“Go back?”
“That’s right. You come back with me first, so I can properly investigate whether you really are Liyami. Without that, I can’t be sure if what you’re saying is true or false.”
Colin explained to Liyami.
After hearing Colin’s explanation, Liyami thought for a moment and agreed he was right.
Continuing to stall here wasn’t a solution either.
She couldn’t understand those books, and that damned Magic Circle had disappeared.
The only choice was to go back and find another way.
With that in mind, Liyami nodded at Colin.
“Alright, looks like there’s no other way. We’ll have to head back first.”
Hearing Liyami’s tone, Colin raised an eyebrow, thinking: Could she really be Liyami?
That tone did sound just like her.
It seemed likely what she said was true.
I’ll have to find Eireno and the others afterward.
“Are you coming or not?”
Liyami looked at the dazed Colin, clearly annoyed.
Colin snapped back to reality and headed toward the laboratory door.
Liyami followed him.
She took one last glance at the books and the ceiling inside.
You broken books and that damned Magic Circle, just wait! I’ll definitely come back!
Once we reunite with the Saintess and the others, we’ll come back and find a way to turn back! Liyami silently vowed in her heart.
The laboratory wasn’t very large, so Colin and Liyami soon reached the entrance.
But just as they stepped out, both of them sensed something and turned back to look inside.
Then, what they saw was…a Magic Circle on the floor?
Another Magic Circle?!
The moment the Magic Circle appeared, it lit up brightly, and everything in the laboratory was swallowed by flames—all within seconds.
Liyami stared in shock as the laboratory was burned to ashes in moments, leaving behind only stones and smoke.
Colin watched the scene silently for a moment before slowly saying, “It activates fast, has a simple structure, and strong concealment. This should be a standard Destruction Magic Circle. No, wait, ordinary Destruction Magic Circles can’t fool us, so this one must have been modified by the Demon Clan Remnant, greatly enhancing its concealment. It looks like there was something here they didn’t want anyone else to see.”
Destruction Magic Circles are widely used for their quick activation and simple structure.
But because of their simplicity, they are easily deciphered by others.
Thus, most Destruction Magic Circles rely heavily on concealment. Usually, only the caster knows where it is before activation.
This Destruction Magic Circle, however, was improved by the Demon Clan Remnant, greatly increasing its concealment.
Even Colin and Liyami only noticed it when it activated.
Liyami looked at the laboratory, now utterly destroyed, and felt like crying.
Now she wouldn’t have to come back to this damned laboratory ever again.
“No! My books! My Magic Circle! Without them, how am I supposed to turn back?!!! (; ́0000)”
Liyami knelt on the ground, crying out in despair.
Seeing Liyami so desperate stirred a protective urge in Colin.
He reached out and patted her head to comfort her.
“Don’t worry. The Saintess and the others are already capturing that Demon Clan Remnant. Once they catch it, you’ll be able to turn back.”
Liyami froze, but not because of Colin’s words—she understood them; that was her backup plan anyway.
She was frozen by Colin’s action.
She never expected him to touch her head.
She had never been touched on the head before—this was the first time, and of all people, it was Colin!
What’s more, it felt unexpectedly comforting!
Liyami shivered, quickly regaining her composure.
Then she noticed Colin was still patting her head!
She instantly flared up, “How long do you intend to keep touching me?!”
Hearing this, Colin awkwardly withdrew his hand.
He scratched his head and stammered an explanation to Liyami, “Uh, this…it was an accident. Your hair feels really nice. I just couldn’t help myself…”
“Couldn’t help yourself?! You’re supposed to be a Paladin! When the Saintess and the others were around you before, you never did this!”
Liyami’s eyes widened at Colin’s excuse.
“Ahem, well, now that there’s nothing left here, we should head back,” Colin cleared his throat, changing the subject.
“Don’t think you can dodge the question!”
Liyami shot back.
At her challenge, Colin immediately grew serious.
“What question? Don’t get cocky. I still haven’t confirmed you’re really Liyami! Come on, let’s head back and verify it!”
With that, Colin immediately headed toward the labyrinth entrance.
Liyami noticed Colin’s pace quicken until he was outright running.
Watching Colin’s retreat, she glanced at her arm, then hurried to catch up.
“Phew, phew, after running so far, they probably can’t catch me now,” the Demon Clan Remnant Alec panted as he crouched in a small grove.
Alec had originally been a Demon Clan officer.
Though reclusive by nature and addicted to sleeping potions—meaning he stayed home mostly—he was little known among humans and even most demons were unaware of him.
But no matter what, Alec was a Demon Clan officer.
After the Demon King and the Hero perished together, Alec had to flee his residence and began a life on the run.
Just recently, the Kingdom discovered Alec’s laboratory, which he immediately used as bait to escape.
At that moment, panting Alec sensed something.
He paused, then began laughing wildly.
“Hahaha! They’ve fallen for it! That Magic Circle was triggered!”
Though Alec didn’t know exactly what the Magic Circle did, he had studied it for many years.
Judging by the difficulty of its research, that Magic Circle was an ancient spell—and Forbidden Magic at that.
Forbidden Magic was typically very powerful.
Plus, Alec’s previous research on another High-Rank Demon Summoning Magic Circle, while costly, had successfully summoned a very strong high-rank demon, along with the unique aids of the summoning circle itself.
The Special Incident Response Team must be having a headache now—maybe they’re all dead.
“Haha, I’m such a genius! Now I should be able to escape, right?”
Suddenly, Alec noticed the surroundings had gone too quiet.
He eyed the area cautiously.
A holy light suddenly illuminated the grove, blinding Alec.
His instincts kicked in, and he dodged to the side.
“Swoosh.”
An arrow shot through and struck Alec’s shoulder.
Three figures stepped out from the shadows: a priest, an elf, and a mage.
Alec already understood what was happening.
He stopped trying to run—it was useless.
He began to gather energy and cast spells while shouting, “For the Demon Clan! For the Demon King!”
Seeing him act, the three launched their attacks.
Arrows, divine arts, magic, and shadow techniques exploded in the grove…
Liyami looked around with a strange expression, then glanced at Colin’s radiant smile.
She took a deep breath and said, “I understand all the logic here, but why does it have to be your place?!!”
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