Ch 313: The Destructive Black Tide And The Saintess Of Salvation, Clashing Memories

Everyone followed Yselle forward, their goal still the High Tower suspended in the sky.

“Did you dream of anything last night?”

Bal approached Yselle, directly questioning her about the previous night.

“How do you know?”

“You were talking in your sleep.”

Yselle’s cheeks flushed slightly, but the redness quickly faded.

“I dreamt of a Knight. I felt very familiar with him; he had always been protecting me.”

“And the ‘I’m sorry’ you said…”

“He sacrificed himself to protect me.”

“…My condolences.”

“It’s alright. I’m not some delicate flower in a greenhouse. I… I’m just missing him.”

“Did you like him?”

“I don’t know. It’s just that when he was protecting me, I felt safe. When he was hurt, I felt sad. Mr. Bal, is that what liking someone feels like?”

“Perhaps.”

Yselle fell silent, continuing towards the Inverted Tower. Bal walked back to Phia’s side, concernedly asking her.

“How are you feeling?”

“Although the Magic Interference is still severe, I can adapt. As long as I don’t do large-scale exploration, there won’t be too many chaotic signal responses, so I won’t feel uncomfortable.”

“Mm, don’t push yourself.”

“I’m not a delicate flower in a greenhouse either.”

“But you are my wife, my beloved.”

“Humph, you’re quite good with words.”

Phia smiled gently. Bal couldn’t help but reach out and stroke Phia’s head.

“Yselle, wait!”

Nia, at the end of the group, suddenly spoke, and everyone stopped to look at her.

“What’s wrong?”

Bal placed his hand on the hilt of his Long Sword; Phia grasped his hand holding the hilt, shaking her head.

“It shouldn’t be an attack. Let’s go check it out.”

“Mm.”

Bal put down his hand, holding Phia’s hand as they went to Nia.

“What is it? Did you find something?”

Bal and Phia walked towards Nia, with Yselle following behind them.

“Look at this, I just found it.”

Nia pointed to a Stone Tablet inscribed with strange symbols, which appeared to be a type of Text.

“Can you translate it?”

Bal looked at Phia, who shook her head.

“I can’t translate this script. It doesn’t have the structure of any existing languages on the Continent, and my translation Magic isn’t working.”

“Let me try.”

Yselle volunteered and came forward. Bal nodded, and he and Phia stepped aside to let Yselle examine it.

“This is?!”

After looking for a while, Yselle showed a surprised expression, and everyone was curious about her reaction.

“What does it say?”

“It’s a piece of History.”

“Can you read it out?”

“Yes.”

————

Stone Tablet History

Yuanli Era 30th year, the Magi-King Hassan’s own Flesh and Blood was born—a beautiful Princess. According to Prophecy, she is the Saintess who will save the Solandal Magic Kingdom.

Yuanli Era 43rd year, Saintess Ilis first displayed her power. She possessed eyes that could track objects moving at high speed, unparalleled Swordsmanship and Magic. Her genius was the Solandal Magic Kingdom’s only one.

Yuanli Era 52nd year, the prophesied Catastrophe arrived as predicted. Saintess Ilis, along with her Companion, saved everyone from the raging Black Tide.

The Saintess lives on with us; Solandale will ultimately overcome the Black Tide.

————

“That’s all.”

After reading the contents of the Stone Tablet, Yselle turned to everyone. Everyone fell into deep thought, with Phia being the first to ask a question.

“What is the Black Tide?”

“I don’t know. I… ugh! Ah… …”

Yselle suddenly crouched down, clutching her head, her expression terrified.

“What happened?”

Nia was still puzzled. Phia quickly used Soothing Magic to calm Yselle. As she reached out to Yselle, an image appeared in her mind, and this image quickly spread to everyone present.

“This is!”

The image that appeared in everyone’s mind was the Catastrophe described in the Prophecy on the Stone Tablet. Black, tide-like substances suddenly surged from various parts of the City. This black tide swallowed people upon contact. Everyone was panicked by the appearance of the Black Tide—a disaster capable of destroying a civilization.

Just as everyone lamented the fate of the Solandal Magic Kingdom, the memory continued to play. A woman almost identical in appearance to Yselle appeared in everyone’s minds. Several people followed behind her, one of whom looked very familiar to Bal—the Golden Knight he had fought before. However, the Knight in this memory did not have red eyes.

“Lord Ilis, even here, the Black Tide has been discovered…”

The Golden Knight clenched his Fist. He removed his Helmet, revealing a handsome face, though the helplessness and anger contorted his features.

“Oulan, go save people! This time, I absolutely will not let the Black Tide run rampant again!”

Six pure white Wings unfurled behind Ilis; she floated in the air, raising her silver One-Handed Sword. Sacred White Light emanated from the blade; the Black Tide touched by the light began to dissipate, the dark tide turning into Dark Mist. The Golden Knight, called Oulan by Ilis, also spread his wings, flying towards the direction indicated by his companions. Soon, he flew out carrying two Children.

“Well done, Oulan.”

Ilis maintained the Light, and soon Oulan rescued more people. The rescued people cheered, praising the Saintess’s glory.

After rescuing the survivors, the Saintess’s group led them to the Church where Bal and the others had spent the night. However, no one noticed that the tips of two of Ilis’s Wings were stained black, and that Oulan’s sword had developed minute cracks.

The memory ended abruptly, and everyone came to their senses, looking at Yselle, who was crouching on the ground, clutching her head.

“You are… the Saintess?”

Bal slowly asked Yselle, whose Facial Features were contorted from the headache.

“I don’t know… I don’t know…”

Phia patted Bal’s shoulder, silently shaking her head, signaling him to stop asking for now.

After Yselle regained her composure, she slowly stood up.

“Everyone…”

Bal nodded, gesturing for her to continue.

“I still haven’t recovered my memories. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, take your time.”

Phia walked in front of Yselle, placing her hand on Yselle’s forehead. After a while, she removed her hand and returned to Bal’s side.

“The Seal on her hasn’t been broken.”

“Can you break it?”

“No, the Seal on her is too powerful. Forcibly removing it would damage her body.”

“Alright.”

Bal walked towards Yselle.

“Whether or not you are the Saintess mentioned on this Stone Tablet, please relax a little. We still need you to take us to that Inverted Tower.”

“I will.”

“Please.”

Yselle patted her face, returning to her previous expressionless state.

“Everyone, I’m sorry for showing you my unguarded side. Please, let’s continue on our way.”

“Okay.”

Everyone followed Yselle forward, Philia carrying Xiao Jiu walked to Bal’s side.

“Father.”

“Mm? What’s wrong? Want a hug, Daddy?”

Philia shook her head.

“No, Philia feels that Sister Yselle seems very sad, and it feels like someone is watching us.”

Bal picked up Philia, rubbing her head.

“Good darling, don’t think too much.”

“Okay.”

Bal held Philia, his gaze through the window towards the Inverted Tower.

“The strange Black Tide… is this the culprit behind Solandale’s destruction?”