Chapter 394: Purification [5]

Lyria stood in the center of the same magic circle once again, preparing to perform the ritual.

This time, she was determined to see it through to the end.

No matter how difficult it became, she wouldn’t stop.

The seven mages surrounding her immediately began chanting in the ancient High Elven language.

A soft, emerald-green glow emerged from their bodies as they released their mana. The energy flowed downward, seeping into the intricate runes carved into the ground. Within moments, the entire magic circle began radiating a brilliant emerald light.

Then, the mana began to converge.

Streams of energy flowed from the seven smaller circles toward the central platform where Lyria stood, gathering into a tremendous current of magical power.

As the energy reached her, Lyria extended both hands toward the World Tree.

A gentle golden radiance enveloped her body.

It was the same sensation she had experienced during her previous attempt.

The mana seeped into her body, flowing through her veins and gathering within her Mana Core.

Lyria took a deep breath.

[Purification]

Her eyes snapped open, blazing with brilliant golden light.

A tremendous surge of power erupted from her body.

At the same instant, a thin golden line began forming around the colossal trunk of the World Tree, just as it had before.

However, this time, Lyria had no intention of letting the ritual be interrupted.

An overwhelming torrent of mana rushed into her body through the ritual formation. Her Mana Core rapidly filled as the incoming energy exceeded its normal capacity.

And unlike before, her body was already severely injured.

The strain was far greater than she had anticipated.

Every second, more mana flooded into her body, putting immense pressure on her Mana Core and the surrounding channels. The pain from her previous injuries intensified as her body struggled to withstand the tremendous energy.

"ARRRGHHH!"

Lyria screamed.

Agonizing pain spread throughout her body. Her muscles tightened, and veins bulged beneath her skin as she struggled to endure the overwhelming pressure.

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Yet she refused to stop.

She had nearly succeeded once before. She had felt the power of her Purification ability reaching the World Tree, and she knew she could do it again.

She just needed to hold on a little longer.

You can do it... You can do it!

The golden line surrounding the World Tree suddenly blazed brighter.

BOOOOM!

A massive wave of golden light erupted from the magic circle, forming a gigantic wall of radiance around the World Tree.

The luminous barrier rose steadily from the base of the colossal trunk, expanding upward as it enveloped the enormous tree. Golden light illuminated the burning branches, climbing higher and higher toward the crimson sky.

For a moment, it seemed as though the ritual was finally succeeding.

"Cough!"

Lyria suddenly coughed violently.

Blood splattered from her mouth, staining the ground beneath her feet. Her eyes had become bloodshot, and her body trembled uncontrollably.

"Lyria!"

Several voices cried out in alarm. But she didn’t stop. She couldn’t.

A strand of pink hair slipped over her left shoulder, and the pink ribbon Noah had tied around her braid fluttered in the turbulent magical currents surrounding her.

Her gaze briefly fell upon it.

She remembered Noah’s bloodied appearance when he had caught her. Despite his countless injuries, he had still found the strength to save her. He had held her in his arms, worrying about her safety even when his own body was on the verge of collapse.

And there she had been, completely helpless after a single attack.

A bitter feeling rose within her chest.

’No... I can’t let that happen.’

She knew Noah wouldn’t look down on her for being injured. He had never treated her that way.

But she didn’t want to be helpless again. She didn’t want to be someone who could only wait for others to save her.

’I’m not weak... Not in my heart.’

"ARGGGHHH!"

Lyria screamed again, forcing more mana into her Purification ability.

Blood slowly trickled from the corners of her eyes, running down her cheeks as the overwhelming energy continued to tear through her body.

Her Mana Core trembled under the pressure.

Crack!

A thin fracture appeared across its surface.

Lyria’s body jerked.

Crack!

Another fracture spread through her Mana Core.

The pain was unbearable.

Her vision blurred, and her legs nearly gave way beneath her. Every instinct screamed at her to stop before the damage became irreversible.

But she gritted her teeth and continued channeling her ability. She would endure it, even if she had to push herself beyond her limits.

Gradually, the golden barrier continued rising, spreading around the enormous trunk and climbing toward the burning crown.

The wall of radiance grew brighter with every passing second until it completely surrounded the World Tree.

BOOOOM!

A tremendous wave of golden light spread across the surroundings.

The entire city of Lunathiel was illuminated by its brilliant radiance, turning the crimson-stained night into a sea of gold.

The burning World Tree stood within an enormous barrier of golden light.

---

Meanwhile, in the City

Morgana stood on a broken street, staring down at the man lying before her.

He was Elliot.

The man who had fought her moments earlier was now on the verge of death.

Blood trickled from the corners of Morgana’s lips, and bruises covered her body. Her breathing was uneven, but she remained standing.

Elliot’s condition was far worse.

Both his hands had been torn apart, while deep wounds and bloody holes covered his thighs and stomach. His body lay motionless against the shattered road, and his breathing grew weaker with every passing second.

Despite his injuries, a faint smile remained on his face.

"Haha... So, what was it you wanted to know?"

Morgana narrowed her amethyst eyes.

"Tell me about my brother."

Her voice was cold, but the tension in her expression betrayed how much the answer mattered to her.

Elliot chuckled weakly.

"Well... I’m going to die anyway, so I might as well tell you."

He coughed, and blood spilled from his mouth.

"I met your brother on the Demon Continent four years ago."

Morgana’s expression changed instantly.

"What?"

She stepped closer, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"The Demon Continent? Why was he there? What was he doing there? And what did he have to do with you?"

She fired the questions at him one after another, barely giving him time to breathe.

Elliot let out another weak laugh.

"I don’t know... I just happened to cross paths with him during a mission."

"Whose mission?"

"My boss’s... Vorthane."

Morgana’s expression darkened at the name.

Elliot continued, his voice growing weaker.

"He was there when we found him. We fought in one of the demon city because... he was after the same thing we were looking for."

Morgana clenched her fists.

"What thing?"

Elliot’s eyelids drooped. He didn’t answer that.

"Which city?" she clenched her teeth and demanded, refusing to let him evade the question.

"Where exactly did you meet him?"

His lips trembled as he struggled to speak.

"D-Demon Capital..."

Morgana’s eyes widened. "The Demon Capital? What was my brother—"

She stopped.

Elliot’s gaze had become vacant.

The faint light in his eyes faded, and his head tilted to one side.

He was dead.

Morgana remained motionless, staring down at his lifeless body.

"Demon Capital..."

She repeated the words quietly.

Her brother had been on the Demon Continent four years ago, and he had somehow become involved in a mission connected to Vorthane.

Why? What had he been searching for? And why had he fought against Vorthane’s people?

So many questions filled her mind, yet Elliot had died before he could provide any further answers.

Morgana slowly clenched her fists.

Suddenly, brilliant golden light flooded the streets.

The entire city brightened as an enormous radiance spread from the direction of the World Tree, illuminating the surrounding buildings and casting long shadows across the ruined road.

The golden glow washed over Morgana and Elliot’s lifeless body.

Yet Morgana barely noticed it.

Her gaze remained fixed on the dead man before her, her thoughts consumed by the revelation he had left behind.

Four years ago, her missing brother had been in the Demon Capital. And somehow, Vorthane had been involved.