Chapter 131: Periphery

Xiao Ke's durability is much stronger than Vivian's.

It's nearly on par with the land naga Eve.

Perhaps it's because beastmen are generally stronger in this aspect?

Whenever this happens.

Mornings are always awkward.

Tally is hanging off the foot of the bed, only her lower body still on it.

Xiao Ke remains silent, her lower deer body seated cross-legged beside the bed.

She frantically grabs the blanket to cover her still-incomplete body.

Across from her, Luo De is naked, revealing a strong and perfect physique.

"It's my fault."

Xiao Ke speaks first: "I didn't expect to go berserk at this time."

"I'll take responsibility."

Luo De says firmly.

He begins imagining a journey with the succubus, the tree spirit, and the half-deer.

It seems I need to add more branches to 【Body Proliferation】.

Xiao Ke's face flushes red.

"You don't need to take responsibility! I'll pay! Consider it payment for helping me through my rut!"

Just a short while ago, she had hoped Vivian would find happiness and that the number of girls in the ranger cabin wouldn't increase.

And now, in this moment, she has fallen in, joining them.

What is this?!

Xiao Ke, a half-deer who follows monogamy, absolutely refuses to ruin her best friend's relationship!

"Um, payment isn't necessary."

"Yes! It must be! And you can't tell Vivian!"

Xiao Ke insists stubbornly.

Luo De understands her nature and doesn't press.

He glances at the messy bed.

"Then just pay for the bed."

Thwack—

Xiao Ke angrily hurls a pillow at him.

"You dirty dog, are you blaming me? This was your doing!"

"Last night you were so enthusiastic—"

"Ah—ah—I can't hear you—"

She covers her ears, face blazing red.

She stops chatting with him.

Xiao Ke quickly pulls on her torn garment, fixes her hair, and hops away from the cabin.

Luo De wants to remind her that something's leaking out the back.

But she moves too fast—within moments, she's gone.

Only a few drops of milky-white residue remain on the ground.

He's come away fully loaded.

It makes his heart itch.

So he shakes Tally awake.

Morning bite.

As he experiences negative pressure piston motion, he organizes his spell gear.

He unexpectedly finds a 【Dragon Meditation Method】 among the belongings of Lu En, the fourth-rank mage.

It appears to be of high rank.

At least superior to the meditation method Oona gave him.

"I thought the Overload Ring was your limit—turns out you had more?"

Following the principle of "either don't practice, or practice the highest," Luo De decisively switches.

His previous meditation method never even got him past the beginner stage.

That afternoon.

Sand Willow District.

Luo De patrols here as usual.

On the ground is an unfinished magical array.

Beside it, a dark pool of blood, shaped like an explosion, resembling a blood-red flower.

This is the final trace of the mage possessed by the Dread Beast.

"I heard you've suffered greatly."

The witch Dimia walks up from behind.

She just happened to come by.

Her face is troubled—clearly, nothing good has happened.

Luo De remembers that Sharon was directly attacked by a cosmic entity in the Plague Garden.

"How are they doing?"

"The three intern mages are fine, just mentally injured—they'll recover in time. But Sharon, she's sick, and her illness carries the scent of plague."

"Plague?"

That's a truly troublesome thing.

On this continent, anything called a plague usually has domain properties.

It doesn't just infect people and animals—it contaminates plants and land too. Prolonged exposure can even turn the area into barren wasteland.

"Don't worry, it's still under control. I've moved her to an isolated cottage in the countryside for treatment. Luo De, I remember Daphne gave you part of the 【Grass】 domain, rich in vibrant life force—could you help?"

"Just call me anytime."

"I thank you on Sharon's behalf!"

Dimia bows deeply to him in gratitude.

"But are you managing? You're handling Shiying Town's affairs, caring for Sharon, and I heard you've taken up the banner for the ceremony planning."

On his way here, Luo De met the rabbit-tribe mage.

He said the witch would replace Sharon and personally preside over the ceremony.

"It's barely adequate."

Dimia smiles bitterly. "None of it's too hard—but Shiying Town truly lacks someone who can hold the line."

As she speaks, she looks at Luo De with hopeful eyes.

But Luo De has no intention of getting entangled in the vortex of territory and nobility.

"Is something wrong?"

"Many things. The rebel golems from Coral Bay have gathered and launched an assault on the city—two fifth-rank mages died. Also, the Ruins Brotherhood has reappeared, lurking near Sunset Hill, constantly robbing merchants—it's severely impacting Shiying Town's trade."

Sunset Hill is the region between Stormwind City and Shiying Town.

"What about Stormwind City? Did they react?"

Dimia shakes her head bitterly.

"To be honest, after Daphne and the Argyle family members left, Stormwind City experienced a secret coup. Though it's been suppressed now, the people and matters involved were far from simple. After the forced purge, many issues remain unresolved. In short—they're overwhelmed."

Luo De's expression changes slightly.

A coup inside Stormwind City?

The terrorist attack by Hot City inside Jade City is still fresh in his mind. Now, a silent strike has occurred in a city so close—it suddenly feels all too real.

Chaos. That's what Ascalon feels like now.

"Actually, I came here for another matter—I'd like your approval, Luo De."

"Go on."

"Have you heard about the recent land naga coup in the Mirror Desert? The rebels stormed the palace of the Bular clan and imprisoned the Naga Queen, but were ultimately defeated by the Naga Princess who found reinforcements."

Of course.

The land naga princess you're referring to once chased him around the open labyrinth for three full hours.

And poured in a massive number of subjects.

"I've heard rumors."

"They're coming."

"Who? The Naga Princess?" Luo De blinks.

"No—the rebels. They were expelled from the Mirror Desert by the Bular clan, and after divination by the Naga priests, they've chosen the Desert of Death as their new homeland."

Dimia pauses.

Then adds: "They offered Stormwind City terms too good to refuse—including vast sums of gold and help dealing with the mess on Sunset Hill."

Trading a useless stretch of wasteland for a fortune and a band of mercenaries, while solving their manpower shortage—it looks like a great deal on the surface.

But for a nation's internal affairs to reach the point where non-human races must be brought in to handle them is deeply concerning.

Moreover, this is a group of restless rebels.

And the stance of the Bular Clan on the Mirror Desert side is also an issue.

Luo De rubbed his forehead.

Trouble had finally burned its way to the Windwall Forest.

(End of Chapter)