Chapter 562

There were many factors that led to her grim fate.

In the Estellian Church, Archbishop Plutus rose to the throne of papacy. Instead of the four Cardinals, defying expectations of many. With the world seemingly getting darker and darker, the man’s strong stance towards heresy and sinners earned him the support of many. That was the difference between him and the moderate Cardinals.

With Plutus at the helm, he empowered the Inquisition. Like a hammer, the Inquisition came down upon the populace, uprooting cultists and those with ties to them. Plutus had no mercy on the heretics, which, in his opinion, were those that weren't pious to the faith of Estelle. Even if many innocents were harmed in the process. The new Pope needed results to cement his rule and results he delivered.

The heretic-hunting-witch-burning stuff was just the start.

At the cost of security and safety. Most people bowed their heads. After all, the Church was the good one, right? The Church was protecting them, right?

There were also new developments in the Latias Kingdom.

The civil war between Croix and Celestine raged on. Huge battles didn't occur that often but the country was very much divided. After Celestine’s scheme which resulted in the death of many of Croix's loved ones, peace between them was very unlikely.

With diplomacy, propaganda, and a pretty face, Celestine had the larger support. Unlike Croix who named himself King, Celestine refused the title of Queen and remained a Princess. She vowed to defy her half-brother usurper king.

On the other hand, Croix proved to be the superior on the battlefield. The young king was riding the winds of legend and his leadership similarly drew the support of the people. King Croix was learning from the wise, ruling justly, and his charisma was no less than Celestine’s.

Both drew talented people to their side. Celestine had Duchess Solany Lucan, who ascended after the mysterious death of her father. Solany’s prowess as a mind mage smoothened Celestine’s path in imaginable ways. Not outright mind control, but knowing what the enemy was thinking and wanted before a negotiation was a powerful card.

The last of their trinity was Stratos Gaelos who led her armies. The knight in shining armor was undefeated in battle. Truly, a hero in the making.

Solany was also Celestine’s secret paramour. The two shared a bed when Celestine was not sleeping with Stratos.

On the other side, Croix had the Arcanum Club on his back, enough said.

One might think that the Harkelan Empire would easily swallow the divided kingdom. However, the Empire was having its own civil war too.

Viers might or might not have had something to do with it.

At any rate, the heirs of the dragon family line were too competent. The civil war in Latias was so much so that the possibility of splitting the kingdom into two could no longer be dismissed as a jest.

To break this deadlock, Celestine contacted her good friend Freya. Thanks to Stratos, Celestine knew that Avel was actually Tanael/Viers. Celestine the schemer analyzed the mysterious supporter on Croix’s side, and glimpsed Viers’ handiwork.

Celestine wanted Croix’s backer diminished and Freya wanted Viers’ removed from this world, so they cooperated. The Church’s new policy under the first male pope also changed. For eradicating a great evil, it was permissible to involve themselves in another country’s matter. Stratos Gaelos also had beef with Viers who killed his good friend and severely wounded his paladin brother.

It was unthinkable, but Tanael did it. Stratos didn't believe it at first, but he couldn't deny what he saw with his own eyes. Her big brother Orlando would be bedridden for quite some time.

The Anti-Tanael Alliance was therefore formed. Their founding members planned to rope in more like-minded people who Tanael harmed. Which were many but also not. Because most of them were already corpses. Tanael was meticulous in removing loose ends, much to Freya’s chagrin.

Still, they were resourceful people and their plan took shape.

Even if the Church’s Interpreter of Fate and Freya who possessed the Aurora Scroll weren't able to divine Tanael’s location and Fate, what about the people around him? From his actions thus far, it was obvious that Tanael had his own people supporting him.

Tanael was now a big spider, his web spread far. To defeat this menace, first they had to sever his limbs and box him in, so he couldn't escape.

The first target was several, among which was Farley. As a former cultist, the Church had an easier time locating her. It should be impossible, since Viers already took account and taught Farley his ways, but with the legendary Aurora Scroll...

Viers might have erased his Fate from the scroll, but the others’ Fate was still there.

***

Farley felt the crumbling of her life. The signs were showing.

She had built a new life for her and for her sister in Latias Kingdom’s Sinclair Academy. While the country was tearing itself apart, the academy was like a safe harbor. A neutral ground, thanks to the auspices of the faculty, especially the Headmaster.

After a few years as a student, she now had become a new teacher for the academy. It was possible despite her young age because she was an excellent Pathseeker.

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She planned on keeping watch on her Gwen, who just entered the Pathseeker curriculum after finally coming fifteen of age with other two kids.

Farley hoped the peace would continue, but the cracks were in the wall. The Church’s aggressiveness was concerning. Naturally, it wasn't without price. As one of the Arcanum Club's members, Farley was able to see the real information instead of the propaganda fed to the public. Things were worse than before, but the zealots easily justified it by saying things like it was the darkest before the dawn.

The new Church’s dogmatic nature reminded her of the cults, to be honest.

Still, the Church’s witch-hunting pitchfork was aimed at her. She was a sinner after all. Not only because of her past, but because she continued helping Viers do bad things. Farley didn't deny that she was a sinner. There would be a reckoning one day.

That was why, when a squad of inquisitors came for her, she wasn't surprised or panicked.

“Instructor, you are under arrest on suspicion of heresy. On authority of His Holiness Pope Plutus, oblige for questioning,” said one of the inquisitors while offering manacles. “Or we will use deadly force.”

Farley was a bit touched when her students and colleagues came to her defense. Either way, she knew the life she made here was over. She planned on going along with their demands for now and break out later. She didn't want collateral damage from her fight.

“We have your sister. You better behave.”

Farley manifested her spear immediately and made a hole in the inquisitor’s face then let out an Arte to chop the rest of the enemies.

Arte - Skywyrm Fury!

The people who came to arrest Farley were prepared. They were not mooks, however, Farley was so much more than they expected and they touched a dragon’s reverse scale. Their end was ordained.

When the circular flurry Arte was done and the inquisitors were now chopped flesh, Farley was already in her Dragoon Armor. She took a single look at her compatriots before rushing to her sister.

Farley tracked Gwen. Her foresight of the need to locate her when they were separated came into play. She killed her way to Gwen, no matter what kind of roadblocks the inquisitors put in her way.

She leapt through the sky, and called upon her Level 4 exclusive power.

Imaginary Domain - Sky Ocean Valkyrie!

Farley’s Domain was different from the norm. Her Domain was contained inside her body instead of projecting outward. Still, it was a Domain in everyway that matters. Her Devawi Swan bloodline boiled, and she was filled with overwhelming power.

Arcana card in hand, she chanted the words of power.

“With this card, I begin the path to victory.”

The promised power dwelled into Farley as her eyes behind the winged helmet zeroed in on the place where Gwen was kept. Brilliant white wings manifested on her back. Farley reversed the grip on her spear, and raised her hand.

“The filthy cultist is here! Have no fear, brothers and sisters of the True Faith! Estelle’s light will protect us!”

Arte - Nibelung Valesti!

A lance of light decimated the inquisitors barrier and the surroundings, grandly and utterly. A couple of the inquisitors thought Farley was an angel before their end. The shock wave caused the Academy’s protective barrier to light up.

“Sis!”

“Are you alright?” Farley landed from above as if she was weightless. She pushed a spatial bead into her sister’s hand. The scale of the operation indicated this was a major operation. She sent a warning to Viers through the arcana card. “We must go.”

Gwen nodded and the two prepared to teleport away from here.

“I’m afraid I can't let you do that.”

Farley turned around, expecting to deflect an attack, but it never came. Her tension went up seeing who she was facing.

“Worry not. As a knight, it is unbecoming of me to cut down another from behind. It is not my preference to fight womankind either. Still, I have my duty and you are a warrior, miss Farley. I will be honored if you accept my duel.”

Stratos Gaelos stood there.

“Sis!” Gwen cried out as the light of teleportation engulfed her.

“Live well. I love you,” Farley said to her sister before they were separated.

“How touching. Almost brought me to tears. Tell me, do you know how much suffering you have caused? Are you doing it because of Tanael or of your own will?” Stratos drew his sword.

“Does it matter?” Farley pointed her spear.

“I suppose not. Either way, as an instrument of evil, I have to defeat you. Ready yourself. My name is Stratos Gaelos, Knight of Princess Celestine. Name yourself for the sacred duel rite, lady warrior.”

“What a pompous sissy. Just fight!”

A Spear Reborn, Skyward, Braveblood... Tidebringer!

Each chained Arte shot Farley’s power to the roof. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to use the next stage of the Arte yet. Nevertheless, it was mighty powerful.

The fight of the two was a sight to see. Many students from the academy and the city witnessed it.

Because of Stratos’ insistence, the dozens of inquisitors didn't meddle with the fight. They made a ring to prevent Farley from running. The ring was measured in kilometers of diameters.

Farley fought with all she had and lost.

Even after unsealing the demonic power within her eye and Devil Triggered, even after resurrecting once using Red Dead Recondition Arte. Farley lost.

“You chose the wrong man to follow,” Stratos, who just had a fight far more than he expected, tiredly said to the kneeling Farley.

“...No, I didn’t,” Farley smiled defiantly. Without propping herself with the remains of her spear, she would fall over.

“...Tanael, are you watching? I hope you can hear me,” Stratos said while peering into Farley’s eyes. Adrenaline made him ignore his deep wounds. “Your turn will come soon enough. Such is the fate of evil. Prepare yourself. Retribution is inevitable.”

You poor fool, Farley smiled weakly. The horrors Viers would do unto you will make the sun pale.

Her smile didn't escape Stratos, but he didn't mind it. “Still have faith in him? Just like he couldn't save you, he won't be able to save himself.”

Farley said nothing. Her eyes were tired, but they were clear.

“Sinner you might be, but I applaud your warrior spirit. The Inquisition wants you alive and be executed by burning at the stake. I will grant you the mercy of my blade.”

My end comes. Viers will take care of Gwen. I have no regrets... No, that is a lie. I have a mountain of regrets. I don't want to die. I want to live with Gwen and my friends. Ahh... I guess, unlike Viers, I’m unable to defy Fate. A pity. Everyone, this is it for me. I’ll be going on ahead. Sorry. Thank you. Goodbye... I’ll wait for you all at the far edge of Fate.

Farley’s life was severed with one slash of a sword.

Somewhere far away, Viers who was desperately fighting Wen Shenhu, the eastern continent Level 6 Immortal, let out a cry of anger and anguish.

Following Farley’s footsteps was Paina.

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Chapter 562 - The Far Edge of Fate