Chapter 407: The Choice of Mobet

Parles spoke, interrupting Leonard's inner scream, and then fell silent.

Leonard looked around warily, and the next moment, deep within his own spiritual realm beneath his feet, he saw the vast, ancient "Miracle City", part temple, part palace.

Atop the tallest gray‑white stone pillar of Livichid perched a massive gray‑white dragon.

It had a pair of pale‑gold vertical pupils, two misty gray membranous wings unfurled behind it, and its gray‑white scales bore one intricate three‑dimensional mysterious symbol after another.

Just seeing those symbols on the scales made Leonard feel dizzy and nauseous, his mind spawning countless thoughts, as if he wanted to tear his own body apart.

In the next instant, all the negative emotions within him abruptly vanished.

Only Parles's voice echoed in his mind: "Don't look at what you shouldn't."

Leonard quickly regained his senses; looking again, the massive floating city had risen to his level and was rapidly ascending, as if to return to the heavens.

Directly above them, flickering silhouettes of illusory sea water swirled and converged, swiftly engulfing Livichid until not even a trace of shadow remained.

"Livichid, I've retrieved it; keep this book. It was crafted using the Dreamer's ability. Even though I'm no longer the 'Imaginary Dragon', the materialized item won't vanish because of that."

"You may preserve this book‑world, letting those who entered from outside continue living here, or forge it into a magical artifact—you should be adept at making such artifacts."

Angerweide's voice thundered in Leiketon's mind, as if the dragon maintained its form and whispered beside his ear, lingering for a while before gradually fading.

What does "you should also be good at making magical artifacts" mean? What did it guess? While pondering, Leiketon glanced at the people behind him, curled his lip, and laughed lightly: "Alright, the Honest Hall sightseeing tour ends here; I'll inform you of similar opportunities in the future."

"No need, I don't want any more of that in the future."

Klein remained expressionless, his voice cold as he replied.

"Mr. World" no longer seemed as gloomy as before; the journey evidently affected him greatly, apparently in a positive way—excessive gloom harms mental health. Audrey, acting on her audience instincts, carefully observed everyone around.

Leiketon paid no mind to Klein's answer and continued on his own:

"Unfortunately we didn't see the thing sealed by Angerweide; it may have reached Livichid before us."

"The sealed thing?" Klein asked curiously.

Leiketon mused before answering: "Pollution from the subterranean Chaotic Sea, which should also contain part of the power he once wielded as the 'Imaginary Dragon'."

Leonard, nearby, squinted slightly, his gaze fixed on Klein, yet he couldn't recall ever having known such a person.

"Old man, could his current appearance be a disguise? I recall a lineage called the Faceless, who can arbitrarily disguise themselves as others, even those closest to them can't recognize them."

"Don't ask me everything; can't you think for yourself?"

Parles muttered discontentedly, sounding as if he were a piece of iron that never became steel.

Each with their own thoughts, they retraced their steps; without taking much time, they left the spiritual realm and returned to the spot where King of the North Yurisan was slain.

Leonard, just after exiting the spiritual world, saw the old man's descendant glance at him anxiously; before he could react, his body was seized by Parles.

"You don't plan to leave this book‑world?"

Parles's hoary voice stated the question with particular certainty, as if voicing Mobet's true inner thought.

"Anyway, so many years have passed outside; those old friends, and all relatives except you, are gone."

"Moreover, in your current state, I can't help you any further." Mobet's voice sank deeper, like his head, the lower the more it went.

Everyone fell silent; though they didn't fully grasp Mobet's choice, no one spoke, all quietly awaiting the angel grandfather within Leonard to answer.

After a moment of silence, Parles, still controlling Leonard's body, spoke again:

"Alright, perhaps you can live better within this book‑world."

"The outside world is only a few years away from the apocalypse; those dead and those still alive, the old things, are beginning to stir. At least within this book‑world it's safe enough."

"Apocalypse? What's going on? How did we suddenly jump to the apocalypse?" Fosi stared blankly at Leonard, trying to read the angel's expression on his face.

"Only a few years until the apocalypse? I haven't seen any signs—wait, there have been some. Lately, every Tarot meeting, the 'Hanged Man' shares major sea events; each counts as a big incident."

"And the 'Imaginary Dragon' has returned; the 'Fool' should also be in a state of revival. Adding this angel and the Kings of Angels mentioned at the Tarot meetings, I've, without realizing it—whether directly or indirectly—come into contact with such great beings! Audrey's thoughts kept swirling; she had subconsciously accepted the apocalyptic statements. At the next Tarot meeting, she'll find a chance to ask the 'Fool'."

Leiketon looked at Mobet and the few people behind him, his voice calm as he said:

"So, is anyone willing to leave this book‑world?"

"If you wish to stay, tell me the life you want to lead; the Imaginary Dragon gave me this book, and I will try to edit its contents later."

Longzeer, Snoman and the others turned their gaze to Mobet; to leave the book‑world alive they would need Parles's help, but he is Mobet's elder, not theirs, and has no reason to expend effort for them.

Mobet glanced vaguely at Leonard, his voice a little uneasy: "Old man, can you take these two friends of mine out?"

"Longzeer has been here the shortest—only a few hundred years—so it shouldn't be a problem for you. Snoman… he entered a bit earlier than me, about…"

Parles cut Mobet off, his voice calm as he said:

"Since Angerweide won't reclaim this book, you may leave whenever you wish."

"If you all want to leave, send someone out to gather enough lifespan; after all, I'm just an old man being hunted, not suited for frequent traveling."

Mobet and his companions exchanged glances for a moment; he suddenly thought Parles's suggestion reasonable, looked around, and tentatively asked: "Who should we send out to collect lifespan?"

Elf Xiatasi brushed a strand of glossy black hair from her forehead, her voice a bit impatient: "Who else but you?"

"Grosair and I have been in this book too long; we need at least two or three thousand years of lifespan. Longzeer only became extraordinary after entering here; even if he leaves, he'll instantly become an ordinary person."

Mobet muttered softly: "What about Snoman?"

Xiatasi glanced at Snoman, not lowering her voice: "He's completely sealed within his own faith world, not as reliable as you."

Snoman gave no rebuttal, looking calmly at Mobet: "Your ability is sufficiently strange and covert, making you more suitable than me."

Mobet looked at Xiatasi, his eyes clouded with unclear emotion; after a moment of silence he said:

"Before ascending to demigod, I lacked strong combat ability, and gathering others' lifespan inevitably leads to battle."

Clicked the wrong time, let's leave it at that. 0.0 can only be updated a little tomorrow.

(End of Chapter)