Chapter 495 - 493: The Holy Daughter Is Driven Away

Outside Dragon Island, somewhere.

"Sir, did you really not secretly guide her in this matter?"

Daisina, known as the Love Witch, one of the four witches of the Tower of Descent, looked at the shadow cloaked in a black robe in front of her and asked solemnly.

"We are willing to cooperate with you, but not to be taken advantage of for your own benefit."

The shadow turned his head and said blandly, "I don’t intend to use your arrangements for my gain; rather, you have chosen the wrong target this time. Moreover, she did not come under my guidance, it’s all just a coincidence."

The Love Witch sneered, "Is that so? The fall of the Deep Sea Mutual Aid Association is connected to the vessel you assigned; is that also a coincidence?"

The shadow looked at her and after a pause, spoke slowly, "It is a coincidence. I have never come into contact with her, so there’s no need to hide it from you. But don’t forget, the Era of Calamity did not completely eliminate the remnants of the old era. I am merely one among them."

"That Purification Skill that can restrain the Abyss forces..."

"Not only I know it, but so does the president of the Hiro Association, the friend slumbering in the Land of the Far North, and those who are dormant in the ruins. Unfortunately, one of those ruins was discovered, and the vessel once entered it; it can’t be ruled out that he taught her."

"Why don’t you go find him to confirm it?"

The shadow was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Let’s talk about it later."

Daisina’s eyes flickered, she felt that this mysterious and powerful mage seemed unwilling to meet with that friend hiding within the ruins.

Daisina contemplated for a moment, then said blandly, "I don’t want her to interfere with our actions. I will find a way to drive her away, hoping you won’t stop me. Rest assured, she won’t be hurt."

The shadow said, "Alright."

As Daisina was about to leave, the shadow’s voice came through, "If you fail, I hope you can deliver those things to her in a coincidental manner, to let her enhance as quickly as possible."

Daisina paused, turned back, and said blandly, "As long as she doesn’t get involved, there is absolutely no possibility of failure, even if Dragon Island becomes aware."

The shadow allowed the Love Witch to leave, and after a moment shook his head.

"I have long said, Erina’s advancement has little to do with the Fire Spirit; it’s merely a catalyst. The true conditions are extreme luck and talent, and... mastering Divine Format."

"And you all... are just puppets of a lesser Divine Format, polluted by the Abyss. How can you break that limit?"

The shadow’s eyes flickered.

"Raphael wouldn’t let you do such a thing either."

...

Evening.

Hilia and Encore are packing their luggage.

"Oh dear, we’ve been driven away, Encore won’t be able to see the spectacle of the Bathing Fire Essence contest tomorrow."

Encore was very disappointed.

Hilia said, "Our identities are quite sensitive, they definitely won’t let us compete for things like Bathing Fire Essence, even though our chance of obtaining it is as likely as picking up a Fire Spirit suddenly on the way back."

Encore glanced at Hilia, "I feel like the chance of picking it up on the road is higher. What if we actually find one?"

Hilia rolled her eyes, "..."

Encore adjusted her glasses, packed everything up, and then put them into Hilia’s ring.

"Let’s go."

The two of them exited the room to find a Tier Five Mage waiting outside, not Taros, but another dragon rider’s vice-captain.

The other party’s attitude was very cold, looked at the two of them, and gestured for them to proceed.

"Please, I’ll escort you away."

"The Blue Dragon really values us, having a Tier Five Mage send us off," Hilia sighed.

The vice-captain’s eye twitched.

You have the ability to easily defeat Tier Four; only Tier Five can stably supervise you.

Hilia paused beside the vice-captain and turned to ask, "Can I ask one last question?"

"You can, but I can’t guarantee I’ll answer," the vice-captain coldly replied.

Hilia said, "I’m very curious; Dragon Island Volcano belongs to Dragon Island. Inside, volcanic stones and the like, even when it’s not eruption season, are very important resources; surely you would mine them.

"And when volcanic stones are erupted out and convenient to collect, since you surround the volcano and set up an array, why not gather people to collect them yourselves, rather than let others collect, only charging a modest fee?"

In normal circumstances, the money paid naturally doesn’t compare to the cost of direct purchases. For items worth 100 Silver Coins, they only charge 50-80 Silver Coins, leaving a 20-50 Silver Coin profit margin.

Though it’s little, is there really much need?

The vice-captain blandly said, "Because volcanic eruptions are dangerous, only mages above Tier Two can enter. These erupted items are common materials, better used to let others enjoy the delight of collecting materials, saving the collection costs."

These words matched the Dragon Island Volcano’s publicity.

The publicity even included more than that.

Besides saying that it allows people to experience the joy of scavenging for materials, it also mentions promoting Dragon Island’s tourism development.

A volcanic eruption only occurring every decade indeed attracts countless people to treasure hunt, though the treasures found need to "be taxed."

Besides the treasure-seeking mages, many ordinary people from foreign lands are also drawn to witness this decadal volcanic eruption.

This indeed boosted Dragon Island’s revenue. In the days leading up to the eruption, hotels are fully booked and people are everywhere.

However, Hilia felt it wasn’t so simple.

But looking at the vice-captain’s demeanor, this matter seemed quite secretive, unlikely to be shared with them.

Hilia had to give up.

Under the vice-captain’s supervision, the two of them left Dragon Island.

Saying farewell, the vice-captain said blandly, "Next time if you two want to come, remember to notify us in advance. Dragon Island welcomes you, but sneaking in like this time, we’re hard-pressed to ensure you don’t have other intentions. If discovered, it won’t be as simple as this time."

Hilia and Encore didn’t pay much attention, leaving directly.

Encore continuously looked back at the vice-captain watching them leave and said softly, "Will they arrange for people to hunt us down?"

Hilia pretended to sense the surroundings and said, "No pursuit, they indeed just let us leave like that. But secretly there’s a shadow mage monitoring us."

Encore frowned, "Why are they still watching?"

"Possibly waiting until we are out of the Blue Dragon Empire’s border before withdrawing, or..."

Hilia slightly squinted her eyes, took hold of Encore, and said, "I have a way to shake them off, hold onto me, don’t let go."

"Oh, alright." Encore was bewildered, agreeing, suddenly feeling that Hilia’s demeanor seemed different.

An odd... very strange aura, making her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

As though being held by a man.

Before she could say anything, ’Hilia’ turned and smiled slyly, "Hand over your flying device."

"Ah? Okay."

The uncomfortable feeling grew increasingly strange.