Chapter 1128: The Returning Iluna

"This is truly a surprising gift."

Xia De said while taking out that necktie, and the red-haired witch had a faint smile:

"There is one more thing—after the Year-End Festival, Difa and I are going back to Saladir County."

Xia De immediately raised his head and looked at her in surprise, and Miss Galina explained:

"After all, I have been staying in Tobesk for this half-year; although Saladir County has female officials I trust very much to preside over affairs, and documents have been passed over, after all, I have not been able to show my face in person. Actually, if it weren't for the Pantanal matter, I had intended to go back to spend the Year-End Festival..."

"About how long until you return?"

Xia De asked, trying his best not to let himself show an expression that was too regretful.

"About one or two months."

She stated a time span that was somewhat long, but Xia De could also understand. Although Saladir County was nominally still a part of the kingdom and not an independent duchy, in reality, because of Miss Galina's methods and the history of Saladir County, the taxation and military management there had basically achieved semi-independence.

Therefore, when addressing Miss Galina, the more common title was "Grand Duchess." If it weren't for the steam era strengthening the economic exchanges within the entire kingdom, Saladir County might very well have already become an independent duchy.

The current King had no opinion on this, which of course was not only because Miss Galina was his aunt, but also because this was something the previous generation of kings had already promised long ago.

And Lei Qianya's unfriendliness toward Miss Galina was because Miss Galina was trying to "split the kingdom."

"Return as soon as possible... I will miss you."

Xia De said, putting down the necktie, holding down the restless cat, pursing his lips, and asking again:

"About when are you setting off?"

"Tomorrow night I am attending the royal banquet at the Yodel Palace; Wednesday, which is the first day of this year, I am accompanying Queen Diana to attend activities; Thursday and Friday I will pack my luggage. Saturday, we will take the steam train; the travel time is not long."

Miss Galina looked at Xia De:

"During the time I leave Tobesk, you are the only legal owner of that manor locally; you have also seen the housekeeper, just find her if there is anything. Additionally, if you have an urgent matter to find me, besides going to Middle-Hill Fort to find Grandma Cassandra, I will leave you an alchemical item that can contact me at any time..."

That was a pair of notebooks with red covers; if letters were written on one, traces would also appear on the other. Of course, this was also just an alchemical item and could not compare to a relic, so when using it, not only did both parties need to be in an environment where the elements were relatively stable, but it could only transmit simple information and could not transmit matter.

"By the time we return, it will likely be spring."

Miss Galina sighed softly, and then asked Xia De:

"Do you know what my dream actually is?"

"To become the Witch Empress of the Sixth Era."

Xia De said without thinking, and the red-haired witch was somewhat surprised:

"I have never mentioned this to you."

"But I can feel it. Your own territory, the power of a demigod. I think you even want to make Saladir County the public residence of the Witch Council, making the Council truly a group of supernatural beings of great importance in the Sixth Era, allowing the followers of witches to also be able to unite together."

Xia De said, and Galina Cavendish looked at him blankly, only saying after a long time:

"A very interesting ambition, isn't it?"

"Not only interesting, but also worthy of awe and admiration. I likely understand the reason Lei Qianya hates you... But the material world of the Sixth Era, a brand-new witch kingdom... This is difficult; if you hope to do this, I will help you in places other than splitting Delarion."

"Look, Hamilton of Lei Jiede truly has the power of a 'Charming Witch'."

She deliberately avoided Xia De's eyes and turned her head slightly to say to Difa on the side. Then she stood up and sat down beside Xia De:

"Today, is there anything else?"

"Iluna is returning tonight; she will likely come to see me."

"Then accompany me to stroll around the city this afternoon, and then have dinner together."

Staring at Miss Galina at close range, that absolutely beautiful face was truly breathtaking.

"Consider it a farewell for me and Difa... Speaking of which, do you know who did bad things in my bed while I was 'bedridden'? I heard some interesting rumors from those young maids."

She asked suddenly, and Difa immediately turned and walked toward the kitchen to see why the other two maids had not brought the hot tea yet. Xia De blushed instantly, and Miss Galina revealed a satisfied smile, leaning her body toward Xia De and resting her head on Xia De's shoulder.

By the time the carriage sent Xia De back, it was already seven o'clock on Monday night. He accompanied Miss Galina for the whole afternoon, which could be considered as fully experiencing the enthusiasm of the city about to celebrate the festival.

And after Xia De got off the carriage, the Duchess even kissed Xia De goodbye through the carriage window, and agreed to see her off on Saturday.

Xia De took out his key to open the door, but found that the lights were actually on in his home at this time. He walked up the stairs and only then saw Luvia holding Little Mia standing by the windowsill:

"I just saw you two kissing."

She said with a smile, and then signaled Xia De to go to the study to take a look:

"Half an hour ago, something in your study drawer was glowing, but I didn't move it."

"In the drawer? Oh, it's the page of that poem draft!"

He ran to the study in a hurry, and then found a message on the page. Miss Dannister returned directly to St. Saint-Byron after the Pantanal Battle. Originally, she wanted to talk to Xia De about the "Yellow Moon Relic" tonight, but seeing that he did not seem to be home, she let him contact her after the Year-End Festival.

Miss Dannister would likely be very busy recently; although the Pantanal Battle failed to become the "beginning of the end" in the prophecy, the aftermath of what Xia De did was still spreading. Not to mention, as the most important librarian of St. Saint-Byron Comprehensive Academy besides the principal, the Year-End Festival celebration activities of the academy could not lack the attendance and participation of this lady.

So Xia De wrote a reply very respectfully, and revealed in the reply that he had already found the relic 【Source of Chaos】 and could try to open the black book again at any time.

He was not afraid of the 【Source of Chaos】 being recognized; that round, bright yellow precious orb's only public appearance in the Pantanal region was made larger than the moon by Miss Oulannode, and the elemental fluctuations at that time were completely different from a real relic.

When Xia De was writing the letter, Luvia was watching from the side. Only after he finished did she ask:

"Do you think you can find the 【Silver Moon Library】? That library that is said to have records of everything in the past; if one could enter it at will, it would definitely be of great help to our cause."

"This time I might really be able to find it, but I bet that searching for information in the library will definitely require paying a corresponding price."

It was not until nine o'clock that night that the travel-worn Iluna knocked on the door of No. 6 St. Teresa Square. Although she had experienced a long journey and had first gone to the Sun Church to report her itinerary, the seventeen-year-old girl was still very happy to be able to see Xia De and Luvia again on this night.

Luvia patted the snowflakes on her shoulders for her, while Xia De handed her hot tea. Holding the teacup and sipping it, Iluna's face, which had been frozen red, finally had a bit of normal color:

"I didn't find a carriage at first; I walked two streets from the church before I saw a carriage. The Year-End Festival is here, and the drivers also need to rest."

Iluna explained in a low voice, and Luvia said softly:

"You've worked hard, Iluna."

Iluna's face flushed instantly, muttering in a low voice "Xia De worked harder than me" and "Really, why say such things," and then secretly glanced at Xia De.

She thought again of the end of the Pantanal Battle, the short time she and Xia De spent alone by the campfire after the five demigod witches left. Thinking about it now, that kiss was really quite bold.

Coming to Xia De's home immediately after a long journey was naturally for the follow-up handling of the fourth Chosen One. The 【Aikenola - Arrow of the Chosen One】 had already been taken out by Xia De, and Iluna listened to Xia De introduce the specific situation while checking it.

What was sealed in this arrow was the qualification of the Chosen One; the person shot by Xia De's bow could become the Chosen One of "Knowledge and Wisdom." Of course, it was not just anyone who could; at least they had to possess a certain degree of wisdom, or have the determination to pursue knowledge.

From this perspective, most of the Ringed Shushi Xia De knows meet the requirements. And besides granting the status of Chosen, this arrow also allows those wounded by it to gain additional power from Xia De.

Luvia had already tried being pierced by the arrow, and thus obtained sorcery, while Iluna likely could not obtain other powers from this arrow because she had already accepted the enlightenment of the Chosen One on the island in the center of Lake Pantanal.

"The problem now is whether the qualification of the Chosen One should be bestowed upon someone, or whether it should be bestowed now?"

The arrow returned to Luvia's hand, and she and Iluna looked at Xia De together.

Xia De had already made up his mind:

"The first point that needs to be clarified is that the qualification of the Chosen One definitely cannot remain in this arrow permanently, otherwise it would not meet the condition that 'all Chosen Ones have appeared'."

He paused:

"If Luvia's statement is correct, that final door must appear, then fate will not allow us to hold the qualification of the Chosen One for long."

The purple-eyed diviner nodded, and Xia De stated his plan:

"But I also do not intend to immediately bestow the qualification upon others."

He took the arrow from Luvia's hand:

"The identity of the Chosen One means being forced into the vortex of fate, and we also cannot guarantee that even our own friends will always stand by our side... This is just making the worst preparations, not distrusting others. So, immediately bestowing the qualification upon someone, in fact, for us, just adds a brand-new combat force, and there is no other benefit besides that."

He looked at the two girls:

"My idea is to keep this arrow until the twelfth Chosen One appears, and then I will shoot it out... I am currently considering asking Priest Augustus at that time. An old man like the Priest has his own unique wisdom, and he has a peaceful personality and is also very willing to help me."

And the thought Xia De did not say was that the Priest's body fused the body of the "King of Angels," the Undying Angel; no matter what happened after that final door opened, having this old Priest participate would ultimately increase the probability of things developing in a good direction.

Of course, he still strictly followed the agreement with Priest Augustus at this time, so he would not share the Priest's secret with others. ===== CHAPTER 1129 =====