Chapter 709

【 DARKNESS BEFORE DAWN 】

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Lightning flickered faintly through the rolling clouds, while the desolate abyss remained as dark as ever.

Orange flames burned steadily within a stone brazier, crackling as they flared.

Cypher sat nearby with a smile at the corner of his lips, his gaze fixed blankly on the fire.

Gando cast a strange look at him, then waved his hand in front of Cypher’s face.

Still, there was no reaction at all.

Shaking his head slightly, Gando took out a waterskin, uncapped it, inhaled its scent with obvious delight, licked his lips, and then carefully sealed it again.

“Why are you only inhaling it? We will reach Cliff of Sorrows tomorrow. Once we are back, you can drink as much as you want.”

A laughing scolding voice rang out, and Gando’s expression stiffened in embarrassment.

He turned his head and glanced at the now-normal Cypher, and clicked his tongue.

“What do you know? This is the very last mouthful that was left. It has to be saved for tomorrow when we successfully climb the cliff. Only after drinking flower tea will I have the motivation to go home.”

Seeing Gando puff out his beard and glare, Cypher burst into laughter.

After two months together, the relationship between the two had grown increasingly close. They no longer bothered with honorifics when speaking to each other.

Gando carefully put the waterskin away as if it were a treasure, then raised his eyebrows and looked at Cypher again.

“What were you daydreaming about just now? You do that every few days. I really want to draw that foolish smile of yours.”

“Hey, Gando, if I said I was recording our journey and writing it for our kinsmen in the Elven Forest, would you believe me?”

Cypher said with a smile.

Gando curled his lips.

“You are fooling this old man again.”

“Hahaha, if you don’t believe me, then fine. How about a bet? When we get back, don’t introduce yourself to anyone and see whether everyone recognizes you.”

Cypher said, narrowing his eyes with a grin.

“Recognize me?”

Gando froze slightly.

He widened his eyes and looked at Cypher with suspicion.

“You brat, do you really have a way to contact our kin in Seigües?”

Cypher merely smiled without answering.

“Hmph! you must be lying to me again. You do not have even a shred of elven integrity. How could the Goddess bestow Her divine favor upon a little rascal like you?”

Gando snorted, completely unaware that he had been led astray and had already learned to curse.

The flames in the stone brazier continued to crackle. In the distance, the laughter of the Frost Elves drifted in and out of hearing.

Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.

It was likely that very few people in the entire camp would be able to fall asleep.

This whole migration journey that had lasted for more than two months was finally nearing its end, and Cliff of Sorrows was already close at hand.

Standing on a slope and looking into the distance, one could already see lightning coiling around the top of the cliff.

During these past two months, there had been lots of sorrow, separation, pain, and bitterness.

Now, everything was about to come to an end.

Listening to the noticeably more cheerful elven songs in the distance, Cypher lifted his head and looked toward the sky.

Lightning continued to flash overhead with no sign of dispersing, which meant that tomorrow should also be a safe day.

If nothing unexpected happened, he would be able to have a drink in a small tavern in the Chosen City by tomorrow night.

When that time came, he would bring Gando along and introduce him to his few friends.

“By the way, where is Estelle? And what about the holy statue you were carrying? Did Lady Aurora not tell you to keep it with you at all times?”

While Cypher was lost in thought, Gando’s voice sounded again.

Cypher withdrew his gaze and replied,

“Oh the statue? Lady Aurora said that she needed to use it tonight, so I returned it to her.”

“As for Estelle…”

He gestured with his chin toward the distance.

“She is over there, playing with her friends.”

Gando followed his indication and saw a group of young Frost Elves dancing around a bonfire.

Estelle was like a lively little angel, running back and forth through the crowd, laughing with clear delight.

Watching the girl’s innocent figure, a trace of a smile appeared in Gando’s eyes.

He clicked his tongue and said,

“Young people really are full of energy. An old bag of bones like me cannot keep up anymore.”

“Nonsense, you are stronger than I am!”

Cypher replied with a laughing rebuke.

༺⟐༻

The Frost Elves continued their celebration for quite a long time.

Only when the clouds across the entire sky had completely deepened into pitch-black, and the lightning had grown dim, did the commotion gradually subside.

This was how day and night were distinguished in this abyssal world.

Although the sky was always dark, the clouds still showed subtle differences in color. During the so-called daytime, they appeared slightly gray, while in the deep of night they became pure black.

The lightning also changed accordingly, sometimes bright, sometimes dim.

This is also how the Frost Elves measure time.

For thousands of years, they have recorded the passing of each day in this manner.

The camp gradually fell into silence. One by one, the frost elves drifted into sleep, leaving only the campfires flickering steadily.

They have to climb a steep mountain tomorrow. In addition, they might encounter some demons within the ruins of the first city, and the possibility of battle could not be ruled out as well.

Therefore, after the celebrations, it was still necessary to conserve strength and recover properly.

However, Cypher for some reason could not fall asleep at all.

He slipped out of his tent and went outside the camp to clear his head.

That was his intention, at least, but in this deathly silent world, the wind moving was rare. Only at night did an occasional breeze pass through.

And when strong winds did arise, one had to be cautious, because that often meant the arrival of the Black Tide.

In the past, Cypher did not understand the principles behind the Black Tide and only after speaking with Gando did he learn that it was, in fact, a migration of abyssal creatures.

These creatures moved by following the abyssal power in the sky.

When abyssal power grew dense, the dark clouds thickened accordingly. When the clouds thickened rapidly, the change in air pressure produced violent winds.

That was not ordinary wind, but wind infused with abyssal contamination, which often accompanied by mist.

That mist was the gray fog capable of accelerating corruption and mutation.

Of course, the explanation involving air pressure was Cypher’s own conjecture, pieced together from what Gando had told him. As a player, he was fond of applying the scientific knowledge from Earth to the world of Seigües whenever he had the chance.

Unfortunately, he had been proven wrong many times, especially when matters involving magic were concerned.

After leaving the camp and losing the warmth of the campfires, Cypher felt a slight chill.

He brought up the system interface, intending to play one of the recorded elven songs.

However, while selecting a track, he paused and looked toward a distant hillside.

On the slope stood a beautiful elven lady, gazing into the distant Cliff of Sorrows, which was wrapped in clouds.

Her refined profile shimmered with a faint radiance in the darkness, creating a beautiful and dreamlike scenery.

Cypher’s heart stirred, and he subconsciously walked over.

The figure standing on the hillside was none other than Lady Aurora.

Although he had spent two months with her, Cypher still couldn’t help but feel a little reserved whenever he saw her.

There was no helping it.

Lady Aurora was simply too dazzling.

This was not to say that she literally emitted light, though it was true that a demigod carried a faint divine glow. More importantly, it was her powerful presence and noble bearing.

She was just like her title, akin to a star in the sky, emitting gentle light, easy to admire from afar, yet difficult to approach.

On her, Cypher seemed to glimpse thousands of years of solitude, a solitude that had completely separated her from the mundane world.

She was deeply revered, yet eternally alone.

“Lady Aurora, are you not resting yet?”

After approaching her, Cypher asked respectfully.

However, when he clearly saw the expression on Aurora’s face as she gazed into the distance, his eyes tightened slightly.

For he saw that her gaze was filled with gravity.

“Lady Aurora, have you discovered something wrong?”

Cypher asked uneasily.

Hearing his words, Aurora withdrew her gaze.

She let out a soft sigh and said,

“Lord Cypher, during tomorrow’s climb, you must keep the holy barrier active for the entire duration.”

“I’m afraid, tomorrow’s ascent… may not go smoothly.”

Cypher froze for a moment, then his expression turned serious.

“Lady Aurora, what have you discovered?”

Aurora fell silent for a brief moment before speaking.

“This evening, those clansmen I sent ahead to scout in advance… not a single one of them has returned.”

Not a single one had returned.

Cypher’s brow furrowed deeply.

Throughout their journey, the Frost Elves had suffered their heaviest losses among the scouting units.

Yet it was precisely through the sacrifices of these scouts that the entire clan had been able to avoid danger time and again, making it this far.

However, never before had there been a situation wherein no one had returned at all.

At that moment, Cypher could not help but look toward the direction of Cliff of Sorrows.

Perhaps influenced by Aurora’s words, the cloud-shrouded mountain summit now appeared more eerie and mysterious.

“Lady Aurora, do you mean… that there may be some hidden danger lurking on that mountain? That there could be a large number of demons?”

Cypher asked with a serious expression.

Aurora sighed softly.

“It would be fine if it were merely a large number of demons entrenched there. With you controlling the holy barrier and my assistance, we can hold them off.”

“What I fear is that it is not a horde of demons, but a single, immensely powerful enemy watching us from the shadows.”

A single, immensely powerful enemy…?

Cypher’s heart skipped a beat.

To be described as powerful by the demigod Aurora, it could only be a demigod-rank demon king, or perhaps even an evil god.

And if such an existence truly lurking somewhere on that mountain, then the situation would be deeply troubling.

The barrier he controlled could withstand the attack of a lesser ranked demon horde, but if a demigod-rank enemy were to appear, then the barrier would be completely ineffective.

And relying on Aurora alone, an elven demigod whose power was suppressed here within the abyss, would likely make it extremely difficult to defeat such an enemy.

All are ants beneath the Mythical-rank. Hence, if they truly encountered an opponent that even Lady Aurora could not contend with, their situation would become dire indeed.

—No.

Wait…

What Aurora had said earlier was “watching us from the shadows”?

Cypher suddenly raised his head and looked at the elven demigod, only to find that she was calmly looking back at him.

“Lord Cypher,”

Aurora continued,

“In fact, starting two days ago, I faintly sensed a certain malevolent gaze observing us in secret.”

“The other party has concealed itself very well, but I have always been sensitive to such auras, so I still noticed something amiss.”

“It seems that something has been following us continuously, for at least two days.”

“The opponent’s strength is likely no weaker than my own…”

“I was concerned that revealing this would cause panic, which is why I did not speak of it to anyone.”

“As for tonight’s celebration, I intended to use everyone relaxing to lure it out. Taking the divine statue from you was also for this purpose.”

“However… it proved to be even more cunning than I had anticipated, and did not take the bait.”

Hearing Aurora’s words, Cypher’s pupils contracted slightly.

At that moment, his previously relaxed mood sank once more.

However, Aurora was not finished yet.

“Nevertheless… this is not the worst possible outcome.”

She glanced toward Cliff of Sorrows, concealed within the dark clouds, her expression growing increasingly grave.

“The worst scenario would be that those clansmen I sent out did not die at the hands of that lurking evil entity, but instead encountered some kind of danger on the mountain itself…”

“On the mountain…”

Cypher’s expression changed subtly, his heart growing heavier.

He understood what she meant.

If the scouting party had encountered danger on the mountain and been wiped out entirely, then it meant that there could also be demigod-rank abyssal creatures there, or perhaps even an evil god.

“Lord Cypher.”

Aurora suddenly spoke again.

Cypher lifted his head and looked at the beautiful elven maiden, only to see her gazing at him gently.

Meeting Aurora’s clear eyes, a sense of unease rose in Cypher’s heart.

He vaguely sensed what she was about to say.

Aurora revealed a warm smile and spoke softly.

“If… if we truly encounter an evil god or an Abyssal Lord, then I shall entrust the safety of the whole Azurefrost Clan upon you.”

“I will somehow find a way to hold the enemy back and buy everyone as much time as possible.”

Looking at the gentle and beautiful elven demigod before him, Cypher froze for a moment, his heart aching.

After several seconds of silence, he forced a smile.

“L-Lady Aurora, perhaps you are thinking too much…”

“Even if the scouting party encountered danger and failed to return, it does not necessarily mean that a terrifying enemy exists, right? Or perhaps… that entity watching us from the shadows is only a legendary-rank being.”

As soon as he said it, even he himself felt how unconvincing the words sounded.

Aurora listened, then slowly shook her head.

She let out a deep sigh and said,

“Lord Cypher, I also wish that were the case. Alas, if it truly were only a legendary-rank being, it would be impossible for it to escape my perception.”

“Do not be fooled by my appearance. I am, after all, still a demigod.”

As she spoke, she smiled faintly once more.

“Moreover, the Goddess has already awakened. In truth, my greatest wish has already been fulfilled.”

“My remaining duty is to protect the remaining members of the Azurefrost Clan.”

“Victory is right before us. For the sake of these children returning back to our homeworld, I am willing to give up everything…”

“This is what I must do as their guardian, and it is also what I cherish doing.”

“Lord Cypher.”

“If, the worst case did indeed occur… I ask that you take care of my fellow clansmen.”

Aurora’s face bore a gentle smile.

Looking at that warm expression, Cypher opened his mouth, a wave of bitterness welling up inside him.

He took a deep breath and said,

“Lady Aurora, ensuring the safe return of the Frost Elves is also my responsibility. I will do everything in my power to make it happen.”

He then forced another smile.

“Still, I think you need not be so pessimistic. The Goddess is still waiting for you. Right now, what we lack the most is another elven powerhouse in our ranks, and everyone is eagerly awaiting your return.”

After hearing Cypher’s words, Aurora’s gaze grew distant, and a trace of longing passed across her expression.

Soon, however, she revealed a gentle smile.

“I am also looking forward to it…”

“Alas, it may be already too late for me.”

A faint breeze swept past, lightly lifting the hem of Aurora’s divine gown and the edges of her sleeves.

In that brief moment, beneath the layers of splendid fabric, Cypher caught sight of dark, swollen tumors lay hidden underneath, overlapping one another like scars that had never healed.

They were unmistakable traces of corruption caused by abyssal power.

Cypher’s expression instantly turned to shock.

Only at this moment did a realization strike him.

If the Frost Elves who had been constantly protected by Aurora still suffered corruption…

Then how could she, who had been grievously wounded thousands of years ago, who had exhausted herself to lead her people to safety, and who had endured all alone until this very day, possibly have remained untouched by that same corruption?

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