Chapter 903: The Final Inquiry (Last Day for Monthly Votes)

The Lady Magician saw Lu Mi take the last lucky gold coin and silently sighed in relief.

Although the Major Arcana had already confirmed through prophecy, divination, and psychological analysis that this outcome was likely, the subject involved was an ancient angel, a divine son of a true god—no one dared guarantee the result would unfold as expected; should any deviation occur, they would have to devise a new plan.

The Lady Magician pulled out a small golden vial engraved with mysterious symbols from nowhere and smiled at Azk Egres.

"Mr. Azk, this is surplus water from the 'Well of the Samaritan Woman,' a substance corrupted by the power of the River Styx's source, capable of repairing souls, inducing deep sleep, bringing total death or true dreams, and granting lucidity within dreams—we ask you to help us limit its effects to only one of these two traits: 'inducing deep sleep' or 'granting lucidity in dreams,' and amplify it."

Repairing souls… Lu Mi paid no attention to the fact that some of the "Well of the Samaritan Woman" water he had taken earlier remained; his entire focus centered on the effect of "repairing souls."

Could this gradually restore Aurora's fragmented soul?

"No problem." Azk took the golden vial containing the "Well of the Samaritan Woman" water.

The Lady Magician, as if sensing Lu Mi's thoughts, casually explained to him:

"The water of the 'Well of the Samaritan Woman' does indeed repair souls, but only in the sense of restoration—like a 'regenerate limbs' ability that can grow back lost arms or legs, yet cannot create a new person from those limbs—within the domain of the 'Great Mother.'"

She had already answered the question of what the fake "Black Witch" truly was, stating that neither she nor the most accurate diviner knew the precise answer, implying that the secret must involve a special mirror world.

"Even partial soul repair would be good enough," Lu Mi said after a moment of silence.

At that moment, a hazy, towering, monstrous serpent rose behind Azk, nearly touching the illusory sky.

Its eye sockets burned with pale flames, its back seemed to sprout thick, exaggerated wings, and its body was covered in large, dark-greenish scales, from whose seams emerged strands of what appeared to be pure white feathers.

Though Lu Mi could not clearly see the shape of each feather or scale or the strange symbols upon them, merely gazing at this phantom sent a sensation of his own rapid death, his skin withering and shriveling.

This was damage the "Mirror Double" could not transfer.

Fortunately, the illusory winged serpent quickly coiled itself, wrapping the golden vial—whose contents barely filled its eye sockets—in Cengceng coils.

Instantly, the monstrous serpent faded rapidly, shrinking into the golden vial.

Lu Mi gradually returned to normal.

Azk returned the golden vial to the Lady Magician:

"Anyone who touches the water inside will fall into prolonged sleep—even I myself would be no exception.

"It will have slight effect on true gods, but not much, unless that deity is already very weak or in a state of slumber.

"To wake someone who has fallen asleep from this, you must obtain more 'Well of the Samaritan Woman' water and process it in the opposite manner, or seek the aid of a true god with the corresponding authority."

Lu Mi was not surprised that the processed "Well of the Samaritan Woman" water had only minimal effect on true gods.

Even the residual soul of the "Blood Emperor" could occasionally awaken and stir chaos within the mysterious river that was the source of the "Well of the Samaritan Woman"—how much more so this secondary derivative!

The Lady Magician handed the golden vial to Lu Mi:

"This might be useful in dreams, but it's uncertain."

Lu Mi nodded lightly and placed the processed "Well of the Samaritan Woman" water into his "Traveler's Satchel."

The Lady Magician then bowed to Azk.

"Thank you for your help—we have achieved all our goals today.

"Is there anything you require of us?"

Azk gazed toward the oil paintings lining the corridor, his expression distant as he said:

"Not at the moment.

"I've slept for years—I wish to walk, to see, to observe how this world has changed."

The Lady Magician said no more and departed with Lu Mi.

Before being enveloped in starlight, Lu Mi glanced back and saw the former "Death Regent," whose eyes held deep weariness, standing silently before an oil painting, gently tracing its surface with his fingers.

…………

In the evening.

Except for Lu Jianuo, who had been informed he would have a period of leave to arrange freely, Lu Mi, Franca, Yu Jianna, Anthony, and Ludwig gathered in the apartment on Left Street in the Observatory District.

The Lady Magician wore a cream-colored, high-collared long dress with golden embroidery and a wide-brimmed sun hat, standing by the window, addressing the five holders of the lucky gold coins:

"I must reiterate the potential risks.

"In Mr. Fool's dream, if you die, reality dies; if you lose control or go mad, reality loses control or goes mad; if directly contaminated by that Archon or another entity, reality will be contaminated; if you suffer psychological illness or intense emotional fluctuations, your sleeping physical body in reality will suffer corresponding issues.

"Merely being injured or fatigued has minimal impact on reality—you can recover quickly by leaving the dream and briefly waking up, or by spending time healing within the dream.

"Within that dream, you may use all your abilities, but their effects are restricted to the Seventh Rank level, because Mr. Fool's self-awareness has not yet recovered—meaning, if Mr. Fool within the dream realizes that supernatural abilities can achieve Sixth Rank effects, your own levels will immediately rise to match.

"Similarly, aside from special items like the 'Well of the Samaritan Woman' water, all other equipment you carry in the dream is essentially an extension of your consciousness and is likewise restricted.

"The good news is, hostile intruders and the Archon's servants who entered Mr. Fool's dream by other means are subject to similar restrictions—but the Archon can manage the dream to some extent and in certain ways; until the final moment, avoid the Archon entirely and have no contact with Him."

Hearing this, Lu Mi asked:

"In Mr. Fool's dream, what identity and form does the Archon assume?"

If this could be determined, they could effectively avoid the Archon.

The Lady Magician shook her head:

"If we knew, previous holders of the lucky gold coins wouldn't have been expelled from the dream so quickly or restricted in their actions.

"Identifying the Archon's identity within the dream is a key objective of your mission."

The Lady Magician then explained other matters regarding the dream and finally asked seriously:

"Now, you may make your choice: do you wish to hold Mr. Fool's gold coin and enter his true dream, attempting to awaken him?

"If not, we will not force you—but you must quickly follow your spiritual intuition and pass on your lucky gold coin.

"If you do, regardless of whether Mr. Fool is successfully awakened, we will reward you generously upon completion."

"I have no problem," said Lu Mi first, wearing a cloak but no hood.

"Me too," said Yu Jianna second.

Then came Franca and Anthony, both equally willing.

Only Ludwig hesitated; the boy with the red bowtie shifted his expression several times, as if resisting something.

Finally, glancing at Franca and Yu Jianna, he gritted his teeth and said:

"I'll go into the dream."

Though the food in the dream was fake and illusory, at least he wouldn't have to study or take exams!

Franca, who had fully digested the "Pain" Elixir, glanced at Ludwig with amusement and leaned close to Yu Jianna's ear:

"This kid is clearly not smart—I heard the Lady Magician's description and immediately drew one clear conclusion:

"If you digest an Elixir inside Mr. Fool's dream, reality will too!"

Yu Jianna whispered back:

"Tell Ludwig that fact after we enter Mr. Fool's dream."

At that moment, the Lady Magician nodded gently:

"I'm glad you've made this choice. One final reminder: delay being expelled from the dream as long as possible; if you're expelled more than three times, subsequent entries will either result in immediate expulsion or complete restriction—you'll become only an observer."

"Yes, Lady Magician," Lu Mi and the others stood up in turn.

A sprinkle of brilliant starlight descended, covering them.

In the blink of an eye, the five appeared inside a luxurious villa.

"This is still in Trill. Choose your own rooms, but do not stay adjacent to one another—so if one is discovered, others nearby won't be compromised," the Lady Magician briefly explained.

"Understood." Having made her decision, Franca no longer hesitated and was eager to try.

After Lu Mi and the others had chosen their rooms, the Lady Magician addressed them in the hallway:

"Now go to bed and hold your lucky gold coin as you sleep."

"That's it?" Franca asked, puzzled.

That's too simple.

The Lady Magician laughed:

"No, this is only the first step—afterward, Miss Justice must act."

"Understood." Lu Mi and the others asked no further questions, returned to their chosen rooms, gripped their glittering lucky gold coins, lay down on firm, springy beds, and pulled up soft quilts smelling of sunshine.

PS: Last day for monthly votes~

(End of Chapter)