Chapter 702: Return (Last Day of March, Requesting Monthly Tickets)

In the special dream, Amandina had said that the figure—the "Man of the Mingdao "—had nodded to her… "Armor Shadow" Chen Tu was suspected to be connected to the Man of the Mingdao … Francca was hoarding gold to cast a golden statue of Chen Tu to gain more information… Lu Mi's mind flashed with countless thoughts.

He turned his head to look at Amandina, a smile forming on his face.

"It's not only during the Dream Festival that you can encounter that figure."

"You can see him anytime?" Amandina asked eagerly.

What kind of mind do you have… Lu Mi muttered inwardly, then smiled and shook his head.

"What I mean is, you don't have to be in Tizamo Town, or on a specific date, to encounter that figure."

After a few seconds of thought, Amandina understood the hidden meaning in Louis Berry's words:

"You've seen that figure somewhere else?"

"But aren't you unable to see him directly, only through me?"

Good, she's not that stupid… Lu Mi reached into "The Traveler's Satchel" and pulled out the golden mask.

"I saw him after putting this on."

Before Amandina could respond, Lu Mi added with a smile:

"I've indeed encountered that figure elsewhere."

He used "encountered," not "seen," ensuring his words were the purest truth.

He had wanted to add, "I even know what His name is," but he was too lazy to explain to Amandina why he used "He" to refer to the Man of the Mingdao.

Amandina's expression instantly brightened.

"Where?"

"In Trier," Lu Mi did not hide it.

This was the information he wanted her to know.

"Trier…" Amandina felt both yearning and fear.

As an Intis born and raised in the Southern Continent, she had inevitably heard the legends of the "City of Joy," knew of its glittering splendor and bustling vibrancy—Trier had almost become her dream sanctuary—but her farthest journey had only reached Pailos Port; she had never left Matani Province, and the thought of actually going to Trier filled her first with dread.

After all, she was still just a girl under eighteen.

Lu Mi continued with complete honesty:

"One day in the future, a friend of mine may have contact with that figure. I hope you can be beside her and offer some non-combat assistance you're capable of."

"In return, I can take you to Trier, help you enter the area where that figure might appear, and provide you with certain protection."

"How about it? Do you want to make this deal?"

"I, I…" Amandina hesitated, instinctively searching for excuses. "My parents won't let me leave Matani Province for Trier now—at least not until I have the chance to attend university there."

Lu Mi chuckled.

"I'm not asking you to live in Trier permanently. Go on Saturday, come back on Sunday."

"Huh?" Amandina froze.

She had imagined ocean voyages, arduous journeys, leaving her homeland forever.

Lu Mi raised an eyebrow.

"Didn't I already 'teleport' you before, inside the dream?"

"But… but that was just short-range, wasn't it?" Amandina's eyes lit up. "You can teleport me directly from Matani Province to Trier?"

Lu Mi nodded slightly.

"Yes, you might need one or two intermediate stops, but you'll still reach Trier quickly."

"Quickly…" Amandina was tempted—she wanted to experience such magic.

Yet she still didn't make a decision immediately.

Lu Mi didn't press her.

"No need to decide right away. Encountering that figure again is quite dangerous. First, through Ryah, truly enter Matani Province's esoteric circles, learn the basics of the extraordinary—then consider whether to accept this deal. That might take three months, even half a year or a year."

Amandina quietly exhaled.

"Alright."

She then asked curiously:

"Is your friend female?"

She used the pronoun "she."

In our minds, she always is—in her own perception, sometimes is, sometimes isn't… Lu Mi mentally mocked Francca, then nodded slightly.

"Yes."

Amandina pressed on enthusiastically:

"Your lover?"

Lu Mi laughed.

"Of course not. Why do you always focus on this kind of thing?"

As he spoke, Lu Mi pulled out a notepad and an ink pen from "The Traveler's Satchel," scribbled a few lines, and handed them to Amandina.

Amandina took them, and under the candlelight inside the church, read carefully:

"Beings wandering the Upper Realm, the Penitent Awakened from the Flame of Suffering, the Sole Messenger of Lu Mi Li."

"What is this?" Amandina looked utterly confused.

"My messenger. When you've decided, perform the ritual and use this incantation to summon my messenger and tell me your choice," Lu Mi explained simply.

Amandina grew even more confused.

"What ritual? What summoning? This isn't a normal messenger?"

Lu Mi raised an eyebrow again.

"You've never heard of esoteric messengers? Don't know the ritual to summon one?"

Amandina smiled awkwardly.

"I only began touching the extraordinary last year. Through Robert and a few esoteric enthusiasts, I gathered fragments of the 'Path of the Gods'—I know rituals exist, but I don't know what they actually look like."

As she finished, her eyes brightened.

"You'll teach me, right? Otherwise I can't summon your messenger."

"And your real name isn't Louis Berry—it's Lu Mi Li?"

"You, you just pulled the paper and pen from that coin pouch—the things before were from there too. What kind of magical item is that?"

"…"

Lu Mi couldn't help tilting his head, gazing toward the golden spherical dome.

………

The next morning, Lu Mi left the Buriu Inn with Ludwig and Lu Jianuo, crossed streets still littered with uncleaned ruins, and arrived at Buniya Café.

The owner, Buniya, remained as shy as ever, politely asking what they needed.

Lu Mi ordered three cups of Kosa coffee and three portions of Matani Province's specialty breakfast, "Okapa."

Made by wrapping rice, chicken, egg, potato chunks, and local spices in Okapa tree leaves, it was generous in portion, rich in aroma, and once bitten, impossible to stop eating.

Lu Mi stared at the unfolded Okapa, picked up his utensils, scooped a spoonful, and put it in his mouth.

The natural fragrance of the leaves, the salted egg yolk, the heaviness of the rice, the tenderness of the chicken, the softness of the potato, and the peculiar rich aroma intertwined into a uniquely distinctive taste.

As he ate, Lu Mi casually observed the pedestrians and café patrons.

After yesterday's grief and fear, they had grown gentler, no longer displaying excessive emotion; when speaking to others, they always wore faint smiles.

Once Ludwig finished his second morning meal, Lu Mi found a quiet, empty corner, changed into winter clothing, and vanished with Ludwig and Lu Jianuo from Tizamo Town.

This time, Lu Mi did not teleport directly to Francca's location, since Lu Jianuo, Ludwig, and the two witches were unfamiliar with each other.

Lu Mi chose a rarely used underground Trier entrance in the Memorial District; their figures swiftly materialized on the steel stairs.

As soon as they returned to the surface, Lu Mi saw several young men resembling university students, carrying carbide lamps and horse lanterns, laughing and joking as they passed by and entered the underground Trier.

Turning onto the nearest main street, the first thing Lu Mi saw was a man dressed provocatively, chained like a dog, crawling slowly along the pavement. Anyone who dared glance at him more than a moment received a glare and two barks.

The next instant, a street performer in the corner began playing a rhythmic melody; passersby, to varying degrees, began to dance, their faces lit with relaxed, content smiles—even the man playing the dog lifted his hind leg.

This was vastly different from the market district's scene.

The Memorial District was famous for its many universities.

Lu Mi tore his gaze from the smiles on the pedestrians' faces and led Lu Jianuo and Ludwig to Anthony's rented apartment nearby.

It was on the fourth floor, near the end of the corridor.

Knock knock knock—Lu Mi knocked without any courtesy.

Soon, he saw Anthony dressed completely differently than before:

Wearing a white shirt, a light gray cashmere sweater, a black wool overcoat, a dark red tie, gold-rimmed glasses, and a pale yellow wig, his beard neatly shaved, his face no longer oily, the black grime in his pores gone.

He looked like a successful upper-class gentleman.

"Got a girlfriend?" Lu Mi joked.

Anthony smiled and replied:

"I'm attending a dinner hosted by the Trier Psychological Doctors' Guild today."

This was a necessary prerequisite for completing the "Justice" Lady's task.

"You got your psychology license?" Lu Mi entered the room, asking casually.

Anthony nodded.

"I bought a real identity and real academic credentials. I successfully 'persuaded' the examiners during the interview."

"Real identity? What happened to its original owner?" Lu Mi asked thoughtfully.

Anthony glanced at Lu Jianuo and Ludwig, then didn't directly answer Lu Mi's question:

"What do you want me to help with?"

Lu Mi understood Anthony's meaning and temporarily set aside his earlier question, briefly describing the situation of the "Dream Festival" and the aftereffects Lu Jianuo suffered from losing his arm in a dream.

He did not explain how Lu Jianuo had lost his arm.

After listening carefully, Anthony looked at Lu Jianuo and said:

"This kind of hysteria is easy to treat. Do you want a quick method, or a slower, gentler one?"

Lu Jianuo answered without hesitation:

"The quick one."

He was done with his right forearm acting on its own!

Anthony suddenly stared at Lu Jianuo's left side, frowning.

Lu Jianuo instinctively shifted his body to the left and looked over.

At that moment, Anthony pulled out a dagger from nowhere and stabbed violently at Lu Jianuo's right forearm.

Lu Jianuo snatched his hand back and cried out:

"What are you doing?"

Anthony withdrew the dagger and replied calmly:

"The treatment is over."

"Huh?" Lu Jianuo stared blankly at his right hand and found it had pulled itself back to his chest, with no perceptual obstruction whatsoever.

Lu Mi chuckled and said to Lu Jianuo:

"Watch over Ludwig. Remember to prepare food for him."

Before Lu Jianuo could respond, Lu Mi turned to Anthony and said:

"Let's go find Franca and Jianna now."

Anthony glanced at Lu Mi and adjusted his slightly unfamiliar gold-rimmed glasses:

"Alright."

PS: Last day of March—please vote for monthly tickets~

(End of Chapter)