Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 242: Soul Gems (Part 1/2) [3/5]

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Inside the hidden dungeon of the Cowport Marquis Manor,

The once orderly experiments and extraction of "Soul Gems" have come to a sudden halt.

The dungeon, which was filled with the sounds of magical explosions, prison guards’ roars, children’s cries, and screams, now fell into an eerie silence that sent shivers down the spine...

The entire dungeon had descended into chaos,

Fragments of staff, magical artifacts, broken swords, blood, and torn flesh were scattered haphazardly on the ground.

The white-robed mages who were supposed to be casting spells to condense the "Soul Gems" seemed to have suffered some severe injuries. They lay foaming at the mouth on the floor, their lives hanging by a thread. Only a few remained conscious, trembling on the ground...

The children who were crying earlier had stopped, their tears frozen on their faces. They looked incredulously through the iron bars at the black-armored knights who had suddenly appeared inside the dungeon. Though they didn’t know who these knights were, judging by their actions of attacking the white-robed mages and prison guards, tshould be enemies of those terrifying mages.

’Could it be... they were here to save us?’

These children, nearly consumed by despair, couldn’t help but think so.

The children watched quietly as these knights in black armor.

Strangely enough,

Despite the chilling and murderous aura emanating from the black knights, even as they ruthlessly slaughtered the prison guards and turned numerous white-robed mages into a sorry state, the children didn’t feel the slightest bit of threat from them.

Instead, they gradually began to develop an inexplicable sense of trust.

While observing the black-armored knights, the children’s attention also turned to the center of the dungeon, where a stunning and goddess-like black-haired girl stood out among the burly knights. With her enchanting appearance, it was only natural for her to capture attention amidst the group of imposing black knights...

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The black-haired girl, our Miss Yumo, couldn’t control herself after learning from Ed about the deeds of the Cowport Marquis. She led ten knights from the Black Rose family and "infiltrated" the Cowport Marquis Manor, eager to find out the truth,

To see what those dreadful experiments were that the child spoke of?

However,

As Yumo entered the dungeon and witnessed the horrifying scene before her, her azure eyes flared with anger, turning crimson. The Black Rose family’s "infiltration" plan took a slight detour.

Gazing at the boy in front of her, his body dissolved and barely recognizable, emitting agonizing cries, Yumo furrowed her brow. Even though she was accustomed to Abyssal Demons devouring humans, the sight unsettled her.

Alas, it seemed she had arrived a little too late...

The process of dissolution and compression to create the so-called "Soul Gems" must have been far more excruciating than being devoured by Abyssal Demons. Most of the time, when humans were devoured, death came swiftly. But this process of dissolution? Extracting their very souls? It surpassed any form of torture or torment.

’Humans... Sometimes they can be cruel to their own kind...’

And worse still, they are just a child’s. Yumo couldn’t help but feel pity.

After a moment of inward sighing, Yumo approached the pitiful child with mixed emotions, slowly raising her hand. A bloody-colored butterfly danced gracefully, and as golden powder scattered, the unconscious child slipped into a deep slumber—quietly succumbing to eternal sleep...

Yumo had contemplated saving the child, but his injuries were beyond the healing power of the "Tears of Nature." As for bestowing him with the power of Shadow? Given the boy’s talent, controlling that power without becoming an Abyssal Demon was next to impossible.

Moreover, the child’s spirit was on the verge of collapse, and his soul was beginning to disintegrate...

After bidding the child a quiet farewell, Yumo turned her gaze to Sebastian at her side, who respectfully handed her a box filled with white gems. Countless white-robed mages watched anxiously:

"My lady, this is what they’ve been creating—these so-called ’Soul Gems’..."

As he spoke, Sebastian’s expression contorted with disgust and a menacing aura, directed at the motionless white-robed mages on the ground.

"Soul Gems, huh?"

Yumo carefully examined a white gem she took from the box.

Indeed,

As the white-robed mages had described, these gemstones contained a potent and untainted spiritual power. Put simply, the energy within these gemstones could effortlessly be assimilated by the human body without any adverse reactions...

In response, a furrow formed on Yumo’s brow as she turned her gaze toward the middle-aged man with purple hair. He had been subdued by the horned girl and lay on the ground, his once lavish attire now in disarray.

"What is your intention with these Soul Gems?" Yumo inquired, her voice tinged with concern.

Upon hearing Yumo’s question, the horned girl, Xizhi, released her grip on the purple-haired man, identified as Marquis Cowport. With a forceful motion, she raised him up and brought him before Yumo, his face bearing the marks of a brutal assault.

Noting the bewildered expression on the man’s face, Xizhi wasted no time. She swiftly unsheathed her dagger and thrust it into the man’s shoulder. Instantly, blood splattered and a pained cry escaped the man’s lips.

"Ah, ahh, ahh...!"

In the midst of excruciating agony, Marquis Cowport regained his senses. His gaze darted fearfully toward the black-haired girl standing before him, his eyes reflecting only terror.

"Our young lady has posed a question. Answer swiftly! What compelled you to meddle with these Soul Gems?"

Xizhi demanded sternly, withdrawing her dagger. The orange-red vertical slit of her dragon-like eyes held a deeper significance as she fixed her piercing gaze upon Marquis Cowport.

Under the weight of the intense interrogation, Marquis Cowport trembled and recollected the earlier conversation he had with the girl confronting him. His agonized screams were stifled, swallowed back down.

Finally, Marquis Cowport directed his attention to the captivating black-haired girl before him, reminiscent of a celestial harbinger of death.

"No, I never intended to involve myself with these gemstones. It was the Emperor... No, His Majesty’s decree! The white-robed mages were dispatched by His Majesty. I am but an executor of his orders! I was left with no choice! I implore you, spare my life!" Marquis Cowport pleaded desperately.

"The Emperor? Xue Tianao?" Yumo questioned.

"Yes, yes, it was Emperor Xue Tianao! He commanded us to gather the Soul Gems!" Marquis Cowport hastily responded.

...Xue Tianao,