Chapter 407: with translation of chapter title

the edge of the Poison Mist Forest

Luosen had his hands behind his back, like a retired official, leisurely walking along a dim forest path.

Beilu Dandi beside him, face alert, glancing left and right, her hand always resting on the hilt of the Extinction Law Sword: "Your Majesty, I suggest you heighten vigilance; although I will do my utmost to protect you, my ability is limited, and I cannot guarantee absolute safety."

Rosen Ziran naturally wouldn't say he had already raised the alert level of the Heart of the War God to the maximum.

He took a handful of roasted chestnuts from the Time-Space Treasury, tossing them into his mouth while smiling and saying, "No problem, we're already at the forest's edge. Even if there are monsters, they're just small fry."

Beilu Dandi was not used to Luosen's perpetually lax attitude, but she also knew that the emperor before her possessed unfathomable strength, so she could only shrug slightly and mutter resentfully.

"Your Majesty, even small fry can achieve great things."

Luosen, hearing clearly with his sharp ears, laughed: "Exactly, that small fry ahead is very likely to accomplish something great."

About fifty meters ahead, the one Luosen considered a small fry was none other than Aoliangde, the traitor of the Dawn Eye Mage Association who had been rescued earlier.

He was unaware of the two following him behind, continuing as usual to maintain a cautious attitude, feeling his way back along the route he had fled.

After a tense half hour, they reached the eastern edge of the Poison Mist Forest, where the woods began to show many trodden paths.

Besides, many battle traces could be seen, often human skeletons.

Some had just died, some were gnawed by animals to rags, others had already turned to white bone.

Causes of death were also varied.

Some were killed by swords, some died from various spells, some from bite wounds, and finally some unlucky bastards basically brought it on themselves.

After a while, Luosen saw a corpse sitting on the ground that appeared to have died less than three days ago.

After a brief investigation to determine the cause of death, he couldn't help but sigh.

"This guy is really an unlucky bastard."

How did he die? From the surrounding traces, it seems he fell hard, landed on his butt on the ground.

On the ground happened to be a pointed hardwood stake that someone had cut diagonally, so the unlucky bastard was impaled from the anus all the way in for a full half meter.

Beilu Dandi commented: "He didn't die then, he groaned and struggled for half a day before finally expiring."

Luosen sighed again: "Truly miserable."

After walking a bit further, they saw another corpse, a young woman.

Judging by the situation, she had just died; her blood hadn't coagulated, and her body still retained warmth.

After looking at the surrounding traces and wounds on the corpse, Luosen drew a conclusion.

"It should be death by trampling from some kind of elephant-nosed monster. According to the intel I have so far, locals call this creature Nagru, meaning 'lust demon'."

Beilu Dandi used a spell on the corpse, burying it in the earth: "This world is utterly without order."

"That's why it's called the Abyss."

After walking a bit further, the two completely left the Poison Mist Forest and entered a plain overgrown with weeds.

Although it's a plain, there are still many architectural ruins.

But these ruins are low in height, have been cleared, and their height and density are far less than those of the Poison Mist Forest, so they don't really block the view.

At a glance, one can see in the distance a settlement composed of thatched huts, wooden houses, earthen houses, stone houses, and uncleared ruins, with many active figures moving about in the settlement and its surroundings.

Luosen quietly explained to Beilu Dandi: "Grey City is the largest ruined city on the western edge of the Poison Mist Forest, controlled by the Dawn Eye Mage Association, with a permanent population exceeding 80,000."

Beilu Dandi climbed onto a stone and gazed far at a large-scale melee in the city's outskirts: "What are they doing?"

"Probably the underground gangs of Grey City are fighting."

Beilu Dandi, somewhat puzzled: "Over 400 people are involved; such a large scale, does the Dawn Eye Mage Association just ignore it?"

"As long as the fighting isn't in the city proper, the Association doesn't care."

"At the same time, all of Grey City's gangs have protection within the Association."

"As long as they pay enough tribute and obey the rules within the city, even if one gang wipes out another, the Association couldn't care less."

"This information was all transmitted to him by Liv, and it's very useful."

Beilu Dandi listened, pursed her lips: "It seems Aoliangde was right; the Dawn Eye is indeed the devil's claw. Its fundamental purpose is to stir the mortal realm into a hopeless mess of mud."

Luosen nodded: "Indeed. Moreover, many wise men among mortals have seen this."

His gaze withdrew from the brawling gangs and continued to focus on Aoliangde: "According to my observation, Aoliangde was likely raised from childhood by the Dawn Eye."

"Normally, such a person would be extremely loyal to the Association. So I'm curious: what exactly happened to make him resolutely determined to destroy the Association?"

Beilu Dandi thought: "Perhaps he was summoned by some Sage?"

Luosen also thought: "It's more likely not a single Sage, but a secret organization composed of many Sages."

At that moment, Aoliangde was crouching low, using the weeds for cover, sneaking all the way toward Grey City.

The two then followed him while conversing.

Beilu Dandi asked: "Your Majesty, what do you say he intends to do?"

Luosen laughed: "He definitely still has accomplices, and surely some of them have been captured."

"Now, having obtained a powerful magical artifact, and with us as his backing, the greatest possibility for an immediate return is definitely to go rescue people."

Beilu Dandi also thought so, but a faint worry arose in her heart.

She pointed at the glowing ring in the sky: "Your Majesty, if we disturb those above, will we be in danger?"

She personally felt that, with her current 17-ring strength and the magical artifact she holds, dealing with mortal strongholds should be no problem. But the Moon City above is a genuine high-energy civilization.

If provoked, they might send a combat automaton similar to a Dawn Guard, or launch a super high-energy weapon that destroys heaven and earth upon the ground, which would be a nightmare for the mortal realm.

Luosen gave a slight smile: "We will certainly stir those above, but those above will absolutely not use high-energy weapons against the mortal realm."

"Because Empress Aogedelin has supreme veto power, and she has always advocated rebuilding an eternal empire in the mortal realm, and would absolutely not allow the slaughter of mortal civilians."

This news was told to him by the Adela sisters.

Uncertain whether it's reliable, but since the end of the Abyss High-Energy War 100 years ago, the mortal realm has indeed not seen any high-energy weapon's might.

Beilu Dandi still isn't reassured: "What if?"

We can't possibly entrust our safety to a female emperor we've never met, can we?

That's correct.

Rosen Ziran was prepared; he smiled and said, "You're not wrong."

True safety still needs to be in our own hands.

As he spoke, he reached into his clothes pocket and pulled out an arm bracelet.

"The Escape Ring, worn on the left upper arm, won't hinder your sword draw and also offers some protection."

"If you encounter real danger, activate it and it will transport you to a safe location."

Beilu Dandi immediately put on the arm bracelet; the size was just right, clearly made for her, and she felt delighted.

"Your Majesty, why are you only now willing to give me such a good thing?"

"Because we had no use for it before, but now I intend to act separately from you."

"You must secretly observe and protect Aoliangde's safety; do not interfere in his affairs, just ensure he remains alive."

Beilu Dandi shrugged: "This task is a bit boring."

"It is indeed a bit boring, but it's very important and could even affect our future fate."

His immensely powerful time talent let Rosen faintly sense the extraordinariness of the young Aoliangde.

This youth is a participant, even a creator, of many important time points.

He is very likely to profoundly change the fate of the Abyss of Pain.

With this wind, his journey to divinity can proceed more smoothly.

On the other hand, hearing this, Beilu Dandi immediately took it seriously: "Yes, Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to protect him, but is Your Majesty's safety alright? That was my overthinking."

Rosen still felt uneasy and continued to urge: "If you encounter an irresistible danger, don't insist on fighting it head‑on; ensuring your own survival is more important than anything."

"Also, don't resort to killing to solve any problem unless necessary; otherwise, try to leave survivors."

In his presence, Beilu Dandi is as obedient as a rabbit, because he has completely tamed her; but her nature is actually that of a female war god—a sharp blade that can kill without blinking and employs ruthless means.

He was a bit worried that this crimson blade, being too sharp, might cause trouble that's hard to settle.

Beilu Dandi was somewhat reluctant: "Your Majesty, won't that be too merciful?"

Rosen earnestly said: "It's not mercy; it's to leave more possibilities for change in the future."

As he spoke, he pointed to his forehead: "You now possess a very powerful time talent; use this power well, don't waste it."

Beilu Dandi still didn't fully understand Rosen's approach, but she now sees herself as the sword in Emperor Rosen's hand.

A sword need not have its own self‑awareness; it does whatever its master commands.

"I understand, Your Majesty."

"Good, then we'll start acting separately now."

As he spoke, Rosen silently activated the Secret Passage Technique.

He now possesses a powerful soul of twenty rings, and his insight into time has risen several levels.

His casting of the Secret Passage Technique caused hardly any disturbance; the spell completed silently, his true self had already departed, leaving only a cluster of indistinguishable spacetime phantom at the original spot.

When that phantom finished speaking its last sentence, it turned into a cluster of light mist and dispersed, while Rosen's whereabouts became unknown.

As for Rosen's methods, Beilu Dandi no longer cared to investigate.

Because investigating would be futile; one simply couldn't find out.

This is fine, because the stronger Rosen as her master becomes, the broader her prospects as his servant.

Seeing that Aoliangde had already reached the edge of Grey City, Beilu Dandi quickened her steps to follow, muttering to herself.

"Young man, let's see what tricks you can pull."

On the other side, Rosen changed his appearance and entered Grey City from another direction.

Upon entering Grey City, he smelled a rich aroma of roasted meat; looking up, he saw much fire smoke in the sky ahead and could faintly hear tragic wails.

His brows furrowed instantly.

"Is the Mage Association burning people again?"

Tomorrow's update will be normal.

(End of chapter)