Chapter 42: Chaotic Space-Time Gate
Wait, I'll revise it later.
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Starfall Year 831, December 18th.
According to folk customs, November is called the Frostfall Month, December the Flying Snow Month, and January the Ice-Congealing Month. They are collectively known as the White Winter Three Months.
At this time of year, it is precisely when the snow is heaviest and most abundant across the entire world. Even in the southern regions of the Empire, goose-feather snow falls, let alone the already bitterly cold Northern Lands.
But regardless, the snow now falling on the Moldavia Fortress was truly far too heavy.
Gloomy black clouds gathered from the distant edge of the sky, converging above the gray-white city, and then fell straight down—not as condensed ash turning into snow, drifting gracefully, but as if the sky itself had tilted and poured out its contents.
"Your magical perception is too poor."
Pointing at the blonde swordsman, then gesturing vaguely at the void, the purple-haired female mage narrowed her eyes and sighed. "I was also afraid it might be an illusion, so I didn't tell you... In this heavy snow, there is a strange, very chaotic magical fluctuation. Although it wasn't noticeable at first, as the snow increases, it gradually affects people's minds and moods."
Having said this, the Countess seemed to have come to a realization as well: "Indeed, my previous state of anxiety was also somewhat strange... It seems I was unconsciously influenced as well."
That was Chaotic Mana.
Without needing further explanation, Brandon quickly understood the nature of that strange, chaotic magical fluctuation. Without a doubt, this blizzard was laced with Chaotic Mana that disturbed people's minds, preventing them from maintaining a calm and peaceful heart.
(The power contained within the Order Twin Blades is something I haven't fully mastered yet; I can only ensure I'm not affected myself... I'm still too weak.)
Thinking of Joshua, who was surrounded by waves of Order fluctuations—a massive aura capable of influencing dozens of meters around him—the blonde swordsman couldn't help but sigh. He gently embraced the purple-haired mage beside him. As his power pulsed, Verdani felt as if something had been cleansed from her body, becoming refreshed, and her thoughts grew quicker.
"Right now, dragon-cart merchant caravans can still travel back and forth to deliver supplies, but with this level of heavy snow, we'll eventually be trapped and starved to death here."
Having regained much clarity, the Countess quickly recalled a figure as large as a butterfly. She looked out the window and said with certainty, "This power to indirectly influence weather and environment is undoubtedly the work of that 'big butterfly'... That Gold-rank magical beast has finally made its move."
She turned to Brandon and said seriously, "Let's go find Joshua. We can't continue to be passively influenced like this. If this goes on, the warriors in the fortress will lose their fighting spirit!"
"You're right."
Brandon nodded, sharing the same opinion. He thought for a moment and then said, "Joshua should be at the city wall now. He hasn't really been anywhere else lately."
Since the location was confirmed, the two Gold-rank experts naturally didn't procrastinate. Within a few minutes, they flew to the city wall. By sensing each other's auras as Gold-rank experts, they successfully located the warrior's position.
But a cry of surprise rang out.
"Joshua, what are you doing?!"
"Oh? Brandon, Verdani, you're here?"
Standing at the edge of the city wall, clad in armor, with a shield on his back and followed by Firefly, the warrior looked back in surprise. The shocked expressions of the purple-haired female mage and the blonde swordsman didn't affect him. He spoke as if nothing was unusual: "This snow feels a bit off. I'm planning to scout the Black Forest."
Who goes scouting with a full set of armor, a spear, throwing axes, a shield, and a greatsword?!
The blonde warrior's observational skills were never lacking—in fact, they were top-tier. In an instant, he spotted the models hanging from the warrior's belt, shrunk by a shrinking spell. Among them were two steel lances, four throwing axes, and two greatswords that seemed intended for dual-wielding. His heart churned, and he couldn't help but speak up: "You look like you're heading off to war! Even an infantry squad wouldn't have this much firepower—listen, Joshua, you couldn't possibly have sensed..."
At this point, remembering that Verdani was also present, Brandon stopped short. However, he saw the warrior nod at him, so there was no need to finish the question. Instead, he shifted to a challenge: "Are you planning to go into the Black Forest alone to find the source of this abnormal blizzard?"
"You saw through me. But I'm just planning to scout; don't worry about me."
Shrugging, Joshua's face was hidden by his full-coverage helmet, making his expression unreadable.
If I find it, I'll kill it on the spot.
He didn't say that part out loud.
"At least discuss it with us before setting out."
Verdani looked somewhat weary. She explained to the warrior, "You're one of the fortress's most important combat forces. If something happens to you, it won't just affect Moldavia alo—"
Boom!
A low, thunderous roar suddenly erupted. The light between heaven and earth seemed to dim in an instant. The sunlight flickering behind the clouds vanished as if extinguished entirely, plunging the world into darkness. Joshua, Brandon, and Verdani all tensed up, simultaneously looking at the sky.
In the distant distance, above the center of the Black Forest, the gloomy sky covered by thick clouds was torn apart layer by layer by a violent force. But what was revealed behind it was not brilliant sunlight, but a vast, dark canopy. Strange magical patterns folded and undulated back and forth, magnificent yet unsettling. Countless nauseating, bizarre images appeared in the void, rapidly dissipating and then recondensing.