Chapter 184: Reversal of the Law (4)
OkmJGAs he pondered, he realized the problem wasn’t the Howling. He had never seen a spell that transformed into a giant flash of light and flew into the sky.eni
nlh“How did they do that? Who are they?”hAUe
S1Zk7Two pursuit specialists began tracking Shirone’s group. One sniffed like a dog, while the other tilted his head back, tongue out.47F
bzi3DThe man using his sense of smell admitted defeat.pb9TV
74Phqi“Captain, the wind is blocked. We can’t track them.”S8OkL
3ACThe man using his sense of taste held out a bit longer. He had his tongue out to his chin, but then he retracted it, his eyes rolling back to normal.
“I can catch them with taste. This way.”3uY9
XUpThe captain mounted his horse as the rear guard arrived. Turning in the direction indicated by the tracker, he commanded.MfrjT81
AVaoI2F“They’ve just gone over one wall! They can’t have gone far! Pursue them!”Fnydhb
7sK7yy7“Ki-ra-ra-ra-ra!”7CciszX
NDNASOsThe pursuit team let out a screeching cry and retraced their path.JOT
vO1iQAOne minute later, Shirone’s group descended to their original location on the flash of light.hYw0ECI
4XjShirone had proposed using the Kergos’ tracking ability against them.GLzM32r
h7nNGuThe area was already saturated with scents, making it impossible to track. The pursuers would only return here after checking all other locations.qHX
QJlGardrock was again supported by Clove. Pointing to a deep crevice in the canyon, he said.Hr5
Y2p“Thanks to you, we’re safe. We shouldn’t run into them for a while. Let’s go this way. There should be a path.”T4h
TMoNXmAmy, skeptical, asked.EXw
hsMfyAW“Where exactly is Nor’s Haven? How much farther?”mXO0
qvWDI“That’s what I want to ask you. How do you control light magic so freely? Do you extract it from the air?”puc
YxNq“We don’t use such methods. Why do you ask?”8g6Un2M
B6y“To reach Nor’s Haven, we need a place where light converges. It’s similar to the spell you used but can travel much farther. Just trust me and follow. There’s a Shining Spot not far from here.”zXh0L
SeSJGardrock’s mentioned magic seemed to be a form of spatial movement. Using the power of photons at a place where light converged to reach Nor’s Haven in one go.hRH
a1KK1YIt was a smart choice. Even if the pursuers killed the guide, Nor’s Haven would remain hidden.Op0Ou
zMcrIvOThe Nor’s way of thinking was certainly that of a mage. A place where such people gathered—what kind of place would Nor’s Haven be?Nld5
h0BcYuWith a small sense of excitement, Shirone followed the crevice to the other side of the canyon.a2v
EXSl***Yiir
Vi4oE8y“Where could they be hiding?”EojoD
S3gtZThe pursuit captain was frustrated. They had been searching the area for 20 minutes without finding any trace.IcYV7
WJaA group of scouts rode in, their eyes reflecting their failure.x7pq
VRzZhg“Nothing, sir. No signs in the Maru Valley or the Fan Creek.”FVKypBg
ByGnxR“Damn! We almost had them!”PIjFp
UAyhHq“But sir, isn’t it strange? How did they escape? That place wasn’t a Shining Spot the Nor talk about.”I2vvjdO
mz3QyYQThe captain had been pondering the same.U2s757
WU8rYAs far as he knew, no Nor mage could use such magic. They might be outsiders, but they resembled humans.9kv0
Zd4Having hunted heretics for 400 years, he recalled a hint from ancient history.LaZ
L52MGr“Could they be… humans from the land?”AP2q8Dh
KJqua9sA sharp light flashed in the captain’s eyes. If they were from the land, the pursuit was a different matter entirely.dcKF
rEFBBThe Mecha delved into what was known, the Nor into what was unknown, but the Kergos sought out the divine, knowing all truths as the only true divine subjects.GOIUqE
AXBwMzcHumans from the land weren’t just imitations. To the Kergos, they were a significant variable that could affect the law.GJWgF
eEe“Stop the pursuit. We return to Shamain. Reporting comes first.”dHC
nmDzThe captain and his subordinates turned their horses.T6Z
81u1At that moment, a tremor shook the ground.fMoU
HvJCPEveryone casually looking around opened their eyes wide as the tremors intensified.fbEkp
FN2i“Could it be…?”NILEFh8
v6yVKThe reason the Nor used the canyon as a base was that, apart from one law, it was a safe zone free from harm.UM7vK
n2BNSo, this tremor should never have happened. A Vortex Serpent appearing during daylight was an unprecedented event.rywHc
54CVL“The law… is breaking.”ehq
oUWoA strong wind blew, shrouding the sight of the twenty in darkness.a3FWB
khtrh7Nothing could be seen, followed by screams and cries.fbkaha
0gEAAs time passed, their cries faded.xXyMSHH
YmhlWhen the darkness lifted, sunlight shone on the cold canyon. Thousands of pieces of flesh floated in the red stream.BZPu
klj***eKBLb7
oCK7“Shamain?”5NW26YI
yCkwmShirone looked puzzled, and Kanya realized she had been brief, adding more detail. Encountering people from outside Heaven often made her forget they were from the land of the earth.RxCF0wq
uvPj“Shamain is a district where divine subjects live. It’s also called the First Heaven.”uotU
4Ol“The First Heaven? Does that mean the first sky?”3jDx
CzwnGardrock, less burdened as a heretic explaining Heaven, answered.Kk2szRt
uPX8“Heaven is divided into seven zones, from the First to the Seventh Heaven. The place where divine subjects live is called Shamain.”v1qg
CR0zGppShirone recalled the view from the sky.Sa0I5
LDfcWbfWithin the giant circular walls, six sectors were pie-like, with another sector in the center.D4hJ
nrBVrTThe seven heavens Gardrock mentioned referred to this.7NUHIk
UCgBjB“Do all races live together in Shamain?”tYG
lcXBPgk“Yes. While their living areas differ, they all reside in the First Heaven. Even the Kergos behave in Heaven because divine subjects are fundamentally protected by the law. But Purgatory is outside divine jurisdiction. Surviving here isn’t easy.”45rOm
9V14“How many races live here?”4pdRGLg
IG9“Including Purgatory, countless. There are many creatures whose origins are unknown, called outsiders. The Dokgakgui you encountered are outsiders too. But only three races uphold the divine law. Each has its strengths and works together to form the foundation of Heaven. The Nor love exploration, and the Mecha love research.”i3wNd
GXhZJcz“Then what do the Kergos like?”6avI9b
DAhGardrock’s lips curled.PKe5x
dd8TNZM“They love God.”33y7Rs
Y4v“Gardrock! That’s blasphemous!”7P9XWBu
cNdKanya rebuked him, but Gardrock didn’t care.XMC
JyYMSince deciding to become a heretic, no law governed him. He had exchanged divine protection for a painful life, but that too was his choice.DRLEjg
MQD“The Kergos love to fight. Their role is hunting. They are the only race allowed in Purgatory. Of course, they interpret this privilege differently.”16w
unFPZGDThis time, even Kanya couldn’t disagree.cFC
IwIoFBT“They’re a detestable race. Using the Giants’ abilities doesn’t make them Giants. It’s annoying to see them mimic the law-abiders.”L3Azy
pTJPZ8m“But what exactly is the law?”7AuEQ9
CXGx0qWhen Shirone first heard of the law, he interpreted it as he knew, but over time, it seemed to differ from his world’s concept.x6ie
7UPdKanya looked incredulous.LWmUXtQ
Dlq“You don’t know the law? Does the land of the earth have no laws?”B5ZcQ
xL1“No, we do. I mean, do you have to follow it strictly?”SXKvB
LXM8“Of course. The law is the will of the great Ra. Those who oppose it cannot exist. That’s why it’s called the law.”QALp
hoVRShirone spread his hands, exasperated.k8H3Jiq
EarMYQv“But we’re breaking the law now.”sx4Gj
CHQux1iKanya grew frustrated.8RZ
KdRPAVW“That’s why we’re in this situation in Purgatory! Can’t you understand? Would you want to live here forever?”vvbXrRV
I4yMYz6Clove countered Kanya’s disdain for Purgatory.hOKB8
QKXyUN“What’s so bad about it? It’s much better than living in a cramped place forever.”2LEr96k
VVFbwQ“Oh, really? Then try living well, always hunted by the Kergos.”R0T
m18WBefore Clove could retort, Gardrock spoke.GbDU
tPGHeQx“That’s possible. We defied the law and were banished to Purgatory, but so what? At least we gained freedom.”CFO7il
gYRvAQb“How is that freedom? It’s just fear, not knowing when you’ll die.”DwRm
rrP9“We don’t know when we’ll die. But at least the right to die is mine. Isn’t that enough?”7w3ARw
adQXuKanya’s expression hardened.EEtVmk
MBwDivine subjects were said to gain eternal life, but death remained a sensitive issue. Heretics speaking of the right to die mocked Heaven.0JEpR
ePsaR6BUnable to contain her anger, Kanya snapped.9cMXj
jrUb“Divine subjects should follow the law! Running away and talking about freedom and the right to die won’t make your lives better! That’s why I dislike the Nor.”ybhCp8R
Et4Rena intervened.YisyR
cj6“Stop, sister. Fighting a heretic won’t change the outcome.”L5JeSo
728Kanya knew. Talking with those standing against the law was pointless.qVjJ6
QYQtqBut Gardrock, living in Purgatory for so long, had much pent up.8GSpEJ2
JLM“Do you really think that way? That you’re right?”HIpnFv
tVAeOW“Of course! We’re different! We’re here because Heaven doesn’t use elixirs. Once we get the items, we’ll return to Shamain and live happily under divine protection!”pj3uKW
Rpph“No need to dress it up. You’re just a creature thirsty for eternal life.”8OW4b
F8e29aKanya’s eyes filled with rage.W5uN
15G6xfrShe had tolerated the blasphemy up to now because there was a line. But Gardrock had just crossed it.RiIPbA
uDsW“No matter how heretical you are, I won’t forgive such words. I could kill you right here.”8qw
6yu6X“Sister, don’t.”9ie
RM0Kanya shook off her sister’s hand and drew her Arc. Gardrock, however, looked at her calmly, almost sympathetically.6S8j
0RUh6YA“Then why did you seek me out? What are you looking for in Nor’s Haven?”3d3LK
zpHKanya’s shoulder twitched as she aimed the Arc.2y0
ZhSWKIP“Isn’t it obvious? Soon, someone in your family will receive a life-saving elixir, right? So you came to buy Nor’s medicine.”AkYH
afGThe Arc wavered. At this distance, releasing the handle would leave no time to block the projectile. But she couldn’t fire. Uncontrollable tears streamed down her face.QhLQJM
K0Xqq“What’s wrong with caring for my parents? This has nothing to do with the law! I just… I just want my mom to…”iGx
0QqMen from Heaven were also weak to women’s tears, so Gardrock’s anger softened. He had once been a divine subject. He understood Kanya’s feelings well.HE3imCF
YKNotmcRena hugged her sister and spoke to Gardrock.dvDd
B46“I’m sorry. My sister…”rzjbs
d6XHwax“I understand. No need to apologize to a heretic. The Mecha tribe values family bonds. She must be very worried. It’s all because of this injury.”BNDCufH
GxGloBgGardrock sheepishly examined his wound. His muscles were cut, but his organs were intact. The bleeding wasn’t severe, but it hadn’t stopped.SQI
JqLP0yTurning away, Gardrock said.RwzYl
3D4c“Don’t worry. The Nor don’t attach emotions to items. You’ll get what you want but the elixir will cost a lot. The Nor are skilled traders.”7Q3C
V5qKanya wiped her tears and spoke firmly.F1WK
XJ4fN“Don’t worry. I saved enough over a year.”m2urhQf
sQ5uGardrock’s lips formed a sad smile as he walked away.RZ8anng
pxusknWatching their exchange, Shirone felt melancholic. Many words were unfamiliar, and the emotions behind them were unclear, but this place wasn’t ruled by absolute values either.E2p
xW1o7SbWhat is the life-saving elixir? Is Ra truly a god? Is this Heaven or just another world?Dz2LR
TRrYWill this journey end with all the answers?3CgcZS
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