Perhaps it was because this world was still sheltered by the fading flame of the First Flame, and Chaos had yet to fully take hold.Perhaps it was because of their devotion as pious believers, granting them a fleeting chance to resist.
Whatever the reason, even though their bodies were already warped beyond recognition, Pastor Lynn and his wife Ruth still threw themselves in front of their daughter, shielding Maria von Cainhurst from a mortal blow.
"Oh?"
Even the Plague Demon couldn't help but let out a note of surprise tinged with respect.
Mortals under the dominion of Great Chaos, yet still capable of acting by their own will—such a sight was rare indeed. In the tangle of memories within Green's mind, he recalled similar scenes: when the armies of Nurgle were corrupting other worlds, parents hurling themselves against demon blades in a desperate bid to protect their children.
Utterly tedious. Green felt bored instantly. Not even anger remained in him.
"Such foolishness… what a waste of a father's love."
The chain of bone snapped taut. The massive jagged cleaver embedded in Pastor Lynn's body began to grind and bite as Green tried to pull it free.
But Pastor Lynn only spread his mutated claws wide and clamped the blade against his own flesh, refusing to let it go. And Ruth, her body little more than a mass of rot, did the same.
They turned their gaze toward their daughter—shaken, unable to stay calm. For an instant, their twisted, decayed faces softened, regaining the fleeting outline of their once-human features.
"Maria…"
"Run…"
No matter the time, we will always protect you. Our bodies move without thought—because that is what parents do.Through all the years we shared with you, we already came to see you as our own daughter. Our Maria, forgive our selfishness, but flee while you can!
That bittersweet love, full of warmth and hope—may it guide their daughter to escape this nightmare.
Maria tried to force herself into cold, mechanical reason, but her composure threatened to collapse. Her eyes burned, her chest tight, as though something within her was about to burst free. She widened her crimson eyes, committing the scene before her to memory forever.
"Hmph!"
The Plague Demon snorted impatiently. Its layers of rotting fat trembled violently, heaving up and down like water.
The monstrous strength finally overwhelmed the couple. They could no longer hold on, and had to watch helplessly as the jagged cleaver was wrenched from their bodies. Splinters of bone and chunks of flesh flew with a sickening spray. Even Maria, standing behind them, felt the horror press against her chest. Her hand shot out instinctively, as though she could stop what was happening.
"Humans are foolish, contradictory things. Your only worth lies in offering your wretched souls to amuse the Almighty."
With ease, Green dispatched the two unworthy Chaos-corrupted. He wiped the gore from his cleaver against his body in a butcher's gesture, as if slaughtering livestock.
"Mother… Father… everyone…"
Maria's voice was as cold as a winter gale sweeping down from beyond the Wall of the Last Stand. If she did nothing, the emotions pounding against her reason would soon break her.
"No matter how many times I kill you, it will never be enough to quench this fury in my heart!"
"Hahahaha—Maria, you are truly amusing."
The Plague Demon burst out laughing at her words of raw hatred. To it, Maria was merely wasting the time her foolish parents had bought her. Whether she fled or not, the ending would be the same.
"Well said, Lady Maria. No matter how many times it dies, that will not erase its sin."
Suddenly, a voice rang out from above, carefree yet bold.
"Who!?"
The Plague Demon stiffened. It hadn't sensed anyone approaching at all. Forcing its bloated head upward, it spotted a man and a little girl standing on the wall. The man wore a crimson scarf at his neck and bore a look of amused thoughtfulness.
"The Foreigner… and Felia!"
Maria looked up and saw the figures. She hadn't expected them to appear now, least of all with her younger sister in tow.
In the blink of an eye, the Foreigner descended into the courtyard with Felia at his side.
The instant his feet touched the ground, his left hand blurred into motion, leaving a trail of afterimages. The air split with a piercing screech, like files grinding bone. By the time Maria realized what was happening, the Plague Demon's cleaver had already been slapped from its grasp, sent crashing into a nearby house.
Impossible…
Maria knew the monstrous power and resilience of the Plague Demon. For the Foreigner to swat its weapon aside like a fly was staggering.
It wasn't brute strength alone. Only someone who had danced countless times on the knife's edge between life and death could so instantly read every nuance of an enemy's strike—then deflect it with casual ease, as if it were instinct itself.
"Ugly wretch. You are the foulest, most revolting creature I've ever seen. My old friend said you are unworthy of merciful rest—so today you're in luck."
Cracking his knuckles, the Foreigner smiled with harmless nonchalance. This grotesque abomination was the architect of the massacre in Seth Town. Whatever its origin, the Foreigner had already resolved to send it to its grave.
Behold—the star of your doom is shining bright!
"You bastard! Why bring Felia here? Do you not realize the whole town is drowned in pestilence!?" Maria's furious cry cut across the Foreigner dramatic pose. She couldn't believe he had brought her sister into Seth Town.
A man showing off has no brain.
The Foreigner's grin faltered. Scratching his cheek awkwardly, he hurried to reassure her.
"Don't panic, don't panic. I gave her my amulet. She'll be fine."
He pointed at the Hanged Man Emblem hanging around Felia's neck—his treasured charm. If not for Maria's sake, he never would've parted with it.
Feeling ignored, the Plague Demon's already greenish skin deepened to a sickly pale shade. With a roar, it hurled itself into a charge.
Its bloated frame thundered across the ground, each step booming like a landslide. At over three meters tall, the creature's rush was like a wall collapsing forward in unstoppable force.
Yet facing the demon's furious charge, the Foreigner only stifled a yawn.
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