NOVEL NEXT Chapter370-Aurelia’s Injury
The ancient castle was like an inn.Yet, as the travelers who once stayed here gradually departed one after another, the number of inhabitants dwindled.Life in the castle grew quieter, calmer, almost still.
This tranquil existence persisted for a full year.
When Daniel had already lived in the castle for two years, Faer finally returned.He still carried that faint, unchanging smile, and as he arrived, he handed Daniel a mug of wheat beer.
"Daniel, my friend," Faer said in his usual gentle tone, "I truly did not expect the ninth stage of the Emperor's Trial to consume so much time."A brief pause, and then his smile faltered just slightly."Unfortunately, I failed."
Daniel nodded silently. He offered no words of comfort. Perhaps he felt they were unnecessary.
At that moment, Luna came running up, full of excitement, her little steps echoing in the quiet hall."Faer, you finally came back! Welcome home!"
The Goddess of Life and the other residents also expressed warm words of welcome upon Faer's return.
But then, Faer suddenly realized something was off. He looked around and asked,"Wait, what about Aurelia?"
"She has already left," someone answered.
"I see… well, I suppose that is understandable."
Faer scratched his head, but after enjoying a sumptuous feast that evening, he raised another subject."There are matters I must deal with. Therefore, I believe it is time for me to take my leave."
Though everyone was reluctant to see him go, no one tried to hold him back. Each person in this castle had their own path, their own responsibilities to follow.
"If you must go, then we wish you safe travels."
Before leaving, Faer spoke to Daniel with rare solemnity."Daniel, I owe you my gratitude."
Daniel accepted this without protest. In truth, he had indeed aided this man—this future God of Elements—in more ways than one.
But then, Faer shared something more personal, his eyes shining faintly with conviction."Daniel, I have a feeling that we will meet again someday. You know my philosophy—my lifelong pursuit is to perfect the elemental theory and spread it far and wide. Tell me… do you believe elemental theory will one day truly reach completion?"
Daniel nodded. Of many things he could not be sure, but regarding the future God of Elements, he had no doubt."Do not worry. I believe you will succeed."
After all, this was Faer—the one destined to become the God of Elements!His understanding and summary of elemental theory surpassed everyone else in the world.
And so, after Faer's departure, Daniel continued his quiet life in the castle for another three years.
By now, he was deeply familiar with this world and its strange rhythms.But just when he thought the days would remain peaceful, the Origin Continent was suddenly shaken by a great war.
The scale of the battle was staggering. Even beings of Fake God rank were involved—and seven or eight of them died.
That very day, the Goddess of Life gathered all the residents of the castle together."I bring you one piece of good news, and one piece of bad news," she said gravely.
"The good news is this: the Fake God who had long pursued Aurelia has finally been slain."Her voice softened, but then turned grave again."The bad news is that Aurelia herself was gravely wounded. Her injuries cannot heal naturally—they involve the rules themselves."
Daniel's heart twisted with complicated emotions at this news.His feelings toward Aurelia had always been unclear.Were they truly enemies? Or was there something more subtle in their connection?
He remembered their last encounter. She had clearly possessed the opportunity to kill him outright, yet she had refrained.That hesitation made him wonder: could his so-called enemy really be so purely opposed to him?
While he was lost in thought, the Luck Goddess suddenly raised her hand."I believe we should rescue Aurelia," she declared."At the very least, I will go. Who among you will come with me?"
There was a brief silence. Then Kartora rose to her feet."I will go with you."
By this time, both the Luck Goddess and Kartora had reached the peak of demigod rank.Every resident of the castle had grown astonishingly powerful.
Luna stepped forward, looking at the two women with wide, anxious eyes."You're leaving too? Will you come back? I'll miss you."
The Luck Goddess crouched slightly, lifting her hand to gently rub Luna's forehead, smiling softly."Don't worry, Luna. We'll be back soon. We aren't leaving for good—we're just going to bring back Aurelia.""Believe me, it won't take long before we return."
Kartora also smiled warmly, placing her hand over Luna's head."Yes. Don't be afraid. We will certainly come back."
Daniel knew the truth clearly in his heart.Though the Luck Goddess and Kartora were technically only at demigod level, their presence was extraordinary.Even a Fake God would think twice before standing against them.
It was the same principle as two awakeners at level 100—yet one with an SSS-tier talent could crush another with an F-tier talent with ease.It was not merely a matter of strength or level, but of inherent quality and tier.
The Luck Goddess and Kartora both possessed that terrifyingly high tier.
The Goddess of Life offered no objection. Instead, she shared a set of coordinates."Aurelia's location should be here. Remember to keep in contact with us."
…
Only three days later, the mission bore fruit.The group returned, carrying with them the severely injured Aurelia.
Her appearance was miserable. Her body was wracked by a demigod-rank curse, leaving her clinging to life by the thinnest thread.The only reason she had survived thus far was Kartora's intervention.
Kartora gently laid Aurelia onto a bed, speaking grimly."Aurelia has been struck by a demigod curse. For now, we have no means to remove it. I have only sealed the passage of time upon her body, halting its flow. At least this way, her condition will not worsen."
The faces of the castle's inhabitants grew dark. Silence spread among them.
Then, the Luck Goddess suddenly turned her gaze to Daniel."Crossbridge, what do you think? Do you have a way to save Aurelia?"
Daniel shook his head slowly.He could hardly bring himself to resurrect her outright. And why should he?
No matter what Aurelia had gone through, in the future she was destined to stand as his enemy.Many things were already written, unchangeable.
Even if they were friends now, the future would make them foes.
Kartora sighed faintly when she heard his answer, her expression tinged with helplessness."My time stop can last no longer than six months. Therefore, we must find a way within that time to break the curse upon Aurelia."