People are at the border, but they become the incarnation of the sun

And Fenlei, as their guide this time, is leading the way for them.

I don't know why, but this time Fenlei took off his military uniform and put on casual clothes, draping a scarlet robe on his body. He only held a halo sickle in his hand and had a long sword on his waist.

Although the color looks very eye-catching, it is also surprisingly simple. Compared with the heroic warrior look in the past, she now has a more feminine look for some reason.

But there was a scar on her fair and pretty face that was as hideous as lightning.

This beauty is marred by scars, but it adds a touch of wildness.

Finlay said that the scar was stained with Malenia's blood when she carried Malenia back to the sacred tree.

Finlay also considered this an honor.

However, his gaze was caught by Fenlei, who turned his head curiously and asked, "Sir Rhine, what are you looking at?"

"The master is watching..."

Just as Ashmi was about to speak, he covered her mouth, pulled her to his side, and said calmly:

"Nothing, just a little surprised..."

"Accident?" Fenley was puzzled.

"Yes, it was a surprise." Reinhardt nodded, then said in a subtle tone, "I didn't expect you to come along, Ms. Loretta."

He still remembered clearly what Loretta had said yesterday about being powerless.

What is impossible and what cannot be done? Where has the spirit of Loretta, who was once a royal knight, to protect the royal family of Calia gone?

The Loretta in his memory was not as hesitant as she was in the Holy Tree. She never hesitated to do what she had to do.

However, his unfamiliar address and strange words also made Loretta frown slightly, but she quickly relaxed her brows and said calmly, "Rhine, you don't have to be so sarcastic to me. I know exactly what I did."

"You don't understand what happened in the border area over the past thousand years that forced me to do this."

"But even so, I still want to say one thing—"

"I, Loretta, am not only a Knight of the Holy Tree, but also a Royal Guard Knight of Kalia. My loyalty to Her Highness, Rani, will never waver."

Loretta's words were so powerful that they attracted people's attention.

But when Reinhardt heard this, he felt it was a joke.

He did not object to the fact that everyone had their own aspirations, but he could only be loyal to one monarch; this was the rule of chivalry.

And Loretta's behavior...

"What's the difference between him and a slave of three surnames?"

He wanted to say that, but he held back and replied indifferently, "...Is that so? Then I look forward to it. When Kalia is in trouble, I wonder if you, Lady Loretta, will come to rescue her."

"I will, on Loretta!"

Even after Loretta made a solemn vow, Reinhardt remained unmoved and said nothing more.

Silently follow Fenlei's footsteps to the lower level of the sacred tree.

However, a serious problem lies before him.

As he went deeper and deeper into the sacred tree, he found that the scarlet corruption in the air became more and more serious.

By the time we reached the Lake of Corruption, our vision was obscured by a faint red mist, and the concentration of scarlet corruption rose sharply, just like the Lake of Corruption in the Eternal City of Noxstella.

This is not a good sign.

Could it be that Malenia has become the Scarlet Goddess of Corruption down there?

If this is true, it is not good news. The scarlet corruption is so deep-rooted that unless he burns Malenia to death, even the arrival of the Supreme Will cannot save it.

Suddenly, Finlay and Loretta stopped walking.

"I'm sorry, Rhine and everyone, I can't continue with you. The crimson corruption below is too thick, it's a forbidden zone and I can't set foot there. So, Lord Fenley will have to lead you further."

"Ok."

He shrugged nonchalantly.

To be honest, even without anyone to show him the way, he would still be able to find Marenia.

Along the way, it feels like the layout is the same as I remember, with no difference except that it is larger.

But there is still one problem...

"How about you, Ashmi, and Loretta go back upstairs and wait for a while? Millicent and I will go see Marenia and then be back."

This was said to Melina.

Among the people present, besides Loretta, only Melina had no resistance to the Scarlet Corruption.

As for Ashmi, although she was a Simulacrum Teardrop and her resistance to Crimson Corruption was a little unclear, he did not want to take the risk with Ashmi.

And Melina knew this clearly, so she nodded and agreed: "...Okay, I will wait for you to come back up there. Please be careful, Marlenia is a very dangerous demigod."

"host..."

Ashmi wanted to say something, but before he could, Melina covered his mouth and pulled him away, just like he had done to Ashmi before.

A perfect replica.

"Then, Lord Rhine, let's continue our journey."

Just as Finlay was about to take a step, he was stopped by him.

"Your Excellency Rhine?"

"Well, don't worry. I think you can go back now, Finlay. Millicent and I are enough for the rest of the journey."

"...Can..."

"I know."

Before Finlay could speak, he interrupted, "I understand very well how you earned the title of the Venerable Corrupted Knight, but the road ahead is really unnecessary. Both Millicent and I know exactly where Marenia is."

"Yes, Master Finlay, you don't have to worry." Millicent also echoed.

The so-called Zunfu Knights didn't get their name for nothing.

They voluntarily fought alongside Marennia and accepted the consequences of gradually falling into corruption, which is the origin of the name of "Zunfu".

Therefore, the resistance of the Noble Corruption Knights to the Scarlet Corruption is not low, but many people are also lost because of it.

Moreover, the concentration of scarlet corruption before him seemed to be enough to overwhelm even the Noble Corruption Knight.

It's just to see Marennia, there's no need to involve Finlay as well.

Finally, under the gazes of him and Millicent, Finlay nodded and agreed to his request.

"Well then, Lord Rhine, I will await your return with Miss Millicent at the upper level of the Sacred Tree."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."

After a brief conversation, he led Millicent slowly into the cloud-like scarlet mist.

Watching their gradually disappearing figures, Fenlei, who was standing above, couldn't help but pray for them:

“I wish you success…”

Although she didn't know what had happened to Lady Marennia, whom she served, she always had a bad premonition in her heart that could not be dispelled for a long time.

234. Mother and Daughter (6.2K)

A faint fishy smell lingered in the nasal cavity and gradually accumulated. As it penetrated deeper, the surrounding scarlet corruption became more and more intense, lingering around the body like clouds.

Although Reinhardt looked fine on the surface, there was a crackling sound inside his body with every step he took.

He was glad that he didn't bring Melina, Ashmi and Finlay down with him.

Otherwise, these people would all be doomed here.

However, Millicent beside her didn't seem to have any serious problems, just a little pale.

Should be... okay?

puff-

"Hey!"

Less than a second after this thought came to his mind, Millicent suddenly fell to her knees. He was so scared that he ran over to support her.

"...Are you okay?"

His question seemed a bit redundant. How could he be okay in this state?

The hand holding the sword blade stuck in the ground to support the body was trembling, and the forehead was soaked with sweat. Fine beads of sweat stuck to the face along with the fiery red hair.

But even so, Millicent still managed a smile and said, "...I'm fine."

Anyone could see that she was holding on.

"You still say it's okay?!"

Reinhardt's voice rose a few notches, but when he saw Millicent's exhausted look, he softened his tone.

"Don't hold on any longer. Go back upstairs. I'll bring Marenia with me and have her come see you in person."

He took Millicent's hand.

However, he discovered that the scarlet corruption in Millicent's body that had been suppressed by the golden needles was abnormally active, and even her arms were covered with scales like snake scales.

He was sure that if he continued like this, not only would he not see Marennia, he would probably die on the way before even seeing the sisters guarding the gate.

But what is going on?

Is it possible that the golden needle has lost its effect?

It was obvious that he had cleaned up all the scarlet corruption hidden on Gwei, and even deliberately placed a trace of solar power on it.

However, what he didn't know was that how could a broken mirror be mended?

The golden needle originally made by Michaela had long been broken. Even if it was repaired, how could it compare to the original effect?

To put it bluntly, the moment Millicent stepped into the scarlet fog, the scarlet corruption in the air had already begun to corrode her body, but he had never noticed it, and Millicent had been holding on with her inhuman will.

Millicent knew this in her heart, but still rejected his proposal.

"No, I want to go see her, in person... I don't want to give up here..."

This look of persistence...is exactly the same as that woman Marennia.

He still clearly remembered that when the Broken War broke out, Malenia marched south from the Yatan Plateau with such a tough attitude, aiming at Gaileed.

Even when faced with the large number of Red Lion Legion, he still had no intention of retreating. Instead, he led the charge into the enemy group, dancing like a water bird and reaping the enemy's lives.

Until the blood dyed the armor red, he put the prosthetic arm that was shot down back on his arm again and again. The prosthetic arm holding the holy sword trembled slightly, but he still had no intention of giving up.

And fight to the death with [Star-Breaking General] Latan.

That majestic appearance and the noble attitude of refusing to give up even in any desperate situation are really fascinating.

This is also the biggest reason why this group of noble knights will follow Marennia even if they gradually become corrupt.

And now Millicent's persistence also touched him, and he couldn't help but compromise and said: "Well, since you are willing to die, then I am willing to bury you."

"Since this is your choice, I will accompany you to the end and take you to see Marenia."

Having said that, he helped Millicent up and continued to move towards the bottom of the sacred tree.

He walked down the tree trunk slowly, step by step, supported by his hands.

"Don't die, Millicent."

"No, I haven't become your sharp edge yet..."

Millicent, with a pale face, still managed a smile for him, but this smile looked so heartbreaking.

——Crackle, crackle

The nearly rotten trees made faint sounds.

They didn't know how long they walked, but they finally approached the corrupt lake.

If his memory served him right, this was where Millicent and her sisters were buried.

However, the corrupt tree spirit that was lurking here was not seen, nor were her little sisters. Instead, there were four scarlet flowers in bud floating on the lake, with four weapons scattered beside them.

The true appearance of these flowers is about to be revealed -