Chapter 333

Really stingy, your voice full of vigor shows no sign of weakness—Leikdun couldn't even be bothered to fake an expression, muttering to himself, knowing Pales could definitely hear his inner voice.

Check: We added an em dash. Could also use comma. We'll keep as is.

"What an ill-mannered little brat."

"Release your mind, do not resist."

"Pales first made an annoyed comment, then his tone turned solemn."

"Leikdun, hearing that, lightly nodded, quickly closed his eyes to meditate, adjusted his state, and at the same time relaxed his mind, cooperating with Pales's appropriation of his extraordinary trait."

"As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Lunnaide's head once again bearing that ancient, mottled clock, its hands made of time-worms slowly turning."

"The Prophet's strong intuition suddenly sounded an alarm, continually stimulating his mind; something terribly awful was happening."

"Leikdun suppressed the urge to resist, closed his eyes and relaxed his mind. In the next moment, a wave of weakness suddenly spread over him, and he felt he had lost something important."

"He instinctively lifted his gaze to the carriage window; in his sight, the dense network of silver-white threads that had formed a river in the air was gone."

"The Prophet's trait had been stolen. As his thoughts turned, that sudden feeling of weakness deepened again—another trait had been taken."

"He suppressed his instinctive repulsion, went along with that strange feeling, and let his trait be stolen."

"In a moment, he felt he had lost much of the knowledge tied to arcane arts; the knowledge carried by that trait had also been stolen, hadn't it?"

"In his contemplation, he also lost the extraordinary abilities of 'analysis' and 'imitation'; then parts of ritual magic and reasoning faded away until finally, he felt his memory and comprehension had declined."

"Pales' hoarse voice came from Lunnaide's mouth:"

"All right."

"Immediately, he turned his gaze to Leikdun·Soss beside him: 'Hope you've finished the relevant role-play; the identity separated by the controller is completely independent, including the role-playing and digestion, huh. Old man, your thoughts can't keep up, knowledge surely has settled this point.'"

"Just as his words fell, the mottled clock atop Lunnaide's head suddenly began turning counterclockwise."

"Boom! The illusory bell echoed in his ears, layer upon layer."

"Having lost the Prophet's trait, and with the Seer's 'Seeking Eye' ability still not restored after being stolen, Leikdun instead felt the bell's sound seemed perfectly normal."

"Across from him, Leikdun·Soss's aura began to shift, from Reader to Reasoning Apprentice, then to Keeper. Arcane Arts Instructor, Prophet."

"A flash of silver-white passed through his eyes, as if it could pierce fate and see the future."

"Leikdun blinked, suddenly losing the Reader path's trait; he felt a bit unaccustomed, as if something that had always bound his hands and feet had been removed, and also as if part of his own strength had been taken away, producing a feeling of weakness and emptiness."

"After a moment, he reopened his eyes, looked at his duplicate, adjusted his state, and smiled as he spoke:"

"Congratulations, Mr. Prophet~"

"Leikdun·Soss chuckled and nodded:"

"Heh, good afternoon, Mr. Mystic Scholar."

"I'll first go home for a visit, then after saying goodbye I'll head to the Southern Continent."

"Just as his words fell, his figure quickly turned transparent and faded away."

"Seeing Leikdun's duplicate depart directly through the Spirit Realm, Lunnaide hesitated a moment before regaining his senses, then looked at Leikdun and asked doubtfully:"

"He left via the Spirit Realm? What about you?"

"Leikdun leaned back against the carriage, his face relaxed, and said:"

"'Not only Readers can turn knowledge into power; Seekers can do the same.' 'You Night Watchers work at night and rest by day, don't you? At this time, you actually have the leisure to come to Berkellund Street.'"

"'Just a shift adjustment; it's quite common for Night Watchers.'"

"Lunnaide relaxed, his tone also becoming leisurely."

"Leikdun saw that Lunnaide seemed unwilling to communicate with Pales, pondered a moment, raised his eyebrows slightly, and said: 'Pales? Pretending to sleep again?'"

"Heh, when you need my help, call me old sir; when you don't, just call me Pales—you're really something!"

"Pales' hoarse voice came from Lunnaide's mouth, carrying some displeasure."

"Leikdun felt a bit embarrassed, rubbed his nose, and as his thoughts turned, he changed the subject:"

"'That book I mentioned before, the Groserel Travelogue—I don't know if you're interested.'"

"Without waiting for Pales's response, he continued:"

"'I suspect that book is the incarnation of the divine kingdom 'Levid' of the Imaginary Dragon Anguerweide—this might involve His backup plan for resurrection.'"

"'Your blood relative happens to be a link in His resurrection plan.'"

"Lunnaide slightly opened his mouth, then quickly closed it; when his lips moved again, the sound that came out was still Pales' somewhat hoarse voice:"

"'Imaginary Dragon. Levid?'"

"'This is just your speculation; the Miracle City Levid has always been clearly recorded in history, never suddenly disappeared.'"

"Leikdun lightly shook his head, speaking calmly: 'If the Imaginary Dragon can conjure one Miracle City, it can conjure a second.'"

"'The Groserel Travelogue in hand makes no difference from being in the Church of Knowledge; that one is also a giant dragon.'"

"Lunnaide's eyes were full of doubt; he seemed to have many questions, but his body being controlled by Pales, he couldn't utter a word."

"After a brief silence, Pales' voice sounded again:"

"'It looks like that one has already been to the imaginary world in that book.'"

"'For now, don't go explore the world in that book; after a thousand years, once they leave that imaginary world, they'll turn into a handful of loam.'"

"'The backup plan the Imaginary Dragon left thousands of years ago cannot be pinpointed to a specific time; He can only ensure the story's general direction.'"

"Understanding Pales's attitude, Leikdun chuckled and nodded in response: 'No problem; if you want to collect some lifespans, you can go to the sea—there are plenty of pirates there.'"

"'Then I'll take my leave.'"

"Leikdun gave Lunnaide a slight bow, starlight drifting around him, enveloping his figure as it entered the Spirit Realm."

"After Leikdun left, Lunnaide regained control of his body, leaning sideways against the carriage, tilting his head, and muttered to himself:"

"'Old man, who is that one? An ancient dragon surviving from the Second Era?'"

"'You don't need to know; don't go prying into secrets carelessly, lest you die in an obscure way.'"

"The hoarse voice echoed in his mind."

Leonard pursed his lips, muttering nonchalantly:

Isn't there still you?

(End of chapter)