Chapter 181: Reversal of the Law (1)
p6Cyu“Fine, I’ll explain. This place is called Purgatory, also known as the Prison of the Earth.”xKR
tECe“Purgatory? Here?”UEa
cTEktbl“Yes, it’s a prison on earth. It’s where heretics who reject the laws live. Now it makes sense. You must have denied the existence of God in the land of the earth. That’s why you ended up here.”gQBM8
TjNjHi7Shirone did not correct her misunderstanding. Explaining it wouldn’t make her understand, and it wasn’t entirely wrong. None of them believed in Aker anyway.qxwvTlc
riFa“You must be descendants of the Nor, given that you can use magic. Unfortunately, there’s nothing left for you here in Purgatory except death. Eventually, you’ll all die.”90UuFH7
XLn5KE“Yes, we will eventually die. But so will you.”
Kanya lifted her chin, looking a bit proud.YFR
agGYQ“Absolutely not. I am one of the chosen ones by God. I am guaranteed eternal life.”wO5
aRowrgShirone recalled the myths of Kergos. If someone could grant eternal life, they would surely be considered a god.kHHMH3Q
9DlN2FkBut it didn’t seem realistic.kz1
48oCJBdAll living things aged and eventually died. Not even magic could prevent death.PKHNKmX
cJexNow that Kanya understood who they were, she seemed more at ease. She disliked heretics, but these people were pitiful souls who had never even had the chance to receive divine power.B85L3H
2dWIhLE“It can’t be helped. You’re lucky. Follow me, I’ll show you a place where you can stay.”2cVGdF
iIZ“Why are you being so nice all of a sudden? If you’re a divine subject and we’re heretics, shouldn’t you be treating us badly?”ap0O
139Kanya turned around, knowing no one would follow her.ZmIoDS
viv1“You’re very suspicious, which proves you are descendants of the Nor. In Heaven, I would have driven you out, but here it’s fine. In Purgatory, no law can protect divine subjects. We’re in the same situation. Anyway, we need to hurry. It’s dangerous after sunset.”Ndc
JKCshAs they ventured deeper into the canyon, the cliffs grew taller. It was a desolate place with not even a single flying insect. There was some moisture and echoing sounds. In the vastness of nature, only their footsteps could be heard.Yk6
YeeL5Ik“We won’t encounter anything strange, will we?”IVjHhL
cfZnMF“Don’t worry. The Valley of the Vortex Serpent is governed by a powerful law, so dangerous monsters like the Dokgakgui don’t live here.”rSeXcx
K8Tz9i“What kind of law?”B7k
Kke7R“The Vortex Serpent. It’s a monster said to have lived here for over ten thousand years. But it should be sleeping now. It doesn’t come out during the day. That’s why we need to hurry. We must reach the Nor’s Haven before sunset.”G81JlOG
sYXwewg“You said we are descendants of the Nor. Then, aren’t the Nor divine subjects?”XIt8xk
CkH“Of course, they are.”qf2Q230
UQNxE“Then why is there a Nor’s Haven in Purgatory?”BnzBa2
umWsKanya felt frustrated but remembered where they had come from and added an explanation.zV3I
6JWawrl“There are three races in Heaven. The Nor are one of them. Divine subjects have a predetermined lifespan from birth, and when it ends, they gain eternal life. But it seems some Nor couldn’t accept this. So, they escaped to Purgatory and created an independent society.”EL9Yz
c8bOUpShirone didn’t fully understand the concept of a predetermined lifespan, but he let it go for now. At least it was less strange than the idea of gaining eternal life.Ze3u
IDzTnUHe appreciated Kanya’s consideration. She was guiding them to a society of the Nor because she believed they were descendants of the Nor.956vv
nKtc“Thank you, Kanya. You’re very kind.”KjdOv
TKCm“What are you talking about? No divine subject is kind to heretics. We’re going there because we need something too, so don’t misunderstand. Once we reach the Nor’s Haven, don’t expect any acknowledgment from me.”GPQmv3A
0mnxDespite her harsh words, she couldn’t meet Shirone’s eyes.gyK
JZFoSeeing Kanya’s shyness, Rena puffed out her cheeks and added a comment.5f9
L35w“That’s right. My sister is going because she needs something. But I’m going because I genuinely want to help.”siGIx
8sa“Haha! Thanks, Rena. You’re very kind.”8nKgLa
koco9Rena blushed at Shirone’s compliment.WfZn1n
ngJPKanya stopped walking. She understood that it was natural for her sister to be drawn to the stranger during this sensitive time, but as a divine subject under the law, such thoughts were unacceptable.m7sN
gYwShe grabbed Rena’s wrist and pulled her towards the cliff. Shirone’s group watched in confusion as she whispered urgently.hK2PCIH
5hkZ“Rena, what’s wrong with you? You know we can never be with heretics. Even having such thoughts is blasphemy.”SvQib
dU1W7Lg“I know. But that guy is…”xmz6
mZX“No means no! You may be naïve, but it’s not all about looks. Choosing a man like that can lead to disaster.”lnGSyCQ
RAr“How would you know? You don’t have a boyfriend either.”eSl1cr0
nOD2R6L“You’ll understand when you grow up. Anyway, listen to me, okay? From now on, be cold to that guy.”xjkfe
a69N“It’s not because he’s handsome, it’s because he’s kind.”jG3aVZf
nosfU“Kind? That guy?”2Mmaj
vlGKanya looked at Rena in disbelief. How should she take her sister’s words?omSoi1
KF7hShirone was certainly a unique boy but she felt that his free-spiritedness was because he was a heretic. Such freedom led to corruption. Associating with Shirone was dangerous.LUe
iPK“Tell me clearly. Do you like handsome guys or kind guys?”b128
2Xeu0Rena, at fourteen, was at the age to feel love. Kanya, who had to act as a mother soon, felt the need to correct her sister’s thinking.tsMVoL
XDb“Of course, both. He has to be handsome and kind.”RawhEw
AdCx1“Ugh, I really can’t understand you.”NCa
1GL“Don’t worry, sister. I won’t fall in love with someone I’ve only known for a day. And… we’re not so different from them right now.”1IG0C
xO94cUWDivine subjects entering Purgatory without permission was a violation of the law. They could be punished, but it was something they couldn’t give up.cqns7d
1f0However, bringing her sister along was something she regretted.miH8yh
ilvGEven if Rena had a longer lifespan than she did, it was an irresponsible decision as her sister.ptcH05
5B2“I’m sorry, Rena. I…”Zcbqh
q6f“I know, sister. Besides, I insisted on coming. You don’t have to take on all the risks alone. I want to give our mother a gift too.”VnJnYH
gk8NEwKanya patted Rena’s head. The child who once cried for milk had grown up so much. She hoped Rena would receive the divine grace and enjoy eternal life.VXd4g
3FABecause she was a lovely child, Ra would surely grant it.VF8sTk
2JaJoUB“Alright, let’s go quickly.”day
RfdrThe canyon was turning into a maze. Shallow streams flowed through narrow paths, making the air damp.HcIbffP
RhLAmy noticed, using her Red Eye, that Kanya’s route was becoming erratic.h3DL
947t4tIt was typical behavior for someone who was lost.OkUapKO
5GATUWA“It’s quite far. Is the Nor’s Haven still a long way off?”VSg0N
u1tBHoU“We’re not going there. We don’t know where the Nor’s Haven is.”bo12PP9
nNN“What? You said we were going to the Nor’s Haven.”oMjpcr
KRUdTQ“That’s our destination. There’s no way we, divine subjects, would know where the place made by the escaped Nor is.”zeFY
6ikibSensing Amy’s frustration, Kanya added.Z972oX
KmsWAUq“Don’t worry. We still have a way.”OB6okc
FAD“What way?”d75Jgl
62p7“We’ll use the drone. The Nor’s Haven is an open market where anyone can go. A guide from the market is waiting in the Valley of the Vortex Serpent. We just need to find that person. So, the drone is searching for a place where someone could stay.”5YRkr
Uu1Shirone looked up at the two drones flying in the sky.DcKtfk
eW8ONuDThose flying machines would be considered ancient relics in his world. However, their technology was far more advanced.BkQR
xTLKHe wondered what expression Nade would make if he saw them.CsKdBb7
UW9R“I understand that the machine is scouting, but how do we see what it finds?”jmx4Ezf
itYrKanya poked her temple and said.QBw6A2u
9eNIaQ“It’s connected to my head. It’s called a frequency.”cNTg2F8
MzOqp“Frequency?”1B3c4u
FwYJw83“It’s like an invisible signal. Think of it as similar to sound. It’s called retinal vision. When the drone sends a signal to my frequency, an image appears on my retina. Look closely at my left eye.”ZQyi
4g2WaAn electric field-like image appeared in Kanya’s pupil, quickly displaying an aerial view of the canyon. Despite its small size, the resolution was high enough to see the unfolding scenery.tcS7Ug
PMEz“This is the canyon from the drone’s perspective. You might not see it clearly, but it takes up half my field of vision. The image appears directly on my retina.”GBu08y
83Zmyj“Amazing technology.”g1qr
I90QfPTess couldn’t hide her envy. She had always been fascinated by ancient relics, and drones could revolutionize espionage.oIGbVi
dSIK6“Where can I get one of these?”1NJ
5m0AVB“You don’t get it; they’re issued. Only the Mecha tribe receives these. At twelve, you get a drone.”lrF
yzrL7mO“So you can’t sneak one out?”u6Me4s
qtHy“No. They’re strictly controlled. If caught, you’d face severe punishment.”yx5n
9kF7QQa“I see. I wish I had one…”TTpM
bYs“Other divine subjects envy drones too. But even if you had one, it wouldn’t work for anyone else. It has a personal encryption. If the owner changes, it deactivates immediately.”hPTVp
nWQPlKnowing it was an item for one person only, Tess felt even more frustrated. She wanted one. But being a state-issued item, it wasn’t something she could buy.meWu
RVwjhpJealous, Tess fell silent.T8T
PN7K“I found a place where the Nor might be staying. It’s not far from here.”b4xkO
LHndKanya started running, arriving at the cave entrance.cJf4wZ
6w9hyglThe drone landed on her hand, transforming into a gauntlet.wCPA
LBrb4e7The final captured scene appeared on the surface. Comparing it to the view, Kanya confirmed it was the right place and approached the cave.xL3qj
q8aXbMzAt that moment, Tess raised her hand to stop her.UAp
1vmq“Wait. I smell blood.”wdaO7
6QUSx“Blood? I don’t smell anything.”6nBm
YWDj3“Haha, of course not. I’ve been trained since childhood. Your machine can’t smell?”I0F
GPbPIJ“What? The Mecha tribe’s technology can distinguish 140,000 scents. The drone just doesn’t have that function.”HRrlOM
VYdZOnly then did the group realize Tess and the drone were having a subtle rivalry.BV6CnB1
G9HkIndeed, the drone’s reconnaissance ability was impressive. But Rian found Tess’s jealousy towards a metal object ridiculous.nEKzN
6gUCa7P“Enough. Just get on with it. Don’t feel inferior to a machine.”5BdTBCp
8dQTI60Feeling better at Rian’s words, Tess used her Sensory Schema to trace the scent of blood.iqS94S
mRlOpTaking a step into the cave, she scanned the interior and looked outside for a while.zmp
3kzAgAfter her analysis, she spoke to the group.dEaE
pauIb“There’s definitely a scent of blood inside. Someone is in there, but it seems they haven’t left the cave.”bAlBx2
WzlN“Why? Isn’t there any blood outside?”hxTWrqc
cIf5“No. The scent is stronger inside, suggesting they didn’t leave.”oC8u
hiX“But you checked outside for a long time?”haKr
tVl“It’s a kind of manual. If there was blood outside, the cave might be a trap.”Ny2z
8uEm“So, it’s not a trap. Let’s go in.”B4qnl7V
gdDmoxMShirone cast the lighting spell Shining.jqxF
tq7As the orb of light floated above his palm, Kanya and Rena were startled. The Nor could use magic, but they had never seen such a spell in Heaven.FNY
DER“Sister, did you see that? He made light with his body.”beDybW
K2Jb7nO“Yeah. The people from the land use strange magic.”Z86mL2
EdEvB“Yes. But doesn’t that light… look like it?”J3YUwf8
NF2ZL“Rena! Such thoughts are blasphemy. Apologize in your heart right now.”RwB
SQK4VRena’s expression turned sullen. The fact that her sister understood her thoughts meant she was thinking the same thing.AWRu
44Ag8Nevertheless, blasphemy was a sin, so she silently asked Ra for forgiveness.HEF
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