Shadow Slave

Chapter 1884 Scarlet Garden They set out in the morning — which wasn't any different from the day in Godgrave. The jungle, which had been teeming with Nightmare Creatures before, gradually became quiet and eerily empty as they moved further south, making the Saints tense with its sudden tranquillity.

Even the plants, which were as predatory as the beasts in the scarlet jungle, remained still.

That was because the conquest force was entering the land which belonged to the master of the old ruin… the creature they were meant to defeat.

As they moved, Saint Jest happened to catch up with Sunny, who was leading the party. The old man was using his cane to swat away branches and vines, looking annoyed because of the heat and humidity.

"That guardian we're supposed to kill… what kind of creature was it again?"

Sunny turned his head briefly, giving Saint Jest an impassive look.

"I do not know. Although I explored the Hollows casually, I never failed to avoid getting too close to this place. All I can say is that the guardian of the Citadel is a Great Nightmare Creature of a higher Class… a Terror, perhaps. Maybe even a Titan."

The old man chewed his lips.

"A Great Terror, really? Gods, the world is changing… it used to be that the existence of such beings was merely a theory. In fact, I remember mocking a bunch of academics viciously for suggesting that something this unreasonable exists! And here I am, on my way to battle one. Who's the fool now, huh?"

Sunny smiled behind the mask.

"I'd say that we are all fools, for choosing to face such a creature voluntarily."

moment, then added in his usual

what's wrong with being

gave him a surprised look,

have put it better myself. What a poignant sentiment… now, we just need to work

the jungle parted, and they found themselves on the shore of a vast lake. Dozens of rivers joined to form it, and even though the storm had already passed, the lake was still

rose from the water. It looked both like a beautiful temple and a grand

— not out of boards or logs, though. Instead, it was as if countless white trees had grown and fused into a

vividly scarlet once, just like the canopy of the jungle. The white temple was overgrown with vermilion moss, with vines and tree branches protruding from the gaping holes in its broken roofs and empty windows. As such, it almost looked like a vertical garden that rested in the middle

it with unease, but also with a sense

before the civilization

protect them from the perils of the shattered world? A logistical hub where the ships sailing to the far reaches of

latter would make sense. Or maybe all three of his theories were true, and the garden temple served

In any case…

that Godgrave had been a part of Sun God's realm once. As such, the civilization of the Hollows would have been

of the waking world, the War God's realm, they were in many ways no less advanced

now, Nightmare Creatures ruled

sacredness the garden castle had once contained was gone, replaced by vile corruption. And the abomination whose lair it had become would be a terrible one,

sighed and extended his shadow sense forward. Something was hiding there, behind the pale wooden walls… he could feel the eerie

'...Damnation.'

they could reach the Citadel by walking. He was