Yarra’s Adventure Notes
Chapter 1343 - 129 Past Events

Chapter 1343: Chapter 129 Past Events

"What’s there to talk about?" Pannis reached out, his fingertips gently brushing against the black hair draped over his shoulder. Past and present intertwined softly under his touch as the valiant visage of Nellie and the magnificent countenance of Catherine alternated before his eyes. Along with them flashed images of Flare’s elegance, Lina’s capriciousness, Vivian’s concentration, and Freya’s nobility. He sighed softly, withdrew his hand, and looked up at the pitch-black night sky with a self-deprecating chuckle, "Tell the story of our failure all those years ago? Do you want me to recount how we arrogantly tried to destroy the Soul of Danacus and ultimately failed?"

"Mm." Catherine nodded unexpectedly. In the past, the knight girl would never have audaciously attempted to uncover the scars others least wanted touched, as she was doing now. But in this starless and moonless dark night, in this tiny haven supported by a faint light amidst a sea of darkness, leaning against Pannis with her head on his shoulder, Catherine truly nodded and said softly, "I really want to know. I’m not Lina; I’m not trying to satisfy my curiosity. But this time, I really, really want to know. If I can’t find the answer to this question, I always feel like something is missing. And I think that now is the time for you to tell the story. If you refuse, I’m afraid..."

"Heh, you are afraid my heart will still be incomplete, and I will still fear Danacus as before, right?" Pannis let out a low chuckle, naturally patting Catherine’s head that rested on his shoulder. "That’s the main reason, isn’t it? You worry I still dare not face the past, fret that I will tread the same old path from a hundred years ago, and fear I will crumble again before Danacus. That’s why you would rather risk someone’s inner dislike and raise this question. I haven’t said anything wrong, have I?"

"Hehe." Caught with her thoughts exposed, the knight girl couldn’t help but giggle foolishly in the darkness. Her expression was invisible, but her white teeth could be seen reflecting the dim firelight. Catherine shifted her body to make herself more comfortable against Pannis’s back, closing her eyes in contentment as she stretched out her legs and asked softly, "So, are you willing to fulfill this request?"

"Huff, what else can I say?" Pannis laughed helplessly, speaking softly. "Actually, the story isn’t at all interesting, and it certainly didn’t have a beautiful ending."

"Heh, because that wasn’t the end of the story," Catherine said half-closed eyes, hinting at something deeper. "The story is still ongoing; who knows if there might not be a beautiful conclusion after all? Maybe what you’re about to tell is just a rough part of the whole journey. After we get through it, a bright and beautiful end might be waiting. Right?"

"Hahaha." Amused by Catherine’s response, Pannis laughed and nodded. "Perhaps, perhaps. Heh, the play that hasn’t finished can’t have its ending foretold; maybe it will turn out as you say."

"Hee, of course," said Catherine, her white teeth biting her lip, her smile growing more tender. "That’s why, harboring expectations for a beautiful conclusion while recalling our difficult past is quite a rare experience, isn’t it?"

"Alright, as you wish, my Valkyrie." Pannis took a swig from the leather flask hung on his belt, then, handing it backward to Catherine, he relaxed and said, "The story we’re known for usually ends with the entering of Danacus’ temple during the rituals. Of course, a few know that we first defeated the three moribunds in the temple, but very few people know what truly happened after we stepped through the Door of Mist and entered the actual Divine Kingdom of Danacus. Those who are aware of the aftermath, beyond the ones who experienced it, probably number less than ten, because indeed, it’s not something to boast about."

"So I’m the eleventh?" asked Catherine softly. "That’s quite an honor."

"At the time, we thought we were fully prepared. Everyone had their mental state at its best. Flare even unsealed the Hunting Arrow, and Lady Mina was ready to transform into a dragon. Once I ensured everything was in order, I was the first to walk through the Door of Mist," Pannis paused to add, "Oh, I forgot to mention that the Door of Mist is just in the center of the temple, a passage connecting his temporary Divine Kingdom with the Land of the Dead. It’s actually just a cluster of fog; there’s no real door, just what we call it."

"Mm, I can guess as much," Catherine nodded. "Was Danacus hiding inside?"

"Behind the Door of Mist lies an endless space. Of course, whether it’s actually endless is questionable, but at least we never found the edge of that space," Pannis continued. "There was no sky above, no boundaries around, only the ground made up of countless white bones, hinting that it was like a grand temple ground. Far from the exit of the Door of Mist was a throne fashioned from white bones, on which Danacus was perched, welcoming us."

"A Divine Throne," Catherine murmured, eyes closed, picturing the scene Pannis saw. "No wonder you were unconcerned about the endless space of the temple during your fight with the two moribunds in the Forest of Death; you’d already experienced it once. So that was your first time seeing Danacus, what did he look like?"

"That’s something I truly can’t answer. Back then, he was just a Divine Soul," Pannis shrugged. "Like Mr. Ghost down there, can you describe what he looks like?"

"Um, definitely not," Catherine replied with a wry smile. "So the appearance of a Divine Soul is similar to that of an ordinary soul?"

"There are slight differences," Pannis said, his eyes narrowing as if he could see that unforgettable enemy once more. "A ghost has a semi-transparent form, while the Soul of Danacus looked more like a blurred shadow, only this shadow was three-dimensional. If we hadn’t already known his identity, it would have been hard to associate that shadow with Danacus. However, the characteristics of Divine Power and theocracy don’t lie. We could confirm his identity at first glance."

"Seeing you guys, he must have been surprised," suggested Catherine. "I bet he couldn’t imagine that you all would storm into his territory like that."

"On the contrary, he didn’t show any surprise at all," said Pannis, furrowing his brows in frustration. "He told us that we had been deceived."