Chapter 253
by post_apiChapter 253: Avengers and Leaders
[Annihilate these scum!]
He held his gravely ill sister in his arms, eyes reflecting memories of the blood he had spilled over the years, the face of Keno’s hypocrisy, and the manic laughter from the crowd.
The mocking smiles haunted him, grim, terrifying, fear-inducing.
At this moment, Ganis felt a fury unlike any he had known before—a rage that burned through him.
[Spare none, let neither the old nor the young survive!]
[I want them to pay the price!]
[No, I cannot kill children… but haven’t I already done so before? At their bidding, I have taken countless innocent lives.]
[We, the Persecuted, have lost so many for their “entertainment”!]
“Indeed, demons.” Ganis shook his head, realizing his anger had spiraled out of control.
[When cutting grass, one must uproot it; if killing is necessary, it must be thorough, sparing no one. The “people of the city” are demons, undeserving of sympathy.]
Bai Yan remained silent, listening to Ganis’s inner thoughts, his patience unwavering as he awaited the other’s decision.
Ganis cast a brief glance at him, his mind turning.
[Why would he ask me this question?]
[Consider the consequences, Ganis. You’re not just fighting for yourself and Ann.]
[The people of Babel Tower are “city dwellers.” If I act too recklessly in front of them, I risk creating enemies.]
[Either spare none or kill none…]
Ganis fell into silence, before asking, “If, hypothetically, someone important were to die here—say, Keno or his family member—Mr. Profligate, would you be able to cover it up completely?”
“My power can only conceal things temporarily, not forever,” Bai Yan replied sincerely.
This wasn’t Tatsumi City, but Annottales, a place teeming with formidable individuals. Keno, a member of the upper class, couldn’t just disappear without investigation. The Church would surely take notice, and Bai Yan wasn’t certain he could keep the truth hidden.
Ganis inhaled deeply, his hands clenched so tightly his veins stood out, but he kept his composure, as always.
As Bai Yan had suspected, Ganis was the most psychologically resilient of the Core Operators.
After a moment’s silence, Ganis asked again, “Babel Tower—if we were to engage in full-scale conflict with the Dark Light Church, would we be victorious?”
Bai Yan shook his head gently. “Not likely, at present.”
Currently?
So there was hope for the future? Was Babel Tower really so powerful and mysterious?
Ganis felt a slight shock, realizing Bai Yan wasn’t lying.
He pressed on, “Do you have a way to remove all the Persecuted from the city at once?”
“It’s impossible,” Bai Yan admitted. “There are hundreds of thousands of sinners here. Removing them all at once would be an enormous challenge, and even if it were possible, where would they go? The Dark Light Church would notice, and the risks would be too high.”
Ganis, undeterred, asked, “What about the abattoir in the Seventh District?”
“In theory, it’s possible,” Bai Yan replied. “The Heart of Babel Tower’s ‘portal’ can accommodate large numbers. While there are thousands in the Seventh District, moving just over a thousand could be managed in a single night.”
Ganis thought it over, then nodded. “I understand now. We need to move Ann, and if someone dies here, it could lead them straight to the abattoir. We cannot let that happen.”
“If Keno dies and Ann goes missing, the Dark Light Church would quickly connect the dots.”
“Can you control Keno continuously?” Ganis asked.
Bai Yan nodded, “Yes. I can maintain control using my psychic abilities. The ‘Long-Term Command’ can last up to one hundred and ninety hours, and I can refresh it as needed.”
Ganis remained silent for a long time, his tone suddenly calm—eerily so.
“For now, Keno must stay alive. Once the resettlement issue is settled, we will let the others from the Seventh District escape, and I will have my revenge.”
[Avengers need only wrath, but I am no mere avenger…] Ganis’s thoughts echoed.
“I intend to lead everyone back to the wilderness. The Persecuted and the Urbanites cannot coexist. Before that, though, I need to prepare for the resettlement. I need your help, and that of Babel Tower.”
“The wilderness, you say?” Bai Yan paused in thought. “The wilderness near Tatsumi City is safer than here. During natural disasters, I can allow you to take refuge in Tatsumi City.”
“Tatsumi City?” Ganis frowned. He didn’t know that Babel Tower had control over it.
Bai Yan smiled. “Yes, Tatsumi City is ours, but the people there won’t welcome you. You might find it better to stay in the wilderness near the city.”
He wasn’t suggesting that the sinners were bad people; it was just that forcing two incompatible sides together would cause inevitable conflict.
Ganis fixed his gaze on Bai Yan. “May I ask you something?”
Bai Yan smiled. “What’s the question? You’ve asked plenty already.”
Ganis’s next question was crucial to him.
“How powerful is your projection in this world?”
Bai Yan didn’t hesitate. “Honestly, I believe I could handle anything short of an Apocalypse.”
Ganis nodded, silently processing this information.
Just then, Ann, who had been silent until now, began coughing violently.
“Ahem… ahem…”
She gripped her chest, her face twisted in pain, as though her body were rejecting itself.
Ganis’s expression shifted to panic as he embraced her tightly. “Ann, how are you? Hang on!”
Seeing this, Bai Yan seemed unfazed, simply observing. “Your sister urgently needs treatment. Come, Fist of Duel, we’ll take her away.”
Tatsumi City.
Mu Ling’s Home.
Mu Ling, the silver-haired girl, extended her hand, a white glow radiating from her palm, exuding a soothing power. Ann’s pale complexion began to regain color as she recovered rapidly.
As Mu Ling worked, she spoke calmly, “Fortunately, her illness isn’t severe. With prompt treatment, she’ll be fine.”
She glanced at Ganis, who stood nearby. “Don’t worry, she will be fine.”
Ganis stood there, his anxiety clear, yet a hint of distrust lingered in his eyes towards Bai Yan.
Finally, Ann’s face, once contorted in pain, softened into peaceful slumber.
Success.
A whirlwind of emotions swirled within Ganis. He had brought Ann here in hopes of saving her, but he hadn’t expected this—an outcome so far beyond his plans. And yet, the one who saved her was a… “city dweller.”
He kneeled, sincerity in his gaze. “Nightsaber, I will never forget this. If the chance arises, I will repay this kindness.”
Bai Yan, who had been silent, simply nodded.
Mu Ling shook her head, a serene smile on her face. “There is no need for repayment. You only need to be grateful to the Savior.”
“I once knew only the power of the blade and slaughter,” she continued, “but now, I have the ability to heal others. That, too, is a gift from the Savior.”
She paused. “Without the Savior, you wouldn’t have even arrived here, and I would not have been able to save her.”
Ganis nodded, understanding completely. He knew the debt he owed Babel Tower—and the Savior—and swore to repay it, even at the cost of his life.
Bai Yan stood silently by, a smile playing on his lips.
In truth, Bai Yan could have used his Power Possession to replicate Mu Ling’s abilities and save Ann himself. But he had a reason for involving Mu Ling.
Ganis had long harbored disdain for “city dwellers” due to his tragic past. But perhaps through acts of kindness like this, he could soften his perspective—just enough to prevent Babel Tower from becoming embroiled in unnecessary conflict.
Bai Yan didn’t expect, nor did he intend to force Ganis to embrace “city dwellers” with open arms. But he hoped personal grievances wouldn’t endanger Babel Tower’s interests.
Ganis slowly rose, turning to Bai Yan. “I’ll go now. Ann will stay here.”
He trusted the people of Babel Tower now, Mu Ling included, despite her origins. He understood that in order to achieve his goals, he sometimes needed to work with those he may not agree with.
Bai Yan nodded. “Once you return, you’ll become the actual proprietor of the abattoir. As for the wilderness settlement, I’ll make the preparations, as we discussed.”
Ganis, looking at his sister one
last time, slowly shook his
head. “For now, we’ll part for a
while. I’m sorry, Ann. You’ll be
disappointed when you wake
up and can’t see me.”
He took a beautiful stone from
his pocket and placed it gently
in her hand.
After parting ways with Ganis,
Bai Yan took out his phone,
checking his updates as he
made his way back to Tulip
Manor.
The loyalty of Fist of Duel had
increased from 5 to 7,
signaling his growing
attachment to Babel Tower.
Still, Fist of Duel was a natural
leader, so his loyalty would
take time to deepen.
More importantly, Bai Yan had
made a crucial decision.
He had just completed an
important mission. The results
were clear:
“Mission complete. Babel
Tower Legendary Points +80.”
“Emergency reward: Source
Energy Points +100.”
“Emergency reward: Ghost
Armor.”
Bai Yan mused, “The Ghost
Armor… not bad.”
He knew of it from the first
playthrough. It was ancient,
black, and covered in demonic
engravings. Not a Relic, but
powerful enchanted
equipment that consumed the
wearer’s flesh to grant power.
It might not rival a Civilization-
level Relic, but it was potent
enough to be useful.
“Perhaps I’ll give it to the
Queen of the Scarlet Moon, Mu
Ling… or even the Red Moon.”
Bai Yan knew the time had
come.
Through his avatar’s
perception, he sensed that
“Hidden Azure” Kaluoer had
returned—no longer watching
the window.
But there was always a time
bomb waiting. And Bai Yan
would deal with it, on his
terms.
“It’s time to give Maryse some
‘adjusted training.’ Her power
is invaluable right now.”
As Bai Yan walked down the
deserted road, lost in thought,
a strange sound caught his
attention.
It was mystical in nature,
unlike anything from the
natural world.
Down a narrow alleyway, two
knights in black armor stood
facing a dozen figures cloaked
in black.
The knights, part of the “Divine
Blade,” the elite guardians of
Annottales, radiated an
indomitable presence.
The black-armored knight’s
voice was chilling, like the
voice of death itself:
“This ends here. The Witch
Cult followers… you have
nowhere to run. Expose the
heretics, or face execution!”