Upon hearing Fors ' question, Hugh hesitated for a moment before replying:
"We've been discovered..."
They had said something similar before, but now they were repeating it to express a different meaning. Before, it meant that the fact that Shermane had been identified was discovered by his hidden Protector or monitor. Now, the focus was on how their choices and actions were all anticipated or arranged by the person behind the scenes, leaving no secrets whatsoever.
This means that the opportunity Hugh longed for may have actually come true, but what lies behind it remains to be seen.
"If we do as the person who left the message intends, the final outcome will depend entirely on whether she has good intentions, which is beyond our control," Hugh added rationally.
She used "she" to refer to the person behind the scenes because she remembered the faint, sweet fragrance she smelled when she lost track of Shermane last time.
Fors listened quietly and nodded in agreement:
"Yes, we've been too passive in this whole situation. The best option is to leave..."
As soon as she finished speaking, she glanced at the warehouse, opened her mouth, but said nothing more.
She was thinking about Shermane's possible current situation and suspected that "he" was in deep danger, but ultimately she deliberately ignored it and didn't mention it.
To her, Shermane was just a character who existed in Hugh's descriptions, much like the character in the movie. If she had the ability and opportunity, she would be willing to help him, but she would definitely not consider taking the risk of making her friend reckless or putting his life in danger.
Hugh nodded and said:
Okay, let's leave now.
"However, the person who left the comment will definitely not be happy to see us do this, and there will inevitably be some obstacles."
"Okay, let's escape from different directions, forcing that person to choose one side. Whoever successfully escapes this area should immediately create a commotion to attract the attention of the official Beyonder."
"Why not just make a commotion here?" Fors asked instinctively.
"This will definitely be blocked or sabotaged!" Hugh gave his reasoning.
Fors nodded thoughtfully:
That makes sense.
"Alright, let's stop delaying and get started."
Hugh didn't speak again. He gripped a triangular dagger that was almost invisible, and crouched low. He darted out of his hiding place and ran along the shadowy area towards the outside of the dock.
That triangular dagger was a magical artifact she commissioned from a " Artisan " through the Tarot Club's " The Hermit " for 500 pounds in cash. It was made from the dust and residual Spirituality of Ancient Evil Spirit and was called the " Blade of Coldness."
Anyone struck by this weapon, even just touched, will freeze into a state of utter Freezing, their thoughts becoming uncontrollable, as if possessed by Evil Spirit. Furthermore, as the battle continues, even enemies of the " Blade of Coldness " who have not made direct contact with the triangular dagger will gradually experience a slowing of their thoughts and a stiff, sluggish movement.
The negative effects of the " Blade of Coldness " are relatively less severe, and there is only one: it causes the wearer's body to gradually lose temperature and transform into Death. Once the necessary time limit is exceeded, this process will be irreversible.
Therefore, Hugh has recently taken to running or cycling at high speeds to generate heat and combat the loss of body temperature.
Even so, she only increased the time interval between when she had to remove the " Blade of Coldness " from her body from 3 hours to 4 hours.
After running some distance, Hugh looked back and saw that Fors had passed through the wall and disappeared from where he had been hiding.
After staring for two seconds, Xiu bit her lip lightly, then abruptly turned around and changed direction.
She went straight for the warehouse!
She quickly arrived at the side of her destination, but instead of heading to the entrance, she looked up and examined the area above, seemingly searching for another passage—a more secluded one, less likely to be noticed by those inside.
Just then, she instinctively turned her head and saw a figure flash around the corner of the wall.
The figure was dressed in a black dress, had slightly curly brown hair, and light blue eyes; it was Fors Wall.
"Didn't you leave?" Xiu asked, surprised but not forgetting to lower his voice.
Fors curled his lip and said:
Aren't you also fleeing from here?
He couldn't find the words to respond for a moment, and after several seconds he finally asked:
How did you find out?
"You didn't even mention Shermane, that's so unlike you! I had all the reasons I could come up with to persuade you!" Fors replied quickly.
"..." Xiu paused for a moment, then said with a complicated expression, "You didn't need to come back."
Fors ignored her words and pressed on the side wall of the warehouse, saying:
"If we keep talking, maybe we won't have to make things difficult for each other anymore, because it's already over."
"Oh dear, I can't believe I didn't think of such a good idea. I should have just said I wanted to go with you to rescue them, and you would definitely have tried to dissuade me and refuse, wanting to do it all by yourself. After repeating that a few times, the matter would have been resolved on its own."
Hugh glanced deeply at his friend, then without further hesitation, picked up the " Blade of Coldness " and stood beside her.
Fors immediately flipped through " Lemano's Travel Notes," casting extraordinary effects on herself and her friend. Then she put away the magic book, grabbed Hugh's arm with one hand, and pressed the other hand back against the wall.
Hugh was waiting for the Door Opening so he could enter, but he noticed that Fors didn't activate his ability immediately.
The bestselling author took a deep breath and said quickly:
"Once inside, we'll hide and observe, and only make a move when we're sure there's a real opportunity."
"If there's really no chance, or if we fail to seize the opportunity, then let's leave quickly. That way, at least we can avenge Shermane instead of dying as martyrs!"
"Only by living can anything be possible..."
Hugh immediately nodded and responded seriously:
"Good."
Fors wanted to say a few more words, but considering that some time had already been wasted and she couldn't delay any longer, she had no choice but to "open" the illusory door, leading Hugh through the wall to a row of wooden crates.
Having never been unfamiliar with such actions, she instinctively squatted down and pulled out " Lemano's Travel Notes," turning to one of its pages.
Hugh didn't rush headlong into the depths either. Instead, he bent down and peered through the gaps between the wooden crates to observe the empty area.
The woman-like Shermane sat lifelessly on a wooden crate, her brown hair swaying gently as if blown by the wind.
Standing before her was Viscount Stratford, the head of the royal guard, who tightened his collar and glanced around, seemingly looking at something, before saying:
"Unfortunately, you are just a Witch."
"Don't worry, I will make sure you die without any pain, and that you are completely Purification."
As he spoke, he took an item out of the inside pocket of his clothes.
Using his enhanced vision from the " Interrogator " Potion, Hugh clearly saw the appearance of the item:
This is a cross ornament covered in verdigris, with several sharp spikes protruding from it, as if it had once pierced someone.
Its style and characteristics are unique to the countries of the Northern Continent in the Fifth Age, presenting an ancient charm.
"Very well, you know resistance is futile." Viscount Stratford said, pressing one of the fingers holding the verdigris cross onto one of the spikes.
His bright red blood immediately flowed out, then was absorbed by the spikes and seeped into the object.
The mottled patina on the surface of the cross began to crumble and peel away rapidly, revealing the solid form of light condensed beneath.
In just a second or two, the object held by Viscount Stratford transformed into Radiant Cross!
It emitted a pure, flawless light, illuminating the surrounding area with extraordinary brightness.
The shadow of the wooden crate receded quickly here, and the dark spots on the wall evaporated rapidly like water.
Around Shermane, countless spider silks that originally belonged to Trissy floated up one after another, as if struggling in a fire, and melted away in no time.
The light grew brighter and brighter, yet it was not dazzling at all. Black flames and crystalline ice crystals burst forth from Shermane's body.
They gradually faded, became transparent, and eventually disappeared under the light.
Within the area of that " Radiant Cross," there was no trace of evil, no lingering darkness!
Seeing Shermane's expression begin to Distortion, Hugh couldn't help but glance at Fors.
She could clearly sense the terror of that " Radiant Cross," and her resolve to save the person wavered.
Fors also noticed what was happening over there, pointed to " Lemano's Travel Notes," raised his left index finger, and whispered in Hugh's ear in a very low voice:
You only have one chance.
"I will try my best to help you create it, but if it doesn't work out, or if you can't control it, then we'll give up."
Without the slightest hesitation, Hugh nodded solemnly.
Fors immediately sat up slightly and turned to the yellowed page of " Lemano's Travel Notes ".
This page is filled with all sorts of complex, Distortion, and indescribable symbols and signs, giving one a direct sense of howling winds.
" Sailor " acquires Demigod abilities, " Tornado "!
After surveying the surroundings again and confirming that there were no other enemies, Fors's gaze passed through the gap between the wooden crates and locked onto Viscount Stratford, his fingers lightly gliding over the yellowed pages.
A sudden whooshing sound erupted, and a visible hurricane rose from beneath Viscount Stratford's feet, hurtling into the air.
The palace guard captain, caught off guard by such a terrifying attack, was unable to maintain his balance and was lifted up by the Tornado, slamming hard against the top of the warehouse.
Boom!
The warehouse roof was torn apart by the hurricane; part of it collapsed downwards, while the rest swirled higher and higher in the wind.
Viscount Stratford was nearly knocked unconscious by the impact and could no longer hold onto the " Radiant Cross," letting it fly out of his palm.
The spike, stained with blood, detached from its corresponding finger, and the mottled verdigris once again covered the surface of the cross.
The flawless radiance vanished.
Seeing this, Hugh rushed out of his hiding place without hesitation. His eyes first reflected the figure of Viscount Stratford, then flashed with two dazzling "lightning bolts".
" Spirit Piercing!"