A wasteland within the forest.
"The bigger they are, the easier they become targets. Never reveal your true form until you’re certain you can completely destroy your enemy, and the same is true when considering other factors. You can only do so as a last resort. Since your human form isn’t much different from your true body, maintain it and focus on maximizing your strength and speed."
Ox, holding a lightweight weapon for him, met Fafna’s Special Large Sword, weighing over three hundred pounds, and deflected its force with a clever maneuver.
In a blink of an eye, the sword was at Fafna’s throat.
Ox’s weapon, along with his fingers, had been covered in frost.
This Dragon Lady seemed to have an innate talent for some ice-based Magic Techniques.
With one shake of his large hand, Ox shattered it all.
"You’ve progressed quickly and have learned to use your strengths. That’s enough for today."
Ox put down his weapon, filled with concern. Those people still hadn’t returned, and he found himself on an isolated overseas island with no news. If there was still no word by January 1st, he’d have to head inland to check on the situation.
He couldn’t cling only to Black Sail; some matters required a decisive end.
"But... I still want to play,"
Fafna said discontentedly, her entire outfit an imitation of others’. A dark red leather coat, shiny Flying Knives strapped to shoulders and limbs, and even carrying Ox’s sword with a swagger over her shoulder. For the sake of fashion, she had picked out a dozen silver hair strands and had them braided into tiny, exquisite braids by Dreya, as if she were raising a daughter.
The watching Wolman clicked his tongue in amazement, calling her the ultimate stitched-together creature like those from Leo More.
Ox, perceiving the doting those people had for her, knew this could not go on.
"Killing is not a game,"
he rebuked coldly, planting the sword in the ground and leaving without looking back.
"Ox is the most boring!"
Fafna pouted, also putting down the Special Large Sword.
"Don’t listen to him," said Wolman, pointing at his temple to suggest that Ox was uncultured, and added, "Killing is a game. There’s the annual Aran people’s slaying contest. Every kill gets you a hundred points, and when you reach a million points, you get a chance at a lucky draw!"
Wolman’s voice was full of excitement.
Fafna made a face of disdain.
"Stop conning kids. There’s no lottery. Killing ten thousand people and snatching their money, that’s the real prize."
Fafna gave a mischievously evil smile and lifted the Special Large Sword, twirling it to create a flurry of sword flowers before suddenly slashing a thick tree trunk into explosive splinters.
Wolman was profoundly shocked—could she actually be a genius? A pirate holy body, indeed. Right on, sister. Sister is so right.
After several months, Fafna was already familiar with life in Heaven Port; it was time to discuss matters befitting a desperado.
"So after chopping up so many people and robbing so much money, how do you want to spend it?"
"Of course, it’s to buy the most expensive cake—I swear, eating that will send you straight to hell."
Fafna’s eyes were full of little stars.
Wolman was utterly dumbfounded. Damn cake, can’t she aspire to something greater?
"Kids shouldn’t swear, and also, don’t imitate the disfigured face. That person is weird."
"You’re right, but Black Sail was created by Liszt..."
"And don’t copy the abstract Werewolf."
"Whatever, take care of yourself, Uncle."
Fafna made a face of disdain.
Wolman began to question life. In just a few months, she had changed so much. Heaven Port really was a den of evil. Now, Fafna knew how to gamble and even hired prostitutes to do her homework, only short of using flying leaves.
A maid in Dreya’s home, who was highly educated, tutored Fafna and assigned homework. This girl, worrying about snitches from the inn, had shamelessly hired a prostitute to do it for her.
What Wolman didn’t realize was that much of it was his own influence.
The party of three returned to the Black Sail Inn.
Caroso had actually been keeping them under secret surveillance. The headquarters of the Holy Spirit Church, now an independent nation, did not lie within any country.
He had used a code known only to insiders to send a secret letter conveying their current predicament.
The Netherworld Stele wasn’t something Liszt could handle alone, and his power was just so-so.
It was a matter of negotiation.
Otherwise, Caroso wouldn’t have let Fafna stay in this place crammed with fugitives.
In order to counter the Eternal Sect’s expansion, all powers must be united. If the Stele could be completely collected, no, even just a fraction of it, the might that an Ancient Era Royal Artifact could unleash might be beyond Fafna’s comparison.
When the secret letter reached Church headquarters, they would send professionals to identify Fafna’s exact classification, whether it’s one of those dragons created by the terrifying magicians of Flying Dragon Ridge or a True Dragon.
Ancient Dragon, then.
That’s out of the question, for it was a being beyond imagination.
Ideally, that’s how things should go, but in reality, Caroso didn’t know how the upper echelons of the Church would decide, or whether they would send more people.
But the outcome would be the same, for by the time their response made it back to Heaven Port, it would be the end of March or April.
Caroso didn’t have the time to waste in Heaven Port waiting for their decision that long; since he dared to take in Fafna, he should demonstrate the corresponding capacity.
He was the highest authority in Heaven Port, not just some pirate.
Wolman and Fafna returned to Black Sail Inn.
Seeing this group returning from a tough mission made Wolman ecstatic beyond belief; they had actually succeeded. But before he had time to cheer, he saw Archer.
It was like a bucket of cold water had been poured on him, and he no longer felt like cheering.
Liszt looked around the inn for a bit and couldn’t find Dreya or Goria either; damn it, they were having a secret meeting behind his back again.
Meredith was looking for Liszt to demand an explanation; she insisted on going to find Goria immediately.
"Alright, alright, no problem. What’s the rush? I’ll leave once I finish this drink."
Liszt was getting impatient and told Shadi to settle Gawain and Weber, the esteemed guests.
Fafna crossed her arms and stared calmly at Liszt.
"Hmm?" ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ NoveI★Fire.net
Liszt turned around and saw the Dragon Lady. Damn, what’s with this trendy fashion statement? Did it have to be so imposing?
Morison almost spit blood; these outfits were unheard of.
"Teenage rebellion, huh?"
Liszt pondered for a moment; this was a good sign. When the time came, he’d rely on her to take down East Shore. Sea and land combined, what worries would there be in dominating the world, aspiring for the Central Plains?
Fafna neither agreed nor disagreed, sitting at the bar, and ordered a glass of milk with sugar.
Everything fell apart.
Everyone went about their business, ignoring the child.
As Wolman inquired about the specifics, Liszt didn’t beat around the bush and told him to see for himself in the cellar.
Two minutes later, after seeing for himself, Wolman came back from the cellar; Ox was still down there in a daze.
"Damn, Liszt will always be my captain. Let’s stick together, all in!"
Wolman felt as if he was living in a dream, it seemed almost unreal.
"What gangster, no longer the captain if you’re broke?"
Liszt was speechless; these guys were too real for him.
Noticing Meredith’s gaze, Liszt coughed twice and called Mo Yutong; it was time to leave, to Dreya’s castle.
He would go in, call out Goria, then bring Mo Yutong inside.
Liszt didn’t know he had been sold out.