Chapter 176: A new world-famous painting! (High level)

Red Fox Castle, backyard courtyard.

On a bed in a room, the three-eyed diviner Cyril, who had been in a coma for a day and a night, finally opened his eyes slowly. He got up and walked out of the room, looking blankly at the deformed children playing around the old oak tree in the courtyard.

"You're awake." The magician suddenly appeared beside him and said in a low voice.

"... Leader, can you not appear suddenly next time? It's really scary!"

Cyril, who had just recovered from a serious illness, was scared pale by this scene, his body retreating repeatedly, almost hitting the threshold behind him.

"Sorry, I will pay attention next time," the magician nodded apologetically.

"This is the first time you have had such a serious backlash when divining the future... If I hadn't protected your soul with half of my magic power in time, you would have gone to the underworld by now."

Lu En looked at the withered third eye between the green-haired youth's brows, whose pupils were listless and dull, and couldn't help but sigh.

"Can a devil go to the underworld after death? Shouldn't it be hell?" Cyril couldn't help but wonder.

"... I don't know about this either," Lu En was stunned and shook his head honestly after thinking for a long time.

After all, whether it was hell or the underworld, they were just legends of the world, and no one knew if they existed.

However, his gift, Avici Hell, could indeed create a purgatory used for the eternal punishment of villains.

"When you divined the future of that Sage, did you see it?"

After confirming that Cyril's body was fine, just that he couldn't use the ability to observe the future for a period of time, Lu En finally asked the question he cared about most.

"I saw a glorious king residing on the high sky, ruling over endless subjects. The king said to all people that he had a dream that there would be no more serfs in this land from now on..."

Cyril replied, but only halfway through, the third eye between his brows felt like it was being pricked by countless needles, as if some unspeakable supreme existence was watching him, and the diviner covered his eyes in pain again.

"Leader, I don't seem to be able to speak..." Cyril said with great difficulty.

"It doesn't matter, it's enough. Have a good sleep."

Lu En tapped lightly on Cyril's forehead with a magic wand with a solemn expression, and a purple-gold light flashed, and the three-eyed diviner fell into a deep sleep like a baby

After carrying him back to the bed, Lu En's mind could not calm down for a long time, recalling what the other party had said before falling unconscious.

So, the sage with black hair did not bring relief, but the radiance to save the entire world?

He is a sage, and also a monarch.

If this is truly the case, perhaps I, who still have some strength, can help him a little bit on his journey.

After all, a king who is gentle to everyone must surely be gentle to the marginalized people who are not tolerated by the world.

But the premise is that all of this is true!

Lu En's eyes narrowed. He knew there was a simplest and fastest way to verify the truth of this future: to figure out what exactly the sage's hidden identity crest was.

If it were a crest like "Young King," "Bringer of Radiance," and so on, then this future would have value worth trusting.

He would offer his own strength to this sage king who is destined for greatness and to bring salvation to all.

Red Fox Castle, castle hall.

Xia Mingyu sat on the central throne, while Kalen, Boge, Rosa, and her two sons stood below. On the floor lay three corpses, the faces of each appearing as strangely as if they had been erased by an eraser.

Crackle, crackle.

The fire in the stone fireplace burned brightly, illuminating the heavy expressions on everyone's faces.

"Your Highness, it has been verified. There were a total of six Faceless assassins in this attack. Among them, the three who blocked us were at the Morning Star Rank in combat power. The three who attacked you should have been one at the peak of the New Moon Rank and two at the New Moon Rank, and their professions were all of the Hunting Path."

Kalen stepped forward and said slowly.

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expressions became even more solemn, and their brows furrowed tightly.

One at the peak of the New Moon Rank, two at the New Moon Rank, and three at the Morning Star Rank... to use all of them for an assassination, this was too extravagant!

The combined top combat power currently in Red Fox Castle might not even be a match for this assassination team.

And it is very likely that after assassinating Your Highness, this assassination team would immediately launch a massacre on Red Fox Castle.

Feeling the oppressive atmosphere in the hall, Xia Mingyu rubbed his forehead, feeling quite a headache.

He also realized the severity of the matter. Without a doubt, that Gluttonous King truly wished to get rid of the Masha family and himself as quickly as possible.

Elite assassins of the New Moon Rank were thrown here as if they didn't cost anything; it was completely a stance of not stopping until the goal was reached.

This time it was the peak of the New Moon Rank; next time it might be the Crescent Moon Rank.

And the most critical point is that after summoning Tamerlane, his "Shared Hatred" ability is currently in a cooling period and cannot perform a second summoning.

No matter how you look at it, it is a quite dangerous dead end!

But as a leader, even if he knows this, he must never say it out loud.

"Rest assured, even if the Gluttonous King sends more powerful Faceless assassins next time, my attendant will wipe them all out with a single sword strike."

On the throne, Xia Mingyu rested his chin on his hand and said calmly.

His tone was relaxed; those terrifyingly powerful Faceless assassins seemed as insignificant as clowns in his eyes.

Hearing this, recalling that brilliant sword strike that could not be described in words earlier, everyone's expressions gradually relaxed.

After all, the combat power of that blonde youth in pajamas had likely already reached the level of the Radiant Moon Rank.

This means that as long as the Gluttonous King does not send an assassin who is also at the Radiant Moon Rank, then Your Highness should be safe.

But the Radiant Moon Rank belongs to the level of powerhouses who are the pillars of the country. Each one has the power to easily turn the tide of battle, and they are either the lord of a region who is below one person but above ten thousand, or they are renowned heroes.

These figures have their own dignity and obsessions as strongmen; how could they be willing to personally step down to act as an assassin?

Even for the Gluttonous King, finding an assassin of the Radiant Moon Rank should be quite difficult!

"Your Highness, even if my Masha family is completely wiped out, as long as you can live, as long as Sosia can be saved, then everything is meaningful."

"Please, in times of crisis, you must prioritize your own life."

Finally, Rosa walked forward slowly and said solemnly.

Her beautiful violet eyes were bright and piercing, showing no fear or falsehood. For this old woman who had dedicated her life to the Southern Region, her love for the people seemed to far exceed her responsibility for the family bloodline inheritance.

"I will," Xia Mingyu said softly.

And after a Faceless one completes one hundred missions, he will be granted a face and a noble identity, from then on living completely in the sun, without having to lurk in the shadows like a monster.

After everyone had left, only Boge remained standing quietly below.

"Boge, my comrade, is there anything else?" Xia Mingyu rose from the throne, walked to the brown-haired youth, and said gently.

"My lord, please allow me to leave you for a period of time."

Boge knelt on one knee and said respectfully.

"The reason?"

"With my current strength, I am too weak for your enemies, and I cannot be compared to your blonde attendant at all," Boge said in a low voice.

"I am just a burden to you now, and I want to change that, even if I have to pay any price!"

"Please allow me to leave you temporarily to pursue greater power."

The youth's expression was firm, and those sharp, eagle-like eyes were filled with determination like quenched fire.

"Can you not become stronger by staying by my side?" Xia Mingyu could feel that Boge's intention to leave was set, and he said with some reluctance.

After all, Boge was the first person he met after coming to this world, and it was thanks to him that he didn't become a feast for wild wolves.

"I can, but for a hunter, only by constantly hunting is the fastest way to become stronger, just like those Faceless assassins."

"I plan to head into the Southern Wind Forest and repeat hunting to quickly digest the three types of magic potions I drank earlier."

Boge explained. If not for this, how could a hunting dog bear to leave the master he swore allegiance to?

"... Promise me, my friend, you must return alive."

Xia Mingyu was silent for a long time, finally pressing his hand gently on the youth's shoulder and saying in a slightly trembling voice.

"I swear to the great Seven Gods, I, Boge Chu, will definitely return to my king, my friend, and my master with even greater power, becoming a more capable attendant for him."

The youth said without hesitation. Then he stood up, bowed deeply to the black-haired youth again, and slowly retreated from the hall.

Xia Mingyu stood alone in place, finally sitting back on the throne all by himself. His lowered back appeared somewhat lonely for a moment.

"Actually, I just hope that everyone can always be together and laugh happily..." the black-haired youth muttered to himself.

However, even such an ordinary wish seems too difficult, too difficult in this world shrouded in darkness.

So many people are still suffering and weeping; how could he laugh wantonly all by himself?

Even if he wants to be with the people around him, as long as he is still walking on the correct path, he will face countless obstacles, and a moment of carelessness will lead to the end of total destruction for everyone.

"Alright, emo time is over, it's time to continue studying magic."

He stood up from his seat, pushed open the hall door, and walked toward the library.

No matter what, all unfavorable situations in this world are caused by the incompetence of the parties involved.

As long as he becomes strong enough, strong enough to make all enemies fear, strong enough to support a country by himself, he will definitely be able to turn around all the desperate situations in the world!

At dusk, the sunlight flowed slowly into the rose corner of the library like golden honey, dyeing the wooden floor a beautiful amber color.

"Sigh."

Having studied magic books all day until his head ached, Xia Mingyu slumped on the floor, looking completely drained by knowledge.

Knock, knock.

The oak door was knocked on gently.

"Come in," Xia Mingyu said weakly.

A young girl with long brown hair, wearing a black and white maid outfit, and having eyes as lively as a fawn, pushed open the door and carefully brought a cup of red fruit juice to him.

"Lord Mingyu, drink some fruit juice and take a rest," Anna said softly.

Xia Mingyu straightened up and sat on the floor, picking up the red fruit juice on the silver tray to drink.

"Phew..." Feeling the coolness constantly coming from his mind, he let out a long sigh of relief.

"Thank you for your hard work, Anna."

"No, no, no, this fruit juice was made by Miss Anliya; I was just responsible for bringing it over," the girl waved her hands nervously.

Hearing her say this, Xia Mingyu suddenly remembered that Anliya didn't seem to have come to see him all day today, and the food and fruit juice were all brought by Anna.

This doesn't seem like her usual style!

"Anna, where did Anliya go today?" Xia Mingyu asked with a look of confusion.

"Miss Anliya went to the courtyard behind the mountain early this morning and hasn't left since. Even the food was entrusted to someone to be sent from the courtyard to the main building," Anna said truthfully.

The courtyard behind the mountain should be to see her childhood white moonlight, Helena.

Xia Mingyu pondered for a moment and decided to go over and take a look.

"Anna, your work for today is finished; go back and get some good rest," he raised his hand and gently touched the girl's head, as a reward for her hard work today.

Red Fox Castle, courtyard behind the mountain.

By the time Xia Mingyu walked here, the sky was already pitch black.

Crackle, crackle.

In the center of the courtyard, more than a dozen pieces of firewood built a brilliant bonfire. The flames jumped, making crackling sounds and splashing countless firefly-like sparks that danced under the night sky.

On a long wooden table, all kinds of meticulously prepared food were laid out, and the fragrance of the delicacies was already mouth-watering in the air.

And those deformed members of the Monster Circus, with their various shapes, were hooking each other's shoulders, sipping wine while laughing loudly.

This fantastic scene could be described as a dance of demons.

"This is... a bonfire party?"

Xia Mingyu was stunned. His gaze continued to drift among the crowd, finally finding Anliya's figure.

The blonde girl was sitting on a bench by the bonfire, surrounded by a group of members.

The deformed children were snuggling beside her as if treating her like a mother.

The two-headed giant, Toby and Toby, were trying hard to tell jokes, trying to make her happy.

The rat girl, Mia, stood behind her, carefully grooming her honey-bright long hair with a comb.

Even the usually indifferent snake-scaled youth hesitantly came to her side, curling up his body like a hibernating snake and closing his eyes to rest.

Facing these deformed people whose appearance seemed terrifying to ordinary people, the blonde girl's face always wore a faint smile, and there was no impatience in those blue eyes, only a motherly, kind tolerance.

"Holy... Holy Mother Maria!"

Looking at this bizarre yet heartwarming scene, Xia Mingyu, who remembered a famous painting from his previous life, couldn't help but whisper.

Although his voice was soft, it was heard by a deformed painter who was recording this scene with all his might.

He marveled secretly in his heart: as expected of a sage, a casual remark is a perfect naming for the scene before him, though it seems he called the girl by the wrong name.

Thus, another world-famous painting was added to the art galleries of later generations—"Saint Mother Anliya."

"Sage, your maid is truly remarkable. This is the first time I've seen my members get so close to an outsider."

While Xia Mingyu was still in a daze, the magician suddenly appeared beside him and sighed.

This level of closeness even made him, as the "father," feel jealous.

Afterwards, under the magician's narration, Xia Mingyu gradually figured out the reason.

It seemed that when Anliya came to the courtyard to find Helena, she saw those deformed children. Upon learning that they were helpless and had long since lost their parents, the kind-hearted girl decided to hold a bonfire party to make them happy for a day.

During this time, the food was made by Anliya herself as the chef, and the wine and various materials were also purchased with her own savings.

Then this heartfelt gentleness... received a response from the circus members, and it became the scene it is now.

"Sage, I want to thank you for your invitation; that's why my children could have such a wonderful day," the magician said softly.

He noted this favor; if Xia Mingyu encounters danger in the future, he will take action for him once.

"Don't thank me, this is Anliya's credit," Xia Mingyu smiled. He suddenly felt that the pressure on him had eased a lot.

After all, everyone is trying hard to live, and gentle people will also be gently responded to by the world.

"Sage, would you like to join the bonfire party?"

"It would be my honor."

The magician happily stepped into the courtyard with Xia Mingyu. He decided to find an opportunity while the other party was dancing to make the ring on his ring finger, which was used to hide his crest, fall off reasonably.

(End of chapter)