Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!-Chapter 1558 - 1556: The Winds Have Changed (Noses Red from Blowing)
When they returned to the warship, a group of people were swaying and stumbling, looking rather disheveled. However, their faces were brimming with joyful smiles.
"Ah, Little Hong!"
Watching Fang Zheng come in, Hana, sitting on the bed in the middle, cheerfully waved at her. Her nose had been directly broken by Barthomeloi, leaving her face bruised and swollen, though it had been treated with medical gel. Still, she looked quite battered, but luckily the damage would not ruin her appearance... well, Hana probably didn’t care about that at the moment.
"Looking at you all... well, not bad at all."
Seeing the bandaged girls, Fang Zheng hesitated to say much more. The girls participating in the battle against Barthomeloi had all suffered some injuries. The most gravely injured was Fujino, whose magic eye was nearly destroyed by the opponent’s counteraction. Others weren’t much better; Hana had her nasal bone broken with injuries everywhere, Ryougi Shiki lost an arm and seven ribs, and Akiha had most of her hair ripped out during Barthomeloi’s struggle. Misaya, in the end, was kicked hard by Barthomeloi, causing her internal organs to rupture, and she was still staying in the ICU.
If not for the groundbreaking medical technology of the World Tree of a Thousand Realms, coupled with the help of Heroic Spirits like Medea who are skilled in healing magic, few would have survived.
"It’s really unexpected that even after having her magic power sealed, that woman, Barthomeloi, was still terrifying."
Recalling the previous battle, Hana also drew in a breath of cold air. They weren’t clear what happens when a magic crest is forcibly interrupted as they don’t use them. But just seeing Barthomeloi bleeding all over indicates she must be feeling horrible.
What nobody expected was that even when wearing anti-magic handcuffs, Barthomeloi still struggled desperately, appearing willing to die rather than surrender. Fortunately, with her magic power sealed, her strength greatly diminished, and she wasn’t able to use magecraft or magic skills, which was why Haine, Shizune, and others who hurriedly arrived could control her.
"But you still defeated her. You defeated the clan leader of the strongest Barthomeloi family in the Magic World and captured her."
Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s words, the group of girls, including Hana, suddenly beamed with pride. They weren’t familiar with magecraft, but they were certainly aware of the situation in the Magic World and recognized the status the Barthomeloi family held. Right now, without relying on Red Ponytail’s strength or on Heroic Spirits, they personally defeated the king of this Magic World!
This feeling was simply fantastic!
Even Ryougi Shiki, who generally didn’t show her emotions, revealed a hint of smile. This sense of accomplishment far surpassed mere combat. They changed this world, and with their own hands, forged a whole new future...
"Alright, take a good rest."
After soothing the excited young girls with a few words, Fang Zheng exited the ward and walked to the front of a heavily guarded room on the other side, opening the door.
Inside, Barthomeloi Lorelei was shackled tightly to a chair with anti-magic handcuffs. Hearing the door open, she raised her head and coldly stared at the Red Ponytail in front of her, without speaking.
"I’m here to inform you that in a few days, we will announce to the entire world the destruction of the Clock Tower, and your arrest along with other lords. You’ll be broadcast live, and based on the crimes you’ve committed, we will conduct a judgment and erasure of your magic crests."
"... Do you think it’s over like this?"
"Yes, the old era is over."
Fang Zheng nodded without hesitation.
"In fact, you might not yet know this, but the attack on the Clock Tower was just one part of the army of the World Tree of a Thousand Realms. Others have already gone to the lords’ territories to launch attacks. Just received news that all families have been defeated and have chosen to surrender. Your era has already passed."
"So what?"
Barthomeloi raised her head and coldly stared at Fang Zheng.
"Do you think this can erase our family’s pride and honor?"
"It seems you still don’t understand, Miss Barthomeloi."
Fang Zheng spread his hands.
"Your Barthomeloi family means nothing to us. The reason we captured you is solely because Barthomeloi is the ruler of the old era in the Magic World. You are not inherently a bad person; I’m aware of your past deeds. No matter for what reason, your Barthomeloi family has always been fighting against Dead Apostles and even killed two of the Twenty-Seven Ancestors. This is commendable, so we have no personal grudge against Barthomeloi, the Clock Tower, or the Old Nobility. We’re merely aiming to dismantle the old era... and you, unfortunately, became the symbol of the old era."
Just as Fang Zheng explained, the World Tree of a Thousand Realms and the Barthomeloi family didn’t have any personal grudge, and they had never even spoken with each other, but such is the nature of class conflict. We targeted you not because you are "good" or "bad" people, but simply because you are in that position.
This being the case, then you must bear it all.
"..."
Upon hearing this, Barthomeloi sneered, clearly unbelieving.
But Fang Zheng didn’t need her to believe.
"You should see reality clearly, Miss Barthomeloi."
Fang Zheng reached out his hand, pointing outside the window.
"I’m not interested in your aristocratic ideals. I want to tell you, our World Tree of a Thousand Realms came swaggering to the Clock Tower and directly shattered it into fragments. However, one person never appeared—didn’t you notice this problem?"
"..."
This time, Barthomeloi’s expression finally changed.
She obviously understood what Fang Zheng meant.
Indeed, Barthomeloi is the king of the Magic World, but her identity at the Clock Tower is only Deputy Director.
Yes, she is not truly the highest ruler of the Clock Tower.
However now, the World Tree of a Thousand Realms has directly smashed the Clock Tower into fragments, and the one who should have appeared the most has never shown up.
This question, Barthomeloi herself has never pondered, perhaps subconsciously unwilling to believe, but the truth is......
"I understand what you nobility think, and I know how much you’ve sacrificed for it. Standing at the pinnacle of everyone like this, you’ve sacrificed a lot since childhood, and you have also undergone trials and tribulations beyond the reach of ordinary people. This is normal; I won’t say it’s wrong. In fact, your approach is understandable."
"Then why do you still do this?"
Hearing this, Barthomeloi finally spoke. She has always believed that the World Tree of a Thousand Realms trying to overthrow the Mage’s Association was just a rebellion against the nobility. This is also normal; slaves will never be content with their position forever. In Barthomeloi’s eyes, the World Tree of a Thousand Realms is the same, what they possess is still nothing but the ignorance and foolishness attempting to challenge authority.
"Because you cannot change the world."
Fang Zheng calmly gave the answer.
"Tell me, Miss Barthomeloi, if the Magic World continues like this, what impact will it have on this Earth, on humanity?"
"........."
"See, you’ve never thought about this question. Perhaps to you, this world and those mortals don’t matter. You are magicians, only needing to pursue the Origin. But unfortunately, we are different. We focus more on this world, Earth, and humanity’s future. And unfortunately, to achieve our goals, we must destroy your era."
"........."
"Alright, take your time to think about it. I still have many things to deal with, so I’ll leave first."
After saying this, Fang Zheng turned and left. Soon, the door closed again, leaving Barthomeloi alone there, silent.
"I thought you would come out to stop me."
After leaving the cell, Fang Zheng came to a corner of the corridor not far away and then spoke.
"Hehehe, I’m not someone who doesn’t understand the mood."
At the same time, an aged voice sounded, and then, Fang Zheng saw an old man with silver hair wearing a suit emerge from the shadows, leaning on a gemstone cane, looking full of spirit.
"Moreover, since I’ve already stated my stance, I won’t do such things anymore."
Zealrich extended his hand, stroked his beard, and looked at the red ponytail before him with interest.
"But......"
"Alright, it’s not about interest; it’s just convenient." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞
Seeing Zealrich’s interested expression, Fang Zheng sighed helplessly, and in the next moment, he dispelled the transformation and returned to his original form.
"What’s wrong with it? Everyone needs some hobbies in life."
"If you say more, I’ll turn against you."
Fang Zheng snorted coldly. In fact, ever since the fight started, he felt Zealrich’s gaze. This old man had been observing the battlefield but never showed up in the end.
"To be honest, I don’t know if this is the right decision."
"There’s no such thing as a correct decision in this world. If you ask Gaia now, it might still be regretting its foolishness of creating a bunch of clothes-wearing monkeys. If it had known this, it might have let dinosaurs continue to rule the Earth."
Fang Zheng shrugged.
"So, you see, we just need to do what we can and leave the rest to time. After all, changing all this is not about the strength of one person but the power of everyone."
"So you didn’t help those girls?"
"Of course, they are the ones creating a new world. I’m just giving them a blueprint—when you cook for your children, you don’t chew the food and then feed it to them mouth-to-mouth, right?"
"You say that....... Well, I’m just used to it."
"Habit becoming nature is not a good thing. Learn to trust your successors. Perhaps this future isn’t as wonderful as we imagine, and maybe, unseen by us, more severe issues and disasters may arise, but does that mean we should do nothing?"
"...So......"
Hearing this, Zealrich revealed a bitter smile.
"Hearing you say this, are you asking this old man to do something again?"
"Of course."
Fang Zheng said this, extending his hand to Zealrich.
"I think for you to announce the end of the old era to the magicians......is a very good choice, don’t you think?"
