System vs Rebirth

Chapter 1217: Ring

Anna suddenly rose from the bed and grabbed her sword before noticing whose spiritual energy she actually sensed.

"Dimitri?" Anna frowned.

A black circle appeared on the carpet and rose into the air before turning into a humanoid form. When the dark layer disappeared, Dimitri's true appearance was revealed.

"I have come under the order of the master." Dimitri took out a small box.

"Noel? To deliver me an item? What is this?"

"I don't know, but he said that if you present this to the saintess, something interesting will happen. This belongs to the former contractor of the dark butterfly spirit. He received it from his ancestor's inheritance."

Anna's expression turned solemn.

"Alright. I'll take care of this. Are you going to go back now?"

"Yes. It will be bad if I'm seen here. I'll immediately return to the city. Master wants me to relay a message for you. The enemies we currently face are actually much more terrifying than we originally thought. There is not one demon king, but two.

He said he'll explain the rest once you return."

"!!!" Anna's heart skipped a beat when she heard this information. Not one demon king but two? This message had simply changed the way they would handle things. It was clear that Noel was trying to say that she had to become a spirit king as well if they wanted to win against the demons.

And Layla might have a change of attitude if they knew about this information.

Anna turned serious as she waved her hand. "Anything else?"

"No. That's all."

"In that case, go back and tell Noel that I understand. I'll handle the situation over here."

"Understood." Dimitri nodded and disappeared into the darkness.

…

It didn't take too long for Anna to make her move.

The saintess chamber could be said to be one of the most protected rooms in the Moon Temple, yet Anna actually managed to reach the saintess' chamber without anyone noticing it.

The saintess opened the window while saying, "For what reason do you come here at this time, Anna Stargaze? Even though our relationship is pretty close, I don't think this is appropriate. If you are going to abuse your power here, even I might get angry."

"That's not it. This is a very important matter. I've just got this from Noel, saying that this is what the previous contractor of the Dark Butterfly Spirit would like you, the current contractor, to have."

"The Dark Butterfly Spirit? The Moon Goddess?" The saintess frowned.

"Yes."

"Come in for the time being."

As soon as Anna came in and she closed the windows, she asked, "What is that item?"

"I don't know." Anna presented the small box to her.

Layla was scanning the area in front of her, having a hard time finding the box. Her hands scanned the box before opening it gently.

"Hmm?" Layla furrowed her eyebrows. "A ring?"

"That's what I see as well." Anna nodded. "It's said you will understand once you wear it."

Layla didn't know what was going on, but she tried to wear it, wondering if she would understand something.

To her surprise, the moment the ring fit on her finger, the ring immediately drained her spiritual energy.

"This is… Kh." Layla gritted her teeth.

"What's wrong?" Anna panicked. She thought something had happened to Layla. Was the ring fake? Did Dimitri sabotage it? Had Dimitri switched sides?

"Kh." Layla dropped to her knees as Anna immediately caught her. "Oi. What's wrong? What is happening?"

Layla didn't respond to her. She just endured something, as she couldn't help but take her blindfold off.

"Kh! I need…" Layla pushed Anna away and rushed to the window even though her body was swaying left and right.

"Oi." Anna circulated her own spiritual energy, planning to save Layla.

However, a barrier suddenly formed all around her, isolating her from the rest of this world. She just fell on her knees, her face facing the moon.

It was at that time Layla opened her eyes.

She had sacrificed her eyes by giving the Moon Blessing. The black color on her eyes had completely vanished, leaving the grayish color that lacks life.

But when it was exposed to the moonlight, the blackness of her eyes actually returned. No, it wasn't only that small pupil and iris that regained the black color. The white part of the eye gradually turned black.

There were multiple small white dots glowing within those dark eyes as if they were the reflection of the starry sky.

"Ah…" Tears flowed out of the corner of her eyes.

"Layla. Respond to me." Anna frowned, wondering if she should just expose herself here and call the archbishop and the paladins. They might know something.

Before she could leave, the barrier suddenly changed color from the translucent white barrier to black. Their form also changed from the hard wall to a mushy liquid, continuously changing as if it were alive.

'What did Noel give? Is it really what Noel gives? But I don't see any demonic energy, so this ring must be real. But what is currently happening?' Anna gritted her teeth.

Once again, Layla showed a change. The dark barrier gradually disappeared into thin air, revealing Layla, who was still on her knees.

Anna approached her with a serious expression, checking her current condition.

With a wave of her hand, the mushy liquid expanded like a whip, grabbing her blindfold. However, the black eyes actually turned normal. Instead of wearing this blindfold, she actually folded it neatly while muttering, "Thank you for helping me this whole time."

"Layla?" Anna frowned.

Layla turned to her before smiling. "So that's what you look like, Anna."

"You can see me?"

Layla's smile became bigger. "Thanks to you."

"What is happening? What is the ring to you? What does it do? Does it harm you?" Anna asked a couple of questions.

"You are not the only ones who need to know." Layla shook her head and moved closer to the door as she asked out loud, "Guards. Are you there?"

"Yes, Saintess!" Two people responded to her voice.

"This is my direct order. Call all the paladins and the archbishop and meet me in the Grand Hall."