Chapter 583 - 581: Stars Ashen, Curtains Drawn
Meanwhile, outside.
The pollution spreading in the Elf Forest has bypassed the Elf Royal City, reaching farther regions, because the source of the pollution is not in the center of the Elf Forest but rather closer to the outskirts.
So, many towns outside the Elf Forest have already been hit by the pollution.
Mandela Town.
Hardwin, who had come to travel to the Elf Race, was having a meal, discussing the situation in the Elf Royal City with his friends.
"What exactly is going on in the Elf Royal City, why can’t we contact them? If this continues, there’s no way we’ll get the qualification to enter and visit the Elf Royal City before the visa expires."
"Who knows? It seems they stopped receiving people since yesterday, also not sure what happened."
"Let’s wait a bit, if it doesn’t work, we might have to sneak into the Elf Forest for a look."
"Are you crazy? Although most creatures in the Elf Forest are harmless, there are also beasts and magical beasts that attack people. Sneaking in means you don’t want to live?"
"We can’t just stay in this town forever, can we?"
As they were speaking, Hardwin suddenly heard the piercing sound of an alarm outside.
"Emergency alert: a dense wave of pollution is coming from the Elf Forest direction, everyone is urged to take cover immediately, advised to return home, close doors and windows, and travelers please go back to your lodgings. Do not leave until the danger has passed."
The urgent broadcast sounded, throwing the entire restaurant into chaos.
Hardwin and his friends exchanged a glance, looking at each other in dismay.
A moment later, they hurriedly stuffed the remaining food into their mouths, then quickly ran out, heading back to their hotel room.
"Pollution, is it the kind of terrifying force that the Holy Court says is controlled by heretics?"
Hardwin’s face was full of uncertainty.
"It should be. It’s said that once someone comes in contact with the pollution, they can go insane directly..."
His friend came to the window, looking outside.
Their room’s window faced the direction of the Elf Forest, and through various tree houses, they could see a terrifying grey fog approaching from there.
The density of the fog made Hardwin’s face turn pale.
"Can ordinary doors and windows keep that stuff out?"
"...I don’t know."
Hardwin hurriedly opened his wristband, searching for various information about the pollution.
A moment later, he put down the wristband, "It’s over, it can’t be stopped, we might..."
He lowered his head and sent a message to his mother back home.
"Dear Mother, the pollution is here, I think I’m going to die."
His mother immediately sent a flurry of messages back.
At this moment, the pollution swept in, entering the town.
Without the protection of arrays connected to the Holy Tree, doors and windows couldn’t stop the invasion of pollution, and from the crevices, the grey fog slowly seeped in.
Hardwin held his breath, trying to resist the invasion of pollution.
However, this was futile.
He felt as if his body had become incredibly strong, but at the same time, a strange force was tearing at his body, as if the muscle tears from his growing strength were causing him intense pain.
His mind gradually became muddled and dazed.
He held onto his reason, telling his old mother at home what was happening.
Boom!
Suddenly, his friend punched him in the stomach, knocking him to the ground, fists flailing wildly.
A surge of bloodlust made him instinctively fight back.
But as his friend’s punch landed on his face, he briefly regained clarity.
He opened his wristband, ignoring his approaching friend, to send a final message to his mother.
"Goodbye, Mother."
...
Star Ash Town.
"What, there’s been an incident in the Elf Forest, an unknown source of pollution has engulfed the entire forest?"
Vanessa couldn’t help but stand up, her Tier Four presence almost bursting forth uncontrollably.
"Hilia is still inside the Elf Race’s territory, I need to go there!"
Saying this, she was about to leave.
The lord of Star Ash Town, Walter, hurriedly spoke, "Lady Vanessa, please stay, you cannot go there."
Assistant Priest Mili also quickly said, "Yes, Lady Vanessa, Hilia is already a Tier Four Mage now. It’s said she can handle the pollution with ease, your going might actually cause more trouble for her..."
Mili’s voice grew smaller towards the end.
Because Vanessa was looking at her.
Though Vanessa didn’t release any pressure, Mili was still very uneasy.
After a while, Vanessa’s serious expression softened.
She sighed, "Indeed, my going there would just cause disruption."
Originally, Vanessa thought she could at least protect Hilia for a while after reaching Tier Four.
Unexpectedly, Hilia’s growth speed was so fast, as if she had been accelerated by the Gods. In such a short time, she had broken the school’s advancement records, reaching Tier Four.
Previously, when Hilia broke through, the Divine Magic Academy publicised it, naturally informing Vanessa as well.
A few days ago, when Hilia returned to Star Ash Town, Vanessa had complex feelings, full of admiration.
Admiration for Hilia’s growth speed, as she was no longer the little girl who liked to cuddle in her arms.
Vanessa’s expression was complicated as she looked at Lord Walter and asked, "Is there any news of Hilia?"
𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
Walter breathed a sigh of relief, shaking his head, "No, Lady Hilia did not go to the Elf Forest officially, she may have disguised herself. Before she reveals herself, we might find it difficult to track her whereabouts."
Vanessa opened her wristband, attempting to contact Hilia, but got the response that she was out of the area.
Thinking for a moment, Vanessa, still worried, headed outside.
Walter quickly asked, "Lady Vanessa, where are you going?"
Vanessa replied, "To Southern Border City, to find the Divine Hall’s bishop. I want to report Hilia’s situation to the Huijin Divine Hall and her school."
Mili couldn’t help but ask, "Are you sure you’re not secretly going to the Elf Forest?"
Vanessa turned back and glared at her, "Do you take me for some impulsive little mage, Mili? You’re handling all the work today."
"Ah?" Mili’s face showed her misery.
Nearby, another assistant priest, Piggs, was gloating. As soon as Vanessa left, he began to tease Mili, "Hahaha, Mili, see what happens when you mouth off."
Mili grabbed Piggs, "Humph, you’re not getting away, you’re doing it with me."
"Why?"
"What do you think?"
"I take back what I just said."
"Retraction denied!"
"..."
Thus, the ones with miserable faces became two.
After the expansion of Star Dust Divine Hall, Southern Border City had sent many assistant priests to help Vanessa maintain the hall, turning the original assistants, Piggs and Mili, into managers of the assistants.
The Divine Hall had grown, meaning the work naturally grew busier. If it were still only two people working, they would hardly have any breaks from morning till night.
Vanessa ignored Mili and Piggs inside the hall. After going outside, she took out her flyer and quickly flew towards Southern Border City.
Soon, she arrived at Southern Border City, meeting the bishop who greeted her, and entered the Divine Hall together.
"I already know your purpose for coming here, and Huijin Divine Hall knows it as well. They said Melina is leading the Law Enforcement Knight Order over there."
"What?"
Vanessa was stunned.