Chapter 13: The Beginning of the Devil's Path

The long night's final chapter quietly drew to a close.

Just as the faint light of dawn was about to break, Xia Zhi fell asleep once more.

Faced with irresistible exhaustion and drowsiness assailing him, he didn't want to force himself in the slightest, so he decisively chose to lie down and rest. Even though he knew full well he had just experienced a full day and night of sound sleep not long ago, and shouldn't have gotten sleepy that fast.

Perhaps it was because a considerable portion of his energy had been drawn away during the previous summoning...

At least that was his speculation, so he didn't deliberately resist this natural fatigue.

In any case, when Xia Zhi woke from his dream again, what met his eyes was already that picturesque twilight scenery.

——This is precisely the Fairy Kingdom's unique daytime period.

——In such a wonderful world where only twilight and dark night alternate, this unique rhythm of day and night changing undoubtedly bestows upon it a distinct romance.

He blinked, and then saw a small, exquisite face appear in his vision, blocking most of the twilight sky; silver long hair hung straight down, and immediately that face bloomed with a look of delighted surprise:

"Xia Zhi, Xia Zhi, you're finally awake! I'm hungry!"

"..."

"..."

Xia Zhi pulled at the corner of his mouth; as expected of Index, to be able to say it so naturally, and with such righteous confidence.

"Hungry again, huh..."

He reached out and directly pushed aside the silver-haired little nun beside him, sat up straight, stretched his arms a little, and moved his joints.

In that very instant, he seemed to hear his body, like an ancient instrument awakened, emit bursts of crisp, pleasant cracking sounds, as if a vigorous vitality about to burst forth was brimming inside him.

Xia Zhi's movements paused slightly, but after glancing at Index beside him who seemed completely unaware, he immediately pretended nothing had happened and continued stretching lazily.

At this moment, his body transmitted no discomfort whatsoever; on the contrary, he felt an unprecedented lightness. Though not to the extent of a reborn, earth-shaking upheaval, he distinctly sensed a vivid state as if time had reversed, making him younger by several years.

Is this the change brought by magic power?

According to Vivian's words, his Magic Furnace Core had already ignited, and was continuously converting the magic power in the environment.

This thought naturally surfaced in his mind; Xia Zhi showed nothing on the surface, casually scanning the surroundings. They were still in that camp, only the bonfire had gone out, and Vivian's figure was nowhere to be seen.

Only he and the silver-haired little nun were here.

A tranquil yet slightly lonely aura permeated the air.

But he wasn't worried at all; looking at the little nun before him with eyes full of anticipation, the corner of his mouth hooked into a smile: "Staring at me like that won't help, I didn't bring any food on me, we'll have to wait for your Sister Vivian to come back..."

"Eh——"

An obviously drawn-out tone; Index wore a slightly disappointed expression.

"No need to be so discouraged, I told her last night, she's probably gone to solve the food problem right now." Seeing this, Xia Zhi offered a simple comfort.

He understood Index very well, so naturally he knew what other constitution this little nun had besides the Perfect Memory Ability constitution.

It might not yet qualify as an innate Big Eater Saint Body, but her appetite is indeed extremely vigorous.

It seems to be because the massive memory volume of the Perfect Memory Ability affects the brain, resulting in the brain needing large amounts of energy; after all, even for an ordinary person, the brain consumes one-fifth of the human body's nutrients every day.

In a situation like Index's, naturally even more is consumed.

But this actually isn't too big a problem; Index could be fed at Kamijou Touma's place, so she certainly won't starve to death in Vivian's and his hands.

After all, strictly speaking, the Fairy Kingdom doesn't lack food at all... just like the past few days, he was able to look after Vivian while ensuring his own basic food and clothing, even if the food quality couldn't be called good, basically vegetarian.

"Alright..."

Index sat back down, looked around boredly, then curiously turned her gaze back, blinking her eyes at the person opposite.

Last night Xia Zhi's performance had very intuitively demonstrated what it means to seize the initiative; not only did he swiftly grasp the rhythm and leading role of the conversation, he also successfully left an exceptionally deep impression in her heart.

Although Index has not yet fully accepted this "truth," her heart has already begun to lean towards believing——

Only because of the familiarity the other party showed towards her...

As well as the faint yet powerful resonance in her own subconscious.

Perhaps also because her heart indeed still retains a childlike innocence.

Even though being in a predicament made Index maintain high vigilance towards everything in the outside world, deep in her heart that child's instinct, the emotion of seeking reliance and longing for shelter, still exists and is difficult to suppress...

Xia Zhi also felt the silver-haired little nun's eager, expectant gaze; he raised an eyebrow, sized up the other party, made a helpless gesture on the surface, and a trace of helplessness leaked into his tone:

"Be patient, wait a bit more. Speaking of which, Index, your appetite seems to have grown even larger than before; that's not good. If possible, try to restrain it a little... how about skipping breakfast then?"

As if suddenly thinking of this point, he changed the subject and put forward a cruel suggestion in a caring tone.

"Wuu... how can that be allowed?!"

Hearing this, Index instantly widened her eyes, but also immediately reacted and began to argue forcefully and logically.

"You also said it was before; several years have passed, I... I've definitely grown taller too..."

She instinctively defended her right to eat resolutely, and quickly found grounds for rebuttal. However, while subconsciously borrowing the other party's previous words as her argument, she also quietly deepened her inner acceptance of this statement.

"Seems right too, but you shouldn't eat that much either..."

The young man thought seriously for a moment; although he seemed to have accepted this reason, he still felt Index shouldn't eat too much.

"Where's the extra! It's been this much all these years, okay, not a bit more..."

Seeing this, the little nun keenly seized the opportunity, waved her arms emotionally, and decisively struck while the iron was hot to press her advantage.

Under her relentless persistence, effort naturally and rightfully earned its reward. After several rounds of conceptual clash and compromise, the young man seemed moved by her words, sighed helplessly yet compliantly, and nodded to show he was persuaded.

Just as Index was immersed in a full sense of achievement, feeling satisfied, Xia Zhi rose leisurely; that tug-of-war just now was merely a light, casual act to him.

Everything proceeded as expected.

The little nun would feel she had a say, that her opinions would be valued, that she could receive full respect. What a child's heart cares about most is precisely this point, and it's also an excellent way to quickly close the distance.

In Xia Zhi's view, he had just fallen asleep, and Vivian was temporarily absent.

But Index didn't try to run away either; that showed the deceive-little-girl tactic he formulated had initially taken effect. Next he only needed to consolidate this result... not difficult, just needed him to continue showing "familiarity" towards her.

Simultaneously on this basis——

He also had to show closeness, trust, and peace of mind towards her.

Vivian's direct departure from the Camp was based on the embodiment of this Strategy; last night, Xia Zhi had already told her about it. Although the Girl certainly hadn't gone too far, and it was estimated she had even left some means of Observation in the Camp.

But at least on the Surface.

The point was to create an appearance for Index of being very much at ease with her, very close to her, and completely undefended.

…………

…………

After Vivian returned, the three of them ate a simple yet not simple Breakfast.

Subsequently, they finally set out once more, heading toward that unexplored Far...

As for the Destination, it was temporarily unknown, possessing quite the air of a traveler acting on whim; it seemed aimless, but was actually a choice forced by circumstances. After all, they couldn't stay Here forever, yet they truly had no Place to go.

According to Vivian, the most Suitable Target at present was actually to head toward the Mirror Clan. Because this Clan hadn't participated in the Four Great Clans' allied forces, their attitude toward the Paradise Fairies was relatively ambiguous.

But they were at least an Object that could be won over, becoming a Potential Ally; attempting to start from this angle was not a bad Strategy.

However, the Mirror Clan's territory was also situated at the North End of Britain.

Adjacent and bordering the Rain Clan.

That Place was currently at the core of the Storm vortex; the two had only escaped after great hardship, so it was clearly unwise to risk entering again... No Need to elaborate, as long as the Four Great Clans paid a little attention, the Mirror Clan would definitely become a key Object under close surveillance.

Although there's a saying that "the Most Dangerous Place is the Safest Place," in this situation, Xia Zhi would not foolishly choose to return to the Old Ground rife with crises.

Since the Mirror Clan could not become the Target, and the remaining Four Great Clans were likewise not suitable Objects to contact at present, Xia Zhi proposed to simply set aside the established Target for now and regard this journey as a tour and exploration of the Fairy Kingdom.

Because from whichever angle one looked, they did not possess the Possibility of immediately implementing the Bell Ringing Plan.

Moreover, even Vivian's Understanding of the Fairy Kingdom was not deep; she had never truly traversed this land. Let alone for Xia Zhi, who had just arrived in the Fairy Kingdom — everything Here was incomparably Strange to him.

In a situation Lacking sufficient information support, he firmly refused to Easily devise any action plan.

That was too Easy to make mistakes...

Too Easy to produce some taken-for-granted parts...

Vivian raised no Objection to this; after pondering a moment, she agreed to Xia Zhi's proposal. Although her heart was full of hatred and grief, she also knew she should maintain Rationality now, and must never let Emotion blind her eyes.

In the wilderness, a carriage swayed along.

The carriage was a Projection, the horses pulling it were Summoned Familiars; Vivian received the Mythological Heritage of her other self very quickly, and had already rapidly begun to get the hang of some simple Magecraft, able to put it to preliminary use.

Xia Zhi wasn't very knowledgeable about this aspect, nor did he know what level Vivian's Aptitude belonged to; he simply felt this seemed very convenient.

After watching the process of the Magecraft being cast, Index's Expression was somewhat Strange; she looked at the two of them, wanting to say something, but stopped herself.

The Mors Girl took all this in with her Gaze, and couldn't help looking toward a certain someone. However, Xia Zhi didn't mind; he would give Index a Reason, but not explain immediately — he could let the little nun Suspect a bit first.

——Because making a person directly accept a certain "Fact," the trust level might only be eighty.

——But if you let a person Suspect first, then Persuade them, so they believe a certain "Fact," that trust level might just head straight for a hundred.

A bit of push-and-pull is Necessary, just like those noisy emotional relationships might be a bit more solid. Facing an Object like Index who understands thoroughly, has clear weaknesses, and retains a childlike heart, he could manipulate her with a casual move...

Cough cough, seems like the Advantage of an Experience Monster forged by rich life experience——

Used to bully a little girl who already didn't have much life experience and had her Memory erased again and again, it was somewhat bullying the weak.

"Speaking of which, Vivian, are there any Skills suitable for me to use?"

To not let his few remaining Conscience feel guilty, Xia Zhi decisively Transferred his attention, asking with great interest, and by the way put forward a Requirement:

"Best if it's the kind useful for my current predicament, letting me maintain resident action capability as much as possible."

"..."

"..."

The Mors Girl pondered a moment, Shook her Head: "I have no Method for the time being; we still don't know what caused your problem, so naturally there's no talk of Solving it."

"Not saying to directly Solve the problem, but find a temporary coping Method, something to deal with this predicament..." The youth Waved his Hand, indicating Denial, "Let me have a way to Influence Entities even when I'm virtualized."

This matter urgently awaits Priority handling.

Because of the situation of being completely Bound to Vivian, once he is not within her Observation, he immediately becomes a non-existent ghost.

Can't do anything, can't do anything at all.

"This..."

Vivian Gently pursed her Lips; she knew this too, but for some reason Inexplicably felt some Rejection, as if unwilling to change this Status Quo.

"Let me think..."

She turned her Head to look out the Window, said faintly.

"..."

"..."

Xia Zhi pinched his Chin, always feeling Vivian's Mood wasn't too good; it seemed to have started from last night.

He shifted his Gaze, looked at the Silver-Haired little nun beside the Girl on the Opposite Side, and just right revealed a particularly approachable Smile, as if filled with Sunlight:

"Is it a bit Strange? Actually it's like this, you should have also Realized, this World actually isn't our original World..."

"I came Here in a muddle, mainly passed through a Strange 'Door', and then directly ran into you, Vivian Sister..."

"This World is very Strange, this land is also called Britain, but it's not the Britain we know, rather a Fairy Kingdom ruled by a race called Fairies..."

Half true half false, saying half leaving half, Xia Zhi who knows this Path well began to popularize the Background of this World for Index, by the way explaining his and the others' situation, and emphatically pointing out the Worldview differences.

Didn't explain completely, didn't discuss his own guesses and speculations, just let the little nun Brain Supplement on her own.

————

————

Perhaps a story of Another Universe.

In a certain special modern City with a population of nearly 2.3 million, eighty percent of whose Residents are students.

Deep in a certain secluded, uninhabited alley.

"Still can't find it..."

An angry fist slammed heavily into the wall — Stiyl Magnus, nearly two meters tall, hair dyed red, all ten fingers glittering with silver rings, the very picture of a delinquent, gritted his teeth in hatred.

A bloody fist mark remained on the wall, yet he seemed to feel none of that pain.

"Can't find it……"

Answering his question was a girl over 175 centimeters tall, black long hair tied in a ponytail reaching her waist, a Commandment Sword over two meters long — the kind used in Shinto rain prayer rituals — hanging at her waist.

"The trail just cut off, exactly as if it had suddenly evaporated." Her tone was somewhat powerless, and also sounded a bit self-mocking as she said this.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Stiyl gritted his teeth and said in a low voice: "Someone absolutely intervened midway, snatched 'Index Librorum Prohibitorum' right under our eyelids……"

Kanzaki Kaori fell silent at this, but also knew this must be the truth.

That girl's identity is too astonishing, her value too astonishing, who knows how many Magic Users would be moved, greedily coveting, wanting to claim the value of 103,000 Grimoires for themselves.

After all, the Magic Side has always had the saying that "if one can correctly use all 103,000 Grimoires one can become a Magic God"; although this point is actually doubtful, just the existence of this possibility is enough to drive countless people mad.

The so-called Magic God does not refer to a god of the Demon Realm——

But a Magic User who has completely mastered magic and stepped into the Domain of Gods, a so-called God of Magic.

Making the expanding universe's star rivers reverse and return, making 1+1 become 3, making a meter's length stretch and contract, making a gram's weight increase or decrease, and so on…… omnipotent, able to dominate all laws.

"Contact the Church……"

Kanzaki Kaori tightly clenched her fist, then slowly loosened it, finally letting out a long sigh, "Have the Church directly negotiate with Academy City; this is ultimately their territory…… for now this is all we can do……"

Continuing to drag it out will only lose precious time.

To find out exactly who took Index away inside Academy City, we will inevitably have to borrow Academy City's own power.

(Chapter End)