"Rossi, you and the butler go back to Wudu first. I'll accompany Miss back to the academy and meet up with you soon," Lin Tian instructed, turning around.

"Alright, Brother Tian." Rossi agreed.

Just as Lin Tian was about to leave, the communicator rang with Miss's startled voice: "Lin Tian, something's happened at the castle, hurry back."

"Alright, got it." Lin Tian responded and ended the call.

"Brother Tian, is it the curse..." Rossi speculated.

Lin Tian glanced at the butler and nodded. What was meant to come would come. Sorlin Castle couldn't escape the curse. After bidding Rossi farewell, as Lin Tian returned to the castle, he saw the team gathering around Clark's body.

To be precise, it wasn't a body anymore, for Clark's body was evaporating like dry ice, releasing black vapor that dissipated into the void and disappeared.

"Lin Tian, look, what's going on here?" Xiao Manxue asked.

"I already know," Lin Tian said unsurprised.

Xiao Manxue felt a bit strange and couldn't help but ask, "You... don't seem surprised at all."

Reina and the other team members also looked at Lin Tian. Lin Tian nodded, admitting, "Some bad news: the curse has been activated, which is why Clark's body is vanishing."

"A curse? But wasn't Clark already dead? Why is there still a curse?" The other team members raised the same question Lin Tian had anticipated.

Knowing they'd ask, Lin Tian recounted everything about the butler, though he altered the ending slightly, saying he ultimately killed the butler.

Now they understood the whole story; the team never imagined Clark included himself for revenge.

While they were speaking, Clark's body had completely vanished. Meanwhile, the castle began to shake, and a dark red light suddenly shot out from the highest spire. Even in the bright daylight, this light was very distinct.

The light formed a pillar connecting heaven and earth. As it pierced the sky, black clouds appeared in what was once clear blue sky. The clouds pressed lower, and after a few flashes of lightning, rain began to fall from the sky.

This rain seemed no different at first, but as it hit the grass, the green blades turned yellow as if sprayed with herbicide, and eventually withered.

The same fate befell the lavender fields; the swathes of blue-violet quickly vanished, replaced by the relentless spread of ochre.

The sight left them all stunned. Although they knew the curse was irreversible, seeing the beautiful flowers and greenery wither—and watching the splendor vanish so rapidly—was heartbreaking.

"Getting soaked by this rain is really uncomfortable," one team member said.

"Reina Sword Saint, Sorlin Castle is going to be done for soon. We should notify the residents so they can prepare to relocate," someone suggested.

Reina sighed softly and said, "Since things have come to this, let me handle informing the residents."

They stole one last glance at the castle before turning away. Led by Reina Sword Saint, the team proceeded to the church of Sorlin Castle.

After the residents left the castle, some gathered in the church. It's ironic that they're pinning their hopes on the ethereal gods when years ago, it was their prayers that drove the Holy Daughter to despair.

"Thank you all for your help. If it weren't for you, the consequences would be unimaginable." Mayor Dede approached Lin Tian and his team, greeting them with gratitude.

Reina's expression was a bit strained. She hesitated, but said, "Mayor Dude, I'm here to tell you that the curse has been activated."

She repeated Lin Tian's earlier words. As the residents listened, their expressions darkened, and many collapsed to the ground, with some quietly sobbing.

"What happened sixty years ago must be repaid. Sorlin Castle's time to settle accounts has come..." A hoarse voice rose from the crowd.

Lin Tian followed the voice and saw Granny Mary kneeling, her gaze fixed on the church's statue.

"Miss Reina, we still must thank you for your help. Without you, the curse's ritual would have been complete. Now, in this unfortunate luck, people's lives are spared," Mayor Dede said sincerely.

Reina shook her head slightly, saying, "I suggest Mayor Dude arrange for relocation quickly. It won't be long before Sorlin Castle becomes a wasteland where no grass will grow, nor flowers bloom."

"Thank you for the reminder, Miss Reina. I'll make arrangements immediately. Although our path forward is uncertain, one day things will improve. We won't shy away anymore; instead, we'll ensure that everyone remembers what happened sixty years ago and vows not to repeat such mistakes," Mayor Dede said firmly before nodding and leaving the church.

Leaving the church, Lin Tian and the team walked on the street, surrounded by hurried passersby who likely received the mayor's notification and understood the situation's outcome.

"It's a pity that a town filled with lavender must disappear from history. Perhaps the events sixty years ago sealed today's fate," Zhu Li sighed quietly while observing the anxious crowds.

Xiao Manxue patted her shoulder and softly said, "Sorlin Castle won't vanish so quickly. Wudu will send people to investigate, and expert teams will arrive, but they're destined to find nothing. Perhaps another legend will emerge—that of Sorlin Castle, the story of a young man and a kind girl."

"If investigators from Wudu come, will we be implicated? Maybe they'll accuse us of brawling," Lin Tianqi asked curiously.

"No, the Guardian's hunt never ceases. Have you ever seen the Guardian captured for investigation?" Xiao Manxue retorted.

"It doesn't matter to me. I'm returning home soon; they can do whatever they please," Lin Tian replied carelessly.

Back at Fengye Inn, its doors were open, but the hall was run by the son of Granny Mary, who was busy packing and not receiving guests.

"Everyone, I'm truly sorry. You've helped Sorlin Castle so much, but I have no time to host you now. I apologize, and in gratitude, I'll waive this stay's fees," the man said politely.

"What are you and Granny Mary planning?" Xiao Manxue asked.

"We'll stay with relatives temporarily and decide our next steps after settling in," the man replied.

"We're leaving soon; please manage our checkout," Xiao Manxue said. She didn't inquire further. From his response, the group already knew the majority of residents chose to rely on relatives and wait for resettlement.

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