Chapter 767: The Dark Magic Ritual

The moment those words were spoken, everyone's attention was immediately drawn over.

But among everyone present, only Lynn and Sir Aiwen knew the secret hidden within the Matriarch's body, and only Lynn could hear the true meaning hidden beneath Sir Aiwen's words.

Lynn's expression turned solemn as well.

Although they had successfully used the "tea bags" to stir the Matriarch's consciousness into a state of turbulent awakening, they had also thoroughly offended the evil personality within the Matriarch's body. So whether the Matriarch had truly awakened remained a matter that needed careful consideration.

And he was also well aware.

This secret absolutely could not be spread throughout Nightfall City. If it were, it would immediately trigger a series of catastrophic issues that could collapse the faith of the Night Doctors. The consequences would be unimaginable.

"Please rest assured, Sir Aiwen. We have already notified Her Majesty the Mother Goddess of everyone's return. However, somewhat strangely, the Matriarch has not replied to us at all. As for the specific situation, we are not entirely certain."

White Night struck his chest with one hand, looking somewhat perplexed into Sir Aiwen's eyes.

He wasn't quite sure what that heaviness was born from.

Sir Aiwen thought for a moment, then mused in contemplation before asking:

"During the time we were away, have any of you gone to the Matriarch's great hall, or noticed anything unusual?"

The moment those words were spoken, everyone's hearts tightened.

Had something happened?

After all, this was Nightfall City - the headquarters of the Night Doctors. With the protection of a Root as powerful as the Matriarch, how could anything unusual possibly occur?

But coming from Sir Aiwen's mouth, these words still made them feel a hint of unease.

White Night shook his head and said: "The Matriarch issued a decree yesterday, saying that unless something of extreme urgency arose, no one was to disturb her. Since she's given such orders frequently in the past, we didn't think much of it. As for anything unusual... there shouldn't be."

Sir Aiwen raised his head.

Without any hesitation, he leaned on his staff and strode forward with large steps.

"Let's go. We're going to pay our respects to the Matriarch."

...

Nightfall City.

The plaza standing at the base of the enormous tower at the very center.

Sir Aiwen, Lynn, and the Colossus's Brain, Wushen Head, and Little One who had come along - this was nearly their most powerful fighting force available.

"So what the hell is going on—"

Wushen Head turned her blood-red pupils filled with malice, her gaze landing on Sir Aiwen and Lynn in the wheelchair at the very front. She opened her enormous, reeking maw.

"You're making such a big fuss over what—what are you doing—aren't you my sister's people—by the look of this, you're planning a coup—"

"Lynn—although you're my son-in-law—but if you're rebelling against my sister—this auntie won't help you either—"

Clearly.

She still had no idea about what was happening to her sister.

Lynn stared with dead-fish eyes, using his tentacle to hold a screwdriver as he finally pried the iron mask off his face. He then tilted his head slightly, his pupils reflecting his Wushen Auntie as he said:

"Auntie, it's not what you think. You might not be fully aware yet, but before you all rushed to the Cursed City, some unfortunate things happened."

"And that matter is related to the curse within the Matriarch's body."

The moment those words were spoken, Wushen Head stiffened.

And the girl formed from the Colossus's Brain also turned her head, her gaze landing on Lynn, her eyes flickering subtly.

But Lynn didn't continue to elaborate on the topic. He adjusted his monocle, his expression turning somewhat grave, and spoke in a low voice:

"So Auntie, you should understand as well. Every Root bears a different curse - they are custom-forged shackles crafted by hell for each fallen god. And the curse on the Matriarch... likewise carries a far deeper and more terrifying influence..."

"This curse implicates nearly our entire Nightfall City."

The entire scene fell silent.

Wushen Head's gaze slowly focused, her blood-red eyes staring at the enormous gate ahead. The tone of her voice was clearly different from before.

"What—is—it—"

Lynn adjusted his monocle and said seriously:

"We'll know once we go inside. If the Matriarch is fine, then we won't need to go through all this trouble. But if there's an unexpected situation, we may need all of your assistance."

And this was also the most important reason he had insisted on bringing these several Roots to Nightfall City to take up residence.

The curse on the Matriarch was a matter of utmost urgency.

If it spiraled out of control.

Then the Night Doctors' alignment that the Matriarch had worked so hard to establish would likely collapse and splinter apart.

Sir Aiwen took a deep breath, suppressing the complexity and heaviness in his eyes. He slowly extended his hand and pressed it against the enormous gate. The entire door immediately lit up with a golden glow, then rumbled as it split open to both sides.

"Let's go."

The passageway leading to the underground great hall was extremely spacious.

Even a massive entity like Wushen Head could slither through without feeling the slightest bit cramped. Clearly, when this hall was originally constructed, the immense wingspan of the Matriarch's Twelve Wings had already been taken into account.

Though ever since this city had been established, the Matriarch had never once left this great hall.

Great echoes resounded through the air.

And the deeper they descended, the more the oppressive atmosphere thickened, accompanied by a creeping chill that crawled along their surroundings.

"Do you feel it?"

The silver-haired girl's eyes flickered as she spoke:

"The aura here is abnormal - there's an indescribable suffocation. It should be the dissipation of some kind of magic, growing more pronounced the deeper we go. However, I have very little knowledge of magic. You could ask that head about it."

Rarely, Wushen Head did not lash out with sharp-tongued mockery at her words.

Her massive blood-red pupils had actually turned unusually grave as she spoke:

"It's—dark magic—"

The moment those words were spoken, both Lynn's and Sir Aiwen's gazes fell upon her.

Wushen Head carefully sensed the surroundings, speaking heavily: "An extremely dense aura of dark magic—it's some kind of fallen ritual—and there's also the scent of a Barrier—the intensity... is extremely high!"

In that instant, her expression twisted ferociously. The tentacles on her head unfurled with a whooshing sound like snakes spreading out.

"Quick!"

"If what you said is true—then we must get there immediately. My sister would never use dark magic, which stands in opposition to the sacred system. But the fluctuations coming from below—this is an invasion ritual so malicious that even placed in the Upper World, it would be considered utterly vile!"

Both Sir Aiwen's and Lynn's hearts ran cold.

Without any further hesitation, Lynn abruptly rose from his seat.

"Let's move!"