Translator: SumTLMan
Before Domino could comprehend Angel’s meaning, a moan escaped from Tepicchio’s mouth.
“What are you all doing just standing there? Come protect the young master!” Domino’s servant shouted in alarm, hurriedly ordering the guards to restrain Tepicchio.
Tepicchio rubbed his temples, wincing, “Ouch, that hurts.”
As Tepicchio spoke, the guards had already rushed to his side, preparing to bind him.
“Don’t move!” Domino, with shock in his eyes, stopped the guards’ actions. He helped Tepicchio to sit down on a chair in the study, asking expectantly, “Father?”
Tepicchio opened his eyes, vaguely seeing his son beside him, “Domino? Uh, my throat is so dry. Muwa, give me some water.”
Muwa was the servant who had served Domino earlier.
“Old…Master?! Are you alright? This…this is incredible!” Muwa’s thin-faced and gaunt figure was already in tears.
“Cough, what are you talking about? Muwa, water.” Tepicchio opened his somewhat blurry eyes, and due to his less than ideal physical condition, his thoughts hadn’t yet caught up, and he hadn’t recalled the events before losing consciousness.
Tepicchio’s gaze couldn’t be faked, and his speech was fine. Just as Angel had said: he was alright now!
It was only then that Domino hugged his “lost and found” father in a burst of tears.
Muwa, as well as the other guards, were also wiping their tears on the side.
As Domino cried, Tepicchio slowly recalled the previous events. He only remembered something rushing into his mouth, and then he fell into a deep sleep… So, he had actually been infected, and was fortunately treated by the great wizard?
Listening to the cries of his family and servants, Tepicchio’s eyes also grew moist. However, as the head of the family, he knew what he should do at this moment. He gently pushed Domino away, stood up, and wanted to thank Angel.
However, what he didn’t know was that during his parasitic period, the parasite had twisted all of his limbs. As soon as he stood up, he was toppled by his still-recovering twisted ankles, and he screamed as he fell to the ground.
After a chaotic scene, Tepicchio was carried by a guard on his back, brought to Angel, and signaled everyone to kneel.
More than twenty people knelt before Angel in unison.
“Thank you, great wizard. If it weren’t for your help this time, I’m afraid I would have already…”
“Get up, all of you. I was entrusted by Lady Red Lotus to save you, and for me, this is just a mission.” Angel didn’t appreciate the incessant gratitude and walked away directly, “It’s time to go. Don’t waste time on unnecessary matters.”
Tepicchio watched Angel’s receding figure and sighed deeply. What they considered a tremendous favor was nothing more than a simple gesture for the unworldly wizard. No wonder the king of Shadow Demon City was obsessed with obtaining a wizard’s power…
On this foggy night, a young man dressed in casual loose clothing led a group of seemingly robust-tailed individuals towards the southern gate.
Domino knew that Angel could save the infected mutants, but the thought of the millions of mutants in Shadow Demon City still sent shivers down his spine.
So, after following Angel on their journey, he was on tenterhooks the entire time.
However, after walking for about two hours, he noticed something strange. Although they occasionally heard eerie singing, they hadn’t encountered any mutants at all. Once, Domino even saw a mutant from afar, but it immediately turned and left when it saw their group.
Domino naturally didn’t think they had scared off the mutants with their numbers. The reason they hadn’t encountered any, and even saw mutants fleeing, was self-evident… Only the young wizard walking at the forefront could have accomplished this.
He seemed to possess incredible magic, his steps light and expression serene, dispelling the fear in their hearts.
After walking for another half day and approaching dawn, they finally reached the southern gate. Stepping out of the foggy area, they could see the train platform at the southern gate from afar, with a forest and cliffside caves just beyond it.
On the train platform, Angel saw some uninfected people. As he led the group, hundreds of curious onlookers stared. Among them, a burly man clad in full armor excitedly approached.
The armored man removed his helmet, revealing a face etched with hardships, and paid a half-kneeling homage to Tepicchio: “Greetings, Your Grace, the Duke!”
“It’s Captain Nebia! Seeing you unharmed is truly wonderful news,” Tepicchio said, supported by his guards, as he walked towards the train platform.
“This is the wi… my lifesaver. Thanks to his help, we managed to break out of Shadow Demon City,” Tepicchio introduced Angel to Nebia. As wizards only existed in legends, Tepicchio didn’t reveal Angel’s true identity.
Upon hearing this, Nebia approached, wanting to kneel before Angel.
Angel waved his hand, indicating there was no need for formalities: “I have fulfilled my promise to Lady Red Lotus. This is where I leave you.”
Having said that, Angel turned and walked away. After taking a few steps, he faintly heard the noise of the crowd surrounding Nebia, calling him “Lord of City Defense.” Then, he heard Nebia quietly asking Domino if he had seen Ananda.
With a smirk, Angel realized that this man was Ananda’s father, who appeared to be well-loved by the people. He seemed nothing like his daughter, who was involved in the world of pickpocketing.
“By the way, don’t step into the mist. It should disappear soon, and once it’s gone, you’ll be able to return home.” Angel’s voice echoed in the distance, and all they could see was a shadow stepping into the mist.
…
Angel returned to Shadow Demon Castle alone this time, feeling more relaxed and at ease. It didn’t take him long to arrive at the white wall.
As he approached the wall connecting to Twilight Deep Well, he saw countless strands of light emanating from it.
These lights, without a doubt, were parasites born from the Colorful Dragonflies.
As Angel moved closer to the white wall, the lights began to consciously avoid him. However, there were so many parasites that he easily caught two or three in his hand.
These parasites resembled the ones in the Nightmare Plane but were smaller in size.
After observing them for a while, Angel let them go.
Staring at the white wall still teeming with emerging parasites, Angel took a deep breath and stepped inside.
Just as he entered the alternate space, he heard Sanders’ voice transmission: “I sensed your presence. You’ve entered the Nightmare Plane?”
Angel: “Yes.”
“The dragonfly nest is near the entrance, guarded by a team of Colorful Dragonflies. Stand still and be careful not to encounter them. I’m coming to meet you.”
Before Angel could respond, Sanders unilaterally cut off the voice transmission. Silently, Angel looked up at the three-way intersection opposite him, feeling a sense of awe: the dragonfly guard team? He already saw them.
The row of Colorful Dragonflies, radiating multicolored light, circled at the intersection, buzzing as they flapped their wings.
He not only saw them, but he also felt them.
“Lady Shava!” “Honorable Lady Shava!” “The Honorable Lady Shava, bathed in moonlight!” “The Honorable Lady Shava, bathed in moonlight under the Queen’s grace!”
These were the emotions Angel sensed, but the emotional expression of the Colorful Dragonflies was not sophisticated, like that of a child who loves to send praises. Many of the emotions were guessed by Angel himself.
Nearly a hundred Colorful Dragonflies lined up to praise him, and whenever one complimented his beauty, it would proudly perch on Angel’s body, radiating even brighter colors.
Facing this group of Colorful Dragonflies, Angel didn’t feel afraid; his mood remained calm, and he even felt like laughing.
In no time, his head was covered in Colorful Dragonflies, shimmering with all sorts of hues. From a distance, he looked like a human-shaped street lamp, but one that was colorfully vibrant.
Annoyed, Angel waved them away, but the dragonflies didn’t leave, instead hovering above his head. Angel didn’t bother with them and began observing his surroundings.
The shops around the entrance were always the most expensive to rent. The door of the magical plant shop next door was open, but the interior was chaotic; the door of the mysterious grocery store was closed, but the magic array was still prominent. The buildings at the fork in the road were hard to make out in the mist, but they were mostly silent, with occasional traces of blood and broken stones.
Half a month ago, this place was bustling with people. Now, although not reduced to ruins, it had become desolate.
Looking around, Angel didn’t see any parasitized mutants; perhaps they were hiding in the buildings. Regardless, he was accustomed to a journey where he couldn’t fight monsters, so he simply entered the magical plant shop nearby.
The rear cabin door of the magical plant shop was closed, and the second floor was locked by a magic array, so only the first floor was accessible.
Angel originally had the intention to see if he could find any useful materials, but he was disappointed. The magical plants on the first floor were mostly lower-tier ones, like “Echo Flowers,” and most of them had been damaged.
Even the undamaged magical plants were mostly used for potion-making practice and were of no use to Angel.
He hadn’t been in the magical plant shop long when he heard Sanders’ voice in his ear, “Where are you?”
Angel hurriedly replied, “In the magical plant shop to the left of the entrance.”
Sanders asked doubtfully, “Did you encounter the dragonfly guard squad?”
From hundreds of meters away atop a building, Sanders was hiding and saw the Colorful Dragonflies outside the magical plant shop, flying in figure eights as if they were dancing.
Angel grunted in affirmation and walked out of the magical plant shop, “Although I encountered them, they didn’t attack me.”
As he spoke, Sanders saw the Colorful Dragonflies settle on Angel, illuminating him like a human-shaped lantern.
Angel waved them away, “It seems they’ve mistaken me for Shava again. I can sense their emotions, and they’re constantly praising Shava.”
Sanders watched the scene of “host and guest enjoying themselves” and fell silent. He had been worried about Angel’s safety and had rushed over.
“Shava, always Shava,” Sanders sighed. He felt that his young apprentice had too many secrets related to his soul body, “I really want to take you to the Nightmare Plane again, so grow stronger quickly…”
“Since they don’t have ill intentions toward you, try going to their nest and taking a look. Our target is deep within their nest,” Sanders communicated telepathically.
Angel replied, “Alright, where is their nest?”
“It’s in the women’s bathhouse under the jurisdiction of the Paradise District. Be careful when you go in; if you sense any malice or feel that the atmosphere is off, leave immediately. I’ll be nearby to support you. Understand? Don’t try to be a hero!”