Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!
Chapter 599 - 598 Flames from the Abyss

Chapter 599: Chapter 598 Flames from the Abyss

The flames ascended.

The priest’s right hand was engulfed by fire in an instant, but he didn’t shrink back; on the contrary, he kept a firm grip on Fang Zheng’s sword blade, while extending his left hand and suddenly hurled another dagger toward Fang Zheng. Fang Zheng quickly blocked it again with the silver short sword in his left hand.

However, it did not seem the priest intended to kill Fang Zheng with this move; instead, after throwing the dagger, he immediately released his right hand and retreated, quickly putting distance between himself and Fang Zheng. All the while, the priest’s right hand continued to burn fiercely. Fang Zheng could even hear the sizzling sounds of his flesh being scorched by the flames.

Although it looked painful, the priest’s expression did not change; he simply glared coldly at Fang Zheng before speaking.

"It appears with my current equipment, it’s very difficult to fight you, heretic. Next time, next time I will definitely kill you all!"

No sooner had he spoken than countless golden pages appeared around the priest, quickly enveloping him. The next moment, he had vanished from Fang Zheng’s sight without a trace.

"Teleportation? It seems we really can’t underestimate these fellows."

Fang Zheng lowered his greatsword, not worried that the priest would escape. Unless he chopped off his own hand, the fire would slowly consume him into ash—although considering the priest’s strong will witnessed before, Fang Zheng thought he might actually go as far as chopping off his hand.

But that was of no concern to Fang Zheng.

"Alright, stop playing dead, come out."

Fang Zheng called toward the front, and soon, a distortion appeared within the shadow of the wall not far away; then, Alucard stepped out from it.

"How dull. I thought you would finish that guy off."

"If you weren’t watching from the side, he wouldn’t have run away."

In response to Alucard’s comment, Fang Zheng rolled his eyes irritably. Of course, he could sense that the priest had initially intended to continue a prolonged battle with him, but he rapidly changed his mind and chose to flee. The reason was simple; he detected Alucard’s presence.

It was clear that although the priest was raging, he was not a mindless berserker. Faced with Fang Zheng and Alucard together, he stood no chance and decisively chose to retreat... So, as far as Fang Zheng was concerned, Alucard had to carry the blame.

"Can’t help it, I don’t have a weapon."

Alucard seemed determined to use that excuse until the end of time. Now, Fang Zheng could only hope that Walter would get his weapon ready soon so this shameless vampire could no longer find other excuses to slack off.

But on second thought, aren’t there usually spare weapons around? Didn’t this vampire have a backup weapon on hand?

Fang Zheng shot a glance at Alucard who only returned his gaze with a sly smile, showing no signs of embarrassment... this cunning old bat.

"Let’s go back."

Fang Zheng gave up the idea of further entanglement with Alucard and turned to walk down the corridor towards the other side.

"Miss Intagura might get quite angry this time around."

As it turned out, Fang Zheng was right.

Intagura was not just angry; she was furious.

"Outrageous! This is a sheer provocation! The scum from the Vatican have broken the treaty! Northern Ireland is under our jurisdiction; since when is it their turn to take action?!"

"After investigation, we have confirmed that the priest from the Vatican who clashed with Lord Fang Zheng and Lord Alucard in Northern Ireland is affiliated with the ’Traitor’ organization—a Paladin, Father Alexander Anderson."

"An expert in exorcising demons, suppressing heretics, and eradicating heresy. Bearing the name of Judas, the non-existent Section XIII..."

As she spoke, Intagura, too, clenched her fists tightly.

"We can’t let this matter slide, Walter, the negotiations with the Vatican are in your hands. But we don’t have time to fight with them now; the mysterious organization behind the succession of vampire incidents remains an enigma. We must find the ones creating vampires and obliterate them completely..."

Having said this, Intagura seemed finally to have vented her anger. She looked up and nodded toward Fang Zheng, who was sitting aside.

"You did well this time. We absolutely cannot allow the lunatics from the Vatican to run wild on our land. Thank you for your efforts, Fang Zheng."

"Don’t mention it, it was a piece of cake."

Facing Intagura’s thanks, Fang Zheng just shrugged. He certainly understood why she would say this; in fact, Fang Zheng had long noticed that ever since he joined HELLSING, he had been under surveillance. Of course, it was normal for an organization like HELLSING to keeps its eyes on someone of unknown origin with significant strength. Only if they were brain-dead would they not pay attention to him.

But now, it seemed that Fang Zheng’s confrontation with that mad priest had somewhat diminished Intagura’s suspicions, or maybe... could this be considered a letter of credence?

Fang Zheng was utterly indifferent to the religious issues between the United Kingdom and the Vatican and had no interest in them. In fact, what he was more concerned about was that mysterious organization.

"Do we have any new information about that mysterious organization?"

Fang Zheng indicated that he was tired of going out to pick up firewood and couldn’t wait to find a gas station to "add fuel to the fire."

"MI5’s agents have found some clues, but everything is still in the investigative phase."

In the movies, James Bond could easily take down a crime syndicate, but in reality, agents were more useless than the next? Indeed, it’s all artistic embellishment.

"Alright, I hope they can bring us some clues sooner rather than later."

Fang Zheng stood up and stretched, then nodded to Intagura.

"If there’s nothing else, then I’ll be heading back."

After saying this, Fang Zheng turned and left the room. He certainly knew that Intagura had a lot to deal with that evening, but Fang Zheng couldn’t be bothered with those matters. He was just a hunter for hire, as long as he did his job, that was all that mattered. As for other problems... they were not for Fang Zheng to inquire into.

However, it was a bit of a pity about that priest.

As he walked towards his room, Fang Zheng shook his head. He could feel that the priest’s body contained a strong soul and a sacred power. Although it wasn’t up to the level of "firewood" that Fang Zheng needed, it was at least better than ordinary firewood—at least it was on the level of coal.

And after burning his right hand, Fang Zheng also absorbed some power with a sacred aura from the priest. It’s just a pity that the power was too little to light a new altar.

Maybe next time he saw him, he should just burn him directly.

As these thoughts spun through his head, Fang Zheng returned to his room, got into bed, and closed his eyes. He soon entered the pitch-black realm of dreams.

Then, the flames ignited once more.

"Welcome back, Lord of Ash."

The Fire Keeper standing before the altar turned respectfully, bowing to Fang Zheng, who waved his hand in response. After leaving Anan, Fang Zheng gained the ability to freely travel through his dreams into the "Firelink Altar" inside his soul. So every night before going to sleep, Fang Zheng would visit this place. Firstly, to let the Fire Keeper extract the power he had absorbed to strengthen the Soulfire. Secondly, it was to find someone to chat with... After all, the system hadn’t fully recovered yet, and Fang Zheng could hardly use his abilities. Magic was sealed, and he couldn’t contact others, so in such circumstances, chatting with the Fire Girl about life’s ideals was the only pastime available to him.

"I’m here, Fire Girl. How are things?"

Fang Zheng looked towards the altar before him. In the center of the ritual site’s altar, the Soulfire was burning vigorously. However, what Fang Zheng focused on wasn’t this, but the flame’s "shadow."

Indeed, beneath the flames, a pitch-black shadow flickered on the ground like the flames’ reflection, burning ceaselessly. This was not a real shadow, but the reflection of the Primordial Fire that Fang Zheng had birthed after harnessing the Power of the Abyss.

The Fire of the Abyss.

"Everything is normal, Lord of Ash; there are no abnormalities with the Fire of the Abyss at present."

"That’s good."

As he spoke, Fang Zheng extended his hand, and the Fire Keeper also took hold of his hands. Soon, a faint flame emerged from the Fire Keeper’s hands, then drifted to the altar and merged with the Soulfire burning at the center.

"This is really a drop in the bucket."

Looking at the tiny flame in front of him, which was no more substantial than a wisp of smoke, Fang Zheng couldn’t help shaking his head while the Fire Keeper gave a slight smile.

"Patience is needed, Lord of Ash. Repairing a soul is not an easy task, not to mention that your Soulfire has once extinguished. Being able to rekindle it with the Primordial Fire is a rare stroke of luck..."

"I know, it’s just a bit...impatient."

Hearing the Fire Keeper’s comforting words, Fang Zheng sighed. He knew that he was like someone recovering from a serious illness and that he must heal slowly and properly. But he couldn’t settle down, what was the situation in the Main World now, when could he find a way back, how was the Heavenly Dao Palace doing, how were Nymph and others, and what about those children? Thinking of these things made Fang Zheng restless. Although he could suppress his unease with reason, his emotions, tainted by the Abyss, could fluctuate easily. So even though he knew the Fire Keeper was right, it wasn’t easy to relax.

"Maybe I should wait a little longer. If that mysterious organization doesn’t make a move, then maybe I’ll make a big play."

After speaking, Fang Zheng stood up and nodded to the Fire Keeper.

"I’ll take my leave then."

"I wish you smooth sailing, Lord of Ash."

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