Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 668 - 669: The Return of a Supreme?

"Nolan? what happened to you?"

The disheveled, roguishly charming man who just appeared was undoubtedly Hakim’s long-sought colleague. He was one of the Supreme of Holy Tower, Nolan.

Seeing his colleague, who had been missing overnight, suddenly return, Hakim put aside his plans to go out searching and stood there, somewhat bewildered.

Hmm?

What’s going on here?

He had thought that Nolan had been discovered by the Blood Butterfly while investigating last night, leading to his prolonged silence.

Yet now, here he was, appearing unharmed before Hakim?

After a careful sensing, Hakim noticed that Nolan didn’t have a trace of blood on him, his aura was stable, and his magical power was robust, appearing completely normal.

’It seemed that I had been overly worried before’

After being stunned for a few seconds, Hakim turned his head, shooting a sharp glance at the two attendants.

Although it was just a look, the two wind domain attendants immediately understood, bowed to their Holy Tower leaders, and hurriedly left the hall, uncomfortable. As the door closed, Hakim’s gaze once again intensely focused on Nolan.

However, unlike before, there was no longer worry or unease in Hakim’s eyes, only an overwhelming coldness.

The silver-haired man stepped forward towards Nolan, questioning:

"What happened last night?"

"Last night?"

Nolan jumped down from the window, scratching his head awkwardly:

"I went to investigate at the Luminous Royal Academy, as planned."

"And the result? Did you find out the truth about that monster?"

"Mm."

Nolan nodded affirmatively:

"I now understand why the Church is so cautious. That girl transformed from the Demon Temple is truly terrifying. Although her aura was suppressed and she seemed no different from an ordinary human, the power contained within her is vast and boundless. She’s far more powerful than any ordinary Demon king. That power, I fear, is nearly ten times stronger than yours."

Saying this, Nolan even shivered, still haunted by the memory.

"Ten times?"

Hearing this, a serious look appeared in Hakim’s eyes,

"As expected of the disaster left by the Demon Lord, much stronger than a regular Demon King. This is indeed tricky."

"Yeah, we better not act rashly. Let’s follow the Church’s plan for now. In the end, it all depends on the Girl of Destiny. Although the Bloody Butterfly is strong, she should not be invincible."

"Hmm?"

Hearing his colleague’s words, Hakim’s expression became strange.

The man before him looked and felt exactly like the colleague he knew well, but there was an unusual sense of peculiarity about him.

He knew how much Nolan despised the church.

Could someone who loathes the church so much suddenly say things showing trust in the church?

"You, who have always distrusted the Church, why suddenly decide to obediently follow their arrangements?"

"Ah? No, no..."

Nolan hurriedly shook his head in denial:

"It’s not that I trust them. But... considering the horror of Bloody Butterfly, we have to trust them a little for now. That kind of monster, we can’t defeat alone. No force can. Besides, although the Church always has their own agenda, their determination to eliminate Abyssal Demons shouldn’t be questioned. At least for now, I think we can work with them."

"Mm, that’s true."

Hakim nodded noncommittally.

"Does she have any weaknesses?"

"Weaknesses?"

"Wasn’t the point of your investigation last night to figure out her strengths and weaknesses, to try and find a vulnerability in that monster?"

Seeing Nolan’s reaction, Hakim grew increasingly suspicious.

"Oh, right!"

With an embarrassed smile, Nolan suddenly looked enlightened.

Then, the man helplessly shook his head:

"I was too reckless last night, my head is still not clear."

"..."

"Actually, I didn’t notice any weaknesses. That creature is very powerful all over, with no obvious vulnerabilities. So, strictly speaking, I didn’t gain much."

"You..."

Clearly, Hakim was dissatisfied with this answer.

But that was expected.

The Demon Temple, being the source of all Abyssal Demons, possesses incomparable power. The more powerful the entity, the fewer the weaknesses, and the harder they are to discover. While Nolan’s scouting and sensing abilities are strong, it’s rather fanciful to think he could discern Bloody Butterfly’s abilities from a distance.

But then...

Seemingly having thought of something, Hakim’s expression turned displeased, and a terrifying magical pressure overwhelmed Nolan, making the already weak-looking man retreat continuously, barely maintaining his balance by leaning against a wall.

"Nolan, even if you didn’t find anything, you should have reported back immediately after your investigation last night. Why did you go off the grid and only return now?!"

Hakim’s words were full of reproach.

Even though Hakim and Nolan were both Supremes of the Holy Tower, Hakim always had an air of authority, his presence and dignity unmatched by other Supremes.

Intimidated by Hakim’s scolding, Nolan timidly lowered his head, his expression fearful.

"Sorry, sorry, the pressure was a bit... too much after sensing her aura."

Nolan patted his chest, still visibly shaken.

As if he truly recalled something terrifying.

"Pressure? And then?"

"Because of the pressure, so... I went to the red-light district last night to relax haha, got too carried away and forgot to reply to you, sorry, sorry."

"You..."

Hearing this, Hakim pressed his forehead in a mix of emotions and shook his head helplessly.

Recalling Nolan’s disheveled appearance upon his return and his colleague’s usual indiscretions, Hakim didn’t doubt anything, just resignedly sighed.

Wanting to be angry, but then swallowing the scolding words.

"Forget it, I’m too tired to talk about it."

"Sorry, haha"

"Just..."

"Hmm?"

"You need to change your habit of reckless debauchery. If outsiders find out, wouldn’t it disgrace our Holy Tower?!"

"Ah, sorry."

"Forget it, I won’t say more. Just tidy up your clothes first."

Glancing at Nolan’s disordered attire, Hakim spoke disdainfully.

Nolan could only nod repeatedly like a scolded child, not daring to utter another word.

After sighing again, Hakim glanced at the locked door beside him. Simultaneously, the terrifying magical pressure and coldness within him receded, instantly dissipating the tense atmosphere.

"Now that you’re back, take a look at Dongy. I’m going out for a bit."

"Going out?"

"Mm. After all, our official reason for coming to Anvika is to attend the Saintess’ coronation ceremony. It wouldn’t be proper not to visit the Church now that we’re here."

"Oh, right."

"You just stay here."

"Okay, understood."

...

After giving a few more instructions, Hakim entered a teleportation circle and left the embassy surrounded by a blue light.

At this moment,

The large hall was left with only Nolan.

As Hakim left, the guilt on Nolan’s face visibly dissipated, replaced by a sense of relief. He leaned against the wall, panting heavily.

As he breathed, the wind attribute magic around him quietly began to decompose and reshape into pale golden sacred magic... His robust body also gradually became frail and delicate, with numerous fierce scars appearing on his body.

Whew~

Thank Goddess,

"It seems I’ve managed to deceive him..."