Chapter 358 - Death and Reborn
Only one day was left before the midsummer festival closing ceremony.
Heated discussions regarding the match between Starlight and Liberty Wings were still drifting among the people. But due to Rhode’s strategic misguidance, Starlight was no longer the center of attraction. Now, the conflict converged on the Northern and Southern Regions, but under the watchful eyes of Lydia, it didn’t go out of hand unlike before.
The Southern Reformist Party suffered a crushing defeat; Sky Sword and Liberty Wings were practically doomed.
Rosen was murdered, battle angels imprisoned Liberty Wings, vile rumors spread about Liberty Wings working with demons. Because of these factors, the Southern Reformist Party chose to keep silent. They didn’t want their enemies to have another reason to blackmail them.
“I didn’t expect things to turn out this way.”
Old Walker who had accomplished his mission, returned to the stronghold. He stood by the window and admired Golden City’s beautiful cityscape. Old Walker’s heart was filled with contentment; he had never thought that his secret manipulations would successfully cause the mercenaries, civilians, and upper-class nobles to go crazy in pubs. Frankly, Old Walker felt overwhelmed. He even thought that Rhode went slightly overboard with his plan. Still, he didn’t believe that a few words could flip the situation around and cause such chaos.
Oh Holy Soul, has this world gone bonkers?
Old Walker couldn’t understand at all. But now he had a chance to get an answer.
“It’s simple, old man.”
“Awuuuu…!!”
A severe pain caused Anne to wince and cry. Then, her pupils dilated abruptly and emitted a bright green light.
It’s that feeling again…
Just like that nightmare; there was a horrifying, shapeless monster chasing her, which at the same time, slowly gain control of her body. All she could do was to run as fast as she could even though it was futile. It felt like a tug of war; she had to wrench away the control of the monster while escaping its encroaching grasp.
“…!!”
Anne’s consciousness gradually fogged. She hit the ground with her fists as the image before her began to distort and the strength within her body began to leak.
Did it fail?
Did Anne fail again?
Why did it fail?
In her blurred consciousness, she lifted her head towards the sky. She tried her best to maintain her sentience but every second caused immeasurable agony. She felt as though she had reached her limit and could feel her strength gradually depleting away. Like her consciousness, the bloodline flowing within her also grew fainter yet more erratic, causing Anne to feel like she was going to burst.
“… Sorry… leader… Anne… still lost…”
The girl lay on the floor, motionless. The focus in her eyes gradually disappeared. And with the last breath she had, she managed to whisper a few last words that were too soft to be heard.
Suddenly, Anne heard a low and deep growl within her.
She knew that it didn’t belong to her, yet it felt so familiar and intimate…
It was as though it was calling her to embrace it wholeheartedly. She had never heard this voice before, but she somehow knew who it belonged to.
“… Mother…?”
Her green pupils shrunk in an instant.
Then, a green beam of light erupted from her body, tearing through the roof and towards the heavens.