Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 241: Chapter 240: We Are Not the Villains, We Are the Drivers of History (Part 2)

As Fang Zheng said, he had no intention of stopping the battle between the Fire Mist Warriors and the Followers of the Crimson Realm, for that was impossible. The Followers of the Crimson Realm might endure it temporarily for the sake of “Imperial Command,” but the Fire Mist Warriors would absolutely not show leniency when they saw a Follower of the Crimson Realm.

Besides, there were quite a few unmanageable Followers of the Crimson Realm, and Fang Zheng couldn’t be bothered to make both sides sit down and talk calmly. Since everyone was so irritable, he thought it might as well be a good opportunity to eliminate them thoroughly. Whether it was the aggressive group among the Followers or among the Fire Mist Warriors, he aimed to cleanse them all. Even if it was not possible to clean up everyone, at least over eighty percent, ensuring the order and safety of the new world.

However, before that…….as Fang Zheng had said, he had to reach a consensus with others.

Or rather, just one person.

Just that……

“The little girl seems not quite happy recently?”

Standing on the rooftop, Fang Zheng looked toward Goki High School not far away. Finding Shana was not a difficult task for Fang Zheng. In fact, the information system of the masquerade ball was even more formidable than he expected. Fang Zheng also couldn’t help but marvel; it’s no wonder that the Fire Mist Warriors had never caught on to the tail of the masquerade ball for so many years, the information network of Berupeoru was indeed exceptional. Every time the Fire Mist Warriors had any major operation, their Hall of the Star Dawn would intercept the information first, and then avoid it.

As for Shana’s movements, it would be merely a blink of an eye for the Hall of the Star Dawn to monitor.

But as Fang Zheng said, the current Shana seemed somewhat exhausted. She walked out of the school gate with her head down, seemingly not very happy. Fang Zheng already had a vague guess about the cause but he didn’t care…..anyway, it had nothing to do with him.

But this state of the little girl was not suitable for negotiation.

“It looks like I have to give the little girl some psychological counseling again.”

Fang Zheng shook his head helplessly and sighed, while Tilia beside him gave a gentle smile.

“Elder Brother isn’t always doing this kind of thing?”

“Can’t help it, being a mentor is really an interesting enjoyment.”

Looking at Tilia beside him, Fang Zheng also slightly smiled. This time, when he returned to Goki City, he brought Tilia and Nanoka along — the latter wasn’t accustomed to staying at the Hall of the Star Dawn, while the former…uh, the most important reason Fang Zheng took Tilia away was to prevent a fire in the harem.

Yes, Black Katie and Tilia, they didn’t get along.

For Black Katie, the Ritual Snake was the Hierarch she respected and cherished the most. Therefore, she showed profound respect and love for Fang Zheng in everything she did. However, Tilia obviously acted more like a pampered little sister, always liking to hang around Fang Zheng, clinging to his arm, sweetly calling him Elder Brother, and then occasionally acting coy.

For Black Katie, that was unbearable. Even though Tilia did possess the power of the King of the Crimson Realm, and from the perspective of the Dimensional Codex’s summoning, she was indeed set up as Fang Zheng’s little sister. But she was not a Divine Kin like the Three Pillars. If a comparison had to be made, then Fang Zheng was the Emperor, the Three Pillars were High Officials, and Tilia was just a court lady.

In Black Katie’s view, the current Tilia was basically a court lady who became arrogant because she was favored by the Emperor — You’re not even an imperial concubine yet, without an official status you dare be presumptuous in front of the Emperor, how is that proper?

And because Tilia, who had established a bond with the Dimensional Codex and Fang Zheng, indeed acted like those concubines who, beloved by the Emperor, behaved arrogantly in front of Black Katie, often with an attitude of “The Emperor favors me, bite me if you disagree, or else let’s settle it in bed.”

Fortunately, the squabbles between those two were just verbal, and seeing as Black Katie was not particularly talkative, and Tilia treated her much like how she treated Shana by taking little advantages, there was no intention of escalating it to a deadly romantic drama of palace intrigue. Besides, Black Katie and Tilia actually knew when to advance or retreat, and even their disputes were more like children playing around.

However, because “Imperial Command” was about to enter its second phase, which required gathering all the scattered Followers of the Crimson Realm to the Hall of the Star Dawn, Berupeoru suggested that Fang Zheng temporarily take Tilia away. It should be known that Black Katie enjoyed high esteem among the Followers of the Crimson Realm at the masquerade ball. If those Followers returned and found the shrine maiden they worshipped disagreeing with another Follower, even if it was just bickering, it would cause trouble if word got out. This was not conducive to the stability and unity of the masquerade ball.

“Alright, no more watching the excitement, let’s go meet her.”

At that moment, Shana was indeed not doing well, because the person she regarded as both a friend and a mother—Wilhelmina—had died.

Moreover, she died right in front of her.

Shana was just one step too late when she found Wilhelmina. In fact, by the time she sensed the aura of Wilhelmina and the sealing, Sabrac had already struck Wilhelmina a fatal blow. By the time Shana rushed into the sealing, it was too late to intervene, and she could only watch helplessly as Wilhelmina turned to ash and disappeared.

This had greatly shocked Shana.

Though she attacked Sabrac in anger afterward, even understanding “Judgement” due to her fury and completely eradicated the powerful Demon King of the Crimson Realm with Red Lotus fire, following that, Shana fell into a state of confusion. She didn’t know what she should do next or how. Even the mission of the Fire Mist Warriors made her feel uncertain.

Unconsciously, she found herself back in Goki City, resuming her “student” life. Shana didn’t know why she acted this way, but at least, being with these classmates gradually eased her internal restlessness and confusion quite a bit.

Maybe, after some time, she would be able to rally herself and resume the tasks of the Fire Mist Warriors.

The sun set in the west. Upon reaching the riverbank, Shana couldn’t help but stop in her tracks. She would come here every day after school, and if it had been before, it would have been her training time with Fang Zheng. But now… Shana shook her head, she still came to train, but it didn’t feel good to be alone.

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind Shana.

“What’s the matter, girl, looking like you’re half-dead? Are you thinking about suicide?”

“Fang Zheng?!”

Hearing this voice, Shana immediately turned around in surprise and indeed saw Fang Zheng not far away, looking at her with his usual smile. She thought she was hallucinating, so she vigorously rubbed her eyes and looked again — Fang Zheng was still standing there.

“Fang Zheng! Where on earth did you go, and why didn’t you contact me!”

“Didn’t I tell you I went traveling around the world… uh…”

But before Fang Zheng could finish, Shana pounced on him and held him tightly.

“…………”

Seeing this scene, Tilia, who was following Fang Zheng, squinted her eyes, then turned her head to appreciate the scenery around her, as if she hadn’t seen anything.

“Uh… what’s this…”

Facing Shana’s actions, Fang Zheng was also somewhat astonished. Knowing the girl as he did, it would have been more typical for her to scream at him or rush over and draw a sword to strike. Honestly, this was the first time he had seen Shana show such a vulnerable side like a little girl.

“Willhelmina… she… she died…”

“Really…”

Hearing Shana’s cries, Fang Zheng just sighed and then reached out to stroke her little head. He and Willhelmina weren’t close; her death didn’t warrant a single tear from him. Regardless, Willhelmina had been one of the few people Shana depended on in this world, and now that she was gone, Shana could only rely on Fang Zheng.

She’s still just a child after all.

Looking at Shana’s trembling shoulders, Fang Zheng sighed and gently patted her, just like comforting a child. Meanwhile, Tilia directly turned her head, adopting an “I haven’t seen or heard anything” demeanor.

After a good while, Shana finally stopped sobbing, took a step back with embarrassment, and then wiped her eyes.

“Sorry, Fang Zheng, I…”

“It’s okay, you look much better now.”

Looking at Shana’s tear-streaked face, Fang Zheng smiled. Just as he said, Shana now appeared much more spirited than before. When he had encountered her earlier, she seemed almost like a zombie; Fang Zheng had even considered whether he should be harsh with her. It seems the girl had just been bottling it up for too long. Aralastor, is this how you act as a father?

“Thank you, Fang Zheng.”

Noticing Fang Zheng’s disapproving look, Aralastor also awkwardly expressed his gratitude. What else could he do? If possible, Aralastor certainly would have loved to hold the child and let her vent. Unfortunately, he had no physical body in this world; it wasn’t as if he could just let Shana cry herself to liberation.

“Alright, now that you’ve calmed down, let’s get to the main point.”

Seeing Shana had picked herself up again, Fang Zheng nodded in satisfaction, knowing the young one had moved past her low point.

And now, it was time to establish her next life goals.

“Come on, go wash your face, I’ll take you for tea, and introduce you to a junior.”

“A junior?”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Shana paused for a moment, while Fang Zheng nodded.

“Yes, my second student… um, also a Fire Mist Warrior, maybe you two will get along?”