Chapter Seventy-One: The Source of the Ominous Aura

Before long, once this brief interlude had passed, the darkness of night faded swiftly, melting away in a seamless gradient. Within the mist, that hazy glow emerged once more.

Colin drew out the parchment and glanced at it; today, the regional channel showed 451 survivors, and fewer than a hundred deaths—a remarkable improvement over the first day. It was foreseeable that a group of lords would come to seek refuge with him today, which presented an opportunity for expansion.

“For other survivors who come seeking shelter and allegiance, if they are unwilling to surrender their three cores and hand over their items before the ‘Shield of the Just Knight’ is used to establish a relationship with Mr. Colin, then they cannot be brought into this territory…”

“They may be settled at several other temporary outposts, given basic protection for their lives at most—even if they do surrender, they must be monitored with the strictest measures.”

“We still do not know what form disaster will take, so the possibility of survivors ‘betraying’ us must be considered as one of the defenses…”

This was the arrangement Rogue had proposed to Colin in yesterday’s discussion; he wanted to ensure that no unsafe elements crept into Colin’s back garden, thus providing unwavering support for Colin at the front.

As for dealing with unfamiliar lords, Rogue believed that everything must be based on “loyalty.” They could be good people, but not foolishly so. With calamity looming, they had no energy to waste on superfluous relationships—everything had to be firmly in their own hands.

If those who wished to join Colin and share in the bounty were unwilling to give their “loyalty,” then loyalty would be enforced for them.

...

Now, as preparations were completed, everything was set in motion according to plan.

Colin and the others boarded the war chariot, and under the guard of six chariots, set off toward the church.

In less than ten minutes, they arrived at the church and entered without hesitation.

[A tunnel leading to multiple hazardous zones—upon inspection, you find it is unchanged from yesterday.]

It seemed that line of sight had nothing to do with this...

Colin lifted the lantern containing rare blood and looked down at the five-meter wide tunnel. After a quick assessment, he gave his orders.

Soon, four servants carrying shields leaped into the entrance. These wooden shields were fashioned from the bound and modified church pews, a meter wide and a meter and a half tall, offering decent protection.

Grasping their shields, they formed a barricade toward the direction in which the tunnel extended. Five more servants, armed with axes, followed them into the passage.

Finally, Number One, carrying a large wheel on his back and accompanied by an assistant, also jumped into the tunnel. The assistant held the lamp as they advanced roughly ten meters ahead.

Only then did Colin nod and say, “It’s our turn to go down.”

Including himself, there were eleven explorers left.

As before, four shield-bearers went ahead to the front, followed by several servants. Then came Colin, Shana, and Li Chou...

This time, the exploration team was divided into two groups: one led by Number One at the front, the other trailing about ten meters behind.

This was not only due to the narrowness of the underground passage and concerns about trampling, but also to ensure that if the front group was ambushed, those behind would have more time to react.

Otherwise, in such a place, chaos could have dire consequences.

At the tunnel entrance beneath the church, two squads of “Lampbearers” would remain on guard at all times. Further out, two chariots stood by the door, and another Lampbearer squad patrolled ceaselessly around the church.

In the mist, Colin’s personnel and resources—in the church’s underground, the heart of the territory, subterranean rivers, and mining district—had all been mobilized, operating with the precision of a vast, intricate machine.

At this moment, in the tunnel, Colin held the lantern, the hard marble ceiling less than a meter above his head. Shana and Li Chou flanked him on either side.

The downward-sloping tunnel was paved in layers of dark greenish stone, uneven underfoot, reminiscent of a country lane of flagstones.

From the hints, Colin discovered... the tunnel’s history far exceeded that of the church above. This place existed first—the church was built later...

This surprised him; he had thought the passage was constructed by that priest, but now that theory could be discarded.

After five or six minutes of walking, Colin narrowed his eyes at the exit ahead, surprise flickering in his heart.

Beyond the exit lay a vast hall, spacious and grand. There was no light within, but illuminated by the lantern’s glow, Colin saw there was not a trace of mist.

Everywhere—across the floor, walls, and other surfaces—thick, wizened roots sprawled.

[You discover these roots have long since withered and died; they are no longer active, though it seems they all grew and spread from a certain direction.]

Though the prompt indicated no danger, Colin remained cautious, for he felt a predatory gaze lurking in the dark.

He raised his hand in a signal; instantly, Number One, carrying the wheel, led the team into the grand hall.

Throughout, Colin kept his eyes wide open, watching closely.

Should danger arise, he would immediately use “Piercing Gaze”—no, “Psychic Lance”—to assist.

But unexpectedly, nothing happened.

After a moment’s hesitation, Colin and the others entered the mistless hall.

Without the gray haze, the lantern’s light instantly illuminated most of the underground chamber, allowing Colin a full view.

It was a space the size of a football field, densely interwoven with gnarled roots and tendrils. Roots covered the floor, walls, and ceiling—wherever there was a gap, it was blanketed by them.

Surveying his surroundings, Colin’s gaze locked onto one direction. He could feel that the source of all the strangeness emanated from there.

It was also where all the roots converged.

After a brief hesitation, Colin decided to see for himself what lay there.

What surprised him was that, so far, nothing untoward had happened.

But now was not the time to dwell on that.

For Colin had already caught sight of the source of that unsettling aura.

At the end of the tangled roots stood a stone statue, three meters tall.

It was lifelike, striking in its realism, but the figure it depicted was not the disheveled, emaciated, bound “sufferer” he had expected.

Instead, it was a young woman, veiled, on her knees, her body arched backwards, arms limp at her sides, a black sword wrapped in thorns plunged into her chest.

Colin could feel that the dreadful aura filling the hall emanated entirely from that black sword.

Without hesitation, he fixed his eyes on the sword of black thorns and triggered the prompt.

...

ps: To be revised after posting...