The Gods' Decree 174 Adieu To The City of Stars

The contract similar to before was expressionless as it spoke,

☆{The contract has been completed} ☆

Poof!

After speaking it then disappeared in a puff of purple smoke. Looking at the souls the fiendish teen then uttered while she held the two in her grasp,

" Let's see what truly transpired."

 Noticing the look in the devil's eyes, Marco shivered while Benzalo's gaze was unmoving.

🌟Devil's Art - Soul Scouring🌟

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"Well, you won't see that every day."

Taf expressed unaware of what the souls were currently enduring. He was now stooped down beside their corpse.

Events had unfolded so quickly there had been no time for him to halt the hand's actions. Similar to everyone else, he witnessed its act of ripping the souls from their husks, after which it vanished in thin air.

presently, he was examining the area in a bid to discern if there were any clues as to the origins of the hand and its destinations. In all honesty, he didn't expect to find anything of worth.

Even if he did, there was a high probability it would only bring more questions than answers. Taf would be first to admit one of his greatest weaknesses was the lack of knowledge.

Though he read, he was still limited to the contents of each book, along with his lack of experience. So at the moment, He was basically learning as a means to broaden his horizons.

Soon Taf summoned the corpses to his ring. At least by this means, he felt there was some semblance of control regained over events. Then with a shake of the head hinted to May that there were no clues to be found. 

It didn't take long for him to once more become the center of attention, with his hands awkwardly placed behind his head he addressed the members of the Dark Abylis Sect,

"Obviously the situation has changed. Ava, once more try getting a hold of the sect."

He yawned after speaking somewhat tired having endured a grueling battle. If not for that core which contents he had just ravished, Taf was certain he would have long passed out. 

Following what unfolded, It was taking a while for those who witnessed the incident to come to terms.

How many times do events such as what transpired, occur in a lifetime? So it was understandable why persons were still in shock and weren't quick to through it behind them like Taf.

Seeing she was the one given the order, Ava though too in shock, hurried did as he requested. Noticing her signal going through uninterrupted she held a sigh of relief.

"I'm getting a clear reception." She stated out loud.

Hearing her words, Taf then nodded before giving her the signal to end it. At the moment he just wanted to confirm everything had returned to normal.

"Guess we have to fill out a new report, don't we?"

He muttered while looking at all the members of the Dark Abylis Sect before continuing,

"Any ideas on a means by which to proceed?"

While wondering how to address the youth before him Malnor was a bit hesitant to speak before Taf signaled for him to go on.

"Isn't there a need for an emergency report? Afterall this is vital information which the sect needs. Someone is scheming in the dark, it stands to the reason that there might be other assets under our jurisdiction that are targeted."

His sentiments garnered the support of the others who gestured in some form or the other they concurred.

Taf saw their reaction but to tell the truth, he wasn't in a rush having felt himself and May would only be bombarded with questions, especially May.

He looked to May for her thoughts on the matter.

"We'll handle things as we have always."

She uttered knowing fully well when they engaged in the previous battles certain issues became unavoidable. If so be the case, why not tackle them head-on. Having received May's thoughts on the matter, Taf then took a momentary pause while he looked to the three squad captains.   

"This task I'll leave to the three of you."

He addressed the three who still had a slightly different glint in their eyes as they looked at him. It was as though he was what they all aspired to be.

They respected him before after the previous day's battle, but today dwarfed it by miles. Though he acted the same it seems things would not be the same in their eyes.

Of the three Malgrey was the one who seemed to have come to terms with events the quickest. 

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Looking at the city with every inch but half of its center still intact he could only look slightly apologetic to the city lord who still was trying to come to terms with it all.

" City Lord Jimenez, it seems apologies are in order."

Hearing Taf words, the city lord was then dragged out of the trance he now found himself. It wasn't so much the wreckage of the cities infrastructure that had caused the lapse in concentration.

Though a majority of the population had been saved by the two lords, the death toll was still staggering. All he asked himself was what could he have done differently.

After all, this unfolded under his watch. Yet he was thankful if both had not intervened, all would have been lost.

"Lords, this junior is not so short-sighted that he doesn't know how blessed his city is that you offered assistance."

Hearing his referral to them as lords, both May and Taf looked at each other but they knew it best not to reveal how wrong he was.

There was a reason they made the space stone masked their cultivations. If they were receiving stares as they did now? What looks would they garner if their true cultivations were revealed? 

"We'll forgo our plans of leaving today in a bid to ensure there are no more unforeseen variables in play."

This Taf expressed knowing the populous might still be frightened and with their presence, there would be a semblance of calm. If he were to leave in a hurry there would only be chaos.

The city lord too shared his sentiments as a broad smile became apparent on his face. Obviously he was quite ecstatic by Taf's offer.

He knew at this point his city was in danger of imploding from the inside. With the lack of necessary resources at their disposal, there would be a mass exodus.

For those that remained, there would be survival of the fittest as they scamper for resources. Now with the lords present, some semblances of law would definitely be maintained.

He truly wished something could have been done to show his gratitude, however, under the circumstances, there was nothing that could be offered. 

"The lords are indeed kind to this small city of mine." 

While speaking city lord Jimenez started to bow. This caused a rippling effect as all mimicked his actions. From his officials to all the survivors, whether they could see May and Taf or not they all followed the person before them and bowed.

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As the city lord feared many citizens had abandoned the city. They sought refuge in nearby villages and towns.

He knew that his best possible action was to hurriedly seek funding for the city's rebirth. Thus he and his officials held an emergency meeting to plot their course ahead. 

Currently what remained of the city was but a fraction of its previous size. It could be foreseen the crisis that would unfold with the shortage of food and natural resources.

Still, some of the population remained, at least until they could figure out their next move. Most loitered on the streets and though it wasn't the city of lights previously known. It was as though its spirit still continued.

"I tell you all now, I know people in the highest of places."

Cruz boasted while he sat with a bottle of liquor surrounded by some friends who had survived. He was slightly drunk with his pregnant wife holding his hand.

Usually, she would scold him for drinking in her presence but after what they all went through, what could be the harm?

"I see you still have a knack for becoming drunk from the first bottle, Cruz. What on earth are you on about? What people in high places? All I see is flat buildings all around."

A man who was in a similar state to Cruz drank while laughing as his drink spilled on the sidewalk. The drunken Cruz had a smirk plastered on the side of his face as he heard the satire in the man's voice.

"What if I were to tell you one of the lords is an acquaintance of mine."

He waited for the desired reaction and as expected they all splurted out there the liquor from their mouths.

They all looked at him in disbelief before one uttered,

"Bull!

Man, all that's is left for you to bolster that ego of yours once more, is to say it's because of your hand being held upwards the sky doesn't fall."

Clearly assuming this was another one of Cruz's exaggerated tales. What haven't they heard this man spout from his lips?

According to him, some of his accolades would make the city lord shake is head in shame. This was the man they have grown to know. However, even for him, this was a stretch saying he knew a lord. Especially those two that save the city. 

Seeing the contempt from their eyes Cruz now cursed himself for the 'ghastly exaggerations' told in the past. He could only sigh knowing one of his biggest claims to fame was now seen as only a lie.

Yet he knew it was true. Two days ago when buying a drink for patrons in the pub he distinctly remembering a youth with dreads thanking him for the drink.

It could be imagined his amazement when he tried glimpsed the lords only to see this same youth with a carefree attitude.

Even his wife looked at him oddly as even by his standards this was a stretch. Now he could only shake his head knowing it was a lost cause.

"All this time I was wondering where I could get some more of that liquor, I quite liked it. Who knew that once more you would be the source, Cruz. Now, how about it? The tab is still open right?"

Being drawn out of his slump by a teenage voice Cruz looked up to see a youth with dreads. Beside him was a girl with long cascading silver hair.

Cruz became speechless seeing the two, actually, all were frightened stiffed. These were the lord spoken so highly of previously. Who knew they would actually be walking around in the city that was now only a wasteland.

Being still in awe not daring to utter a word they all now realized Cruz's word previously were no exaggeration. So he was indeed telling the truth for once.

With his hands shaking he held up an unpulled bottle which Taf took within his grasp before gulping a mouthful down. 

"That's the stuff." Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.

He smiled satisfied with the drink. Still, not one word was uttered by Cruz and his compatriots as they only watched Taf drink.

"Are you satisfied now brute. I want a rematch, this time you can't cheat. How about it? A race spanning 15 kilometers."

May then challenged after he took his last gulp.

Hehe!

"Ok miss if you love losing that much you are on. Cruz once more, thanks. Next time I'll treat you to a drink."

Taf uttered as both himself and May floated in the air before bursting through the skies. There they all looked on in the skies before the two's outlines could be seen no more.

End of the volume :)

Will need some serious editing I think haven't reread.

Chapter end