The Divine Armor of the Old Century（Book 1）

Chapter 156

Snowflakes descended from the sky in countless numbers, swirling chaotically as they danced past the dilapidated buildings and the weather-worn clock tower at the town's center. They were carried by the wind, finally coming to rest on a girl's face, where they melted and left a faint, watery trace.

Serena couldn't believe it; she stood there in a daze. Once again, she had returned to this place—a place buried deep in her memories.

The human brain has a way of protecting itself, subconsciously forgetting the unpleasant. No matter how profound the memories, they can be deliberately forgotten. Even when recalled, it is with a sense of disbelief at how much time has passed.

But now, after all this time, Serena was back. Or perhaps, the things she had forgotten had come back to find her.

Cold winds rushed through the alleyways. A stray dog watched her from afar, exuding a strange, sinister presence. It didn't attack but simply stared at her, as if appreciating a piece of theater. Its expression was unnervingly human, as though some will resided within its body.

Before Serena could ponder further, a hand suddenly grabbed her hair and lifted her up.

"I've finally found you," the man said, his heavy coat reeking of alcohol. "How much money did you get today? If it's not enough, there'll be no dinner for you."

He dragged Serena along the ground. She scratched at his hand, but it had no effect.

His steps were unsteady; he was clearly drunk.

Serena remembered this, and then came the anger. She struggled fiercely, but the hand holding her was like iron, unyielding. Even as she exhausted herself, nothing changed.

"Lloyd... Lloyd!" Serena cried out, clinging to some semblance of hope.

She didn't understand why she was here, why this was happening, but calling out for Lloyd seemed the only thing she could do.

She hoped fervently. She believed the demon hunter would come to save her, just as he had in the beginning, just as he had when Father Lawrence was in danger. He always appeared in times of crisis.

But it was no use. The long alley was silent; no one answered her call.

Then, strange thoughts began to flood her mind. Even Serena couldn't understand why she was thinking this way. What if Lloyd didn't exist?

What if Lloyd Holmes had never found her? What if he had taken someone else from Goulunaro?

A life diverged, echoing with dreadful possibilities.

Serena couldn't bear to think further. Extreme fear surged from within, consuming her.

At the end of the alley, the stray dog still watched her, its red eyes reflecting the cold world.

Everything was so familiar, and then the memories began to blur.

She was about to forget something. Memories started to crumble. Serena tried to hold onto those soon-to-be-erased memories, but it was futile.

"Stop... stop!"

An unseen force was sweeping her memories away, tearing apart the records in her mind.

Finally, a blank slate.

In intense pain, Serena's struggles ceased... She started to forget how she got there.

Her hands lay limp on the ground, dragging through the mud.

Suddenly, repressed childhood memories flooded back, burying her past experiences. Serena's demeanor shifted, as if she had become a different person, letting the drunkard drag her away.