Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 606 - 607: The Rules of Trial

"The main consciousness of the Demon Temple has immense strength. But don’t let that make you overconfident. The trial’s rules, or rather her moral principles, will limit what she can do."

" Really?"

"Yes. So just focus on developing the Church, let its influence reach every corner of the world."

"But, the cruel deeds I’ve done for the expansion of the Church... are they truly acceptable?"

"Kael Korod, you must understand, everything you do is to lead the world to a brighter future. Sacrifices are unavoidable for a greater good. Do not feel lost or hesitant, just go ahead. I will forgive all your actions."

"Yes, I will... fulfill my mission. I will not disappoint you, Goddess..."

….

With the squeeze of the black-haired girl’s fingers, Kael’s head burst like a rotten melon, his brain and blood splattering. His consciousness was plunged into endless darkness.

But deep inside, Kael’s will transformed into unbreakable chains, reaching into the abyss, dragging his consciousness back from the engulfing darkness.

’I…’

’I can’t die like this, not before completing the Goddess’s mission. I can’t leave, can’t disappoint the Goddess.’

’I mustn’t, absolutely mustn’t!’

Guided by his strong will, Kael’s consciousness gradually returned to his body.

Despite his head being mercilessly crushed, the abundant holy energy within him along with his powerful life force and soul strength, managed to regenerate his head. Although it became a grotesque, nauseating mass of flesh and blood, he roughly reconstructed the shape of his head.

After regenerating his face, Kael abruptly opened his eyes.

The first thing he did upon regaining sight was to clumsily rise from the ground, watching the black-haired girl nearby with a wary gaze.

At that moment,

The black-haired girl, surrounded by dozens of bloody red butterflies, stood quietly not far away, carefully holding a seed emanating a ghostly blue light. Kael couldn’t see her expression due to her lowered head and mask.

But it was clear that the girl was intently focusing on the seed in her hand, the core of Higanbana.

The girl, holding the seed, remained motionless, as if a statue frozen in time.

Apart from her clothes and hair fluttering in the wind, the only movement was the slow trickle of tears falling from beneath her mask. Crystal clear, yet filled with sorrow. The brutality and coldness that once emanated from her were now overshadowed by an indescribable sadness.

"Huh?"

"She’s crying?"

Kael frowned in confusion.

Just then, Kael’s movement as he rose from the ground, and his serious and puzzled gaze, once again drew the black-haired girl’s attention. She slowly lifted her head, her moist, crimson eyes under the mask locking onto Kael.

Kael’s survival seemed to surprise the girl.

But soon, a vast surge of crimson shadow mixed with cold murderous intent, swept over Kael, making him breathless and turn pale.

Seeing the girl slowly raising her hand from afar, and sensing the terrifying power accumulating in her palm, Kael took a deep breath.

’She…’

’Is indeed intent on killing me…’

Without taking action, his life was in real danger. Currently, he was no match for this abyssal demon mother.

Kael was not afraid of death; he feared failing the Goddess’s mission.

Gritting his teeth,

Driven by a strong will, Kael suppressed the anxiety in his heart and looked resolutely at the black-haired girl.

Deciding to take a gamble, Kael let out a somewhat hysterical roar:

"Blood Butterfly! I am Kael Korod, the leader and the Pope of Asumos Church! You, you cannot kill me, you are breaking the agreement with the Goddess! You are disrupting the order of the trial!"

Yumo: "..."

Following Kael’s words, the girl’s movement halted, the terrifying shadow energy in her hand quietly dissipating. The air, previously filled with a sharp intent targeting Kael Korod, suddenly lost its edge.

Apparently, the black-haired girl’s heart wavered because of Kael’s statement.

Although her expression was unseen, the sudden retreat of her murderous intent was the best proof.

Observing this, Kael who was extremely tense inside, felt a glimmer of hope.

’Just as I thought…’

’The Goddess’s words were never wrong…’

Although he didn’t fully understand what restrained the actions of the Demon Temple, as long as he didn’t attack her, she couldn’t attack him. After all, he was a rare peak-level eight human, a key combatant in the chosen ones’ camp.

However,

Just as Kael felt a sense of relief, the black-haired girl spoke after a moment of silence.

Her next words directly caused Kael’s face to darken.

His heart, just calmed down, was again filled with tension.

"What does it matter if you are the Pop?"

’What?!’

At this, Kael’s brow furrowed, a strong sense of unease rapidly growing inside him.

"What did you say?"

The black-haired girl tilted her head slightly, speaking in a detached tone:

"No need for talking more. In the end, it’s better if you just die"

As her words fell,

The murderous intent that had dissipated suddenly reconverged, piercing through Kael’s body like a thousand blades. Under this terrifying intent, Kael became frozen again.

In the next instant,

A burst of crimson shadow power rapidly gathered at the girl’s fingertips. A beam of crimson light slashed through the space, striking Kael with ferocity.

With the spread of a scorching, putrid smell,

Kael felt an emptiness in his chest.

What followed was an excruciating pain like never before.

"How... how can this happen..."

Trembling, the Pope looked down at the ghastly hole in his chest, feeling the relentless spread of the corrosive shadow power and his rapidly fading life force. His eyes, once filled with disbelief, now turned pale with shock. Whether due to the extreme shock, excessive blood loss, or the intense pain, Kael’s face turned deathly white. His pale cheeks, wide eyes, and lips twisted in agony painted a picture of a horrifying demon, a stark contrast to his usual commanding presence.

’Goddess...’

’This…’

’This isn’t what we agreed upon...’

Struggling to accept the reality, despite his excruciating pain, shakily turned his head towards the main church, or more precisely, where the statue of the Goddess was. He weakly raised his right hand, seemingly unwilling to give up, seeking aid from the Goddess.

However,

Before Kael could cry out for help, countless blood-colored butterflies, sensing the massive amount of holy energy and life force emanating from him, swarmed towards him like sharks to blood. They surrounded Kael in an instant, voraciously eating his flesh, life force, and soul power.

Kael: "AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Even in his weakened state,

Kael couldn’t help but let out a heart-wrenching scream, chilling to the bone. He frantically swung his twin swords, slashing at the bloody butterflies encircling him.

Struggling, making his last stand.

And when the bloody butterflies dispersed once more,

The ear-piercing scream abruptly stopped.

In the desolate night wind, Kael’s body lay there, transformed into a grotesque, withered corpse with a gaping chest, lifelessly collapsing onto the ground.

...

...

Looking at Kael’s lifeless corpse, Yumo said coldly:

"As for the trial... It doesn’t matter anymore..."