Salorian hasn't chased her yet... While Griffith was talking to Lana and Fiona, Erza had been on guard for enemies that would appear from nowhere.
However, nothing happened for the time being. The guests and waiters were walking around, looking at ease, and there were no signs of hallucinations.
"What day and time is it now?"
"July 20, 1444," Lana replied, "ten past ten in the evening."
"That night, I did not come to Bremi Town," Griffith recalled for a while and said, "At this time, I was accompanying Sonia to leave the dance, on the beach by the sea..."
Time goes back nearly a year...
What Erza cares about is how to decipher the secrets of this realm as quickly as possible and escape.
According to previous understanding, the first rule of "Loser Eats Dust" is: copy the shadow of the person touched, creating an almost perfect copy; whenever Griffith is killed in "Loser Eats Dust",
His time will go back for a period until a certain ending.
Is that all?
Erza thought for a while and asked:
"Then, Lana and Miss Sharon, why are you here? The palace dance should not be over yet."
"We are here to investigate!" Fiona said loudly, "Today, there are some people plotting here!"
"Really? If so, then we can investigate," Erza said. "The domain needs to be built on matter and consciousness. I can speculate on the second rule of 'The loser eats the dust' -
"The field is a projection of the human heart. When Salorian traps Griffith in it, he will also present his own memories and thoughts. Salorian's body should be within a certain distance from us in this time and space."
At this moment, Fiona suddenly became excited.
"Follow me, tonight's guests have arrived."
Fiona led everyone to the end of the corridor, turned the corner to a storage room, and opened a secret passage in the corner.
"This is the property of the Xia Long family. A long time ago, our ancestors built a secret passage behind the wall, leading to a secret room underground. With more than one entrance, the conspiracy group can gather quietly."
Fiona applied strange powder to everyone.
"Invisibility powder can shield our figure and breath. As long as we don't get too close, we won't be discovered."
"Isn't it dangerous for you to do this?"
Lana shrugged, with a helpless expression. He skillfully led the way on the dark downward steps. Bremi Town is on the cliff edge of the bay. The foundation of the hotel is a mixture of different styles, and part of it is with the underground of the town.
Solid limestone fused together.
The stairs passed through some ancient stone doors. Griffith could vaguely see unfamiliar coats of arms carved on them.
"The family that owned this property in the early years was the De Remples family, which has declined so much that no trace can be found. One of Chalon's ancestors, named Norris, made a fortune during the war and bought this place.
As a suburban villa.
"The old owner required the buyer to keep the building as it is, according to family inheritance documents, so that the moss, bats and cobwebs stay in their original place and cannot be rebuilt!
"Of course this is impossible.
"At that time, what Norris got was a ruin of the First Age that was about to collapse. A few secret passages led to the cliff, covered with moss and covered with the nests of white-billed gulls. In addition to a few towers and the lobby of this hotel
, the stone walls on most floors have been damaged and the interiors have peeled off. Extensive repairs are required.
"It is said that at that time, the people in the town hated this place, and also hated the de Remples family who once lived here. Norris even specially hired the stonemason from Beyeland for this purpose to allow the project to proceed."
Rana added: "That was hundreds of years ago. At that time, there were stories about monsters in all the towns and villages. The legends were mostly descriptions of very scary creatures, and the locals fell silent because they were frightened.
Or they may be evasive, exacerbating the terror.”
"I think your ancestors bought this place not just as a beachside villa," Erza chuckled. "Look at the strange-style stone base and the completely different materials in the gaps between the stone pillars. I
I was told that this annex was built on the site of an ancient prehistoric temple, dating back to before the First Age.
"Look, the blurred but still visible inscription, the characters seem to be the symbols of the ancient Mother of Truth."
"What Mother of Truth?" Lana asked in surprise, "This is the first time I've heard of it."
"This is an expelled ancient god. Beyelan forbids citizens to participate in his dark worship. However, there are some remaining relics everywhere. There is even a temple outside the pasha city that was once crowded with worshipers.
There are some unspeakable rituals."
The traces of the ancient gods have not been eliminated because of the decline of faith. On the steps and platforms leading to the deep underground, Griffith also discovered the remaining framework of the ancient temple. After years of transformation, it was integrated into the body of the new civilization.
The whines and howls coming from the wind-swept cliffs under the limestone cliffs, and the stench of decay permeating the tunnel. The end of the steps leads to the exit of the cliff, and the other end leads to a secret room. The door has an arch and two rows of stone pillars.
It is an elegant and harmonious classicism style. Griffith tried to decipher the weird and blurred patterns on it, but he couldn't understand it at all.
The secret room was deep in the foundation. When Griffith and others came to the entrance, an extremely unpleasant stench lingered there. Even with the sea breeze blowing from time to time from the exit, the stench was still overwhelming.
They looked inside, and a shimmering cave appeared in front of them. Various strange, primitive and simple boulder rings and surprisingly thick iron ropes surrounded a large pit. Foaming dark green water was in the pit.
It was surging inside, and in the dim light, a huge shadow emerged from the water. It was endless twisted tentacles, amorphous lumps, and the projection of a giant thing imprisoned somewhere.
Soon, the terrifying shadow and aura disappeared. Several figures in black robes appeared at the other end of the pit.
Griffith couldn't see their faces clearly, but he could hear their voices, some of which were very familiar.
"According to reliable intelligence, the sword that killed the hunter has been forged."
"The question is how to find him, and what does the Holy See plan to do?"
"They found out the abandoned 'Holy Lady' project. Some suitable containers will be sent to candidates according to God's will, such as His Highness Commodus. Of course, this is all unofficial, and the Holy See does not recognize 'Holy Lady'
"
"I would rather bet on a dog than believe in that frivolous boy."
"Sir, this is a bet after all~ We don't know who is the most suitable..."
"Then, follow the guidance of the Holy Light and send our people there. Be careful."
Griffith heard that the person giving orders during the conversation was Lord Mirantis, the Duke of the Southern Territory. After assigning the task, he respectfully said to a dark figure:
"Please report to Lord Hermit that we have conducted an investigation into the nature of Fiona de Sharon."
The Hermit, the investigation of Fiona?
The four people hiding at the edge of the secret room held their breath. Salorian was most likely within easy reach of them.
Someone asked: "What's wrong with this girl?"
Another person at the meeting explained with respect:
"Xia Long's bloodline has an ancient inheritance and contains hints of divinity. Her existence forms a core of radiant psychic energy, spreading extraordinary characteristics in an almost plague-like form, creating the same kind.
"When Fiona de Chalon appeared on the battlefield, she greatly strengthened the organization and morale of the army. The most disordered militia gained a very high sense of mission. The essence of this improvement does not come from the Chalon flag. We
The people managed to replace the sealed object with an imitation, and then replaced it after the war. The countess did not realize that the power that covered the battlefield was her characteristic.
"This attack has achieved our original purpose, testing Fiona de Sharon's bloodline characteristics, and the conclusion is completely consistent with the Hermit's speculation."
Fiona and Lana, who were eavesdropping, were stunned.
By this time, Griffith could already roughly guess Salorian's intentions——
Salorian wants to create a world between himself and his lover; he feels that this is not enough, and he needs to transform the whole world into Shoggoths to be satisfied!?
The conspiracy ended quickly, the participants respectfully left, and there was only one person left in the secret room.
"Come here, my students," Salorian's voice floated out, "Griffith, you don't know, right? It was at this point in time that I found the key to victory——
?????55.?????
"The bloodline originating from an ancient person hides a backdoor to control humans, which can allow loss of control to spread in the magic network.
"As long as the time is right, I can destroy Tiberion's psychic army in one fell swoop, destroying all the credibility of the spellcasters and making them politically bankrupt."
As he spoke, his own form also transformed into a glorious and perfect image of youth. The shadows on the ground also came to life, taking on the form of Griffith and Erza.
"What the hell!" Lana and Fiona shouted together.
The four were about to fight when Salorian raised his index and middle fingers and pointed towards Erza. Strange ripples suddenly appeared in the air, and the phantom of a spear suddenly appeared in Erza's chest.
It materialized in an instant and formed a substantial holy spear.
Blood dripped from the corner of Erza's mouth, she shook and fell down.
The speed of this attack has completely exceeded the scope of cognition! There was no sign of the attack, and there was no chance to dodge. The moment the two sides encountered each other, Erza was knocked down.
She half-knelt on the ground, holding the gun barrel that penetrated her chest tightly: "I understand, the second rule of 'The loser eats the dust':
"Except for Griffith, who is the core of the domain, those who were killed by Salorian and the shadow in "The Loser Eats Dust" will die in the same way even if the time goes back, and their shadows will remain. Until
The end comes, the retrospect ends, and the shadow replaces the body and remains in reality.
"This is the power of 'The loser eats dust'. It will be taken away by him as long as he is defeated once.
"Get out of here, Griffith, there will be others to help you. Tell them the rules of 'The loser eats dust'!"
Erza turned into a mist and disappeared.
Lana, who was shocked, wanted to fight, but at this time, he was just an Beyonder who had just been promoted to Sequence Seven. Salorian waved his scepter and smashed it, and Griffith, Lana and Fiona were all killed.
Overturned to the ground.
"The power to expel magic is the consensus of many gods, and there are a few who are particularly fond of you. In order to achieve this goal, they send their spokesmen and power to you, carefully keeping secrets for you. This is the god
Even if you are young, you already have the gift of the times.
"This is the source of Erza Valkyrie's confidence. She believes that as long as she protects you and delays, the protection of the gods will follow.
"This was an obstacle that I had to overcome in my plans.
"How did I do it? From a theoretical perspective, all projections of mystery in reality must exist in a realistic form, specifically incarnate in humans and gather around you.
"Griffith, my student, I have given you the highest honor. If you are still unwilling to accept Minos as my sword, the power of "The Loser Eats Dust" will be triggered and you will be captured.
The gift was taken away.”
"The loser eats dust" is the ability to restrain Griffith to face Salorian alone, eliminate external interference and seize Griffith's personality. Any interference from gods will be at an absolute disadvantage, and once defeated, he will be "defeated"
"Shadow Eater" absorbs it and turns it into a "shadow" controlled by Salorian.
The shadows around him swarmed up and killed Lana and Fiona on the spot. Soon, the two shadows were also copied.
Salorian raised the Scepter of Destruction again.
"Your foreign aid is very strong, Griffith, and now it's mine!
"Destroy once again and accelerate your fall towards the end."
The irresistible blow knocked Griffith away.
He turned around and ran away, but the fatal attack also followed him. Erza's shadow made an effortless gesture of projection, and the illusory spiritual thread connected Griffith and the Holy Spear.
Will be in!
After escaping from the secret room and running towards the cliff, Griffith was shot in the back of the heart. Two streams of bright red blood shot out from his back and chest. A sharp spear with golden light broke his heart, like a broken star.
It exploded directly into flying debris!
The shield and armor were penetrated by the blow of twisted cause and effect, and the flesh and blood were penetrated. Griffith fell to the ground.
"You must act quickly enough," Erza's shadow said. "The ability of 'Loser Eats Dust' is indeed powerful, but the will of the gods is also difficult to fathom. It would not be good if they knew they had noticed the clues and tried their best to come.
Let’s do it.”
"That's what it means," Griffith's shadow nodded in response, "We must lock his position as soon as possible after each time backtracking and kill him quickly. As long as time reaches the original, the backtracking will terminate and we will enter reality."
Four shadows gathered around Salorian. After a moment, Lana's shadow was a little unsure and asked:
"Then, what are we waiting for?"
"After Griffith is shot, time will go back," Erza's shadow replied. "My projection really hit the vital point. There is no way he can survive."
"Oh..." Lana and Fiona's shadows nodded together, "But why is he not dead yet? He is still climbing up the cliff~"
Salori arranged to emerge from the crowd, holding the scepter in his hand, and waved it towards Griffith, who was still lingering.
There was no way to resist anymore. Just one blow thrown by Erza's shadow hit the vital point, penetrating the shield and heart. Griffith didn't even understand why he was still alive.
The gushing blood accumulated under him and formed a pool of blood, and his broken ribs fell to the ground. With a hazy consciousness in the severe pain, he crawled in the thick and warm blood by instinct.
He couldn't beat him. Facing Salorian and two Hand of God-level shadows alone, he had no chance of winning. After falling into the "Loser Eats Dust", Griffith lost Erza immediately.
He has the strongest fighting force around him.
The layout of "Loser Eats Dust" started a long time ago, even before Griffith got the bone ring Minos! Salorian had an absolute advantage from the beginning of the layout because of his mental arithmetic but not his care!
However, we can't just fall into retrospect... In the next time and space, we still have to face the mysterious "Loser Eats Dust" and the overwhelming gap in combat power.
A shrill roar like ghostly wails and howls resounded in the air, and the power gathered by Salorian's scepter shattered the air, coming overwhelmingly!
It’s over, and I fall back into retrospect again, and then I’m killed again. In the end, the shadow of “The Loser Eats Dust” will replace the main body...
Griffith turned over and looked at his chest with a big hole and smiled miserably.
Hey, wait a minute?
Relief, despair, pain and surprise flashed across his face. Griffith suddenly jumped up from the pool of blood, opened his arms and rushed towards the psychic impact shot by the Destruction Scepter.
In the flash of lightning, Salorian was a little surprised. He saw the bloody Griffith with a weird laugh on his face, and he raised his middle finger contemptuously at himself.
"boom--!"
Griffith was blown away by the explosion, fell into the sea together with tons of boulders, and was swept away by the waves.
…
"puff--"
Under the thick darkness of night, the big waves threw Griffith onto the beach with a crash. He was soaked, rolled, and repeatedly ravaged by the huge waves. Griffith was like a rag rag with only half a breath left. He struggled on the beach.
He squirmed like a salted fish. The waves that came in from time to time slapped his head and penetrated into the sand.
"Ha ha."
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Griffith chuckled, looking up at the stars in the night sky and laughing. A wave of salty and fishy seawater suddenly poured into his mouth, as if someone was stabbing the depths of his throat with a stick.
"Ah-cough cough cough!"
Griffith almost lost his breath. He hurriedly turned over and spit out the seawater he had filled his stomach with, almost coughing out his lungs.
In the distance, a slender girl was rushing down the steps, crossing the beach, and running towards this side. Her feet were bare, and the waves had wet her ankles and skirt.
The closer she got, the brighter the light golden halo around the two of them became. Griffith staggered to his feet, walked towards her, knelt down in just one step, and threw himself on the girl's shoulders.
"Oops~"
The slim girl was directly pushed to the ground. After struggling twice, she finally lifted the knight up, took out a bottle of healing potion and poured it into Griffith's mouth.
The wounds are healing and spiritual energy is recovering!
A gentle and tolerant will is watching them from the starry sky.
"Sonia," Griffith gasped, grabbing the girl's hand, "I need help."
"Griffith, my knight, I am here."
Sonia's eyes were full of energy, and her psychic powers were supplemented by Griffith's power through the embrace of the two.
"Please fight without any reservations and scruples!"