Chapter 193: White Knight (1)


    <b> White Knight (1) </b>


    1.


    Even during the brightest of sunlight, it would never light up the whole jungle.


    Such a metaphor could also apply to a city.


    Even in a bustling city, filled with CCTV and dashcams, there were parts of the city that werent covered by them.


    One such ce was the long-abandoned drainage that ran beneath Seoul.


    This tunnel used to collect rainwater from the area and directed it toward the Han River to prevent the city from getting flooded, but it was now unused as they had built new tunnels over the years.


    It was still officially a public facility, and the city government still maintained it.


    But, with a touch of magic, such a ce was transformed into an unnoticed blind spot, forgotten even by those who were aware of its existence.


    <b><i> -ck ck ck</i></b>


    45 meters underground.


    Surrounded by the massive concrete walls with a diameter of over ten meters, a sound of high-heeled shoes echoed.


    Tattered rags fluttered on the wall as a strong, foul odor permeated the entire tunnel that contained some of the rainwater.


    Relying on a single decorative light, De Redcliffe was walking inside the tunnel.


    <b><i> -Woooosh!</i></b>


    With a typhoon wreaking havoc above, rainwater gathered in the functioning drainage ditches, forming waterfall-like streams.


    When she arrived in a certain corner, De took a turn and entered a dark and vast chamber. As she did, the loud sound of flowing water that came from the distance made her frown her brows.


    The noise wasnt the only thing that bothered her, though.


    Haah


    She swept her long, red hair back and crossed her arms in annoyance.


    The foul stench, mixed with the overpowering smell of blood wafted through the already revolting air.


    She then added a few more torches to the chamber, revealing the full extent of carnage before her.


    There was arge altar in the center of the chamber.


    On top of it, there were people, lying motionlessly while staring nkly at the ceiling, as if they had been possessed by something.


    This is why I didnt want toe hereughyoure still the same as ever, Pa Xochitl.


    On the altar, there was a witch, hunching-over while calmly ying with a dagger in her hand. Her expression waspletely nk.


    Just like a professional surgeon, she skillfully sliced through the peoples chests, severing their ribs and extracted their hearts.


    Pa Xochitl, or rather, the Cowardly Witch, silently directed her half disfigured face toward De.


    Its been a while, De.


    But even then, she still continued moving the knife in her hand.


    As soon as she extracted one heart, shed extracted another one in an instant.


    It didnt take more than ten minutes for the thirty two people lying on the altar to lose their lives.


    While this scene was unfolding, De only stared at her, waiting without attempting to stop or interrupt her.


    Until Duchess Keter created Gehenna and prohibited the act, human sacrifices and experimentations were something that witches would casually do, and this was the mostmon reason why regr witches became Exiles.


    Youre still conducting your research, huh?


    Its all Ive got left.


    When Pa made a gesture with her hand, a portal appeared.


    A part of a Homunculus body emerged from a hidden pocket dimension, grabbing the remaining scraps on the altar.


    Disgusting sound of it munching down on something echoed through the air.


    So, why did you call me to this filthy ce?


    Were friends. Cant I at least see your face after such a long time?


    Theres no way you called me just for that.


    Hahaha!


    Paughed, contorting the half of her face that was still intact.


    Her smile gave off an unsettling vibe, making herugh sound more eerie than anything.


    That strangeughter ceased as she opened her arms, as if to wee her old friend.


    Wee to my temporary workshop. I dont have any fancy desserts or tea, though.


    De wrinkled her nostrils, clearly confused.


    So, whats the deal? You never answered me when I tried to contact you.


    Im trying to warn you.


    Trying towarn me?


    Noticing Des confused face, Pa snapped her finger.


    In an instant, the space tore open, revealing a chained-up Homunculus.


    <b><i> -Grrrr</i></b>


    d in a huge red armor, it towered over two meters tall.


    It held a red spear that looked like it could easily reach five meters long.


    There were fifteen pairs of eyes on its head.


    This Homunculus was something that De had heard of before, but unlike its notoriety, its current appearance was like an insect trapped in a spiders web, struggling to break free.


    Red Knight?


    Yes. As you can see, I havent fully subdued it yet. Its quite the stubborn child. Despite its weakened state, it still wouldnt bat an eye even if I gifted it fifty hearts at once.


    Pa snapped her fingers once again, and the space that she had opened immediately closed like a curtain.


    Her self-essence magic allowed her to manipte the Homunculi.


    Most of them wouldnt be able to resist her control once they made eye contact with her.


    As expected, children who have lived for so long have strong wills. They never seem to be able to calm down.


    Theres no way this is the reason why you brought me here. You always have something up your sleeve.


    <b><i> This is way too normal to warrant a warning</i></b>


    The realization left De feeling somewhat uneasy.


    Did you notice the spear the child wields?


    The Red Branch?


    Yes. By utilizing the distortion within the Red Branch, I figured that I could probably twist cause and effect. It wouldnt be strange if I could achieve an extraordinary feat that no regr magic could ever aplish.


    And?


    De listened to Pas exnation intently.


    But I havent been able to tame this child with the methods Ive been using so far. I considered taking the Red Branch away, but I wont be able to handle it as well as it does.


    Makes sense.


    Pa grinned as De, who couldnt even hide her unease at this point, nodded in agreement.


    There was a hint of madness and obsession in the formers crescent-shaped eye.


    Thats why Ill be doing something new. Itll be safer for you to leave this ce for a while as you might unnecessarily get involved in it. Consider this as my warning.


    Whenever she saw this old friend of hers, De always had this strange foreboding.


    Not because she was a criminal exile.


    Despite all the usations and harsh words being thrown at her, De always remembered her as the kindest person shed known in her life.


    If there was one thing that shecked, it was courage.


    And that was the only w she had.


    After a moment of hesitation, De spoke up.


    Dont you think its about time to stop? Its a little ironicing from me, but sometimes you have to let things go.


    At the same time she uttered those words, a gaze filled with killing intent hit her.


    It was Pa, sending her a chilling re, even though she had beenughing just a moment ago.


    But that didnt stop De from speaking.


    By all means, it was already toote for her friend to turn back, but it was still tough for her to witness Pas struggle for something that was essentially amount to nothing.


    Theres no magic that can bring the dead back, Pa. Even the Witch of Creation cant pull off a miracle like that. You can use distortion or whatever, but the result would end up the same.


    I dont need your advice, so shut your mouth if you dont want to die.


    Look here, Im not looking for a fightsighsorry


    Seeing how thorny the reaction of her friend was, De uttered a genuine apology to her.


    Her words were true, she wasnt here to argue.


    After hearing Des apology, Pa calmed down as well.


    Continue, what exactly are you nning to do?


    Thats


    A faint smile appeared on Pas lips.


    De, who had been prepared for almost anything, slowly opened her mouth.


    With trembling eyes, she looked at her old friend.


    If you do something like that, Duchess Keter wille out.


    Thats good then.


    No, its not! Even if its you, if she were to make a move


    <b><i> Youll die.</i></b>


    <b></b>De swallowed her words.


    But Pa probably knew this as well.


    <b><i> Is she looking for a ce to die?</i></b>


    <b><i> Or is this her final struggle to put an end to her over a hundred years of painful atonement?</i></b>


    <b></b>Whichever the answer was, she wouldnt know.


    I wont interfere with it, but dont count on me joining you. Regardless of everything, Im still a Baroness of Gehenna.


    Dont worry, I really just want to warn you. Youre my friend, after all.


    The word friend hit Des heart heavily.


    She took a moment to think.


    Maybe this was thest time shed ever see her again.


    Memories of her time with Pa shed in her mind. The scene of all her bickering with her back when they were still students of Trinity Academy now merged with the current broken image of Pa.


    Hoo


    De kicked the ground with her high heels, spreading out her repeaters along with an interdimensional barrier.


    Meanwhile Pa observed this scene with vacant eyes.


    Seemingly oblivious to what De was up to.


    Though, De knew that there was no way she wasnt aware of what she was doing.


    Still, she couldnt unleashrge-scale spells until she finished spreading her repeaters around.


    On the bright side, Pa didnt expect her to suddenly turn hostile since she still considered De as her friend.


    Fine, lets give it a shot, shall we?


    <b><i> -Grrrr.</i></b>


    <b><i> -Wooosh!</i></b>


    Suddenly, the space behind Pa tore open.


    Various monstrous noises echoed in the chamber, as if they were about to tear apart the dimensional pocket that was amodating all of them.


    A worthy spectacle befit the witch who once bore the name of the one who controlled a thousand beasts.


    If youre looking to end your life, at least let me do it for you, with my own hands


    The reason behind Pas actions wasnt because of research or anything of the sort.


    Rather, she was trying to drag innocent humans down with her as herst struggle.


    De couldpletely understand the act of sacrificing humans for the sake of research, but what she was about to do was nothing more than a mindless ughter.


    <b><i> If shes going to die at the hands of Duchess Keter anyway, I might as well put her to rest myself</i></b>


    Seeing her friends determination, Pa showed a mix of a troubled and sad expression.


    Even you cant understand me either, huh?


    I can. Thats why Im doing this.


    No. I dont want to hear it.


    Pa bit her lip before turning away.


    All the Homunculi she tamed were let loose and started crawling out one by one.


    Ignite.


    Des hair fluttered and a crimson aura began to spread like moltenva around her.


    She was ready for what was toe.


    Moreover, this cramped chamber gave her an advantage in handling her fire magic.


    <b><i> -Sizzle!</i></b>


    <b><i> -Kkiieek!</i></b>


    Monstrous creatures resembling centipedes, octopi, wolves and more each started casting various spells to fight her off, but it was futile.


    Her fiery waves, hotter than ten of millions degrees, turned them all into ashes.


    One powerful spell after another was being thrown by her without the slightest bit of concern.


    Surprisingly, even after all this, she hadnt used even a tenth of her mana.


    The ebb and flow of the battle, the strategic positioning on the battlefield and the dynamics between the twobatants all worked in her favor, so she couldnt help but let out a smile.


    Gradually, all the Homunculi that Pa had unleashed were either consumed by mes or melted into oblivion.


    Meanwhile, Pa was just observing this scene without a trace of regret or disappointment on her face.


    Why bother letting out such weaklings?


    De couldnt help but furrow her brow.


    All the Homunculi Pa had brought up only had less than ten eyes.


    Even if she had buffed them into oblivion, they still wouldnt be able to be Des match.


    Im just waiting.


    Waiting? For what?


    For my toy soldiers to beplete.


    It was then that De realized what was going on.


    The hearts that Pa had just pulled out and ced by the side of the altar were nowhere to be found.


    Have fun.


    Pa said with a twistedugh, apanied by the nking sound of metal.


    Armor-d Homunculi began to emerge from the twisted open space.


    Their appearance resembled that of the Red Knight, except for the pure white armor that they wore.


    And their numbers exactly matched the number of people she had sacrificed just a moment ago.


    Ive just finished my research on Homunculi cloning. As you mentioned, I dont need a bunch of them, I just need to keep the strongest one by my side, then I can make as many copies of it as I want. I just need some sacrifices as the catalyst.


    Despite that, De wasnt too concerned about the situation.


    <b><i> Clone?</i></b>


    <b><i> What does she mean by that?</i></b>


    <b><i> Well. who cares. Even if she makes a hundred or thousand of them, I can just burn them all.</i></b>


    <b></b>Ignite.


    With a casual wave of Des hand, mes enveloped their armors.


    If one were to think that metal could withstand her me, then they were simply wrong.


    There wasnt a single kind of metal that her fire wouldnt be able to melt.


    Or at least that was what she believed.


    Facing her raging mes, the White Knights didnt even flinch.


    Rather, they formed a solid barrier using therge shield they held in one of their hands, skillfully blocking her mes like well-trained soldiers.


    What?


    These cloned children are much weaker than the original, but they still possess the traits that the original has. You should be familiar with the Distortion Shield the Red Knight has, right? The trait that it extracted from the Red Branch.


    Just as Pa had exined, her fire couldnt even reach their shields.


    Like sma confined within a maic field, the mes flickered in ce before they consumed all their manas and dissipated.


    When her mes subsided, the White Knights aimed their spears at her.


    Its a shame that things turned out like this, De. I really considered you as a friend.


    As Pa turned her back, the White Knights charged towards De in perfect unison.<hr>