Summoning the Holy Sword

Chapter 1158: The Forgotten Land (3)

The dark giant didn't seem to notice the presence of Rhode's group as it roamed the surface aimlessly and let out occasional, loud bellows. The whistling gravel whirled and flew up into the sky like a storm in the blustering winds. It was imaginable how one was heading down a road of ruin if one were caught unprepared and swept into it. Of course, that was the situation for ordinary humans. Yes, ordinary humans.

What a powerful force.

Rhode puckered his brows. He sensed a massive and disorderly power within that bizarre, shadowy giant. The aura it set off also consisted of a pitch-black coldness. Usually, such an overwhelming pressure was only present in a devil lord. But now, the strength of this shadowy figure seemed much stronger than a devil lord's.

What exceeded Rhode's expectation was that despite possessing such powerful strength, this monster seemed to have a relatively low IQ. Rhode detected through his senses that this monster was only brazenly destroying everything. Any obstacle on the plain was shattered to bits instantly by its slamming palms. But it was a pity that compared to its destruction, its IQ seemed to be on the lower end. Even though Rhode's group was nearby and he also felt the monster's gaze sweeping toward him more than once, it didn't launch any attacks on him at all. Or perhaps, it had no idea what and who exactly was hiding under it.

On the contrary, the primitive man apparently was scared out of his wits. Ever since that monster appeared, he had laid flat on the ground, closing his eyes as though he were waiting in line to be shot to death. Rhode, Marybelle, and the rest stared upward attentively, while watching out for the monster. As a matter of fact, a tremendous presence of elemental powers were also present within the aura of this shadowy giant. Rhode finally figured out what exactly it was.

It was one of the fallen elemental lords.

They were once a part of this world, but after the Creator Dragons abandoned this land, they lost their purpose in living. These elemental lords couldn't give up this world like the rest did. They could only remain and coexist with this seemingly broken world. In the end, they lost their self-will and turned into violent monsters.

But perhaps due to the fact that this gap maintained the basis of Order, the elemental lord didn't go berserk completely. During daytime, they were able to stay rational to a certain degree. But when night fell, their violent and crazy side showed up. When that happened, they would roam the land like lonely souls, ravaging everything before them.

Of course, with the strength of Rhode's group, it wasn't challenging to take down a restless elemental lord. But the problem was that if they were to eliminate it, it meant that the elemental realm would also crumble entirely. Rhode didn't wish for a street fight to lead to the destruction of a world, as that would be absurd. Besides, Marybelle also warned him that unless necessary, they shouldn't exert too much power in this fragile world. If not, it might possibly attract unwanted attention, which wasn't favorable for them.

"Let's quickly get out of here."

After taking another look at that massive, shadowy giant, Rhode lowered his voice and said to Marybelle. Upon hearing his words, Marybelle nodded in response and waved the magic wand in her hand. Shortly after, along with her action, the soil above them converged and kept out the darkness above.

"What a peculiar place…"

Gazing at the place ahead, Rhode couldn't help but mutter under his breath. He didn't realize it earlier, but after calming down, he found out that he was situated inside a huge, underground cave. At a glance to the surroundings, one could see spacious caves that were as wide as a soccer stadium. It was due to this reason that Marybelle was able to sink the entire campsite effortlessly. If they were buried in the soil instead, perhaps not even they would be able to hang on any longer and survive.

At a glance, innumerable crystals emanating faint radiances spread over the walls in a disorderly fashion. Rhode didn't wonder at this strange sight since most magic crystals in the Dragon Soul Continent looked about the same. On the other hand, Canary held her guard up. After all, based on common sense on Earth, anything that lit up on its own more or less had something to do with radiation…

Although it seemed impossible for them to identify directions and where they should head toward, Rhode was fortunate to have a local guide with him.

"… Ah… Ahh…!"

After confirming that he had gotten away from that terrifying and bizarre giant, the primitive man who came to inform them of the catastrophe volunteered to be their guide. It could be seen that he was extremely familiar with the terrain. Or perhaps, he was one who lived in the underground, to begin with.

Rhode finally understood why his group didn't spot any traces of civilization after traveling on the surface for a long time. With that thing devastating the land every night, building houses would only be a waste of time. In comparison, the underground life was much safer and more suitable for life.

And regarding that primitive man, Rhode heard from Marybelle about the happenings. It was apparent that the primitive man was indeed one of the natives abandoned by the Creator Dragons and didn't choose to head to the other 'beautiful, new world'. After the Creator Dragons left, the frame supporting this gap started collapsing. The elemental powers lost their balance, forcing the natives to leave the surface, hide in the deep underground, and lead their lives from there. Of course, along with the existence of imbalanced elements, exhausted resources of the land, and many other reasons, the natives also lost their original abilities. Their descendants were unable to replenish their strength, which led to many of them being physically and mentally deformed after birth and some were struck by symptoms associated with low IQ. This wasn't evolution, but was complete deterioration instead. After so many years, even though the natives more or less preserved some civilizations, they were mostly to the degree of primitive societies. Perhaps after a few more centuries, they would disappear completely.

The reason why that primitive man followed Rhode's group was simple: Rhode helped them defeat their enemy (even though it was just along the way for Rhode), and that was why the primitive man wanted to repay him. Yes, it was just that simple.

Should I say that these primitive men are just pure? Or simple-minded?

Gazing at the man who moved like a monkey leading the way ahead, Rhode shrugged at this thought. After learning of their destination, the primitive man offered to undertake the role of a guide to lead them. At the same time, he gestured with his hands to inform Rhode's group that their destination wasn't safe. Apart from some terrifying creatures, the elemental lords that transformed into violent storms (which they witnessed earlier) also lived there. It could be said that they were heading toward a dangerous place.

But there were no other ways except to head there.

However, he wasn't the only one moving forward.

Because meanwhile, there was also another group of people fighting hard for their goal in the Dragon Soul Continent.

"Your Majesty Lilian, you should take a break."

Putting away the document in her hand and gazing at the little girl who sat by the table and was almost buried in the stacks of documents, Sonia couldn't help but persuade. Upon hearing her words, Lilian lifted her head and smiled at her.

"Alright, I know. Sonia."

If Rhode were to witness Lilian as she was now, he would definitely be stunned. Because right now, she was no longer a weak, yes-woman. On the contrary, she put up a reliable expression on her childish face and her golden eyes glinted in unprecedented determination.

Along with the complete destruction of the Light Parliament and Country of Light, Lilian regained the rightful authority and position of the Light Dragon. With Rhode's support, the disorderly and rebellious forces in the Country of Light dared to go against Lilian no more. It was especially so after Rhode blasted all of Casabianca into bits. The restless troublemakers who wanted to step into the shoes of the Light Parliament and treat Lilian as a puppet immediately changed their line of thought. It was apparent that even though Lilian didn't seem threatening, the Void Dragon who supported her was definitely not one to be trifled with.

It was due to such deterrence that Lilian's operations in gathering the Country of Light's forces were extremely successful. Right now, she was considered worthy of the name of the Country of Light's ruler. Lilian initially didn't need to handle too many general affairs as they were managed by the three archangels. However, Boulder betrayed the country and died in battle, while the gravely-injured Serene was still recuperating, and Lydia went missing alongside Rhode. That was why Lilian had to get her hands on all the matters. Of course, Sonia was a huge assistance to her.

Stepping outside the room and gazing at the clear sky and drifting white clouds, Lilian couldn't help but reveal a delightful smile. Although she came to a realization after deciding to assume the responsibility of the Light Dragon, she was a little girl, after all. She couldn't possibly lounge over the table over intricate troubles all day. The refreshing air brought along the scent of flowers and soil. Lilian displayed a blissful smile as she looked at the boundless sky. But shortly after, she let out a subtle sigh, turned around, and faced the white palace ahead.

"Really… When is Big Brother Rhode coming back…"

"I don't know, Your Majesty. But… he should be back soon."

Upon hearing Lilian's grumble, Sonia also let out a sigh. Rhode had been away for quite some time now and Lilian was rather unhappy about it. But she also knew she didn't have the right to intervene with his affairs. Despite that, she still hoped to spend time with him. After all, she only had that many friends. Apart from Rhode, only Sonia, Lydia, and Christie were considered her close friends. But Lydia left with Rhode and Christie was busy with her own matters… All this while, Lilian couldn't help but feel somewhat lonely.

Of course, even though she became the official ruler of the Country of Light, she had no intention of moving back to the Country of Light. After Casabianca perished, although there were many cities that approached and invited her to live there, they were all firmly rejected by Rhode. Besides, Lilian wasn't that naive to not realize the greed and desire of those people. Even though they put it nicely in wording, Lilian was clearly aware of their true intention. Due to this reason, she would rather stay in Grandia and not return to the Country of Light… Grandia was the only place that allowed her to find long-lost peaceful and tranquil days. For the sake of these days, she would rather handle all the complicated affairs.

While Lilian and Sonia strolled in the garden, they heard a gentle voice all of a sudden.

"Ah… Lilian…"

"Christie?"

Upon hearing the frail voice, Lilian lifted her head and turned toward the voice in astonishment, where she quickly spotted Christie sitting inside the inner garden, clad in her usual long dress, holding a drawing pen in her tiny hand, and seemingly drawing something on the canvas in front of her. This was Christie's everyday hobby. Upon seeing Lilian, Christie also revealed a wide smile and extended her hand to wave at her. Lilian scuttled toward Christie and the two little girls held each other's hands. After all, with their identities, they were the only ones of similar age in the whole of Grandia. That was why they were really close with each other. Of course, even though Angelina seemed about the same age as them in appearance, on the inside… It was an entirely different issue.

However, Christie's tasks weren't simple. As Marlene and the rest were dealing with the Country of Darkness in the front line earlier, she needed to stay in Grandia as a trump card. After the battles ended temporarily and Marlene returned, Christie finally laid down her heavy burden and took a breather.

After not meeting for a long time, the two little girls with similar experiences and backgrounds were elated to see each other. They held hands tightly and caught up with each other happily. Meanwhile, Sonia smiled as she watched this peaceful and heart-warming scene from the side. The dark, heavy past had ended for them and was replaced by a bright, wonderful future…

And at this moment…

Shing! Shing!

Suddenly, Sonia heard some strange sounds. She raised her guard, scanned the surroundings, and grimaced.

"Miss Christie, Your Majesty Lilian!"

Sonia ran toward them, yelling their names. At the same time, the peaceful atmosphere was disrupted abruptly, only to be replaced by an ice-cold chilliness. The two little girls who were chatting cheerily also seemed to realize that something was amiss. They leaned back to back and gazed attentively at the surroundings. At that moment, the exuberant garden seemed to have turned into a cave that hid an unknown monster where even the shadows began to tremble. All of a sudden, two mysterious figures shuttled out of the bushes and dashed toward Lilian and Christie.

"Be careful!"

Sonia shrieked at this scene, but she didn't stand helplessly on the spot. After being resurrected and turned into a card spirit by Rhode, this wasn't her first battle. Right now, Sonia possessed an entirely different power from before.

Sonia shouted, extended her arm forward. Along with this movement, the garden they were in suddenly expanded at a rapid speed. The two mysterious figures who needed only a few seconds to reach their prey were now 100 meters away in the blink of an eye!

Christie and Lilian didn't stare blankly at the happenings. On the contrary, after taking a close look at the ambushers, Christie's eyes glinted in a purple radiance. Her innocent expression dwindled instantly, only to be replaced by a heavy and solemn look. The little girl stretched out her hand. A white, empty scroll and a feather pen glowing in golden radiance appeared in her hands. Christie gripped the feather pen and inked the scroll.

"———!"

In an instant, one of the ambushers darting toward Christie twisted in shape and turned into a wisp of black smoke, before vanishing into nothingness.

On the other side, Lilian also extended her arms. Shortly after, a golden, dazzling brilliance erupted from her palms and enfolded the other ambusher like a torrent of light. The blinding radiance devoured the ambusher entirely. But no one realized that, at the same time, another mysterious shadow had flitted across Lilian.

In the blink of an eye, the ambushers who appeared all of a sudden were annihilated. Sonia laid down her hands and along with this action, the extended and distorted illusory land restored its original state.

"Intruders? How odd… Madams, are any of you hurt?"

Gazing at the surroundings, Sonia knitted her brows, muttered under her breath, and asked anxiously. She knew how powerful the defenses of Grandia were and now, even though they didn't know where the intruders came from, it seemed like they managed to pass through the defenses and even launched attacks on them.

"I'm alright."

Christie puckered her brows, pondered in silence, and responded. On the other side, Lilian heaved a sigh of relief and nodded.

"Yes, I'm also… Argh…!"

Before Lilian finished her sentence, she suddenly revealed an uncomfortable expression. At the next moment, she closed her eyes without saying a word and collapsed to the ground.