable to determine one’s direction by bearing like on the main plane. Be it a city or fortress, its position is moving constantly, which is why we are not searching and are just following it. Besides, time and distance have no meaning here. We can’t be sure of the amount of time we need to reach our destination. All in all, as long as we keep moving, we will reach our destination at the most appropriate time.”
“Is… that so?”
Cheryl, who didn’t have any experience in traveling across planes, turned pale. She widened her eyes speechlessly. This bizarre situation was totally illogical. If she didn’t encounter this herself, she would never believe that such a world existed.
According to Miss Stefania, we will reach our destination at the most appropriate time. In that case, why are we still wandering about? Maybe if we take a break, we will reach our destination after opening our eyes. Does such a strange world truly exist?
Even though Cheryl was dubious, reality quickly overthrew her final doubt.
“We’re here.”
As she puckered her brows and pondered, Rhode suddenly came to a halt and turned to the corner on the left. Upon hearing him, Cheryl turned to where he was facing and widened her eyes in astonishment. A fortress had emerged in the wild, sandy land.
Desolate Town.
Even though one might think that Desolate Town was like those small towns in the main plane, as a matter of fact, it was a huge fortress city made of stone and steel. But it was a pity that this fortress wasn’t as orderly as the demons’ Steel Fortress. Although it was just barely in order, the state of the city walls was a complete mess. Looking from a distance, the fortress looked like a child’s carefree game of block building. No matter how the overall look of the blocks stacked on each other turned out to be, it would be enough as long as it resembled a fortress.
And that was the case for Desolate Town.
“What in the world? Leader, let’s do it.”
Gazing at the chaotic group of devils by the entrance, Mini Bubble Gum raised her spirits instantly. She squinted, clenched her tiny fists, and revealed an excited smile. This reaction of hers was entirely a sign of her about to attack. But…
“Hmm?”
At this moment, she was taken aback. Her expression changed slightly as she stretched out her arm and emanated a pure, white radiance from her hand. But compared to the holy brilliance she usually released in the past, this time the radiance seemed more… dull?
“Leader, there’s a problem…”
“What’s wrong?”
Upon hearing Mini Bubble Gum’s sudden, lowered voice, Rhode stared blankly at her. In fact, he was prepared to send Mini Bubble Gum out to greet the beings ahead. Although Rhode came to Desolate Town to ‘fulfill’ his agreement with Asmodeus, it was an entirely different matter as to how he executed it. But now, the excited and joyous Mini Bubble Gum ‘calmed’ down all of a sudden and this surprised him.
“My power…”
Mini Bubble Gum clenched her fists. Although along with her action, the pure white, sacred radiance grew brighter, it seemed like she had to expend a lot of strength to do it.
“My strength has weakened!”
“… Huh?”
Upon hearing her response, Rhode was in disbelief. He extended his arm quickly and opened the system interface, searching for her name in the name list and looking at her attributes. But there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with them; her level and attributes remained the same. Could it be due to her entering the abyss? What kind of joke was this? Mini Bubble Gum was always healthy and active and now, her power had suddenly weakened?