Chapter 1764: Chapter 1764

Ripples spread across the rain-soaked lawn as the mud churned, and segments of deeply buried metal pipes erupted from the ground one after another. A terrifying spiritual fluctuation blanketed every corner of the garden, so potent that even the remaining metal buttons on Jenkins's overcoat began to tremble. The man, blood streaming from his chest, finally cast aside his caution about attracting the Church's attention. While preparing for one last, all-out assault, he retreated with a ragged air:

"What was that metal you used to stab me?"

Jenkins had assumed his opponent was also mechanically augmented, which was why he had used the White Bone Holy Sword as a precaution. However, with the flames obscuring his attack and no necromantic power revealed, the demigod from the Gear Artisans' Association failed to connect the weapon to the blade wielded by the Believers of Lies.

"That's no longer important."

Jenkins looked up at the sky. Five demigods from the Orthodox Churches descended from above, surrounding the metal pipes writhing on the ground like worms and the man in the black suit.

Jenkins immediately took a step back, then watched as the light of divine arts lit up the night sky. But at the same time, that strange black lightning flashed again, and the demigod from the Church of the Ocean's eyes widened:

"Let me show you true Storm's Wrath!"

Golden lightning erupted from the ground, soaring into the sky to collide with the black bolt. The impact left terrifying arcs of electricity dancing through the night air.

Just then, the phantom of a colossal hammer silently pierced the rain clouds, materializing above them. The great hammer smashed down toward the ground, unleashing a flash of lightning no less powerful than the strike Jenkins had just endured.

The pressure wave and electrical discharge warped the surrounding air into strange patterns of light. The blinding flash and deafening roar forced everyone to instinctively cover their ears and shut their eyes.

But Jenkins, completely unafraid of lightning, leaped toward his exhausted enemy in that chaotic moment. He didn't intend to get close for a direct confrontation, only to bring his opponent into range:

"Blasphemous Creation!"

Amidst the crackling lightning, vines shot out and plunged directly into the man's temples. They fed voraciously, and in moments, they withdrew, leaving behind a single, ethereal coin.

The lightning had not yet faded. Just as Jenkins was about to pick up the hammer, a black shadow appeared in the distance. A short man emerged from the Shadow Realm, grabbed the unconscious body with one hand, snatched the hammer with the other, and leaped back into the Shadow Realm without even a glance at Jenkins.

Jenkins could have stopped him but didn't act. He stood his ground, waiting for the dancing arcs of lightning to dissipate. The Church reinforcements also realized the enemy had vanished.

Jenkins shook his head, signaling that his risky move had failed. In truth, he was looking at the ground, at an inconspicuous bloodstain on the grass—blood spilled when the White Bone Holy Sword had pierced the enemy's chest.

The only one who had seen his face and knew he was a suspected high-level Enchanter—that demigod would never wake up again. Therefore, there was no need to stop his partner from taking the body. As long as his accomplice dared to take that soul-shattered corpse underground, Jenkins could immediately use [Bloodsource] to locate the Gear Artisans' Association's lair.

So he didn't immediately pursue the enemy who had entered the Shadow Realm; in truth, he couldn't have caught him anyway. He turned his head slightly, looking toward the second floor of the mansion, toward Queen Isabella's bedroom.

Jenkins hadn't forgotten his cat. To prevent it from being accidentally injured, he had tossed it far away from the rooftop. Even though he knew it was unlikely Chocolate would be hurt—after all, he had thrown the cat from a speeding train when it was much weaker—he was still a little worried.

Fortunately, after the man from the Gear Artisans' Association was taken away by his companion, the Church's Enchanter squads began to arrive. Chocolate must have followed them to find this place. Upon seeing Jenkins, the cat darted to his feet and began pawing at his nearly ruined trousers.

After Jenkins picked him up, the cat's large, amber eyes looked at him, and it nuzzled its cheek against Jenkins's, as if to comfort him.

By some coincidence, the final battle had taken place at the very mansion where Queen Isabella was staying. For her protection, the Church had already decided to permanently station an elite squad composed of members from various churches by her side. As a result, the people inside the house had witnessed the entire fight between Jenkins and the man with the hammer.

Only after confirming it was safe did they venture out to investigate. The demigods who had come to Jenkins's aid, though not from the Legacy Sage Church, advised him not to rejoin the battle. The fight against the giant of mist was nearing its end, and the Church's victory was already assured.

"Why don’t you change your clothes here and get some rest? Once the signal for the battle's end is given, you can return to the Legacy Sage Church with the Nightwatch Squad and the diviners here."

Chocolate had followed the believers from the Church of the Unlit Moon and the Church of Destiny and Equilibrium to get here.

It was a good suggestion, and there was no longer any need to move about in the rain. Mr. Davies from the Church of Death and End stayed behind to protect Jenkins, entering the mansion with him and the other two squads. The other four demigods returned to the Legacy Sage Church, where other matters required their attention.

Although the battle with the Children of the Mist tonight seemed terrifying, the light and shadow effects didn't travel far, as the dense fog had only thinned without dissipating. So, before Jenkins was knocked down into the garden, most of the people in the mansion were fast asleep. However, the subsequent lightning and various strange noises made it impossible for anyone to sleep any longer.

Shortly after Jenkins and the others entered the mansion, the queen's personal maid, Leoni White, rushed to greet them with a group of terrified servants. Mrs. White was a forty-three-year-old woman who had served Queen Isabella at the Cold Spring Palace since she was eighteen. Having never married, she was the queen's personal attendant during her "inspection tour" of Nolan.

Upon learning that the group only wanted to rest for a while and that Jenkins needed a fresh set of clothes, Mrs. White immediately arranged for someone to prepare clothing and tea. She then had the grand ballroom on the first floor opened for them to recuperate.

Mr. Davies told them not to go to so much trouble. The rain was about to stop, the battle with the Children of the Mist would soon be over, and their party would not be staying long.

Perhaps they knew Jenkins's style, as the clothes they found were a well-fitting white shirt, black trousers, and an overcoat. They even found rainproof boots and the bowler hat Jenkins favored. He took his cat to a room at the other end of the corridor to change. When he pushed the door open to thank the maid waiting outside, he saw Queen Isabella in her nightclothes, a brown robe draped over her shoulders, waiting at the door surrounded by her servants.

He frowned slightly, nodded, and stepped back into the room. The old woman entered as well, allowing no one else to follow.

"What happened just now?"

"Nothing much. Just some bad people."

Jenkins sat back down on the sofa, and the old woman sat as well. The elderly need ample sleep, but she certainly wouldn't get any tonight. She looked exceptionally weary, which made the ravine-like wrinkles on her face even more pronounced. Still, she managed to squint at Jenkins:

"I heard from the servants that someone saw you fall from the sky."

"That’s why the Church will be speaking with all the ordinary people in this house shortly, to ensure tonight's events are not spoken of to others."

"This is a little different from what I imagined. It seems you are no ordinary Enchanter."

Although ordinary people lack common knowledge about Enchanters, as a queen, she still had some understanding.

"I only came into contact with the world of the supernatural last year. In truth, you could still consider me an ordinary Enchanter."

He leaned back comfortably into the sofa. He was utterly exhausted from the night's events.

"Then how powerful are you?"

The old woman asked again. Though her tone remained level, a hint of curiosity could be heard.

Jenkins shook his head.

"That’s hard to say."

"Then could you kill all the ordinary people in this mansion?"

"I rarely kill people..."

Jenkins answered slowly, but then immediately gave a firm nod.

"In fact, I could even kill everyone in Nolan. It would be troublesome, but not impossible."

The old woman fell silent for a moment, and Jenkins didn't disturb her. After a long while, she asked again:

"In that case, you certainly aren’t afraid of pistols and bullets? What about steam cannons? Can you deal with a steam cannon?" ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novｅlfire.net

Jenkins smiled but didn't answer. He stood and walked to the window, pulling it open. The rain had stopped, and the dense fog was rising once more, but the giant black silhouette was no longer visible in its depths.

Because the room was bright and the outside dark, the windowpane clearly reflected Jenkins's face, as well as the expression of the old woman behind him. Queen Isabella's expression remained placid, her usual impassivity. Much like Jenkins's own frequent deadpan look, it was a mask for her true thoughts.

"The times have changed."

he said softly, his eyes fixed on the view outside as he stroked Chocolate, who was perched on his shoulder. The cat squinted, lowering its head to accept the petting, no longer angry about what had happened earlier.

"No matter how they change, people will always need a king."

Queen Isabella said. She was weighing her options, hesitating. It was so obvious that even Jenkins could see it.

"Since the High Tower Accord was established, there has never been a precedent of a supernatural individual becoming king. At least, in all the history I’ve read, even when Enchanters appeared in the royal family, they never took the throne. But you are right. The times have truly changed."

She looked toward the window. Her age had dulled her senses; she couldn't clearly make out Jenkins's eyes in the reflection, but she knew he was watching her in it.

"The choice I offered you is still valid. But I can take a step back."

Jenkins still said nothing.