Chapter 481: Farewell and Pursuit

Bahadur is, after all, merely a magic academy.

They have quite the nerve, daring to say outright that they will install Luo De as a king to claim this land.

Hmm.

Or perhaps, are they truly just an academy?

The witch Dimia and the dog-people Sharen both studied at that academy.

From fragments of conversation with the two girls, Luo De learned that, aside from the influence of the academy's "human supremacy" ideology, their student lives were otherwise normal.

The halfling Lily may have also attended that academy.

Oh, no, she was rejected despite achieving top scores in both the entrance practical exam and written test.

Perhaps.

The information Luo De obtained came entirely through non-human channels.

Could the Bahadur Magic Academy, which upholds the principle of "human supremacy," have never allowed non-humans to access its core knowledge?

The catfolk witch Mau, due to her 【Manifestation】 ability, came into contact with professors at Bahadur's level.

Her research on the 【Wish Stone】 is something unheard of on the continent.

"Could an organization representing the pinnacle of the continent's most advanced magical power, relentlessly pursuing the 【Magic Singularity】, have secretly amassed considerable strength?"

Luo De shook his head.

Since they've already targeted him, overthinking now is useless.

He turned his gaze back to the two withered ones before him.

Without a second's hesitation, he flatly refused.

"Mr. Luo De, please don't act on impulse. As Athelon weakens, more factions will encroach here, and when bloodshed ensues, it will all be due to your single decision."

The serpent withered one, Dain, did not wish to give up.

He even resorted to moral blackmail.

Luo De sneered: "See those mercenary bands? I hired them. Now I'll pay double to hire you to guard Shi Ying Town. If you don't come, and bloodshed follows, it'll be because of your own decision."

Dain's expression froze.

He shook his head.

"Perhaps we came too abruptly, making Mr. Luo De wary. My apologies."

He took a wrapped gift box from his spell satchel and placed it on the ground:

"This is our apology for the disturbance. Please take more time to consider carefully. After all, even if business fails, goodwill remains—we are not savage withered ones. And given Greta's relationship with this tree spirit, you may contact us anytime."

Shuowan, he did not wait for a reply.

He called out to Greta, who was still happily chatting with the tree spirit Vivian.

Greta, the withered one with red blotches on her face, expressed reluctant parting.

Still, she followed him away, casting one last resentful glare at Luo De.

"You better take good care of Vivian, or I won't let you off!"

Luo De narrowed his eyes.

This was far from what he had expected.

He had even prepared to beat them up.

But they were overly polite—even left a gift upon leaving.

You don't hit a smiling face—at least not immediately.

And he couldn't beat them in front of Vivian, her friend.

【Luo De: Tally, "Shadow Trace."】

【Tally: Why not just say it outright? Why here?】

Luo De's gaze shifted from the retreating backs of the two withered ones to Tally.

He saw her pouting, hands on hips, glaring at him Bumandi.

Yet her shadow magic moved swiftly—two invisible threads had already trailed after them.

【Tally: Are you worried about Vivian? Master, you spoil her too much!】

This thing seems jealous.

Luo De walked over and patted her head.

She refused, swatting his hand away with an "Aww!"

"Why don't you ever treat me like this normally? Hmph!"

"Then what do you want?"

"My feeding frequency has been too low lately. Add one more meal per day! Otherwise, I'll never speak to you again—from now on, Tally on the bed will be silent, disgusted, and uncooperative!"

Luo De imagined the scene.

—On the bed, Tally, face flushed with annoyance, stubbornly turned away, declaring she wouldn't cooperate, yet her hips involuntarily writhed.

It felt nice.

"Then it's settled."

"Huh?"

Tally panicked.

In an instant, she switched expressions, flashing a bright, charming smile.

She leaped back, her petite frame—about one meter fifty tall—clinging to Luo De's neck.

The succubus still believed in her master's favorite contrast: petite body paired with a broad chest.

She pressed against his chest, her softness spilling beyond the width of her back.

"Aww, I was just joking~"

"No extra meal?"

"Extra meal? Who said anything about extra meals? Tally is already full just smelling Master's scent—why would she need more?"

"Then fine, just smell from now on."

Tally's smile froze. She said nothing.

At that moment, the arachne Yuna stepped closer and whispered: "Master, Whispering Hairs has been deployed."

"Oh?"

Luo De pried Tally's arms off his neck and set her down.

He glanced again at Vivian, still watching her friend fade into the distance.

Her eyes, glowing with pure, flawless white light, revealed no emotion whatsoever.

The two withered ones reshaped into spectral birds and leapt into the sky.

They slowly vanished on the horizon.

Yuna offered a reverent, sweet smile: "Anyone who might threaten you or your beloved things must be under surveillance. Whether to kill or not is entirely your decision, Master."

"Hmm. Good work. These two do warrant surveillance."

"Serving you is Yuna's entire purpose."

Lacking innate racial emotions, Vivian easily ignored surrounding conversations.

Thus, the tree spirit girl waited until her friend disappeared beyond the horizon before slowly drifting back to Luo De's side.

She lifted her gaze, watching his face like a puppy, constantly.

Luo De smiled back at her.

"Go back with Yuna. I have some business to attend to."

"Vivian, together, stay beside, Luo De."

"Not this time. Next time. Next time I'll take you out, show you forests beyond."

Ten minutes later.

Following the locations provided by Tally's "Shadow Trace" and Yuna's "Whispering Hairs," Luo De intercepted Dain and Greta ahead of them.

The two spectral birds in midair clearly froze.

Their wings flapped as they descended.

The two resumed their true forms.

The serpent Dain looked excited: "Mr. Luo De, have you reconsidered?"

He assumed Luo De had merely been too embarrassed to accept in front of the girls, and had now come alone to agree.

Luo De shook his head.

He grinned.

"Sorry, I forgot something. Whenever I encounter someone from the Bahadur Magic Academy, I always beat them first. You two are no exception."

The excitement on Dain's serpentine face faded visibly.

(End of Chapter)