Chapter 544
"So you were listening. Then collect your anger, sir. The time has not yet come," said the priestess, letting her left arm fall back to her side.
The dark red glint of light under her hood curved into a gentle arc.
"We will now make our way to the Lord’s side. Very slowly, carefully, and secretly, all the apostles will gather by his side. Of course, do not worry."
The priestess’s gaze turned beyond the valley ridge, toward the distant southern sky.
"For the Lord will open the way for us. Just like this."
As if in response to her words, the thick, dark clouds flashed for a moment. A dark red bolt of lightning drew a thick, diagonal line as it fell to the earth.
Rumble—
As the sound of thunder echoed belatedly, the priestess, a faint smile on her lips, once again extended her left arm to the side, her palm wide open with the jewel facing down.
Swoosh...
Between the priestess’s eyes, a third, vertically slit glint of light bloomed. The long, reptilian pupil shimmered eerily. A moment later, the jewel glowed red, and dark red mantra circuits began to be carved into the space below it.
Crack... crackle!
Then, web-like cracks spread across the black, sticky ground, stained a dark red. As the light from the cracks intensified, black claws grew like blades from the priestess’s fingertips, which were clutching the jewel. Her fingers, too, were stained black from the tips, as if being burned away. Scales began to sprout on the back of her hand.