Next, the group hurried to the fountain area, but here they encountered a Hydro-shaped wild boar that barked "woof woof."
The wild boar charged over while yelling about bad guys.
Ann cried out anxiously, "Maurice! Don't do that! Stop right now!"
But Maurice clearly wasn't listening.
He continued attacking while barking "woof."
[Whose dog looks like this wild boar?]
[So is this a dog that looks like a wild boar, or a wild boar that barks woof woof?]
[You know what, don't say it—you've really stumped me]
Mu Yang took action, calming Maurice down through physical means.
He drooped his head, accepting Ann's scolding.
He even seemed a bit aggrieved.
"Bad doggy, bad! Maurice, they are good people."
"Woof woof, got it—good, shake hands."
There were simply too many points to roast.
Even Paimon didn't know where to start.
She could only manage an "Ok" and blurt out, "It really is a dog!"
Facing the 'paw' Maurice extended,
all three shook hands with him.
Since it was a 'dog' made of water, it was all wet and drippy…
Just like how a Pure Water Spirit could be a demonic dragon,
a forest boar could also be a dog.
So Lumine didn't plan to dwell on it.
However, just when they thought this was also a member of the Narcissus Cross Adventure Team,
Ann said that Maurice was not one of them.
Because Maurice was just a dumb dog.
"Woof woof, Maurice is a dumb dog."
[???]
[A duck, Finch, squirrel, and frog can be members, but a dog can't?]
[Dog lovers are furious]
Paimon stood up for Maurice.
But Maurice said he didn't need any adventure team.
Maurice was just Maurice.
His duty was to guard the princess.
A long, long time ago, the princess and the members of the Narcissus Cross Adventure Team all played here.
Later, the air and water were filled with the scent of bad people, and everyone left.
"Only the princess is still here, so I must guard the princess."
Everyone finally saw the stagnant statue sitting on the fountain.
"Is that Princess Lyris?"
"The princess should be sleeping peacefully in the high tower right now."
Ann explained that this was just a statue of Princess Lyris.
Hearing this, Maurice was confused.
"Woof woof, this isn't the princess?"
"No, Princess Lyris is inside the tower."
Maurice was even more confused. "The princess has two?"
"No, silly—this Lili is a fake princess."
[I think this is a piggy, not a dog]
[I think the writer is the real dog—he probably projected himself]
[So mean hahaha]
Maurice fell silent. He sniffed the statue in front of him before confirming it wasn't the real princess…
Then, he silently left to rendezvous with the others…
Immediately after, Ann explained the method to fly up and retrieve the treasure.
It was to use the bubbles produced at the fountain.
Just like a Hydro Abyss Mage, as long as you sat inside a bubble, you could fly up there.
Lumine rode a huge bubble, soaring high into the sky, then plunged headfirst into the water.
After breaking through the blockade of three water currents, she obtained the treasure.
And returned to the ground.
Little Cabbage and the others had already been waiting there for some time.
However, before Lumine could even start speaking,
the squirrel and the frog below began claiming credit.
In the end, it took Little Cabbage's mediation to quiet them down.
The team leader Ann gave a pre-battle speech.
Next, it was time to bring the treasure into the high tower.
To restore the stagnated time.
Although the upcoming developments were full of unknowns and dangers,
for the sake of saving their princess, the adventure team members became united as one.
As soon as they entered, they encountered one of the four heavenly kings under the demon king Narcissus.
Facing these bad guys, everyone chose a righteous group beatdown…
After the fight, the group realized there was no path upward here.
Nor was there a path downward.
At that moment, the water elementals suddenly had a strange conversation among themselves.
Something about how they were originally from the same source.
Taking on so many forms was just to keep company and such.
Ann clearly didn't like this proposal.
But the others were determined.
Only if they gave up their forms and merged back together
could they use the princess's magic power to open the seal at the top of the tower.
And send everyone to the top.
Seeing Ann's sad expression,
Mu Yang also tried to break through.
However, the magic in this place seemed to be a very special existence.
Even Mu Yang's Sword Intent couldn't break it.
Al noticed everyone's low spirits.
He stepped forward to comfort them. "No need to worry, friends. We come from the same body of water—giving up our forms doesn't mean death as you might think."
"Pure water can take on hundreds of forms in the wilderness, and this change is not one-way."
[Is it really an assassin from the homeland…]
[Here comes more material to bully La Signora (not really)]
Little Cabbage helped her brother add, "Yeah, even if we haven't adventured and fought together, we can still move forward together like this."
Ann fell into a long silence.
In the end, she still asked for Mu Yang and Lumine's opinions.
Mu Yang just shook his head without speaking.
Lumine told her, "This is your story. Only you can decide the affairs of the Narcissus Cross Adventure Team."
"Now, tell them whether they should proceed."
Colonel Kate stood at attention and saluted. "Captain, please give the order!"
"The tower's seal has been lifted, and it has lost its ability to resist Narcissus's invasion. We must race against time."
Ann let out a long breath. "...Alright, then I'll leave it to you."
"Orders received!"
"Leave the security to us—you go with the knights to rescue Princess Lyris."
"Hmph, Miss Lyris is in your hands."
Al looked around. "Then, dear Little Cabbage, and Maurice, Colonel Kate, and Jacques."
"Woof woof, bye-bye."
With a bang, water splashed everywhere, then gathered together again, forming a large water bubble.
"Our power all comes from Princess Lyris, so as long as we resolve ourselves, we can recreate her power."
[Classic final battle teammate sacrifice]
[Small knife]
The water bubble enveloped everyone, slowly breaking through the seal and sending them to the top of the tower.
Ann saw that Paimon looked a bit down.
She comforted her in turn. "Water has no fixed form—what comes from water will certainly return to water."
"And once we rescue Princess Lyris, she'll definitely be able to separate them again…"
Everyone smoothly entered the top of the tower.
But here, there was only a teleportation gate.
Where would this teleportation gate lead?
Even Ann didn't know—everything after entering the high tower
had already deviated from the adventure team's story path.
"Let's see where this teleportation gate leads."
With that, Lumine drew her weapon and walked in…