Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!-Chapter 258 - 257: The Final Exam

Chapter 258: Chapter 257: The Final Exam

“Commander Sophie, what should we do now?”

Looking at the Follower of the Crimson Realm Legion not far away, the man’s face was pale. Standing by his side, Sophie also had a deep frown. She had never expected things to come to this. Originally, Sophie thought that the only enemy they really needed to face were the Three Pillars. As for Fang Zheng—well, although many Fire Mist Warriors had heard his name, they weren’t very familiar with this human, and therefore, they hadn’t taken him too seriously.

However, after today’s battle, Sophie could be certain that Fang Zheng would be firmly engraved in the memory of every Fire Mist Warrior.

According to Zamiel, who had barely led the remaining troops to retreat, that Fang Zheng was not only an excellent Free Master but also a powerful warrior. He could directly turn the entire Sealing into another world; he was able to launch attacks with the formidable Phosphorus and could use various terrifying Free Methods, even going toe-to-toe with “Old Man.” Moreover, there was Aizenta Tilia, the King of the Crimson Realm, following by his side…

Fortunately, after that, Fang Zheng didn’t make another move or unleash his terrifying and strange Sealing. Otherwise, the situation she was facing now could be even worse!

No…

With this thought, Sophie smiled bitterly, shaking her head and looking forward. On the plain before her, hundreds, if not thousands, of Followers of the Crimson Realm were descending from the sky, organized and in formation.

Could it get any worse than it is now?

The surprise attack on the Hall of the Star Dawn was thwarted by Fang Zheng, a failure on the verge of success. The reinforcements from the Masquerade Ball appeared earlier than expected, and with the death of two powerful Fire Mist Warriors, the morale of the Fire Mist Warrior Legion had plummeted to its lowest point. Sophie was clear that logically, the only option they had left was to retreat immediately.

But… did she really want to retreat?

The Masquerade Ball ritual was not yet complete, and they weren’t utterly without the strength to fight if Sophie could rally all her forces for one more unhesitant final charge. After all, the Followers of the Crimson Realm hadn’t fully assembled yet, but…

Looking at the illusion of Decarabia in the distance and the Heavenly Dao Palace floating midair, Sophie had no confidence at all. She also hadn’t expected Fang Zheng and Tilia to be so powerful—just the two of them had stopped the progress of the front-line troops. Although, for some reason, it seemed that the Three Pillars didn’t appear on the battlefield, Decarabia and Aranti Fecoru were no easy opponents, either.

But… this was also their last chance. Fang Zheng and Tilia hadn’t reappeared on the battlefield, and presumably, the fight with Kamsin and the others had already consumed a good deal of their strength. In addition to the last strike she landed, even if it hadn’t caused them severe injury, they probably wouldn’t be combat-ready for a while.

In such a scenario, if she was willing to go all-in… But…

Sophie clenched her hands tightly, then released them before clenching them again. She knew her own circumstances well; she had brought with her the elite of the elite within the Fire Mist Warriors. If they were to be utterly annihilated here, the situation would turn even worse. As the commander, she had to worry about the current battle situation and also consider the future…

But Fang Zheng didn’t have these concerns.

“This round is in the bag. There’s no way Flying Dragon can lose.”

Looking at the Followers of the Crimson Realm gradually being redeployed from the eastern and western fronts, Fang Zheng nodded in satisfaction. Then he picked up his phone, dialed a number casually, and soon, Nanoka’s somewhat anxious voice came through.

“Mr. Fang Zheng, this is Nanoka…”

“It’s about time to start the exam. Are you ready?”

“I’m not ready…”

Nanoka’s voice sounded almost like she was about to cry.

“Can I apply to repeat the year?”

“No.”

After responding, Fang Zheng snapped the phone shut. He hadn’t let Nanoka join the fight; firstly, as a Fire Mist Warrior, it would be too hard for her to fight against her comrades. And secondly… Nanoka had more important things to do. Compared to that, there was no need for her here in this fight.

“Uuuu…”

Putting down the phone, Nanoka sighed miserably.

“Do I really have to do this?”

“You’ve come this far, do you still plan to give up?”

Startled by Nanoka’s question, Sanya, who resided in her bracelet, asked.

“What a great opportunity this is. You know, there’s usually no chance like this. Besides, haven’t you already made up your mind? What’s there to be afraid of?”

“True…”

With that thought, Nanoka gradually calmed down. She clenched her right hand and then spoke softly.

“Will you support me, Sanya?”

“Of course, Nanoka. You are my Contractor, after all. I support you no matter what you do.”

“Thank you.”

Listening to the King of the Crimson Realm’s answer, Nanoka finally became calm. She hesitated for a moment, then extended her hand. Soon, the four-cornered crystal she had been clutching in her hand suddenly flashed brightly. The next moment, a girl in a faint, saw the unconscious girl appeared not far from her.

“Huh… What happened?”

The girl seemed to wake from a deep sleep. She lifted her head and rubbed her eyes, then seemed to realize something was wrong.

“Seal!?”

Realizing she was in a Seal, Shana quickly leapt up, with her pitch-black coat appearing swiftly. Then, she reached inside her coat and drew her large sword, vigilantly scanning the surroundings. Only after that did she look towards Nanoka; frowning a little, Shana eventually remembered who the person in front of her was.

“Is it you? What happened to me? What happened?”

Shana couldn’t remember what had happened at all. She only recalled Fang Zheng whispering something in her ear before she passed out. Now, though, she seemed to have no issues—as if she’d merely fallen asleep…

“It’s nothing, Miss Shana.”

Seeing Shana before her, Nanoka breathed a sigh of relief before turning to her and speaking.

“Mr. Fang Zheng merely captured you for a while… um, to prevent you from interfering with his plan. But now, that’s no longer necessary.”

“Plan? What plan?”

Upon hearing Nanoka’s response, Shana’s brows immediately furrowed. She had no idea what Fang Zheng was up to, but Nanoka’s words seemed to suggest that something was being kept from her.

“It’s like this…”

Nanoka didn’t beat around the bush and quickly recounted everything that had happened after Shana had lost consciousness. After listening to Nanoka, Shana was furious.

“What? He’s going to release the sealed essence of the God of Creation, and an organization from the outside has formed a legion to subdue him?”

“Yes.”

Observing Shana’s expression, Nanoka nodded in confirmation.

“However, just now, Fang Zheng phoned me and said that he has successfully trapped the Fire Mist Warrior Legion in an encirclement. Their annihilation is only a matter of time.”

“How can this be…”

At this moment, Shana felt extreme anxiety. Although she had guessed that the Fire Mist Warriors would never allow Fang Zheng to tamper with the gap between the two realms after hearing his plan, she had not anticipated that Fang Zheng would be so resolute as to initiate combat with the external organization outright—and now, even bringing the entire organization to its knees?

No… On second thought, this was exactly the kind of thing Fang Zheng would do!

This won’t do, I must do something!

With this thought, Shana turned, intending to leave, but…

“Bang——!”

“What do you mean by this?”

Gazing at the smoking bullet hole by her foot, Shana frowned, turned around, and looked at Nanoka.

Wow, is this the Contractor of Catastrophic Fire? She’s terrifying, just one glare makes me feel like crying… and she looks so much younger than me…

“Miss Shana, you can’t leave just yet.”

Nanoka raised her gun, aiming it at the girl before her.

“Because Mr. Fang Zheng left an exam question for you and me.”

“An exam question?”

“Exactly… Miss Shana, do you fight to protect this world? Or to protect humanity?”

“I am a Fire Mist Warrior; of course, I fight to protect this world.”

Shana didn’t hesitate with her answer to this question. But Nanoka took a step back and shook her head.

“But I’m not, Miss Shana. The reason I’m known as a Fire Mist Warrior is to protect humanity.”

“This… what’s the difference?”

Shana was momentarily taken aback by Nanoka’s response. She didn’t understand what Nanoka meant and how it was different from her own statement.

“If one day, humanity becomes a threat to the world, then would you choose to protect humanity? Or protect the world?”

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about!”

Already agitated by the news she had received, Shana immediately raised her greatsword and pointed it at Nanoka.

“Step aside, don’t block the way!”

“I can’t let you do that!”

To Shana’s surprise, the Fire Mist Warrior she remembered to be unreliable and even childish was now displaying the courage of a warrior. Nanoka took a step back and with a slight wave of her hand, the ground all around Shana suddenly cracked. Then, strange objects that looked like robots began to surround her.

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Meanwhile, Nanoka had already taken cover behind a large robot, gun raised and aimed at Shana.

“Miss Shana, if you want to leave this place, then you’ll have to defeat me—this is the final exam question Mr. Fang Zheng has presented to you and me!”