Chapter 497 : Cleanup

With a clap of thunder overhead and a piercing whistling through the air, a heavy shell launched from afar came crashing into Baruch Royal Palace. Lightning blasted a path through the rooftop, and the shell plummeted into the grand hall where the Savior’s Advent Sect had gathered en masse. Before anyone inside could register what was happening, the shell struck the floor and detonated.

Thunderous booms, searing flames—the sheer destructiveness swallowed the entire hall in an instant. Bodies caught in the devastation were torn apart; their remains burned, walls blasted apart. Ordinarily mortal flesh could not withstand such annihilating power; countless individuals lost their lives in a flash. Only Muhtar, upon taking the brunt of the blast, did not instantly lose consciousness. He gasped, mouth agape in extreme anguish, as both body and soul simultaneously disintegrated. The shockwave and fiery torrent consumed every corner of the hall, transforming it into an inferno, except for a sturdy barrier fashioned by countless layers of metal and thick ice—made by mystical abilities—which barely held out.

After the deafening roar subsided, the scorching wind and impact wave faded. Dust and fumes slowly settled. Where the stately palace hall had been, only debris and ruins remained. Amid the rubble lay a gaping crater; scattered around it were cracked stone and broken remains. Farther off, heaps of mangled metal littered the ground. Not long before, those metal fragments had formed a massive dome that even the combined might of the Savior’s Advent fighters couldn’t pry open; now, after the shell’s detonation, it had been blown apart, reverting to a pile of twisted scraps.

A short while following the explosion, a pile of metallic debris began to stir. After a brief tremor, the mound was pushed aside from underneath, and a figure caked in dust gradually rose to their feet.

Under Dorothy’s control, Vania shoved aside the fragments pressing down on her and stood upright from the wreckage. Dusting herself off, she scanned the surroundings with her gaze before finally resting her eyes on the huge crater in the center of the ruined hall. Within the hidden space of the Temple of Revelation Runes, Dorothy observed the scene and couldn’t help reflecting.

“A direct hit in one shot—rather accurate. As expected of Falano’s new model cannon. Baruch’s purchase of these weapons didn’t stop their own downfall, but it’s come in mighty handy for me. To counter a commandment triggered by conscious intent to attack, you just need a way to strike without intent. A broad, impersonal bombardment proves the perfect workaround…”

Watching the spectacle of devastation, Dorothy recalled that, once she’d learned of Muhtar’s new commandment, she quickly devised a fitting solution: using an attacker completely unaware of Muhtar to deliver a remote bombardment on his coordinates. This way, the attacker wouldn’t harbor hostility toward Muhtar specifically—thereby avoiding his dreaded commandment.

Just as it happened, Nephthys, still puzzled about why she was firing the cannon or at whom, had unwittingly bombarded Muhtar’s location and annihilated him and his forces in one fell swoop. Because she had no idea whom she was targeting nor the reason for shooting, her unconscious strike slipped past Muhtar’s commandment and landed a deadly blow.

Of course, while Nephthys’s unwitting act bypassed the enemy’s commandment, Dorothy herself risked triggering it, since her plan obviously aimed maliciously at Muhtar. To minimize her conscious malice, Dorothy had broken her scheme into multiple steps, and at the key moment of feeding firing parameters to Nephthys, she buried herself in extremely complex calculations—focusing her entire intellect on problem-solving so she’d “forget” her original hostile motive and thus suppress her ill intent, sidestepping Muhtar’s commandment.

Nephthys’s artillery shell had struck precisely, wreaking horrific damage. Meanwhile, before the explosion, Vania and Shadi had been sheltered under a dome of metal. This dome incorporated more than half the palace’s total metal, rendering it remarkably thick. Shadi had then sealed any gaps with heavy ice, providing added insulation against the blast’s heat and pressure. Moreover, Dorothy’s designated impact zone hadn’t been directly atop the dome. Thanks to this layered protection, Vania and Shadi both survived.

Under Dorothy’s guidance, Vania wandered through the wreckage inside the dome, using her vantage to examine the surroundings. Before long, she caught sight of a barely alive torso in one corner of the ruined hall. Missing one arm, its body charred black with no intact flesh, it looked altogether unlike any other corpse or shredded remains. Nevertheless, it still showed faint signs of breathing—a lingering life too stubborn to die even in that state. There was only one person in that entire hall who could persist under such monstrous punishment: Muhtar.

Stepping forward, Dorothy manipulated Vania to stare silently at that pathetic figure in the rubble, while he too locked eyes on her with wide-eyed desperation. In his final, ragged breaths, he managed only half a sentence.

“Why… how could… you…”

Muhtar never finished. All strength abandoned him. He slumped lifeless, unmoving on the scorched ground, his eyes dull. Thus died the infamous heretic of the Radiance Church, a high-ranking leader of the Savior’s Advent Sect—a Crimson-rank Commandment Enforcer. After surviving numerous lightning strikes and massive blasts, his soul and body had finally reached their limits.

Quietly verifying his death via her spiritual threads, Dorothy let out a sigh of relief. At her direction, Vania began searching near Muhtar’s remains amidst the rubble. Soon, she found what Dorothy was looking for.

It was a plain stone coffer that Muhtar had used repeatedly during the fight. Dorothy recognized it: a magical container handcrafted by the White Craftsmen’s Guild, able to store far more than its external volume would suggest. Such items were coveted treasures in the mysticism world; even White Ash-rank Beyonders rarely possessed them. Dorothy herself only owned one thanks to Aldrich’s help.

Holding the coffer in Vania’s hand, she was about to stow it away when a weak male voice came from behind.

“Huff… huff… already looting the battlefield, are you? You sure bounce back quickly, Sister…”

Hearing that voice, Vania turned around to see, on the other side of the hall, Shadi leaning unsteadily against a pillar, gazing in her direction with a strange look.

“Who’d have thought… we really had a chance to defeat a Crimson-rank? I’m not sure what exactly happened toward the end, but it’s a miracle… We killed Muhtar, and we survived—unbelievable. Don’t you think so, Sister Vania…?”

“Or should I say… the Priestess of Heaven’s Arbiter…”

With a subtle expression, Shadi addressed Vania. Hearing these words, Dorothy paused slightly, then had Vania respond.

“Oh? So you’ve realized I’m not Vania right now?”

“Indeed. I’m a Contracted Soul user. I’ve fought my way through the North Ufiga underground for years and encountered many First Dynasty relics. I have some experience with matters of souls and possession. After all, anyone who’s been hit by Muhtar’s commandment backlash wouldn’t wake up so easily.”

Facing Vania, Shadi explained. Dorothy, still speaking through Vania, replied immediately.

“That’s correct. I’m only using Vania’s body for the moment. But why do you assume I’m the Priestess of Heaven’s Arbiter?”

“It’s simple. Throughout this battle, aside from us and the Church, there were too many inexplicable phenomena targeting Muhtar—lightning, metal manipulation, and finally the cannon barrage. All these diverse powers showed a certain coordination, implying a single will was guiding them. The only one who could coordinate everything was that priestess who initially attacked the Light-Prayer Cathedral. You did, after all, announce yourself when you appeared there.”

Amid labored breathing, Shadi laid out his reasoning to the person controlling Vania. Hearing his account, Vania chuckled, then nodded and admitted.

“Well deduced. Yes, I am the one who remains in what was once the Temple of Revelation Runes… ahem, the Light-Prayer Cathedral. In that place originally dedicated to Heaven’s Arbiter, I’ve been assisting your battle from start to finish. You owe me thanks…”

“Certainly we’re grateful. But before we get to thanks, there are some things I want to ask.”

Gazing at Vania, Shadi’s expression turned serious. Vania responded casually.

“What’s on your mind?”

“I want to know: are you… a Revelation Beyonder? Has a secret society wielding Revelation reemerged in this world? Has Heaven’s Arbiter not truly perished? Do They show signs of awakening?”

In quick succession, Shadi aimed his questions at Vania, awaiting a response with utmost seriousness. After a short pause, Dorothy, through Vania, answered slowly.

“Yes. I am indeed a Revelation Beyonder. A Revelation-based organization has indeed resurfaced in this world, since I’m not the only Revelation user. As for Heaven’s Arbiter… I can only say They have not entirely faded into the dust of history.”

Under Dorothy’s control, Vania delivered that quiet response. Upon hearing it, Shadi’s face grew visibly emotional. After taking a moment to regain composure, he pressed on.

“In that case… your society, your organization—what’s your situation? What are your goals? Why did you target the Savior’s Advent Sect? What’s your relationship with the Church? Why did you willingly help them?”

Wearing an urgent expression, Shadi bombarded Vania with questions. Vania, unperturbed, replied at an unhurried pace.

“You’re asking too many questions, and some go too far. Mr. Shadi, we’re not at a point where we can reveal so many secrets… is that how the Addus Revolutionary Army repays a debt of gratitude?”

“Uh… apologies. I got carried away. This business of Revelation powers and the possible return of an ancient god is overwhelming. I lost my composure. Please forgive me.”

Acknowledging his overreach, Shadi hastily apologized. Vania offered a slight smile and continued.

“No worries. We’re not the sort to bear grudges. Actually, you’ve left a decent impression so far, so I don’t mind clearing up a few doubts.

“We can’t reveal too much about our current aims except that they concern Heaven’s Arbiter. We came to Yadith this time for the Temple of Revelation Runes, to seek certain items linked to the God of Celestial Thunder. Eliminating the Savior’s Advent Sect was necessary because they were an obstacle to us in numerous ways. We intended to ally with the Revolutionary Army and the Radiance Church to eradicate them.

“As for our relationship with the Church, in reality, there isn’t one. We just needed the might of both your army and Radiance’s envoy to be certain of toppling the powerful local branch of the Savior’s Advent Sect. We singled out that nun in the Church’s envoy because she was easy to approach—soft-natured and gentle—so we reached out to her, informed her of the Savior’s Advent Sect’s schemes, and encouraged her to contact you. The communicative notebook she gave you—capable of exchanging written messages—belongs to us. By joining forces with you both, we gained enough leverage in Yadith to topple the influential Savior’s Advent Sect presence.”

Dorothy had Vania explain all this to Shadi. Hearing her, both he and Setut inside him found their thoughts swirling, speculating on various possibilities.

Foremost in their minds was Heaven’s Arbiter. In Shadi and Setut’s view, perhaps Heaven’s Arbiter truly was on the brink of a slow revival, quietly exerting influence to rebuild Their cult in the North Ufiga region, retrieving items and knowledge from ancient ruins to aid Their return. Meanwhile, the Savior’s Advent Sect, also active in North Ufiga, may have become a stumbling block to the Heaven’s Arbiter for some reason, prompting hostility.

“The Heavenly Saint Master… maybe They weren’t entirely destroyed. Could it be They still clings to a thread of divinity, even after seven millennia… that They’re finally beginning to reawaken?”

Within Shadi’s body, Setut pondered over these matters, feeling a stir of excitement as though wanting to manifest on the spot and interrogate this Priestess of Heaven’s Arbiter face-to-face. In the end, however, reason won out over impulse; lacking more information about the mysterious organization before him, he chose not to appear hastily.

“All right, that’s all we can share with you for now. It’s time for us to leave. I’m taking Muhtar’s spoils with me—after we sort out what we need, we’ll let you and this little nun from the Church have the rest. Meanwhile, once we’re gone, we’ll keep using the lightning to help you clear out the Savior’s Advent militia in Yadith. You don’t mind, do you, Mr. Shadi?”

Raising the stone coffer in her hand, Vania addressed Shadi, who nodded in agreement, still deep in thought.

“This victory over Muhtar is mostly thanks to you, so I have no objections. If you continue helping us wipe out the Savior’s Advent forces, all the better. We owe you our gratitude.”

Shadi spoke matter-of-factly. With Muhtar gone, the Savior’s Advent followers across Addus were now leaderless, allowing Shadi to rally the revolutionary army and maintain authority over Addus. To him, that was the greatest prize.

“Heh. Then I suppose we’ll meet again someday, future master of Addus. I hope you’ll bring genuine peace to the people here. Keep the secret text we gave you through this nun’s hand; with it, we can stay in contact.

“Choose your path wisely. Before long, many ancient myths will no longer lie buried in the depths of history.”

With that, Vania lifted the stone coffer and walked out of the ravaged hall.