Who hid My Corpse!

I hope next time I come out, Gerard has already returned.

"I should head back now," Hallman said to Yong Xin by his side, "Please take good care of this city and remember to tell me when Gerard returns."

Yong Xin smiled and nodded in response.

Hallman then walked toward the Thought Amber once again.

But halfway there, he stopped in his tracks, eyes fixed on the reflection of Yong Xin in the Thought Amber.

Yong Xin was smiling at him, a smile that seemed oddly familiar.

It's as if he had seen this person somewhere before!

As the lost memories were gradually being recovered, the reflection on the Thought Amber rapidly aligned with a face in the corridor of memories!

Although the face from his memories was younger!

But his features, his smile, were all identical to those in Hallman's recollection!

Hallman's body froze; he slowly turned around and looked at Yong Xin: "You, why are you here?"

Yong Xin, recognized at last, was not angry – in fact, he seemed almost pleased, clapping his hands lightly: "Ah, Lord Bishop, you've finally recognized me."

Seeing this face that had matured far too much compared to the one in his memory, a terrible thought dawned on Hallman, causing him to shudder violently.

"Now, exactly what year is it?"

"246, Lord Bishop."

Hallman staggered: "What about Night Star?"

Yong Xin spread his hands with a smile: "Isn't she standing right in front of you?"

In Hallman's eyes, Yong Xin's body began to twist bizarrely.

"The new era has arrived, Lord Bishop," Yong Xin said softly, "Celebrate the arrival of the new gods with me."

Before he finished speaking, the door behind Yong Xin was slammed open.

He didn't have time to turn around when a Chopping Axe came down, splitting his body in two.

"The era you seek will never come." A cold voice rang out, "This is Lyra; you and the gods you seek can go to Hell together."

There was no chance for Yong Xin to argue anymore; he fell into a pool of blood, smiling, as Kude stepped over him.

Hallman looked at Kude's Skeleton Corps attire and breathed a sigh of relief.

"It seems things haven't spiraled completely out of control yet." Hallman asked Kude, "Are you now in charge of the Skeleton Corps? What about Fenli?"

Hallman had learned from Yong Xin that it was now the year 246, which meant he had been deceived for a full ten years.

As a Bishop, he was deceived for ten years, to the extent that he didn't dare to imagine just how bad Lyra's situation had now become. But Kude's appearance gave him a glimmer of hope.

Since the Skeleton Corps was still loyal to him, then there was still room for negotiation.

Of course, this was why he subconsciously assumed Kude was the current person in charge of the Skeleton Corps.

"Sorry, Lord Bishop." As Kude pulled the Chopping Axe off the ground, he spoke to Hallman, "The current chief of the Skeleton Corps is still Lord Fenli. I am here simply through special means."

Kude produced a bizarrely shaped key from his bosom, and Hallman knew at a glance, his heart sinking.

"The Key of Order," Hallman murmured, "Has it really come to this? What has become of Lyra?"

"It's difficult for me to describe," Kude said, "On the surface, Lyra is still peaceful; no disaster has occurred, but in reality... the vast majority of people can't even remember what the Lyra God looks like anymore."

Hearing this, Hallman couldn't help but close his eyes: "How could this be... Lord, are we truly destined to fail?"

Everything was beyond Hallman's expectations now.

The worst outcome he and Oliver had anticipated was to spend two years in the Thought Amber, and Night Star had not returned, worsening the situation in Lyra.

In that case, they would emerge from the Thought Amber together and then consider the next steps for salvation.

It was then that Hallman finally understood why those people kept telling him it was still the year 236.

They were numbing them, making them think there was still time, that Night Star had just left, that everything was still manageable.

But in reality, a full ten years had passed.

Too long, this period of time was too long.

So much longer than the worst conditions they had predicted that even a trace of despair flashed in Hallman's eyes.

And Kude, capturing this flicker of despair, immediately saluted Hallman with a Knight's salute.

"Lord Bishop, please do not give up," Kude said in a serious tone, "I know the situation is dire, but please don't lose hope. So many people are waiting for your return, waiting for the Return of the Lord. People are not dead, just blinded. They are strapped to a gear train about to derail, unaware, and now, only you can save them."

Kude's words left Hallman stunned.

Can I, still save them?

Hallman lowered his head, staring blankly at his own hands.

Having been in the Thought Amber for ten years, his body had aged considerably; ten years ago he was a robust middle-aged man, but now he seemed as though he was on the brink of the grave.

Yet even with such aged hands, he could recall the words of Oliver, the Bishop of Sky Tower, from ten years prior.

"Gentlemen, please do your best."

"The future of Lyra lies in our hands."

The image was as vivid as if it were from yesterday, yet as hazy as if it were from a distant past.