Chapter 54



54 Nizemar

Although it was called a swamp, William felt that this place was more like an island pieced together by countless strange images after entering Zamara’s Moon Realm.

At the very least, it was more like an island in his eyes.

Dream murmurings and screams howled in the mist. Countless terrified and distorted faces appeared and disappeared as countless illusory hands flailed and struggled.

As William fell, he adjusted his landing point and quickly traversed the nightmare mist that drove mortals crazy. Finally, he landed steadily in an empty clearing in the forest.

This was a forest made of countless strangely-shaped withered trees. The ground was muddy and sticky, and a faint mist curled up around it.

Lightning flashed across the pitch-black sky from time to time, and every time lightning flashed, it illuminated the forest differently.

The strange-looking withered trees would turn into thin humanoids with twisted limbs, and the muddy and sticky ground would become blurry flesh and blood that covered the ground. As for the mist, it would turn into a ferocious wraith.

A fat and sickly crow flapped its wings and came to a withered branch beside William. It raised its head and spread its wings. It opened its beak and spoke in a baby-like voice,

“Ah~ Traveler from Currere who didn’t intend to enter the Moon Realm. Welcome to the Nightmare… Caw!”

As he lacked a guide, William shook his palm at the crow and grabbed it with an invisible hand.

“You…”

“Cut the crap and lead the way!”

With that said, a soul fire began to burn the fat crow’s body. The pain that reached the depths of its soul tortured it until it wailed.

After burning it for about ten seconds and sensing that the other party’s struggles began to weaken, William stopped.

“Lead… lead the way where?” the crow said, shaken after coming back to its senses.

William untied a strand of Liliana’s hair wrapped around his finger and summoned a breeze to send it to the crow.

“The owner of this hair.”

The crow raised its wings and touched its hair before its turbid eyes rolled.

“Ah… She’s in that tree…” the crow said.

However, before it could finish speaking, another wave of Soul Fire ignited over its body.

“Just lead the way. Cut the crap.”

Only when the crow wailed and nodded vigorously did William extinguish the flames.

“Also, don’t try any tricks. This is the Moon Realm, not Currere. I don’t even need to hold a sword to make your existence completely disappear,” William warned.

Seeing that the other party continued nodding desperately to indicate that it understood, William released his grip.

The crow flapped its wings and flew forward unsteadily. William followed closely behind it.

“You can fly as fast as you can. I can keep up.”

Before it flew far, William spoke from behind it.

The crow immediately nodded when it heard that. Then, it turned into a whirlwind made of pitch-black feathers and rushed toward the forest.

A whirlwind swept up beside William as he flew behind it.

Speaking of which, does the Lord of Nightmare have a crow-like spawn under Her command now?

William muttered to himself on the way.

Although there were countless types of Lunar Monsters, there were very few that possessed intelligence. In every Void Sovereign’s Lunar Domain, only the different spawns of the particular sovereign could reach that level.

Every Void Sovereign had a set of aesthetic standards for their spawn, or rather, Their spawn would carry some of Their characteristics. For example, the Whispering Empress always had to make things difficult for spiders, while the Lady of Starvation’s spawn had to carry some festering and fungi.

In William’s memory, the Lord of Nightmare, Zamara, was a pathological particle special effects enthusiast. Regardless of the strength and appearance of Her spawn, there had to be a constantly changing mist around them to increase their mystery and dreaminess.

It was also because of this that the Nightmare Swamp was also called the Frame-Drop Swamp, and the Lord of Nightmare was also known as the Lord of Lag.

But why did She start creating spawns that looked like crows?

“We’re here.”

The crow’s voice interrupted William’s train of thought. The whirlwind of crow feathers reassembled into the crow’s form. It raised its wings and pointed at the only flourishing tree in a withered forest not far away.

William hovered in midair and looked at the lush tree. About seven or eight Mist Nightmares floated there to harvest fruits.

The drooping fruits on the tree had terrified human faces. When they were plucked by the Mist Nightmare, they let out an ear-piercing scream.

This tree was a node used by the Nightmare Swamp to connect to Currere. It was called Night Locust. Its roots penetrated the Nightmare Swamp’s domain all the way and reached out to Currere, reaching into the nightmares of the mortals in the Currere. With the fear of mortals as nutrients, it produced fruits that could nourish and strengthen the power of the Nightmare Swamp.

William saw Liliana tied to a tree trunk by vines. She was in a translucent soul form as she kept struggling to break free.

Seeing this, William prepared to go over, but the crow suddenly flew to his side and asked,

“Wait, wait, wait. Don’t tell me you didn’t see the Mist Nightmares on the trees? There are seven or eight of them! Besides, this place is very close to Zamara’s bedroom. You won’t be able to leave if you make a commotion and get discovered.”

The crow’s words made William stop. He looked at it curiously and asked, “From the tone of your voice, you aren’t a spawn of the Lord of Nightmare?”

The fat crow flapped its wings and replied, “This body serves a Moon Realm Overlord. I only came to the Nightmare Swamp as a messenger.”

So that’s the case. No wonder it doesn’t have any particle effects…

William was enlightened.

In the Moon Realm, the 13 Void Sovereigns were undoubtedly the strongest. Their existence had already sublimated to the level of eternal indestructibility, and they could greatly affect the Currere.

However, other than the Void Sovereigns, there were still some existences in the Moon Realm who were much weaker than the Void Sovereigns, but they were still very powerful. They ruled over some smaller Moon Realm domains and called themselves Moon Realm Overlords.

Of course, as they couldn’t affect Currere and could only move around in the Moon Realm, little was known of them.

Before he planned on burning the crow to ashes, William casually asked, “Then who’s your master?”

The other party’s answer saved its life.

“An ally of the Lord of Nightmare, Ms. Zamara, the Summoner of the Storm, and Clairvoyant Prophet-Father of the Crows.”

William turned his head abruptly.

Father of the Crows?

The original owner of the map of the Grief Mountains from a thousand years ago?

A birdcage made of shadows outlined itself around the crow and instantly imprisoned it.

“Caw? What’s going on?”

The crow was stunned for a few seconds before asking, “Congratulations, you don’t have to die for the time being. Come back to Currere with me. I have something to ask you later.”

As William spoke, he picked up the cage and flew towards Liliana.

The seven or eight Mist Nightmares couldn’t help but look delighted when they saw a mortal. They put down the fruit baskets in their hands and flew towards William.

“Hey, hey, hey, didn’t I just say…”

The crow stopped mid-sentence when it saw the person snap his fingers, producing a spatial rift that constantly flashed between the Mist Nightmares. Then, the Mist Nightmares were instantly pulled in by something that extended out.

They didn’t even have the chance to scream.

They were wiped clean in a few seconds.

Therefore, it shut up completely.

William landed with the birdcage and quickly came to Liliana.

“I realize now that you are either being saved or on the way to being saved recently.”

William looked at the disheveled girl in front of him and teased her.

“William Kane?”

Liliana looked at the person in front of her in disbelief before closing her eyes and shouting,

“You can’t fool me. It’s an illusion. It’s all an illusion!”

She had been pulled to this nightmarish place for some time.

During this period, wandering knights or mages would suddenly appear to help her break free and escape, but those “kind people” would take off their disguises every time she was about to escape and turn into a gnarly monster before devouring her.

Then, she would awaken again and realize that she was back where she was.

It was like the cycle of an endless nightmare that she could never wake up from.

“Oh, you still seem to be in a good mental state. It looks like his soul hasn’t shown any signs of collapse.”

William nodded slightly.

Every soul pulled into the Nightmare Swamp would have their emotions of “fear” squeezed out by the Lunar Monsters until the victim’s soul fell into numbness and gradually disintegrated.

Liliana seemed to be in a good state.

“Whatever you say. I won’t fall for it anyway. If you want to kill me, kill me now. I’ll wake up here anyway, right?”

Liliana said loudly with an expression that said, “I’ve already seen through your trick.”

“Your dad, Vincent, asked me to pick you up.”

As William spoke, he took out the Soul Storage Crystal.

“My dad…”

Liliana’s voice softened when she heard that. She lowered her head and muttered to herself,

“That person isn’t my dad. I don’t have a father…”

What do you mean? Is the father-daughter conflict so intense?

William was a little stunned, but he couldn’t be bothered to ask about their family matters. He walked over and tore off the vines that bound her before throwing the Soul Storage Crystal to her.

“Hide in for the time being. Then, I’ll bring you out of here.”

As an Offa University student, Liliana could still recognize the Soul Storage Crystal. This was an alchemy material most commonly used by necromancers. It could directly capture the souls of non-intelligent creatures or seal the souls of willing intelligent creatures.

Of course, the so-called willingness only required the other party to “agree.” As for how to get the other party to agree, that was one of the important reasons why necromancers were disliked everywhere on the continent.

Liliana’s soul squatted down and stroked the crystal. When she saw her spirit being slightly stretched nearby, she looked at William in surprise and said, “Are you real? Are you really here to save me?”

Even though her various senses in the Nightmare Swamp would be deceived, the feeling of her soul being gradually pulled into the crystal couldn’t be more genuine.

“Now that you know, go in quickly. Stop wasting time. I still have pressing matters to do,” William replied helplessly.

Liliana hurriedly nodded. She turned into a stream of light and entered the Soul Storage Crystal. William picked up the crystal that emitted a faint white light and planned to leave.

However, he stopped in his tracks.

Only then did he notice the outline of a woman on the tree trunk of the Night Locust in front of him, as if a woman was buried under the bark.

Apart from being a node that absorbed the power of nightmares from Currere, the Night Locust was also a medium that could send power to Currere.

Lunar Monsters that had already descended into Currere could obtain the support of the Nightmare Swamp through the Night Locust.

“Since Liliana was pulled here, this tree corresponds to Thorn City, right?”

William looked at the outline of the woman on the tree trunk and muttered to himself. Then, he waved the magical medium in his hand. A sharp blade flashed and peeled off the entire tree bark.

A naked woman rolled out of the tree.

She wasn’t a soul. She had entered the Moon Realm as a real person like William.

…

“Cass… Hurry up and… pull out that sword!”

After being struck by the lightning, Nizemar left Cass this sentence before she died.

Cass didn’t dare turn his head to look at Nizemar’s death.

Or rather, he didn’t even dare to look away.

The fat festering monster had already retreated to the side, and Duke Simon, who had pulled his sword out of the youth’s chest, slowly turned to him.

Duke Simon’s entire body was wrapped in lightning, and his eyes were a blank blue. A crown made of pure lightning appeared above his head.

Then, he floated in midair and looked down at Cass.

Why is this happening…

Cass thought.

Before coming, Nizemar had told him that Duke Simon was only an ordinary person and didn’t even have magical power talent.

But why did he suddenly obtain the powerful strength that only legendary heroes had?

Was it because of the ritual from before? Stabbing the youth’s chest with a sword?

“Liz, leave this place. It’s not convenient for me to fight with you by my side.”

Noticing that the other party’s attention was on him, Cass whispered to Liz, who was slumped over his shoulder.

Liz turned around and looked at Nizemar, who was emitting green smoke. Then, she gritted her teeth and said, “We leave together. Don’t think of lying to me with those words.”

Cass smiled bitterly and said, “In this situation, it’s fine as long as one of us can escape. Moreover, if you’re accidentally injured in combat, I will immediately die since I’m connected to you. Being by my side will only become a huge weakness for me. If you run, the probability of me surviving alone is higher.”

Even though it’s also close to zero.

Cass added inwardly.

Liz fell silent for a few seconds before biting his shoulder fiercely.

“Stay alive, idiot!”

After leaving a bite mark on Cass’s shoulder that wasn’t deep or shallow, she flapped her wings and flew to the tomb’s door.

Simon watched them in his levitating state. He didn’t stop Liz when she flew away. He only shook his head slightly and said,

“I imagined that you would leave Thorn City after becoming wanted. I didn’t expect you to have the guts to come here.”

His voice exploded in Cass’s ears like thunder.

After confirming that Liz had left, Cass held the pitch-black knight’s sword named Judgment 4.

“Why? Just for revenge? Or for some other reason?” Simon asked in a cadence.

Cass fell silent. He exerted strength in his wrist, but he didn’t seem to be able to pull the sword out at all.

“It’s useless. You cannot pull out this divine weapon of Judgment.”

Simon slowly floated to Cass and said, “This sword’s name is Judgment 4, and it came from the Whispering Empress. She, who originally wielded the power of conspiracy and betrayal, specially forged a blade that symbolizes loyalty and honor to correspond to Her essence.”

Lightning circled Simon as he gently landed not far from Cass and continued, “Do you understand? This sword is absolutely loyal. If you want to obtain the recognition of this sword, you have to have the bloodline of that Black Swordsman and have the courage and determination to prove that you’re worthy of this sword.”

Upon hearing this, Cass froze and muttered with lifeless eyes, “Only the descendant of the Black Swordsman can pull out this sword?”

Simon nodded and slowly walked towards Cass. As he walked, he said, “Therefore, it’s still the same question. Why? After you were lucky enough to be saved by that faerie, why didn’t you choose to leave Thorn City? You’re essentially a dead person now. You rely on sharing another person’s life to survive. What can you do with your crippled body?”

As Simon spoke, he walked in front of Cass and stood still.

Boundless mana flowed into the dragon-snake pattern on the chamber wall, and lightning exploded around Duke Simon. He spread his arms exaggeratedly and said to Cass, “Tell me, why did you do this? Why do you resist the will of the new Blackwater King in vain?”

Cass had been waiting for this opportunity.

He effortlessly pulled out the pitch-black knight’s sword and stabbed Duke Simon’s defenseless chest at lightning speed.

Cass found that he could easily pull it out from the moment he held the sword.

However, from Duke Simon’s performance of killing Nizemar with a bolt of lightning, he deeply understood that he could not defeat this opponent even if he drew the sword.

Therefore, he could only take a gamble. He could only pretend that he didn’t know the conditions to draw his sword and pretend that he couldn’t. He wanted to see if the other party would lower his guard and walk over before finding an opportunity to strike.

Duke Simon was even more arrogant and stupid than he had imagined. He dared to walk to where his sword could reach without putting up any defense.

Moreover, he spread his arms, exposing his defenseless chest.

Then, he naturally wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

“I’m a descendant of the Black Swordsman, and the reason I want to kill you is very simple. It’s both for revenge and to completely bury an inhumane tyrant like you!”

Cass almost roared after stabbing the other party in the heart.

“Die!”

Cass plunged the sword deeper.

…

The Stranger star chart erupted with red and black light again.

William walked out of the star map. Compared to when he entered, he returned with a full load.

He held a birdcage formed by shadows in his left hand and carried a woman wrapped in a gorgeous blanket on his shoulder with his right.

Vincent hurriedly went forward when William returned.

“How is it?” he asked nervously.

William nodded to indicate that there was no problem. He first put down the cage and placed the woman on his shoulder on the ground like Liliana.

Then, he took out the Soul Storage Crystal from his pocket and threw it to Vincent.

“Your daughter’s soul is inside. You know how to wake her up, right?” William asked.

Vincent nodded and looked at the woman wrapped in a blanket. “Who is this?”

William shrugged.

“I don’t know either. I just saved her since she was in the Nightmare Swamp.”

As he spoke, he pulled open the blanket that covered the other party’s face slightly, revealing her face.

Vincent was stunned when he saw the woman’s face.

“Why is it her?”

Vincent uttered in confusion.

“What’s wrong? Do you know her?” William asked.

The other party nodded and continued in confusion, “But why is she in the Moon Realm? Wasn’t she always in Thorn City?”

“Who is she?” William asked in confusion.

Vincent replied, “A nun of the Eighth Order’s Holy Seminary, and is known as the Silver Blood Daughter and fanatical believer of Kane. She’s the youngest holy relic hunter-Nizemar.”

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