Chapter 344: The Defector

"Who."

Luo De said coldly.

He stood up and took a step forward, shielding Xiao Ke behind him.

Although it's not impossible for a lone Dark Elf to appear, given the current environmental situation, this Dark Elf is likely from the Coral Bay group.

Amy stood beside him, shouldering her crystal greatsword, wiping food residue from her face with one swipe.

Her face brimmed with battle intent: "Amy likes to walk after meals."

Unlike Luo De, who wore a coat, she always preferred to bare her arms—even in winter—her wrists bound with leather arm guards, revealing arms far stronger and more rugged than any man's.

Add to that a crude crystal greatsword taller than half a man, making her seem even more intimidating than Luo De.

Tally slipped into the shadows, lying in wait; Yuna's expression turned icy, ready to cast spells and provide support at any moment.

"I mean no harm."

The distant Dark Elf, seeing this setup, broke into a cold sweat.

He raised both hands to show he carried no weapons and wisely halted his approach.

"My name is Atticus, of the Black Moon Clan, age 268, birthday July 15, magical accumulation at low-tier sixth rank, specialized in spellcraft, became a Warlock five decades ago, and have not grown stronger since. Interested in carving and cultivation. No vices—no alcohol, no hallucinatory herbs, no psychedelic spores, dislike mushrooms. Admire Melinda and Louis of the rival Moonblood Clan. On my way here, I harmed no one. To evade the guards of Shi Ying Town, I took a long detour, crossed the southern farmlands, and arrived here."

He fired off his words in one rapid burst—90% of it useless information.

"Hmm."

Luo De was momentarily stunned.

Moreover, the man's legs trembled, his face pale even beneath his jet-black skin—clear proof he was a complete coward.

As he himself claimed, he didn't seem to have come with ill intent.

Yuna whispered: "The Black Moon Clan—that's the faction that worships the Demon Duke. They're the same group in Coral Bay. After becoming a Warlock, they can directly borrow the Demon Duke's power, bypassing spellcasting rituals—but in exchange, every spell they use and their magical accumulation are entirely under the Demon Duke's control."

Their spellcraft and magical accumulation cannot be self-controlled.

So they're just pure dogs?

They might never even get a chance to turn around.

Dark Elves live long lives. Long-lived races are usually highly intelligent—how did yours end up so stupid?

Atticus, the Dark Elf, noticed Luo De's lingering doubt.

He voluntarily unfastened his robe, tore open his collar, revealing a hollow puncture through his chest, slightly left of center.

The hollow was perfectly round, about ten centimeters in diameter; the inner tissues, ribs, and spinal bones were clearly visible.

Like a modern laboratory specimen, sliced and preserved for side-view display.

"I'm from Coral Bay—one of the Dark Elves who now blockade it. That one took our hearts. Our lives and deaths rest in his whim. I'm tired of being controlled. I'm tired of the endless desecration of life. I want to leave. I want freedom."

His face was tear-streaked, eyes filled with grief and fury, yet tinged with cowardice.

"So? What do you want here?"

Luo De patted Amy, whose battle fervor surged, signaling her to calm down.

Amy didn't react at first—baring her teeth, ready to charge—until a slap to the back of her head cleared her mind.

An unnatural shadow shifted beside Atticus.

Countless shadow ribbons erupted from the ground, swiftly tightening to bind him tightly.

"Master, he has no magic at all—he can't cast spells."

Tally leapt from the shadows and said.

Luo De nodded, approaching slowly and calmly.

Atticus, excited, said: "The Heroic Prophecy of the Half-Deer Elder has spread across the continent. And here, in the far western frontier of the Atheron Kingdom, two 【Hero Granters】 have been dispatched at once—this place must harbor a future 【Hero】! Guardkeeper Luo De, no—Lord Luo De, if anyone is the Hero of the Twilight Autumn Forest, it can only be you!"

"I, Atticus, swear by my mother's name to aid you—until you clear every obstacle from your path to heroism! Please, Lord Luo De, please help me escape!"

His words were heartfelt; by the end, he was weeping uncontrollably—clearly not faking.

Moreover, Yuna's lie-detection spell showed no reaction.

But still.

Genuine emotion is genuine—but as a controlled Warlock, did he really have a choice?

Wouldn't the Demon Duke just flick his finger, and you'd still obey his will?

His promise sounds rather laughable.

Atticus seemed to sense Luo De's hesitation and quickly explained:

"As this lady who binds me said, I have no magic inside me. This is a new spell I developed—it reduces the Duke's observation and control over me by inducing magical depletion. As for the side effects of magical depletion, I counter them by consuming my lifespan."

Consuming lifespan?

Hmph. After all, long-lived races have plenty of lifespan to spare.

Luo De didn't rush to tell him he'd already been rejected by a 【Hero Granter】.

Instead, he asked:

"What's the current situation in Coral Bay? Why did you summon two dragons?"

"Could you please first cast a spell to conceal prophecies and star destinies? I fear the others in Coral Bay might sense us."

Atticus glanced around, his expression fearful.

"Yuna."

"Understood."

The Arachne stepped forward from behind, her purple eyes watching the bound Dark Elf warily.

Atticus finally noticed her.

He visibly froze, showing clear revulsion at her spider-like form, blurting out: "Ros's lackey?"

Crack—

Luo De slapped him across the face.

His entire head wobbled with a phantom blur, then swelled visibly red and swollen.

"Pay attention to the current situation. She's mine now."

Luo De said coldly.

He held back his strength—only superficial flesh wounds.

Atticus immediately sensed it, his face pale with terror.

He apologized profusely.

Yuna bit her purple-black lower lip, casting the spell while stealing glances at Luo De, her eyes shimmering with emotion.

【Yuna's obedience to you +5, current obedience: 76】

Soon.

The spell ended—the concealment of star destinies and prophecy evasion was complete.

Atticus paused, then said:

"Since Shi Ying Town captured the old Tiefling Lu Xiusi, they must already know about the bloodline nodes."

The old Tiefling Lu Xiusi—the unlucky man Luo De and the others hunted when pursuing the Plague Mage Ameir—was one of Coral Bay's controllers before his capture.

Now imprisoned, he constantly claims he wants to help the city hall—but as one of the main instigators of the Coral Bay rebellion, he's not easily trusted.

Seeing Luo De nod.

He continued, voice trembling: "That one plans to use the Tiefling bloodline nodes to cast a special ultra-ninth-rank Hellish spell. This spell will bind every Tiefling on the continent to his bloodline, making him their race-god—and thus achieve godhood!"

(End of Chapter)