Chapter 387: Attack and Concealment

Luo De and Tally slipped into the shadows.

After leaving the main hall of the banquet room, they moved to areas where guests were more concentrated.

Luo De had originally planned to let clever Tally impersonate him, while he used the invisibility of his magic ring to search for hidden Dark Elves.

But considering Tally's shadow magic was superior and more covert, he decided to bring her along.

"Look, Master! This woman isn't wearing underwear!"

Tally exclaimed.

They patrolled along the path the guests had taken, hiding within the shadows on the ground.

So it was inevitable they passed beneath the skirts of various ladies.

But unfortunately, our Forester isn't interested in human women.

"Tally, focus on the mission."

"Whoa! She's got scales too! Could she be a lizard-human hybrid?!"

"Really? Let me see. Damn! That's syphilis rash! Let's go!"

It took nearly ten minutes.

The two quickly checked all the guests but found nothing suspicious.

The Dark Elves still hadn't shown up when the banquet officially began.

Such banquets are always drawn-out affairs—essentially social gatherings where various figures arrive, and the front courtyard's reception hall is stocked with plenty of free alcohol and food, so guests can at least eat something before the formal start.

"Not hiding among the guests, then?"

Luo De looked up at the 【Wind Wall Spell】 that enveloped the front half of the estate.

It blocked the night's sandstorms, acting like a fortress barrier to ensure the banquet proceeded smoothly.

But if it were used as part of a ritual to do something to those inside, wouldn't that also be convenient?

Luo De frowned.

He had Tally attempt to use shadow movement to leave the 【Wind Wall Spell】's range.

As expected, it failed.

Tally said a strong light-based ritual was embedded within it—any shadow magic passing through would trigger it and be forcibly dispelled.

"A ritual targeting shadow magic? Or simply meant to prevent escape?"

Luo De had intended to have Tally secretly transport the guests out via shadow magic before raising suspicion.

Now it was impossible.

The two moved their shadows to a corner.

Luo De reached out and touched the hemispherical 【Wind Wall Spell】's wind barrier.

Normally, a 【Wind Wall Spell】 is a magical wind wall blocking sandstorms, with slight resistance but not enough to stop a human from entering.

"The wind barrier is solid, and the strength is high—not just a 【Wind Wall Spell】."

It seemed they planned to trap the fish in the barrel.

Composite rituals like this are the most troublesome.

Based on the touch alone, it wouldn't hold back a powerful spiritual warrior, but forcibly breaking through wouldn't destroy the ritual—ordinary people still couldn't leave.

Understanding a spell ritual requires vast knowledge as a foundational structure; Luo De was a complete novice.

But it didn't matter—he had Kalist.

【Luo De: Kalist, you there?】

【Kalist: What did you just call me?】

【Luo De: The 【Wind Wall Spell】 ritual has issues—take a look.】

【Kalist: Human, I recall you attended two of my basic spell ritual classes. Don't tell me you forgot everything.】

The elf's voice was cold, her questioning as intimidating as a primary school teacher from his past life.

【Luo De: Hahaha—everyone in position?】

【Kalist: Just in case, I left the ghouls and Vivian in the forest. I warn you, human—don't call me like that again!】

Luo De nodded, continuing to ignore the last part.

As for the two left in the forest, Pan Ni had already reported to Vivian via the 【Far-Speech Chain】 over ten minutes ago.

Only after Luo De's approval did they follow Kalist's arrangement.

But the elf's decision made sense.

He himself had been careless, hastily planning to summon everyone.

Pan Ni's undead army was too conspicuous for covert operations; Vivian, as a tree spirit, couldn't fully unleash her power in town without natural energy support—staying in the forest was perfect.

After the communication ended.

Luo De turned his gaze to the low-rank mages maintaining the magical lanterns around the estate.

As the mages who established the 【Wind Wall Spell】, they were the most likely suspects.

Indeed.

Among the sixteen scattered mages, he identified five in "disguise."

Questioning them was impossible.

As hellfire dukes' sorcerers, the Dark Elves had already cast their souls into the 【Blood Birth Pool】—they feared no death.

Failing to kill them instantly meant giving them a chance to send word.

Though they'd revive in the 【Blood Birth Pool】 after death, ordinary transmission spells couldn't achieve long-distance communication without external tools, unlike the 【Far-Speech Chain】.

These Dark Elves were around mid-sixth-rank in strength.

To Luo De, they were no different from radishes on a chopping block.

Combined with Tally's powerful shadow concealment, Luo De sliced them one by one—each strike went straight from crotch to brain, splattering feces and brain matter together, disgustingly grotesque.

Fortunately, he used a disposable Black Slime Sword—he didn't care.

Tally used 【Clone Spell】 to transform into the appearance of each slain mage, continuing to feign casting, unafraid of being discovered.

She also had Little Black swallow a brain to 【Absorb Memory】.

But perhaps due to their souls being linked to the 【Blood Birth Pool】, the first few attempts failed.

On the last one, Luo De thought, since he was already using it, he might as well try his new skill: 【Despair Mycelium】.

It was a skill requiring bodily fluids or spiritual energy to activate.

Luo De's method was simple.

He had Little Black thrust once, then carried its essence to swallow the final Dark Elf's brain, seeping the essence into her skull during the process.

The process was brief; he didn't expect 【Despair Mycelium】 to work at all.

Meanwhile.

Little Black's 【Mind Link】 sent a notification: Memory absorption successful.

Not much information.

But fortunately, it was all recent and critical.

Little Black's 【Basic Luck】 was invaluable.

Try to avoid killing management personnel; the main objectives are to seize control of Demia and Rosalia, who oversee military and public order, avoid and isolate Ranger Rod, and simultaneously attack the outskirts of Quartz Town.

Not killing the management made sense.

The Dark Elves were few in number; maintaining town administration was essential—replacing Dimeya and Rosalia as the defense force with themselves was sufficient.

They want to isolate me?

Clearly, the Dark Elves feared him.

But the Coral Bay Dark Elves have never fought him directly—they've only heard rumors, yet they treat him this seriously? That doesn't fit the reputation of this proud, stubborn race that never yields until the coffin is nailed shut.

Luo De suddenly remembered a half-deer 【Hero Giver】 in Coral Bay.

Could this be about a prophecy concerning me?

Luo De shook his head, stopped speculating, and continued reviewing the memory.

Disguise yourself as the bard 'Aidan' and use the Inferno bombs only when absolutely necessary; try to keep your distance from management personnel. Additionally, when using them, try to get as close as possible to Ranger Rod and his partner?

(End of Chapter)