radicalducati Page 329
Page 329
Ryougi Shiki, who was sitting on the sofa, had put down her ice cream at some point. She was toying with a gleaming short sword in her hand, her eyes filled with obvious dissatisfaction.
"Uh..."
Shiraishikawa felt a headache coming on.
This complicated situation must be resolved as soon as possible, or the consequences will be unimaginable.
He decided to change the subject.
"True name, regarding Araya Souren's situation..."
Upon hearing this, Mana Ouma's expression immediately turned serious.
"That monster!"
Her voice was filled with obvious disgust.
"His body seemed to have been completely assimilated with the concept of the static '553', and he could move freely even when seriously injured."
Shiraishikawa nodded, not surprised.
"Araya Sōren's origin is stillness. His personality has been covered by this concept and has become a manifestation of stillness."
"He can only be killed by my own hands."
Ryougi Shiki suddenly spoke, her voice as cold as a knife.
She stood up, the dagger twirling between her fingers.
“This is my prey.”
Shiraishi turned to her and saw the determined light in her eyes.
He understood the grudge between Ryougi Shiki and Araya Sōren, a matter that outsiders could not interfere with.
"I see."
Bai Shichuan said gently.
"But please remember, you are not alone."
He paused, his gaze shifting between the ceremony and Asagami Fujino.
"I will also like Shiki and Fujino, as well as everyone else."
Ryougi Shiki's cheeks flushed slightly, and she turned her face away.
"Who...who cares about this..."
But the shyness in her tone betrayed her true feelings.
Asagami Fujino gave a soft hum, but the resentment in her eyes had dissipated considerably.
As Shiraishikawa sensed the complex emotional fluctuations around him, he suddenly realized that this chaotic bond was exactly what he needed.
Since absorbing the power of those apostles, he has been able to clearly perceive the emotional fluctuations of those around him and respond appropriately to different emotions.
This ability allowed him to better understand why villains could develop feelings of admiration for heroes—those unique emotions were so vivid and beautiful that one couldn't help but want to touch them.
"This chaotic malice and chain of entanglements will become my strength to break free from the shackles of fate..."
Shiraishi River silently recited in his heart.
He recalled the next steps of the ritual, the sacrifice of the first spirit being a necessary condition.
Just then, he sensed an unfamiliar presence approaching—powerful, calm, and purposeful.
"It seems I don't need to search for the first soul..."
Shiraishikawa squinted.
"He will come to me of his own accord."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Araya Sōren was having a conversation with Cornelius Aruba.
"Has your body and the barrier fully merged?"
Aruba's voice was tinged with obvious anxiety.
"We've already lost too many pieces; will this affect our plans?"
Araya Sōren's figure appeared exceptionally tall in the dim light, and his voice was deep and calm.
"The plan has not been affected... I have found an agent from the Holy Church as a replacement pawn."
"The Holy Church?"
Aruba stared in surprise.
Why would they agree to participate in our plan?
"This agent has now become a priest."
Araya Sōren explained.
"Furthermore, they have had exchange experiences with the Magic Association and can understand our goals."
Aruba frowned.
"Did you send him?"
Araya Sōren's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.
"No, he came to us of his own accord."
Cornelius Aruba nervously rubbed his jeweled cane.
"you sure?"
Aruba's voice carried obvious doubt.
"To allow a lackey of the Holy Church to participate in our plans?"
In the shadows, Araya Sōren slowly raised her head, her eyes, which seemed capable of devouring all light, staring directly at Aruba.
You're questioning my judgment?
5.0 His voice was deep and calm, yet it made the air in the room seem to freeze.
Aruba instinctively took a half step back, the gem on his cane gleaming faintly.
No, I just... find it hard to understand.
He tried to make his voice sound less unsteady.
"The church has always regarded us as heretics, so it's too much of a coincidence that at the most critical moment, a representative willing to cooperate with the Yin-San-Wu-Qi-Jiu-Liu-Er-Qi group suddenly appears."
Araya Sōren's lips curled slightly upward, revealing an expression that could hardly be called a smile.
Chapter 404 Trap
coincide?"
He repeated, his voice laced with sarcasm.
“There are no coincidences on this path of tracing the roots.”
"But this is clearly a trap!"
Aruba couldn't help but raise his voice.
"Those fanatics would rather self-immolate than cooperate with us!"
Araya Sōren slowly stood up, his black robe falling silently to the ground.
He walked to the crystal ball in the center of the room and gently ran his fingers across its surface.
You are too narrow-minded, Aruba.
Not everyone in the church is as you think.
A blurry figure emerged from the crystal ball. (The remaining text appears to be gibberish and unrelated to the figure.)
"This person... is different."
Aruba squinted, trying to make out the image in the crystal ball.
What's the difference? Isn't he afraid of going to hell after he dies?
"Hell 16?"
Araya Sōren let out a barely audible chuckle.
"For him, the emptiness inside was more terrifying than any hell."
Aruba frowned and slammed his cane heavily on the ground.
"Speak clearly, stop playing riddles!"
Araya Sōren turned around and looked directly into Aruba's eyes.
He was a seeker of truth, only he happened to be disguised as a member of the church. For him, faith was not salvation, but a shackle.
In countless prayers, he found not God's grace, but the emptiness of his own soul.
"so?"
Aruba waved his hand impatiently.
"What use is a confused priest? We need pawns who can execute plans, not patients who need psychological treatment!"
Araya Sōren's gaze deepened.
“I have helped him awaken his origin.”
This statement struck Aruba like a heavy hammer.
His eyes widened, and he nearly dropped his cane.
"Are you insane?! An agent of awakened origins? Do you know what that means?"
"of course."
Araya Sōren said calmly.
“The Origin will gradually devour his existing personality, turning him into a slave to instinct.”
Aruba's breathing became rapid.