Chapter 234

Kali: "The soul-destroying effect of the 【Canine Demon Feast】 was definitely activated that day; I don't believe that Amel could have survived."

Luo De nodded: "Then it was an impostor."

That's what you say.

Still, he warned everyone to be cautious.

Ratfolk are a highly insular race; under most circumstances, they only act alongside members of their own kind.

Yet now, they've invited a human mage into their nest to assist them—this alone is rare enough.

Landing in this space, perhaps serving as a transit point.

Immediately, under the guidance of the Banshee Krist, they found the cave leading to the main base.

"It seems we'll have to split up for now."

Kali Site scanned the surroundings: "There won't be few ratfolk—I plan to set up a ritual here to seal off other caves, to prevent escapes."

Krist's eyes lit up; she sensed she wouldn't have to fight on the front lines.

She immediately raised her hand: "Me! I'll help Kali Site!"

"You?"

The elf regarded her with scrutiny.

He was about to refuse, but then remembered that the Banshee would be his student.

"Fine. Watch closely—I'll teach you the most basic ritual arrays."

"Huh?"

Krist was stunned; why did she have to study?

Luo De didn't care; the Banshee's combat power was pathetic anyway—he never intended for her to be on the front lines.

"Use the 【Far-Speech Chain】 to contact me; I've set your messages as special alerts."

But the elf merely gave a cold nod, completely missing the modern little endearment.

Luo De sighed and shook his head.

Naulin's 【Far-Speech Chain】 was already connected to every girl in the forest, except for the Scorpion Woman Hera and the half-werewolf druid.

Even the witch Dimia, who frequently moved about the town hall, had taken time to link a thread to her.

After setting up the group chat, Naulin was not happy.

Because she realized the group was overwhelmingly filled with girls.

And several of them kept sending Luo De all sorts of love messages!

Luo De naturally ignored her complaints.

"So Master always sets Kali Site 's messages as special alerts?"

As they entered the cave passage, Tally asked with a hint of jealousy.

"Of course not—I just set it now. Yours are the ones I've set as special alerts."

Luo De shrugged.

"Oh~ I forgive you~"

The succubus, surprisingly easy to appease, flung herself into his arms and smiled sweetly.

He quietly activated the 【Far-Speech Chain】.

Only then did he set Tally's messages to special alerts.

But it didn't really matter.

The succubus was almost always with him; in these days, he'd barely used the 【Far-Speech Chain】.

Vivian, Xiao Ke, and the ghoul Pan Ni used it more frequently.

And sure enough—a message arrived.

【Vivian: Luo De, I miss you】

This was the phrase the tree spirit sent most often—roughly every hour.

【Xiao Ke: Crush every damn ratman who bullied Band!】

Xiao Ke, then.

She was shy, usually centering conversations around Band, yet still went to great lengths to talk more with Luo De.

【Pan Ni: Master, waaahhh… why didn't you call me for the mission, waaahhh…】

As for Pan Ni, perhaps due to the ghoul race's nature.

Her emotions tended toward negativity—mostly complaints and whining.

Replied to each one.

At this moment, the cat spirit Xiao Ju transformed from a small orange snake into a falcon, perched on Luo De's shoulder.

Though she didn't fully understand what they were saying, she wasn't stupid.

She immediately complained: "You're lying to little Kali, aren't you?"

"I can't help it, Miss Ju—I and Kali Site are just friends, you know her proud nature; our relationship has always been ambiguous, so I had to say a little sweet nothings."

As he spoke, Luo De kissed Tally's forehead.

Xiao Ju: "."

Can you not hold one girl while talking about another?

"I must remind you, Mr. Luo De, little Kali is a traditional elf—monogamous by nature."

"I have a monogamous partner among my companions."

Half the tree spirits are celibate, but for reproduction, they sometimes practice monogamy.

Xiao Ju gasped: "You don't just keep a succubus?!"

Luo De had always been open about this.

After all, Xiao Ju was Kali Site 's friend—she'd find out eventually anyway.

The falcon flapped its wings, leaving his shoulder and hovering before him, sizing him up.

"Have you really not been drained dry by women?"

Tally laughed: "You should be wondering whether he'll drown us all."

"So strong! No wonder…"

Xiao Ju was stunned.

"No wonder what?"

"When cat spirits are in heat, they leave a special scent on their chosen mates—to deter other cat spirits. Your body, though faint, does carry that scent. I thought I'd imagined it at first."

Witch cat, huh.

Luo De spread his hands.

"I give every girl my true heart—I'm not playing around."

"Heh."

The cave soon ended.

The scene opened up again.

Revealing a space far larger than before.

Here, crude earth and wood magic structures were piled like blocks—messy, chaotic, and filthy.

Ratfolk scurried through streets and buildings, their rat heads bobbing everywhere.

At the far end of this space, a sizable room could be seen.

Glowing with green light.

"Look—that's the man who calls himself Plague Mage Amel."

Tally pointed to the distance.

Luo De looked over and saw a human in a black robe walking side by side with several ratfolk, chatting as they entered the deepest room, glowing green.

"Miss Ju, please handle the mess in this hall… Oh, and Amy will join you—but she's just recovered from serious injuries, so she needs to use 【Fight to Heal】. Please look out for her a little."

"No problem!"

She spread her wings and flew out of the cave, rising into the air.

Instantly, several ratfolk spotted her—some stared blankly, others grabbed weapons and began cursing.

A flash of light in midair.

The falcon's body suddenly expanded, its weight surging.

Under gravity's pull, she crashed down like a massive boulder.

Boom—

A crooked, low tower was crushed beneath her.

Amid the dust, a towering three-meter-tall tiger-man roared to the sky.

"ROAR!!!"

Facing the charging ratfolk, Xiao Ju slashed with her tiger claws—flattening them instantly into pulp.

Battle erupted at once.

"Cakewalk."

Luo De patted Amy's head, who was eager to join. "No 【Rage】. Go."

"Amy understands!"

She surged with battle lust, leaping violently into the fray.

Instantly, even louder combat cries erupted.

Luo De watched for a short while, then did not linger.

"Tally, go there."

"Okay~"

Tally wrapped her arms around his head and gave him a shallow, milk-poor face-wash, then both slipped into the shadows and swiftly headed toward the room emitting that green light.

(End of Chapter)