The black sun hangs high

Chapter 276 Sunset
In fact, the hermit Gent did not know what to call the figure floating inside the magical container.

As a sword-wielding hermit trained by Merlinler, he has witnessed countless cruel punishments, seen all kinds of magic used to destroy humanity and will, and seen many bizarre experiments that are unacceptable to ordinary people.

But none of the "bizarre cases" he had seen in the past could compare to "Justine" today.

The hermit Genet simply couldn't understand, nor could he accurately describe Justina's tendency. He only felt that this female scholar, with whom he had worked for quite some time, seemed to be overly concerned with those inhuman and terrifying beings.

When faced with the Dark Abyss offspring who were both enemies and research targets, Justina exhibited rather abnormal, even "extreme", twisted tendencies. As time went on, these tendencies even began to shift towards "favoritism" and "identification".

When the Hermit Genet received a series of bizarre orders from Hugh regarding Justine, he almost questioned Hugh's judgment. However, it turned out that Hugh's preparations were correct—Justine did indeed persist despite the failure of the first two rounds of experiments and attempted to retrieve weapons from the warehouse at the Legal Committee's headquarters.

Even the type of weapon she drew upon was exactly the same as what Hugh had described.

"Is this some kind of evil magic I don't understand? Or is it a 'prophecy' that Merlinler never wants to talk about?"

The Hermit Gent had long harbored doubts about the series of pre-judgments made by Hugh. Even Hugh himself did not realize that his many decisions and actions had actually caused countless shocks and challenges to the Hermit Gent's past knowledge, habits, and common sense. However, in the face of the crisis in Seren City, these doubts seemed somewhat insignificant.

Facing Genet, who stood silently in the laboratory, the female scholar inside the magical container asked softly, "Genet the Hermit, what are you thinking about?"

The sword-wielding hermit raised his head, his gaze fixed on the figure who possessed characteristics of both a human and a child of the Dark Abyss, and then he spoke: "I'm wondering... Mage Justina, why did you make this choice?"

Inside the container, the female scholar tilted her head slightly, not quite understanding the motivation behind Genet's question.

"Gentleman Gent, at this point, is there any point in asking such a question?"

"Maybe."

The burly swordsman pulled over a chair and slowly sat down: "The city of Seren has affected all of us and changed us all... So I want to understand what you're thinking, which might be helpful to me in the future."

Justina pondered for two seconds, then nodded, acknowledging Genet's statement. She then floated slightly backward, her voice emanating from within the container: "Initially, I shared the same view as everyone else. I hated them, saw them as monsters and threats, and dedicated myself to finding a way to completely destroy or banish them... until I was struck by their magic and fell into a coma."

"You mean the Black Sun Society and Bohrva?"

"Yes, but I really want to thank them."

Justine spoke in a casual tone, saying something that surprised Genet: "I could clearly feel that cold power flowing through my body, like a cold tide from a distant ocean... It kept swimming inside my body, like a fish or some other animal. At that time, I couldn't do anything, so I tried to contact it, to communicate with it... and then it responded to me."

"Did they respond to you?"

"Yes, just like the first time I tried to manipulate magic, it responded kindly when my consciousness touched it."

As if lost in some beautiful memory, the female scholar murmured, "They are special, they are really special... They are different from all the magical creatures I have ever encountered before, and completely different from beings like humans and elves. I have never seen such a structure before, an entire race united together, so closely connected, their spirits able to separate yet merge at any time, how wonderful..."

"But you almost died because of them."

"die……"

Justine repeated the subtle word, then shook her head and said, “If we judge it by our past narrow perspective, that is indeed the case, but if we accept this new form of life, then everything will change.”

Her eyes widened considerably, and within their sockets, the dark shadows of the abyss pulsed incessantly: "Think about it, the physical body is no longer the key to survival, the demise of the body means nothing... Knowledge, memories, and everything that exists based on the spirit will be shared with the entire race. As long as they exist, then the so-called dead individuals will also exist forever..."

Hearing these words, Genet felt a sweat break out on his back, and he couldn't help but reach for his weapon.

Such actions naturally did not escape Justine's notice, so the female scholar softened her tone and said with a smile, "No need to be nervous, Hermit Genet. I am merely proposing a bold hypothesis from a scholar's perspective. I think Mr. Hugh Ernst has probably already realized these things. No one knows those 'monsters' better than him."

"Was it Mr. Ernst who convinced you?"

"Persuade? Perhaps."

The female scholar pondered for a moment and said, "He must have been aware of my 'change' long ago, which is why he tested me more than once. Mr. Ernst is truly a remarkable person; his words and the choices he made were completely different from what I had expected..."

As she spoke, Justina gently raised her new arm, formed from the shadows of the abyss, and examined it carefully: "He himself already possesses power and identity that transcends humanity, yet he still hopes that I can continue to uphold my identity and stance. Isn't that a perplexing and astonishing choice?"

These words made the Hermit Genet even more nervous, but the female scholar's voice continued: "Hermit Genet, I do not regret making this decision. Facts have proven that my judgment was correct. As long as there are enough suitable 'candidates,' the third plan I proposed earlier will definitely be realized..."

Genet asked in a deep voice, "Even if the price is yourself?"

"Myself?"

Justina gently shook her head: "My memories and will did not perish, but merged with another existence... In that case, what price is there to pay?" Her tone was incredibly firm as she spoke these words, which reminded Genet of the time when he had exposed Justina's plan.

After failing to use herself and her colleagues as "experimental materials" in the experiment, she resolutely chose the last path—she released the special sample left behind by Hugh and devoted herself to it, completely merging with it.

"I feel very strange right now... I can feel his power and I can also perceive a part of his remaining thoughts... He is approaching us, and perhaps it won't be long before I meet him. I'm really curious about his expression and behavior when he sees me."

"Justina" murmured, and she raised her palm again and pressed it against the surface of the container. With a burst of power, the magical container, which was protected by layers of protective rituals, burst open. The female scholar then walked out of the container that bound her, following the freely flowing alchemical liquid. She slowly landed on the ground, her soaked clothes clinging to her body, but she did not care about it.

Faced with the change before him, Genet also stood up. He did not hide his wariness and hostility towards the people in front of him. His left hand was already gripping two alchemical bombs, ready to respond immediately should the situation change.

However, Justine didn't seem to care much. Her movements were a bit stiff and her steps were a little unsteady. After taking a few steps forward, she turned her head to look at the crystal clock on the wall next to her, recognizing the time scale she used to be familiar with for the last time.

Then, the female scholar reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. She looked at the sword-wielding hermit before her and said, "Gent, thank you for staying with me all this time, but it's time for you to leave... We both have our own things to do, don't we?"

"What are you going to do?"

"I want to... go see my 'father' first."

As she said this, Justine looked like a real child, and she smiled: "I wonder what he thinks about what's happening and what's about to happen."

Genet didn't press the strange topic further. He simply nodded and then asked, "So... is there any wish you want me to fulfill for you? Or is there any message you'd like me to convey?"

"If you can, please thank them for me... thank them for still trusting me in that time, or pray for their forgiveness for what I did for that goal."

Upon hearing this, even Genet couldn't help but show a hint of sadness on his face.

As the swordsman of Merlinle, he was used to the departure and death of his companions, but he had never experienced such a scene before.

Sometimes, a peaceful farewell can make people feel more painful and helpless.

……

The air was cold, but the magic floating in mid-air gave people a feeling of heat and restlessness.

A new wave of magical anomalies is just around the corner.

This time, even without the Roots of Fate and the Running Rats reminding him, Hugh could feel the ever-approaching tremors and threats. If the previous magical anomalies were like dark currents hidden beneath a calm sea, then the constantly trembling magical energy in the air now was like a gentle breeze carrying sultry, hot steam.

A torrential downpour, capable of upending Vaan, is about to arrive.

Through countless roots of fate set up along the way, Hugh barely managed to construct a defensive line with illusions. Within these illusions, corrosive dark flames constantly flickered. The real sense of threat simulated through the illusions constantly forced the Dark Abyss Spawns to change their course and slow down their progress. Even so, they were still slowly approaching the south of Seren City.

As the Dark Abyss's offspring continued their advance, the Brotherhood of Three Colors was completely destroyed, and the number of its members who died was incalculable.

Having received a new round of "nutrients," the Dark Abyss offspring became even more active. After the entire race evolved, the flesh and memories that used to take them ten or twenty days to digest were now completely absorbed by them in just a few hours or even tens of minutes.

After receiving new intelligence and information, the Dark Abyss Spawns began to adjust their strategy. A significant number of the Spawns immediately dispersed from their clan and, following the memories of the victims, quickly infiltrated the scattered settlements of survivors and bandits. These survivors were mostly ordinary bandits affiliated with the Brotherhood or ordinary residents who had refused Iris Street's invitation.

Faced with the surging black tide, they had no way to avoid it. The few weapons and fuel they had accumulated were not enough to stop the terrible enemies. In the face of the huge offspring, the survivors' fortified and sealed-off hideouts became clumsy "cans". The predators could always find them from the corners and devour them on the spot.

Dark clouds rolled slowly across the sky, and Hugh couldn't even see the sunset at the end of winter.

Hugh surveyed the dilapidated street where he was, then withdrew the roots of destiny he had left behind along the way. With this action, the false illusions used to confuse and hinder the offspring of the Dark Abyss also shattered and disappeared.

He did this not because he lacked magic, but because the illusions had little effect in hindering his numerous offspring.

As the offspring continue to gather, the instructions conveyed by the main will are executed with the utmost determination and thoroughness—they are slowly pushing a huge battle line southward, and all living things along the way will suffer merciless destruction and devouring.

Hughes looked up and saw military observation balloons slowly floating in the gloomy sky. Clearly, the members of the emergency committee had successfully observed the astonishing scene unfolding in the city.

Hugh knew they would be able to see the long, black curve formed by the offspring of the Dark Abyss.

It was the vanguard dispatched by the Dark Abyss Palace, an army that was slowly advancing, a tide of death capable of crushing people's hopes and wills.

The moment of truth for everyone has finally arrived.

(End of this chapter)