Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 225: Secretly Causing Trouble

Faced with the sudden appearance of this mystical creature, the Royal Knights couldn’t help but wear expressions of confusion. They struggled to understand how this seemingly delicate little being had managed to bypass the protective barriers and find its way to the armory.

To complicate matters further, why would a snow wolf be present within the palace walls? Whose contracted beast could it possibly be?

These thoughts raced through their minds, prompting Squad Leader Herrlot to glance back at his comrades and curiously inquire,

"Whose contracted beast is this, anyone know?"

Normally, the arrival of a contracted beast in search of its master would be considered ordinary.

However, the Royal Knights collectively shook their heads, denying any ownership and deepening Herrlot’s perplexity.

Nevertheless, despite their confusion, they refrained from making any rash moves against the sudden intruder. Their demeanor remained devoid of hostility as the small wolf before them exuded an overwhelming charm and innocence, with an aura so feeble and a playful tongue sticking out.

So, what course of action should they take now? Should they chase the creature away? Or would that be too heartless? Perhaps they should consider offering it some sustenance first?

As Herrlot pondered this conundrum, his eyes fixated on the endearing white wolf, his mind racing with possibilities. Although his duty as the guardian of the armory usually involved apprehending or expelling unauthorized trespassers, his fondness for furry creatures prevented him from raising a hand against this tender, fluffy being.

"What shall I do?"

While Herrlot deliberated and focused on the enigmatic snow wolf, an abrupt bird call resounded near his ear.

"Chirp chirp~"

"Wait?! What?!"

Startled by the unexpected sound, Herrlot widened his gaze, hastily turning toward its origin. In that split second, even the sword gripped in his hand surged with powerful combat energy...

But as Herrlot’s eyes locked onto the source, confusion consumed him once more.

"is that a Bird?"

Perched upon Herrlot’s left shoulder, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, was the typically grey and endearing little bird. Its emerald eyes blinked in synchrony with Herrlot’s own, causing a deluge of question marks to flood his mind.

"Another Divine beast?"

Before he could delve further into contemplation, an astonishing sight unfolded.

In the blink of an eye, under Herrlot’s incredulous and apprehensive gaze, the diminutive grey bird suddenly vaulted into the air, emitting a cry reminiscent of Bruce Lee’s iconic shout. Its wings fluttered vigorously, delivering a forceful blow to Herrlot’s head, leaving him momentarily stunned!

"Snap~"

With a crisp sound, the power that had gathered around Herrlot suddenly dissipated. The Royal Knight, after a momentary daze, immediately rolled his eyes, foamed at the mouth, and collapsed unconscious...

...

After several seconds,

Following the inexplicable downfall of the formidable Squad Leader Herrlot, the remaining Royal Knights succumbed to the "affection" of the little grey bird, falling into a state of unconsciousness. At this moment, the armory momentarily lost its "protection."

Gazing at the fallen knights, gleaming and radiant,

The little grey bird couldn’t help but emit a gleeful "chirp chirp."

Then,

After a subtle ripple of emerald-hued shadowy power, the little grey bird astonishingly transformed into an exquisite and adorable young girl with silvery-grey hair, not a strand out of place. Swiftly draping herself in a Royal Knight’s cloak, Liyu hastened to cover her form.

"Indeed, I should seek Xiao’s assistance to fashion a set of attire akin to Mother’s, woven from memory fibers..."

Each time she reverted to her human form, the sensation of being completely bare was rather discomforting...

Nevertheless,

’Let us concentrate on the task at hand for now.’

With that notion in mind, Liyu turned her head slowly, urging,

"Sister, it is time to depart. What... What are you up to once again?"

However,

In the split second she turned her gaze, the smile on Liyu’s face froze instantly, her eyes brimming with incredulity, and even faint traces of exasperation materialized. At that very moment, her mischievous companion Limo, plagued by a perpetual tendency for trouble, had instinctively positioned herself beside Herrlot, unveiling her endearing "ravenous maw"...

As her sister, Liyu required no contemplation to discern,

Her sister had resumed her eating antics,

"Sigh~"

Unable to suppress a sigh emanating from her core, Liyu instantaneously transformed into an iridescent emerald glow, abruptly arriving at Herrlot’s side. Without uttering a word, she seized Limo by the tail, lifting her up and embracing her against her chest.

"Sister, you must refrain from devouring him."

"Meow! Meow!!"

Observing her minuscule maw growing increasingly distant from the sustenance, Limo protested in an unknown language, coupled with a sense of dissatisfaction. Simultaneously, her crimson-hued eyes conveyed a semblance of reproach toward her sister.

Yet,

Confronted by her sister’s reproachful gaze, Liyu could only sigh helplessly.

"Sigh, please sister control yourself. Once these knights perish and their soul gems shatter, others will undoubtedly take notice of the situation here, won’t they? How then can we proceed with our covert infiltration? In matters of stealth, we cannot emulate the audacity of ’Nightingale’ and engage in indiscriminate combat at the slightest provocation."

"Meow..."

Upon hearing Liyu’s words and feeling her sister’s gentle caresses, Limo let out a sigh and drooped her ears. Although she still appeared somber, she had at least ceased her clamoring for meat. Observing her sister’s rare display of compliance, Liyu couldn’t help but wear a sweet smile and nudge the head of the little white wolf with her delicate chin.

"Hehe, sister, you’re such a good girl~"

"Meow~"

"Alright, alright, it’s time to focus on the task at hand."

After soothing her silly sister, Liyu turned her gaze and arrived at the entrance of the armory. The door stood ten meters wide and ten meters high, forged from sturdy iron. Opening such a massive door was no easy feat, yet Liyu casually exerted a gentle push, effortlessly swinging it wide open. In her slender arms resided an astonishing power.

As the door swung open, a wide array of weapons and a dazzling assortment of equipment suddenly revealed itself before Liyu, causing the girl with gray hair to raise an intrigued eyebrow.

"It seems this ’son of Destiny’ has quite the collection."

But well, those things aren’t our main objective. That bastard’s weapon should be stored in the B3 vault, right?

Recalling the documents, she had perused at Fengling’s room, Liyu cradled the adorable little white wolf and leisurely treaded towards the interior.

While strolling, Liyu cast a pensive gaze over her shoulder.

’Hm, regular contact seemed to occur approximately every fifteen minutes. If there was no contact for longer than fifteen minutes, it would trigger an alarm.’

’In other words, we still have fifteen minutes to spare. I must hasten and locate it.’

With that in mind, Liyu held the little wolf tightly and dashed barefooted toward the depths of the armory...

--

Half an hour later, in the depths of the underground palace, precisely within the confines of the dungeon,

Gaff, one of Xue Tianao’s trusted confidants, wearily leaned against a chair after completing a portion of the experiments. Ever since receiving Emperor Xue Tianao’s instructions, he had been engrossed in contemplation and conducting repeated experiments, striving to uncover a method to vanquish Inferno.

However, Inferno’s corporeal form seemed to be entirely composed of raging flames, bearing no resemblance to any known life form.

Despite reaching the forty-ninth experiment, he remained empty-handed. This frustrated Gaff immensely, and an inner restlessness consumed him. In order to repay Xue Tianao for his benevolence, he needed to achieve something substantial that would earn his recognition.

Furthermore, if he failed to unravel the enigma of Inferno’s secrets, he would undoubtedly disappoint Xue Tianao.

"I cannot disappoint His Majesty!"

Gaff fervently repeated in his mind, emphasizing his unwavering determination.

"Seems like it’s time to prepare for the next experiment. This time, let’s test the fusion of elements and see if it yields any results." Gazing at the roaring fireball within the nearby dungeon, Gaff inhaled deeply, gathering his energy once more.

And at that very moment,

The fireball abruptly swelled,

"What?!"

"Hmm?"

In the presence of the imperial guards and royal knights, a vivid burst of crimson flames erupted from within the fireball, surging and engulfing the entire prison cell, colliding vehemently with the surrounding barrier...

"Hehe, still clinging to hope, aren’t you?" Watching the inferno’s desperate attempt to shatter the barrier and escape, Gaff wore a scornful smile, utterly unperturbed by its resistance. After all, in these recent days, the inferno had ceaselessly endeavored to break free, but all its endeavors had met with failure.

Though they were unable to slay the inferno, the constrained power within it rendered any breakthrough of the meticulously crafted barriers impossible.

Moreover, in a certain sense, allowing inferno to stir up a commotion wasn’t entirely unfavorable. After exhausting its surplus power, the risks associated with future experiments would drastically diminish, as inferno wouldn’t scarcely possess the strength to assault the researchers any longer.

With this in mind, Gaff silently grasped a cup of tea, savoring its contents leisurely.

It would be prudent to wait until it settles down before commencing the experiment...

And so, beneath Gaff and his companions’ nonchalant gaze, the fiery red flames continued their expansion, enveloping the entire space within the barrier, creating a sea of crimson fire...

Meanwhile, within the heart of the Crimson red fireball,

Stood a red-haired woman, draped in worn and tattered attire. Despite her disheveled appearance, she possessed a graceful figure and an alluring countenance. Through the crimson sea of fire, she silently observed Gaff and the others from outside. Noticing their lack of suspicion, a faint smile graced her lips.

Seems like her simulated resistance had some effect.

Subsequently,

The woman turned her gaze leisurely toward a nearby ventilation opening, her expression transforming from the usual icy demeanor into a sweet and radiant smile.

"Limo, Liyu, it has been far too long~ Come, let your sister give you a hug!"