Chapter 46: Summoning Magic

Falu Xier finally spoke.

Her voice was low, tinged with a deliberately crafted exhaustion and fragility.

“The plan for the Gate of Dolos is still underway. I’m preparing to personally go to the Withered Woodland for a site inspection. But I suspect Pope Feink is an insider.

Once I leave the royal city, he’ll make a move. I need someone I can trust to watch Feink’s every action for me.”

Actually, it’s not necessary.

I’m just passing the location of this secret site to you.

Falu Xier couldn’t even explain why she suspected [Tutu], but absolute caution made her choose this path.

In that ambush where she paid a heavy price, she could sense that Zeheriel’s true target wasn’t her, but the prophecy stone she carried—a stone that hadn’t even played a decisive role.

But in reality, not many people knew about her defeating the Fungus Mother, rescuing the little fairies, and obtaining the prophecy stone.

Aside from Nilo, the Pope, Yingyue, and the many magic girls, only the two players who accompanied them then—[Shadowfang Breaking Army] and [Can You Eat Cute Bunny]—were aware.

Even the player [Jingwei Sage], who pushed the Gate of Dolos forward with all his might, knew nothing about the prophecy stone.

[Shadowfang Breaking Army] had saved her in that ambush by the Abyss Lord.

If he were an insider, there would have been no reason for him to do so.

So, the final suspicion fell on this seemingly harmless girl.

Until that ice sculpture shattered and everything became clear.

The deepest serpent coiled in her heart finally bared its fangs.

—

Inside the Golden Iris Hotel, Falu Xier gazed at the girl across from her, still pretending to be absorbed in her food.

She watched as the girl’s pink hair shimmered softly under the sunlight.

She could even recall clearly the first time this girl saw her in front of the commission board of the Star Tower—how her eyes had sparkled with a mix of admiration and curiosity.

She remembered too, during several joint extermination missions, how the girl always trailed at the back of the team, munching on snacks while effortlessly summoning all sorts of cute yet powerful creatures.

Everything appeared so innocent, so carefree, with not a single flaw.

What a perfect disguise.

But when real evidence was laid out before her, what once seemed ordinary now became suspicious.

Why did [Tutu], who had no interest in combat or quests and cared only for games and food, have a level rivaling that of [Shadowfang Breaking Army], a grinding maniac, earning her a spot in her Sentinel Project?

Why did [Tutu], a visitor from another world who had only arrived in Tingyue Continent two months prior, have such thorough knowledge of every corner of the land, its hidden legends, and even the best dishes in each restaurant?

She was like a native who had lived here for ages, yet she possessed a player’s identity that a true native could never have.

[Shadowfang Breaking Army], that frivolous yet sharp man, had once assured her that [Tutu] was definitely a player.

Because, in that tragic ambush half a month ago, everyone saw [Tutu] swallowed whole by the Abyss Lord’s mountain-sized jaws, leaving not a single bone behind.

Yet, not long after, she reappeared unscathed near the Star Tower—a resurrection privilege unique to players.

“Tingyue Continent has no teleportation magic.”

[Shadowfang Breaking Army] had said to her then.

“If the Abyss Lord swallowed her, she could only have resurrected as a player.”

At that time, Falu Xier hadn’t refuted him.

But now, with a mind sharpened by countless battles and schemes, she found the answer.

Yes, there is no teleportation magic on Tingyue Continent.

But there is Summoning Magic.

A power so great it can tear through space in an instant, forcibly transferring a contract target from one place to another.

In Falu Xier’s mind, the entire chain of logic snapped into place.

The truth was like an icy blade, cutting through the fog.

The moment [Tutu] was swallowed by the Abyss Lord—seemingly doomed—Zeheriel, far on the other side of the battlefield, activated his summoning spell.

Like retrieving a Tool, Zeheriel summoned her from the Abyss Lord’s jaws directly to his side.

The process was so swift that, amidst the battlefield’s chaos, everyone simply assumed she had died.

Then, she calmly walked to the area near the Star Tower, pretending to have just been resurrected.

A perfect shell game.

A flawless deception.

This also explained why, during the ambush, Zeheriel and his army of summoned creatures didn’t appear on the main battlefield at first—he had to summon [Tutu] elsewhere, out of everyone’s sight.

She was not a player.

She was not a native.

She was Zeheriel’s summoned creature.

A Tool disguised as a player—the perfect spy.

Her high level was a power bestowed by Zeheriel.

Her knowledge of the continent came from her master, whose age was beyond imagining.

Even all her summoned beasts weren’t her own, but were called forth by Zeheriel, lurking in the shadows.

Falu Xier slowly swallowed the ice cake in her mouth, a chill spreading from her throat down to her stomach.

She put down her spoon.

The second crisp sound rang out, echoing in the dead silence of the dining table.

“The food here,”

She spoke, her voice soft but clear in [Tutu]’s ears—and to those nearby who strained to eavesdrop.

“is it good?”

—

Ten years ago.

“Go, child, go!”

Papa, where should I go?

“Mine! Don’t worry about us, go west! Run!”

…Brother? Brother, why aren’t you coming… Oh, your leg is broken.

“Mine… run…”

Is mama sleeping? But… if she’s sleeping, why are her eyes still open?

Am I dying?

Are these… all just hallucinations?

Until that man appeared.

Zeheriel.

“I saw your past.”

His voice seemed to bore straight into her mind.

“Those executioners draped in the kingdom’s crest. They took everything from you, didn’t they?”

“That pig called Bato is building his paradise with the wealth stolen from your homeland. That foolish king, Duraniel, turns a blind eye, perhaps even takes a share.

And that so-called chosen of the gods, the revered Jennet—where is she? She protected the nobles of Arslan and the prestige of the church, but did she ever protect you?”

“My name is Zeheriel. I cannot give you a home, for your home has been burned to ash. But I can give you power—the strength to take revenge on those who ruined your life.”

“All I ask is for your loyalty—your pure, beautiful hatred.”

Mine slowly reached out her dirty little hand, placing it in Zeheriel’s palm.

“I… accept.”