I am a female swordsman.

A figure in crimson cut off the flying spears in advance, deftly manipulating a bloodthirsty scythe with one hand. Rose used her other hand to brace herself on the ground, lowered her body, and grabbed Black's ribbon. The two of them escaped the area of ​​dense sand poured down by the Sandstorm Queen!

Fortunately, this environment was not suitable for the Sandstorm Queen to perform well, otherwise the Fairy Tale Girls group would not have been able to restrain the Sandstorm Queen for so long.

"Next is the time for the adults to talk."

After blasting away the two agile and annoying fairytale girls, the Sandstorm Queen suddenly raised her hands outwards, causing the scattered sand grains to freeze in a strange, stagnant state. In this near-frozen state, both Little Red Riding Hood and the Dark Witch simultaneously felt a deadly, chilling sense of impending doom!

Crackle!

Like the thunderous sound of dense raindrops pounding on a tin roof, the sand, shifting from stillness to dynamism, shot out in all directions without any discernible pattern! Each grain of sand became a deadly weapon; it might shatter upon impact with reinforced concrete, and wouldn't cause excessive harm to non-vital targets. But the problem was that sand was everywhere at Mingus Base!

If even one grain of sand hits a vital point, the Sandstorm Queen wins.

Huang Quan and Eric were caught in the aftermath of the massive clearing operation that had been wiped out by the sandstorm!

"Hey! Think of something quick!" Eric panicked. If his supernatural power hadn't been suppressed, he could naturally control the metal to protect himself from this kind of sweeping, killing move.

But at this moment, he was no different from a cripple! The crow in front of him showed no intention of attacking, and he felt fear! The way he died, being crushed by sand, was exceptionally bloody and cruel!

"We're both at the third tier, why bother?"

Huang Quan muttered something under her breath. She could sense the Sandstorm Queen's interest in her. Or rather, the interest that the Sandstorm Queen had in Huang Quan, a lady who should be standing with Germany, after learning about the organization [Golden Dawn].

Huang Quan, dressed in a white robe, made no move.

The crimson robes reappeared, displaying the orderly and magnificent beauty of high-level energy control, and the Sword of Destruction was once again drawn from this world! The fleeting sword light stung Eric's eyes, and tears uncontrollably streamed down his face. He heard the rustling sound of sand falling densely to the ground!

Swipe!

The sword beam shot from the Yellow Springs formed a fan-shaped forbidden domain. The crimson rainbow swept across the area as if a god had descended, forcefully severing the energy manipulation of another third-tier being with irresistible force!

When Eric opened his eyes again, everything had returned to normal.

Huang Quan's ever-calm and indifferent expression seemed extremely unfathomable to him. Although he hadn't witnessed the entire process of Huang Quan wielding his sword, he had glimpsed Huang Quan's powerful side when he was serious. It was like a vast, tranquil sea, where a surging power capable of destroying everything was hidden beneath the calm surface!

"It seems that to capture the [Depriver], we'll have to get past this third-tier one."

[Sandstorm Queen], pseudo-Tier 3 Energy!

Chapter Forty-Three [The Sage]

Although Eric already had some idea about the Raven's rank.

Yet, when the word "third tier" was uttered by Huang Quan without fear, Eric couldn't help but feel a surge of both dread and longing. To witness a battle between third-tier beings unfold before his very eyes would be an immense honor for Eric!

But he was destined to be disappointed...

The anticipated large-scale battle at level three did not occur.

Those extraordinary individuals who can reach the third tier in this era are all blessed by the world's consciousness and are required to fulfill their missions. Extraordinary individuals who reach the third tier under such specific circumstances are called pseudo-third tier, while those like Huang Quan, who can reach the third tier without any special blessing, are the true third tier.

The world consciousness provided support to the Yellow Springs.

Naturally, support must be provided. Since it is impossible to evade third-level reconnaissance, the world consciousness adopted a dissuasion and warning approach to avoid unnecessary battles.

'I still can't understand world consciousness.'

Divided into two tasks, Huang Quan, who was also conversing with the system, was filled with doubt. The world consciousness was more like a functioning mechanism, its behavior not only obscure but also extremely difficult to understand—what exactly it wanted to do. Even with the system's explanations and translations, Huang Quan could only sigh at how incredibly difficult it was to overcome such barriers.

'Host need not worry about this; this is knowledge from a completely different field than yours.' The system thoughtfully provided a prompt and explanation, explaining how vast this multidimensional world is, and how immense the number of life forms and organizations it contains are. Often, due to their different forms, their behavioral norms naturally differ.

The areas Huang Quan is currently curious about are completely unrelated to her identity.

Therefore, the system did not go into too much detail, but instead reminded Huang Quan of another important matter.

The system reminds the host to accept the mission and complete it as soon as possible to escape the world of Divine Comedy. AD 1945, a fork in the road of history. Whether the rescue is successful or not, it will attract curious gazes from more dimensions. Once the forced escape procedure is activated, the host will be subjected to the pull of the spacetime node, and there is a high possibility that he will lose his life. This is the first time the system has warned Huang Quan of a life-threatening situation. This extremely abrupt change in behavior naturally made Huang Quan feel a sense of urgency.

The system did not want her to linger in the world of Divine Comedy any longer.

'Are you afraid?' It was purely instinctive; Huang Quan sensed a kind of fear from the system's slightly impatient attitude.

"No comment." The system did not provide a direct answer.

………………

Mingus Base, seven underground levels.

When the Sandstorm Queen saw the Raven Lady, her hazy figure, hidden in the sandstorm, visibly trembled. The reason for this tremor was best explained by the Sandstorm Queen's strange gaze towards Eric.

A Jew?

If Eric hadn't come with the crows, the Sandstorm Queen would likely have killed the Jewish boy the moment she saw him. It was a terrifying thought, so much so that when the Sandstorm Queen showed her murderous intent, Eric instinctively felt a chill run down his spine!

"German lady, how's it like living in the Justice League?"

A cold and proud voice came from the sandstorm. Eric didn't understand the sentence at first, but when he understood it a little, his face suddenly became extremely stiff.

He stiffly raised his head and looked at Huang Quan, his eyes filled with resentment at being deceived and misled.

"To be honest, I don't really agree with this title, because I've never been on your side. ... Out of respect for the strong in this world, I hope you won't interfere in the battles to come." Huang Quan didn't bother explaining to Eric, but instead focused intently on the hazy, swaying figure of the Sandstorm Queen.

"It seems you've chosen to maintain it." The Sandstorm Queen sighed, seemingly unsure of what to say.

Huang Quan's originally calm expression turned somewhat surprised and uncertain. She could feel something enormous struggling and tearing as it descended into the Sandstorm Queen's body!

At the same time, a warning was issued by the system!

'Warning, host! Target changed! ... Currently tracking the world's consciousness to pinpoint the mutation point! ...AD1900, Temple One... [Golden Dawn] Founding Scene... Target locked! Fourth-tier intelligent life form, Westcott, title [Sage]! Reckless confrontation is not recommended!'

Fourth order?

Huang Quan was somewhat confused for a moment. What kind of existence was a fourth-order being?

From her unique perspective, including the feedback from her mental will, what she perceives is an existence that is entirely unique and filled with mysterious and magnificent colors. This being she can glimpse is like an endless, unchanging entity, boundless and open to exploration.

This feeling is like the blind men and the elephant.

"The steadfast wait of forty-five years has finally been answered today. It was not in vain that the Golden Dawn was torn apart for this purpose. Distinguished guest, you have come from afar. I, Westcott, extend my greetings." A white feather robe of almost a single color was woven in mid-air and finally draped over the Sandstorm Queen.

No, it should be said that it is on [Sage] Westcott!

To Eric, the beautiful, form-fitting robe was exquisitely crafted; however, to Huang Quan, it represented a terrifyingly skillful application of the Light of the Mind. While he had barely begun to grasp the essence of the Light of the Mind, other old monsters had already mastered its techniques to an art form.

They conceal their brilliance, remaining unseen; those without the proper qualifications cannot even offer them a glimpse!

Seeing the admiring look on Eric's face, Huang Quan understood even more deeply what it meant for ignorance to be a blessing. The sand and gravel dispersed, and the dim space was illuminated by the emitted light. The Sage even had the leisure to dispel the lingering stench of gunpowder in the air, replacing it with a refreshing and subtle fragrance.

"Greetings, esteemed [Sage]."

Faced with a fourth-order being so powerful that he couldn't even see its full form, Huang Quan showed his respect and humility for the first time in the Divine Comedy World.

With the system's guidance, Huang Quan understood that each of these fourth-tier beings had reached the pinnacle in some aspect. Such intelligent beings, having safely advanced to the fourth tier, could no longer be fathomed by mortal standards. Furthermore, from Westcott's title, specifically the word "Sage," Huang Quan gleaned something else entirely…

The Heavenly Rank Yellow Springs has the qualifications to communicate with the Fourth Rank.

This is why the Sage would appear on his own initiative.

Westcott, clad in a white robe, held a simple, pure white wooden staff that appeared out of nowhere. Beneath the robe lay a dark, obscure face, barely discernible as a human figure. The system had been encouraging Huang Quan to explore and excavate the world of Divine Comedy, and now he had unearthed something extraordinary. To defeat this suspected BOSS, Huang Quan would have to be reckless and completely surrender his body to the demons.

But would Huang Quan do that?

Chapter Forty-Four: Doomsday

The appearance of the Sage is an extremely rare and unexpected event.

The fact that they were able to wait for forty-five years or even longer for the "Golden Dawn" spacetime cry experiment shows that this world was situated in a period of dramatic historical change, and forty-five years is indeed an extremely long time span. The "Sage" gained an understanding of this world through his mortal reliance, namely his blood relative, the "Sandstorm Queen."

Westcott was completely unpretentious.

His manners and speech were very gentle and refined, and he was even quite kind to Eric, the second-tier kid...

Of course, the fourth-tier [Sage] didn't return after waiting so long; it certainly wasn't to mentor younger extraordinary individuals, or because he was bored and wanted to chat with someone.

Waiting is undoubtedly the most agonizing thing.

Huang Quan felt a mix of trepidation about the unknown and instinctive awe towards a powerful being whose attitude was unclear. Her long-dormant heart seemed to flutter again amidst a complex interplay of emotions. Westcott's presence had influenced Huang Quan to some extent, but this influence was insufficient to shake her will.

"Fourth tier..."

Eric's murmur broke the silent standoff between Huang Quan and Westcott, both of them hesitant to speak first due to their own concerns.

The sources of their concerns differ from one another.

Huang Quan's concern was how to communicate with a fourth-tier being. Judging from his own experience, a third-tier being perceived as having too many imperfections and shortcomings as a second-tier being. Therefore, a third-tier being could easily exploit the weaknesses of a second-tier being—a natural difference in rank. Presumably, a similar difference existed between a fourth-tier and a third-tier being!

If you don't understand this difference, you might make mistakes in conversation without realizing it.

"A reminder to the host: when conversing with a fourth-tier being, one should act with dreams, not desires. Gods do not lie to humans, but in exchange, if humans also converse with gods based on selfish desires, they are exposing their weaknesses to the gods." The system, seemingly busy with something, took a moment to give Huang Quan this crucial hint.

Hearing the word "dream" from the system's mouth, Huang Quan found it somewhat jarring for some reason.

Having experienced two worlds and still not having resolved even life-threatening issues, she honestly admitted that she had never considered the luxury of dreams. To suddenly ask Huang Quan to uphold them now—wasn't that a joke? With a calm gaze, Huang Quan finally took the initiative to speak, following Eric's breakthrough of the impasse.

"Your Excellency, what is the purpose of your descent?" The direct question was very much in Huang Quan's style; since he couldn't understand, he might as well just go for it.

"For the sake of this world."

The slogans were incredibly grandiose and empty, yet the sage's voice carried a magical power that compelled people to believe them unconsciously. Huang Quan began to understand what it meant for gods not to lie to people.

Westcott did it for the world, and so did Huang Quan; their goals were aligned at that moment.

"Then are you aware that, with the aid of the Golden Society, the empire beneath our feet is absorbing an uncontrollable force?" Huang Quan's crimson eyes lit up as he continued to press for answers.

“That’s why I’m willing to talk to you right now.” Westcott gently raised his staff, weaving a complex model of a spell from the tip of the white wooden staff. The completed spell projected an image in the air. This image was likely a meeting of the leaders of the Golden Dawn, because Huang Quan saw Westcott, also dressed in white robes, in the image.

Forty-five years ago, the Time and Space Cry project was launched.

Before the Golden Dawn split, this organization attempted to cluster magic in line with the times, creating a prosperous European magical civilization.

"A magician's magical power is finite, but with that finite power, one can leverage infinite energy. The tremors between tectonic plates, the invisible gravitational pull between celestial bodies, the vastness of the ebb and flow of tides—when the Golden Dawn existed, magic, after experiencing a low ebb following the trauma of the Age of Gods, ushered in a long-awaited prosperity. At that time, the other two sages, including myself, felt that we could use magic to change the world and bring happiness to more people..."

The Sage Westcott recounted the unforgettable magical spectacle of 1900 years ago in a very calm tone.

Furthermore, he demonstrated various convenient little tricks developed by the Golden Dawn at the time, and through this deduction, Huang Quan even saw traces of a magic assembly line and the industrialization of magic...

no doubt!

If Golden Dawn hadn't failed, the world of Divine Comedy might be completely different now. It would probably be a fantastical world where steampunk and mystery coexist!

Eric's eyes shone with longing!

He gazed upon the traces of the extraordinary mages of the Golden Dawn's past struggles—mages of wisdom, courage, and resilience, united in their fight for the same goal! For him, whose ideals were still in their nascent stages, this was an invaluable inspiration! He too longed to become such a great extraordinary being!

"But you failed."