Chapter 458: Farewell Letter and Madness

Lilian had just checked on him and saw the little rascal still weakly resting in bed, so she couldn't bring herself to wake him.

No rush—there's still time to pack up camp; waiting a little longer won't hurt.

Over these five days, she had spent every night fooling around with Luo De, convinced her old affliction had finally healed—but now that he was gone, her body remained as dry as ever.

Only then did she realize it was Luo De himself who was special.

Probably some innate seductive lineage; after all, there are plenty of people on the continent with strange bloodlines.

Lilian didn't think much of it.

Worse still, she believed Luo De's unique physique perfectly complemented her own—that's why her magical power had grown after each night with him.

It wasn't her fault; she couldn't see through the 【Disguise Domain】.

And because of that, her affection for Luo De deepened further, even evoking the feeling of young love—she wanted to cling to him constantly.

Now that the Axe Beach journey was nearing its end, once they returned to the Mirror Desert, wouldn't she be free to play with him however she pleased?

Just thinking of it made her heart and lower abdomen tingle with desire; she couldn't wait to rush in and see him.

But at the same time, she remembered he was the husband she had chosen for Eve.

Guilt and moral conflict surged within her, and she hesitated, wrestling with the urge to end this relationship.

BOOM!!!

Suddenly, a deafening roar erupted from the direction of Axe Beach.

A massive spiritual pressure, thick as syrup, clung to the air around her.

Lilian's expression shifted slightly.

She instinctively turned her head and saw a colossal spiritual greatsword, piercing through the clouds, violently descending upon the earl's ancient castle at Axe Beach.

"A legendary spell? No—this is pure spiritual energy. No wonder Axe Bay is famous for its experts; truly, talent abounds here."

Her exquisite, painterly face grew solemn.

She silently thanked herself for evacuating her clan in time—if they'd stayed, even if Eve had just broken through to the seventh tier, she'd stand no chance against such a master.

Thinking of this,

she no longer delayed—she had to wake her little son-in-law, no matter how much it pained her, and leave at once.

Lilian swiftly glided into the tent, pulled back the curtain, and saw the handsome man sprawled on the messy bed.

A flicker of tenderness crossed her face; she gently laid her hand on his thick arm, about to whisper his name—

WHOOSH—

The next instant, as her fingers touched him, the man crumbled like a sand sculpture, scattering across the bed.

Amid the disintegration, a letter and a transparent glass vial appeared on the sheets.

Lilian's face turned ashen.

Her panic was far greater than when she'd seen that legendary-level energy sword.

"Little Luo De?"

She froze in place, thoughts racing through her mind.

Then she saw the envelope labeled "To Lilian"—her heart clenched like a knife had pierced it.

With trembling, snow-white fingers, she opened the letter and drew it out:

【My Lilian:

I woke up already at noon, sat on the bed staring blankly for ages, endlessly picturing your beautiful form as you pulled back the curtain and walked in.

Then I remembered that night, when we first met in the forest—your long hair flowing, the breeze carrying intoxicating floral fragrance… later I learned it was your scent.

I'm sorry, Lilian.

I said I loved you, but now, I must leave.

Do you remember the woman who parted from me before? She has an eighth-tier master who now demands I return to fulfill my betrothal.

I refused, so she threatened to kill me and kidnap my naga companions.

I wasn't afraid—but when I thought of you, all will to fight vanished.

Forgive my sudden departure, Lilian.

If I could, I'd stay forever in these six days.

But please wait for me, Lilian of the Braal Clan in the Mirror Desert—I will find you, just as two streams will eventually merge into the same valley.

P. .:

The contents of the glass vial were a gift from that woman; they greatly enhance innate talent.

I have no intention of using them.

Lilian, carry my memory and swallow them into your body.

—Forever yours, Luo De.

】

Lilian stared at every word of the letter, unable to react for a long time.

Her lips parted slightly, trembling, producing only silent sobs.

After a long while,

she remembered the glass vial and gently picked it up.

—It was an extremely rare spiritual seed, scarce across the continent.

Lilian was stunned.

Such a seed, worth more than all her wealth, this man had simply left it to her?

In the pitch-black tent, against the bustle outside,

there was only silent stillness.

Lilian sat motionless for a long time.

"Fool… why didn't you take it yourself?"

Her slender fingers tightened around the vial, knuckles turning white.

At the same time, her gaze slowly hardened; she pried open the cap and swallowed the spiritual seed in one motion.

"I will find you."

North of Axe Beach, the Adip Forest.

Inside a certain cave.

Old Ed opened his eyes weakly.

He saw the half-deer man beside him, still casting a healing spell.

"Awake? Don't worry, you won't die, heh."

The half-deer man remained flippant, his hands radiating warm golden energy, continuously repairing Old Ed's wounds.

Old Ed opened his mouth slightly, but couldn't speak.

The half-deer man sighed, stopping him: "Don't talk, rest. What's with you? Why cling to stubbornness? You're an old man—learn to adapt! Why insist on capturing Wen Na ·Pruel to make up for past mistakes? That guy's a pure monster!"

"Honestly, I never expected it—eight-tier, two seventh-tier peaks, and they couldn't even break his defense? Gorgon? Holy Knights? Ugh—why isn't that guy an 【Hero Candidate】?"

"Now it's fine—Wen Na ·Pruel's case is cleared. The militia captain blames you for the failed capture, says you conspired with the half-elf Vigil like a devil. You're a pariah in Axe Beach now—no way you're going back."

Hearing this,

the light in Old Ed's eyes dimmed sharply; he stared coldly at the cave wall.

Yet the half-deer man, as he spoke,

began to laugh.

"Good, good! Now we can focus on killing the halfing Lily in Deepwater with peace of mind. Listen to me from now on—we'll both become gods!"

Night was quiet; the chirping of insects and birds drifted into the cave.

The half-deer man was lost in this fantasy.

PLOP—

Suddenly, a flash of cold light.

The half-deer man froze.

The warm magical glow from his hands vanished; he stared blankly at Old Ed, still holding the sword in mid-swing.

Confusion in his eyes quickly turned to terror and fury.

A thin red line cut across his neck.

"W-why… I saved… you…"

Old Ed's gaze was icy; he didn't even look at him.

"A man harboring malice, trying to make me kill the innocent—why should I keep you alive?"

The half-deer man's eyes widened in hatred, spewing venom—but blood gushed from his throat.

"Y-you… you!"

He collapsed, clutching Old Ed's sleeve like a demon trying to drag him into the abyss.

But as blood poured out, his strength faded rapidly.

Soon,

he became a corpse.

Old Ed turned toward the night outside the cave, his cold eyes holding the same clouded madness as the half-elf Vigil.

Then he looked down at the blood covering the floor.

"Hmm. There are bugs, indeed."

"The so-called hero's prophecy brings calamity to all living beings; the half-deer people carry pests in their blood—I must act in heaven's name to punish them."

(End of Chapter)