bookpub Chapter 698: The Returning Her - IV
Chapter 698: The Returning Her - IV
"Save another... Save one more! Ravenna! Catch her!"
Seraphina, her body nearly engulfed in blood flames, without an inch of unscathed flesh, roared with all her might. She hurled the small, trembling form in her arms skyward. Fine, iron-gray particles swiftly enveloped the child, who appeared no older than six or seven, gently depositing her onto the massive airborne vessel hovering above.
"Seraphina, are you alright? You should rest. There are... no survivors left here."
Seraphina, devoid of any unblemished skin, stood silently amidst the inferno, gazing out at the crimson purgatory. At last, she nodded to Ravenna and sprinted towards the periphery of the sea of flames.
An hour later, by the forest lake, Seraphina donned the garment Ravenna offered. She ran her fingers through her snow-white hair, now cropped short, and muttered, "I wonder if my hair looks awful now."
"...You’ve been roasted by the feasting flame for three or four hours straight, and that’s your concern?"
"Ha, I suppose I’m now used to it," Seraphina grinned, plopping down carelessly by the lakeside. She gazed at the distant refugees they had rescued, huddled together.
Ravenna sat beside her, scrutinizing her with perplexity. "Why hasn’t your spiritual essence taken effect? Theoretically, shouldn’t you be able to completely ignore the feasting flame?"
"I have no idea," Seraphina fretted, scratching her head.
"This fire is far inferior to the Empress’s, yet I can’t immunize myself against it. Perhaps I never could, and it was Mr. Flamelel’s charm that helped me?"
"It’s possible... That is, after all, the power of a divine species. If you could easily immunize against it, wouldn’t that make you a divine species yourself?"
"Hehe, if that were true, it’d be fantastic!" The girl pumped her fists enthusiastically. "Then I could help Ansel achieve anything he sets his mind to!"
Ravenna fell silent for a moment, her voice softening considerably. "At the very least, you’ve already accomplished something remarkable, far beyond my capabilities."
Seraphina shuddered, eyeing Ravenna peculiarly. "Don’t be like that, Ravenna. You’re giving me goosebumps."@@@@
Ravenna was at a loss for words. "If you still think you’re not strong enough, then—"
Her words abruptly ceased as Seraphina’s gaze instantly turned cold and fierce. Both girls simultaneously directed their attention towards the refugees’ location.
An intruder... had appeared!
In mere moments, Seraphina and Ravenna materialized before the bewildered refugees.
They warily eyed the forest’s depths. Within seconds, a slender, pitch-black figure emerged.
"Is it... here?"
A cold, raspy voice emanated from behind the black mask.
Seraphina’s pupils constricted to pinpoints.
Before them stood a girl in a black full-length dress, wearing a dark mask. Her most striking feature was her jet-black hair, seemingly capable of devouring light itself, and an odd, wing-like shawl completely concealing her left arm.
"Miss Ravenna, Miss Seraphina."
Facing the two stunned and silent women, the ebony-clad girl curtsied, lifting her skirt with her right hand.
"In accordance with Mr. Ansel’s will, I greet you both."
"I am Crow the Ninth," she said softly.
"From Shadewell."
*