Chapter 2754: Eve of the Hunt

For three hundred years, except for the split body accidentally sealed by the nameless demon hunter, the remaining three split bodies had the tasks of strengthening power and keeping an eye on the two forces.

It was not until Xia De arrived locally three hundred years later that he caught a glimpse of this long but indeed useful conspiracy.

Although the above are still just guesses, as long as one checks Sir Wayne's antiques and finds this fifth tree hole on him, Xia De's ideas can basically be confirmed.

He did not know how far the demon's conspiracy had progressed by now, nor did he know if the situation in recent years was related to this. But even if he and the doctor solved this demon tonight, it would not have any profound impact on the situation in the Old Continent.

Perhaps the demon's plan had already succeeded three hundred years ago during the fire at Hoy Manor.

But regardless, at least the purpose of attending this afternoon tea party was fully achieved. If leaving early weren't too conspicuous, Xia De would even want to go back now to tell Miss Danister this good news.

The afternoon tea party ended at 4:30, and before it concluded, the mayor, Mr. Ronan, distributed survey letters to everyone regarding the expansion of the local train station, which people could mail directly to City Hall afterward.

Prince William Anjou replaced the mayor and gave the concluding speech for the tea party. Xia De didn't really listen to what he said, but instead wondered if the restorationists coming to Vista City wanted to assassinate this prince.

But in reality, until the tea party officially ended, nothing happened.

Xia De thought afterward that he perhaps should have investigated why Sir Wayne wanted to participate in this tea party with Lady Shatara; this was certainly no coincidence. But the battle to hunt the demon was imminent, and to avoid alerting the other party, some things could be figured out after the fact.

Returning to the Accordion Hotel, Xia De explained his findings to Flora and Miss Danister.

They were also happy that the demon's split body could be found so smoothly, and as for Xia De's speculation about the demon's plan, both ladies likewise indicated that this was not something to be concerned about right now.

They did not insist on participating in tonight's hunt, but when Xia De mentioned that he was going to return home to prepare and would come back to rendezvous at eleven o'clock, Miss Danister asked again:

"You said the burning trees in the forest were created by the forest demon to spread its power. Then, do you need us to go into the forest tonight to pull out those trees one by one? This should be able to reduce the pressure on you."

"Do not take action for now, but you can make preparations to go out."

Xia De decided to seek the doctor's advice:

"In any case, no one can leave the city until the moment to actually act. If Miss Elsa Asberg arrives first, please have her wait for me in the hotel as well. I will notify Sister Daelin; I hope there will be no mistakes tonight."

The sister was currently still in death, but Xia De only needed to open the rift leading to death to see her on the shallow beach.

He did this only after returning home, and when Xia De explained the schedule for tonight to her across the rift, the sister kneeling before the campfire on the shallow beach did not stand up, but said softly:

"When you need me, write my name on the ground with fire, and I will appear."

"No problem... Sister, what is your full name?"

The sister kneeling by the fire waited at least two seconds before saying:

"Writing 'Daelin' is enough; the sister who holds the fire voluntarily abandons her origin and background. We only have names, no surnames."

And when Luvia returned home after getting off work from the Divination Association that day, Iluna had also arrived at No. 6 St. Deran Square.

However, Iluna originally didn't know about the demon hunt tonight. Seeing Xia De looking like he was going out again tonight, she heard about it from him, so she also requested to go along.

Iluna now also had the power of the Nine Rings. Although Xia De always wanted to protect those around him, he wouldn't always think they needed to hide behind him.

He did not object to Iluna going to help, but made other arrangements:

"Iluna, after you go to Vista Forest with us in a while, stay at the hotel with Miss Danister and the others. It is not yet clear whether the battles at the four locations this time will all go smoothly. I have the 【Night Watcher】 and the power of ice in my hands; although the level is the lowest, it doesn't necessarily mean problems won't arise.

So you don't need to follow me, but wherever a problem arises, you go to support that place."

After saying this, he said to Luvia:

"Luvia, you just stay at home; tonight's matter doesn't need your help."

Although the purple-eyed girl was a little dissatisfied, she did not oppose him:

"Then what did Iluna originally come here for?"

As she spoke, she pulled Iluna's hand and sat down on the sofa. At this time, the fireplace flame provided light for the room. Iluna and Luvia sat on the long sofa, while Xia De sat on the short sofa on the left:

"You might not believe it, but didn't I open a new time key this morning?"

He sighed and petted the cat:

"Guess who I met in the Fifth Era this time?"

Luvia glanced at the eighteen-year-old girl beside her who looked expectant:

"It couldn't be Iluna, could it?"

"Yes, it is me!"

Iluna appeared quite proud. Although this time was an accident, she had done something even Luvia hadn't managed to do—go on a time adventure with Xia De.

The purple-eyed girl looked her up and down; the look was very much like Xia De looking at Little Mia. She revealed an inexplicable expression:

"Iluna, don't tell me you're still a candidate this time. This is the how many-th time, was it?"

"What candidate? No, no, I'm not. I didn't rely on the qualifications of the time war; I was sent to the past because of a relic."

She explained in detail to Luvia what had happened from last Friday to now, and then happily indicated that next time Xia De used the key, she would follow along too.

And Luvia didn't really care about the relic out-of-control incident Iluna encountered; the eighteen-year-old girl, as a Chosen, often encountered similar situations.

The diviner just said softly:

"When the time candidates are about to follow fate to the other end of time to learn and gain power, Iluna also went to the past for strange reasons to gain power..."

Although it looked like a coincidence, this kind of coincidence happened every time. Perhaps the long-haired Luvia understood the reason, but the shoulder-length-haired Luvia just superficially thought that Iluna was indeed the most special one among all the Chosen.

Although Luvia knew that the doctor would also go to the forest tonight, the doctor was not very willing to let others know about his use of demon power, so before setting off that night, Xia De didn't let the doctor go to his house, but took the initiative to invite him for a walk in the city after the doctor knocked on the door.

The late autumn Tobesk City also appeared much more desolate than usual. Now that winter heating had started in some blocks, thick fog permeated the streets after nightfall, and there weren't many people wandering around.

Xia De had his hands in his pockets, the doctor was carrying a briefcase, and the two walked side by side out of the square before turning into Silver Cross Avenue.

The doctor didn't seem nervous about tonight's matter:

"I originally wanted to meet with the sister and the Thirteen-Ring sorcerer you brought in to give some final reminders, but after thinking about it, I'd better not meet with others."

He shook the case in his hand:

"I've prepared some good things for you all.

Three shields; I can guarantee you that even if the demon's fire is powerful, these shields can hold for at least three minutes. There are also three ice needles; after dispersing its fire, use the shields to trap it to prevent it from escaping, and then use this needle to destroy one of its split bodies. Other means like the 'Night Watcher' are also useful, but clearly, you only have one sword.

You don't need to return the items to me after using them; consider them a gift to your friends. You found people to help me this time; I can't just let you exhaust your own favors."

The doctor said this as he handed the case to Xia De; he was always very concerned about this aspect.

After Xia De put the case away, he asked again:

"Do you need others to pull out those burning trees in the forest after the battle begins? You said those trees make the burning demon in the forest stronger every moment; I think pulling them out should reduce some of your pressure."

The doctor didn't object:

"That's fine, but only do it after we have started. This is just a small matter. Since you have already confirmed the demon's identity, the main consideration now is the order in which the battle ends.

Just leave me for last; I can sense whether its other split bodies have been eliminated by you. You three discuss among yourselves who will solve the enemy first and who will be last; this is very important."

Xia De had already thought it through:

"I don't plan to arrange an order; as long as we can win, we will end the battle immediately and then go to support others. I admit that among me, the sister, and that lady, I am the weakest, so perhaps I might need the sister and the others to help me."

The doctor looked up at the gas street lamp beside him and smiled:

"I feel you will be the one who progresses the most smoothly... After this matter is over, I will probably stay in Vista Forest for a while. You don't need to worry about me then; I will go deep into the forest myself to prepare for obtaining the third core spirit rune.

When I decide to perform the ritual, I will notify you. Compared to tonight's battle, I am more worried about this matter."

"Doctor, your target is that ancient existence; you won't fall at this step, will you?"

Xia De asked jokingly, and the doctor shook his head:

"I will definitely go on. No matter what, even if the ending I face in the end is more terrifying than anyone else's, I must go on."

He widened his eyes slightly, watching the small black insects bump against the gas street lamp shade beside him, ding-ding-ding, as if they would never stop.