Chapter 326: The Hades
About half an hour earlier.
In a certain mansion on Livia Street, the darkness was pierced by a single beam of light. Robbins sat before a book titled Leoncavallo's Four-Act Opera, reading it with an expressionless face.
This book was once the relic of a divine-ranked Reader in history — a truly miraculous item. By the grace of a true god, he had obtained it. As long as one filled in the ending, the book would automatically derive and play out a sequence of scenes, evolving into an opera — and then materializing those scenes into reality.
For example, if one desired a certain object and wrote an ending that implied obtaining it, through a string of coincidences it was very likely to become theirs soon after.
However, the process could not be too absurd or unrealistic. Once materialization failed, the price paid would be severe.
At that moment, written across the open page was his final goal:
[Opera's Final Act — Revival of the True God: The God of Death, Ikekiel.]
[Necessary Process: Death of Charles VI; ascension of Charles VII; enactment of related legislation. Form alliances simultaneously with the Life Alchemy Society, the upper echelons of the Bryston Kingdom, and the Order of Solitude. Due to overlapping interests, all parties will come together seamlessly. The immense death toll required for the resurrection of the God of Death can be harvested during the unsealing of the Ancient God Nyastora.]
Final Act, Scene Three.
Main Characters: Wayne Sturwell, Spark Lambert, Browne Lambert, and others.
Plot Summary:
In order to gain firmer control over Bryston's upper ranks and usher in a new era, Browne Lambert must also be replaced. Thus, Ruins, sailing through the coastal waters of Brenia, is blessed with a rare tailwind. His returning vessel reaches a speed of seventeen knots — arriving at the naval port two hours ahead of schedule!
There, his son Joshua, Spark, the Archpriest of the Bryston Diocese of the Order of Solitude, Fred, and the Vice Priest, Alan Oakham — all formidable figures — will be waiting for him in advance.
At the same time, Browne Lambert will meet the end of his life — killed brutally!
The only problem lies with Wayne Sturwell — he's a huge problem!
Even I have been hurt by him again and again, the pain repeating over and over!
Perhaps it was an illusion, but Robbins could almost hear the four characters of "Wayne Sturwell" written in a tone of gnashing teeth — operatic fury etched into every stroke.
It continued:
He may bring Spark Lambert along to ruin the entire plan. Therefore, he will encounter one unexpected mishap after another — again and again! By the time he arrives, everything will already have reached its conclusion.
Browne Lambert will be dead and perfectly replaced, and Spark Lambert will have become utterly useless — no one will believe a word he says!
The entire opera will inevitably advance toward its finale.
Ending: Awaiting performance.
When the final line was written, the book closed itself once more, plunging the room back into darkness.
——
At this time, Zhou Ning had only faintly guessed the true nature of that strange little book. His current situation was somewhat similar to when he'd once pursued Spark Lambert — as long as he could cross that lightning-ridden, storm-tossed region ahead, he would arrive at the port well ahead of schedule.
"Relax your body. Don't resist." Zhou Ning looked at Spark Lambert and spoke quietly.
"What are you doing?" Spark suddenly felt a chill from Zhou Ning's gaze. A cold shiver ran down his back.
"Don't worry."
Zhou Ning grabbed Spark with his left hand. His right-hand grappling line shot out like a serpent. The white coat's hem flared in the wind with a sharp whoosh as his body shot upward, soaring toward the distant clock tower.
Wind howled past Spark's ears as the scenery below blurred into streaks of motion. The gusts filled his mouth before he could react, saliva streaming back in the gale with gurgling sounds. A sudden urge to cry welled up — his composure shattered, pride nearly breaking apart.
Along the way, more and more "accidents" seemed to occur — collapsing walls, sudden downpours, slick streets. Yet while Spark suffered miserably, Wayne Sturwell appeared to have foreseen it all, casually avoiding every mishap.
Before long, lightning cracked ahead — they had reached the storm zone dreaded by the Darkland people, an area known for its violent, shifting weather.
Since the Sea God governed both ocean and thunder, there stood a small Sea God chapel within that storm belt. During its construction, over twenty senior meteorologists had been mobilized, working in shifts to alter the weather to keep it safe from lightning.
But as they approached, Wayne Sturwell seemed completely unaware of the danger. He didn't change course — instead, he flew straight in.
"Wait! Stop!" Spark screamed in terror.
Zhou Ning smiled faintly and ignored him. He gripped the hilt of the Sword of Cortés — and the serpentine lightning in the clouds seemed to deliberately avoid him. Only a few stray sparks brushed against his body.
Spark felt dizzy; within minutes, they had passed through the thunderstorm completely unscathed and reached the port district. He pulled out his pocket watch to check the time — and swore aloud. "Damn it! My nine-hundred-Vecktas watch got fried by lightning!"
"What's next?" Zhou Ning asked calmly, releasing the hilt. He had sprinted a great distance in barely twelve minutes.
Spark: "…"
His hair now resembled a bird's nest. He stood frozen for several seconds before finally regaining his senses. "Keep going forward. When we're close enough, put me down — I can take you straight into the naval port."
Zhou Ning nodded silently, picked Spark up again, and continued running. When a sentry post appeared in sight, he set Spark down, letting him fix his appearance before heading toward the inner gates.
At the checkpoint, Spark showed an identification plaque to the guards. After receiving a nod of clearance, he led Zhou Ning inside.
To Zhou Ning's mild surprise, Spark — though so young — held the title of Viscount and the rank of Naval Lieutenant Colonel. Zhou Ning quietly followed him, his eyes immediately drawn to a colossal black ship not far away.
It looked exactly like the one shown on the "Pirate King Zhou Ning" card from his crossing — an immense, oppressive vessel that seemed to have sailed straight out of the abyss itself. The ship's sides were lined with rows upon rows of dark cannon ports, the main cannon boasting a barrel nearly ninety inches wide. Along its side was a line of strange engravings: "?6?3iδh?0?9."
He had never seen such characters before — they must be from the world of the Pirate King.
There could be no mistake — this was the legendary Hades!
Suppressing his excitement, Zhou Ning reached for the hilt of the Triton Sword. The sound of crashing waves filled his ears. Under his control, the massive main cannon shifted slightly to the side.
Yarrr!