Chapter 250: The celestial egg"Eh? Ehhh?!"Wiz looked at the exquisite snack, her throat moving involuntarily and her eyes nearly welling up with tears of emotion."Is... is this for me? This snack looks like it costs more than a month of my living expenses... Mr. Lin Jin, you are such a good person! You're as merciful as the Goddess Eris descending to earth!"Wiz carefully picked up a piece of the snack and popped it into her mouth. Her face took on a slightly distorted expression from extreme happiness, and her entire being radiated a soft, almost heavenly glow.While Wiz was immersed in the hallucinations brought by the delicious food, Haru lowered his voice and got straight to the point."Wiz, there's something I want to ask you. Recently, has there been any suspicious-looking merchant in Axel? Specifically, the kind... peddling ancient relics of unknown origin or monster eggs. That idiot Aquagot swindled by someone this afternoon and spent thirty million on something that's supposedly a dragon egg, but I feel like the aura of that thing isn't quite right."Wiz's blissful expression froze for a moment. She struggled to swallow the snack in her mouth, her expression becoming serious. Her intuition as a former Demon Kings Army General allowed her to sense the gravity in Haru's tone."A suspicious merchant..."Wiz rested her finger against her chin and thought for a moment."Come to think of it, a person wearing a black cloak did come to my shop a few days ago. He tried to sell me a container capable of sensing divine energy, but I refused because the price was too high and I didn't even have money for salt water at the time. However, I remember there was indeed a very ancient and heavy magical fluctuation coming from him that didn't belong to this world."She leaned closer to Haru and whispered worriedly:"Mr. Lin Jin, if what Lady Aqua bought was really from that merchant... then it might not be a dragon egg. In the ancient records of the Demon Kings Army, there is a forbidden item called the celestial egg, which is a vessel used for sealing or manifesting some high-level will. If handled improperly, all of Axel... no, even the entire kingdom will be caught in huge trouble."After listening, Haru felt a chill run down his spine.It was one thing to spend thirty million to bring home a bomb, but if what Aqua brought home was really an egg that could bring down a god, then Axel's tomorrow might truly become a doomsday comedy.Haru's expression became extremely solemn. He didn't even care to admire how cute Wiz looked while eating snacks; he leaned forward, pressing his hands against the counter."Wiz, this is important. Did that black-cloaked merchant have any specific characteristics besides the cloak? For example, an accent, a scent, or any special patterns on his exposed hand skin?"Haru's eyes were fixed intently on Wiz."Also, after he left your shop, which direction did he go? Was it toward the Guild Street, or those dark slum alleys?"Wiz was so startled by Haru's sudden seriousness that the snack in her hand almost fell to the floor. She hunched her shoulders and closed her eyes, trying desperately to remember, her powerful memory as a Lich working at full capacity."Um... let me think! As for characteristics... ah! His voice was very deep, sounding like his throat was stuffed with sand. And, although he wore a thick cloak, as an Undead, I am very sensitive to his aura."Wiz opened her eyes, twisting her fingers uneasily."He had a faint smell on him, like burnt ancient parchment, and... he wore an obsidian ring engraved with a scale pattern on his left thumb. That is a symbol worn only by certain ancient cults in the Royal Capital or high-level members of the black market."Wiz pointed to the left side of the street outside the shop, which was shrouded in night mist."When he left, he didn't take the main road, but ducked directly into the back alley leading toward the Axel Cemetery. I remember it clearly because usually only my Undead friends go that way, yet he, a living person, walked through it very smoothly, almost as if he were going home..."Haru sucked in a breath of cold air.Cemetery? Obsidian ring?This sounded like more than just a simple swindler merchant.That idiot Aqua had likely gotten herself involved in a massive conspiracy that would even make the Demon Kings Army take notice."The cemetery... that's a destination that's hard to laugh about."Haru straightened up and looked out the window at the pitch-black night.He knew that if that egg was truly the so-called celestial egg, then Aqua, who was currently sleeping in the mansion holding it, was practically the brightest lightbulb in the dark, liable to attract those predators lurking in the shadows at any moment.Haru pushed open the door of Wizs Magic Item Shop, the cold late-night wind clearing his head slightly.He glanced in the direction of the cemetery, then toward the Succubus Shop, and decisively chose the latter.In a dangerous operation potentially involving cults, holy relics, and heavenly taboos, he felt he wouldn't survive the night if he didn't have Satou Kazuma—that guy with ridiculously high luck—to go ahead and clear the mines for him."Wiz, you stay in the shop for now. If anything feels wrong, contact me immediately with magic!"Haru shouted without looking back and sprinted toward the street emitting a pink, suggestive glow.The sign of the Succubus Shop loomed in the thick fog; it was a hidden place located underground with highly seductive decor.Haru threw open the heavy, scented wooden door, ignored the scantily clad and bewildered succubus greeting him at the entrance, and barged directly into the lounge hall.On a luxurious sofa in the resting area, Haru found Satou Kazuma, who was on the verge of Sage Mode.This guy had his eyes closed, a disgusting, blissful grin on his face, and was mumbling:"Hehe... Miss Miss Luna... don't be like that, it's not good to do this kind of thing in the Guild office... ah, wait, that's the Explosion Core...""Wake up! You useless shut-in who only knows how to have wet dreams!"Haru rushed up without hesitation, grabbed Kazumaby the collar in a standard lift, and shook him violently."Uwah! Explosion Magic! It's going to blow!"Kazuma woke up with a start, his eyes bloodshot as he looked around in terror. When he saw it was Haru, his expression instantly shifted from terror to rage."Haru! You bastard, what are you doing! I was just getting to the most critical moment! Miss Miss Lunawas about to show me her hidden quest! Give me back my dream! Give me back my three thousand eris!""Cut the crap, something big has happened!"Haru lowered his voice, his tone carrying an indisputable urgency."That egg Aqua bought isn't a dragon egg at all; it's a celestial egg. The man in black who sold the egg just appeared at the cemetery, and he was wearing an obsidian scale ring. If he's allowed to complete the ritual, forget Miss Miss Luna—all of Axel will turn into a paradise for the Undead!"
Chapter 251: The Chosen ObserversKazuma, who had been complaining, instantly wiped the lecherous expression off his face upon hearing the terms 'celestial egg' and 'ritual'.Though he still looked like a total slacker, a glint of shrewdness flashed within those dead-fish eyes."celestial egg? That sounds like one of those hidden boss quests that drops top-tier gear but has a drop rate of only 0.01%..."Kazuma slapped his cheeks, readjusted his cloak, and revealed that signature scum smile."In that case, leaving such a dangerous item in Aqua's hands is indeed a waste. Let's go, Haru. Let's head to the graveyard and see if that man in black has any valuable loot we can steal!"Two figures quickly vanished into the shadows of the Succubus Shop, racing toward the deathly silent and eerie Axel Graveyard on the outskirts of town.In the deep of night, the Axel Graveyard was shrouded in an unusually thick white fog, and withered trees swayed in the wind like twisted ghost hands.Haru dragged the still-muttering Kazuma along, their feet sinking unevenly into the soft soil.Just as the two rounded a massive Monument to Unknown Heroes, Haru's [Breeze Sensing] suddenly captured an extremely faint, yet overly familiar sound of clashing metal."Who's there? Come out!"Haru suddenly pressed down on Kazuma's shoulder, a breeze swirling around his fingertips, ready to release a Wind Blade at any moment."Eh? Wah! Don't attack, it's just me!"A petite figure nimbly tumbled out from the shadow of the monument.Her short silver hair shimmered faintly under the moonlight, and there was a tiny scar on the lower-left side of her playful, smiling face.She was wearing her signature short green cloak and extremely revealing Thief attire, guiltily hiding a few pieces of wire behind her back."Chris?"Haru froze for a moment, his tensed body relaxing instantly, his voice carrying a hint of tenderness that even he didn't notice."It's so late. Instead of drinking at the tavern, you're out here in this spooky place digging up graves?"When Chris saw it was Haru, her guarded gaze immediately turned into that unique brand of slightly awkward intimacy.She walked over quickly, first shooting a look of disgust at Kazuma, who was staring at her thighs, then leaned in close to Haru and lowered her voice, her tone tinged with urgency."Shh! Be quiet! I'm not here to dig up graves. I'm tracking a very dangerous guy."Her gaze swept over Haru's face, an unnatural blush rising slightly to her cheeks before she awkwardly looked away."That merchant wearing the obsidian ring—he stole a... uh, a dangerous divine artifact that absolutely cannot remain in the mortal realm. I went through a lot of trouble to track him here."Looking at Chris's attempt to act cool despite her obvious nervousness, Haru couldn't help but think of her true identity as the heavenly goddess, eris.Though they already had a tacit understanding, seeing this goddess running herself ragged in the mortal realm to clean up messes always filled him with a strange protective urge."What a coincidence, we're here for that guy too."Haru naturally took hold of Chris's wrist, feeling the slight coolness of her skin; Chris's body trembled slightly, but she didn't pull away."Hey, hey, hey, you two..."Kazuma, who had been left out, finally couldn't help but let out a jealous wail."Haru, we're here to risk our lives, not for a blind date! Why does a guy with such a rotten personality like you get along so well with a cute girl like Chris! It's not fair! Shouldn't this be the moment where I, the protagonist, show off my skills and win Chris's heart?""Shut up, Kazuma."Haru and Chris retorted in unison, then glanced at each other, both unable to suppress a smile of mutual understanding."Follow me."Chris took Haru's hand in turn and pointed toward the depths of the graveyard, where a faint purple light was emanating."That man in black is using that egg to perform some kind of Descent Ritual. If we don't stop him, the evil will sealed inside that egg is going to wake up!"Passing through the final patch of frost-covered withered shrubs, the sight in the deepest part of the graveyard made all three of them catch their breath.It was a clearing that had been forcibly carved out, with surrounding tombstones knocked over neatly to form a massive circular formation emitting an ominous purple light.At the core of the formation, the merchant in the pitch-black cloak was kneeling on both knees, hands raised high to the sky, chanting obscure and difficult-to-understand incantations that sounded like nails scratching on glass.And that white sphere Aqua had been meticulously nurturing as a dragon egg was now floating about two meters in the air. The originally pristine white shell was covered in purple veins that pulsed like blood vessels; each beat was accompanied by a hum that made the soul tremble, and the surrounding air even distorted due to the immense magical power."Oh no, the Descent Ritual has entered its final stage!"Chris gripped Haru's sleeve tightly, her silver pupils filled with anxiety."That egg is forcibly extracting the negative energy of this graveyard as a catalyst, trying to open a rift to a higher dimension. If the thing inside comes out, the undead of Axel will go on a rampage instantly!""Hey, Haru, look at that egg!"Kazuma crouched behind a collapsed tombstone; though his face was pale, his dead-fish eyes were sparkling with a certain professional instinct."Those purple veins... they look like some kind of high-purity magic crystals, don't they? If we can get them off, we're going to strike it rich!""Is now the time to worry about getting rich? You useless slacker with nothing but money and succubi on your mind!"Haru whispered a retort, but his gaze remained locked on the black-clad merchant's left hand—the Obsidian Scales Ring was flashing with an eerie red light in rhythm with the incantation, clearly the key to controlling the entire formation.The man in black seemed to sense the presence of intruders, but he didn't stop his chanting. He only tilted his head slightly, a cruel smile visible beneath the shadow of his hood."Hehehe... Have you finally arrived? The chosen observers. On this night abandoned by the gods, witness the descent of the Great Will!"With his final high-pitched shout, the purple light at the center of the formation exploded, turning into countless tiny bolts of lightning that struck the celestial egg.Fine cracks began to appear on the surface of the shell, and a divine yet extremely oppressive aura swept across the field like a tsunami."No time to waste!"Haru suddenly stood up and swung his right hand down. Several azure Wind Blades whistled out, aimed straight for the black-clad man's throat."Chris, grab the egg! Kazuma, disrupt his formation!"
Chapter 252: Necromantic Death CurseThe air in the graveyard completely boiled at this moment.Haru's eyes sharpened. His hands crossed quickly in front of his chest, and the mana within his body surged through his meridians. Under the control of his will, the originally faint night wind instantly condensed into several half-moon-shaped cyan Wind Blades."Go! Wind Blade!"Haru let out a fierce shout. The Wind Blades, carrying a sharp whistle that tore through the air, precisely sealed off all the evasion space around the Black-clad Merchant."Watch me!"Seeing this, Chris lightly tapped her toes on a collapsed tombstone. Her entire body turned into a silver afterimage as she swept rapidly across the ground toward the center of the magic circle.Her agility as a high-level Thief was pushed to the limit at this moment. She moved side to side through the gaps in the purple lightning, her target aimed straight at the celestial egg floating in mid-air.Meanwhile, Satou Kazuma demonstrated his textbook-style scum stealth techniques.Hunching over, he used the smoke and dust generated by Haru's magic explosion to silently circle around to the side and rear of the Black-clad Merchant.A greedy red light for loot flickered in his dead-fish eyes. His right hand suddenly shot out as he silently recited the skill that had made him famous in Axel:"Steal!!!"A white light flashed in Kazuma's palm. However, the heavy obsidian ring he had expected did not appear."Eh?"Kazuma was stunned.He looked down and found that what he was holding was actually a fragment of a black hood, covered in suspicious purple slime and emitting a strong smell of charred parchment..."Waaaaah! What the hell is this thing?! My Stealactually failed?!"Kazuma terrifiedly shook off the fabric in his hand. His face, which had been full of anticipation, instantly collapsed."Haru! There's something wrong with this guy's luck! My skill only managed to Steal a corner of his clothes!""Hmph, ignorant mortal."The mask on the Black-clad Merchant's face was cut open by the Wind Blade, revealing a pair of eyes burning with dark purple flames.He let out a cold sneer and suddenly clenched the obsidian ring with his left hand. An extremely violent shadow energy exploded outward with him as the center."In the face of the Great Descent, your struggles are meaningless! Shadow Shockwave!"The powerful shockwave forcibly blew away Chris, who was about to touch the celestial egg, and also sent Kazuma, who was still dwelling on the reason for his failure, tumbling away like a rolling gourd.Haru felt a tightness in his chest. That sense of oppression, which didn't belong to this world, made his mana circulation become difficult.The cracks on the eggshell grew larger and larger. A sharp claw covered in silver-white scales, yet carrying an aura of destruction, had already suddenly lunged out from a crack!The magic pressure at the center of the graveyard altar had become thick enough to be visible to the naked eye. Purple-black electric arcs jumped wildly in the air.Chris landed steadily with an elegant backflip in the air, but her pretty face now appeared somewhat pale. Her originally lively eyes were filled with unprecedented seriousness and a trace of imperceptible grievance."Mr. Lin Jin, that power is repelling me! It seems to have recognized my... identity! Please help me distract it!"Chris gritted her teeth, her right hand tightly gripping the hilt of her short sword, while her left hand supported her knee, somewhat lacking strength.Just as she said, the aura emitted by the celestial egg seemed to be highly targeted against holy power. As the avatar of a goddess, she was currently enduring a suppression of status unimaginable to mortals.Looking at Chris's stubborn yet disheveled appearance, Haru's heart felt as if it had been lightly bumped by something.He knew that now was not the time to hold back. If the owner of that claw fully descended, let alone thirty million eris, they might not even be able to eat tomorrow's breakfast."Leave it to me, Chris! Since it hates holy power, then let it witness what an unreasonable physical storm looks like!"Haru took a deep breath, his feet suddenly crushing the soil beneath him. He held his hands out level, and his entire body's mana gathered toward his palms without reservation.Cyan light instantly covered his entire body. The surrounding thick fog was forcibly pulled over by a violent suction, forming a massive vortex of airflow."Roar, Lord of the Atmosphere! Tear apart the hypocritical altar before me! Great Hurricane!"With a roar from Haru, a massive cyan tornado over five meters in diameter rose from the ground!The violent wind instantly overturned the heavy tombstones around them. The Zombie Brides who were lunging at Kazuma let out shrill screams and were swept high into the air like kites with broken strings."Waaaaah! Haru, you madman! Are you going to blow me away too?!"Kazuma clung tightly to a broken pillar driven deep into the ground, his whole body fluttering in the air like a flag."My three thousand eris is still in my pocket! If I lose it, I'll definitely kill you!"The gale cut through the Black-clad Merchant's Shadow Shield like blades, making a tooth-gritting grinding sound.The Black-clad Merchant's arrogant face finally showed a look of terror. He had to divert a large amount of energy and mana to stabilize his body, and the originally stable descent incantations instantly became a chaotic mess."Now's the time, Chris! Charge!"Haru braved the massive mana backlash, his eyes bloodshot as he desperately maintained the central eye of the tornado, carving out the only clear path for Chris.Seeing this, Chris's eyes sharpened, and all her hesitation vanished instantly.She turned into a silver bolt of lightning, stepping to the rhythm of the wind, and charged once again toward the teetering celestial egg!In the center of the violent hurricane, the Black-clad Merchant's face, distorted by extreme anger, appeared exceptionally hideous.He watched helplessly as the celestial egg teetered in the wind, and the culprit behind all this—the young mage desperately maintaining the storm—had now become the target of all his hatred."Damned mortals! Since you want to stop the Great Descent, then fall into eternal nothingness together! Necromantic Death Curse!"The Black-clad Merchant let out a shrill, maniacal laugh. Ignoring the hurricane tearing at his body, he forcibly bit the tip of his tongue and spat a mouthful of essence blood onto the obsidian ring in his hand.In an instant, a surge of necromantic energy so thick it was black transformed into a massive Skeletal Ghost Hand. Carrying the power of a curse capable of withering vegetation and extinguishing life, it pierced through the wind curtain and headed straight for Haru's chest!Haru's mana was nearly exhausted. Watching the lethal curse approach, he didn't even have the strength to move a finger."Mr. Lin Jin!! Get out of the way!!"Chris screamed in terror, trying to turn back, but it was already too late.At this critical moment, a very incongruous, refreshingly crisp sound of footsteps suddenly came from the entrance of the graveyard.
Chapter 253: Daddy?"Honestly! Why does it smell so bad here? There's the stench of unwashed zombies everywhere; it's practically suffocating the great Lady Aqua!"Along with this complaint-filled rant, a water-blue holy radiance, so dazzling one couldn't look directly at it, descended from the sky without warning, smashing into that pitch-black cursed ghost hand like a giant hammer."Sacred High Exorcism!!!"The undead ghost hand, capable of killing a high-level Adventurer in an instant, the moment it touched this blue light, was like a snowflake falling into concentrated sulfuric acid. With a sharp "hissing" sound, it didn't even last a second before turning into shimmering water vapor and vanishing without a trace."Eh?"The Black-clad Merchant's expression froze as he stared blankly at his desperately cast forbidden curse being swatted away like a fly."Huh? What's with that look?" Aqua, wearing her elegant divine vestments, strode into the center of the storm.She looked at the Black-clad Merchant with a face full of disgust and casually waved another Light of Purification:"Don't get in my way! The Axis Order is recruiting new followers; if you join, you can get soap personally blessed by me! Looking at how pitch-black you are, you definitely need a wash! Purification!""Waaaaah! My mana! My faith! No!!!"Under Aqua's unreasonable max-level Purificationspell, the Black-clad Merchant and his shadow power were completely purified into a transparent, Zen-like spirit, finally turning into a wisp of smoke and disappearing into the night sky."...Ah?"Haru collapsed to his knees, exhausted. Looking at the Intellectual Disabled Goddess before him, who was picking her nose while glancing around, his brain momentarily short-circuited."Aqua... why are you here?"Kazuma slid down from a pillar, his face written with disbelief."Because I found out that egg was missing! That's a dragon egg I spent a fortune on! If it doesn't hatch, I won't have any booze money for next month!"Aqua puffed out her chest righteously and then pointed at the object in mid-air that had completely shattered, revealing a tuft of silver hair, shouting:"Look! My dragon is coming out! Catch it, quick!"The purple-black demonic pressure above the graveyard altar dissipated like a receding tide, replaced by a pure white glimmer, warm as jade and carrying a faint milky scent.As the eggshell completely turned into shimmering powder, that petite figure, like a light feather, slowly drifted down in the faint light of dawn.Haru stumbled forward almost subconsciously, reaching out his arms amidst the dizziness brought on by mana exhaustion.That soft, warm little thing landed steadily in his arms.She had long silver hair as pure as moonlight, and the small, exquisite, flawless white wings on her back were fluttering slightly. She looked both divine and... inspired a strong desire to protect her.The little one rubbed her sleepy eyes. Those large, sapphire-clear eyes scanned the faces of Haru, Chris, and Aqua, finally settling on Haru, who was holding her.She tilted her little head, a pure and innocent smile appearing at the corners of her mouth. She reached out a chubby little hand to grab one of Haru's fingers and, in a babyish voice, dropped a bombshell:"...Daddy?"Silence.A deathly silence.Aqua and Kazuma, who had been bickering over the obsidian ring, froze instantly. Even Chris, who had been trying to lower her presence, slightly opened her mouth, and the short sword in her hand fell to the ground with a clatter.A cool morning breeze blew, swirling a few withered leaves, appearing exceptionally desolate in this awkward silence."Hu... Huh?!"Kazuma was the first to react. His face, already distorted by jealousy, was now completely falling apart. He pointed at Haru, his fingers trembling like he was fluffing cotton."Haru! You bastard! You actually have a kid out there?! And a high-grade one with wings at that?! Wait, this came out of an egg! Did you do something indescribable with some kind of flying monster... Waaaaah! You scum! You traitor to the Bachelor's Alliance!""Wait, wait a minute! How is this possible!"Chris rushed forward, her face flushed red, her tone carrying a hint of panic and sourness that even she didn't notice."Mr. Lin Jin has clearly been with us the whole time... Besides, the aura on this child is clearly... that of a very high-ranking..."She glanced at Aqua, then quickly shut her mouth, staring with complex eyes at the little girl who was affectionately rubbing against Haru's chest."Oh?"Aqua leaned her large head in, curiously poking the young girl's cheek, and then showed an expression of sudden realization."I've got it! Because Haru just used such powerful Wind Magic, this child must have taken the first person she saw with strong mana as her biological father! Not bad, Haru—becoming a father at such a young age. You'll have to work hard to earn money to support your daughter and the great Lady Aquafrom now on!""Daddy, hungry..."The young girl seemed completely unaware of the shock she had caused, simply clutching Haru's collar as her stomach let out a clear growl.Feeling the actual weight in his arms and Chris's nearly murderous gaze, Haru only felt a bout of stomach pain.He opened his mouth, but before he could explain, the sound of guards' whistles came from the direction of the town in the distance.In the morning mist, the urgent whistles and the metallic sound of armor clashing grew closer and closer.Ignoring his still-aching muscles, Haru exerted strength in his arms, holding that soft little life steadily in a princess carry.The young girl seemed to find the sensation of being lifted fun, letting out a silvery giggle, her small hands tightly clutching Haru's collar."Don't just stand there! Do you want to be caught as grave robbers and thrown in jail?!"Haru grabbed Chris, who was still blushing and obsessing over the "Daddy" title, and with his other hand, pushed Kazuma, who was trying to stuff the obsidian ring into his shirt."Anyway, let's get back to the mansion first! Kazuma, Aqua, stop arguing and run!""Waaaaah! Wait for me! If a beautiful girl like me goes to prison, I'll definitely be bullied by the warden for being too cute!"Aqua lifted her skirt, letting out illogical screams while running faster than anyone, even surpassing the agility-based Kazuma in an instant."Hey! Aqua, you disloyal jerk! Wait, Haru, why are you running while holding Chris's hand?! Even at a time like this, you don't forget to build your harem?! You scum magician, holding a little one in your arms and a big one by the hand!"While panting and following behind, Kazuma let out a soul-shattering cry born of extreme jealousy.
Chapter 254: The Shame of Being Completely Played in the Palm of Her Lover's HandAs Chris was pulled along by Haru, she felt a scorching heat from her palm, and her brain, which had been a bit chaotic due to the 'becoming a father' incident, instantly went blank.She kept her head down, letting Haru lead her through the ruins of the cemetery. Her short silver hair danced in the wind, hiding the tips of her ears which were so red they looked like they might bleed."It's, it's not about being big or small! I'm just... just afraid this child will fall!"Chris defended herself in a small voice, but her steps involuntarily kept pace with Haru's rhythm.Just as they were about to rush out of the cemetery gates, the figures of two guards appeared at the end of their vision.Haru's eyes narrowed. Without stopping, his free hand quickly traced a simple rune in the air."Wind Screen!"A gentle yet dense wind swirled up the fallen leaves and dust on the ground, instantly creating a visual blind spot in front of the guards.Taking advantage of the gap while the others rubbed their eyes, the four people and one baby swept through the streets like a whirlwind, disappearing into the depths of Axel's alleys before the town had even woken up.The young girl in his arms seemed to be amazed by Haru's cool magic just now. She looked up, her eyes sparkling with little stars of admiration, and rubbed against Haru's chest: "Papa, cool! Fly fly!""...Give me a break, I'm really not your father."Haru complained weakly while sprinting, while the grip of Chris's hand at his side seemed to tighten a bit more.With several heavy thuds, four figures flipped over the neatly trimmed fence of the mansion and collapsed haphazardly onto the spacious and expensive wool carpet in the living room.The morning sunlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto their disheveled figures. In the air, besides the heavy breathing from the intense exercise, there was a strange silence as if their worldviews were collapsing.The little silver-haired girl, however, was full of energy. She crawled out of Haru's arms, rolled twice on the thick carpet like a curious kitten, and then scrambled back onto Haru's back, her two chubby little hands tightly hugging his neck as she cheered happily:"Papa! Soft! Papa! Hehe!"This call of "Papa" was like the last straw that broke the camel's back, causing Satou Kazuma, who was slumped nearby, to let out a wail like a defeated dog."Did you hear that? Did you guys hear that?! She called him that again! That kind of title filled with family affection, trust, and a determination that says 'you'll never get rid of me in this lifetime'!"Kazuma pounded the carpet in despair."Haru! Explain this to me! Why is it that we're both reincarnators, yet I can only sleep in a stable and get swallowed by frogs, while you've not only earned hundreds of millions of eris, but even this kind of 'egg-born beautiful young girl' actively comes to your door to recognize you as her father! This is unfair! This is definitely cheating! I'm going to complain to Goddess Eris about you!""Ka, Kazuma, calm down..."Chris sat up, and while tidying her messy short silver hair, she peeked at Haru with a wandering gaze."Although... although I also find it incredible, Mr. Lin Jin doesn't look like the kind of strange person who would... would do something with an egg, right? Probably."By the end, her tone became somewhat uncertain, and she even subconsciously shifted her hips further away from Haru."Oh, what are you guys agonizing over!"Aqua lay spread-eagled on the floor in a carefree manner, still clutching the obsidian ring tightly in her hand."Since she came out of an egg, she's Haru's pet! Just like the ornamental fish I keep, except this pet can talk and grow wings! Haru, since you've become a father, shouldn't you cover all the housework and the money for buying alcohol from now on? After all, you're the head of the household now!"Haru felt the veins on his forehead throbbing as if they were about to burst. He struggled to pull the clingy little thing from his back into his arms, looked into her innocent big eyes, took a deep breath, and said:"First of all, I reiterate, I am a pure human, currently single, and definitely don't have this kind of egg-born genetic material! Secondly, Aqua, if you dare to secretly take that ring to trade for alcohol, I will confiscate all your snacks for the month! Finally... what on earth should we do with this child!"The little girl seemed to sense Haru's irritation. She shrunk her neck, her eyes instantly turned red, and her lips puckered, looking ready to launch a sonic attack at any moment."Waa... Papa... mean... don't want Papa anymore...""Waaaah! Hurry up and coax her! If we attract the guards, we're finished!" Kazuma and Chris screamed in panic at the same time.Haru scrambled to try various funny faces to soothe this uninvited daughter, while Aqua took the opportunity to pull an Axis Order leaflet from her bosom, attempting to abduct this divine creature who didn't seem very intelligent:"Little sister, come, sign this paper, and you'll be Lady Aqua's number one lackey. There'll be meat to eat in the future!"A series of hurried and messy footsteps came from the stairs on the second floor of the mansion.Clearly, the noise in the living room just now, loud enough to blow the roof off, had finally woken up the two official heroines who were still catching up on sleep."Lin, Haru? What happened? I thought I heard a guard's whistle just now, and... a strange voice calling for Papa?"Darkness hurriedly walked down the stairs while tying the belt of her bathrobe. Her long golden hair was slightly messy, which only added a touch of mature feminine charm.Following closely behind was Megumin, rubbing her sleepy eyes and still holding her staff in her arms.However, when they saw the scene in the living room, the expressions of both women instantly froze. Haru was covered in sweat, holding a cute little girl with wings and snow-white silver hair, while Chris was handing him a handkerchief with a conflicted look on her face."Pa, Papa! Hold tight!"Seeing new faces, the young girl seemed a bit shy. She turned her head and buried her face in Haru's chest, her small wings behind her back fluttering uneasily.The air seemed to freeze at this moment."...Papa?"Darkness's face instantly turned from pale to bright red, and then to a strange flush.A certain extremely excited and dangerous light flickered in her deep blue eyes, and her hands unconsciously pressed against her violently heaving chest."Haru... You, you actually... kept it from me, your lover, that you already have such a big child outside?! And even one of such a divine-feeling different race... Could it be that you intend for me, the primary partner, to raise the illegitimate daughter of you and another woman, and then let me live every day in humiliation and jealousy?! Ah... this, this kind of betrayal that makes one want to hide in shame... this feeling of being completely played in the palm of one's lover's hand... it's, it's truly wonderful! Please, by all means, increase the intensity!"
Chapter 255: A Nuclear Bomb That Could Explode at Any Time"Hey! Darkness! Your focus is completely wrong!"Haru shouted in despair,"This child came out of an egg! It's the egg that Aqua bought back!"On the other side, Megumin looked at Kazuma, who was squatting in the corner drawing circles, with a look of disdain. Her tone was flat but full of critical damage:"Kazuma, look. Even though you're both in couples, Mr. Lin Jin already has a daughter, while you haven't even mastered that Lurk skill yet. As my man, shouldn't you reflect on why your level of 'explosion' isn't even one-ten-thousandth of Mr. Lin Jin's?""That's not the same thing at all! Megumin, just how skewed is your understanding of 'explosion'?!"Kazuma jumped up in anger,"And I don't want a daughter of unknown origin at all! I only want those thirty million eris!"After a chaotic explanation (and Darkness's ten-minute-long self-delusion), everyone finally reluctantly accepted the outrageous fact that this child had hatched from the egg Aqua bought."Anyway, since she's going to live in our house, it's too rude to keep calling her 'hey' or 'egg-born creature'."Chris gently patted the little girl's head. The little one seemed to enjoy Chris's touch, squinting her eyes and letting out a comfortable hum,"Mr. Lin Jin, as her father, why don't you give her a name?""How about Soap? It really fits the style of the Axis Order!"Aqua suggested enthusiastically."Rejected! A name like that would make her unable to hold her head up for the rest of her life!"Haru refused decisively, then fell into deep thought for a moment, looking at the rising sun outside the window and the little girl's silver hair,"Since she was born from light and has silver hair... let's call her Sylphi, meaning a spirit in the wind.""Syl... phie?"The little girl looked up, her eyes sparkling. She seemed to really like the name, happily bouncing in Haru's arms,"Sylphi! I am Sylphi! The name Daddy gave me! I love Daddy the most!"Seeing this scene, Darkness covered her face and collapsed on the sofa:"Ah... this child... her calling out is breaking my heart... this heavy shackle of being forced to become a stepmother... please, give me more!"Inside the mansion's dining room, Haru was clumsily feeding Sylphi oatmeal with a spoon, while Darkness sat to the side, wringing her handkerchief and staring at Haru with that 'please definitely abandon me after ruining me' look.In this warm (and perverted) atmosphere, a faint knock suddenly came from the mansion's front door, sounding as if the person might stop breathing at any moment."Um... excuse me, is Mr. Lin Jin there? I'm Wiz from Wizs Magic Item Shop..."Before Haru could even stand up, Kazuma had already opened the door with a face full of bad luck:"Wiz, if you're trying to sell that automatic dishwasher that's guaranteed to explode, forget it. Our house is messy enough as it is."However, Wiz, who had just entered the house, appeared exceptionally uneasy.The Lich shopkeeper with the hot figure was pale and trembling slightly; even her ample chest was heaving violently due to fear. As soon as she entered, her gaze locked onto Sylphi, who was sitting on Haru's lap, and she almost collapsed onto the floor."Uwah! S-s-so terrifying! This holy aura... it's like facing dozens of Lady Aqua in her prime... no, it's even purer than that!"Wiz cowered behind the door, her teeth chattering as she spoke,"Um, Mr. Lin Jin, Mr. Vanir asked me to bring you a message. He... he suddenly started laughing wildly in the shop, saying that the source of trouble that could plunge the world into chaos or salvation has finally hatched. He also said if you don't want this mansion to be torn down by the enforcers of the Celestial Realm or the executives of the Demon Kings Army, you'd better bring her to the shop for a concealment treatment.""Huh? What nonsense is that masked bastard talking about now?"Aqua slapped the table in dissatisfaction, but because she used too much force, the half-piece of bread in her hand flew onto Wiz's head,"With this Goddess here, who from the Celestial Realm or any other realm would dare to mess around? Besides, this child was personally bought by this Goddess; she is essentially a holy relic of the Axis Order!"Sylphi looked at Wiz curiously, seemingly sensing the faint undead aura on her.She reached out her small hand, and a soft white light overflowed from her fingertips:"Big sister, cold? Sylphi, warm!""Nooooo! I'll be purified! I'll really be purified! Aaaaaah!"Wiz let out a shrill scream and scrambled to hide behind Kazuma, begging for mercy with tears in her eyes,"Mr. Lin Jin! Please, control your daughter! Mr. Vaniralso left a note, saying it's a childcare subsidy for you!"Wiz tremblingly handed over a piece of parchment with extremely arrogant handwriting on it:[To the junior who picked up a big trouble: This ring is one of the keys to opening the Celestial Ruins, keep it safe. Also, if you don't want your poor lover to turn into a real demon out of jealousy, hurry up and buy some snacks that seal magic power for this child. — Yours Truly.]Haru looked at the note, then at Sylphi, who was innocently trying to warm Wiz up, and felt that his future adventuring life had completely veered off its normal track.Haru looked at Wiz, who was so scared by Sylphithat she was almost turning into a transparent spiritual body, and sighed helplessly.He carefully pulled Sylphi, who was trying to grab the hem of Wiz's skirt, back into his arms, and then pointed to the single sofa at the far end of the dining room."Wiz, sit over there first, stay a bit further away from Sylphi. Don't worry, I'll hold her; I definitely won't let her accidentally purify you."Wiz felt as if she had been granted a grand pardon and hurriedly floated to the corner to sit down, her hands tightly clutching her knees. Her complexion finally recovered a bit of color from that translucent blue-purple."Th-thank you, Mr. Lin Jin. You really are a kind person, no wonder this... this holy little lady would recognize you as her father."Wiz wiped the cold sweat from her forehead with lingering fear, and then her expression became a bit more serious,"Regarding the Celestial Ruins mentioned by Mr. Vanir, that is a place that exists in legends. It is said that a long time ago, in order to combat certain calamities that could not be eliminated by conventional magic, the gods sealed some living weapons or Divine Agents deep underground near Axel. And the keys to opening those ruins are usually ancient holy relics that appear in pairs."Wiz pointed to the obsidian ring in Aqua's hand:"That Balance Ring probably sensed the resonance from inside the ruins, which accelerated the hatching of the egg. Mr. Vanir said this child... Miss Sylphi, is very likely the sealed core of the ruins. Her very existence is a set of coordinates. If her aura continues to be emitted without any concealment like this, not only the Demon Kings Army, but even those greedy nobles and God's Eye hunters will swarm here.""Living weapon? You mean this little squirt who only knows how to shout 'hungry' and 'Daddy' is actually a Demon King-level existence that can destroy the world?!"Kazuma pointed at Sylphi, who was trying to gnaw on Haru's buttons in his arms, with a ridiculous expression,"Hey, Haru, this is no joke. If we're keeping a nuclear bomb that could explode at any time in our house, I'd rather move back to the stables right now!"
Chapter 256: A scum Confession to Chris"Nonsense! How could something this Goddess took a fancy to be a weapon!"Aqua grumbled in dissatisfaction, casually picking up an apple from the table and stuffing it into Sylphi's mouth."Look how happily she's eating! What kind of weapon eats apples? Wiz, you've definitely been tricked by that masked bastard. He's just jealous that this Goddess picked up such a cute goddaughter!""No... Lady Aqua, this child's magic fluctuations are indeed constantly strengthening."Chris leaned in toward Mr. Lin Jin with a grave expression. As an avatar of a Goddess, she knew better than anyone what that aura signified."Mr. Lin Jin, Wiz is right. We must go to Wiz's shop as soon as possible. Vanir has set up a powerful barrier there that can temporarily suppress Sylphi's aura. Besides... I also want to confirm if this child is indeed a descendant of that clan."Darkness, sitting to the side, suddenly let out a heavy gasp. She clutched her burning cheeks with both hands, her body trembling slightly:"The... the key to the Celestial Ruins... a cursed bloodline... and the countless pursuers soon to come... Ah, Haru! Not only did you make me a stepmother, but you also want me to fall into a situation where I'm besieged by the whole world to protect you and this child, eventually being captured and thrown into a dark dungeon to suffer all kinds of torture?! This... this love that is so heavy it's suffocating... Please, let me share it with you!""Darkness, calm down. No one is going to throw you in a dungeon."Haru rubbed his temples, looking down at Sylphi in his arms, who was smiling sweetly at him, his heart filled with mixed emotions."Papa, go play?"Sylphi asked in a childish, milky voice.Haru took a deep breath and stood up:"Okay, let's go play. Wiz, lead the way; we're going to your shop. Kazuma, Aqua, don't just stand there either. Bring your equipment. If we really run into anything nasty on the way, we're counting on you."When the group pushed open the dilapidated wooden door that always hung a "Now Open (Though No Customers)" sign, Wiz's Magic Item Shop wasn't as deserted as expected.The air was filled with a mixture of dry ice smoke and some cheap spice. The demon wearing a black and white mask and a magnificent cloak—Vanir—was leaning against the counter in an extremely elegant yet punchable pose, shaking a glass of liquid that emitted an eerie purple light."Oh my, oh my, isn't this the junior who picked up the source of trouble capable of destroying the world? Welcome to this broken shop of mine, filled with dreams and deficits."A low, mocking laugh came from beneath Vanir's mask. His glowing red eyes swept over Sylphi, and he then dramatically clutched his chest."My, such a divine aura, it's so dazzling it makes me want to vomit. If I hadn't been prepared, I'd probably be lying on the floor right now like a dried-up salted fish.""Cut the crap, you masked bastard!"Kazuma guarded his wallet with a look of vigilance."Wiz said you have a way to mask this child's aura, so get to it. If this attracts any Demon Kings Army General, I'll be the first to sell you out!"Vanir let out a boisterous laugh and stepped aside, revealing a dark staircase leading to the cellar:"Don't be so impatient, greedy brat. The cellar is already set up with a Void Barrier I drew myself. As long as she stays in there for an hour, the coordinates on this child will be temporarily scrambled. However..."He suddenly teleported in front of Haru, that eerie mask almost touching the tip of Haru's nose, his tone becoming full of temptation:"As a Duke of Hell, I never do business at a loss. If you want to use that room, Junior Haru, you'll have to pay a small price. I don't need money; Wiz has already lost enough of that vulgar stuff. What I need is... interesting negative emotions.""Negative emotions?" Haru frowned, subconsciously hugging Sylphi tighter."That's right! For example..."Vanir's finger traced the air, finally pointing at Darkness, who was staring at Haru with a look of anticipation."For example, the extreme shame of having to make an incredibly embarrassing, scum-like confession to another woman in public while your beloved lover is present; or the despair of having to wear Wiz's dusty pink Gothic Lolita outfit and dance in the street to save your daughter... How about it? If you provide a delicious meal of negative emotions for me to feast on, not only will I mask her aura, but I'll also throw in a little secret about this child's origins.""Wh-what?! A shameful confession to another woman?!"Darkness jumped up as if struck by lightning, her breathing instantly becoming heavy. She gripped Haru's sleeve tightly, a wild light flashing in her eyes."Haru! Could it be... are you finally going to show your most despicable, scummiest side hidden beneath that gentle exterior right in front of me?! Professing love to someone else in front of your lover... that feeling of being completely trampled upon and discarded like a rag... Ah! Please, you must choose me! No, wait, please choose Chris or Aqua! Let me watch you betray me with my own eyes!""Hey! Don't just drag me into this!"Chris and Aqua screamed in terror at the same time. Especially Chris, who had already begun to subconsciously cover her collar and back away.Sylphi tilted her little head, looking at this group of strange adults. She mimicked Vanir's mannerisms and let out a milky laugh:"Kuhaha! Papa, change change!"Haru looked at Vanir's mask, which practically screamed that he wanted to watch the show, then looked at Darkness, who was on the verge of self-destruction, and fell into the greatest crisis of his life.Haru took a deep breath, feeling the soft weight of Sylphi in his arms. He glanced at Vanir's sunflower mask—which Sylphi had just transformed—and finally seemed to make an incredibly heavy decision.He slowly turned his head, his gaze locking onto Chris, who was shrinking into the corner of the counter, trying to lower her presence."Ch-Chris..." Haru's voice was a bit hoarse, carrying the resolve of a hero facing his end."Eh? Wa-wait! Mr. Lin Jin, why did your eyes suddenly become so scary?!"Chris was like a startled rabbit, her back pressed tightly against the cold wall, hands protecting her chest. Her short silver hair trembled slightly due to nervousness."You're not really going to listen to that demon, are you? We're comrades who've gone through thick and thin together! Hey, don't come any closer!"Haru didn't stop. He approached step by step, the expression on his face flickering between shame and the madness of going all out, finally settling into a scum-like expression that sent shivers down one's spine.He suddenly reached out and gave Chris a firm 'kabedon,' the loud thud echoing through the quiet shop.
Chapter 257: The Backdoor to Ragnarok"Listen up, Chris!"Haru lowered his voice, speaking in an extremely frivolous and overbearing tone."Even though I have a lover like Darkness, that's only to satisfy her hopeless masochism! In reality, I've had my eye on a lively and easy-to-bully short-haired Thief like you for a long time! From today on, don't even think about escaping my grasp. Whether it's your coin purse or the secrets hidden under your cloak, I'm going to steal them all, bit by bit! Just be a good girl and become this Daddy's exclusive plaything, Kuhahahaha!"This speech, filled with a lack of integrity and a villainous flair, plunged the entire Magic Item Shopinto a deathly silence."Wu—Waaaaah! Mr. Lin Jin is a huge pervert! A total lecher! How can you say such things out loud!"Chris's face instantly turned red all the way to her neck, and even the tips of her ears looked like they were about to drip blood.She covered her face in shame and indignation, crystal tears welling in the corners of her eyes, as her body limply slid down the wall."This is too much... saying those things in front of everyone... H-How can I ever show my face again...""Ah... Aaaaah!! This is it!!"Beside them, Darkness let out a scream loud enough to shatter glass. She collapsed onto the ground, her hands tightly clutching her shoulders as she trembled violently, her face flushed with an extreme state of ecstasy."To make such a lewd and scum-like confession to another woman so unscrupulously right in front of me, your lover... Haru, are you really the reincarnation of the Demon King?! This pleasure of being completely ignored and publicly humiliated... my body... it's about to break...""Kuhahahaha! Delicious! Truly delicious!"Vanir let out a mad laugh, greedily inhaling the air thick with Haru's almost self-isolating shame and Chris's desperate indignation."This premium negative emotion, filled with a sense of immorality and the betrayal of comrades, is practically a Manchu Han Imperial Feast of Hell! Junior Haru, I acknowledge you! You truly possess the potential to become an outstanding scumAdventurer!"Kazuma was on the side, frantically pressing the shutter of a Recording Crystal, muttering to himself:"I'm going to be rich... This can definitely be sold for a fortune to those nobles who are into this kind of thing..."Sylphi, on the other hand, clapped her small hands with a look of innocent confusion:"Daddy, cool! Big Sister Chris, all red!"In the dark and damp cellar of the Magic Item Shop, as Vanir snapped his fingers loudly, a circle of magic formulas emitting an eerie gray light slowly rose from the floor. That light seemed capable of swallowing all surrounding perception, and even the holy aura in the air was forcibly suppressed within that small space."Kuhaha! The contract is sealed! Junior Haru, take your little trouble and your new plaything inside. Within this barrier, even if the Demon King himself descends, he won't be able to sense a single trace of this child."Vanir elegantly licked the lingering aftertaste of negative emotions from his fingertips while winking suggestively at Haru."By the way, due to that sincere confession of yours just now, Miss Chris's negative emotion concentration is currently at its peak. If you want to do something even more scum-like inside the barrier, I wouldn't mind 'eavesdropping' a bit from out here.""Shut your mouth, you Masked Bastard!"Haru roared, his forehead covered in black lines, before looking somewhat awkwardly at Chris, who was still crouching in the corner, wrapped in her cloak like a ball.He reached out his hand, attempting to pull up the devastated Thief girl:"Um... Chris, that was just acting to save Sylphi, don't take it to heart. Anyway, come into the barrier with me for a bit to take cover.""Don't touch me! You scum-man whose head is filled with nothing but short hair and secrets!"Chris sprang away like a cat with its fur standing on end. Her cute face was now so red it could practically drip blood, her eyes flickering with tears of shame and anger as she muttered fragments of sentences completely unlike her usual cheerful self."What exclusive plaything... what steal everything... How can you say such shameful things with a straight face! Goddess Eris will surely bring down divine punishment and make it so you never pull an SSR for the rest of your life!"Despite her frantic complaining, Chris's heart softened at Sylphi's milky-voiced call of "Big Sister, I'm scared," and she moved her feet to follow Haruinto the gray void barrier.The moment the three of them stepped into the barrier, the noise from the outside—Darkness's unsettling panting, the clicking of Kazuma's shutter, and Aqua's noisy attempts to demand mental distress compensation from Wiz—all vanished instantly.Deep in the cellar, an ancient stone tablet covered in moss seemed to sense a fated return upon Sylphi's entry, and golden light began to flow through the cracks on its surface."Daddy, there, shiny!"Sylphi pointed at the stone tablet, her small silver wings fluttering restlessly, as if she wanted to rush toward it.Haru soothed the young girl in his arms and slowly approached the tablet. As the distance closed, the originally blurred ancient script automatically reorganized in his vision, turning into rows of system prompts he could understand:[Detected 'God's Proxy' bloodline... Identification Code: Sylphi.][Synchronizing Watcher permissions... Current Holder: Haru.][Warning: Celestial Ruin 'Obsidian Court' has entered awakening countdown.]"W-What is this?"Chris also leaned in. Seeing the anomalies on the stone tablet, her expression shifted from shame to solemnity."Mr. Lin Jin, this child... seems to be more than just 'trouble.' The divine power radiating from this tablet is older than... older than any artifact I've ever seen."With a crisp cracking sound, the ancient stone tablet that had endured countless ages shattered completely like a peeling eggshell under the touch of Sylphi's fingertip.Countless tiny crystal fragments refracted the dim gray light within the barrier. Finally, at the center of the stone tablet, a parchment scroll woven from pure astral power was revealed."Wow! A shiny map!" Sylphi clapped her hands excitedly, trying to catch the floating fragments, the holy aura around her becoming even more condensed and profound.Haru reached out and took the parchment scroll. The moment it unfurled, an extremely detailed map of the Axel surroundings met his eyes.On the map, deep within the originally unremarkable suburban forest, an icon for the Obsidian Court emitting a faint black light now occupied the space.A line of small golden characters that only Harucould see appeared at the edge of the map: [Only the Watcher and their bloodline may open the backdoor to Ragnarok.]
Chapter 258: Divine Vessel"T-This... This is the true entrance to the ruins?"Chris leaned in close. Although her pretty face was still slightly flushed from the scum confession just now, her instincts as a professional Thief instantly drew her to the map."Wait, this location... isn't this the rumored Cursed Forest that's absolutely off-limits? It's said that even high-level Adventurers lose their way there, eventually becoming nutrients for the strange plants inside..."She looked up and bumped right into Haru's focused gaze. Remembering the sensation of being pinned against the wall just now, Chris's heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly turned her head away, her tone becoming somewhat awkward:"Wh-What are you looking at! Just because we have the map doesn't mean I've agreed to go to such a dangerous place with you! Unless... unless you apologize formally for those rude words earlier! And you have to treat me to a top-grade Marbled Red Crab feast!"Just then, Vanir's penetrating voice echoed from outside the barrier:"Kuhaha! It seems the secret within has been revealed. Junior Haru, I must remind you that the moment that map was activated, the ruins' anti-theft system also went online. Now, I'm afraid every sharp-nosed individual in the city is rushing this way."As if to confirm Vanir's words, Aqua's terrified scream drifted down from above the cellar:"Kyaaaa! Kazuma, look! A pillar of black light has fallen into the forest from the sky! That must be some super valuable... no, super evil treasure being born! Let's go quickly and perform a Purification on it!""You idiot Aqua! Stop screaming in someone else's shop!"Kazuma's voice, full of the urge to retort, followed immediately."Haru! If you're not dead in there, get your ass out here! We have a quest! This is a big business opportunity!"Haru looked down at Sylphi, then at the map in his hand.He knew that the real trouble had only just begun.Holding the faintly glowing Sylphi with one arm, Haru strode out of the Void Barrier."Everyone, grab your supplies immediately! We don't have time to dally here!"Haru's voice was low and powerful. He directly ignored Darkness, who was trying to block his path with a flushed face and ragged breathing."Ah! Haru! That cold gaze... that feeling of utter contempt as if I'm just a stone on the side of the road... Could it be that inside the barrier, you and Chris have already reached some kind of agreement to abandon your legal wife?! Please, you must command me heartlessly like that too! Even if it's to be used as bait and eaten by monsters..."Darkness covered her face with both hands, her body twisting as she let out strange noises."Stop being in heat, you masochistic knight! Didn't you see the pillar of light in the sky? That's the smell of money!"Kazuma grabbed Darkness's cape and dragged her toward the door, while giving Haru a thumbs-up."Good job, Haru! I've already made three backups of that 'plaything' confession. If you let me take a bigger cut in the ruins, I'll consider not selling it to the Guild's receptionists."Chris followed behind Haru with her head down. She wrapped her originally cool Thief's cape tightly around herself, trying to hide her face which felt like it was on fire.Whenever Haru looked back at her, she would shrink her neck as if struck by lightning, muttering in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz:"Pervert... scum... he actually dared to walk out... everyone is watching..."Aqua had already rushed to the shop entrance, pointing at the black anomaly in the distant forest sky and shouting:"Hey! You guys are too slow! If we get there late, the treasures will definitely be snatched by those evil Axis Order... no, by those evil Demon Kings Army! This goddess's deluxe feast and high-grade bubbly depend entirely on this ruin exploration!"The group rushed out of Wiz's Magic Item Shop. On the street, many Adventurers were already pointing and talking about the pillar of light.With a tactician's sharp intuition, Haru quickly led his party out of Axel's side gate and plunged into the mist-shrouded Cursed Forest.As they went deeper into the forest, the surrounding trees became twisted and grotesque, resembling wailing human faces.Sylphi seemed to sense something. She gripped Haru's collar tightly. The small halo produced by her Divine Protection shone like a giant lightbulb in the mist, illuminating the restless shadows lurking nearby."Papa, the trees... are moving," Sylphi whispered a warning."Don't worry, Papa's here." Haru gripped his staff, feeling the power surging within him due to Sylphi's protection.He looked at Chris beside him."Chris, stop dazing off. Use your skills as a Thief to lead us around those troublesome traps. We need to reach the entrance before anyone else!"The mist in the Cursed Forest grew thicker, and the smell of decaying earth in the air was gradually replaced by a pungent scent of sulfur. Just as Lin Jins Party passed through a thicket of Venus flytraps, the sound of clashing metal and the explosion of flashy skills came from the open ground ahead."Oh? Looks like we aren't the only lucky ones."Kazuma quickly lowered his body, pulling Aquabehind a crooked tree, while not forgetting to pull out his monocular.In the clearing ahead stood several men and women with high-end equipment and an aura completely different from the deadbeat Adventurers in Axel.Leading them was a young man with short black hair and eyes as sharp as a hawk. He held a longsword emitting a faint blue light, easily slicing several berserk Goblins into pieces as they tried to ambush him.Behind him followed a girl in ornate magic robes and a serious-looking heavy-armored warrior."That's... the party of the Hero Candidate, Oriyaya Hibiki?"Chris whispered in Haru's ear, her tone carrying a hint of wariness."They're elites sent by the Royal Capital, specifically responsible for clearing high-difficulty ruins and Demon Kings Army strongholds. Mr. Lin Jin, should we bypass them?"However, it was already too late.The small halo from Sylphi's Divine Protection was like a miniature sun in the dim mist, instantly attracting the other party's attention.Oriyaya Hibiki sheathed his longsword. His gaze pierced through the heavy mist, accurately locking onto the silver-haired young girl in Haru's arms.His brow twitched slightly, a flash of surprise crossing his pupils, and he then strode over with his teammates."Everyone, please wait."His voice was gentle yet carried an unquestionable authority. He stopped five meters from Haru, his eyes never leaving Sylphi."I am Oriyaya Hibiki. If I'm not mistaken, the mana fluctuations emanating from this little girl... are perfectly consistent with the recently awakened ruins, Obsidian Court. One could even say she herself is some kind of high-level divine vessel."He looked at Haru, his gaze becoming more scrutinizing:"Adventurer, though I don't know how you came across this child, taking her to such an evil ruin is a very dangerous act. For the child's safety and to prevent the power of the ruins from spiraling out of control, I suggest you hand her over to us. We will escort her to the Royal Capital to be baptized and protected by the High Priest."
Chapter 259: Go Have a Drink and Forget These Days of Madness"Huh?! What kind of sleep-talk are you babbling about, you passably good-looking arrogant man!"Aqua jumped out from behind a tree, shouting loudly with her hands on her hips."This is the precious daughter our Haru worked so hard to give birth to! You, a guy of unknown origin, actually want to snatch her? Do you know who I am? I am...""Shut up, you idiot goddess!"Kazuma quickly covered Aqua's mouth, forcing a smile at Hibiki while breaking into a cold sweat."Um, sir, we are just ordinary Adventurers passing by. Really, this child just looks a bit bright, that's all..."Darkness, however, stepped forward at this moment, her right hand resting on the hilt of her sword, shielding Haru. Although her cheeks were still slightly flushed from her previous delusions, her gaze was exceptionally firm."No matter who you are, if you want to take away my lover's child, you'll have to step over my corpse! Come on, if it's for the sake of protecting family that I get ravaged by the elite knights of the Royal Capital or thrown into a dungeon... I suppose I can accept that kind of development!"The atmosphere instantly became tense. The mage girl behind Hibiki had already begun chanting a spell under her breath. Sylphi, in Haru's arms, seemed to sense the hostility; her small hands tightly gripped Haru's collar as she let out an uneasy whimper.As Oriyaya Hibiki approached step by step, the tension in the forest reached its breaking point.Haru knew well that taking these Royal Capital elites head-on was by no means a wise move. He discreetly signaled to Kazuma in the back."Now! Kazuma, do it!""Hehe, I've been waiting for this moment! Take this, [Steal]!" Kazuma let out an extremely lecherous cackle and snatched at the air with his right hand.With a'swish', the previously overbearing Oriyaya Hibiki suddenly felt a chill between his legs. His magnificent belt, inlaid with mithril thread, vanished into thin air, and his pants instantly slid down to his ankles under the force of gravity.Worse still, because he was striking a cool-looking lunging pose, this sudden Bind caused him to lose his balance. With a scream, he fell forward, burying his face directly into the mud puddle at Darkness's feet."Ah! Master Hibiki!" The opposing mage girl let out a sharp, ear-splitting shriek, and her spellcasting was instantly interrupted."Run while we can!" Haru shouted, clutching Sylphitight as he led the charge toward the rift marked on the map.The group sprinted through the forest like wild horses. Behind them came Oriyaya Hibiki's roar of mortification and Aqua's triumphant laughter.Passing through the final layer of mist, a magnificent temple constructed of pure black crystals stood tall beneath a cliff. The ring in Sylphi's hand sensed the call of its source and burst forth with a pillar of light that shot into the sky, completely sealing off the pursuers behind a barrier.As Haru and his party stumbled through the temple gates, the heavy obsidian doors slowly swung shut.Inside the temple, countless floating blue orbs of light illuminated a central altar, where a massive dragon egg emitting a chaotic aura floated quietly."Papa... there, it smells like Sylphi."Sylphi pointed at the dragon egg, an awakening of some hereditary memory showing in her eyes.The altar in the center of the temple radiated a cold, deep blue light. The massive dragon egg throbbed as if it were alive, each beat making the entire ruin resonate in turn.Sylphi seemed to be under an irresistible summons. She let go of her tight grip on Haru's clothes and walked toward the altar barefoot, step by step."Papa... Sylphi seems to remember. This is... where Sylphi is supposed to return to."The silver-haired young girl turned back and gave Haru a smile so pure it was heartbreaking. Her body began to gradually become transparent, turning into countless golden specks of light that intertwined with the chaotic aura overflowing from the dragon egg.Haru subconsciously reached out to grab her, but his fingertips only touched the cool light dust. As Sylphimerged entirely into the dragon egg, the originally pitch-black shell was instantly dyed a sacred silver-white. Then, a powerful shockwave erupted, sending the noisy Aqua and Kazuma flying into the corners of the temple.The light faded, leaving only a quietly sleeping giant silver egg on the altar. The cute girl who had been calling him 'Papa' had completely vanished from sight."Hey, Haru... is that kid just gone?"Kazuma rubbed his backside as he climbed up. The cynical expression on his face had disappeared, replaced by a rare look of bewilderment.Chris stepped forward and gently patted Haru's shoulder.Her expression was exceptionally solemn now, her eyes no longer filled with the previous shame or awkwardness, but instead with a god-like depth and compassion.She looked at the silver egg, then at Haru, her tone soft yet firm."Mr. Lin Jin, this is the destiny of a Watcher. Sylphihasn't disappeared; she has simply returned to her original form to mend the rift torn in this world. What happens next is no longer a realm that mortal Adventurers can touch."She turned around, her short silver hair shimmering in the temple's dim light, the faint scar on her left cheek appearing particularly clear.She gave Haru a slight bow, following the most standard temple etiquette."Leave the rest to me. As a Thief, I will handle the aftermath of these dangerous divine artifacts and ruins. As for you... you've done well enough. Take your companions back to Axel, go have a drink, and forget these days of madness."She paused, a flash of Chris's characteristic playfulness and reluctance appearing in her eyes."Don't make that face. Who knows, maybe one day that crybaby brat will return to your side in an even more surprising way. When that time comes, don't forget the compensation you promised me, you scum."As Chris finished speaking, a teleportation array began to light up beneath Haru's feet. A strong sense of weightlessness hit him, and the surrounding obsidian walls gradually blurred.Then, with a chant from Chris, Haru and his party were teleported back to the entrance of the Adventurers Guild in Axel.The familiar gates of the Adventurers Guild were right before them, but the scent of malt ale permeating the air felt somewhat pungent now.Haru stood at the guild entrance, subconsciously lifting his arms, only to find that the heavy, milk-scented little life was no longer in his embrace, replaced by the cool breeze of late autumn."Hey, Haru, why are you standing at the door dazed? You're blocking this goddess from going in to collect the bounty... ah, I mean, going in to enjoy the cheers of the believers!"Aqua was as heartless as ever. She patted the dust off her clothes. Although she had been knocked back quite pathetically earlier, the thought of the bounty in her pocket immediately turned her eyes into the shape of Eris coins.Kazuma rested his hands behind his head, glancing sideways at the forlorn Haru, for once refraining from mockery.He stepped forward and bumped Haru's back with his shoulder, his tone flippant yet carrying a trace of hard-to-detect concern."Alright, alright, who are you showing that 'dumped by a girlfriend' face to? That kid just went to level up, right? If you're really lonely, how about after we get the money, I take you to that Succubus Shop? I heard their wish list can even simulate dreams like searching for a lost daughter.""Satou Kazuma! You're actually instigating Haru to go to such an impure place!"Darkness protested with a bright red face, but then she peeked at Haru, twirling a strand of her golden hair as her tone became sheepish."T-that, Haru... if you really feel like your arms are empty... actually, my body is much heavier than that child's. If you don't mind, I can let you hold me... no, let you drag me along as crudely as if you were moving cargo..."