328 Let Her Leave
The moment Remides Shadowmoon’s name was spoken, an eerie silence enveloped the entire Canopy Temple.
Everyone present, including Floral, who struggled to her feet while gripping the altar, turned their eyes towards the blonde High Elf woman clad in bronze-glazed light armor.
No one detected the dignity of a superior from this Shadow Queen who had ruled over Ava State for a millennium, nor did they sense the distinct pressure of a demigod powerhouse.
She stood there, exuding an aura that was no more substantial than air. Her presence was so faint, it seemed she couldn’t even cast a shadow.
It was a transcendent indifference that appeared to disregard everything, including herself.
Her eyes resembled a still pool of clear water. If anyone tried to detect any emotional fluctuations in her gaze, they would likely see only their own reflection.
Even Sigmond, who had been struck by an arrow, displayed no emotion after shouting Remides’s name through clenched teeth.
She didn’t so much as glance at the archbishop of the Second Order, as if he were unworthy of her time.
Remides’s gaze was fixed on someone at the heart of the temple.
More precisely, it was on the Holy Tree Duke, Floral Kane, who needed the altar’s support to steady herself.
Coincidentally, Floral was also staring at her.
Moreover, her eyes held a clear emotion that could be interpreted as provocation.
“Where is he?”
Not one for beating around the bush, Remides got straight to the point. Her voice resembled the crisp sound of ice dropping into a glass.
“Who knows?”
Floral shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly and replied in a hoarse voice.
Her speech was oddly stilted, as though she had only recently learned to talk.
With that, she released her grip on the altar and struggled to find her balance.
After swaying for a moment, she took two unsteady steps forward and approached the soul box nestled in the altar’s groove.
As Floral traced the weathered markings on the Soul Box, she continued, “However, since he didn’t return to this side, it’s only possible that he was left there.”
Whoosh!
Thump!
“The next arrow won’t miss.”
Remide’s unchanging tone didn’t sound like a threat, but more like a notification.
In her grasp was an exquisite longbow that radiated bright moonlight. On the delicate, spiderweb-like bowstring, another transparent arrow was nocked and at the ready.
“Floral” froze her hand over the ancient box, not daring to move. However, she stared defiantly at the other arrowhead shimmering with cold light and said without backing down, “If I destroy this soul box, your Presiding Judge won’t be able to return.”
“Try me.”
Remides immediately responded, this time placing a special arrow called Karma on the bowstring—an arrow more certain to hit than the Divine Realm Frost spell, Declaration, unless it encountered a protection that could distort karma.
Before arriving, the Presiding Judge had explained the arrangements and details of his plan to her in depth. She naturally knew that the soul box was Nehe’s relic and not something the other party could easily destroy in ten seconds.
Ten seconds was enough for her to fire 17 mana-infused arrows.
“You’ve misunderstood. I’m not threatening you with this soul box.”
“Floral” smiled and shook her head.
“What I mean is that as long as this soul box is still here, your Presiding Judge can still follow that pitiful soul back ‘here.’ There’s no life-and-death conflict between us now.”
As she spoke, she paused and carefully observed the High Elf’s expression.
Of course, there were no fluctuations at all.
As if sighing at the other party’s insensitivity, she continued,”As for my goal, it’s just as the bishop said. I merely want to leave with the Holy Tree Duke. It won’t affect what you’re about to do.”
“Floral” stopped. Seeing that Remides’s expression remained unchanged, her voice carried a hint of impatience.
“So, what do you plan? Do you want to kill us all, or do you want us to leave while waiting here for your Presiding Judge to return?
“Of course, if he can return… But if you truly trust him as the rumors say, I suppose you’ll make the right choice.”
Remides didn’t reply and simply maintained her drawn bow like a statue carved from marble.
“Floral” said nothing more. Instead, she patiently awaited the other party’s answer.
After a long moment, Remides slowly lowered the Glazed Moon in her hand. The arrow between her fingers shattered into transparent fragments and vanished. The same happened to the arrows embedded in the altar and the one that had completely pierced Sigmond’s arm.
On her back, Remides carried a quiver with three transparent arrows that resembled glass made from countless fragments in the void.
To everyone’s surprise, Remides said, “Get lost.”
“Floral” burst out laughing.
“I knew it… You’re someone who reads the situation. That’s why you’ve ruled Ava State for a thousand years…”
“Get lost,” Remides repeated, this time more forcefully.
“Floral” raised her hands in surrender and stumbled over to Sigmond, who remained silent and wounded. She half-knelt to pull him up and drag him to the door.
But, a tall figure blocked her way.
The clerk, Garet Wolfspeak, stood in front of the Holy Tree Duke like an iron tower.
“Floral” looked up at the fellow with the wolf tattoo on his face in confusion.
“Why? Do you want to leave with me? Although I welcome it…”
“No matter what’s inside, you can’t take Lady Floral’s body away like that.”
Garet’s voice trembled slightly.
Even though he was slow, Garet could tell that the person controlling the Duke’s body wasn’t the soul he served.
But since the other party made the famous Remides compromise, he knew he was insignificant to them. He couldn’t stop them alone, but that didn’t mean he shouldn’t try.
“Floral” turned to Remides, her eyes saying, “You can’t blame me for this, can you?”
“Wait…”
Remides said, surprised by the Forest Elf’s interference.
But it was too late; the temple fell silent before her words could reach them.
Pitch-black color filled the eyes of “Floral,” and pitch-black miasma emitted from her. Several pitch-black strange weapons with sawteeth condensed around her.
Garet felt the world fall silent.
Then, a strange feeling emanated from his internal organs.
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