February 3, 2049
Game Time: AM 11:37
Shavin Empire, King's Capital Teron, a certain civilian residence
Li Fo Astor, dressed as a commoner, sat expressionlessly at a wooden table.
The elegance and tranquility in his grey eyes were gradually receding, replaced by a fervent intensity that burned like a raging flame.
This was not the gaze one would expect from a Tian Zhu Mountain Deputy in training; instead, it resembled that of a resolute and stubborn martyr...
Li Fo stared at the steaming food before him in silence for a long time, then trembled as he kissed the back of his own hand, whispering in an almost inaudible voice, “Praise the Sun for the food, freedom, and pride it bestows upon us.”
After speaking these words, he seemed to collapse onto the chair, as if drained of strength, his fists clenched tightly, and his eyes even became a little moist.
“It’s been too long…”
This human male, who appeared to be in his thirties, chuckled like a child, his linen robe unknowingly soaked with sweat.
He trembled and his face turned red from laughing, and despite his voice being extremely low, he showed no sign of stopping, as if possessed.
Yet, his slightly narrowed eyes were filled with calmness and indifference.
It wasn’t that he was outwardly frenzied but inwardly calm; it was simply that Li Fo had developed numerous almost instinctive habits over the past decades, and it was precisely because of these habits that he had been able to maintain his footing in a place hidden with countless secrets and filled with countless eyes.
Absolute composure, absolute self-discipline, absolute obedience, absolute gentleness!
Even now, temporarily unshackled, Li Fo Astor instinctively suppressed his emotions, though this only made him appear more bizarre.
After a long while, he finally, with astonishing willpower, stopped laughing, straightened up, and began to eat quietly.
During this process, Li Fo subconsciously reverted to being the indifferent and peaceful Deputy in training, as if his earlier inexplicable actions had nothing to do with him.
This civilian house in the outer district of Teron had been occupied by an elderly couple until half a day ago, but Li Fo had only paid fifty gold coins to make the old couple happily pack their belongings and move out, promising not to disturb this ‘wandering scholar’ for the next two months.
However, Li Fo had no real intention of staying in this place for two months; in fact, he estimated he would at most stay here for about a week, or even less.
His earlier instructions were merely for the sake of safety.
Twenty minutes later, after finishing lunch, Li Fo simply tidied the table, then stood up and began to stroll around the not-very-large house.
This was not some post-meal digestion exercise, but merely some necessary preparatory work…
【Water of Disappearance—Warning Dark Mark】
【Light of Disappearance—Melting Shadow】
【Wind of Disappearance—Breathless Barrier】
【Gate of Dimension—Peering Abnormity】
【Gate of Dimension—Spirit Vision Compound Eye】
【Root Mystery—Detection Pre-warning】
【Root Mystery—Information Erasure】
A series of complex and profound runes appeared out of thin air around Li Fo, then quickly merged into this simple and unadorned civilian house, arming its security level to a degree comparable to Emperor William’s bedchamber within a short time.
Moreover, Li Fo’s methods were extremely covert; no one, except for a powerful individual of Fara’s level, could detect the slightest clue from the outside, and now, the Shavin Royal Capital no longer had powerful individuals of Faraosis’s caliber.
After completing these preparatory tasks, Li Fo returned to the wooden table in the center of the room.
He took out a seemingly ordinary piece of parchment, and then conjured a silver quill pen out of thin air, beginning to write on it:
To the Esteemed High-Rank Observer/Narrator Albus Decard:
One day ago, I investigated the southern part of Konda Prince Territory and discovered the ruins of a small town called Phantom Town.
Villagers nearby said that it had been attacked by High-Rank magical beasts a few days prior, and there were no survivors in all of Phantom Town.
Now, the Tsar's Sword Knights of the Shavin Empire have intervened in the investigation.
I believe you are correct; this rather peculiar ‘magical beast attack’ incident may be related to the Disappearance of Prince Kangda Bohe of the Empire.
After a preliminary investigation, I returned to the ruins of what was once Phantom Town.
Although I did find traces of High-Rank magical beasts 【Savage Horned Beasts】 rampaging, I also noticed some inconsistencies.
The traces of the Savage Horned Beasts there were simply too obvious; their footprints, droppings, and direction of movement were all clear at a glance.
I do not wish to interfere with your judgment with my own baseless conjectures, so I have sealed the scene at that time within a crystal, and will transmit it to you along with this report.
I have now arrived at the Royal Capital of the Shavin Empire and will soon make contact with William Burke.
If Fara had revealed any details about Tian Zhu Mountain to the Emperor during his lifetime, then this contact should proceed very smoothly.
After the initial contact, I will begin to investigate the cause of Faraosis’s death, and if possible, I will also visit the ruins of Banse City, which has already been ‘purified’.
I will keep your warning in mind and prioritize safety throughout the investigation.
Please do not worry.
This report concludes here; I will contact you again in three days.
—Your loyal Li Fo Astor
Li Fo quickly finished writing the report, then took out an inconspicuous four-sided crystal.
After infusing it with a little magic, he gently placed it on the parchment.
A faint silver light flashed and vanished; the next second, both the crystal and the parchment had disappeared from the wooden table, leaving only a faint, colorful mist.
Li Fo, expressionless throughout, stood up and walked a circle around the room along his previous path.
With a series of crisp snaps, the series of defensive measures he had personally set up instantly crumbled.
The clumsy sound of a harp came from the neighbor’s house; the young couple next door seemed to firmly believe their daughter could become an artist.
Li Fo felt that at least one part of those two guys’ hearing or thinking was problematic, or perhaps both.
However, he did not offer any opinion on this; instead, he calmly went out, found a brick, and then…
Well, he didn’t smash the brick at their heads or that second-hand harp.
He merely carried the brick back into the house with a normal expression, closed the door, sat back down at the wooden table, and then took out a long needle to write on it:
To my family,
I am Abel's Soul, constantly wandering in the abyss of despair.
It is a pleasure to speak with you.
Please do not be wary of me; like you, I possess a great and noble heritage.
Like you, I am filled with hatred that overflows my soul.
Rejoice, my brothers and sisters, for I have discovered that those detestable monsters still fear something.
It involves an interesting prophecy; I cannot pry too much, yet I still obtained some useful information and then secured an opportunity…
I cannot reveal too much; I can only pass this wisp of illusory hope to you.
Brothers and sisters, perhaps one day in the future, I will need your help, but not now.
We must be cautious, we must hide carefully, we must be diligent; it is not yet time to make a sound…
But the Day of Restoration will surely come, and I will spare no effort for it.
My compatriots, if you are still active in the shadows of this land, please pray for me.
Praise the Sun.
—Unnamed Abel's Soul
After writing this content, Li Fo trembled as he put down the long needle in his hand, then took out a short staff.
He gently tapped the brick in front of him, and a silver clock phantom appeared out of thin air on the tabletop, then disappeared after turning a few times counter-clockwise.
Li Fo smiled slightly, then raised his hand and pressed it onto the brick, instantly blasting it into a small pile of powder.
…
Game Time: AM 12:00
A hooded figure appeared in a common alley.
At first glance, it wasn't a special place; occasionally, people would even turn in to dump trash, but...
If anyone had truly studied it, they would find that this location was precisely at the top of the shadow cast by the tallest building in the entire Royal Capital—the Kaguya Cathedral—at twelve noon.
The newcomer silently kicked aside a stone slab, carefully sprinkled a bag of powder beneath it, then quickly covered the slab back.
After leaving an imperceptible sun wheel emblem on it, he left without looking back.
…
At the same time
Violet Empire, Royal Capital, Saramun, Scarlet Garden
Today, Shuang Ye uncharacteristically did not go to the Mage Guild.
She was currently sitting leisurely on a lounge chair in the center of the courtyard, eating snacks.
Two continuously burning small fireballs floated beside her, tirelessly providing warmth to this recognized genius Junior Mage of the Teron Mage Guild branch.
Kasi, standing behind Shuang Ye, couldn't help but secretly click his tongue.
He felt that this perpetually inscrutable girl, just with her level of magic control, was enough to qualify as a Mid-Tier Mage.
【When did this girl progress to such an extent? A few days ago, when she was in Fire Claw Territory, she was just a frail Low-Tier Mage, but now…】
The battle-hardened Beast Elf fell into deep thought, then was splashed in the face by a small water ball that came flying at him.
“Don’t lose focus, Mr. Bodyguard.”
Shuang Ye lazily looked back at him, smiling, “Until the mission is complete, you must constantly ensure the safety of me, this key witness.”
“Assassin’s intuition doesn’t react much to people with no hostility,” Kasi said faintly, wiping his face casually.
“However, I was indeed a bit distracted just now, I apologize.”
The girl pushed up her glasses and shrugged with a half-smile, “Because you think being vigilant in such an absolutely safe place is a bit redundant? Or because my magic level shocked you a little?”
Kasi subconsciously wanted to retort, but ultimately nodded gently, “Both.”
“Nowhere is safe,” Shuang Ye picked up the juice with a homemade miniature umbrella stuck in it, took a sip, and pulled the blanket on her lap higher, a hint of solemnity flashing in her eyes.
“Besides, although I don’t deny that I’m a genius, there are countless geniuses in this world.
You don’t need to be surprised by one or two little magic tricks; compared to those true monsters, I’m still far from it…”
Kasi stared at the small fireballs floating on either side of Shuang Ye and whispered, “Your talent is not common.”
【Yeah, I know I’m good and powerful, but even so, I only barely squeezed into the top thirty of those trash rankings! Damn it, are all those guys ahead of me monsters?! And that annoying BLACK, who can rank seventeenth on the overall list!
I’ve been giving it my all, being online full-time every day, and I’m still being suppressed…】
Shuang Ye thought, somewhat frantically, but on the surface, she merely smiled noncommittally, “Is that so?”
Kasi nodded seriously.
【But I haven’t seen that guy on the individual combat power ranking, which means his hard power hasn’t met the standard yet? Hmm, it should be like that.
BLACK should be unable to hide his identity like me; otherwise, on the overall strength list, I should only see question marks.
After all, with his malicious personality, he definitely wouldn't show any threat before killing me.
So, relatively speaking, his advantage should be connections or money, right? Ugh, it’s such a headache…】
Shuang Ye thought rapidly, while also dedicating a small portion of her energy to maintaining the two small fireballs beside her, and continued chatting with her cheap bodyguard: “You’d best not rely too much on your assassin’s instinct or whatever; this place, Violet Royal Capital, isn’t Fire Claw’s small patch of land.
Things like killing intent detection are too unreliable.
I’m really quite timid, so please, even on our own turf, be serious, okay?”
“Rest assured, Your Ladyship,” the Beast Elf bowed slightly, revealing a somewhat handsome, wild smile, “I wouldn’t want to disgrace Lord Xi Luo.
As long as I live, I guarantee no one will be able to harm you.”
Shuang Ye nodded with satisfaction, “Even if you’re going to die, you have to try your best to create an escape route for me~”
Kasi: “…”
The girl pursed her lips and smiled, “It’s nothing, I’m just joking, but you’d best take it seriously.”
Kasi: “Understood.”
Just then, Le Wen’s hurried figure suddenly ran over from not far away, calling out as he ran, “Is Miss Shuang Ye here? I just went to the Mage Guild and she wasn’t there…”
Splat!
A mud ball, mixed with earth and water elemental energy, hit the Fox-kin Half-Orc’s face, knocking him to the ground.
“I’ve been waiting here for ages, and you, you idiot, ran off to the Mage Guild,” Shuang Ye mumbled in a displeased tone, then strained to straighten her short legs and jumped down from the lounge chair (her feet couldn’t reach the ground).
She clapped her hands to dispel the elemental mud ball from Le Wen’s face. “So, he’s already here?”
Le Wen blinked blankly, taking a moment to react before nodding vigorously, “Yes, Buffy Marshall has arrived at the Royal Capital.”
“What about the personnel accompanying him?”
“One family member, five Buffy's Sword Knights members, 20 ordinary guards, and a few not-so-core territory officials.”
Shuang Ye nodded, a mischievous smile appearing on her face, “Very good, it seems he hasn’t noticed anything amiss~”
Le Wen looked at Shuang Ye admiringly, “Then what should we do next…?”
“You go greet him politely, and then we’ll just wait for the meeting to begin.
I won’t give him any time to react~”
“No problem, Madam.”
Chapter 238: The End
