“Love and sacrifice, what a good story. Although the plot is simple, it's a very nice fairy tale for children.”
The Old Sage in Grey Robes commented, the bonfire before him gradually returning to its original state, and in his hand, a thin little book was forming—it was the story of the sleeping princess.
Xia De stood up, supporting himself on the ground, and temporarily handed Mia, whom he was holding, to Miss Olanorde. He respectfully asked:
“Oh God, this story actually isn’t over yet. A kiss of true love can save the princess in the story, but in reality, only true sacrifice can save those who cannot awaken. May I temporarily borrow your power? I wish to show you, as the one who brought this story to this world, the true power of this fairy tale.”
“This is your story to begin with, it is your power.”
The Old Sage in Grey Robes handed the small book in his hand to Xia De, and golden light particles dispersed towards Xia De, granting him enough Ling to use a Mystic Lock once.
At this moment, the fourth Ling Rune of the Third Ring had just appeared, and with a faint, almost tangible sensation, Xia De could almost reach out and touch the edge of the Mystic Lock Miracle.
God granted temporary power, and under everyone's gaze, Xia De approached the ice coffin. He pushed open the lid and picked up the red-haired Witch.
Miss Samuel's face was flushed with excitement, God nodded slightly, and Miss Olanorde quietly watched this moment.
“Is it out of pity, or for a reward?”
God asked, and Xia De, whose body was covered in a golden afterglow, shook his head slightly. The glow illuminated Miss Fiona Drago's face:
“I just want to help them.”
He thought of Joey Barton again:
“Everything has a price, and I am willing to sacrifice my power to save others.”
Of course, he would try to do such things as little as possible, but now he was willing to pay the price.
“Selfless sacrifice?”
God laughed, and Xia De hesitated for a moment before nodding:
“Yes, not for any reward, not even out of pity; I just want to help them.”
“So that’s what mortals call sacrifice.”
God gripped the scepter in his hand and suddenly tapped it lightly on the floor tile. And with that sound, the sensation in Xia De's heart finally reached its limit.
The bonfire disappeared, the wind stopped, but the surroundings gradually brightened.
Miss Samuel and Miss Olanorde looked around, watching the dilapidated hall floor tiles gradually being covered by a red carpet, watching the ceiling, damaged by battle, extending higher, and crystal chandeliers slowly descending with the sound of chains.
It was as if the stage had changed, and behind the curtain was a brand new scene.
The smell of decay in the air was swept away, and as the light continuously strengthened, beneath their feet was a grand palace hall, rebuilt based on the front hall of the Gaddis Library.
The magnificent decorations contrasted sharply with the decay and dilapidation from just now. And outside the huge French window, there was a Town with a grid-like layout. It was night outside, and the Moonlight cast its glow upon the Town, illuminating the snowy street and the shop windows, but there was no match girl on the street. Further in the distance was a vast forest, and the canopy of the giant tree in the center of the forest looked out at the palace hall in the high castle, but no one knew if the bonfire beneath that giant tree was still lit.
Xia De and the ice coffin were located in the deepest part of the palace hall, seven steps higher than where the Witches were. Holy silver and emerald tapestries were alternately hung on the walls, which should have borne the royal insignia, but now displayed symbols of the moon and a tree.
And where the throne should have been placed, the ice coffin was displayed.
Xia De looked at Miss Fiona Drago's face, knowing that his next action would be very impolite, but he could only do it:
“Sorry.”
He kissed the second headmistress of Saint Byron's, this Witch with Red Dragon royal blood.
The characteristic of the sleeping princess Mystic Lock was formally activated at this moment. Xia De sensed what he was losing, but also what he seemed to be gaining.
Four-colored spiritual light bloomed on Xia De's body and was transmitted to the Red Dragon Witch.
Outsider, the Miracle “Moon Shadow's Illusion” has become unusable.
This was the sacrifice.
The loss of the Miracle effect caused the soul to feel lost and empty, but in return, the Witch kissed by Xia De's eyelashes trembled slightly, and then she opened her eyes.
Her wine-red eyes looked at Xia De, her face flushed, as if she suddenly understood something. Then, her white sleeve with Hollow details wrapped around Xia De, and she responded to Xia De's help with a more passionate kiss.
The Witches all seemed to like the perfume “Witch's Scent,” but different Witches would fine-tune the scent according to their own preferences. The perfume on Miss Fiona Drago had a scent mixed with mint and licorice.
One of the characteristics of the sleeping princess Mystic Lock is to “awaken” females who have fallen into Sleep, death, or are about to depart. Both the caster and the redeemed need to pay a price. The price Xia De paid was the permanent invalidation of a Miracle, while the price Miss Drago paid is not yet apparent, but since her injuries were not serious, the price should also not be serious.
When the kiss ended, all the Ling given by God for releasing the Mystic Lock was exhausted. The magnificent hall faded, darkness surged back, and they returned to the front hall of the Gaddis Library.
Miss Fiona Drago sat in the ice coffin, the spreading bonfire light illuminating her face. She released Xia De's neck, smiled at him with a blush, and only after hearing Miss Olanorde's cough did she nimbly climb out of the ice coffin.
Gu Yin
“Teacher~”
She walked towards her teacher by the bonfire, and as she passed Xia De, the tip of her tail brushed the back of Xia De's hand. Although that tail looked dangerous, it was actually exceptionally soft. Of course, it couldn't compare to Mia's short tail.
Xia De stood still, his Destiny Ring slowly fading behind him. He wasn't just paying; the sleeping princess Mystic Lock wasn't just a power of sacrifice. When he activated the Mystic Lock again, he could summon Miss Fiona Drago's shadow to assist in battle, or allow himself to use part of the “princess's” power within the Mystic Lock.
That was just Miss Fiona Drago's power at this time, the awakened “princess,” an imprint remaining within the Mystic Lock.
Outsider, you have gained the spell “Red Dragon Power.” It greatly enhances your strength for a short period but will lead to a brief period of weakness.
Outsider, you have gained insight into “Power” and “Dragon.”
“The Echo of time vibrates the Sleep power. The Mystic Lock's characteristic is to randomly lose a portion of power to retrieve the departing ‘princess,’ the ‘princess's’ shadow remains within the Mystic Lock, and I can gain some of the ‘princess's’ characteristics. The power of the Revival Kiss and the summoned creature, it seems Leia's teachings still influence me.”
Thinking of the red-haired princess and the golden-haired Writer he hadn't seen for over a month, he looked up at God, who was smiling at the mortals:
“Why is there a return?”
He had originally thought this Mystic Lock was only about sacrifice.
“You did sacrifice willingly, but this world is always very fair. Although what you gain is not equal to what you give, at least goodwill will not go unrewarded.”
The Old Sage in Grey Robes took a satisfied puff from his pipe, and Xia De also walked back to the bonfire from in front of the ice coffin.
Miss Samuel patted the soft cushion beside her, excitedly gesturing for Xia De to sit down and talk; she was very interested in everything that had just happened. Miss Olanorde sat with her student, the former wearing a black cloak, hugging her knees, revealing her brown knee-high lace-up cloth boots, while the latter knelt slightly behind, secretly winking at Xia De.
“A very good story, I am very satisfied. Then I can also fulfill your second wish. This staff now belongs to the descendants of the Long Leaf Elves. When needed, my followers will appear to assist you in establishing the Library you aspire to.”
He held the wooden staff horizontally in his hand, then handed it to Xia De.
Xia De could clearly feel the rich Miracle elements on it even without touching it. Even if this item was not a relic at this time, it was enough to be called a “divine artifact.”
He handed the staff to Miss Olanorde, who looked at Xia De with a sense of loss:
“So, are you leaving?”
“Yes, about five more minutes.”
Xia De nodded, then hesitated and said:
“Actually, I also came this time to seek help. I am fighting a very troublesome enemy, and I want to learn more ways to use the Moonlight Greatsword.”
Mia finally found an opportunity to escape from Miss Olanorde and returned to Xia De's side, while Miss Drago looked curiously at the cat.
“It's a pity there's not much time left, but it doesn't matter, at least you can all leave here safely. Don't forget to say hello to Miss Felianna for me.”
Xia De said with a smile, but he was actually very worried about the decisive battle with Joey Barton later.
“If you just want to learn some techniques, I can help you.”
The smiling Old Sage in Grey Robes said, still sitting cross-legged by the bonfire, seemingly in a very good mood.
He pointed a finger at Miss Olanorde, and some light particles floated from her forehead into Xia De's head. More ways to use the Moonlight Greatsword naturally appeared in Xia De's mind. After interpretation and identification by “another me,” they easily transformed into techniques he could instantly master.
That was the technique of using a physical sword, using the Moonlight Greatsword, and unleashing a Moonlight Slash with the Moonlight Greatsword.
“This is a small gift; I am not a very strict God.”
He said with a smile.
“Thank you.”
Xia De nodded lightly, looking out of the huge door frame. The red snow was still falling, but it was much lighter than when Xia De first arrived.
“Witches, leave now. Although the weather is still very bad, now is the most suitable opportunity.”
God suggested.
“I…”
Xia De wanted to say that he would accompany the three Witches, as he still had some time, but the Old Sage in Grey Robes then said:
“Why don't you stay here and talk to me some more? It's rare to meet someone as interesting as you. We can talk about those stories.”
The departure was so sudden. Although they had long known this would be a long separation, when God brought it up, both Xia De and the Witches felt a sense of loss.
None of them moved. Xia De pursed his lips, unsure how to speak. The bonfire in front of them still danced merrily, and the intermittent sound of the Old Sage in Grey Robes puffing on his pipe could be heard. Shadows flickered, but time would not pause for it.
