Chapter 11: Crystalwing Clan

Father Owen’s body activated a spell barrier identical to Ali’s.

This must be an item that automatically protects its owner, activating before the owner can react.

But times have changed—after multiple spell enhancements, Luo De could only say he could shatter even the stars.

Luo De’s muscles swelled violently, his ferocious aura like a dragon’s, suffocating to breathe.

Puff!

The barrier shattered on impact.

The steel sword swung forward with no resistance, slicing straight down from the opponent’s crown.

Anyone seeing this furious strike would have no doubt it would split the target in two.

Father Owen finally reacted.

But he could only barely dodge the fatal blow to his head.

The steel sword sliced into his shoulder, cutting all the way to his chest.

Had it not been for the extraordinary quality of the book clamped in his hand, this blow would have cleaved him in half.

“Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!”

Blood gushed out like water.

Ping!

Father Owen twisted the thick book in his hand with a grimace, snapping the steel blade lodged inside him.

Then he poured a magic potion into his mouth while frantically retreating.

Luo De’s face was caked in blood, his eyes locked unblinkingly on the enemy.

With a sharp flick of his right hand, the broken sword shot straight into Father Owen’s thigh.

Seizing the moment the enemy staggered, he drew his spare steel sword, his legs exploding with power as he leapt forward, closing the distance to point-blank range.

Father Owen was too badly wounded to react.

He helplessly watched the steel blade slash into his unnaturally thick neck.

Slish!

Blood sprayed out.

The hilt felt unnaturally sticky—the blade had cut halfway in, then refused to go further.

Around his neck was a magical collar emitting a faint spiritual glow.

“You won’t stop me!!!”

Luo De was fully consumed, transformed into a state of furious rage.

At this moment, the two hearts inside him pumped at maximum speed.

His body temperature rose, and faint steam rose from his skin.

Simultaneously, the strength in his arms surged again.

Father Owen felt the pressure on his neck.

His fleeting relief instantly turned to boundless terror.

He didn’t understand—he didn’t even know why this man wanted to kill him!

“No!!!!!!”

“Die!!!”

Hssss—

The head hit the ground.

With the force of the swing, Luo De spun half a circle on the spot.

The spraying blood rained down from midair, crimson instantly filling his entire field of vision.

One side, Tally had reverted to her true form.

She stared at her master’s figure.

Without thinking, she clenched her thighs together, pressing her palms against her pounding heart.

Her full lips shimmered with a faint purple glow; her demon’s black eyes narrowed slightly, the thick fog of lust within growing denser, almost dripping.

“If such rich, potent essence is mine to keep for life, what more could I ask?”

Luo De had slain him cleanly; a sigh of relief escaped him.

Seeing Tally’s dazed, infatuated expression,

he decided to show off—his right hand swept his disheveled hair from forehead to back.

Tally screamed and lunged to rip off his pants.

Luo De startled, quickly pinning her down.

“You started it.”

“When we get home, you can do whatever you want.”

After swallowing his big promise, Tally finally calmed down.

Luo De didn’t bother sorting the loot—he shoved everything into his spell satchel at once.

“Where’s the young lady? What do you plan to do with her?”

Tally transformed into a tall, slender rock spirit, adorned with deep obsidian and vivid rubies.

She said this helped suppress desire.

“Ignore her. The priest said her sister’s coming to rescue her.”

His main goal here was eliminating the threat.

Personally, Luo De had no desire to appear before these noble lords.

He loved being a forest warden and wished to keep this quiet life.

These noble lords each control their own territories, recruiting countless retainers—given the current state of the Aitheron Kingdom, who knows if they harbor rebellion?

And that damn Igoh Cult—hopefully they’ll stop eyeing this place.

“Let’s go.”

“I can’t walk anymore—I’ve been hiding in your shadow the whole time, exhausted~”

“Then what do you want?”

“Carry me~”

The succubus had helped greatly tonight; Luo De was willing to indulge her once.

He stripped off his blood-soaked clothes and wiped the blood from his face.

Then he turned his back and signaled for her to climb on.

Tally reverted to her true form, rushing forward and clinging tightly to his back.

She giggled incessantly.

“Not suppressing desire anymore?”

“When have you ever heard a succubus suppress desire?”

They laughed and chatted, about to descend.

“Wait!”

From the direction of the labyrinth’s back exit, a distant call echoed.

Luo De instantly went on alert.

But as the figure approached, he realized it was a Crystalwing.

Crystalwings are fairy-like beings, no taller than a human’s head, fond of dwelling in mines or places rich in special metals.

On their backs grow two pairs of luminous golden wings, fluttering in crossed motion, scattering tiny spiritual sparks.

This Crystalwing was a young boy.

His face bore fear and hope.

He was filthy, his cloth shorts torn and ragged.

Luo De understood.

“You’re a resident of the labyrinth.”

The Crystalwing boy flew up to him, panting heavily.

He nodded frantically.

“Don’t worry—someone will come soon. They’ll deal with the bastards who destroyed your home.”

“No, sir!”

The boy took several deep breaths, calming himself.

“I, on behalf of the Crystalwing Blue Ice Clan, commission you to kill every race inside the labyrinth before the human army arrives.”

“Hm?”

Luo De quickly realized.

The stone door in the labyrinth.

They didn’t want humans to come, didn’t want anyone discovering the stone door—and they wanted to kill anyone who found it.

“If you agree, we will reward you generously.”

“You seem to trust me a lot?”

Luo De asked in return.

We’re strangers—you suddenly appear and hire me? That’s suspicious.

"There is the scent of a Tree Spirit on you—this is a mark deliberately left by a Tree Spirit on someone they favor." The boy smiled bitterly. "We have always had good relations with the Tree Spirit race, and we trust their judgment."

Oh?

Did Vivian leave a mark on me?

But so what? There’s no witness.

Seeing he still hesitated, the boy immediately swore:

"I swear by the name of the Emerald Fairies that I have no intention of harming you, and every word I speak is true."

Luo De didn’t quite understand the Fairies’ beliefs.

So he looked at Tally on his back.

She nodded.

"An Emerald Fairy is what all minor Fairies aspire to become. A vow made in its name can be trusted."

Luo De turned to the boy.

"Tell me the reward."

"Behind the stone door lies a newly reborn labyrinth. We are willing to develop it with you."

The boy paused, then added: "Its former owner was a Wing Crystal from the Blue Ice Clan. Only descendants of the Blue Ice Clan may enter."

A newborn labyrinth?

When a labyrinth first appears, the number of mutated monsters inside is far fewer, and it first affects the surrounding plants and minerals.

These altered plants and minerals are extremely valuable materials.

Luo De thought for a moment.

He decided to accept the commission.

He sighed.

He truly did not wish to get too involved in noble affairs.

But he offered too much—there was no choice.

"I’ll take it. But there’s a high-ranking person inside—she cannot die."

"The human woman whose mind is being controlled? Of course. Since entering the labyrinth, her mind has been sealed off—she knows nothing of the stone door."

(End of Chapter)