Chapter 16: Terror in the Abandoned Mine (Part 2)

Under Naili’s lead, the group approached the center of the mine.

The air grew increasingly murky.

Beside the mine shaft cover, the words “No Entry” were written in vermilion.

A suffocating stench of sulfur and decay drifted up from below.

“According to prior investigation, most residents believe Vampires stay here at night.”

Kaili explained with utmost seriousness.

This time, even Jocelyn could sense her lack of professionalism.

What exactly is a Vampire?

A so-called highborn noble of ancient bloodline, who, if their investments fail and they can no longer maintain their luxurious life, would rather commit suicide under the sun.

Living here?

If that Vampire had cognitive impairment, maybe they would choose to live here.

“Let me make it clear first—your task is complete. You can go back now.”

Kaili drew a Short Dagger and activated the Illumination Crystal at her waist, emitting a cold, bright glow like a small street lamp.

“Since I came with you, I’m willing to go down together.

After all, you did all this for us.”

Li Qiuchen spoke righteously, trying to score some goodwill.

His words made Kaili show a look of appreciation, though unfortunately, she still didn’t reach for her wallet.

“I want to go down too… Before, I always stopped here.”

Naili’s voice grew smaller, but she still pulled out a silver dagger from her waist.

“Alright, enough nonsense, let’s go together.”

Jocelyn also approached the mine shaft stairs.

The four slowly entered the mine.

The wooden planks used to block the passage inside had long since been destroyed, leaving two or three large holes.

According to the Forbidden Legend of the Town:

Either someone went in and never came out.

Or something inside came out.

Either way, it meant ominous things.

The four stared silently at the holes, then filed in one by one under Kaili’s lead.

A figure in a black robe stood at the entrance.

After confirming that Li Qiuchen and the others had gone inside, he nodded and left without looking back.

It seemed his only purpose from start to finish was to ensure they entered.

Just before leaving, he deliberately triggered the Alert Mechanism.

With a crisp Bell sound, the clamorous noise of people gathering echoed from within Kaili’s Father’s Castle not far away, and even farther, the neighing of the Patrol Squad’s Horses could be heard.

The man wrapped in a black robe fully blended into the shadows.

***

At the same time, in Li Qiuchen’s Dreamland, whether it was the Time Temple, the Elven Tribe, or the Royal Magicians, there was no hostility among them.

Everyone was discussing matters rather amicably.

After all, they had all been summoned here, separated by thousands of miles, temporarily communicating through a shared dream space.

They still didn’t fully understand what had happened.

As for the three people at the center of the incident, their reasons for conflict were vague—they clearly didn’t want to expose the matter of Ellen’s resurrection.

The reputation of the Philosopher Mage nowadays served only as Ellen’s shield.

If it became public, each of their plans would be nearly impossible to carry out.

“It’s the same item.”

Belinda tried to explain to everyone.

“It’s… the relic of Philosopher Mage Ellen. So, it’s obvious this belongs to me.”

“Such rights are clearly lacking legal basis.”

Reina immediately interrupted Belinda’s speech.

“Ellen only verbally agreed to the engagement before; you didn’t even complete the engagement. Naturally, the ownership of this item doesn’t fall to Her Highness Belinda.”

“That’s right! As his student, I’m the legal heir to this… this thing, so it should belong to me!”

Hestia quickly found a legal inheritance argument for herself and became a little smug.

“So! It should be given to me.”

“Stupid Elf, you’d better shut your mouth immediately.”

Belinda drew Judgement.

“Did my niece say anything wrong? She’s Ellen’s student; she deserves inheritance rights.”

A tall Elf wielding a Vine Staff spoke up to stop them.

Anger showed on his handsome face.

He was Talaide Shadowsong, the Elven Mage who defeated the first-tier Sin Demon King fifty years ago.

“Your Highness and Lord Talaide, please, both of you calm down. Everyone, the love story between Her Highness the Princess and the Philosopher Mage is well known.”

“Back then, in the Imperial City, before all eyes, Mr. Ellen charged back into the Royal Palace for the Princess, expelling Prince Red, and thus the two established a marriage contract.”

A Royal Magician with a pointed hat stood up for Belinda.

“Therefore, Her Highness the Princess has an indisputable right to Mr. Ellen’s relic!”

“I don’t see what’s so indisputable about it.”

Talaide, determined to support his niece, immediately objected.

“Hmph, love? What a fleeting thing.

As for the battle in the Royal Palace you mentioned, we have never even heard of it.”

A member of the Order of the White-Robed Bishops let out a cold laugh.

“Only Eternal Tranquility and Order are the true destinations of the Philosopher Mage. His soul belongs to the Saint Palace. His relic should be under the authority of the Holy Maiden’s Eminence.”

“Belongs to the Saint Palace? That boring place in legends filled only with Order and Tranquility? I’d rather the Philosopher Mage’s soul return to the Temple of the God of War or the Wood-Fire Sect.”

A Royal Magician couldn’t help but whisper mockingly.

Talaide Shadowsong applauded.

“Or perhaps the Golden Sacred Tree? Anything is better than the Saint Palace.”

“Absurd! What right do you have to say such things!”

A member of the Order of the White-Robed Bishops flushed red and pointed in the direction of the Elven Tribe.

“During the crusade against the final Sin Demon King, your Elven Tribe hid deep in the Moonshadow Forest and did nothing.

How dare you speak blasphemy against the Saint Palace today?”

“We were protecting a greater balance. And besides, isn’t Hestia a member of the Demon-Sealing Squad?!”

Talaide Shadowsong was extremely displeased at the slander against the Saint Palace.

“Hestia’s troubles on the path of the Demon Sealing Battle obviously outweighed her contributions.”

A Royal Magician couldn’t help but voice his opinion.

He loved reading Opera and Biography, and the stupid things Hestia did recorded in those books always made him sick.

“Who said that! Stand up! Bastard, lunatic, idiot, moron!”

Hestia leaped up as if on a reflex, her pointed ears trembling with anger.

She rattled off every curse Ellen usually muttered.

She pointed at the group of Royal Magicians, identifying the culprits one by one.

“Was it you! That big-bearded one! Or you? That wrinkled old man who looks like he’s about to dehydrate and die? Ask that red-haired lion beside you if I ever saved her!”

“And that big-breasted holy light woman, how many times did I block sneak attacks for her? You foolish humans dare to slander me like this?!”

The Elf girl stomped her feet in frustration.

Of course, the reason for such anger was that her own immaturity had indeed caused a lot of trouble along the way, so she was being poked where it hurt.

But that wasn’t a reason for others to blame her! Absolutely not.

“The Magic Association was ruined by idiots like you. No wonder more and more people are siding with the Goblin Magician Association and the Light and Shadow Magicians’ Alliance.”

Talaide joined in the scolding.

“Talaide! What the hell are you saying?! I’m going to strip you of your Mage status!”

The pointed hat Mage nearly shouted.

“Then I curse your soul to the Saint Palace after death.”

Talaide replied leisurely.

“Your blasphemy against the Saint Palace has already made you lose the Goddess’s favor. Within Eternal Order, you will have no place to stand! You arrogant Magicians and foolish Elves, the Goddess will surely punish you to warn the world.”

The Order of the White-Robed Bishops could no longer hold back their suppressed fury.

“Punish us by sending our souls to the Saint Palace?”

Talaide retorted.

That one sentence ignited the argument into a full-scale war.

The arrogance of the Royal Magicians, the hypocrisy of the Time Temple priests, and the foolishness of the Elven Tribe became fuel for the three factions’ mutual attacks.

No one knew who lost their temper first.

A Fireball was hurled at Talaide.

That weak and almost harmless Fireball instantly became the spark that ignited a powder keg.

Explosion was now inevitable.