In legend, nearly a thousand years after the first Heaven’s Decree Knight, the White Emperor, fell into the Helrobos Grand Canyon, the year was 1987 of the Crimson Emperor Calendar.
On a secluded forest road, a convoy of five large carriages raced forward.
—
"The Corruption—its origins remain unknown. It first erupted during the Grand Sacrificial Ceremony in Shenluo Capital in the Year 998 of the Crimson Emperor Calendar, rapidly consuming the entire city and spreading outward across Radiant Star."
"The Corruption is an entity that erodes everything. Land, air, and living beings—once touched, all are consumed. Only those with immense spiritual power can resist it to some degree."
"When the air is corrupted, it turns into a deadly miasma. The land, once tainted, becomes a lifeless wasteland where no ordinary creature can survive. When living beings are infected, they die in agony... Moreover, the Corruption feeds on the dead, giving birth to creatures known as Fallen Beasts. It is because of this erosion, and the invasion of the Fallen Beasts, that humanity has suffered an unprecedented catastrophe."
"According to last year's statistics, the habitable land on Radiant Star has been reduced to only twenty percent of what it was a thousand years ago. After a millennium of battling the Corruption, humanity’s population has plummeted from 9.6 billion to a mere 900 million."
"These 900 million survivors are now scattered across five remaining human factions. The Siviva Alliance, where we are, is one of them."
"That concludes my summary of Professor Brolani’s lecture from yesterday."
—
Upon hearing this, the handsome, brown-haired middle-aged man sitting by the window nodded in approval. This was Brolani, the professor himself, and he seemed quite satisfied.
"Your summary is quite accurate. Well done, Miss Aeria."
With a slight smile, Brolani cast an encouraging gaze forward.
There, sitting gracefully by another window, was a young girl with silver hair and pink eyes.
Dressed in an exquisite black dress, she appeared refined and delicate.
This child, Aeria, was the one who had just spoken.
Her features were stunningly delicate, a face sculpted to perfection. Her long silver hair, silky and smooth, cascaded over her shoulders, gently swaying with the occasional jolt of the carriage. A pair of silver earrings dangled lightly against her ears, complementing her hair and adding an air of noble elegance.
Her pink eyes, clear and crystalline, shimmered like precious gemstones, filled with intelligence and innocence as they met Brolani’s gaze.
With perfect posture, Aeria rested her small hands on her lap, maintaining an air of composed politeness, exuding an aura of grace and discipline.
Yet beneath that composed exterior was an unmistakable maturity far beyond her years.
Looking at this exceptionally beautiful girl, Brolani spoke again.
"Miss Aeria, let me ask you another question. If eighty percent of Radiant Star has been consumed by Corruption and overrun by Fallen Beasts, how is it that humanity has still managed to survive?"
"Because..."
After a brief moment of thought, Aeria answered with solemn confidence.
"I believe there are two main reasons. First, we have the God-bestowed Daughters, whose powers can purify and repel the Corruption. Second, the three highest-ranking monsters that control the Fallen Beasts are not united—they are constantly fighting among themselves."
"Correct."
At this, Brolani nodded in approval.
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"The three supreme Fallen Beasts—the Three Evil Gods—and the creatures they control exist in a state of endless conflict and devouring. For example, the Sea Evil God is currently locked in a deadly war with the Sky Evil God... Thanks to their infighting, the pressure on humanity has greatly decreased."
Aeria added, "That’s why we can still barely hold on."
"You are absolutely right, Miss Aeria," Brolani praised once more.
"Thank you for your kind words, Professor Brolani."
Aeria’s expression remained composed, her posture graceful, her voice ever polite.
But deep inside, she was beaming with joy.
Hehe~
I got praised by the professor~
I really am a genius (〜^∇^)〜
No matter what, Aeria loved the feeling of being praised.
However...
After this brief moment of internal celebration, a flicker of emotion surfaced in her pink eyes—a shadow of complexity.
Maturity, huh?
Her gaze subtly shifted to the side.
I don’t have a choice but to be mature...
Aeria murmured softly.
Beside her was a delicate baby blue basket.
Inside, two identical little girls, no more than three years old, lay fast asleep, enveloped in a protective barrier.
Their porcelain-like faces were serene, framed by soft silver hair that shimmered faintly under the dim light.
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Their tiny hands were curled into fists, resting near their chests, their rosy cheeks slightly puffed as they breathed evenly in deep slumber.
They were adorable beyond words.
Looking at these two precious twins, Aeria’s lips curved slightly, a tender, sisterly fondness surfacing in her expression.
But soon, she pulled her gaze away and met Brolani’s eyes once more—this time, with unexpected seriousness.
"Professor, do you also think the Three Evil Gods are terrifying?"
"Of course," Brolani answered without hesitation.
"If I could, I’d go my entire life without encountering one of those monsters."
"Then... why are we here?"
Swallowing nervously, Aeria slowly turned her gaze toward the window.
"This region... is the territory of the Earth Evil God, isn’t it?"
At Aeria’s words, Brolani followed her gaze, looking out the carriage window.
What met his eyes was a land of death.
The air reeked of decay and desolation.
The sky was suffocated by thick black clouds, allowing only a faint trickle of light to pierce through the darkness. The entire world felt as if it were drowning in an eternal night.
The withered trees, gnarled and skeletal, stretched their bony limbs toward the heavens, as if wailing in silent despair.
And worst of all—the suffocating black miasma, the ever-present, swirling fog of death.
—
The convoy was currently traveling through the outskirts of this haunted wasteland.
Watching this barren, nightmarish scenery, Brolani finally responded.
"We haven’t reached the Enigmatic Abyss yet. We’re only traveling along its outer edges."
His words, however, carried an unshakable anxiety—a sense of deep-seated reluctance.
And hearing them...
Aeria clenched her small fists, her unease growing stronger.
"Then why are we here, Professor? Even though you’re strong, if we encounter a Familiar of the Earth Evil God, then..."
"There are only four Familiars under the Earth Evil God. In a place as vast as the Enigmatic Abyss, our chances of encountering one are low."
"But... why do we have to take this route?"
Brolani let out a heavy sigh.
"Because... this is the only path where your mother won’t chase us."
Aeria’s hands trembled.
"Mother... really wants to get rid of us?"
At that moment, the communicator at Brolani’s side crackled to life.
"Lord Brolani!! Protect the three young ladies!! Lady Liana’s presence has been detected—approaching from the southwest at high speed!!"
Brolani’s face darkened instantly.
Aeria’s body tensed, curling into herself as a fearful tremor ran through her.
"Mo... Mother..."