Chapter 35

The original worldline has changed, and it’s a drastic change, possibly beyond recognition, making it completely unfamiliar to her.

Regarding this, Aesphyra actually realized it early on when the confrontation between the members of the Wrathful Dragon Knights and Winnie happened ahead of time, and the nature of it completely changed, and the soul armament Winnie used was not an evil soul armament.

In this way, the worldline has become increasingly uncontrollable. Although she can predict what is about to happen, she has no idea how many variables have been added.

Aesphyra understands that knowing the direction of the original worldline in such a situation is not necessarily a good thing.

It might even lead to preconceived notions due to her understanding of the original worldline’s plot, causing her to lose the insight she should have.

Such a thing has ultimately happened.

But Aesphyra still can’t figure it out. She is sure she hasn’t missed any additional details.

But why? Where did such a huge variable come from? Is it because Winnie in this life has turned over a new leaf, causing his original position to be replaced by someone else, and that person is much stronger than the original Winnie??

Aesphyra thinks it’s not like that. Just like no one can imagine someone foreseeing and controlling the future, it’s impossible for anyone to notice that she, being cautious enough, had already taken precautions against [Bronze Blood].

Moreover, when she threw the antidote into their potion, she used [Divine Blessing], pausing time, so it’s absolutely impossible for anyone to have noticed.

Who is it??

Judging from the reaction of [Bronze Blood], they probably didn’t notice her actions. Of course, it’s hard to say.

What if there was an unexpected expert within [Bronze Blood] in this life??

Aesphyra can’t figure out which part of the chain went wrong, leading someone to know her plan to sabotage [Bronze Blood].`

Winnie, who was beside her, saw Aesphyra fall silent and became anxious.

“Hey say something?? Don’t just stay silent at this moment??” Winnie hurriedly asked.~

“This shameless thing is mocking you, saying you have no ideas. Say something, don’t let these guys act so arrogantly! These half-human, half-ghost things say you have no ideas. As your number one fan, I won’t stand for it!” Winnie patted his chest and said.

“Winnie, if I remember correctly, that friend of yours who often plays cards with you seemed to have cold symptoms before.” After a moment of contemplation, Aesphyra said calmly.

“Yes, that’s right. What about it??” Hearing Aesphyra mention this, Winnie’s heart tightened.

The protagonist’s insight is beyond question. He might not believe in Aesphyra’s loyalty in matters of the heart, but he must believe in her intuition as the protagonist.

If even Aesphyra says that Fred and the others are in trouble, then it’s probably bad.

“Then, you’d better go help your friend now.” Aesphyra gently stroked the blade of the holy sword with her jade-like fingers, her beautiful eyes slightly closed.

“What?? Could it be that even you can’t do anything??” Winnie was stunned.

“I’ll stay here to deal with it. You go help your friend, go help Mirexia.” Aesphyra holds the sword behind her back with a reverse grip. The usual playful and teasing tone in her voice was gone, replaced by a deathly calm.

She slowly walked towards the fanatic. The night wind carries a hint of sadness, lifting the beautiful silver hair of the girl. In the holy church, only the steady and opposing footsteps of the girl remained.

Even with control over the direction of the original world, unexpected changes still occurred, leading to this tragedy.

Air travel is serious now.

She wants to find out what’s really going on, who is behind this.

“Then, will my friends be okay?” Winnie couldn’t help but asked.

“This, I can’t guarantee.”

Winnie got the expected answer, but Aesphyra’s next words surprised him.

“Sorry.”

Hearing this, Winnie looked up in surprise at the beautiful figure in the wind, exuding a strong oppressive force and unwavering determination.

Aesphyra, apologize to him??

This was almost something Winnie didn’t dare to imagine. Who would have thought that someone who had a life-and-death feud with him in a past life would one day say sorry to him.

This girl must be blaming himself for not being able to save those infected students.

Even Winnie could understand that it wasn’t Aesphyra’s fault.

Controlling the future is a fantasy, and Aesphyra is quite similar to him in this regard, Winnie can see.

That is, it’s hard to truly trust others.

Although Aesphyra is usually graceful, cheerful, and skilled in flirting, perhaps in these two lives, no one has truly entered her heart and gained her real trust.

Who would expose their secrets to others?

In this regard, Winnie is quite similar to Aesphyra.

And the rest is probably self-confident.

Aesphyra is quite confident and once she sets a goal, she will firmly execute it.

Such people are somewhat self-willed, and when executing plans, they often feel that they alone are enough.

Although Aesphyra didn’t show it, for some reason, Winnie could see it.

“No, it’s not your fault. Thank you for trying to help my friends, Aesphyra.” Winnie sincerely appreciated Aesphyra’s back.

Now, Aesphyra seems a bit closer to him.

At this moment, Winnie understood why Aesphyra is the protagonist.

Putting aside the fickle, possesive persona that’s somewhat influenced by players projecting onto Aesphyra.

In the end, Aesphyra is also a person with morals and character.

So, even at Winnie’s most vulnerable moment, when her hatred for him was at its peak, she didn’t choose to use her [Divine Blessing] to quietly eliminate this enemy she wished to stab a thousand times.

So, she would try to save people tirelessly through her understanding of the original worldline.

So, she would feel guilty and blame herself for not being able to save others, taking the blame upon herself.

Aesphyra didn’t respond, nor did she turn around, but Winnie knew she heard.

In fact, it was the first time she heard Winnie say thank you to her.

‘Virtue + 20.’

‘Current Virtue: 324.’

“Still, be careful. I know you’re strong, but that’s a fanatic, already among the strongest followers of Erunes. Even Master level are no match for it. This guy must have many tricks and big moves left.”

With that, he understood that staying here would only hold Aesphyra back, making her distracted to protect him. So he deactivated [Armor Fortress] and ran out of the hall.

Here, it’s up to Aesphyra.

After all, the current Carillian Academy is probably in chaos.

Winnie runs out of Saintness Selina’s Cathedral. The students and teachers who had been in the holy church were nowhere to be seen, including Shikondel.

Winnie wasn’t too worried about Shikondel. With Milian around, Shikondel shouldn’t be in danger.

After all, Milian is among the top five in entrance scores and has special feelings and guilt towards Shikondel. Even if it means risking her life, she definitely won’t let anything happen to Shikondel.

“Boom!!!” Another deafening roar roaring in the holy church, the shockwave alone making Winnie’s scalp tingle.

He lowered his head, rubbed his ears, knowing that Aesphyra and the fanatic had fully unleashed their powers.

Unlike the fanatic who only knows destruction, Aesphyra also has to consider the safety of the holy church, fighting the fanatic while distracted.

Now, Winnie can only pray that Aesphyra, as the chosen protagonist, will definitely not lose.

This is probably the first time he’s praying for Aesphyra, hoping she will achieve a great victory.

Winnie ran towards the blood altar floating in the air, unconsciously recalling the past.

“Those bastards who usually only know how to brag… better not be in trouble.” Winnie gritted his teeth, thinking to himself.

They were the first friends he made in the academy.

They were different from others, mostly minor nobles or less important sons of noble families.

They didn’t discriminate against him because of his identity, his notorious reputation, or his strength ranking.

It was a pure friendship formed through Goddess cards.

“Dammit, Fred, you still owe me two packs of cards. Don’t think you can get away with it. I’ll dig you out even from a pile of corpses!” Winnie cursed at the blood altar in the air.

“You, hold on for this young master!”

However, before he could run out of the cathedral’s palace complex, a huge stone pillar collapsed, burning with flames, blocking his path.

“Dammit, you idiots can’t see the urgency?? Don’t you know I’m in a hurry??” Realizing several black shadows had descended from the sky and landed around him, Winnie cursed.

But when he looked closely under the firelight, he saw that these were human faces, and the clothes they wore were Cariliman Academy uniforms!

“What are you doing?? Usually, you pick on me, but now?? Even if you’re rushing to eat shit, you should pick the right time, right??” Winnie frowned, already noticing that these students were not in a normal state.

Sure enough, these students all had expressionless faces, their eyes empty, like puppets on strings. If not for their breathing, one wouldn’t feel they were alive.

They all released their soul armaments, aiming at Winnie.

“Damn, it seems it’s true.” Winnie pursed his lips.

These should be the students who drank the potion and were controlled by the demon god.

Then, why hasn’t that male student brought the teacher after so long? The reason seems obvious.

Digging out the academy’s parasites has taken many combat teachers, protecting students from the holy church has taken many combat teachers, and the sudden appearance of hidden fanatics has kept the combat teachers extremely busy.

At this time, who could have expected [Bronze Blood] to still have cards to play, controlling those infected students who drank the potion??

The combat teachers are extremely busy, and with these controlled students causing chaos, the situation is even more out of control.

“Hey, you guys better get out of the way, don’t block my path. Don’t you remember who you are??” Winnie held [Frostfang], frowning.

These students showed no reaction, walking towards Winnie with stiff steps like zombies.

“Damn it.” Currently, the only way for him to escape, besides turning into Vanessa, is the [Roar of the Frozen Earth] of [Frostfang].

But [Roar of the Frozen Earth] is too powerful. Winnie is worried that with one shot, these students might be frozen to death.

Just as Winnie was at a loss, a pair of strong wings came roaring, the gust of wind forced all the students back.

The familiar citrus scent made Winnie’s heart tremble. He looked up to see the golden-haired girl with dragon horns, wings, and eyes swooping down under the moonlight.

“Winnie, grab my hand.”

Hearing this, Winnie didn’t hesitate, reaching out to grab Mirexia’s hand, and she flew him into the sky.

The controlled students on the ground looked up at the sky, their bodies swaying, with no further reaction.

Mirexia flew Winnie to the top of Saintness Selina’s Cathedral.

In the gust of wind, Winnie’s face turned pale, but he couldn’t care less.

“Mirexia, what’s going on?? What are those blood altars in the academy’s sky??” Winnie asked breathlessly. The situation was urgent, and he didn’t have time to ask why Mirexia was here.

“…Many students have turned into monsters. The reason is currently unknown.” Mirexia’s expression was grave, the situation was critical, and she kept it brief.

“Those students gathered in front of the Order Spire, forming a formation there, preventing anyone from entering. It seems they are summoning something.”

“So that’s how it is… damn it!” Winnie punched the pillar beside him in frustration.

“Do we have any extra combat power now?” Winnie asked.

“The situation is critical. The teachers are all in battle, even many academic-focused teachers have joined, and many senior students too.” Mirexia’s tone was full of gravity.

“What about the higher-ups?? What’s the academy higher-ups’ decision on this??” Winnie hurriedly asked.

With things like this, they can’t just stay silent, right??

“The higher-ups have made a decision, one that can resolve the current situation.” Mirexia took a deep breath.

“Then, why isn’t it being executed??” Seeing Mirexia’s expression, Winnie had a bad feeling.

“The academy higher-ups said, although it’s heartbreaking, unfortunately, according to emergency research, these students were infected by an unknown virus, although they can still barely maintain a human appearance, their inner selves are no longer human.” Mirexia said with difficulty.

“Their vital signs, life states, everything, are no different from the followers of the Demon God Pillar… In other words, they have all completely turned into followers of the Demon God Pillar.”

“The original could be said to have died the moment the virus was activated.”

Winnie fell silent.

“How??”

“How??” Winnie leaned against the decorative pillar on the cathedral roof, his body sliding down weakly.

“Then, what’s the higher-ups’ decision??” Winnie hurriedly asked again.

“…To eliminate all these students who have become followers of the Demon God Pillar.” At the end, Mirexia’s tone was as heavy as still water.