Without a moment's delay, the lifeless body of Dracula rapidly decayed, turning to ash.
Dracula was dead!
As the battle concluded, a quiet settled over the area. The people felt a strange sense of unreality, but the tension that had gripped their hearts relaxed, weapons lowered, and they sank to the ground, no longer wishing to move.
Today's battle had not lasted long, aside from the time spent traveling, but the intensity was immense. Not only had they expended all their energy, but their mental faculties had been drained as well.
During the fight, everyone had been on edge, especially when they witnessed Dracula's extraordinary regenerative abilities, which filled them with a sense of despair at his seeming invincibility.
Fortunately, Zhao Lun had suddenly erupted with power, turning the tide of battle and securing victory. It was as if a heavy burden had been lifted from their shoulders, and they finally allowed themselves to relax.
After resting for a moment, the group resumed their journey.
Anna stood still, praying, declaring that she had fulfilled her ancestors' vow, and rejoicing that her forebears could now ascend to heaven.
As she prayed, Zhao Lun noticed a powerful will emanating from her, gradually forming a pure, ethereal gateway. Angels were carved upon it, with their likenesses so lifelike they seemed ready to leap from the stone.
Finally, the gateway solidified, and the angels sprang forth. From within came sacred chanting, accompanied by streams of holy light that fell and merged into Anna's body, enhancing her sanctity.
Everyone could see her aura intensifying. Her injuries rapidly healed as the light enveloped her.
The rising energy was palpable, and Zhao Lun and the others were taken aback. This was akin to an ascension!
A faint soul drifted into view, slowly becoming clearer in the sacred light, revealing the image of a middle-aged man. He gazed peacefully at Anna as she prayed.
"Anna, my daughter, you have done it! I am proud of you!"
"Father!"
Anna wept upon seeing the soul of her father.
"Anna, my time is short. Listen! Your brother needs your help! There is something in this castle that can relieve his suffering!"
Her father imparted his final message, then turned to Zhao Lun and the others.
"Thank you for your assistance."
"May the Lord bless you."
With his words of thanks and blessing, he ascended towards the gateway, his departure serene.
The door opened slowly, and small angels emerged, scattering holy flowers in his path, leading him onward. Others sang peaceful hymns in celebration.
The sacred melodies filled the castle and spread far into the distance. They continued until the man disappeared into the gateway, the song resonating through the land, reverberating through a nearby town where the people, moved by the divine, came out to pray fervently.
As they prayed, the holy light descended like a gentle stream, washing over them. It purified their darkened spirits, leaving them more peaceful and radiant.
The town itself seemed to rise from the earth, dark smoke dissipating as it was cleansed by the sacred light.
The purification of the town was complete.
In the castle, souls began to appear, merging with the soft white light. Their forms gradually became distinct, exuding peace as they approached the gateway.
The angels, singing holy songs, guided them, their voices growing louder.
The people of the town gazed upward in awe, recognizing the familiar figures of their departed loved ones—faithful believers of the Lord.
It was a miracle! The townsfolk prayed even more devoutly.
These souls, male and female, moved swiftly toward the gateway. They, too, expressed gratitude to Zhao Lun and the others before continuing their journey.
A female spirit stepped forward to address Anna.
"Anna! I am so proud of you!"
"Mother!"
Tears flooded Anna's eyes as she saw the familiar figure. Her mother, so beautiful, so gentle, so... no words could capture her essence.
Her greatest sorrow had always been losing her mother at such a young age.
Anna bid her mother farewell, as more souls gathered around them.
The celestial hymns grew louder, and the sacred light bathed the area, merging with the people's spirits.
Zhao Lun watched the portal's closing, uneasy, for he had recognized the souls—these were the spirits from Anna's family castle. They had resided within paintings, some even warning him when he first encountered them. Now, they had ascended to heaven.
The souls, having been preserved through centuries, grew clearer under the holy light.
They bowed to Zhao Lun and the others, offering their blessings, and from a distance, sent their regards to Anna as they entered the portal.
Meanwhile, Zhao Lun felt his divine realm absorbing the holy light, as it flowed into his "sun" and emerged tinged with golden hues, spreading across every corner of the divine realm.
The realm trembled as it was enveloped in golden light.
Zhao Lun carefully monitored the changes, mindful not to disrupt the divine power, fearing that disturbing this mighty force would lead to his destruction.
He knew the Lord's mercy was reserved for the faithful, while others, heretics, would be eradicated by His wrath.
If he provoked this powerful being, he had no doubt that the Lord would purify him as an impure being.
Zhao Lun thought of this, but his eyes never left the heavenly gateway, seeking to uncover its mysteries.
Behind the portal, the secrets remained hidden, and the divine realm experienced yet another shift. Unable to act, Zhao Lun missed his chance to peer into the Lord's secrets.
Had he forced the use of his powers, he might have seen the truth but would also risk exposure, bringing down misfortune upon himself.
Zhao Lun refrained, instead calming his mind and absorbing the warmth of the sacred light.
As the one who eradicated evil, Zhao Lun, too, received a blessing—a baptism of gentle holy light.
This light was warm, accompanied by celestial hymns, and as he listened, his soul seemed cleansed, becoming clearer, more transparent.
"Record!" Zhao Lun mentally commanded, capturing the hymn in his mind.
At the same time, the castle seemed to be cleansed, its grime washed away, appearing almost normal.
The decaying atmosphere lifted, the clouds parted, and the sunlight descended, amplified by the holy light. The purification intensified, swiftly banishing darkness.
The light spread, bringing brightness to the world, erasing the previous decay.
Zhao Lun understood this was an illusion—just like sunlight casts shadows, so too did the holy light have its limits. It could purify the immediate area, but it had no power to reach farther evil.
As the last souls disappeared into the gateway, the holy light faded, the portal closed, and the angels returned to their stone forms. The song's echo lingered, gradually fading away.
The group recovered, noticing the castle now seemed much brighter. Rays of light pierced through the stone walls, illuminating the entire structure. (To be continued.)