Ash had a rather bad habit: when he felt a relationship becoming close (in his view), he enjoyed draping his arm around others.
Igula was very disdainful of this, but after slapping Ash’s hand away a few times, he didn’t bother anymore. When Ash draped an arm around the Swindler, it always gave the impression of two little cats; Ash was a tabby cat, and Igula was a ragdoll cat.
Harvey didn’t mind, but on the contrary, Ash didn’t quite dare to place an arm around his shoulders. When walking with Harvey, Ash felt like he was a husky resembling a wolf, but Harvey was truly a wolf resembling a husky.
Tamasi didn’t mind either, but as his nickname suggested, when walking with him, Ash felt like a dove while Tamasi was a crow. Ash’s outstretched hand was like the wings of a dove, never able to truly grasp the Black Crow.
At that time, he vaguely felt that Tamasi was a person not to be bound by emotions, like a bird in flight.
"We’ll," Ash exhaled a breath, first meeting eyes with Igula, who silently nodded, having already confirmed through a Miracle that this Black Crow was authentic, and then glanced at the group of Black Feather Mages eyeing them eagerly, saying: "help you deal with them first, and then go find the Silver Lamp."
"No." The Black Crow said seriously: "The Silver Lamp has been preparing on the lowest level for several hours now, and every second you delay pushes Senluo closer to destruction."
"I heard this news three hours ago, but Tanomu is right here, so I had to stay. I originally intended to kill Tanomu and then figure out a way to stop the Silver Lamp on the lowest level, but..."
Igula’s gaze went downwards, spotting a heap of dismembered remains and a severed head. The blood from the neck had dried, and the pretty head lay on the liquor-and-blood-soaked floor, with its side facing Ash and the others. Even with its grimy appearance, the past beauty was unmistakable, a mocking smirk barely visible on its lips.
These body parts had almost smooth cuts, clearly the handiwork of the Black Crow.
Igula asked, "The Mercury Wooden Horse, dead?"
"Tanomu is dead." The Black Crow nodded and then shook his head: "But the Mercury Wooden Horse is not yet dead."
At that moment, the young Mage who had been held by the Black Crow suddenly grabbed the Gray Fox Blade, thrusting his left elbow back fiercely, sending a Wind Blade from his elbow towards the Black Crow behind him!
The Black Crow casually dispersed the Wind Blade, while the Gray Fox Blade lightly swept across, slicing off all the young man’s fingers! Yet, even after this surprise skirmish, the tip of the Gray Fox Blade still pricked the young man’s neck, and the Black Crow did not reveal any opening, not even for a second!
A voice as clear and melodious as a wind chime echoed in the hall: "I order you not to die!"
The young man named Charlin immediately ceased his struggle, not at all concerned with his own injuries, and upon hearing this order, he could only bite his lip in humiliation, continuing as the Black Crow’s captive.
Thus, Ash and the others noticed a young girl surrounded by the Black Feather Mages. Among a group of tense, combat-ready Black Feather Mages, the cute girl, wearing her cat-eared pajamas, looked like a hotel guest who had stumbled into the wrong room. She seemed to be only in her teens, with a sweet appearance and large eyes.
Noticing Ash and the others’ gaze, she waved her hand proactively, enthusiastically greeting, "Long time no see, Lord Ash, Lord Igula, and Gwen—it’s good to see that you’re doing well after leaving the Divine Sect."
The Mercury Wooden Horse! Official source ıs 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝘯𝘦𝘵
Ash’s eyes narrowed, gripping sweet words and a hidden dagger, while Igula prepared to cast a spell, trying to capture the Mercury Wooden Horse’s position. However, as soon as the Mercury Wooden Horse had finished speaking, she hid behind others, entirely under the Holy Domain’s protection. To deal with the Mercury Wooden Horse, they would first have to get past the human wall of Black Feather Mages.
Ash asked, "So this is what the true form of the Mercury Wooden Horse looks like?"
"No." The Black Crow said: "Tanomu’s true form is that mess of flesh on the ground. I dream of her, and I definitely didn’t kill the wrong person. However... she’s not dead yet."
"Even if the body is dead, the soul can transfer to a backup vessel?" Ash drew a sharp breath: "The Four Pillars God Sect has followers numbering in the millions..."
"She probably can’t transfer her soul out of the Silent Spiral, maybe can’t even leave this level." Igula coolly analyzed: "If she could freely descend into other containers in the Wasteland while in the Silent Spiral, she would be on the surface commanding the Four Pillars God Sect against the Qinri Alliance, not handing over leadership to other bishops."
"Oh?" The Mercury Wooden Horse asked with curiosity: "Did the Qinri Alliance attack so quickly? I hope they can hold out for a few more days..."
"Don’t believe her words outright, but don’t dismiss them either. She might be acting as if she truly doesn’t know about the situation above, or maybe she’s trying to lead us into thinking she knows." Igula said: "The best way to deal with such people is not to negotiate. Strike hard while she talks. Kill everyone here, cut off her head, and we’ll get the truth!"
"Understood!" Ash nodded firmly: "Just like dealing with you—I’m good at this!"
"Ash!" The Black Crow was anxious: "Did you even hear what I said—"
"Isn’t it wonderful, Tamasi, that you finally care for your friends?" The Mercury Wooden Horse laughed: "Why reject their goodwill? With all the various grievances between us, why not settle old scores before the apocalypse? Then everyone can go to Hell cleanly together."