Seal (2)

Dowd Campbell getting hurt wasnt an uncommon sight for Eleanor.

It was only natural, considering that she had faced several life-threatening situations not long after meeting this man.

But, even if that was the case

His current state was

Dowd?

It took some time for her to take in and accept the situation.

Her sound mind couldnt quite discern the exact identity of the lump of flesh in front of her.

Dowd?

A voice of disbelief trickled out of her lips.

Her mind turned blank as her heart raced wildly.

Apostle. Is this your doing?

Across from her, such words reached her faint consciousness.

A voice filled with such chilling killing intent that made her skin crawl emanated from the masked woman.

It was as if she was angry about this man being in such a state.

No. I did leave three Ancient God entities behind, but the likelihood of them inflicting such injuries is

Nonexistent. Yes. I know that, but how could he end up like this?

Tatiana. I entrusted one single thing to you. Why cant you handle it properly?

I apologize.

Hearing this conversation made Eleanor realize.

The reason why this man ended up like this was because he was entangled in the incident those bastards had caused.

-

-

!!!!

An insidious aura churned in her heart.

Everything around her slowed down. No, this wasnt merely her personal perception; Time actually slowed down.

This was a familiar sensation to her.

The entire world slowed with her at the center, and she felt like she had control over all of space.

She inhaled heavily, spinning that aura fiercely.

Without a doubt, she vividly remembered using this energy before to turn back time.

Of course

There was a risk that everything nearby could be swept away if she did that.

She might even cause enormous damage to some important facilities in the foreign nation. With her status as one of the major nobles from the Empire, as a consideration, she might end up being publicly denounced by the entire continent.

But

She didnt give a shit about any of that.

Even if other people died, and everyone around them got swept away

As long as she could save this man

Even if she had to bear all the consequences herself!

-Therefore, I implore.

At that moment, she heard a voice.

Holding onto her fleeting rationality, she turned her head and saw the man she had been watching intently since earlier; He was holding a ritual tool in his hand speaking such words.

She saw him grasping one of the ornaments attached to his body.

A small bell, obviously a strange item filled with spiritual power.

However, the strength emanating from the bell at the moment

Was far from that mere level.

-Therefore, I implore.

And then

Those words resonated and a gentle wave spread out from the bell.

Merely maintain purity

All the Demonic Aura emanating from Eleanor vanished in an instant.

But it didnt end there.

The aura that was always emitting from her heart disappeared.

As if it never existed in the first place.

!

Her eyes widened in astonishment.

While she might not know exactly what resided within her, she knew that it wasnt something that could easily be influenced by others.

And yet

Because of the words spoken by this man, all the aura she was about to invoke vanished.

No.

What she experienced wasnt exactly something like that.

The aura didnt disappear due to interference or some kind of suppression.

Instead, it was deleted.

You cant use it, can you Miss?

As her body froze in shock, Eleanor heard those words.

How could you bring out such dangerous things? I understand you want to save that guy, but if you unleash something you cant even control, everyone here will just die, you know?

Her trembling eyes turned towards the provokingly ear-grating voice.

Cursed Speech .

A technique where speech itself possessed Special Power that could stir certain phenomena.

Beyond the frozen soil of the far east, in the eastern lands, there were those who wielded all kinds of mysterious powers, different from Magic Power or Divine Power commonly used on the continent.

Sorcery, Daoism, the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, and the Onmyjis who handled them.

This man must be part of one such faction.

A sorcerer who could cause all kinds of miraculous phenomena with just his language. The so-called Cursed Speech Users.

She knew of such things, but the ability she was witnessing now was

True Speech?

Eleanor muttered something that could be called a groan.

She had heard stories about it before.

It was one of the most powerful Sorceries mentioned in the Kojiki of the Empire, which had fought countless battles with Longmen beyond the frozen lands of the east.

Those who had reached the realm of communicating with the laws of the world through their words.

Simply put.

They were those who could manipulate reality within limits.

If the conditions for uttering the phrase were met, they could control the entire world around them according to their will.

And if that was really true

Then this man was one of the most powerful humans on the continent.

A monster among monsters that should only be mentioned in legends.

His casual whistle in response to her muttering did not seem to match such an image at all, though.

You know quite a lot. Is that because youre a noblewoman?

Then I just dont understand even more. Youre not even a complete Vessel. You just have two Fragments, yet youre trying to freely control it? Isnt that too greedy? Despite everything, that is still a King of Hell, Miss.

A snickering response followed.

Fragment. Vessel. King of Hell.

These incomprehensible terms continued to flow out.

Even then, the Tristan Duchy should be quite the illustrious Vessel Household, so its a bit absurd that you cant resist them at all. Did your mother not teach you how to use it?

His following words though, were far too significant to ignore.

You bastard, what in the world did you just!

Eleanors face contorted as she lunged forward, but

-!

Immediately after, blood spurted from her mouth.

The cause was the green light emitted from the wand Tatiana was holding; It had successfully pierced her stomach.

It was a slow and weak attack, an easy attack for her to dodge normally, but

At that moment, she had become weaker.

Her body was sluggish.

Horrifyingly frail.

Let alone holding a sword, she felt like she was a child who had never properly trained with one.

A sealed Fragment in a Vessel is no different than an ordinary person.

Tatiana kicked her in the abdomen while saying those words.

Oxygen forcefully entered her lungs. She tumbled to the ground while choking.

Green rays struck her body several more times; In the arms, legs, and even in the chest.

Curses fired like projectiles pierced her body. In an instant, she was thoroughly mutilated.

Hasnt the Prophet continued to tell you? Resistance is futile.

Did they deliberately force her to draw out this strength for this purpose?

It seemed they were targeting just that. To be more precise, it felt like a ploy to erase this power the moment she used it.

Keep your babbling to a minimum, Talker.

Oh please. Wasnt it Boss who callled in such a busy person to join such a childish game? I was looking forward to it because it was the Grey ones Vessel, but its so different from last time.

Beyond the excruciating pain, she heard their casual conversation.

Thats why Whatever. Forget it. What did I even expect from a bastard like you who cant keep their mouth shut?

Thats so harsh. Isnt she a woman whos going to be killed soon anyway?

Be quiet.

The Prophet sighed and turned her head towards Tatiana, who had subdued Eleanor and was bowing her head.

Kill her and retrieve the Fragments properly. We need to combine it with the last Fragment in the Holy Land.

As you command.

With that response

Chief Priest Tatiana stood in front of her eyes.

Nothing personal, Lady Tristan.

The wand, which had been emitting curses, was now precisely aimed at her head.

Consider it a sin to be born into a cursed lineage. You became our target because of the karma of your ancestors.

What Are you planning to do with Dowd?

Youre still worried about that man even at this very moment?

Tatiana spoke with an incredulous voice.

I cant tolerate it. You see, I dont really like watching such unsightly struggles.

Another curse formed on the wand.

It was a death sentence; an intent to take her life on the spot.

And she could do nothing about it.

Through her fading vision, she saw the Prophet carrying Dowd over her shoulders.

What do you need that living corpse for? Isnt he already dead?

We just need to find a way to resurrect him.

What a morbid habit. Are you planning to bring back the dead and embed a Ban on him? Trying to make a slave?

Im considering it.

Such a conversation was heard.

They were planning to do something to Dowd.

They were about to take away her most precious thing

Right before her eyes.

Dowd.

Just before her breath ceased, Eleanor faintly uttered as she saw Dowd hanging over the Prophets shoulder.

Dowd.

She couldnt let that happen.

The future where that man would be controlled by the likes of them could never happen.

However, her body wouldnt obey. Pinned to the wall, she couldnt even twitch a finger.

As despair engulfed her

Wait a minute. Boss.

What.

There is something strange about that guy.

The thing that was engraved on Dowds chest

Began to pulse

While containing something that harbored a blackness.

Prophet!

Tatiana was the first to sense the danger.

She, who was aiming her wand at Eleanor, hastily sent a curse towards the Prophet.

At the same time as a turquoise wall appeared between the Prophet and Dowd, their bodies were flung in opposite directions.

Meanwhile

The black aura that had started to spew from his chest quickly spread around in billows.

Prophet, are you alright?!

Though Tatiana cried out such words

The Prophets gaze was blankly fixed on Dowd.

As if

She couldnt believe what she was seeing.

The Fallens Seal?

The Prophet muttered those words in a daze.

As if

She was witnessing something that should never happen.

No, why, why did you do such a thing?

From her voice

Why did you go so far for those cursed bitches-!

Despair could be felt.

Fuck. Damn it. Get away from him!

Following that

Talker, who had maintained a light-hearted tone until now, shouted at the Prophet with a voice filled with anxiety and simultaneously

Removed several ornaments that wrapped around his entire body.

It was a contrasting sight to when he had only used one against Eleanor.

-Therefore, I implore.

-Therefore, I implore.

Merely maintain pu-

But before he could complete the phrase

A massive wind struck in Talkers direction.

It was a phenomenon caused by Dowd, who had been kneeling and sitting on the ground, with just a punch he threw from his position.

Without any Special Power nor aura included.

Purely physical power had caused the phenomenon.

What the fu What is this!

While Talker had to backpedal a few steps, unable to complete the sentence due to this

The black aura that he couldnt eliminate completely gathered around Dowds body.

Hey, youre kidding me.

Talker let out a sudden uncontrollable laughter as he looked on.

In his mind, he recalled a truth he had known.

A law that had not changed throughout the long years he had lived.

There were a total of six entities for Devils.

White, Blue, Red, Brown, Purple, and finally Grey.

If that was the case, then

What in the world was he looking at right now?

A bizarre sight, that was the only way he could put it.

His entire body was surrounded by black aura, as if he was wearing full black armor.

This feeling of grotesqueness, eeriness, and discomfort, all mashed and mixed together.

Was undoubtedly

Ive never heard or seen anything like a Black Devil, damn it.

A Devil.

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