0123 The Eve of the Return

The young girl slowly reached her hand forward. Her slightly curled fingers seemed to possess a power capable of leading everyone toward a path of light. The cool morning breeze drifted over her robes and long hair, and the fluttering tips of her hair and hem made her look like a butterfly about to take flight, brimming with the vitality of rebirth and soaring potential.

Such a brilliant radiance stung Lance’s eyes for a moment, muddling his previously clear and rational thoughts. As if entranced, his right hand rose involuntarily, yearning to firmly grasp the girl’s hand.

BOOM!

A massive, jarring roar erupted beside them. The floor, paved with natural stone, shook violently from the impact, causing the trinkets on the tables and cabinets in the room to lose their balance and crash to the ground. Moumou was startled by this sudden "earthquake," but before she could recover her senses, chaotic and panicked voices exploded in the corridor outside.

"What is going on?" Moumou muttered, bewildered, intending to head out and ask the servants for clarification. But before she could take a step, her arm was pulled back by a familiar hand.

"If something urgent happens, remember to save Huanluo first; she is not in a condition to move easily," Lance’s voice came clearly from behind. Moumou nodded anxiously in agreement, her eyes searching for a servant to question, but Lance did not let go. Instead, he gripped her arm firmly, emphasizing each word: "If you truly decide to leave Ecasia, remember to save Liangyin. She is likely being held in the Night Ghost tribe. And if I recall correctly, the shamans of the Night Ghost tribe possess the ability to quell murderous intent and cleanse bloodlust. You should know what that means for Huanluo."

"I know, I know. You’re coming with us anyway, aren't you? I’ll listen to you then," Moumou placated him, hoping Lance would release her arm so she could go gather information.

Sensing Moumou’s restless attempts to break free, Lance pulled her back to face him, forcing her to listen: "If you want to avoid the magical beasts, you must also seek out the Night Ghosts. Only in the vicinity of their tribal territory within the Magical Beast Forest can the beasts be kept at bay. And finally, the most important thing: the Night Ghost shaman holds the third ancient relic—the Wrath of the Stars."

"The Wrath of the Stars?" Moumou was indeed drawn in by Lance’s tug.

"That is the name of that ancient bow," Lance explained with a faint smile. As he spoke, he finally released his grip on her arm. "I have some things I must retrieve. You go ahead; I will follow shortly."

Feeling his hand release, Moumou hurried out of his room. However, she hadn't gone more than two steps before a sudden, intuitive feeling welled up in her heart—a sense that she would never see Lance again. She slowed her pace, unable to resist looking back at him.

Lance had draped his coat over his shoulders, which perfectly concealed the bandages and wounds on his body, but his silhouette against the backlight appeared exceptionally lonely and desolate.

"You will come with me, won't you?" Moumou couldn't help but call out loudly.

Her amplified voice failed to draw any attention in the noisy environment. Fortunately, Lance clearly heard her. His figure paused significantly, yet he did not turn back. He simply replied with certainty: "As long as that is what you wish, I will."

Having received his answer, Moumou stopped delaying. Considering the logic in Lance’s words, she ran straight toward Huanluo’s room. The door was still wide open, but it was not just Moumou standing inside now; four or five maids stood anxiously before Huanluo’s bed, looking terrified yet afraid to approach her.

Huanluo was no longer the weak, conscious, and quiet girl Moumou had seen that morning. Her hair was disheveled, her pupils were tinged with a faint red, and her wounds were seeping blood due to her aggressive combat posture. Yet, she remained unmoved, gripping the Dragon’s Fang that lay at her bedside even tighter.

Ever since that night, when the Dragon’s Fang had been summoned by Huanluo’s despair, breaking free of all restraints and resentment, no one had been able to seal it again. The bond between Huanluo and the blade seemed only to grow stronger despite everyone's efforts. Even now, the slightest fluctuation in Huanluo’s emotions caused the Dragon’s Fang to react violently.

"A slight fluctuation?" Moumou asked the maid closest to her. "How is Xiaoluo agitated? What happened?"

"Doesn't the Master Mage know?" the young maid replied, on the verge of tears. "An army of magical beasts has invaded. Ecasia cannot hold them off. General Andy ordered us to help General Huanluo evacuate."

"An army of magical beasts? Evacuate? Why?" Moumou felt as if she had been struck by lightning, unable to believe the reality.

"It’s true," the maid said, even more frantic at Moumou’s dazed expression. "Just now, even the city walls were pushed over by the invading beasts. General Andy and the veteran generals of the Gero family are struggling to hold them back near the walls to buy us time to retreat. If we don't leave now, it will be too late!"

Hearing this news, Huanluo’s state became even more unstable, and a faint red, semi-solid murderous aura began to coalesce around her. Sensing the danger, Moumou gritted her teeth and decisively moved toward Huanluo. The girl, on the brink of a rampage, noticed Moumou approaching, but due to a certain familiarity radiating from the person before her, she did not strike immediately. Moumou didn't hesitate; catching Huanluo off guard, she delivered a swift, wind-infused hand strike to the back of her neck. Huanluo, already in a weakened state, was knocked unconscious instantly.

Moumou caught Huanluo’s limp body and hoisted her onto her shoulder. Her height of over 1.7 meters and solid muscle were not for show; she felt her right shoulder sink under the weight. The maids rushed to help, but Moumou stopped them.

"I can use wind magic to lighten her weight and accelerate myself. You don't need to worry about me; just lead the way. We must get Huanluo to a safe place," Moumou said in a low, firm voice. The maids stopped hesitating and quickly ushered her toward the rear. After a few steps, Moumou couldn't help but look back at Lance’s room one last time. Through the haze, she saw his door standing wide open, with servants and maids passing by in orderly retreat, none noticing anything amiss inside.

*Lance must have retreated too, right?* Moumou thought to herself. She tore her gaze away from his room and ran toward the path indicated by the maids.