Chapter 625: Wings of Light and Farewell

Jianwan Region.

Eastward from Axebank's main city along the Delinbil River lies Xuan Shui City, gradually becoming forested.

Former Grand Leader Carter, the catwoman Choy, and the mage Doris lay hidden in the night, ambushing somewhere within the Supreme Forest to the north.

"I heard the Magic Control League's 【Hyperdistance Transmission】 has completely shut down."

Catwoman Choy crouched on a tree, her wild, glowing eyes fixed on the distant target.

Mage Doris gripped her staff tightly, alert beneath the tree, her small face tense and slightly fearful.

"Thank goodness we arrived in Deepwater City ahead of time—otherwise, starting from Shi Ying Town, who knows how long it would've taken to get here?"

"You don't have to walk. I remember mages can craft a spell-sail. Can't you?"

Doris flushed with embarrassment: "That kind of thing is ridiculously expensive. How could I possibly have one?"

"Ahahaha, broke."

Former Grand Leader Carter's expression grew cold as she glanced at the two girls, younger than her daughter.

She couldn't help but warn: "Stay silent during combat. No idle chatter."

The two girls paid no heed.

Doris pouted, Bumandishuo: "We're partners, not your soldiers. Don't keep ordering us around all day. You know my ex-boyfriend? He was just like you—so patriarchal. I dumped him within a week."

"."

Choy curiously asked: "When did you even have a boyfriend? After your fiancé fled, you barely spoke to any men at all. The only one you talked to much was Luo De—but he's Lily's target."

"Pfft! Who'd want that promiscuous jerk? Sure, he's handsome, has some money, and decent strength—but men, above all, are about character."

"Luo De's character isn't bad either—I heard. And he smells nice."

"Huh? You dirty cat, you're not trying to steal Lily's man, are you?"

Choy laughed: "I'm not stealing him, but whether Lily can outcompete the dozen or so girls in the forest is another matter."

Before she finished speaking,

Carter, who had been watching ahead, suddenly shushed.

"They're here."

The two girls fell silent at once, gazing far off—and indeed, a furtive man slipped between the trees.

"The logic holds: Xuan Shui City has seen many disappearances—likely the work of the Igao Cult."

"You've got some guts, Uncle Carter. Should we call Luo De? Oh, right—【Hyperdistance Transmission】 is down."

Carter shook his head.

He drew his steel sword from his waist.

"We've recruited former knights expelled for rebellion, gathered mages hunted by the Igao Cult, and gathered survivors of disasters. The rebellion's funding comes from that man—we can't keep burdening him with everything."

Choy shrugged: "Fine by me. The Alliance of Heroes is still pretty loose. We can't publicize this—our help is limited. Mostly, it's just intelligence. But now that you've gone public in Deepwater City, it's hard to go back underground."

Doris, however, was more captivated by the rebellion's "romantic tale."

Her eyes sparkled: "What's your group's name?! Can I name it? How about 【Sword That Pierces the Heavens】? Recently, the hero Ophir learned a spiritual technique—a massive energy blade that breaks through the sky! So cool!"

"That's called 【Giant Slash】. Hey, doesn't Luo De know that spiritual technique too?"

Carter fell silent for a moment.

He didn't believe names were meaningless—names and slogans alike had power to unite hearts.

Unconsciously, he gazed toward Axebank to the west, recalling the coup that had occurred there months ago.

The evil organization Scourge Society secretly assassinated the Lord of Axebank and framed his daughter, Wenna Pweir.

Then, out of nowhere, an organization called the 【Order of the Guangmingqishituan 】 emerged and restored order.

Many had speculated they were a hidden sect from the previous age.

"'To reveal lies and challenge falsehoods with the light'?"

He decided to ride on their coattails:

"Let's call ourselves the 【Wings of Light】—declare ourselves a branch of the 【Order of the Guangmingqishituan 】."

Outside Shi Ying Town's station.

Luo De, along with the city hall's witch Dimia and the elderly gentleman Humbert, held a farewell gathering for the conscription unit, now halved in strength.

The weather was fine—the week-long rain had finally cleared.

Sunlight filtered through thin clouds onto the crowd, yet did nothing to dispel the gloom on some of the conscripts' faces.

More than gloom, it was fear.

Their glances kept flickering toward Luo De, as if terrified he might suddenly erupt into slaughter.

As deputy commander, Levi assumed leadership of the depleted conscription unit and, after brief rest, decided to return home.

The Tuanzhang of Hunterwind, Eve, and the tooth-fairy Rosalia continued to keep their distance from Luo De.

At least on the surface.

After all, just two days ago, the two women had secretly attended the forest's celebratory bonfire.

Before leaving, Rosalia stuffed Luo De's spell satchel with Jin Along's magic items as payment for avenging her.

Not much—only a hundred thousand or so.

But it was likely her entire fortune.

Watching Rosalia's back vanish without a glance, Luo De stood frozen.

She turned once.

Seeing him watching, she gave a graceful smile and waved farewell.

But when she realized he'd been staring directly at her swaying hips, she immediately switched to a wry smile.

Still, this guy was utterly brazen—his gaze was unblinking.

Rosalia frowned, grew angry again, shot him a furious glare, and vanished into the crowd.

"They're gone, Master."

Tally's voice chimed clearly.

"Mm."

He turned to the girl beside him.

Tight boots, high-collared clothing, thick knee-length armor plating.

The exquisite armor completely concealed her flat chest and abdomen; her face was clean, pure.

Behind her back was the long-unused 【Scythe-Claw Reverse Blade】, and at her waist, a short sword with the 【Flash】 skill.

Luo De couldn't help himself: "Flat chest, Tally? Rare sight."

One forest warden was a devout follower of the Great Thunder Temple; very few succubi transformed into girls like this.

Tally's face flushed crimson; she fidgeted, twisting her fingers.

"It's impolite to discuss a girl's chest in public, Master."

"."

Witch Dimia beside them couldn't help laughing.

"This is what happens when a succubus takes the Abstinence Pill—her personality even seems to have changed?"

She pulled out a small notebook.

Her baby-faced, round-cheeked expression glowed with curiosity: "So how do you eat now?"

Luo De sighed: "Can't eat normally. Have to take it out first, then take the pill."

Tally was now a steam engine that overloaded at the slightest touch.

"Take it out? How?"

"Have Vivian or Pan Ni help—"

Before he finished,

Tally interrupted him, flustered.

"Miss Dimia, please don't pry into others' private lives."

"Oh oh. Sorry, sorry."

Dimia's cheeks flushed; she swallowed her saliva.

After calming slightly: "But Tally can't stay like this forever, can she? It feels unnatural."

Luo De sighed: "Kalist checked. It'll last a while—Tally metabolizes the Abstinence Pill slowly. Probably one or two weeks."

(End of Chapter)