Chapter 268

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 268: The Distant Girl

The words Bai Yan spoke caused an uncomfortable silence to fall over everyone present. Each person felt that something was off.

Maryse looked at Bai Yan, her eyes wide with surprise, before glancing at Kessel. She sensed an odd atmosphere starting to form.

Bai Yan took a deep breath, turned slowly, and fixed his gaze on the “Emperor.”

Is it over?

No, it’s not.

How could it possibly end here?

After collecting four clues, Bai Yan now understood fully. There was still another presence to confront in order to truly resolve everything.

That presence was the source of all the strangeness.

If “she” couldn’t be completely eradicated, all the weirdness would return, perhaps even creating new abnormalities.

This wasn’t just about completing the task.

It was also about protecting the city that now belonged to the Babel Tower.

This time, they managed to address the issue without casualties, but they knew they wouldn’t be so fortunate next time.

Bai Yan reflected on the information he had come across earlier.

[If the ‘Deadly Mail’ event is successfully completed, the difficulty of the First Doomsday Crisis will slightly decrease, or…]

Bai Yan wasn’t sure what the next part entailed, but he knew that finishing the task perfectly would be ideal.

He felt an increasing sense of anticipation.

The main storyline—the Doomsday Crisis—would be far more difficult than the first time, likely beyond his imagination…

“The problem is solved.”

The young boy, Kessel, with his pure white appearance, spoke sternly, emphasizing his point.

“There won’t be any more danger. All the strange creatures are gone. What more do you want…? You promised me you wouldn’t look into the origin any further.”

His eyes were like a mist, and his silver hair shone, enhancing his flawless purity. However, no one could ignore the growing, intense murderous intent radiating from him.

Bai Yan had indeed made that promise.

But he wasn’t one to easily keep promises… unless the other person held great importance to him.

Maryse was a little confused and asked, “Moriarty… what’s going on?”

She could sense Kessel’s emotions becoming more and more unstable.

If things continued like this, a fight might break out, and the “Emperor” might attack “Profligate.”

“I’m still too weak… I couldn’t kill the ‘Emperor’ instantly. What should I do… Profligate, you better know what to do…”

As she thought this, something clicked.

Oh, right! Mr. Profligate is only a projection here, so even if he gets killed, it won’t matter.

I was worrying about this jerk just now…

“Like I said, the issue isn’t resolved, and the root cause still remains.”

Bai Yan held firm in his beliefs.

“And the strange source is none other than your wife, the Demon of Justice who founded the Demon Hunt Agency over two hundred years ago… You know all of this, yet you want to hide the truth, don’t you?”

Both Scarlet Moon and Maryse were taken aback by these words.

“You!”

Kessel, upon hearing this, nearly exploded with fury.

Deep Blue World!

In that moment, Bai Yan wasted no time. He summoned the power of Nightsaber, freezing everything around him.

He calmly walked through the deep blue frozen world.

“My greatest advantage lies within this.”

“At the moment of Power Possession, I can also utilize my own innate abilities.”

He reached out to touch Kessel again, but this time, his hand was stopped by the “Distance of the Hearts.”

Bai Yan wasn’t surprised by this.

“Still can’t see through it, huh? As expected from ‘Distance of the Hearts,’ one of the thirty-six forbidden spells of higher beings. It even has the power to block my Crown-level abilities.”

If I shift my Power Possession to someone else, I won’t be able to maintain the time-freezing ability… But right here, let’s gather some direct information about ‘Distance of the Hearts.’

Before time resumed, Bai Yan activated his extraordinary “information gathering” ability and began collecting details about the spell itself.

Messages from two hundred years ago…

Until now, Bai Yan’s “information gathering” ability had evolved from a physical ability into a unique concept.

Even a spell like “Distance of the Hearts” could be a target for power activation.

Although it was just a small piece, it was enough. Bai Yan could make out the face of the girl from the scattered fragments of information.

So that’s how it was…

You’ve always been here.

Time resumed its normal flow.

Kessel blinked, surprised to see the man called “Profligate” standing before him. He instinctively became alert.

“You!”

But just as he was about to make a move, he stopped.

Kessel noticed that the young half-elf girl was staring at him intently. He realized that any sudden movement from him would provoke a powerful attack from her.

The Queen of the Scarlet Moon appeared nonchalant, as if uninterested in acting. But since they were all members of Babel Tower, they couldn’t let their comrades be attacked.

Although he wasn’t afraid of the Psychic Dancer, Kessel was aware that the Queen of the Scarlet Moon was a presence to be wary of.

Finally, Profligate himself possessed strength that surpassed ordinary limits.

After their recent encounter, Kessel came to understand something.

“Profligate”…

He was likely facing someone even more powerful than himself.

So, you won’t attack?

A very wise choice.

Bai Yan smiled softly and slowly extended a finger, pointing to the ground. He calmly said, “I already know. Is she here? Perhaps this is why you frequently come to Tatsumi City. You’re not just mourning the past, but also hoping to meet her here.”

Kessel remained silent, but his emotions shifted dramatically.

Bai Yan had guessed correctly.

He had seen the connections about “The Distance of the Hearts” in the past.

A story from over two hundred years ago revealed that the place where “The Distance of the Hearts” occurred most often was right here… the very last time a girl’s face was seen was also here.

The area around the Demon Hunt Agency building in Tatsumi City.

This was one of the clues he had found.

Actually, based on this, Bai Yan couldn’t be absolutely certain if the Demon of Justice was really near the building.

However, Bai Yan possessed the power of “Connection,” allowing him to feel the emotions of those around him.

Kessel’s emotions changed unusually when they reached this area.

From the moment they arrived, glowing pink threads appeared around Kessel’s body, pulsating with light… It was bright and shimmering, and Bai Yan couldn’t ignore it.

This place must be special, or else why would he feel so excited and thrilled?

Kessel’s emotions grew unstable.

Bai Yan saw that within the threads on Kessel’s body, emotions like pain, anger, and self-blame flickered and pulsed…

It was clear Bai Yan had stepped into the other person’s forbidden territory.

But that was exactly what he wanted!

Anyway, there was no way the “Emperor” could kill him! What difference would anger make to him?

Anxiety began to build up, overwhelming him.

Bai Yan’s face brightened even further with a smile that seemed to shine more than before. He spoke slowly and with soft emphasis, “You must have decided to take care of her all this time, right?”

“Ailsa would never be the kind of person who would cause harm to everyone just for her selfish desires.”

“She must really want to understand why you did this… If anyone died because of her… perhaps she’d never forgive you for the rest of her life.”

Through various means of understanding, even without meeting the Demon of Justice personally, Bai Yan had come to grasp the essence of her character.

Though she was merciless with her enemies, to the common people of the Air Alliance, Ailsa was like a saint.

If the deaths of innocent people were caused by selfish desires, it would be anathema to everything she stood for.

As the founder of the Demon Hunt Agency, she undoubtedly possessed that determination.

Yes, Bai Yan’s words hit home.

Kessel’s anger slowly faded, gradually replaced by a sense of calm. His eyes reflected inner conflict, weakness, and his thoughts drifted elsewhere.

Why did it all turn out like this?

He had once given so much to this country, to the world.

Not only did she save him, but she also saved everyone.

Why, in the end, couldn’t she have a happy ending?

I have no other options left, Ailsa. Perhaps, just as he said, you would have felt the same, right?

This was why you founded the Demon Hunt Agency in the first place.

Silently in the shadows, sacrificing yourself for those who walk in the light.

But… but I didn’t have your determination!

Kessel took a deep breath, his eyes filled with anguish. He struggled to speak, “No, there’s another way. We can keep cleaning up the strange creatures. There’s no need to tackle the root cause!”

“I’ll find a way to fix everything.”

The Scarlet Moon sneered, now fully understanding the situation, and expressed her thoughts, “So, the ‘Emperor’ is just a figurehead. Whether you’re protecting your lover or trying to save the innocent… indecision won’t lead you anywhere.”

“If I were you, I’d choose to protect those I love and eliminate anyone who stands in my way. Or, if you decide the opposite, it would truly surprise me. Unfortunately, your thoughts seem tangled, stopping you from choosing what truly matters.”

If Mu Ling, Ganis, and Amy were present, their opinions might differ.

Bai Yan knew that Maryse, standing behind him, would likely agree with the Scarlet Moon. After all, in the first playthrough, she had made similar decisions.

Such a person can only be swayed by emotions; reasoning is futile.

As for Alan… Bai Yan wasn’t sure how he would decide.

Alan remained silent, not uttering a word for a long while.

It seemed as though he was deeply pondering what he would do in a similar situation.

“You don’t understand anything! Everything here is her work. How could I ever destroy it?” Kessel’s tone grew louder and his body trembled with barely contained emotion, on the brink of yelling.

Finally, he exploded.

“I don’t know what to do! Everything was fine before! Suddenly, everything changed in the last few months!”

Kessel’s eyes burned with regret.

The young girl.

It wasn’t just love for him.

It was more—love, faith, reliance, and the hope and salvation she embodied!

Oh, no. Why hadn’t I seen the problems coming sooner? I should have prepared!

The Scarlet Moon fell into silence.

Yes, in just three months, everything had changed.

Everyone present could relate. These past few months had been more eventful than the rest of their lives combined.

Alan finally spoke, his voice grave but resolute, filled with understanding.

“Mr. Kessel, I know saying ‘I understand you’ may sound presumptuous, but if I had to choose between the most important person in my life and the world, it would cause me unimaginable pain.”

“But, I’ve been lucky,” he said with a special smile few could understand. “My loved ones always make the hard decisions before I do, because they’re stronger and more determined than I am.”

“I think that person in your heart has already made their decision long ago, but you’re too afraid to face it.”

Kessel remained silent.

Time passed.

A new figure arrived at the scene. She was as graceful and imposing as a goddess emerging from the dark night.

“I’m here.”

Mu Ling’s arrival made Maryse smile, for they were close friends.

“You coming here is good, the situation…” Mu Ling was uncertain but could tell something wasn’t right.

“What’s going on?” she asked calmly.

The Scarlet Moon answered with a hint of mockery in her voice. “Nothing much, just that our final enemy is his wife. The ‘Emperor’ hesitates, trying to stop us from saving the city… yet can’t let go of his sense of justice.”

Mu Ling fell silent for a moment before replying, “That hesitation is a heavy burden, a common feeling. I understand.”

“Not everyone can be as decisive as you,” she added.

Through their conversations, Mu Ling came to understand the Scarlet Moon more deeply. She was a woman who, once a decision was made, never wavered.

But not everyone was like her. Even powerful beings like the “Emperor” struggle to know what truly matters.

Even if they do understand, it’s never simple to choose one over the other.

The Scarlet Moon paused, deep in thought. She realized this woman would continually challenge her, and it annoyed her.

“But…” Mu Ling spoke again, calm and steady. “We must make a choice, and I choose to believe in the Savior.”

She drew a knife without hesitation and pointed it at the “Emperor,” coldly declaring, “If you oppose Babel Tower’s actions, you will be my enemy.”

“Ah, the Hound of Babel Tower. Truly loyal,” Kessel muttered, realizing that things had come to this point and there was no turning back.

If he resisted, after he was surrounded and defeated, they’d find clues about her from his body and soul.

Just like they said, it was time for him to make a choice.

Perhaps, this was what she had been hoping for.

At last, Kessel nodded.

“Follow me,” he said, his voice steady. “She has always been here.”

With that, Kessel cast a mysterious spell, and a silver halo appeared, slowly revealing a gateway to another world.

“Over two hundred years ago…” Kessel spoke softly as the magic unfolded. “She was a genius, a monster among monsters, becoming incredibly powerful through her unparalleled talent.”

“She believed she had time to gradually become the strongest, but when she learned of the evil kingdom’s plan to sacrifice its people to summon an Outer God, she made a deal… with another Outer God.”

Outer God?

Bai Yan and the others were shocked. Could the founder of the Demon Hunt Agency, the guardian of Air Alliance’s history, have really made such a deal?

It was hard to believe, but it seemed true.

Kessel continued, “She struck a deal with the ‘Pupil of Chaos,’ an Outer God who disrupts fate. It’s one of the few active Outer Gods, always intrigued by beings from different worlds.”

The “Pupil of Chaos”… Bai Yan froze for a moment. He recognized the term, and suddenly it all clicked. He had encountered this Outer God’s influence without even realizing it.

“Before the deal, she became my wife, and we had children. Afterward, she gained the unstoppable power of the ‘Pupil of Chaos.’ After destroying the evil kingdom, she founded the Air Alliance and the Demon Hunt Agency… But eventually, she left me.”

Kessel’s face darkened with sorrow. He didn’t want to remember that moment, but it haunted him, repeating in his mind.

“She said, even without proof that she’d been taken advantage of, she chose to end her life. She asked me, the one she trusted most, to oversee her death…”

Kessel fell silent, unable to continue.

Everyone present could imagine the heartbreak of watching a loved one destroy themselves.

Maryse sighed, a strange envy in her heart.

“How perfect their love was,” she thought.

Bai Yan’s voice remained calm but carried an edge of harshness. “Sadly, you loved her too much, even more than she ever imagined… You couldn’t let her truly go, could you?”

“You’re right,” Kessel replied, nodding slowly. “Her spirit has been preserved here for over two centuries, but everything changed in the past few months.”

“Maybe the true farewell has finally come.”

They stepped into the silvery light one by one.

Beyond it, the new Demon Hunt Agency building stood, untouched by time, as if in its own magical realm.

Bai Yan gazed out the window. The outside world had vanished, as though this place existed in a separate reality, a perfect mirror of the real Demon Hunt Agency.

Finally, they faced the girl in the hall—the “Demon of Justice.”

The legendary figure, the founder of the Demon Hunt Agency, the revered guardian of the Air Alliance, stood before them.

At that moment, she stood with her back to everyone. Her long pink hair floated in the air, seemingly unaffected by the wind, gleaming with faint sparkles. Though not tall, her presence was impossible to ignore.

As soon as they laid eyes on her, the crowd felt their bodies suffocating, instinctively yearning to escape. Their minds went into overdrive, sounding the alarm of their instincts.

Her power was overwhelming!

“Why does such a powerful being exist in this world?”

That was the first thought that came to Maryse and Alan’s minds.

The person’s power was incredibly strong, astonishing everyone present except for Kessel.

Just standing behind her, Bai Yan felt a sense of helplessness, like an ant facing a fierce storm. Not only was he unable to resist, but he also saw no hope of escaping. All he could do was pray for a miracle.

Bai Yan also fell silent.

Luckily, the one who arrived was only a “temporary form” and not her real self.

So even if the “temporary form” and everyone present were to perish, his real self in the real world could bring back everyone—except for Kessel—through the “Babel Tower” game.

Of course, there was another possibility, a worse scenario.

That is if the other person possessed incredibly special abilities, allowing her to eliminate both his real self and the “temporary form” simultaneously.

Speaking of which, she was much shorter than expected…

Bai Yan noticed that the Demon of Justice was actually half a head shorter than Maryse, truly petite and lovely in every sense of the word.

Wait a moment—when she died in history, she was already over thirty years old…

Could this person have dwarf or gnome ancestry?

“Ha! You’ve finally arrived, Kessel. Have you made up your mind?”

A strong voice, perhaps a slightly bold-spirited young girl’s voice.

When the young girl turned around, the gleam in her eyes was like a storm of flames, sweeping over everyone present. Each person felt a wave of intense heat.

Even though her appearance could only be considered modest, nowhere near as beautiful as the other women present, the young girl possessed an aura that surpassed everyone else. She emanated fiery red energy, almost tangible, as if she could set the world ablaze.

The Scarlet Moon also deeply realized that, in fact, there were others besides herself who possessed this kind of royal aura—what was called the “Overlord.”

At that moment, they all understood.

Unmatched… The difference was simply too vast, much greater than they could have ever imagined.

With the power of everyone present, there was no way they could defeat this young girl!

Kessel gazed at his beloved with a blank expression, unable to utter a single word. Tears streamed down his face as he remained speechless.

“It seems like you still haven’t made up your mind, silly child.”

Ailsa shook her head, her tone resembling that of a lecturing elder speaking to a younger one, even though the “Emperor” was her actual husband and they had many descendants to this day.

“Um, how could I possibly make such a firm decision?”

Kessel gently shook his head.

Ailsa let out a breath and said in a very spirited way, “Ha! I suddenly became aware of something recently! It feels amazing! But you never came over, and it made me feel lonely!”

“So, Kessel, how are our children doing?”

Kessel remained silent for a moment before saying, “It has been over two hundred years, and our descendants are all living happily.”

“Descendants, huh… I see…”

Ailsa’s expression dimmed slightly as Kessel only mentioned descendants, without referring to the child she had given birth to.

She certainly understood what was going on; after all, over two hundred years had passed.

“I’m truly sorry I couldn’t witness it with my own eyes…”

Ailsa sighed, her face expressing a mixture of motherly love and sadness.

But soon, she regained her vigor and sparkle!

“So, are all of you here to kill me?”

In her eyes, there seemed to be a bright fire as she smiled and said, “Babel Tower… are you all from Babel Tower?”

Everyone was taken aback, surprised that she actually knew about Babel Tower.

Bai Yan furrowed his brow, remaining silent for a while before slowly speaking, “Do you know about Babel Tower?”

Ailsa gently shook her head and smiled.

“I’m not sure, but I heard some bits and pieces about Babel Tower from someone in the ‘Rainbows’… Maybe the ‘Rainbows’ know more about it.”

“I know of a famous organization in the multiverse called ‘Tower.’ They worship the deities of ‘games and contests’ and plunder everything through games…”

Her eyes suddenly sparkled with light, her voice filled with a menacing tone, as if she could incinerate everything in sight in an instant.

“If any dangerous members of the ‘Tower’ appear, I will definitely eliminate them!”

Bai Yan remained silent. He vaguely recalled that in a past life, the Moon Witch was one of the members of the Tower.

“The Babel Tower has nothing to do with the Tower,”

Mu Ling shook her head and said, “Our ‘Savior’ is a great being. His intention is to save all worlds, and he will never change. We believe in him too.”

“Um.”

At this moment, Kessel made the choice to help the people of Babel Tower.

He nodded lightly, his voice sounding heavy and filled with bitterness. He said, “She’s right. At least for now, Babel Tower is on our side. These people might not be good, but they are not our enemies.”

“Oh.”

The young girl nodded gently.

“If that’s the case, I choose to believe this silly person. You guys must be the kind ones… maybe, all of you are good people.”

Maryse let out a sigh of relief. She had felt like she was almost scared to death just now.

This little girl is so strong!

Are there really such scary things in this world?

Just standing in front of her, Maryse felt as if she had fallen into lava and was about to die!

“But I still have to kill you all…”

Everyone was stunned, suddenly noticing a completely disharmonious, extremely distorted dark golden color amidst the pure, bright red light.

A twisted, terrifying, suffocating aura emanated from her.

A bone-chilling cold, originating from the depths of the marrow and soul, made everyone feel immense malice, instinctively becoming alert.

Ailsa’s half of the face became twisted and scary, producing constantly wriggling black mud. The flesh in her body also began to twist and decay.

Her voice grew deep and low.

“Because, I am not a good person now.”