Chapter 124 – See You in Hell
At the same time, outside the gates of Blackthorn Security Company,
The sealed space had already turned into a scene of blood and madness. The fleshy mass that had once been Lu Ze writhed, swallowing all six corpses.
With every body it devoured, the mass pulsed faster. When the last corpse was gone, the lump had scarcely grown; instead, it shrank under violent convulsions, reforming into the rough outline of a human—still blood-red.
On its belly, Madam M's beautiful face looked as lifelike as if it breathed.
Leonard, what do we do?
The stocky Kenley asked, voice tight with panic.
By now the street had been evacuated. Dunn had yet to return with Saint Selena's ashes, but the Monster looked ready to break free at any moment!
Leonard clenched his teeth, listened, and was on the point of answering when he whirled around in delighted surprise.
Thud, thud!
Resolute footsteps sounded beyond the door; Dunn strode out. In his hands he carried a palm-sized square urn of silvery white, etched with strange patterns.
The box exuded a quiet, icy aura. Dunn had only to approach for Leonard and Kenley to feel cold pierce their bones, as though their very blood might freeze. Even Dunn's eyes were tinged a spectral blue.
Beside him followed Klein, cradling a thick blood-vessel in his hands.
Give that to me.
Leonard took the vessel and said to Dunn, Captain, it's critical.
Mm.
Dunn frowned at the human-shaped Monster inside. Kenley, go below and help Secca contain the Sealed Artifact. Leave this to us.
But—
Go! You'll only be in the way here!
Yes, sir!
With Kenley sent off, only three Nighthawks remained.
Dunn drew a deep breath, descended the steps, and stood before the sealed space. Facing the creature that had been Lu Ze, he slowly lifted the lid of the urn. Inside lay grains of brilliant, depthless sand, as though all light that fell upon them were swallowed, a bewitching star-field in the dead of night.
At high noon on Zoutlan Street, the sky suddenly darkened.
In the gloom, countless black filaments appeared. Had Lu Ze still been conscious, he would have recognized them as the same threads from behind Chanis Gate—threads that once had helped him slip Madam M's surveillance.
Cold and slick, the filaments seemed automatically to seek the vilest presence present, slithering toward Lu Ze.
Crash—
The barrier the Nighthawks could not breach shattered like glass under the threads' touch. Silently they shot forth, wrapping the half-formed fleshy Monster. Under their embrace the creature stilled, curling in on itself
and moving no more.
Now!
Klein and Leonard's eyes lit up; they hurried down the steps.
Leonard raised his revolver; Klein slipped a hand into his coat and gripped the warm gold talisman—the Sunfire charm,
a potent talisman fashioned from prayers to a True God's blood!
But before they could strike, the thread-wrapped Monster stirred.
The beautiful woman's face upon its belly snapped its eyes open!
Boom!
Crimson flame blossomed amid the threads, blazing like fireworks—gorgeous and brief. When the fire died, the Monster was gone.
Watch out!
The Clown's foresight showed Klein the future. He shouted, kicking Leonard aside. An instant later the Monster erupted from their own shadows, savage teeth snapping on empty air. Without Klein's warning, Leonard's head would have been bitten clean off.
The black threads converged anew, rushing to encircle the beast. Taking advantage of the moment, the two men fell back to Dunn's side.
Stay alert!
Dunn said grimly. This creature likely has many abilities.
With the Shepherd ring already distilled into a potion, and the mad ritual these people performed, Dunn could guess their enemy had become a true Shepherd.
Swish!
Again the Monster slipped the threads' net, appearing in the middle of the street.
Its mangled flesh was knitting itself into flawless human skin. The woman's face on its belly was sliding upward, as though to replace Lu Ze's own and seize full control of the body.
That lovely, eerie face now wore an unfathomable smile.
Miss Lorruta, I think I heard something from that street.
Inside the moving black carriage, Cecilia could not help speaking.
Really? I didn't hear a thing,
Miss Lorruta replied with a smile, malice hidden in her eyes.
That's because your brother is becoming Madam M's offering,
she thought with relish.
She, Al Hayson, and Borgia had once served Madam M. When the incident struck Enmat Port they had been scattered elsewhere and escaped unscathed. Yet Madam M's departure had been a crushing blow; every one of them revered her, for after the great Lord she was the light of their lives.
Now they had found Madam M again, learned of her grand design, and naturally pledged themselves without condition.
Time to kill this foolish girl, then return and see how the plan proceeds.
She slid her right hand unseen to the dark-red ritual dagger at her side.
Miss Lorruta, once we reach Backlund, will I be able to see my brother again?
Of course you will.
Not in this life—your brother is already the sacrifice.
She spoke the lie with feeling, gazing at the pretty girl without a shred of guilt. Once you're both settled you can live together again…
Live together, my foot—straight to hell together!
She tightened her grip on the dagger hilt. By the way, do you know the way to the railway station? Are we lost?
At her words Cecilia leaned toward the window to check the street and fix their position.
Lorruta struck, driving the dagger toward the girl's back—
but in the next instant the maiden nimbly slipped aside as though eyes watched from behind, avoiding the blade. She spun, a flash of steel crossed Lorruta's vision, and icy sharpness bloomed in her chest.
Why…
Feeling her strength drain away, she gasped in bewildered rage.
Your killing intent was obvious—street thugs hide it better.
Cecilia answered coldly, withdrew the knife, and stabbed again, repeating until her foe lay still.
When it was done she sprang from the carriage, not sparing the driver either. Only after every enemy was silenced did she leap down, eyes anxious as she raced toward Zoutlan Street.