During the nights in Gear City over the past few days, the energy crystal turned into a large online chat room. Ave had numerous little schemes, always trying to invoke Ethan’s homesickness by describing the joyful life in Ximu Town and hinting that if he didn’t come back soon, the other side would be riding Miss Keroy to conquer the stars and the sea.
To win Miss Keroy’s affection, the former Knight Commander, once resplendent in the Empire, transformed into a genuine chicken farmer, meticulously taking care of Miss Keroy every day.
As for the business in the Fireplace Bay shop, it had been a while since the Ice Arrow Scrolls were restocked. Those who relied on Ice Arrows for hunting seemed addicted, asking every night when Heisenberg would restock them.
Rowena made some progress in her research on the Giant Divine Soldier’s remains, suggesting that they might try to dilute the intensity of the curse, keeping it within a range the human body could withstand. Despite somewhat reducing defensive power, it would allow for mass production of the cursed armor all at once.
Rowena even thought of a name; she set up her counter in the Old Sen Magical Technology Store, named Nana’s Magical Research and Appraisal Shop. The main business was appraisal assistance for Magic Masters. In her words, it was a risk-free venture relying on her eloquence.
It seemed it was time to return.
Ethan listened to the heated conversation between Lindong and Ave and others while packing his luggage on the side.
The maid outfit had recently become Lindong’s main attire. At this moment, she took off her crystal high heels, lay on the bed, gently swinging her legs wrapped in white lace stockings.
Ethan still hadn’t figured out what she read in the Saint Hilman Cathedral library before.
However, before returning, there was one more thing he needed to do.
Saying goodbye to the Gravedigger Chief at the branch office, who left a very deep impression on him—mainly because his face was as square as Steve’s, the squarest face Ethan had ever seen.
Mr. Luoxang’s experience deeply saddened him, and this time, he seemed able to create a reunion ending.
Lindong’s legs stopped swinging, she turned her face to look at him.
"I have a favor to ask you."
Before dark, Ethan, who had checked out of his room, visited the branch office one last time. Upon learning he was returning to Ximu Town, the square-faced chief immediately felt like the sky was falling.
"Won’t you stay a few more days? Gear City just experienced such a big event, and research on the red plague has only just begun. Right now, we need you... How about transferring you to the research department? Although it violates some regulations, I can make the decision to promote you to a C-level investigator!"
"Precisely because of this, I must return to Ximu Town as soon as possible."
Ethan, full of righteous fervor, declared, "Chief, the Empire’s defense lines consist of these small towns. If the red plague spreads to Ximu Town, causing the entire town to fall, this layer of defense will inevitably be breached by the followers of the Evil God."
Hearing this, the Gravedigger could only nod helplessly.
Brave, capable, and more importantly, willing to delve into the front line—this reminded the Gravedigger of the time when the previous chief was still alive. Back then, the Reception Bureau wasn’t a place of idleness like it is now.
He patted Ethan on the shoulder, "Boy, do well, and also, don’t die easily at the hands of those people!"
At this point, he suddenly asked in surprise, "Huh? Where did your cat go?"
"She’s waiting for me at the inn."
Meanwhile, in the isolation zone of the Reception Bureau.
The thug was still securely bound to the chair by the straitjacket, his broken nose treated, and red ice everywhere on the floor made investigators avoid the isolation zone at all costs.
Many had witnessed Aisoke’s terrifying form post-mutation, fearing they too might be transformed into monsters.
The thug leaned quietly against the chair, his brow relaxed. He heard the investigators discussing that Aisoke was dead, shot to pieces by a musket, with most of his corpse burned by a priest. His tragic death inexplicably calmed the thug’s internal rage.
The investigator said he had the red plague, but he didn’t care; whether labeled as thug, infected, or death row inmate, he had no objections. Now, he only needed to quietly wait for death in this room—he had fulfilled his fatherly duty.
In this cramped room, the concept of time became extremely vague, and he could no longer determine how long he had been in here.
He planned to take a nap, waiting for the investigators wrapped in isolation suits to extract research samples from him, as someone who lived in the slums, he had never been this valued.
But suddenly, the air turned cold.
It was some indescribable chill that touched the soul.
The hunter sensed something and slowly opened his eyes, looking at the woman wearing a swirling mask who had appeared in the room by some unknown means.
The woman stood before him, scrutinizing him condescendingly.
"Do it," the hunter stated calmly, fully aware that with his strength, he was no match for a big figure like Aisoke. But Kane’s speech had moved him deeply, and the investigators claimed the red plague and the Evil God helped him exact revenge. Next, he should offer his soul to the Evil God.
This was a fair trade, and he had no complaints, but before that, "Are my wife and daughter okay?"
The Evil God’s emissary seemed disinclined to answer his question. The cold engulfed the hunter suddenly, his vision went black, and his consciousness plunged into an endless abyss.
He didn’t know how long he lingered in the abyss, but according to the church’s doctrine, everyone who offered their soul to the Evil God would suffer eternal torment.
When the cold retreated, the hunter smelled the scent of earth.
He lay on the cold ground, surrounded by lush vegetation, far from Gear City and beyond the patrol of the Kingdom Army outside the city.
The hunter slowly got up, his arms covered in dirt, beside him was the torn open and scattered straitjacket.
The emissary of the Evil God didn’t share news about his wife and daughter, only told him that if he followed the path, he’d reach a place called Ximu Town.
He would find answers there.
This was an outcome the hunter never dreamed of; he walked forward with heavy steps.
The Evil God’s scheme, they would first offer hope, then mercilessly crush it; that was their pleasure—those were the church’s declarations about the Evil God, known to anyone who sat in the preaching hall of the Saint Hilman Cathedral for a while.
Still, he had to see Ximu Town.
If this was a beautiful dream meticulously woven by the Evil God, he would even choose to drown in it.