Chapter 1136 - : Shadows of the Ice City (2) (1/2)

If it were any ordinary ice layer, Rhode wouldn’t be this cautious. But now, the problem with the ice layer was that not even Lydia’s and Erin’s attack could leave a single scratch on its surface, and this put Rhode on guard. There were very few objects that could survive unscathed from the attack of an archangel in the Dragon Soul Continent. And for such an object to appear on Earth, Rhode couldn’t help but feel concerned. But even so, they continued moving ahead because no matter what, the mysterious ice layer didn’t seem to possess any consciousness and was just purely ice.

Although the ice layer was extremely thick, it was pure and transparent in appearance, where even the hair of those people trapped within could be seen clearly. The people weren’t clad in ancient costumes made of animal skins as Thomas and the researchers had imagined, but wore gorgeous long robes and beautifully-carved armor instead. They also wielded and raised swords, shields, and staffs in their hands as though they were frozen into ice in the midst of battle. If this was all there was to it, it wouldn’t be considered too strange. But the problem was that there was nothing in front of them.

One of them clad in armor widened his mouth, raised the sword high, and his other hand held a shield before him as though he were in battle with a ferocious monster. However, there was nothing apart from the empty ice crystal in front of him. That didn’t only happen to him. On the other side, a woman embraced her child and looked ahead in fear, extending her right hand in despair as though she were helplessly defending her child. And similarly, there was nothing in front of her.

These guys should be the former Void Dragon’s subordinates.

Rhode scanned the people sealed in the ice and pondered. Based on this, it was apparent that they were suddenly frozen into ice during a battle against some mysterious enemies. Besides, it was obvious that they weren’t mentally prepared for this and didn’t detect the arrival of danger. On the other hand, they were determined in fighting against the enemies. No, perhaps even until the end, they didn’t know who they were up against.

What’s this?

Rhode extended his hand and touched the ice surface that was permeating cold air. Then, he made a hand gesture and the little mermaid appeared before him again. She stretched out her arm and released a cold wind to the ice surface. But even with her power, she couldn’t affect the thick ice layer one bit. Shortly after, the little mermaid retracted her arm, gazed at Rhode with a sorry expression, and shook her head. It seemed like this wasn’t a problem with the elements. Perhaps this ice layer in front of everyone wasn’t exactly ice despite it displaying properties of one. If not, it wouldn’t be possible for one at the little mermaid’s level to not affect it at all. As a water elemental elf, she should be more or less able to sense similar elemental presence from the ice. However, she clearly told him that she couldn’t sense any presence of the water element, which explained that this thing wasn’t ice at all. It would be more appropriate to treat it as a crystal instead. It was just that the cold air permeating from the surface made them misunderstand it as ice, perhaps.

“Do you know what this is?”

Rhode sauntered forward, sized up the people trapped in the ice, and asked his younger sister softly. Then, he heard her response.

“No… Big Brother, I’m not aware. But apparently, it is likely something ‘used to seal up everything in this place to not be disrupted by the outside world’… I think this might be the work of Marybelle.”

“Hmm?”

Rhode was taken aback.

“Didn’t you say you don’t know what this is? How are you sure Marybelle did it? Do you have some impression of this thing?”

“No, Big Brother. Just like what I said, this is likely something ‘used to seal up everything in this place to not be disrupted by the outside world’. It doesn’t have a name, but due to this reason I think this was done by Marybelle. Because she is the Presence Deity Warden. As long as she recognizes the existence of something, that something will exist no matter how miraculous it is.”

“…”

After hearing his younger sister’s answer, Rhode couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his brow. According to what she just said, it meant that no matter how strange the thing was, it would exist as long as Marybelle recognized its existence? How ridiculous was that? Even though Rhode already knew that the six deity wardens were godlike figures, it was simply too insane for them to be this powerful.

“In this case, if Marybelle wished for a weapon that could instantly kill a dragon soul heir, she can create it and defeat a dragon soul heir in a second?”

“That isn’t the case, Big Brother. No matter what, dragon soul heirs are beings who inherited the dragon essence of the Creator Dragons. Although she isn’t as powerful as you, who reincarnated and gained even stronger powers, she more or less needs to expend some amount of power.”

Hmm… more or less needs to expend some amount of power, huh…

But… what exactly were they fighting with? Could it be the monsters that we fought earlier?

At this thought, Rhode puckered his brows and pondered deeply. After a few moments, he shook his head.

No, it isn’t too likely. Even though I don’t know how strong these people were, it seems like they more or less possessed battle strength in the Legendary Stage and the monsters surely couldn’t defeat them. Besides, since the original Void Dragon sent them over, it proved that they had the ability to overcome challenges. At least, they were neither ones who would give up at the sight of stronger enemies, nor would they be defeated by terrifying-looking dinosaurs that weren’t all that powerful… So what exactly is the reason? Just who were they fighting against?

“Let’s move on. Be more careful.”

Rhode arranged his thoughts and said softly to Lydia and Erin, before scanning the left and right. Shortly after, Lydia and Erin intuitively moved to the left and right of the group, while gazing vigilantly at the surroundings. They weren’t fools. Since even Lydia’s blades failed to leave a scratch on the ice layer, it went to show that there might be even stronger monsters ahead. That was why maintaining a certain level of vigilance was essential.

Just like this, everyone followed Rhode’s lead and headed toward the enormous pyramid structure in the middle of the plaza. Although Rhode wasn’t sure if what he needed was there, at least it seemed like it was the most eye-catching place in the entire plaza, where perhaps he could find some clues.

Thomas had lost his right to command, but he wasn’t furious at all. Meanwhile, he clenched his fists in excitement and chatted with his colleagues.

“You see, I knew it! I knew this would happen! My judgment was right!”

“What are you talking about, Thomas?”

The fat man closely following Thomas grunted, lifting his belly and barely managing to catch up with him. Then, he asked in confusion.