Chapter 35
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Chapter 35: Under the Moonlight
After a fierce but short battle, the Cat Demons licked their wounds and fled with howls.
Once the Mist Sorceress Alice left, the Fog Demons and Night Demons silently vanished. The Devil’s Vine closed its petals and retreated underground. Only the Cat Demons—not Summoned Beasts—remained restless. Though Alice had drawn over four hundred Cat Demons averaging level 16, these monsters were disorganized compared to the level 10 regular army.
Their leaders, level 19 Shadow Cat Demons, were stronger in battle but useless at command. Their presence changed nothing.
Under Midi’s command, the trio launched a one-sided slaughter, swiftly breaking the Cat Demons’ encirclement.
Ignoring the fleeing demons, they resumed their pursuit.
Now wary after facing Alice’s defenses, they suppressed their magic, hid their tracks, and cautiously followed the flow of magic. Discovery was inevitable—Alice’s surveillance extended beyond magic sensing—but this bought them time.
Under the still moonlight, three hours passed like moments. The group trekked through dense forest, battling monster packs along the way—the Sorceress had kept busy harassing them while waiting for Fina to wake.
As they advanced, the magic flow thickened from hair-thin strands to rope-like streams, eventually merging into a proper river. The Witch’s Abode drew near.
The thought of nearing Fina sharpened Sigmund and Lilian’s resolve. They exchanged determined nods, ready to speed up—but Midi raised a clenched fist: *halt*.
The two instantly ducked under tree shadows, holding their breath and scanning their surroundings warily.
Midi sighed and stepped into the open. “No hiding now. Stay alert, but don’t overreact. Remember—Alice isn’t our enemy.”
*Not enemies after kidnapping Fina?* Lilian thought bitterly but obeyed, emerging beside him. Sigmund scaled a tree for a vantage point.
As the trio formed their defensive formation, a raspy screech tore through the night:
“DIE!” A black blur dove from above, radiating killing intent.
“Wait—!” Midi yelled.
Too late. Sigmund’s reflexes fired a shell at the target’s trajectory. A hexagonal ice shield materialized midair, blocking the shot effortlessly. Gunpowder fireworks erupted with an explosion sound.
A shrill whistle answered. Sigmund blurred between branches, dodging ice shards stabbing every spot he vacated. After evading dozens, the assault stopped. Unharmed but drained, he glared.
*Advanced Elf Summon: Ice Phantom Aquaris.*
Alice’s greeting.
“Morons! Attacking ME? Want death? Got owned, huh? Haha! That pretty face’s just for stepping on!” crowed a smug voice.
Only then did they see the attacker: a crow.
*What’s its deal?* Both Sigmund and Lilian wondered. Midi just smiled ruefully, memories flickering in his gaze.
But in the next moment, no one glanced at the crow anymore.
The Mist Sorceress Alice had arrived.
With waterfall-like black hair and night-blending black clothes, her small figure descended from the sky, landing lightly on a branch of the towering tree. She gazed down at the intruders, slender fingers adjusting her clothes like preening feathers.
She resembled a black swan – elegant, beautiful, pure, yet radiating bewitching charm.
An invisible Tide of Magic swelled, putting Sigmund and Lilian on high alert. From her demeanor, they knew the night’s true battle was just beginning now that the Sorceress appeared.
Yet Midi showed no tension, not even slightest intention to fight.
At this moment, victory meant nothing to him. He simply wanted to see Alice clearly – the woman who’d taught him so much, quietly supported the Hawk Brigade, appeared calm yet burned with hidden impulsiveness.
The devoted woman who’d died for him in his past life.
But he couldn’t embrace Alice now.
Facing this familiar scene, Midi forced down a bitter smile. Since his reincarnation, both Fina and Alice – the two most important women in his life – had started as his opponents.
But this opposition didn’t worry him. Midi believed his sincerity would reach their hearts. He just needed to give his all every time. For someone seeking to atone for past mistakes, arrogance and stubbornness, this was natural – to repay double what he owed from their previous lives.
Suppressing his emotions, Midi stepped forward casually. "Hey Alice, how’s Fina doing?"
"Fine, though she looks ready to explode," the Mist Sorceress answered automatically.
Then Alice froze – she had no obligation to answer! Midi’s tone was too familiar, his expression too natural. He knew her identity and name with absolute certainty, calling her without hesitation like an old friend.
She realized Midi stood completely unguarded within her attack range. Given his combat skills, this couldn’t be accidental. Was it intentional? Alice felt this black-haired boy had no ulterior motives – he’d rushed into the forest just to see her.
But then she remembered the red-haired girl, feeling unexplained irritation. Her hostility flared stronger.
"Leave this forest now or die," she commanded coldly, magic power surging around her.
"Wait! Hear us out?" Midi spread his hands. "We traveled thousands of miles not for treasure, but for your help. We have things that could boost your magic – don’t you want to see?"
"Unnecessary. I’ve captured the redhead. Answers will come." Alice’s refusal held no hesitation.
Midi blinked in surprise. Shouldn’t she be interested in his demon god? Last life, Alice had spent years studying it after showing rare excitement. Revealing the mysterious demon god on his left arm was supposed to be his trump card.
Then he remembered recent anomalies – his spiritual connection with Fina during transmutation, her unprecedented magical growth, his dual sword soul/Ghost Cry professions… These exceeded even perfect transmutation standards.
Now Alice fixated on Fina instead. This meant their transmutations had caused unexpected changes. The Mist Sorceress had captured the Queen of Magic preemptively, dismissing Midi’s group as unworthy.
"Master! Stop chatting with these losers! Show them real power!" The crow landed on Alice’s shoulder, stirring trouble.
Midi sighed. Even without this troublesome bird, battle was inevitable. The Mist Sorceress raised slender fingers, air crackling as a pale hand emerged from a space rift, hurling Ice Shards at Midi!
The high-level Elf summon Ice Phantom Aquaris struck again.
